THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

GOVERNOR: FIRST SPAN OF NEW TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE OPENS WESTBOUND AUGUST 25–JUST IN TIME FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND GETAWAY. DETAILS OTHER “MILESTONES”

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Bailey

THE FIRST NEW SPAN OF THE GOVERNOR MARIO A; CUOMO BRIDGE (Mario Cuomo pictured) WILL OPEN FOR TRAFFIC AUGUST 25, GOVERNER ANDREW CUOMO ANNOUNCED THURSDAY

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. July 27, 2017:

Governor Cuomo announced Thursday that the first span of the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will open on August 25th, when westbound traffic will begin moving onto the first span.

The new bridge, on track to open in 2018 and on budget at $3.98 billion, is one of the biggest active bridge projects in the nation and the largest in the history of the New York State Thruway Authority.

“The opening of the first span of the new Mario M. Cuomo Bridge next month is a clear message that after decades of stagnation, New York is building our transportation infrastructure better, safer and more efficiently than ever,” Governor Cuomo said. “This major milestone in the project to replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge will be the first step in alleviating congestion for commuters while offering a state-of-the-art link over the Hudson River, built to last for generations to come.”

Additionally, Governor Cuomo also announced that the Federal Aviation Administration approved the $4 billion, 37 gate Delta facility at LaGuardia Airport, the final component of the transformation of LaGuardia into a completely rebuilt, unified 21st century airport, and the U.S. Department of Transportation approved a more than $500 million loan for the Moynihan Train Hall redevelopment.

Governor Cuomo also announced that cashless tolling will be complete on all MTA bridges and tunnels by the end of 2017, already having reduced commuters’ travel time by up to nine hours since January.

The New Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

The New Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge project is recognized across the nation for its iconic design, including by President Barack Obama, who put the bridge at the top of his list of critical infrastructure priority projects.

The new bridge will connect Westchester and Rockland counties and serve as the main conduit between Upstate and the New York City metropolitan region. In all, more than 6,300 people have contributed to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge project thus far, totaling more than 8 million hours of man power.

At the Governor’s direction, the Thruway Authority has managed this project since 2013 with two fundamental objectives, to first open the bridge in 2018, and second, finish the bridge at or below the budgeted cost of $3.98 billion.

On Friday night, August 25, the Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors will shift four lanes of westbound/northbound traffic to the new span.

The second step of moving eastbound traffic to that span will begin later this fall. The traffic will be separated by a jersey barrier and that traffic pattern will remain in effect until the second span is complete, and the bridge with both spans opens in 2018.

FOOD BANK SHINES LIGHT ON WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S 40,000 HUNGRY CITIZENS RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS, 200,000 Undernourished. REQUESTS CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITIES INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN “TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER” MONTH IN SEPTEMBER

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR HUNGER WATCH. By John F. Bailey. July 27, 2017:

The Food Bank for Westchester and Stop and Shop presented a forum highlighting that 20% of Westchester County residents were undernourished and were hungry each day. County Executive Robert P. Astorino noted that 40,000 county residents receive food stamps. Leslie Gordon, CEO of the Food Bank, said 200,000 Westchester residents experienced hunger. A map was displayed showing pockets of county areas where hunger was an issue.

Department of Social Services Commissioner for Westchester County Kevin McGuire told the audience of about 50 persons, most residents eligible for help did not ask for it because they were not aware of the DSS services available. He said there was no county “hunger hotline.”

He told WPCNR that by calling his office, 914-995-3285, persons could be directed to appropriate programs and services to aid them in dealing with their inability to feed themselves and families including the SNAP program.

The purpose of the forum was to publicize the scope of the hunger problem in Westchester County and reach out to motivate and involve businesses, community organizations, and local governments to a greater extent in solving the hunger crisis by these organizations increasing donations and services to Westchester hungry.

Mayor Thomas Roach of White Plains, member of the panel, suggested that food donations from the public could be collected at community events. He said he plans to start such a donation program at Jazzfest in White Plains in September, and at next year’s fireworks celebration. He also said new residents in White Plains would be acquainted with the hunger program in the future when they move to new residences, especially the 5,000 apartments being built in the city.

Assemblyman David Buchwald, representing White Plains, told WPCNR that the state has not taken up the matter of increased state funding for the SNAP (Food Stamp program) because President Trump’s new budget has not been taken up by congress yet. It is due October 1.

Buchwald said that the extent of the human services cuts has not been approved or cut yet, and the state cannot determine how large a blow federal cuts to food stamps will deal the state. He also suggested programs for donating unused food from restaurants and farms could be expanded to provide more food for the hungry on a regular basis. So supplementing any cuts he said has not been taken up by the legislature as yet.

Dr. Mona Kennedy of New York Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, said that physicians needed to be more aware of the nutrition issues in examining patients and to find out what their eating patterns are by administering a questionnaire that she has found helpful in treating patients and revealing malnutrition or hunger as a cause of related symptoms.

Ms. Gordon said the focus on developing new community initiaves and discussing them with community and business and muncipalities would be a major effort in September which she dubbed Take Action Against Hunger Month. Volunteer by going to FB4.org/HungerActionMonth.

John Ravitz, Executive Vice President/CEO of Business Council of Weschester said his organization would be attempting to involve members in new programs to supply more food for the Food Bank of Westchester in the weeks ahead.

You may also participate in the Miles for Meals 5K Run September 9 at 8:30 AM at Pace University in Honor of National Hunger Month (September).

WEST SIDE STORY PREVIEW ON THE INTERNET NO AND SATURDAY AT 7 on White Plains People To Be Heard: WPHS Grad Class of 2012 Talks About Her Role in WEST SIDE STORY at WPPAC FRIDAY NIGHT

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Bailey

RIGHT NOW ON

wpcommunitymedia.org

and

SATURDAY AT 7

WHITE PLAINS PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

PREVIEWS

WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER’S

WEST SIDE STORY

White Plains’ Alexandra Imbrosci-Viera, WPHS Class of 2012

and World Class Director Joseph C.Walsh Preview

WEST SIDE STORY

Opening Friday Night at WPPAC

Jim Benerofe (above),and John Bailey interview White Plains High School Graduate and former leading lady in WPHS productions, Alexandra Imbrosci-Viera on her role as Anita in tomorrow evening’s debut of West Side Story; and talk with the director of the show, Joe Walsh about the White Plains Performing Arts Center Stage 2 Program that develops local actors and actresses during the summers, many of whom will be appearing in the show. The Stage 2 production of West Side Story opened for 6 performances only Friday night at WPPAC. Manual pdf

ON ALTICE-CABLEVISION CH. 76 AT 7 SATURDAY

VERIZON-FIOS CH. 45 COUNTYWIDE

and ON THE INTERNET NOW ANYTIME

https://youtu.be/v2IA1SKy_Gw

www.whiteplainsweek.com

wpcommunitymedia.org

Driver at Fault in 2015 Valhalla Crossing Accident: National Transportation Safety Board

Posted on July 25, 2017 by John Bailey

7/25/2017

 WPCNR TRANSPORTATION REPORT. From the National Transportation Safety Board. July 25, 2017:

An SUV driver’s actions are the probable cause of a deadly 2015 collision between the SUV and a Metro-North commuter train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, New York, the National Transportation Safety Board found Tuesday.

The SUV driver died, along with five passengers on the train, in the Feb. 3, 2015, accident. The rail passengers were killed when 343 feet of the third rail, which powers the train, penetrated the floor of the first train car and struck passengers.

The NTSB’s investigation found the driver of the SUV moved her vehicle into the path of Metro-North commuter train 659.

Investigators found traffic at the Commerce Street grade crossing was congested when the driver entered the boundary of the grade crossing and stopped.

The grade crossing warning system activated properly and a gate came down, striking the rear of her Mercedes-Benz ML350. Witnesses said the driver exited the vehicle and examined where the gate hit her SUV. She then got back into the driver’s seat and moved onto the railroad tracks and into the path of the oncoming train.

The train hit the vehicle at 51 m.p.h., pushing the SUV 665 feet down the track, while detaching the third rail. The introduction of sparks, flaming debris and fuel into the lead railcar started a fire.

As a result of the investigation the NTSB recommended local officials assess the safety of at-grade crossings, such as the Commerce Street crossing. The NTSB also recommended commuter railroads, like Metro North, that use third-rail power systems, at or near grade crossings, should assess their safety.

“Sadly, all of the NTSB’s work in railroad and highway safety to date did not prevent this tragic accident,’’ said Acting Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. “But the recommendations we issued today could help to avoid future tragedies. When people see railroad tracks, even at grade crossings, they need to think train, and maintain – or improve – their situational awareness. We recommended risk assessments by companies and agencies, and corrective actions as warranted by the assessment results,’’ Sumwalt said. “Any railroad passenger has the right to expect that everything possible is being done to assure their safety.”

The investigation found that Metro-North’s third rail system was not constructed to fail in a controlled manner or break away when subjected to overloaded conditions such as those involved in this accident.

Also, the use of Metro-North’s current third rail system may increase the severity of railcar damage and serious injuries at grade crossing accidents.

The investigation ruled out the use of personal electronic devices or drugs and alcohol by both the SUV driver and the train engineer.

Traffic signals, the performance of the train engineer and weather and track conditions were also ruled out as issues in this crash.

There was no evidence to suggest the SUV driver unintentionally drove the vehicle forward due to the unconventional design of the SUVs transmission interface.

A link to the findings, probable cause and recommendations are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xR8hG . The final report will be posted in several days. The docket for this investigation is available at https://go.usa.gov/xRk37.