Tag:

COVID-19

COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US
Covid-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US New so-called "FLiRT" COVID-19 variants have quickly become the most dominant in the United States, and authorities are monitoring their rise as summer approaches. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the two members of the  “FLiRT” group, KP.2, is now No. 1 among strains nationally, accounting for about 24.9 of all current infections. The JN.1 strain had been dominant in the US before the emergence of KP.2. Both variants are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron strain. The No. 4 variant in the US, KP.1.1, which makes up …
COVID-19: Miller Place Man Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say COVID-19: Miller Place Man Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say
Covid-19: Miller Place Man Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say Two New York residents are accused of conning a medical supply company out of millions of dollars in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Island resident Jonathan Cannon, age 58, of Miller Place, and Erie County resident Julie Dotton, age 51, of Orchard Park, are both charged with wire fraud in a complaint unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 2. According to prosecutors, a Canadian company serving as an official provider of personal protective equipment paid Cannon and Dotton $8.2 million for surgical masks needed due to the pandemic. In exchange, Dotton agreed…
Middlesex Man Gets 2½ Years For COVID Unemployment Scam Middlesex Man Gets 2½ Years For COVID Unemployment Scam
Middlesex Man Gets 2½ Years For COVID Unemployment Scam A Middlesex County man was sentenced to a plea-bargained 2½ years in prison for conspiring to illegally obtain nearly $450,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits, federal authorities said. Christopher Valerio, 33, of Perth Amboy, must serve a little over two years before he can be released because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Valerio and co-conspirators submitted bogus unemployment applications to the New York Department of Labor through "fictitious online profiles that they created using personally identifiable information, including names, dates of birth, and Social…
Youth Curfew To Be Enforced At National Harbor In Prince George's County Youth Curfew To Be Enforced At National Harbor In Prince George's County
Youth Curfew To Be Enforced At National Harbor In Prince George's County A rash of recent violence and chaotic behavior among youths in Prince George's County has prompted officials to take drastic measures. With the summer rapidly approaching, following months of discussion, officials announced that there will be a juvenile curfew at National Harbor, effective as of 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Under the executive order, which has been signed, anyone 16 years old and younger without supervision of someone at least 21 will be required to be off the property between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.  The measure comes following seve…
$3M Fraud: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Stole COVID-19 Federal Aid $3M Fraud: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Stole COVID-19 Federal Aid
$3M Fraud: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Stole Covid-19 Federal Aid A man who owns a now-defunct Manhattan restaurant and a local theme park will spend time behind bars for stealing COVID-19 funds and putting it towards, among other things, a home in Nantucket. Long Island resident Donald Finley, age 61 of Locust Valley, faced his 24-month sentence on Tuesday, April 16, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York. Original Story - COVID-19: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Admits To Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid Finley, who owns Bayville Adventure Park and used to own a now-shuttered Jekyll & Hyde-themed restaura…
Long Beach Nurse, Former Marine Reservist Faked COVID Vax Cards: USAO Long Beach Nurse, Former Marine Reservist Faked COVID Vax Cards: USAO
Long Beach Nurse, Former Marine Reservist Faked COVID Vax Cards: Usao Two people – including a nurse from Long Island – have been given their prison sentences for running a scheme, peddling faked COVID-19 vaccination cards. Queens man Jia Liu, age 28, faced his 21-month sentence for the scheme on Friday, April 5, according to the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Alongside Steven Rodriguez, a 29-year-old nurse from Long Beach, the two men conspired to steal, forge, sell, and distribute COVID-19 vaccination cards to hundreds of unvaccinated people between March 2021 and February 2022.  Original Story - COVID-19…
Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds
Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds A 34-year-old Lynn man is accused of exploiting vulnerable women who were newly unemployed, homeless, or unable to find work during the Covid-19 pandemic and forcing them into a life of prostitution and sexual servitude under unmitigated violence, authorities said.  Anthony Coleman faces three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was arrested on Friday, March 29.  Investigators said Coleman used the chaos that followed the Covid-19 lockdowns to coerce t…
Corner Deli Closes After 14-Year Run In Ridgefield Corner Deli Closes After 14-Year Run In Ridgefield
Corner Deli Closes After 14-Year Run In Ridgefield After 14 years of serving plenty of hot egg sandwiches on a roll, subs, and homemade chicken soup, a popular Fairfield County deli has closed. The owners of Tony's Corner Deli at 622 Main St., in Ridgefield, announced on Facebook on Saturday, March 23, that they were walking away from the business. "We want to thank all of our customers for the last 14 years for your patronage," Rosely and Domenick said. "It’s been a pleasure serving this community and we have endured some beautiful friendships with our customers and will cherish them forever." The couple said COVID brought the busine…
Stamford's Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With WNBC: 'Giant In American Journalism' Stamford's Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With WNBC: 'Giant In American Journalism'
Stamford's Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With Wnbc: 'Giant In American Journalism' To celebrate journalism legend and localresident Chuck Scarborough's 50th year with NBC 4 New York, the network will hold a week of tributes that will look back at memorable moments throughout his career.  To commemorate  the 80-year-old Scarborough's lengthy career, NBC 4 New York will hold a ceremony on Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. during which the Empire State Building will be illuminated in the journalist's honor. Those who want to watch this special event can stream it live on the station's "NBC New York News" channel.  Additionally, at 4 p.m. on Monday, the network …
COVID-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme Two former government employees from Long Island will spend more than a year in federal lockup for defrauding loan programs meant to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Arthur Cornwall, age 43, of Babylon, and Sean Williams, age 42, of Valley Stream, were each sentenced to 18 months in prison in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, March 20, after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors said Cornwall, a former signal maintainer with the New York City Transit Authority, and Williams, a former New York State Court officer, received nearly $770,000 in small business loan…
Atlantic City Airshow Will Take Flight In 2024, Financial Uncertainty Lingers In The Air Atlantic City Airshow Will Take Flight In 2024, Financial Uncertainty Lingers In The Air
Atlantic City Airshow Will Take Flight In 2024, Financial Uncertainty Lingers In The Air Atlantic City's popular air show has been saved for 2024 but questions about the event's future are flying above its head. In a news conference on Wednesday, Mar. 20, Mayor Marty Small Sr. officially announced the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) will provide $300,000 to fund the 2024 Visit Atlantic City Airshow. The free event is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13, and Wednesday, Aug. 14. Organizers said inflation and lingering COVID-19 pandemic impacts created doubts about the 2024 show as early as July 2023. A news release announcing the event's cancelation was drafted and could …
Notorious NJ Consultant Used COVID Rules To File Fake Petitions For Partner, Indictment Charges Notorious NJ Consultant Used COVID Rules To File Fake Petitions For Partner, Indictment Charges
Notorious NJ Consultant Used COVID Rules To File Fake Petitions For Partner, Indictment Charges 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A controversial New Jersey political consultant was indicted by a state grand jury for filing nearly 2,000 bogus petitions in what authorities called a transparent attempt at getting his life partner on the Democratic primary ballot for governor. James Devine, 62, of Lambertville, initially received a summons last May after state authorities said he filed 1,948 fraudulent petitions with the Secretary of State’s office to get Lisa McCormick on the ballot for the June 2021 primary. Grand jurors in Trenton, in turn, returned an indictment charging Devine with offenses concerning nomin…
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring 9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring Nine members of a car theft ring have been sentenced after stealing 45 vehicles from Westchester and New York City during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced.  The nine defendants were sentenced to prison in connection with a car theft ring that operated over six months in 2020 and targeted vehicles in New York City and Westchester, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, March 11.  According to James's office, the nine sentencings were the result of a two-year investigation into the scheme that began in September 2019 and eventual…
Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds
Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds A Virginia Army reservist was apparently no better than the people he thought he was fooling. Russell Laraway, 56, of Leesburg, admitted he fraudulently claimed more than $400,000 in a COVID relief fund scheme, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber said. Being busted by the feds ultimately may have saved Laraway, though, who allegedly gave some of his hard-earned cash to foreign entities "in scams of which he was a victim," Aber's office said. According to court documents, Laraway incorporated two business entities that he purported to operate out of …
COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
Covid-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC New isolation guidelines for those infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infections have just been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said there is no longer a need to isolate for five days before returning to work or school in a statement issued Friday, March 1. The CDC said it's making updates to the recommendations now because the US is seeing "far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." Three "core prevention tips" were also detaile…
Kickbacks Convinced Doc To Scam Medicare Out Of Nearly $21 Million: NJ Feds Kickbacks Convinced Doc To Scam Medicare Out Of Nearly $21 Million: NJ Feds
Kickbacks Convinced Doc To Scam Medicare Out Of Nearly $21 Million: NJ Feds A doctor pocketed cash kickbacks from lab companies and others for filing more than $20.7 million in bogus Medicare claims for medically unnecessary -- and often expensive -- COVID and cancer genetic tests, among other scams, a federal grand jury in Newark has charged. Alexander Baldonado, 68, of Queens already was awaiting trial dating back to charges brought a few years ago when grand jurors in Newark this week returned a superseding indictment that digs deeper into the allegations. Baldonado approved lab tests billed to Medicare in exchange for cash payoffs "from a laboratory representat…
Eddie Negron, Longtime North Jersey Detective, Dies At 46 Eddie Negron, Longtime North Jersey Detective, Dies At 46
Eddie Negron, Longtime North Jersey Detective, Dies At 46 Eddie Negron, a longtime police officer who worked in East Newark and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, died on Saturday Feb. 10 in Philadelphia at the age of 46, according to his obituary. Born in Hoboken, Negron joined the East Newark Police Department in July 1998 and moved to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office as a detective in 2005, later achieving the rank of sergeant.   Negron retired in 2022 when he had a double-lung transplant after contracting COVID-19.  Negron also served in the East Newark Fire Department. It is with deep sadness that we must bid fare…
COVID-19: Those Infected With Virus 4 Times More Likely To Develop Chronic Fatigue, CDC Says COVID-19: Those Infected With Virus 4 Times More Likely To Develop Chronic Fatigue, CDC Says
Covid-19: Those Infected With Virus 4 Times More Likely To Develop Chronic Fatigue, CDC Says Those who have had COVID-19 are about four times more likely to develop chronic fatigue compared to those who haven't been infected, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers analyzed electronic health records data collected from the University of Washington that included three hospitals and over 300 primary care and specialty clinics providing healthcare services across the state, totaling 4,589 patients. Patients, who consisted of adults over age 18 having either a positive test result for COVID or a clinical diagnosis of COVID …
Italian Steakhouse In West Roxbury Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place Italian Steakhouse In West Roxbury Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place
Italian Steakhouse In West Roxbury Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place The owners of an Italian steakhouse in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood say they will close next month after 16 years in business.  In a Facebook post, the owners of Sofia Italian Steakhouse at 1430 VFW Parkway said they had sold the building, and it would be revamped into a new restaurant with a new concept.  Sofia will serve its last dinner on March 2.  After 16 happy and successful years, it is with a heavy heart that we have come to the difficult decision to have our... Posted by Sofia Italian Steakhouse on Monday, February 12, 2024 The owners did not say…
Man Who Attacked Asian-Owned Businesses Over Mask Requirement In Baltimore Gets Life In Prison Man Who Attacked Asian-Owned Businesses Over Mask Requirement In Baltimore Gets Life In Prison
Man Who Attacked Asian-Owned Businesses Over Mask Requirement In Baltimore Gets Life In Prison The Baltimore man who attacked three Asian-owned businesses over their masking requirements during the COVID pandemic is heading to prison for life. Darryl Doles was sentenced to life in prison with all but 30 years suspended for two counts of attempted murder, assault, and hate crime, Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Doles pleaded guilty to the charges in September 2023. Court documents detail Doles' May 2, 2021 "rampage" after he was denied entry to two Asian-American businesses for refusing to wear a mask indoors. It began at Linden Discount …
Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion
Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion An immigrant couple who came to the nation's capital looking to live the American Dream is reeling after the gas explosion in Anacostia that leveled their convenience store.  On Jan. 18, there was a gas explosion in the 1200 block of Marion Barry Avenue that led to the destruction of Ishaq Hussen's Danakil Convenience Store and left other nearby businesses with severe damage. Video from the dash-cam of the first engine on scene captures the moment when the second of two explosions takes place at a convenience store on Marion Barry Ave SE minutes after the initial daycare explosion #…
Yet Another Renowned NJ Catering Venue Passes: The Woodcliff Lake Hilton Closes Yet Another Renowned NJ Catering Venue Passes: The Woodcliff Lake Hilton Closes
Yet Another Renowned NJ Catering Venue Passes: The Woodcliff Lake Hilton Closes Yet another North Jersey hotel that rings with decades worth of fond memories is biting the dust -- and raising the anxiety levels for customers forced to find another venue for their weddings, proms, bar mitzvahs and other special events. The Hilton Woodcliff Lake is closing within the next two weeks, having been sold at auction to a company headed by a New Jersey-bred billionaire developer. "I personally have been going to events there since I was a teenager. My own Sweet 16, proms, fundraisers were all held there," New Jersey State Sen. Holly Schepisi said. “I’m sorry to see such a long-…
COVID-19: JN.1, Making Up 93 Percent Of US Cases, Likely More Contagious Than Other Variants COVID-19: JN.1, Making Up 93 Percent Of US Cases, Likely More Contagious Than Other Variants
Covid-19: JN.1, Making Up 93 Percent Of US Cases, Likely More Contagious Than Other Variants If you've had a case of COVID-19 recently, then it's overwhelmingly likely it came from a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has quickly become most dominant in the United States, and around the world. JN. 1, an off-shoot of the Omicron strain, now makes up 93 percent of COVID cases in the United States after accounting for less than 5 percent of infections nationally in early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. JN.1 cases in the US have more than doubled over the last month.  "Its rapid spread suggests it is either more transmissi…
Date Set For Atlantic City Aquarium's Reopening: Mayor Date Set For Atlantic City Aquarium's Reopening: Mayor
Date Set For Atlantic City Aquarium's Reopening: Mayor The Atlantic City Aquarium will welcome visitors back this summer after being closed for almost four years, the city's mayor announced. Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the aquarium on North New Hampshire Avenue will reopen on Monday, July 1. The mayor made the announcement during his State of the City Address at the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Foundation Winter Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 2. The mayor said he would "take the blame" for the long delays in reopening the aquarium on Gardner's Basin in the city's north end. "If you spend millions and millions and millions …
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Embattled Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight has reached a mutual agreement with the Board of Education to part ways with the district, effective immediately. An announcement was made on Tuesday, Feb. 2 advising the community that McKnight would no longer be at the head of schools, with COO Brian Hull stepping in as the acting superintendent. "The Board is grateful to Dr. McKnight for her many years of service to MCPS and public education," officials wrote in a statement. "We wish her well in her next chapter (and) the Board will work together with staff to ensure a sm…
COVID-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases COVID-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases
Covid-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases There's a new dominant variant of COVID-19 in the United States, and it's way ahead of the rest of the pack. JN. 1, a highly contagious off-shoot of the Omicron strain, now makes up around 86 percent of COVID cases in the United States after accounting for less than 5 percent of infections nationally in early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. It's also the most dominant across the globe. JN.1 cases in the US have doubled over the last month.  In late December, it caused 44 percent of cases in the US, after making up around 22 percent of inf…
Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice
Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice A young girl died at a Maryland hospital after suffering from the effects of COVID-19, her school district announced. On Thursday, an email was sent out to members of the community by Cannon Road Elementary School Principal Kristine Donohue, after a student passed away from the virus. According to Donohue, the student was admitted to the hospital last week for COVID, and was readmitted before dying on Sunday, Jan. 21. "As a staff, we are grieving this horrific loss," she wrote. "I ask that you keep (her) family and our staff in your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time."  …
Atlantic City Aquarium Nears Reopening Atlantic City Aquarium Nears Reopening
Atlantic City Aquarium Nears Reopening After sitting closed for nearly four years, the Atlantic City Aquarium seems like it's about to welcome visitors back soon. Mayor Marty Small Sr. is expected to announce the aquarium's reopening date during his State of the City Address on Friday, Feb. 2, officials said. The speech will be during the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Foundation Winter Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The aquarium on Gardner's Basin in the city's north end has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. According to the aquarium's Facebook…
Disgraced Owner Of Failed NJ Nursing Home Chain From NY Admits Stiffing IRS Out Of $39M: Feds Disgraced Owner Of Failed NJ Nursing Home Chain From NY Admits Stiffing IRS Out Of $39M: Feds
Disgraced Owner Of Failed NJ Nursing Home Chain From NY Admits Stiffing IRS Out Of $39M: Feds 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A onetime insurance broker from Rockland County who ran a nationwide network of nearly 100 nursing homes into the ground from an office over a Bergen County pizzeria admitted that he purposely shorted the IRS nearly $39M, federal authorities said. Joseph Schwartz, 64, of Suffern, owned Skyline Management Group, which was based in the Wood-Ridge and amassed 95 nursing homes across 11 states. These once included Hudson View Care & Rehab Center in North Bergen, Brookhaven Health Care Center in East Orange and the Voorhees Care & Rehabilitation Center. Over a period of only sev…
COVID-19: Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Reinstate Mask Mandates COVID-19: Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Reinstate Mask Mandates
Covid-19: Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Reinstate Mask Mandates Amid a steady increase in positive COVID-19 cases, Westchester Medical Center has reinstated mask requirements for visitors of hospitals within its network.  Effective on Tuesday, Jan. 16, visitors to Westchester Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, both located in Valhalla, will be required to wear masks while in patient rooms in the inpatient hospital or in any clinical areas of the Emergency Department where patients may be encountered.  Additionally, visitors will be screened for COVID and flu-like symptoms once they arrive. Any visitors who show symptoms …
'AI Moonshoot' Among Murphy's Ideas To Make Life More Affordable For NJ Residents 'AI Moonshoot' Among Murphy's Ideas To Make Life More Affordable For NJ Residents
'AI Moonshoot' Among Murphy's Ideas To Make Life More Affordable For NJ Residents Gov. Phil Murphy sees New Jersey as a future global leader in artificial intelligence, while balancing the urgent financial needs of families during his 2024 State of the State Address. In his speech on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Gov. Murphy spoke about "an era of unease and uncertainty" defined by economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with wars in Israel and Ukraine.  He also talked about how higher costs of living are the biggest challenges for many families. "Making life more affordable for more families is our highest priority," said Gov. Murphy. "We need to recognize t…