Hell Gate to be upgraded

Astoria's Hell Gate Bridge is another western Queens structure where rehabilitation has been stalled and is now ready to resume, City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) said.

Amtrak will begin renovating the bridge on April 1 and complete work in one year, he said. Residents have long complained that the bridge poses dangers to pedestrians by leaking water and shedding debris.

"For too long this trestle, a landmark in our community, has been a sorry eyesore," Vallone said. "This bridge should be a neighborhood gem, not a crumbling piece of stone."

Amtrak put up scaffolding to fix the bridge nearly a year ago, but little renovation has since taken place, Vallone said. For years, rocks and pieces of plaster have fallen from the structure and damaged parked cars, he said. Water has also leaked from the bridge and frozen during the winter, causing one of Vallone's employees to slip and break her wrist, the councilman said.

Starbucks: Not So Fast on New Calorie Counts

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Starbucks says it's going to take a little more time to start listing calorie counts on menus at its New York City outlets.

The coffee giant said earlier this week that it would post the
calorie data by Monday, though a city deadline for doing so has been
postponed until April 15.

But Starbucks said Friday it would comply with the rule when it takes effect.

Ex-Official Cleared to Continue Work on Big City Projects

Ex-Official Cleared to Continue Work on Big City ProjectsBy PATRICK McGEEHAN and RAY RIVERA

Daniel L. Doctoroff, who left City Hall for a private position, may remain involved in city projects that were begun while he was deputy mayor for economic development.

Did Clemens Lie ????

GOP Lawmaker's Report Questions If Clemens Lied
The
top Republican on the congressional committee investigating whether
Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs has released a report
questioning whether the seven-time Cy Young Award winner lied in his
testimony before the panel last month. Read the Full Report

Internet addictions: A real medical menace?

Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and even shopping are all candidates for medical treatment and are recognized as genuine mental disorders, so what about the Internet? Internet addiction -defined as "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations, and email/text messaging" - is becoming so common that at least one psychiatrist says it merits inclusion in psychiatry's official handbook of mental illness, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Dr. Jerald Block of the Oregon Health and Science University is the latest voice pushing for this inclusion, noting that tech junkies display genuinely debilitating behavior, including drug-like cravings, withdrawal, and a constant need for more and better gear - just like a substance addict might exhibit.

But other doctors comment that Internet addiction, while it may be real, is too new of a condition and needs further study before being medically classified. There might be something to this: No one wants people being medicated or institutionalized if they aren't genuinely ill.

Pizza Place Robbed, Torched in West Caldwell

Pizza Place Robbed, Torched in West Caldwell
A pizza place was robbed and set on fire at a West Caldwell, New Jersey strip mall early Sunday, police said. Four
men broke into Franco's Pizzeria on Bloomfield Avenue early Sunday
morning and tied up the owner before setting the blaze.

Fanciful Hats Take Over Fifth Avenue at Easter Parade

Easter Parade: Hats Incredible!
Crazy
hats are the standard attire for the Easter Parade, which started out
as a chance for prosperous New Yorkers to strut their holiday finery
after church and has evolved into spring's answer to Halloween. The
parade was immortalized in the 1948 movie ``Easter Parade'' starring
Judy Garland and Fred Astaire and has been bringing smiles to faces
ever since.

New Governor for New York, Pledging Unity

New Governor for New York, Pledging Unity

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

James Estrin/The New York Times

Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson being sworn in on Monday as the 55th governor of New York by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye in Albany.

Gov. David A. Paterson offered wisecracks to an audience that clearly ached to move beyond a sordid ordeal.

• Patersons Acknowledge Extramarital Affairs

Technorati Tags: tonylimo, governor, ny

Sixth Body Recovered at Crane Site in NYC

Sixth Body Recovered at Crane Site

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR and WILLIAM NEUMAN 1 minute ago

Rescue workers on Monday recovered another body from the two-block swath of wreckage where a crane collapsed on Saturday.

Technorati Tags: TONYLIMO. NYC, Accidents

David Paterson Sworn In as New York's Governor

David Paterson Sworn In
David
Paterson was sworn in as New York's first black governor following
Eliot Spitzer's resignation amid a prostitution scandal. Paterson, who
is legally blind, is the state's 55th governor. He succeeds Spitzer,
who resigned at noon.

Technorati Tags: tonylimo, NYC, Governor

Still a 'Search Operation'

Crane Accident - 3 Still Missing
Three
people are still missing as rescue crews removed pieces of a broken
crane that crushed a Manhattan town home in one of the city's deadliest
construction accidents. Four construction workers were killed and 24
other peoples were injured. Photo by 1010 WINS reporter Steve Sandberg.

Crane Collapses, Kills at Least 4, Devastates Manhattan Block

Fatal Crane Collapse
A
giant crane toppled over at a construction site and smashed into a
block of residential buildings Saturday, killing at least four
people and creating a horrifying scene of destruction on
Manhattan's East Side. The big, white crane, which looked to be
at least 15 stories tall, demolished parts of several buildings as it
fell and at least one apartment building appeared to have been
completely pulverized.

Meet Woman Allegedly at the Center of the Spitzer Scandal

Woman Behind Spitzer Scandal
The
New York Times identified the call girl allegedly behind the Eliot
Spitzer scandal as a 22-year-old aspiring musician from Manhattan.
The real name of the prostitute identified only as "Kristen'' in
court papers was identified in the report as Ashley Alexandra
Dupre, originally from New Jersey.

Photo from MySpace

STEROIDS IN AMERICA

• The Real Dope:
  Athletes who take performance-improving drugs make all the headlines.
  But the culture of personal physical enhancement has pushed the use of
  steroids and HGH everywhere. Don't blame only the jocks
  
• The Godfather:
  "If you wanted to cheat, this guy, working out of a little post office
  in Alabama, was the guy. Tony Fitton was doctor and pharmacist."
  
• The Future: Think performance enhancers are a problem now? Welcome to the era of the genetically engineered superathlete
  

NY POST: Spitzer Notifying Top Officials

LATEST: The NY POST reports
Gov. Eliot Spitzer has decided to resign and is notifying top state
officials of his decision. Political leaders, bloggers, commentators
and comedians nationwide have had their shot, New Yorkers are also
weighing in on the prostitution scandal that rocked the Capitol and
their view is clear: Gov. Eliot Spitzer should resign or be removed
from office.

Investigators: Spitzer Was Repeat Customer

With pressure mounting on Gov. Eliot
Spitzer to resign over a call-girl scandal, investigators said Tuesday
he was clearly a repeat customer who spent tens of thousands of
dollars, perhaps as much as $80,000, with the high-priced prostitution
service over an extended period of time.

N.Y. GOP Calling for Spitzer to Resign

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP)
-- A top Republican state lawmaker is threatening to push for
impeachment proceedings against Gov. Eliot Spitzer if he doesn't resign
in the next 48 hours because of a sex scandal.



Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco says the state can't have the governor's prostitution scandal hanging over its head.



Tedisco would need support from the Democratic majority in the Assembly to get articles of impeachment to the floor.



The scandal erupted Monday when a law enforcement official identified
Spitzer as ``Client 9'' in an alleged prostitution ring.



"Client 9'' paid thousands of dollars to spend an evening with a call girl named Kristen in a glitzy Washington hotel.

Report: Spitzer Involved in Prostitution Ring

NEW YORK (AP)
-- Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told senior advisers that he had been
involved in a prostitution ring, The New York Times reported Monday,
citing an anonymous top administration official.The Times reported that a person with knowledge of the governor's role
believes the governor is identified as a client in court papers. Four
people allegedly connected to a high-end prostitution ring called
Emperors Club VIP were arrested last week.

Police Following Trail of Clues

NEW YORK (AP) -- A trail of possible clues stretched from New York to Washington after a bicycle-riding bomber struck the landmark Times Square military station, hurting no one but scarring one of the world's most recognizable locations.

Authorities were probing whether Thursday's blast was connected to mysterious letters that arrived the same day at Capitol Hill offices, and investigators were examining strikingly similar bombings at two foreign consulates in Manhattan in the last three years. Authorities also were scrutinizing surveillance video and forensic evidence.

The Times Square bomb, contained in a metal ammunition box, produced a sudden flash and billowing cloud of white smoke at about 3:40 a.m. Thursday. When the smoke cleared, there was no serious damage, nor any clear indication of a motive.

But like similar attacks in 2005 and in October 2007 on the British and Mexican consulates, the explosion frayed nerves of New Yorkers and tourists alike. It also heightened speculation that all three incidents were the work of a lone bomber who, perhaps emboldened by his past attacks, sought out the bright lights of Times Square.

Technorati Tags: tonylimo, nyc

Patrick Swayze Marches On Despite Terminal Cancer

Actor Patrick Swayze seems determined to live his life despite the tragic pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

While the news of his diagnosis is making headlines worldwide, Swayze is keeping busy with work, as the A&E pilot "The Beast," in which he plays an unorthodox FBI agent, is being considered to be turned into a series by the cable network.

However, the 55-year-old actor is not neglecting treatment, and his doctor George Fisher is optimistic about Swayze's future, who was reportedly given only several weeks to live.

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment," Fisher said in a statement.

"All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue," Fisher added. "We are considerably more optimistic."

Swayze is currently undergoing chemotherapy – not radiation – and he has not lost his hair (which can sometimes happen as a result of chemo), the star's publicist, Annett Wolf, told People.

"Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family," she added.

Police Investigating Letters Sent to Capitol Hill Regarding Times Square Explosion

NEW YORK (AP)
-- Police are investigating letters that arrived Thursday at Capitol
Hill offices containing a photo of the Times Square military recruiting
office before it was bombed and including the words ``We did it.''



VIDEO: Times Square Blast Caught on Tape

A law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity
because the case is ongoing, confirmed the letter's contents and said
police are investigating.

Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a Capitol Police spokesman, said she had
received media calls asking about the letter. She said she had made
some initial checks but had not been able to confirm reports of the
letter.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of an e-mail from the office of
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to other lawmakers Thursday that reads:

``A few offices on the House side have received a letter today
addressed to 'Members of Congress' with a picture of a man standing in
front of the Times Square recruiting station that was bombed in New
York today with the statement 'We did it.' He is standing in front of
it with his arms spread out and he's attached his political manifesto.''

The e-mail says the recipients were told to leave the letters alone and call police.



For the third time in three years, someone riding a bike and armed with small explosives has struck in Manhattan.

Cheap Food Still Available in Astoria; Bronx Pizza Will Get Better

Astoria: Wow, cheap-eats prices may be going up in elsewhere, but at Omonia (the café that baked the elaborate wedding cake for My Big Fat Greek Wedding),
you can get a $12 brunch that includes an entrée, dessert, a
morning cocktail, and coffee, tea, or juice. (And it’s good.) [Foodista]

Bronx: Peter Meehan found someone to drive him to
Trattoria Zero Otto Nove on Arthur Avenue to try the margherita
that’s been getting blog buzz as "the best Neapolitan pizza in
New York City.” It’s good, he says, but needs work (and
less sweet sauce). [Diner’s Journal/NYT]
Slice’s Adam Kuban, Ed Levine’s, and DJ Bubbles also tried
Zero Otto Nove and found potential not perfection. The grilled pizza
from Coals at 1888 Eastchester Road was also dubbed "surprisingly good" during the same trip. [Slice]

Yankees announcer Murcer awaiting test results after undergoing brain biopsy

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- New York Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer was resting in a Houston hospital after undergoing a brain biopsy Monday.

Results weren't expected until later in the week.

An
All-Star outfielder who played 17 seasons in the major leagues, Murcer
had surgery in December 2006 -- four days after being diagnosed with a
malignant brain tumor.

An MRI exam last week showed an area of
concern, which could be scar tissue or another tumor, so Murcer went
back to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for
additional tests.

"Bobby is doing great and is resting
comfortably after this morning's biopsy," his wife, Kay, said in a
statement Monday through Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo. "He could be
released as early as tomorrow. Results won't be available until later
this week."

Queens cabbie claims he did 'right thing' for abandoned baby

The cabbie who fooled New York
with the heart-tugging tall tale of a baby deserted in his backseat
remained unrepentant last night, insisting, "I did the right thing."

Klever Sailema, who went from .hero to fraud in less than 48 hours,
.insisted his big lie was only meant to mask a benevolent .attempt to
save the adorable 6-month-old girl from being ditched in the cold.

"I feel bad, but ultimately I feel like I did the right thing. My
intentions were not to lie to the police," the 45-year-old livery cab
driver, an Ecuadoran immigrant, told the Daily News.

The baby, now identified as Daniella Perez,
was first abandoned by her 14-year-old mother, who bolted more than a
week ago, leaving the brown-eyed little girl with pierced ears in the
care of her father, .Carlos Rodas, 27, Sailema said.

Plaza Hotel Reopens After Three-Year Renovation

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) -- Hundreds of tourists and ordinary New Yorkers flocked to The Plaza Hotel Saturday to take part in the landmark's reopening after a three-year, $400 million renovation.

``They say this place is the world's most famous hotel,'' said
doorman Freddy Davila, who worked for the hotel for 15 years before it
closed in 2005. As he welcomed visitors up the red-carpeted steps and
through the revolving doors, he added: ``It's wonderful to be back.''

``We just had to see inside,'' said Owen Mathieu, visiting from
Marblehead, Mass. ``We've seen it in the movies. Everybody's heard of
it.''

The Plaza, which is a National Historic Landmark, first opened in
1907. Marilyn Monroe was photographed here, the Beatles stayed here and
Frank Lloyd Wright lived here. The hotel ballroom was the setting for
Truman Capote's ``Black and White Ball'' and the wedding of Richard
Nixon's daughter Julie. Movies shot at the hotel include ``North by
Northwest,'' ``Barefoot in the Park,'' ``Crocodile Dundee'' and ``Home
Alone 2.'' Owners have included Conrad Hilton and Donald Trump.

Many fans also know the hotel from children's books by Kay Thompson
about a naughty little girl named Eloise who lives at The Plaza. A
portrait of Eloise hung in the lobby for nearly 50 years; hotel
officials say it will be back up later this spring.

The Plaza's current owners, Elad Properties, originally planned to
convert all guest rooms into condominiums, but the plan was criticized
by preservationists and the hotel workers' union. Negotiations with
Mayor Michael Bloomberg led to a deal that resulted in 282 hotel rooms,
down from the original 805, and 181 apartments.

Livery Driver Is Charged in Baby Case

A Queens livery driver who had become something of a hero, after he
took to a firehouse a baby girl that he said had been abandoned in his
cab, was arrested on Saturday after his story unraveled, the police
said.

A man and a woman were also arrested.

The driver, Klever
Sailema, 45, was charged with filing a false report and endangering the
welfare of a child. The woman, Maria Siavichay, 21, of the Bronx, who
is the sister of the baby’s father, also was charged with
endangering the welfare of a child, according to the police.

Her
roommate, Marcelo Vinansaca, 24, was charged with obstructing
governmental administration after he provided false information to
detectives investigating the case, the police said.

Kevin Ryan of
the Queens district attorney’s office said later that there would
be no prosecution of the charges, except the one of filing a false
report lodged against the driver.