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Move to Restrict Free Travel Passes Creates Rare Controversy for MTA Board

NY Times

NEW YORK, NY — A revolt over free travel appeared to be brewing Wednesday on the normally docile board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as several board members said they opposed a move backed by their own chairman to restrict their use of free E-ZPass tags and transit and commuter rail passes.

“I would say it’s probably going to be voted down,” said David S. Mack, a vice chairman of the authority, referring to a resolution that will come before the board next week to curtail its own perks. “The board is not happy.”

Bill Passed Authorizes Traffic Agents To Enforce “Block the Box” Violators

ALBANY, NY [NY1] — City and state officials are looking to up the ante on drivers who sit the middle of an intersection.

It’s already illegal to “block the box” –- but currently, only police officers are allowed to hand out tickets. However, today the State Senate and Assembly passed legislation that increases enforcement by giving traffic enforcement agents the right to ticket drivers, as well. They also want to double fines.

A Young Man From Omaha, Who May Perfectly Represent Brooklyn

Susan Dominus – The New York Times

BROOKLYN, NY — Moments before Yosef Abrahamson, 16, accepted an award for the essay he’d written in a competition sponsored by the Police Athletic League, an officer approached him to complain about his fedora. The hat, an essential wardrobe item for Hasidic men, was gaudy, the policeman told him, and what’s with all these kids today and their nose rings and their attitudes. A second police officer, overhearing the conversation, came over to steer away the first one, who reappeared a few minutes later to apologize. He’d never seen a Hasidic Jew, he told Yosef.

Jackson Heights City’s Parking Ticket Capital

NY Daily News

A trip to Jackson Heights, Queens, will get you some great food, a colorful trinket – and likely, a parking ticket.

The neighborhood, along with adjacent East Elmhurst, is the parking ticket capital of New York, according to new numbers obtained by the Daily News.

More in the Extended Article.

NYC: Six Died from Heatwave

Beat the Heat – AC Installations

Lizzy Nielsen – AM NY

NEW YORK, NY — The New York City medical examiner’s office says six people have died of heat-related causes after four days of scorching temperatures.

Medical examiner’s spokeswoman Ellen Borakove says three of the deaths were in Brooklyn and three were in Queens. Five of the six people were over 70 and were found in their homes.

Lawn Litter Woes? Call A Notary

by Frank Lombardi – NY Daily News

Litter on your lawn? Call a notary public.

That’s what fedup homeowners may have to do if they want a new state law banning the dumping of menus, leaflets, handbills and circulars on their doorsteps and lawns enforced.

The law leaves enforcement to the Sanitation Department, which is planning to require complaints to be notarized.

Got Bilk? Grocers Do!

Sally Goldenberg Betwa Sharma – NY Post

NEW YORK , NY — New Yorkers are being milked for their hard-earned grocery dollars.

A whopping 86 percent of supermarkets, delis and bodegas throughout the five boroughs are charging above the state-mandated price ceiling for milk, according to a City Council survey released yesterday.

The survey found that 43 out of 50stores checked last November were charging an average of 40 cents above the state limit, which is set each month by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

New York City Braces for Heat Wave

Lizzy Nielsen – AM NY

NEW YORK, NY — If you haven’t installed your air conditioner yet, Friday might be the day to do it.

That’s because New York this weekend will be sweltering through a brutal heat wave, the first of 2008.

Daytime highs will soar above 90 degrees from Saturday to Monday, according to Accuweather.com. And the high humidity will make those afternoons feel as though it’s hotter than 100.

Mayor and Boro Pres Celebrate Brooklyn Bridge 125th

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — On May 22, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Mayor Michael Bloomberg welcomed thousands of celebrants on both sides of the East River for the 125th birthday of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Five days of events were kicked off with a free concert, fireworks and lighting display at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park.

NYPD Officers to get Bigger Paychecks

News 12 Brooklyn

NEW YORK, NY — Under a new contract, members of the NYPD will soon be getting a raise.

Officers in top positions can expect a raise from $59,588 to $65,382. New officers will now start at $35,000, a jump from $25,000.

Protesters Arrested at Bell Verdict Rallies

1010WINS

The Rev. Al Sharpton, center, and Nicole Paultre Bell, right, are led away in handcuffs after being arrested at the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in New York. Hundreds of demonstrators blocked traffic at the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of Sean Bell. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

NEW YORK, NY — The Rev. Al Sharpton and nearly 200 demonstrators were arrested Wednesday as they blocked traffic at the height of the evening rush hour to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of an unarmed black man.

Police estimated that about 190 people were arrested, including Sharpton, two survivors of the shooting and the slain man’s fiancee. They lined up and peacefully put their hands behind their backs as police arrested them on disorderly conduct charges.

Patrols Pulled off Brooklyn Streets After Threat to Shoot Cops Exposed

Daily News

BROOKLYN, NY — Dozens of cops were pulled off the streets in Brooklyn Saturday night after NYPD officials were tipped off to a plot to shoot patrolmen, police sources said.

Officers were taken off their foot patrols in East New York, and cop cars were positioned to block a route to the 75th Precinct stationhouse on Sutter Ave. for fear of a drive-by shooting.

The extraordinary measures were taken after a confidential informant – who works with the Brooklyn narcotics squad – told police around 6 p.m. there was a plan to shoot up the Brooklyn stationhouse, sources said.

Retail Gas Hits Record $3.50 A Gallon

NEW YORK (AP) — Rising gasoline prices tightened the squeeze on drivers Monday, jumping for the first time to an average $3.50 a gallon at filling stations across the country with no sign of relief.

Crude oil set a record for the sixth day in a row — this time closing above $117 a barrel — after an attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Middle East rattled investors.

Web Site Draws Cops’ Wrath

A new Web site is prompting outrage among many police officers.

RateMyCop.com lists cops’ names — some 140,000 and counting — as well as the badge numbers of many of them, and enables people to rate them.

That, say many law enforcement officers, violates their rights, in part because there’s little or no — policing — by the site of the information posted on it.

Paterson Sworn in as State’s First Black Gov.

NY Newsday

Chief Judge Judith Kaye administers the oath of office to Gov. David Paterson at right is Paterson’s son, Alexander (Newsday, J. Conrad Williams Jr.)

ALBANY, NY — David A. Paterson, minutes after being sworn in as New York’s 55th governor, sought yesterday to woo lawmakers with humor, inspiring words about public service and a call for compromise in the face of a potential economic meltdown.

More pictures and videos of the speeches in the Extended Article!