NTSB had a briefing at 5pm. Investigators say there was no sign of "catastrophic engine failure" and no sign that weather was a factor. The helicopter has been taken to Floyd Bennett Field in Jamaica Bay.

Here's update from New York Times
Here's info from dnainfo.com
http://www.dnainfo.com/20111005/manhattan/deadly-crash-renerws-call-ban-manhattan-helicopter-flights

Watch how it works.

 
No standing. No stopping. No Problem... well...

Fun with statistics.
Aren't our streets grand?

I want to go back to school now. The Borough of Manhattan Community College invited me to be a part of the Freshman Welcome Day. Best of luck.
Now do your homework.

Thanks to Dr. Craig and Angela Sales.
Let's work together on something soon.

Here's the mocktalk from youtube.com/mockernewyork

We had some cake to celebrate a grand re-opening. But there's still the lingering questions about the city inspection process.

The Manhattan Film Festival starts this weekend. It was profiled this morning on PIX11 Morning News.

Click for some information about it (and guess who appears in one of the films for about 2 seconds... here's a hint)

Trouble in Rosedale, Queens.

*mockblock included

Wi-fi is coming to NYC Parks.

See here:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/wifi/

No swimming when lifeguards are not on duty.

So why aren't the on duty at one of the area's most popular places?

A new phase opened here with more to come.

Traffic light, that is. Drivers question the timing at an intersection in Brooklyn. Light times do vary around the city depending on traffic flow and design. But at this one in Brooklyn, NYC DOT recently added a new feature into the mix.

Thanks to Evelyn, Deliaa, Al, Techna, Zuni, Hsuan, Bryan, Dominique, Lissette, Nicholas, Ryan, Karen, the Prospect Park staff and Alliance and the mockteam.

Here's a fun picture... and embarassing enough for me in waders. You need them in the lake...
oh and are these pants too tight on me? http://twitpic.com/50q2ar

Here's info for It's My Park Day. Check out activities at your favorite place or meet us at 10 a.m. for the Prospect Park Clean Up.

Meet at Bartel Circle (15th St. and Prospect Park West) for my favorite clean up event at one of my favorites places.

That me in the waders on the Prospect Park site.

get directions from mta.info

find directions

links below .. just click for more ...

E004 42 South St. Manhattan
E026 220 West 37th St. Manhattan
E046 460 Cross Bronx Expwy. Bronx
E060 341 East 143rd St. Bronx
E157 1573 Castleton Ave. Staten Island
E161 278 McClean Ave. Staten Island
E205 74 Middagh St. Brooklyn
E206 1201 Grand St. Brooklyn
E218 650 Hart St. Brooklyn
E220 530 11th St. Brooklyn
E233 25 Rockaway Ave. Brooklyn
E284 1157 79th St. Brooklyn
E294 101-20 Jamaica Ave. Queens
L008 14 North Moore St. Manhattan
L053 169 Schofield Ave. Bronx
L104 161 South 2nd St. Brooklyn
L128 33-51 Greenpoint Ave. Queens
L161 2929 W 8th St. Brooklyn

The closures are not yet final as the city council and the mayor are still negotiating the budget for the fiscal year 2012, but, if it is approved, eight fire houses in Brooklyn, two on Staten Island, four in Queens and three companies in Manhattan would be shuttered. So, call your Councilmember (and then call mocker).
More info follows... including a map... click through

Based on an exchange between a reporter and the mayor at a press conference...

Here's a survey of dirty subways from the Straphangers Campaign

Keep sending me pictures of ugly subways.

Here's info on It's My Park Day
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/its_my_park_day

 
From East New York, Brooklyn & the corner of Blake Ave and Van Sic.l..k..n.. wait a sec... what where am i? Gotta love the government and the things it tells government to do.

Also don't forget about Mocker's Worst Subway Station Contest. Send me your pictures.
mocker@pix11.com

extra stuff ... just click

Send your pictures of the worst subway station to:

mocker@pix11.com

or @gregmocker on twitter

or FACEBOOK friend me

email mta customer service about dangerous situations, as well.
here's that link: http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

My bosses say they will choose a picture and the person who took it gets a limited edition t-shirt (see the logo... click)

 
Hear from State Senator Marty Golden about negotiating with the MTA to restore some bus cuts. And of course I have to bring up some trash talk. Mockmail on Saturday at ten too ... the social media site called foursquare gets the mocktreatment.

some fun for a Monday.. click more to see

Here's a live video feed from NYU's Bobst Library/Washington Sq Park. Outside a window on the 12th floor, 2 red-tailed hawks set up housekeeping. Meet Violet & Bobby.

From the guys at My Damn Channel. Go ahead. Laugh already. Click to see below... and then visit the site.

I think I'm going to challenge them to a duel of some sorts involving some kind of candy. Any ideas? Email mocker@pix11.com

NY DOT got back to me with some interesting facts... I added them after the click below...

Wanna know when the next subway arrives or where a parking place is? This free app for iPhone and iPad offers info and a neat way to connect and be interactive with our fellow commuters.

And it was born in Brooklyn. A few guys had an idea...

What a Friday. Working on a few things today.

Have we seen it all yet?!#%&* subway fight over food... near the end someone steps in and breaks it up... have you ever seen anything like this? What's your story... comment on my FB or send me email to mocker@pix11.com (this will be in mockmail tonight). Folks have some interesting and spicy things to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjUOUnbAJII&feature=player_embedded

 
(and something about the worst poll numbers for the mayor)

Here's info from the state on the K Bridge project:
https://www.nysdot.gov/display/projects/kbridge

How to pay for it?

311 strikes again

Petition info here
http://www.petitiononline.com/CptBurke/petition.html

Parks says the work will begin in Battery Park this summer and no decision has been made yet.

LI Bus info http://mta.info/mta/news/hearings/

We talked to County Executive about LI Bus cuts and what might happen. Mangano says they're still hopefully to find a solution.

click to see our Long Island crew asking Mangano about what's up.

Congressman Weiner and Council Member Ferreras called a press conference in front of the "Triumph of Civic Virtue" today. "Triumph of Civic Virtue is Offensive, Depicts Man Stepping on Women" is the headline on their press release (which you can read below). A few supporters of the statue also showed up. They stated their case, as well.

Here's the report and then some (including my interview with supporters of the statue)

Check out the link to the Congressman's Craigslist post, as well (just click below).

Jodi Applegate and Greg Mocker review news from the city and MTA and other things along the trail of something different.

How much $$ do our fares for subways and buses generate for MTA?

Oh, and some neighbors are suing the MTA and the Housing Authority sends a crew out to a falling ceiling.

The guys at madmicradio invited me to the studio tomorrow (saturday) to ask me questions. This should be fun. They tell me we will be taking calls.

6-8pm on http://damatrixstudios.com/wp/ There will be a live video and audio stream.

Then I'm going to get something to eat at El Colonial.

New legislation would have NYC regulating curb pick-ups, drop-offs a permit system for “Chinatown Buses.”

I have yet to take a ride on one (but I almost did once to get to Baltimore). Some friends love 'em.

I added links (click below) Take a closer look at the base of the statue because there's more controversy there.

(Feb 25, 2011 UPDATE) Congressman and Council Member call for removal of statue and try to give it away on Craigslist. I've added more links (click below)

Governor Cuomo's budget proposal is out. Here's MTA statement about transit $$ -- fare increase is supposed to be in 2013 (but when i asked, chairman won't rule out one before, just that they will try to stick to the regular planned increases ... but how big??)

MTA Statement on Governor’s Budget
February 1, 2011

We understand that the State’s fiscal crisis requires sacrifice from every area funded by the State, including the MTA. Because the MTA has already taken unprecedented measures to reduce costs, finding an additional $100 million in 2011 will be very painful, especially with sizable deficits still projected for 2012 and 2014. As we continue cost-cutting, further reductions become harder and harder to achieve.

But we must fill this gap, and we will fill it without resorting to fare and toll increases or service cuts, because our riders have already been hit with these painful measures over the past year. Instead, we will work to find additional cost-savings through efficiencies and improved productivity throughout our company. We are hopeful that this year we can work with our labor unions to find productivity improvements that protect jobs even as we reduce costs.

Making these cuts will be painful, but we can only spend as much money as we have. Given the financial pressures facing the State, local governments, and every New Yorker, our only choice is to manage the MTA so that every dollar counts.

 
Sanitation tells me to tell you to call 311 if your neighborhood has trash piles. Let me know how that goes.

About for mayor and MTA. We had 761 grades.

I caught up with the Mayor outside Mike's Diner in Astoria. He had a traditional soup called Avgolemono (Greek Lemon-Egg Soup). I checked the internet for a ingredients:

* 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 3/4 cup long-grain rice
* 2 cooked chicken-breast halves, skin discarded and meat shredded
* 2 large eggs, at room temperature
* 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Click for video and results:

Schools in. Trains running. How are the roads?
I'm headed out.
Make sure to grade the mayor and MTA for their report card.

 
I added public comment hearing info below (locations and times for next week)

Today's storm wasn't much. I wanted to see the view from Queens. Did they follow their new action plan?

Phase II: The Snow Piles are too Damn High. I took a drive around Queens and BK.

Clean up is all about the pile up now and I found a big pile of it in the middle of a busy street.

See crews attacking this phase of the work. And I'm calling in roads in BK that need attention. We helped neighbors get unstuck from the middle of the road.

Video added -click to see

 
here's link to PIX11 story to read:
http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-bloomberg-snow-response-unacceptable,0,1135334.story

and click to see a review of the hundreds of pictures and comments ... and CARTOON MOCKER from Next Media Animation.. it's making the rounds on the web.

Come on guys, it's like the tale of two cities around here.

Heading out again n the morning to meet with neighbors and council members.

Jason L. took this and sent it.
Send yours.... mocker@wpix.com

Ken had a an interesting walk home.

Blair on the Upper West got shots of buses on the move this morning around Central Park.

Craig sent me this on FB. He says it's his area around 64th St in Bensonhurst, BK.

Report snow/icy roads that need plowed:
http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/allServices.htm?requestType=topService&serviceName=Snow+or+Ice+on+Roadway+Report

8th St & 5th Ave (from Julissa)

3rd st ave A. Since last nite, my guy on LES says.

Flight updates
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightTracker/flightTracker.do

Alexander sent this from the Ralph Station.
mta.info for subway updates

We're looking for stories, pictures and reports from the streets, trains and homes. Thanks for sharing. Click for more:

Here are the NYC sidewalk regulations:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/sidewalkintro.shtml

Frequently asked questions:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/faqs/sidewalkfaqs.shtml

News clip is below.

Inspectors with the New York City Department of Transportation have been issuing broken sidewalk violations to property owners. I've been calling them the pavement police.

Yes, broken sidewalks need to fixed if someone could trip and fall. Neighbors have to fix 'em in front of their property. The city has to do the same.

A sidewalk showdown is forming on a picturesque, dead end street in the Bronx. Neighbors received a notice of violation from the NYC Department of Transportation for defective sidewalks because there are no sidewalks. PIX 11's Greg Mocker took a look around.

A sidewalk showdown is forming on a picturesque, dead end street in the Bronx. Neighbors received a notice of violation from the NYC Department of Transportation for defective sidewalks because there are no sidewalks.

What does your Subway Line say about you and your favorite president?
Discuss.

Erin Goldberger sent me her link:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2010/presidents-and-nyc-subways/2/

Also, send me pictures and comments about your ride today. I'm working on a report about crowded subways.

mocker@wpix.com

MTA Board approved contract for radio system upgrade.

Looking into an MTA contract tonight. I was at committee meetings this morning.

I'm not the only one asking about a 100-million-dollar contract the MTA wants to sign with a company that the city of New York has a big problem with.

And check this out: a parent emailed the picture to me taken of the band in Atlanta this weekend:

Band made it back last night. Here's the message from the Director of Bands to me:

"We were a crowd favorite. We picked up some individual mentions: including 1st place for our drum major in the division and 3rd place for the drum line."

I'm getting pictures & video and will share those this week (along with a thank you for the folks and businesses that stepped up. I'd like especially to thank Atlantic Travel and Tours (www.atlantictravelandtours.net), MillenniMedia, koda41, and a high school teacher from Manhattan named Ms. d). More on this later in the week.

Trip to national competition is in jeopardy. This story has as many twists and turns as one of those TV dramas. I was with the band at practice tonight and they're nervous about not going. Update coming noon Thursday. They're working with the bus company. Atlantic Travel and Tours based in Brooklyn has been very helpful.

Video below:

The band performed on PIX Plaza this morning. They're hoping to leave tomorrow or Friday for the National Competition.

A top high school marching band from Crown Heights is in dire need of help to compete in the national championship this weekend.

Wanna help get the word around?

Click to see (and watch us live Wednesday on PIX11 Morning News starting at 7:15a).

Election Results

http://www.wpix.com/news/politics/la-election-results-newyork,0,7119815.htmlstory

Let us know what went on at your precinct.

I asked the mayor's office for stats on election-related calls to 311. That's below the click.

This report features rats, a cat, and a yorkshire terrier named Rocky.
Gotta love a NYC Rat story.

Neighbors in western Queens near the Amtrak tracks say they are under fire from the trains. Work is being done along the tracks and it causes rocks to fall from the tracks overhead when trains pass. Neighbors showed me pieces of rock and metal that they say have fallen from the viaducts and tracks. One neighbor says this happened to her car from a falling rock:

A project is happening along the tracks for the next month. I've included the back and forth correspondence between me, Amtrak, and the New York Assemblyman for the district.

The day started out on the morning show.

Then we headed to Queens.

Torrential storms that swept the New York City area Friday morning left parts of a national gravesite for veterans under water.

On Facebook, one of my friends wrote a line about "watery graves." That about summed it up.

After the report, watch behind the scenes video of what happened as we tried to leave. It was one of those moments... just what we needed after a long day.

As city council members celebrate a new rule requiring headphones in open-air tour buses, some New Yorkers are scratching their heads, wondering why it will take five years to implement the measure.

More than 2 weeks after I pulled a TV from Prospect Park Lake, I discovered the city is still ignoring floating junk.

Amid growing excitement about improvements at Coney Island, the installation of concrete slabs in place of wood-plank boardwalks has plenty of people scratching their heads. I am among those befuddled.

In a tour of the famed amusement park, I found the city is installing "boardwalks" of wood, concrete, and a synthetic material to see which can best handle the wear, tear, and weather. I also discovered the work may not be finished by its Memorial Day target.