After a Journal News investigation revealed that nearly a dozen Metro-North conductors and engineers were suspended for possibly cheating on safety tests some rail commuters said they were losing trust in the transit agency "It's not that I now feel unsafe," said Samantha Martinez of White Plains "It's that they would be willing to cheat on something so basic that affects people's lives every single day It's like a pilot lying about his safety credentials said the allegations do not bode well for commuters "I have no choice to use these trains regularly so I've got to trust them with my safety," he said "But it makes me wonder what policies they have in place that would allow them to do this in the first place." SUSPENSIONS: Engineers, conductors suspended for cheating FOLLOW-UP: Union boss questions management  As many as 10 Metro-North conductors and engineers were suspended from their jobs last week amid a probe by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's inspector general into cheating on safety tests Among those suspended is conductor Michael Shaw a ranking member of the Association of Commuter Rail Employees the union that represents a majority of Metro-North workers a union boss criticized the commuter rail’s former leadership and the MTA inspector general for allowing the conductors and engineers to continue working for years after they faced cheating accusations Other commuters tried to square the allegations with their transit experiences Toni Massafra ofHartsdale said she has never felt unsafe over her 30 years commuting on Metro-North "I'm honestly not sure if they should be fired or if they should be kept on," she said "The conductors are meticulous," said Evalyn Bladstrom a recent transplant to Chappaqua from New York City My experience with them has always been courteous and professional." Twitter: @GabrielRom1 Christmas Song Aims to Inspire Peace in the Holy Land Pope’s Message of Hope Launched into Space to Orbit Earth Here is Pope Francis’ Schedule for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon Marian Apparitions Must Always Point to Jesus By Jonathan Luxmoore • Catholic News Service • Posted October 11 Poland (CNS) — A priest who was shot for baptizing a child and a religious novice who died after she was tortured in a sack are among 38 Albanians to be beatified as martyrs Nov doubling the number of Catholics declared blessed from communist rule in Eastern Europe “Martyr beatifications send many messages and the most important at this historical moment is of unshakeable trust in God,” said Archbishop Angelo Massafra of Shkoder president of the Albanian bishops’ conference “We still hear their prophetic cry — ‘Viva Christ the King Viva Albania!’ — and know Christ is glorified by the power of their witness even when Albanians have regained freedom and can breathe the air of true democracy.” In an interview with Catholic News Service the archbishop said the planned ceremony had garnered “great interest” among Catholics who were officially barred from practicing the faith but it was also viewed as a “national event for all Albania.” “The world will be made more aware of the fierce persecution suffered by believers during the communist dictatorship,” Archbishop Massafra said “Albanians are people of great talent and ability They’ll see the importance of this event for their country’s much-needed civic development and draw incentives for the future from the courage shown by its children.” Around 130 Catholic priests were executed or died through imprisonment The martyrs include Archbishop Nikolle Vincenc Prennushi of Durres who died of torture and exhaustion in 1949 two years into a 20-year hard labor as an “agent of foreign powers,” and Bishop Frano Gjini of Lezhe who died in 1948 declaring his “spirit and heart are with the pope,” according to the execution record Father Shtjefen Kurti was sentenced and shot for “reactionary anti-state activities” in 1971 after secretly baptizing another convict’s child at a labor camp while two other priests drowned in 1948 when their heads were forced down in a prison cesspit with rifle butts including one who was shot for giving last rites to a wounded fugitive Three lay Catholics are included among the 38 who died in Shkoder’s civic hospital after being tied in a sack and tortured Archbishop Massafra said the list of martyrs had been agreed after church consultations in 1994 and 2000 but added that “many others” could also be declared blessed in future “Numerous cases have been documented and added to our narrative of the Christian presence in Albania,” he told CNS “All the material will be relevant in considering other beatification processes and will not allow our young generations to forget The one merciful God knows how to give value to the tears shed by humanity.” Catholics currently make up a tenth of Albania’s population of 2.9 million making them the second largest religious group after Muslims many of whom also died under communist rule CatholicPhilly.com works to strengthen the connections between people families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40 Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source PREVIOUS: Pope offers red hat to priest whose story moved him to tears NEXT: Nun working in Aleppo says families all over city live in fear USCCB: Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings Pope Francis’ May 2023 Prayer Intention | Watch Video Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Returns to Roots Dan Tarrant Brings God to the World Through Catholic Filmmaking has won the battle with the coronavirus after 34 days of hospitalization Archbishop Massafra left the "Mill" hospital in Acquaviva Delle Fronti and was escorted to the "Maugeri" rehabilitation center in Ginosa Marina. After leaving the hospital Monsignor Massafra conveyed a message of thanks to all those who served him during this month in the hospital but also a message to those who celebrate today the first day of the Holy Eucharist. "Dear I have sent you my Easter reflection in the spirit of sharing what I have baked in prayer and meditation during this Lent time which I have spent entirely in the hospital I have offered my sufferings to you and will continue to pray for the good of the Archdiocese while I am in rehabilitation.Thanking you for the closeness you have shown to me while living the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist to rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ " Plenary Session Terminated after Tensions in Assembly Hall Opposition MPs Climbed through Windows to Enter Assembly Offices Tirana-Besiktas Match Suspended Due to Incidents Strong Security Measures for Bill Clinton's Visit in Tirana DP Accuses PM of Ignoring Albanians Living in Survival Conditions Receive unfettered access to our digital content including our Examiner+ bonus content newsletter and get other perks like free tickets to local performing arts complimentary advertising for your favorite local charity In addition to voting to approve or reject the proposed annual budget to operate Mahopac schools on Tuesday, May 15 Mahopac Central School District voters will also vote to fill three open school board seats comprised of two incumbents and three newcomers The three candidates who receive the highest number of total votes will be seated for a three-year term that will begin this summer Lawrence Keane and Earle Bellows are presented according to the random order on which they will appear on the ballot Patricia Caputo and her husband have lived in Mahopac for 13 years and their children attend the second and third grade at a Mahopac elementary school. A retired U.S. Army Major serving mostly in the National Guard component over the course of 20 years Caputo said she was inspired to run for the Board of Education as a means to continue to give back “I’d like an opportunity to serve in some type of way at the local level It’s a great opportunity to expand my involvement with the schools and the community at-large,” Caputo said “I thought this was a good time to raise my hand and say I want to be involved.” John the Evangelist Catholic Church and sits on the executive board of the Austin Road PTO Caputo has worked in information technology for the past 20 years and is currently a senior project manager for GE Capital America in Danbury she said she would like to focus on the evolution of technology in the classroom “We should never get to a point where we are standing still…how do we see ourselves three or five years down the road?,” she said she said she would focus on transportation safety environmental safety in the school buildings all of which would entail involving the community How do we ask for the help we need to accomplish some these things?,” Caputo said Lucy Massafra is herself a graduate of Mahopac High School She and her husband Anthony have three children who are in the ninth grade at the high school the seventh grade at the middle school and the fifth grade at Austin Road Elementary School “I see the different needs of students at every level,” she said Massafra worked for 21 years as a consumer marketing manager for Readers Digest in which she worked with budgets and cost-containment She is currently the treasurer of SEPTO and has been a member since its inception in 2010 “My goal is to be a spokesperson for the community,” she said of her inspiration to run for one of the open seats my questions are with the parents’ and my pocketbook is with the taxpayers.” she said she would be part of the momentum she believed began with the election of three new board trustees last year Her focus would be on the district’s financial stability especially advocating for the reduction of unfunded state mandates further integration of technology in the classroom and making sure the district’s new hires had the proper qualifications to fill the position they were hired for Massafra also said she had grave concerns about Lakeview Elementary and the middle school being identified as “We need to make sure we have the right plan in place to deal with that,” she said William Staviski and his wife have lived in Mahopac for 22 years and they have two children; one in the seventh grade at the middle school and one in fifth grade at Austin Road Elementary School “I believe because of all my past and present professional skills…I can help the district out and That experience includes 22 years as a New York State Trooper that ended with retirement this March and also included five years as the Chief Financial Officer of the NY State Trooper Police Benevolent Association He currently holds the same position for two national corporations representing state troopers “I definitely think I could be an asset,” Staviski said noting his professional experience paired with what he has learned from his wife who is a teacher at Fulmar Road Elementary School “I think that makes me a well-rounded candidate for this office.” Staviski said dealing with financial challenges would be a priority for him as a board trustee “We have to always be aware that the kids always come first noting that he would keep in mind the interests of people who don’t have children enrolled in the schools Staviski said he would also focus on making sure schools had the resources and capability to implement the new common core curriculum Lawrence Keane is seeking a second term on the Board of Education He and his wife have lived in Mahopac for 38 years and their four children graduated from Mahopac High School and all went on to earn a master’s degree; three in business and one in education “to ensure that all children will receive the same quality education as my children while maintaining fiscal responsibility.” Keane was a middle school science teacher in Mamaroneck for 25 years He went on to become assistant principal of the school for 11 years “I feel that’s my strongest resource that I bring to the board because that’s where I spent my entire life,” he said of his career as an educator and he coaches the kindergarten/first grade clinic Keane said managing financial challenges in light of the new state-mandated tax levy cap will be a top priority “The state made it difficult…they set a two percent cap but they didn’t cap anything else,” he said of unfunded mandates the district must absorb Keane said board trustees also will have to focus on the implementation of the new common core curriculum standards that will be implemented next year noting that he is working as a consultant on the matter with New York City schools and has insights on what it will take Earle Bellows is seeking his second full term on the board attending Fulmar Road Elementary and graduating from Mahopac High one who attended Mahopac schools and is now in college and another son who will graduate this June and has plans to enlist in the U.S Bellows is a retired police officer who worked in Putnam Valley until 2002 he joined the Mahopac Middle School PTO for four years serving as president for two of those years Bellows is a member of the Lake Mahopac Rotary Club and has volunteered with several youth sports organizations This year given the School Board Achievement Award from the New York State School Boards Association Bellow is the board’s state representative participating in regional conferences and advocating for reforms from state representatives Bellows said his focus would be on maintaining student programs while remaining within the confines of the two percent tax levy cap paired with managing the financial burden of unfunded mandates; for one “It’s hitting the pockets of every school district,” he said of the increases “There is going to have to be a collaborative way of coming up with a fix.” Bellows said solutions had to be found that didn’t impact the classroom “We need to continue to provide a quality education across the board for our students.” Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here. We'd love for you to support our work by joining as a free, partial access subscriber, or by registering as a full access member. Members get full access to all of our content, and receive a variety of bonus perks like free show tickets. Learn more here. Copyright © 2025 The Examiner News the former Mayfair Italian restaurant with footballing connections completes its transfer to St John’s Wood next week while its fellow glossy Italian Bocconcino opens a seafood spinoff in the Strand called Osteria del Mare (pictured) Osteria del Mare takes inspiration from the Tuscan coastal resort of Forte dei Marmi with ex-Barrafina chef Matteo Massafra presiding over a menu which showcases Italian specialities bottarga and red prawns alongside lobster Bocconcino opened in Berkeley Street 10 years ago and is noted for its glamorous interior and upmarket pizzas Founder Michael Gokhner launched the original branch in Moscow in 2006 and followed up with a second London outing in Soho last year Babbo is owned by leading football agent Kia Joorabchian Rio Ferdinand and the entire Chelsea first team squad were among guests it closed two years ago following a dispute with landlord Howard Raymond (son of Paul) Babbo has taken over the former premises of kosher deli Harry Morgan’s an institution on the High Street since 1948 which closed down during the covid pandemic it is the second established restaurant to target St John’s Wood in recent months This article originally named as co-owners London-based Brazil internationals David Luiz (Chelsea and Arsenal) and Willian (Chelsea Already Registered? Login NEWSPyramid restaurant drawing crowds to Stockport NEWSLast orders at Lyle's as James Lowe calls time NEWSHARDEN'S INSIDER: the future of 'fair' coffee insight and opinion from the world of restaurants 20-Nov-2024 Last updated on 20-Nov-2024 at 10:44 GMT it will be inspired by the seaside charm of coastal town Forte dei Marmi The menu has been designed by Italian chef Matteo Massafra The restaurant will have a seafood display that will offer a daily selection for guests to choose from Dishes on the seasonally changing menu will include moscardini in red wine sauce; paccheri with red mullet; and a crudo platter “I developed a passion for Italian cuisine at an early age and it has always been at the heart of my cooking,” says Massafra “Osteria Del Mare’s menu and food will showcase this devotion and bring the best of Mediterranean seafood to London” The wine list will focus on Italian and European wines Osteria Del Mare will be located within an old bank on The Strand in London’s West End with the old vault transformed into a private dining room seating 18 guests and which will feature the original vault door The restaurant will be run by operations director Didric Berlier and general manager Serban Jakab who previously held roles at Annabel’s and Roka Bocconcino was launched by restaurateur Michael Gokhner and operates some 15 restaurants worldwide. In London it operates two restaurants - Bocconcino Mayfair, which is marking its 10th anniversary this month, and Bocconcino Soho, which opened last year. Italian restaurant Bocconcino to open in Soho13-Jul-2023By Stefan ChomkaRussian restaurateur Michael Gokhner is to open a second site of his high-end Italian restaurant Bocconcino, with a third planned for next year. Restaurateur Michael Gokhner opened new Italian restaurant Bocconcino Pizzeria in London’s Mayfair on 1 December.  Moscow restaurateur Mikhail Gokhner is bringing his high-end pizzeria concept to London's Mayfair next month. Whet your appetite with beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Lost Revenue from Downtime: How It Cripples Your Delivery App Visibility and SalesPaid for and content provided by Deliverect Staffing costs rising — how smart hiring solutions are helping UK restaurantsPaid for and content provided by YoungOnes