Latest news with #Romaine
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State DOT refuses to sign off on $10 land sale that could modernize Long Island's busiest LIRR line
The state Department of Transportation seems ready to run out the clock on a $10 deal to help electrify Long Island's busiest LIRR line — which could cost Suffolk County over $2 million in federal funds if the agreement falls through, local officials charged County Executive Ed Romaine called out the DOT for stonewalling an infrastructure project he said would clean up both the delay-ridden commute and the environment — all over a pending vacant land purchase between Suffolk and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. If DOT does not sign off on the land deal by June 30, roughly $2.1 million earmarked from the federal American Rescue Plan to help fund the project will be lost, according to Suffolk officials. 'This should have been done, this whole line should be electrical,' Romaine, a, Republican, told The Post from Port Jefferson. 'This is the best land deal the MTA will ever make — which isn't exactly known for its fiscal responsibility.' Romaine said the agency is ready to move forward with the project, but did not specify how much the project would cost. The vacant land, nearly 50 acres that was once part of the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site, is currently controlled by the Suffolk County Landbank. Landbank officials offered to sell it to the MTA last year for just $10 so the agency can begin building infrastructure to electrify the unreliable diesel-fueled, double-decker trains that still run through the Port Jefferson line — a LIRR route that 30% of all riders live along. It's also the busiest branch on Long Island, according to MTA data. But the DOT balked at blessing the project, citing the need to complete an easement process as well as floating other potential options for the property, Suffolk officials charged. Stephen Canzoneri, DOT spokesperson representing Long Island, confirmed the agency 'is in the process of delivering a free property easement' to 'facilitate MTA's property acquisition,' and said the process will take several months. Even state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, offered to personally pay the $10 fee to get the deal done — but said she was told the state still wouldn't allow the sale. Romaine has even called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. He argued DOT's stalling tactics go against Hochul's own green goals. 'Governor Hochul supports any effort to advance meaningful transportation investments in the region and will work with all stakeholders to resolve the complicated land use issues impacting this potential project,' Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Post. The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
State DOT refuses to sign off on $10 land sale that could modernize Long Island's busiest LIRR line
The state Department of Transportation seems ready to run out the clock on a $10 deal to help electrify Long Island's busiest LIRR line, Suffolk officials charged Monday. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called out the DOT for stonewalling an infrastructure project he said would clean up both the delay-ridden commute and the environment — all over a pending purchase between Suffolk and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. If DOT does not sign off on the agreement by June 30, the contract will become void, according to Suffolk officials. Advertisement 6 Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called out the state Department of Transportation for refusing to approve a $10 land deal that would help electrify the Long Island Railroad's busiest line. Brandon Cruz / NY Post 6 A map of the Lawrence Aviation Industries Site. Department of Environmental Conservation 'This should have been done, this whole line should be electrical,' Romaine, a, Republican, told The Post from Port Jefferson. 'This is the best land deal the MTA will ever make — which isn't exactly known for its fiscal responsibility.' Advertisement Romaine said the agency is ready to move forward with the project, but did not specify how much the project would cost. The vacant land, nearly 50 acres that was once part of the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site, is currently controlled by the Suffolk County Landbank. Landbank officials offered to sell it to the MTA last year for just $10 so the agency can begin building infrastructure to electrify the unreliable diesel-fueled, double-decker trains that still run through the Port Jefferson line — a LIRR route that 30% of all riders live along. 6 Romaine and other Suffolk County officials at an event for the symbolic cutting of red tape for the land sale. Brandon Cruz / NY Post Advertisement 6 The state DOT has until June 30 to approve the deal. Stefano Giovannini It's also the busiest branch on Long Island, according to MTA data. But the DOT balked at blessing the project, citing the need to complete an easement process as well as floating other potential options for the property, Suffolk officials charged. Stephen Canzoneri, DOT spokesperson representing Long Island, confirmed the agency 'is in the process of delivering a free property easement' to 'facilitate MTA's property acquisition,' and said the process will take several months. Advertisement 6 The 50-acre plot of land is owned by the Suffolk County Landbank. Department of Environmental Conservation 6 The Lawrence Aviation Superfund site seen in 2014. Department of Environmental Conservation Even state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, offered to personally pay the $10 fee to get the deal done — but said she was told the state still wouldn't allow the sale. Romaine has even called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. He argued DOT's stalling tactics go against Hochul's own green goals. 'Governor Hochul supports any effort to advance meaningful transportation investments in the region and will work with all stakeholders to resolve the complicated land use issues impacting this potential project,' Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Post. The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Long Island cops raid 26 illegal weed stores in a week, seizing 15K products: officials
Suffolk County cops caught 26 unlicensed pot shops in the act during dozens of raids over just one week – seizing more than 15,000 illegal weed products, officials said Tuesday. The countywide crackdown just began May 20 but has already seen 44 smoke shops or convenience stores raided and resulted in seven arrests and five businesses getting shut down permanently, according to police. 'We are not going to allow the proliferation of illegal marijuana shops in this county,' Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters in Yaphank. 'Under the law, we not only padlock their business, but we seize all of their products,' Romaine added, saying the county will likely incinerate the seized products. Police said the biggest busts so far came from raids on Cloud Nine V in Farmingville; Simply Green in Coram; Vape Guru in Bay Shore; and The Norm smoke shop in Patchogue. Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina also revealed the raids found some of these storefronts selling illegal fireworks, magic mushroom chocolate bars from Colorado — and flavored vape pods to minors. He told The Post that the police worked together with town officials from all over Suffolk County to identify locations that were possibly selling weed illegally. 'The places that we hit, we asked our precinct commanders and our elected townspeople to give us the spots that were the most problematic in our communities, and those are the spots that we targeted,' Catalina said of the raids. Officials promised more raids to come. 'This isn't just about legality, it's more about safety,' said Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr., whose department worked in collaboration with police to conduct the raids. 'Products sold outside of regulated channels can be dangerous and untested,' said Toulon Jr., referring to THC vape products. Officials said the operation will continue indefinitely — with dozens more shops already in their crosshairs.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Suffolk County is full of crap — but taxpayers just flushed $3.8M into solving the problem
Some 70% of Suffolk County homes and businesses still rely on cesspools — but officials are planning to shell out millions to plug those properties into the municipal sewer system. County Executive Ed Romaine revealed plans to jumpstart a slew of projects with $3.8 million this year alone to modernize the sewer system, and ultimately recycle treated water to irrigate golf courses and other green spaces. 'We're addressing this crisis with sewer systems that don't just pump wastewater out to the ocean or the Sound — but systems that actually treat it properly and help protect our aquifer,' Romaine told The Post. Advertisement County Executive Ed Romaine revealed plans to jumpstart a slew of projects with $3.8 million this year alone to modernize the sewer system. Newsday via Getty Images The Republican explained that cesspools and septic tanks aren't just outdated — they're dangerous to Long Islanders. When waste sits underground for too long, it can seep into the soil and contaminate the aquifer beneath us, which is where the county gets all of its drinking water, and when that water gets tainted by human waste, it puts the entire region's health and safety at risk. Advertisement The new system, however, has no timetable to be completed and could take years. Romaine is now hoping the state and federal government will pitch in for the projects. Romaine explained that cesspools and septic tanks aren't just outdated — they're dangerous to Long Islanders. kaliantye – Suffolk hasn't seen a dime from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act — a massive state fund voters approved back in 2022 to help pay for exactly this kind of infrastructure, the executive said. Advertisement Romaine also told The Post that Suffolk County has not received any money the state was supposed to allocate from former President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill. 'If we have to, we will do this by ourselves,' Romaine told The Post about the possibility of receiving no state or federal funds. 'But it is a shame that the state would abandon Suffolk County in its time of need for environmental purposes,' he added. Gov. Kathy Hochul's office was not immediately available for comment.
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
4 Fresh Ideas for Spring Lettuce
Is there anything more soul-lifting than staring down a big pile of spring leaf lettuce, and imaging all the different things you can do with it? After a long, brisk winter of settling for root vegetables and heartier leafy greens like cabbage and kale, I don't think so. I'm not knocking cold-weather veggies here, because without them, preparing many of the comfort foods associated with winter dining would be a slog. It's just that once spring finally shows its sunny face, there's something incredibly satisfying about digging into a salad made with fresh, seasonal greens like butterhead and baby Romaine. Not only are these loose, round- and oval-shaped heads wonderfully sweet, with a light, refreshing crunch, but you just know you're doing your body an incredible favor healthwise by eating it. Because it's primarily water, lettuce is extremely low-cal. (One cup has only around 7 calories.) It's also a good source of vitamins A and K, which promote bone and eye health, and contains antioxidants as well as digestion-boosting fiber. Related Stories 6/8/2023 8/30/2023 Thanks to its vibrant shade of green, lettuce is also beautiful heaped in a bowl or spread out on a plate—a definite plus when you eat first with your eyes. But the real bonus of spring lettuce is that it's a surprisingly versatile vegetable, and often among the more economical purchases at farmers markets or in the produce section. Using the leaves as a base for salad or as a vegetal garnish for hamburgers and your favorite sandwiches is just the start. Hardier leaves like Romaine can be grilled, seared, braised, or sauteed. Shredded, lettuce leaves also can be baked into a frittata or stirred into a cheesy, creamy risotto to add ribbons of green. Because of its high water content, lettuce makes a good addition to soups and juices and can also team up with fruit in a good-for-you smoothie. Trying to cut down on carbs? Use soft, sturdy Bibb lettuce leaves as cups or wraps instead of bread or a flour or corn tortilla for any number of flavorful fillings. Or simply slice and saute it as you would cabbage, kale or spinach with a little olive or sesame oil for a simple side dish. The four recipes that follow prove lettuce can be much more exciting to cook with than you might think. The best part is that all can be prepared fairly quickly, leaving plenty of time and energy for where most of us really want to be spending time come spring—not in the kitchen, but outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Pasta With Lettuce Pesto PG tested Serves 4. Pesto is most commonly made with fresh pesto leaves. Its name comes from the Italian verb pestare, which means 'to pound or crush.' But the fresh, pounded sauce can be made with almost any fresh green you happen to have on hand, including lettuce. In this recipe, I used big handfuls of mixed spring greens (which includes baby lettuces) to make the sauce, with some fresh basil mixed in to round out the flavor. I didn't have any pine nuts—a classic choice for pesto—so I used toasted almonds instead. For a less garlicky sauce, use fewer garlic cloves. This sauce is great on pasta but also can be dolloped on pizza, spread onto sandwiches or used as a garnish for grilled meats and roasted vegetables. 4 packed cups of lettuce (spring mix, Bibb or Romaine works well) Handful (about 1/3 cup) fresh basil 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1/2 cup toasted almonds or pine nuts 1/2 teaspoon salt A good squeeze of fresh lemon juice 1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 16 ounces cooked pasta Place lettuce leaves, basil, garlic, nuts, salt, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until well chopped. With the food processor running, drizzle in 1/4 cup of olive oil and pulse until combined. Add the Parmesan cheese, if using, and pulse to briefly combine. For a smoother pesto, add more olive oil. Toss with cooked pasta, then serve immediately. Recipe Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette Lettuce Smoothie PG tested Makes 2 smoothies. Kale smoothies are incredibly popular so why not experiment with lettuce? I pureed Romaine with some spinach, apple and a frozen banana to make these vibrant green drinks. It sounds crazy, I know, but it actually tastes incredibly fresh, and healthful. 1 cup chopped Romaine lettuce 1 cup baby spinach 1/2 apple, chopped 1 frozen banana, broken into chunks Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup water 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional Add lettuce, baby spinach, apple, banana, lemon juice, and water to a high-speed blender. For a thicker smoothie, also add chia seeds. Blend on high until smooth, then pour into two glasses and serve. Recipe adapted from Lettuce Risotto PG tested Serves 3 as a main dish, 6 as a side. You almost won't notice the shredded Bibb lettuce in this creamy risotto, which was adapted from a recipe by Lidia Bastianich. It wilts into thin thread-like strands. But it's a great way to avoid waste when you've tired of salad, or bought too many greens to use right away. You can serve this risotto either as a main dish with a simple salad and crusty bread or as a side dish. 7 cups or more hot chicken stock, preferably homemade Kosher salt 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 cups Arborio rice 1 cup white wine 8 ounces outer lettuce leaves (Romaine, Bibb, etc.), shredded 2 tablespoons butter, cubed Finely grated zest of 1/2 small lemon 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Grana Padano Bring chicken stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan and season with salt. Heat olive oil in a large, shallow, straight-sided pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add shallots, sauté for 1 minute, then ladle in 1/2 cup hot stock to soften the vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are tender and stock has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high. Add rice all at once, and stir continuously until the grains are toasted but not colored, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add shredded lettuce and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Ladle in about 2 cups of the stock, stir and cook until almost absorbed, about 5 minutes. Ladle in 1 more cup of the stock, and again simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed. Continue cooking and adding stock in this manner until the rice is cooked al dente but still with texture, about 15-20 minutes in all. When the risotto is creamy, turn off the heat. Beat in the butter, stir in the lemon zest and cheese, season with salt if necessary and serve. Recipe adapted from Chicken Lettuce Wraps PG tested Serves 4. Lettuce wraps are easy to make, and a fun spin on the humble taco. I used ground chicken but ground turkey also works beautifully. If you don't love carrots or water chestnuts, experiment with other crunchy veggies such as bell peppers. You'll definitely want to use a butterhead lettuce like Boston or Bibb, as they have tender, sturdy leaves that will easily fold around the filling without tearing. I added chili crisp for some extra spice, but you could also use sweet chili sauce or sriracha to add some gentle heat. When serving as lettuce cups, submerge leaves in a large bowl of cold water in the refrigerator. (It will keep the lettuce cold and crisp.) Gently dry with a paper towel before serving. 4 tablespoons teriyaki sauce or hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon chili crisp 1 teaspoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 pound ground chicken 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger 3 green onions, finely diced and divided 1/2 cup grated or finely diced carrots 1 (8-ounce) can chopped water chestnuts, drained 2 small heads Bibb or butter lettuce Chopped roasted peanuts or cashews, for garnish Sriracha sauce, optional Place teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili crisp in a small bowl. Whisk to combine, then stir in cornstarch and set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add ground chicken, minced garlic, and ginger and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon until it starts to brown. Stir in half of the chopped green onions, carrots, and water chestnuts, and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink and fully cooked, another 3-4 minutes. Add sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbling and the sauce is warmed through, 30-60 seconds. Separate the lettuce leaves, rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Pile them onto a large platter or divide among 4 plates. Transfer the hot chicken mixture to a serving bowl or spoon directly into the lettuce leaves. Serve with remaining scallions and chopped nuts as a garnish, and eat immediately. Recipe by Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
