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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
‘Secret' beach just a short ride from NYC named third best in US — and swimsuits are optional
Sun's out, buns out. New Yorkers looking to beat the heat — and get naked — needn't look much farther than the Big Apple. BoatBooker, an international boat activity service, has named the most underrated beaches in the country — and a Garden State entry made the list. Advertisement Gunnison Beach, located in Sandy Hook, came in third place thanks to its sprawling shores and top-tier views of New York City, located just across the water. However, the skyline sights are far from the only spectacle this seaside destination offers. Gunnison is also the only clothing-optional beach in Jersey, making it a popular place for people with a particular penchant for naturalism. Advertisement 3 Gunnison Beach was the only Northeast spot to snag a top ranking on the list. Scenic Corner – Gunnison Beach has been a favorite of naked New Jerseyans since the '70s. However, the National Park Service advises that beach bums keep a close eye on posted signs to ensure they're not caught wandering au naturel out of bounds, as they could be slapped with a disorderly conduct charge. 3 The sandy stretch has plenty of signs about the clothing-optional culture. Steven Hirsch Advertisement 3 Sandy Hook also has plenty of other beaches for the clothing-inclined, but they may be swarmed by summer crowds. John McAdorey – Not only is it clothing-optional, it's also a close commute for New Yorkers and Jerseyites alike. During the summer months, beachgoers can hop on a ferry from lower Manhattan to get to Sandy Hook in an hour or so. New York has its own highly-ranked beaches to be sure, but this season, the most sought-after spots in the Hamptons have become costlier and more crowded than ever before. Advertisement A simple weekend getaway can cost thousands of dollars, plus hours on the highways in traffic. Aside from the New Jersey beach that took bronze, sandy spots in South Carolina and California fared favorably. In fact, aside from Gunnison, literally no other beaches beat out the top-tier Palmetto and Golden State shores. While these hidden gem spots may boast sprawling, crowd-free sands, many listed areas — Gunnison Beach included — do not have lifeguards on duty. Top underrated beaches in the U.S. in 2025 Vereen Memorial Park, South Carolina Driftwood Beach, South Carolina Gunnison Beach, New Jersey Morris Island, South Carolina Torrey Pines City Beach, California Caswell Beach, North Carolina Dana Strands Beach, California Pirates Cove Beach, California Station 22 – Public Beach Access, South Carolina Edisto Beach State Park Campground, South Carolina Amid a wave of high-profile drownings as a result of coastal rip currents, experts advise beachgoers to monitor weather and wave conditions closely. Kaitlin Krause, the founder of the NYC-based rip current education non-profit Rising Tide Effect, previously told The Post that 'untrained rescuers often become victims themselves,' and advised onlookers to call 911 immediately, and said that 'if you must assist, throw something that floats, like a life ring, buoy or cooler.'
New York Post
23-07-2025
- New York Post
Beer-loving NYC shoplifter with over 200 busts at it again — but quickly set free
He knows what he likes — and just takes it. A serial shoplifter with more than 200 busts on his rap sheet — and an apparent grudge against a Post photographer — is facing new theft charges after cops said he snatched a batch of Modelo beer from one of his favorite haunts, a Duane Reade pharmacy on Broadway in Lower Manhattan. Laron Mack, 53, who seems to have a taste for the Mexican brew, tried to kick photographer Steven Hirsch after his latest arrest this week — a rematch for Mack, who lunged at Hirsch and smashed his camera after an earlier shoplifting arrest in 2022. 4 Laron Mack, 53, took a kick at Post photographer Steven Hirsch after his arrest this week — their second encounter. Steven Hirsch On Wednesday, he was arraigned on petty larceny and possession of stolen property charges after allegedly trying to make off with 18 Modelos from the Manhattan retailer on Monday. He was released without bail — as he always has been because the charges don't qualify for bail under the state's controversial 2019 criminal justice reform statute. The scene of the crime is familiar turf for Mack, who has been pinched at the same Duane Reade at least a half dozen times since April, allegedly making off with sandwiches and his favorite beer. 'Number one selling beer, but this guy just steals it,' one law enforcement source told The Post. 'This guy's not stealing food to feed his family.' The repeat offender has at least three other open larceny cases pending in Manhattan, including charges that he ripped off the pharmacy just one day before his latest bust. 4 Laron Mack smashed the camera of Post photographer Steven Hirsch in 2022 — and tried to kick him this week. Steven Hirsch 4 Police said Laron Mark has repeatedly stolen Modelo beer from Manhattan retailers, seemingly his favorite beer. Steven Hirsch According to sources, he also allegedly tried to steal four 12-packs, 11 eight-packs and two 'tall boys' on June 9; five cases and two 24-packs on May 7; sandwiches, yogurt and beer on April 18; and, on April 10, more, you guessed it, Modelo beer from the same Duane Reade outlet. Not to be entirely exclusive, Mack is also accused of stealing Charmin toilet paper from a Duane Reade on Amsterdam Avenue, and has been charged with stealing from Walgreen's as well. 'I steal for a living,' he admitted after a June 2022 shoplifting arrest. He's also not always particular after his beer — the June 2022 arrest that led to the attack on Hirsch was for allegedly stealing oatmeal, breakfast sausage and Bud Light from an Upper East Side pharmacy. 4 Laron Mack, 53, has more than 200 arrests on his record, primarily for shoplifting in Manhattan. Steven Hirsch Following his release on robbery charges, Hirsch asked Mack how he was doing, when the accused shoplifter spun around and knocked the camera out of the photographers hands, punching him in the arm and smashing the equipment into the wall. Despite his rap sheet, the courts haven't been able to hold Mack because of the state reforms. Additional reporting by Mikella Schuettler
New York Post
11-06-2025
- New York Post
Crypto bros in twisted NYC kidnap case held 2 other victims ‘against their will,' DA says while revealing sick new details
The crypto bros who allegedly tortured an Italian millionaire for his Bitcoin password also held two other victims 'against their will,' prosecutors revealed Wednesday – along with shocking new details about the Soho house of horrors. John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33, pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges in a dramatic Manhattan Supreme Court arraignment filled with bombshell revelations – including of a graphic photo allegedly showing the pair sadistically setting their Italian captive on fire. 4 John Woeltz (pictured), 37, and William Duplessie, 33, pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges Wednesday. Steven Hirsch 4 Woeltz and Duplessie (pictured) are accused of holding Italian crypto trader at a swanky Soho townhouse against his will for weeks. Steven Hirsch 4 Steven Hirsch The twisted duo allegedly held the victim, cryptocurrency trader Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, captive for nearly three weeks in their rented Prince Street townhouse. A prosecutor revealed that Woeltz and Duplessie had previously held two other people from two different locations 'against their will' before allegedly kidnapping Carturan last month. No details about the other alleged kidnappings were disclosed during the hearing, but prosecutors did unveil new accusations about Carturan's harrowing experiences. 4 The crypto bros' alleged kidnap victim seen on surveillance footage after escaping. WNBC At one point, Woeltz and Duplessie allegedly poured tequila over Carturan, lit him aflame and doused the blaze by urinating on him, prosecutors said, describing a photo. 'He luckily doesn't have burn injuries,' the prosecutor said about Carturan, who escaped May 23 after his alleged weeks-long ordeal.
Toronto Sun
05-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
Jury deliberations begin in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes retrial
Published Jun 05, 2025 • 2 minute read Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan in New York, Thursday, May 15, 2025. Photo by Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. NEW YORK — Jurors started deliberating Thursday in Harvey Weinstein 's New York sex crimes retrial, tasked with deciding — again — a case that encapsulated the #MeToo movement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The seven-woman, five-man jury is considering two counts of criminal sex act and one count of rape, each relating to a different accuser and a different date. In this case, the criminal sex act charge is the higher-degree felony. Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty. Nearly eight years ago, a series of sexual misconduct allegations against the Oscar-winning movie producer propelled the #MeToo movement. Some of those accusations later generated criminal charges and convictions in New York and California. The New York conviction from 2020 was subsequently overturned, leading to the retrial before a new jury and a different judge. Jurors heard more than five weeks of testimony, including lengthy and sometimes fiery questioning of Weinstein's three accusers in the case. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jessica Mann said he raped her in 2013, when she was trying to build an acting career. Miriam Haley accused him of forcibly performing oral sex on her in 2006, when she was looking for work in entertainment production. Kaja Sokola, who wasn't involved in Weinstein's first trial, told jurors that he forced oral sex on her, too, during 2006. At the time, she was a teenage fashion model trying to break into acting. 'They all had dreams of pursuing careers in the defendant's world, the entertainment industry,' prosecutor Nicole Blumberg told jurors in her closing argument Tuesday. She contended that Weinstein let the women think he was interested in their careers when what actually interested him were their bodies, and 'he was going to have their bodies and touch their bodies whether they wanted him to or not.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Weinstein chose not to testify. His defense called other witnesses, including some former friends of Sokola's and Mann's. Weinstein's attorneys argued that all three accusers consented to Weinstein's advances because they wanted help with their Hollywood aims. All three stayed on friendly terms with him afterward, a point the defense emphasized. 'It's transactional, folks. Yes, he wants to fool around with them, and yes, they want something from him,' defense lawyer Arthur Aidala said in his summation Tuesday. The Associated Press generally does not identify people without their permission if they say they have been sexually assaulted. Sokola, Mann and Haley have agreed to be named. NHL Columnists Columnists Columnists Columnists
New York Post
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Harvey Weinstein's lawyers argue the alleged perv is the real victim during erratic closing arguments: ‘He's the one who's being abused'
Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein is the 'poster boy' of cancel culture, his defense attorney ranted during erratic closing arguments, insisting the convicted sex pest is the real victim of the women accusing him of rape. 'They're using their youth, their beauty, their charm, their charisma to get stuff from him,' defense attorney Arthur Aidala said Tuesday of the three women who testified against the once-powerful Hollywood kingpin during his ongoing sex-crimes retrial in Manhattan Superior Court. 'I know it's going to sound crazy, but he's the one who's being abused. He's the one who's getting used.' 5 Harvey Weinstein at his retrial in Manhattan Superior Court. Steven Hirsch During the three-hour speech to jurors, Aidala portrayed the relationships between Weinstein and his three accusers — fromer TV production assistant Miriam 'Mimi' Haley, Polish model Kaja Sokola and former actress Jessica Mann — as 'transactional' sexual relationships that were consensual. He claimed the victims are women with broken dreams 'who wanted to cut the line' to stardom. The attorney's animated theatrics balanced a tightrope of absurdity — from mockingly impersonating one of the women to entering the witness stand to discus his own sex life, with his wife in attendance — in an effort to dissuade jurors from reconvicting the one-time movie mogul. 5 Harvey Weinstein's retrial in a New York courtroom. Steven Hirsch 'They needed to get the poster boy, the original sinner for the MeToo movement,' Aidala said, referring to prosecutor's decision for a retrial. 'They tried to do it five years ago, and there was a redo, and they're trying to do it again.' At one point, Aidala took shots at Weinstein's physical appearance, calling the hulking wheelchair-bound ex-Miramax boss a 'fat dude' incapable of 'playing naked Twister' – a hyperbole to how witnesses have described the 'Pulp Fiction' producer's sinister demeanor during the alleged attacks. 'Some of these descriptions from these women sound like 'Cirque du Soleil'!' Aidala charged The former studio chief's attorney even posed a hypothetical scenario to jurors about a broken shard of glass falling into his own Grandma's 'Sunday Sauce' — likening it to the prosecution's case and the accusers and whether his grandma would still serve the pasta knowing the risk. 5 Kaja Sokola testified against the disgraced movie producer during his high-profile Manhattan trial. Steven Hirsch 'If there's a doubt about his life, their case — you've got to throw it out, you've got to throw it out,' he said. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg fiercely challenged Aidala's spirited remarks, telling the jury that Weinstein — accused of sexual conduct by more than 80 women — wielded his 'power and influence' to trap his victims. 5 Miriam 'Mimi' Haley, former production assistant on 'Project Runway,' also testified in court. Steven Hirsch 'This was not a courting game as Mr. Aidala wants you to believe,' Blumberg charged at the jury. 'This is not a transaction. This is not people the defendant was fooling around with unless fooling around with is a euphemism for rape… it wasn't about fooling around — it was rape.' Blumberg later argued: 'He never had an interest in their careers. He had an interest in their bodies,' where no meant 'try a little bit harder' until he eventually 'took it anyway.' 5 Witness Jessica Mann leaving court, accompanied by others. Steven Hirsch Weinstein, 73, who has maintained his innocence, faces up to 25 years in prison on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, and four years in prison on a charge of third-degree rape. He was originally convicted at trial in 2022, but New York's highest court reversed the conviction last year. Weinstein was separately convicted of rape in California after an Italian model testified that he threw himself on her after appearing uninvited outside her hotel room during an Italian film festival in 2013. The convicted sex fiend was sentenced to 16 years in prison in that case but is appealing. The prosecution will continue with closing arguments Wednesday morning.
