New Jersey lawmakers say a plan to replace a century-old bridge connecting New Jersey to New York and points north and south has been submitted to Congress for final review. The long-awaited final agreement with the federal government to pay for construction of a new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River has been sent to Congress, which has 30 days to review the $1.8 billion project before funds are released, lawmakers said. The Portal North bridge is to replace a 110-year-old swing bridge that occasionally becomes stuck after it opens to allow boats to pass under. Nearly 200,000 people and 450 trains cross the bridge each day traveling between New York and points between Boston and Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both D-N.J., and U.S.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of HaRav Tzvi Elimelech Eckstein ZT”L, a Rebbe for more than 50 years in Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush. He was 79. The Niftar contracted COVID-19 around two weeks ago and was hospitalized a few days later. His condition turned critical until he was Niftar early Thursday morning. He was a Talmid of Hagaon HaRav Aharon Kreiser ZATZAL before going to RJJ and then the Mirrer Yeshiva, where he learned under HaRav Shmuel Brudny, HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum and the Mashgiach, HaRav Hersh Feldman. HaRav Eckstein was a Magid Shiur and an assistant Menahel for more than 50 years at the Mirrer Yesiva, where he was Mechanech thousands of Bochrim over the years. His entire life revolved around the Yeshiva, walking through the doors each day for decades.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday outlined a preliminary timeline for the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in New York City. According to de Blasio, the Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive as early as Dec. 15 while the Moderna vaccine is set to arrive as early as Dec. 22. The city will post vaccine information as it comes available on the city’s website, nyc.gov/COVIDVaccine. Meanwhile, New York Gov. Cuomo explained the initial allocation of COVID-19 vaccines would be distributed throughout the state. He announced during his press conference on Wednesday that the state is expecting to receive 170,000 doses of the vaccine, as soon as this weekend. The first batch of vaccines will be distributed to nursing home residents and staff followed by health care workers.

Former U.S. Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City on Tuesday, joining a crowded June 2021 Democratic primary for mayor of the nation’s largest city. “I am honored today to say that I am running for mayor of New York City to repair the civic fabric of the city, pull New Yorkers together to rebuild from the damage brought by COVID-19, and reimagine an innovative city that truly works for everyone,” Donovan said in announcing his run. Donovan was appointed to various roles during former President Barack Obama’s administration, first heading the Department of Housing and Urban Development and then the Office of Management and Budget.

At least three Orthodox Jews were the victims of what appears to be some type of hate incident. Boro Park Shomrim tell YWN that the incidents occurred between 5:40AM to around 6:30AM, Tuesday morning. So far, victims at three different locations have come forward to say that a car occupied by three people suddenly stopped, the occupants exited and ran towards their victims as if they were going to attack them, scaring them and causing them to flee in panic. The men just got into their vehicle and drove away. It was still unknown what the suspects yelled at their victims. The incidents took place on 56th Street, 50th Street, and 52nd Street. The NYPD has been notified and is investigating the incident as well.

A New York City man was arrested after he let a friend charged with shooting a Massachusetts state trooper stay at his place in the Bronx and then lied when U.S. marshals arrived, authorities said Monday. Grant Grandison, 35, was ordered freed on bail in Manhattan federal court over the objection of prosecutors. The encounter Friday resulted in a gunfight in which the fugitive, Andre K. Sterling, was killed and two deputy U.S. marshals were injured. At Monday’s hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Rothman sought detention for Grandison, saying there was a “truly horrific” result to his crimes of harboring a fugitive and making false statements. “It could have been so much worse,” Rothman said, adding that five unspent rounds were found in Sterling’s gun.

Every year thousands of Satmar chassidim celebrate chaf aleph Kislev, the day the Vayoel Moshe of Satmar, z’tl, was saved from the Nazis. This year, the event was held on a smaller scale due to the pandemic. During the event, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg criticized the heavy involvement of Chareidi Jews in the recent U.S. elections. “Jews are drawn to US politics and have greatly breached the line between Yisrael and the nations. We need to understand that we’re in galus. We live here but we’re not Americans.” “Rabbeinu [the Ba’al Vayoel Moshe] also used to say this. There was a Jew named R’ Dovid Eichler who once came for the Yamim Hanoraim from Yerushalayim and he told the Rebbe that he also came to collect money in America.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Yisroel Chaim Menashe Friedman ZATZAL, the Rosh Av Beis Din of Satmar in Williamsburg. He was 94. The Niftar was a Dayan in Satmar for decades, since the time of the Divrei Yoel ZATZAL – who appointed him as a Dayan. He was Niftar on an auspicious day in Satmar, Chof Alef Kislev, the day that the Divrei Yoel was saved from the Nazis YM”S. The Levaya will be held today (Monday) at 12:00PM at the Satmar Bais Medrash located at 152 Rodney Street. The Kevura will be held in Kiryas Yoel. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The NYPD was investigating a homicide in Flatbush on Sunday evening. YWN that the NYPD and Flatbush Hatzolah were called to East 21 Street between Avenue P and Quentin Road, reporting a victim laying on the floor unconscious. Flatbush Hatzolah Paramedics found the victim in traumatic arrest, who was the victim of a stabbing. He was rushed to nearby Community Hospital with a stab wound to the chest, where he was pronounced dead a short while later. The NYPD requested a Level 1 Mobilization response, and Detectives were investigating. The NYPD tells YWN that they are looking for a white male who fled on foot. The identity of the victim was unknown, but sources tell YWN that it did not appear that Chevra Kaddisha services were needed in this incident.

The co-owner of a New York City bar that authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody early Sunday after running over a deputy with a car, authorities said. Danny Presti fled from his bar, Mac’s Public House, after deputies observed patrons entering the establishment Saturday night in violation of city and state closure orders, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said. Deputies attempted to arrest Presti as he left the bar early Sunday, but Presti got into his car, struck a deputy and kept driving for about 100 yards even as the deputy was left hanging onto the hood, Fucito said. Presti, 34, was eventually stopped and apprehended, the sheriff said. Charges against him were pending. The injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.