News
Headlines for December 1994

December 1994

December 31, 1994

Police are bracing for what is expected to be one of the largest New Years celebrations in Times Square the city has ever seen. More than 400,000 revelers are expected to take part in this year's festivities. A new addition to the party this year are two "cannons" which will cover the partiers with more than 3,000 lbs. of confetti at the stroke of midnight.

December 30, 1994

Outgoing New York State Governor Mario Cuomo is spending most of today with incoming Governor George E. Pataki and his transition team. The talks are described as friendly, and Cuomo was quoted as saying "I am confident that Mr. Pataki will continue to lead the State of New York with all the grace it deserves."

December 29, 1994

The "zipper", the world-famous electronic headline display at the center of Times Square, has been saved from darkness. Current operator New York Newsday has said it would not renew its lease on the sign, which expires on New Years Day.

Pearson PLC of London, publisher of the Financial Times of London and owner of Penguin Books, agreed today to pay $14,000/month to lease the ribbon of more than 12,000 lightbulbs. During the course of its rich history, the "zipper" announced such memorable events as the Japanese surrender in WWII.

December 28, 1994

A space heater in a family room in Orange County started what fire marshalls are calling the "worst fire in New York in 25 years." The fire killed 6 children and 5 adults, all of whom were sleeping at the time.

December 27, 1994

Edward Leary, the man Police believe is responsible for last week's subway firebombing, has been indicted on all counts brought against him. Prosecutors cited notes foind in Leary's home in which he calls himself "The Mad Fire Bomber".

December 26, 1994

Police are searching for a man who shot and killed an alleged robber on the subway. Three young boys approached the man and asked for his wallet at knifepoint. He pulled out a pistol and shot one of the boys.

December 25, 1994

Last night a strange man clad in a red suit was spotted breaking into various apartments around the city, leaving presents in peoples' homes. Authorities have been baffled by the break-ins, with the only clues being sled tracks and hoof prints found on the roofs of buildings.

December 24, 1994

Last night's brutal East Coast storm left 175,000 homes in Long Island, Upstate, and New England without power. Winds of 70 - 80 MPH downed trees and phone lines. There were no casualties.

In other news, Santa and his elves are busy checking their lists twice. According to Mediabridge sources, they're trying to ascertain who's been naughty and who's been nice.

December 23, 1994

A train crash occurred today on Metro North. The Marble Hill station, at 225th Street in Manhattan, the site of the crash, is a busy station which many commuter trains pass. Police have advised train riders to beware of overcrowding conditions at Grand Central Station.

December 22, 1994

Police have arrested a man in conjunction with yesterday's subway explosion. Edward Leary, 49, fled the scene of the explosion by running through a dark subway tunnel into Brooklyn, where he was found with burns on his hands and face.

Transit Police Officer Denfield S. Otto was deemed "a hero" by Police Commissioner William Bratton for his quick thinking during the explosion and resulting fire. Officer Otto ran for the nearest fire extinguisher and put out the largest of the fires in the subway car. His actions earned him a call from the President yesterday.

December 21, 1994

An inflammatory device was detonated on a downtown Number 4 train in Manhattan causing burn injuries to over 3 dozen people. See our Special Report on the incident.

December 20, 1994

Mayor Giuliani has accepted a one year extension in the contract for Chancellor Raymond Cortinez. He is accepting this as a compromise because he doesn't believe that Cortinez should be re-appointed at all.

December 19, 1994

The New York Police department is joining members of the goods for guns program. They will exchange clothes, toys, and other merchandise for guns. The exchange is being carried out at several police precincts around town.

December 18, 1994

An autistic teenager who threw his 5 year old nephew out a 5th story window is being charged with second degree murder.

December 17, 1994

Drivers are being asked not to use the George Washington bridge as reconstruction is being done on the Alexander Hamilton bridge.

December 16, 1994

A car-jacker on Manhattan's Upper East side attempted to steal a Mercedes Benz. As he was driving off the driver pulled out a licensed handgun and fired several times at the car. The windows shattered and the car-jacker ran off on foot.

Police Commissioner, William Bratton, has been accused of misusing Police helicopters. He maintains that he only uses the helicopters for official police business. An investigation is under way.

December 15, 1994

Mayor Giuliani and the City Council are taking the battle of the budget into court this afternoon.

Mayor Giuliania announced tax breaks and reconstruction efforts aimed at rebuilding the Wall Street area.

December 14, 1994

John Cardinal O'Connor has been announced as the next Grand Marshall for the St. Patricks Day Parade.

December 13, 1994

A New York City housing judge has been arrested for taking bribes.

The amount of crime in the transit system has gone way down. The Transit Authority gives the credit to their new crime initiative.

December 12, 1994

A young man who last year stole an A train for a joy ride has now been charged in the stabbing of another boy.

School Chancellor Cortinez is refusing to hand over an account of how the school system spent its budget last year. This may be used as grounds to not renew his contract for next year.

December 10-11, 1994

The New York Police Department is about to launch a major anti-drug campaign. The campaign will be code-named operation Jauggernaut. It will target all levels of the drug industry from the street pusher to the big-time drug rings.

New York storeowners are claiming that this is the best shopping season in years.

December 9, 1994

Former New York Met Howard Johnson owes the IRS as much as $300,000. He says he is willing to pay so he doesn't have to go to jail.

December 8, 1994

Last night, Mayor Giuliani lit the 55 foot high Christmas tree in front of City Hall.

Northbound lanes on the FDR drive (East side of Manhattan) may be closed for over 2 years for repairs. The section between 20th and 34th Street may be shut down to traffic to perform much needed repairs.

Mayor Giuliani rescinds an order that would have forced pet owners in certain housing projects to be evicted. The City is investigating the situation further.

December 7, 1994

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the LIRR Massacre, when a crazed gunman claimed 6 victims. Candlelight vigils were held tonight in remebrance of the victims.

Police shot and killed two suspects in Brooklyn, near 119th Avenue.

Mayor Giuliani's residence at Gracie Mansion has increased security after a death threat was reported on the mayor's life.

December 6, 1994

At Kennedy International Airport, cocaine was found in the abdomen of an Old English sheepdog -- an attempt to smuggle drugs into the country by Colombian dealers, officials say.

The Justice Department is charging the New York state court system with violating the Voting Act. Federal civil rights lawyers claim the election system to appoint State Supreme Court judges is unfair to minority voters.

Ramon Cortines, NYC school chancellor, will award cash grants to schools with the most improvement in test scores and attendance

December 5, 1994

Rapper Tupac Shakur missed his court appearance today.

Officer Ray Cannon was buried today. He was shot in the face two days ago in a shoot out in a bike store.

December 4, 1994

Guy Molinari, Staten Island borough president, has announced that he doesn't believe that Governor-elect George Pataki will ever forgive Mayor Giuliani.

December 3, 1994

A police officer was shot and killed in a gun battle with four robbers at a bicycle shop.

December 2, 1994

The 85th Christmas tree at Rockefeller center will be lit this evening.

December 1, 1994

Rapper Tupac Shakur made his way into court where the jury is deliberating on sodomy and weapons possession charges. He had suffered 5 gun shots yesterday and checked himself out of the hospital against his doctor's orders.

Josephine Sanchez, a 70 year old woman who just last year fought off a an attacker, was stabbed in the back and killed. The assailant ran off with her empty purse.

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