The Spirit | Your local newspaper for the Upper West Side

Officers Jenny Driscoll, Jared DeSalvo and Joe Pascone (left to right) with Hudson after reaching her from East River

Officers Jenny Driscoll, Jared DeSalvo and Joe Pascone (left to right) with Hudson after reaching her from East River ( Photo: Instagram: @nycacc and @nypd)

The dog, who has been nicknamed Hudson, was rescued by NYPD Harbor Units and transported to NYC’s ACC where she is being cared for.

Search for Owner of Tiny Pup Rescued from East River

04 Apr 2025 | 01:55

On the foggy morning of March 30, a small, white dog with a pink harness was seen treading in the East River near the South Street Seaport.

The NYPD received a 911 call for the dog at around 8:11 a.m. and the NYPD Harbor Units responded immediately, a police spokesperson told Straus News.

Officers Jared...

Viola Shipman is the pen name of best-selling author Wade Rouse, who hosts Words & Wine with Wade on Thursdays at ViolaShipman.com.

Viola Shipman is the pen name of best-selling author Wade Rouse, who hosts Words & Wine with Wade on Thursdays at ViolaShipman.com. ( Photo: Ivan Hundric)

“The Page Turner” Is An Aptly Named New Novel

01 Apr 2025 | 03:13

In The Page Turner, Emma Page is living every novelist’s dream.

The recent grad, with a manuscript under...

An example of “daylighting” is shown in a video by Transportation Alternatives. Without cars parked next to the intersection, both the driver and the pedestrian have a better view of each other.

An example of “daylighting” is shown in a video by Transportation Alternatives. Without cars parked next to the intersection, both the driver and the pedestrian have a better view of each other. ( Photo: Transportation Alternatives)

Upcoming Daylighting Rally Demands “Proven Safety Solution”

04 Apr 2025 | 11:58

A rally supporting intersection safety in New York City is coming to City Hall. Planned for Monday, April...

A man jaywalking on W. 35th St. Jaywalking will be officially decriminalized in NYC as of this month.

A man jaywalking on W. 35th St. Jaywalking will be officially decriminalized in NYC as of this month. ( Photo: Jack Ahern )

Jaywalking to Be Fully Decriminalized in NYC

03 Apr 2025 | 05:56

Jaywalking will officially be decriminalized as of April 17, when new NYC Department of Transportation...

Car-Free Earth Day will be held on April 26, the DOT says, formally kicking off 2025’s “Open Streets” programming.

Car-Free Earth Day will be held on April 26, the DOT says, formally kicking off 2025’s “Open Streets” programming. ( Photo: DOT )

“Car-Free Earth Day” to Kick Off Open Streets Across Manhattan

04 Apr 2025 | 01:53

The NYC Department of Transportation will kick off its Open Streets season on April 26, for its ninth...

Whether a long, slow run or a fast sprint, it is important to stretch before and after you exercise, experts say.

Whether a long, slow run or a fast sprint, it is important to stretch before and after you exercise, experts say. ( Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Fast Run, Slow Run, Five Day, Two Day: It All Depends on Your Goals

04 Apr 2025 | 12:19

The New York Road Runners Club has just waded through 200,000 applicants to choose the lucky tens of...

Governor Kathy Hochul, speaking at a Congestion Pricing Rally on March 21, has sent a letter to top Republicans in the Trump Administration calling for the state to receive its “fair share” of federal mass transit funds. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy wants Hochul to turn off the congestion pricing cameras.

Governor Kathy Hochul, speaking at a Congestion Pricing Rally on March 21, has sent a letter to top Republicans in the Trump Administration calling for the state to receive its “fair share” of federal mass transit funds. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy wants Hochul to turn off the congestion pricing cameras. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)

Hochul Pleads for More Fed Funds for MTA; DOT Pushes to End Congestion Pricing Tolls

02 Apr 2025 | 04:03

It looks like a standoff.

Top elected Democratic leaders in New York in late March pleaded with the federal...

A day after a federal judge dismissed the criminal case against him, Eric Adams declared he is ditching the Democratic primary in June to run as an independent candidate in November. At a press conference, he urged all New Yorkers to read the book, “<i>Government Gangsters” </i>by Kash Patel, the current FBI director, who posits there is a Deep State cabal in government trying to undermine Donald Trump.

A day after a federal judge dismissed the criminal case against him, Eric Adams declared he is ditching the Democratic primary in June to run as an independent candidate in November. At a press conference, he urged all New Yorkers to read the book, “Government Gangsters” by Kash Patel, the current FBI director, who posits there is a Deep State cabal in government trying to undermine Donald Trump. ( Photo: Mayor’s Photography Office)

Adams Ditches Dems, Plans to Run as Independent after Judge Dismisses Criminal Case

After six weeks of deliberation, a federal district court judge on April 2 dismissed the five count criminal indictment filed...

04 Apr 2025 | 02:37

If the new legislation is approved, scenes like the above with police enforcing a new pedestrian pricing toll, could be commonplace.

If the new legislation is approved, scenes like the above with police enforcing a new pedestrian pricing toll, could be commonplace. ( Photo: Courtesy Council Member Eric Bottcher)

Council Member Calls for “Pedestrian Pricing” in Manhattan below 60th St

City Council member Eric Bottcher on April 1 sent out a release calling for a “pedestrian pricing” toll to be introduced...

01 Apr 2025 | 05:25

An estimated 170,000 tulips were dispensed at Tulip Day 2025 on March 30 in Union Sq.

An estimated 170,000 tulips were dispensed at Tulip Day 2025 on March 30 in Union Sq. ( Photo: NYCforfree)

Union Sq. Bursts into Color for 2nd Annual Tulip Day Fest

Union Square burst into color on Sunday, March 30th, for the second annual Tulip Day NYC 2025.

Organizers say that over 15,000...

01 Apr 2025 | 04:15

Security camera footage of one of the suspects, a male with light brown skin, is seen here wearing a maroon-colored, black-top hoodie and riding a bicycle.

Security camera footage of one of the suspects, a male with light brown skin, is seen here wearing a maroon-colored, black-top hoodie and riding a bicycle. ( Photo: NYPD CrimeStoppers)

Man Struck in Head With Bicycle on UWS; NYPD Seeks Suspects

Police are seeking any information on two suspects at the center of a violent assault last autumn on the Upper West Side....

31 Mar 2025 | 05:27

Eric Bothcher has put up nine projects for participatory budget vote. Voting closes on April 6.

Eric Bothcher has put up nine projects for participatory budget vote. Voting closes on April 6. ( Photo: Keith J. Kelly)

$1 Million On Tap as Chelsea ‘Participatory Budgeting’ Voting Gets Underway

As “participatory budgeting” voting gets underway (March 29 to April 6), Chelsea residents living in City Council Member...

31 Mar 2025 | 06:03

A mom named Michelle (right) accompanied by her daughter Lulu and her husband were among the fans who climbed on board the Yankee Express nostalgia train. “It’s amazing,” she said of the special train.

A mom named Michelle (right) accompanied by her daughter Lulu and her husband were among the fans who climbed on board the Yankee Express nostalgia train. “It’s amazing,” she said of the special train. ( Photo: Keith J. Kelly)

Fans Climb Aboard Nostalgia Train for Yankee Stadium Run on Opening Day

Last year, when the NYC Transit Authority ran its vintage nostalgia subway car to Yankee Stadium on opening day, there was...

31 Mar 2025 | 06:00

A small force of 14 federal agents pursuing the billions ripped off from the US Government during the pandemic was shut down by DOGE on March 28. The agency had already recovered more than three times its annual budget and had nearly a 100 percent conviction rate against fraud perpetrators in federal court.

A small force of 14 federal agents pursuing the billions ripped off from the US Government during the pandemic was shut down by DOGE on March 28. The agency had already recovered more than three times its annual budget and had nearly a 100 percent conviction rate against fraud perpetrators in federal court. ( Photo: Wikimedia commons)

Agency That Successfully Prosecuted Pandemic Fraud Is Casualty of Trump’s Cuts

A little-known agency of the US Government was shuttered last week. It went largely unnoticed amidst the deluge of reports...

31 Mar 2025 | 01:19

Marilyn Mars’s virtual classes on how to declutter are offered through the Marlene Meyerson JCC

Marilyn Mars’s virtual classes on how to declutter are offered through the Marlene Meyerson JCC ( Photo: Courtesy Marilyn Mars)

How to Toss That Clutter

Drawers jam-packed? Closets overflowing? File cabinets crammed full?

It’s a common plight of Upper West Siders, whose compact...

01 Apr 2025 | 04:06

Drawing Board 04.03.25

Drawing Board 04.03.25

31 Mar 2025 | 11:40

Crime Watch UWS 04.03.25

Woman’s Boyfriend Arrested after Snatching Her Phone

A 37-year-old woman told police that at 8:55 p.m. on Wednesday, March...

31 Mar 2025 | 11:25

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