https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/the-raccoon-man-of-central-park-AM5907750 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-04T11:47:28-04:00 The Raccoon Man of Central Park: Israel Ortiz and His Wild Friends https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-feeding_4-10782459_20260602221628.jpg Israel Ortiz offers a croissant to a raccoon in Central Park, part of a daily ritual he has maintained for nearly two decades. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-raccoons_4-10782462_20260604114744.png Raccoons emerge from the bushes as Israel Ortiz prepares to feed them. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-attention_4-10782465_20260604114747.png A raccoon tugs at a bench to get Israel Ortiz’s attention as it waits for a croissant. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-waiting_4-10782468_20260604114750.jpg A raccoon rises onto its hind legs near Israel Ortiz in Central Park West. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-talking_4-10782471_20260604114751.jpg Israel Ortiz speaks with parkgoers near his usual bench on Central Park West, where visitors often stop to watch him interact with wildlife. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/hero-firefighter-honored-for-dragging-victim-in-uws-fire-to-safety-HH5911449 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-04T21:01:02-04:00 Hero Firefighter Honored for Dragging Victim in UWS Fire to Safety https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/3e0a7040_4-10790093_20260604135510.jpg James M. Lafferty was presented with the John H. Prentice medal for his heroic actions at a December 9 , 2025 fire during the annual FDNY medal ceremony. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/3e0a7043_4-10790095_20260604135513.jpg Firefighter James Lafferty with his family, Mayor Mamdani, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, and FDNY Department Chief John Esposito. (Photo: Martina Dimitrova) https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/dec-2025-uws-fire_4-10788201_20260604131021.jpg An apartment building on the corner of 107th St and Amsterdam Ave. was set ablaze in the morning of December 9, 2025. After receiving the alarm, James Lafferty and his ladder company quickly responded and rescued occupants on the scene. (Credit: FDNY) https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/destrcution-uws-fire-2025_4-10789415_20260604131022.webp The resulting damage of the December 9 fire. (Photo: Jack Ahern) https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/crime-watch/teen-indicted-for-murder-of-man-sleeping-in-times-square-KL5915095 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T10:18:02-04:00 Teen Indicted for Murder of Man Sleeping in Times Square https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-teen-indicted-murder-times-s_4-10792845_20260605083936.jpg Leonides Baez, was murdered in Times Square on May 4, 2026. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/donohues-steak-house-to-close-june-19-after-iconic-76-years-AE5897453 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T10:25:10-04:00 Last Call for Donohue’s Steak House; UES Institution to Close After 76 Years https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/donohues-steak-house-76-years-1_4-10786213_20260603183125.jpg Maureen Donohue-Peters (right) owns Donohue’s Steak House, which is managed by her niece, Mary Barrie (left). The two began Donohue’s East in Westhampton Beach together in July 2025. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/donohues-steak-house-76-years-2_4-10786214_20260603183128.jpg Donohue’s Steak House will be closing its Manhattan restaurant, located at 845 Lexington Ave., on June 19. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/donohues-steak-house-76-years-3_4-10786215_20260603183130.jpg Addie Guttag (right) sitting with her nephew, David Guttag (left) for lunch. Addie has been coming to Donohue’s Steak House for 58 years. David has been coming for nearly his entire 43 years of life. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/donohues-steak-house-76-years-4_4-10786216_20260603183133.jpg Owner Maureen Donohue-Peters has kept the original restaurant interior, which her father and grandfather built together. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/fdny-medal-day-brings-firefighters-families-to-city-hall-AH5911376 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T11:04:30-04:00 FDNY Medal Day Brings Firefighters & Families to City Hall https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-city-hall-mamdani_4-10789569_20260604132825.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, Mayor Mamdani at the podium. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-city-hall-enrance_4-10789566_20260604132820.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-flatbush-nigro_4-10789550_20260604132648.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, banner for Ladder 147, Engine 281, “Da Pride A Flatbush.” https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-daniel-sullivan_4-10789552_20260604132649.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, Daniel Sullivan recieves award. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-james-lafferty_4-10789554_20260604132651.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall - James Lefferty recieves award. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-james-m-corey_4-10789556_20260604132655.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, James M. Corey recieves award. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-michael-prokop_4-10789560_20260604132702.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, Michael Prokop recieves award. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-city-hall-families_4-10789548_20260604132646.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, families snack before the ceremony. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-yoon-khalef-parra_4-10789564_20260604132709.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City, Paul Yoon, Alexander Khalef, Jose D. Parra receive awards. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fdny-medal-day-city-hall-bonignore-ma_4-10789649_20260604133950.jpg FDNY Medal Day at City Hall, Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore (left) Mayor Zohran Mamdani. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/cb-7-gives-thumbs-up-to-controversial-72nd-st-bike-lane-IK5914192 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T13:08:16-04:00 CB 7 Gives Thumbs Up to Controversial 72nd St. Bike Lane https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/w-72nd-st-and-broadway_4-10792436_20260604195833.png The view from Broadway, looking west down 72nd Street, which currently has four lanes for vehicular traffic. The DOT’s plan to erect a protected bike lane will reduce the roadway to one lane of traffic on each side. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/map-of-propsed-two-lane-bike-lane_4-10792368_20260604180340.png A map of the proposed cross town 72nd St. bike lane, connecting the existing two-way bike lanes that run through Central Parks with proposed new extensions on the east and west side. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/72nd-st-in-central-park_4-10791840_20260604180340.png There is already a two-way bike lane on the 72nd causeway inside Central Park. The DOT envisions linking to proposed bike lanes on the east side and west side of 72nd Street, creating a river-to-river crosstown bikeway. https://www.westsidespirit.com/voices/turmoil-at-cbs-and-60-minutes-pelley-fired-after-lacing-into-bosses-KK5914378 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T13:16:32-04:00 Turmoil at CBS and 60 Minutes; Pelley Fired after Lacing into Bosses https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/scott-pelley_4-10792428_20260604192249.jpg Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was fired one day after lacing into CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss and the program’s new executive producer, former NYTimes tech writer, Nick Bilton. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/citywide-crime-falling-says-nypd-but-manhattan-a-mixed-bag-GX5909594 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T13:25:03-04:00 Citywide Crime Falling Says NYPD but Manhattan a Mixed Bag https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/nypd-tisch_4-10783500_20260603140024.jpg NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced record low numbers for murders and shooting incidents since the start of 2026 June 3. (Credit: NYPDPC on ‘X’) https://www.westsidespirit.com/city-arts/chelsea-music-festival-artistic-directors-seek-to-celebrate-america-CM5853532 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T13:38:47-04:00 Chelsea Music Festival Artistic Directors Seek to Celebrate America https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-05-15-at-1-55-28-pm_4-10728098_20260515135605.png Chelsea Music Festival Artistic Directors Ken David-Masur and Melinda Lee Masur https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/knicks-open-finals-run-with-game-1-comeback-as-new-york-watch-parties-light-up-city-KX5918048 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T16:33:40-04:00 Knicks Open Finals Run With Game 1 Comeback as New York Watch Parties Light Up City https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/knicks-fan-waves-flage_4-10798064_20260605170124.png A fan waves a Knicks flag outside Madison Square Garden before the start of game 1. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-06-05-165535_4-10798067_20260605170127.png Knicks fans were allowed to gather for an outdoor watch party outside Madison Square Garden for game 1 after the NYPD granted permission at the last minute. Security was tight and is expected to be even tighter if President Donald Trump makes it to Game 3 at MSG. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/tempimagex0aiwm_4-10797507_20260605150204.jpg Fans watch Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs on a giant screen at the South Street Seaport. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/tempimagercqyas_4-10796922_20260605150202.jpg Sadie’s Garden Bar, 19 Fulton St, New York, NY Knicks Watch Party 2026 https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/e-bike-protesters-transportation-alternatives-fundraiser-FN5917171 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-06-05T17:13:45-04:00 “I Could Have Been Dead:” E-Bike Critics Rally in Manhattan https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-safety-protesters-jpg-10796959-10796959_4-10796959_20260605134241.jpg Protesters gather outside Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser to call for stricter regulation of e-bikes and other micromobility devices. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-sandy-rayburn-jpg-10796966-10796966_4-10796966_20260605134245.jpg Sandy Rayburn attends a protest outside the New-York Historical Society, where opponents of current e-bike policies gathered during a Transportation Alternatives fundraiser. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-janet-schroeder-jpg-10796970-10796970_4-10796970_20260605134250.jpg Janet Schroeder, co-founder and director of the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, speaks to protesters outside Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-protesters-jpg-10796985-10796985_4-10796985_20260605134254.jpg Demonstrators hold signs outside the New-York Historical Society during a protest over e-bike safety and bike lane policies. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-protest-yellow-costume-jpg-10796988-10796988_4-10796988_20260605134058.jpg A protester holds a sign criticizing Amazon, Uber and DoorDash during a demonstration outside Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser at the New-York Historical Society. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-ben-furnas-arrives-jpg-10796991-10796991_4-10796991_20260605134257.jpg Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, arrives at the organization’s annual fundraiser at the New-York Historical Society on Monday. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-protest-fundraiser-guests-jpg-107969_4-10796995_20260605134121.jpg Guests arrive for Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser while protesters demonstrate outside the venue. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-protest-guest-greeting-jpg-10796998-10796998_4-10796998_20260605134101.jpg A guest greets protesters while entering Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser at the New-York Historical Society. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-ta-supporter-jpeg-10797011-10797011_4-10797011_20260605134301.jpg A Transportation Alternatives supporter speaks with a protester outside the organization’s annual fundraiser on Central Park West. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ebike-mamdani-mary-beth-kelly-jpg-10797014_4-10797014_20260605134304.jpg Mayor Zohran Mamdani embraces Mary Beth Kelly during Transportation Alternatives’ annual fundraiser at the New-York Historical Society.