The Week In Review: Nuclear Concerns, Unspeakable Tragedy & Irish Pride
By Philip J. Victor, CBSNewYork.com
The week in the Tri-State area was one marked by tragic deaths and safety concerns. Two New York police officers were killed in very different incidents. A New York City mother was found killed in Westchester County. And then there was worry about the Indian Point nuclear plant following the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Even with those difficult stories, there were a few bright spots -- including the 250th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, where New Yorkers paid tribute to their Irish heritage.
This is the Week In Review for 3/14/2011 through 4/20/2011:
Bronx Mother Found Dead In Westchester County
A frantic search for a Bronx mother of four ended this week when her body was discovered in a wooded area just south of the Taconic Parkway in Yorktown Heights. Police said 40-year-old Tina Adovasio died of asphyxiation and also suffered blunt trauma to the head and chest. Her husband Edwin Coello, an ex-NYPD officer with a history of domestic violence, is still being called a "person of interest" in the case. Earlier in the week, he told investigators that he had scratches on his face from a fight with his wife. Police believe he may have been setting up an alibi. Neighbors said the couple could be heard "fighting constantly" in recent weeks. WATCH VIDEO
Bronx Bus Crash Puts Scrutiny On Driver, Low-Fare Buses
There were more ramifications from last weekend's fatal bus crash on the Bronx-Westchester border that left 15 people dead and injured many others. New questions were raised about whether the driver of the bus, Ophadell Williams, should have even been issued a license to drive a bus in the first place. Sources said that the driver had used the alias "Erik Williams" several times when stopped by police for speeding and other violations. This week, state officials suspended his license. Williams also served prison time after being convicted of manslaughter in a 1990 stabbing. On the day of the accident, Williams told police that he had been clipped by a tractor trailer as the bus headed back from a Connecticut casino to Chinatown. On Friday, police said they had no new information about Williams' claims. The bus crash has also prompted state officials to step up enforcement and crack down on bus safety violations. WATCH VIDEO
Irish Pride Shines In New York City
About 200,000 marchers and 2 million spectators enjoyed a beautiful and sunny day for the 250th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan on Thursday. Nearly 150 bands marched in the parade as they proudly paid tribute to their Irish heritage. With budget cuts prompting shorter parade routes, the official celebration ended at East 79th Street this year instead of 86th. "I'm first generation Irish, my parents came from Cavern, Ireland, and I'm very proud to be Irish," Yonkers resident Carol Dunne said. WATCH VIDEO
Situation In Japan Highlights Concern About Indian Point
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to meet Tuesday with nuclear regulators about new concerns regarding the Indian Point power plant in Westchester County. Those concerns were prompted by the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan that has caused major issues with the cooling systems at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. On Friday, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission saying that earthquake resistance should be taken into account when granting new licenses to nuclear power plants. The Attorney General believes regulators have ignored quake safety. "The potential for harm is so catastrophic that it has to be taken into account," Schneiderman said. WATCH VIDEO
New York Police Officers Laid To Rest Following Tragedies
NYPD officer Alain Schaberger and Nassau County Special Operations Officer Geoffrey Breitkopf were laid to rest on Friday. Breitkopf was shot and killed last weekend in an incident of friendly fire after authorities responded to a Massapequa Park home. Police shot and killed a man who was allegedly threatening people with knives before lunging at police. When Breitkopf arrived at the scene for backup, a retired NYPD officer at the scene allegedly yelled "gun" prompting fatal gunfire from an MTA officer. Schaberger was killed after responding to a domestic dispute in Brooklyn. George Villanueva, 42, is accused of pushing Schaberger over a railing after he arrived at the scene. The officer fell nine feet to the basement before landing on his head and breaking his neck. Both officers were grieved at separate Long Island funerals. Schaberger's fiancée said she was "really lost" after losing the man she hoped to soon marry. Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey said that the community was still dealing with a multitude of emotions with respect to Breitkopf's death, including grief, compassion and anger. WATCH VIDEO
