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The brother of imprisoned financier Bernard Madoff has been sentenced in New York to 10 years in prison for crimes committed in the shadow of his notorious sibling.

Peter Madoff was sentenced Thursday after victims described their anguish at losing their life savings in the Ponzi scheme. The sentence was announced in a crowded Manhattan courtroom by Judge Laura Taylor Swain six months after Madoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and falsifying books and records. He agreed then to serve 10 years in prison. It was four years ago this month that his brother revealed his multi-decade fraud that cheated thousands of investors out of their $20 billion investment. Bernard Madoff is serving a 150-year prison term.

Peter Madoff says he did not know of the fraud but committed other crimes.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:19:09 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/bernard_madoff_brother_gets_year_ayWYVRJWr5eEkt7zu3j7zK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/bernard_madoff_brother_gets_year_ayWYVRJWr5eEkt7zu3j7zK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4115476631 -1 false By LOIS WEISS Business

The much sought-after 529 Broadway, a two-story building on the northwest corner of Spring Street in the middle of a busy shopping district, has been sold for $150 million to Jeff Sutton, Joe Sitt, the Adjmi family and Bobby Cayre's Aurora Capital.

The 22,500-square-feet property, the subject of an off-market bidding war, will be emptied and razed. A new building of about 40,000 square feet will be built on the site, sources said.

Vornado Realty Trust and Invesco were among those that lost out in the bidding.

Goldstone Realty was the seller and the deal closed today.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:27:28 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/spring_ing_to_life_0hdb3K5UrwTnnsMjZL5yhJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/spring_ing_to_life_0hdb3K5UrwTnnsMjZL5yhJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4114853871 -1 false By MATT ABRAHAMS and REBECCA HARSHBARGER Manhattan

A worker suffered a broken ankle when a service elevator plunged two floors at a Midtown hotel this afternoon, authorities said.

The unidentified employee of a laundry company was moving a bin of linen at the Madison Towers Hotel, 22 East 38th Street, when it fell from the main floor to a sub-basement at 4:32 p.m.

When Walter Betantourth, a hotel engineer, reached the victim, "His leg was under the bin. He told me he was in pain. You could see it on his face."

The man was taken in stable condition to Cornell Hospital.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:40:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/worker_injured_after_elevator_drops_2OTJcBE07bJMQtOJbjYi5O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/worker_injured_after_elevator_drops_2OTJcBE07bJMQtOJbjYi5O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4114827747 -1 false POST STAFF REPORT Knicks

The Lakers' Christmas gift to the Knicks? The return of Steve Nash.

The star point guard, who has been out with a fractured foot since early in the season, says his "most realistic" return date is Christmas Day at Staples Center against the Knicks, according to Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell's Twitter account.

Nash said he felt "pretty good" at practice Thursday and it's "possible" he could play Saturday against the Warriors. But Tuesday seems most probable. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, the former Knicks head man, reiterated that, too, adding that whatever day Nash returns "will be Christmas."

D'Antoni said having Nash back will increase the learning curve of his system. The two were extremely successful together with the Suns.

"He's the best at it," said D'Antoni, who resigned from the Knicks during last season.

Nash, 38, has been out since early November. The Lakers started the season 1-4, fired Mike Brown and hired D'Antoni, who has clashed with Pau Gasol. LA is 12-14 and would not make the Western Confernce playoffs if the regular season ended today.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:10:51 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/most_realistic_return_date_for_lakers_ScX1hr61vKT7y0ivPYMCAJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/most_realistic_return_date_for_lakers_ScX1hr61vKT7y0ivPYMCAJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Knicks 5.10.4112603014 -1 false By LAURA ITALIANO Manhattan

Disgraced East Village ex-cop Kenneth Moreno -- the lead officer in last year's notorious "Rape Cops" trial -- finally turned himself in this afternoon to serve a year sentence for official misconduct.

"The defendant will now begin to serve his sentence, and sentence is executed," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro said in ordering the cuffs go on.

Moreno looked angry but resigned as he was led off to protective custody at Rikers. In the audience, his beautiful brunette ex -- with whom he has been embroiled in a heated custody battle -- watched with mixed satisfaction.

"It's bittersweet," Maria Cruz, a bus driver from Staten Island, told The Post. "I feel my daughter is going to be hurting for her father being away," she said of their 16-year-old daughter.

Acquitted of on-duty rape and burglary but convicted of three counts of official misconduct, Moreno had been sentenced 16 months ago, but has been allowed to remain free as first the Appellate Division and then, earlier this month, the state Court of Appeals has rejected his bids to stay free.

Moreno's jailing this afternoon followed a stunning courtroom reprimand by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Richard Sullivan, who noted the defendant's "chutzpah" in asking to remain free pending a last-ditch federal appeal.

"Mr. Moreno should go to jail like anyone else who's been convicted and whose post-conviction arguments have been denied," Manhattan Federal Court Judge Richard Sullivan said earlier in refusing to issue a stay.

Moreno's appellate lawyer, Stephen Preziosi, had insisted in oral arguments this afternoon that his client's Constitutional right to due process had been violated because there had been insufficient evidence for conviction.

The trial judge, Carro, had also erred in not issuing a curative instruction to jurors after prosecutors mis-instructed jurors on the law for official misconduct, Preziosi argued.

"I have to say I don't even think this was a close call," the federal judge said in rejecting Preziosi's stay request, which would have required "extraordinary circumstances."

"Frankly, I think it took a certain amount of chutzpah to even bring it."

Earlier today, Morena's former; partner, Franklin Mata, turned himself in, wordlessly, to serve his own sentence, 60 days jail.

Both Moreno and his ex-partner, Franklin Mata, had been acquitted in May, 2011 of raping a drunken young fashion executive who they'd been dispatched to help into her East 13th Street apartment.

But both were convicted of three counts each of official misconduct -- one for each time the pair were caught on surveillance video using the woman's keys to re-enter her apartment.

Mata, who prosecutors said played a more minor role of lookout, will likely serve 40 days with good behavior, said his lawyer, Edward Mandery.

Moreno, a married father of two who prosecutors accused as the actual rapist, will serve closer to eight months with good behavior.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:28:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disgraced_year_cop_kenneth_moreno_mo8lWmu3YIOMoikAqckN2I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disgraced_year_cop_kenneth_moreno_mo8lWmu3YIOMoikAqckN2I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4112261982 -1 false By MICHAEL BLAUSTEIN Local

Unless meteorologists are horribly off in their predictions for the next few weeks of 2012, New York City is set to finish its warmest year ever, with an average temperature of 57.2 degrees.

That average temperature makes 2012 warmer than the three other years currently tied for the hottest ever: 1990, 1991 and 1998, according to the Wall Street Journal, which analyzed data from the National Weather Service station in Central Park.

"If you were to end the year right now, we would finish a 10th of a degree above 1991, which was the current warmest year on record," said National Weather Service meteorologist David Stark.

The only thing that could stop 2012 from reaching the number 1 spot would be for December to average a temperature significantly lower than the one NYC experienced in January of 1918, the coldest month in city history.

According to Weather.com, New York City should see temperatures in the 30s and 40s for the remainder of 2012.

Given the extremely low chances of an epic deep freeze, it is safe to assume that New York City will set a new record high this year, which puts the city in the same category with Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, which are all on course for record-setting years.

In fact, the entire lower-48 is on pace to surpass the national high-temperature record of 54.3 degrees, set in 1998, by more than a degree, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:57:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/forget_your_sweater_nyc_had_hottest_A1gvMnozUiiJnxTGlKm4LJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/forget_your_sweater_nyc_had_hottest_A1gvMnozUiiJnxTGlKm4LJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4110922951 -1 false POST STAFF REPORT Local

The mother of Sandy Hook Elementary School killer Adam Lanza was burried in New Hampshire today in a quiet family-only service, according to CNN.

Nancy Lanza was shot last Friday by her son shortly before he headed to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he went on a deadly rampage.

Earlier today Connecticut's chief medical examiner said that burial arraignments were being made by an undisclosed out of state funeral home and that police in New Hampshire would be fielding questions from the media.

"There is a funeral home, out of state and whose name is as yet unknown to me, who wants to claim the body discreetly," Dr. H. Wayne Carver told the New Haven Register.

Nancy Lanza once lived in New Hampshire and her brother is a retired police captain in Kingston, N.H.

Carver wouldn't say whether Adam Lanza's body remains unclaimed.

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:45:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/adam_lanza_mother_burried_in_new_Wub9qD1WxR1DkKPM2Y90YO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/adam_lanza_mother_burried_in_new_Wub9qD1WxR1DkKPM2Y90YO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4110271742 -1 false By MADELEINE SCINTO National

AP Suzy Favor Hamilton poses for a photo earlier this summer before it was revealed she was a high-price call girl.

Screw the Olympic legacy and Nike commercial — I was a $600-an-hour call girl!

Suzy Favor Hamilton, a three-time US Olympian in middle-distance running, spent the last year working as a call girl for Haley Heston's Private Collection, a premier escort service based in Las Vegas. The 44-year-old wife and mother used the alias "Kelly Lundy" to snuggle with men in swanky hotels from Los Angeles to Chicago, The Smoking Gun reported today.

But her double life imploded after revealing her identity to several clients, who excitedly gushed to their friends about bedding a former Olympian and model. A reporter caught up with Hamilton in a Las Vegas hotel lobby earlier this month, and she reluctantly spilled about her astounding secret she now calls a huge mistake.

"I cannot emphasize enough how sorry I am to anyone I have hurt as a result of my actions and greatly appreciate the support from family and those closest to me. I fully intend to make amends and get back to being a good mother, wife, daughter, and friend," Hamilton tweeted today.

Hamilton lives in Madison, Wis. with her seven-year-old daughter, and her college-sweetheart Mark Hamilton, the site says. She said her husband knew of her salacious shenanigans, but he just couldn't stop her.

The former swimsuit model gushes her secret sex life was "exciting," a welcome diversion from heading her successful real estate brokerage company, delivering 60 motivational speeches a year and appeared at a handful of Disney events.

"I was drawn to escorting in large part because it provided many coping mechanisms for me when I was going through a very challenging time with my marriage and my life. It provided an escape from a life that I was struggling in. It was a double life. I do not expect people to understand, but the reasons for doing this made sense to me at the time and were very much related to depression," Hamilton continued in her rambling online apology.

Before racing at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Hamilton scored big-time glory as the most decorated female athlete in NCAA track and field history. Nike, Reebok, Clairol, Oakley and even Pert Plus shampoo clamored after the blonde hottie who had won national championships, NCAA titles and All-American awards galore.

But she claimed her life turned sour after suffering from postpartum depression following her daughter's birth in 2005. Hamilton said she also struggled with her brother's suicide in 1999, a year before she sprinted in the 1500-meter final in Sydney. She said she threw the race once she knew she couldn't score a medal — horrified she could not honor her brother's memory.

"I have been seeking the help of a psychologist for the past few weeks and will continue to do so after I have put things together," Hamilton tweeted.

She said she decided to quit the escort business, though several of her clients tell the site "she is worth every penny."

Watch Suzy Favor Hamilton's 2000 Nike ad:

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:28:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/olympian_reveals_double_life_was_e2RNncFkociEkQvwnbHSCL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/olympian_reveals_double_life_was_e2RNncFkociEkQvwnbHSCL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4110271374 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

The suspense surrounding the sentencing of the brother of Ponzi king Bernard Madoff will largely be absent because a plea agreement makes a 10-year prison term all but certain.

But drama will likely fill the courtroom Thursday in US District Court in Manhattan anyway as 67-year-old Peter Madoff faces some of the heartbroken investors who lost their savings when the unprecedented fraud was revealed four years ago this month.

When he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and falsifying books and records of an investment adviser, the former senior compliance officer at the Madoff private investment business said he was "shocked and devastated" when his brother revealed several days before he surrendered that thousands of accounts supposedly worth $65 billion were worthless. Investigators say Bernard Madoff had distributed most of the $20 billion he took in over several decades to other investors while investing none of it in the markets as he had promised to do.

A court-appointed monitor has so far recovered nearly $9.3 billion that was lost, mostly by clawing back money from investors who received large payouts along the way. Most of the money has not yet been distributed. A small part of the recovery has resulted from the sale of numerous Madoff family assets, including the toys of the wealthy — multi-million dollar homes, fancy cars, yachts and art.

In a pre-sentence brief, attorney John Wing said his client was subject to a "draconian forfeiture order that in one stroke stripped him of all existing assets, his home, his pension, his savings, his personal property, etc. and of all future assets and income should he even have the opportunity to earn any income after serving his prison sentence." He said Peter Madoff will be left a "jobless pariah" when he gets out of prison.

Yet, one couple who submitted a victim impact statement to federal prosecutors said Peter Madoff did not seem destitute when he was spotted "enjoying a leisurely lunch in an expensive Upper East Side restaurant where many of his victims would like to eat but can't afford to."

In the letter filed publically Wednesday with others, Jill and Nancy Miller said they saw him there after he had pleaded guilty in June.

Michael De Vita, an investor who has asked to speak, said in a letter to the court that the judge should set aside the plea agreement and impose the maximum sentence.

"I ask that you show the same degree of compassion for Peter Madoff that he showed for us — none!" he wrote.

Another victim, Gail Oren, said she had to come out of retirement and can only afford rare public outings with friends.

"It is embarrassing," she said. "My social life is almost non-existent now. As a result, I am often alone and often feel depressed. My life has become a life of loneliness quite often."

Karl and Wanda Eisenhauer wrote that they were forced to sell their family farm because of their losses.

"It is difficult to describe the heartache. We can only beg for your help," they said.

Morton J. Chalek recalled standing in line when Pearl Harbor was bombed to enlist in the Air Force. He flew 23 combat missions and later built a successful business before his attorney introduced him to his golf partner, Bernard Madoff.

"I am now 90 years old and bankrupt. I have been waiting hopelessly to recover the money Madoff stole from me," he said.

Not everyone sounded angry at their loss.

Robert Roman, Peter Madoff's brother-in-law, said he and his wife, Joan, had lost their life savings, along with the life savings of their three daughters and their families and yet did not wish prison on Peter Madoff.

"Our family is supposed to hate him. But — we do not. Why? Because prison is where Charles Manson belongs. That is a solution to his situation. Peter in prison is an answer only to those who seek revenge. It is not a solution," he wrote.

Roman said he met the brothers in February 1954 and witnessed firsthand the "domination and back-yard bullying" that Peter Madoff endured at the hands of his brother.

He called Peter Madoff a victim and said the tens of millions of dollars in riches given to Peter by his brother likely corrupted him to give in to his brother's demands.

"Bernard Madoff had control of the greatest weapon of mass destruction ever created. It was his checkbook. To be seduced by that weapon is the ultimate temptation," Roman wrote.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:35:49 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bernie_madoff_brother_peter_manhattan_S0tko6dDdgCHHs8ZVaPddM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bernie_madoff_brother_peter_manhattan_S0tko6dDdgCHHs8ZVaPddM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4109642310 -1 false Page Six

LeAnn Rimes adamantly insists she was not drunk during her wobbly and slightly off-key duet on "The X Factor" last night.

"I was trying to help this 13-year-old girl who was having some trouble with the song," she told TMZ.

The country singer took the stage with finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar to perform her hit "How Do I Live?" She said Sonenclar was very nervous and had difficulty with some of the notes and she was doing her best to help her get through it. She added that she does not understand why people believe she was drunk.

Rimes' lawyer, Larry Stein told the gossip site that "LeAnn was not performing the way she would normally perform, because she was on stage with a young girl."

Watch the video and indeed, Rimes looked like she was struggling through her own 1997 hit.

She often overlapped Sonenclar's words and sang louder than the finalist. At one point during the duet, Rimes grabbed onto Sonenclar's arm, seemingly for support.

Many viewers wondered if Rimes was perhaps under the influence.

"Was LeAnn Rimes drunk on last night's 'X Factor' performance?" one fan tweeted. "I heard she's been sick. Hope that's all."

"It's been 12 hours and I'm still laughing and crying at the hot mess that was Leann Rimes on the #xfactor last night," another wrote.

Rimes' mental well-being has made headlines before but she insisted to Jay Leno on Tuesday that she is doing well after a 30-day stint in rehab for anxiety and stress.

She also opened up about her decision enter treatment on her 30th birthday. "God, the last four years have been super compressed with anxiety," she said. "I didn't know how to deal with it all."

Rimes also touched on her drama with "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Brandi Glanville. She commented on how her husband Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife often mentions her on the reality series.

"I should feel flattered that I'm that interesting, that I can be such an amazing storyline on a reality show."

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:33:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/leann_rimes_was_not_drunk_on_factor_sp3X0e0djW7u6CaHadISzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/leann_rimes_was_not_drunk_on_factor_sp3X0e0djW7u6CaHadISzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4109641602 -1 false By DOUG AUER Manhattan

The gun used to blast a cop in the chest inside a Lower East Side housing project over the summer has been recovered, The Post has learned.

The .22-caliber handgun was purchased during an undercover operation in September as the NYPD and Drug Enforcement Administration probed a drug crew, law enforcement sources said.

A thug used the weapon to fire off a single bullet at point-blank range at Officer Brian Groves on July 5 as the cop and his partner patrolled the Seward Park Extension on Essex Street, sources added.

Groves, 31, a married father of two, was saved by his bullet-resistant vest and somehow managed to chase the gunman down four flights of stairs and squeeze off four rounds before collapsing from the pain.

The corn-rowed perp fled and is still being sought.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:44:11 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/gun_used_in_cop_shooting_netted_MNzi7vm8eokgwsICBzS6cN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/gun_used_in_cop_shooting_netted_MNzi7vm8eokgwsICBzS6cN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4109293660 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS National

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will push to tighten gun laws in response to last week's schoolhouse massacre in Connecticut, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday, and Speaker John Boehner said the GOP-controlled House would consider the proposals.

Biden, who is overseeing the administration's response to Friday's killing of 20 children and six adults at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, said he and President Barack Obama are "absolutely committed" to curbing gun violence in the United States.

"Even if we can only save one life, we have to take action," he said.

A longtime gun-control advocate, Biden met Thursday with Cabinet members and law enforcement officials from around the country. He said he wanted to meet with the group, which included representatives of at least a dozen law enforcement organizations, because they "know better than anyone else what's needed out there."

Police chiefs helped develop innovations such as community policing and drug courts, Biden said, and they have a comprehensive view of how to approach gun violence.

Gun-control measures have faced fierce resistance in Congress for years, but that may be changing because of the events in Connecticut, which shocked that nation. After the shooting, Obama signaled for the first time that he's willing to spend significant political capital on the issue. Some prominent gun-rights advocates on Capitol Hill — Democrats and Republicans alike — have expressed willingness to consider new measures.

Asked if he would allow a vote next year on gun-control legislation, Boehner, R-Ohio, said he and his caucus "join the president in mourning the victims of the horrible tragedy in Connecticut."

When Biden's recommendations come forward, Boehner said: 'We'll certainly take them into consideration."

Obama on Wednesday tapped Biden to lead an informal task force on gun violence and set a January deadline for the recommendations. The group is considering changes such as reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons, closing loopholes that let gun buyers skirt background checks and restricting high-capacity ammunition clips.

Beyond firearms' restrictions, officials also will look for ways to increase mental health resources and consider steps to keep society from glamorizing guns and violence.

Biden said the assault weapon ban, which expired in 2004, is one thing Congress can do immediately. He pressed the police chiefs to push for such a measure.

"For anything to get done, we're going to need your advocacy," he told the group, which included representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:16:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/we_have_to_take_action_on_gun_control_yOGAzrpNiiMsxkgJyyuewM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/we_have_to_take_action_on_gun_control_yOGAzrpNiiMsxkgJyyuewM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4109293637 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The family of Noah Pozner was mourning the 6-year-old, killed in the Newtown school massacre, when outrage compounded their sorrow.

Someone they didn't know was soliciting donations in Noah's memory, claiming that they'd send any cards, packages and money collected to his parents and siblings. An official-looking website had been set up, with Noah's name as the address, even including petitions on gun control.

Noah's uncle, Alexis Haller, called on law enforcement authorities to seek out "these despicable people."

"These scammers," he said, "are stealing from the families of victims of this horrible tragedy."

It's a problem as familiar as it is disturbing. Tragedy strikes — be it a natural disaster, a gunman's rampage or a terrorist attack — and scam artists move in.

It happened after 9/11. It happened after Columbine. It happened after Hurricane Katrina. And after this summer's movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.

Sometimes fraud takes the form of bogus charities asking for donations that never get sent to victims. Natural disasters bring another dimension: Scammers try to get government relief money they're not eligible for.

"It's abominable," said Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, which evaluates the performance of charities. "It's just the lowest kind of thievery."

Noah Pozner's relatives found out about one bogus solicitation when a friend received an email asking for money for the family. Poorly punctuated, it gave details about Noah, his funeral and his family. It directed people to send donations to an address in the Bronx, one that the Pozners had never heard of.

It listed a New York City phone number to text with questions about how to donate. When a reporter texted that number Wednesday, a reply came advising the donation go to the United Way.

The Pozner family had the noahpozner.com website transferred to its ownership. Victoria Haller, Noah's aunt, emailed the person who had originally registered the name. The person, who went by the name Jason Martin, wrote back that he'd meant "to somehow honor Noah and help promote a safer gun culture. I had no ill intentions I assure you."

Alexis Haller said the experience "should serve as a warning signal to other victims' families. We urge people to watch out for these frauds on social media sites."

Consumer groups, state attorneys general and law enforcement authorities call for caution about unsolicited requests for donations, by phone or email. They tell people to be wary of callers who don't want to answer questions about their organization, who won't take "no" for an answer, or who convey what seems to be an unreasonable sense of urgency.

"This is a time of mourning for the people of Newtown and for our entire state," Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said in a statement this week. "Unfortunately, it's also a time when bad actors may seek to exploit those coping with this tragedy."

But scam artists know that calamity is fertile ground for profit, watered by the goodwill of strangers who want to help and may not be familiar with the cause or the people they're sending money to.

After the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., scammers asked for credit card donations for victims' families. After the 9/11 attacks, the North American Securities Administrators Association warned investors to be wary of Internet postings encouraging them to invest in supposed anti-terrorist technologies.

In 2006, the FBI warned about an email widely circulated after the Sago, W.Va., mine explosion, which claimed to be from a doctor treating one of the survivors and asking for donations to cover medical bills.

"As was learned after the tragic events of 9/11/01, the tsunami disaster, and more recently with Hurricane Katrina, unscrupulous cyber criminals have shown the desire and means to exploit human emotion by attempting to defraud the public when they are perceived to be most vulnerable," the FBI said at the time.

This fall, the police in Aurora, Colo., accused a local woman of trying to profit off the deadly movie theater rampage by a gunman who killed 12 people. The woman told people that she was the caretaker for a little girl named Kadence, whose mother had died in the shooting. The police said the child was made up. The scam unraveled when a donor got a phone call from what seemed to be a woman imitating a child's voice.

When the government doled out disaster aid after Hurricane Katrina, scammers asked for money to rebuild houses they never lived in or to pay benefits for relatives who never existed.

The government later set up the National Center for Disaster Fraud to try to root out such scams in the federal relief programs administered after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. It has since expanded its mandate to other disasters.

The cases brought since then by the Justice Department sketch a colorful picture of fraud:

— A woman who filed for small-business disaster benefits after the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, even though she'd sold the business before the accident.

— A judge and a commissioner in Texas who, after Hurricane Ike, were accused of awarding debris removal contracts to a company in return for kickbacks. The judge also commandeered a 155-kilowatt generator meant for the county to power his convenience store, according to the government.

— A pastor who submitted inflated claims to a government-funded program that reimbursed groups sheltering Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Bob Webster, spokesman for the NASAA, knows the sad pattern.

"We know cons try to cash in on headlines, and any who would even think about stooping to capitalize on the tragedy in Newtown are the lowest of the low," he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/scammers_steal_from_sandy_hook_victim_qyyMZ2vSXZWVPKLQIzyzpO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/scammers_steal_from_sandy_hook_victim_qyyMZ2vSXZWVPKLQIzyzpO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4107991001 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

A judge has ordered Newark Mayor Cory Booker to release internal emails related to a $100 million grant to the city's schools made by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The ruling released Thursday by state Superior Court Judge Rachel Davidson stems from a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group representing Newark schoolchildren.

The Associated Press and other news outlets also have made such requests.

Davidson rejected the city's argument that the emails were exempt from New Jersey's Open Public Records Act under executive privilege.

The emails were between Booker and others from September 2010 to June 2011.

Booker, Gov. Chris Christie and Zuckerberg announced the grant on Oprah Winfrey's show in September 2010.

Booker's office didn't immediately comment on the ruling.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:33:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/judge_newark_must_release_facebook_OSPhiMskUsv7s41O5J3HNO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/judge_newark_must_release_facebook_OSPhiMskUsv7s41O5J3HNO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4107770420 -1 false Page Six

The glittering new trailer for Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" has been released online, and it looks like there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the movie, now set to hit theaters in May.

The new trailer trains its focus on Leonardo DiCaprio's dashing titular character Jay Gatsby.

"I am the son of some very wealthy people," Gatsby explains. "Sadly, they're all dead now."

The clip, vibrant with exaggerated colors, features fast cars, epic parties and sinister undertones. The Kanye/Jay-Z track "No Church in the Wild," featured in the original trailer, makes a return appearance. "Bedroom Hymns" by Florence + the Machines and Filter's cover of "Happy Together" are also featured.

Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan also star in the highly anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.

The film was originally slated to open this month before getting pushed back to next May.

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:34 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/watch_leonardo_dicaprio_in_new_great_UB1dePcA42YiJljsDv4WaJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/watch_leonardo_dicaprio_in_new_great_UB1dePcA42YiJljsDv4WaJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4107380445 -1 false By LOU LUMENICK Movies

I love musicals, always have — but my feelings about Tom Hooper's bombastic version of the long-running stage hit "Les Misérables'' had me thinking about the opening lines of another epic set in Paris, albeit a century earlier.

The best of times here include a perfectly cast Hugh Jackman, a veteran song-and-dance man onstage, in his greatest screen performance as the persecuted Jean Valjean.

Anne Hathaway is even better as the doomed Fantine, who will tear your heart out with her film-stopping rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream,'' which is enough to make anyone forget Susan Boyle (if they haven't already).

It's worth seeing the movie for Hathaway alone.

It's the worst of times, though, when Hooper repeatedly traps his stars in tight close-ups during the musical numbers — practically shoving the camera down the singers' tonsils.

This is particularly scary in the case of Russell Crowe, whose husky, rock-style baritone is far more frightening than his character, the relentless Inspector Javert, is supposed to be.

Hooper did a fine, disciplined job directing the Oscar-winning "The King's Speech.''

But for some reason he decided he needed to turn the volume up to 12 — and leave it there — for William Nicholson's subtlety-free adaptation of the musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.

This works, sometimes astoundingly well, for much of the movie's first hour, as prisoner Valjean (an emaciated Jackman) escapes, in 1815, after 14 years of hard labor for stealing a crust of bread.

After singing his heart out on a mountaintop for some reason — hey, it's a musical! — Valjean, with the help of a sympathetic priest, begins a new life under the first of several assumed identities.

Years later, former prison guard Javert shows up and recognizes Valjean, who's become mayor of a small town.

Just as Javert is about to collar him, another man the authorities mistakenly believe is Valjean is arrested. The conscience-stricken Valjean admits his ruse to avoid sending an innocent man to the gallows.

Because of his confession, Valjean is tragically powerless to save former employee Fantine, who's been forced into a life of prostitution and worse. She dies of tuberculosis, leaving her little girl Cosette (Isabelle Allen) an orphan.

Valjean flees from Javert, and after a decade in hiding, is forced to emerge again to save the now-grown Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), who's been adopted by a pair of small-time Parisian swindlers, the Thénadiers. They're played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, who provide much-needed comic relief in what amounts to a variation on their roles in "Sweeney Todd.''

By this point, "Les Misérables'' has become far less compelling.

It's hard to get terribly excited about Cosette's romance with student rebel Marius (Eddie Redmayne, an unexpectedly wonderful singer), who's fancied by the Thénadiers' coddled daughter Eponine (Samantha Barks, who sings rings around Seyfried).

The movie climaxes with the anti-monarchist Paris uprising of 1832 — but there's no political context whatsoever to explain exactly what's at stake.

It all comes off as a picturesque 19th-century version of Occupy Wall Street — except with the authorities using real bullets.

By this point (unlike in Victor Hugo's novel), the ubiquitous Javert's unending pursuit of Valjean has become almost as monotonous as Crowe's singing.

When the fighting begins, Cooper finally pulls the camera back for some of the big crowd shots and shows off the impressive period detail — but far too much of the movie is shot in stultifying close-ups.

And exactly what is the point of filming the numbers live — instead of the usual practice of having actors sing to playback — if you're going to Cuisinart many of the songs in MTV-style editing?

The utter lack of modulation — and the near-complete absence of spoken dialogue, just like onstage — makes for pretty wearying viewing as the movie works its way into its third hour.

"Les Misérables'' finally rallies for a really wow finish — I won't spoil it, but many around me at the screening, including my wife, were weeping.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:36:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/les_miserables_may_cause_weeping_Y3Ra6snZsgWBxC0SPhW5vJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Movies http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/les_miserables_may_cause_weeping_Y3Ra6snZsgWBxC0SPhW5vJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Movies 5.10.4106331127 lou_lumenick.png true ASSOCIATED PRESS Queens

WASHINGTON — Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY., failed to disclose a $40,000 loan from a real estate broker on his financial disclosure reports but there's no credible evidence that the errors were knowing or willful, the House Ethics Committee concluded Thursday.

The committee declined to punish the eight-term congressman, noting that he corrected the errors and omissions in 2010, reporting the liability that should have been on his annual reports from 2007 through 2009.

The decision not to discipline Meeks was similar to findings in other cases in which a House member corrected errors and omissions that were not in bad faith.

The committee also said the evidence did not establish that the loan from Queens real estate broker Edul Ahmad was an impermissible gift. Meeks has contended the loan terms were in writing but has been unable to produce the loan document, saying he misplaced it.

The committee found Meeks repaid the loan in June 2010 and the congressman stated the interest rate was 12.5 percent.

The committee said Ahmad's lawyer contended there was no loan document signed by Meeks and no fixed interest rate. The panel added that investigators were unable to confirm this allegation because they were unable to interview Ahmad — who pleaded guilty to fraud charges in an unrelated federal case.

Ahmad's attorney told the committee staff that his client would decline any request for a voluntary interview and, if subpoenaed, would invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination unless he received immunity from criminal prosecution.

The committee said that unless Ahmad provided documentary evidence indicating the payment to Meeks was not a loan, "it would be unreasonable for the committee to conclude ... that Representative Meeks had been untruthful."

The independent Office of Congressional Ethics, run by a board of non-legislators, had recommended the review of Meeks' financial disclosure statements but did not address whether the money was a gift.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:53:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/queens_broker_gregory_meeks_failed_kL0cAku1SQGTO3Z49mgWXM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/queens_broker_gregory_meeks_failed_kL0cAku1SQGTO3Z49mgWXM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens 5.10.4106054533 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

AP This photo provided by the National Transportation and Safety Board shows the helicopter that crashed into the East River last October.

A helicopter that crashed into the East River off New York City during a sightseeing tour last fall, killing three people, was carrying too much weight, according to a federal report released Thursday.

The National Transportation Safety Board report doesn't conclude what caused the crash; a determination was expected in about two months.

But the report said the Bell 206 chopper had a capacity of 3,200 pounds. The estimated weight at takeoff including all five passengers and fuel was 3,228 pounds, the report said. Federal investigators also weighed the helicopter after it was pulled from the river and estimated it could have been as heavy as 3,461 pounds, but that figure included soggy cushions and other water trapped in the aircraft after it was raised.

Pilot Paul Dudley reported that he asked people for their weights and calculated that they would not be too heavy, according to the NTSB report, but the surviving passenger said the pilot did not ask and didn't calculate the total weight.

A call to Dudley, the manager of the Linden, N.J. airport, was not immediately returned Thursday.

The helicopter sputtered and crashed shortly after takeoff from a riverbank heliport on Oct. 5, 2011. It sank 35 feet below the surface of the slow-moving water off 34th Street in midtown Manhattan, a few blocks south of the United Nations headquarters.

The sightseeing tour was part of a birthday celebration. The passengers were friends of the pilot's family: Paul and Harriet Nicholson, a British couple who live in Portugal; the wife's daughter, Sonia Marra, also British, and the daughter's partner, Helen Tamaki, a citizen of New Zealand. The daughter and her partner were living in Sydney.

Marra died at the scene, her body was pulled from the wreckage. Harriet Nicholson and Tamaki died later.

Paul Nicholson survived.

Dudley, 56, told the NTSB that the nose of the helicopter swung unexpectedly to the left as he was taking off. When he tried to turn right, the aircraft suddenly went out of control and hit the river. The type of problem he described to investigators, known as an unanticipated "yaw," has been documented by the Federal Aviation Administration as being a potential problem for pilots, the report said.

The surviving passenger told federal investigators that the chopper's nose was pointed down at takeoff and he was leaning forward in his seat against the restraint. "The helicopter then began moving 'erratically,' the pilot made an exclamation similar to 'oops' and the passenger then 'knew something wasn't quite right,'" according to the report.

The helicopter had been inspected two days before the crash and had no problems. An examination after it was pulled from the water showed no major engine malfunctions. A drug and alcohol test for Dudley came back negative.

Dudley was an experienced pilot with more than 2,287 hours of flight experience. On April 21, 2011, he failed part of his commercial pilot certificate test. He was re-examined on takeoff, landing and go-arounds three days later and passed, according to the report.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/helicopter_that_crashed_into_east_wzv5ce5lwIOiFiMbPuxg2O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/helicopter_that_crashed_into_east_wzv5ce5lwIOiFiMbPuxg2O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4106053634 -1 false By YOAV GONEN, Education Reporter Brooklyn

This time he played the wrong tune.

A Brooklyn middle school music teacher and trumpet player bedded a teenage member of his wife's youth choir — and even had sex with the girl while his wife was at church, officials said.

Vaughn McKinney, a teacher at IS 59 in Queens, was arrested this morning on charges of rape and sexual misconduct, cops said.

The music teacher allegedly pressured the then- 16-year-old girl into a sexual relationship after she complained about needing a job because she didn't have enough money to buy a phone.

McKinney not only bought the girl a cell phone and paid the monthly bills, according to city investigators, he also gave her an iPod, shoes from a SoHo boutique and cash — but with sleazy strings attached.

"If I get you the cell phone, you know what you have to do for it," McKinney was quoted as saying by the girl's father, a report by the Special Commissioner of Investigation found.

The now 18-year-old girl told investigators she had sex with McKinney 12 to 15 times throughout 2011 — including at a hotel identified as the Surfside Motel in Queens and in his East Flatbush basement on Sundays after his wife, Patricia, had left for church.

Patricia McKinney is the musical director for the East Flatbush Ecumenical Community Choir, which the girl was a member of for four years.

Vaughn McKinney would sometimes attend the choir's practice sessions.

The twisted relationship began to unravel last fall when the girl confided in a youth minister at The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church about the affair, the report says.

The church pastor then confronted McKinney, allegedly got him to confess — and reported the matter to the girl's mother.

The pastor told investigators he did not contact police at that point, the report says.

The girl's mother also stalled in reporting the incident, investigators said. When the teen's father found out, he went to the local precinct but the girl was uncooperative.

Eventually, Patricia McKinney found a bill for the girls' cell phone and reached out to her.

Patricia soon learned the harsh truth after meeting with the girl's mom, then "left the restaurant, went to her car and started to cry," according to the report.

No one reported the relationship to authorities until March 2012, when the girl's mother contacted SCI.

Their report confirmed the sexual contact, but left it open as to whether it began when the girl was 16 or 17.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:10:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/klyn_music_teacher_busted_member_0RBpxzQrR4LztGRf6TuOaL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/klyn_music_teacher_busted_member_0RBpxzQrR4LztGRf6TuOaL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4105628645 -1 false By MITCHEL MADDUX Local

Hip-hop rap master "Fat Joe" pleaded guilty today to criminal charges of failing to file federal income tax returns.

The 42-year-old performer -- whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena -- appeared before Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor in Newark federal court and admitted that he failed to file tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008.

New Jersey federal prosecutors say the rapper had received money from concerts and music sales royalties that amounted to gross income in excess of $1.3 million during 2007 and more than $1.4 million in gross income during 2008.

Cartagena also had gross incomes of $320,000 in 2009 and $680,000 in 2010, officials said, but he is only being held accountable for failing to file tax forms for a two-year period as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The feds say the total tax lost by Uncle Sam when "Fat Joe" failed to pay his taxes was more than $718,000.

The rapper — who is is currently free on $250,000 bail — will face up to two years in prison and a fine totaling $200,000 when he is sentenced on April 3, officials said.

"Fat Joe," who was recently in the news because of a well-publicized beef with "50 Cent," maintains residences in both New Jersey and Miami Beach.

"'Fat Joe' has taken responsibility for his tax failures. He hopes to repay his tax indebtedness," said the rapper's defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman.

mmaddux@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:31:33 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fat_joe_pleads_guilty_to_federal_esykhkl8IwLbY0AZJW2loK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fat_joe_pleads_guilty_to_federal_esykhkl8IwLbY0AZJW2loK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4104541680 -1 false Page Six

After whispers of a romance, Simon Cowell seems to have confirmed that he's dating Carmen Electra.

The cranky music mogul was confronted by his former "American Idol" cohort Ryan Seacrest about the relationship's status.

"Girlfriend?" Cowell said with a laugh on Seacrest's radio show. "We're people who date."

"The X Factor" judge then added about the Playboy model, "She's adorable, isn't she?"

Electra, who was once married to Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro, revealed on "The Wendy Williams" show that she thought Cowell was "so cute" after she visited "Britain's Got Talent."

"He's so cute. He is adorable. He's actually a sweetheart," she said. "I really liked him. I think he's really cool."

The pair were first spotted on a dinner date in LA in September.

Cowell broke off his engagement to makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy last year.

After clearing up the romance rumor, Seacrest moved on to ask about L.A. Reid's departure from "The X Factor."

"I'm going to miss him, because he's a good guy, but he has to go back and run the record label."

Cowell brushed off rumors that Reid's replacement could be Chris Brown or Rihanna. "That is complete rubbish, absolute rubbish."

Then in a humorous exchange, Seacrest asked if Lamar Odom has been on the set and Cowell replied, "Which one is she?"

Seacrest explained that Lamar is host Khloe Kardashian's husband. "Well, there's so many [Kardashians]," Cowell said. "Then the answer to that question is no, Lamar hasn't."

As for who will take the competition when the winner is crowned Thursday? Cowell replied, "I genuinely couldn't guess at this point."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:14 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/simon_cowell_dating_carmen_electra_KczAEfdkDugdJ84nc6IuCK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/simon_cowell_dating_carmen_electra_KczAEfdkDugdJ84nc6IuCK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4104541590 -1 false By CLAIRE ATKINSON Business

BMG Rights is close to a deal for Sony/ATV's Rosetta music publishing catalog, several sources told The Post.

One executive said the music publishing firm had offered around $90 million for the rights to some 30,000 songs.

Rosetta is packed with '80s hits from acts such as Tears for Fears, Culture Club and Devo, along with British songstress Duffy's "Mercy."

Sony/ATV, a joint venture of Sony Music and the estate of Michael Jackson, agreed to sell the catalog to win European Union approval for its $2.2 billion purchase of EMI's publishing arm.

BMG Rights is backed by German media giant Bertelsmann and private-equity firm KKR.

Other bidders for the catalog included Warner Music Group and G2 Investment Group, as well as Saban Capital, Canada's Ole and Paris indie Because Music.

A spokesman for Sony ATV couldn't be reached.

catkinson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:40:06 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bmg_nears_deal_for_sony_atv_song_SUT1roanXz41Z3lkU84pMI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bmg_nears_deal_for_sony_atv_song_SUT1roanXz41Z3lkU84pMI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4103624386 -1 false Page Six

"Gangnam Style" rapper PSY has reportedly used his new-found wealth to secretly snap up a lavish $1.25 million pad in Beverly Hills.

TMZ reported that his two-bedroom, 2,700 sq. ft. condo in the famous Blair House was paid entirely in cash. The purchase barely made a dent in his pocketbook as PSY allegedly raked in $7.9 million for "Gangnam Style" in the last few months alone.

Earlier this month, PSY issued an apology for performing an anti-America song in 2004 with lyrics that included "Kill those [bleep]ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives . . . Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers. Kill them all slowly and painfully."

He said: "I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words."

The South Korean pop star is not an US citizen so it's unclear how much time he will be spending in his new home. TMZ suggested that the purchase was a way for the now-controversial performer to apologize again and to show Americans he does not hate them.

It's said PSY kept the purchase incredibly secret. He even went so far as to be flanked by security guards when he cloncluded the all cash deal with money wired directly from Korea.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:33:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/psy_secretly_buys_la_condo_report_Omjqy3YlamP9VohHGceXGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/psy_secretly_buys_la_condo_report_Omjqy3YlamP9VohHGceXGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4103255590 -1 false Page Six

Ke$ha apologized for the controversy surrounding her song "Die Young" in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, but she then blamed others for the lyrics of the song.

She tweeted on Tuesday, "I had my very own issue with 'die young' for this reason. I did NOT want to sing those lyrics and I was FORCED TO." However, that tweet has now been removed from her account.

Ke$ha's label RCA had no comment about the tweet, or the recording artist being "FORCED" to write the song.

Meanwhile a report says Ke$ha took FULL credit for writing the song, contradicting her Tuesday tweet.

"I definitely make sure that every word rings true to me because I would never want to misrepresent myself to millions of people around the world," she told 96.5 WPLJ in New York in November, according to TMZ. "I wrote and rewrote and rewrote that song ten times."

A source close to the pop singer also tells HollywoodLife today that Ke$ha now feels "attacked."

"She realized that what she wrote on Twitter was not right, but she feels she is being attacked over something she didn't do."

The song – which includes the lyrics, "Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young" – was pulled by several radio stations after Friday's tragic events.

A source tells HollywoodLife that Ke$ha is attempting to do "damage control" and "she doesn't give a [bleep] with controversy, but the song not being on the radio or being played is affecting her pocketbook."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:06:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/ke_ha_removes_die_young_tweet_blaming_K6MNkJ942txgCg7buNiSKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/ke_ha_removes_die_young_tweet_blaming_K6MNkJ942txgCg7buNiSKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4101569023 -1 false POST WIRE SERVICE Local

Newark Mayor Cory Booker ruled out a bid as New Jersey's governor but confirmed he was eyeing a run for the US Senate.

"Let there be no doubt - I will complete my full term as mayor of Newark, NJ," Booker said in a newly released video. "I will explore the possibility of running for the United States Senate in 2014."

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Booker also thanked the city of Newark for accepting and embracing him.

"It's been the greatest privilege of my life to serve this city as mayor."

He tweeted today: "Thank you for your support up to this point. Read about my upcoming plans here: http://bit.ly/QnTP8 #finishingthework"

It had been speculated that Booker was going to challenge current Gov. Chris Christie, who in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, enjoyed a spike in popularity.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:46:11 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/booker_rules_out_bid_for_run_gov_M3WrWUaBDrqQkn7aS6Zy6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/booker_rules_out_bid_for_run_gov_M3WrWUaBDrqQkn7aS6Zy6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4101568937 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

New York City Marathon runners can receive a refund of their entry fee after this year's race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy.

When the event was called off last month, officials said they had a no-refund policy and hadn't decided whether to make an exception. The race organizer, New York Road Runners, informed entrants Thursday that they had three options to choose from — one of them a refund.

If runners do not reclaim their money, they can have a guaranteed spot in the 2013, 2014 or 2015 marathon. They would have to pay the entry fee again, but at the 2012 rate. Getting into the race is extremely competitive, making a guaranteed spot very valuable to runners.

Or they can accept a spot in March's NYC Half, paying the entry fee for the 13.1-mile race — though availability is limited.

NYRR President Mary Wittenberg said "nirvana" would have been to offer both a refund and free entry into a future marathon, but that wasn't affordable. The race had cancellation insurance, and Wittenberg said that once the payout was determined, the first priority was offering a refund.

"We appreciate that people came here trying to support the city, and we appreciate the investment people made," she said. "We never allowed ourselves an option that didn't include a refund."

In the weeks after the cancellation, Wittenberg said, runners had two main messages for NYRR. One was the possibility of a refund.

The other concerned the details of guaranteed entry into future races. Last month, organizers initially said runners could secure a spot into the 2013 event. But many out-of-town entrants feared they couldn't save up enough money or take enough time off work to make it back to New York so soon. They still hoped to run the marathon someday, so now they'll have the option of 2014 or '15.

"It was important to do everything we could possibly do," Wittenberg said.

Spreading out the runners over three years has an added benefit for marathon organizers. If only 2013 had been the option, next year's field likely would have been filled with mostly 2012 runners, leaving few new spots for entrants raising money for charity or just hoping to race New York for the first time. NYRR will stick with the same expected field size as this year, about 47,500 people, Wittenberg said.

Runners who got in by raising money for official race charities will have the same three options and won't be required to meet the fundraising minimum again to secure a guaranteed spot. About 8,000 runners affiliated with official charities were entered this year.

Wittenberg also hopes some spots can be filled by lottery in 2013. For 2012, close to 15,000 runners got in through U.S. and international drawings. Others qualify by meeting certain time standards in previous races.

Sandy devastated neighborhoods across the New York area six days before the marathon was to have been run on Nov. 4. Among the hardest hit by flooding was Staten Island, home to the starting line. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYRR officials initially announced the race would go on. But as criticism mounted, they canceled the marathon less than 48 hours before it would have started.

By then, thousands of out-of-town runners had already arrived in New York, with international entrants often spending several thousand dollars on the trip. They vented that while they supported the ultimate decision, it should have been made days earlier, before they boarded planes.

Wittenberg still defends the initial plan to hold the marathon, which she and others had hoped would inspire the city and raise money for storm victims.

"Suffice to say, if everybody knew Tuesday and Wednesday what we knew Friday, if we knew it would play out like that, it sure would have been a lot better," she said.

Wittenberg insists the lasting legacy of that week will be the relief efforts in which many runners took part on what would have been Marathon Sunday. NYRR has continued to raise money since then, and Wittenberg would like to hold a charity race on Staten Island if borough officials are on board.

The half-marathon ends in lower Manhattan, another hard-hit area, and she expects that race will be a major fundraiser too.

The runners who never made it to the 2012 starting line must pick an option from Jan. 11-25. Wittenberg expects to accept up to 1,000 or so people into the half-marathon, probably on a first come, first served basis.

The refund applies only to runners who had not withdrawn before Oct. 24, when forecasts of a massive storm started to emerge. The refund excludes an $11 processing fee. Entry costs ranged from $216 to $347; they will not increase in 2013.

Once the number of entrants choosing the 2013 marathon is known, NYRR will determine whether enough additional spots exist to hold a lottery, likely making an announcement by the end of February. More than 140,000 people applied for the 2012 marathon, and Wittenberg is optimistic the race will remain as popular despite the discontent this year. Even if it doesn't happen right away.

"I hope everybody ultimately wants to come be a part of running here in one form or another over time," she said.

Marathon organizers first purchased cancellation insurance after the terrorist attacks of 2001. NYRR also must negotiate financial settlements with sponsors, broadcasters, exhibitors and other partners. Wittenberg said she expected the same sponsors to return in 2013.

After the marathon was canceled, Wittenberg noted that other races had stuck to no-refund policies when runners couldn't make it to the starting line because of extreme weather. Entrants cared most about guaranteed spots in future events, she said then.

In the weeks since, many still focused on how they could run the race another time. But, Wittenberg said Thursday, others sent the message: "I didn't get what I expected." And so the option to receive a refund became a priority.

"It puts the choice in the runner's hands," she said, "which is the important thing."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:05:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ny_marathoners_can_finally_get_their_ApuVQULE5PpXKbEuZDfU7J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ny_marathoners_can_finally_get_their_ApuVQULE5PpXKbEuZDfU7J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4101568649 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York officials are scrambling to negotiate the first new gun control laws in the nation since the mass shooting at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat-led Assembly are pushing again for bans on all assault rifles, high-capacity ammunition magazines and other measures which have been stopped in the Republican-controlled Senate.

"If that incident (in Connecticut) isn't impetus enough to change things in the Senate, I don't think anything else will," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said this week.

A deal could be enacted into law in a rare special session during the holiday week or in an agreement could be part of Cuomo's State of the State speech he's scheduled to deliver on Jan. 9. Cuomo this week said he plans to make gun control proposals part of his annual speech that sets his legislative agenda.

"No one is talking about making guns illegal," Cuomo said Monday. "No one is talking about legitimate hunters and sportspeople. We're talking about illegal guns. We're talking about abuse of guns. We're talking about guns that have no real hunting or sporting purpose. But it's an emotional topic and it is a question of communication. It's a question of degree."

Cuomo wants to address what he calls "significant loopholes" in New York's gun laws, which are already among the most restrictive in the nation.

Cuomo suggests banning all large ammunition magazines. They're currently legal if made before 1994.

The Buffalo News first reported the chance of a rare holiday week special session of the state Legislature. New York City tabloids have been hammering the issue, calling for bans on assault weapons to honor the 20 children and six adults killed a week ago at the school in Newtown, Conn.

Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif said Thursday that no special session has yet been called by Cuomo. He wouldn't comment further.

The dynamic in the Senate, however, is changing.

Republicans lacking a clear all-Republican majority after the November elections struck a deal for a bipartisan coalition to run the Senate with five Democrats. Those members of the separate Independent Democratic Conference have strongly support Cuomo's progressive measures including gun control.

The IDC could side with the traditional Democratic conference from which the IDC broke two years ago to muster the required 32 votes to pass legislation beginning in the new session Jan. 1. That could make new gun control laws inevitable, and could influence the chances of an earlier bipartisan agreement before Jan. 1.

"We stand ready to offer our support," said Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the traditional Democratic conference's new leader elected this week. "The time has come to not only have this conversation, but to act in the best interests of our constituents, and our children. We have a responsibility to all of those who have been impacted by gun violence to come together, begin the healing process and find common sense solutions to this societal plague."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:16:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/cuomo_pushes_first_gun_control_law_a0beDzfV1PNcAAxQCkzzlK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/cuomo_pushes_first_gun_control_law_a0beDzfV1PNcAAxQCkzzlK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4100689543 -1 false REUTERS Local

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 - US Attorney General Eric Holder will travel to Newtown, Connecticut, on Thursday to meet law enforcement officials and investigators who are examining the school massacre there, a Justice Department official said.

Holder, the chief US law enforcement official, will go after his scheduled meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and other cabinet officials about measures to reduce gun violence, the official said.

Federal law enforcement officials have been assisting local and state investigators to try to determine why and how the shooter killed 20 children and six adults on Friday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:03:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4099839843 -1 false FOX NEWS Business

Ahead of the predicted Mayan apocalypse tomorrow, many survival shops, restaurants, hotels and other businesses are raking in the profits. Even though December 21 is nothing more than the end of the Mayan calendar and the start of a new one, companies are capitalizing on the disaster craze.

Ready To Go Survival says there has been a major uptick in sales in their survival packs, which include a gas mask, duct tape, matches, ammonia inhalants, water purification tablets and ready-to-eat meals in prices ranging from about $210 up to $700.

Online retailer Wayfair.com reports a 7.8 percent increase in sales of survival gear over the past year. Hot-selling items include generators, first aid kits, lanterns, camping blankets and hydration kits.

The survival site FirstAidGlobal.com reports a 400 percent increase in sales of their pandemic survival kit. The company sold hundreds of Smoke Escape Hoods and about 140 emergency preparedness backpacks, mostly to customers in Southern California, in the past week.

Hotels are cashing in as well. The Waverton near Chicago says they will "be celebrating like there is no tomorrow" and is offering a deal on December 21 to stay an extra night (e.g., after the world ends) for 50 percent off the normal rate. The Curtis Hotel in Denver is offering a deal called "Party Like There's No To-Maya" where you can rent an entire floor of the hotel for $12,021 -- suggesting that money is no option.

To read more, go to Fox News

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:42:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/survival_shops_hotels_and_other_GWNCWx4pcdEB6o4pL0imPN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/survival_shops_hotels_and_other_GWNCWx4pcdEB6o4pL0imPN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4099839404 -1 false Page Six

Kim Kardashian is taking a stand…about her pictures.

Instagram's No. 1 fan is said to be outraged over the photo-sharing sites' new terms of service.

She tweeted on Tuesday, "I really loved Instagram :-( I need to review this new policy. I don't think its fair."

The company faced intense backlash this week over language that implied they could sell users' photos to advertisers without compensation. Page Six reported that many celebs including Anderson Cooper, Coco Rocha and Seth Green were up in arms and considered deleting their accounts.

Despite Instagram's co-founder kicking himself and issuing a statement to clarify the misconception, sources told TMZ that Kardashian isn't biting and is allegedly telling others to boycott Instagram unless they reconsider its policies.

Here's why Instagram should be slightly afraid: As much as the reality star is picked on, she has tremendous social media clout.

On top of her 16.8 million Twitter followers, she has the highest number of Instagram followers at 5.7 million. In comparison, Justin Bieber has 4.3 million and President Obama has 1.8 million.

Indeed, Kardashian's account has been in tranquil silence for two days – that's a lot for her.

Kardashian's exodus could mean a big loss for the company. TMZ suggested that the rest of her attention-loving family, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall, Rob (who are also among the most followed on the site) might follow suit with their middle sis.

A source told the gossip site that Kardashian is waiting for Instagram to revise their terms of service before she makes a final decision. Until then, the world will at least have a lot fewer Lo-fi filtered pics to roll its eyes at.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:43:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kim_threatens_to_drop_instagram_2oKAxfMsrTBPiu3nRMgNYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kim_threatens_to_drop_instagram_2oKAxfMsrTBPiu3nRMgNYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4099277355 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — US sales of previously occupied homes jumped to their highest level in three years last month, bolstered by steady job gains and record-low mortgage rates.

The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that sales rose 5.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in November. That's up from 4.76 million in October.

Previously occupied home sales are on track for their best year in five years. November's sales were the highest since November 2009, when a federal tax credit that was soon to expire spurred sales. Excluding that month, last month's sales were the highest since July 2007.

Sales are up 14.5 percent from a year ago, though they remain below the roughly 5.5 million that are consistent with a healthy market.

Job growth and low home-loan rates have helped drive purchases. Prices are also rising, which encourages more potential buyers to come off the sidelines and purchase homes. And more people may put their homes on the market if they feel confident they can sell at a good price.

In addition, the excess supply of homes that built up during the housing bubble has finally thinned out. The number of previously occupied homes available for sale fell to a 10-year low in October. The supply of new homes is also near its lowest level since 1963.

At the same time, more people are looking to buy or rent a home after living with relatives or friends during and immediately after the Great Recession.

These trends have supported a steady recovery in housing. Builder confidence rose in December for a seventh straight month to the highest level in more than 6½ years, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.

The pace of home construction slipped in November, but it was still nearly 22 percent higher than a year earlier. Builders are on track this year to start work on the most homes in four years.

Economists note that the increase in building should lead to more construction jobs, though it hasn't yet done so. That could mean more construction hiring is coming.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:43:18 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_home_sales_jump_to_highest_level_W2znCXR2A2rySjUMR7eGdN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_home_sales_jump_to_highest_level_W2znCXR2A2rySjUMR7eGdN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4099276735 -1 false POST WIRE REPORT Local

Doubtful he would have made them "proud."

School massacre gunman Adam Lanza wanted to join the Marines, according to a new report.

And if he couldn't join the Marines, he planned to sign up for a different branch of the military, according to the Connecticut Post.

Family friend Ellen Adriani, of Newtown, told the newspaper that the antisocial son told his mother, Nancy Lanza, of his plans and that, at first, mom supported his enthusiasm.

According to the report, Nancy Lanza thought the military would "give him purpose, a career path and structure."

However, the mother soon changed her mind, the report continues.

"It became overwhelmingly clear to her that it (military service) wasn't right for him," Adriani said. "She squashed" any notion of Adam joining the Marines or any branch of the armed services by reminding him "that he didn't like to be touched," said Adriani, and that if he were injured, "doctors and medics would have to handle him to treat him."

A shopkeeper who knew the Lanzas said the mad shooter dreamed of joining the military after he stopped taking college-courses, the report continues.

Yesterday, it was reported that Adam Lanza spent two days home alone preparing for his Connecticut schoolhouse massacre after his mother went away on a mini-vacation.

Nancy Lanza checked into the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, and left around the same time Thursday.

<div style="float: right; width: 263px; margin: 3px"><img src="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/2012/10/26/news/web_photos/relatedstories.jpg" width="100%" height="36"><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em">&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/sandy_hook_elementary_school_shooting_6sVHJf0WOKTerVUMOmjOqN" target='_BLANK'>Photos: Sandy Hook School Shooting</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M" target='_BLANK'>Heroic Newtown teacher called 'superhero' at emotional funeral</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK" target='_BLANK'>Tears for Newtown first-grader who wanted to be a fireman</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO" target='_BLANK'>Dolan to preach at funeral for Sandy Hook teacher Anne Marie Murphy</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP" target='_BLANK'>Holder to meet Newtown investigators</a><br></span><br><img src="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/2012/10/26/news/web_photos/botline.gif" width="100%" height="12"></div>

The drive is about 4 1/2 hours, so she would have arrived back home in Newtown late in the afternoon or early evening, according to Headline News — just hours before Adam shot her dead in her bed before the Friday morning rampage that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

He was armed with a Bushmaster .223-caliber assault rifle and two handguns, a Sig Sauer 9mm and a Glock 10mm, all belonging to his mom.

News of Nancy Lanza's getaway came as a funeral home in her New Hampshire hometown called to "discreetly" claim her body, the medical examiner said.

Meanwhile, investigators said they have been able to pull salvageable information from computers at the gunman's home.

"Every day we learn a little bit more, both from the computer and from talking to people," said a law enforcement official.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:42:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_gunman_wanted_to_join_marines_iQPyVUfqiYzur6wz3yqvEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_gunman_wanted_to_join_marines_iQPyVUfqiYzur6wz3yqvEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4098219835 -1 false Page Six

The California Hamster Association has accused Justin Bieber of animal cruelty after he gave away his pet critter named PAC to a frenzied fan.

The exchange happened during Bieber's performance at the Atlanta Jingle Ball show earlier this month. (You can watch a video of the gifting below.)

While the tiny fuzzball has been photographed looking happy and healthy with his new owner in Alabama, the Hamster rights group (CHA) is less than enthused.

They told TMZ that hamsters should be treated delicately and "often succumb quickly to illness and death" especially when faced with "sudden environmental change."

CHA added, "The moment that hamster was handed off to a screaming girl in a harsh, frenzied environment was likely the moment it gazed at the short path to its doom."

The group believes that if Bieber no longer wanted PAC then he should have handed his pet to an animal shelter or a rescue center so they could have given PAC to a new owner in a safer manner.

Bieber has not commented on the situation, but PAC has a Twitter account and seems to be doing just fine. "Please don't hate on my new owner. She's taking really good care of me! :)," reads an entry on PAC's Twitter feed.

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:11:48 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/hamster_group_accuses_bieber_of_WmFsidrwrTsiDj9qn6YcSO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/hamster_group_accuses_bieber_of_WmFsidrwrTsiDj9qn6YcSO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4097976130 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A single bell tolled Thursday at the Connecticut funeral of a 6-year-old girl killed by a gunman at her elementary school, while a cardinal in New York compared a slain teacher to Jesus for giving up her life to protect others.

In Newtown, the site of the shooting rampage, grim-faced mourners hurried through the packed parking lot of St. Rose of Lima Church to attend the funeral Mass for 6-year-old Catherine Hubbard.

Catherine's family said in her obituary that she would be remembered for her passion for animals and her constant smile.

Catherine was among the 20 students and six teachers killed when Adam Lanza, armed with a military-style assault rifle, broke into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14 and opened fire. Lanza killed his mother at her home before the attack and committed suicide at the school as police closed in.

Funerals were also scheduled in Connecticut on Thursday for 7-year-old Grace McDonnell and 6-year-olds Benjamin Andrew Wheeler, Jesse Lewis and Allison Wyatt, and a memorial was held for teacher Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau.

In New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan told mourners at the funeral of 52-year-old Anne Marie Murphy that the teacher "brought together a community, a nation, a world, now awed by her own life and death."

Murphy's father, Hugh McGowan, said authorities told him that she died trying to protect her young pupils. Her body was found covering a group of children's bodies as if to shield them, McGowan said.

Dolan underscored her sacrifice.

"Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends," Dolan said. "Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death."

About 15 people arrived at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Katonah, N.Y., in a yellow school bus with "Newtown" written on its side. The church quickly filled and about 100 mourners waited outside.

Janelle Wingert, of Wyoming, said in an email interview that she met Murphy when they were involved in the same faith-based community service activities in the Newtown area. She said Murphy asked her after 9/11 what she would do if someone attacked a school where she was working.

"She was serious and so intense in the question," Wingert said in a Facebook post. "She died doing exactly what she said she would do — put herself between the gunman and her little ones, who she saw as the most precious of all in God's heart."

Trinity Episcopal church on Newtown's Main Street was filled to capacity for the funeral of Benjamin Wheeler, and scores of mourners who couldn't get in milled about outside. The service for a child described as a lighthouse buff, budding musician and Beatles fan included a rendition of "Here Comes The Sun" and the hymn "Amazing Grace."

Benjamin's five uncles acted as pallbearers. About two dozen Boy Scout leaders lined the front pathway to the church in honor of the former Cub Scout.

In downtown Danbury, mourners filed into the ornate white-pillared First Congregational Church for a memorial service for teacher Lauren Rousseau. The congregation in the packed church sang "Morning Has Broken" and "Let There Be Peace On Earth."

Friends wept on the altar as they remembered the spirited, hardworking, sunny-natured young woman who loved children and animals, especially cats, and who had always wanted to be a teacher. They spoke of how the 30-year-old brightened their lives with her silliness and gave them all nicknames.

A U.S. Justice Department official told The Associated Press that Attorney General Eric Holder would travel to Newtown on Thursday to meet with first responders and law enforcement officials. The trip comes after Holder met with Vice President Joe Biden, who is tasked with leading an administration-wide effort to create new proposals for reducing gun violence.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the trip hadn't been publicly announced.

In addition to the services, the families of 6-year-old Olivia Rose Engel, behavioral therapist Rachel Marie D'Avino and school psychologist Mary Sherlach have calling hours Thursday.

At least nine funerals and wakes were held Wednesday, and more are set for Friday and Saturday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4097905904 -1 false Page Six

A self-described "cello nerd" defeated dozens of contestants from all over the globe to bring the crown back to the US after a drought of more than a decade.

Twenty-year-old Olivia Culpo is the new Miss Universe. She won the title last night at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip, replacing outgoing champion Leila Lopes of Angola.

PHOTOS: MISS UNIVERSE OLIVIA CULPO

"I'm dreaming, it's a dream," she said while surrounded by the other contestants.

The Boston University sophomore ended at 15-year losing spell for the US – an American had not won the Miss Universe title since Brook Lee in 1997.

Culpo, who beat out 88 international beauties, wore a tight navy blue mini-dress with a sequined bodice as she walked on stage for the event's opening number.

Later in the night, she dropped jaws as she strutted in a purple and blue bikini, and donned a wintery red velvet gown with a plunging neckline.

The new Miss Universe believes she's just like any other girl. In a pre-taped segment of the show, she explained, "One thing I feel people don't know about me is that I'm really easy-going. Any joke, I'll get it. I mean, I think a lot of the times they think of beauty queens as almost being plastic, but I can take jokes and I can take anything. I'm just a normal person."

No one was more surprised than Culpo's family when told them she was entering the Miss Rhode Island contest last year, her father Peter recalled.

"We didn't know a thing about pageants," he said.

The stunner took the contest in a rented $20 dress with a hole in it and then began working out, dieting and studying current events on flashcards to compete for the Miss USA crown.

Culpo was good enough during preliminary Miss Universe contests to be chosen as one of 16 semifinalists who moved on to compete in the main show. Her bid lasted through swimsuit, evening wear and interview competitions that saw cuts after each round.

She won over the judges even after tripping slightly during the evening gown competition. Telecasters pointed it out but also noted her poised recovery.

Moments before she won, Culpo was asked whether she had she had ever done something she regretted.

"I'd like to start off by saying that every experience no matter what it is, good or bad, you'll learn from it. That's just life," she said. "But something I've done I've regretted is probably picking on my siblings growing up, because you appreciate them so much more as you grow older."

One of those siblings, 17-year-old Gus, was cheering from the front row with his sister's glittering Miss Rhode Island sash wrapped around his shoulders

Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, came in second, while Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, placed third. All the contestants spent the past two weeks in Sin City, where they posed in hardhats at a hotel groundbreaking, took a painting lesson and pranked hotel guests by hiding in their rooms.

After the show, Culpo appeared wearing a white gold crown atop her long brown hair and told a group of reporters she hoped to bring the country some good news in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

"It's such an honor to be representing the USA in an international beauty contest in spite of all the tragedy that's happened in this country lately," she said. "I really hope that this will raise everybody's spirits a little."

The daughter of two professional musicians, Culpo grew up in Cranston and spent her summers at band camp. She has played the cello alongside world-renowned classical musician Yo-Yo Ma, and followed in her parents' footsteps with performances at Carnegie Hall.

Her father called her the "nerdiest" of her siblings, and her brother recalled that she was "really chubby and sort of weird when she was younger."

They speculated that the same single-mindedness that helped her master the cello in second grade propelled her rapid rise through the beauty pageant ranks.

With her promotion, Miss Maryland Nana Meriwether becomes the new Miss USA.

The Miss Universe pageant was back in Las Vegas this year after being held in Sao Paulo in 2011. It aired live on NBC and was streamed to more than 100 countries.

The panel of 10 judges included singer Cee Lo Green, "Iron Chef" star Masaharu Morimoto and Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants.

Asked on the red carpet whether he found playing in the World Series or judging the beauty pageant to be more difficult, Sandoval said both were hard.

As Miss Universe, Culpo will receive an undisclosed salary, a wardrobe fit for a queen, a limitless supply of beauty products, and a luxury apartment in New York City.

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/miss_usa_olivia_culpo_takes_miss_QHDWYzehpDIyWVUvQeNWiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/miss_usa_olivia_culpo_takes_miss_QHDWYzehpDIyWVUvQeNWiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4097905473 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS International

LONDON — Rock 'n' roll will never die — but it's a hazardous occupation.

An academic study published Thursday confirms that rock and pop musicians are more likely to die prematurely than the general population, and finds that solo artists are twice as likely to die young as members of bands.

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University and Britain's Health Department studied 1,489 rock, pop, punk, R&B, rap, electronica and New Age stars who became famous between 1956 and 2006 — from Elvis Presley to the Arctic Monkeys.

They found that 137 of the stars, or 9.2 percent, had died, representing "higher levels of mortality than demographically matched individuals in the general population."

The researchers dismissed the "fanciful but unsubstantiated" popular myth that rock stars tend to die at 27 — as Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse all did. The average age of death was 45.2 years for North American stars and 39.6 for European ones.

Solo performers had twice the death risk of members of bands. Lead researcher Mark Bellis speculated that could be because bands provide peer support at stressful times.

"Solo artists, even though they have huge followings, may be relatively isolated," said Bellis, director of the Center for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University.

Music critic John Aizlewood agreed that solo artists receive more attention and adulation — and also more pressure.

"And when you are a solo act, irrespective of what they say in interviews, it's an incredibly egotistical thing," he said. "So you tend to be dealing with people who are more emotionally extreme.

"They have an ego in the way a drummer or even a lead guitarist in a band doesn't."

In good news for aging rockers, the study found that, after 25 years of fame, stars' death rates began to return to normal — at least in Europe. A European star still living 36 years after achieving fame faces a similar mortality rate to the European public. But U.S. artists continue to die in greater numbers.

Bellis said factors contributing to the difference could include longer careers — and thus longer exposure to rock 'n' roll excess — in the U.S., a huge, populous country with greater opportunities for aging stars to stay on the road. Europe's stronger social safety net and socialized medicine may also play a role, he said.

The research, which updates a 2007 study by the same team, was published in the online journal BMJ Open.

The study suggests the infamous rock 'n' roll lifestyle may not be entirely to blame for rock stars' death risk.

The researchers looked for the first time at the role of "adverse childhood experiences" — such as physical or sexual abuse — on stars' later behavior.

They found that performers who had had at least one adverse childhood experience were more likely to die from drug and alcohol use or "risk-related causes."

"Substance abuse and risk-taking in stars are largely discussed in terms of hedonism, music industry culture, responses to the pressures of fame or even part of the creative process," the researchers said.

However, they said, "adverse experiences in early life may leave some predisposed to health-damaging behaviors, with fame and extreme wealth providing greater opportunities to engage in risk-taking."

But Ellis Cashmore, a cultural studies professor at Staffordshire University and author of the book "Celebrity/Culture," said it would be wrong to overlook "artistic frustration" as a factor in artistic self-destruction.

He said troubled artists from Vincent Van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway to the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson all illustrate "the torment that creativity brings with it."

"Perhaps it is the continual striving for some sort of unattainable artistic perfection that drives them," he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:42:24 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/rock_stars_more_likely_likely_die_oRG0UOKX2uCL2H7L8LGtiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/rock_stars_more_likely_likely_die_oRG0UOKX2uCL2H7L8LGtiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International 5.10.4095994857 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week by 17,000, reversing four weeks of declines. But the number of people seeking aid is consistent with a job market that continues to grow modestly.

Unemployment claims rose the week of Dec. 15 to a seasonally adjusted 361,000 from a revised 344,000 the week before.

The less-volatile four-week moving average fell 13,750 to 367,750, lowest since late October. Applications had surged in early November after Superstorm Sandy, then dropped back.

Just over 5.4 million people were receiving some type of unemployment benefit the week ended Dec. 1, down from nearly 7.2 million a year earlier.

Applications are a proxy for layoffs. So the drop of the four-week average suggests that companies are cutting fewer jobs, even if they aren't hiring enough to lower the unemployment rate significantly. The economy has generated an average of 151,000 jobs a month in 2012, not enough to significantly drive down high unemployment.

The unemployment rate did drop to a four-year low of 7.7 percent in November from 7.9 percent in October. But the rate fell mostly because unemployed people gave up looking for work. The government counts people as unemployed only if they're actively seeking jobs.

Still, the steady drop in unemployment applications suggests that companies aren't laying off workers in advance of the "fiscal cliff" — the package of tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect next year if Democrats and Republicans can't reach a budget deal.

President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he was "pretty close" to an agreement with House Speaker John Boehner to avoid a Jan. 1 shock to the economy. But Democrats and Republicans are still sparring over details of Obama's effort to raise taxes on higher-income earners.

"The steady improvement in weekly claims won't matter one bit if the economy enters the new year with fiscal cliff-induced uncertainty," said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG LLC, wrote in a note to clients. "Claims will shoot higher as businesses shift staffing levels in front of an anticipated drop in demand during the beginning of next year."

The US economy has endured weak growth since the Great Recession ended in mid-2009. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the economy grew at a better-than-expected 3.1 percent annual pace from July through September. It has grown at a tepid 2.1 percent pace the first nine months of the year.

Economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics don't expect much progress in 2013. They expect the economy to expand at a 2.1 percent pace next year. They expect unemployment to remain high, averaging 7.7 percent next year.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/weekly_unemployment_claims_up_by_EfszCGB0uFBN7mAYtL7OaK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/weekly_unemployment_claims_up_by_EfszCGB0uFBN7mAYtL7OaK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095756282 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent over the summer as consumers spent more and state and local governments added to growth for the first time in nearly three years. But the economy is likely slowing in the current quarter.

The Commerce Department's third and final estimate of growth for the July-September quarter was revised up from its estimate a month ago of a 2.7 percent annual rate.

The third-quarter growth was more than double the 1.3 percent growth rate in the April-June quarter. But disruptions from Superstorm Sandy and uncertainty weighing on consumers and businesses from the "fiscal cliff" are likely holding back growth in the October-December quarter. Many analysts predict an annual growth rate of just 1.5 percent for this quarter.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:56:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_economy_grew_at_percent_over_iAtHmILBfbxD8pQu2hqyFO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_economy_grew_at_percent_over_iAtHmILBfbxD8pQu2hqyFO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095755911 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

The New York Stock Exchange is being sold to a rival exchange for about $8 billion, ending more than two centuries of independence for the iconic Big Board.

The buyer, IntercontinentalExchange Inc., an upstart exchange based in Atlanta, made clear Thursday that little would change for the iconic trading floor in Manhattan's financial district if regulators approve the deal.

There will be dual headquarters in New York and Atlanta and ICE will open an office in Manhattan. NYSE CEO Duncan Niederauer will become president of the combined company and CEO of NYSE Group.

ICE said that the tie-up will create a top exchange operator covering a diverse lineup of markets and boosting efficiency.

"We believe the combined company will be better positioned to compete and serve customers across a broad range of asset classes by uniting our global brands, expertise and infrastructure," said IntercontinentalExchange Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Sprecher. "With a track record of growth and returns, clearing and M&A integration, we are well positioned to transform our combined companies into a premier global exchange operator that remains a leader in market evolution."

Sprecher will keep his positions. Four members of the NYSE board will be added to IntercontinentalExchange's board, expanding it to 15 members.

NYSE Euronext Inc. shareholders can chose to receive either $33.12 in cash, .2581 IntercontinentalExchange Inc. shares, or a combination of $11.27 in cash plus .1703 shares of stock.

IntercontinentalExchange plans to fund the cash portion of the acquisition with a combination of cash and existing debt. It added that the addition of NYSE will help it cut costs and should boost its earnings by more than 15 percent in the first year after the deal closes.

The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies, but still needs the approvals by regulators and the shareholders of both companies. It's expected to close in the second half of next year.

Exchanges have repeatedly attempted to merge recently as competition intensifies and commissions decline.

Last year, IntercontinentalExchange and Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. made a failed $11 billion bid to buy NYSE Euronext.

Earlier this year, European regulators blocked Deutsche Boerse AG from buying NYSE Euronext.

Shares of NYSE jumped 40 percent in premarket trading to $33.75 and are headed for a new high for the year. Shares if ICE rose 5 percent, to $134.98.

Shares of both companies had been halted in premarket trading earlier Thursday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:26:52 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/ice_to_buy_nyse_for_0lZE7BbTinDZOfqLtEjBTI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/ice_to_buy_nyse_for_0lZE7BbTinDZOfqLtEjBTI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095467345 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS National

DES MOINES, Iowa — The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, leaving at least three people dead, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend.

Forecasters warned that heavy snow coupled with strong winds would create blizzard conditions for morning commuters from Kansas to Wisconsin, after blanketing the Rocky Mountains earlier in the week.

On the southern edge of the storm system, high winds wreaked havoc, damaging homes and downing trees across Arkansas, the National Weather Service said. A powerful storm peeled the roofs off buildings and toppled trucks in Mobile, Ala., but injured no one. Tornado warnings remained in effect in parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama early Thursday.

The storm dropped nearly a foot of snow in Des Moines, but the storm wasn't as dangerous as earlier feared because everyone had good warning of the approaching havoc, said Kevin Skow, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Des Moines. But wind might become a concern, he warned.

"It's starting to taper off," Skow said of the snow early Thursday. "It's soon going to become less of a snow event and more of a wind event."

The airport at Creston, Iowa, recorded the highest winds, with a gust of 53 mph. Skow said wind gusts would grow stronger later Thursday, creating whiteout conditions, before dying down by the evening.

Iowa native Laurie Harry said the weather probably wouldn't stop her from starting up her car Thursday morning.

"If I need to get into work, I'll be here," said Harry, a manager at a Casey's General Store in the western Iowa town of Atlantic. "We've had snow before. Iowans know what to expect. We're used to it."

Forecasters said the heaviest snow could be expected across a swath extending from northwest Missouri into Milwaukee, Chicago and Michigan, with predictions of as much as a foot of snow in some areas. Before the storm, several cities in the Midwest had broken records for the number of consecutive days without measurable snow.

The weather service warned of poor visibility due to driving snow in much of the region and warned drivers to stay off roads in some areas.

In southeastern Wisconsin, where a blizzard warning was in effect and winds of up to 45 mph were expected to create whiteout conditions, sheriff's officials said slick conditions led to at least two fatalities late Wednesday when a driver lost control of his car in Rock County, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. In southeastern Utah, a woman who tried to walk for help after her car became stuck in snow died Tuesday night. Search and rescue crews on snowmobiles found her buried in the snow just a few miles from her car.

Chicago commuters awoke Thursday to heavy fog and cold, driving rain, but forecasters said snow would hit the Midwestern metropolis by mid-afternoon. Officials at the city's two international airports reported some delays and cancellations, but said most incoming and outgoing flights were on time. United Airlines said it would waive change fees for travelers who have to change their plans for travel through O'Hare International Airport.

Hundreds of schools across the affected region canceled classes Thursday because of heavy overnight snow. Kansas City Power & Light reported about 16,000 scattered power outages in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

In Madrid, about 30 miles north of Des Moines, auto repair shop owner Steve Simmons said he had a busy Wednesday morning with customers looking for snow tires ahead of the storm.

"Everybody seems to wait to the last minute for this kind of thing," he said. And he was also expecting a busy Thursday snowplowing several churches and private businesses.

"The bad weather usually benefits me greatly," he said.

The moisture was being welcomed by farmers in the drought-parched region, but Meteorologist Kris Sanders said the storm wouldn't make much of a dent. In Kansas, for example, some areas are more than 12 inches below normal precipitation for the year.

"It's not going to have a big effect, maybe only a half-inch of liquid precipitation. It's not helping us out much," Sanders said.

Sanders said another storm similar to the current one could bring additional snow on Christmas or the day after.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:45:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/midwest_hit_by_its_first_major_snowstorm_EX6gkUIQkccmmdPfRGwtjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/midwest_hit_by_its_first_major_snowstorm_EX6gkUIQkccmmdPfRGwtjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4095467078 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR Local

Police today identified the woman killed in a chain reaction of fiery crashes on the Long Island Expressway as 68-year-old Christa Zepf of Blue Point.

This morning all lanes of the LIE reopened following yesterday's smashup that killed one person and injured 33 others.

The westbound lanes reopened before Thursday's morning rush hour.

PHOTOS: L.I.E. CRASH

Zepf was killed and 33 other people were injured in a massive chain-reaction smashup on the Long Island Expressway yesterday after a big-rig driver lost control of his truck.

The 18-wheeler — carrying Sandy debris — smashed into several cars heading eastbound at Exit 68 in Yaphank at around 2:50 p.m. before bursting into flames.

"It looked like something from an action movie," said witness Mike Jiminez, 24, of Flanders.

"I was going the opposite way, and the cars were just flying all over the place."

Nearly 40 vehicles were involved. Injured drivers were spread among three hospitals.

Two people — Nicki Boralli, 20, and Sean Shilling, 37 — were choppered to Stony Brook University Medical Center in critical condition. The rest of the injuries were not life-threatening.

Two cars caught fire in addition to the truck, but the fatality was not in one one of those vehicles.

Jiminez said that the truck driver, Raymond Simoneau from Vermont, exited his vehicle as its engine exploded.

"The guy barely got out," he said. "He had to go right through the flames to make it from the front, the cab. Whoever that guy is is lucky to be alive."

Another witness, Danny Gershonowitz, said he saw the truck driver kick out his windshield to escape after several people tried unsuccessfully to open his door.

A tow-truck driver pulled another occupied vehicle away from the blazing big rig.

The metal- and glass-strewn roadway resembled a demolition-derby site. Traffic was closed for hours in both directions.

Suffolk police have not pinpointed why the truck driver lost control and are investigating.

A source said that a construction zone roughly three-quarters of a mile ahead of the crash site reduced the lanes from three to one and that the truck might have smashed into braking cars.

"When I ran back up to the scene, I was afraid to see what I was going to find," Gershonowitz said. "I was sure there would be multiple fatalities. Thank God there weren't."

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:43:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/all_lanes_of_lie_reopen_after_fiery_eKbTYXvxtzPolkBCTDZreN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/all_lanes_of_lie_reopen_after_fiery_eKbTYXvxtzPolkBCTDZreN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4093870242 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

COOPERSTOWN — A new line of beers linked to the hit HBO drama "Game of Thrones" is being produced for the series by an upstate New York brewery.

Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown will bring out Iron Throne Blonde Ale in time for the premiere of the show's third season on March 31. The company says another beer will be released in the fall and others are planned for future seasons.

Company officials say the brewery's Belgian-style beers are a good fit for the series, based on the George R.R. Martin fantasy novels set in a medieval-like time of jousts, wars and intrigue.

Ommegang officials say the beers will be named and crafted to directly tie into "themes and nuances" of Westeros, the fictional realm where Lannisters, Starks and various other factions battle for supremacy.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:30:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/upstate_brewery_to_produce_game_0FrVDDeBbvX57otTnICKYK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/upstate_brewery_to_produce_game_0FrVDDeBbvX57otTnICKYK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4093870045 -1 false By POST STAFF Local

Veteran TV newsman Sam Donaldson was arrested on DUI charges in Delaware, police said yesterday.

Donaldson (pictured), a former White House reporter for ABC, was stopped on Dec. 1 by cops in Lewes, Del., after his car was spotted swerving onto the shoulder of the road.

Lewes is a resort town on the Chesapeake Bay, across the Delaware River from Cape May, NJ.

Donaldson allegedly failed a field-sobriety test and was arrested and taken to the local police station.

The 78-year-old newsman was later released and given an unspecified date to return for a court appearance.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hold_on_mr_preshident_24cRRWxwcdcBQF4KJf0HEN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hold_on_mr_preshident_24cRRWxwcdcBQF4KJf0HEN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4087622583 -1 false By KEVIN KERNAN Mets

Now that the Mets have caught up behind the plate, it's time to tackle the massive outfield problem. There must be greener pastures ahead, but this is a situation that will take time to correct.

If free agent Scott Hairston wants a one-year deal, the Mets will sign him, but that game has to play itself out. Patience is the key and Sandy Alderson has proven himself to be one patient general manager.

There are slim pickings in the Mets' price range in the free agent department, which means the Mets are investigating every possible trade scenario. That's a good thing.

The Mets' four outfielders are Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter and Collin Cowgill. Cowgill, who was acquired Tuesday fromthe A's, is scrappyand aggressive, and the Mets need more of those players. Duda has hitting potential but needs to showmore confidence, but the Mets believe he is making strides in that department.

Nevertheless, so much work has to be done in the outfield. More talent is needed and more than likely the Mets will have to trade for that talent and get really creative in doing so, most likely making a three-team trade to make any deal work. That is a tall order.

Another young outfielder went off the board yesterday when the Angels traded designated hitter Kendrys Morales to the Mariners for pitcher Jason Vargas. That was a wise move because it allows the Angels to put young center fielder Peter Bourjos back on the field, flanked by superstars Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton.

If the Angels could not have traded Morales for the pitcher they wanted, they may have listened to offers for Bourjos, whowould have been a great fit for the Mets, but that time has passed. Bourjos remains an Angel in the outfield.

The most intriguing bigname outfielder on the trade front is Arizona's Justin Upton. The Mets need to make every effort to try to trade for the multitalented Upton, who is just 25.

The Mets have the perfect mentor for Upton in David Wright. Wright has known Upton since Upton was a little kid and his brother B.J. played amateur ball with Wright in Virginia. A move closer to home would benefit Upton aswell.

Alderson worked his trade magic to acquire top of the line prospects in right-hander Zack Wheeler and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, using Carlos Beltran and Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey as bait, now he must try to figure a way to land an impact outfielder. It will not be easy, but Alderson has found a way to make difficult trades happen.

Upton has three years left on his contract. He will be paid $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015. The Mets are freeing up plenty of money and will have young pitchers Matt Harvey and Wheeler in the rotation, keeping costs down. They can afford to spend in the outfield, just as they spent $138 million at third base on Wright.

Sure, Justin Upton seems like a pipe dream, butWheeler and d'Arnaud were long shots to be Mets not too long ago. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers keeps insisting he will not trade Upton — Jason Kubel (30 home runs last season) is available and would be a major upgrade for the Mets as well — but I've known Towers a long time and he is never afraid to make a trade. The Rangers have major interest in Upton and have the young talent to trade, if they reallywant to make the deal.

Alderson needs to try to acquire Upton. Go for another game changer. The Mets have made fascinating strides lately. They need to make another big push to reach higher ground in the NL East. Maybe, Towers will not trade Upton, but if Upton has another bad season in Arizona his value will drop again. He hit 31 home runs in 2011 and 17 last season.

The Mets must try to make this dream deal a reality.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:22:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_need_to_make_push_for_outfielder_KAN0KU6MdSLBepeV4AtsuM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Mets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_need_to_make_push_for_outfielder_KAN0KU6MdSLBepeV4AtsuM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Mets 5.10.4086279931 kevin_kernan.png true More Sports

Basketball7 p.m.Women: Valparaiso at Michigan BIG TEN7 p.m.Elon at Duke ESPNU7 p.m.Thunder at Timberwolves TNT8 p.m.Women: Cornell at Texas LONGHORN8:30 p.m.Eastern Michigan at Michigan BIG TEN9 p.m.Cal Poly at Washington PAC129:30 p.m.Heat at Mavericks TNT11 p.m.California-Irvine at USC PAC12Football8 p.m.Poinsettia Bowl: BYU at San Diego State ESPN, ESPN 98.7 FMHorse Racing12:45 p.m.Gulfstream Ch. 717:10 p.m.Yonkers Ch. 71

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:48:36 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/today_sports_on_the_air_wZe7UNdl1Ajec3NZjQpsUL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/today_sports_on_the_air_wZe7UNdl1Ajec3NZjQpsUL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports 5.10.4085163343 -1 false & - doubleheader More Sports

TODAYDec. 20FRIDec. 21SATDec. 22SUNDec. 23MONDec. 24TUEDec. 25WEDDec. 26KnicksNOGAMEChi. 7:30 MSG ESPNNOGAMEMinn.5:00MSGESPNNOGAMEL.A.L.3:00ABCESPNPhx.9:00MSGESPNNetsNOGAMENO GAMENOGAMEPhi.3:00YESWBBRNO GAMEBos.NoonYES/ESPNWFANMil.8:00 YES WFANSt. John'sNO GAMEUNC-Ash 7:30 ESPN3 WBBRNO GAMENOGAMENO GAMENOGAMENOGAME

HOMEAWAY

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:48:23 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/home_team_lineups_2ivy4jG2T9MlGnIPfS9DGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/home_team_lineups_2ivy4jG2T9MlGnIPfS9DGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports 5.10.4085163329 -1 false By TIM BONTEMPS Knicks

It was a different night, but the same old story.

The Nets, who have struggled to get themselves going in the third quarter all season, saw the Knicks break the game open with a 18-6 run over the final 6:54 of the third quarter last night to hand the Nets a 100-86 loss, giving the Nets three straight losses and eight in their last 10 games.

"We're just trying to stay alive right now," Gerald Wallace said. "Right now, we know the second half is our downfall. We play 24 minutes of great ball in the first half, and then it just seems like our next 12 minutes we're kind of lost offensively and defensively.

"We've got to figure out, as a team, how we can fix that and get this team turned around."

It looked as if the Nets might, at least for one night, shake their third-quarter demons after Deron Williams came out firing to start the quarter. Williams hit his first four shots of the third, including a pull-up jumper in transition that gave the Nets their biggest lead of the game at 61-57 with 6:54 remaining in the third.

From there, though, it was a familiar story. A combination of poor shooting, turnovers and allowing easy baskets to their opponents put the Nets into a 75-67 hole by the end of the third quarter that they never escaped from.

"I just think mentally, we've got to be more mentally into the game in the second half, myself included," Wallace said. "We're messing up on coverages, especially guarding a team like this that makes you pay for any mistake you make.

"Mentally, as a team, we've got to buckle down. We understand what's going on. We know what's wrong with us, and we've just got to fix it."

The Knicks stormed back into the lead for good on the backs of their two stars, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, who combined for 15 of the 18 points that put the game out of reach. While Anthony scored from both outside, hitting a 3-pointer to put the Knicks ahead for good at 62-61 with 5:39 left, the Nets couldn't keep Chandler away from the basket, allowing him to get several uncontested dunks off alley-oop passes thanks to pick-and-roll coverage breakdowns.

"We had a game plan that we tried to execute tonight at the defensive end, and it wasn't working," said Williams, who finished with 16 points and 10 assists. "We weren't doing the things we needed to. We weren't getting the help in the right spots, our rotations were slow, we were letting guys drive right to the basket without any help ... that's not how we want to play."

The Nets, who don't play again until Sunday against the Sixers in Brooklyn, know they don't want to play like this. Now they just have to figure out how to get back to playing the way they did when they won 11 of their first 15 games.

"We're frustrated," said Williams. "We've got to change some things. We've got to get better.

"It's on us. It's not anybody's fault but us as players. We have to come out with more energy and focus. It's like we lost a little bit of our toughness, so we have to get that back."

tbontemps@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/glass_half_empty_sV7Co3wJJkYIeb3StcczmI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/glass_half_empty_sV7Co3wJJkYIeb3StcczmI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4084559519 -1 false By TIM BONTEMPS Knicks

The Knicks have beaten teams from 3-point range all season long. But it was the work of Tyson Chandler in and around the paint that, more than anything, led to the Nets suffering their third straight loss last night, as Chandler's 16 points and 12 rebounds powered the Knicks to a 100-86 victory.

The Nets were simply powerless to stop Chandler on the pick-and-roll, especially in the second half. He wound up with several alley-oop dunks after dribble penetration sucked in his defender and left nothing but air between him and the rim.

"A lot of times they were running it, we were trying to give them some different coverages, and we had some breakdowns in communication," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "When we executed it properly, we were pretty good. But when we didn't, they made us pay."

Because of the many 3-point shooters the Knicks deploy around the arc with Chandler roaming the middle, it prevents teams from being able to stick to him near the basket. If any dribble penetration is able to draw Chandler's defender just a couple steps away from the basket, there is plenty of room to toss the ball into his waiting hands for an easy dunk, something the Knicks seemed to do at will against the Nets in the second half.

"It makes the coverage a lot harder," Gerald Wallace said of the Knicks' 3-point shooting prowess. "Then when you have guys like Raymond [Felton] and Tyson, who play the pick-and-roll so well, too.

"They're a hard team to cover, but we've covered them, we've played that basic coverage and we've beat them with that coverage. Mentally, we've got to be more strong with it."

* The Nets were without Jerry Stackhouse for the fifth straight game last night, as the veteran swingman continues to nurse a sore right knee.

Stackhouse, who has become a vital rotation piece for the Nets since getting a chance early last month, injured the knee when he and Jason Kidd banged knees on Kidd's game-winning 3-pointer against the Nets in last week's Knicks win in Brooklyn.

Stackhouse said before last night's game that he wasn't sure when he'd be ready to go after banging the knee "pretty good" against Kidd's outstretched leg. Johnson wouldn't say whether or not he expected Stackhouse to play Sunday against the Sixers in Brooklyn.

"It depends on what happens with him Friday and Saturday [in practice]," Johnson said. "If he gets through practice, specifically Saturday, then he could be a possibility."

tbontemps@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/nets_defense_gets_picked_apart_with_k9vfbHnEsM75bqQsHI1z5N?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/nets_defense_gets_picked_apart_with_k9vfbHnEsM75bqQsHI1z5N?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4084559323 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

Lawrence Tynes is not in a slump.

That's the thought-process of the Giants' kicker, who, after a torrid start to the season, has missed a field goal in each of the past three games, including what appeared to be a chip-shot 30-yarder last week inside the kicker-friendly Georgia Dome.

"I think I made like 18 out of 19 at pregame,'' Tynes said yesterday. "If you're in a slump you're probably not kicking real well at all during the week or at practice, so I feel like we are doing that. I just feel like maybe our game tempo is a little off. I think we've fixed that earlier this week, and [yesterday] at practice we did some team stuff, so you just got to be positive moving forward. You can't really dwell on the past.''

The kicking operation — snap, hold, kick — has not been as crisp as it was when Tynes was in a groove, hitting 29 of his 32 field goal tries. He still leads the NFL with 33 made field goals.

"We thought his timing wasn't very good the other day on the one that we missed, but it's the time of the year we can't afford any misses,'' coach Tom Coughlin said.

Tynes' miss came with the Giants trailing 7-0 in an eventual 34-0 loss to the Falcons. A timing issue indicates the operation with Zak DeOssie snapping and Steve Weatherford holding was not smooth.

"I'm not going to sit here and point fingers,'' Tynes said. "I missed the kick. We got a little sloppy with what we're doing, so it [is] kind of the peaks and valleys of a season. We had 13 good games and the last two have not been up to par to what we expect out of ourselves and us as a unit. It stinks that we missed, and we just got to move on.''

Tynes, a nine-year veteran, said he believes one of his strengths is his ability to shake off a bad kick and move on, which he will attempt to do Sunday in Baltimore.

"I've done that very, very well in my career,'' he said. "I think I've missed two kicks three times in my career and I've played over 120 games, so you just got to look at it for what it is and kind of just move on. I think I do a good job of that. You get [ticked] off a little bit, but you just got to move on.''

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/tynes_says_he_is_not_in_slump_A5eLVYSXxa9cGSGnY1zaQM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/tynes_says_he_is_not_in_slump_A5eLVYSXxa9cGSGnY1zaQM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559268 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

It was not exactly "All In" for the Giants Wednesday, but they did welcome back two key members of their defensive backfield, as safety Kenny Phillips returned from a knee injury and Prince Amukamara was on the field after missing last week's game in Atlanta with a strained hamstring.

Amukamara and Phillips both worked on a limited basis.

Phillips missed six straight games with a sprained MCL, returned for two and then sat out the past two games after aggravating the injury. Phillips said on Monday he is "100 percent'' sure he will play on Sunday in Baltimore.

"With Kenny, we feel like he's rested and ready to contribute,'' Tom Coughlin said.

Rookie Jayron Hosley started against the Falcons in place of Amukamara and the results were not what the Giants were looking for.

"I'm feeling great,'' Amukamara said. "I feel a little bit sore right now and that's natural.''

Amukamara said he has yet to fully test his hamstring, as he has "been staying in my realm, just trying to be smart about it right now.'' He's still not sure if he can contribute enough to play on Sunday vs. the Ravens.

"It's kind of like a Catch-22, damned if you do, screwed if you don't,'' he said. "You want to put the team before you, but you also just have to be smart about it.

"This is a huge game, very crucial and if we make it to the playoffs you don't want to get hurt in this game and not be ready for the playoffs. But you definitely want to help the team make the playoffs. It's a huge decision.''

*

Five starters did not practice: C David Baas (hip/shoulder), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (knee), G Chris Snee (hip) and DE Justin Tuck (shoulder).

Bradshaw has said he doesn't plan to practice until tomorrow at the earliest, but he's confident he will be able to shake off his sprained knee and play this weekend.

"We'd all love to have [Bradshaw] play, but it's going to be a medical decision,'' Coughlin said.

As for Tuck's shoulder, Coughlin said "He probably banged it in the game, although he didn't come out of the game or anything of that nature. We can and I think he can deal with it because he's had to before.''

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said "Nothing has changed'' regarding LB Ray Lewis, who has missed the past eight games with a torn right triceps and is not expected to return this weekend. ... WR Torrey Smith (concussion) did not practice for Ravens. ... CB Terrence Frederick was re-signed to the practice squad.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:54:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/prince_phillips_practice_qKaY6zVrily3DoJr4XQuBM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/prince_phillips_practice_qKaY6zVrily3DoJr4XQuBM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559112 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

In order for the Giants to avoid getting shown the door, they need to crash through it no matter who is in their way.

"Our backs are actually against the wall now, and we got to play that way,'' linebacker Chase Blackburn said Wednesday. "We got to come out fighting, swinging, just like when you're in a bar fight and your back is against the wall, there's only one way to get to that door — swing your way out. That's what you got to do.''

The Giants didn't come close to landing any haymakers in last week's inept 34-0 loss in Atlanta, and as a result have pushed their season to the brink of playoff elimination heading into Sunday's game in Baltimore against the struggling but still postseason-bound Ravens.

The Giants got blanked by the Falcons seven days after putting 52 points on the Saints, but mostly it's been uneven at best, unsightly at worst as they've dropped from first to third in the NFC East.

"Week after week you don't know what you are going to get from us,'' Jason Pierre-Paul said. "We are not consistent until, I guess, somebody is going to get fired or our backs are against the wall or it is either all or nothing. That is where we are at right now. It is either all or nothing or we are going to pack our stuff and get out of here.

"And I am not trying to go home early. I want to make that run and at least get into the playoffs and showing that we can do it. That is what we are striving for and hoping we can get there.''

The Giants won't get anywhere if they can't lay a glove on Ray Rice, a running back capable of sending them home a beaten team if they continue to put on display shoddy run defense. The Giants rank 22nd in the league in stopping the run, and Blackburn figures the Ravens will go to school on that failing and try to jam it down the Giants' throats with a heavy dose of Rice.

"No doubt, if I was them,'' Blackburn said. "We're not tackling well."

That's no way to operate when your playoff lives are on the line. The Giants missed 18 tackles against the Falcons, which is almost unfathomable.

"I know it was not good, and I know I was a contributor to that as well,'' Blackburn said. "Bad tackling, bad targets.

"We got to use our hands better when we wrap tackle and gang tackle. We can't have the solo tackles, leave guys on an island. We got to get more guys to the ball, especially with a guy we're gonna face this week like Ray Rice, who's gonna put his foot in the ground and come north and south.''

Rice is up to his usual running antics, already over 1,000 yards at 1,031, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, with nine rushing touchdowns and adding his usual flair as a pass-catcher with 55 receptions. His numbers are down a bit from a year ago, when he had an NFL-high 2,068 yards from scrimmage, but the former Rutgers product remains a durable, dependable threat. If given the smallest crack, he will devastate a suspect run defense.

"We cannot have missed tackles,'' Pierre-Paul said. "That is not football. That is poor tackling, and that is what we did. We have to go out there and wrap tackle. This is the NFL, we should know how to tackle by now.''

A year ago, the Giants began their march to another Super Bowl triumph, embarking on a six-game winning streak, by beating the Jets on Christmas Eve, with the defensive intensity kicked up several notches.

"I don't want to hear that,'' Pierre-Paul said. "To me that's all bullcrap. Know what I mean? Yeah, we have done it before, but this is a whole other year. Each year is a totally different year. You don't have the same guys on the team as last year. Who knows who is going to be here next year.

"We have to go out there this Sunday and play our hearts out, and hopefully we get in the next week's game after that against the Eagles and get into the playoffs.''

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:12:35 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/giants_must_wrap_up_vs_ravens_6K019jqngneqURVP85Y75L?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/giants_must_wrap_up_vs_ravens_6K019jqngneqURVP85Y75L?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559085 -1 false Jets Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:45:53 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/quarterback_challenge_uCFgaBMIkbzJOtByHxKgNL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/quarterback_challenge_uCFgaBMIkbzJOtByHxKgNL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084558931 -1 false By KIERAN CROWLEY and ALEX DICKINSON National

The nation's worst deadbeat dad made a tearful jailhouse call to the woman he owes more than $800,000 in child support, pleading for help to escape the "murderers and rapists" he now calls cellmates.

After a decade on the run, Robert Sand, 50 — who owes more than $1.2 million total in child support to two ex-wives on Long Island — was arrested in Los Angeles Monday and held without bail.

He was picked up at the LA airport after officials in the Philippines kicked him out of the country.

Lisa Sand, 52, Robert's first wife with whom he fathered two daughters, was his first call.

"He told me, 'There are murderers in here. There are rapists in here. You've got to get me out of here' — like I'm his personal assistant,'' Lisa told The Post.

"He was hysterically crying. He said, 'I want to make my life better. I screwed up my life.' "

Robert "literally went to the ends of the Earth to avoid paying child support," his ex added.

After their 1996 divorce, Sand remarried and had another child, before fleeing that family as well and heading to Thailand.

He also fathered a child in Thailand, officials said, and was in trouble with the law there while working as a motorcycle salesman.

He was deported from the Philippines for not possessing proper ID.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:19:23 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/deadbeat_dad_to_li_ex_help_me_cp9G55YQzCbGuCZCYqfYrK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/deadbeat_dad_to_li_ex_help_me_cp9G55YQzCbGuCZCYqfYrK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084558893 -1 false By RICH CALDER Brooklyn

Opponents of the bike lanes abutting Brooklyn's Prospect Park West will get their day in court.

An appellate panel ruled yesterday that Supreme Court Judge Bert Bunyan erred in August 2011 when he dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove the two-lane path. Bunyan tossed the suit on the technicality that it was filed late.

The case returns to Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:55:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/bike_ruling_ko_iEb3Pkyp706auDGMJYScNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/bike_ruling_ko_iEb3Pkyp706auDGMJYScNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4084558879 -1 false By JOSH SAUL Brooklyn

Two Brooklyn motor-vehicle inspectors were busted for allegedly forging emission tests for diesel trucks, authorities said yesterday.

Mark Asselta, 46, owner of a Bushwick repair shop, and Shlomo Freedman, 54, owner of a South Williamsburg shop, were arrested and arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday after an undercover investigation by the state Attorney General's Office.

The men allegedly gave safety and emission certificates to diesel trucks they hadn't even tested.

When undercover investigators drove a truck rigged to fail a test to each repair shop, the shops allegedly issued certification without performing any tests.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:18:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/shops_sins_of_emission_oF0svGjd4ms10WPJ9gbhtJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/shops_sins_of_emission_oF0svGjd4ms10WPJ9gbhtJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Brooklyn 5.10.4084558865 -1 false By ANDY SOLTIS Post Wire Services National

Sen. Affleck?

Ben Affleck, looking serious — and a bit congressional — visited Capitol Hill yesterday but refused to dampen speculation that he's considering running for a US Senate seat from Massachusetts.

"That's not what I'm here to talk about," the actor-director told Politico aftertestifying to the House Armed Services Committee about violence in Congo, the African nation he's visited regularly in recent years.

Later in the day the "Argo" star met privately with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and posed for photos with them and their chairman, Sen. John Kerry.

Kerry's seat would become vacant if he is named to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state when she resigns next month.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick would name a temporary replacement for Kerry until a special election is held for the Senate seat, probably in the late spring.

Affleck is among several people — including Ted Kennedy Jr. and former Sen. Scott Brown — said to be considering running for the seat Kerry has held since 1985.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:57:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/ben_argo_to_washington_S2wnly8TIpCUuTa1IL89VJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/ben_argo_to_washington_S2wnly8TIpCUuTa1IL89VJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4084558851 -1 false By ANTONIO ANTENUCCI Local

Cops busted a man outfitted as a Super Mario Brother yesterday in Times Square for allegedly groping a passer-by, law-enforcement sources said.

The incident happened on 42nd Street near Seventh Avenue at 5 p.m when Damon Torres, 34, who gets money from tourists taking pictures with him, grabbed the thigh of a 58-year-old woman, cops said.

The victim, who was not a tourist, headed straight for the police substation in Times Square.

Cops quickly found Torres and charged him with forcible touching and marijuana possession.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:09:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/super_mario_in_perv_bust_gzvBXrImJKxL8zgSEZOz1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/super_mario_in_perv_bust_gzvBXrImJKxL8zgSEZOz1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4084558837 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow stood about 25 feet away from each other in the Jets locker room Wednesday looking glum as they addressed the team's quarterback situation and fielded questions about their future.

Both wore the look of a man who would rather be anywhere else.

Since March 21 when the Jets acquired Tebow from the Broncos many suspected a moment like this would come when the entire quarterback experiment would explode in the faces of coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson.

The part no one foresaw — including the Jets quarterbacks — was that Greg McElroy, a seventh-round pick making $400,000, would be the one starting Sunday against the Chargers and the two first-round picks making millions would be sent to the bench.

The Jets could teach a class in how to screw up the quarterback position based on what they have done.

Right now they have a starting quarterback in McElroy no one in the organization envisions being a long-term solution. They have Sanchez, a player once thought of as a franchise quarterback who now looks like he has no confidence. And then there's Tebow, who is bewildered why the team traded for him and clearly wants out.

More importantly to Jets fans, the team's decision makers seem to be operating without a plan.

Getting answers from the Jets on how all of this happened is nearly impossible. Ryan has morphed into Eric Mangini, talking in circles and never giving a direct answer. Tannenbaum has declined to comment about the team's quarterback switch. A source said the decision to go with McElroy is because he's simply playing better than Tebow on the practice field.

It is hard to diagnose what the Jets will do in 2013 because it is unclear who will be making the call. Tannenbaum could be fired after this season, and Ryan looks like a defeated man who could be on his way out, too.

"I just kind of made a decision that in my gut I feel that the best thing for our football team is for Greg to be our quarterback now and that's how I feel about it," said Ryan in a typical response yesterday, failing to shed any light on his thought process for leapfrogging McElroy over Tebow.

The Jets will see if there is any trade market for Sanchez, hoping someone will take him off their hands. But a source estimated the Jets would have to eat at least $6 million of his $8.25 million to get a deal done. A league source said there is no trade market for Sanchez.

League sources believe the Jets will keep Sanchez because of his price tag ($8.25 million guaranteed in 2013 and at least a $12.4 million cap hit if released) and bring in a veteran as well as someone through the draft to compete with him. Tebow is definitely gone after this year, and McElroy could be as well.

Sanchez now gets added to the list — with Richard Todd, Ken O'Brien, Browning Nagle and Chad Pennington — of quarterbacks drafted by the Jets with the hope he could be the team's first true franchise quarterback since Joe Namath.

As recently as Nov. 2011, Ryan said Sanchez would be the starter for as long as he was the coach. Thirteen months, 11 losses and a rash of turnovers caused him to change his mind. People in the organization who have supported him since Day 1 are perplexed at why he has regressed since 2010.

Ryan shook his head yesterday when asked if the team misjudged Sanchez's ability when it took him with the fifth pick three years ago.

"It's not like he doesn't have the tools to do it," Ryan said. "That's why we did take him with the fifth overall pick."

The Jets are limited in whom they can bring in because they are going to have salary cap issues in 2013 and already have a $12 million cap figure at the position with Sanchez, even if he is cut.

A source said the idea of Michael Vick, who is expected to be released by the Eagles, coming to the Jets is highly unlikely if Sanchez remains with the team. Vick should command at least $10 million per season, too hefty a price tag for the Jets. Vick also sees himself as a starter. He is not interested in a competition.

Alex Smith could be the answer. The 49ers are expected to dump him in favor of Colin Kaepernick. League sources said Smith should get around $5 million per year as a free agent.

In the draft, the Jets probably would not use a first-round pick on a quarterback with tons of other needs. Tyler Wilson of Arkansas is a possibility in the second round.

McElroy is the eighth starting quarterback since 2004 for the Jets. The Patriots and Giants have had two each in that time with Matt Cassel starting for an injured Tom Brady in 2008 for New England and Kurt Warner starting Manning's rookie year as the quarterback.

The Jets' Super Bowl drought has now hit 44 years with no end in sight thanks to uncertainty at quarterback. The Jets have found a way to have three quarterbacks and still make it feel like they have none.

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/debacle_shows_jets_have_no_plan_ghepTwLozY4tCV2PiH9XwM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/debacle_shows_jets_have_no_plan_ghepTwLozY4tCV2PiH9XwM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084260831 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Running back Joe McKnight said he believes the lack of fan support for Mark Sanchez played a role in Jets coach Rex Ryan's decision to bench him.

"I think it did," McKnight said Wednesday. "Any time you're the starting quarterback and you're on the football field and you're trying to call plays and you got the people that are supposed to be rooting for you screaming for the other quarterback, that's kind of frustrating.That kind of takes you out of the game. And I think that's kind of made it tough for the coaches to make their decision."

McKnight played with Sanchez at USC and has been one of his biggest supporters.

**

The Jets placed rookie WR Stephen Hill on season-ending injured reserve. Hill sprained his right LCL in the win over the Jaguars on Dec. 9. Hill had 21 catches for 252 yards and three touchdowns. ... TE Dustin Keller (ankle), G Brandon Moore (foot, hip), WR Chaz Schilens (calf, ankle) and CB Aaron Berry (hamstring) did not practice. ... The team signed CB Donnie Fletcher off the practice squad.

**

Safety LaRon Landry signed a one-year contract with the Jets this year, mainly because he was coming off an Achilles' tendon injury that hurt his value. Now that he has played 14 games and nearly every play this year, Landry is looking for a long-term deal.

"Would I sign another one-year [contract] here? No. Not at all," Landry said.

Landry said he feels he has proven to teams he can stay out of the trainer's room.

"Can I stay healthy? I think I've answered that," he said.

Landry has some interesting offseason plans: "When it's over, I'll do what I do every year: Head back to Arizona, do my work, get big as [bleep], get fast as [bleep], get strong as [bleep]."

**

Chargers coach Norv Turner is likely going to be fired in San Diego. If the Jets fire offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, Turner is an obvious candidate. Yesterday, Turner said he would be open to returning to an assistant's role.

"I think people that know me know that I'm a coach," Turner said. "I like coaching. I want to coach. I think you get to a point where there are things that are important to you. If I continue to coach I want to be in a good situation, a place where you have an opportunity to win and be in a situation that there are coaches I've worked with and been around."

Turner and Ryan had a war of words last year when Ryan suggested he would have won the Super Bowl had he gotten the Chargers job instead of Turner in 2007. Turner said there are no hard feelings.

"I think Rex and I had a little tongue and cheek thing going on there," Turner said. "We've seen each other since and laughed about it. I think Rex knows the respect I have for him."

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/mcknight_fans_helped_push_rex_to_I9g6SvoLCseZSzWIJBYW8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/mcknight_fans_helped_push_rex_to_I9g6SvoLCseZSzWIJBYW8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084260854 -1 false By BILL SANDERSON National

Detectives believe there's another chapter to the horrific murder recounted in Truman Capote's classic book "In Cold Blood."

The bodies of remorseless killers Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, — hanged in 1965 for the 1959 slayings of Herb and Bonnie Clutter and their two children in Holcomb, Kan. — have been exhumed at the request of Florida authorities.

They are trying to link the murderous drifters to an eerily similar crime in the town of Osprey.

Samples from the killers' bone fragments will be tested in a Kansas laboratory against DNA evidence collected in the slayings of Cliff and Christine Walker and their two young kids.

The Clutter case was made famous in Capote's book and in several movies, including "Capote," a biopic about the author released in 2005.

But the Walker case is less known. The family was killed on Dec. 19, 1959, a little more than a month after the Clutters were slain.

Christine Walker was beaten and raped, and the couple's 2-year-old daughter was drowned in a bathtub. Then they were all shot.

Hickock and Smith have long been suspects in that slaying, and there's plenty of evidence against them, said Wendy Rose, spokeswoman for the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

"It's all little stuff, but it makes sense when you put the pieces together," she said.

Hickock and Smith checked out of a hotel in Miami early on the morning the Walkers were killed, and were later seen within 30 miles of Osprey.

The suspects worked as car mechanics, and a grease rag was found with Christine Walker's body, Rose said.

There's also evidence the Walkers had been interested in buying the car Hickcock and Smith were driving.

DNA testing has advanced to the point where it's now possible to test the old samples against evidence in the Florida case, including semen found on Christine Walker's underwear.

Although Hickock and Smith are long dead, Rose said there's legitimate reason to pursue the investigation.

"There were nearly 600 people on a list of suspects. There are some people whose names were in the paper quite prominently back in the day who would like their names cleared," she said.

"We have gotten e-mails from people who were friends or neighbors of the Walkers. They are thanking us for sticking with the case."

bsanderson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_cold_blood_echo_687gdcvxGZMSTIzKuLtRAK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_cold_blood_echo_687gdcvxGZMSTIzKuLtRAK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084143684 -1 false By GEORGETT ROBERTS and KIRSTAN CONLEY Manhattan

It was like taking candy from a baby.

More than $700 worth of valuables were stolen from a stroller outside a day-care center in Park Slope, Brooklyn, cops said yesterday.

An absent-minded mom left her personal items in the stroller on a front patio at 6 p.m. last Thursday as she picked up her child from day care on Seventh Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, police said.

The thief made off with a $350 iPhone 4S, a full tote bag, a $250 wallet, keys, identification and credit cards, cops said.

Someone tried to use one of the cards to purchase $100 worth of food at a pizzeria, but the card reader declined the purchase.

The 30-year-old victim called her phone, and a man who answered hung up. No arrests have been made.

The day-care owner said clients often leave their pricey strollers outside.

"There's another stroller they attempted to steal today," said the day-care owner, who gave her name only as Rita. "They saw a bag, took the bag, but the bag was empty, so they threw it out."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:55:56 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/stroller_rip_off_O8621RdItlCkM0aUNp4I5I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/stroller_rip_off_O8621RdItlCkM0aUNp4I5I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan 5.10.4084143425 -1 false By LAURENCE ARNOLD Bloomberg National

Robert Bork, the judge and legal scholar whose nomination to the US Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan set off a battle for the judiciary that lived on long after the Senate rejected him, has died. He was 85.

Bork died from complications of heart disease at an Arlington, Va., hospital.

His rejection by the Senate in 1987 established new rules for how prospective justices would be selected and vetted.

In nationally televised hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee delved into Bork's ideology, not just his legal qualifications or competence.

Advocacy groups paid for print and broadcast advertising as part of an unprecedented lobbying campaign against a Supreme Court nominee.

The battle lines formed soon after Reagan announced his selection of Bork, a judge on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), the committee chairman, said he would lead the fight against him.

"I don't have an open mind," the future vice president said.

"The reason I don't is that I know this man."

Bork had criticized civil-rights legislation that barred restaurants, hotels and other public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of race. He declared Roe vs. Wade "an unconstitutional decision," and he criticized a Supreme Court decision that permitted married couples to buy contraception.

The full Senate's 58-42 defeat of Bork on Oct. 23 was mostly along party lines, with six Republicans opposing him and two Democrats backing him.

Bork's first wife, Claire, died in 1980. They had three children, Charles, Ellen and Robert Jr. In 1982, Bork married Mary Ellen Pohl.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bork_dies_at_uOlJW2VvRPP5AEHHi7HWKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bork_dies_at_uOlJW2VvRPP5AEHHi7HWKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084143345 -1 false By DOUG AUER, NATASHA VELEZ, KIRSTAN CONLEY and JESSICA SIMEONE NYPD Blotter

Manhattan

Police are looking for the teen suspect pictured who allegedly attacked a woman and snatched her iPhone in a Washington Heights subway station.

Tamek Skinner, 17, walked up behind the 37-year-old woman in the West 157th Street No. 1 station at around 6:45 a.m. on July 13, police said.

He allegedly ripped the phone out of her hand, pushed her to the ground and fled.

The Bronx

Police arrested a suspected gunman in the slaying of a man at a West Farms housing project, authorities said.

Jamel Hunter, 30, allegedly blasted Paris Thomas, 20, several times on Nov. 30 at the city housing complex on East 178th Street, police said.

Thomas was taken to St. Barnabus Hospital, where he died, authorities said.

Hunter was nabbed at 2 p.m. Tuesday on charges of murder, manslaughter, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Queens

The suspect pictured assaulted two women on a subway train after they refused his advances, cops said.

The suspect and the women were on board an N train near the Broadway station in Astoria at 4 a.m. last Thursday, police said.

The first victim, 27, was seated when the suspect approached, cops said.

After some small talk, he tried putting his arm around her but she rebuffed him.

He got instantly angry and punched her in the face, cops said.

He then approached another woman, cops said.

When that victim rebuffed his advances, he clocked her in the face, too, cops said.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 40s, cops said.

***

A pedestrian was killed early yesterday by a hit-run driver in Rosedale, authorities said.

The 31-year-old victim was crossing Francis Lewis Boulevard at 246th Street at around 3:15 a.m. when the car mowed him down at high speed, cops said.

The victim was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died, police said.

There have been no arrests, and police have no description of the vehicle.

***

Police are looking for the teen suspect who allegedly accosted and attempted to rob a straphanger at the Main Street terminal of the No. 7 subway line in Flushing, cops said.

The suspect tried to steal the backpack of the 25-year-old victim in the station at around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 11, cops said.

The victim fought back, the two struggled for the backpack and the would-be thief ran off empty-handed from the mezzanine area of the packed station, cops said.

Staten Island

A mugger stabbed a 27-year-old man in Port Richmond early yesterday, police sources said.

The suspect approached the victim at Post and Port Richmond avenues at around 12:30 a.m. and barked, "Give me your money!" in Spanish, the sources said.

He then stabbed the victim with a sharp object and fled with the man's wallet and an undisclosed sum of money, the sources added.

The victim took himself to Richmond University Medical Center and reported the attack to cops at 3:30 a.m., according to the sources.

***

Two cheapskate brothers tried to mug a Chinese-food deliveryman at knifepoint in South Beach, authorities said.

Michael Sanchez, 23, and Dominick Sanchez, 18, allegedly ambushed the victim delivering food to an address on Ocean Avenue down the block from their home at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to court papers, Dominick pulled out two dollars, but the deliveryman told him the food cost more.

In response, Michael pulled out a blade, menaced the victim and barked, "Motherf--ker!" the court documents add.

The victim dropped the food and fled.

The suspects were collared an hour later at their home, cops said.

Brooklyn

A man was shot to death in Coney Island last night, police said.

The 23-year old victim was found shot multiple times on the sidewalk at West 36th Street and Neptune Avenue at about 6:15 p.m., police said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_iCatM52t8QDBYCFvlCdEEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=NYPD Blotter http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_iCatM52t8QDBYCFvlCdEEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=NYPD Blotter 5.10.4084142953 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Former Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins fired shots at his old teammate Mark Sanchez last night on "Inside the NFL."

Jenkins said that Sanchez had a strong team around him in his first two years but did not improve.

"What Sanchez has to take responsibility for is during the time that he could have gotten better he wanted to sit back," said Jenkins.

Jenkins played with Sanchez in 2009-10, the two years the Jets made the AFC Championship game.

"He wanted to pose for magazines, worry about his haircuts and do all of that stuff. ... I'm just saying, from what I saw him do, it was a lot better than what it is now."

"But he coasted. They coddled him. That was what was going on. This is a man's profession. You have to man up at some point in time and take care."

Jenkins said he does not think Sanchez should be a Jet next year.

"I think that if you leave Sanchez in that locker room he is going to become a bad apple ... And the locker room has been fragile for the past two years," Jenkins said.

* The Jets tried out kicker Harvard Rugland on Tuesday, according to a source. Rugland is a Norwegian 28-year-old best known for his trick-kicking video on YouTube.

* Never put anything past the Jets.

coz73@comcast.net

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jenkins_slams_sanchez_krW9k4iN8vBTq6rKcpdMAO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jenkins_slams_sanchez_krW9k4iN8vBTq6rKcpdMAO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4083808781 -1 false By CANDACE AMOS Brooklyn

A 9-year-old girl riding her scooter in Brooklyn last night was struck in a three-car accident and pinned beneath one of the vehicles — but was rescued by good Samaritans who lifted the car off her, authorities and witnesses said.

Tawaiian Holmes (inset) was scooting on the sidewalk as her mother walked beside her when a livery cab struck a sedan and an SUV at Livonia and Rockaway avenues in Brownsville.

One of the cars mounted the sidewalk and ran over Tawaiian, who got trapped.

"She just kept saying, 'Mommy, I love you. Help me. I don't want to die. Am I going to see my friend,' " her mother, E-Zara Paul, 32, told The Post.

At least seven men at a nearby check-cashing business ran out when they heard the thunderous crash at about 7:30 p.m.

"We were all standing in the cashing place and then we heard a loud boom. Then another boom," said Keith Anderson.

"We ran outside and we saw the mother. She was yelling, 'My baby, my baby!' " said Anderson, 51.

Another of the heroes, Arthur Lane, 41, said the child was calm despite her terrible pain.

"She was conscious. She was just looking up at us saying, 'Please get this car off of me.' "

The men managed to lift the vehicle off the child.

"On the second lift, the mother slid her out from under the car," Anderson said.

"The girl's legs were twisted up in an 'X' formation. I never saw anything like this in my life," he said.

Another pedestrian was struck amid the mayhem.

"He tried to walk, but he couldn't and he just fell down," Lane said.

Six victims — including Tawaiian — were rushed to area hospitals.

Tawaiian, a fourth-grader, suffered two broken legs and a broken pelvis, her mother said.

"I think the men who helped are awesome," Paul said.

"I thank God they were there because she could have died. She was pinned under the car from her neck to her toes."

None of the other victims was seriously hurt, authorities said.

Police sources said the driver of the livery cab was arrested. Charges were pending early today.

Additional reporting by Larry Celona and Antonio Antenucci

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:16:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/heroes_amid_chaos_iy8iOMzI1bp6SEOd30YomL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/heroes_amid_chaos_iy8iOMzI1bp6SEOd30YomL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4083808453 -1 false By SABRINA FORD, JESSICA SIMEONE and ALEX DICKINSON Local

A deranged Hamilton Heights man, fearing he was under a "voodoo spell," fatally beat his grandmother yesterday with a fake elephant tusk and then bashed a cop in the head with it as the officer tried to arrest him, officials said.

Dominick Anderson, 27, allegedly bashed his 62-year-old grandmother, Beverly Holmes, during the 8 a.m. attack in a building on St. Nicholas Avenue and West 145th Street, police said.

"Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" cried Anderson's distraught mother, Mary Anderson, after witnessing the attack.

"My son has psychiatric problems. He thinks my mother is doing the voodoo on him," she told The Post. "He needs help."

Mary Anderson said her son had found a doll and photos of himself in Holmes' closet while doing Christmas cleaning on Monday.

The discovery made him think his grandma was casting "voodoo" spells.

"That's where she goes and does her chanting every morning," Anderson said. "Dominick took that doll and threw it away. He said, 'I can't believe my own family is trying to do this to me.' "

After the attack began, horrified neighbors flagged down cops, who barged in and tried to wrestle Anderson off his grandmother.

Anderson allegedly whacked Officer Michiell Matos in the head with the plastic tusk, which is believed to have come from a statue.

The raging suspect was as hard to take down as a bull elephant, requiring five other officers and a blast of pepper spray, police said.

Holmes was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where she died.

Mato had a CAT-scan at St. Luke's Hospital for a possible head injury before being released.

The other officers all were treated for bumps and scratches.

Mary Anderson said Dominick has a 5-year-old daughter and is a "father figure" in the tight-knit family.

She said he used to go to therapy and split his time between the Hamilton Heights home and his girlfriend's place while doing "odd household jobs" for people in the neighborhood."Dominick is a very good kid," she said. "What 26-year-old do you know who helps their mother clean up, run errands? Dominick does all that. It's a family tragedy."

Dominick had been due to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

He was initially charged with attempted murder and resisting arrest. A police source said upgraded charges are expected against Anderson, pending autopsy results.

Additional reporting by Antonio Antenucci

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/tusk_slay_horror_8jS0WqT6Eou5gSWVzrJz7M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/tusk_slay_horror_8jS0WqT6Eou5gSWVzrJz7M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083808045 -1 false By PEDRO OLIVEIRA JR. Local

Two new breeds will compete at next year's Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, officials said yesterday.

The Russell terrier and the treeing Walker coonhound will bring the total of breeds and varieties in February's competition to 187.

The Westminster Kennel Club, which determines eligibility, said it considers breeds for recognition if they show sufficient numbers, geographic distribution and an active parent club.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:47:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/westminster_breed_ing_like_crazy_ySoEPuO39iX0LpxUfB6SyK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/westminster_breed_ing_like_crazy_ySoEPuO39iX0LpxUfB6SyK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083725367 -1 false Post wire services Weird But True

Anybody have change for a $500 million?

A man in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was busted for trying to pass off a counterfeit $500 million bill — but he won't serve any time.

Judge William Dimitrouleas, calling the offense "laughable,'' said, "It doesn't promote respect for the law to send somebody to prison . . . for doing something so silly and outrageous.''

The biggest bill circulated today is $100, but at one time, the government printed $10,000 notes.

***

"The Philharmonic will now perform the 'Concerto for Violin, Trumpet and Hand Fart.' ''

An anonymous Canadian has become an Internet sensation by using his hands to squeeze out popular and classical music.

His repertoire ranges from Pink Floyd's 1979 "Comfortably Numb,'' to Johann Pachebel's "Canon in D Major,'' written sometime before 1700.

***

Some good news and bad news for people waiting for gasoline prices to come down.

Scientists have discovered a huge oil field, containing an astonishing 155,238,095,238,095,250,000 barrels of oil.

Only one problem: It's 1,300 light years from Earth, in the Horsehead Nebula Galaxy.

***

Speaking of energy . . .

England's Big Pit National Coal Museum has installed 200 solar panels.

The museum says the move will save it about $650,000 over 25 years

***

He was a bit overdressed for the occasion.

A frugal flier, trying to save costs for excess baggage, wore every item of clothing he was taking on a plane from China to Kenya.

In his various pockets were batteries, flash drives and assorted electronic items.

The man — described as looking like a sumo wrestler — was wearing 60 shirts and nine pairs of jeans.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:24:40 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/weird_but_true/weird_but_true_EZpvAqL7UOC4eUa4BUV6bP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Weird But True http://www.nypost.com/p/news/weird_but_true/weird_but_true_EZpvAqL7UOC4eUa4BUV6bP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Weird But True 5.10.4083721169 -1 false By ZACH BRAZILLER Basketball

St. John's loss is Rider's gain.

Nurideen Lindsey, the dynamic guard who transferred nine games into his Red Storm career after a scintillating start, is off to a similarly solid beginning with Rider.

Lindsey initially committed to Arkansas, but changed his mind and picked Rider, surprising many since he has always been considered a high Division I talent from his days as a prolific scorer at Overbrook High in Philadelphia.

Lindsey said Rider is the perfect fit for him. He left St. John's to be closer to his family in Philadelphia — though there were reports he wanted to be the team's primary offensive option, which he has denied — where he can tend to his ill mother, Gina Schenck, with Rider just a 40-minute drive away in Lawrenceville, N.J. Red Storm head coach Steve Lavin's absence as he recovered from prostate cancer surgery was also a factor, Lindsey said.

"I've been able to focus a lot better," said Lindsey, who has lost two brothers to murder and a good friend to cancer. "It's very important. My mom is my biggest supporter."

He is the face of a program looking to get back to post-season play for the first time in three years and reach its first NCAA Tournament in over a decade. He has developed a close bond with first-year head coach Kevin Baggett, who made him feel comfortable by immediately "trying to coach me, being there when I needed help, somebody I could call and talk to," he said. "He took the initiative to put me under his wing when I got here, to make me feel like this is my home for the next two years."

Lindsey is averaging 12.5 points per game for Rider (6-5), which visits Princeton tonight. The versatile and electric 6-foot-3 guard got off to a roaring start, scoring 26 points apiece in a season-opening win over Robert Morris and loss at South Carolina. He has struggled in recent games, battling turnover and foul woes. A natural slasher at his best in transition, Lindsey has worked dutifully on his perimeter shot, and it shows to the tune of him shooting just over 41 percent from beyond the arc.

"His will to win is unbelievable," Baggett said. "These guys really rally around him. He's been good for our program, does everything I ask him to do."

Lavin considered it a win-win for both parties. Lindsey is more comfortable at Rider, near his family in Philadelphia, while St. John's has moved on without the dynamic guard.

At the time, Lindsey's departure looked like a crushing blow to the program, one of the team's oldest players bolting before Big East play began. Yet, it created opportunities for then freshman guards D'Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene IV.

"I'm sure D'Angelo and Phil's development have been accelerated because Nurideen moved on to Rider," Lavin said.

Lavin also pointed out that St. John's wouldn't have talented Texas A&M transfer Jamal Branch on its roster, either, if Lindsey didn't leave. Branch, a pass-first point guard who should make an immediate impact, will make his Red Storm debut against UNC-Asheville tomorrow.

Neither side has any ill-will toward the other. Lindsey said he still talks with Lavin and his former teammates every few weeks, calling them his "brothers."

"You want young people to be happy and in a situation that is a great fit for them," Lavin said. "Rider is a great fit for Nurideen."

zbraziller@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/rider_not_the_storm_maNl6VjOTAGFARJmTqAyaP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Basketball http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/rider_not_the_storm_maNl6VjOTAGFARJmTqAyaP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Basketball 5.10.4083701526 -1 false By KIERAN CROWLEY Local

All they want for Christmas is their stolen pooch.

Coldhearted thieves burglarized a Long Island home, stealing cash, trashing the place — and swiping the family's beloved Maltese-dachshund mix named Joey.

"Our Christmas wish is to have Joey home!'' said a distraught Donna Labriola, a mother of three heartbroken kids.

The return of the 13-pound pup was at the top of 10-year-old daughter Maria's Christmas list — in capital letters.

"I cried when I saw her Christmas list. She wants Joey home,'' said Labriola. "We all do.''

Long Island police are now asking the public to keep an eye out for Joey — who is tan and cream-colored and has black or gray on the tips of his ears and tail — in an effort to reunite him with the family and hopefully solve the crime.

Labriola, 48, said she's even consulted with an animal psychic in a effort to find Joey. The seer believes the pet is in one of the five boroughs.

The crooks broke into the West Islip house Oct. 23 and made off with more than $1,200 in cash — including $65 that Labriola's daughter earned walking dogs in the neighborhood — and more than $15,000 worth of jewelry.

"They broke in through a basement window, and they turned the whole house upside down,'' said Labriola. "They broke a pipe in the basement and flooded the house.

"The house can be repaired, and what they stole is just property. We only care about Joey."

Labriola said it's unlikely Joey tried to chase the robbers away. "He would probably have welcomed anybody,'' she said. "He's very friendly.''

The incident has impacted the family's other dog, Ceasar, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd, who was helpless inside a cage during the incident.

"Ceasar was totally traumatized,'' said Labriola. "It's almost like he let Joey down, and he didn't want to do that again.''

The mom and her three daughters searched the neighborhood trying to find Joey, who also answers to Jojo, thinking the crooks simply let him run free.

But when no one reported seeing him, they realized he'd been taken and called the police.

Labriola believes the thieves gave away the friendly dog t— worth about $1,000 — to someone who didn't know he had been stolen.

Suffolk County cops encouraged anyone who has seen Joey to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 220-TIPS.

Labriola said Joey has two ribs that protrude on either side, a harmless birth defect that would identify him because he had no collar or identification chip in his ear.

"This is highly unusual for burglars to take a pet. I could not speculate as to why they took the dog,'' Suffolk Detective Sgt. Tony Lavista.

"He's a cute little guy. Our hearts go out to the 10-year-old daughter, obviously. We're trying."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:10:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/dognapper_hits_home_eeni5iYAWuXUndflYAb6jO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/dognapper_hits_home_eeni5iYAWuXUndflYAb6jO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083701411 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR and JULIA MARSH Local

A socialite train wreck beat up her "sober coach" so badly that the woman is awaiting a spinal fusion, a Manhattan lawsuit claims.

Joselyn Wohl, 32, daughter of New York real-estate titan Larry Wohl, "yanked her down a flight of [concrete] stairs, then was on top of her, choking her," said Bryan Swerling, Heather McKean's lawyer.

Law-enforcement sources told The Post that Joselyn Wohl was charged with assault and that a warrant for her arrest was issued following the March 5 incident in the Hamptons.

Joselyn, her dad and his wife, Denise Wohl, are named in the suit because they were "aware of [their] daughter's propensity for violence," court papers say.

McKean was a glorified baby sitter for Joselyn, who'd been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Swerling told The Post.

McKean was living in the Wohl's Southampton pad when Joselyn snapped, the suit alleges. "Joselyn wanted to go out and do something not in her best interest, and Heather was trying to talk her down," said Swerling. "Heather began to walk up the stairs. She felt a tug on the back of her shirt, and it was Joselyn attacking her."

McKean has received physical therapy for injuries to her back and leg and has a spinal operation scheduled, Swerling said.

The Wohls did not return calls for comment.

julia.marsh@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:16:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rich_girl_smackdown_suit_eMKUjGzbESLapBN6i1RErN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rich_girl_smackdown_suit_eMKUjGzbESLapBN6i1RErN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083208785 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR Local

It was hell on wheels.

A woman was killed and 33 other people were injured in a massive chain-reaction smashup on the Long Island Expressway yesterday after a big-rig driver lost control of his truck.

The 18-wheeler — carrying Sandy debris — smashed into several cars heading eastbound at Exit 68 in Yaphank at around 2:50 p.m. before bursting into flames.

"It looked like something from an action movie," said witness Mike Jiminez, 24, of Flanders.

"I was going the opposite way, and the cars were just flying all over the place."

Nearly 40 vehicles were involved. Injured drivers were spread among three hospitals.

Police did not release the name of the driver who died, but said she was a 68-year-old woman from Blue Point.

Two people — Nicki Boralli, 20, and Sean Shilling, 37 — were choppered to Stony Brook University Medical Center in critical condition. The rest of the injuries were not life-threatening.

PHOTOS: L.I.E. CRASH

Two cars caught fire in addition to the truck, but the fatality was not in one one of those vehicles.

Jiminez said that the truck driver, Raymond Simoneau from Vermont, exited his vehicle as its engine exploded.

"The guy barely got out," he said. "He had to go right through the flames to make it from the front, the cab. Whoever that guy is is lucky to be alive."

Another witness, Danny Gershonowitz, said he saw the truck driver kick out his windshield to escape after several people tried unsuccessfully to open his door.

A tow-truck driver pulled another occupied vehicle away from the blazing big rig.

The metal- and glass-strewn roadway resembled a demolition-derby site. Traffic was closed for hours in both directions.

Suffolk police have not pinpointed why the truck driver lost control and are investigating.

A source said that a construction zone roughly three-quarters of a mile ahead of the crash site reduced the lanes from three to one and that the truck might have smashed into braking cars.

"When I ran back up to the scene, I was afraid to see what I was going to find," Gershonowitz said. "I was sure there would be multiple fatalities. Thank God there weren't."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/horrifying_dead_end_on_the_8BbnJmdXOJjltiCqBm1BAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/horrifying_dead_end_on_the_8BbnJmdXOJjltiCqBm1BAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083208659 -1 false By KIRSTAN CONLEY Queens

A Queens woman allegedly pretended to be a doctor and performed a butt-lift operation on a patient, who became seriously ill after the operation, cops said.

The 40-year-old victim paid suspect Liliana Coello $2,500 for a rounder derriere and underwent a procedure at Coello's 157th Street home on Nov. 3, sources aid.

Several days later, the woman's backside became infected, and she ended up in the hospital, sources said.

Coello was slapped with charges of assault, reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession, sources said. Cops said they confiscated her tools and charged her with criminal possession of a weapon.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:41:37 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/fake_doc_butt_toxic_cops_qeGzHzR0GlbnWKMQLWzzhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/fake_doc_butt_toxic_cops_qeGzHzR0GlbnWKMQLWzzhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens 5.10.4083208553 -1 false Football Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:49:33 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/college_bowl_glance_kld2O4ARD8MvFFoNbBRqaI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Football http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/college_bowl_glance_kld2O4ARD8MvFFoNbBRqaI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Football 5.10.4083208537 -1 false By SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

Take from the rich and give to the less rich.

That's city Comptroller John Liu's plan, as outlined in a State of the City speech he will give today.

Liu wants to cut Madison Square Garden's $15 million annual property-tax break.

And he proposes cutting tax breaks for developers and making private equity firms pay unincorporated business tax for carried interest or gains from assets held for investment, worth about $200 million a year.

To help smaller firms, he wants to eliminate the corporation tax for all businesses with liabilities of less than $5,000 to save companies about $200 million in city revenue.

Businesses that earn less than $250,000 a year would be exempt from the city's unincorporated business tax under his plan.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:40:56 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/liu_ax_big_firms_tax_breaks_4Nu1xSceLH2EmJY7SnfLyH?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/liu_ax_big_firms_tax_breaks_4Nu1xSceLH2EmJY7SnfLyH?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083208499 -1 false Local Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:27:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/shattered_qS6wPLlh5xHLdXfwsujRCP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/shattered_qS6wPLlh5xHLdXfwsujRCP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083208483 -1 false Page Six Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:39:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/olivia_culpo_i24lHle2TN6neP02nsN6BO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/olivia_culpo_i24lHle2TN6neP02nsN6BO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six 5.10.4083208443 -1 false By FRED KERBER Nets

Mike Woodson has done something no coach ever has done.

He's told J.R. Smith not to hesitate when he shoots.

"Other than Coach Woodson, I've never been told I was hesitating," Smith said with a smile after shooting 7 of 11 and scoring 19 points last night in the Knicks' 100-86 win over the Nets at the Garden.

"They say I've never seen a shot I didn't like, and I've been trying to live up to his expectations," Smith said. "On the defensive end more than anything. The offensive end has been kind of easy."

No complaints anywhere last night. Smith, in addition to scoring, had three assists, five rebounds and just one turnover.

"He bounced back from the other night," Woodson said. "He and I had a conversation about his last game and we had an opportunity to work on the floor [Tuesday]. I thought he was very focused when he stepped on the floor, and it carried through the game. I couldn't be more proud of the way the young man played."

And Smith did all he was asked — and even what he wasn't asked to do. He kept his cool in the first quarter on a little rough play with Kris Humphries, who drew a technical foul.

"I didn't realize they were going to call a technical. It was just being physical, going for the ball," Smith said. "I didn't think he deserved a tech."

Smith now has shot 14 of 24 (.583) after a shaky eight-game run of 40 of 124 (.323).

"Coach just didn't want me to hesitate," Smith said. "Take less dribbles, be more efficient on the offensive end and take better shots."

Done. Done. Done. And then so were the Nets.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/smith_finally_finds_his_shot_qm6p6J7w8j79Var2cOXVxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Nets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/smith_finally_finds_his_shot_qm6p6J7w8j79Var2cOXVxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Nets 5.10.4083208405 -1 false By ANTHONY AFFRUNTI Horse Racing

FIRST-6f; $17,000; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO

6-Nev's Cat 5-22-HandsomeSct12-13-CarefullyWrded7-24-He's Got Brass20-17-Hop Sing 3-15-Etbauer's Roux 8-11-Ferno 3-1

SECOND-6f; $17,000;cl($7,500); 3up

1-Pandering 3-15-Sixoeight 5-14-Moon On Fire 7-26-Trukarma 12-13-Tully's Dreamer9-27-Primal Jones 8-12-The Hidden Ace9-28-Boss M 10-1

THIRD-6f; $19,000; cl($10,000); 3up

5-Hard Case 3-13-Herecomesbert5-11-InJack'sMemry4-14-Boltronic 6-16-Kajiwara 7-27-Elusive Action 10-12-Stray Dog 5-1

FOURTH-5f(T); $21,000; cl($25,000); 3up; (f&m)

4-Cheshire Kitty 12-13-Johnny'sLegacy5-16-Gibes 3-15-ToastiesChoce12-18-Cajun Diva 4-17-De Rascal 9-21-Wild Dixie 6-19-Look Royal 12-12-MaidfLghtenng6-1

FIFTH-1m&70y; $14,000; cl($5,000); 3up

4-Conner Can 3-12-What Secret 12-15-Burn Rate 5-16-Mystical Friend6-13-Walk Easy 7-27-Ricky Bobby 9-21-J R'sWildEvent10-18-Dapple Down 8-1

SIXTH-5f(T); $41,000; alw opt clm; 3up

1-Gar 5-17-Tauphine Pass 8-14-CajunPersuasin9-58-Glenda'sMahal8-16-RoyalityRedCt12-19-Ide's Crown 20-12-Richmar 8-110-PreachinDeacn8-13-Chief Ted 4-111-PantaraPhntm4-15-Killing Me 12-1

SEVENTH-6f; $19,000; cl($15,000); 2YO

2-Solar Night 5-14-SequoyahWells9-26-Shockman 5-25-Katillac Charm 8-13-Go Lil Tiger 4-17-Two Third Bird15-11-I'm in a Hurry 7-2

EIGHTH-1 1/16m(T); $45,000; mdn spcl; 3up

6-Empire Taker 8-14-Cowhand 4-11-Majestic Lite 3-17-Cool Street 6-15-Madris 9-28-Laugh It Off 6-12-South to theSea8-19-VperyodSeryg15-13-New Ruler 20-110-Flashy Sunrise 3-1

NINTH-6f; $25,000; cl($30,000); 3up; (f&m)

8-BarbadosBeaty5-23-WhteJsmneTw12-16-Take Interest 9-24-She'sabrees 12-11-Witty Gal 9-55-Dncngverthele10-12-Janis's Joy 6-17-Lastochka 12-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:38:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/affrunti_at_fair_grounds_graded_Uh9fPuceWUYptuMQVZyyXN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/affrunti_at_fair_grounds_graded_Uh9fPuceWUYptuMQVZyyXN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208391 -1 false More Sports

NBA: Thunder notch 12th straight victory

Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as the Thunder (21-4) held off the Hawks, 100-92, for their 12th straight win. Russell Westbrook added 27 points — 21 in the first half — and 11 assists for Oklahoma City. ... Blake Griffin scored 18 points as the Clippers (19-6) beat the Hornets 93-77 for their franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory.

Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half, hitting 10 of his 11 shots after halftime in the Celtics' 103-91 win over the Cavaliers. ... James Harden had 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a 125-103 victory over the 76ers.

NCAA: Kelly named AP coach of the year

Brian Kelly, who led Notre Dame into the BCS championship for the first time, was voted Associated Press college football coach of the year. He received 25 votes from the AP college football poll panel. Also receiving votes were Penn State's Bill O'Brien, Stanford's David Shaw, Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin , Kansas State's Bill Snyder and Alabama's Nick Saban. O'Brien was named the Maxwell Football Club coach of the year after the first-year head coach guided the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record under unprecedented circumstances.

MLB: Diamondbacks hire Sax as coach

Steve Sax was hired by the Diamondbacks as their first base coach. Sax, 52, was a five-time All-Star second baseman for the Dodgers, Yankees and two other teams. He has been a professional speaker on motivation and leadership since he ritired in 1994.

Jeff Francis completed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to remain with the Rockies, a deal that allows the 31-year-old left-hander to double his income if he pitches 210 innings.

College Hoops: Edwin leads Seton Hall

Senior guard Fuquan Edwin scored 19 points to lead Seton Hall to an easy 79-61 victory over Longwood. The win was the fourth in a row for the Pirates (9-2), while the Lancers (3-9) lost their second straight. Besides Edwin, the Pirates got 13 points from Brian Oliver, who had been practically invisible in the past three games, and 11 points and eight rebounds from freshman Kevin Johnson.

Desi Washington scored 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting to lead St. Peter's to an 80-67 victory over LIU Brooklyn. The Blackbirds played without leading scorer Julian Boyd, who tore his ACL in the victory against Rice on Dec. 12. He will miss the rest of the season.

Sheldon McClellan scored 18 points, leading three Texas players in double figures in an 85-67 win over No. 23 North Carolina. After the game, Texas coach Rick Barnes would not directly comment on a report that guard Myck Kabongo will be suspended by the NCAA for the rest of the season. According to Yahoo! Sports, Kabongo will be banned following an investigation into the sophomore's relationship with Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James.

GOLF: McIlroy voted player of the year

Rory McIlroy was the near unanimous choice as the best male player by the Golf Writers Association of America. McIlroy received 190 out of the 194 votes cast by GWAA members. Three votes went to FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, and the other went to Tiger Woods.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:41:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/sports_shorts_SIzshqOngDMj73a1X5oUAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/sports_shorts_SIzshqOngDMj73a1X5oUAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4083208377 -1 false Horse Racing

FIRST-6f; $10,000; cl($8,000); 3up; (f&m)

2Proms M Jy (Butlr)3.402.602.103Thoarra (Coa)5.203.006Swift Feather (Parker)2.20

Scr: Eclectic Run.* Exacta (2-3) $15.60 * $1 Superfecta (2-3-6-8) $58.50 * Trifecta (2-3-6) $32.20

Winner picked by Affrunti

SECOND-1m&40y; $21,400; alw opt clm; 3up

3Thnk U Phlpp (Grc)4.802.602.204Generalssmo (DeLaCruz)4.403.206Bold Captain (Parker)3.80

Scr: Argentine Tango.* Double (2-3) $10.60 * Exacta (3-4) $22.40 * $1 Superfecta (3-4-6-5) $98.40 * Trifecta (3-4-6) $68.60

THIRD-5 1/2f; $20,000; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

6Rammer (Garcia)3.202.202.107Master Jordan (DeLCruz)4.603.604Falsely Alarmed (Santos)3.20

Scr: Imperial Bluegrazz, Recriminate.* Pick 3 (2-3-6) $20.20 * Conso Pick 3 (2-3-3) $14.80 *Double (3-6) $11.60 * Exacta (6-7) $20.40 * $1 Superfecta (6-7-4-1) $94.50 * Trifecta (6-7-4) $64.80 * Conso Double (3-3) $4.40

FOURTH-7f; $9,000; cl($5,000); 3up

2Gott Go Gld (Cntn)5.203.802.801Jhnny Tw by Fur (AllnJr.)3.803.008Alex's Vision (Parker)3.20

* Pick 3 (3-6-2) $35.00 *Conso Pick 3 (3-3-2) $23.00 * Double (6-2) $16.60 * Exacta (2-1) $18.40 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-8-7) $82.60 * Trifecta (2-1-8) $80.80 * $1 X-5 Super High Five (2-1-8-7-5) $141.40

FIFTH-6f; $9,000; mdn cl($8,000); 3up; (f&m)

5Lv M Or Els (DLCrz)6.403.403.009Dnel's Flower (Rodrguz)7.805.801La Belle Province (Allen,Jr.)7.20

* Pick 3 (6-2-5) 3 Correct $47.80 * Double (2-5) $24.40 * Exacta (5-9) $53.80 * $1 Superfecta (5-9-1-2) $1,173.70 * Trifecta (5-9-1) $514.80 Winner picked by Affrunti

SIXTH-7f; $14,000; mdn cl($25,000); 2YO; (f)

8Ghst Flwr (DLCrz)7.203.002.403Raver (Pedroza)2.402.109Tallymoor (Santiago)4.00

Scr: Airtime.* Pick 4 (3/6/8-2-5-8) 4 Correct $241.40 * Pick 3 (2-5-8) 3 Correct $113.60 * Daily Double (5-8) $39.00 * Exacta (8-3) $21.20 * $1 Superfecta (8-3-9-5) $292.40 * Trifecta (8-3-9) $92.00

Exacta picked by Affrunti

SEVENTH-1 1/8m(T); $18,500; cl($16,000); 3up; (f&m)

1Butterdsh (Cedno)10.004.803.806My Estelle (Spieth)7.805.6010Lets Go Donna (Serpa)7.80

Scr: Sarafina, Robin des Concorde.* Pick 3 (5-8-1) 3 Correct $178.60 * Daily Double (8-1) $38.20 * Exacta (1-6) $94.20 * $1 Superfecta (1-6-10-9) $2,031.70 * Trifecta (1-6-10) $1,005.80

EIGHTH-1 1/16m; $12,000; cl($6,250); 3up

3Prechr Buck (Mjs)48.4019.6011.007Skp to the North (Sntgo)5.604.206Bucks Wink (Vargas)7.60

* Pick 3 (8-1-3) 3 Correct $930.80 * Daily Double (1-3) $318.80 * Exacta (3-7) $290.60 * $1 Superfecta (3-7-6-2) $10,306.80 * Trifecta (3-7-6) $3,939.60

NINTH-1m(T); $20,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up; (f&m)

2Som Lgs (Curtolo)9.204.403.407Single (Coa)3.202.809Homestead (Centeno)3.00

Scr: Gold Empire, Abitya, Empire Desire, West Pointer, Highland Dancer.* Pick 3 (1-3-2) 3 Correct $1,129.20 * Daily Double (3-2) $420.20 * Exacta (2-7) $31.40 * $1 Superfecta (2-7-9-3) $123.10 * Trifecta (2-7-9) $76.80 Trifecta picked by Affrunti

TENTH-1m&40y; $10,300; cl($8,000); 3up

5Spd Lghtnng (Cdn)9.405.603.602Flying Aptitude (Garcia)7.804.807Sooner (DeLaCruz)8.00

Scr: Be My Frankenstein.* $1 Pick 5 (8-1-3-2-5) 4 Correct $128.40 * Pick 4 (1-3-2-5) 4 Correct $23,239.40 * Pick 3 (3-2-5) 3 Correct $3,094.60 * Daily Double (2-5) $48.40 * Exacta (5-2) $77.00 * $1 Superfecta (5-2-7-4) $1,792.40 * Trifecta (5-2-7) $758.20

Double picked by Affrunti

Attendance 2,182.

Total Handle $3,108,226.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:38:07 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tampa_bay_downs_results_EXUl6fH2zsRIxHxOKOumhM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tampa_bay_downs_results_EXUl6fH2zsRIxHxOKOumhM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208363 -1 false By CANDICE M. GIOVE and SUSAN EDELMAN Manhattan

A top administrator at CUNY's Zicklin School of Business pleaded guilty yesterday to forging signatures to raise failing students' grades — and alleged that four professors helped in the scam.

Chris Koutsoutis, 56, admitted in Manhattan Criminal Court that he faked colleagues' signatures on 11 forms to boost the grades of eight students in danger of flunking out.

The scheme kept the students, including Wall Streeters and other full-time financiers, enrolled — and their bucks rolling in. Their tuition, sometimes paid by the firms they worked for, ranged from $45,000 to $75,000.

"Dishonesty has no place in a college education," said Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr.

The Post exposed the cheating scandal in June (above left).

Koutsoutis, director of Zicklin's executive programs, said he forged the signatures of faculty and administrators on grade-change forms between Nov. 6, 2010, and June 2, 2011.

"I did this to lift the grade-point averages of eight different students who had failed to meet the necessary academic requirements to obtain their degree from Zicklin," he said.

When the failing students asked him for help, Koutsoutis said, he faked the forms, giving phony reasons for the higher grades, such as "completed missing work" and "re-evaluation of previously un-submitted work."

He raised some grades from "F" or "incomplete" to "A-minus," he said. Students below a "B" average could be booted.

Koutsoutis claimed faculty members helped further the ruse by letting students sit in on other courses for credit.

He named Joseph Onochie, Aloke Ghosh, Avner Wolf and Giora Harpaz.

Ghosh called Koutsoutis' allegations "simply untrue." He said he discovered his forged signature and reported it to administrators in June 2011.

Onochie, who was removed as director of the executive MBA program, also denied helping in the scam: "Absolutely not. This is ridiculous."

Harpaz and Wolf did not return calls for comment.

Koutsoutis also admitted forging the name of Frank Fletcher, the executive director of Zicklin's grad programs, as approving the changes.

He claimed students didn't pay him off: "I received no monetary or other tangible benefits in exchange for my actions."

Judge Larry Stephen asked what, if not money, was his motive. "I was giving them a better opportunity to succeed," Koutsoutis replied. "I wish I had a better answer."

In a plea deal, Koutsoutis copped to 21 counts of forgery and falsifying records. He faces six months jail when he's sentenced on Feb. 6.

"This is a much bigger issue involving Zicklin and academic professionals," said his lawyer Mark Bederow. He added that the scandal included "at least four professors with some degree of knowledge of what was going on."

susan.edelman@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:43:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cuny_big_up_MHkMdUiXvKIA5ksnMcEnKM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cuny_big_up_MHkMdUiXvKIA5ksnMcEnKM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan 5.10.4083208338 -1 false By BILL SMITH Horse Racing

Post Time: 7:10 p.m.

Best Bet: Lightning Storm (2nd)

FIRST: mile; pace; $10,800; cl($12500)

1 Theseyesrcrying(BHolland)8-1-59-54 Alloveramerica(BSears)2-4-15-17 J A's Outlaw(JBartlett)1-5-44-12 Tinys Million(JPantaleano)5-9-26-13 Tongue Twister(JStratton)1-2-68-15 Moneybackgurntee(PBerry)5-7-715-16 Scare Tactics N(DDube)6-6-720-18 Dontakeyourguns(LStalbm)7-6-810-1

SECOND: mile; trot; $15,000; cond

3 Lightning Storm(BSears)3-1-58-55 Keenan(CManzi)3-6-85-11 As Ya'll Like It(DDube)4-1-15-12 WorthTheMoneyAs(LStlbm)3-8-88-14 Conway Cruiser(JStratton)1-8-38-16 Sweet Joe(JBartlett)3-2-46-17 Stonebridge Idol(BHolland)1-1-312-18 Louie The Fourth(MForte)7-2-515-1

THIRD: mile; trot; $9,000; cl($12500)

4 Ms Graywalls(JStratton)3-2-18-53 Flying Mocha(DDube)3-5-44-15 Carnivalocity(LStalbaum)5-5-88-11 P H Dreamer(EGoodell)5-4-18-12 Angel Ofthe West(BHolland)8-8-612-16 Not Thinking(CManzi)5-3-210-17 Temptation Queen(BSears)7-5-530-18 Our Girls Chance N(SSmith)7-3-520-1

FOURTH: mile; pace; $9,000; cl($12500)

1 Moving Art(GBrennan)4-3-19-52 Jk Ru Bettor Yet(LStalbaum)2-8-85-15 Marie The Artist(EGoodell)3-1-38-13 Bambina's Sorella(BSears)3-6-26-14 Whatrugonnado(DDube)6-4-68-16 Little Miss Henry(JStratton)1-2-410-17 Party Dream(BHolland)8-3-440-18 Elodie(PBerry)4-2-312-1

FIFTH: mile; pace; $9,000; cl($12500)

1 Princess Bliss(EGoodell)2-3-85-13 Wizzard Queen(DDube)1-5-34-12 Make A Bundle N(GBrennan)7-1-49-54 SkywayHanover(LStalbaum)4-3-78-15 Kimmy(CManzi)6-2-88-16 No Faultz(BSears)2-6-110-17 Kissmatt(JStratton)4-5-66-18 Avaricity(JBartlett)5-4-820-1

SIXTH: mile; pace; $12,000; cond

2 Alibi Hanover(GBrennan)1-4-83-14 Dinah Ross(JBartlett)4-1-84-11 Runaway Rose(BSears)4-4-25-13 Little MermaidN(LStalbaum)2-2-612-15 Lizzie's Dream(CManzi)5-7-510-16 Latin Lyric(JStratton)1-5-26-17 My Miss Bliss(MKimelman)4-8-212-18 Eyewitness Account(DDube)1-2-58-1

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cond

2 Late Flyin N(GBrennan)1-1-78-53 Thinkyoucandance(LStlbm)1-3-55-15 Lightning Paige(BSears)2-1-24-11 Miss Sand Creek(BHolland)2-6-86-14 Campanile(JStratton)8-2-210-16 Mikeleh(JBartlett)4-2-78-17 Royal Knockout(CManzi)7-8-515-18 Sir Lb's Z Tam(PLachance)5-7-420-1

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $15,600; cl($20000)

2 Lucky Lucky Leo(EGoodell)1-1-25-14 LiterateHanover(LStlbaum)6-5-24-11 Artic Blue(GBrennan)2-6-33-13 Tough Love(BHolland)3-7-412-15 Strange Hanover(BSears)5-5-46-16 Honeys Dragon(CManzi)4-6-310-17 Irish Elitist(JStratton)2-2-68-18 K C Colt(DDube)2-7-612-1

NINTH: mile; pace; $15,600;cl($20000)

6 Arockin Hanover(DDube)1-2-53-14 Not This Time(LStalbaum)2-3-44-12 Pams Legacy(EGoodell)4-6-25-11 Gotthejobdonemate(BHllnd)7-8-28-13 Cooperstown Kid(JBartlett)1-2-38-15 Shellysblockbster(PLchnce)5-4-510-17 Lilsharkshooter(BSears)6-8-312-18 FinanceTheMaster(JStrattn)7-1-46-1

TENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cl($25000)

7 SharkDressedMan(GBrennn)3-1-18-53 Cam's Oracle(RDane)8-8-110-16 Allamerican Apche(BSears)4-1-14-11 Fiesty Flyer(DDube)1-1-810-12 Ultimate Desire(BHolland)4-3-18-14 All Powerful(LStalbaum)8-2-28-15 AwesomeArmbroN(JStrattn)1-8-65-18 Touch And Go(JBartlett)5-5-720-1

ELEVENTH: mile; trot; $17,000; cl($30000)

8 AlternatThursdays(JBartltt)1-4-33-16 Partyatyourplace(DDube)1-2-45-12 Ringside Lauryn(CManzi)8-7-64-11 Cinderella Man(BSears)2-5-88-13 Im The Cash Man(JStratton)7-6-210-14 Justa Rebel(LStalbaum)2-3-65-15 Sailaway Dream(GBrennan)2-5-86-17 Big Sky Domino(JGregory)7-6-812-1

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cond

4 We Adore Thee(GBrennan)1-3-38-56 Wildfire Osborne(EGoodell)2-2-19-52 Nightly Terror(DDube)4-1-16-11 Marie's Z Tam(PLachance)7-2-410-13 Dressedforthednce(JGregry)2-3-18-15 Stratus(JStratton)1-2-48-17 Woes Jet Filly(BHolland)3-3-415-18 Julias Song N(BSears)8-4-312-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:37:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/yonkers_graded_entries_Yx0jxwWCfSH2gzGcpWr4VL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/yonkers_graded_entries_Yx0jxwWCfSH2gzGcpWr4VL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208209 -1 false By S.A. MILLER and GERRY SHIELDS Post Correspondents With AP International

WASHINGTON — Three top State Department officials resigned under fire yesterday after a scathing report blasted "grossly inadequate security" and management "failures" before the attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

But senators said they still want to grill Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about the foul-ups that allowed terrorists to kill Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans on Sept. 11.

As congressional leaders read the damning report, the Obama administration disclosed that Eric Boswell, an assistant secretary of state, and two deputy assistant secretaries of state, Charlene Lamb and Raymond Maxwell, had stepped down.

Clinton had been scheduled to provide answers at a congressional hearing on Libya today. But she canceled after fainting and sustaining a concussion last week while recovering from a stomach virus.

Republicans — and some Democrats — still want to hear from Clinton about the report by a blue-ribbon, independent panel.

"What it says is there are huge management problems at State, and she's ultimately responsible," Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) told The Post.

"I think she's got to testify," agreed Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-ranking Democrat, added, "I hope that Secretary Clinton will testify . . . Ultimately we need to present this to the American people."

Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, co-chair of the panel, said in the report that some officials were more concerned with saving money than with security.

Mullen's co-chair, retired Ambassador Thomas Pickering, said the personnel on the ground in Benghazi "did the best they possibly could with what they had — but what they had wasn't enough."

Lamb defended the security when she testified in October before Issa's Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"We had the correct number of assets in Benghazi at the time," she said.

Lamb added that she rejected requests for more security, and trained "local Libyans and army men" instead to guard the mission.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/benghazi_backlash_WKtLiUV9gwNUIklr4O6tfI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/benghazi_backlash_WKtLiUV9gwNUIklr4O6tfI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International 5.10.4083208141 -1 false By GERRY SHIELDS National

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans yesterday offered their own Hurricane Sandy relief bill — which is less than half the original proposed amount.

The GOP version calls for $23.8 billion to be spent on disaster relief for New York and New Jersey — while the bill offered by President Obama totaled $60.4 billion.

Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) introduced the new legislation, which would fund aid through the first three months of next year.

Coats said the lower figure eliminated unnecessary spending — such as $150 million for fisheries in Alaska and Mississippi.

"The concept behind this, of course, is to be as careful as we can with the taxpayers' money and make sure that each dollar spent is spent on something that has been thoroughly examined," Coats said.

The bill isn't likely to pass the Senate, which Democrats control with 52 votes.,

One of the biggest cuts in the funding involves reducing Community Development Block Grants from $15 billion to $2 billion. That money is viewed as critical to helping homeowners socked by the storm.

The move would also eliminate close to $11.3 billion in funding for future storm protection. Republicans left in the $9.7 billion to pay out claims from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) slammed the offer.

"This proposal is not even in the ballpark of what New York and New Jersey need," Schumer said yesterday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:13 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/gop_sandy_lash_iiaREoXayjOfNQ7O6IrekN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/gop_sandy_lash_iiaREoXayjOfNQ7O6IrekN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4083207989 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO and BRIAN LEWIS Jets

Mark Sanchez's return to the Jets in 2013 is not a guarantee.

The team is open to all options with Sanchez, according to a source, including trading him or releasing him. The most likely scenario remains he returns next season to compete for the job because of his onerous contract.

The Jets benched Sanchez Tuesday, replacing him with Greg McElroy. The former first-round pick has gone from the future of the franchise to a burden.

A trade seems extremely difficult because it would have serious salary cap ramifications for the Jets and one league source said, "there will be no market for him. None." Sanchez has a league-high 50 turnovers in the last two years.

No team would take Sanchez's $8.25 million salary. The Jets would have to eat a decent amount of the money. One source estimated it would be at least $6 million. The best the Jets probably could get for Sanchez is a late-round draft pick that might improve based on Sanchez's playing time.

A weak free-agent quarterback class would work in the Jets' favor. A team with cap space might view him as a one-year stopgap. But his contract severely hurts the chances.

If the Jets trade him, his cap figure becomes $8.9 million plus the amount of the salary the Jets paid. So, if they paid $6 million, the cap figure becomes $14.9, that is higher than the $12.4 they would owe if they cut him with a June 1 designation.

The person making the call on Sanchez may not work for the Jets either. After another season with no playoff appearance, general manager Mike Tannenbaum could be the fall guy.

When asked if he would like to remain a Jet yesterday, Sanchez said "of course" before sidestepping all further questions about his future.

Sanchez said he understands and respects Jets coach Rex Ryan's decision to bench him, but he doesn't have to like it or agree with it. Sanchez would not talk about 2013.

"No, we haven't looked ahead that way yet," Sanchez said. "You want to be out there playing. I'm not going to just concede. You've got to compete, so I'll just keep doing it.

"Rex went with a decision to go with Greg. I respect his decision. I don't necessarily agree. But at the same time, I've got to help Greg and that's really all I'm focused on.''

Ryan did not want to talk about next year.

"Any long-term discussion would probably be better served for after the [season finale],'' said Ryan, who had given Sanchez a glare as he walked past him on the field after Monday night's 14-10 loss to the Titans, then told him in the postgame locker room that he had been demoted.

Sanchez said he let Ryan know he did not agree with the decision but knows it's Ryan's call.

"It's disappointing," Sanchez said. "You just hate letting other guys down on the team and that's the worst part of it. You're going in there, trying to play well and improve and [I] just made some bad decisions. I just have to take care of the football better and own up to my mistakes and get better."

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/source_jets_open_to_trading_sanchez_w3Bz3D31R1LUsG6pI5sXAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/source_jets_open_to_trading_sanchez_w3Bz3D31R1LUsG6pI5sXAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4083207962 -1 false By BRETT CYRGALIS Jets

In trying to rationalize his quarterback change Wednesday, Jets coach Rex Ryan spent a lot of time talking about protecting the football, about being a leader, about being a winner, and even about intangibles.

And the starter he named for this Sunday's game against the Chargers was ... Greg McElroy?

"I definitely think I want to see what Greg can do," Ryan said one day after announcing his decision to bench four-year starter Mark Sanchez and give the ball to McElroy over regular backup Tim Tebow.

"We all know the intangibles he has," the coach continued in his fawning over McElroy, echoing what could have been a lifelong description of Tebow. "He's a winner. He's been a winner his whole life. Won a national championship [at Alabama], won a state championship [at Southlake Carroll in Texas] — his whole resume speaks about him being a very confident guy and a confident leader."

So for those reasons, Ryan goes with McElroy, him of zero NFL starts, one NFL touchdown pass and five NFL completions. And Tebow, one year removed from leading the Broncos out of a 1-4 start to an AFC West title and a postseason victory against the Steelers, is scheduled to spend another Sunday as a Wildcat specialist, doing more watching than playing.

That is if Tebow and Sanchez both dress for the game, which Ryan said was a possibility.

But to McElroy, those facts don't mean anything, as this is the culmination of a dream that he has had since he was a kid wearing Troy Aikman's blue No. 8 jersey growing up outside of Dallas.

"I'm not concerned about next week against Buffalo, I'm not concerned about next year, I'm not concerned about these things, just live in the moment," McElroy said. "That's what my Dad said when I talked to him, 'Live in the moment and enjoy this. You've been dreaming about this your whole life.'

"My whole life!"

McElroy said Ryan told him about the decision Tuesday afternoon in a quick conversation, one that he joked lasted "a minute and seventeen seconds, exactly," and from which he would remember every single detail. So his opportunity comes now that the Jets are at 6-8 and officially eliminated from the playoffs, following Sanchez's four-interception performance in Monday night's 14-10 loss to the Titans.

"I can't emphasize enough: This is not the finish line, this is the starting point," McElroy said. "You work hard enough to get here, you set a goal for yourself and as soon as you achieve that goal you reassess."

The one chance McElroy had to play in a game came on Dec. 2 against the Cardinals, when he entered late in the third quarter and led the one scoring drive the Jets needed to take an ugly 7-6 win. He finished the game 5-for-7 with 29 yards, and most importantly didn't have a turnover — which was Sanchez's big liability and led to his demotion.

"Everything that I've learned in this league at this position has been from Mark," said McElroy, who was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round two years ago. "I've been watching him. I understand how to play this game because of him and I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I know he'll be helping out every step of the way."

In the mind of Ryan, he strictly chose McElroy as the best man for the job, regardless of feelings.

"It's no slight to this person or that person," Ryan said. "I just want to give Greg a spot to be in there and let's see what he can do."

bcyrgalis@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/opportunity_knocks_mcelroy_relishing_KWSlqJ3f04iGWR9SbJwB3M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/opportunity_knocks_mcelroy_relishing_KWSlqJ3f04iGWR9SbJwB3M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4082557870 -1 false By STEVE SERBY Jets

Whomever decides to seek fame and fortune in the big city and chase a Super Bowl with the Jets better understand the place is a wasteland, a hell-hole where the devil to whom Joe Namath sold his soul is diabolically under orders to stick his pitchfork into a quarterback's heart and soul and leave his dream smoldering in ruin.

A Bermuda Triangle so treacherous it can swallow up young Sanshise quarterbacks and Tebowmania whole.

My warning to the next victim: Come here at your own risk.

I remember the look on Tim Tebow's face the day he walked into the fieldhouse inside the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, the first mass media press conference for a backup quarterback waiting for him in the distance in front of him, photos of former Jets in the club's Ring Of Honor peering down to meet his giddy, awestruck glance skyward.

There wasn't a football place in the world he would rather have been.

Nine months later, he is standing at his locker, a gray wool hat on his head, giving birth to a seething sense of betrayal inside the last football place in the world he wanted to be.

He would run shirtless through a monsoon to escape from New York.

And who could blame him?

Mark Sanchez was the No. 1 quarterback yesterday only in terms of facing the music on the worst off-the-field day of his professional life, and then it was Tebow's Time to face the music on the worst day of his off-the-field professional life, at the same time Greg McElroy was on another side of the room reveling in the opportunity Tebow thought would be his.

There is only so much punt protecting a man can take.

If the last straw for him didn't come when coach Rex Ryan took the ball from Sanchez and handed it to McElroy instead, it will come when he hears that Ryan lauded McElroy's credentials at Alabama at his press conference earlier in the day. "He's a winner," Ryan said.

The only time in his life Tebow hasn't been a winner has been under the Big Top at the Ringless Bros. and Ryan & Tannenbaum Circus.

"All you can ask for and all you want is a chance," Tebow said.

From him, Mr. God Bless Y'all, that is tantamount to play me or trade me.

Because he never got that chance whenever Sanchez struggled early in the season, and he isn't getting that chance now, when Ryan no longer can use his fractured ribs as a reason to shun him.

Tebow never got that chance for any number of reasons, starting with his horrific practice habits and scatter-shot arm. He refuses to resign himself to the notion he never will amount to anything more than a Wildcat quarterback.

But it finally has hit him, and hit him hard: He is first team All-PSL, a walking, talking, rotting publicity stunt.

Tebow Crime.

Asked if he had gotten an explanation from Ryan or Tony Sparano, Tebow said: "Not really too much of one."

The raging competitor inside of him forced him to bite his tongue at every turn.

No longer do the words, "I love being a Jet" leave his lips.

"Sometimes things just happen out of your control and obviously you might not be pleased with them or happy about it, but you just try to handle it as best you can," Tebow said.

He's only 25. If he can play, he will get his chance. Somewhere else.

Does he want to be a Jet?

"I'll wait until after this season to talk about anything like that," Tebow said.

That's a no.

But no regrets.

"No, sir. I don't have regrets. I believe everything happens for a reason and it's a learning opportunity for me. There's a lot that I've learned, good and bad, and I still appreciate the opportunity to come be a Jet."

No. 2 quarterback before McElroy. No. 2 or 3 quarterback now.

"I don't feel deceived," Tebow said.

But the one time Sanchez was benched, he was inactive.

"Could just be unlucky," Tebow said.

"That was part of God's plan and I'm not going to regret not being healthy."

A year ago he was the talk of the league.

"There's always ups and downs and it's not about how you handle the ups, it's about how you handle the downs," he said. "That's the true test of your character.''

Asked if this day was his toughest day as a Jet, Tebow said:

"I'm not sure, it's a good question."

Here's a better one he can ask Woody Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Ryan: Why?

steve.serby@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:47:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/tebow_love_affair_with_jets_clearly_S0BqmoKykfF1yurAYsfMxM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/tebow_love_affair_with_jets_clearly_S0BqmoKykfF1yurAYsfMxM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4082557856 steve_serby.png true By KALEE OSOWSKI and CYNTHIA R. FAGEN Local

Keep your fingers crossed.

The 7-foot-tall "13" that will be part of the lit-up "2013" when the ball drops on New Year's Eve arrived in Times Square yesterday — and organizers are trying to make sure the number doesn't frighten off superstitious revelers.

Just to make sure, the "13" will come with 13 "lucky" charms.

"Some people get nervous about the number 13," said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance.

"But just to keep all bases covered, we've gone ahead and gathered 13 good-luck charms — everything from a four-leaf clover to gold coins to bamboo to a Buddha statue," he said.

On Dec. 26, the lucky "13" and its charms will be installed atop One Times Square to complete the "2-0-1-3" sign that will light up at midnight after the ball drops.

Some 1 billion people around the world are expected to see the festivities. About 1 million revelers will camp out in Times Square.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/doing_number_on_times_sq_yKulfbGyDEGco7wKiohq9K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/doing_number_on_times_sq_yKulfbGyDEGco7wKiohq9K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557833 -1 false By ERIK KRISS Local

ALBANY — New York hasn't said yes to fracking but the industry already supports more than 44,000 jobs in the Empire State.

Natural-gas drillers in other states depend on New York for financing and insurance, which account for 40 percent of the state's fracking-related jobs, according to a report commissioned by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Even if New York continues to resist fracking, industry-related jobs would grow to 74,000 in 2020 and more than 78,000 in 2035, the report found. But that would still leave it behind nine other states, including Pennsylvania.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:08:58 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fracking_already_ny_job_booster_EJ7qFJNE8I1iUNj0psLrQK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fracking_already_ny_job_booster_EJ7qFJNE8I1iUNj0psLrQK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557723 -1 false By S.A. MILLER, Post Correspondent National

WASHINGTON — In one of the most abrupt Capitol Hill press conferences ever, House Speaker John Boehner yesterday dared President Obama to ignore a Republican offer to raise taxes on millionaires and instead take a fiscal-cliff jump.

"He can call upon the Senate Democrats to pass the legislation or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history," Boehner told reporters before walking off after just 49.5 seconds at the podium.

Boehner's hasty retreat as reporters shouted questions mirrored the impasse in negotiations.

Obama, who proposed higher taxes on incomes above $400,000 a year, pressed Republicans to come to an agreement to avert the cliff by invoking the tragic school shooting in Connecticut.

"Goodness, if this past week has done anything, it should just give us some perspective," Obama said at a White House press conference called to discuss gun control.

Without a deal, the cliff hits on Jan. 1 with huge automatic tax hikes on every American and deep spending cuts that likely will cause another recession.

Fitch Ratings agency yesterday warned that it would likely downgrade the United States' top AAA credit rating if Washington can't strike a deal.

Boehner's latest proposal, called Plan B, would spare more than 99 percent of Americans from tax hikes but raise rates on annual incomes over $1 million.

The two sides are at odds over the mix of higher taxes and spending cuts needed to replace the self-imposed cliff but still reduce government debt.

Obama has proposed $1.3 trillion in new tax revenues over 10 years, while Boehner has called for $1 trillion.

"The idea that we would put our economy at risk because you can't bridge that gap doesn't make a lot of sense," Obama said.

The House is expected to pass the Plan B bill today, with overwhelming support from Republicans despite their longtime opposition to higher taxes.

Obama said he would veto it, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). said the measure couldn't pass his chamber even as a last-ditch effort.

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist blessed the bill, saying it would not violate his no-new-taxes pledge that many Republicans have signed.

smiller@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:45:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pulling_fast_one_mq7Us7HxlIswOWQIAIsvzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pulling_fast_one_mq7Us7HxlIswOWQIAIsvzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4082557553 -1 false By SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

A study of the health impact of 9/11 expected to be released soon will find increases in cancer rates similar to those in a city Health Department study released this week.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which has studied 20,000 first responders since the attacks, will soon publish a report that is "virtually identical" to findings the city released this week, said Philip Landrigan, a doctor who headed the research.

He specifically noted a 14 percent overall increase in cancer rates among first responders, with particular spikes in thyroid and prostate cancers and multiple myeloma, and said his research reached similar conclusions to the city's.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:09:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/studies_dovetail_gl4FbshSfhyfDgIxlvYO9H?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/studies_dovetail_gl4FbshSfhyfDgIxlvYO9H?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557447 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO and SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota yesterday took the first step toward a run for City Hall, resigning from his post at the transit agency to test the waters in the crowded 2013 mayoral race.

His last day at the helm is New Year's Eve.

Lhota — a former top deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani — said he'll make a final decision early next month.

"This will be a life-defining decision and one that I will be seriously considering in the upcoming weeks," he said at a press conference after an MTA board meeting.

His entry into the race — which has been lacking a strong Republican candidate — would be welcome news to the city's business community.

"I just think a strong GOP candidate is important to bring balance to the race," said Kathy Wylde, the leader of the business group Partnership for New York City.

"If he enters the race, I think he has a great story to tell about what it took to transform New York into a safe, manageable city."

Because of his position with the MTA, Lhota under state law had been barred from planning a run for public office.

But with this decision, on New Year's Day, he can begin talking to potential donors.

Sources told The Post that many in Giuliani's circle are confident that Lhota can raise $10 million.

One person whose support Lhota won't be receiving is Mayor Bloomberg.

According to a City Hall source, Bloomberg dislikes him, especially after Lhota said the mayor acted "like an idiot" when Hizzoner speculated on the reopening of the Queens Midtown Tunnel after Hurricane Sandy.

Lhota's entry likely hurts the mayoral ambitions of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, an all-but-announced candidate who had been positioning herself as the most centrist in the Democratic field.

The 2013 field also could include city Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former Comptroller Bill Thompson.

A spokesman for former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión — who is mulling a mayoral bid as a Republican — said he still plans to run.

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lhota_eye_on_next_ride_yeUFk9Iogtz6HyD0ogHADN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lhota_eye_on_next_ride_yeUFk9Iogtz6HyD0ogHADN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557424 -1 false By DAVID K. LI Local

Lower East Siders may soon be flying in the sky.

The city is seeking proposals for a seasonal trapeze operation at Hamilton Fish Park on the Lower East Side — including 32-foot-high rigs, swings, safety nets and a big top.

It would operate over the swimming pools from mid-September to mid-May — when they are dry and empty.

There's already one trapeze outfit in Manhattan, the Trapeze School of New York at Pier 40, which is closed for the winter.

School officials plan to submit a bid for Hamilton Fish Park, in hopes of making their business year-round.

"The Lower East Side is a very romantic side of the city," said TSNY president and co-founder Jonathon Conant. "It's gentrifying with a sense of art and this [trapeze swinging] is artistic."

The city hopes it won't have to spend a dime on the project. All equipment, instruction and insurance would be picked up by the winning vendor, according to project officials. If Parks officials receive a plan they like, it could be a go by September 2013.

The idea for a trapeze was hatched after Parks officials first considered a zip line.

That plan never got off the ground because the height required would have necessitated cutting some treetops.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:23:38 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/say_high_to_side_trapeze_4tmrqCUbCivUEkl8xwgCWM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/say_high_to_side_trapeze_4tmrqCUbCivUEkl8xwgCWM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4082557318 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO Local

Straphangers were slapped with their fourth fare hike in five years yesterday.

The MTA's board overwhelmingly green-lighted the increases — only one member voted against toll hikes — that will go into effect in March.

"Its a plan that's antiquated," board member Allen Cappelli said about the tolls, saying they hurt small businesses and unfairly target Staten Island.

Outgoing MTA chief Joe Lhota — who will quit at the end of the year to run for mayor — voted to approve the increases.

The cost of a monthly MetroCard will go up $8, to $112, and there will be a dollar increase to the weekly cards — bringing them to $30.

Riders also will be slapped with a $1 "green" fee on new MetroCards to encourage them to refill their old cards.

"Something has to happen before we price this gem of a system out of the reach for most New Yorkers," board member Andrew Albert said, adding the MTA will be in the same situation in 2015 — when more hikes are scheduled — without more state funding. LIRR and Metro-North fares will increase an average 8.19 percent and 9.31 percent.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_we_re_trapped_so_you_hang_Mzmq5ih8kwmRHQ3jyaN6wL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_we_re_trapped_so_you_hang_Mzmq5ih8kwmRHQ3jyaN6wL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557302 -1 false By JULIA MARSH & YOAV GONEN Local

A teacher the city tried to boot for slapping a student not only get her job back, but deserves $85,000 in back-pay, a court ruled yesterday.

Former Brooklyn elementary-school teacher Beverly Riley spent two years in court battling her 2010 firing for striking a student who got too "sassy" for her liking, DOE documents say.

She was reinstated in January after an appeals court found that her punishment had been too harsh.

Yesterday, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled she was entitled to a year's back pay.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:20:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_lapped_for_teach_ax_cDA7YwhXPxne2AiQ2r28SJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_lapped_for_teach_ax_cDA7YwhXPxne2AiQ2r28SJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4082557265 -1 false By AMBER SUTHERLAND and NATALIE O'NEILL Local

Stop the world — I wanna get off!

A sexy swimsuit model and countless other lusty New Yorkers say tomorrow's predicted Mayan apocalypse is a great reason to have sex, and are turning to social media and doomsday-themed parties in hopes of fully experiencing humanity's steamy climax.

"If I die, I don't want to die on a dry spell!" declared model Niki Ghazian.

The sexy fashion plate, who works in New York and Los Angeles, told The Post she'll attend a fashion party with friends tonight to celebrate Doomsday Eve — and, hopefully, hook up with someone hot.

"Everybody should go out feeling satisfied," she told The Post. "If the world's gonna end, why hold back?"

SURVIVAL SHOPS, HOTELS AND OTHER BUSINESSES CASHING IN ON MAYAN APOCALYPSE

All the horny hubbub has been caused by a doomsday prediction made by the ancient Mayan calendar, which predicts the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012, at 11:11 a.m.

While some people around the world are arming themselves and digging into bunkers, many New Yorkers are simply hoping for a hot time.

"I will be looking for an end-of-the-world hook-up," Dennis Cintron, 29, a Lower East Side bartender, told The Post. "If you're going to go out, go out with a bang."

Cintron said he'll buy new clothes and get a haircut for the big day because he wants some "companionship" to ring in the rapture.

Sara Saperstein, 26, of Bushwick is also hoping for one last romp.

"It's like New Year's. I want to go out on a wild note!" Saperstein said.

She won't have trouble finding a spot for that. More than a dozen bars and clubs in New York City are throwing end-of-days bashes, including a comedy show at the Bell House in Gowanus and an "End of the Funking World Party" at B.B. King Blues Club in Midtown.

Other singles posted ads on Craigslist.org and OKCupid.com, seeking apocalypse-themed dates, "casual encounters" and even "end of the world sex."

"If you've got no plans for the apocalypse, let's get together," wrote a 30-year-old single guy from Midtown.

He added, "Send me how you'd like to spend your last hours on earth — and a photo."

Kerri McMearty, a 35-year-old nurse from Long Island, wants to spend her last night on earth enjoying a boozy dinner with a "new man."

"You come into the world with people — you may as well go out with them," she said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:43:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/end_of_world_is_very_bed_news_for_QnNdRlOJ9XcFik5zjd8JvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/end_of_world_is_very_bed_news_for_QnNdRlOJ9XcFik5zjd8JvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557240 -1 false By GERRY SHIELDS, Post Correspondent National

WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday signaled that he's finally ready to use his political muscle to take on the powerful gun lobby and push a package of gun-control bills through Congress next year.

"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Obama said, seizing the momentum for new gun laws after Friday's killing of 20 schoolchildren and seven adults in Connecticut.

Obama tapped Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force that will come up with proposals, including an assault-weapons ban, closing gun-show background check loopholes and restricting the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips, among other initiatives.

He gave the panel a month to complete its work. But the president, who will address gun control in his State of the Union speech for the first time since taking office, bristled at suggestions that he's late to the effort.

Asked at a news conference, "Where have you been" following previous gun massacres during his tenure, Obama snapped:

"I've been president of the United States, dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, an auto industry on the verge of collapse, two wars. I don't think I've been on vacation."

The battle to take on gun control — often described as the third rail of US politics — comes as several pro-gun lawmakers have said they are finally willing to consider bills restricting the sale of weapons.

Obama insisted his proposals will fall far short of dismantling the Second Amendment — and will leave room for legal gun ownership.

"And there is a big chunk of space between what the Second Amendment means and having no rules at all," Obama said. "And that space is what Joe is going to be working on to try to identify where we can find some common ground."

Mayor Bloomberg, one of the nation's most outspoken gun-control advocates and a critic of the president's lack of action, called Obama's move a step in the right direction.

"The country needs his leadership if we are going to reduce the daily bloodshed from gun violence that we have seen for too long," Bloomberg said.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-LI) last week threatened to "embarrass" Obama if he didn't move on gun control. Yesterday, she welcomed his commitment to the effort.

"This time is different now that we have a president behind us," McCarthy said of previous failed battles against the powerful gun lobby.

gshields@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:42:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/got_ban_plan_clzs65TpjOSJ4NIdGfjBtO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/got_ban_plan_clzs65TpjOSJ4NIdGfjBtO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082557107 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT National

The pension funds of Massachusetts and Connecticut have joined New York and a growing number of states and municipalities questioning their investments in the firearms industry in the days since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Massachusetts treasurer Steve Grossman said the move was motivated by "the physical, emotional and moral outrage, the outpouring of emotion" of the massacre perpetuated by 20-year-old Adam Lanza primarily with a legal .223 Bushmaster rifle.

Officials in Connecticut, where Friday's tragedy occurred, also said they ordered a review of their investments.

The moves add further pressure on the firearms sector that has been besieged with outrage over the past five days and the threat of new regulations.

Cerberus Capital Management already said it would sell off its $900 million Freedom Group, the maker of Bushmaster rifles and other guns.

But the weapons remain popular with customers. Walmart sold out of five types of semiautomatic rifles, including the one used in the mass slaying, in five states, Bloomberg News reported.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:01:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pension_funds_have_makers_in_their_Su8rLEv14Y2FBlQMJucHkN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pension_funds_have_makers_in_their_Su8rLEv14Y2FBlQMJucHkN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082557047 -1 false By JESSICA SIMEONE Local

New York City has begun assigning extra safety officers to the city's elementary schools in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre.

"We have two to three agents in every [public elementary] school. That's up from one," a community- affairs officer said at a public meeting at Manhattan's Ninth Precinct.

The NYPD said, "Security is being assessed on a daily basis as a result of the Connecticut school shooting."

Meanwhile, a threat was made against students at Westwood HS in New Jersey.

Cops arrested a suspect after searching the home, officials said. They do not believe there is now an active threat against the school.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/extra_safety_at_city_schools_eM6MF9Ii6eKf04SsiyJfdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/extra_safety_at_city_schools_eM6MF9Ii6eKf04SsiyJfdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557033 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT National

Deaths from guns are on track to outpace automobile fatalities in the United States within three years, a new analysis has found.

Based on current trends, there will be 32,929 firearm fatalities by 2015 and 32,036 motor-vehicle deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control crunched by Bloomberg News.

Between 2005 and 2010, motor-vehicle deaths declined by an impressive 22 percent.

The fall in traffic deaths resulted from safer vehicles, restricted privileges for young drivers and seat-belt and other laws, Garen Wintemute, director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California-Davis, told Bloomberg News.

Almost the reverse was true with guns, however.

"We've made policy decisions that have had the impact of making the widest array of firearms available to the widest array of people under the widest array of conditions," he said.

In 1982, there were about 32,000 gun deaths, compared with 45,000 traffic-accident deaths.

Each day, about 85 Americans are shot dead — 53 of them suicides, and the rest accidents or homicides.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:01:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bullets_to_top_traffic_UVHlywSNGagHHRG21x5aAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bullets_to_top_traffic_UVHlywSNGagHHRG21x5aAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082550377 -1 false By LORENA MONGELLI in Newtown, Conn., and DAN MANGAN in New York Local

He always dreamed of being a firefighter — and yesterday, he got a hero's farewell.

First-grader Daniel Barden — "one of those angels" killed at Sandy Hook Elementary — was laid to rest yesterday as an honor guard of firefighters, police officers and military servicemen from as far away as New York City lined the streets leading to St. Rose of Lima Church.

Daniel, 7 hoped to follow in two relatives' footsteps and become a firefighter.

"There's a new playground in heaven, a playground with 20 beautiful perfect little angels," choked-up school-bus driver Gary Wheeler told mourners at the church.

"Daniel is one of those angels.

"Daniel had a smile as big as the sky, minus his two front teeth," Wheeler said in his eulogy.

The young, rambunctious redhead, he said, "would run and give me a big bear hug" every time.

"He had eyes that sparkled, sometimes with mischief. He would race the bus down the street," Wheeler said.

"He would always win."

HEROIC NEWTOWN TEACHER A 'SUPERHERO'

GUNMAN PREPPRED FOR MASSACRE WHILE MOM WAS ON VACATION

Rows of NYPD and FDNY members joined their brethren from Daniel's hometown of Newtown and elsewhere. The boy was also the nephew of NYPD Lt. James Giblin.

Madeline Giblin, noting that her young cousin's nicknames included "Hurricane Daniel," said, "He was too full of life, love and joy."

His funeral was the first of two yesterday at St. Rose, which is holding funerals for nine of the 20 children who were massacred.

Emotional wakes and funerals for six other Sandy Hook victims also were held yesterday.

Shivering mourners waited outside in line for nearly five hours to enter the wake for brave principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung — the first person gunman Adam Lanza killed after she tried to tackle him — at the Woodbury Funeral Home.

"She made everybody feel special," said Hochsprung's former neighbor, school-bus driver Renata Hilse. "She stood for what she believed in and never backed down. She was sweet and funny, too."

Sandra Prendergast, whose daughter is taught by Hochsprung's husband, George, said, "He was always talking about her."

"We're all thinking we're going to have to support George, because what is he going to do now?"

Gov. Dannel Malloy attended Hochsprung's wake and the funeral of kindergartner Charlotte Bacon, 6, whose white casket was surrounded by stuffed animals and wreaths of pink roses.

A eulogy read alternately by her grandfather and uncles called Charlotte "determined, fearless, coy, precocious, creative, independent, authentic, dramatic and beautiful."

And at the funeral for 6-year-old Caroline Previdi at St. Rose, her mother, Sandy, said she "always had a smile on her."

Additional reporting by Kenneth Garger and Tara Palmeri

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082368350 -1 false By DAN MACLEOD, JEANE MACINTOSH, JOSH MARGOLIN and JENNIFER BAIN Local

Adam Lanza spent two days home alone preparing for his Connecticut schoolhouse massacre after his mother went away on a mini-vacation, it emerged yesterday.

Nancy Lanza checked into the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, and left around the same time Thursday.

The drive is about 4 1/2 hours, so she would have arrived back home in Newtown late in the afternoon or early evening, according to Headline News — just hours before Adam shot her dead in her bed before the Friday morning rampage that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

HEROIC NEWTOWN TEACHER A 'SUPERHERO'

TEARS FOR FIRST-GRADER WHO WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN

He was armed with a Bushmaster .223-caliber assault rifle and two handguns, a Sig Sauer 9mm and a Glock 10mm, all belonging to his mom.

News of Nancy Lanza's getaway came as a funeral home in her New Hampshire hometown called to "discreetly" claim her body, the medical examiner said.

Meanwhile, investigators said they have been able to pull salvageable information from computers at the gunman's home.

"Every day we learn a little bit more, both from the computer and from talking to people," said a law enforcement official.

Police also said yesterday that the second surviving shooting victim is an adult.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/killer_got_ready_with_mom_away_obDc6IlRDklXzQVDcUxkvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/killer_got_ready_with_mom_away_obDc6IlRDklXzQVDcUxkvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082368175 -1 false By FRED KERBER Knicks

Nets center Brook Lopez was so excited for last night — the first time the Brooklyn Nets were playing the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.

Then the game began.

Knicks center Tyson Chandler eventually turned all that excitement into frustration, and the Nets may have left the joint hoping it was the last time they would have to play the Knicks in the Garden.

Chandler was a 16-point, 12-rebound, defensively charged beast all game in the Knicks' 100-86 wipeout of the Nets. And nowhere was Chandler better than in the third quarter when he pick-and-rolled the Nets to death, collecting five of his six dunks (four of them off lobs, three coming from Raymond Felton).

"I wanted to just close the game. I wanted to make a statement," said Chandler, who had three blocks.

That statement might as well have been: "You're toast, Nets."

"This was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes," Chandler said. "We have to make statements like this."

And Chandler did. Again and again and again.

"He was solid," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "He plugs up holes for some of the mistakes we make defensively and he's been doing it all year."

Chandler also erases offensive mistakes by keeping the ball alive. He is uncanny at knocking the ball back to teammates providing additional opportunities. The Knicks had 21 second chance points while the Nets had 11.

"There are plays that don't show up on the stat sheet," Carmelo Anthony said of his teammate's back taps. "Those are moments that are crucial plays for us."

Though there were several such plays last night — Chandler had five offensive rebounds — his most noted play this season was the back tap the last time the Knicks and Nets played, in Brooklyn. That led to Jason Kidd's game winner.

So yeah, Chandler and the Knicks made a statement.

"It's more about us to be honest with you," Chandler said, stressing how the defense picked up to stifle Brooklyn. "We felt like over the last couple games we slipped away defensively. We wanted to get back to that."

They did. Lopez, regarded as a high powered offensive center, shot 8-of-18, scoring 16 points. And he had nothing but praise for Chandler.

"He's very physical. Very strong, moves well. He's very good at maintaining good position, staying in front of you and making it difficult to get to the basket," Lopez said of Chandler, before adding Dwight Howard to the conversation. "They're both very good defenders. Maybe Tyson moves more laterally, but they're very similar."

The Knicks led by four at halftime and then stretched the lead to 10 in the third before going into the final quarter up eight. And Chandler, with three lobs from Felton and one from Pablo Prigioni, scored 10 as the Garden erupted.

"The dunks for Tyson, the energy in the building gets going," Kidd said. "Baskets like that puts all the pressure on the defense."

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/tyson_ko_punch_mAeyzSzHQefaFJxgWN0zhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/tyson_ko_punch_mAeyzSzHQefaFJxgWN0zhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4082368060 -1 false By JUSTIN TERRANOVA Knicks

Isiah Thomas is going to get another chance — on television.

NBA TV announced yesterday that Thomas has joined its team of studio analysts and will make his debut on tomorrow's pregame show prior to the Knicks-Bulls matchup on the channel.

The former Knicks coach and president had tried out for ESPN earlier this year, but the network opted to add columnist Bill Simmons and former NBA point guard Jalen Rose to the show. Thomas, who remains close with Knicks owner James Dolan, will make several appearances each month and will contribute to NBA.com. Thomas was fired by Florida International University in March after going 26-65 in three seasons with the school.

Thomas was the lead analyst for NBC in 1998 after parting with the Raptors and before being named president of the CBA.

jterranova@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:00:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lands_nba_tv_gig_ALD7uSrus15afF30OxLULO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lands_nba_tv_gig_ALD7uSrus15afF30OxLULO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4082367954 -1 false By YOAV GONEN Local

The retired principal of Sandy Hook Elementary will return to lead the school when classes resume next month.

Donna Page, who left in June 2010, will run the school out of its new home at the Chalk Hill Middle School in nearby Monroe, according to the Hartford Courant.

Page was replaced as principal in 2010 by Dawn Hochsprung — the first massacre victim — who attempted to stop killer Adam Lanza at the start of his shooting spree. Hochsprung's wake was held yesterday afternoon.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/principal_out_of_retirement_WuT3590NV7KoC1qItYOVJP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/principal_out_of_retirement_WuT3590NV7KoC1qItYOVJP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4081459440 -1 false By REUVEN FENTON in Stratford, Conn., and DAN MANGAN in New York Local

She's their "superhero."

The selfless Newtown teacher who died shielding her students from a gunman's assault rifle was remembered by her two kid sisters yesterday as a best friend, an inspiration and the bravest person they had ever known.

Victoria Soto, 27, "gave her life to save her kids, and if that's not true strength and heroism, I don't know what is," said her weeping sister Carlee Soto, 20, in a stirring eulogy.

"The expression 'You don't know what you have until it's gone' is true. My best friend is gone."

And Jillian Soto, 24, said her sister's fearless act was something usually heard of only in Hollywood movies.

"Somebody wrote me a letter about the recent tragedy that I would like to share with you. In it, it said they had to sit down with three small children, explaining to them that monsters, sadly, do exist out there," a weeping Jillian told more than 1,000 mourners at Lordship Community Church in Stratford.

"But they felt relief that because of my sister, they were able to tell them that superheroes also are very real.

TEARS FOR FIRST-GRADER WHO WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN

GUNMAN PREPPRED FOR MASSACRE WHILE MOM WAS ON VACATION

"You are my superhero and I am so proud of you and all you have done in your 27 short years."

Singer/songwriter Paul Simon sang his haunting classic "The Sound of Silence" in the packed church, as Victoria was sent off with seven eulogies, from her sisters, best friend, aunt and three cousins.

Many mourners wore ties, scarves and ribbons that were green, Soto's favorite color.

"It kills me that I'm never going to say, 'I love you' one last time to her," said Carlee, who credited Victoria with pushing her to enroll in college.

"The pain is unbelievable, but I know I can get through this thanks to Queen Victoria watching down on me.

"I love you so much, Vicki. And I am beyond proud to say I am Victoria Leigh Soto's little sister."

The photograph of an anguished Carlee desperately clutching a cellphone last Friday outside Sandy Hook Elementary School instantly became an iconic image of the tragedy.

Carlee didn't know at the time that Adam Lanza had already murdered Victoria, along with six other adults and 20 children only 6 and 7 years old, before killing himself.

As the shooting began in another room, Victoria herded her first-graders into a closet. When six of the terrified youngsters tried to bolt from the room, Lanza shot them and Victoria as she tried to shield them from his bullets.

"Over the past five days, people have been thinking of you as a hero, many hoping that they could do the things that you have done to touch the lives of so many, whether it be through your actions on that terrifying morning, or through the way that you brought curiosity, excitement and joy to your students every day," Jillian said as dad Carlos, mom Donna and brother Carlos Jr. also looked on.

"Each of those are reasons why you are in so many people's hearts, but truthfully, you have been a hero to me for a lot longer than five days," Jillian said.

"You have been my big sister, the one I've always looked up to, the one I've always wanted to be like.

"You are beautiful, smart, funny, goofy and you had an amazing smile."

The Rev. Meg Boxwell Williams offered a prayer thanking God for giving the mourners a "homebody" who was the "ringleader" of a group of cousins, a Yankee fan and a lover of Swedish meatballs.

"We thank you that she achieved her life's goal to be a teacher of young children. And we thank you that her last act was absolutely selfless, Christ-like, in laying down her life for her children," Williams said

Victoria's best friend and college-dorm roommate, Rachel Schiavone, told mourners she "was strong and totally fearless, and it doesn't surprise me at all that Vicki died protecting her kids."

"She loved them more than anything, and bragged that this year she had the best first-grade class ever."

Schiavone drew laughs with an anecdote from their days at Eastern Connecticut State University, when Victoria blasted the song "Kiss the Girl" from her favorite movie "The Little Mermaid" as Schiavone sat in the next room with a boy.

"I knew what she was trying to do, though I don't think the boy ever picked up on it," Schiavone said.

Hours after the funeral, Carlee Soto posted a Twitter message saying, Yankees star "Derek Jeter just called my mom!!!!! Thanks Vicki, she needs it thank you @yankees this meant a lot to my mother and all of us."

dan.mangan@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4081459417 -1 false Associated Press More Sports

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing Adidas at his postgame news conference Sunday.

The NFL yesterday confirmed the fine for "unauthorized apparel."

Griffin was inactive for the game because of a sprained knee, and he wore an Adidas T-shirt and sweat jacket when he addressed reporters afterward. Griffin has a sponsorship deal with Adidas, but the league has a deal with Nike.

It's the second time this season Griffin has been rebuked for his attire, but it's his first time he's been fined. He covered up the Nike swoosh on his official team warm-up shirt before the regular opener against the Saints.

Griffin had a full practice yesterday, but coach Mike Shanahan said no decision has been made if he will start Sunday when the Redskins (8-6) face the Eagles (4-10).

EAGLES: LeSean McCoy will start at running back against Washington after missing four games because of a concussion. Coach Andy Reid said he would rotate McCoy with rookie Bryce Brown.

VIKINGS: QB Christian Ponder confirmed he and ESPN reporter Samantha Steele got married on Monday at a courthouse in Wisconsin.

COLTS: Interim coach Bruce Arians and others have pegged next Sunday's regular-season finale against Houston as a possible return date for head coach Chuck Pagano, who has not been on the sideline since late September when he began his battle against leukemia.

CHARGERS: Head coach Norv Turner said he isn't ruling out taking a job as an offensive coordinator for another NFL team if he is fired after this season.

BILLS: Center Eric Wood said he is sticking by his comments Monday when he said playing so-called home games in Toronto is "a joke."

"It stunk that we were up there,'' he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:43:06 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/rg_fined_for_apparel_violation_IB47NXcIcQyu3r8j1VTC9O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/rg_fined_for_apparel_violation_IB47NXcIcQyu3r8j1VTC9O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4081392175 -1 false By PEDRO OLIVEIRA JR. National

Bam! Pow!

President Obama may have gotten trapped in Spider-Man's web — but he still managed to snag the honor of Time magazine's Person of the Year 2012.

Yesterday's announcement by the magazine puts Obama in the company of a select group of two-time winners, which includes George W. Bush, Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Josef Stalin.

Time said the president — pictured in the mag getting "ambushed" by Spidey (actually the son of a White House staffer) — deserved the nod as "the symbol and in some ways the architect of this new America."

"We've gone through a very difficult time," Obama told the magazine.

"The American people have rightly been frustrated at the pace of change, and the economy is still struggling, and this president we elected is imperfect, and yet, despite all that, this is who we want to be. That's a good thing."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/itsy_bitsy_spidey_an_obama_web_zinger_eQuB7DJE8uYYDBo3PRHWGP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/itsy_bitsy_spidey_an_obama_web_zinger_eQuB7DJE8uYYDBo3PRHWGP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4080734441 -1 false Horse Racing

December 19th, 2012 Clear And Fast.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-7f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 3up

Off: 12:46. Good. 3wd trn, drew clear

Time: 22.85, 45.77, 1:1.71, 1:23.84. Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Winner: B C, 3, by Empire Maker-Skipper Tale

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsChee120 2 3 2 1 11 2 1/4Velazqez1.00Risky Asset120 1 1 1 2 22 1Rosario1.20Coiling120 7 4 4 4 73 1 1/4Jara14.90Macho Spaces120 3 2 3 3 hd4 9Trujillo11.60Latent Fire120 5 6 6 5 hd5 1 3/4Castelln12.20Anonymous Donor120 4 5 5 6 14 1/26 17 3/4Sanchez39.80King of Sports120 6 7 7 77Bravo52.00

2-Chee4.002.402.101-Risky Asset2.202.107-Coiling2.10

* Exacta (2-1) $6.60 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-7-3) $30.10 * $1 Trifecta (2-1-7) $12.20 * Exacta picked by Affrunti, (Best Bet), Winner picked by Debbie L.

SECOND-6f; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:14. Good. 5wd trn, clear late

Time: 22.71, 46.14, 58.87, 1:12.29. Trainer: Giuseppe Iadisernia

Winner: CH F, 4, by Candy Ride (ARG)-Forever Kris

Scr: Lady Marian Louise, Mezuman.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsForever Candy119 5 6 4 3 11 1 1/2Lopez1.80Phoebe Moon117 6 8 8 5 12 1 1/2Aguilar3.80Si Senora119 9 3 2 2 1/23 1Saez3.70Storm Da Chaser116 8 4 3 4 44 1/2Panici7.00Adela's Song117 2 1 1 1 15 1 1/4Cohen6.70Altamar114 3 9 9 7 36 4 1/4Hernne35.10Char Lena Jo110 1 5 6 6 1/27 5 1/4Zayas14.70Re'staffy120 4 7 7 98 4 3/4Sanchez16.20The Pia Angel119 7 2 5 8 1/29Olivero28.40

6-Forever Candy5.603.602.607-Phoebe Moon4.602.8010-Si Senora3.20

* Double (2-6) $13.80 * Exacta (6-7) $23.40 * $1 Superfecta (6-7-10-8) $129.80 * $1 Trifecta (6-7-10) $33.80 * Double picked by Debbie L.

THIRD-5f(T); $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:44. Good. set pace, held clear

Time: 21.95, 45.15, 57.21. Trainer: Jose Pinchin

Winner: DK B/ F, 3, by Put It Back-Charms Way

HorseWt.PP3/16 Str.FinJockeyOddsJim's Lonesa120 2 1 1 1 11 3/4Saez6.00a-Spring Reason120 9 7 7 5 12 1/2Albarado4.60Summer Frolic120 8 5 3 2 13 1/2Bravo5.50Creation120 7 10 10 8 1 1/24 1/2Rosario1.80Very Playful120 10 6 4 4 hd5 nkRocco, Jr.7.40Footprintinthesand120 3 8 6 6 hd6 2 3/4Mysnett16.70Conzig120 11 4 8 7 1 1/27 nkVelzqez11.60a-Bettina J.120 1 11 11 118 3 1/2Garcia4.60More Than Speed120 4 2 2 3 1/28 3 1/2Leyva10.80Girl Wonder120 6 9 9 9 1 1/210 7 1/2Saez31.10Tillygram120 5 3 5 10 hd11Garcia62.60

2-Jim's Lonesa14.006.604.401-a-Spring Reason4.603.008-Summer Frolic4.40

* $1 Pick 3 (2-6-2) 3 Correct $49.80 * Daily Double (6-2) $41.20 * Exacta (2-1) $79.80 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-8-7) $585.20 * $1 Trifecta (2-1-8) $203.70 * Winner picked by Fountaine, Vic C.

FOURTH-1m; $60,500; alw opt clm; 3up

Off: 2:09. Good. vied, inside, gamely

Time: 23.29, 46.16, 1:1.56, 1:23.11, 1:36.33.Trainer: John Terranova,

Winner: DK B/ H, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid-Orange Ice

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsCitrus Kid119 2 1 2 1 1/21 1 1/4Rocco, Jr.6.70El Padrino116 4 4 5 2 22 1 3/4Castellan0.20Rock Alex119 1 2 4 4 1/23 1/2Jara67.30Adirondack King116 6 5 3 3 hd4 3 1/2Lezcano5.00Decisive Moment119 3 3 1 5 11 1/25 12 3/4Madrid23.50Bluedacious116 5 6 6 66Leyva19.60

2-Citrus Kid15.404.003.804-El Padrino2.102.101-Rock Alex7.20

* $1 Pick 3 (6-2-2) $225.30 *Double (2-2) $110.60 * Exacta (2-4) $42.20 * $1 Superfecta (2-4-1-6) $445.20 * $1 Trifecta (2-4-1) $192.20 *

FIFTH-1 1/16m; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up

Off: 2:38. 7. stlkd, 3wd bid, clear

Time: 23.86, 47.63, 1:12.73, 1:38.22, 1:44.77. Trainer: Marcus Vitali

Winner: B G, 4, by Eavesdropper-Trollette

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsDrop It Now119 3 5 5 1 2 1/21 5 1/2Cohen4.50Father Lucey119 1 11 11 4 32 3/4Alvarez21.50Alejandro123 5 1 1 2 1/23 3 3/4Jara6.70Sweetsouthernman119 4 8 9 6 24 2Bain19.00Normandruth119 7 4 3 3 3 1/25 6Saez0.60Varitek119 9 3 4 5 16 nkNunez27.00Winaway114 2 10 8 8 hd7 2 1/4Sanchez62.00Kid Curry119 10 7 7 9 48 7 3/4Olivero21.80Unbridled Future114 8 9 10 119 1 3/4Hernne92.40Carina Bay119 6 2 2 10 310 4Krneye79.20Tiznow Mytime118 11 6 6 7 1/211Cruz11.10

3-Drop It Now11.005.003.601-Father Lucey13.607.605-Alejandro4.60

* $1 Pick 4 (6/9-2-2-3)$1,521.30 * $1 Pick 3 (2-2-3) $421.10 * Double (2-3) $157.40 * Exacta (3-1) $117.40 * $1 Superfecta (3-1-5-4) $2,332.10 * $1 Trifecta (3-1-5) $256.30 * Winner picked by Affrunti

SIXTH-1m(T); $32,500; cl($25,000); 2YO; (f)

Off: 3:08. Good. settld, 5wd, in time

Time: 22.99, 48.09, 1:13.11, 1:25.64, 1:38.08. Trainer: Mark Casse

Winner: B F, 2, by Smart Strike-Ebaraya (IRE)

Scr: Its Looking, Mysisterjosephine, I Know It All.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsEcstatic118 5 9 9 3 hd1 nkLezcano4.60Tricolette118 7 7 8 4 12 1/2Lanerie2.30Jessie Can Mambo116 8 4 3 2 13 1 1/4Maragh13.40Analogy117 2 1 1 1 1 1/24 1/2Sanchez4.00Aunt Anna113 9 8 7 5 1/25 4 1/2Chamafi8.10La Ranchera117 3 5 5 7 36 4 3/4Aguilar64.40Dublin's Diamond118 6 6 6 8 27 nkSaez12.00Hanna'sluckystar118 4 3 4 98 2 1/2Bain76.80Desirable Lady118 1 2 2 6 1/29Nunez2.90

7-Ecstatic11.204.803.609-Tricolette4.002.8010-Jessie Can Mambo5.20

* $1 Pick 3 (2-3-7) $392.00 * Double (3-7) $99.80 * Exacta (7-9) $41.60 * $1 Superfecta (7-9-10-2) $715.70 * $1 Trifecta (7-9-10) $186.70 *

SEVENTH-6f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

Off: 3:37. 7,8. set pace, clear

Time: 22.67, 45.59, 57.65, 1:1.41. Trainer: Marcus Vitali

Winner: B C, 2, by Curlin-England's Rose

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsJay Eye See120 9 1 1 1 41 7 1/4Bocachic4.90Tizrobertcharles120 6 6 6 4 22 1 1/4Rosario46.60Do You Smell Smoke120 11 2 2 2 1 1/23 nkPrado28.40Chief Falco120 7 3 3 3 14 7 1/4Bravo15.20Grey Oak120 1 5 4 5 1/25 1/2Lanerie3.60Rickashea120 2 4 5 6 46 nkTrujillo9.60Comancheria120 10 9 9 9 4 1/27 1 3/4Garcia45.30Quiros120 3 11 10 10 3 1/28 1 3/4Rocc,Jr.40.80To Dare Is to Do120 5 7 7 7 1 1/29 4Castelln14.00Oistin's Town120 4 8 8 8 210 5 1/2Velazqez1.00Charming Charlie120 8 10 11 1111Castann64.70

9-Jay Eye See11.805.204.006-Tizrobertcharles26.8015.6011-Do You Smell Smoke9.00

* $1 Pick 3 (3-7-9) 3 Correct $258.30 * Daily Double (7-9) $112.80 * Exacta (9-6) $321.40 * $1 Superfecta (9-6-11-7) $12,011.60 * $1 Trifecta (9-6-11) $1,508.80 * Winner picked by DaSilva

EIGHTH-1 1/16m(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO

Off: 4:09. Good. stlkd, inside, gamely

Time: 23.77, 49.05, 1:13.61, 1:38.03, 1:44.06. Trainer: Dale Romans

Winner: DK B/ C, 2, by Any Given Saturday-Socorro County

Scr: El Duro, Joshua's Comprise, Almost English.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsSummit County118 2 7 6 2 1/21 1Lanerie1.20Made in U. S. A.122 4 4 4 4 1 1/22 noBravo6.50Jump for Kitten118 9 2 2 1 1/23 1/2Rosario4.80L's Ticket to Ride122 5 6 7 5 1/24 1 1/2Leyva24.90Starship Zorro120 10 8 8 9 1/25 nkCruz12.90Lightening Cutter120 8 10 10 7 hd6 nkLezcano3.10Hansel Tazwell118 3 1 1 3 hd7 3/4Aguilar56.20Fifth Ave Fancy118 1 9 9 8 1/28 4 1/2Albarad57.30Act of Madness122 7 5 5 109 1/2Nunez51.80Hoofing Cat118 6 3 3 6 1/210Lopez19.00

2-Summit County4.403.002.604-Made in U. S. A.5.203.609-Jump for Kitten3.60

* $1 Pick 3 (7-9-2) $155.20 * Double (9-2) $40.80 * Exacta (2-4) $25.20 * $1 Superfecta (2-4-9-5) $320.10 * $1 Trifecta (2-4-9) $39.90 *

Winner picked by Debbie L., Consensus, Exacta picked by Vic C.

NINTH-1 1/8m(T); $26,200; mdn cl($35,000); 3up

Off: 4:40. Good. set pace, kept to task

Time: 23.5, 48.35, 1:13.43, 1:37.81, 1:5.54. Trainer: James Baker

Winner: CH C, 3, by Any Given Saturday-Fabulous Finish

Scr: Where's My Crown, Responsive Eye, Ballerino, Mar Bravo.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsSaturnus118 2 1 1 1 31 1 3/4Saez15.50Lime Drop Kid120 6 7 6 4 hd2 1 1/2Castellan1.00Dr. Goldfarb118 1 2 2 2 33 nkRocco, Jr.7.10Goldsome118 11 6 5 3 hd4 2Gomez30.20Dragon Tail120 7 10 9 6 45 1Velazqez3.40But You Promised120 8 5 3 5 16 5Lezcano9.20Rockitude120 9 9 8 7 27 4Sanchez41.60Silver Skates121 3 11 10 9 118 4 1/2Aguilar93.00King's Vision120 4 3 4 8 1 1/29 11 1/4Saez8.10Little Brit121 10 8 11 1110 5 1/4Boraco162.70Best Of120 5 4 7 10 1/211Lopez42.30

3-Saturnus33.009.605.607-Lime Drop Kid2.802.401-Dr. Goldfarb4.00

* $0.1 Pick 6 (2-3-7-9-2-3) $10,942.22 * $0.5 Pick 5 (3-7-9-2-3) $7,153.40 4; $46.30 * $1 Pick 4 (7-9-2-3) $2,622.00 * $1 Pick 3 (9-2-3) $486.30 *Double (2-3) $104.40 * Exacta (3-7) $99.00 * $1 Superfecta (3-7-1-13) $2,650.00 * $1 Trifecta (3-7-1) $190.70 * $1Super Hi-5 (3-7-1-13-8) $5,980.60 *

Double picked by Vic C.

Attendance 1,624.Handle $274,132.Total Handle $4,817,802.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:33:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_charts_wbDRY6ToSdUmGbk8HBYVzL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_charts_wbDRY6ToSdUmGbk8HBYVzL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080734294 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT Local

America's story is being told by the numbers.

We're gayer. Women are more prominent than ever. We are going to fewer rodeos, more baseball games and still watching a lot of TV.

A treasure trove of interesting, odd and illuminating statistics is revealed in the 135th edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, which will be published this week.

The data will "serve as an answer book to basic statistical questions," said Dan Coyle, product manager for the data firm ProQuest. He said the information helps us "to understand who we are, what we are about, and how we're changing."

For example:

* There are 646,464 same-sex households in the United States, according to census data compiled in the abstract. That includes 48,932 in New York state.

* Coffee consumption is down, while peanut eating is on the upswing.

* About 70 percent of all adults ages 18 to 34 own a laptop.

* The data found 53 percent of men spend their leisure time watching TV, while for women, the number was 48 percent.

* Unwed mothers were responsible for 41 percent of births in the country in 2010, compared with 33 percent in 1990.

Still, women have been making gains in society. They accounted for 40 percent of all science and engineering doctorate degrees in 2010, a leap from just 27.9 percent in 1990.

In the workplace, 19 percent of us reported being in the same job for 12 months or less, while another 20 percent had held the same job for five to nine years.

New Yorkers have the longest commutes, with 40 percent reporting more than 35 minutes. Despite the Big Apple's density, only 10 percent of us reported walking to work, compared with 11 percent in Washington, DC.

We love our pets, too — and the poorer we are, the more likely we are to have pet birds. Some 4.4 percent of households earning less than $20,000 a year have an avian friend.

But our cowboy past is fading. There were just 572 rodeos held in 2011, down from 754 in 1990.

For the first time, the compendium — made up from US Census, government agency and private sector data — was published by a private company because of federal budget cuts.

chuck.bennett@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_american_way_6KOSlhjUgD3bmy8JF1whqL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_american_way_6KOSlhjUgD3bmy8JF1whqL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4080734280 -1 false By DEBBIE LITTLE Horse Racing

Best Bet: Steuben Patriot (9th)

FIRST: mile; pace; $2200; cl($4000)

5 EngineNumberNine(GMertn)5-3-45-24 Blue Mermaid(AButtitta)5-6-68-13 Sues Destroyer(TFreese)7-5-34-11 Hammer(RDaneJr)6-4-67-22 Badlands andArt(JTaggrtJr)3-3-89-26 You Slay Me(JDevaux)8-7-510-17 Thin Blue Line(BAldrichJr)5-7-73-18 KamwodJsperN(CHckbneIII)8-4-812-1

SECOND: mile; trot; $3000; cond

5 ExcellentVacatin(BAldrchJr)4-3-35-24 Varsity Hall(JDeSimone)1-2-43-13 Karma Hall(JDevaux)3-9-75-11 E R Anna(JDohertyJr)4-6-44-12 EastCreekNicolle(RCmplng)8-5-29-26 Sweet Licks(CStratton)6-5-510-17 Slugging It Out(WParkerJr)8-3-812-18 SpringbackWack(JTaggrtJr)5-5-88-1

THIRD: mile; pace; $4000; cl($2600)

1 Bet Your Britches(BDobson)1-8-45-23 Bullish Blue Chip(JDevaux)8-4-33-16 Eyesbold(CHuckaboneIII)2-8-16-12 Snuff Box(GAnnaloro)6-2-88-14 Dougs Boy(ASchwartz)4-7-14-15 Zoom On By(CStratton)7-4-210-17 Q Revrac(GMerton)7-6-77-28 Pro Kid(WParkerJr)1-1-13-1

FOURTH: mile; trot; $3000; cond

5 Sweet Kix(CStratton)2-4-13-12 CostnerBlueChip(WPrkerJr)5-4-64-14 Trottin To The Max(RVinci)3-7-65-21 QuantumDonato(JDohrtyJr)7-8-85-13 Toes In The Sand(RHarp)5-6-66-16 Upfront Amanda(MForte)4-6-612-17 Barmaid(JMarohnJr)7-6-58-18 MrDemolitionMn(BAldrchJr)7-7-610-1

FIFTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

5 Jack Bauer(MForte)2-1-54-11 Frustrated Fran(WParkerJr)3-3-85-24 Peanut Shells(RHarp)5-1-73-12 Yes YourMattjesty(JMarhn)4-6-57-23 Blanca Raya(MMerton)1-5-79-26 Iroquoindianfllw(ASchwrtz)5-8-410-17 NeedlesandPns(KDbendett)6-8-46-18 Hevensperlygtes(BAldrchJr)1-2-612-1

SIXTH: mile; trot; $2600; cond

2 Zorgwijk Lucifer(JDevaux)3-6-55-25 Speedy Big Ras(WParkerJr)7-1-77-21 BroadwayLine(CHuckbneIII)4-5-23-13 Largent Hall(JMarohnJr)7-7-510-14 Double D Fine(JTaggartJr)8-7-34-16 Two Black Clouds(GMerton)6-8-46-17 Kash Now(CMcCracken)7-6-812-18 Mystical Heiress(BAldrichJr)4-dnf-49-2

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $3000; cond

5 Beal Hanover(WParkerJr)2-8-13-17 Rocknroll Band(GMerton)1-3-25-21 Bj Pacifica(BAldrichJr)3-5-17-22 Timewell(TFreese)7-6-410-13 Imposter A(MForte)7-6-54-14 ComeHmeHney(KDbendett)5-2-49-26 Double Trossed(JMarohnJr)8-5-112-18 Filthy Rich(JDevaux)1-6-88-1

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

2 Caseys Cam(BAldrichJr)1-7-17-21 U Belong To Me(WParkerJr)7-3-25-23 Diablo(KDibenedetto)1-2-33-14 Shando Hanover(JMarohnJr)4-8-810-15 Fly Away(CStratton)3-7-59-26 Mc Dragon(MMerton)5-1-612-17 Matts Delivery(JTaggartJr)8-8-18-18 Camp Counselor(GMerton)1-5-84-1

NINTH: mile; pace; $3100; cond

1 SteubenPatriot(KDbendett)1-1-x9-53 Future Rock Star(GAnnalro)3-1-44-12 Cam DanKadandy(MMerton)2-4-33-14 Lucky Deuce(AButtitta)6-6-310-15 Lukes Dotty(WParkerJr)4-5-69-26 Fulla Love(JMarohnJr)5-4-212-17 DaydreaminLynx(JChindno)2-1-48-18 No More Toys(GMerton)2-7-64-1

TENTH: mile; trot; $3800; cond

7 E R Kayla(WParkerJr)2-2-15-22 Fair Bizzness(JTaggartJr)8-1-69-24 Tropical Leader(GAnnaloro)5-7-410-11 Tas Avance(PBeeler)1-8-93-13 Motown Railing(BClouser)5-3-58-15 SecretEnergy(CWashington)7-3-612-16 MyCinnamonGirl(BAldrchJr)1-5-77-28 Liberty Cruise(MForte)4-1-24-1

ELEVENTH: mile; pace; $3000; cond

2 Cannae Rocky(GMerton)1-1-15-21 Wild Artist(MForte)6-1-13-15 Big Slick Z Tam(WParkerJr)6-1-48-13 HowForeverFeels(BAldrhJr)5-4-17-24 Greystone Matt(RDaneJr)2-7-810-16 Five Star Stud(JTaggartJr)8-3-612-17 Windsun Fire N Ice(JDevaux)3-4-54-18 Kevin S Apples(JChindano)7-6-49-2

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $2200; cond

1 Zinescape(GMerton)2-7-85-25 Cards N Music(BAldrichJr)2-7-83-12 IdealPhannyMan(GAnnalor)4-4-57-23 Armbro Durable(GCampbell)7-7-712-14 Four Starzzzz Lou(KHaase)7-5-25-16 Welcome Lover(WParkerJr)5-8-19-27 Joshuas Jet(MForte)7-4-410-18 Jk Hooty(CStratton)6-6-68-1

THIRTEENTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

2 Southern Friedchic(JDvaux)2-4-23-11 Buck Stops Here(GMerton)3-4-25-25 Moving In Together(MForte)1-2-79-23 WorkingOnADream(RDneJr)6-8-36-14 SkywayShania(RMacmbrJr)7-2-27-26 Ddi Major(WParkerJr)3-6-610-17 Myyankeegirl(JMarohnJr)4-5-412-18 Destinys Calling(BAldrichJr)7-4-84-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:32:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/debbie_little_at_monticello_0Fp2yOILcPLrpPcwx8CXdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/debbie_little_at_monticello_0Fp2yOILcPLrpPcwx8CXdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Horse Racing 5.10.4080734266 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO Local

New York really is the home of the Borscht Belt.

Officials will douse the New York State Thruway with 50,000 gallons of beet juice this winter, an anti-icing measure that's cheaper and less corrosive than salt.

But don't expect purple roads. The beet mix also includes brine and other liquids, giving it a brownish hue.

Beet juice is particularly effective on the state's 570-mile highway system because it can be used before snow falls to prevent ice from forming. That helps reduce employee overtime costs, officials said.

It does not eliminate the need for salt, but works with it.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/icy_road_just_beet_it_IFcmsC9u4KDb2bPGZcZqcL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/icy_road_just_beet_it_IFcmsC9u4KDb2bPGZcZqcL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4080734252 -1 false Horse Racing

All horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1 1/16m; $22,500; str alw; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Brother Bird(L),123JCastellan1-7-2Maker2 UntuttableAffar(L),112E Zayas5-7-4Paul3 Nemo Landing(L),119OBocachic9-1-6Vitali4 Chiseled Light(L),114J Chamafi5-3-4Chavez5 Red Hills(L),121L Saez8-1-1Garoffalo6 Today's Man(L),119G Saez5-1-2Vazquez7 Ya Ya's Rules(L),116F Jara4-1-2Pita

SECOND-6f; $27,500; opt clm; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Put It All In(L),120J Leyva1-7-2Kaplan2 Chongo Verdi(L),118M Cruz3-3-1Pilotti3 Trinity Tavern(L),118P Lopez1-4-6Estevez4 Richard Croy(L),118J Santana1-6-xGatis5 Puty Boy(L),118F Jara1-4-3Bozzo6 Sharp Deal(L),118C Olivero1-x-xGarcia7 Cosmic Flight(L),111M Argueta2-1-6Pilotti8 Poco Man(L),118L Saez1-3-1Vivian

THIRD-5 1/2f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 ShortysFashion(L),116M Argueta5-8-4Zele2 Cubahatuey(M),118OHernndz4-5-xMesa3 Bringcheckchrl(M),120R Maraghx-x-xMaragh4 Money inAction(L),120OBocachic11-8-xFarro5 Cashel Back(L),123J Delgado3-5-2Melendez6 GiacomotheGrt(L),120D Gomez6-3-2Chavez7 Sunbabyrun(L),117JBridgmhn7-x-xLightner8 Arthur(L),120RAlbarado7-6-3Ritvo9 Lakota Brave(L),123J Pizarro2-x-xZoppi10 Miura(M),120C Oliverox-x-xBezara11 Image of Alydar(L),115H Sanchez5-5-4Zeldman12 Touchnluck(L),123W Henry8-7-6Ziadie13 Montesarchio(L),120D Boraco5-5-6Helman14 Wildcat Boss(L),115H Sanchez2-8-4Pirie15 ExquisiteObern(L),115OHernndz10-7-9Suckie

FOURTH-5f(T); $42,500; cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Justanoceanwy(L),119OBocachic5-5-6Tesher2 Ms Diller(L),119G Saez1-9-1Vazquez3 MaysTreasurtrv(L),119LContrers6-5-1De Paulo4 Obrigeta(L),116L Saez4-5-4Croft5 KarakorumElktr(L),119J Sanchez6-6-6Rice6 Miss Dora(L),119PHusbnds3-6-1Foley7 DonnaGetyorgn(L),119E Prado2-3-3Wilkes8 Button Girl(L),119JCastanon13-1-5Nicks9 Hurricane Girl(L),116JCastellan4-1-1Ness

FIFTH-6f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO; (f)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Johanna Honey(L),120D Cohen2-10-12McPeek2 Distinctlybella(L),120F Jara6-7-xEstevez3 Midday Edition(M),120D Gomezx-x-xSantoro4 Blonde Diva(L),120P Lopez8-5-7Pinchin5 Sweet Arabella(L),120JCastanon10-7-6Foley6 RepentlessLdy(M),120J Bravox-x-xAlvarado7 IndomitblWmn(L),120L Nelson3-5-xHarvey8 Indian Event(L),120M Aguilar8-8-5Van Culin9 GoldenBechGrl(M),120L Saezx-x-xWhite10 Tiz a Storm(L),120J Leyva8-x-xCroft11 PepprmntCndy(L),120E Trujillo5-5-xHills12 Your Lovely(L),120J Alvarez2-3-xSpatz13 ThisIsSomchFn(M),120J Sanchezx-x-xHamm14 Chapel'sBeauty(L),115H Sanchez9-7-5Hartmann15 Pure Treasure(L),120J Sanchez4-4-6Green16 Bonnie Top(L),120C Olivero5-4-4Rivera

SIXTH-1 1/8m(T); $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Tenforthemony(L),120J Rocco, Jr7-x-xRomans2 Prado Cat(L),120C Lanerie2-7-xRomans3 One Mint Julep(M),120JCastellanx-x-xPletcher4 Teleconference ,120L Saezx-x-xMott5 Federal Agent(M),120M Cruz10-x-xPenna6 Rock and Rye ,120J Bravo3-4-6Weaver7 Milwaukee Blitz ,120P Lopez7-x-xFrostad8 Cowdray Park(L),120PHusbnds10-3-2Casse

SEVENTH-1 1/16m; $42,500; cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Henny'sHurricn(L),119OBocachic2-3-3Vitali2 WthMmsBlssng(L),119E Trujillo3-3-3Spatz3 Canaima(L),121F Jara1-6-2Garcia4 Topazio(L),116D Gomez7-3-1Santoro5 Annie Roe(L),123J Leyva1-5-7Kaplan6 Bid a Moon(L),121JCastellan1-2-6Ness7 High Alpine(L),119P Lopez1-5-10Farro8 Dreamspell(L),116L Saez5-6-7Wolfson

EIGHTH-5f(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO; (f)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 BelieveinCharli(L),118J Rios10-5-6Yates2 Le Fascinator(L),120J Rocco, Jr1-x-xMotion3 Shrinking Violet(L),118J Garcia9-1-1Ward4 My CrazyDayse(L),120JCastellan1-3-xNess5 Rosie Red(L),118P Lopez6-2-1Plesa6 The Royal Boot(L),118E Nunez4-4-1Vivian7 Wholelotarylty(L),118L Saez4-1-5McIntosh8 Why Who(L),118J Sanchez2-5-1Green9 Spectacular Me(L),118J Leyva8-7-1Santoro10 Barisoff(L),118J Garcia1-x-xWard

NINTH-1 1/16m(T); $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Solicitation(L),114F Jara3-4-7Green2 As de Copas(L),117J Leyva11-10-7Bozzo3 TwigazuriStrait(L),118J Sanchez1-6-6Nihei4 Carly'sRealDeal(L),117P Lopez3-2-3Plesa5 D'oro Dancer(L),112H Sanchez4-8-2Estevez6 Big Red Talent(L),118R Maragh1-10-5Maragh7 Let'sCallaTruce(L),114M Cruz2-6-7Towne8 Knock Rock(L),118J Lezcano3-2-7Kenneally9 TheGreatGonzo(L),118J Rocco, Jr3-1-4Matz10 Special Energy(L),117L Saez7-8-5Englehart11 Chilean Step(L),116E Trujillo1-2-2Quiroz12 Pacmanstephn(L),117S Karlsson8-5-2McGlinchey13 Soup A' Fleet(L),120M Cruz1-2-6Orseno14 Crime Family(L),114M Aguilar7-5-3Rosas-Cness15 Highspeedntrnt(L),117J Rivera II5-5-7Posada16 Fathom's End(L),114LContrers4-7-8Attard

TENTH-6f; $17,500; cl($10,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 My FriendRalph(L),116J Chamafi4-2-3Rodriguez2 Fast Stack(L),116OHernndz5-6-6Rizo3 Bea Top Quality(L),118D Gomez6-6-4Rossi4 ThereGoesVnny(L),118OBocachic5-7-7Dibona5 Blue Business(L),118L Saez11-5-4Sano6 Pentland(L),118D Cohen11-4-5Vitali7 Steve'sAdvntrs(L),118G Saez7-3-1Ward8 Put ItBackTiger(L),118E Trujillo4-1-10Plesa9 Big Ara K(L),113H Sanchez3-1-2Dwoskin10 Distinctive Pic(L),118P Lopez7-7-4Estevez11 My Omega Run(L),114M Argueta12-1-7Cascallares12 Mylilmanwil(L),114E Zayas9-6-9Melendez13 Tinitus(L),118OBocachic1-3-4Iadisernia14 Ultimate Choice(L),113J Chamafi4-10-2Gatis15 French Holiday(L),118J Bravo1-8-4Edel

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:26:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tomorrow_gulfstream_park_entries_26n4opX4kuYO2sRz6adtfM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tomorrow_gulfstream_park_entries_26n4opX4kuYO2sRz6adtfM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080699114 -1 false Horse Racing

DaSilva Fountaine Affrunti Debbie L. Vic C. Consensus 1 El Gran Joyful El Gran Joyful Mister Woodman El Gran Joyful Mister Woodman El Gran Joyful 19 Kiss of Thunder Adaboy Adaboy Mister Woolman El Gran Joyful Mister Woolman 13 Bytheliteofthemoon Bytheliteofthemoon El Gran Joyful Brat Brat Adaboy 6 2 G.T. Tabu Don'tgetmestarted Strapping Gold Vegas Strapping Gold Vegas 15 Gold Vegas Gold Vegas Don'tgetmestarted Strapping Gold Vegas Strapping 14 Here Comes Sal Strapping Gold Vegas G.T. Tabu Atajo Don'tgetmestarted 8 3 Burning Mandate Philourpockets Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate 15 Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate Schatt the Bandit Philourpockets Evangelos Longer Terms Doug 13 Drinks to Go Evangelos Burning Mandate Sole Runner Burning Mandate Philourpockets 8 4 Major Marvel Sir Rabbit Major Marvel Major Marvel Major Marvel Major Marvel 24 Don'twait Toolong Tom Kitten Tom Kitten Tim Kitten Jazzit Tom Kitten 10 Jazzit Major Marvel Swift Strike Sir Rabbit Tom Kittten Sir Rabbit 6 5 Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Maelys Hope Maelys Hope 19 Mass Invasion Chambord Castle Chambord Castle Maelys Hope Chambord Castle Winnie Nene 14 Rip Roarin Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Chambord Castle Mass Invasion Chambord Castel 10 6 Ritchie Skylander Bernie the Jet Skylander Sayaad Skylander 16 Skylander Bernie the Jet Sayaad Beach Master Skylander Sayaad 10 Party Lad Sayaad Anillo Bernie the Jet Beach Master Bernie the Jet 9 7 Highestmaintenance Cheyenne Autumn Cheyenne Autumn Highest Maintenance Cheyenne Autumn Cheyenne Autumn 17 Gadget Girl Fioretti Fioretti Fioretti Gadget Girl Highestmaintenance 13 Cheyenne Autumn Highestmaintenance Highestmaintenance Music N Songs Highestmaintenance Fioretti 9 8 Jabulani He's a Fireball Alke John Stay Red Love of Flying Love of Flying 14 Love of Flying Love of Flying Love of Flying Scottish Coast All Knight Alke John 7 Alke John Alke John All for the Trip He's a Fireball He's a Fireball He's a Fireball 7 9 Velez Boy of Summer Boy of Summer Tubal Velez Boy of Summer 14 Boy of Summer Pontus Lady E Pontus Pontus Velez 11 Tubal Velez Captain Keon Lady E Channel Changer Pontus 9

Consensus is based on 5-3-1 point system. Extra point given for BEST BET.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/post_experts_pick_the_winners_8lx9h5jTnhiYZ4ubVC8yvL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/post_experts_pick_the_winners_8lx9h5jTnhiYZ4ubVC8yvL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080698137 -1 false By JOHN DASILVA Horse Racing

Post Time: 12:45 p.m.

All horses appear in post position order

1. 1m; $33,700; mdn cl($50,000); 2YO

EL GRAN JOYFUL was third in maiden special at Tampa Bay when adding blinkers. He was a beaten favorite in previous start for a tag. KISS OF THUNDER drops in class for local debut after tiring in career debut. BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON cuts back to sprint and drops in class for dirt debut.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Free Range Man(L),120E Nunez7-x-xTortora15-12 Mister Woolman(L),120J Lezcano3-4-4Zito9-53 Kiss of Thunder(L),120C Lanerie9-x-xBradley10-14 El Gran Joyful(L),120L Saez3-3-2Sano2-15 Brat(M),120P Lopez6-x-xHamm8-16 Abadoy ,118C Olivero5-x-xBezara8-17 Bytheliteofthemoon(L),120J Castellano6-11-9DiVito4-1

2. 6f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO

G.T. TABU cuts back in distance and drops in class after finishing second by a head when removing the blinkers. GOLD VEGAS has finished second in both starts since adding blinkers. HERE COMES SAL races with Lasix and shows steady works for career debut.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 Atajo(L),120P Lopez4-6-xSano15-13 Gold Vegas(L),120L Saez2-2-3Olivares3-14 Strapping(L),120F Torres6-5-xHanna5-15 Don'tgetmestarted(L),120J Bridgmohan8-6-4Gonzalez8-16 Here Comes Sal(M),120E Trujillox-x-xHills6-17 G. T. Tabu(L),120D Gomez2-5-6Maestre5-21 a-Music King(M),120E Nunezx-x-xVivian8-18 Defer Heaven(M),120J Rosariox-x-xWard6-11A a-Vinny the Emperor(M),120S Madridx-x-xVivian8-1

3. 6f; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up

BURNING MANDATE led every step of the way to win at this distance and level when making local debut. LONGER TERMS DOUG came off the pace to win this distance when dropped to this level. DRINKS TO GO closed to finish third this distance and level when making first start since September.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 Schatt the Bandit(L),119J Sanchez8-7-6Green15-13 Philourpockets(L),112M Argueta2-5-4Combest12-14 Running Wildcat(L),118D Cohen6-2-1Vitali10-15 Morador Llers(L),114H Sanchez6-5-4Chavez20-16 Sole Runner(L),119J Calderon2-6-6Schell12-17 Drinks to Go(L),119O Bocachica3-1-7Iadisernia15-18 Burning Mandate(L),123R Albarado1-3-4Gonzalez3-11 a-Hit the Cycle(L),121J Alvarez5-1-2Khan8-19 Longer Terms Doug(L),118J Chamafi1-4-1Dwoskin4-110 Evangelos(L),119G Bain7-4-3Warren20-111 Hollywood Left(L),119L Saez4-8-4Garcia6-112 Five Afternoons(L),121R Maragh5-1-4Maragh6-11A a-Naos(L),114H Sanchez5-3-5Khan8-1

4. 1m(T); $27,500; str alw; 3up

MAJOR MARVEL moves to starter allowance after closing to finish second in both starts off brief freshening. DON'TWAIT TOOLONG lost three-race winning streak when second by a neck as the favorite this level. JAZZIT had the lead and tired to second in his last two starts.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Grove Hall(L),119E Nunez4-7-5Rodriguez30-12 Sir Rabbit(L),119J Bravo3-10-3Campitelli5-13 El Kiwi(L),109E Zayas7-7-7Tabraue30-14 Major Marvel(L),119J Castellano2-2-4Maker7-55 Sugar Ryan(L),116O Mullings2-6-1Simpson20-16 Serapi Cat(L),114O Hernandez9-3-5Mondol30-17 Tom Kitten(L),119D Cohen8-5-1Vitali10-18 Tanzana(L),119A Garcia6-3-2Dibona5-19 Jazzit(L),119J Rocco, Jr2-2-6Farro6-110 He's Spectacular(L),116L Saez6-4-2Toledo8-111 Swift Strike(L),119E Prado5-7-6Mills30-112 Prime Obsession(L),119M Aguilar8-8-6Dixon30-113 Don'twait Toolong(L),119J Rosario2-1-1Cibelli3-114 Professor Palmer(L),119J Bravo3-2-9Volk5-115 Ice Pilot(L),119E Trujillo6-6-3Sacco12-116 Pecky's Boy(L),123J Castellano1-2-1Iadisernia4-1

5. 6f; $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up; (f&m)

MAELYS HOPE faces maiden claimers for the first time after tiring this distance versus optional claimers. WINNIE NENE won off the turf race as favorite while going shorter two back. MASS INVASION cuts back in distance for first start since September for new barn.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Joyce and Me(L),111K Coa1-4-6Sano5-12 Maelys Hope(L),118J Rosario5-1-2Maestre5-23 Backstage Magic(L),118J Leyva2-2-4Jackson10-14 Shirleycee(L),118E Trujillo6-1-1Cibelli8-15 Mass Invasion(L),118J Bridgmohan1-6-6Carvajal12-16 Chambord Castle(L),118G Saez1-1-2Fawkes5-17 Red Over Blue(L),113H Sanchez10-4-3Broome4-18 Winnie Nene(L),121L Saez3-1-2Pilotti6-19 Cash Belongings(L),114S Madrid7-6-5Vivian20-

6. 5f(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO

RIP ROARIN RITCHIE working bullets after tiring as the favorite in the Laurel Futurity last out. SKYLANDER uncoupled entrymate to top choice drew rail and working steadily for turf debut. PARTY LAD won allowance as favorite impressively at Penn on dirt.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Skylander(L),118J Rosario1-x-xWard5-22 Rip Roarin Ritchie(L),118J Garcia5-1-1Ward4-13 Beach Master(L),120R Albarado2-4-1DiVito6-14 Anillo(L),118J Sanchez1-9-10Caramori15-15 Party Lad(L),122J Bravo1-7-1Pino10-16 Trip N Run(L),118J Alvarez5-1-5Maragh20-17 Bernie the Jet(L),118J Castellano6-2-3Contessa8-18 Holy Command(L),118P Monterrey, Jr1-2-2Fawkes12-19 Discreet Glen(L),118P Lopez5-8-1Baker8-110 Sayaad ,118J Lezcano1-2-7McLaughlin5-1

7. 6f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO; (f)

HIGHESTMAINTENANCE from excellent first-out barn and races with Lasix while working well for career debut. GADGET GIRL drew the rail after setting the pace and tiring to third in extremely fast race when she made her career debut. CHEYENNE AUTUMN set the pace and tired to fourth at this distance.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Gadget Girl(L),120E Prado3-x-xRitvo6-12 Pearls for Girls ,120J Rocco, Jr2-x-xMatz8-13 Highestmaintenance(M),120J Castellanox-x-xPletcher5-24 Sweet Dish(L),120R Albarado6-x-xArnold8-15 Summon the Rain(L),120L Saez6-8-3Bradley15-16 Cheyenne Autumn(L),120C Lanerie4-5-xRomans4-17 Camille Garey ,120P Lopez8-x-xHamm20-18 Fioretti(M),120J Rosariox-x-xMott3-19 Music N Songs ,120F Jarax-x-xBezara12-1

8. 1 1/16m(T); $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up

JABULANI defeated cheaper by a nose at this distance when returning to turf. LOVE OF FLYING drops in class for return to turf and he won conditioned allowance at this distance three back. ALKE JOHN was second by a head as the favorite at this price and distance two back.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 All for the Trip(L),116J Rosario6-4-1B Brown12-13 Stay Red(L),116H Sanchez7-5-5Rizo8-14 Political Courage(L),120J Rocco, Jr1-3-2Matz12-11 a-Redwood Man(L),117P Lopez2-4-1Ramirez5-15 He's a Fireball(L),118J Bravo3-7-8Plesa10-16 Alke John(L),117E Trujillo4-2-2Broome7-27 All Knight(L),118J Castellano7-2-8Newman4-18 Scottish Coast(L),121S Madrid5-3-5Campos20-19 Perfectly Crazy(L),110M Argueta4-5-8Catanese20-110 Love of Flying(L),121E Prado8-8-1Sheppard12-111 Dynamic Boy(L),118R Maragh4-6-7Maragh15-112 Whisper Onthe Wind(L),118O Bocachica2-6-6DiMauro6-11A a-Jabulani(L),117F Torres1-4-9Ramirez5-1

9. 1m(T); $26,200; mdn cl($35,000); 2YO

VELEZ drops in class for route debut after finishing fourth at The Meadowlands when making turf debut. BOY OF SUMMER finished well at this distance at Calder when making career debut. TUBAL cuts back in distance and drops in class after tiring in first start for new barn.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Tubal(L),120D Cohen10-4-11S Klesaris8-12 Lady E ,120E Trujillox-x-xCampitelli12-13 Boy of Summer(L),120J Lezcano4-5-5Garcia6-14 Channel Changer(L),120F Torres8-5-7Hanna20-15 Pontus(M),120E Prado8-x-xMotion6-16 Ricochet Court(L),120J Bridgmohan10-6-xZito15-17 Captain Keon(M),120M Cruzx-x-xDiMauro10-18 Dig This(L),120J Leyva6-6-9Yates20-19 The Best Monkey(L),120L Contreras5-x-xDuco12-110 Velez(L),118J Sanchez4-3-xServis3-111 Electromagnetic(L),120J Rosario9-9-xWard4-112 Moonlit Park(L),120E Nunez6-4-xCroft15-113 Mr. Pumpermichael(L),120L Saez5-x-xGleaves15-114 Wardroom(L),111E Zayas8-11-2Azpurua30-115 Edson's Ridge(L),120R Albarado9-7-xGleaves15-116 El Tuscano ,111E Zayas8-3-7Azpurua15-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_park_analysis_AnH4rS6jHGWXTYAhYF3tXL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_park_analysis_AnH4rS6jHGWXTYAhYF3tXL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080677125 -1 false Horse Racing

WEATHER Clear TRACK Fast

FIRST-mile; pace; $2800; cond

OFF: 12:29 TIME: 2:03.4

3ER Taylor (BAldrichJr)2.602.102.102Miss Old Vines (CHckbneIII)24.404.606And We'll See Ya (JRicco Jr)4.50

Scr: Sharks Ideal Man* Exacta (2-3) $29.00 * Trifecta (2-3-6) $221.50

SECOND-mile; pace; $2200; cond

OFF: 12:48 TIME: 2:07.1

4Winfinity (RHarp)13.603.602.702Bar None (MForte)2.602.207StorminGal (BAldrchJr)4.20

* Exacta (4-2) $28.40 * Trifecta (4-2-7) $172.50 * Daily double (2-4) $16.60 * Superfecta (4-2-7-5) $639.00

THIRD-mile; pace; $2200; cond

OFF: 1:07 TIME: 2:03.1

4Fifth Street (BAldrchJr)7.903.402.608Badlands Josh(GAnnloro)5.804.602JK Diamondpearls(WParker Jr)2.60

Scr: David's Road* Exacta (4-8) $69.00 * Trifecta (4-8-2) $265.00 * Pick 3 (2-4-4) $85.50 * Superfecta (4-8-2-5) $783.00

FOURTH-1 3/4m; trot; $5000

Monticello Marathon

OFF: 1:26 TIME: 3:42.2

8Halfpipe (JMarohnJr)7.403.602.707Collect Call(TButer)3.602.802Howmuchubench (MSimons)3.00

Scr:Famous Dude* Exacta (8-7) $17.60 * Trifecta (8-7-2) $86.00 * Pick 3 (4-4-8) $203.00 * Superfecta (8-7-2-6) $384.00

FIFTH-mile; pace; $3000; cond

OFF: 1:48 TIME: 2:02.2

5Smmr Snlght (JRiccoJr)19.605.503.901 Handspeak(BAldrchJr)2.302.104 Flightofdelite(CWshntn)2.90

* Exacta (5-1) $62.00 * Trifecta (5-1-4) $177.50 * Pick 3 (4-8-5) $206.50 * Superfecta (5-1-4-7) $1596.00

SIXTH-mile; trot; $4400; cond

OFF: 2:05 TIME: 2:01.3

3Larissa (BAldrichJr)4.403.202.102Howmacs Amigo (G Merton)3.902.306Chrome Finish (WParker Jr)2.30

* Exacta (3-2) $18.40 * Trifecta (3-2-6) $40.20 * Daily double (5-3) $40.40 * Pick 3 (8-5-3) $115.00 * Superfecta (3-2-6-4) $146.00

SEVENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cond

OFF: 2:23 TIME: 1:59.3

2Allamrican(KDbndtto)16.805.102.604Thomas John N (MSimons)4.802.405No Free Parking (BAldrchJr)2.10

* Exacta (2-4) $79.00 * Trifecta (2-4-5) $209.50 * Pick 3 (5-3-2) $180.50 * Superfecta (2-4-5-6) $956.00

EIGHTH-mile; trot; $5700; cond

OFF: 2:43 TIME: 2:01.4

1Crystl Sizzlr(JTaggrtJr)5.203.402.708SnsationalPryer (ASchwrtz)18.408.104Badboy Paprazzi (MSimons)4.10

* Exacta (1-8) $77.00 * Trifecta (1-8-4) $776.00 * Pick 3 (3-2-1) $41.60 * Superfecta (1-8-4-2) $4499.00 Winner picked by Little

NINTH-mile; pace; $4000; cond

OFF: 3:02 TIME: 2:00.0

2SmmySvnnhBAldrchJr)5.203.002.108High Point (MMerton)9.303.503Pilgrims Toner(J RiccoJr)2.80

* Exacta (2-8) $34.00 * Trifecta (2-8-3) $183.00 * Daily double (1-2) $12.20 * Pick 3 (2-1-2) $151.50 * Superfecta (2-8-3-7) $819.00

Winner picked by Little

TENTH-mile; trot; $4400; cond

OFF: 3:25 TIME: 2:03.0

6Doner Dream(JMarhn)8.506.704.503CC Mister C(TButer)7.505.002Valcyon Days(WParkerJr)3.70

* Exacta (6-3) $131.00 * Trifecta (6-3-2) $731.00 * Pick 3 (1-2-6) $147.50* Superfecta (6-3-2-1) $1,143.50

ELEVENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2200)

OFF: 3:41 TIME: 2:01.3

8GW Mclntck (ABttitta)7.306.404.201Wilson Jay N (NClegg)4.703.102Style Guy (W ParkerJr)3.00

* Exacta (8-1) $20.20 * Trifecta (8-1-2) $94.50 * Pick 3 (2-6-8) $705.00 * Superfecta (8-1-2-5) $328.00

TWELFTH-mile; trot; $5700; cond

OFF: 4:01 TIME: 2:01.1

3AnstsiaWllie(BAldchJr)22.208.505.802DW'SCaptain(MMerton)7.507.201FourStarz F (W Parker Jr)3.80

* Exacta (3-2) $124.00 * Trifecta (3-2-1) $410.00 * Pick 3 (6-8-3) $809.00 * Superfecta (3-2-1-6) $2488.00

THIRTEENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2600)

OFF: 4:21 TIME: 2:00.4

7RichNFlshy(BAldrchJr)11.404.302.302Hallin Gator(JMarohnJr)2.602.105RealMotivation (MMerton)3.00

Scr: Square John *Exacta (7-2) $30.80 * Trifecta (7-2-5) $121.50 * Pick 3 (8-3-7) $5509.00* Superfecta (7-2-5-4) $391.00 *

ATTENDANCE N/A. HANDLE $632,855.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:05 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/monticello_results_2enNNWii2V85bHxv46PR7K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/monticello_results_2enNNWii2V85bHxv46PR7K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080623269 -1 false By RACHEL COHEN AP More Sports

The Penn State child sex-abuse scandal was selected as the sports story of the year by U.S. editors and news directors in an annual vote conducted by the Associated Press.

The news broke in November 2011, with a grand-jury report outlining charges against Jerry Sandusky, and the outrage that followed led to the firing of Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. But the aftershocks were felt long into 2012: Sandusky was convicted in June of assaulting 10 boys, and the NCAA handed down brutal sanctions in July.

In both years, the scandal was picked as the top sports story, the first time since the AP began conducting its annual vote in 1990 that the same story was selected twice in a row. The results of this year's tally were announced yesterday.

Even before the Sandusky trial, the State College community had absorbed another huge blow as Paterno died Jan. 22 at age 85 of lung cancer.

The year ended with a small step to normalcy — joy on the football field. Under new coach Bill O'Brien, the Nittany Lions won eight of their last 10 games to finish 8-4, capped by an overtime victory at home over Wisconsin.

There were 157 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations. The voters were asked to rank the top 10 sports stories of the year, with the first-place story getting 10 points, the second-place story receiving nine points, and so on.Football's popularity, college and pro, was unmistakable with seven of the top 10 stories. But only two of them involved the action on the field.

The Penn State saga received 1,420 points and 109 first-place votes. The No. 2 sports story, Lance Armstrong stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, had 10 first-place votes and 1,008 points.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:08:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/psu_scandal_voted_story_of_the_year_Yrn4KQtWaLhMYJ8zqQjf1J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/psu_scandal_voted_story_of_the_year_Yrn4KQtWaLhMYJ8zqQjf1J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4080623239 -1 false By JUSTIN TERRANOVA More Sports

Six days later, Rob Parker realized he was wrong.

The ESPN "First Take" host who said on Thursday's program that Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is "kind of black" and wondered, "is he a brother or is he a cornball brother?" apologized yesterday.

Parker was suspended indefinitely by ESPN a day later, and he could be fired from the network.

"I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry," Parker wrote on Twitter. "I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care. This past Thursday I failed to do that. I believe the intended topic is a worthy one.''

j.terranova@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:00:51 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/parker_issues_rg_apology_0rMMTx1niyeVCOnVwoPLDJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/parker_issues_rg_apology_0rMMTx1niyeVCOnVwoPLDJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4080623225 -1 false By CLAIRE ATKINSON Business

Glassnote, one of America's most successful independent music labels, is being courted by several suitors eager to cash in on the firm's ability to take fringe acts mainstream, The Post has learned.

Glassnote, the label behind the Grammy-nominated folk-rock act Mumford & Sons — which saw its second CD, "Babel," shoot straight to No. 1 this fall — is not on the block, but suitors are hoping to persuade Glassnote founder Daniel Glass to sell a piece of the action, several music industry executives said.

"Everyone is offering him some kind of equity and/or distribution deals, and allowing him to potentially start a more mainstream label," said one source involved in the talks.

"There is a bidding war over him," the source added. "He's had some incredible success, and the feeling is now is the time to approach him."

Glass downplayed the talks, telling The Post they were in the very early stages.

"Yes, people are courting us — are we interested?" Glass asked. "We're not focusing on it. It's hard to concentrate when you're getting ready for new music."

All three majors — Universal, Sony and Warner — are involved as are firms outside the industry, one source added. Reps for the companies declined to comment.

One early offer was said to be around $20 million for a 49 percent stake in Glassnote plus a distribution deal, said a source.

Perhaps sparking the talks is the fact that Glassnote's distribution deal with Sony's RED is up for renewal in early 2013.

Glass stressed, "There is no sale. We're in the baby stages. Most of our acts are on their first or second record."

Mumford & Sons' "Babel" became the biggest debut of this year when it dropped in September, selling 600,000 units in its first week.

Glass, the controlling shareholder of the 6-year-old independent label, wouldn't say whether he has other investors or provide financial details.

catkinson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/suitors_all_want_piece_of_glassnote_gdQJM5uAwlOpU9k6tzMZhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/suitors_all_want_piece_of_glassnote_gdQJM5uAwlOpU9k6tzMZhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080205141 -1 false By JAMES COVERT Business

Shoppers are crowding malls but that doesn't mean cash registers are filling up.

A prominent research firm lowered its forecast for holiday retail sales yesterday, despite the fact that it expects traffic at stores to increase for the first time in four years.

Retail sales for the crucial November-December period are on track to rise 2.5 percent, according to ShopperTrak, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm.

That's down from a September forecast for a 3.3-percent increase, said Chris Angell, the firm's director of global marketing.

Disruptions from Hurricane Sandy are partly to blame for the expected revenue shortfall.

In addition to temporary store closings, retailers have been hit by markdowns they've been forced to take to clear a backlog of fall merchandise.

At the same time, however, store traffic is on track to rise 2.8 percent — the first jump in holiday traffic since 2008, according to ShopperTrak.

The disparity is partly because consumers are window-shopping, according to Angell, and it's possible that distractions such as the fiscal cliff faced by Congress are at work.

But industry watchers say shoppers are "showrooming" — the practice of browsing products at retail stores before buying them at lower prices online.

"There are big discussions on how many people are window-shopping and how does that translate to online sales," Angell said.

Indeed, during the Black Friday weekend that kicked off the holiday-shopping season, a surge in the use of mobile and tablet devices appeared to be driven by showrooming, according to Mark Layton, chief executive of e-commerce site designer PFSweb.

"[Showrooming] looked strong on Black Friday in particular, with a lot of people using mobile devices at store locations," Layton said.

jcovert@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/nothing_in_store_Qpokou4ewSt0QIA66GPoWN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/nothing_in_store_Qpokou4ewSt0QIA66GPoWN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4080204518 -1 false By PAUL THARP Business

Banking giant UBS is coughing up $1.5 billion in fines — and two of its fat-cat traders face prison — after a US and UK investigation of the bank found "routine and widespread" manipulation of a benchmark interest rate.

The scheme, the largest interest-rate rigging scandal ever, caused lopsided outcomes in more than $450 trillion in annual loans made around the world for everything from credit cards and mortgages to college loans and business deals, federal prosecutors said yesterday.

The criminal complaint against the Swiss bank and the arrest of two former UBS traders show authorities have amped up their financial-sector probes.

The crackdown on rampant corruption in banking's back offices came in a landmark joint probe by authorities in at least five nations, which charge UBS is a major culprit in notorious manipulations of the key Libor rate.

Banks set the rate each day amongst themselves, using a panel of their own representatives and assumptions of short-term lending demand.

The surprising scope of the alleged schemes opens the floodgates for worldwide litigation from financial institutions — which unknowingly lost millions on the wrong side of rigged lending.

Prosecutors said that more than 45 traders and brokers at the bank, along with scores of outside currency middlemen, conspired almost daily, with bribes of typically $20,000 trading hands to influence Libor rates.

Each illicit pact set up among the traders and brokers was aimed at profiting on their positions from tiny moves in the rate.

Even a brief 1/100th of a percent move in the Libor translated to profits of about $459,000 for one of the UBS traders accused in the crackdown.

That cheated counter-parties, the complaint said.

"UBS manipulated one of the cornerstone interest rates in our global financial system," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer.

"The scheme alleged is epic in scale, involving people who have walked the halls of some of the most powerful banks in the world," he said.

Yesterday's actions included the first criminal charges made in the probes, leveled against Tom Alexander Hayes, 33, and Roger Darin, 41.

London police picked up Hayes; Darin is still at large.

The US Justice Department filed to extradite the pair to face trial here.

Numerous outside brokers were also involved, said enforcement chief David Meister of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

"These brokers are supposed to be honest middlemen," he said. "The brokers here were anything but honest."

The government complaint quoted one broker telling a UBS trader regarding an illicit pact's profits: "'Mate, you're getting bloody good at this Libor game. Think of me when yur on yur yacht in monaco wont yu.' "

Prosecutors said more people were to be named in the ongoing probe.

As many as 40 employees of UBS have left the bank over the case, prosecutors said.

In exchange for a deferred prosecution of the company, UBS agreed to plead guilty to civil violations at the unit in Japan, leaving the parent to pick up the hefty tabs and suffer the black eye.

tharp@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/swiss_sc_alps_IjnW3v7RMvaEuxtojd88uK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/swiss_sc_alps_IjnW3v7RMvaEuxtojd88uK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080204385 -1 false By BRUCE GOLDING Business

They hope you choke!

Two of Bernie Madoff's victims are outraged over his younger brother ahead of his sentencing today for helping pull off the world's biggest Ponzi scheme.

In a letter to the judge, Jill and Nancy Miller said they are "very unhappy" that Peter Madoff got his punishment postponed from Nov. 9.

"This man was not using the time for getting his 'tax' situation resolved. He was out and about enjoying a leisurely lunch in an expensive Upper East Side restaurant where many of his victims would like to eat but can't afford to."

A second victim, Natalie Erger, noted how Madoff has asked to remain free so he can attend his daughter's bat mitzvah.

"My grandson will be a bar mitzvah in November. How can we pay to fly? How much would it cost to drive?

"Thanks Madoff brothers."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:26:49 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/madoff_victims_let_loose_AlGmkXI23ABE2HuT7wex6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/madoff_victims_let_loose_AlGmkXI23ABE2HuT7wex6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080076122 -1 false Page Six

Nancy Shevell, the wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, could be making a move into the art market. Shevell was spotted checking out the Young Collectors Exhibition at Leila Heller Gallery on Tuesday in Chelsea with art collector Beth Rudin DeWoody and her fiancé, photographer Firooz Zahedi, as well as Andy Warhol biographer Bob Colacello and former Armory Show director Paul Morris. The exhibition features work from emerging artists — ranging in price from $500 to $5,000 — and 10 percent of the proceeds go to the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, which gives artists grants, and a Hurricane Sandy relief fund for visual artists. Town & Country co-hosted the opening night, and online art site Paddle8 put on a presale for the show, curated by Alexandra Wagle and Laura Mintz. Any new works Shevell picks up would certainly be in good company: McCartney reportedly already owns blue-chip works by Picasso, Renoir and Magritte, and took up painting himself in the 1980s.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/art_rocks_for_nancy_mgmal4Vsh7v1IBfr37Kh1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/art_rocks_for_nancy_mgmal4Vsh7v1IBfr37Kh1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4080076099 -1 false Page Six

That Lure Fishbar's John McDonald and Josh Pickard are opening an outpost of the SoHo restaurant at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel next year . . . That Jerry Seinfeld will perform at the Stand Up for a Cure Concert Series in April at Madison Square Garden to benefit the American Diabetes Association, and former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza will host a VIP party . . . That outgoing "X Factor" judge L.A. Reid has chosen to wear designer duds by Domenico Vacca for this season's finale . . . That JFI Jets is sponsoring a tournament benefiting New York Junior Tennis & Learning on March 2 . . . That Matthew and Nicole Hanley Mellon will serve as junior chairs of the Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach on Feb. 8 . . . That Patrick Meyer of tech firm Thinaire has launched his latest book, "Steve Jobs and the World of Mobile."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_yMjjXopoKOEST0tSbROGxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_yMjjXopoKOEST0tSbROGxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4080075984 -1 false Reuters Business

The US Treasury plans to sell its stake in General Motors over the coming year, all but assuring a multibillion-dollar loss in a move that will end the automaker's "Government Motors" era.

Treasury's plan — a two-step process that includes a $5.5 billion stock sale to GM — is part of a broader push to wind down the controversial financial bailout under the Troubled Asset Relief (TARP) program.

The planned GM sale will raise the proceeds that Treasury has recovered to $28.6 billion of the $50 billion bailout GM originally received.

With $20.9 billion left from the original bailout, the government would have to sell its remaining shares at an average price of $69.72 to break even.

GM shares closed yesterday at $27.18, up 6.6 percent, or $1.69.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:05:57 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/no_more_gov_motors_AhImnVEzFmpiejgtWXwueN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/no_more_gov_motors_AhImnVEzFmpiejgtWXwueN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079941078 -1 false By KEITH J. KELLY Business

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said Chief Executive Lisa Gersh is stepping down after just five months on the job as the domestic diva's empire retrenches.

The company also said it had hired a headhunter to find a replacement for Gersh, who will leave after a transition period.

Her departure, which was first reported in The Post, sent the stock down as much as 5 percent before recovering. Shares closed up 7 cents, or 2.7 percent, at $2.65.

The move comes as the company pulls back from media to focus on selling branded merchandise, including a deal with JCPenney.

Gersh, a veteran TV executive and co-founder of Oxygen Media, was hired as president and COO in 2011, in part to help revive the company's flagging media fortunes. She was elevated to CEO in July.

However, her hiring hasn't done much to boost the TV or publishing properties. In January, the Hallmark Channel canceled Stewart's daily talk show. Her only regular TV gig now is "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" on PBS.

The magazine portfolio has also been battered by the print ad slump, with the company shutting down its Whole Living and Everyday Food titles, and firing about 70 people, in recent weeks.

The announcement came in a memo to staffers from Gersh and Stewart, who is the company's majority owner, non-executive chairman and chief creative officer.

Surviving in the CEO spot has always been challenging, as Stewart has a reputation as a micro-manager who doesn't want executives making key decisions.

"I call it the Murphy Brown syndrome," said Michael Kupinski, a media analyst with Noble Financial Partners, referring to the TV hit that starred Candice Bergen as a sharp-tongued news anchor who churned through assistants.

While Stewart has not reclaimed the CEO title since she served a five-month prison sentence for lying to investigators probing her sale of ImClone stock, she remains the indomitable power.

She controls about 70 percent of the stock and receives $2 million in salary and bonus, plus another $2.1 million paid to her real-estate company for use of her homes and studios.

kkelly@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:47:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/yep_she_gone_0NnNxdbBwY9dkBuCO8Qk8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/yep_she_gone_0NnNxdbBwY9dkBuCO8Qk8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079941060 -1 false Page Six

The Rascals — the 1960s band fond of dropping their G's in hits like "Good Lovin' " and "Groovin' " — reunited to play their first public show in 40 years last week. The evening marked the opening of "Once Upon a Dream," a new "theatrical concert" produced by E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. The six-night run at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester includes original members Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli as well as screened archival footage and interviews. Chazz Palminteri, "The Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore and record mogul Tommy Mottola were spotted rockin' out.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:05:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/rascals_are_on_the_loose_amUw6Yc1oyXg9CEGFftZjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/rascals_are_on_the_loose_amUw6Yc1oyXg9CEGFftZjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940991 -1 false Bloomberg Business

Three former advisers for an unidentified Swiss bank, Stephan Fellmann, Otto Huppi and Christof Reist, were charged by the US with conspiring to help American clients hide more than $420 million from tax authorities.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:47:12 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/adviser_trio_in_tax_mess_oHV0z6pftnfzmdcIilPECM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/adviser_trio_in_tax_mess_oHV0z6pftnfzmdcIilPECM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079940885 -1 false Page Six

The Brooklyn Nets show off their singing skills, and their Christmas spirit, in a new video holiday card. The digital greeting went out from the team this week — featuring players including Deron Williams, Jerry Stackhouse, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries in their uniforms and Santa hats. The guys gamely sing along, and dance, to a funky remix of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The comically out-of-tune action takes place in front of a snowy backdrop with a Nets logo. But even though he opened the new Barclays Center with eight nights of shows, the Nets' part-owner Jay-Z is (sadly) missing from the clip.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:04:22 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/nets_like_rockettes_u2hnLi7DV7ugC4f21TgNyL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/nets_like_rockettes_u2hnLi7DV7ugC4f21TgNyL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940862 -1 false By GARETT SLOANE Business

Facebook is keeping its mobile ads for itself.

The company halted an experiment that allowed advertisers to use its treasure trove of data about users to buy ads on third-party mobile apps in exchange for a cut of the revenue.

Instead, Facebook is going to focus on selling ads on its own mobile app, which is increasingly sucking up more of people's time.

Facebook accounts for about 20 percent of time spent on mobile apps, according to Ken Sena of Evercore Partners.

"They have plenty of inventory to monetize," he said.

Facebook, run by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is expected to double the money it takes in on mobile this quarter compared to the previous three months, according to Sena.

Facebook's total revenue will jump 40 percent this quarter to $1.6 billion, "driven by a 50 percent increase in our mobile ad estimate to $322 million," Sena said, who upped his target on the stock to $32.

Facebook shares fell 1 percent yesterday to close at $27.41.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:43:09 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/fb_to_sell_ads_on_its_own_app_EBzwzWvdVTcZWVvUU6SufL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/fb_to_sell_ads_on_its_own_app_EBzwzWvdVTcZWVvUU6SufL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079940747 -1 false Page Six

Not to ruin any surprises, but we know what some of Jon Stewart's friends and family are getting for the holidays. "The Daily Show" host and father of two was spotted at downtown electronics mecca J&R this week shopping for video games, DVDs and Blue-ray discs. Stewart apparently doesn't mind doing his own shopping: "He spent quite some time in the store looking around and seemingly enjoying the experience," a spy told us. He may also enjoy wrapping presents as he didn't get the goods wrapped up, we're told. But Stewart — who's Jewish per quips such as, "I was born in New York City, but I was raised in New Jersey, part of the great Jewish emigration of 1963" — may be a little late for Hanukkah. He's not the only celeb our spies have seen holiday shopping. Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez were at a Toys R Us in LA this week, picking up toys for Berry's daughter, Nahla, "laughing and chatting in great spirits."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stewart_in_the_spirit_g9WGNLl3fnNMJoFPxqzCbL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stewart_in_the_spirit_g9WGNLl3fnNMJoFPxqzCbL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940630 -1 false Page Six

Al Pacino and "Stand Up Guys" director Fisher Stevens at the Mark Hotel . . . Yankees closer Mariano Rivera at Bobby Van's on Broad Street, where former NBA stars Charles Oakley and Jayson Williams were separately spotted . . . "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau at Carmine's in Times Square . . . Fotog Billy Farrell standing on the bar to give a champagne toast at his agency's annual "employees only" holiday party at Harding's in the Flatiron District . . . Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Robert Grant, Elaine Sargent, Michelle Marie Heinemann and Michele Gerber Klein previewing MTV's Arches of Hope art installation at the Out NYC . . . Christmas crooner Shea and Madame Mayhem at the Darby.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/sightings_sightings_IFeT4XIPYZAzYHjmpF7M3K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/sightings_sightings_IFeT4XIPYZAzYHjmpF7M3K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940515 -1 false Page Six

Cipriani 42nd Street went to the dogs Tuesday night for the Humane Society of the United States' "To the Rescue" gala. Guests including Amanda Hearst and Rose McGowan posed with pooches on the red carpet, and Mayor Bloomberg took the stage to support daughter Georgina. New York has a "long love affair with animals," Hizzoner said. "From the bulls and bears on Wall Street to the 'Cats' on Broadway to the big ape on the top of the Empire State Building to the Big Bird on 'Sesame Street.' I think only Noah had a better track record." But he admitted, "My girlfriend [Diana Taylor] takes the Labs to Central Park every morning for an hour and a half. I roll over and head for the shower." The event raised $1.5 million.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:19:17 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/animal_kingdom_Mz2Kl4YEzTWgtrz2UKEjNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/animal_kingdom_Mz2Kl4YEzTWgtrz2UKEjNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940409 -1 false Page Six

Rapper Flo Rida was so keen on hearing his own music at a club, he gave the DJ his cellphone so his newest track could play. The rapper was at Hyde Lounge at the American Airlines Arena in Miami after a Heat game Tuesday, and wanted to unveil an unreleased tune for the crowd. But when the DJ asked for a copy of the track, Rida said he only had it on his iPhone. The spinner plugged it into the sound system as Flo Rida popped nearly $5,000 worth of champagne. Also spotted were Gabrielle Union and Marlon Wayans.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:40 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/go_with_the_flo_0LyzXAHC20AmYSfz8kOlEK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/go_with_the_flo_0LyzXAHC20AmYSfz8kOlEK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940386 -1 false Page Six

Michael Strahan is big with the ladies. The TV host was at Asellina at the Gansevoort Park Avenue Monday with Connor Cruise when he was spotted by a top publicist hosting a holiday party in a private room for 55 women. The p.r. maven "bet the girls $500 they couldn't get Michael to come say hi," said a spy. When they succeeded, "Michael told them, 'I wish I had 55 guys with me right now.' " The ex-NFL star, who's engaged to Nicole Murphy, then headed to the Darby to see Connor DJ.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:34 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/workin_the_room_glkzXmi22QDbdiqe4purXJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/workin_the_room_glkzXmi22QDbdiqe4purXJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940267 -1 false Page Six

Derek and Daniel Koch, twins known for their raucous "Day & Night" brunch bashes, fought to a bloody pulp Saturday in the name of helping superstorm Sandy victims. The 6-foot-2 pair engaged in a sibling muay thai boxing match at the Broad Street Ballroom, and their melee was mixed with bottle service for spectators. (For those keeping score, "Daniel won, 29-28. I let him win," Derek told us.) The brothers, who've mixed it up before, have been training since July. Their personal "Fight Club" raised about $25,000 for Sandy relief. Three years ago they threw a similar charity fight and poker tournament. (Daniel won that one, too.)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/brawling_for_good_cause_QB8m1XNFwHdO8ZrZbfm4zI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/brawling_for_good_cause_QB8m1XNFwHdO8ZrZbfm4zI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740470 -1 false Page Six

Emma Roberts is helping Bono and Bobby Shriver's AIDS-fighting organization (RED) promote a new iPhone game that raises awareness and money for the cause. Julia Roberts' niece will take to Twitter today to answer questions about the game, (THRED), described as "an abstract 3-D world" with "ever-shifting obelisks" and "living dragon-like gateways." It's free to download but has paid upgrades, with proceeds going to the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/emma_pitches_in_sTYNYexvnSCXPASUEAjKYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/emma_pitches_in_sTYNYexvnSCXPASUEAjKYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740355 -1 false Page Six

"Homeland" star Claire Danes and her actor husband, Hugh Dancy, have welcomed their first child, Cyrus Michael Christopher. Dancy announced the happy news to friends and family on Tuesday, sources say, a day after the baby's birth. The boy was born Monday at "exactly 3 p.m.," according to an e-mail sent out by Dancy, weighing just under 7 pounds. The proud papa further told loved ones, "Mother and baby are well, healthy and happy, and together we send our love to you all." Danes and Dancy tied the knot back in 2009. Danes is nominated for a second Golden Globe for work on Showtime's "Homeland," after winning an Emmy for her role earlier this year. Her rep did not return requests for comment.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/joy_comes_home_uSdckfNDE1MAGkrVNyoHEI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/joy_comes_home_uSdckfNDE1MAGkrVNyoHEI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740236 -1 false Page Six

Genevieve Sabourin, who claims she spent a night of passion with Alec Baldwin before being charged with stalking, says she's sick, broke and needs a new lawyer. Sabourin tweeted that she was ill at her mother's house in suburban Montreal yesterday when she was due in Manhattan Criminal Court for a hearing on charges she stalked Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, reports The Post's Bill Sanderson. The case was adjourned to February, giving Sabourin another court deadline to obsess over. "More months of suffering, of financial loss and of stress," she tweeted in French. "And it will mark one year that I've been dancing through the palace of justice with no result save that I've had my life completely destroyed!" Sabourin, 40, has tweeted up a storm pleading for Baldwin and the Manhattan DA to drop the charges. She even said Baldwin must relate to her plight because of his dealings with the legal system in his 2002 divorce from Kim Basinger. "Only [he] was a millionaire and a movie star . . . I'm broke, no work, no home . . . nothing left and with pneumonia."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/alec_stalker_in_new_whine_GU0OqbvqG9cvX1mffW01SP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/alec_stalker_in_new_whine_GU0OqbvqG9cvX1mffW01SP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six 5.10.4079866631 -1 false http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Copyright 2009

http://www.nypost.com Newscore http://www.nypost.com/rw/SysConfig/WebPortal/nypost/images/rss_nyp_logo.jpg http://www.nypost.com 120 18 AP Manhattan

The brother of imprisoned financier Bernard Madoff has been sentenced in New York to 10 years in prison for crimes committed in the shadow of his notorious sibling.

Peter Madoff was sentenced Thursday after victims described their anguish at losing their life savings in the Ponzi scheme. The sentence was announced in a crowded Manhattan courtroom by Judge Laura Taylor Swain six months after Madoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and falsifying books and records. He agreed then to serve 10 years in prison. It was four years ago this month that his brother revealed his multi-decade fraud that cheated thousands of investors out of their $20 billion investment. Bernard Madoff is serving a 150-year prison term.

Peter Madoff says he did not know of the fraud but committed other crimes.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:19:09 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/bernard_madoff_brother_gets_year_ayWYVRJWr5eEkt7zu3j7zK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/bernard_madoff_brother_gets_year_ayWYVRJWr5eEkt7zu3j7zK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4115476631 -1 false By LOIS WEISS Business

The much sought-after 529 Broadway, a two-story building on the northwest corner of Spring Street in the middle of a busy shopping district, has been sold for $150 million to Jeff Sutton, Joe Sitt, the Adjmi family and Bobby Cayre's Aurora Capital.

The 22,500-square-feet property, the subject of an off-market bidding war, will be emptied and razed. A new building of about 40,000 square feet will be built on the site, sources said.

Vornado Realty Trust and Invesco were among those that lost out in the bidding.

Goldstone Realty was the seller and the deal closed today.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:27:28 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/spring_ing_to_life_0hdb3K5UrwTnnsMjZL5yhJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/spring_ing_to_life_0hdb3K5UrwTnnsMjZL5yhJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4114853871 -1 false By MATT ABRAHAMS and REBECCA HARSHBARGER Manhattan

A worker suffered a broken ankle when a service elevator plunged two floors at a Midtown hotel this afternoon, authorities said.

The unidentified employee of a laundry company was moving a bin of linen at the Madison Towers Hotel, 22 East 38th Street, when it fell from the main floor to a sub-basement at 4:32 p.m.

When Walter Betantourth, a hotel engineer, reached the victim, "His leg was under the bin. He told me he was in pain. You could see it on his face."

The man was taken in stable condition to Cornell Hospital.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:40:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/worker_injured_after_elevator_drops_2OTJcBE07bJMQtOJbjYi5O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/worker_injured_after_elevator_drops_2OTJcBE07bJMQtOJbjYi5O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4114827747 -1 false POST STAFF REPORT Knicks

The Lakers' Christmas gift to the Knicks? The return of Steve Nash.

The star point guard, who has been out with a fractured foot since early in the season, says his "most realistic" return date is Christmas Day at Staples Center against the Knicks, according to Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell's Twitter account.

Nash said he felt "pretty good" at practice Thursday and it's "possible" he could play Saturday against the Warriors. But Tuesday seems most probable. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, the former Knicks head man, reiterated that, too, adding that whatever day Nash returns "will be Christmas."

D'Antoni said having Nash back will increase the learning curve of his system. The two were extremely successful together with the Suns.

"He's the best at it," said D'Antoni, who resigned from the Knicks during last season.

Nash, 38, has been out since early November. The Lakers started the season 1-4, fired Mike Brown and hired D'Antoni, who has clashed with Pau Gasol. LA is 12-14 and would not make the Western Confernce playoffs if the regular season ended today.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:10:51 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/most_realistic_return_date_for_lakers_ScX1hr61vKT7y0ivPYMCAJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/most_realistic_return_date_for_lakers_ScX1hr61vKT7y0ivPYMCAJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Knicks 5.10.4112603014 -1 false By LAURA ITALIANO Manhattan

Disgraced East Village ex-cop Kenneth Moreno -- the lead officer in last year's notorious "Rape Cops" trial -- finally turned himself in this afternoon to serve a year sentence for official misconduct.

"The defendant will now begin to serve his sentence, and sentence is executed," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro said in ordering the cuffs go on.

Moreno looked angry but resigned as he was led off to protective custody at Rikers. In the audience, his beautiful brunette ex -- with whom he has been embroiled in a heated custody battle -- watched with mixed satisfaction.

"It's bittersweet," Maria Cruz, a bus driver from Staten Island, told The Post. "I feel my daughter is going to be hurting for her father being away," she said of their 16-year-old daughter.

Acquitted of on-duty rape and burglary but convicted of three counts of official misconduct, Moreno had been sentenced 16 months ago, but has been allowed to remain free as first the Appellate Division and then, earlier this month, the state Court of Appeals has rejected his bids to stay free.

Moreno's jailing this afternoon followed a stunning courtroom reprimand by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Richard Sullivan, who noted the defendant's "chutzpah" in asking to remain free pending a last-ditch federal appeal.

"Mr. Moreno should go to jail like anyone else who's been convicted and whose post-conviction arguments have been denied," Manhattan Federal Court Judge Richard Sullivan said earlier in refusing to issue a stay.

Moreno's appellate lawyer, Stephen Preziosi, had insisted in oral arguments this afternoon that his client's Constitutional right to due process had been violated because there had been insufficient evidence for conviction.

The trial judge, Carro, had also erred in not issuing a curative instruction to jurors after prosecutors mis-instructed jurors on the law for official misconduct, Preziosi argued.

"I have to say I don't even think this was a close call," the federal judge said in rejecting Preziosi's stay request, which would have required "extraordinary circumstances."

"Frankly, I think it took a certain amount of chutzpah to even bring it."

Earlier today, Morena's former; partner, Franklin Mata, turned himself in, wordlessly, to serve his own sentence, 60 days jail.

Both Moreno and his ex-partner, Franklin Mata, had been acquitted in May, 2011 of raping a drunken young fashion executive who they'd been dispatched to help into her East 13th Street apartment.

But both were convicted of three counts each of official misconduct -- one for each time the pair were caught on surveillance video using the woman's keys to re-enter her apartment.

Mata, who prosecutors said played a more minor role of lookout, will likely serve 40 days with good behavior, said his lawyer, Edward Mandery.

Moreno, a married father of two who prosecutors accused as the actual rapist, will serve closer to eight months with good behavior.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:28:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disgraced_year_cop_kenneth_moreno_mo8lWmu3YIOMoikAqckN2I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disgraced_year_cop_kenneth_moreno_mo8lWmu3YIOMoikAqckN2I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4112261982 -1 false By MICHAEL BLAUSTEIN Local

Unless meteorologists are horribly off in their predictions for the next few weeks of 2012, New York City is set to finish its warmest year ever, with an average temperature of 57.2 degrees.

That average temperature makes 2012 warmer than the three other years currently tied for the hottest ever: 1990, 1991 and 1998, according to the Wall Street Journal, which analyzed data from the National Weather Service station in Central Park.

"If you were to end the year right now, we would finish a 10th of a degree above 1991, which was the current warmest year on record," said National Weather Service meteorologist David Stark.

The only thing that could stop 2012 from reaching the number 1 spot would be for December to average a temperature significantly lower than the one NYC experienced in January of 1918, the coldest month in city history.

According to Weather.com, New York City should see temperatures in the 30s and 40s for the remainder of 2012.

Given the extremely low chances of an epic deep freeze, it is safe to assume that New York City will set a new record high this year, which puts the city in the same category with Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, which are all on course for record-setting years.

In fact, the entire lower-48 is on pace to surpass the national high-temperature record of 54.3 degrees, set in 1998, by more than a degree, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:57:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/forget_your_sweater_nyc_had_hottest_A1gvMnozUiiJnxTGlKm4LJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/forget_your_sweater_nyc_had_hottest_A1gvMnozUiiJnxTGlKm4LJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4110922951 -1 false POST STAFF REPORT Local

The mother of Sandy Hook Elementary School killer Adam Lanza was burried in New Hampshire today in a quiet family-only service, according to CNN.

Nancy Lanza was shot last Friday by her son shortly before he headed to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he went on a deadly rampage.

Earlier today Connecticut's chief medical examiner said that burial arraignments were being made by an undisclosed out of state funeral home and that police in New Hampshire would be fielding questions from the media.

"There is a funeral home, out of state and whose name is as yet unknown to me, who wants to claim the body discreetly," Dr. H. Wayne Carver told the New Haven Register.

Nancy Lanza once lived in New Hampshire and her brother is a retired police captain in Kingston, N.H.

Carver wouldn't say whether Adam Lanza's body remains unclaimed.

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:45:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/adam_lanza_mother_burried_in_new_Wub9qD1WxR1DkKPM2Y90YO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/adam_lanza_mother_burried_in_new_Wub9qD1WxR1DkKPM2Y90YO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4110271742 -1 false By MADELEINE SCINTO National

AP Suzy Favor Hamilton poses for a photo earlier this summer before it was revealed she was a high-price call girl.

Screw the Olympic legacy and Nike commercial — I was a $600-an-hour call girl!

Suzy Favor Hamilton, a three-time US Olympian in middle-distance running, spent the last year working as a call girl for Haley Heston's Private Collection, a premier escort service based in Las Vegas. The 44-year-old wife and mother used the alias "Kelly Lundy" to snuggle with men in swanky hotels from Los Angeles to Chicago, The Smoking Gun reported today.

But her double life imploded after revealing her identity to several clients, who excitedly gushed to their friends about bedding a former Olympian and model. A reporter caught up with Hamilton in a Las Vegas hotel lobby earlier this month, and she reluctantly spilled about her astounding secret she now calls a huge mistake.

"I cannot emphasize enough how sorry I am to anyone I have hurt as a result of my actions and greatly appreciate the support from family and those closest to me. I fully intend to make amends and get back to being a good mother, wife, daughter, and friend," Hamilton tweeted today.

Hamilton lives in Madison, Wis. with her seven-year-old daughter, and her college-sweetheart Mark Hamilton, the site says. She said her husband knew of her salacious shenanigans, but he just couldn't stop her.

The former swimsuit model gushes her secret sex life was "exciting," a welcome diversion from heading her successful real estate brokerage company, delivering 60 motivational speeches a year and appeared at a handful of Disney events.

"I was drawn to escorting in large part because it provided many coping mechanisms for me when I was going through a very challenging time with my marriage and my life. It provided an escape from a life that I was struggling in. It was a double life. I do not expect people to understand, but the reasons for doing this made sense to me at the time and were very much related to depression," Hamilton continued in her rambling online apology.

Before racing at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Hamilton scored big-time glory as the most decorated female athlete in NCAA track and field history. Nike, Reebok, Clairol, Oakley and even Pert Plus shampoo clamored after the blonde hottie who had won national championships, NCAA titles and All-American awards galore.

But she claimed her life turned sour after suffering from postpartum depression following her daughter's birth in 2005. Hamilton said she also struggled with her brother's suicide in 1999, a year before she sprinted in the 1500-meter final in Sydney. She said she threw the race once she knew she couldn't score a medal — horrified she could not honor her brother's memory.

"I have been seeking the help of a psychologist for the past few weeks and will continue to do so after I have put things together," Hamilton tweeted.

She said she decided to quit the escort business, though several of her clients tell the site "she is worth every penny."

Watch Suzy Favor Hamilton's 2000 Nike ad:

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:28:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/olympian_reveals_double_life_was_e2RNncFkociEkQvwnbHSCL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/olympian_reveals_double_life_was_e2RNncFkociEkQvwnbHSCL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4110271374 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

The suspense surrounding the sentencing of the brother of Ponzi king Bernard Madoff will largely be absent because a plea agreement makes a 10-year prison term all but certain.

But drama will likely fill the courtroom Thursday in US District Court in Manhattan anyway as 67-year-old Peter Madoff faces some of the heartbroken investors who lost their savings when the unprecedented fraud was revealed four years ago this month.

When he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and falsifying books and records of an investment adviser, the former senior compliance officer at the Madoff private investment business said he was "shocked and devastated" when his brother revealed several days before he surrendered that thousands of accounts supposedly worth $65 billion were worthless. Investigators say Bernard Madoff had distributed most of the $20 billion he took in over several decades to other investors while investing none of it in the markets as he had promised to do.

A court-appointed monitor has so far recovered nearly $9.3 billion that was lost, mostly by clawing back money from investors who received large payouts along the way. Most of the money has not yet been distributed. A small part of the recovery has resulted from the sale of numerous Madoff family assets, including the toys of the wealthy — multi-million dollar homes, fancy cars, yachts and art.

In a pre-sentence brief, attorney John Wing said his client was subject to a "draconian forfeiture order that in one stroke stripped him of all existing assets, his home, his pension, his savings, his personal property, etc. and of all future assets and income should he even have the opportunity to earn any income after serving his prison sentence." He said Peter Madoff will be left a "jobless pariah" when he gets out of prison.

Yet, one couple who submitted a victim impact statement to federal prosecutors said Peter Madoff did not seem destitute when he was spotted "enjoying a leisurely lunch in an expensive Upper East Side restaurant where many of his victims would like to eat but can't afford to."

In the letter filed publically Wednesday with others, Jill and Nancy Miller said they saw him there after he had pleaded guilty in June.

Michael De Vita, an investor who has asked to speak, said in a letter to the court that the judge should set aside the plea agreement and impose the maximum sentence.

"I ask that you show the same degree of compassion for Peter Madoff that he showed for us — none!" he wrote.

Another victim, Gail Oren, said she had to come out of retirement and can only afford rare public outings with friends.

"It is embarrassing," she said. "My social life is almost non-existent now. As a result, I am often alone and often feel depressed. My life has become a life of loneliness quite often."

Karl and Wanda Eisenhauer wrote that they were forced to sell their family farm because of their losses.

"It is difficult to describe the heartache. We can only beg for your help," they said.

Morton J. Chalek recalled standing in line when Pearl Harbor was bombed to enlist in the Air Force. He flew 23 combat missions and later built a successful business before his attorney introduced him to his golf partner, Bernard Madoff.

"I am now 90 years old and bankrupt. I have been waiting hopelessly to recover the money Madoff stole from me," he said.

Not everyone sounded angry at their loss.

Robert Roman, Peter Madoff's brother-in-law, said he and his wife, Joan, had lost their life savings, along with the life savings of their three daughters and their families and yet did not wish prison on Peter Madoff.

"Our family is supposed to hate him. But — we do not. Why? Because prison is where Charles Manson belongs. That is a solution to his situation. Peter in prison is an answer only to those who seek revenge. It is not a solution," he wrote.

Roman said he met the brothers in February 1954 and witnessed firsthand the "domination and back-yard bullying" that Peter Madoff endured at the hands of his brother.

He called Peter Madoff a victim and said the tens of millions of dollars in riches given to Peter by his brother likely corrupted him to give in to his brother's demands.

"Bernard Madoff had control of the greatest weapon of mass destruction ever created. It was his checkbook. To be seduced by that weapon is the ultimate temptation," Roman wrote.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:35:49 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bernie_madoff_brother_peter_manhattan_S0tko6dDdgCHHs8ZVaPddM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bernie_madoff_brother_peter_manhattan_S0tko6dDdgCHHs8ZVaPddM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4109642310 -1 false Page Six

LeAnn Rimes adamantly insists she was not drunk during her wobbly and slightly off-key duet on "The X Factor" last night.

"I was trying to help this 13-year-old girl who was having some trouble with the song," she told TMZ.

The country singer took the stage with finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar to perform her hit "How Do I Live?" She said Sonenclar was very nervous and had difficulty with some of the notes and she was doing her best to help her get through it. She added that she does not understand why people believe she was drunk.

Rimes' lawyer, Larry Stein told the gossip site that "LeAnn was not performing the way she would normally perform, because she was on stage with a young girl."

Watch the video and indeed, Rimes looked like she was struggling through her own 1997 hit.

She often overlapped Sonenclar's words and sang louder than the finalist. At one point during the duet, Rimes grabbed onto Sonenclar's arm, seemingly for support.

Many viewers wondered if Rimes was perhaps under the influence.

"Was LeAnn Rimes drunk on last night's 'X Factor' performance?" one fan tweeted. "I heard she's been sick. Hope that's all."

"It's been 12 hours and I'm still laughing and crying at the hot mess that was Leann Rimes on the #xfactor last night," another wrote.

Rimes' mental well-being has made headlines before but she insisted to Jay Leno on Tuesday that she is doing well after a 30-day stint in rehab for anxiety and stress.

She also opened up about her decision enter treatment on her 30th birthday. "God, the last four years have been super compressed with anxiety," she said. "I didn't know how to deal with it all."

Rimes also touched on her drama with "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Brandi Glanville. She commented on how her husband Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife often mentions her on the reality series.

"I should feel flattered that I'm that interesting, that I can be such an amazing storyline on a reality show."

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:33:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/leann_rimes_was_not_drunk_on_factor_sp3X0e0djW7u6CaHadISzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/leann_rimes_was_not_drunk_on_factor_sp3X0e0djW7u6CaHadISzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4109641602 -1 false By DOUG AUER Manhattan

The gun used to blast a cop in the chest inside a Lower East Side housing project over the summer has been recovered, The Post has learned.

The .22-caliber handgun was purchased during an undercover operation in September as the NYPD and Drug Enforcement Administration probed a drug crew, law enforcement sources said.

A thug used the weapon to fire off a single bullet at point-blank range at Officer Brian Groves on July 5 as the cop and his partner patrolled the Seward Park Extension on Essex Street, sources added.

Groves, 31, a married father of two, was saved by his bullet-resistant vest and somehow managed to chase the gunman down four flights of stairs and squeeze off four rounds before collapsing from the pain.

The corn-rowed perp fled and is still being sought.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:44:11 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/gun_used_in_cop_shooting_netted_MNzi7vm8eokgwsICBzS6cN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/gun_used_in_cop_shooting_netted_MNzi7vm8eokgwsICBzS6cN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Manhattan 5.10.4109293660 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS National

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will push to tighten gun laws in response to last week's schoolhouse massacre in Connecticut, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday, and Speaker John Boehner said the GOP-controlled House would consider the proposals.

Biden, who is overseeing the administration's response to Friday's killing of 20 children and six adults at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, said he and President Barack Obama are "absolutely committed" to curbing gun violence in the United States.

"Even if we can only save one life, we have to take action," he said.

A longtime gun-control advocate, Biden met Thursday with Cabinet members and law enforcement officials from around the country. He said he wanted to meet with the group, which included representatives of at least a dozen law enforcement organizations, because they "know better than anyone else what's needed out there."

Police chiefs helped develop innovations such as community policing and drug courts, Biden said, and they have a comprehensive view of how to approach gun violence.

Gun-control measures have faced fierce resistance in Congress for years, but that may be changing because of the events in Connecticut, which shocked that nation. After the shooting, Obama signaled for the first time that he's willing to spend significant political capital on the issue. Some prominent gun-rights advocates on Capitol Hill — Democrats and Republicans alike — have expressed willingness to consider new measures.

Asked if he would allow a vote next year on gun-control legislation, Boehner, R-Ohio, said he and his caucus "join the president in mourning the victims of the horrible tragedy in Connecticut."

When Biden's recommendations come forward, Boehner said: 'We'll certainly take them into consideration."

Obama on Wednesday tapped Biden to lead an informal task force on gun violence and set a January deadline for the recommendations. The group is considering changes such as reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons, closing loopholes that let gun buyers skirt background checks and restricting high-capacity ammunition clips.

Beyond firearms' restrictions, officials also will look for ways to increase mental health resources and consider steps to keep society from glamorizing guns and violence.

Biden said the assault weapon ban, which expired in 2004, is one thing Congress can do immediately. He pressed the police chiefs to push for such a measure.

"For anything to get done, we're going to need your advocacy," he told the group, which included representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:16:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/we_have_to_take_action_on_gun_control_yOGAzrpNiiMsxkgJyyuewM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/we_have_to_take_action_on_gun_control_yOGAzrpNiiMsxkgJyyuewM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4109293637 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The family of Noah Pozner was mourning the 6-year-old, killed in the Newtown school massacre, when outrage compounded their sorrow.

Someone they didn't know was soliciting donations in Noah's memory, claiming that they'd send any cards, packages and money collected to his parents and siblings. An official-looking website had been set up, with Noah's name as the address, even including petitions on gun control.

Noah's uncle, Alexis Haller, called on law enforcement authorities to seek out "these despicable people."

"These scammers," he said, "are stealing from the families of victims of this horrible tragedy."

It's a problem as familiar as it is disturbing. Tragedy strikes — be it a natural disaster, a gunman's rampage or a terrorist attack — and scam artists move in.

It happened after 9/11. It happened after Columbine. It happened after Hurricane Katrina. And after this summer's movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.

Sometimes fraud takes the form of bogus charities asking for donations that never get sent to victims. Natural disasters bring another dimension: Scammers try to get government relief money they're not eligible for.

"It's abominable," said Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, which evaluates the performance of charities. "It's just the lowest kind of thievery."

Noah Pozner's relatives found out about one bogus solicitation when a friend received an email asking for money for the family. Poorly punctuated, it gave details about Noah, his funeral and his family. It directed people to send donations to an address in the Bronx, one that the Pozners had never heard of.

It listed a New York City phone number to text with questions about how to donate. When a reporter texted that number Wednesday, a reply came advising the donation go to the United Way.

The Pozner family had the noahpozner.com website transferred to its ownership. Victoria Haller, Noah's aunt, emailed the person who had originally registered the name. The person, who went by the name Jason Martin, wrote back that he'd meant "to somehow honor Noah and help promote a safer gun culture. I had no ill intentions I assure you."

Alexis Haller said the experience "should serve as a warning signal to other victims' families. We urge people to watch out for these frauds on social media sites."

Consumer groups, state attorneys general and law enforcement authorities call for caution about unsolicited requests for donations, by phone or email. They tell people to be wary of callers who don't want to answer questions about their organization, who won't take "no" for an answer, or who convey what seems to be an unreasonable sense of urgency.

"This is a time of mourning for the people of Newtown and for our entire state," Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said in a statement this week. "Unfortunately, it's also a time when bad actors may seek to exploit those coping with this tragedy."

But scam artists know that calamity is fertile ground for profit, watered by the goodwill of strangers who want to help and may not be familiar with the cause or the people they're sending money to.

After the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., scammers asked for credit card donations for victims' families. After the 9/11 attacks, the North American Securities Administrators Association warned investors to be wary of Internet postings encouraging them to invest in supposed anti-terrorist technologies.

In 2006, the FBI warned about an email widely circulated after the Sago, W.Va., mine explosion, which claimed to be from a doctor treating one of the survivors and asking for donations to cover medical bills.

"As was learned after the tragic events of 9/11/01, the tsunami disaster, and more recently with Hurricane Katrina, unscrupulous cyber criminals have shown the desire and means to exploit human emotion by attempting to defraud the public when they are perceived to be most vulnerable," the FBI said at the time.

This fall, the police in Aurora, Colo., accused a local woman of trying to profit off the deadly movie theater rampage by a gunman who killed 12 people. The woman told people that she was the caretaker for a little girl named Kadence, whose mother had died in the shooting. The police said the child was made up. The scam unraveled when a donor got a phone call from what seemed to be a woman imitating a child's voice.

When the government doled out disaster aid after Hurricane Katrina, scammers asked for money to rebuild houses they never lived in or to pay benefits for relatives who never existed.

The government later set up the National Center for Disaster Fraud to try to root out such scams in the federal relief programs administered after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. It has since expanded its mandate to other disasters.

The cases brought since then by the Justice Department sketch a colorful picture of fraud:

— A woman who filed for small-business disaster benefits after the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, even though she'd sold the business before the accident.

— A judge and a commissioner in Texas who, after Hurricane Ike, were accused of awarding debris removal contracts to a company in return for kickbacks. The judge also commandeered a 155-kilowatt generator meant for the county to power his convenience store, according to the government.

— A pastor who submitted inflated claims to a government-funded program that reimbursed groups sheltering Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Bob Webster, spokesman for the NASAA, knows the sad pattern.

"We know cons try to cash in on headlines, and any who would even think about stooping to capitalize on the tragedy in Newtown are the lowest of the low," he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/scammers_steal_from_sandy_hook_victim_qyyMZ2vSXZWVPKLQIzyzpO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/scammers_steal_from_sandy_hook_victim_qyyMZ2vSXZWVPKLQIzyzpO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4107991001 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

A judge has ordered Newark Mayor Cory Booker to release internal emails related to a $100 million grant to the city's schools made by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The ruling released Thursday by state Superior Court Judge Rachel Davidson stems from a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group representing Newark schoolchildren.

The Associated Press and other news outlets also have made such requests.

Davidson rejected the city's argument that the emails were exempt from New Jersey's Open Public Records Act under executive privilege.

The emails were between Booker and others from September 2010 to June 2011.

Booker, Gov. Chris Christie and Zuckerberg announced the grant on Oprah Winfrey's show in September 2010.

Booker's office didn't immediately comment on the ruling.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:33:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/judge_newark_must_release_facebook_OSPhiMskUsv7s41O5J3HNO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/judge_newark_must_release_facebook_OSPhiMskUsv7s41O5J3HNO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4107770420 -1 false Page Six

The glittering new trailer for Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" has been released online, and it looks like there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the movie, now set to hit theaters in May.

The new trailer trains its focus on Leonardo DiCaprio's dashing titular character Jay Gatsby.

"I am the son of some very wealthy people," Gatsby explains. "Sadly, they're all dead now."

The clip, vibrant with exaggerated colors, features fast cars, epic parties and sinister undertones. The Kanye/Jay-Z track "No Church in the Wild," featured in the original trailer, makes a return appearance. "Bedroom Hymns" by Florence + the Machines and Filter's cover of "Happy Together" are also featured.

Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan also star in the highly anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.

The film was originally slated to open this month before getting pushed back to next May.

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Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:34 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/watch_leonardo_dicaprio_in_new_great_UB1dePcA42YiJljsDv4WaJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/watch_leonardo_dicaprio_in_new_great_UB1dePcA42YiJljsDv4WaJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4107380445 -1 false By LOU LUMENICK Movies

I love musicals, always have — but my feelings about Tom Hooper's bombastic version of the long-running stage hit "Les Misérables'' had me thinking about the opening lines of another epic set in Paris, albeit a century earlier.

The best of times here include a perfectly cast Hugh Jackman, a veteran song-and-dance man onstage, in his greatest screen performance as the persecuted Jean Valjean.

Anne Hathaway is even better as the doomed Fantine, who will tear your heart out with her film-stopping rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream,'' which is enough to make anyone forget Susan Boyle (if they haven't already).

It's worth seeing the movie for Hathaway alone.

It's the worst of times, though, when Hooper repeatedly traps his stars in tight close-ups during the musical numbers — practically shoving the camera down the singers' tonsils.

This is particularly scary in the case of Russell Crowe, whose husky, rock-style baritone is far more frightening than his character, the relentless Inspector Javert, is supposed to be.

Hooper did a fine, disciplined job directing the Oscar-winning "The King's Speech.''

But for some reason he decided he needed to turn the volume up to 12 — and leave it there — for William Nicholson's subtlety-free adaptation of the musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.

This works, sometimes astoundingly well, for much of the movie's first hour, as prisoner Valjean (an emaciated Jackman) escapes, in 1815, after 14 years of hard labor for stealing a crust of bread.

After singing his heart out on a mountaintop for some reason — hey, it's a musical! — Valjean, with the help of a sympathetic priest, begins a new life under the first of several assumed identities.

Years later, former prison guard Javert shows up and recognizes Valjean, who's become mayor of a small town.

Just as Javert is about to collar him, another man the authorities mistakenly believe is Valjean is arrested. The conscience-stricken Valjean admits his ruse to avoid sending an innocent man to the gallows.

Because of his confession, Valjean is tragically powerless to save former employee Fantine, who's been forced into a life of prostitution and worse. She dies of tuberculosis, leaving her little girl Cosette (Isabelle Allen) an orphan.

Valjean flees from Javert, and after a decade in hiding, is forced to emerge again to save the now-grown Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), who's been adopted by a pair of small-time Parisian swindlers, the Thénadiers. They're played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, who provide much-needed comic relief in what amounts to a variation on their roles in "Sweeney Todd.''

By this point, "Les Misérables'' has become far less compelling.

It's hard to get terribly excited about Cosette's romance with student rebel Marius (Eddie Redmayne, an unexpectedly wonderful singer), who's fancied by the Thénadiers' coddled daughter Eponine (Samantha Barks, who sings rings around Seyfried).

The movie climaxes with the anti-monarchist Paris uprising of 1832 — but there's no political context whatsoever to explain exactly what's at stake.

It all comes off as a picturesque 19th-century version of Occupy Wall Street — except with the authorities using real bullets.

By this point (unlike in Victor Hugo's novel), the ubiquitous Javert's unending pursuit of Valjean has become almost as monotonous as Crowe's singing.

When the fighting begins, Cooper finally pulls the camera back for some of the big crowd shots and shows off the impressive period detail — but far too much of the movie is shot in stultifying close-ups.

And exactly what is the point of filming the numbers live — instead of the usual practice of having actors sing to playback — if you're going to Cuisinart many of the songs in MTV-style editing?

The utter lack of modulation — and the near-complete absence of spoken dialogue, just like onstage — makes for pretty wearying viewing as the movie works its way into its third hour.

"Les Misérables'' finally rallies for a really wow finish — I won't spoil it, but many around me at the screening, including my wife, were weeping.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:36:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/les_miserables_may_cause_weeping_Y3Ra6snZsgWBxC0SPhW5vJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Movies http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/les_miserables_may_cause_weeping_Y3Ra6snZsgWBxC0SPhW5vJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Movies 5.10.4106331127 lou_lumenick.png true ASSOCIATED PRESS Queens

WASHINGTON — Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY., failed to disclose a $40,000 loan from a real estate broker on his financial disclosure reports but there's no credible evidence that the errors were knowing or willful, the House Ethics Committee concluded Thursday.

The committee declined to punish the eight-term congressman, noting that he corrected the errors and omissions in 2010, reporting the liability that should have been on his annual reports from 2007 through 2009.

The decision not to discipline Meeks was similar to findings in other cases in which a House member corrected errors and omissions that were not in bad faith.

The committee also said the evidence did not establish that the loan from Queens real estate broker Edul Ahmad was an impermissible gift. Meeks has contended the loan terms were in writing but has been unable to produce the loan document, saying he misplaced it.

The committee found Meeks repaid the loan in June 2010 and the congressman stated the interest rate was 12.5 percent.

The committee said Ahmad's lawyer contended there was no loan document signed by Meeks and no fixed interest rate. The panel added that investigators were unable to confirm this allegation because they were unable to interview Ahmad — who pleaded guilty to fraud charges in an unrelated federal case.

Ahmad's attorney told the committee staff that his client would decline any request for a voluntary interview and, if subpoenaed, would invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination unless he received immunity from criminal prosecution.

The committee said that unless Ahmad provided documentary evidence indicating the payment to Meeks was not a loan, "it would be unreasonable for the committee to conclude ... that Representative Meeks had been untruthful."

The independent Office of Congressional Ethics, run by a board of non-legislators, had recommended the review of Meeks' financial disclosure statements but did not address whether the money was a gift.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:53:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/queens_broker_gregory_meeks_failed_kL0cAku1SQGTO3Z49mgWXM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/queens_broker_gregory_meeks_failed_kL0cAku1SQGTO3Z49mgWXM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens 5.10.4106054533 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

AP This photo provided by the National Transportation and Safety Board shows the helicopter that crashed into the East River last October.

A helicopter that crashed into the East River off New York City during a sightseeing tour last fall, killing three people, was carrying too much weight, according to a federal report released Thursday.

The National Transportation Safety Board report doesn't conclude what caused the crash; a determination was expected in about two months.

But the report said the Bell 206 chopper had a capacity of 3,200 pounds. The estimated weight at takeoff including all five passengers and fuel was 3,228 pounds, the report said. Federal investigators also weighed the helicopter after it was pulled from the river and estimated it could have been as heavy as 3,461 pounds, but that figure included soggy cushions and other water trapped in the aircraft after it was raised.

Pilot Paul Dudley reported that he asked people for their weights and calculated that they would not be too heavy, according to the NTSB report, but the surviving passenger said the pilot did not ask and didn't calculate the total weight.

A call to Dudley, the manager of the Linden, N.J. airport, was not immediately returned Thursday.

The helicopter sputtered and crashed shortly after takeoff from a riverbank heliport on Oct. 5, 2011. It sank 35 feet below the surface of the slow-moving water off 34th Street in midtown Manhattan, a few blocks south of the United Nations headquarters.

The sightseeing tour was part of a birthday celebration. The passengers were friends of the pilot's family: Paul and Harriet Nicholson, a British couple who live in Portugal; the wife's daughter, Sonia Marra, also British, and the daughter's partner, Helen Tamaki, a citizen of New Zealand. The daughter and her partner were living in Sydney.

Marra died at the scene, her body was pulled from the wreckage. Harriet Nicholson and Tamaki died later.

Paul Nicholson survived.

Dudley, 56, told the NTSB that the nose of the helicopter swung unexpectedly to the left as he was taking off. When he tried to turn right, the aircraft suddenly went out of control and hit the river. The type of problem he described to investigators, known as an unanticipated "yaw," has been documented by the Federal Aviation Administration as being a potential problem for pilots, the report said.

The surviving passenger told federal investigators that the chopper's nose was pointed down at takeoff and he was leaning forward in his seat against the restraint. "The helicopter then began moving 'erratically,' the pilot made an exclamation similar to 'oops' and the passenger then 'knew something wasn't quite right,'" according to the report.

The helicopter had been inspected two days before the crash and had no problems. An examination after it was pulled from the water showed no major engine malfunctions. A drug and alcohol test for Dudley came back negative.

Dudley was an experienced pilot with more than 2,287 hours of flight experience. On April 21, 2011, he failed part of his commercial pilot certificate test. He was re-examined on takeoff, landing and go-arounds three days later and passed, according to the report.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/helicopter_that_crashed_into_east_wzv5ce5lwIOiFiMbPuxg2O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/helicopter_that_crashed_into_east_wzv5ce5lwIOiFiMbPuxg2O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4106053634 -1 false By YOAV GONEN, Education Reporter Brooklyn

This time he played the wrong tune.

A Brooklyn middle school music teacher and trumpet player bedded a teenage member of his wife's youth choir — and even had sex with the girl while his wife was at church, officials said.

Vaughn McKinney, a teacher at IS 59 in Queens, was arrested this morning on charges of rape and sexual misconduct, cops said.

The music teacher allegedly pressured the then- 16-year-old girl into a sexual relationship after she complained about needing a job because she didn't have enough money to buy a phone.

McKinney not only bought the girl a cell phone and paid the monthly bills, according to city investigators, he also gave her an iPod, shoes from a SoHo boutique and cash — but with sleazy strings attached.

"If I get you the cell phone, you know what you have to do for it," McKinney was quoted as saying by the girl's father, a report by the Special Commissioner of Investigation found.

The now 18-year-old girl told investigators she had sex with McKinney 12 to 15 times throughout 2011 — including at a hotel identified as the Surfside Motel in Queens and in his East Flatbush basement on Sundays after his wife, Patricia, had left for church.

Patricia McKinney is the musical director for the East Flatbush Ecumenical Community Choir, which the girl was a member of for four years.

Vaughn McKinney would sometimes attend the choir's practice sessions.

The twisted relationship began to unravel last fall when the girl confided in a youth minister at The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church about the affair, the report says.

The church pastor then confronted McKinney, allegedly got him to confess — and reported the matter to the girl's mother.

The pastor told investigators he did not contact police at that point, the report says.

The girl's mother also stalled in reporting the incident, investigators said. When the teen's father found out, he went to the local precinct but the girl was uncooperative.

Eventually, Patricia McKinney found a bill for the girls' cell phone and reached out to her.

Patricia soon learned the harsh truth after meeting with the girl's mom, then "left the restaurant, went to her car and started to cry," according to the report.

No one reported the relationship to authorities until March 2012, when the girl's mother contacted SCI.

Their report confirmed the sexual contact, but left it open as to whether it began when the girl was 16 or 17.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:10:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/klyn_music_teacher_busted_member_0RBpxzQrR4LztGRf6TuOaL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/klyn_music_teacher_busted_member_0RBpxzQrR4LztGRf6TuOaL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4105628645 -1 false By MITCHEL MADDUX Local

Hip-hop rap master "Fat Joe" pleaded guilty today to criminal charges of failing to file federal income tax returns.

The 42-year-old performer -- whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena -- appeared before Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor in Newark federal court and admitted that he failed to file tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008.

New Jersey federal prosecutors say the rapper had received money from concerts and music sales royalties that amounted to gross income in excess of $1.3 million during 2007 and more than $1.4 million in gross income during 2008.

Cartagena also had gross incomes of $320,000 in 2009 and $680,000 in 2010, officials said, but he is only being held accountable for failing to file tax forms for a two-year period as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The feds say the total tax lost by Uncle Sam when "Fat Joe" failed to pay his taxes was more than $718,000.

The rapper — who is is currently free on $250,000 bail — will face up to two years in prison and a fine totaling $200,000 when he is sentenced on April 3, officials said.

"Fat Joe," who was recently in the news because of a well-publicized beef with "50 Cent," maintains residences in both New Jersey and Miami Beach.

"'Fat Joe' has taken responsibility for his tax failures. He hopes to repay his tax indebtedness," said the rapper's defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman.

mmaddux@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:31:33 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fat_joe_pleads_guilty_to_federal_esykhkl8IwLbY0AZJW2loK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fat_joe_pleads_guilty_to_federal_esykhkl8IwLbY0AZJW2loK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4104541680 -1 false Page Six

After whispers of a romance, Simon Cowell seems to have confirmed that he's dating Carmen Electra.

The cranky music mogul was confronted by his former "American Idol" cohort Ryan Seacrest about the relationship's status.

"Girlfriend?" Cowell said with a laugh on Seacrest's radio show. "We're people who date."

"The X Factor" judge then added about the Playboy model, "She's adorable, isn't she?"

Electra, who was once married to Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro, revealed on "The Wendy Williams" show that she thought Cowell was "so cute" after she visited "Britain's Got Talent."

"He's so cute. He is adorable. He's actually a sweetheart," she said. "I really liked him. I think he's really cool."

The pair were first spotted on a dinner date in LA in September.

Cowell broke off his engagement to makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy last year.

After clearing up the romance rumor, Seacrest moved on to ask about L.A. Reid's departure from "The X Factor."

"I'm going to miss him, because he's a good guy, but he has to go back and run the record label."

Cowell brushed off rumors that Reid's replacement could be Chris Brown or Rihanna. "That is complete rubbish, absolute rubbish."

Then in a humorous exchange, Seacrest asked if Lamar Odom has been on the set and Cowell replied, "Which one is she?"

Seacrest explained that Lamar is host Khloe Kardashian's husband. "Well, there's so many [Kardashians]," Cowell said. "Then the answer to that question is no, Lamar hasn't."

As for who will take the competition when the winner is crowned Thursday? Cowell replied, "I genuinely couldn't guess at this point."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:14 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/simon_cowell_dating_carmen_electra_KczAEfdkDugdJ84nc6IuCK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/simon_cowell_dating_carmen_electra_KczAEfdkDugdJ84nc6IuCK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4104541590 -1 false By CLAIRE ATKINSON Business

BMG Rights is close to a deal for Sony/ATV's Rosetta music publishing catalog, several sources told The Post.

One executive said the music publishing firm had offered around $90 million for the rights to some 30,000 songs.

Rosetta is packed with '80s hits from acts such as Tears for Fears, Culture Club and Devo, along with British songstress Duffy's "Mercy."

Sony/ATV, a joint venture of Sony Music and the estate of Michael Jackson, agreed to sell the catalog to win European Union approval for its $2.2 billion purchase of EMI's publishing arm.

BMG Rights is backed by German media giant Bertelsmann and private-equity firm KKR.

Other bidders for the catalog included Warner Music Group and G2 Investment Group, as well as Saban Capital, Canada's Ole and Paris indie Because Music.

A spokesman for Sony ATV couldn't be reached.

catkinson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:40:06 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bmg_nears_deal_for_sony_atv_song_SUT1roanXz41Z3lkU84pMI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bmg_nears_deal_for_sony_atv_song_SUT1roanXz41Z3lkU84pMI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4103624386 -1 false Page Six

"Gangnam Style" rapper PSY has reportedly used his new-found wealth to secretly snap up a lavish $1.25 million pad in Beverly Hills.

TMZ reported that his two-bedroom, 2,700 sq. ft. condo in the famous Blair House was paid entirely in cash. The purchase barely made a dent in his pocketbook as PSY allegedly raked in $7.9 million for "Gangnam Style" in the last few months alone.

Earlier this month, PSY issued an apology for performing an anti-America song in 2004 with lyrics that included "Kill those [bleep]ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives . . . Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers. Kill them all slowly and painfully."

He said: "I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words."

The South Korean pop star is not an US citizen so it's unclear how much time he will be spending in his new home. TMZ suggested that the purchase was a way for the now-controversial performer to apologize again and to show Americans he does not hate them.

It's said PSY kept the purchase incredibly secret. He even went so far as to be flanked by security guards when he cloncluded the all cash deal with money wired directly from Korea.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:33:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/psy_secretly_buys_la_condo_report_Omjqy3YlamP9VohHGceXGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/psy_secretly_buys_la_condo_report_Omjqy3YlamP9VohHGceXGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4103255590 -1 false Page Six

Ke$ha apologized for the controversy surrounding her song "Die Young" in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, but she then blamed others for the lyrics of the song.

She tweeted on Tuesday, "I had my very own issue with 'die young' for this reason. I did NOT want to sing those lyrics and I was FORCED TO." However, that tweet has now been removed from her account.

Ke$ha's label RCA had no comment about the tweet, or the recording artist being "FORCED" to write the song.

Meanwhile a report says Ke$ha took FULL credit for writing the song, contradicting her Tuesday tweet.

"I definitely make sure that every word rings true to me because I would never want to misrepresent myself to millions of people around the world," she told 96.5 WPLJ in New York in November, according to TMZ. "I wrote and rewrote and rewrote that song ten times."

A source close to the pop singer also tells HollywoodLife today that Ke$ha now feels "attacked."

"She realized that what she wrote on Twitter was not right, but she feels she is being attacked over something she didn't do."

The song – which includes the lyrics, "Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young" – was pulled by several radio stations after Friday's tragic events.

A source tells HollywoodLife that Ke$ha is attempting to do "damage control" and "she doesn't give a [bleep] with controversy, but the song not being on the radio or being played is affecting her pocketbook."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:06:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/ke_ha_removes_die_young_tweet_blaming_K6MNkJ942txgCg7buNiSKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/ke_ha_removes_die_young_tweet_blaming_K6MNkJ942txgCg7buNiSKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4101569023 -1 false POST WIRE SERVICE Local

Newark Mayor Cory Booker ruled out a bid as New Jersey's governor but confirmed he was eyeing a run for the US Senate.

"Let there be no doubt - I will complete my full term as mayor of Newark, NJ," Booker said in a newly released video. "I will explore the possibility of running for the United States Senate in 2014."

<iframe width="525" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NCm2meC1SS8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Booker also thanked the city of Newark for accepting and embracing him.

"It's been the greatest privilege of my life to serve this city as mayor."

He tweeted today: "Thank you for your support up to this point. Read about my upcoming plans here: http://bit.ly/QnTP8 #finishingthework"

It had been speculated that Booker was going to challenge current Gov. Chris Christie, who in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, enjoyed a spike in popularity.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:46:11 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/booker_rules_out_bid_for_run_gov_M3WrWUaBDrqQkn7aS6Zy6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/booker_rules_out_bid_for_run_gov_M3WrWUaBDrqQkn7aS6Zy6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4101568937 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

New York City Marathon runners can receive a refund of their entry fee after this year's race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy.

When the event was called off last month, officials said they had a no-refund policy and hadn't decided whether to make an exception. The race organizer, New York Road Runners, informed entrants Thursday that they had three options to choose from — one of them a refund.

If runners do not reclaim their money, they can have a guaranteed spot in the 2013, 2014 or 2015 marathon. They would have to pay the entry fee again, but at the 2012 rate. Getting into the race is extremely competitive, making a guaranteed spot very valuable to runners.

Or they can accept a spot in March's NYC Half, paying the entry fee for the 13.1-mile race — though availability is limited.

NYRR President Mary Wittenberg said "nirvana" would have been to offer both a refund and free entry into a future marathon, but that wasn't affordable. The race had cancellation insurance, and Wittenberg said that once the payout was determined, the first priority was offering a refund.

"We appreciate that people came here trying to support the city, and we appreciate the investment people made," she said. "We never allowed ourselves an option that didn't include a refund."

In the weeks after the cancellation, Wittenberg said, runners had two main messages for NYRR. One was the possibility of a refund.

The other concerned the details of guaranteed entry into future races. Last month, organizers initially said runners could secure a spot into the 2013 event. But many out-of-town entrants feared they couldn't save up enough money or take enough time off work to make it back to New York so soon. They still hoped to run the marathon someday, so now they'll have the option of 2014 or '15.

"It was important to do everything we could possibly do," Wittenberg said.

Spreading out the runners over three years has an added benefit for marathon organizers. If only 2013 had been the option, next year's field likely would have been filled with mostly 2012 runners, leaving few new spots for entrants raising money for charity or just hoping to race New York for the first time. NYRR will stick with the same expected field size as this year, about 47,500 people, Wittenberg said.

Runners who got in by raising money for official race charities will have the same three options and won't be required to meet the fundraising minimum again to secure a guaranteed spot. About 8,000 runners affiliated with official charities were entered this year.

Wittenberg also hopes some spots can be filled by lottery in 2013. For 2012, close to 15,000 runners got in through U.S. and international drawings. Others qualify by meeting certain time standards in previous races.

Sandy devastated neighborhoods across the New York area six days before the marathon was to have been run on Nov. 4. Among the hardest hit by flooding was Staten Island, home to the starting line. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYRR officials initially announced the race would go on. But as criticism mounted, they canceled the marathon less than 48 hours before it would have started.

By then, thousands of out-of-town runners had already arrived in New York, with international entrants often spending several thousand dollars on the trip. They vented that while they supported the ultimate decision, it should have been made days earlier, before they boarded planes.

Wittenberg still defends the initial plan to hold the marathon, which she and others had hoped would inspire the city and raise money for storm victims.

"Suffice to say, if everybody knew Tuesday and Wednesday what we knew Friday, if we knew it would play out like that, it sure would have been a lot better," she said.

Wittenberg insists the lasting legacy of that week will be the relief efforts in which many runners took part on what would have been Marathon Sunday. NYRR has continued to raise money since then, and Wittenberg would like to hold a charity race on Staten Island if borough officials are on board.

The half-marathon ends in lower Manhattan, another hard-hit area, and she expects that race will be a major fundraiser too.

The runners who never made it to the 2012 starting line must pick an option from Jan. 11-25. Wittenberg expects to accept up to 1,000 or so people into the half-marathon, probably on a first come, first served basis.

The refund applies only to runners who had not withdrawn before Oct. 24, when forecasts of a massive storm started to emerge. The refund excludes an $11 processing fee. Entry costs ranged from $216 to $347; they will not increase in 2013.

Once the number of entrants choosing the 2013 marathon is known, NYRR will determine whether enough additional spots exist to hold a lottery, likely making an announcement by the end of February. More than 140,000 people applied for the 2012 marathon, and Wittenberg is optimistic the race will remain as popular despite the discontent this year. Even if it doesn't happen right away.

"I hope everybody ultimately wants to come be a part of running here in one form or another over time," she said.

Marathon organizers first purchased cancellation insurance after the terrorist attacks of 2001. NYRR also must negotiate financial settlements with sponsors, broadcasters, exhibitors and other partners. Wittenberg said she expected the same sponsors to return in 2013.

After the marathon was canceled, Wittenberg noted that other races had stuck to no-refund policies when runners couldn't make it to the starting line because of extreme weather. Entrants cared most about guaranteed spots in future events, she said then.

In the weeks since, many still focused on how they could run the race another time. But, Wittenberg said Thursday, others sent the message: "I didn't get what I expected." And so the option to receive a refund became a priority.

"It puts the choice in the runner's hands," she said, "which is the important thing."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:05:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ny_marathoners_can_finally_get_their_ApuVQULE5PpXKbEuZDfU7J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ny_marathoners_can_finally_get_their_ApuVQULE5PpXKbEuZDfU7J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4101568649 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York officials are scrambling to negotiate the first new gun control laws in the nation since the mass shooting at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat-led Assembly are pushing again for bans on all assault rifles, high-capacity ammunition magazines and other measures which have been stopped in the Republican-controlled Senate.

"If that incident (in Connecticut) isn't impetus enough to change things in the Senate, I don't think anything else will," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said this week.

A deal could be enacted into law in a rare special session during the holiday week or in an agreement could be part of Cuomo's State of the State speech he's scheduled to deliver on Jan. 9. Cuomo this week said he plans to make gun control proposals part of his annual speech that sets his legislative agenda.

"No one is talking about making guns illegal," Cuomo said Monday. "No one is talking about legitimate hunters and sportspeople. We're talking about illegal guns. We're talking about abuse of guns. We're talking about guns that have no real hunting or sporting purpose. But it's an emotional topic and it is a question of communication. It's a question of degree."

Cuomo wants to address what he calls "significant loopholes" in New York's gun laws, which are already among the most restrictive in the nation.

Cuomo suggests banning all large ammunition magazines. They're currently legal if made before 1994.

The Buffalo News first reported the chance of a rare holiday week special session of the state Legislature. New York City tabloids have been hammering the issue, calling for bans on assault weapons to honor the 20 children and six adults killed a week ago at the school in Newtown, Conn.

Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif said Thursday that no special session has yet been called by Cuomo. He wouldn't comment further.

The dynamic in the Senate, however, is changing.

Republicans lacking a clear all-Republican majority after the November elections struck a deal for a bipartisan coalition to run the Senate with five Democrats. Those members of the separate Independent Democratic Conference have strongly support Cuomo's progressive measures including gun control.

The IDC could side with the traditional Democratic conference from which the IDC broke two years ago to muster the required 32 votes to pass legislation beginning in the new session Jan. 1. That could make new gun control laws inevitable, and could influence the chances of an earlier bipartisan agreement before Jan. 1.

"We stand ready to offer our support," said Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the traditional Democratic conference's new leader elected this week. "The time has come to not only have this conversation, but to act in the best interests of our constituents, and our children. We have a responsibility to all of those who have been impacted by gun violence to come together, begin the healing process and find common sense solutions to this societal plague."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:16:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/cuomo_pushes_first_gun_control_law_a0beDzfV1PNcAAxQCkzzlK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/cuomo_pushes_first_gun_control_law_a0beDzfV1PNcAAxQCkzzlK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4100689543 -1 false REUTERS Local

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 - US Attorney General Eric Holder will travel to Newtown, Connecticut, on Thursday to meet law enforcement officials and investigators who are examining the school massacre there, a Justice Department official said.

Holder, the chief US law enforcement official, will go after his scheduled meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and other cabinet officials about measures to reduce gun violence, the official said.

Federal law enforcement officials have been assisting local and state investigators to try to determine why and how the shooter killed 20 children and six adults on Friday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:03:10 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4099839843 -1 false FOX NEWS Business

Ahead of the predicted Mayan apocalypse tomorrow, many survival shops, restaurants, hotels and other businesses are raking in the profits. Even though December 21 is nothing more than the end of the Mayan calendar and the start of a new one, companies are capitalizing on the disaster craze.

Ready To Go Survival says there has been a major uptick in sales in their survival packs, which include a gas mask, duct tape, matches, ammonia inhalants, water purification tablets and ready-to-eat meals in prices ranging from about $210 up to $700.

Online retailer Wayfair.com reports a 7.8 percent increase in sales of survival gear over the past year. Hot-selling items include generators, first aid kits, lanterns, camping blankets and hydration kits.

The survival site FirstAidGlobal.com reports a 400 percent increase in sales of their pandemic survival kit. The company sold hundreds of Smoke Escape Hoods and about 140 emergency preparedness backpacks, mostly to customers in Southern California, in the past week.

Hotels are cashing in as well. The Waverton near Chicago says they will "be celebrating like there is no tomorrow" and is offering a deal on December 21 to stay an extra night (e.g., after the world ends) for 50 percent off the normal rate. The Curtis Hotel in Denver is offering a deal called "Party Like There's No To-Maya" where you can rent an entire floor of the hotel for $12,021 -- suggesting that money is no option.

To read more, go to Fox News

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:42:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/survival_shops_hotels_and_other_GWNCWx4pcdEB6o4pL0imPN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/survival_shops_hotels_and_other_GWNCWx4pcdEB6o4pL0imPN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4099839404 -1 false Page Six

Kim Kardashian is taking a stand…about her pictures.

Instagram's No. 1 fan is said to be outraged over the photo-sharing sites' new terms of service.

She tweeted on Tuesday, "I really loved Instagram :-( I need to review this new policy. I don't think its fair."

The company faced intense backlash this week over language that implied they could sell users' photos to advertisers without compensation. Page Six reported that many celebs including Anderson Cooper, Coco Rocha and Seth Green were up in arms and considered deleting their accounts.

Despite Instagram's co-founder kicking himself and issuing a statement to clarify the misconception, sources told TMZ that Kardashian isn't biting and is allegedly telling others to boycott Instagram unless they reconsider its policies.

Here's why Instagram should be slightly afraid: As much as the reality star is picked on, she has tremendous social media clout.

On top of her 16.8 million Twitter followers, she has the highest number of Instagram followers at 5.7 million. In comparison, Justin Bieber has 4.3 million and President Obama has 1.8 million.

Indeed, Kardashian's account has been in tranquil silence for two days – that's a lot for her.

Kardashian's exodus could mean a big loss for the company. TMZ suggested that the rest of her attention-loving family, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall, Rob (who are also among the most followed on the site) might follow suit with their middle sis.

A source told the gossip site that Kardashian is waiting for Instagram to revise their terms of service before she makes a final decision. Until then, the world will at least have a lot fewer Lo-fi filtered pics to roll its eyes at.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:43:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kim_threatens_to_drop_instagram_2oKAxfMsrTBPiu3nRMgNYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kim_threatens_to_drop_instagram_2oKAxfMsrTBPiu3nRMgNYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4099277355 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — US sales of previously occupied homes jumped to their highest level in three years last month, bolstered by steady job gains and record-low mortgage rates.

The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that sales rose 5.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in November. That's up from 4.76 million in October.

Previously occupied home sales are on track for their best year in five years. November's sales were the highest since November 2009, when a federal tax credit that was soon to expire spurred sales. Excluding that month, last month's sales were the highest since July 2007.

Sales are up 14.5 percent from a year ago, though they remain below the roughly 5.5 million that are consistent with a healthy market.

Job growth and low home-loan rates have helped drive purchases. Prices are also rising, which encourages more potential buyers to come off the sidelines and purchase homes. And more people may put their homes on the market if they feel confident they can sell at a good price.

In addition, the excess supply of homes that built up during the housing bubble has finally thinned out. The number of previously occupied homes available for sale fell to a 10-year low in October. The supply of new homes is also near its lowest level since 1963.

At the same time, more people are looking to buy or rent a home after living with relatives or friends during and immediately after the Great Recession.

These trends have supported a steady recovery in housing. Builder confidence rose in December for a seventh straight month to the highest level in more than 6½ years, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.

The pace of home construction slipped in November, but it was still nearly 22 percent higher than a year earlier. Builders are on track this year to start work on the most homes in four years.

Economists note that the increase in building should lead to more construction jobs, though it hasn't yet done so. That could mean more construction hiring is coming.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:43:18 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_home_sales_jump_to_highest_level_W2znCXR2A2rySjUMR7eGdN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_home_sales_jump_to_highest_level_W2znCXR2A2rySjUMR7eGdN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4099276735 -1 false POST WIRE REPORT Local

Doubtful he would have made them "proud."

School massacre gunman Adam Lanza wanted to join the Marines, according to a new report.

And if he couldn't join the Marines, he planned to sign up for a different branch of the military, according to the Connecticut Post.

Family friend Ellen Adriani, of Newtown, told the newspaper that the antisocial son told his mother, Nancy Lanza, of his plans and that, at first, mom supported his enthusiasm.

According to the report, Nancy Lanza thought the military would "give him purpose, a career path and structure."

However, the mother soon changed her mind, the report continues.

"It became overwhelmingly clear to her that it (military service) wasn't right for him," Adriani said. "She squashed" any notion of Adam joining the Marines or any branch of the armed services by reminding him "that he didn't like to be touched," said Adriani, and that if he were injured, "doctors and medics would have to handle him to treat him."

A shopkeeper who knew the Lanzas said the mad shooter dreamed of joining the military after he stopped taking college-courses, the report continues.

Yesterday, it was reported that Adam Lanza spent two days home alone preparing for his Connecticut schoolhouse massacre after his mother went away on a mini-vacation.

Nancy Lanza checked into the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, and left around the same time Thursday.

<div style="float: right; width: 263px; margin: 3px"><img src="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/2012/10/26/news/web_photos/relatedstories.jpg" width="100%" height="36"><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em">&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/sandy_hook_elementary_school_shooting_6sVHJf0WOKTerVUMOmjOqN" target='_BLANK'>Photos: Sandy Hook School Shooting</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M" target='_BLANK'>Heroic Newtown teacher called 'superhero' at emotional funeral</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK" target='_BLANK'>Tears for Newtown first-grader who wanted to be a fireman</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO" target='_BLANK'>Dolan to preach at funeral for Sandy Hook teacher Anne Marie Murphy</a><br><br>&#187; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/holder_to_meet_newtown_investigators_oNU6vsMG4EMshlUvWzZaVP" target='_BLANK'>Holder to meet Newtown investigators</a><br></span><br><img src="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/2012/10/26/news/web_photos/botline.gif" width="100%" height="12"></div>

The drive is about 4 1/2 hours, so she would have arrived back home in Newtown late in the afternoon or early evening, according to Headline News — just hours before Adam shot her dead in her bed before the Friday morning rampage that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

He was armed with a Bushmaster .223-caliber assault rifle and two handguns, a Sig Sauer 9mm and a Glock 10mm, all belonging to his mom.

News of Nancy Lanza's getaway came as a funeral home in her New Hampshire hometown called to "discreetly" claim her body, the medical examiner said.

Meanwhile, investigators said they have been able to pull salvageable information from computers at the gunman's home.

"Every day we learn a little bit more, both from the computer and from talking to people," said a law enforcement official.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:42:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_gunman_wanted_to_join_marines_iQPyVUfqiYzur6wz3yqvEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_gunman_wanted_to_join_marines_iQPyVUfqiYzur6wz3yqvEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4098219835 -1 false Page Six

The California Hamster Association has accused Justin Bieber of animal cruelty after he gave away his pet critter named PAC to a frenzied fan.

The exchange happened during Bieber's performance at the Atlanta Jingle Ball show earlier this month. (You can watch a video of the gifting below.)

While the tiny fuzzball has been photographed looking happy and healthy with his new owner in Alabama, the Hamster rights group (CHA) is less than enthused.

They told TMZ that hamsters should be treated delicately and "often succumb quickly to illness and death" especially when faced with "sudden environmental change."

CHA added, "The moment that hamster was handed off to a screaming girl in a harsh, frenzied environment was likely the moment it gazed at the short path to its doom."

The group believes that if Bieber no longer wanted PAC then he should have handed his pet to an animal shelter or a rescue center so they could have given PAC to a new owner in a safer manner.

Bieber has not commented on the situation, but PAC has a Twitter account and seems to be doing just fine. "Please don't hate on my new owner. She's taking really good care of me! :)," reads an entry on PAC's Twitter feed.

<iframe width="325" height="250" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzPvy02W3Yc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:11:48 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/hamster_group_accuses_bieber_of_WmFsidrwrTsiDj9qn6YcSO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/hamster_group_accuses_bieber_of_WmFsidrwrTsiDj9qn6YcSO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4097976130 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A single bell tolled Thursday at the Connecticut funeral of a 6-year-old girl killed by a gunman at her elementary school, while a cardinal in New York compared a slain teacher to Jesus for giving up her life to protect others.

In Newtown, the site of the shooting rampage, grim-faced mourners hurried through the packed parking lot of St. Rose of Lima Church to attend the funeral Mass for 6-year-old Catherine Hubbard.

Catherine's family said in her obituary that she would be remembered for her passion for animals and her constant smile.

Catherine was among the 20 students and six teachers killed when Adam Lanza, armed with a military-style assault rifle, broke into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14 and opened fire. Lanza killed his mother at her home before the attack and committed suicide at the school as police closed in.

Funerals were also scheduled in Connecticut on Thursday for 7-year-old Grace McDonnell and 6-year-olds Benjamin Andrew Wheeler, Jesse Lewis and Allison Wyatt, and a memorial was held for teacher Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau.

In New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan told mourners at the funeral of 52-year-old Anne Marie Murphy that the teacher "brought together a community, a nation, a world, now awed by her own life and death."

Murphy's father, Hugh McGowan, said authorities told him that she died trying to protect her young pupils. Her body was found covering a group of children's bodies as if to shield them, McGowan said.

Dolan underscored her sacrifice.

"Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends," Dolan said. "Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death."

About 15 people arrived at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Katonah, N.Y., in a yellow school bus with "Newtown" written on its side. The church quickly filled and about 100 mourners waited outside.

Janelle Wingert, of Wyoming, said in an email interview that she met Murphy when they were involved in the same faith-based community service activities in the Newtown area. She said Murphy asked her after 9/11 what she would do if someone attacked a school where she was working.

"She was serious and so intense in the question," Wingert said in a Facebook post. "She died doing exactly what she said she would do — put herself between the gunman and her little ones, who she saw as the most precious of all in God's heart."

Trinity Episcopal church on Newtown's Main Street was filled to capacity for the funeral of Benjamin Wheeler, and scores of mourners who couldn't get in milled about outside. The service for a child described as a lighthouse buff, budding musician and Beatles fan included a rendition of "Here Comes The Sun" and the hymn "Amazing Grace."

Benjamin's five uncles acted as pallbearers. About two dozen Boy Scout leaders lined the front pathway to the church in honor of the former Cub Scout.

In downtown Danbury, mourners filed into the ornate white-pillared First Congregational Church for a memorial service for teacher Lauren Rousseau. The congregation in the packed church sang "Morning Has Broken" and "Let There Be Peace On Earth."

Friends wept on the altar as they remembered the spirited, hardworking, sunny-natured young woman who loved children and animals, especially cats, and who had always wanted to be a teacher. They spoke of how the 30-year-old brightened their lives with her silliness and gave them all nicknames.

A U.S. Justice Department official told The Associated Press that Attorney General Eric Holder would travel to Newtown on Thursday to meet with first responders and law enforcement officials. The trip comes after Holder met with Vice President Joe Biden, who is tasked with leading an administration-wide effort to create new proposals for reducing gun violence.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the trip hadn't been publicly announced.

In addition to the services, the families of 6-year-old Olivia Rose Engel, behavioral therapist Rachel Marie D'Avino and school psychologist Mary Sherlach have calling hours Thursday.

At least nine funerals and wakes were held Wednesday, and more are set for Friday and Saturday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:02:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/timothy_cardinal_dolan_teacher_preach_6ozPoKT8fhgQx0ug8lYydO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4097905904 -1 false Page Six

A self-described "cello nerd" defeated dozens of contestants from all over the globe to bring the crown back to the US after a drought of more than a decade.

Twenty-year-old Olivia Culpo is the new Miss Universe. She won the title last night at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip, replacing outgoing champion Leila Lopes of Angola.

PHOTOS: MISS UNIVERSE OLIVIA CULPO

"I'm dreaming, it's a dream," she said while surrounded by the other contestants.

The Boston University sophomore ended at 15-year losing spell for the US – an American had not won the Miss Universe title since Brook Lee in 1997.

Culpo, who beat out 88 international beauties, wore a tight navy blue mini-dress with a sequined bodice as she walked on stage for the event's opening number.

Later in the night, she dropped jaws as she strutted in a purple and blue bikini, and donned a wintery red velvet gown with a plunging neckline.

The new Miss Universe believes she's just like any other girl. In a pre-taped segment of the show, she explained, "One thing I feel people don't know about me is that I'm really easy-going. Any joke, I'll get it. I mean, I think a lot of the times they think of beauty queens as almost being plastic, but I can take jokes and I can take anything. I'm just a normal person."

No one was more surprised than Culpo's family when told them she was entering the Miss Rhode Island contest last year, her father Peter recalled.

"We didn't know a thing about pageants," he said.

The stunner took the contest in a rented $20 dress with a hole in it and then began working out, dieting and studying current events on flashcards to compete for the Miss USA crown.

Culpo was good enough during preliminary Miss Universe contests to be chosen as one of 16 semifinalists who moved on to compete in the main show. Her bid lasted through swimsuit, evening wear and interview competitions that saw cuts after each round.

She won over the judges even after tripping slightly during the evening gown competition. Telecasters pointed it out but also noted her poised recovery.

Moments before she won, Culpo was asked whether she had she had ever done something she regretted.

"I'd like to start off by saying that every experience no matter what it is, good or bad, you'll learn from it. That's just life," she said. "But something I've done I've regretted is probably picking on my siblings growing up, because you appreciate them so much more as you grow older."

One of those siblings, 17-year-old Gus, was cheering from the front row with his sister's glittering Miss Rhode Island sash wrapped around his shoulders

Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, came in second, while Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, placed third. All the contestants spent the past two weeks in Sin City, where they posed in hardhats at a hotel groundbreaking, took a painting lesson and pranked hotel guests by hiding in their rooms.

After the show, Culpo appeared wearing a white gold crown atop her long brown hair and told a group of reporters she hoped to bring the country some good news in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

"It's such an honor to be representing the USA in an international beauty contest in spite of all the tragedy that's happened in this country lately," she said. "I really hope that this will raise everybody's spirits a little."

The daughter of two professional musicians, Culpo grew up in Cranston and spent her summers at band camp. She has played the cello alongside world-renowned classical musician Yo-Yo Ma, and followed in her parents' footsteps with performances at Carnegie Hall.

Her father called her the "nerdiest" of her siblings, and her brother recalled that she was "really chubby and sort of weird when she was younger."

They speculated that the same single-mindedness that helped her master the cello in second grade propelled her rapid rise through the beauty pageant ranks.

With her promotion, Miss Maryland Nana Meriwether becomes the new Miss USA.

The Miss Universe pageant was back in Las Vegas this year after being held in Sao Paulo in 2011. It aired live on NBC and was streamed to more than 100 countries.

The panel of 10 judges included singer Cee Lo Green, "Iron Chef" star Masaharu Morimoto and Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants.

Asked on the red carpet whether he found playing in the World Series or judging the beauty pageant to be more difficult, Sandoval said both were hard.

As Miss Universe, Culpo will receive an undisclosed salary, a wardrobe fit for a queen, a limitless supply of beauty products, and a luxury apartment in New York City.

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/miss_usa_olivia_culpo_takes_miss_QHDWYzehpDIyWVUvQeNWiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/miss_usa_olivia_culpo_takes_miss_QHDWYzehpDIyWVUvQeNWiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4097905473 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS International

LONDON — Rock 'n' roll will never die — but it's a hazardous occupation.

An academic study published Thursday confirms that rock and pop musicians are more likely to die prematurely than the general population, and finds that solo artists are twice as likely to die young as members of bands.

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University and Britain's Health Department studied 1,489 rock, pop, punk, R&B, rap, electronica and New Age stars who became famous between 1956 and 2006 — from Elvis Presley to the Arctic Monkeys.

They found that 137 of the stars, or 9.2 percent, had died, representing "higher levels of mortality than demographically matched individuals in the general population."

The researchers dismissed the "fanciful but unsubstantiated" popular myth that rock stars tend to die at 27 — as Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse all did. The average age of death was 45.2 years for North American stars and 39.6 for European ones.

Solo performers had twice the death risk of members of bands. Lead researcher Mark Bellis speculated that could be because bands provide peer support at stressful times.

"Solo artists, even though they have huge followings, may be relatively isolated," said Bellis, director of the Center for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University.

Music critic John Aizlewood agreed that solo artists receive more attention and adulation — and also more pressure.

"And when you are a solo act, irrespective of what they say in interviews, it's an incredibly egotistical thing," he said. "So you tend to be dealing with people who are more emotionally extreme.

"They have an ego in the way a drummer or even a lead guitarist in a band doesn't."

In good news for aging rockers, the study found that, after 25 years of fame, stars' death rates began to return to normal — at least in Europe. A European star still living 36 years after achieving fame faces a similar mortality rate to the European public. But U.S. artists continue to die in greater numbers.

Bellis said factors contributing to the difference could include longer careers — and thus longer exposure to rock 'n' roll excess — in the U.S., a huge, populous country with greater opportunities for aging stars to stay on the road. Europe's stronger social safety net and socialized medicine may also play a role, he said.

The research, which updates a 2007 study by the same team, was published in the online journal BMJ Open.

The study suggests the infamous rock 'n' roll lifestyle may not be entirely to blame for rock stars' death risk.

The researchers looked for the first time at the role of "adverse childhood experiences" — such as physical or sexual abuse — on stars' later behavior.

They found that performers who had had at least one adverse childhood experience were more likely to die from drug and alcohol use or "risk-related causes."

"Substance abuse and risk-taking in stars are largely discussed in terms of hedonism, music industry culture, responses to the pressures of fame or even part of the creative process," the researchers said.

However, they said, "adverse experiences in early life may leave some predisposed to health-damaging behaviors, with fame and extreme wealth providing greater opportunities to engage in risk-taking."

But Ellis Cashmore, a cultural studies professor at Staffordshire University and author of the book "Celebrity/Culture," said it would be wrong to overlook "artistic frustration" as a factor in artistic self-destruction.

He said troubled artists from Vincent Van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway to the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson all illustrate "the torment that creativity brings with it."

"Perhaps it is the continual striving for some sort of unattainable artistic perfection that drives them," he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:42:24 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/rock_stars_more_likely_likely_die_oRG0UOKX2uCL2H7L8LGtiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/rock_stars_more_likely_likely_die_oRG0UOKX2uCL2H7L8LGtiN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International 5.10.4095994857 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week by 17,000, reversing four weeks of declines. But the number of people seeking aid is consistent with a job market that continues to grow modestly.

Unemployment claims rose the week of Dec. 15 to a seasonally adjusted 361,000 from a revised 344,000 the week before.

The less-volatile four-week moving average fell 13,750 to 367,750, lowest since late October. Applications had surged in early November after Superstorm Sandy, then dropped back.

Just over 5.4 million people were receiving some type of unemployment benefit the week ended Dec. 1, down from nearly 7.2 million a year earlier.

Applications are a proxy for layoffs. So the drop of the four-week average suggests that companies are cutting fewer jobs, even if they aren't hiring enough to lower the unemployment rate significantly. The economy has generated an average of 151,000 jobs a month in 2012, not enough to significantly drive down high unemployment.

The unemployment rate did drop to a four-year low of 7.7 percent in November from 7.9 percent in October. But the rate fell mostly because unemployed people gave up looking for work. The government counts people as unemployed only if they're actively seeking jobs.

Still, the steady drop in unemployment applications suggests that companies aren't laying off workers in advance of the "fiscal cliff" — the package of tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect next year if Democrats and Republicans can't reach a budget deal.

President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he was "pretty close" to an agreement with House Speaker John Boehner to avoid a Jan. 1 shock to the economy. But Democrats and Republicans are still sparring over details of Obama's effort to raise taxes on higher-income earners.

"The steady improvement in weekly claims won't matter one bit if the economy enters the new year with fiscal cliff-induced uncertainty," said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG LLC, wrote in a note to clients. "Claims will shoot higher as businesses shift staffing levels in front of an anticipated drop in demand during the beginning of next year."

The US economy has endured weak growth since the Great Recession ended in mid-2009. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the economy grew at a better-than-expected 3.1 percent annual pace from July through September. It has grown at a tepid 2.1 percent pace the first nine months of the year.

Economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics don't expect much progress in 2013. They expect the economy to expand at a 2.1 percent pace next year. They expect unemployment to remain high, averaging 7.7 percent next year.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/weekly_unemployment_claims_up_by_EfszCGB0uFBN7mAYtL7OaK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/weekly_unemployment_claims_up_by_EfszCGB0uFBN7mAYtL7OaK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095756282 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

WASHINGTON — The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent over the summer as consumers spent more and state and local governments added to growth for the first time in nearly three years. But the economy is likely slowing in the current quarter.

The Commerce Department's third and final estimate of growth for the July-September quarter was revised up from its estimate a month ago of a 2.7 percent annual rate.

The third-quarter growth was more than double the 1.3 percent growth rate in the April-June quarter. But disruptions from Superstorm Sandy and uncertainty weighing on consumers and businesses from the "fiscal cliff" are likely holding back growth in the October-December quarter. Many analysts predict an annual growth rate of just 1.5 percent for this quarter.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:56:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_economy_grew_at_percent_over_iAtHmILBfbxD8pQu2hqyFO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/us_economy_grew_at_percent_over_iAtHmILBfbxD8pQu2hqyFO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095755911 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Business

The New York Stock Exchange is being sold to a rival exchange for about $8 billion, ending more than two centuries of independence for the iconic Big Board.

The buyer, IntercontinentalExchange Inc., an upstart exchange based in Atlanta, made clear Thursday that little would change for the iconic trading floor in Manhattan's financial district if regulators approve the deal.

There will be dual headquarters in New York and Atlanta and ICE will open an office in Manhattan. NYSE CEO Duncan Niederauer will become president of the combined company and CEO of NYSE Group.

ICE said that the tie-up will create a top exchange operator covering a diverse lineup of markets and boosting efficiency.

"We believe the combined company will be better positioned to compete and serve customers across a broad range of asset classes by uniting our global brands, expertise and infrastructure," said IntercontinentalExchange Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Sprecher. "With a track record of growth and returns, clearing and M&A integration, we are well positioned to transform our combined companies into a premier global exchange operator that remains a leader in market evolution."

Sprecher will keep his positions. Four members of the NYSE board will be added to IntercontinentalExchange's board, expanding it to 15 members.

NYSE Euronext Inc. shareholders can chose to receive either $33.12 in cash, .2581 IntercontinentalExchange Inc. shares, or a combination of $11.27 in cash plus .1703 shares of stock.

IntercontinentalExchange plans to fund the cash portion of the acquisition with a combination of cash and existing debt. It added that the addition of NYSE will help it cut costs and should boost its earnings by more than 15 percent in the first year after the deal closes.

The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies, but still needs the approvals by regulators and the shareholders of both companies. It's expected to close in the second half of next year.

Exchanges have repeatedly attempted to merge recently as competition intensifies and commissions decline.

Last year, IntercontinentalExchange and Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. made a failed $11 billion bid to buy NYSE Euronext.

Earlier this year, European regulators blocked Deutsche Boerse AG from buying NYSE Euronext.

Shares of NYSE jumped 40 percent in premarket trading to $33.75 and are headed for a new high for the year. Shares if ICE rose 5 percent, to $134.98.

Shares of both companies had been halted in premarket trading earlier Thursday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:26:52 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/ice_to_buy_nyse_for_0lZE7BbTinDZOfqLtEjBTI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/ice_to_buy_nyse_for_0lZE7BbTinDZOfqLtEjBTI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4095467345 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS National

DES MOINES, Iowa — The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, leaving at least three people dead, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend.

Forecasters warned that heavy snow coupled with strong winds would create blizzard conditions for morning commuters from Kansas to Wisconsin, after blanketing the Rocky Mountains earlier in the week.

On the southern edge of the storm system, high winds wreaked havoc, damaging homes and downing trees across Arkansas, the National Weather Service said. A powerful storm peeled the roofs off buildings and toppled trucks in Mobile, Ala., but injured no one. Tornado warnings remained in effect in parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama early Thursday.

The storm dropped nearly a foot of snow in Des Moines, but the storm wasn't as dangerous as earlier feared because everyone had good warning of the approaching havoc, said Kevin Skow, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Des Moines. But wind might become a concern, he warned.

"It's starting to taper off," Skow said of the snow early Thursday. "It's soon going to become less of a snow event and more of a wind event."

The airport at Creston, Iowa, recorded the highest winds, with a gust of 53 mph. Skow said wind gusts would grow stronger later Thursday, creating whiteout conditions, before dying down by the evening.

Iowa native Laurie Harry said the weather probably wouldn't stop her from starting up her car Thursday morning.

"If I need to get into work, I'll be here," said Harry, a manager at a Casey's General Store in the western Iowa town of Atlantic. "We've had snow before. Iowans know what to expect. We're used to it."

Forecasters said the heaviest snow could be expected across a swath extending from northwest Missouri into Milwaukee, Chicago and Michigan, with predictions of as much as a foot of snow in some areas. Before the storm, several cities in the Midwest had broken records for the number of consecutive days without measurable snow.

The weather service warned of poor visibility due to driving snow in much of the region and warned drivers to stay off roads in some areas.

In southeastern Wisconsin, where a blizzard warning was in effect and winds of up to 45 mph were expected to create whiteout conditions, sheriff's officials said slick conditions led to at least two fatalities late Wednesday when a driver lost control of his car in Rock County, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. In southeastern Utah, a woman who tried to walk for help after her car became stuck in snow died Tuesday night. Search and rescue crews on snowmobiles found her buried in the snow just a few miles from her car.

Chicago commuters awoke Thursday to heavy fog and cold, driving rain, but forecasters said snow would hit the Midwestern metropolis by mid-afternoon. Officials at the city's two international airports reported some delays and cancellations, but said most incoming and outgoing flights were on time. United Airlines said it would waive change fees for travelers who have to change their plans for travel through O'Hare International Airport.

Hundreds of schools across the affected region canceled classes Thursday because of heavy overnight snow. Kansas City Power & Light reported about 16,000 scattered power outages in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

In Madrid, about 30 miles north of Des Moines, auto repair shop owner Steve Simmons said he had a busy Wednesday morning with customers looking for snow tires ahead of the storm.

"Everybody seems to wait to the last minute for this kind of thing," he said. And he was also expecting a busy Thursday snowplowing several churches and private businesses.

"The bad weather usually benefits me greatly," he said.

The moisture was being welcomed by farmers in the drought-parched region, but Meteorologist Kris Sanders said the storm wouldn't make much of a dent. In Kansas, for example, some areas are more than 12 inches below normal precipitation for the year.

"It's not going to have a big effect, maybe only a half-inch of liquid precipitation. It's not helping us out much," Sanders said.

Sanders said another storm similar to the current one could bring additional snow on Christmas or the day after.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:45:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/midwest_hit_by_its_first_major_snowstorm_EX6gkUIQkccmmdPfRGwtjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/midwest_hit_by_its_first_major_snowstorm_EX6gkUIQkccmmdPfRGwtjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4095467078 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR Local

Police today identified the woman killed in a chain reaction of fiery crashes on the Long Island Expressway as 68-year-old Christa Zepf of Blue Point.

This morning all lanes of the LIE reopened following yesterday's smashup that killed one person and injured 33 others.

The westbound lanes reopened before Thursday's morning rush hour.

PHOTOS: L.I.E. CRASH

Zepf was killed and 33 other people were injured in a massive chain-reaction smashup on the Long Island Expressway yesterday after a big-rig driver lost control of his truck.

The 18-wheeler — carrying Sandy debris — smashed into several cars heading eastbound at Exit 68 in Yaphank at around 2:50 p.m. before bursting into flames.

"It looked like something from an action movie," said witness Mike Jiminez, 24, of Flanders.

"I was going the opposite way, and the cars were just flying all over the place."

Nearly 40 vehicles were involved. Injured drivers were spread among three hospitals.

Two people — Nicki Boralli, 20, and Sean Shilling, 37 — were choppered to Stony Brook University Medical Center in critical condition. The rest of the injuries were not life-threatening.

Two cars caught fire in addition to the truck, but the fatality was not in one one of those vehicles.

Jiminez said that the truck driver, Raymond Simoneau from Vermont, exited his vehicle as its engine exploded.

"The guy barely got out," he said. "He had to go right through the flames to make it from the front, the cab. Whoever that guy is is lucky to be alive."

Another witness, Danny Gershonowitz, said he saw the truck driver kick out his windshield to escape after several people tried unsuccessfully to open his door.

A tow-truck driver pulled another occupied vehicle away from the blazing big rig.

The metal- and glass-strewn roadway resembled a demolition-derby site. Traffic was closed for hours in both directions.

Suffolk police have not pinpointed why the truck driver lost control and are investigating.

A source said that a construction zone roughly three-quarters of a mile ahead of the crash site reduced the lanes from three to one and that the truck might have smashed into braking cars.

"When I ran back up to the scene, I was afraid to see what I was going to find," Gershonowitz said. "I was sure there would be multiple fatalities. Thank God there weren't."

With AP

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:43:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/all_lanes_of_lie_reopen_after_fiery_eKbTYXvxtzPolkBCTDZreN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/all_lanes_of_lie_reopen_after_fiery_eKbTYXvxtzPolkBCTDZreN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4093870242 -1 false ASSOCIATED PRESS Local

COOPERSTOWN — A new line of beers linked to the hit HBO drama "Game of Thrones" is being produced for the series by an upstate New York brewery.

Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown will bring out Iron Throne Blonde Ale in time for the premiere of the show's third season on March 31. The company says another beer will be released in the fall and others are planned for future seasons.

Company officials say the brewery's Belgian-style beers are a good fit for the series, based on the George R.R. Martin fantasy novels set in a medieval-like time of jousts, wars and intrigue.

Ommegang officials say the beers will be named and crafted to directly tie into "themes and nuances" of Westeros, the fictional realm where Lannisters, Starks and various other factions battle for supremacy.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:30:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/upstate_brewery_to_produce_game_0FrVDDeBbvX57otTnICKYK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/upstate_brewery_to_produce_game_0FrVDDeBbvX57otTnICKYK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4093870045 -1 false By POST STAFF Local

Veteran TV newsman Sam Donaldson was arrested on DUI charges in Delaware, police said yesterday.

Donaldson (pictured), a former White House reporter for ABC, was stopped on Dec. 1 by cops in Lewes, Del., after his car was spotted swerving onto the shoulder of the road.

Lewes is a resort town on the Chesapeake Bay, across the Delaware River from Cape May, NJ.

Donaldson allegedly failed a field-sobriety test and was arrested and taken to the local police station.

The 78-year-old newsman was later released and given an unspecified date to return for a court appearance.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hold_on_mr_preshident_24cRRWxwcdcBQF4KJf0HEN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hold_on_mr_preshident_24cRRWxwcdcBQF4KJf0HEN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4087622583 -1 false By KEVIN KERNAN Mets

Now that the Mets have caught up behind the plate, it's time to tackle the massive outfield problem. There must be greener pastures ahead, but this is a situation that will take time to correct.

If free agent Scott Hairston wants a one-year deal, the Mets will sign him, but that game has to play itself out. Patience is the key and Sandy Alderson has proven himself to be one patient general manager.

There are slim pickings in the Mets' price range in the free agent department, which means the Mets are investigating every possible trade scenario. That's a good thing.

The Mets' four outfielders are Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter and Collin Cowgill. Cowgill, who was acquired Tuesday fromthe A's, is scrappyand aggressive, and the Mets need more of those players. Duda has hitting potential but needs to showmore confidence, but the Mets believe he is making strides in that department.

Nevertheless, so much work has to be done in the outfield. More talent is needed and more than likely the Mets will have to trade for that talent and get really creative in doing so, most likely making a three-team trade to make any deal work. That is a tall order.

Another young outfielder went off the board yesterday when the Angels traded designated hitter Kendrys Morales to the Mariners for pitcher Jason Vargas. That was a wise move because it allows the Angels to put young center fielder Peter Bourjos back on the field, flanked by superstars Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton.

If the Angels could not have traded Morales for the pitcher they wanted, they may have listened to offers for Bourjos, whowould have been a great fit for the Mets, but that time has passed. Bourjos remains an Angel in the outfield.

The most intriguing bigname outfielder on the trade front is Arizona's Justin Upton. The Mets need to make every effort to try to trade for the multitalented Upton, who is just 25.

The Mets have the perfect mentor for Upton in David Wright. Wright has known Upton since Upton was a little kid and his brother B.J. played amateur ball with Wright in Virginia. A move closer to home would benefit Upton aswell.

Alderson worked his trade magic to acquire top of the line prospects in right-hander Zack Wheeler and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, using Carlos Beltran and Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey as bait, now he must try to figure a way to land an impact outfielder. It will not be easy, but Alderson has found a way to make difficult trades happen.

Upton has three years left on his contract. He will be paid $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015. The Mets are freeing up plenty of money and will have young pitchers Matt Harvey and Wheeler in the rotation, keeping costs down. They can afford to spend in the outfield, just as they spent $138 million at third base on Wright.

Sure, Justin Upton seems like a pipe dream, butWheeler and d'Arnaud were long shots to be Mets not too long ago. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers keeps insisting he will not trade Upton — Jason Kubel (30 home runs last season) is available and would be a major upgrade for the Mets as well — but I've known Towers a long time and he is never afraid to make a trade. The Rangers have major interest in Upton and have the young talent to trade, if they reallywant to make the deal.

Alderson needs to try to acquire Upton. Go for another game changer. The Mets have made fascinating strides lately. They need to make another big push to reach higher ground in the NL East. Maybe, Towers will not trade Upton, but if Upton has another bad season in Arizona his value will drop again. He hit 31 home runs in 2011 and 17 last season.

The Mets must try to make this dream deal a reality.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:22:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_need_to_make_push_for_outfielder_KAN0KU6MdSLBepeV4AtsuM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Mets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_need_to_make_push_for_outfielder_KAN0KU6MdSLBepeV4AtsuM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Mets 5.10.4086279931 kevin_kernan.png true More Sports

Basketball7 p.m.Women: Valparaiso at Michigan BIG TEN7 p.m.Elon at Duke ESPNU7 p.m.Thunder at Timberwolves TNT8 p.m.Women: Cornell at Texas LONGHORN8:30 p.m.Eastern Michigan at Michigan BIG TEN9 p.m.Cal Poly at Washington PAC129:30 p.m.Heat at Mavericks TNT11 p.m.California-Irvine at USC PAC12Football8 p.m.Poinsettia Bowl: BYU at San Diego State ESPN, ESPN 98.7 FMHorse Racing12:45 p.m.Gulfstream Ch. 717:10 p.m.Yonkers Ch. 71

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:48:36 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/today_sports_on_the_air_wZe7UNdl1Ajec3NZjQpsUL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/today_sports_on_the_air_wZe7UNdl1Ajec3NZjQpsUL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports 5.10.4085163343 -1 false & - doubleheader More Sports

TODAYDec. 20FRIDec. 21SATDec. 22SUNDec. 23MONDec. 24TUEDec. 25WEDDec. 26KnicksNOGAMEChi. 7:30 MSG ESPNNOGAMEMinn.5:00MSGESPNNOGAMEL.A.L.3:00ABCESPNPhx.9:00MSGESPNNetsNOGAMENO GAMENOGAMEPhi.3:00YESWBBRNO GAMEBos.NoonYES/ESPNWFANMil.8:00 YES WFANSt. John'sNO GAMEUNC-Ash 7:30 ESPN3 WBBRNO GAMENOGAMENO GAMENOGAMENOGAME

HOMEAWAY

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:48:23 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/home_team_lineups_2ivy4jG2T9MlGnIPfS9DGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/home_team_lineups_2ivy4jG2T9MlGnIPfS9DGL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= More Sports 5.10.4085163329 -1 false By TIM BONTEMPS Knicks

It was a different night, but the same old story.

The Nets, who have struggled to get themselves going in the third quarter all season, saw the Knicks break the game open with a 18-6 run over the final 6:54 of the third quarter last night to hand the Nets a 100-86 loss, giving the Nets three straight losses and eight in their last 10 games.

"We're just trying to stay alive right now," Gerald Wallace said. "Right now, we know the second half is our downfall. We play 24 minutes of great ball in the first half, and then it just seems like our next 12 minutes we're kind of lost offensively and defensively.

"We've got to figure out, as a team, how we can fix that and get this team turned around."

It looked as if the Nets might, at least for one night, shake their third-quarter demons after Deron Williams came out firing to start the quarter. Williams hit his first four shots of the third, including a pull-up jumper in transition that gave the Nets their biggest lead of the game at 61-57 with 6:54 remaining in the third.

From there, though, it was a familiar story. A combination of poor shooting, turnovers and allowing easy baskets to their opponents put the Nets into a 75-67 hole by the end of the third quarter that they never escaped from.

"I just think mentally, we've got to be more mentally into the game in the second half, myself included," Wallace said. "We're messing up on coverages, especially guarding a team like this that makes you pay for any mistake you make.

"Mentally, as a team, we've got to buckle down. We understand what's going on. We know what's wrong with us, and we've just got to fix it."

The Knicks stormed back into the lead for good on the backs of their two stars, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, who combined for 15 of the 18 points that put the game out of reach. While Anthony scored from both outside, hitting a 3-pointer to put the Knicks ahead for good at 62-61 with 5:39 left, the Nets couldn't keep Chandler away from the basket, allowing him to get several uncontested dunks off alley-oop passes thanks to pick-and-roll coverage breakdowns.

"We had a game plan that we tried to execute tonight at the defensive end, and it wasn't working," said Williams, who finished with 16 points and 10 assists. "We weren't doing the things we needed to. We weren't getting the help in the right spots, our rotations were slow, we were letting guys drive right to the basket without any help ... that's not how we want to play."

The Nets, who don't play again until Sunday against the Sixers in Brooklyn, know they don't want to play like this. Now they just have to figure out how to get back to playing the way they did when they won 11 of their first 15 games.

"We're frustrated," said Williams. "We've got to change some things. We've got to get better.

"It's on us. It's not anybody's fault but us as players. We have to come out with more energy and focus. It's like we lost a little bit of our toughness, so we have to get that back."

tbontemps@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/glass_half_empty_sV7Co3wJJkYIeb3StcczmI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/glass_half_empty_sV7Co3wJJkYIeb3StcczmI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4084559519 -1 false By TIM BONTEMPS Knicks

The Knicks have beaten teams from 3-point range all season long. But it was the work of Tyson Chandler in and around the paint that, more than anything, led to the Nets suffering their third straight loss last night, as Chandler's 16 points and 12 rebounds powered the Knicks to a 100-86 victory.

The Nets were simply powerless to stop Chandler on the pick-and-roll, especially in the second half. He wound up with several alley-oop dunks after dribble penetration sucked in his defender and left nothing but air between him and the rim.

"A lot of times they were running it, we were trying to give them some different coverages, and we had some breakdowns in communication," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "When we executed it properly, we were pretty good. But when we didn't, they made us pay."

Because of the many 3-point shooters the Knicks deploy around the arc with Chandler roaming the middle, it prevents teams from being able to stick to him near the basket. If any dribble penetration is able to draw Chandler's defender just a couple steps away from the basket, there is plenty of room to toss the ball into his waiting hands for an easy dunk, something the Knicks seemed to do at will against the Nets in the second half.

"It makes the coverage a lot harder," Gerald Wallace said of the Knicks' 3-point shooting prowess. "Then when you have guys like Raymond [Felton] and Tyson, who play the pick-and-roll so well, too.

"They're a hard team to cover, but we've covered them, we've played that basic coverage and we've beat them with that coverage. Mentally, we've got to be more strong with it."

* The Nets were without Jerry Stackhouse for the fifth straight game last night, as the veteran swingman continues to nurse a sore right knee.

Stackhouse, who has become a vital rotation piece for the Nets since getting a chance early last month, injured the knee when he and Jason Kidd banged knees on Kidd's game-winning 3-pointer against the Nets in last week's Knicks win in Brooklyn.

Stackhouse said before last night's game that he wasn't sure when he'd be ready to go after banging the knee "pretty good" against Kidd's outstretched leg. Johnson wouldn't say whether or not he expected Stackhouse to play Sunday against the Sixers in Brooklyn.

"It depends on what happens with him Friday and Saturday [in practice]," Johnson said. "If he gets through practice, specifically Saturday, then he could be a possibility."

tbontemps@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/nets_defense_gets_picked_apart_with_k9vfbHnEsM75bqQsHI1z5N?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/nets_defense_gets_picked_apart_with_k9vfbHnEsM75bqQsHI1z5N?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4084559323 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

Lawrence Tynes is not in a slump.

That's the thought-process of the Giants' kicker, who, after a torrid start to the season, has missed a field goal in each of the past three games, including what appeared to be a chip-shot 30-yarder last week inside the kicker-friendly Georgia Dome.

"I think I made like 18 out of 19 at pregame,'' Tynes said yesterday. "If you're in a slump you're probably not kicking real well at all during the week or at practice, so I feel like we are doing that. I just feel like maybe our game tempo is a little off. I think we've fixed that earlier this week, and [yesterday] at practice we did some team stuff, so you just got to be positive moving forward. You can't really dwell on the past.''

The kicking operation — snap, hold, kick — has not been as crisp as it was when Tynes was in a groove, hitting 29 of his 32 field goal tries. He still leads the NFL with 33 made field goals.

"We thought his timing wasn't very good the other day on the one that we missed, but it's the time of the year we can't afford any misses,'' coach Tom Coughlin said.

Tynes' miss came with the Giants trailing 7-0 in an eventual 34-0 loss to the Falcons. A timing issue indicates the operation with Zak DeOssie snapping and Steve Weatherford holding was not smooth.

"I'm not going to sit here and point fingers,'' Tynes said. "I missed the kick. We got a little sloppy with what we're doing, so it [is] kind of the peaks and valleys of a season. We had 13 good games and the last two have not been up to par to what we expect out of ourselves and us as a unit. It stinks that we missed, and we just got to move on.''

Tynes, a nine-year veteran, said he believes one of his strengths is his ability to shake off a bad kick and move on, which he will attempt to do Sunday in Baltimore.

"I've done that very, very well in my career,'' he said. "I think I've missed two kicks three times in my career and I've played over 120 games, so you just got to look at it for what it is and kind of just move on. I think I do a good job of that. You get [ticked] off a little bit, but you just got to move on.''

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/tynes_says_he_is_not_in_slump_A5eLVYSXxa9cGSGnY1zaQM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/tynes_says_he_is_not_in_slump_A5eLVYSXxa9cGSGnY1zaQM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559268 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

It was not exactly "All In" for the Giants Wednesday, but they did welcome back two key members of their defensive backfield, as safety Kenny Phillips returned from a knee injury and Prince Amukamara was on the field after missing last week's game in Atlanta with a strained hamstring.

Amukamara and Phillips both worked on a limited basis.

Phillips missed six straight games with a sprained MCL, returned for two and then sat out the past two games after aggravating the injury. Phillips said on Monday he is "100 percent'' sure he will play on Sunday in Baltimore.

"With Kenny, we feel like he's rested and ready to contribute,'' Tom Coughlin said.

Rookie Jayron Hosley started against the Falcons in place of Amukamara and the results were not what the Giants were looking for.

"I'm feeling great,'' Amukamara said. "I feel a little bit sore right now and that's natural.''

Amukamara said he has yet to fully test his hamstring, as he has "been staying in my realm, just trying to be smart about it right now.'' He's still not sure if he can contribute enough to play on Sunday vs. the Ravens.

"It's kind of like a Catch-22, damned if you do, screwed if you don't,'' he said. "You want to put the team before you, but you also just have to be smart about it.

"This is a huge game, very crucial and if we make it to the playoffs you don't want to get hurt in this game and not be ready for the playoffs. But you definitely want to help the team make the playoffs. It's a huge decision.''

*

Five starters did not practice: C David Baas (hip/shoulder), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (knee), G Chris Snee (hip) and DE Justin Tuck (shoulder).

Bradshaw has said he doesn't plan to practice until tomorrow at the earliest, but he's confident he will be able to shake off his sprained knee and play this weekend.

"We'd all love to have [Bradshaw] play, but it's going to be a medical decision,'' Coughlin said.

As for Tuck's shoulder, Coughlin said "He probably banged it in the game, although he didn't come out of the game or anything of that nature. We can and I think he can deal with it because he's had to before.''

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said "Nothing has changed'' regarding LB Ray Lewis, who has missed the past eight games with a torn right triceps and is not expected to return this weekend. ... WR Torrey Smith (concussion) did not practice for Ravens. ... CB Terrence Frederick was re-signed to the practice squad.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:54:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/prince_phillips_practice_qKaY6zVrily3DoJr4XQuBM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/prince_phillips_practice_qKaY6zVrily3DoJr4XQuBM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559112 -1 false By PAUL SCHWARTZ Giants

In order for the Giants to avoid getting shown the door, they need to crash through it no matter who is in their way.

"Our backs are actually against the wall now, and we got to play that way,'' linebacker Chase Blackburn said Wednesday. "We got to come out fighting, swinging, just like when you're in a bar fight and your back is against the wall, there's only one way to get to that door — swing your way out. That's what you got to do.''

The Giants didn't come close to landing any haymakers in last week's inept 34-0 loss in Atlanta, and as a result have pushed their season to the brink of playoff elimination heading into Sunday's game in Baltimore against the struggling but still postseason-bound Ravens.

The Giants got blanked by the Falcons seven days after putting 52 points on the Saints, but mostly it's been uneven at best, unsightly at worst as they've dropped from first to third in the NFC East.

"Week after week you don't know what you are going to get from us,'' Jason Pierre-Paul said. "We are not consistent until, I guess, somebody is going to get fired or our backs are against the wall or it is either all or nothing. That is where we are at right now. It is either all or nothing or we are going to pack our stuff and get out of here.

"And I am not trying to go home early. I want to make that run and at least get into the playoffs and showing that we can do it. That is what we are striving for and hoping we can get there.''

The Giants won't get anywhere if they can't lay a glove on Ray Rice, a running back capable of sending them home a beaten team if they continue to put on display shoddy run defense. The Giants rank 22nd in the league in stopping the run, and Blackburn figures the Ravens will go to school on that failing and try to jam it down the Giants' throats with a heavy dose of Rice.

"No doubt, if I was them,'' Blackburn said. "We're not tackling well."

That's no way to operate when your playoff lives are on the line. The Giants missed 18 tackles against the Falcons, which is almost unfathomable.

"I know it was not good, and I know I was a contributor to that as well,'' Blackburn said. "Bad tackling, bad targets.

"We got to use our hands better when we wrap tackle and gang tackle. We can't have the solo tackles, leave guys on an island. We got to get more guys to the ball, especially with a guy we're gonna face this week like Ray Rice, who's gonna put his foot in the ground and come north and south.''

Rice is up to his usual running antics, already over 1,000 yards at 1,031, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, with nine rushing touchdowns and adding his usual flair as a pass-catcher with 55 receptions. His numbers are down a bit from a year ago, when he had an NFL-high 2,068 yards from scrimmage, but the former Rutgers product remains a durable, dependable threat. If given the smallest crack, he will devastate a suspect run defense.

"We cannot have missed tackles,'' Pierre-Paul said. "That is not football. That is poor tackling, and that is what we did. We have to go out there and wrap tackle. This is the NFL, we should know how to tackle by now.''

A year ago, the Giants began their march to another Super Bowl triumph, embarking on a six-game winning streak, by beating the Jets on Christmas Eve, with the defensive intensity kicked up several notches.

"I don't want to hear that,'' Pierre-Paul said. "To me that's all bullcrap. Know what I mean? Yeah, we have done it before, but this is a whole other year. Each year is a totally different year. You don't have the same guys on the team as last year. Who knows who is going to be here next year.

"We have to go out there this Sunday and play our hearts out, and hopefully we get in the next week's game after that against the Eagles and get into the playoffs.''

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:12:35 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/giants_must_wrap_up_vs_ravens_6K019jqngneqURVP85Y75L?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/giants_must_wrap_up_vs_ravens_6K019jqngneqURVP85Y75L?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Giants 5.10.4084559085 -1 false Jets Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:45:53 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/quarterback_challenge_uCFgaBMIkbzJOtByHxKgNL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/quarterback_challenge_uCFgaBMIkbzJOtByHxKgNL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084558931 -1 false By KIERAN CROWLEY and ALEX DICKINSON National

The nation's worst deadbeat dad made a tearful jailhouse call to the woman he owes more than $800,000 in child support, pleading for help to escape the "murderers and rapists" he now calls cellmates.

After a decade on the run, Robert Sand, 50 — who owes more than $1.2 million total in child support to two ex-wives on Long Island — was arrested in Los Angeles Monday and held without bail.

He was picked up at the LA airport after officials in the Philippines kicked him out of the country.

Lisa Sand, 52, Robert's first wife with whom he fathered two daughters, was his first call.

"He told me, 'There are murderers in here. There are rapists in here. You've got to get me out of here' — like I'm his personal assistant,'' Lisa told The Post.

"He was hysterically crying. He said, 'I want to make my life better. I screwed up my life.' "

Robert "literally went to the ends of the Earth to avoid paying child support," his ex added.

After their 1996 divorce, Sand remarried and had another child, before fleeing that family as well and heading to Thailand.

He also fathered a child in Thailand, officials said, and was in trouble with the law there while working as a motorcycle salesman.

He was deported from the Philippines for not possessing proper ID.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:19:23 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/deadbeat_dad_to_li_ex_help_me_cp9G55YQzCbGuCZCYqfYrK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/deadbeat_dad_to_li_ex_help_me_cp9G55YQzCbGuCZCYqfYrK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084558893 -1 false By RICH CALDER Brooklyn

Opponents of the bike lanes abutting Brooklyn's Prospect Park West will get their day in court.

An appellate panel ruled yesterday that Supreme Court Judge Bert Bunyan erred in August 2011 when he dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove the two-lane path. Bunyan tossed the suit on the technicality that it was filed late.

The case returns to Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:55:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/bike_ruling_ko_iEb3Pkyp706auDGMJYScNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/bike_ruling_ko_iEb3Pkyp706auDGMJYScNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4084558879 -1 false By JOSH SAUL Brooklyn

Two Brooklyn motor-vehicle inspectors were busted for allegedly forging emission tests for diesel trucks, authorities said yesterday.

Mark Asselta, 46, owner of a Bushwick repair shop, and Shlomo Freedman, 54, owner of a South Williamsburg shop, were arrested and arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday after an undercover investigation by the state Attorney General's Office.

The men allegedly gave safety and emission certificates to diesel trucks they hadn't even tested.

When undercover investigators drove a truck rigged to fail a test to each repair shop, the shops allegedly issued certification without performing any tests.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:18:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/shops_sins_of_emission_oF0svGjd4ms10WPJ9gbhtJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/shops_sins_of_emission_oF0svGjd4ms10WPJ9gbhtJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Brooklyn 5.10.4084558865 -1 false By ANDY SOLTIS Post Wire Services National

Sen. Affleck?

Ben Affleck, looking serious — and a bit congressional — visited Capitol Hill yesterday but refused to dampen speculation that he's considering running for a US Senate seat from Massachusetts.

"That's not what I'm here to talk about," the actor-director told Politico aftertestifying to the House Armed Services Committee about violence in Congo, the African nation he's visited regularly in recent years.

Later in the day the "Argo" star met privately with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and posed for photos with them and their chairman, Sen. John Kerry.

Kerry's seat would become vacant if he is named to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state when she resigns next month.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick would name a temporary replacement for Kerry until a special election is held for the Senate seat, probably in the late spring.

Affleck is among several people — including Ted Kennedy Jr. and former Sen. Scott Brown — said to be considering running for the seat Kerry has held since 1985.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:57:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/ben_argo_to_washington_S2wnly8TIpCUuTa1IL89VJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/ben_argo_to_washington_S2wnly8TIpCUuTa1IL89VJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4084558851 -1 false By ANTONIO ANTENUCCI Local

Cops busted a man outfitted as a Super Mario Brother yesterday in Times Square for allegedly groping a passer-by, law-enforcement sources said.

The incident happened on 42nd Street near Seventh Avenue at 5 p.m when Damon Torres, 34, who gets money from tourists taking pictures with him, grabbed the thigh of a 58-year-old woman, cops said.

The victim, who was not a tourist, headed straight for the police substation in Times Square.

Cops quickly found Torres and charged him with forcible touching and marijuana possession.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:09:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/super_mario_in_perv_bust_gzvBXrImJKxL8zgSEZOz1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/super_mario_in_perv_bust_gzvBXrImJKxL8zgSEZOz1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4084558837 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow stood about 25 feet away from each other in the Jets locker room Wednesday looking glum as they addressed the team's quarterback situation and fielded questions about their future.

Both wore the look of a man who would rather be anywhere else.

Since March 21 when the Jets acquired Tebow from the Broncos many suspected a moment like this would come when the entire quarterback experiment would explode in the faces of coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson.

The part no one foresaw — including the Jets quarterbacks — was that Greg McElroy, a seventh-round pick making $400,000, would be the one starting Sunday against the Chargers and the two first-round picks making millions would be sent to the bench.

The Jets could teach a class in how to screw up the quarterback position based on what they have done.

Right now they have a starting quarterback in McElroy no one in the organization envisions being a long-term solution. They have Sanchez, a player once thought of as a franchise quarterback who now looks like he has no confidence. And then there's Tebow, who is bewildered why the team traded for him and clearly wants out.

More importantly to Jets fans, the team's decision makers seem to be operating without a plan.

Getting answers from the Jets on how all of this happened is nearly impossible. Ryan has morphed into Eric Mangini, talking in circles and never giving a direct answer. Tannenbaum has declined to comment about the team's quarterback switch. A source said the decision to go with McElroy is because he's simply playing better than Tebow on the practice field.

It is hard to diagnose what the Jets will do in 2013 because it is unclear who will be making the call. Tannenbaum could be fired after this season, and Ryan looks like a defeated man who could be on his way out, too.

"I just kind of made a decision that in my gut I feel that the best thing for our football team is for Greg to be our quarterback now and that's how I feel about it," said Ryan in a typical response yesterday, failing to shed any light on his thought process for leapfrogging McElroy over Tebow.

The Jets will see if there is any trade market for Sanchez, hoping someone will take him off their hands. But a source estimated the Jets would have to eat at least $6 million of his $8.25 million to get a deal done. A league source said there is no trade market for Sanchez.

League sources believe the Jets will keep Sanchez because of his price tag ($8.25 million guaranteed in 2013 and at least a $12.4 million cap hit if released) and bring in a veteran as well as someone through the draft to compete with him. Tebow is definitely gone after this year, and McElroy could be as well.

Sanchez now gets added to the list — with Richard Todd, Ken O'Brien, Browning Nagle and Chad Pennington — of quarterbacks drafted by the Jets with the hope he could be the team's first true franchise quarterback since Joe Namath.

As recently as Nov. 2011, Ryan said Sanchez would be the starter for as long as he was the coach. Thirteen months, 11 losses and a rash of turnovers caused him to change his mind. People in the organization who have supported him since Day 1 are perplexed at why he has regressed since 2010.

Ryan shook his head yesterday when asked if the team misjudged Sanchez's ability when it took him with the fifth pick three years ago.

"It's not like he doesn't have the tools to do it," Ryan said. "That's why we did take him with the fifth overall pick."

The Jets are limited in whom they can bring in because they are going to have salary cap issues in 2013 and already have a $12 million cap figure at the position with Sanchez, even if he is cut.

A source said the idea of Michael Vick, who is expected to be released by the Eagles, coming to the Jets is highly unlikely if Sanchez remains with the team. Vick should command at least $10 million per season, too hefty a price tag for the Jets. Vick also sees himself as a starter. He is not interested in a competition.

Alex Smith could be the answer. The 49ers are expected to dump him in favor of Colin Kaepernick. League sources said Smith should get around $5 million per year as a free agent.

In the draft, the Jets probably would not use a first-round pick on a quarterback with tons of other needs. Tyler Wilson of Arkansas is a possibility in the second round.

McElroy is the eighth starting quarterback since 2004 for the Jets. The Patriots and Giants have had two each in that time with Matt Cassel starting for an injured Tom Brady in 2008 for New England and Kurt Warner starting Manning's rookie year as the quarterback.

The Jets' Super Bowl drought has now hit 44 years with no end in sight thanks to uncertainty at quarterback. The Jets have found a way to have three quarterbacks and still make it feel like they have none.

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/debacle_shows_jets_have_no_plan_ghepTwLozY4tCV2PiH9XwM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/debacle_shows_jets_have_no_plan_ghepTwLozY4tCV2PiH9XwM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084260831 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Running back Joe McKnight said he believes the lack of fan support for Mark Sanchez played a role in Jets coach Rex Ryan's decision to bench him.

"I think it did," McKnight said Wednesday. "Any time you're the starting quarterback and you're on the football field and you're trying to call plays and you got the people that are supposed to be rooting for you screaming for the other quarterback, that's kind of frustrating.That kind of takes you out of the game. And I think that's kind of made it tough for the coaches to make their decision."

McKnight played with Sanchez at USC and has been one of his biggest supporters.

**

The Jets placed rookie WR Stephen Hill on season-ending injured reserve. Hill sprained his right LCL in the win over the Jaguars on Dec. 9. Hill had 21 catches for 252 yards and three touchdowns. ... TE Dustin Keller (ankle), G Brandon Moore (foot, hip), WR Chaz Schilens (calf, ankle) and CB Aaron Berry (hamstring) did not practice. ... The team signed CB Donnie Fletcher off the practice squad.

**

Safety LaRon Landry signed a one-year contract with the Jets this year, mainly because he was coming off an Achilles' tendon injury that hurt his value. Now that he has played 14 games and nearly every play this year, Landry is looking for a long-term deal.

"Would I sign another one-year [contract] here? No. Not at all," Landry said.

Landry said he feels he has proven to teams he can stay out of the trainer's room.

"Can I stay healthy? I think I've answered that," he said.

Landry has some interesting offseason plans: "When it's over, I'll do what I do every year: Head back to Arizona, do my work, get big as [bleep], get fast as [bleep], get strong as [bleep]."

**

Chargers coach Norv Turner is likely going to be fired in San Diego. If the Jets fire offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, Turner is an obvious candidate. Yesterday, Turner said he would be open to returning to an assistant's role.

"I think people that know me know that I'm a coach," Turner said. "I like coaching. I want to coach. I think you get to a point where there are things that are important to you. If I continue to coach I want to be in a good situation, a place where you have an opportunity to win and be in a situation that there are coaches I've worked with and been around."

Turner and Ryan had a war of words last year when Ryan suggested he would have won the Super Bowl had he gotten the Chargers job instead of Turner in 2007. Turner said there are no hard feelings.

"I think Rex and I had a little tongue and cheek thing going on there," Turner said. "We've seen each other since and laughed about it. I think Rex knows the respect I have for him."

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/mcknight_fans_helped_push_rex_to_I9g6SvoLCseZSzWIJBYW8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/mcknight_fans_helped_push_rex_to_I9g6SvoLCseZSzWIJBYW8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4084260854 -1 false By BILL SANDERSON National

Detectives believe there's another chapter to the horrific murder recounted in Truman Capote's classic book "In Cold Blood."

The bodies of remorseless killers Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, — hanged in 1965 for the 1959 slayings of Herb and Bonnie Clutter and their two children in Holcomb, Kan. — have been exhumed at the request of Florida authorities.

They are trying to link the murderous drifters to an eerily similar crime in the town of Osprey.

Samples from the killers' bone fragments will be tested in a Kansas laboratory against DNA evidence collected in the slayings of Cliff and Christine Walker and their two young kids.

The Clutter case was made famous in Capote's book and in several movies, including "Capote," a biopic about the author released in 2005.

But the Walker case is less known. The family was killed on Dec. 19, 1959, a little more than a month after the Clutters were slain.

Christine Walker was beaten and raped, and the couple's 2-year-old daughter was drowned in a bathtub. Then they were all shot.

Hickock and Smith have long been suspects in that slaying, and there's plenty of evidence against them, said Wendy Rose, spokeswoman for the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

"It's all little stuff, but it makes sense when you put the pieces together," she said.

Hickock and Smith checked out of a hotel in Miami early on the morning the Walkers were killed, and were later seen within 30 miles of Osprey.

The suspects worked as car mechanics, and a grease rag was found with Christine Walker's body, Rose said.

There's also evidence the Walkers had been interested in buying the car Hickcock and Smith were driving.

DNA testing has advanced to the point where it's now possible to test the old samples against evidence in the Florida case, including semen found on Christine Walker's underwear.

Although Hickock and Smith are long dead, Rose said there's legitimate reason to pursue the investigation.

"There were nearly 600 people on a list of suspects. There are some people whose names were in the paper quite prominently back in the day who would like their names cleared," she said.

"We have gotten e-mails from people who were friends or neighbors of the Walkers. They are thanking us for sticking with the case."

bsanderson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_cold_blood_echo_687gdcvxGZMSTIzKuLtRAK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_cold_blood_echo_687gdcvxGZMSTIzKuLtRAK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084143684 -1 false By GEORGETT ROBERTS and KIRSTAN CONLEY Manhattan

It was like taking candy from a baby.

More than $700 worth of valuables were stolen from a stroller outside a day-care center in Park Slope, Brooklyn, cops said yesterday.

An absent-minded mom left her personal items in the stroller on a front patio at 6 p.m. last Thursday as she picked up her child from day care on Seventh Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, police said.

The thief made off with a $350 iPhone 4S, a full tote bag, a $250 wallet, keys, identification and credit cards, cops said.

Someone tried to use one of the cards to purchase $100 worth of food at a pizzeria, but the card reader declined the purchase.

The 30-year-old victim called her phone, and a man who answered hung up. No arrests have been made.

The day-care owner said clients often leave their pricey strollers outside.

"There's another stroller they attempted to steal today," said the day-care owner, who gave her name only as Rita. "They saw a bag, took the bag, but the bag was empty, so they threw it out."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:55:56 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/stroller_rip_off_O8621RdItlCkM0aUNp4I5I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/stroller_rip_off_O8621RdItlCkM0aUNp4I5I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan 5.10.4084143425 -1 false By LAURENCE ARNOLD Bloomberg National

Robert Bork, the judge and legal scholar whose nomination to the US Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan set off a battle for the judiciary that lived on long after the Senate rejected him, has died. He was 85.

Bork died from complications of heart disease at an Arlington, Va., hospital.

His rejection by the Senate in 1987 established new rules for how prospective justices would be selected and vetted.

In nationally televised hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee delved into Bork's ideology, not just his legal qualifications or competence.

Advocacy groups paid for print and broadcast advertising as part of an unprecedented lobbying campaign against a Supreme Court nominee.

The battle lines formed soon after Reagan announced his selection of Bork, a judge on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), the committee chairman, said he would lead the fight against him.

"I don't have an open mind," the future vice president said.

"The reason I don't is that I know this man."

Bork had criticized civil-rights legislation that barred restaurants, hotels and other public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of race. He declared Roe vs. Wade "an unconstitutional decision," and he criticized a Supreme Court decision that permitted married couples to buy contraception.

The full Senate's 58-42 defeat of Bork on Oct. 23 was mostly along party lines, with six Republicans opposing him and two Democrats backing him.

Bork's first wife, Claire, died in 1980. They had three children, Charles, Ellen and Robert Jr. In 1982, Bork married Mary Ellen Pohl.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bork_dies_at_uOlJW2VvRPP5AEHHi7HWKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bork_dies_at_uOlJW2VvRPP5AEHHi7HWKI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4084143345 -1 false By DOUG AUER, NATASHA VELEZ, KIRSTAN CONLEY and JESSICA SIMEONE NYPD Blotter

Manhattan

Police are looking for the teen suspect pictured who allegedly attacked a woman and snatched her iPhone in a Washington Heights subway station.

Tamek Skinner, 17, walked up behind the 37-year-old woman in the West 157th Street No. 1 station at around 6:45 a.m. on July 13, police said.

He allegedly ripped the phone out of her hand, pushed her to the ground and fled.

The Bronx

Police arrested a suspected gunman in the slaying of a man at a West Farms housing project, authorities said.

Jamel Hunter, 30, allegedly blasted Paris Thomas, 20, several times on Nov. 30 at the city housing complex on East 178th Street, police said.

Thomas was taken to St. Barnabus Hospital, where he died, authorities said.

Hunter was nabbed at 2 p.m. Tuesday on charges of murder, manslaughter, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Queens

The suspect pictured assaulted two women on a subway train after they refused his advances, cops said.

The suspect and the women were on board an N train near the Broadway station in Astoria at 4 a.m. last Thursday, police said.

The first victim, 27, was seated when the suspect approached, cops said.

After some small talk, he tried putting his arm around her but she rebuffed him.

He got instantly angry and punched her in the face, cops said.

He then approached another woman, cops said.

When that victim rebuffed his advances, he clocked her in the face, too, cops said.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 40s, cops said.

***

A pedestrian was killed early yesterday by a hit-run driver in Rosedale, authorities said.

The 31-year-old victim was crossing Francis Lewis Boulevard at 246th Street at around 3:15 a.m. when the car mowed him down at high speed, cops said.

The victim was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died, police said.

There have been no arrests, and police have no description of the vehicle.

***

Police are looking for the teen suspect who allegedly accosted and attempted to rob a straphanger at the Main Street terminal of the No. 7 subway line in Flushing, cops said.

The suspect tried to steal the backpack of the 25-year-old victim in the station at around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 11, cops said.

The victim fought back, the two struggled for the backpack and the would-be thief ran off empty-handed from the mezzanine area of the packed station, cops said.

Staten Island

A mugger stabbed a 27-year-old man in Port Richmond early yesterday, police sources said.

The suspect approached the victim at Post and Port Richmond avenues at around 12:30 a.m. and barked, "Give me your money!" in Spanish, the sources said.

He then stabbed the victim with a sharp object and fled with the man's wallet and an undisclosed sum of money, the sources added.

The victim took himself to Richmond University Medical Center and reported the attack to cops at 3:30 a.m., according to the sources.

***

Two cheapskate brothers tried to mug a Chinese-food deliveryman at knifepoint in South Beach, authorities said.

Michael Sanchez, 23, and Dominick Sanchez, 18, allegedly ambushed the victim delivering food to an address on Ocean Avenue down the block from their home at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to court papers, Dominick pulled out two dollars, but the deliveryman told him the food cost more.

In response, Michael pulled out a blade, menaced the victim and barked, "Motherf--ker!" the court documents add.

The victim dropped the food and fled.

The suspects were collared an hour later at their home, cops said.

Brooklyn

A man was shot to death in Coney Island last night, police said.

The 23-year old victim was found shot multiple times on the sidewalk at West 36th Street and Neptune Avenue at about 6:15 p.m., police said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_iCatM52t8QDBYCFvlCdEEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=NYPD Blotter http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_iCatM52t8QDBYCFvlCdEEO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=NYPD Blotter 5.10.4084142953 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO Jets

Former Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins fired shots at his old teammate Mark Sanchez last night on "Inside the NFL."

Jenkins said that Sanchez had a strong team around him in his first two years but did not improve.

"What Sanchez has to take responsibility for is during the time that he could have gotten better he wanted to sit back," said Jenkins.

Jenkins played with Sanchez in 2009-10, the two years the Jets made the AFC Championship game.

"He wanted to pose for magazines, worry about his haircuts and do all of that stuff. ... I'm just saying, from what I saw him do, it was a lot better than what it is now."

"But he coasted. They coddled him. That was what was going on. This is a man's profession. You have to man up at some point in time and take care."

Jenkins said he does not think Sanchez should be a Jet next year.

"I think that if you leave Sanchez in that locker room he is going to become a bad apple ... And the locker room has been fragile for the past two years," Jenkins said.

* The Jets tried out kicker Harvard Rugland on Tuesday, according to a source. Rugland is a Norwegian 28-year-old best known for his trick-kicking video on YouTube.

* Never put anything past the Jets.

coz73@comcast.net

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jenkins_slams_sanchez_krW9k4iN8vBTq6rKcpdMAO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jenkins_slams_sanchez_krW9k4iN8vBTq6rKcpdMAO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4083808781 -1 false By CANDACE AMOS Brooklyn

A 9-year-old girl riding her scooter in Brooklyn last night was struck in a three-car accident and pinned beneath one of the vehicles — but was rescued by good Samaritans who lifted the car off her, authorities and witnesses said.

Tawaiian Holmes (inset) was scooting on the sidewalk as her mother walked beside her when a livery cab struck a sedan and an SUV at Livonia and Rockaway avenues in Brownsville.

One of the cars mounted the sidewalk and ran over Tawaiian, who got trapped.

"She just kept saying, 'Mommy, I love you. Help me. I don't want to die. Am I going to see my friend,' " her mother, E-Zara Paul, 32, told The Post.

At least seven men at a nearby check-cashing business ran out when they heard the thunderous crash at about 7:30 p.m.

"We were all standing in the cashing place and then we heard a loud boom. Then another boom," said Keith Anderson.

"We ran outside and we saw the mother. She was yelling, 'My baby, my baby!' " said Anderson, 51.

Another of the heroes, Arthur Lane, 41, said the child was calm despite her terrible pain.

"She was conscious. She was just looking up at us saying, 'Please get this car off of me.' "

The men managed to lift the vehicle off the child.

"On the second lift, the mother slid her out from under the car," Anderson said.

"The girl's legs were twisted up in an 'X' formation. I never saw anything like this in my life," he said.

Another pedestrian was struck amid the mayhem.

"He tried to walk, but he couldn't and he just fell down," Lane said.

Six victims — including Tawaiian — were rushed to area hospitals.

Tawaiian, a fourth-grader, suffered two broken legs and a broken pelvis, her mother said.

"I think the men who helped are awesome," Paul said.

"I thank God they were there because she could have died. She was pinned under the car from her neck to her toes."

None of the other victims was seriously hurt, authorities said.

Police sources said the driver of the livery cab was arrested. Charges were pending early today.

Additional reporting by Larry Celona and Antonio Antenucci

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:16:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/heroes_amid_chaos_iy8iOMzI1bp6SEOd30YomL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/heroes_amid_chaos_iy8iOMzI1bp6SEOd30YomL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Brooklyn 5.10.4083808453 -1 false By SABRINA FORD, JESSICA SIMEONE and ALEX DICKINSON Local

A deranged Hamilton Heights man, fearing he was under a "voodoo spell," fatally beat his grandmother yesterday with a fake elephant tusk and then bashed a cop in the head with it as the officer tried to arrest him, officials said.

Dominick Anderson, 27, allegedly bashed his 62-year-old grandmother, Beverly Holmes, during the 8 a.m. attack in a building on St. Nicholas Avenue and West 145th Street, police said.

"Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" cried Anderson's distraught mother, Mary Anderson, after witnessing the attack.

"My son has psychiatric problems. He thinks my mother is doing the voodoo on him," she told The Post. "He needs help."

Mary Anderson said her son had found a doll and photos of himself in Holmes' closet while doing Christmas cleaning on Monday.

The discovery made him think his grandma was casting "voodoo" spells.

"That's where she goes and does her chanting every morning," Anderson said. "Dominick took that doll and threw it away. He said, 'I can't believe my own family is trying to do this to me.' "

After the attack began, horrified neighbors flagged down cops, who barged in and tried to wrestle Anderson off his grandmother.

Anderson allegedly whacked Officer Michiell Matos in the head with the plastic tusk, which is believed to have come from a statue.

The raging suspect was as hard to take down as a bull elephant, requiring five other officers and a blast of pepper spray, police said.

Holmes was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where she died.

Mato had a CAT-scan at St. Luke's Hospital for a possible head injury before being released.

The other officers all were treated for bumps and scratches.

Mary Anderson said Dominick has a 5-year-old daughter and is a "father figure" in the tight-knit family.

She said he used to go to therapy and split his time between the Hamilton Heights home and his girlfriend's place while doing "odd household jobs" for people in the neighborhood."Dominick is a very good kid," she said. "What 26-year-old do you know who helps their mother clean up, run errands? Dominick does all that. It's a family tragedy."

Dominick had been due to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

He was initially charged with attempted murder and resisting arrest. A police source said upgraded charges are expected against Anderson, pending autopsy results.

Additional reporting by Antonio Antenucci

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/tusk_slay_horror_8jS0WqT6Eou5gSWVzrJz7M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/tusk_slay_horror_8jS0WqT6Eou5gSWVzrJz7M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083808045 -1 false By PEDRO OLIVEIRA JR. Local

Two new breeds will compete at next year's Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, officials said yesterday.

The Russell terrier and the treeing Walker coonhound will bring the total of breeds and varieties in February's competition to 187.

The Westminster Kennel Club, which determines eligibility, said it considers breeds for recognition if they show sufficient numbers, geographic distribution and an active parent club.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:47:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/westminster_breed_ing_like_crazy_ySoEPuO39iX0LpxUfB6SyK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/westminster_breed_ing_like_crazy_ySoEPuO39iX0LpxUfB6SyK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083725367 -1 false Post wire services Weird But True

Anybody have change for a $500 million?

A man in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was busted for trying to pass off a counterfeit $500 million bill — but he won't serve any time.

Judge William Dimitrouleas, calling the offense "laughable,'' said, "It doesn't promote respect for the law to send somebody to prison . . . for doing something so silly and outrageous.''

The biggest bill circulated today is $100, but at one time, the government printed $10,000 notes.

***

"The Philharmonic will now perform the 'Concerto for Violin, Trumpet and Hand Fart.' ''

An anonymous Canadian has become an Internet sensation by using his hands to squeeze out popular and classical music.

His repertoire ranges from Pink Floyd's 1979 "Comfortably Numb,'' to Johann Pachebel's "Canon in D Major,'' written sometime before 1700.

***

Some good news and bad news for people waiting for gasoline prices to come down.

Scientists have discovered a huge oil field, containing an astonishing 155,238,095,238,095,250,000 barrels of oil.

Only one problem: It's 1,300 light years from Earth, in the Horsehead Nebula Galaxy.

***

Speaking of energy . . .

England's Big Pit National Coal Museum has installed 200 solar panels.

The museum says the move will save it about $650,000 over 25 years

***

He was a bit overdressed for the occasion.

A frugal flier, trying to save costs for excess baggage, wore every item of clothing he was taking on a plane from China to Kenya.

In his various pockets were batteries, flash drives and assorted electronic items.

The man — described as looking like a sumo wrestler — was wearing 60 shirts and nine pairs of jeans.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:24:40 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/weird_but_true/weird_but_true_EZpvAqL7UOC4eUa4BUV6bP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Weird But True http://www.nypost.com/p/news/weird_but_true/weird_but_true_EZpvAqL7UOC4eUa4BUV6bP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Weird But True 5.10.4083721169 -1 false By ZACH BRAZILLER Basketball

St. John's loss is Rider's gain.

Nurideen Lindsey, the dynamic guard who transferred nine games into his Red Storm career after a scintillating start, is off to a similarly solid beginning with Rider.

Lindsey initially committed to Arkansas, but changed his mind and picked Rider, surprising many since he has always been considered a high Division I talent from his days as a prolific scorer at Overbrook High in Philadelphia.

Lindsey said Rider is the perfect fit for him. He left St. John's to be closer to his family in Philadelphia — though there were reports he wanted to be the team's primary offensive option, which he has denied — where he can tend to his ill mother, Gina Schenck, with Rider just a 40-minute drive away in Lawrenceville, N.J. Red Storm head coach Steve Lavin's absence as he recovered from prostate cancer surgery was also a factor, Lindsey said.

"I've been able to focus a lot better," said Lindsey, who has lost two brothers to murder and a good friend to cancer. "It's very important. My mom is my biggest supporter."

He is the face of a program looking to get back to post-season play for the first time in three years and reach its first NCAA Tournament in over a decade. He has developed a close bond with first-year head coach Kevin Baggett, who made him feel comfortable by immediately "trying to coach me, being there when I needed help, somebody I could call and talk to," he said. "He took the initiative to put me under his wing when I got here, to make me feel like this is my home for the next two years."

Lindsey is averaging 12.5 points per game for Rider (6-5), which visits Princeton tonight. The versatile and electric 6-foot-3 guard got off to a roaring start, scoring 26 points apiece in a season-opening win over Robert Morris and loss at South Carolina. He has struggled in recent games, battling turnover and foul woes. A natural slasher at his best in transition, Lindsey has worked dutifully on his perimeter shot, and it shows to the tune of him shooting just over 41 percent from beyond the arc.

"His will to win is unbelievable," Baggett said. "These guys really rally around him. He's been good for our program, does everything I ask him to do."

Lavin considered it a win-win for both parties. Lindsey is more comfortable at Rider, near his family in Philadelphia, while St. John's has moved on without the dynamic guard.

At the time, Lindsey's departure looked like a crushing blow to the program, one of the team's oldest players bolting before Big East play began. Yet, it created opportunities for then freshman guards D'Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene IV.

"I'm sure D'Angelo and Phil's development have been accelerated because Nurideen moved on to Rider," Lavin said.

Lavin also pointed out that St. John's wouldn't have talented Texas A&M transfer Jamal Branch on its roster, either, if Lindsey didn't leave. Branch, a pass-first point guard who should make an immediate impact, will make his Red Storm debut against UNC-Asheville tomorrow.

Neither side has any ill-will toward the other. Lindsey said he still talks with Lavin and his former teammates every few weeks, calling them his "brothers."

"You want young people to be happy and in a situation that is a great fit for them," Lavin said. "Rider is a great fit for Nurideen."

zbraziller@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/rider_not_the_storm_maNl6VjOTAGFARJmTqAyaP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Basketball http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/rider_not_the_storm_maNl6VjOTAGFARJmTqAyaP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Basketball 5.10.4083701526 -1 false By KIERAN CROWLEY Local

All they want for Christmas is their stolen pooch.

Coldhearted thieves burglarized a Long Island home, stealing cash, trashing the place — and swiping the family's beloved Maltese-dachshund mix named Joey.

"Our Christmas wish is to have Joey home!'' said a distraught Donna Labriola, a mother of three heartbroken kids.

The return of the 13-pound pup was at the top of 10-year-old daughter Maria's Christmas list — in capital letters.

"I cried when I saw her Christmas list. She wants Joey home,'' said Labriola. "We all do.''

Long Island police are now asking the public to keep an eye out for Joey — who is tan and cream-colored and has black or gray on the tips of his ears and tail — in an effort to reunite him with the family and hopefully solve the crime.

Labriola, 48, said she's even consulted with an animal psychic in a effort to find Joey. The seer believes the pet is in one of the five boroughs.

The crooks broke into the West Islip house Oct. 23 and made off with more than $1,200 in cash — including $65 that Labriola's daughter earned walking dogs in the neighborhood — and more than $15,000 worth of jewelry.

"They broke in through a basement window, and they turned the whole house upside down,'' said Labriola. "They broke a pipe in the basement and flooded the house.

"The house can be repaired, and what they stole is just property. We only care about Joey."

Labriola said it's unlikely Joey tried to chase the robbers away. "He would probably have welcomed anybody,'' she said. "He's very friendly.''

The incident has impacted the family's other dog, Ceasar, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd, who was helpless inside a cage during the incident.

"Ceasar was totally traumatized,'' said Labriola. "It's almost like he let Joey down, and he didn't want to do that again.''

The mom and her three daughters searched the neighborhood trying to find Joey, who also answers to Jojo, thinking the crooks simply let him run free.

But when no one reported seeing him, they realized he'd been taken and called the police.

Labriola believes the thieves gave away the friendly dog t— worth about $1,000 — to someone who didn't know he had been stolen.

Suffolk County cops encouraged anyone who has seen Joey to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 220-TIPS.

Labriola said Joey has two ribs that protrude on either side, a harmless birth defect that would identify him because he had no collar or identification chip in his ear.

"This is highly unusual for burglars to take a pet. I could not speculate as to why they took the dog,'' Suffolk Detective Sgt. Tony Lavista.

"He's a cute little guy. Our hearts go out to the 10-year-old daughter, obviously. We're trying."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:10:45 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/dognapper_hits_home_eeni5iYAWuXUndflYAb6jO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/dognapper_hits_home_eeni5iYAWuXUndflYAb6jO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083701411 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR and JULIA MARSH Local

A socialite train wreck beat up her "sober coach" so badly that the woman is awaiting a spinal fusion, a Manhattan lawsuit claims.

Joselyn Wohl, 32, daughter of New York real-estate titan Larry Wohl, "yanked her down a flight of [concrete] stairs, then was on top of her, choking her," said Bryan Swerling, Heather McKean's lawyer.

Law-enforcement sources told The Post that Joselyn Wohl was charged with assault and that a warrant for her arrest was issued following the March 5 incident in the Hamptons.

Joselyn, her dad and his wife, Denise Wohl, are named in the suit because they were "aware of [their] daughter's propensity for violence," court papers say.

McKean was a glorified baby sitter for Joselyn, who'd been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Swerling told The Post.

McKean was living in the Wohl's Southampton pad when Joselyn snapped, the suit alleges. "Joselyn wanted to go out and do something not in her best interest, and Heather was trying to talk her down," said Swerling. "Heather began to walk up the stairs. She felt a tug on the back of her shirt, and it was Joselyn attacking her."

McKean has received physical therapy for injuries to her back and leg and has a spinal operation scheduled, Swerling said.

The Wohls did not return calls for comment.

julia.marsh@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:16:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rich_girl_smackdown_suit_eMKUjGzbESLapBN6i1RErN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rich_girl_smackdown_suit_eMKUjGzbESLapBN6i1RErN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083208785 -1 false By SELIM ALGAR Local

It was hell on wheels.

A woman was killed and 33 other people were injured in a massive chain-reaction smashup on the Long Island Expressway yesterday after a big-rig driver lost control of his truck.

The 18-wheeler — carrying Sandy debris — smashed into several cars heading eastbound at Exit 68 in Yaphank at around 2:50 p.m. before bursting into flames.

"It looked like something from an action movie," said witness Mike Jiminez, 24, of Flanders.

"I was going the opposite way, and the cars were just flying all over the place."

Nearly 40 vehicles were involved. Injured drivers were spread among three hospitals.

Police did not release the name of the driver who died, but said she was a 68-year-old woman from Blue Point.

Two people — Nicki Boralli, 20, and Sean Shilling, 37 — were choppered to Stony Brook University Medical Center in critical condition. The rest of the injuries were not life-threatening.

PHOTOS: L.I.E. CRASH

Two cars caught fire in addition to the truck, but the fatality was not in one one of those vehicles.

Jiminez said that the truck driver, Raymond Simoneau from Vermont, exited his vehicle as its engine exploded.

"The guy barely got out," he said. "He had to go right through the flames to make it from the front, the cab. Whoever that guy is is lucky to be alive."

Another witness, Danny Gershonowitz, said he saw the truck driver kick out his windshield to escape after several people tried unsuccessfully to open his door.

A tow-truck driver pulled another occupied vehicle away from the blazing big rig.

The metal- and glass-strewn roadway resembled a demolition-derby site. Traffic was closed for hours in both directions.

Suffolk police have not pinpointed why the truck driver lost control and are investigating.

A source said that a construction zone roughly three-quarters of a mile ahead of the crash site reduced the lanes from three to one and that the truck might have smashed into braking cars.

"When I ran back up to the scene, I was afraid to see what I was going to find," Gershonowitz said. "I was sure there would be multiple fatalities. Thank God there weren't."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/horrifying_dead_end_on_the_8BbnJmdXOJjltiCqBm1BAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/horrifying_dead_end_on_the_8BbnJmdXOJjltiCqBm1BAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083208659 -1 false By KIRSTAN CONLEY Queens

A Queens woman allegedly pretended to be a doctor and performed a butt-lift operation on a patient, who became seriously ill after the operation, cops said.

The 40-year-old victim paid suspect Liliana Coello $2,500 for a rounder derriere and underwent a procedure at Coello's 157th Street home on Nov. 3, sources aid.

Several days later, the woman's backside became infected, and she ended up in the hospital, sources said.

Coello was slapped with charges of assault, reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession, sources said. Cops said they confiscated her tools and charged her with criminal possession of a weapon.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:41:37 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/fake_doc_butt_toxic_cops_qeGzHzR0GlbnWKMQLWzzhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/fake_doc_butt_toxic_cops_qeGzHzR0GlbnWKMQLWzzhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Queens 5.10.4083208553 -1 false Football Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:49:33 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/college_bowl_glance_kld2O4ARD8MvFFoNbBRqaI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Football http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/college_bowl_glance_kld2O4ARD8MvFFoNbBRqaI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Football 5.10.4083208537 -1 false By SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

Take from the rich and give to the less rich.

That's city Comptroller John Liu's plan, as outlined in a State of the City speech he will give today.

Liu wants to cut Madison Square Garden's $15 million annual property-tax break.

And he proposes cutting tax breaks for developers and making private equity firms pay unincorporated business tax for carried interest or gains from assets held for investment, worth about $200 million a year.

To help smaller firms, he wants to eliminate the corporation tax for all businesses with liabilities of less than $5,000 to save companies about $200 million in city revenue.

Businesses that earn less than $250,000 a year would be exempt from the city's unincorporated business tax under his plan.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:40:56 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/liu_ax_big_firms_tax_breaks_4Nu1xSceLH2EmJY7SnfLyH?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/liu_ax_big_firms_tax_breaks_4Nu1xSceLH2EmJY7SnfLyH?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4083208499 -1 false Local Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:27:59 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/shattered_qS6wPLlh5xHLdXfwsujRCP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/shattered_qS6wPLlh5xHLdXfwsujRCP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4083208483 -1 false Page Six Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:39:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/olivia_culpo_i24lHle2TN6neP02nsN6BO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/olivia_culpo_i24lHle2TN6neP02nsN6BO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six 5.10.4083208443 -1 false By FRED KERBER Nets

Mike Woodson has done something no coach ever has done.

He's told J.R. Smith not to hesitate when he shoots.

"Other than Coach Woodson, I've never been told I was hesitating," Smith said with a smile after shooting 7 of 11 and scoring 19 points last night in the Knicks' 100-86 win over the Nets at the Garden.

"They say I've never seen a shot I didn't like, and I've been trying to live up to his expectations," Smith said. "On the defensive end more than anything. The offensive end has been kind of easy."

No complaints anywhere last night. Smith, in addition to scoring, had three assists, five rebounds and just one turnover.

"He bounced back from the other night," Woodson said. "He and I had a conversation about his last game and we had an opportunity to work on the floor [Tuesday]. I thought he was very focused when he stepped on the floor, and it carried through the game. I couldn't be more proud of the way the young man played."

And Smith did all he was asked — and even what he wasn't asked to do. He kept his cool in the first quarter on a little rough play with Kris Humphries, who drew a technical foul.

"I didn't realize they were going to call a technical. It was just being physical, going for the ball," Smith said. "I didn't think he deserved a tech."

Smith now has shot 14 of 24 (.583) after a shaky eight-game run of 40 of 124 (.323).

"Coach just didn't want me to hesitate," Smith said. "Take less dribbles, be more efficient on the offensive end and take better shots."

Done. Done. Done. And then so were the Nets.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/smith_finally_finds_his_shot_qm6p6J7w8j79Var2cOXVxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Nets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/smith_finally_finds_his_shot_qm6p6J7w8j79Var2cOXVxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Nets 5.10.4083208405 -1 false By ANTHONY AFFRUNTI Horse Racing

FIRST-6f; $17,000; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO

6-Nev's Cat 5-22-HandsomeSct12-13-CarefullyWrded7-24-He's Got Brass20-17-Hop Sing 3-15-Etbauer's Roux 8-11-Ferno 3-1

SECOND-6f; $17,000;cl($7,500); 3up

1-Pandering 3-15-Sixoeight 5-14-Moon On Fire 7-26-Trukarma 12-13-Tully's Dreamer9-27-Primal Jones 8-12-The Hidden Ace9-28-Boss M 10-1

THIRD-6f; $19,000; cl($10,000); 3up

5-Hard Case 3-13-Herecomesbert5-11-InJack'sMemry4-14-Boltronic 6-16-Kajiwara 7-27-Elusive Action 10-12-Stray Dog 5-1

FOURTH-5f(T); $21,000; cl($25,000); 3up; (f&m)

4-Cheshire Kitty 12-13-Johnny'sLegacy5-16-Gibes 3-15-ToastiesChoce12-18-Cajun Diva 4-17-De Rascal 9-21-Wild Dixie 6-19-Look Royal 12-12-MaidfLghtenng6-1

FIFTH-1m&70y; $14,000; cl($5,000); 3up

4-Conner Can 3-12-What Secret 12-15-Burn Rate 5-16-Mystical Friend6-13-Walk Easy 7-27-Ricky Bobby 9-21-J R'sWildEvent10-18-Dapple Down 8-1

SIXTH-5f(T); $41,000; alw opt clm; 3up

1-Gar 5-17-Tauphine Pass 8-14-CajunPersuasin9-58-Glenda'sMahal8-16-RoyalityRedCt12-19-Ide's Crown 20-12-Richmar 8-110-PreachinDeacn8-13-Chief Ted 4-111-PantaraPhntm4-15-Killing Me 12-1

SEVENTH-6f; $19,000; cl($15,000); 2YO

2-Solar Night 5-14-SequoyahWells9-26-Shockman 5-25-Katillac Charm 8-13-Go Lil Tiger 4-17-Two Third Bird15-11-I'm in a Hurry 7-2

EIGHTH-1 1/16m(T); $45,000; mdn spcl; 3up

6-Empire Taker 8-14-Cowhand 4-11-Majestic Lite 3-17-Cool Street 6-15-Madris 9-28-Laugh It Off 6-12-South to theSea8-19-VperyodSeryg15-13-New Ruler 20-110-Flashy Sunrise 3-1

NINTH-6f; $25,000; cl($30,000); 3up; (f&m)

8-BarbadosBeaty5-23-WhteJsmneTw12-16-Take Interest 9-24-She'sabrees 12-11-Witty Gal 9-55-Dncngverthele10-12-Janis's Joy 6-17-Lastochka 12-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:38:54 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/affrunti_at_fair_grounds_graded_Uh9fPuceWUYptuMQVZyyXN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/affrunti_at_fair_grounds_graded_Uh9fPuceWUYptuMQVZyyXN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208391 -1 false More Sports

NBA: Thunder notch 12th straight victory

Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as the Thunder (21-4) held off the Hawks, 100-92, for their 12th straight win. Russell Westbrook added 27 points — 21 in the first half — and 11 assists for Oklahoma City. ... Blake Griffin scored 18 points as the Clippers (19-6) beat the Hornets 93-77 for their franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory.

Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half, hitting 10 of his 11 shots after halftime in the Celtics' 103-91 win over the Cavaliers. ... James Harden had 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a 125-103 victory over the 76ers.

NCAA: Kelly named AP coach of the year

Brian Kelly, who led Notre Dame into the BCS championship for the first time, was voted Associated Press college football coach of the year. He received 25 votes from the AP college football poll panel. Also receiving votes were Penn State's Bill O'Brien, Stanford's David Shaw, Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin , Kansas State's Bill Snyder and Alabama's Nick Saban. O'Brien was named the Maxwell Football Club coach of the year after the first-year head coach guided the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record under unprecedented circumstances.

MLB: Diamondbacks hire Sax as coach

Steve Sax was hired by the Diamondbacks as their first base coach. Sax, 52, was a five-time All-Star second baseman for the Dodgers, Yankees and two other teams. He has been a professional speaker on motivation and leadership since he ritired in 1994.

Jeff Francis completed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to remain with the Rockies, a deal that allows the 31-year-old left-hander to double his income if he pitches 210 innings.

College Hoops: Edwin leads Seton Hall

Senior guard Fuquan Edwin scored 19 points to lead Seton Hall to an easy 79-61 victory over Longwood. The win was the fourth in a row for the Pirates (9-2), while the Lancers (3-9) lost their second straight. Besides Edwin, the Pirates got 13 points from Brian Oliver, who had been practically invisible in the past three games, and 11 points and eight rebounds from freshman Kevin Johnson.

Desi Washington scored 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting to lead St. Peter's to an 80-67 victory over LIU Brooklyn. The Blackbirds played without leading scorer Julian Boyd, who tore his ACL in the victory against Rice on Dec. 12. He will miss the rest of the season.

Sheldon McClellan scored 18 points, leading three Texas players in double figures in an 85-67 win over No. 23 North Carolina. After the game, Texas coach Rick Barnes would not directly comment on a report that guard Myck Kabongo will be suspended by the NCAA for the rest of the season. According to Yahoo! Sports, Kabongo will be banned following an investigation into the sophomore's relationship with Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James.

GOLF: McIlroy voted player of the year

Rory McIlroy was the near unanimous choice as the best male player by the Golf Writers Association of America. McIlroy received 190 out of the 194 votes cast by GWAA members. Three votes went to FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, and the other went to Tiger Woods.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:41:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/sports_shorts_SIzshqOngDMj73a1X5oUAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/sports_shorts_SIzshqOngDMj73a1X5oUAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4083208377 -1 false Horse Racing

FIRST-6f; $10,000; cl($8,000); 3up; (f&m)

2Proms M Jy (Butlr)3.402.602.103Thoarra (Coa)5.203.006Swift Feather (Parker)2.20

Scr: Eclectic Run.* Exacta (2-3) $15.60 * $1 Superfecta (2-3-6-8) $58.50 * Trifecta (2-3-6) $32.20

Winner picked by Affrunti

SECOND-1m&40y; $21,400; alw opt clm; 3up

3Thnk U Phlpp (Grc)4.802.602.204Generalssmo (DeLaCruz)4.403.206Bold Captain (Parker)3.80

Scr: Argentine Tango.* Double (2-3) $10.60 * Exacta (3-4) $22.40 * $1 Superfecta (3-4-6-5) $98.40 * Trifecta (3-4-6) $68.60

THIRD-5 1/2f; $20,000; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

6Rammer (Garcia)3.202.202.107Master Jordan (DeLCruz)4.603.604Falsely Alarmed (Santos)3.20

Scr: Imperial Bluegrazz, Recriminate.* Pick 3 (2-3-6) $20.20 * Conso Pick 3 (2-3-3) $14.80 *Double (3-6) $11.60 * Exacta (6-7) $20.40 * $1 Superfecta (6-7-4-1) $94.50 * Trifecta (6-7-4) $64.80 * Conso Double (3-3) $4.40

FOURTH-7f; $9,000; cl($5,000); 3up

2Gott Go Gld (Cntn)5.203.802.801Jhnny Tw by Fur (AllnJr.)3.803.008Alex's Vision (Parker)3.20

* Pick 3 (3-6-2) $35.00 *Conso Pick 3 (3-3-2) $23.00 * Double (6-2) $16.60 * Exacta (2-1) $18.40 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-8-7) $82.60 * Trifecta (2-1-8) $80.80 * $1 X-5 Super High Five (2-1-8-7-5) $141.40

FIFTH-6f; $9,000; mdn cl($8,000); 3up; (f&m)

5Lv M Or Els (DLCrz)6.403.403.009Dnel's Flower (Rodrguz)7.805.801La Belle Province (Allen,Jr.)7.20

* Pick 3 (6-2-5) 3 Correct $47.80 * Double (2-5) $24.40 * Exacta (5-9) $53.80 * $1 Superfecta (5-9-1-2) $1,173.70 * Trifecta (5-9-1) $514.80 Winner picked by Affrunti

SIXTH-7f; $14,000; mdn cl($25,000); 2YO; (f)

8Ghst Flwr (DLCrz)7.203.002.403Raver (Pedroza)2.402.109Tallymoor (Santiago)4.00

Scr: Airtime.* Pick 4 (3/6/8-2-5-8) 4 Correct $241.40 * Pick 3 (2-5-8) 3 Correct $113.60 * Daily Double (5-8) $39.00 * Exacta (8-3) $21.20 * $1 Superfecta (8-3-9-5) $292.40 * Trifecta (8-3-9) $92.00

Exacta picked by Affrunti

SEVENTH-1 1/8m(T); $18,500; cl($16,000); 3up; (f&m)

1Butterdsh (Cedno)10.004.803.806My Estelle (Spieth)7.805.6010Lets Go Donna (Serpa)7.80

Scr: Sarafina, Robin des Concorde.* Pick 3 (5-8-1) 3 Correct $178.60 * Daily Double (8-1) $38.20 * Exacta (1-6) $94.20 * $1 Superfecta (1-6-10-9) $2,031.70 * Trifecta (1-6-10) $1,005.80

EIGHTH-1 1/16m; $12,000; cl($6,250); 3up

3Prechr Buck (Mjs)48.4019.6011.007Skp to the North (Sntgo)5.604.206Bucks Wink (Vargas)7.60

* Pick 3 (8-1-3) 3 Correct $930.80 * Daily Double (1-3) $318.80 * Exacta (3-7) $290.60 * $1 Superfecta (3-7-6-2) $10,306.80 * Trifecta (3-7-6) $3,939.60

NINTH-1m(T); $20,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up; (f&m)

2Som Lgs (Curtolo)9.204.403.407Single (Coa)3.202.809Homestead (Centeno)3.00

Scr: Gold Empire, Abitya, Empire Desire, West Pointer, Highland Dancer.* Pick 3 (1-3-2) 3 Correct $1,129.20 * Daily Double (3-2) $420.20 * Exacta (2-7) $31.40 * $1 Superfecta (2-7-9-3) $123.10 * Trifecta (2-7-9) $76.80 Trifecta picked by Affrunti

TENTH-1m&40y; $10,300; cl($8,000); 3up

5Spd Lghtnng (Cdn)9.405.603.602Flying Aptitude (Garcia)7.804.807Sooner (DeLaCruz)8.00

Scr: Be My Frankenstein.* $1 Pick 5 (8-1-3-2-5) 4 Correct $128.40 * Pick 4 (1-3-2-5) 4 Correct $23,239.40 * Pick 3 (3-2-5) 3 Correct $3,094.60 * Daily Double (2-5) $48.40 * Exacta (5-2) $77.00 * $1 Superfecta (5-2-7-4) $1,792.40 * Trifecta (5-2-7) $758.20

Double picked by Affrunti

Attendance 2,182.

Total Handle $3,108,226.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:38:07 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tampa_bay_downs_results_EXUl6fH2zsRIxHxOKOumhM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tampa_bay_downs_results_EXUl6fH2zsRIxHxOKOumhM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208363 -1 false By CANDICE M. GIOVE and SUSAN EDELMAN Manhattan

A top administrator at CUNY's Zicklin School of Business pleaded guilty yesterday to forging signatures to raise failing students' grades — and alleged that four professors helped in the scam.

Chris Koutsoutis, 56, admitted in Manhattan Criminal Court that he faked colleagues' signatures on 11 forms to boost the grades of eight students in danger of flunking out.

The scheme kept the students, including Wall Streeters and other full-time financiers, enrolled — and their bucks rolling in. Their tuition, sometimes paid by the firms they worked for, ranged from $45,000 to $75,000.

"Dishonesty has no place in a college education," said Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr.

The Post exposed the cheating scandal in June (above left).

Koutsoutis, director of Zicklin's executive programs, said he forged the signatures of faculty and administrators on grade-change forms between Nov. 6, 2010, and June 2, 2011.

"I did this to lift the grade-point averages of eight different students who had failed to meet the necessary academic requirements to obtain their degree from Zicklin," he said.

When the failing students asked him for help, Koutsoutis said, he faked the forms, giving phony reasons for the higher grades, such as "completed missing work" and "re-evaluation of previously un-submitted work."

He raised some grades from "F" or "incomplete" to "A-minus," he said. Students below a "B" average could be booted.

Koutsoutis claimed faculty members helped further the ruse by letting students sit in on other courses for credit.

He named Joseph Onochie, Aloke Ghosh, Avner Wolf and Giora Harpaz.

Ghosh called Koutsoutis' allegations "simply untrue." He said he discovered his forged signature and reported it to administrators in June 2011.

Onochie, who was removed as director of the executive MBA program, also denied helping in the scam: "Absolutely not. This is ridiculous."

Harpaz and Wolf did not return calls for comment.

Koutsoutis also admitted forging the name of Frank Fletcher, the executive director of Zicklin's grad programs, as approving the changes.

He claimed students didn't pay him off: "I received no monetary or other tangible benefits in exchange for my actions."

Judge Larry Stephen asked what, if not money, was his motive. "I was giving them a better opportunity to succeed," Koutsoutis replied. "I wish I had a better answer."

In a plea deal, Koutsoutis copped to 21 counts of forgery and falsifying records. He faces six months jail when he's sentenced on Feb. 6.

"This is a much bigger issue involving Zicklin and academic professionals," said his lawyer Mark Bederow. He added that the scandal included "at least four professors with some degree of knowledge of what was going on."

susan.edelman@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:43:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cuny_big_up_MHkMdUiXvKIA5ksnMcEnKM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cuny_big_up_MHkMdUiXvKIA5ksnMcEnKM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Manhattan 5.10.4083208338 -1 false By BILL SMITH Horse Racing

Post Time: 7:10 p.m.

Best Bet: Lightning Storm (2nd)

FIRST: mile; pace; $10,800; cl($12500)

1 Theseyesrcrying(BHolland)8-1-59-54 Alloveramerica(BSears)2-4-15-17 J A's Outlaw(JBartlett)1-5-44-12 Tinys Million(JPantaleano)5-9-26-13 Tongue Twister(JStratton)1-2-68-15 Moneybackgurntee(PBerry)5-7-715-16 Scare Tactics N(DDube)6-6-720-18 Dontakeyourguns(LStalbm)7-6-810-1

SECOND: mile; trot; $15,000; cond

3 Lightning Storm(BSears)3-1-58-55 Keenan(CManzi)3-6-85-11 As Ya'll Like It(DDube)4-1-15-12 WorthTheMoneyAs(LStlbm)3-8-88-14 Conway Cruiser(JStratton)1-8-38-16 Sweet Joe(JBartlett)3-2-46-17 Stonebridge Idol(BHolland)1-1-312-18 Louie The Fourth(MForte)7-2-515-1

THIRD: mile; trot; $9,000; cl($12500)

4 Ms Graywalls(JStratton)3-2-18-53 Flying Mocha(DDube)3-5-44-15 Carnivalocity(LStalbaum)5-5-88-11 P H Dreamer(EGoodell)5-4-18-12 Angel Ofthe West(BHolland)8-8-612-16 Not Thinking(CManzi)5-3-210-17 Temptation Queen(BSears)7-5-530-18 Our Girls Chance N(SSmith)7-3-520-1

FOURTH: mile; pace; $9,000; cl($12500)

1 Moving Art(GBrennan)4-3-19-52 Jk Ru Bettor Yet(LStalbaum)2-8-85-15 Marie The Artist(EGoodell)3-1-38-13 Bambina's Sorella(BSears)3-6-26-14 Whatrugonnado(DDube)6-4-68-16 Little Miss Henry(JStratton)1-2-410-17 Party Dream(BHolland)8-3-440-18 Elodie(PBerry)4-2-312-1

FIFTH: mile; pace; $9,000; cl($12500)

1 Princess Bliss(EGoodell)2-3-85-13 Wizzard Queen(DDube)1-5-34-12 Make A Bundle N(GBrennan)7-1-49-54 SkywayHanover(LStalbaum)4-3-78-15 Kimmy(CManzi)6-2-88-16 No Faultz(BSears)2-6-110-17 Kissmatt(JStratton)4-5-66-18 Avaricity(JBartlett)5-4-820-1

SIXTH: mile; pace; $12,000; cond

2 Alibi Hanover(GBrennan)1-4-83-14 Dinah Ross(JBartlett)4-1-84-11 Runaway Rose(BSears)4-4-25-13 Little MermaidN(LStalbaum)2-2-612-15 Lizzie's Dream(CManzi)5-7-510-16 Latin Lyric(JStratton)1-5-26-17 My Miss Bliss(MKimelman)4-8-212-18 Eyewitness Account(DDube)1-2-58-1

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cond

2 Late Flyin N(GBrennan)1-1-78-53 Thinkyoucandance(LStlbm)1-3-55-15 Lightning Paige(BSears)2-1-24-11 Miss Sand Creek(BHolland)2-6-86-14 Campanile(JStratton)8-2-210-16 Mikeleh(JBartlett)4-2-78-17 Royal Knockout(CManzi)7-8-515-18 Sir Lb's Z Tam(PLachance)5-7-420-1

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $15,600; cl($20000)

2 Lucky Lucky Leo(EGoodell)1-1-25-14 LiterateHanover(LStlbaum)6-5-24-11 Artic Blue(GBrennan)2-6-33-13 Tough Love(BHolland)3-7-412-15 Strange Hanover(BSears)5-5-46-16 Honeys Dragon(CManzi)4-6-310-17 Irish Elitist(JStratton)2-2-68-18 K C Colt(DDube)2-7-612-1

NINTH: mile; pace; $15,600;cl($20000)

6 Arockin Hanover(DDube)1-2-53-14 Not This Time(LStalbaum)2-3-44-12 Pams Legacy(EGoodell)4-6-25-11 Gotthejobdonemate(BHllnd)7-8-28-13 Cooperstown Kid(JBartlett)1-2-38-15 Shellysblockbster(PLchnce)5-4-510-17 Lilsharkshooter(BSears)6-8-312-18 FinanceTheMaster(JStrattn)7-1-46-1

TENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cl($25000)

7 SharkDressedMan(GBrennn)3-1-18-53 Cam's Oracle(RDane)8-8-110-16 Allamerican Apche(BSears)4-1-14-11 Fiesty Flyer(DDube)1-1-810-12 Ultimate Desire(BHolland)4-3-18-14 All Powerful(LStalbaum)8-2-28-15 AwesomeArmbroN(JStrattn)1-8-65-18 Touch And Go(JBartlett)5-5-720-1

ELEVENTH: mile; trot; $17,000; cl($30000)

8 AlternatThursdays(JBartltt)1-4-33-16 Partyatyourplace(DDube)1-2-45-12 Ringside Lauryn(CManzi)8-7-64-11 Cinderella Man(BSears)2-5-88-13 Im The Cash Man(JStratton)7-6-210-14 Justa Rebel(LStalbaum)2-3-65-15 Sailaway Dream(GBrennan)2-5-86-17 Big Sky Domino(JGregory)7-6-812-1

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cond

4 We Adore Thee(GBrennan)1-3-38-56 Wildfire Osborne(EGoodell)2-2-19-52 Nightly Terror(DDube)4-1-16-11 Marie's Z Tam(PLachance)7-2-410-13 Dressedforthednce(JGregry)2-3-18-15 Stratus(JStratton)1-2-48-17 Woes Jet Filly(BHolland)3-3-415-18 Julias Song N(BSears)8-4-312-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:37:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/yonkers_graded_entries_Yx0jxwWCfSH2gzGcpWr4VL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/yonkers_graded_entries_Yx0jxwWCfSH2gzGcpWr4VL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4083208209 -1 false By S.A. MILLER and GERRY SHIELDS Post Correspondents With AP International

WASHINGTON — Three top State Department officials resigned under fire yesterday after a scathing report blasted "grossly inadequate security" and management "failures" before the attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

But senators said they still want to grill Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about the foul-ups that allowed terrorists to kill Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans on Sept. 11.

As congressional leaders read the damning report, the Obama administration disclosed that Eric Boswell, an assistant secretary of state, and two deputy assistant secretaries of state, Charlene Lamb and Raymond Maxwell, had stepped down.

Clinton had been scheduled to provide answers at a congressional hearing on Libya today. But she canceled after fainting and sustaining a concussion last week while recovering from a stomach virus.

Republicans — and some Democrats — still want to hear from Clinton about the report by a blue-ribbon, independent panel.

"What it says is there are huge management problems at State, and she's ultimately responsible," Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) told The Post.

"I think she's got to testify," agreed Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-ranking Democrat, added, "I hope that Secretary Clinton will testify . . . Ultimately we need to present this to the American people."

Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, co-chair of the panel, said in the report that some officials were more concerned with saving money than with security.

Mullen's co-chair, retired Ambassador Thomas Pickering, said the personnel on the ground in Benghazi "did the best they possibly could with what they had — but what they had wasn't enough."

Lamb defended the security when she testified in October before Issa's Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"We had the correct number of assets in Benghazi at the time," she said.

Lamb added that she rejected requests for more security, and trained "local Libyans and army men" instead to guard the mission.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/benghazi_backlash_WKtLiUV9gwNUIklr4O6tfI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/benghazi_backlash_WKtLiUV9gwNUIklr4O6tfI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=International 5.10.4083208141 -1 false By GERRY SHIELDS National

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans yesterday offered their own Hurricane Sandy relief bill — which is less than half the original proposed amount.

The GOP version calls for $23.8 billion to be spent on disaster relief for New York and New Jersey — while the bill offered by President Obama totaled $60.4 billion.

Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) introduced the new legislation, which would fund aid through the first three months of next year.

Coats said the lower figure eliminated unnecessary spending — such as $150 million for fisheries in Alaska and Mississippi.

"The concept behind this, of course, is to be as careful as we can with the taxpayers' money and make sure that each dollar spent is spent on something that has been thoroughly examined," Coats said.

The bill isn't likely to pass the Senate, which Democrats control with 52 votes.,

One of the biggest cuts in the funding involves reducing Community Development Block Grants from $15 billion to $2 billion. That money is viewed as critical to helping homeowners socked by the storm.

The move would also eliminate close to $11.3 billion in funding for future storm protection. Republicans left in the $9.7 billion to pay out claims from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) slammed the offer.

"This proposal is not even in the ballpark of what New York and New Jersey need," Schumer said yesterday.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:13 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/gop_sandy_lash_iiaREoXayjOfNQ7O6IrekN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/gop_sandy_lash_iiaREoXayjOfNQ7O6IrekN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4083207989 -1 false By BRIAN COSTELLO and BRIAN LEWIS Jets

Mark Sanchez's return to the Jets in 2013 is not a guarantee.

The team is open to all options with Sanchez, according to a source, including trading him or releasing him. The most likely scenario remains he returns next season to compete for the job because of his onerous contract.

The Jets benched Sanchez Tuesday, replacing him with Greg McElroy. The former first-round pick has gone from the future of the franchise to a burden.

A trade seems extremely difficult because it would have serious salary cap ramifications for the Jets and one league source said, "there will be no market for him. None." Sanchez has a league-high 50 turnovers in the last two years.

No team would take Sanchez's $8.25 million salary. The Jets would have to eat a decent amount of the money. One source estimated it would be at least $6 million. The best the Jets probably could get for Sanchez is a late-round draft pick that might improve based on Sanchez's playing time.

A weak free-agent quarterback class would work in the Jets' favor. A team with cap space might view him as a one-year stopgap. But his contract severely hurts the chances.

If the Jets trade him, his cap figure becomes $8.9 million plus the amount of the salary the Jets paid. So, if they paid $6 million, the cap figure becomes $14.9, that is higher than the $12.4 they would owe if they cut him with a June 1 designation.

The person making the call on Sanchez may not work for the Jets either. After another season with no playoff appearance, general manager Mike Tannenbaum could be the fall guy.

When asked if he would like to remain a Jet yesterday, Sanchez said "of course" before sidestepping all further questions about his future.

Sanchez said he understands and respects Jets coach Rex Ryan's decision to bench him, but he doesn't have to like it or agree with it. Sanchez would not talk about 2013.

"No, we haven't looked ahead that way yet," Sanchez said. "You want to be out there playing. I'm not going to just concede. You've got to compete, so I'll just keep doing it.

"Rex went with a decision to go with Greg. I respect his decision. I don't necessarily agree. But at the same time, I've got to help Greg and that's really all I'm focused on.''

Ryan did not want to talk about next year.

"Any long-term discussion would probably be better served for after the [season finale],'' said Ryan, who had given Sanchez a glare as he walked past him on the field after Monday night's 14-10 loss to the Titans, then told him in the postgame locker room that he had been demoted.

Sanchez said he let Ryan know he did not agree with the decision but knows it's Ryan's call.

"It's disappointing," Sanchez said. "You just hate letting other guys down on the team and that's the worst part of it. You're going in there, trying to play well and improve and [I] just made some bad decisions. I just have to take care of the football better and own up to my mistakes and get better."

brian.costello@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/source_jets_open_to_trading_sanchez_w3Bz3D31R1LUsG6pI5sXAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/source_jets_open_to_trading_sanchez_w3Bz3D31R1LUsG6pI5sXAN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4083207962 -1 false By BRETT CYRGALIS Jets

In trying to rationalize his quarterback change Wednesday, Jets coach Rex Ryan spent a lot of time talking about protecting the football, about being a leader, about being a winner, and even about intangibles.

And the starter he named for this Sunday's game against the Chargers was ... Greg McElroy?

"I definitely think I want to see what Greg can do," Ryan said one day after announcing his decision to bench four-year starter Mark Sanchez and give the ball to McElroy over regular backup Tim Tebow.

"We all know the intangibles he has," the coach continued in his fawning over McElroy, echoing what could have been a lifelong description of Tebow. "He's a winner. He's been a winner his whole life. Won a national championship [at Alabama], won a state championship [at Southlake Carroll in Texas] — his whole resume speaks about him being a very confident guy and a confident leader."

So for those reasons, Ryan goes with McElroy, him of zero NFL starts, one NFL touchdown pass and five NFL completions. And Tebow, one year removed from leading the Broncos out of a 1-4 start to an AFC West title and a postseason victory against the Steelers, is scheduled to spend another Sunday as a Wildcat specialist, doing more watching than playing.

That is if Tebow and Sanchez both dress for the game, which Ryan said was a possibility.

But to McElroy, those facts don't mean anything, as this is the culmination of a dream that he has had since he was a kid wearing Troy Aikman's blue No. 8 jersey growing up outside of Dallas.

"I'm not concerned about next week against Buffalo, I'm not concerned about next year, I'm not concerned about these things, just live in the moment," McElroy said. "That's what my Dad said when I talked to him, 'Live in the moment and enjoy this. You've been dreaming about this your whole life.'

"My whole life!"

McElroy said Ryan told him about the decision Tuesday afternoon in a quick conversation, one that he joked lasted "a minute and seventeen seconds, exactly," and from which he would remember every single detail. So his opportunity comes now that the Jets are at 6-8 and officially eliminated from the playoffs, following Sanchez's four-interception performance in Monday night's 14-10 loss to the Titans.

"I can't emphasize enough: This is not the finish line, this is the starting point," McElroy said. "You work hard enough to get here, you set a goal for yourself and as soon as you achieve that goal you reassess."

The one chance McElroy had to play in a game came on Dec. 2 against the Cardinals, when he entered late in the third quarter and led the one scoring drive the Jets needed to take an ugly 7-6 win. He finished the game 5-for-7 with 29 yards, and most importantly didn't have a turnover — which was Sanchez's big liability and led to his demotion.

"Everything that I've learned in this league at this position has been from Mark," said McElroy, who was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round two years ago. "I've been watching him. I understand how to play this game because of him and I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I know he'll be helping out every step of the way."

In the mind of Ryan, he strictly chose McElroy as the best man for the job, regardless of feelings.

"It's no slight to this person or that person," Ryan said. "I just want to give Greg a spot to be in there and let's see what he can do."

bcyrgalis@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/opportunity_knocks_mcelroy_relishing_KWSlqJ3f04iGWR9SbJwB3M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/opportunity_knocks_mcelroy_relishing_KWSlqJ3f04iGWR9SbJwB3M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4082557870 -1 false By STEVE SERBY Jets

Whomever decides to seek fame and fortune in the big city and chase a Super Bowl with the Jets better understand the place is a wasteland, a hell-hole where the devil to whom Joe Namath sold his soul is diabolically under orders to stick his pitchfork into a quarterback's heart and soul and leave his dream smoldering in ruin.

A Bermuda Triangle so treacherous it can swallow up young Sanshise quarterbacks and Tebowmania whole.

My warning to the next victim: Come here at your own risk.

I remember the look on Tim Tebow's face the day he walked into the fieldhouse inside the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, the first mass media press conference for a backup quarterback waiting for him in the distance in front of him, photos of former Jets in the club's Ring Of Honor peering down to meet his giddy, awestruck glance skyward.

There wasn't a football place in the world he would rather have been.

Nine months later, he is standing at his locker, a gray wool hat on his head, giving birth to a seething sense of betrayal inside the last football place in the world he wanted to be.

He would run shirtless through a monsoon to escape from New York.

And who could blame him?

Mark Sanchez was the No. 1 quarterback yesterday only in terms of facing the music on the worst off-the-field day of his professional life, and then it was Tebow's Time to face the music on the worst day of his off-the-field professional life, at the same time Greg McElroy was on another side of the room reveling in the opportunity Tebow thought would be his.

There is only so much punt protecting a man can take.

If the last straw for him didn't come when coach Rex Ryan took the ball from Sanchez and handed it to McElroy instead, it will come when he hears that Ryan lauded McElroy's credentials at Alabama at his press conference earlier in the day. "He's a winner," Ryan said.

The only time in his life Tebow hasn't been a winner has been under the Big Top at the Ringless Bros. and Ryan & Tannenbaum Circus.

"All you can ask for and all you want is a chance," Tebow said.

From him, Mr. God Bless Y'all, that is tantamount to play me or trade me.

Because he never got that chance whenever Sanchez struggled early in the season, and he isn't getting that chance now, when Ryan no longer can use his fractured ribs as a reason to shun him.

Tebow never got that chance for any number of reasons, starting with his horrific practice habits and scatter-shot arm. He refuses to resign himself to the notion he never will amount to anything more than a Wildcat quarterback.

But it finally has hit him, and hit him hard: He is first team All-PSL, a walking, talking, rotting publicity stunt.

Tebow Crime.

Asked if he had gotten an explanation from Ryan or Tony Sparano, Tebow said: "Not really too much of one."

The raging competitor inside of him forced him to bite his tongue at every turn.

No longer do the words, "I love being a Jet" leave his lips.

"Sometimes things just happen out of your control and obviously you might not be pleased with them or happy about it, but you just try to handle it as best you can," Tebow said.

He's only 25. If he can play, he will get his chance. Somewhere else.

Does he want to be a Jet?

"I'll wait until after this season to talk about anything like that," Tebow said.

That's a no.

But no regrets.

"No, sir. I don't have regrets. I believe everything happens for a reason and it's a learning opportunity for me. There's a lot that I've learned, good and bad, and I still appreciate the opportunity to come be a Jet."

No. 2 quarterback before McElroy. No. 2 or 3 quarterback now.

"I don't feel deceived," Tebow said.

But the one time Sanchez was benched, he was inactive.

"Could just be unlucky," Tebow said.

"That was part of God's plan and I'm not going to regret not being healthy."

A year ago he was the talk of the league.

"There's always ups and downs and it's not about how you handle the ups, it's about how you handle the downs," he said. "That's the true test of your character.''

Asked if this day was his toughest day as a Jet, Tebow said:

"I'm not sure, it's a good question."

Here's a better one he can ask Woody Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Ryan: Why?

steve.serby@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:47:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/tebow_love_affair_with_jets_clearly_S0BqmoKykfF1yurAYsfMxM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/tebow_love_affair_with_jets_clearly_S0BqmoKykfF1yurAYsfMxM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Jets 5.10.4082557856 steve_serby.png true By KALEE OSOWSKI and CYNTHIA R. FAGEN Local

Keep your fingers crossed.

The 7-foot-tall "13" that will be part of the lit-up "2013" when the ball drops on New Year's Eve arrived in Times Square yesterday — and organizers are trying to make sure the number doesn't frighten off superstitious revelers.

Just to make sure, the "13" will come with 13 "lucky" charms.

"Some people get nervous about the number 13," said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance.

"But just to keep all bases covered, we've gone ahead and gathered 13 good-luck charms — everything from a four-leaf clover to gold coins to bamboo to a Buddha statue," he said.

On Dec. 26, the lucky "13" and its charms will be installed atop One Times Square to complete the "2-0-1-3" sign that will light up at midnight after the ball drops.

Some 1 billion people around the world are expected to see the festivities. About 1 million revelers will camp out in Times Square.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:30 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/doing_number_on_times_sq_yKulfbGyDEGco7wKiohq9K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/doing_number_on_times_sq_yKulfbGyDEGco7wKiohq9K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557833 -1 false By ERIK KRISS Local

ALBANY — New York hasn't said yes to fracking but the industry already supports more than 44,000 jobs in the Empire State.

Natural-gas drillers in other states depend on New York for financing and insurance, which account for 40 percent of the state's fracking-related jobs, according to a report commissioned by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Even if New York continues to resist fracking, industry-related jobs would grow to 74,000 in 2020 and more than 78,000 in 2035, the report found. But that would still leave it behind nine other states, including Pennsylvania.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:08:58 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fracking_already_ny_job_booster_EJ7qFJNE8I1iUNj0psLrQK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/fracking_already_ny_job_booster_EJ7qFJNE8I1iUNj0psLrQK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557723 -1 false By S.A. MILLER, Post Correspondent National

WASHINGTON — In one of the most abrupt Capitol Hill press conferences ever, House Speaker John Boehner yesterday dared President Obama to ignore a Republican offer to raise taxes on millionaires and instead take a fiscal-cliff jump.

"He can call upon the Senate Democrats to pass the legislation or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history," Boehner told reporters before walking off after just 49.5 seconds at the podium.

Boehner's hasty retreat as reporters shouted questions mirrored the impasse in negotiations.

Obama, who proposed higher taxes on incomes above $400,000 a year, pressed Republicans to come to an agreement to avert the cliff by invoking the tragic school shooting in Connecticut.

"Goodness, if this past week has done anything, it should just give us some perspective," Obama said at a White House press conference called to discuss gun control.

Without a deal, the cliff hits on Jan. 1 with huge automatic tax hikes on every American and deep spending cuts that likely will cause another recession.

Fitch Ratings agency yesterday warned that it would likely downgrade the United States' top AAA credit rating if Washington can't strike a deal.

Boehner's latest proposal, called Plan B, would spare more than 99 percent of Americans from tax hikes but raise rates on annual incomes over $1 million.

The two sides are at odds over the mix of higher taxes and spending cuts needed to replace the self-imposed cliff but still reduce government debt.

Obama has proposed $1.3 trillion in new tax revenues over 10 years, while Boehner has called for $1 trillion.

"The idea that we would put our economy at risk because you can't bridge that gap doesn't make a lot of sense," Obama said.

The House is expected to pass the Plan B bill today, with overwhelming support from Republicans despite their longtime opposition to higher taxes.

Obama said he would veto it, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). said the measure couldn't pass his chamber even as a last-ditch effort.

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist blessed the bill, saying it would not violate his no-new-taxes pledge that many Republicans have signed.

smiller@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:45:21 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pulling_fast_one_mq7Us7HxlIswOWQIAIsvzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pulling_fast_one_mq7Us7HxlIswOWQIAIsvzJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= National 5.10.4082557553 -1 false By SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

A study of the health impact of 9/11 expected to be released soon will find increases in cancer rates similar to those in a city Health Department study released this week.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which has studied 20,000 first responders since the attacks, will soon publish a report that is "virtually identical" to findings the city released this week, said Philip Landrigan, a doctor who headed the research.

He specifically noted a 14 percent overall increase in cancer rates among first responders, with particular spikes in thyroid and prostate cancers and multiple myeloma, and said his research reached similar conclusions to the city's.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:09:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/studies_dovetail_gl4FbshSfhyfDgIxlvYO9H?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/studies_dovetail_gl4FbshSfhyfDgIxlvYO9H?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557447 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO and SALLY GOLDENBERG Local

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota yesterday took the first step toward a run for City Hall, resigning from his post at the transit agency to test the waters in the crowded 2013 mayoral race.

His last day at the helm is New Year's Eve.

Lhota — a former top deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani — said he'll make a final decision early next month.

"This will be a life-defining decision and one that I will be seriously considering in the upcoming weeks," he said at a press conference after an MTA board meeting.

His entry into the race — which has been lacking a strong Republican candidate — would be welcome news to the city's business community.

"I just think a strong GOP candidate is important to bring balance to the race," said Kathy Wylde, the leader of the business group Partnership for New York City.

"If he enters the race, I think he has a great story to tell about what it took to transform New York into a safe, manageable city."

Because of his position with the MTA, Lhota under state law had been barred from planning a run for public office.

But with this decision, on New Year's Day, he can begin talking to potential donors.

Sources told The Post that many in Giuliani's circle are confident that Lhota can raise $10 million.

One person whose support Lhota won't be receiving is Mayor Bloomberg.

According to a City Hall source, Bloomberg dislikes him, especially after Lhota said the mayor acted "like an idiot" when Hizzoner speculated on the reopening of the Queens Midtown Tunnel after Hurricane Sandy.

Lhota's entry likely hurts the mayoral ambitions of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, an all-but-announced candidate who had been positioning herself as the most centrist in the Democratic field.

The 2013 field also could include city Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former Comptroller Bill Thompson.

A spokesman for former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión — who is mulling a mayoral bid as a Republican — said he still plans to run.

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:28:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lhota_eye_on_next_ride_yeUFk9Iogtz6HyD0ogHADN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lhota_eye_on_next_ride_yeUFk9Iogtz6HyD0ogHADN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557424 -1 false By DAVID K. LI Local

Lower East Siders may soon be flying in the sky.

The city is seeking proposals for a seasonal trapeze operation at Hamilton Fish Park on the Lower East Side — including 32-foot-high rigs, swings, safety nets and a big top.

It would operate over the swimming pools from mid-September to mid-May — when they are dry and empty.

There's already one trapeze outfit in Manhattan, the Trapeze School of New York at Pier 40, which is closed for the winter.

School officials plan to submit a bid for Hamilton Fish Park, in hopes of making their business year-round.

"The Lower East Side is a very romantic side of the city," said TSNY president and co-founder Jonathon Conant. "It's gentrifying with a sense of art and this [trapeze swinging] is artistic."

The city hopes it won't have to spend a dime on the project. All equipment, instruction and insurance would be picked up by the winning vendor, according to project officials. If Parks officials receive a plan they like, it could be a go by September 2013.

The idea for a trapeze was hatched after Parks officials first considered a zip line.

That plan never got off the ground because the height required would have necessitated cutting some treetops.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:23:38 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/say_high_to_side_trapeze_4tmrqCUbCivUEkl8xwgCWM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/say_high_to_side_trapeze_4tmrqCUbCivUEkl8xwgCWM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4082557318 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO Local

Straphangers were slapped with their fourth fare hike in five years yesterday.

The MTA's board overwhelmingly green-lighted the increases — only one member voted against toll hikes — that will go into effect in March.

"Its a plan that's antiquated," board member Allen Cappelli said about the tolls, saying they hurt small businesses and unfairly target Staten Island.

Outgoing MTA chief Joe Lhota — who will quit at the end of the year to run for mayor — voted to approve the increases.

The cost of a monthly MetroCard will go up $8, to $112, and there will be a dollar increase to the weekly cards — bringing them to $30.

Riders also will be slapped with a $1 "green" fee on new MetroCards to encourage them to refill their old cards.

"Something has to happen before we price this gem of a system out of the reach for most New Yorkers," board member Andrew Albert said, adding the MTA will be in the same situation in 2015 — when more hikes are scheduled — without more state funding. LIRR and Metro-North fares will increase an average 8.19 percent and 9.31 percent.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_we_re_trapped_so_you_hang_Mzmq5ih8kwmRHQ3jyaN6wL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_we_re_trapped_so_you_hang_Mzmq5ih8kwmRHQ3jyaN6wL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557302 -1 false By JULIA MARSH & YOAV GONEN Local

A teacher the city tried to boot for slapping a student not only get her job back, but deserves $85,000 in back-pay, a court ruled yesterday.

Former Brooklyn elementary-school teacher Beverly Riley spent two years in court battling her 2010 firing for striking a student who got too "sassy" for her liking, DOE documents say.

She was reinstated in January after an appeals court found that her punishment had been too harsh.

Yesterday, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled she was entitled to a year's back pay.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:20:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_lapped_for_teach_ax_cDA7YwhXPxne2AiQ2r28SJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_lapped_for_teach_ax_cDA7YwhXPxne2AiQ2r28SJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Local 5.10.4082557265 -1 false By AMBER SUTHERLAND and NATALIE O'NEILL Local

Stop the world — I wanna get off!

A sexy swimsuit model and countless other lusty New Yorkers say tomorrow's predicted Mayan apocalypse is a great reason to have sex, and are turning to social media and doomsday-themed parties in hopes of fully experiencing humanity's steamy climax.

"If I die, I don't want to die on a dry spell!" declared model Niki Ghazian.

The sexy fashion plate, who works in New York and Los Angeles, told The Post she'll attend a fashion party with friends tonight to celebrate Doomsday Eve — and, hopefully, hook up with someone hot.

"Everybody should go out feeling satisfied," she told The Post. "If the world's gonna end, why hold back?"

SURVIVAL SHOPS, HOTELS AND OTHER BUSINESSES CASHING IN ON MAYAN APOCALYPSE

All the horny hubbub has been caused by a doomsday prediction made by the ancient Mayan calendar, which predicts the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012, at 11:11 a.m.

While some people around the world are arming themselves and digging into bunkers, many New Yorkers are simply hoping for a hot time.

"I will be looking for an end-of-the-world hook-up," Dennis Cintron, 29, a Lower East Side bartender, told The Post. "If you're going to go out, go out with a bang."

Cintron said he'll buy new clothes and get a haircut for the big day because he wants some "companionship" to ring in the rapture.

Sara Saperstein, 26, of Bushwick is also hoping for one last romp.

"It's like New Year's. I want to go out on a wild note!" Saperstein said.

She won't have trouble finding a spot for that. More than a dozen bars and clubs in New York City are throwing end-of-days bashes, including a comedy show at the Bell House in Gowanus and an "End of the Funking World Party" at B.B. King Blues Club in Midtown.

Other singles posted ads on Craigslist.org and OKCupid.com, seeking apocalypse-themed dates, "casual encounters" and even "end of the world sex."

"If you've got no plans for the apocalypse, let's get together," wrote a 30-year-old single guy from Midtown.

He added, "Send me how you'd like to spend your last hours on earth — and a photo."

Kerri McMearty, a 35-year-old nurse from Long Island, wants to spend her last night on earth enjoying a boozy dinner with a "new man."

"You come into the world with people — you may as well go out with them," she said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:43:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/end_of_world_is_very_bed_news_for_QnNdRlOJ9XcFik5zjd8JvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/end_of_world_is_very_bed_news_for_QnNdRlOJ9XcFik5zjd8JvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557240 -1 false By GERRY SHIELDS, Post Correspondent National

WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday signaled that he's finally ready to use his political muscle to take on the powerful gun lobby and push a package of gun-control bills through Congress next year.

"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Obama said, seizing the momentum for new gun laws after Friday's killing of 20 schoolchildren and seven adults in Connecticut.

Obama tapped Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force that will come up with proposals, including an assault-weapons ban, closing gun-show background check loopholes and restricting the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips, among other initiatives.

He gave the panel a month to complete its work. But the president, who will address gun control in his State of the Union speech for the first time since taking office, bristled at suggestions that he's late to the effort.

Asked at a news conference, "Where have you been" following previous gun massacres during his tenure, Obama snapped:

"I've been president of the United States, dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, an auto industry on the verge of collapse, two wars. I don't think I've been on vacation."

The battle to take on gun control — often described as the third rail of US politics — comes as several pro-gun lawmakers have said they are finally willing to consider bills restricting the sale of weapons.

Obama insisted his proposals will fall far short of dismantling the Second Amendment — and will leave room for legal gun ownership.

"And there is a big chunk of space between what the Second Amendment means and having no rules at all," Obama said. "And that space is what Joe is going to be working on to try to identify where we can find some common ground."

Mayor Bloomberg, one of the nation's most outspoken gun-control advocates and a critic of the president's lack of action, called Obama's move a step in the right direction.

"The country needs his leadership if we are going to reduce the daily bloodshed from gun violence that we have seen for too long," Bloomberg said.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-LI) last week threatened to "embarrass" Obama if he didn't move on gun control. Yesterday, she welcomed his commitment to the effort.

"This time is different now that we have a president behind us," McCarthy said of previous failed battles against the powerful gun lobby.

gshields@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:42:44 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/got_ban_plan_clzs65TpjOSJ4NIdGfjBtO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/got_ban_plan_clzs65TpjOSJ4NIdGfjBtO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082557107 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT National

The pension funds of Massachusetts and Connecticut have joined New York and a growing number of states and municipalities questioning their investments in the firearms industry in the days since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Massachusetts treasurer Steve Grossman said the move was motivated by "the physical, emotional and moral outrage, the outpouring of emotion" of the massacre perpetuated by 20-year-old Adam Lanza primarily with a legal .223 Bushmaster rifle.

Officials in Connecticut, where Friday's tragedy occurred, also said they ordered a review of their investments.

The moves add further pressure on the firearms sector that has been besieged with outrage over the past five days and the threat of new regulations.

Cerberus Capital Management already said it would sell off its $900 million Freedom Group, the maker of Bushmaster rifles and other guns.

But the weapons remain popular with customers. Walmart sold out of five types of semiautomatic rifles, including the one used in the mass slaying, in five states, Bloomberg News reported.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:01:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pension_funds_have_makers_in_their_Su8rLEv14Y2FBlQMJucHkN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/pension_funds_have_makers_in_their_Su8rLEv14Y2FBlQMJucHkN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082557047 -1 false By JESSICA SIMEONE Local

New York City has begun assigning extra safety officers to the city's elementary schools in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre.

"We have two to three agents in every [public elementary] school. That's up from one," a community- affairs officer said at a public meeting at Manhattan's Ninth Precinct.

The NYPD said, "Security is being assessed on a daily basis as a result of the Connecticut school shooting."

Meanwhile, a threat was made against students at Westwood HS in New Jersey.

Cops arrested a suspect after searching the home, officials said. They do not believe there is now an active threat against the school.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/extra_safety_at_city_schools_eM6MF9Ii6eKf04SsiyJfdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/extra_safety_at_city_schools_eM6MF9Ii6eKf04SsiyJfdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082557033 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT National

Deaths from guns are on track to outpace automobile fatalities in the United States within three years, a new analysis has found.

Based on current trends, there will be 32,929 firearm fatalities by 2015 and 32,036 motor-vehicle deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control crunched by Bloomberg News.

Between 2005 and 2010, motor-vehicle deaths declined by an impressive 22 percent.

The fall in traffic deaths resulted from safer vehicles, restricted privileges for young drivers and seat-belt and other laws, Garen Wintemute, director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California-Davis, told Bloomberg News.

Almost the reverse was true with guns, however.

"We've made policy decisions that have had the impact of making the widest array of firearms available to the widest array of people under the widest array of conditions," he said.

In 1982, there were about 32,000 gun deaths, compared with 45,000 traffic-accident deaths.

Each day, about 85 Americans are shot dead — 53 of them suicides, and the rest accidents or homicides.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:01:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bullets_to_top_traffic_UVHlywSNGagHHRG21x5aAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bullets_to_top_traffic_UVHlywSNGagHHRG21x5aAL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4082550377 -1 false By LORENA MONGELLI in Newtown, Conn., and DAN MANGAN in New York Local

He always dreamed of being a firefighter — and yesterday, he got a hero's farewell.

First-grader Daniel Barden — "one of those angels" killed at Sandy Hook Elementary — was laid to rest yesterday as an honor guard of firefighters, police officers and military servicemen from as far away as New York City lined the streets leading to St. Rose of Lima Church.

Daniel, 7 hoped to follow in two relatives' footsteps and become a firefighter.

"There's a new playground in heaven, a playground with 20 beautiful perfect little angels," choked-up school-bus driver Gary Wheeler told mourners at the church.

"Daniel is one of those angels.

"Daniel had a smile as big as the sky, minus his two front teeth," Wheeler said in his eulogy.

The young, rambunctious redhead, he said, "would run and give me a big bear hug" every time.

"He had eyes that sparkled, sometimes with mischief. He would race the bus down the street," Wheeler said.

"He would always win."

HEROIC NEWTOWN TEACHER A 'SUPERHERO'

GUNMAN PREPPRED FOR MASSACRE WHILE MOM WAS ON VACATION

Rows of NYPD and FDNY members joined their brethren from Daniel's hometown of Newtown and elsewhere. The boy was also the nephew of NYPD Lt. James Giblin.

Madeline Giblin, noting that her young cousin's nicknames included "Hurricane Daniel," said, "He was too full of life, love and joy."

His funeral was the first of two yesterday at St. Rose, which is holding funerals for nine of the 20 children who were massacred.

Emotional wakes and funerals for six other Sandy Hook victims also were held yesterday.

Shivering mourners waited outside in line for nearly five hours to enter the wake for brave principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung — the first person gunman Adam Lanza killed after she tried to tackle him — at the Woodbury Funeral Home.

"She made everybody feel special," said Hochsprung's former neighbor, school-bus driver Renata Hilse. "She stood for what she believed in and never backed down. She was sweet and funny, too."

Sandra Prendergast, whose daughter is taught by Hochsprung's husband, George, said, "He was always talking about her."

"We're all thinking we're going to have to support George, because what is he going to do now?"

Gov. Dannel Malloy attended Hochsprung's wake and the funeral of kindergartner Charlotte Bacon, 6, whose white casket was surrounded by stuffed animals and wreaths of pink roses.

A eulogy read alternately by her grandfather and uncles called Charlotte "determined, fearless, coy, precocious, creative, independent, authentic, dramatic and beautiful."

And at the funeral for 6-year-old Caroline Previdi at St. Rose, her mother, Sandy, said she "always had a smile on her."

Additional reporting by Kenneth Garger and Tara Palmeri

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bravest_boy_salute_4XnZ4d3IErb2mbXi1LXZbK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082368350 -1 false By DAN MACLEOD, JEANE MACINTOSH, JOSH MARGOLIN and JENNIFER BAIN Local

Adam Lanza spent two days home alone preparing for his Connecticut schoolhouse massacre after his mother went away on a mini-vacation, it emerged yesterday.

Nancy Lanza checked into the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, and left around the same time Thursday.

The drive is about 4 1/2 hours, so she would have arrived back home in Newtown late in the afternoon or early evening, according to Headline News — just hours before Adam shot her dead in her bed before the Friday morning rampage that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

HEROIC NEWTOWN TEACHER A 'SUPERHERO'

TEARS FOR FIRST-GRADER WHO WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN

He was armed with a Bushmaster .223-caliber assault rifle and two handguns, a Sig Sauer 9mm and a Glock 10mm, all belonging to his mom.

News of Nancy Lanza's getaway came as a funeral home in her New Hampshire hometown called to "discreetly" claim her body, the medical examiner said.

Meanwhile, investigators said they have been able to pull salvageable information from computers at the gunman's home.

"Every day we learn a little bit more, both from the computer and from talking to people," said a law enforcement official.

Police also said yesterday that the second surviving shooting victim is an adult.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/killer_got_ready_with_mom_away_obDc6IlRDklXzQVDcUxkvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/killer_got_ready_with_mom_away_obDc6IlRDklXzQVDcUxkvI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4082368175 -1 false By FRED KERBER Knicks

Nets center Brook Lopez was so excited for last night — the first time the Brooklyn Nets were playing the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.

Then the game began.

Knicks center Tyson Chandler eventually turned all that excitement into frustration, and the Nets may have left the joint hoping it was the last time they would have to play the Knicks in the Garden.

Chandler was a 16-point, 12-rebound, defensively charged beast all game in the Knicks' 100-86 wipeout of the Nets. And nowhere was Chandler better than in the third quarter when he pick-and-rolled the Nets to death, collecting five of his six dunks (four of them off lobs, three coming from Raymond Felton).

"I wanted to just close the game. I wanted to make a statement," said Chandler, who had three blocks.

That statement might as well have been: "You're toast, Nets."

"This was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes," Chandler said. "We have to make statements like this."

And Chandler did. Again and again and again.

"He was solid," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "He plugs up holes for some of the mistakes we make defensively and he's been doing it all year."

Chandler also erases offensive mistakes by keeping the ball alive. He is uncanny at knocking the ball back to teammates providing additional opportunities. The Knicks had 21 second chance points while the Nets had 11.

"There are plays that don't show up on the stat sheet," Carmelo Anthony said of his teammate's back taps. "Those are moments that are crucial plays for us."

Though there were several such plays last night — Chandler had five offensive rebounds — his most noted play this season was the back tap the last time the Knicks and Nets played, in Brooklyn. That led to Jason Kidd's game winner.

So yeah, Chandler and the Knicks made a statement.

"It's more about us to be honest with you," Chandler said, stressing how the defense picked up to stifle Brooklyn. "We felt like over the last couple games we slipped away defensively. We wanted to get back to that."

They did. Lopez, regarded as a high powered offensive center, shot 8-of-18, scoring 16 points. And he had nothing but praise for Chandler.

"He's very physical. Very strong, moves well. He's very good at maintaining good position, staying in front of you and making it difficult to get to the basket," Lopez said of Chandler, before adding Dwight Howard to the conversation. "They're both very good defenders. Maybe Tyson moves more laterally, but they're very similar."

The Knicks led by four at halftime and then stretched the lead to 10 in the third before going into the final quarter up eight. And Chandler, with three lobs from Felton and one from Pablo Prigioni, scored 10 as the Garden erupted.

"The dunks for Tyson, the energy in the building gets going," Kidd said. "Baskets like that puts all the pressure on the defense."

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:23:26 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/tyson_ko_punch_mAeyzSzHQefaFJxgWN0zhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/tyson_ko_punch_mAeyzSzHQefaFJxgWN0zhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4082368060 -1 false By JUSTIN TERRANOVA Knicks

Isiah Thomas is going to get another chance — on television.

NBA TV announced yesterday that Thomas has joined its team of studio analysts and will make his debut on tomorrow's pregame show prior to the Knicks-Bulls matchup on the channel.

The former Knicks coach and president had tried out for ESPN earlier this year, but the network opted to add columnist Bill Simmons and former NBA point guard Jalen Rose to the show. Thomas, who remains close with Knicks owner James Dolan, will make several appearances each month and will contribute to NBA.com. Thomas was fired by Florida International University in March after going 26-65 in three seasons with the school.

Thomas was the lead analyst for NBC in 1998 after parting with the Raptors and before being named president of the CBA.

jterranova@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:00:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lands_nba_tv_gig_ALD7uSrus15afF30OxLULO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lands_nba_tv_gig_ALD7uSrus15afF30OxLULO?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Knicks 5.10.4082367954 -1 false By YOAV GONEN Local

The retired principal of Sandy Hook Elementary will return to lead the school when classes resume next month.

Donna Page, who left in June 2010, will run the school out of its new home at the Chalk Hill Middle School in nearby Monroe, according to the Hartford Courant.

Page was replaced as principal in 2010 by Dawn Hochsprung — the first massacre victim — who attempted to stop killer Adam Lanza at the start of his shooting spree. Hochsprung's wake was held yesterday afternoon.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/principal_out_of_retirement_WuT3590NV7KoC1qItYOVJP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/principal_out_of_retirement_WuT3590NV7KoC1qItYOVJP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4081459440 -1 false By REUVEN FENTON in Stratford, Conn., and DAN MANGAN in New York Local

She's their "superhero."

The selfless Newtown teacher who died shielding her students from a gunman's assault rifle was remembered by her two kid sisters yesterday as a best friend, an inspiration and the bravest person they had ever known.

Victoria Soto, 27, "gave her life to save her kids, and if that's not true strength and heroism, I don't know what is," said her weeping sister Carlee Soto, 20, in a stirring eulogy.

"The expression 'You don't know what you have until it's gone' is true. My best friend is gone."

And Jillian Soto, 24, said her sister's fearless act was something usually heard of only in Hollywood movies.

"Somebody wrote me a letter about the recent tragedy that I would like to share with you. In it, it said they had to sit down with three small children, explaining to them that monsters, sadly, do exist out there," a weeping Jillian told more than 1,000 mourners at Lordship Community Church in Stratford.

"But they felt relief that because of my sister, they were able to tell them that superheroes also are very real.

TEARS FOR FIRST-GRADER WHO WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN

GUNMAN PREPPRED FOR MASSACRE WHILE MOM WAS ON VACATION

"You are my superhero and I am so proud of you and all you have done in your 27 short years."

Singer/songwriter Paul Simon sang his haunting classic "The Sound of Silence" in the packed church, as Victoria was sent off with seven eulogies, from her sisters, best friend, aunt and three cousins.

Many mourners wore ties, scarves and ribbons that were green, Soto's favorite color.

"It kills me that I'm never going to say, 'I love you' one last time to her," said Carlee, who credited Victoria with pushing her to enroll in college.

"The pain is unbelievable, but I know I can get through this thanks to Queen Victoria watching down on me.

"I love you so much, Vicki. And I am beyond proud to say I am Victoria Leigh Soto's little sister."

The photograph of an anguished Carlee desperately clutching a cellphone last Friday outside Sandy Hook Elementary School instantly became an iconic image of the tragedy.

Carlee didn't know at the time that Adam Lanza had already murdered Victoria, along with six other adults and 20 children only 6 and 7 years old, before killing himself.

As the shooting began in another room, Victoria herded her first-graders into a closet. When six of the terrified youngsters tried to bolt from the room, Lanza shot them and Victoria as she tried to shield them from his bullets.

"Over the past five days, people have been thinking of you as a hero, many hoping that they could do the things that you have done to touch the lives of so many, whether it be through your actions on that terrifying morning, or through the way that you brought curiosity, excitement and joy to your students every day," Jillian said as dad Carlos, mom Donna and brother Carlos Jr. also looked on.

"Each of those are reasons why you are in so many people's hearts, but truthfully, you have been a hero to me for a lot longer than five days," Jillian said.

"You have been my big sister, the one I've always looked up to, the one I've always wanted to be like.

"You are beautiful, smart, funny, goofy and you had an amazing smile."

The Rev. Meg Boxwell Williams offered a prayer thanking God for giving the mourners a "homebody" who was the "ringleader" of a group of cousins, a Yankee fan and a lover of Swedish meatballs.

"We thank you that she achieved her life's goal to be a teacher of young children. And we thank you that her last act was absolutely selfless, Christ-like, in laying down her life for her children," Williams said

Victoria's best friend and college-dorm roommate, Rachel Schiavone, told mourners she "was strong and totally fearless, and it doesn't surprise me at all that Vicki died protecting her kids."

"She loved them more than anything, and bragged that this year she had the best first-grade class ever."

Schiavone drew laughs with an anecdote from their days at Eastern Connecticut State University, when Victoria blasted the song "Kiss the Girl" from her favorite movie "The Little Mermaid" as Schiavone sat in the next room with a boy.

"I knew what she was trying to do, though I don't think the boy ever picked up on it," Schiavone said.

Hours after the funeral, Carlee Soto posted a Twitter message saying, Yankees star "Derek Jeter just called my mom!!!!! Thanks Vicki, she needs it thank you @yankees this meant a lot to my mother and all of us."

dan.mangan@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:31:15 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sisters_grieve_for_superhero_qsPIBZAlFJhko6IHW0R64M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4081459417 -1 false Associated Press More Sports

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing Adidas at his postgame news conference Sunday.

The NFL yesterday confirmed the fine for "unauthorized apparel."

Griffin was inactive for the game because of a sprained knee, and he wore an Adidas T-shirt and sweat jacket when he addressed reporters afterward. Griffin has a sponsorship deal with Adidas, but the league has a deal with Nike.

It's the second time this season Griffin has been rebuked for his attire, but it's his first time he's been fined. He covered up the Nike swoosh on his official team warm-up shirt before the regular opener against the Saints.

Griffin had a full practice yesterday, but coach Mike Shanahan said no decision has been made if he will start Sunday when the Redskins (8-6) face the Eagles (4-10).

EAGLES: LeSean McCoy will start at running back against Washington after missing four games because of a concussion. Coach Andy Reid said he would rotate McCoy with rookie Bryce Brown.

VIKINGS: QB Christian Ponder confirmed he and ESPN reporter Samantha Steele got married on Monday at a courthouse in Wisconsin.

COLTS: Interim coach Bruce Arians and others have pegged next Sunday's regular-season finale against Houston as a possible return date for head coach Chuck Pagano, who has not been on the sideline since late September when he began his battle against leukemia.

CHARGERS: Head coach Norv Turner said he isn't ruling out taking a job as an offensive coordinator for another NFL team if he is fired after this season.

BILLS: Center Eric Wood said he is sticking by his comments Monday when he said playing so-called home games in Toronto is "a joke."

"It stunk that we were up there,'' he said.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:43:06 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/rg_fined_for_apparel_violation_IB47NXcIcQyu3r8j1VTC9O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/rg_fined_for_apparel_violation_IB47NXcIcQyu3r8j1VTC9O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4081392175 -1 false By PEDRO OLIVEIRA JR. National

Bam! Pow!

President Obama may have gotten trapped in Spider-Man's web — but he still managed to snag the honor of Time magazine's Person of the Year 2012.

Yesterday's announcement by the magazine puts Obama in the company of a select group of two-time winners, which includes George W. Bush, Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Josef Stalin.

Time said the president — pictured in the mag getting "ambushed" by Spidey (actually the son of a White House staffer) — deserved the nod as "the symbol and in some ways the architect of this new America."

"We've gone through a very difficult time," Obama told the magazine.

"The American people have rightly been frustrated at the pace of change, and the economy is still struggling, and this president we elected is imperfect, and yet, despite all that, this is who we want to be. That's a good thing."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/itsy_bitsy_spidey_an_obama_web_zinger_eQuB7DJE8uYYDBo3PRHWGP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/itsy_bitsy_spidey_an_obama_web_zinger_eQuB7DJE8uYYDBo3PRHWGP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National 5.10.4080734441 -1 false Horse Racing

December 19th, 2012 Clear And Fast.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-7f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 3up

Off: 12:46. Good. 3wd trn, drew clear

Time: 22.85, 45.77, 1:1.71, 1:23.84. Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Winner: B C, 3, by Empire Maker-Skipper Tale

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsChee120 2 3 2 1 11 2 1/4Velazqez1.00Risky Asset120 1 1 1 2 22 1Rosario1.20Coiling120 7 4 4 4 73 1 1/4Jara14.90Macho Spaces120 3 2 3 3 hd4 9Trujillo11.60Latent Fire120 5 6 6 5 hd5 1 3/4Castelln12.20Anonymous Donor120 4 5 5 6 14 1/26 17 3/4Sanchez39.80King of Sports120 6 7 7 77Bravo52.00

2-Chee4.002.402.101-Risky Asset2.202.107-Coiling2.10

* Exacta (2-1) $6.60 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-7-3) $30.10 * $1 Trifecta (2-1-7) $12.20 * Exacta picked by Affrunti, (Best Bet), Winner picked by Debbie L.

SECOND-6f; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:14. Good. 5wd trn, clear late

Time: 22.71, 46.14, 58.87, 1:12.29. Trainer: Giuseppe Iadisernia

Winner: CH F, 4, by Candy Ride (ARG)-Forever Kris

Scr: Lady Marian Louise, Mezuman.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsForever Candy119 5 6 4 3 11 1 1/2Lopez1.80Phoebe Moon117 6 8 8 5 12 1 1/2Aguilar3.80Si Senora119 9 3 2 2 1/23 1Saez3.70Storm Da Chaser116 8 4 3 4 44 1/2Panici7.00Adela's Song117 2 1 1 1 15 1 1/4Cohen6.70Altamar114 3 9 9 7 36 4 1/4Hernne35.10Char Lena Jo110 1 5 6 6 1/27 5 1/4Zayas14.70Re'staffy120 4 7 7 98 4 3/4Sanchez16.20The Pia Angel119 7 2 5 8 1/29Olivero28.40

6-Forever Candy5.603.602.607-Phoebe Moon4.602.8010-Si Senora3.20

* Double (2-6) $13.80 * Exacta (6-7) $23.40 * $1 Superfecta (6-7-10-8) $129.80 * $1 Trifecta (6-7-10) $33.80 * Double picked by Debbie L.

THIRD-5f(T); $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:44. Good. set pace, held clear

Time: 21.95, 45.15, 57.21. Trainer: Jose Pinchin

Winner: DK B/ F, 3, by Put It Back-Charms Way

HorseWt.PP3/16 Str.FinJockeyOddsJim's Lonesa120 2 1 1 1 11 3/4Saez6.00a-Spring Reason120 9 7 7 5 12 1/2Albarado4.60Summer Frolic120 8 5 3 2 13 1/2Bravo5.50Creation120 7 10 10 8 1 1/24 1/2Rosario1.80Very Playful120 10 6 4 4 hd5 nkRocco, Jr.7.40Footprintinthesand120 3 8 6 6 hd6 2 3/4Mysnett16.70Conzig120 11 4 8 7 1 1/27 nkVelzqez11.60a-Bettina J.120 1 11 11 118 3 1/2Garcia4.60More Than Speed120 4 2 2 3 1/28 3 1/2Leyva10.80Girl Wonder120 6 9 9 9 1 1/210 7 1/2Saez31.10Tillygram120 5 3 5 10 hd11Garcia62.60

2-Jim's Lonesa14.006.604.401-a-Spring Reason4.603.008-Summer Frolic4.40

* $1 Pick 3 (2-6-2) 3 Correct $49.80 * Daily Double (6-2) $41.20 * Exacta (2-1) $79.80 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-8-7) $585.20 * $1 Trifecta (2-1-8) $203.70 * Winner picked by Fountaine, Vic C.

FOURTH-1m; $60,500; alw opt clm; 3up

Off: 2:09. Good. vied, inside, gamely

Time: 23.29, 46.16, 1:1.56, 1:23.11, 1:36.33.Trainer: John Terranova,

Winner: DK B/ H, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid-Orange Ice

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsCitrus Kid119 2 1 2 1 1/21 1 1/4Rocco, Jr.6.70El Padrino116 4 4 5 2 22 1 3/4Castellan0.20Rock Alex119 1 2 4 4 1/23 1/2Jara67.30Adirondack King116 6 5 3 3 hd4 3 1/2Lezcano5.00Decisive Moment119 3 3 1 5 11 1/25 12 3/4Madrid23.50Bluedacious116 5 6 6 66Leyva19.60

2-Citrus Kid15.404.003.804-El Padrino2.102.101-Rock Alex7.20

* $1 Pick 3 (6-2-2) $225.30 *Double (2-2) $110.60 * Exacta (2-4) $42.20 * $1 Superfecta (2-4-1-6) $445.20 * $1 Trifecta (2-4-1) $192.20 *

FIFTH-1 1/16m; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up

Off: 2:38. 7. stlkd, 3wd bid, clear

Time: 23.86, 47.63, 1:12.73, 1:38.22, 1:44.77. Trainer: Marcus Vitali

Winner: B G, 4, by Eavesdropper-Trollette

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsDrop It Now119 3 5 5 1 2 1/21 5 1/2Cohen4.50Father Lucey119 1 11 11 4 32 3/4Alvarez21.50Alejandro123 5 1 1 2 1/23 3 3/4Jara6.70Sweetsouthernman119 4 8 9 6 24 2Bain19.00Normandruth119 7 4 3 3 3 1/25 6Saez0.60Varitek119 9 3 4 5 16 nkNunez27.00Winaway114 2 10 8 8 hd7 2 1/4Sanchez62.00Kid Curry119 10 7 7 9 48 7 3/4Olivero21.80Unbridled Future114 8 9 10 119 1 3/4Hernne92.40Carina Bay119 6 2 2 10 310 4Krneye79.20Tiznow Mytime118 11 6 6 7 1/211Cruz11.10

3-Drop It Now11.005.003.601-Father Lucey13.607.605-Alejandro4.60

* $1 Pick 4 (6/9-2-2-3)$1,521.30 * $1 Pick 3 (2-2-3) $421.10 * Double (2-3) $157.40 * Exacta (3-1) $117.40 * $1 Superfecta (3-1-5-4) $2,332.10 * $1 Trifecta (3-1-5) $256.30 * Winner picked by Affrunti

SIXTH-1m(T); $32,500; cl($25,000); 2YO; (f)

Off: 3:08. Good. settld, 5wd, in time

Time: 22.99, 48.09, 1:13.11, 1:25.64, 1:38.08. Trainer: Mark Casse

Winner: B F, 2, by Smart Strike-Ebaraya (IRE)

Scr: Its Looking, Mysisterjosephine, I Know It All.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsEcstatic118 5 9 9 3 hd1 nkLezcano4.60Tricolette118 7 7 8 4 12 1/2Lanerie2.30Jessie Can Mambo116 8 4 3 2 13 1 1/4Maragh13.40Analogy117 2 1 1 1 1 1/24 1/2Sanchez4.00Aunt Anna113 9 8 7 5 1/25 4 1/2Chamafi8.10La Ranchera117 3 5 5 7 36 4 3/4Aguilar64.40Dublin's Diamond118 6 6 6 8 27 nkSaez12.00Hanna'sluckystar118 4 3 4 98 2 1/2Bain76.80Desirable Lady118 1 2 2 6 1/29Nunez2.90

7-Ecstatic11.204.803.609-Tricolette4.002.8010-Jessie Can Mambo5.20

* $1 Pick 3 (2-3-7) $392.00 * Double (3-7) $99.80 * Exacta (7-9) $41.60 * $1 Superfecta (7-9-10-2) $715.70 * $1 Trifecta (7-9-10) $186.70 *

SEVENTH-6f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

Off: 3:37. 7,8. set pace, clear

Time: 22.67, 45.59, 57.65, 1:1.41. Trainer: Marcus Vitali

Winner: B C, 2, by Curlin-England's Rose

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsJay Eye See120 9 1 1 1 41 7 1/4Bocachic4.90Tizrobertcharles120 6 6 6 4 22 1 1/4Rosario46.60Do You Smell Smoke120 11 2 2 2 1 1/23 nkPrado28.40Chief Falco120 7 3 3 3 14 7 1/4Bravo15.20Grey Oak120 1 5 4 5 1/25 1/2Lanerie3.60Rickashea120 2 4 5 6 46 nkTrujillo9.60Comancheria120 10 9 9 9 4 1/27 1 3/4Garcia45.30Quiros120 3 11 10 10 3 1/28 1 3/4Rocc,Jr.40.80To Dare Is to Do120 5 7 7 7 1 1/29 4Castelln14.00Oistin's Town120 4 8 8 8 210 5 1/2Velazqez1.00Charming Charlie120 8 10 11 1111Castann64.70

9-Jay Eye See11.805.204.006-Tizrobertcharles26.8015.6011-Do You Smell Smoke9.00

* $1 Pick 3 (3-7-9) 3 Correct $258.30 * Daily Double (7-9) $112.80 * Exacta (9-6) $321.40 * $1 Superfecta (9-6-11-7) $12,011.60 * $1 Trifecta (9-6-11) $1,508.80 * Winner picked by DaSilva

EIGHTH-1 1/16m(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO

Off: 4:09. Good. stlkd, inside, gamely

Time: 23.77, 49.05, 1:13.61, 1:38.03, 1:44.06. Trainer: Dale Romans

Winner: DK B/ C, 2, by Any Given Saturday-Socorro County

Scr: El Duro, Joshua's Comprise, Almost English.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsSummit County118 2 7 6 2 1/21 1Lanerie1.20Made in U. S. A.122 4 4 4 4 1 1/22 noBravo6.50Jump for Kitten118 9 2 2 1 1/23 1/2Rosario4.80L's Ticket to Ride122 5 6 7 5 1/24 1 1/2Leyva24.90Starship Zorro120 10 8 8 9 1/25 nkCruz12.90Lightening Cutter120 8 10 10 7 hd6 nkLezcano3.10Hansel Tazwell118 3 1 1 3 hd7 3/4Aguilar56.20Fifth Ave Fancy118 1 9 9 8 1/28 4 1/2Albarad57.30Act of Madness122 7 5 5 109 1/2Nunez51.80Hoofing Cat118 6 3 3 6 1/210Lopez19.00

2-Summit County4.403.002.604-Made in U. S. A.5.203.609-Jump for Kitten3.60

* $1 Pick 3 (7-9-2) $155.20 * Double (9-2) $40.80 * Exacta (2-4) $25.20 * $1 Superfecta (2-4-9-5) $320.10 * $1 Trifecta (2-4-9) $39.90 *

Winner picked by Debbie L., Consensus, Exacta picked by Vic C.

NINTH-1 1/8m(T); $26,200; mdn cl($35,000); 3up

Off: 4:40. Good. set pace, kept to task

Time: 23.5, 48.35, 1:13.43, 1:37.81, 1:5.54. Trainer: James Baker

Winner: CH C, 3, by Any Given Saturday-Fabulous Finish

Scr: Where's My Crown, Responsive Eye, Ballerino, Mar Bravo.

HorseWt.PP1/41/2Str.FinJockeyOddsSaturnus118 2 1 1 1 31 1 3/4Saez15.50Lime Drop Kid120 6 7 6 4 hd2 1 1/2Castellan1.00Dr. Goldfarb118 1 2 2 2 33 nkRocco, Jr.7.10Goldsome118 11 6 5 3 hd4 2Gomez30.20Dragon Tail120 7 10 9 6 45 1Velazqez3.40But You Promised120 8 5 3 5 16 5Lezcano9.20Rockitude120 9 9 8 7 27 4Sanchez41.60Silver Skates121 3 11 10 9 118 4 1/2Aguilar93.00King's Vision120 4 3 4 8 1 1/29 11 1/4Saez8.10Little Brit121 10 8 11 1110 5 1/4Boraco162.70Best Of120 5 4 7 10 1/211Lopez42.30

3-Saturnus33.009.605.607-Lime Drop Kid2.802.401-Dr. Goldfarb4.00

* $0.1 Pick 6 (2-3-7-9-2-3) $10,942.22 * $0.5 Pick 5 (3-7-9-2-3) $7,153.40 4; $46.30 * $1 Pick 4 (7-9-2-3) $2,622.00 * $1 Pick 3 (9-2-3) $486.30 *Double (2-3) $104.40 * Exacta (3-7) $99.00 * $1 Superfecta (3-7-1-13) $2,650.00 * $1 Trifecta (3-7-1) $190.70 * $1Super Hi-5 (3-7-1-13-8) $5,980.60 *

Double picked by Vic C.

Attendance 1,624.Handle $274,132.Total Handle $4,817,802.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:33:03 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_charts_wbDRY6ToSdUmGbk8HBYVzL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_charts_wbDRY6ToSdUmGbk8HBYVzL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080734294 -1 false By CHUCK BENNETT Local

America's story is being told by the numbers.

We're gayer. Women are more prominent than ever. We are going to fewer rodeos, more baseball games and still watching a lot of TV.

A treasure trove of interesting, odd and illuminating statistics is revealed in the 135th edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, which will be published this week.

The data will "serve as an answer book to basic statistical questions," said Dan Coyle, product manager for the data firm ProQuest. He said the information helps us "to understand who we are, what we are about, and how we're changing."

For example:

* There are 646,464 same-sex households in the United States, according to census data compiled in the abstract. That includes 48,932 in New York state.

* Coffee consumption is down, while peanut eating is on the upswing.

* About 70 percent of all adults ages 18 to 34 own a laptop.

* The data found 53 percent of men spend their leisure time watching TV, while for women, the number was 48 percent.

* Unwed mothers were responsible for 41 percent of births in the country in 2010, compared with 33 percent in 1990.

Still, women have been making gains in society. They accounted for 40 percent of all science and engineering doctorate degrees in 2010, a leap from just 27.9 percent in 1990.

In the workplace, 19 percent of us reported being in the same job for 12 months or less, while another 20 percent had held the same job for five to nine years.

New Yorkers have the longest commutes, with 40 percent reporting more than 35 minutes. Despite the Big Apple's density, only 10 percent of us reported walking to work, compared with 11 percent in Washington, DC.

We love our pets, too — and the poorer we are, the more likely we are to have pet birds. Some 4.4 percent of households earning less than $20,000 a year have an avian friend.

But our cowboy past is fading. There were just 572 rodeos held in 2011, down from 754 in 1990.

For the first time, the compendium — made up from US Census, government agency and private sector data — was published by a private company because of federal budget cuts.

chuck.bennett@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:52:32 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_american_way_6KOSlhjUgD3bmy8JF1whqL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_american_way_6KOSlhjUgD3bmy8JF1whqL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4080734280 -1 false By DEBBIE LITTLE Horse Racing

Best Bet: Steuben Patriot (9th)

FIRST: mile; pace; $2200; cl($4000)

5 EngineNumberNine(GMertn)5-3-45-24 Blue Mermaid(AButtitta)5-6-68-13 Sues Destroyer(TFreese)7-5-34-11 Hammer(RDaneJr)6-4-67-22 Badlands andArt(JTaggrtJr)3-3-89-26 You Slay Me(JDevaux)8-7-510-17 Thin Blue Line(BAldrichJr)5-7-73-18 KamwodJsperN(CHckbneIII)8-4-812-1

SECOND: mile; trot; $3000; cond

5 ExcellentVacatin(BAldrchJr)4-3-35-24 Varsity Hall(JDeSimone)1-2-43-13 Karma Hall(JDevaux)3-9-75-11 E R Anna(JDohertyJr)4-6-44-12 EastCreekNicolle(RCmplng)8-5-29-26 Sweet Licks(CStratton)6-5-510-17 Slugging It Out(WParkerJr)8-3-812-18 SpringbackWack(JTaggrtJr)5-5-88-1

THIRD: mile; pace; $4000; cl($2600)

1 Bet Your Britches(BDobson)1-8-45-23 Bullish Blue Chip(JDevaux)8-4-33-16 Eyesbold(CHuckaboneIII)2-8-16-12 Snuff Box(GAnnaloro)6-2-88-14 Dougs Boy(ASchwartz)4-7-14-15 Zoom On By(CStratton)7-4-210-17 Q Revrac(GMerton)7-6-77-28 Pro Kid(WParkerJr)1-1-13-1

FOURTH: mile; trot; $3000; cond

5 Sweet Kix(CStratton)2-4-13-12 CostnerBlueChip(WPrkerJr)5-4-64-14 Trottin To The Max(RVinci)3-7-65-21 QuantumDonato(JDohrtyJr)7-8-85-13 Toes In The Sand(RHarp)5-6-66-16 Upfront Amanda(MForte)4-6-612-17 Barmaid(JMarohnJr)7-6-58-18 MrDemolitionMn(BAldrchJr)7-7-610-1

FIFTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

5 Jack Bauer(MForte)2-1-54-11 Frustrated Fran(WParkerJr)3-3-85-24 Peanut Shells(RHarp)5-1-73-12 Yes YourMattjesty(JMarhn)4-6-57-23 Blanca Raya(MMerton)1-5-79-26 Iroquoindianfllw(ASchwrtz)5-8-410-17 NeedlesandPns(KDbendett)6-8-46-18 Hevensperlygtes(BAldrchJr)1-2-612-1

SIXTH: mile; trot; $2600; cond

2 Zorgwijk Lucifer(JDevaux)3-6-55-25 Speedy Big Ras(WParkerJr)7-1-77-21 BroadwayLine(CHuckbneIII)4-5-23-13 Largent Hall(JMarohnJr)7-7-510-14 Double D Fine(JTaggartJr)8-7-34-16 Two Black Clouds(GMerton)6-8-46-17 Kash Now(CMcCracken)7-6-812-18 Mystical Heiress(BAldrichJr)4-dnf-49-2

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $3000; cond

5 Beal Hanover(WParkerJr)2-8-13-17 Rocknroll Band(GMerton)1-3-25-21 Bj Pacifica(BAldrichJr)3-5-17-22 Timewell(TFreese)7-6-410-13 Imposter A(MForte)7-6-54-14 ComeHmeHney(KDbendett)5-2-49-26 Double Trossed(JMarohnJr)8-5-112-18 Filthy Rich(JDevaux)1-6-88-1

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

2 Caseys Cam(BAldrichJr)1-7-17-21 U Belong To Me(WParkerJr)7-3-25-23 Diablo(KDibenedetto)1-2-33-14 Shando Hanover(JMarohnJr)4-8-810-15 Fly Away(CStratton)3-7-59-26 Mc Dragon(MMerton)5-1-612-17 Matts Delivery(JTaggartJr)8-8-18-18 Camp Counselor(GMerton)1-5-84-1

NINTH: mile; pace; $3100; cond

1 SteubenPatriot(KDbendett)1-1-x9-53 Future Rock Star(GAnnalro)3-1-44-12 Cam DanKadandy(MMerton)2-4-33-14 Lucky Deuce(AButtitta)6-6-310-15 Lukes Dotty(WParkerJr)4-5-69-26 Fulla Love(JMarohnJr)5-4-212-17 DaydreaminLynx(JChindno)2-1-48-18 No More Toys(GMerton)2-7-64-1

TENTH: mile; trot; $3800; cond

7 E R Kayla(WParkerJr)2-2-15-22 Fair Bizzness(JTaggartJr)8-1-69-24 Tropical Leader(GAnnaloro)5-7-410-11 Tas Avance(PBeeler)1-8-93-13 Motown Railing(BClouser)5-3-58-15 SecretEnergy(CWashington)7-3-612-16 MyCinnamonGirl(BAldrchJr)1-5-77-28 Liberty Cruise(MForte)4-1-24-1

ELEVENTH: mile; pace; $3000; cond

2 Cannae Rocky(GMerton)1-1-15-21 Wild Artist(MForte)6-1-13-15 Big Slick Z Tam(WParkerJr)6-1-48-13 HowForeverFeels(BAldrhJr)5-4-17-24 Greystone Matt(RDaneJr)2-7-810-16 Five Star Stud(JTaggartJr)8-3-612-17 Windsun Fire N Ice(JDevaux)3-4-54-18 Kevin S Apples(JChindano)7-6-49-2

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $2200; cond

1 Zinescape(GMerton)2-7-85-25 Cards N Music(BAldrichJr)2-7-83-12 IdealPhannyMan(GAnnalor)4-4-57-23 Armbro Durable(GCampbell)7-7-712-14 Four Starzzzz Lou(KHaase)7-5-25-16 Welcome Lover(WParkerJr)5-8-19-27 Joshuas Jet(MForte)7-4-410-18 Jk Hooty(CStratton)6-6-68-1

THIRTEENTH: mile; pace; $3800; cond

2 Southern Friedchic(JDvaux)2-4-23-11 Buck Stops Here(GMerton)3-4-25-25 Moving In Together(MForte)1-2-79-23 WorkingOnADream(RDneJr)6-8-36-14 SkywayShania(RMacmbrJr)7-2-27-26 Ddi Major(WParkerJr)3-6-610-17 Myyankeegirl(JMarohnJr)4-5-412-18 Destinys Calling(BAldrichJr)7-4-84-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:32:43 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/debbie_little_at_monticello_0Fp2yOILcPLrpPcwx8CXdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/debbie_little_at_monticello_0Fp2yOILcPLrpPcwx8CXdL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Horse Racing 5.10.4080734266 -1 false By JENNIFER FERMINO Local

New York really is the home of the Borscht Belt.

Officials will douse the New York State Thruway with 50,000 gallons of beet juice this winter, an anti-icing measure that's cheaper and less corrosive than salt.

But don't expect purple roads. The beet mix also includes brine and other liquids, giving it a brownish hue.

Beet juice is particularly effective on the state's 570-mile highway system because it can be used before snow falls to prevent ice from forming. That helps reduce employee overtime costs, officials said.

It does not eliminate the need for salt, but works with it.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:59:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/icy_road_just_beet_it_IFcmsC9u4KDb2bPGZcZqcL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/icy_road_just_beet_it_IFcmsC9u4KDb2bPGZcZqcL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local 5.10.4080734252 -1 false Horse Racing

All horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1 1/16m; $22,500; str alw; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Brother Bird(L),123JCastellan1-7-2Maker2 UntuttableAffar(L),112E Zayas5-7-4Paul3 Nemo Landing(L),119OBocachic9-1-6Vitali4 Chiseled Light(L),114J Chamafi5-3-4Chavez5 Red Hills(L),121L Saez8-1-1Garoffalo6 Today's Man(L),119G Saez5-1-2Vazquez7 Ya Ya's Rules(L),116F Jara4-1-2Pita

SECOND-6f; $27,500; opt clm; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Put It All In(L),120J Leyva1-7-2Kaplan2 Chongo Verdi(L),118M Cruz3-3-1Pilotti3 Trinity Tavern(L),118P Lopez1-4-6Estevez4 Richard Croy(L),118J Santana1-6-xGatis5 Puty Boy(L),118F Jara1-4-3Bozzo6 Sharp Deal(L),118C Olivero1-x-xGarcia7 Cosmic Flight(L),111M Argueta2-1-6Pilotti8 Poco Man(L),118L Saez1-3-1Vivian

THIRD-5 1/2f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 ShortysFashion(L),116M Argueta5-8-4Zele2 Cubahatuey(M),118OHernndz4-5-xMesa3 Bringcheckchrl(M),120R Maraghx-x-xMaragh4 Money inAction(L),120OBocachic11-8-xFarro5 Cashel Back(L),123J Delgado3-5-2Melendez6 GiacomotheGrt(L),120D Gomez6-3-2Chavez7 Sunbabyrun(L),117JBridgmhn7-x-xLightner8 Arthur(L),120RAlbarado7-6-3Ritvo9 Lakota Brave(L),123J Pizarro2-x-xZoppi10 Miura(M),120C Oliverox-x-xBezara11 Image of Alydar(L),115H Sanchez5-5-4Zeldman12 Touchnluck(L),123W Henry8-7-6Ziadie13 Montesarchio(L),120D Boraco5-5-6Helman14 Wildcat Boss(L),115H Sanchez2-8-4Pirie15 ExquisiteObern(L),115OHernndz10-7-9Suckie

FOURTH-5f(T); $42,500; cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Justanoceanwy(L),119OBocachic5-5-6Tesher2 Ms Diller(L),119G Saez1-9-1Vazquez3 MaysTreasurtrv(L),119LContrers6-5-1De Paulo4 Obrigeta(L),116L Saez4-5-4Croft5 KarakorumElktr(L),119J Sanchez6-6-6Rice6 Miss Dora(L),119PHusbnds3-6-1Foley7 DonnaGetyorgn(L),119E Prado2-3-3Wilkes8 Button Girl(L),119JCastanon13-1-5Nicks9 Hurricane Girl(L),116JCastellan4-1-1Ness

FIFTH-6f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO; (f)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Johanna Honey(L),120D Cohen2-10-12McPeek2 Distinctlybella(L),120F Jara6-7-xEstevez3 Midday Edition(M),120D Gomezx-x-xSantoro4 Blonde Diva(L),120P Lopez8-5-7Pinchin5 Sweet Arabella(L),120JCastanon10-7-6Foley6 RepentlessLdy(M),120J Bravox-x-xAlvarado7 IndomitblWmn(L),120L Nelson3-5-xHarvey8 Indian Event(L),120M Aguilar8-8-5Van Culin9 GoldenBechGrl(M),120L Saezx-x-xWhite10 Tiz a Storm(L),120J Leyva8-x-xCroft11 PepprmntCndy(L),120E Trujillo5-5-xHills12 Your Lovely(L),120J Alvarez2-3-xSpatz13 ThisIsSomchFn(M),120J Sanchezx-x-xHamm14 Chapel'sBeauty(L),115H Sanchez9-7-5Hartmann15 Pure Treasure(L),120J Sanchez4-4-6Green16 Bonnie Top(L),120C Olivero5-4-4Rivera

SIXTH-1 1/8m(T); $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Tenforthemony(L),120J Rocco, Jr7-x-xRomans2 Prado Cat(L),120C Lanerie2-7-xRomans3 One Mint Julep(M),120JCastellanx-x-xPletcher4 Teleconference ,120L Saezx-x-xMott5 Federal Agent(M),120M Cruz10-x-xPenna6 Rock and Rye ,120J Bravo3-4-6Weaver7 Milwaukee Blitz ,120P Lopez7-x-xFrostad8 Cowdray Park(L),120PHusbnds10-3-2Casse

SEVENTH-1 1/16m; $42,500; cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Henny'sHurricn(L),119OBocachic2-3-3Vitali2 WthMmsBlssng(L),119E Trujillo3-3-3Spatz3 Canaima(L),121F Jara1-6-2Garcia4 Topazio(L),116D Gomez7-3-1Santoro5 Annie Roe(L),123J Leyva1-5-7Kaplan6 Bid a Moon(L),121JCastellan1-2-6Ness7 High Alpine(L),119P Lopez1-5-10Farro8 Dreamspell(L),116L Saez5-6-7Wolfson

EIGHTH-5f(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO; (f)

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 BelieveinCharli(L),118J Rios10-5-6Yates2 Le Fascinator(L),120J Rocco, Jr1-x-xMotion3 Shrinking Violet(L),118J Garcia9-1-1Ward4 My CrazyDayse(L),120JCastellan1-3-xNess5 Rosie Red(L),118P Lopez6-2-1Plesa6 The Royal Boot(L),118E Nunez4-4-1Vivian7 Wholelotarylty(L),118L Saez4-1-5McIntosh8 Why Who(L),118J Sanchez2-5-1Green9 Spectacular Me(L),118J Leyva8-7-1Santoro10 Barisoff(L),118J Garcia1-x-xWard

NINTH-1 1/16m(T); $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Solicitation(L),114F Jara3-4-7Green2 As de Copas(L),117J Leyva11-10-7Bozzo3 TwigazuriStrait(L),118J Sanchez1-6-6Nihei4 Carly'sRealDeal(L),117P Lopez3-2-3Plesa5 D'oro Dancer(L),112H Sanchez4-8-2Estevez6 Big Red Talent(L),118R Maragh1-10-5Maragh7 Let'sCallaTruce(L),114M Cruz2-6-7Towne8 Knock Rock(L),118J Lezcano3-2-7Kenneally9 TheGreatGonzo(L),118J Rocco, Jr3-1-4Matz10 Special Energy(L),117L Saez7-8-5Englehart11 Chilean Step(L),116E Trujillo1-2-2Quiroz12 Pacmanstephn(L),117S Karlsson8-5-2McGlinchey13 Soup A' Fleet(L),120M Cruz1-2-6Orseno14 Crime Family(L),114M Aguilar7-5-3Rosas-Cness15 Highspeedntrnt(L),117J Rivera II5-5-7Posada16 Fathom's End(L),114LContrers4-7-8Attard

TENTH-6f; $17,500; cl($10,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 My FriendRalph(L),116J Chamafi4-2-3Rodriguez2 Fast Stack(L),116OHernndz5-6-6Rizo3 Bea Top Quality(L),118D Gomez6-6-4Rossi4 ThereGoesVnny(L),118OBocachic5-7-7Dibona5 Blue Business(L),118L Saez11-5-4Sano6 Pentland(L),118D Cohen11-4-5Vitali7 Steve'sAdvntrs(L),118G Saez7-3-1Ward8 Put ItBackTiger(L),118E Trujillo4-1-10Plesa9 Big Ara K(L),113H Sanchez3-1-2Dwoskin10 Distinctive Pic(L),118P Lopez7-7-4Estevez11 My Omega Run(L),114M Argueta12-1-7Cascallares12 Mylilmanwil(L),114E Zayas9-6-9Melendez13 Tinitus(L),118OBocachic1-3-4Iadisernia14 Ultimate Choice(L),113J Chamafi4-10-2Gatis15 French Holiday(L),118J Bravo1-8-4Edel

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:26:31 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tomorrow_gulfstream_park_entries_26n4opX4kuYO2sRz6adtfM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/tomorrow_gulfstream_park_entries_26n4opX4kuYO2sRz6adtfM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080699114 -1 false Horse Racing

DaSilva Fountaine Affrunti Debbie L. Vic C. Consensus 1 El Gran Joyful El Gran Joyful Mister Woodman El Gran Joyful Mister Woodman El Gran Joyful 19 Kiss of Thunder Adaboy Adaboy Mister Woolman El Gran Joyful Mister Woolman 13 Bytheliteofthemoon Bytheliteofthemoon El Gran Joyful Brat Brat Adaboy 6 2 G.T. Tabu Don'tgetmestarted Strapping Gold Vegas Strapping Gold Vegas 15 Gold Vegas Gold Vegas Don'tgetmestarted Strapping Gold Vegas Strapping 14 Here Comes Sal Strapping Gold Vegas G.T. Tabu Atajo Don'tgetmestarted 8 3 Burning Mandate Philourpockets Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate 15 Longer Terms Doug Burning Mandate Schatt the Bandit Philourpockets Evangelos Longer Terms Doug 13 Drinks to Go Evangelos Burning Mandate Sole Runner Burning Mandate Philourpockets 8 4 Major Marvel Sir Rabbit Major Marvel Major Marvel Major Marvel Major Marvel 24 Don'twait Toolong Tom Kitten Tom Kitten Tim Kitten Jazzit Tom Kitten 10 Jazzit Major Marvel Swift Strike Sir Rabbit Tom Kittten Sir Rabbit 6 5 Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Maelys Hope Maelys Hope 19 Mass Invasion Chambord Castle Chambord Castle Maelys Hope Chambord Castle Winnie Nene 14 Rip Roarin Maelys Hope Winnie Nene Chambord Castle Mass Invasion Chambord Castel 10 6 Ritchie Skylander Bernie the Jet Skylander Sayaad Skylander 16 Skylander Bernie the Jet Sayaad Beach Master Skylander Sayaad 10 Party Lad Sayaad Anillo Bernie the Jet Beach Master Bernie the Jet 9 7 Highestmaintenance Cheyenne Autumn Cheyenne Autumn Highest Maintenance Cheyenne Autumn Cheyenne Autumn 17 Gadget Girl Fioretti Fioretti Fioretti Gadget Girl Highestmaintenance 13 Cheyenne Autumn Highestmaintenance Highestmaintenance Music N Songs Highestmaintenance Fioretti 9 8 Jabulani He's a Fireball Alke John Stay Red Love of Flying Love of Flying 14 Love of Flying Love of Flying Love of Flying Scottish Coast All Knight Alke John 7 Alke John Alke John All for the Trip He's a Fireball He's a Fireball He's a Fireball 7 9 Velez Boy of Summer Boy of Summer Tubal Velez Boy of Summer 14 Boy of Summer Pontus Lady E Pontus Pontus Velez 11 Tubal Velez Captain Keon Lady E Channel Changer Pontus 9

Consensus is based on 5-3-1 point system. Extra point given for BEST BET.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/post_experts_pick_the_winners_8lx9h5jTnhiYZ4ubVC8yvL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/post_experts_pick_the_winners_8lx9h5jTnhiYZ4ubVC8yvL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080698137 -1 false By JOHN DASILVA Horse Racing

Post Time: 12:45 p.m.

All horses appear in post position order

1. 1m; $33,700; mdn cl($50,000); 2YO

EL GRAN JOYFUL was third in maiden special at Tampa Bay when adding blinkers. He was a beaten favorite in previous start for a tag. KISS OF THUNDER drops in class for local debut after tiring in career debut. BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON cuts back to sprint and drops in class for dirt debut.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Free Range Man(L),120E Nunez7-x-xTortora15-12 Mister Woolman(L),120J Lezcano3-4-4Zito9-53 Kiss of Thunder(L),120C Lanerie9-x-xBradley10-14 El Gran Joyful(L),120L Saez3-3-2Sano2-15 Brat(M),120P Lopez6-x-xHamm8-16 Abadoy ,118C Olivero5-x-xBezara8-17 Bytheliteofthemoon(L),120J Castellano6-11-9DiVito4-1

2. 6f; $17,500; mdn cl($12,500); 2YO

G.T. TABU cuts back in distance and drops in class after finishing second by a head when removing the blinkers. GOLD VEGAS has finished second in both starts since adding blinkers. HERE COMES SAL races with Lasix and shows steady works for career debut.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 Atajo(L),120P Lopez4-6-xSano15-13 Gold Vegas(L),120L Saez2-2-3Olivares3-14 Strapping(L),120F Torres6-5-xHanna5-15 Don'tgetmestarted(L),120J Bridgmohan8-6-4Gonzalez8-16 Here Comes Sal(M),120E Trujillox-x-xHills6-17 G. T. Tabu(L),120D Gomez2-5-6Maestre5-21 a-Music King(M),120E Nunezx-x-xVivian8-18 Defer Heaven(M),120J Rosariox-x-xWard6-11A a-Vinny the Emperor(M),120S Madridx-x-xVivian8-1

3. 6f; $18,750; cl($6,250); 3up

BURNING MANDATE led every step of the way to win at this distance and level when making local debut. LONGER TERMS DOUG came off the pace to win this distance when dropped to this level. DRINKS TO GO closed to finish third this distance and level when making first start since September.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 Schatt the Bandit(L),119J Sanchez8-7-6Green15-13 Philourpockets(L),112M Argueta2-5-4Combest12-14 Running Wildcat(L),118D Cohen6-2-1Vitali10-15 Morador Llers(L),114H Sanchez6-5-4Chavez20-16 Sole Runner(L),119J Calderon2-6-6Schell12-17 Drinks to Go(L),119O Bocachica3-1-7Iadisernia15-18 Burning Mandate(L),123R Albarado1-3-4Gonzalez3-11 a-Hit the Cycle(L),121J Alvarez5-1-2Khan8-19 Longer Terms Doug(L),118J Chamafi1-4-1Dwoskin4-110 Evangelos(L),119G Bain7-4-3Warren20-111 Hollywood Left(L),119L Saez4-8-4Garcia6-112 Five Afternoons(L),121R Maragh5-1-4Maragh6-11A a-Naos(L),114H Sanchez5-3-5Khan8-1

4. 1m(T); $27,500; str alw; 3up

MAJOR MARVEL moves to starter allowance after closing to finish second in both starts off brief freshening. DON'TWAIT TOOLONG lost three-race winning streak when second by a neck as the favorite this level. JAZZIT had the lead and tired to second in his last two starts.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Grove Hall(L),119E Nunez4-7-5Rodriguez30-12 Sir Rabbit(L),119J Bravo3-10-3Campitelli5-13 El Kiwi(L),109E Zayas7-7-7Tabraue30-14 Major Marvel(L),119J Castellano2-2-4Maker7-55 Sugar Ryan(L),116O Mullings2-6-1Simpson20-16 Serapi Cat(L),114O Hernandez9-3-5Mondol30-17 Tom Kitten(L),119D Cohen8-5-1Vitali10-18 Tanzana(L),119A Garcia6-3-2Dibona5-19 Jazzit(L),119J Rocco, Jr2-2-6Farro6-110 He's Spectacular(L),116L Saez6-4-2Toledo8-111 Swift Strike(L),119E Prado5-7-6Mills30-112 Prime Obsession(L),119M Aguilar8-8-6Dixon30-113 Don'twait Toolong(L),119J Rosario2-1-1Cibelli3-114 Professor Palmer(L),119J Bravo3-2-9Volk5-115 Ice Pilot(L),119E Trujillo6-6-3Sacco12-116 Pecky's Boy(L),123J Castellano1-2-1Iadisernia4-1

5. 6f; $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up; (f&m)

MAELYS HOPE faces maiden claimers for the first time after tiring this distance versus optional claimers. WINNIE NENE won off the turf race as favorite while going shorter two back. MASS INVASION cuts back in distance for first start since September for new barn.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Joyce and Me(L),111K Coa1-4-6Sano5-12 Maelys Hope(L),118J Rosario5-1-2Maestre5-23 Backstage Magic(L),118J Leyva2-2-4Jackson10-14 Shirleycee(L),118E Trujillo6-1-1Cibelli8-15 Mass Invasion(L),118J Bridgmohan1-6-6Carvajal12-16 Chambord Castle(L),118G Saez1-1-2Fawkes5-17 Red Over Blue(L),113H Sanchez10-4-3Broome4-18 Winnie Nene(L),121L Saez3-1-2Pilotti6-19 Cash Belongings(L),114S Madrid7-6-5Vivian20-

6. 5f(T); $54,500; alw opt clm; 2YO

RIP ROARIN RITCHIE working bullets after tiring as the favorite in the Laurel Futurity last out. SKYLANDER uncoupled entrymate to top choice drew rail and working steadily for turf debut. PARTY LAD won allowance as favorite impressively at Penn on dirt.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Skylander(L),118J Rosario1-x-xWard5-22 Rip Roarin Ritchie(L),118J Garcia5-1-1Ward4-13 Beach Master(L),120R Albarado2-4-1DiVito6-14 Anillo(L),118J Sanchez1-9-10Caramori15-15 Party Lad(L),122J Bravo1-7-1Pino10-16 Trip N Run(L),118J Alvarez5-1-5Maragh20-17 Bernie the Jet(L),118J Castellano6-2-3Contessa8-18 Holy Command(L),118P Monterrey, Jr1-2-2Fawkes12-19 Discreet Glen(L),118P Lopez5-8-1Baker8-110 Sayaad ,118J Lezcano1-2-7McLaughlin5-1

7. 6f; $52,500; mdn spcl wt; 2YO; (f)

HIGHESTMAINTENANCE from excellent first-out barn and races with Lasix while working well for career debut. GADGET GIRL drew the rail after setting the pace and tiring to third in extremely fast race when she made her career debut. CHEYENNE AUTUMN set the pace and tired to fourth at this distance.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Gadget Girl(L),120E Prado3-x-xRitvo6-12 Pearls for Girls ,120J Rocco, Jr2-x-xMatz8-13 Highestmaintenance(M),120J Castellanox-x-xPletcher5-24 Sweet Dish(L),120R Albarado6-x-xArnold8-15 Summon the Rain(L),120L Saez6-8-3Bradley15-16 Cheyenne Autumn(L),120C Lanerie4-5-xRomans4-17 Camille Garey ,120P Lopez8-x-xHamm20-18 Fioretti(M),120J Rosariox-x-xMott3-19 Music N Songs ,120F Jarax-x-xBezara12-1

8. 1 1/16m(T); $30,700; cl($30,000); 3up

JABULANI defeated cheaper by a nose at this distance when returning to turf. LOVE OF FLYING drops in class for return to turf and he won conditioned allowance at this distance three back. ALKE JOHN was second by a head as the favorite at this price and distance two back.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds2 All for the Trip(L),116J Rosario6-4-1B Brown12-13 Stay Red(L),116H Sanchez7-5-5Rizo8-14 Political Courage(L),120J Rocco, Jr1-3-2Matz12-11 a-Redwood Man(L),117P Lopez2-4-1Ramirez5-15 He's a Fireball(L),118J Bravo3-7-8Plesa10-16 Alke John(L),117E Trujillo4-2-2Broome7-27 All Knight(L),118J Castellano7-2-8Newman4-18 Scottish Coast(L),121S Madrid5-3-5Campos20-19 Perfectly Crazy(L),110M Argueta4-5-8Catanese20-110 Love of Flying(L),121E Prado8-8-1Sheppard12-111 Dynamic Boy(L),118R Maragh4-6-7Maragh15-112 Whisper Onthe Wind(L),118O Bocachica2-6-6DiMauro6-11A a-Jabulani(L),117F Torres1-4-9Ramirez5-1

9. 1m(T); $26,200; mdn cl($35,000); 2YO

VELEZ drops in class for route debut after finishing fourth at The Meadowlands when making turf debut. BOY OF SUMMER finished well at this distance at Calder when making career debut. TUBAL cuts back in distance and drops in class after tiring in first start for new barn.

PN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 Tubal(L),120D Cohen10-4-11S Klesaris8-12 Lady E ,120E Trujillox-x-xCampitelli12-13 Boy of Summer(L),120J Lezcano4-5-5Garcia6-14 Channel Changer(L),120F Torres8-5-7Hanna20-15 Pontus(M),120E Prado8-x-xMotion6-16 Ricochet Court(L),120J Bridgmohan10-6-xZito15-17 Captain Keon(M),120M Cruzx-x-xDiMauro10-18 Dig This(L),120J Leyva6-6-9Yates20-19 The Best Monkey(L),120L Contreras5-x-xDuco12-110 Velez(L),118J Sanchez4-3-xServis3-111 Electromagnetic(L),120J Rosario9-9-xWard4-112 Moonlit Park(L),120E Nunez6-4-xCroft15-113 Mr. Pumpermichael(L),120L Saez5-x-xGleaves15-114 Wardroom(L),111E Zayas8-11-2Azpurua30-115 Edson's Ridge(L),120R Albarado9-7-xGleaves15-116 El Tuscano ,111E Zayas8-3-7Azpurua15-1

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_park_analysis_AnH4rS6jHGWXTYAhYF3tXL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/gulfstream_park_analysis_AnH4rS6jHGWXTYAhYF3tXL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080677125 -1 false Horse Racing

WEATHER Clear TRACK Fast

FIRST-mile; pace; $2800; cond

OFF: 12:29 TIME: 2:03.4

3ER Taylor (BAldrichJr)2.602.102.102Miss Old Vines (CHckbneIII)24.404.606And We'll See Ya (JRicco Jr)4.50

Scr: Sharks Ideal Man* Exacta (2-3) $29.00 * Trifecta (2-3-6) $221.50

SECOND-mile; pace; $2200; cond

OFF: 12:48 TIME: 2:07.1

4Winfinity (RHarp)13.603.602.702Bar None (MForte)2.602.207StorminGal (BAldrchJr)4.20

* Exacta (4-2) $28.40 * Trifecta (4-2-7) $172.50 * Daily double (2-4) $16.60 * Superfecta (4-2-7-5) $639.00

THIRD-mile; pace; $2200; cond

OFF: 1:07 TIME: 2:03.1

4Fifth Street (BAldrchJr)7.903.402.608Badlands Josh(GAnnloro)5.804.602JK Diamondpearls(WParker Jr)2.60

Scr: David's Road* Exacta (4-8) $69.00 * Trifecta (4-8-2) $265.00 * Pick 3 (2-4-4) $85.50 * Superfecta (4-8-2-5) $783.00

FOURTH-1 3/4m; trot; $5000

Monticello Marathon

OFF: 1:26 TIME: 3:42.2

8Halfpipe (JMarohnJr)7.403.602.707Collect Call(TButer)3.602.802Howmuchubench (MSimons)3.00

Scr:Famous Dude* Exacta (8-7) $17.60 * Trifecta (8-7-2) $86.00 * Pick 3 (4-4-8) $203.00 * Superfecta (8-7-2-6) $384.00

FIFTH-mile; pace; $3000; cond

OFF: 1:48 TIME: 2:02.2

5Smmr Snlght (JRiccoJr)19.605.503.901 Handspeak(BAldrchJr)2.302.104 Flightofdelite(CWshntn)2.90

* Exacta (5-1) $62.00 * Trifecta (5-1-4) $177.50 * Pick 3 (4-8-5) $206.50 * Superfecta (5-1-4-7) $1596.00

SIXTH-mile; trot; $4400; cond

OFF: 2:05 TIME: 2:01.3

3Larissa (BAldrichJr)4.403.202.102Howmacs Amigo (G Merton)3.902.306Chrome Finish (WParker Jr)2.30

* Exacta (3-2) $18.40 * Trifecta (3-2-6) $40.20 * Daily double (5-3) $40.40 * Pick 3 (8-5-3) $115.00 * Superfecta (3-2-6-4) $146.00

SEVENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cond

OFF: 2:23 TIME: 1:59.3

2Allamrican(KDbndtto)16.805.102.604Thomas John N (MSimons)4.802.405No Free Parking (BAldrchJr)2.10

* Exacta (2-4) $79.00 * Trifecta (2-4-5) $209.50 * Pick 3 (5-3-2) $180.50 * Superfecta (2-4-5-6) $956.00

EIGHTH-mile; trot; $5700; cond

OFF: 2:43 TIME: 2:01.4

1Crystl Sizzlr(JTaggrtJr)5.203.402.708SnsationalPryer (ASchwrtz)18.408.104Badboy Paprazzi (MSimons)4.10

* Exacta (1-8) $77.00 * Trifecta (1-8-4) $776.00 * Pick 3 (3-2-1) $41.60 * Superfecta (1-8-4-2) $4499.00 Winner picked by Little

NINTH-mile; pace; $4000; cond

OFF: 3:02 TIME: 2:00.0

2SmmySvnnhBAldrchJr)5.203.002.108High Point (MMerton)9.303.503Pilgrims Toner(J RiccoJr)2.80

* Exacta (2-8) $34.00 * Trifecta (2-8-3) $183.00 * Daily double (1-2) $12.20 * Pick 3 (2-1-2) $151.50 * Superfecta (2-8-3-7) $819.00

Winner picked by Little

TENTH-mile; trot; $4400; cond

OFF: 3:25 TIME: 2:03.0

6Doner Dream(JMarhn)8.506.704.503CC Mister C(TButer)7.505.002Valcyon Days(WParkerJr)3.70

* Exacta (6-3) $131.00 * Trifecta (6-3-2) $731.00 * Pick 3 (1-2-6) $147.50* Superfecta (6-3-2-1) $1,143.50

ELEVENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2200)

OFF: 3:41 TIME: 2:01.3

8GW Mclntck (ABttitta)7.306.404.201Wilson Jay N (NClegg)4.703.102Style Guy (W ParkerJr)3.00

* Exacta (8-1) $20.20 * Trifecta (8-1-2) $94.50 * Pick 3 (2-6-8) $705.00 * Superfecta (8-1-2-5) $328.00

TWELFTH-mile; trot; $5700; cond

OFF: 4:01 TIME: 2:01.1

3AnstsiaWllie(BAldchJr)22.208.505.802DW'SCaptain(MMerton)7.507.201FourStarz F (W Parker Jr)3.80

* Exacta (3-2) $124.00 * Trifecta (3-2-1) $410.00 * Pick 3 (6-8-3) $809.00 * Superfecta (3-2-1-6) $2488.00

THIRTEENTH-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2600)

OFF: 4:21 TIME: 2:00.4

7RichNFlshy(BAldrchJr)11.404.302.302Hallin Gator(JMarohnJr)2.602.105RealMotivation (MMerton)3.00

Scr: Square John *Exacta (7-2) $30.80 * Trifecta (7-2-5) $121.50 * Pick 3 (8-3-7) $5509.00* Superfecta (7-2-5-4) $391.00 *

ATTENDANCE N/A. HANDLE $632,855.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:25:05 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/monticello_results_2enNNWii2V85bHxv46PR7K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/monticello_results_2enNNWii2V85bHxv46PR7K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Horse Racing 5.10.4080623269 -1 false By RACHEL COHEN AP More Sports

The Penn State child sex-abuse scandal was selected as the sports story of the year by U.S. editors and news directors in an annual vote conducted by the Associated Press.

The news broke in November 2011, with a grand-jury report outlining charges against Jerry Sandusky, and the outrage that followed led to the firing of Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. But the aftershocks were felt long into 2012: Sandusky was convicted in June of assaulting 10 boys, and the NCAA handed down brutal sanctions in July.

In both years, the scandal was picked as the top sports story, the first time since the AP began conducting its annual vote in 1990 that the same story was selected twice in a row. The results of this year's tally were announced yesterday.

Even before the Sandusky trial, the State College community had absorbed another huge blow as Paterno died Jan. 22 at age 85 of lung cancer.

The year ended with a small step to normalcy — joy on the football field. Under new coach Bill O'Brien, the Nittany Lions won eight of their last 10 games to finish 8-4, capped by an overtime victory at home over Wisconsin.

There were 157 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations. The voters were asked to rank the top 10 sports stories of the year, with the first-place story getting 10 points, the second-place story receiving nine points, and so on.Football's popularity, college and pro, was unmistakable with seven of the top 10 stories. But only two of them involved the action on the field.

The Penn State saga received 1,420 points and 109 first-place votes. The No. 2 sports story, Lance Armstrong stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, had 10 first-place votes and 1,008 points.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:08:50 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/psu_scandal_voted_story_of_the_year_Yrn4KQtWaLhMYJ8zqQjf1J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/psu_scandal_voted_story_of_the_year_Yrn4KQtWaLhMYJ8zqQjf1J?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4080623239 -1 false By JUSTIN TERRANOVA More Sports

Six days later, Rob Parker realized he was wrong.

The ESPN "First Take" host who said on Thursday's program that Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is "kind of black" and wondered, "is he a brother or is he a cornball brother?" apologized yesterday.

Parker was suspended indefinitely by ESPN a day later, and he could be fired from the network.

"I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry," Parker wrote on Twitter. "I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care. This past Thursday I failed to do that. I believe the intended topic is a worthy one.''

j.terranova@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:00:51 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/parker_issues_rg_apology_0rMMTx1niyeVCOnVwoPLDJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/parker_issues_rg_apology_0rMMTx1niyeVCOnVwoPLDJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=More Sports 5.10.4080623225 -1 false By CLAIRE ATKINSON Business

Glassnote, one of America's most successful independent music labels, is being courted by several suitors eager to cash in on the firm's ability to take fringe acts mainstream, The Post has learned.

Glassnote, the label behind the Grammy-nominated folk-rock act Mumford & Sons — which saw its second CD, "Babel," shoot straight to No. 1 this fall — is not on the block, but suitors are hoping to persuade Glassnote founder Daniel Glass to sell a piece of the action, several music industry executives said.

"Everyone is offering him some kind of equity and/or distribution deals, and allowing him to potentially start a more mainstream label," said one source involved in the talks.

"There is a bidding war over him," the source added. "He's had some incredible success, and the feeling is now is the time to approach him."

Glass downplayed the talks, telling The Post they were in the very early stages.

"Yes, people are courting us — are we interested?" Glass asked. "We're not focusing on it. It's hard to concentrate when you're getting ready for new music."

All three majors — Universal, Sony and Warner — are involved as are firms outside the industry, one source added. Reps for the companies declined to comment.

One early offer was said to be around $20 million for a 49 percent stake in Glassnote plus a distribution deal, said a source.

Perhaps sparking the talks is the fact that Glassnote's distribution deal with Sony's RED is up for renewal in early 2013.

Glass stressed, "There is no sale. We're in the baby stages. Most of our acts are on their first or second record."

Mumford & Sons' "Babel" became the biggest debut of this year when it dropped in September, selling 600,000 units in its first week.

Glass, the controlling shareholder of the 6-year-old independent label, wouldn't say whether he has other investors or provide financial details.

catkinson@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/suitors_all_want_piece_of_glassnote_gdQJM5uAwlOpU9k6tzMZhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/suitors_all_want_piece_of_glassnote_gdQJM5uAwlOpU9k6tzMZhI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080205141 -1 false By JAMES COVERT Business

Shoppers are crowding malls but that doesn't mean cash registers are filling up.

A prominent research firm lowered its forecast for holiday retail sales yesterday, despite the fact that it expects traffic at stores to increase for the first time in four years.

Retail sales for the crucial November-December period are on track to rise 2.5 percent, according to ShopperTrak, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm.

That's down from a September forecast for a 3.3-percent increase, said Chris Angell, the firm's director of global marketing.

Disruptions from Hurricane Sandy are partly to blame for the expected revenue shortfall.

In addition to temporary store closings, retailers have been hit by markdowns they've been forced to take to clear a backlog of fall merchandise.

At the same time, however, store traffic is on track to rise 2.8 percent — the first jump in holiday traffic since 2008, according to ShopperTrak.

The disparity is partly because consumers are window-shopping, according to Angell, and it's possible that distractions such as the fiscal cliff faced by Congress are at work.

But industry watchers say shoppers are "showrooming" — the practice of browsing products at retail stores before buying them at lower prices online.

"There are big discussions on how many people are window-shopping and how does that translate to online sales," Angell said.

Indeed, during the Black Friday weekend that kicked off the holiday-shopping season, a surge in the use of mobile and tablet devices appeared to be driven by showrooming, according to Mark Layton, chief executive of e-commerce site designer PFSweb.

"[Showrooming] looked strong on Black Friday in particular, with a lot of people using mobile devices at store locations," Layton said.

jcovert@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/nothing_in_store_Qpokou4ewSt0QIA66GPoWN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/nothing_in_store_Qpokou4ewSt0QIA66GPoWN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Business 5.10.4080204518 -1 false By PAUL THARP Business

Banking giant UBS is coughing up $1.5 billion in fines — and two of its fat-cat traders face prison — after a US and UK investigation of the bank found "routine and widespread" manipulation of a benchmark interest rate.

The scheme, the largest interest-rate rigging scandal ever, caused lopsided outcomes in more than $450 trillion in annual loans made around the world for everything from credit cards and mortgages to college loans and business deals, federal prosecutors said yesterday.

The criminal complaint against the Swiss bank and the arrest of two former UBS traders show authorities have amped up their financial-sector probes.

The crackdown on rampant corruption in banking's back offices came in a landmark joint probe by authorities in at least five nations, which charge UBS is a major culprit in notorious manipulations of the key Libor rate.

Banks set the rate each day amongst themselves, using a panel of their own representatives and assumptions of short-term lending demand.

The surprising scope of the alleged schemes opens the floodgates for worldwide litigation from financial institutions — which unknowingly lost millions on the wrong side of rigged lending.

Prosecutors said that more than 45 traders and brokers at the bank, along with scores of outside currency middlemen, conspired almost daily, with bribes of typically $20,000 trading hands to influence Libor rates.

Each illicit pact set up among the traders and brokers was aimed at profiting on their positions from tiny moves in the rate.

Even a brief 1/100th of a percent move in the Libor translated to profits of about $459,000 for one of the UBS traders accused in the crackdown.

That cheated counter-parties, the complaint said.

"UBS manipulated one of the cornerstone interest rates in our global financial system," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer.

"The scheme alleged is epic in scale, involving people who have walked the halls of some of the most powerful banks in the world," he said.

Yesterday's actions included the first criminal charges made in the probes, leveled against Tom Alexander Hayes, 33, and Roger Darin, 41.

London police picked up Hayes; Darin is still at large.

The US Justice Department filed to extradite the pair to face trial here.

Numerous outside brokers were also involved, said enforcement chief David Meister of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

"These brokers are supposed to be honest middlemen," he said. "The brokers here were anything but honest."

The government complaint quoted one broker telling a UBS trader regarding an illicit pact's profits: "'Mate, you're getting bloody good at this Libor game. Think of me when yur on yur yacht in monaco wont yu.' "

Prosecutors said more people were to be named in the ongoing probe.

As many as 40 employees of UBS have left the bank over the case, prosecutors said.

In exchange for a deferred prosecution of the company, UBS agreed to plead guilty to civil violations at the unit in Japan, leaving the parent to pick up the hefty tabs and suffer the black eye.

tharp@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:02 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/swiss_sc_alps_IjnW3v7RMvaEuxtojd88uK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/swiss_sc_alps_IjnW3v7RMvaEuxtojd88uK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080204385 -1 false By BRUCE GOLDING Business

They hope you choke!

Two of Bernie Madoff's victims are outraged over his younger brother ahead of his sentencing today for helping pull off the world's biggest Ponzi scheme.

In a letter to the judge, Jill and Nancy Miller said they are "very unhappy" that Peter Madoff got his punishment postponed from Nov. 9.

"This man was not using the time for getting his 'tax' situation resolved. He was out and about enjoying a leisurely lunch in an expensive Upper East Side restaurant where many of his victims would like to eat but can't afford to."

A second victim, Natalie Erger, noted how Madoff has asked to remain free so he can attend his daughter's bat mitzvah.

"My grandson will be a bar mitzvah in November. How can we pay to fly? How much would it cost to drive?

"Thanks Madoff brothers."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:26:49 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/madoff_victims_let_loose_AlGmkXI23ABE2HuT7wex6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/madoff_victims_let_loose_AlGmkXI23ABE2HuT7wex6O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4080076122 -1 false Page Six

Nancy Shevell, the wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, could be making a move into the art market. Shevell was spotted checking out the Young Collectors Exhibition at Leila Heller Gallery on Tuesday in Chelsea with art collector Beth Rudin DeWoody and her fiancé, photographer Firooz Zahedi, as well as Andy Warhol biographer Bob Colacello and former Armory Show director Paul Morris. The exhibition features work from emerging artists — ranging in price from $500 to $5,000 — and 10 percent of the proceeds go to the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, which gives artists grants, and a Hurricane Sandy relief fund for visual artists. Town & Country co-hosted the opening night, and online art site Paddle8 put on a presale for the show, curated by Alexandra Wagle and Laura Mintz. Any new works Shevell picks up would certainly be in good company: McCartney reportedly already owns blue-chip works by Picasso, Renoir and Magritte, and took up painting himself in the 1980s.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/art_rocks_for_nancy_mgmal4Vsh7v1IBfr37Kh1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/art_rocks_for_nancy_mgmal4Vsh7v1IBfr37Kh1O?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4080076099 -1 false Page Six

That Lure Fishbar's John McDonald and Josh Pickard are opening an outpost of the SoHo restaurant at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel next year . . . That Jerry Seinfeld will perform at the Stand Up for a Cure Concert Series in April at Madison Square Garden to benefit the American Diabetes Association, and former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza will host a VIP party . . . That outgoing "X Factor" judge L.A. Reid has chosen to wear designer duds by Domenico Vacca for this season's finale . . . That JFI Jets is sponsoring a tournament benefiting New York Junior Tennis & Learning on March 2 . . . That Matthew and Nicole Hanley Mellon will serve as junior chairs of the Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach on Feb. 8 . . . That Patrick Meyer of tech firm Thinaire has launched his latest book, "Steve Jobs and the World of Mobile."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_yMjjXopoKOEST0tSbROGxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_yMjjXopoKOEST0tSbROGxN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4080075984 -1 false Reuters Business

The US Treasury plans to sell its stake in General Motors over the coming year, all but assuring a multibillion-dollar loss in a move that will end the automaker's "Government Motors" era.

Treasury's plan — a two-step process that includes a $5.5 billion stock sale to GM — is part of a broader push to wind down the controversial financial bailout under the Troubled Asset Relief (TARP) program.

The planned GM sale will raise the proceeds that Treasury has recovered to $28.6 billion of the $50 billion bailout GM originally received.

With $20.9 billion left from the original bailout, the government would have to sell its remaining shares at an average price of $69.72 to break even.

GM shares closed yesterday at $27.18, up 6.6 percent, or $1.69.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:05:57 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/no_more_gov_motors_AhImnVEzFmpiejgtWXwueN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/no_more_gov_motors_AhImnVEzFmpiejgtWXwueN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079941078 -1 false By KEITH J. KELLY Business

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said Chief Executive Lisa Gersh is stepping down after just five months on the job as the domestic diva's empire retrenches.

The company also said it had hired a headhunter to find a replacement for Gersh, who will leave after a transition period.

Her departure, which was first reported in The Post, sent the stock down as much as 5 percent before recovering. Shares closed up 7 cents, or 2.7 percent, at $2.65.

The move comes as the company pulls back from media to focus on selling branded merchandise, including a deal with JCPenney.

Gersh, a veteran TV executive and co-founder of Oxygen Media, was hired as president and COO in 2011, in part to help revive the company's flagging media fortunes. She was elevated to CEO in July.

However, her hiring hasn't done much to boost the TV or publishing properties. In January, the Hallmark Channel canceled Stewart's daily talk show. Her only regular TV gig now is "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" on PBS.

The magazine portfolio has also been battered by the print ad slump, with the company shutting down its Whole Living and Everyday Food titles, and firing about 70 people, in recent weeks.

The announcement came in a memo to staffers from Gersh and Stewart, who is the company's majority owner, non-executive chairman and chief creative officer.

Surviving in the CEO spot has always been challenging, as Stewart has a reputation as a micro-manager who doesn't want executives making key decisions.

"I call it the Murphy Brown syndrome," said Michael Kupinski, a media analyst with Noble Financial Partners, referring to the TV hit that starred Candice Bergen as a sharp-tongued news anchor who churned through assistants.

While Stewart has not reclaimed the CEO title since she served a five-month prison sentence for lying to investigators probing her sale of ImClone stock, she remains the indomitable power.

She controls about 70 percent of the stock and receives $2 million in salary and bonus, plus another $2.1 million paid to her real-estate company for use of her homes and studios.

kkelly@nypost.com

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:47:29 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/yep_she_gone_0NnNxdbBwY9dkBuCO8Qk8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/yep_she_gone_0NnNxdbBwY9dkBuCO8Qk8M?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079941060 -1 false Page Six

The Rascals — the 1960s band fond of dropping their G's in hits like "Good Lovin' " and "Groovin' " — reunited to play their first public show in 40 years last week. The evening marked the opening of "Once Upon a Dream," a new "theatrical concert" produced by E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. The six-night run at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester includes original members Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli as well as screened archival footage and interviews. Chazz Palminteri, "The Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore and record mogul Tommy Mottola were spotted rockin' out.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:05:04 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/rascals_are_on_the_loose_amUw6Yc1oyXg9CEGFftZjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/rascals_are_on_the_loose_amUw6Yc1oyXg9CEGFftZjM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940991 -1 false Bloomberg Business

Three former advisers for an unidentified Swiss bank, Stephan Fellmann, Otto Huppi and Christof Reist, were charged by the US with conspiring to help American clients hide more than $420 million from tax authorities.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:47:12 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/adviser_trio_in_tax_mess_oHV0z6pftnfzmdcIilPECM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/adviser_trio_in_tax_mess_oHV0z6pftnfzmdcIilPECM?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079940885 -1 false Page Six

The Brooklyn Nets show off their singing skills, and their Christmas spirit, in a new video holiday card. The digital greeting went out from the team this week — featuring players including Deron Williams, Jerry Stackhouse, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries in their uniforms and Santa hats. The guys gamely sing along, and dance, to a funky remix of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The comically out-of-tune action takes place in front of a snowy backdrop with a Nets logo. But even though he opened the new Barclays Center with eight nights of shows, the Nets' part-owner Jay-Z is (sadly) missing from the clip.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:04:22 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/nets_like_rockettes_u2hnLi7DV7ugC4f21TgNyL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/nets_like_rockettes_u2hnLi7DV7ugC4f21TgNyL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940862 -1 false By GARETT SLOANE Business

Facebook is keeping its mobile ads for itself.

The company halted an experiment that allowed advertisers to use its treasure trove of data about users to buy ads on third-party mobile apps in exchange for a cut of the revenue.

Instead, Facebook is going to focus on selling ads on its own mobile app, which is increasingly sucking up more of people's time.

Facebook accounts for about 20 percent of time spent on mobile apps, according to Ken Sena of Evercore Partners.

"They have plenty of inventory to monetize," he said.

Facebook, run by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is expected to double the money it takes in on mobile this quarter compared to the previous three months, according to Sena.

Facebook's total revenue will jump 40 percent this quarter to $1.6 billion, "driven by a 50 percent increase in our mobile ad estimate to $322 million," Sena said, who upped his target on the stock to $32.

Facebook shares fell 1 percent yesterday to close at $27.41.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:43:09 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/fb_to_sell_ads_on_its_own_app_EBzwzWvdVTcZWVvUU6SufL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/fb_to_sell_ads_on_its_own_app_EBzwzWvdVTcZWVvUU6SufL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Business 5.10.4079940747 -1 false Page Six

Not to ruin any surprises, but we know what some of Jon Stewart's friends and family are getting for the holidays. "The Daily Show" host and father of two was spotted at downtown electronics mecca J&R this week shopping for video games, DVDs and Blue-ray discs. Stewart apparently doesn't mind doing his own shopping: "He spent quite some time in the store looking around and seemingly enjoying the experience," a spy told us. He may also enjoy wrapping presents as he didn't get the goods wrapped up, we're told. But Stewart — who's Jewish per quips such as, "I was born in New York City, but I was raised in New Jersey, part of the great Jewish emigration of 1963" — may be a little late for Hanukkah. He's not the only celeb our spies have seen holiday shopping. Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez were at a Toys R Us in LA this week, picking up toys for Berry's daughter, Nahla, "laughing and chatting in great spirits."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stewart_in_the_spirit_g9WGNLl3fnNMJoFPxqzCbL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stewart_in_the_spirit_g9WGNLl3fnNMJoFPxqzCbL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940630 -1 false Page Six

Al Pacino and "Stand Up Guys" director Fisher Stevens at the Mark Hotel . . . Yankees closer Mariano Rivera at Bobby Van's on Broad Street, where former NBA stars Charles Oakley and Jayson Williams were separately spotted . . . "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau at Carmine's in Times Square . . . Fotog Billy Farrell standing on the bar to give a champagne toast at his agency's annual "employees only" holiday party at Harding's in the Flatiron District . . . Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Robert Grant, Elaine Sargent, Michelle Marie Heinemann and Michele Gerber Klein previewing MTV's Arches of Hope art installation at the Out NYC . . . Christmas crooner Shea and Madame Mayhem at the Darby.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:41 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/sightings_sightings_IFeT4XIPYZAzYHjmpF7M3K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/sightings_sightings_IFeT4XIPYZAzYHjmpF7M3K?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940515 -1 false Page Six

Cipriani 42nd Street went to the dogs Tuesday night for the Humane Society of the United States' "To the Rescue" gala. Guests including Amanda Hearst and Rose McGowan posed with pooches on the red carpet, and Mayor Bloomberg took the stage to support daughter Georgina. New York has a "long love affair with animals," Hizzoner said. "From the bulls and bears on Wall Street to the 'Cats' on Broadway to the big ape on the top of the Empire State Building to the Big Bird on 'Sesame Street.' I think only Noah had a better track record." But he admitted, "My girlfriend [Diana Taylor] takes the Labs to Central Park every morning for an hour and a half. I roll over and head for the shower." The event raised $1.5 million.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:19:17 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/animal_kingdom_Mz2Kl4YEzTWgtrz2UKEjNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/animal_kingdom_Mz2Kl4YEzTWgtrz2UKEjNK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940409 -1 false Page Six

Rapper Flo Rida was so keen on hearing his own music at a club, he gave the DJ his cellphone so his newest track could play. The rapper was at Hyde Lounge at the American Airlines Arena in Miami after a Heat game Tuesday, and wanted to unveil an unreleased tune for the crowd. But when the DJ asked for a copy of the track, Rida said he only had it on his iPhone. The spinner plugged it into the sound system as Flo Rida popped nearly $5,000 worth of champagne. Also spotted were Gabrielle Union and Marlon Wayans.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 24:10:40 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/go_with_the_flo_0LyzXAHC20AmYSfz8kOlEK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/go_with_the_flo_0LyzXAHC20AmYSfz8kOlEK?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940386 -1 false Page Six

Michael Strahan is big with the ladies. The TV host was at Asellina at the Gansevoort Park Avenue Monday with Connor Cruise when he was spotted by a top publicist hosting a holiday party in a private room for 55 women. The p.r. maven "bet the girls $500 they couldn't get Michael to come say hi," said a spy. When they succeeded, "Michael told them, 'I wish I had 55 guys with me right now.' " The ex-NFL star, who's engaged to Nicole Murphy, then headed to the Darby to see Connor DJ.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:24:34 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/workin_the_room_glkzXmi22QDbdiqe4purXJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/workin_the_room_glkzXmi22QDbdiqe4purXJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079940267 -1 false Page Six

Derek and Daniel Koch, twins known for their raucous "Day & Night" brunch bashes, fought to a bloody pulp Saturday in the name of helping superstorm Sandy victims. The 6-foot-2 pair engaged in a sibling muay thai boxing match at the Broad Street Ballroom, and their melee was mixed with bottle service for spectators. (For those keeping score, "Daniel won, 29-28. I let him win," Derek told us.) The brothers, who've mixed it up before, have been training since July. Their personal "Fight Club" raised about $25,000 for Sandy relief. Three years ago they threw a similar charity fight and poker tournament. (Daniel won that one, too.)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/brawling_for_good_cause_QB8m1XNFwHdO8ZrZbfm4zI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/brawling_for_good_cause_QB8m1XNFwHdO8ZrZbfm4zI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740470 -1 false Page Six

Emma Roberts is helping Bono and Bobby Shriver's AIDS-fighting organization (RED) promote a new iPhone game that raises awareness and money for the cause. Julia Roberts' niece will take to Twitter today to answer questions about the game, (THRED), described as "an abstract 3-D world" with "ever-shifting obelisks" and "living dragon-like gateways." It's free to download but has paid upgrades, with proceeds going to the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:55 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/emma_pitches_in_sTYNYexvnSCXPASUEAjKYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/emma_pitches_in_sTYNYexvnSCXPASUEAjKYI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740355 -1 false Page Six

"Homeland" star Claire Danes and her actor husband, Hugh Dancy, have welcomed their first child, Cyrus Michael Christopher. Dancy announced the happy news to friends and family on Tuesday, sources say, a day after the baby's birth. The boy was born Monday at "exactly 3 p.m.," according to an e-mail sent out by Dancy, weighing just under 7 pounds. The proud papa further told loved ones, "Mother and baby are well, healthy and happy, and together we send our love to you all." Danes and Dancy tied the knot back in 2009. Danes is nominated for a second Golden Globe for work on Showtime's "Homeland," after winning an Emmy for her role earlier this year. Her rep did not return requests for comment.

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/joy_comes_home_uSdckfNDE1MAGkrVNyoHEI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/joy_comes_home_uSdckfNDE1MAGkrVNyoHEI?utm_medium=rss&utm_content= Page Six 5.10.4079740236 -1 false Page Six

Genevieve Sabourin, who claims she spent a night of passion with Alec Baldwin before being charged with stalking, says she's sick, broke and needs a new lawyer. Sabourin tweeted that she was ill at her mother's house in suburban Montreal yesterday when she was due in Manhattan Criminal Court for a hearing on charges she stalked Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, reports The Post's Bill Sanderson. The case was adjourned to February, giving Sabourin another court deadline to obsess over. "More months of suffering, of financial loss and of stress," she tweeted in French. "And it will mark one year that I've been dancing through the palace of justice with no result save that I've had my life completely destroyed!" Sabourin, 40, has tweeted up a storm pleading for Baldwin and the Manhattan DA to drop the charges. She even said Baldwin must relate to her plight because of his dealings with the legal system in his 2002 divorce from Kim Basinger. "Only [he] was a millionaire and a movie star . . . I'm broke, no work, no home . . . nothing left and with pneumonia."

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:16 -0500 http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/alec_stalker_in_new_whine_GU0OqbvqG9cvX1mffW01SP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/alec_stalker_in_new_whine_GU0OqbvqG9cvX1mffW01SP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Page Six 5.10.4079866631 -1 false http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Copyright 2009

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