silive • 31st March 2026

After their son received the Medal of Honor, this Staten Island couple was honored for their own service

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Earlier this year, Robert and Linda Ollis received what they had been working toward for over a decade — the Medal of Honor for their son SSG Michael H. Ollis. On Tuesday, they were honored for their own service as civilians.

silive • 27th March 2026

5 questions, 1 Staten Island Ferry ride: A Q&A with City Council Speaker Julie Menin

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The St. George Ferry Terminal was busier than usual for a Friday at noon. The queue at Dunkin’ Donuts was spreading out near the glass doors, tourists who disembarked minutes earlier were taking photos near the map mural and late commuters were racing up the stairs from the train line to catch the next boat.

silive • 9th February 2026

Behind Michael Ollis’ Medal of Honor: The Staten Island soldier who helped make it happen

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island native and retired Army Sgt. Maj. Eric Geressy and the late Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis never met in the military. In fact, 1988, the year Ollis was born, Geressy was serving his first year in the Army.Yet they shared many similarities: a home borough, enlisting at the age of 17, and a familial legacy of military service.

silive • 19th January 2026

Dog ‘turned on’ man, 59, in fatal mauling on Staten Island, says source; victim ID’d

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Less than 24 hours after a man was found dead of a suspected dog mauling on Staten Island, questions remained about how the incident unfolded — and why.Officers responded to a 911 call around 4 p.m. Sunday at 608 New Dorp Lane in New Dorp, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to the Advance/SILive.com.

silive • 25th December 2025

A Staten Island Christmas tradition: Attorney marks 30 years as ‘Papá Noel’

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- If you are driving through Port Richmond this Christmas, don’t be shocked to see Papa Noel bringing gifts, magic and joy to families.For the past 30 years, Charles DeStefano has dressed as Santa Claus and brought toys to North Shore children, focusing on sharing the joy of Christmas with the community he loves.

silive • 20th December 2025

New Pleasant Plains restaurant brings Santa, Grinch to Staten Island families

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- Santa Claus and The Grinch came early this year, making a stop at Ariana’s Cucina in Pleasant Plains before Christmas Day. Local families gathered at the new restaurant, which opened in November, for hot chocolate, croissants and a picture with the two iconic holiday characters on Saturday. “We love the community.

silive • 20th December 2025

Toll hike on N.J. Turnpike, Garden State Parkway set for January; Here’s how much more you’ll pay

Those driving through New Jersey will have to pay a little bit more in the new year. According to PIX11 News, Jan. 1 will bring a 3% toll hike on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The average toll on the turnpike will go up by 16 cents, while the toll at a Parkway barrier plaza will increase by 8 cents.

silive • 20th December 2025

New York sexual assault survivors gain stronger evidence protections under new law

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that establishes new protocols for handling sexual assault evidence. This new law requires hospitals and law enforcement to follow specific timelines for collection and processing sexual assault kits, which are often used to collect evidence from assault survivors.

silive • 12th December 2025

DSNY issues snow alert for weekend storm

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert for Saturday, Dec. 13. The alert begins at 7 p.m. and runs through 2 p.m. Sunday as the city prepares for 1 to 3 inches of snow this weekend.

silive • 12th December 2025

MTA bus transformed into Santa’s Express for Staten Island hospital visits

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Santa Claus skipped out on his sleigh this Friday, electing to drive a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus to visit children on Staten Island this holiday season.

silive • 5th December 2025

Unprecedented ending at Staten Island Catholic regional bee: Spelling phenoms exhaust the word list (56 photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Five students shared the top prize Thursday in the Staten Island Catholic School Regional Spelling Bee — after 11 rounds led to an unprecedented word drought. The bee, held at Sacred Heart School in West Brighton, showcased students from 14 borough Catholic elementary schools.

silive • 5th December 2025

VA Secretary Collins visits Staten Island clinic, discusses veteran benefits

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins visited the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, where he met with Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis and a group of Staten Island veterans.

silive • 19th November 2025

Staten Island North Shore revitalization plan: $3.8B economic impact expected

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- The new vision for the Empire Outlets and New York Wheel sites is the next step in the broader plan to revitalize the North Shore, officials and community members said as they gathered at the site in St. George on Wednesday.

silive • 29th October 2025

Curtis Sliwa visits Staten Island early voting sites, encourages turnout

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- With Election Day right around the corner, mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa took the day to visit multiple early election sites on Staten Island.

silive • 5th October 2025

This Staten Island couple discovered a family’s forgotten treasure in their basement ceiling. The reunion that followed ‘was meant to be.’

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A basement renovation in Annadale unearthed a piece of Brooklyn history that, six years later, would reunite a family with their childhood home.

silive • 1st October 2025

Staten Island trash bin requirements: DSNY commissioner explains 2026 deadline

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan visited Staten Island on Tuesday to inform residents of the new trash containerization initiative.Lojan, who was invited by Bay Street & Beyond, a Staten Island-based volunteer organization focused on initiatives that support small businesses and residents, addressed the community at the Gerard Carter Center in Stapleton.

silive • 26th September 2025

Wagner College basketball coach faces abuse allegations: What students are saying

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Following published reports alleging mistreatment of players by Wagner College men’s basketball coach Donald Copeland, students on the Grymes Hill college campus remained relatively silent.On Thursday, many students from the private university said they hadn’t heard about the situation.

silive • 20th September 2025

3 angels, 1 mission: A family’s grief becomes a beacon for healing on Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — O’Neill’s Angels, a Westerleigh-based nonprofit organization, is carrying forward the legacies of three late family members whose lives were dedicated to helping others.

silive • 18th September 2025

Former first responder announces 2025 Staten Island council campaign

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Earlier this month, former NYPD officer and retired FDNY firefighter John Shea officially launched his campaign for the New York City Council in Staten Island North Shore’s 49th District.

silive • 17th September 2025

Staten Island Academy adds three specialized learning environments to campus

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Students, families, board members and alumni gathered at the entrance to Haugen Hall on the Staten Island Academy campus on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to recognize the opening of three new educational spaces.

silive • 14th September 2025

Staten Island organization helps people with intellectual disabilities find meaningful employment

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For the past 70 years, AHRC New York City, a chapter of The Arc New York, has been supporting thousands of people with intellectual disabilities by advocating for education and employment.

silive • 11th September 2025

Staten Island arts non-profit announces 10th anniversary celebration

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Projectivity Group, a Staten Island-based non-profit, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an event at Li Grecci’s The Staaten, West Brighton highlighting their decade-long commitment to spreading positive messages through the arts.Over the past school year, the 501(c)(3) organization has partnered with more than 25 schools and community organizations to create inspirational murals in classrooms, lunchrooms, auditoriums, and entryways.The Projectivity Group has had...

silive • 10th September 2025

9/11 first responder family endorses Cuomo, criticizes Mamdani

A 9/11 first responder’s family has endorsed Andrew Cuomo’s bid for New York City mayor, stating that the former state governor has a track record of supporting Sept. 11 survivors and their families.Wendi and Sal Turturici announced their support for Cuomo’s campaign on Sept. 9. Sal Turturici was a FDNY EMT and conducted rescue and recovery work at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 attacks. Almost 15 years later, he developed cancer linked to his service and underwent multiple surgeries related...

silive • 10th September 2025

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall named deputy majority leader in Albany

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Assemblyman Charles D. Fall has been appointed deputy majority leader of the New York State Assembly, his office announced today.