BEDSIDE MAYOR: First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer briefly held the reins of city government last week while Mayor Eric Adams underwent anesthesia, the mayor revealed on Wednesday. The revelation followed an announcement from the mayor’s office last week that Adams would not be making public appearances while he dealt with a mystery illness, which the mayor on Tuesday said he “tested negative” for. The City Charter outlines the order of succession when the mayor is out of town or incapacitated, placing City Hall first in the hands of the public advocate and next, the comptroller. But Adams claimed the undisclosed temporary transfer of responsibilities to Torres-Springer was above board pursuant to an executive order signed last fall that allows him to delegate powers to the first deputy mayor.
NORTHWELL EXPANSION: Northwell Health has expanded its ambulatory care facility in Downtown Flushing at a cost of $1.2 million. The health system’s Physician Partners at Downtown Flushing, located on 39th Ave., now has 10 new exam rooms, an ultrasound room and a patient services center. In addition to existing offerings in multiple disciplines, the 20,000-square-foot practice will now provide services in five new areas: OB/GYN, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, pulmonary medicine and pediatric medicine and rehab.
GAMBLING WARNING: The state Office of Addiction Services and Supports is launching a new advertising campaign aimed at “responsible” gambling ahead of the Super Bowl this weekend. The new public service announcement, dubbed “Take a Pause,” targets potential gamblers, particularly mobile sports betters, with information about the risks of excessive wagering. The ad campaign includes details on available resources like a partnership with GamFin, a Pittsburgh-based financial counseling company, to provide free financial services to people with a gambling problem.
