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David Barton’s Gym U NYC reclaims the former YMCA building in Chelsea that was made famous by the Village People’s anthem.

David Barton’s Gym U NYC reclaims the former YMCA building in Chelsea that was made famous by the Village People’s anthem. ( Photo: Deborah Fenker)

David Barton’s Gym U NYC is bringing back luxury fitness, especially now that Barton and his landlord have settled real estate litigation.

Feud is over between gym owner and landlord of famed Village People ‘YMCA’ building

28 Apr 2025 | 06:16

A simmering feud between David Barton, a pioneer of the gym-as-nightclub movement, and the landlord of the building where he is based—and which was originally made famous as the YMCA in the Village People anthem—has been settled, Straus News can exclusively report.

Barton told us that there is a “happy...

Kayden Hern, who served as the poet laureate of Gov. Kahty Hochul’s administration, reciting a moving poem entitled “In My Mind” at an April 25 ribbon-cutting event for the new Davis Center.

Kayden Hern, who served as the poet laureate of Gov. Kahty Hochul’s administration, reciting a moving poem entitled “In My Mind” at an April 25 ribbon-cutting event for the new Davis Center. ( Photo: Patricia Burmicky)

‘A Restoration’: $160 Million Davis Center Opens at Harlem Meer

28 Apr 2025 | 05:32

The Davis Center, a remarkable multi-use recreational space positioned next to the Harlem Meer, is officially...

Wanted for mugging a senior woman for her purse, Sixth Avenue and 16th Street, April 18, 2025.

Wanted for mugging a senior woman for her purse, Sixth Avenue and 16th Street, April 18, 2025. ( Photos: NYPD)

Woman Mugs Woman in Chelsea; Penn Station Stabber Indicted

28 Apr 2025 | 10:12

Cops from the 13th Precinct are on the lookout for a suspected woman mugger who targeted a senior woman...

Patrol Officers Wu, Altman, Smyth, and Wan.

Patrol Officers Wu, Altman, Smyth, and Wan. ( Photo: NYPD 9 Precinct X)

9th Precinct Cops Apprehend Armed Robbers on E. 14th Street

27 Apr 2025 | 04:41

While criminal mischief and mayhem are staples of the tabloid press, there are times, perhaps less well...

Wanted for Assault: Two CitiBike e-bikers, both young women, April 17.

Wanted for Assault: Two CitiBike e-bikers, both young women, April 17. ( Photos: NYPD)

2 Young Women on E-bikes Assault 3 Pedestrians on 5th Ave

28 Apr 2025 | 02:29

E-bikes—and e-bike riders—continue their reign of terror against the people of New York.

This time, instead...

Police released the photo of a man believed to be in his 30s who is wanted in connection with the rush hour stabbing murder at the City Hall-Brooklyn Bridge stop on April 25. It marked the first murder in the subway system in 2025. The dispute is said to have started when one man stepped on another man’s sneakers.

Police released the photo of a man believed to be in his 30s who is wanted in connection with the rush hour stabbing murder at the City Hall-Brooklyn Bridge stop on April 25. It marked the first murder in the subway system in 2025. The dispute is said to have started when one man stepped on another man’s sneakers. ( Photo: NYPD)

First Subway Murder in ‘25: Killer Flees City Hall Station After Stabbing Man on Platform

26 Apr 2025 | 06:07

At the height of the morning rush hour on Friday, April 25, a 38-year old man from Brooklyn died after...

Sarah Palin, for the second time, lost a defamation lawsuit she had filed against the <i>New York Times.</i>

Sarah Palin, for the second time, lost a defamation lawsuit she had filed against the New York Times. ( Photo: Bruce Tuten/Wikimedia Commons)

Palin Verdict Gives NYT Some Good News in Tumultuous Media Landscape

27 Apr 2025 | 06:53

The embattled news media industry received a dash of good news on April 22 when a jury found that the...

A memorial is growing outside the apartment building where beloved Harlem grandmother Excenia Mette was killed on April 22. She was caught in the crossfire by two men fighting on the street near her apartment on Lenox Avenue.

A memorial is growing outside the apartment building where beloved Harlem grandmother Excenia Mette was killed on April 22. She was caught in the crossfire by two men fighting on the street near her apartment on Lenox Avenue. ( Photo: Jack Ahern )

Beloved Harlem Grandma Momma Zee Killed in Crossfire

A beloved grandmother and community figure was gunned down on a Harlem street when she went to investigate the source of...

28 Apr 2025 | 03:13

Some state and local officials were coming up with plans on how to spend the money that the MTA could save now that the federal government is taking over the rebuilding of Penn Station. But the Trump administration is now saying they don’t plan to foot the entire bill.

Some state and local officials were coming up with plans on how to spend the money that the MTA could save now that the federal government is taking over the rebuilding of Penn Station. But the Trump administration is now saying they don’t plan to foot the entire bill. ( Photo: MTA)

Not So Fast: Trump Admin Says It’s Not Footing Entire Cost to Renovate Penn Station

When the Trump administration seized control of plans to renovate Penn Station, Gov. Hochul said New Yorkers had won a major...

28 Apr 2025 | 12:20

Kids at the Corona Park Aquatic Center will be among the beneficiaries of new swim program funds unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams last month, but a plan to get free swimming lessons for all 70,000 second graders in the city that was co-sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin.

Kids at the Corona Park Aquatic Center will be among the beneficiaries of new swim program funds unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams last month, but a plan to get free swimming lessons for all 70,000 second graders in the city that was co-sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin. ( Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Is This Enough of a Splash?

On March 25, the Adams administration announced a $5.5 million investment to go towards expanding free swim lessons, with...

25 Apr 2025 | 06:10

The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10.

The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10. ( Photo: courtesy Queer Urban Orchestra )

The Queer Urban Orchestra Has Created a Safe Space for Remarkable NYC Musicians

If you’re looking for an evening of enriching musical entertainment, you couldn’t possibly do better than attending a performance...

26 Apr 2025 | 06:14

The Wegmans supermarket chain, which opened its first NYC store on Astor Place (above) in 2023, will be getting some new sister operations: the Next Door sushi restaurant and an UWS location later this year.

The Wegmans supermarket chain, which opened its first NYC store on Astor Place (above) in 2023, will be getting some new sister operations: the Next Door sushi restaurant and an UWS location later this year. ( Photo: courtesy of Wegmans)

Wegmans Gets an UWS Sibling; Menin Gets a UES Competitor

A complete unknown

Hard to imagine that there would be any real surprises coming out of the local City Council District 4...

27 Apr 2025 | 07:34

Matthew Tirschwell (left) receives a Proclamation from Assemblyman Alex Bores on April 21 for his heroic intervention this past January when he saved the life of a man who lost his leg in a subway accident.

Matthew Tirschwell (left) receives a Proclamation from Assemblyman Alex Bores on April 21 for his heroic intervention this past January when he saved the life of a man who lost his leg in a subway accident. ( Photo: Instagram/@alexbores)

Volunteer EMT Receives Award for Daring, Life-Saving Subway Rescue on UES

Matthew Tirschwell, the volunteer EMT who jumped into action to save the life of a man who had tumbled onto the subway tracks...

25 Apr 2025 | 06:23

The “Grinchsters” in one three hour spree, made $150,000 in tech purchases at the Apple store on Fifth Ave. using stolen credit info, prosecutors alleged. The store is open 24/7 and so was a favored target to make early morning purchases after stealing credit cards or phones from intoxicated men in Manhattan nightclubs.

The “Grinchsters” in one three hour spree, made $150,000 in tech purchases at the Apple store on Fifth Ave. using stolen credit info, prosecutors alleged. The store is open 24/7 and so was a favored target to make early morning purchases after stealing credit cards or phones from intoxicated men in Manhattan nightclubs. ( Photo: Apple)

Guilty: ‘Grinch’ Who Targeted Club-goers and Bought $420G of Lux Goods with Stolen Cards

A man known as “The Grinch” was convicted of being the ringleader of a crime gang that targeted intoxicated patrons in Manhattan...

26 Apr 2025 | 05:53

Car-Free Earth Day bill posted by NYC DOT

Car-Free Earth Day bill posted by NYC DOT ( Photo: NYC Department of Transportation)

Car-Free Earth Day Will Close 28 Manhattan Streets to Motor Vehicles on Sat. April 26

Fifty four streets and public plazas will close to vehicle traffic on Saturday, April 26, as part of the return of Car Free...

24 Apr 2025 | 12:39

Businesses and City Council Members alike railed against the rollout of the new dining shed program under the city’s DOT, arguing that it is far too onerous for applicants and has atrophied outdoor dining.

Businesses and City Council Members alike railed against the rollout of the new dining shed program under the city’s DOT, arguing that it is far too onerous for applicants and has atrophied outdoor dining. ( Photo: NYC DOT )

City Council Holds Hearing on ‘Disastrous’ Dining Shed Rollout

The City Council convened an impassioned hearing on the state of NYC’s revamped dining shed program on April 22, which attracted...

26 Apr 2025 | 07:13

Thomas Crawford conducts the American Classical Orchestra at David Geffen Hall in 2017. He will take the stage for the orchestra’s season finale on May 7 this year at Alice Tully Hall.

Thomas Crawford conducts the American Classical Orchestra at David Geffen Hall in 2017. He will take the stage for the orchestra’s season finale on May 7 this year at Alice Tully Hall. ( Photo: Chris Lee/courtesy American Classical Orchestra)

Manhattan Maestro Brings Sounds of the Past to New Audiences

When Thomas Crawford takes the stage at Alice Tully Hall on May 7 for “Magnificently Mozart,” it will cap his 40th year as...

24 Apr 2025 | 11:41

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