Saturday, November 29, 2025

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - YOU'RE INVITED: Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting and Toy Giveaway

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - We’re More Grateful for You Than Pie

Judges and out-of-this-world-winners of our 3rd Annual Halloween Canine Costume Contest

VCPA Executive Director Stephanie Ehrlich and WFUV DJ Alisa Ali showing their love for Halloween in the park!

As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on what Van Cortlandt Park Alliance has accomplished in 2025—and all that was possible because of you.

First and foremost, thank you. Whether you joined us at an event, ran a cross-country race, followed along on social media, volunteered your time, or made a donation, you played an essential role in our success this year.

In 2025, we hosted 53 free programs that brought our community together. You helped us elevate cultural celebrations like Juneteenth and Pinkster, which together welcomed nearly 1,000 neighbors this spring. And our Wags to Witches Halloween party was fangtastic—more than 600 costumed pups and people joined the fun!

Artist Tijay Mohammed and VCPA Arts Strategist Ashley Hart Adams at a REIMAGINING event this fall.

And that’s just the beginning. With your support, we also:

- Coordinated 192 volunteer projects that beautified the park with new trees and plantings

- Repaired and restored 11.9 miles of trails for hiking and cross-country running

- Educated more than 2,000 Bronx children and teens about the natural environment

- Advocated for the funding and resources NYC Parks needs to keep the park clean and safe

- Led the community-driven effort for REIMAGINING the Enslaved African Burial Ground

Thank you for making this year so meaningful. There is truly so much to celebrate when we come together to care for Van Cortlandt Park

With gratitude,

Stephanie Ehrlich
Executive Director
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org

GrowNYC - Thanks to you, there is Food for Families

GrowNYC Banner

Food insecurity is rising across New York City and GrowNYC is stepping in to help ease the strain for our neighbors.

Our new Food for Families project delivers fresh, free food to New Yorkers in need while supporting the small farmers that are struggling to stay afloat amidst income loss and competition from large-scale agribusiness.

Keep reading to see this work in action and to learn about some of the farmers feeding our city!

Feeding New York families together

Food for Families distribution at Mitchel Houses in the Bronx

Last week we partnered with the Center for Justice Innovation to deliver 2,300 lbs of food from GrowNYC’s Food Hub to the NYCHA Mitchel Houses in the Bronx.

Why it matters: Even with SNAP restored, new federal restrictions mean more than 200,000 New Yorkers could lose vital benefits in the new year. Our Food for Families project will ensure no New Yorker has to struggle to put healthy food on the table.

Help feed New York City families this holiday season

Food for Families distribution at Mitchel Houses in the Bronx

We’re deeply grateful to NYC Council Members,

the NYS Assembly, and supporters like you

for making this work possible.

Because of the collective generosity of

thousands of New Yorkers, we can continue

getting fresh, healthy food to community

partners serving high-need neighborhoods

across all five boroughs.

Leader of Colombian Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to Five Years in Prison For Laundering Drug Proceeds

A Colombian national was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to launder drug proceeds. He was also ordered to forfeit $1.2 million.

According to court documents, Michael Nunez Daza, also known as “Luky,” 49, led a transnational money laundering organization operating in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Nunez Daza orchestrated bulk cash pickups involving drug trafficking proceeds from Mexico across multiple U.S. cities. After the bulk cash was picked up, Nunez Daza arranged for the illicit funds to be deposited into U.S. bank accounts registered in the names of other individuals and companies before they were further transferred to Colombia. Within days of the bulk cash being delivered and deposited in the United States, corresponding bulk cash in the form of Colombian pesos was delivered in Cali, Colombia, directly to Nunez Daza and his couriers. In just eight months in 2017 and 2018, Nunez Daza laundered at least $1.2 million for his Mexico-based co-conspirators. Nunez Daza was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was deported to his native country Colombia in 2004.

Nunez Daza was indicted on the money laundering charges in January 2023 and extradited to the United States in April 2025. Nunez Daza pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy on Aug. 14, 2025.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case.

The Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá, Colombia, worked with law enforcement partners in Colombia to secure the arrest and extradition of Nunez Daza.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Homeland Security Task Force and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Former Commodities Trading Executive Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Scheme To Defraud Employer By Hiding Trading Losses

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that DAVID SMOTHERMON was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to three years in prison. In May 2025, SMOTHERMON pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his employer by hiding trading losses.

“David Smothermon engaged in a fraudulent scheme that always ends badly: he concealed trading losses and inflated performance, induced his firm to award him a $15 million bonus, and when the losses were discovered, his firm was devastated,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “That devastation cost hundreds of jobs, including in New York. Our Office has no tolerance for insiders who like to enrich themselves at the expense of our fellow New Yorkers.”

As reflected in the Indictment and other court filings:

From 2005 through early September 2016, SMOTHERMON worked for a privately owned firm, headquartered in Manhattan, that engaged in the international marketing, distribution, and trading of commodities products (the “Company”). SMOTHERMON was the Chief Executive Officer of a subsidiary of the Company, based in Houston, Texas, specializing in the trading of liquefied petroleum gas or “LPG” (the “Subsidiary”). SMOTHERMON was also on the Board of Directors of the Company. The Subsidiary engaged in two forms of LPG trading: entering into and executing contracts for the purchase and sale of barrels of LPG (the “Physical Trading”) and trading financial derivative products related to LPG in an over-the-counter market (the “Financial Trading”).

From at least in or about December 2015 up to and including in or about September 2016, SMOTHERMON caused false entries to be made into an electronic accounting system used by the Company in an effort to hide substantial trading losses. Specifically, SMOTHERMON falsely inflated the marks, i.e., the values he assigned to individual trading positions in the Financial Trading book, and he directed other individuals to alter the terms of Physical Trading contracts in the company’s accounting system to make it appear as though those contracts were substantially more profitable than they were. In doing so, SMOTHERMON concealed over $240 million in trading losses. SMOTHERMON took these steps in order to obtain a large, discretionary bonus that he knew the Company was considering in early 2016. Ultimately, in May 2016, the Company awarded SMOTHERMON a bonus of approximately $15 million, of which approximately $11.6 million was paid immediately in cash.

In late August 2016, SMOTHERMON was contacted by a senior Company executive to alert him that the Company had unearthed a discrepancy between a Physical Trading contract and what was entered into the accounting system. Thereafter, on or about September 1, 2016, SMOTHERMON resigned from the Company and admitted to a Company executive that he had been mispricing his trading book. The Company ultimately concluded that SMOTHERMON had concealed more than $240 million in trading losses. Upon this discovery, the Company realized considerable losses that resulted in the significant downsizing of the company and the layoffs of hundreds of employees.

In addition to the prison term, SMOTHERMON, 55, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $11,600,000 and pay restitution in the amount of $19,550,081. As a condition of his plea agreement, SMOTHERMON paid $8 million of this restitution amount in May 2025, after entering his guilty plea. SMOTHERMON also paid an additional $300,000 prior to sentencing.

Mr. Clayton praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this case.

Governor Hochul Announces 1,650 Trees Distributed to Municipalities, Agencies Across State Bolstering New York’s 25 Million Trees Program

Forty-nine New York Power Authority Customers Benefit from Tree Matching Program Greening Local Communities and Promoting Tree Equity in Disadvantaged Communities

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA), through its 2025 Tree Power program, is delivering 1,650 trees to 49 low-cost energy and energy efficiency customers, bringing additional sustainability benefits to municipalities and state agencies throughout the state. This year, which offered incentives for plantings in disadvantaged areas, marks the largest distribution since the program began in the late 1990s. The program contributes to Governor Hochul’s goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033.

“Tree planting and reforestation are essential for enhancing New York State’s environmental health and resilience, while also safeguarding public well-being,” Governor Hochul said. “We are proud to support these communities that are contributing to our statewide sustainability goals and improving public health in their own neighborhoods. The Tree Power program not only boosts sustainability but also promotes equity by providing critical resources to underserved areas.”

Eligible state and local governments, municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives placed orders for trees in the spring when NYPA offered a one-for-one match for those purchased, up to $5,000 in total value. This year, orders ranged from fewer than 10 to 92 with several municipalities in Westchester County ordering more than 80 each (Port Chester, Mount Vernon, Westchester County and Irvington). More than 900 trees were donated through the match program.

To encourage more trees to be planted in disadvantaged communities, NYPA offered a two-for-one match for plantings at customer locations in those areas. The initiative aims to affordably increase tree equity across the state, with communities benefitting from a higher tree canopy with improved air quality, enhancement of outdoor recreation and increased beautification.

Planting trees improves water quality and mitigates stormwater flooding by redirecting storm water run into the soil rather than the streets and reducing flooding. For buildings, strategically planted trees can provide shade and windbreaks, reducing the need for air conditioning in summer and heating in winter, thus lowering energy consumption.

Governor Hochul launched the ‘25 Million Trees by 2033’ initiative during the 2024 State of the State Address to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health. The 25 Million Trees website and tree tracking tool announced earlier this year help New Yorkers record the location and number of trees they plant while helping the state document progress in real-time.

Friday, November 28, 2025

As American Families Gathered for Thanksgiving, ICE Law Enforcement Officers Were Working, Arresting Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Murderers, Pedophiles, and Rapists

While millions of Americans gathered for Thanksgiving, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement officers were hard at work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country, including murderers, pedophiles, and rapists.

“While Americans gathered around the table with their families and friends for Thanksgiving, DHS law enforcement officers were hard work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Some of the Thanksgiving Day arrests include murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. As a nation, we are grateful for our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every single day—including on holidays—to protect our neighborhoods and make America safe again.”

Salvador Cifuentes-Catalan, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala

Salvador Cifuentes-Catalan, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old in Santa Ana, California.

Ernest Henry Wagner, a criminal illegal alien from Belize

Ernest Henry Wagner, a criminal illegal alien from Belize convicted of rape in Elkhart, Kansas.

Oluwadamilola Christiannah Akinpelu, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria

Oluwadamilola Christiannah Akinpelu, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria, convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in the Southern District of New York.

Keith Henry Thompson, a criminal illegal alien from the Bahamas

Keith Henry Thompson, a criminal illegal alien from the Bahamas, convicted of murder in the third degree in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Julio Hernandez-Popcatl, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico

Julio-Hernandez-Popcatl, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of open lewdness in Easton, PA.

BROOKLYN MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR KNIFING SUBWAY RIDER OVER PHONE CALL

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Johnny Wood was charged with attempted murder, assault and weapon possession for stabbing a subway rider onboard an E train on Saturday. The 54-year-old victim confronted Wood about a noisy cellphone conversation, an argument ensued and then Wood allegedly stabbed the man in the ribcage.

District Attorney Katz said: “Every New Yorker knows how important it is to be able to travel on mass transit safely. Our subways need to be a viable option so that the city can thrive. Altercations cannot be resolved with violence. As alleged, the defendant got into an altercation with another rider and stabbed him in the ribcage, causing life-threatening injuries. He is now charged with attempted murder and other crimes.”

Wood, 50, of Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, was arraigned last night on charges of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third and fourth degrees. Queens Criminal Court Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuellar remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court on November 28. If convicted of the top count, Wood faces up to 25 years in prison.

According to the charges and investigation, on November 22, at approximately 11 a.m., the defendant and the victim were on a World Trade Center-bound E train at the Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer station waiting to depart.

The victim asked Wood to stop talking loudly on his cell phone and the two men argued. Wood then allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the victim once in the ribcage area.

Wood got off the train while it was still at the station and fled.

He was arrested yesterday in Brooklyn.

The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of fractures to his ribs, a stab wound to the ribcage and an injury to his chest cavity.