Saturday, July 2, 2022

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - $10 MILLION

 

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Over $10 Million in funding for 

Jacobi Hospital

As many people know, I started working in government after experiencing two devastating accidents and experiencing the failures of health care and insurance systems. After being elected the Bronx was immediately faced with the heartbreaking Twin Parks fire and the horrifying shooting in the Emergency Room at Jacobi Hospital. Following these events, I have spent a long time speaking to staff at the hospital to find ways we could make the hospital safer for them and patients, and ensure we are providing quality, accessible care.

During budget negotiations I took these needs to Speaker Adams, and I am proud that we were able to partner and secure over $10 million in funding for Jacobi Hospital. This money will go towards upgrading their technology, improving their services, and providing equitable and accessible care.

One of the biggest investments will go towards a new hyperbaric chamber. The current chamber was utilized for patients following the Twin Parks fire in their recovery, the US Navy and NYPD, and people throughout the Northeast. The new chamber will increase the number of patients and staff able to use it and one time, and will accommodate wheelchairs.













One of the most incredible moments of getting to present the check to Jacobi Hospital was hearing from staff about how many lives this would save. I am so thankful to Speaker Adams for helping me be able to provide this capital funding to the Northeast Bronx.

Westchester Square 6 Construction

Good news! The Westchester Square 6 train is getting some much-needed improvements!

The Westchester Square 6 Subway Stop located between Lane Ave, Westchester Ave, and E Tremont Ave will be under construction while the MTA refurbishes and improves the infrastructure of the subway station. The projected work includes sidewalk reconstruction, additional public areas, major structural improvement, new public address system, fire alarm and new CCTV, digital customer information screens, columns for mezzanine extensions, pedestrian ramp construction, historic preservation, ADA compliant platform reconstruction.

During construction there may be service changes including, Manhattan bound 6 trains skipping station stops between Pelham Bay Park and Parkchester, Pelham Bay Park bound 6 trains skipping station stops between Parkchester and Pelham Bay Park, and weekends with no 6 service in either direction at Westchester Square Station.

Additionally there may be dates where the elevator will not be in service while it is repaired. If you need to Access a Ride visit https://access.nyc.gov/programs/access-a-ride/, call 877-337-2017, or 311.

To send non-emergency complaints and public safety issues, call the Project Hotline at 646-801-3932.

Bronx Bus Redesign

The Bronx Bus Redesign project began in August 2018, and continues with routes and stops changing after June 26th. To view updates to your route visit https://new.mta.info/project/bronx-local-bus-network-redesign/routes.


Upcoming Events 

The NYC Department of Education Summer Meals Program begins June 28 and continues through September 2. Food will be available throughout New York City to anyone ages 18 years old and under. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. To find a location visit www.schools.nyc.gov/summermeals, text NYC FOOD to 304 304, or call 311. 

The Department of Education is accepting applications for the Summer Rising Youth enrichment program. To see what schools in your neighborhood are offering summer programming, view the map here. In City Council District 13 there is current availability for students in Grades 6 - 8 at: 

  • Xposure Foundation Inc., X192, 650 HOLLYWOOD AVENUE, BRONX, NY, 10465 

  • New York Edge, Inc., X175, 200 CITY ISLAND AVENUE, BRONX, NY, 10464 

  • Bronx House, Inc., X144, 2545 GUNTHER AVENUE, BRONX, NY, 10469 

  • Child Development Center of the Mosholu Montefiore Communications Center, X144, 2545 GUNTHER AVENUE, BRONX, NY, 10469 

Elementary School programs are full, and there is not anticipated availability in the future, but feel free to contact your desired Summer Rising site to learn if any seats have opened up due to attrition. 


Friday, July 1, 2022

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF A SUSPECT FOR THE MURDER OF AZSIA JOHNSON

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams tonight released the following statement after the New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested a suspect for the murder of Azsia Johnson, a 20-year-old woman killed Wednesday night on the Upper East Side:

 

“Azsia Johnson’s family is hurting, they deserve justice, and we will deliver it.

 

“I am relieved to report to New Yorkers that we have captured the individual who we believe murdered this young woman as she walked with her baby. I’d like to applaud the NYPD for their valiant efforts to track down this alleged killer.

 

“All New Yorkers stand with the Johnson family in this difficult time.”

 


49th Precinct Council Meeting June Meeting


The 49th Precinct Council meets on the last Tuesday of the month normally, but due to the June 28th primary election the meeting was moved to Wednesday June 29th. The meeting was held at the Destination Tomorrow building located at 2134 Barnes Avenue the home of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association. 49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson opened the meeting thanking the PPNA for hosting the meeting. 


Precinct Commander Captain Gareth Kentish spoke about the rising crime rate in New York City, the Bronx, and in the 49th Precinct. He said that Major crime (murder and rape) was down, however it was the other crimes that have led the way to an increase in total crime. Captain Kentish said that Grand Larceny and GLA (stolen cars), were up 45% and 150% respectively for the 28 day reporting period ending June 26, 2022. Crime Prevention Officer Tyrone Mederos warned not to leave your cars running as you go in for that cup of coffee or something to go. 


President Thompson presented a special award to PPNA retiring President Edith Blitzer, the citizen of the month award and the cop of the month award were presented. Neighborhood reports and questions from speakers who signed up were taken by the captain who answered one question by saying that his officers were going from one priority call to another, and you may have to wait for a patrol car in a non-emergency situation. 


49th Precinct council Executive Board (L - R) Corresponding Secretary Phyllis Nastasio, Recording Secretary Grace Lovaglio, Community Affairs Officer Jay Sturdivant, Captain Gareth Kentish, President Joe Thompson (standing), Vice-President Hazel Miura, and Treasurer Elio Morales.


Ms. Edith Blitzer thanks the council for their recognition of her hard work guiding the PPNA.


Captain Kentish answers questions from the side of the room in front of the audience.



Crime Prevention Officer Tyrone Mederos goes over some new scams, and warns people not to leave their car running unattended



NCO Sergeant Hines introduces his NCO officers from the area.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JULY 1, 2022

 Clinical specimen testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Wadsworth Laboratory

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment    

10 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday 


 IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the holiday, HERDS data collection from health care facilities will be paused from Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4. Data from Friday, July 1 will be reported on Tuesday, July 5. Further, four days of cumulative data—from July 2 to July 5—will be reported on Wednesday, June 6. As a result, some data may appear higher than recent trends. 

NOTE: Updates to the CDC's cumulative death data files have been paused since June 6, 2022, as the CDC upgrades its system. As of June 28, 2022, CDC reporting has not yet resumed. Any questions about this should be directed to the CDC. During this time, total deaths and new daily deaths reported through HERDS will continue as normal.   

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"As New Yorkers travel to spend Fourth of July weekend with family and friends, I encourage everyone to continue to exercise caution and lean on the tools we know that protect us from COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "Getting vaccinated, staying up-to-date on your boosters, and testing if you're experiencing symptoms, are our best defenses. If you do end up testing positive, talk to your doctor about available treatments." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:    

  • Cases Per 100k - 34.46 
  • 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 28.02 
  • Test Results Reported - 83,358 
  • Total Positive - 6,734 
  • Percent Positive - 7.62%**   
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.37%** 
  • Patient Hospitalization - 1,987 (-3) 
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 343 
  • Patients in ICU - 192 (0) 
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 65 (-12) 
  • Total Discharges - 316,135 (+341) 
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 10 
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,570 

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.     

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

  • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 72,079 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.       

NOTE: Vaccine data is now updated weekly on Fridays to align with CDC's updated data refresh schedule. For additional information on COVID-19 Vaccination Data provided by CDC, see https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-total-admin-rate-total.   

  • Total vaccine doses administered - 39,360,285 
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 14,733 
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 87,480 
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.8%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.3%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.8%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 84.3%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 74.1%   
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.4%   
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.7%   
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 91.1%   
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.8%   
Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:       

Borough  

Tuesday, June 28, 2022  

Wednesday, June 29, 2022  

Thursday, June 30, 2022  

Bronx  

5.44%  

6.20%  

7.50%  

Kings  

3.00%  

3.90%  

4.35%  

New York  

6.80%  

7.07%  

7.34%  

Queens  

7.45%  

8.04%  

8.95%  

Richmond  

6.19%  

7.13%  

7.92%