Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Expected Rainfall

 

"Nearly every region across the State will experience thunderstorms or heavy rainfall over the coming days, putting many communities at risk of isolated flash floods. Localized flooding is possible in the New York City, Long Island, Mid-Hudson and Southern Tier regions. Upstate regions including the Capital Region, North Country, Mohawk Valley and Central New York are also at risk for excessive rainfall and isolated flash floods. State personnel are constantly monitoring forecasts and I encourage all New Yorkers to take responsible precautions: be aware of local forecasts, sign up for emergency alerts, monitor any road closures and prepare a bag of supplies in the unlikely event that a rapid evacuation is needed."

DEC ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BEARWISE CAMPAIGN

 

Campaign Will Help New Yorkers Live Responsibly with Black Bears

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC is joining the BearWise campaign as a cooperative member state. BearWise was developed by biologists from state conservation agencies across the U.S. to ensure people, regardless of location, learn to live responsibly with bears. Using the “BearWise basics,” residents are encouraged to take simple steps at home or when recreating outdoors to avoid negative interactions with black bears.

“DEC biologists and technicians respond to hundreds of human-bear conflicts each year that are nearly all preventable,” Commissioner Seggos said. “As New Yorkers head into the summer months, which is a busy time for bears, DEC encourages the public to practice the BearWise basics by removing things bears find attractive like pet food and trash to help reduce the potential for negative interactions.”

Black bears are most active throughout the spring and summer months and can be attracted to human-created food sources, especially during dry weather periods when natural food sources are scarce. The BearWise campaign recommends people take six basic steps to avoid attracting bears to areas around homes or neighborhoods:

• Never feed or approach black bears;
• Secure food, garbage, and recycling;
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active;
• Never leave pet food outdoors;
• Clean and store grills and smokers; and
• Alert neighbors to bear activity.

BearWise also recommends six basics when recreating or vacationing in bear country:

• Stay alert and together;
• Leave no trash or food scraps behind;
• Keep dogs leashed;
• Camp away from dense cover;
• Secure food and cook as far away from tents/living quarters as possible; and
• Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and know how to respond if you see a bear.

For more information on how to live responsibly with black bears and how to be BearWise visit DEC's webpage or Bearwise.org.

WATCH DEC’s videos ‘Backyard Bears’ and ‘Camping with Bears’ here:

Camping with Bears: https://youtu.be/hZTJBB8O5BY

Backyard Bears: https://youtu.be/xM2Et5xAg14

If a bear is damaging property or is reluctant to leave the area, but the situation is not an emergency, call DEC’s regional wildlife office during business hours, or call the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).

MAYOR ADAMS HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING FOR INTRO. 844-A

 

 Today I hold a hearing on a bill that establishes an Office of Healthcare Accountability. Here in New York City, we believe that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege, and we are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status or income, can get the care they need. We know that many New Yorkers, working New Yorkers in particular, are struggling and living from paycheck to paycheck. They shouldn't have to break the bank to get the healthcare they need, and New Yorkers' credit cards shouldn't determine their healthcare access. We want to make sure that there is cost transparency in our healthcare system.

 

Intro. 844-A establishes an Office of Healthcare Accountability that provides recommendations relating to city healthcare and hospital cost. So I want to thank the Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Member Julie Menin, our friends in labor, this is something they fought for, they believed was important, and we share that belief. This includes 32BJ, DC 37, and others that help support this legislation. Now I invite the public to comment. Seeing no members of the public want to comment, we want to thank all for attending this important bill signing to sign Intro. 884-A. At a later date, we will do the actual signing. Thank you very much.

U.S. Attorney Announces $12 Million Settlement Of Civil Forfeiture Action Against Estate Of Antiquities Trafficker Douglas Latchford

 

Largest Ever Forfeiture of Proceeds from the Sale of Stolen Antiquities, Including Forfeiture of Important 7th Century Bronze Statue from Vietnam

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today that the United States had filed and settled a civil forfeiture action against $12 million derived from the sale of stolen Southeast Asian antiquities by indicted antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford.  The Settlement with the daughter of the late Douglas Latchford, who died in 2020, resolves claims that Latchford transferred the proceeds from the sale of stolen antiquities to bank accounts in the Bailiwick of Jersey.  As part of the Settlement, Latchford’s daughter has also agreed to the forfeiture of a 7th Century bronze statue depicting the four-armed goddess Durga, which is alleged to have been stolen from Vietnam in 2008 and which Latchford allegedly purchased using tainted funds.  The proposed settlement is subject to review by a district judge in the Southern District of New York.

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “The late Douglas Latchford was a prolific dealer of stole antiquities.  His complicity in numerous illicit transactions over several decades garnered him millions of dollars in payments from buyers and dealers in the United States, of which as part of this agreement, $12 million will be rightfully forfeited by his estate.  HSI New York celebrates the pending repatriation of any outstanding artifacts from Latchford’s illegally obtained collection to their rightful owners and reaffirms our commitment to disrupting the illicit trafficking of cultural property, art, and antiquities.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and the Stipulation filed in Manhattan federal court on June 22, 2023:[1]

In 2019, Latchford was indicted in the Southern District of New York with wire fraud conspiracy and other crimes related to a multi-year scheme to sell looted Cambodian antiquities on the international art market, primarily by creating false provenance documents and falsifying invoices and shipping documents, including misrepresenting the country of origin of artworks.  See United States v. Latchford, 19 Cr. 748 (AT) (the “Indictment”).  In September 2020, the Indictment was dismissed due to the death of Latchford.

Between 2003 and 2020, Latchford maintained bank accounts in New York, the United Kingdom, and the Bailiwick of Jersey (“Jersey”).  During those years, Latchford received more than $12 million in his New York and U.K. accounts as payment for his sale of stolen and smuggled Southeast Asian antiquities to buyers and dealers in the United States.  As part of those sales, Latchford provided false provenance and/or made false statements on shipping records and importation records when those antiquities were imported into the United States.  Latchford then transferred at least $12 million in illegally derived proceeds (the “$12 Million”) to his bank accounts in Jersey.

In 2008 and 2009, Latchford used funds derived from the sale of stolen and smuggled antiquities to purchase a 7th Century bronze statue depicting the four-armed goddess Durga (the “Durga”).

 According to bank and email records, including correspondence with his bankers, Latchford traveled to Vietnam in November 2008 to purchase a piece of art and instructed his bankers to send around $2 million to the bank account of a person with a Vietnamese email address.  In January 2009, Latchford emailed a dealer a photograph, below, of the Durga lying on its back, covered in what appears to be dirt and minerals indicative of recent excavation.  Latchford identified My Son, a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage site located in Vietnam, as the location where the Durga was recovered. 

Under the terms of the stipulation and order of settlement, Latchford’s daughter (the “Claimant”) consents to forfeiture of the $12 Million and the Durga.  The United States has agreed not to object to the lifting by Jersey of a freeze order on any remaining funds as defined in the settlement agreement.  The parties recognize that nothing in the Stipulation constitutes an admission of liability, fault, or guilt on the part of the Claimant, who expressly denies fault, liability, or wrongdoing. 

Mr. Williams thanked HSI for its outstanding work on this investigation, which he noted is ongoing, and praised its ongoing efforts to find and repatriate stolen and looted cultural property.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Law Officers’ Department of the Bailiwick of Jersey, and authorities in the United Kingdom for their cooperation and assistance.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and International Criminal Enterprises Unit.  Assistant U. S. Attorney Jessica Feinstein is in charge of the case.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James Provides Tips to Protect New Yorkers from E-Bike Battery Fires

New York Attorney General Letitia James today warned New Yorkers of the dangers caused by electrical bike (e-bike) batteries and provided tips on how to safely handle them. Today’s alert comes in light of a deadly fire that killed four individuals at an e-bike repair shop in Manhattan’s Chinatown earlier this week. Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) shared an informational flyer about e-bike safety tips in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Haitian Creole. Most e-bikes, as well as e-scooters and hoverboards, use powerful lithium-ion batteries that store more energy and are more likely to catch fire than a typical battery. In 2022, there were at least 220 fires and six deaths as a result of lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and other devices in New York City. This year, these batteries have caused at least 108 fires and resulted in 13 deaths.

“E-Bikes can be great tools, but also can pose significant risks to New Yorkers and their families,” said Attorney General James. “The best way to protect our loved ones from the risks associated with e-bikes is to handle these devices and their batteries carefully and follow all safety precautions. As we continue to mourn the lives of those we lost in this week’s fire, I urge everyone to take all necessary steps to avoid future e-bike-related tragedies.”

In September 2022, Attorney General James issued a consumer alert about the dangers posed by e-bike batteries, and noted that when proper precautions are taken when buying, storing, charging, and disposing of these batteries, accidents can be avoided. In March, New York City enacted laws banning the sale or lease of e-bikes and e-scooters that fail to meet safety standards and prohibiting the refurbishment of used lithium-ion batteries. There are currently measures being considered in the New York City Council that would establish a program to buy back old batteries and equip workers with fireproof containers for charging batteries. Additionally, the New York City Fire Department also shut down illegal battery charging stations in bike shops and bodegas, where multiple batteries have been charging at once.

As part of her ongoing efforts to keep communities safe, Attorney General James recommends consumers take the following steps when using e-bikes:

• Buy your e-bike and battery from a trusted manufacturer.
• Maintain your battery by carefully checking it from time to time. If you notice any strange smells or changes in shape or color, stop using the battery immediately and contact your local fire station or call 911. 
• Store your battery in a safe place.
• Charge your battery using only the cord and power adapter provided by the manufacturer.
• Dispose your battery at a battery-recycling location. Do not reuse or refurbish used lithium-ion batteries or its parts.
  • Note: Putting batteries in the trash or recycling them is both dangerous and illegal, and can lead to fires on sanitation trucks and in recycling facilities. Visit the New York City Department of Sanitation’s batteries page to find places that can safely dispose of them.

For more information about e-bike safety tips, please visit the informational flyer provided in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Haitian Creole by OAG. 

Governor Hochul Announces Results of First Enforcement Actions Under New Law Against Unlicensed Cannabis Businesses

 

Enforcement Actions Have Resulted in Seizure of a Minimum of 1000 Pounds and Nearly $11 Million in Illicit Products Through Coordinated Interagency Effort

New York State Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance Began Inspecting Unlicensed Shops in Early June under New Law Signed by Governor Hochul in May

State Agencies Can Now Levy Hefty Fines and Initiate the Process of Shutting Down Businesses Selling Cannabis without a License

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the results of initial enforcement actions against unlicensed cannabis businesses. The efforts in these first two weeks have been led by New York State's Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance, which have been authorized under a new law signed by the Governor in May as part of the State's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.

"Under new powers that I fought for in this year's State budget, we can now conduct enforcement against businesses illegally selling cannabis, and I'm proud to report that in just the first three weeks of our efforts, we've seized nearly $11 million worth of illicit products off the streets," Governor Hochul said. "These unlicensed businesses violate our laws, put public health at risk, and undermine the legal cannabis market, and with the powerful new tools in our toolbelt we're sending a clear and strong message: if you sell illegal cannabis in New York, you will be caught and you will be stopped."

Since June 7, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) have jointly conducted inspections at 33 storefront businesses in New York City, Ithaca, and Binghamton not licensed to sell cannabis. The two agencies have issued Notices of Violation to 31 of these businesses, from which they have seized and catalogued a minimum of 1000 pounds of illicit cannabis with an estimated value of nearly $11 million, and with more still to be tabulated. Enforcement will be continuing weekly throughout the state, with OCM actively recruiting additional officers with the goal of ending the illicit sale of cannabis.

The new enforcement legislation adopted as part of the Budget has authorized OCM to assess civil penalties against unlicensed cannabis businesses, with fines starting at $10,000 per day, and rising up to $20,000 per day for the most egregious conduct. The new law has also authorized the agency to seek a State court order to ultimately padlock businesses found to be in repeated violation of the law, among other penalties. In addition, the law makes it a crime to sell cannabis and cannabis products without a license

In addition to the powers granted to OCM, the new enforcement law also empowers DTF to conduct regulatory inspections of businesses selling cannabis to determine if appropriate taxes have been paid and to levy civil penalties in cases where they have not. The legislation also establishes a new tax fraud crime for businesses that willfully fail to collect or remit required cannabis taxesor knowingly possess for sale any cannabis on which tax was required to be paid but was not.

By taking decisive action against unlicensed cannabis businesses, New York State is making a significant stride towardcracking down onunlawful cannabis operations that jeopardize public safety, consumer well-being, and the integrity of New York State's legal cannabis market. To aid in these continuing actions, the FY 2024 Budget also provides $5M for an additional 37 OCM staff to carry out enforcement.

Governor Hochul also appointed Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development, to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). Commissioner Knight will be seated immediately and will serve at next month's CCB meeting.

In addition to the Notices of Violation, the 31 businesses found to be illegally selling cannabis also had Orders to Cease Unlicensed Activity affixed to the outside of the doors. Those businesses must now appear at an administrative hearing, where the final fines and penalties they will face will be determined. An additional fine of $5,000 can be levied for removal of the Order, and the inspected businesses may also be subject to additional violations and penalties under the Tax Law.

Following these initial inspections, OCM and the DTF will be following up on locations inspected to ensure unlicensed activity has ceased. If continued unlicensed activity is found to persist, OCM can petition the State Supreme Court to order the retail space padlocked shut until the location complies with the cannabis law and its related regulations.

Additional information on fines:

If an unlicensed location is found to continue selling cannabis products after OCM issues a Notice of Violation/Order to Cease, an additional per-day penalty of up to $20,000 may be assessed by an ALJ. Further, should the unlicensed business remove the OCM Notice of Violation or Warning affixed to the business storefront, the business is subject to a fine of up to $5,000.

Additional information regarding previous and ongoing operations:

OCM and DTF began their first joint inspections authorized by the new enforcement law during the week of June 5, 2023, in New York City, where inspections will remain active and ongoing.

The following shops were inspected by OCM and DTF officers and have been issued notices of violation:

• Varieties on Broadway - 736 Broadway, New York, NY
• Roll 2 Nation - 738 Broadway, New York, NY
• Baby Jeeter - 793 Broadway, New York, NY
• Maze - 16 St. Marks Place, New York, NY
• LaGuardia Smoke - 510 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY
• Nomad - 59 West 30th Street, New York, NY
• Play Lane - 117B W 23rd Street, New York, NY
• Cannabis Culture - 403 8th Avenue, New York, NY
• Smoke Factory - 287 7th Avenue, New York, NY
• Go Green Dispensary - 603 6th Avenue, New York, NY
• Daydream - 1181 Broadway, New York, NY
• Giggles - 59 1st Avenue, New York, NY
• Empire Smoke Shop - 57 1st Avenue, New York, NY
• NYC Smokes - 104 MacDougal Street, New York, NY
• Caviar - 110 MacDougal Street, New York, NY
• Sweet and Sour - 73 2nd Avenue, New York, NY
• Smart Smokes - 143 1st Avenue, New York, NY
• Old G Convenience Corp - 18 West 14th Street, New York, NY
• Premier Top, Inc - 54 14th Street, New York, NY
• Black Leaf - 103 East State Street, Ithaca, NY
• Zaza Convenience - 101 East State Street, Ithaca, NY
• The Rezz - 312 Fourth Street, Ithaca, NY
• Puff N Pass Smoke Shop - 222 Elmira Road #10, Ithaca, NY
• Green Magic - 114 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY
• Take Off - 2-63 Chenango Street, Binghamton, NY
• BMillz 122 Washington Ave, Endicott NY
• Runtz 14 1st Ave, NY NY
• BMillz 1110 Conklin Rd, Conklin NY
• Royal Vapes, 113 Washington Ave, Endicott NY
• Sogie Mart 24 Ave A, NY NY
• Recreational Plus Dispensary 180 1st Ave, NY NY

EDITOR'S NOTE:

These location are only near legal Cannabis stores only, as no illegal stores in Brooklyn, Queens or the Bronx have been closed since there are no legal Cannabis stores in those boroughs.

Nearly One Hundred Miles of New Greenway Trails Opened for Public Use and Enjoyment Across New York since 2021

 

New report highlights new trail projects completed, plus over 300 miles of additional trails in progress across the state

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announced the release of the New York State Greenway Trails Progress Report (August 2021-December 2022), which outlines the accomplishments made, the projects initiated, and the funding secured by state, local, and non-profit partners between August 2021 and December 2022. The report identifies 97.1 miles of new trails completed and 372.7 additional miles of trail in progress in that time frame.

The new report demonstrates progress made towards completing the goals of New York’s Statewide Greenway Trails Plan, published in April 2021. This plan spelled out a vision of a “network of shared use paths that provide all New Yorkers and visitors opportunities for healthy and active recreation, routes for alternative transportation, and the ability to connect to and enrich our communities and natural landscapes in urban, suburban, and rural settings.”

Major highlights for greenway trails across New York State include the advancement of the Empire State Trail as a high quality, world-class destination trail, with several surface upgrades completed across the corridor, as well as many significant construction projects and planning initiatives underway to better connect communities with the statewide trail. Efforts have also been made over the last two years to activate the Empire State Trail – the longest single-state multi-use trail in the nation – by developing new trip-planning resources, augmenting programs and events to encourage residents and visitors alike to engage with the trail in new ways. In 2022, for example, Parks & Trails New York launched the Empire State Trail Town program to promote the trail and the communities along it as a destination and build the outdoor recreation economy along the corridor.

Other major corridors to see significant investment over the last two years include the Adirondack Rail Trail, which, when complete, will run 34 stunning miles through the central Adirondacks from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid, and the Genesee Valley Greenway, a 90-mile corridor in western New York running south from Rochester to Hinsdale. In conjunction with these physical improvements, both the Adirondack Rail Trail and Genesee Valley Greenway have robust coalitions behind them to support the growth of the trails as well as the vibrant communities along them. 

Several major planning efforts have also advanced, especially concentrated in the state’s most populous regions. Planning for phase one of the future Long Island Greenway has started and New York City was awarded a federal transportation planning grant for a major expansion of the greenway network with a focus on historically underserved, lower-income communities. In the Hudson Valley, a greenway vision plan was published, outlining the opportunity to create a truly regional, 250+ mile network of greenways in the Ulster, Orange, and Sullivan counties.

Exciting new funding opportunities are providing additional momentum for greenway trail projects. The new federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, authorizes record funding to the Transportation Alternatives program, maintains the Recreational Trails Program, and introduces a new Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. At the state level, record funding amounts for New York State Parks’ capital budget and for the Environmental Protection Fund are advancing critical projects, and the newly authorized Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act may provide additional critical investment in greenway trail projects.

“Not only does this report provide a snapshot of the investments that we've made to develop and rehabilitate greenway trails over the last year, but it has helped pave a clear path for realizing a truly interconnected network of greenway trails across the state. We hope this report will generate a lot of buzz among stakeholders about the steps we need to take, as a collective, to carry out this vision,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York.

“The trail improvements demonstrated in this report undoubtedly offer more New York residents and visitors the opportunity to explore our state’s incredible scenery and must-visit communities. Sharing the progress made on the greenway trails network in such a transparent way is necessary to compel further investment and expand recreational and economic opportunities throughout the state, and State Parks is grateful to PTNY and all of the partners involved in these projects," said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid.

To read the full report, click here.

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is New York’s leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. PTNY works to expand, protect, and promote a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer?mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the Parks and Historic Sites Blog.

Permits Filed For 967 East 167th Street In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed to expand a one-story structure into a four-story residential building at 967 East 167th Street in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between Southern Boulevard and Hoe Avenue, the lot is near the Simpson Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Jennifer Canales is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 50-foot-tall development will yield 6,421 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 12 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 535 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a cellar, penthouse, and a 34-foot-long rear yard.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the permit calls for an expansion. An estimated completion date has not been announced.