Tuesday, December 7, 2021

BRONX DA CLARK URGES OTHER POSSIBLE VICTIMS OF A MAN INDICTED ON PREDATORY SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A YOUNG BOY TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES

 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark is asking that anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other victims of alleged sexual abuse by a Bronx man who was recently indicted for sexually abusing a four-year-old boy to contact the police.

 The defendant, Eric Montes, 48, of 2246 Webster Avenue, was indicted on Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child; first, second, and third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, first and second-degree Sexual Abuse, Sexual Misconduct, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado on September 28, 2021. The defendant was remanded. If convicted of the top charge, Montes faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

 According to the investigation, on October 1, 2020, the four-year-old victim and his mother, who did not know Montes, went to the defendant’s apartment to visit his roommate, whom she met on social media. While the mother was in another room with Montes’ roommate, the defendant allegedly brought the child into his bedroom in the middle of the night and sexually assaulted him. The child told his mother and another family member about the incident. Montes was arrested on July 27, 2021.

 Since Montes’ arrest, investigators have acquired information leading to the possibility there have been other child victims. Anyone who may have been a victim of this defendant or has information about victims is encouraged to call the NYPD Bronx Child Abuse Squad at (929) 265- 3638.

26 Day and Counting

 


Now the media is saying that I am pushing more vaccine mandates to look good in my run for New York State Governor. I am surprised none of them are saying that I am doing it to get big donations from Big Pharma, like other candidates and incumbents do.


I will stand on my record as mayor, and be very careful to have many people holding tight on my record. I will go down in history as the mayor who defeated COVID, that is unless it continues into the Adams administration, where he will get the credit for ending COVID. That is just like bringing down crime in the 1990's. Then Mayor Dinkins created the "Safe Streets Program", whereas Mayor Giuliani who came after him got all the credit for lowering crime in the 1990's. 

Governor Hochul Directs Flags to Half-Staff in Observation of 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

 Flags fly at half-staff

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff today, Dec. 7, from sunrise to sunset in observation of the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

"Eight decades ago, 2,400 service members and civilians lost their lives at Pearl Harbor in an attack that would leave its mark on our history forever," Governor Hochul said. "The Greatest Generation bravely answered the call to defend our democracy during World War Two, and now we are being called upon to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. On the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, let's honor the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made to keep our country safe, and do our part to stop the spread of this deadly virus: Get vaccinated, get a booster, and wear a mask. We can do it."

Councilman Eric Dinowitz's Inauguration at Lehman College

 

Sunday afternoon in the Lovinger Theater at Lehman College hundreds of people jammed the seats which included countless elected officials to be a part of the swearing in ceremony of  Councilman  Eric  Dinowitz. Midway through  the ceremony  there  was a musical interlude from members of the Woodwind  instrument  section  of the  Celia  Cruz  High  School  where  Eric taught. 


This was the culmination of 2021 for candidate Eric Dinowitz. First he won a Special Election in March that was not official until mid April due to Rank Choice Voting. He then won the Democratic Primary, which again took weeks to become official, again thanks to Rank Choice Voting. Then as the Democratic candidate won the general election for the 11th City Council seat. Now he was going to have the man who he took over for, former Councilman now Supreme Court Justice Andrew Cohen swear him in as the Councilman from the 11th council district. 


Elected officials such as U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Attorney General Letitia James. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Congress members Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and several members of the New York State Assembly, State Senator and Bronx Democratic Party Leader Jamaal Bailey, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and several current, Newly elected, and former city council members, Bronx DA Darcel Clark and current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Bronx Borough President Elect Vanessa Gibson were among those who were on hand. 


New York State Attorney General Letitia James is with Westchester County Executive George Latimer in front of the Lehman Stages sign.


Bronx DA Darcel Clark, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, and Newly Elected 86th Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia.


Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. 


U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer was the first elected official to speak.


City Council Speaker Corey Johnson spoke about Councilman Eric Dinowitz's short tenure in the city council. 



Former Congressman Eliot Engel who was known to Councilman Eric Dinowitz as Uncle Eliot, spoke of watching Eric grow up, and seeing that Eric had a bright future as a leader. 


The Woodwind Instrument section of the Celia Cruz High School where Eric Dinowitz taught provided a musical interlude midway through the ceremony.


Outgoing Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. spoke.


Bronx Borough President Elect Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson had some praise for her fellow member of the city council of a few short months.


The one elected official to speak longer than U.S. Senator Schumer was Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Eric's father who also spoke of Eric's leadership ability as he grew up.


It was time to be sworn in by Judge Andy Cohen, the councilman Eric took over for when he won a special election in March of this year. Eric's wife and twin sons are with him as he takes the oath of office. 



As Eric gave his inauguration speech his son Alex became part of the ceremony, similar to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's son Andrew who became part of his fathers inauguration speech. Could we be looking at future Mayor Eric Dinowitz?

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Looking for Bookshelves

 

Looking for Bookshelves

Looking for 6 bookshelves of any size to use
as planters for Tu B'Shvat.

If you have any to donate please contact 
Bronx Jewish Community Council  
2930 Wallace Ave. Bx, NY 10467 
Phone - 713-728-5297


Monday, December 6, 2021

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 6, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination being administered at a FEMA site

79,660 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

49 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday     


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

"We have to stay vigilant as the new variant, winter weather, and more time spent indoors with friends and family increases the likelihood of the virus spreading," Governor Hochul said. "But we are not where we were a year ago - we now have the tools to fight this pandemic and prevent New Yorkers from getting severely ill from COVID-19. Get vaccinated if you haven't already, get your booster if you have, encourage others to get the shot, and mask up."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Test Results Reported - 122,336
  • Total Positive - 6,078
  • Percent Positive - 4.97%
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.82%
  • Patient Hospitalization - 3,285 (+49)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 375
  • Patients in ICU - 621 (+2)
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 335 (+2)
  • Total Discharges - 217,702 (+315)
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 49 
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,806

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.  

  • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 59,522

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.  

  • Total vaccine doses administered - 30,515,048
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 79,660
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 831,872
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 86.3%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 78.7%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 91.7% 
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 81.1%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 74.7%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 67.2%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.3%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 69.1% 

Governor Hochul Announces Four More Confirmed COVID-19 Omicron Variant Cases Detected in New York State for a Total of 12 Known Cases

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

Reminds New Yorkers to Get Vaccinated, Get Boosted and Wear a Mask

Future Omicron Updates to be Included in Governor's Daily COVID-19 Update Press Release


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the detection of four more confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in New York State, for a total of 12 confirmed cases. The cases have been confirmed through sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center. Two of the new cases are from Suffolk County and two are from Oneida County.

"Four more cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant were just identified in New York State. With the new variant circulating, the best way to stay safe and prevent serious illness during the holiday season is by getting vaccinated or a booster shot," Governor Hochul said. "With more friends and family gathering indoors this time of year, we have the tools to fight this pandemic and you can protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and encouraging others to get the shot, and mask up. We will continue to work with local leaders to provide the latest updates and make sure they have what they need to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus."

While none of these cases are related to the recent Anime convention at the Javits Center, the Department still urges anyone who attended to get tested for COVID-19. 

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "While public health experts are still learning more about this new variant, we continue to encourage all New Yorkers to take precautions against COVID-19. Get vaccinated, get a booster if you are already fully vaccinated, and continue to wear your mask."

Starting on Tuesday, December 7, all further Omicron updates will be included in the Governor's daily COVID-19 progress update press release. 

The New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center Laboratory continues to actively monitor COVID-19 virus samples selected throughout the State to compare sequences and identify circulating and new variants, including Omicron.

The Department also monitors all data submitted to public sequence databases by the many other sequencing laboratories throughout New York State and across the US, contributing to a robust and collaborative surveillance program for variant analysis. The Wadsworth Center is currently sequencing COVID-19 virus specimens with a capacity up to approximately 100 per day. Specimens are selected at random from throughout the state to provide surveillance across all geographic locations and data analyzed across the entire sequence of the virus. The analyses include assessment for mutations that indicate variants of concern and variants of interest.

Other laboratories in New York State are conducting similar work. These results from Wadsworth and other laboratories are uploaded into public databases, primarily GISAID. From this database, sequence data from all contributors can be downloaded and analyzed for a more complete picture of virus trends across the state and the distribution of variants from these analyses summarized over time. The State has made this data available for all New Yorkers at their COVID-19 Variant Page.

Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. - You’re Invited! 2021 Inauguration & Holiday Celebration


YOU’RE INVITED for a night of food, fun and celebration as we close out 2021 with the party of the year! 

Join us on Thursday, December 16th as NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr takes the oath of office and celebrates the holidays with a FREE public event for the first 500 attendees.

So take out your dancing shoes and meet us at Maestro’s Caterers (1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462). Doors open at 6:30pm.

Proof of vaccination and face masks will be required to enter. No exceptions. 

For more details, see the flyer below. 

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!