AuthorRobert Press
So you feel either of those contests can better benefit from an older white cis male running to represent a majority minority district huh? Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Governor Cuomo Announces Updated COVID-19 Micro-Cluster Focus Zones - NOVEMBER 9, 2020
Based on Progress Controlling COVID Spread, Brooklyn Red Zone will Transition to Orange Warning Zone
New Yellow Precautionary Zones in Erie, Monroe and Onondaga Counties
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced updated COVID-19 micro-cluster focus areas in New York State. Based on data metrics including testing results and hospitalization rates, Brooklyn's red zone will transition to an orange warning zone. The Governor also announced new yellow precautionary zone focus areas in Erie, Monroe and Onondaga Counties.
"COVID is surging across the country and the globe, and we expect the rates will continue to go up through the fall and into the winter," Governor Cuomo said. "The long-term prognosis is get a vaccine as quickly as possible, and administer the vaccine as quickly, fairly and equitably as possible. In the meantime, we manage the increase by doing more testing and targeted restrictions where necessary, and being more aggressive on enforcement. I know people are tired - COVID fatigue is real. But the virus isn't tired. The red, orange and yellow zones are our way of saying the virus is making headway and we're going to increase restrictions and we're going to increase enforcement. When we see a small increase, we attack that small increase - and the numbers show it works. If we stay smart and disciplined, we can manage this - but it will take all of us being New York Tough."
Modifications to Current Focus Zones
Brooklyn - Red Zone Changes to Orange Warning Zone
Last week, Brooklyn's Red Zone was reduced in size by 50 percent based on progress. Metrics demonstrate continued progress controlling COVID spread and the zone will be transitioned to Orange, allowing many businesses to reopen.
New Focus Zones
Erie County - New Yellow Precautionary Zone - Click Here for Map
Over the past ten days, parts of Erie County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 2.5%, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation.
Monroe County - New Yellow Precautionary Zone - Click Here for Map
Over the past ten days, parts of Monroe County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 3%, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation.
Onondaga County - New Yellow Zone - Click Here for Map
Over the past ten days, parts of Onondaga County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 3%, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation.
The Governor reminded New Yorkers yellow zone restrictions include a 25-person maximum capacity on mass gatherings, 4-person to a table maximum while dining and 20 percent weekly testing of in-person students, faculty in schools. Bars and restaurants located in Yellow Precautionary Zones must close at midnight.
The positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's micro-cluster strategy is 4.32 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.69 percent. Within the focus areas, 8,899 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 384 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 102,517 test results were reported, yielding 2,760 positives.
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Patient Hospitalization - 1,444 (+48)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 185
- Hospital Counties - 47
- Number ICU - 282 (-13)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 125 (-6)
- Total Discharges - 80,764 (+118)
- Deaths - 26
- Total Deaths - 25,973
Governor Cuomo Announces New Efforts to Increase Highway Safety and Prevent Low-Bridge Strikes by Trucks
$3.8 Million Bridge Replacement in Albany County Includes Safety Upgrades Such as Higher Clearance for Highway Traffic and Widened Bridge Shoulders
Project Completed Within Budget and One Month Ahead of Schedule
Governor Also Launches Enforcement and Education Campaign to Prevent Trucks From Striking Low Bridges
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of the $3.8 million bridge replacement project of the Old State Road Bridge over the NYS Thruway (I-90) in Albany County. The project, which began in March, was completed within budget and a month ahead of schedule for the approximately 5,300 vehicles which utilize the Old State Road Bridge each day. Since 2016, the Thruway Authority's capital program has supported the replacement or rehabilitation of 133 bridges across its 570-mile system.
Additionally, to prevent future bridge strikes, the Governor directed the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to launch a collaborative enforcement and education effort that will take place from Monday, November 9, through Sunday, November 15. New York State averages about 220 bridge strikes per year, resulting in the potential for injury for the truck driver and nearby motorists, costly repairs to the bridge itself, and substantial traffic disruptions. There have been more than 1,100 bridge strikes on New York roadways since 2015.
"While maintaining strong, safe transportation infrastructure is critical for keeping our roadways safe, it's also an important piece in growing local economies and this is why New York has made the strengthening of bridges and roadways a top priority," Governor Cuomo said. "Not only does the new Old State Road Bridge improve the safety and reliability of the Thruway, but by increasing its clearance, we are helping prevent troublesome traffic delays which impact travel and commerce. When you combine this progress along with our new enforcement and education initiative, New York is taking a proactive approach towards improving safety for all those who travel our roads."
The overpass bridge, located between Exit 24 (Albany - I-87) and Exit 25 (Schenectady - I-890), had been subject to numerous over-height truck hits throughout the past several years causing traffic disruptions on the Thruway mainline. The new bridge height will prevent similar incidents in the future with an increased clearance of 16 feet, 6 inches for traffic traveling on the NYS Thruway (I-90).
The bridge was constructed using 260,000 pounds of American-made structural steel and its new driving surface and approaches utilized 1,000 cubic yards of concrete, as well as 1,000 tons of asphalt. To further strengthen safety, wider travel lanes and shoulders, and new safety guiderails were implemented.
DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder, said, "Bridge strikes not only tie up traffic and damage vehicles, but they can also compromise the safety of our infrastructure. We support the efforts of our partners in law enforcement and at DOT and are committed to educating drivers about how to safely navigate New York's bridges and tunnels."
Since 2013, the New York State Department of Transportation has participated in a regional Bridge Strike Task Force in the Hudson Valley. Because of this multi-agency effort, NYSDOT added new signage and pavement markings along the Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, Cross County and Sprain Brook parkways and ramp entrances. Over-height vehicle detection systems have been installed at multiple locations across New York State. `
New fines and penalties for those driving commercial vehicles on New York State parkways went into effect September 3, 2020. Penalties for commercial vehicles on parkways are broken down by weight class, and there are also penalties for over-height vehicles. The maximum fines and penalties are as follows:
Less than 10,000 pounds:
- First violation - $250 and/or 15 days in jail
- Second violation within 18 months - $500 and/or 45 days in jail
- Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $750 and/or 90 days in jail
Between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds:
- First violation - $350 and/or 15 days in jail
- Second violation within 18 months - $700 and/or 45 days in jail
- Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $1,000 and/or 90 days
Over 26,000 pounds:
- First violation - $700 and/or 15 days in jail
- Second violation within 18 months - $1,500 and/or 45 days in jail
- Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $2,000 and/or 90 days in jail
New fines and penalties for over height vehicles are as follows:
- First offense - $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail
Second or subsequent offense - $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail
Monday, November 9, 2020
Kossuth Playground Ribbon Cutting
Friday was the Ribbon Cutting for the new Kossuth Playground located on Mosholu Parkway North at Kossuth Avenue. Councilman and newly elected State Supreme Court Justice Andrew Cohen, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assembly members Jeffrey Dinowitz and Nathalia Fernandez, and the Friends of Mosholu Parkway were on hand for the event.
There are new amenities such as a giant swing, adult exercise equipment, various water sprinklers, new basketball courts, new tables and seats, with one table that is wheelchair accessible.
Above - The Giant swing being tested out.
Below - Assembly members Dinowitz and Fernandez talk while Councilman Cohen tries out one of the many adult exercise units.
Below - The brand new basketball courts.
Below - The new Multi sprinkler system.
Bronx Jewish Community Council - SAVE THE DATE: PROJECT HOPE CHANUKAH
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 8, 2020
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's micro-cluster strategy is 3.72 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.23 percent. Within the focus areas, 11,672 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 435 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 133,970 test results were reported, yielding 2,993 positives.
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Patient Hospitalization - 1,396 (+15)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 185
- Hospital Counties - 46
- Number ICU - 295 (-13)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 131 (-7)
- Total Discharges - 80,646 (+152)
- Deaths - 18
- Total Deaths - 25,947