Middletown Man Pleads Guilty In Federal Court To Use Of Incendiary Device At Newark Planned Parenthood

 

 A Middletown man pleaded guilty in federal court on February 11, 2021, to Intentional Damage to a Facility that Provides Reproductive Health Services and Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device (Molotov Cocktail) under the National Firearms Act.  The Honorable Leonard P. Stark, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Delaware, accepted the plea.

According to court documents, at approximately 2:16 a.m., on January 3, 2020, Samuel Gulick, 19, drove to the Planned Parenthood facility in Newark, Delaware.  Video surveillance captured Gulick standing on the front porch of the building and spray-painting the phrase “Deus Vult” in red letters. Gulick then stepped off the front porch, lit an object, and threw it at the front window of the Planned Parenthood facility. The object, a Molotov Cocktail, exploded and Gulick ran away. The fire burned for approximately one minute before self-extinguishing. The explosion damaged the front window and porch of the building. Law enforcement identified Gulick through video surveillance that captured the license plate of the car in which he fled and through an Instagram page registered to Gulick, containing the phrase “Deus Vult” and several anti-abortion posts.

Gulick pleaded guilty to Intentional Damage to a Facility that Provides Reproductive Health Services and Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device under the National Firearms Act.  He faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Chief Judge Stark will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated, “Mr. Gulick’s actions had potentially deadly consequences. I applaud the investigative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement who worked quickly to identify and bring Mr. Gulick to justice.”  

"While people have a First Amendment right to peacefully express their views, they do not have a right to vandalize clinics in the hopes of deterring women from receiving lawful services that those facilities provide," said Jennifer C.  Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold those accountable for any threats of violence to healthcare facilities or their employees."

“ATF and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate violent attacks from those seeking to achieve personal political goals,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones. “We are proud of investigators’ efforts and dedication to identify the person responsible in this case and are grateful that no one was injured as a result of this defendant’s criminal actions.”

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic FEBRUARY 15, 2021

 

6,623 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide 

1,270 Patients in the ICU; 875 Intubated 

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.53% 

103 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

First New South African Variant Case Identified in New York City; Patient is Connecticut Resident 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of that update, the Governor notified New Yorkers that a Connecticut resident who is a patient in a New York City hospital has tested positive for the South African variant. There is no evidence of any spread in New York State to date.

"New Yorkers haven't only gotten past the post-holiday surge—they've continued to drive down hospitalization and infection rates by acting smart and responsibly, and they should be commended for it," Governor Cuomo said. "Thanks to this hard work, we are now in a place where we have been able to begin opening the valve and start getting the economy going again, as long as we do it safely. If we're able to keep the momentum headed in a positive direction by practicing safe behaviors at an individual level, as well as continuing to vaccinate New Yorkers as quickly and fairly as possible, we'll be able to reach the light at the end of the tunnel faster than previously thought and finally get some normalcy back into our lives."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 180,504
• Total Positive - 6,365
• Percent Positive - 3.53%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.74%
• Patient Hospitalization - 6,623 (+30)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -1,093
• Patients Newly Admitted - 600
• Hospital Counties - 53
• Number ICU - 1,270 (-15)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 875 (-6)
• Total Discharges - 138,542 (+492)
• Deaths - 103
• Total Deaths - 37,221

It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.

Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 1 Million New Yorkers Fully Vaccinated With Second Dose

 

As of 11 AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 91% of the Total First Doses Received from Federal Government       

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 1 million New Yorkers have been fully vaccinated after receiving a first and second dose. The total week 9 federal vaccine allocation has been delivered to providers for administration. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have received 2,192,675 first doses and already administered 91 percent or 1,992,575 first dose vaccinations and 85 percent of first and second doses. The week 10 allocation from the federal government begins mid-week.  

"More than a million New Yorkers are now fully vaccinated, and this crucial milestone should give us confidence that we are on the right track towards ultimately beating back the virus and winning this war," Governor Cuomo said. "As I've said in the past, defeating COVID once and for all not only requires the quick and fair distribution of the vaccine, but we also must continue our efforts to reduce our hospitalization and infection rates. All the data shows that we are headed in the right direction and we must keep this progress moving. While New Yorkers continue to act responsibility to reduce infections, we will continue to fight for more vaccine supply and better distribution coordination from the federal government so we can ramp up our efforts even further."

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:  

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification  

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.  

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. The allocation totals below include 100 percent of the week 9 allocation. The total week 9 allocation is also inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program.      

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN   

   First Doses Received - 2,192,675 

   First Doses Administered - 1,992,575; 91% 

   Second Doses Received - 1,178,350 

   Second Doses Administered - 871,109 

BRAC OPEN CALL to Curate 2021-2022 Exhibitions Last Week to Apply

 

Last Week to Apply for BRAC Open Call for Independent Curators Deadline February 22, 2021 The Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is currently seeking applications from Independent Curators for its FY2022 Exhibitions Calendar (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022). The selected curators will be responsible for contacting and sourcing all materials from artists, writing exhibition texts, and facilitating a public program. We encourage curatorial proposals by emerging and independent curators who are attuned to stretching boundaries and familiar with artists from The Bronx. This call for proposals aligns with our mission of supporting emerging artists from underrepresented groups, such as women and artists of color and addressing relevant social and environmental issues. Further, we continue our commitment to present exhibitions in various media, including interdisciplinary practices that connect artists in The Bronx and beyond. Please visit our website to view current and past exhibitions at: https://www.bronxriverart.org/gallery.cfm

BRAC Exhibitions Program has become known for both its deft curatorial vision and its ability to produce ambitious, energetic exhibitions with ingenuity and immediacy. In recent years, we have exposed various paradigms of contemporary art to the litmus test of our local Bronx community and the cultural, economic, and social landscape that defines it.

BRAC Mission Statement: Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is a culturally diverse, multi-arts, non-profit organization that provides a forum for community, artists, and youth to transform creativity into vision. Our Education, Exhibitions, Artist Studios, and Presenting Programs cultivate leadership in an urban environment and stewardship of our natural resource — the Bronx River.

Our Exhibitions Program also provides a resource for artists and guest curators, by giving them a platform inside a reality that has not been fully acknowledged by traditional arts institutions.

GUIDELINES: Proposals must be conceptually rigorous and focus on artists and themes in a way that is innovative, timely, challenging, and engaging. We are looking for proposals that clearly demonstrate a unique and creative approach to curatorial research methods and innovative exhibition plans, as well as an awareness of various art media within a historical context. Bronx River Art Center strongly encourages applications that expand our mission and contribute to our ongoing commitment to emerging artists, social and environmental justice, and advocacy for artists. Guest Curators should not include their own work in the exhibition they are proposing. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Please attach the following Information as a Word or PDF document and send by email to: opencall@bronxriverart.org with subject heading Curator Open Call by February 22, 2021. A detailed exhibition proposal (concept paper) with your name, address, phone number and email address, of up to 500 words that includes a curatorial statement, exhibition goals and objectives, any technical requirements, and a preliminary list of artists with a checklist of images, and indicate whether these artists have been confirmed. We additionally encourage the proposal of a public program and/or community workshops (date and time to be determined if your proposal is selected)  5 - 10 image samples. This does not have to be a final image check-list, just a grouping of artworks that illustrate your exhibition idea. A Curator’s CV. Three professional references (names and contact info) describing previous curatorial work/projects and/or research experience. FEE: Selected curators will be awarded a $500 - $600 honorarium depending on the show’s complexity. Exhibiting artists will also receive stipends based on the number of artists in the show. SELECTION PROCESS: Submissions deadline is Monday February 22, 2021. Finalists will be contacted for a virtual or safe in-person interview before selections are announced. Please do not submit original materials. All applications will be kept on our files for future reference. *No phone calls inquiring about the status of submission, please.

Email questions and application materials  to: opencall@bronxriverart.org

320 Days and Counting

 

I'm still here for another 320 days.

Assemblywoman Fernandez Hosts Small Business Valentine Pop Up

 

Saturday February 13th the day before Valentine's Day Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez hosted a Small Business Saturday Pop Up event at 'The Sanz Banquet Hall' located on Allerton Avenue. The event ran from 12 PM to 5 PM, with 17 vendors selling various Valentine Day related merchandise. 

The vendors at the event were hard hit by the pandemic, because events like this were cancelled for most of last year with this event being the first or second of 2021 for most of the vendors. Items on sale ranged from various cosmetics including, beautiful handmade scented candles, items for the bath and body, decorated face masks, T-shirts, Valentine Day items, and some different food vendors.  

Assemblywoman Fernandez was pleased with the quality of the merchandise being offered that she stopped at several tables to purchase various different items. We both wound up at the Top-Notch Catering tables where we each bought a very tasty lunch. The event was put together by MAS Marketing of the Bronx for Assemblywoman Fernandez.

Above - The Mary Kay Cosmetics table with Jacqueline Acevedo-Villanueva owner of MAS Marketing on the right.

Below - Assemblywoman Fernandez stops at one of the cosmetic tables to buy some of the products.

Above - Assemblywoman Fernandez stopped by the scented candle table to purchase some candles.

Below - Rebecca Huertas of Rebecca's Sweets and Spices who is trying to get her products into more stores. 

Above - Yolanda Berry of Kamari Bath & Body.

Below - Another table of scented bath products.

Michael Beltzer - My Story

 

The story of how I came to make the Southeast Bronx my home for the past 13 years is one of love. I began as a New York love story: my mother was a houseless Dominican immigrant and my father came into a Manhattan soup kitchen every Saturday. She would come on the line and sing to him. 

That lead to me being born in Southeast Queens. Unfortunately, my mother never got the mental health services she needed ( i remember the bruises from the police) and my father has spent the rest of his life fighting addiction. So I was raised in a loving household in a well resourced Long Island town by my aunt and uncle. Their love and care saved my life.

Fast forward to a night out at Webster Hall and i end up in love and living on Noble Ave! It was there I began to feel a new type of love: community love. That is the reason I've raised my family here. My neighbors look out for each other, are generous, and care deeply about their family and friends. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Governor Cuomo Signs Executive Order Extending Party Registration Enrollment Period

Party Registration Enrollment Period Extended from February 14 until Tuesday, February 16 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he has signed Executive Order 202.94 extending the enrollment period for voters to make changes to their party enrollment until Tuesday, February 16, setting forth a uniform statewide policy that ensures voters can take advantage of this option regardless that the deadline this year falls on a Sunday. This change is necessary to ensure that Boards of Election have adequate time to process these voter-requested changes considering many Boards are short-staffed and operating with reduced density due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The change will go into effect immediately.

"The right to vote is one of the sacred pillars of our democracy, and as we continue to fight the war on COVID, we can't put democracy on hold," Governor Cuomo said. "Today we are extending the period for voters to change their party enrollment until Tuesday, February 16 to help break down more barriers to the ballot box and help ensure everyone has a chance to exercise this fundamental right."

In 2019, the Governor signed legislation (S.6532A/A.8228B) expediting party enrollment changes to make it easier for voters to participate in primary elections. Previously, changes to party enrollment did not take effect until after the November general election, requiring voters to wait as long as a year for changes to take effect. The new law removed the October 11 deadline and gave voters until February 14 to make changes to party enrollment. Due to the public health emergency and the fact that this February 14 is a Sunday followed by a holiday, this common-sense measure ensures the spirit of the law is complied with uniformly statewide.

E X E C U T I V E  O R D E R              No. 202.94

Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency

 WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020, I issued Executive Order Number 202, declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, both travel-related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented in New York State and are expected to continue;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, of any agency during a State disaster emergency, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency or if necessary to assist or aid in coping with such disaster, do hereby continue the suspensions and modifications of law and any directives, unless superseded, modified or otherwise expired, made by Executive Order 202 and each successor Executive Order to 202, for thirty days until March 16, 2021, and do hereby temporarily suspend or modify the following from the date of this Executive Order through March 16, 2021:

• Sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law, to the extent necessary to permit the MTA or subsidiary entities to hold public hearings remotely and through use of telephone conference, video conference, and/or other means of transmission, provided that public comments must be permitted electronically or by mail, and to permit all required documentation and records to be available electronically upon request; and
• Subdivision 3 of section 5-304 of the Election Law, only to the extent necessary to provide that for the calendar year 2021, the deadline for a change of enrollment, or a new enrollment, of a registered voter shall be accepted by the Board of Elections through the next business day following February 14th, and any such change of enrollment received by the Board of Elections shall be processed until February 16, 2021, whether or not transmitted prior to February 14th.

IN ADDITION, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to issue any directive during a disaster emergency necessary to cope with the disaster, I hereby issue the following directives for the period from the date of this Executive Order through March 16, 2021:

• The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all businesses that are licensed by the State Liquor Authority under sections 63 and 79 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (“liquor stores” and “wine stores”) to cease all off premises sales and close at or before 10:00PM, is modified only to the extent that all such businesses shall cease off premises sales and close at or before at 11:00PM;

• The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all restaurants, irrespective of whether such restaurant is licensed by the State Liquor Authority, to cease in-person dining at 10:00PM, is hereby modified only to the extent that all such restaurants shall cease in-person dining at or before 11:00PM;

• The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all businesses that are licensed by the State Liquor Authority for on premises service of alcoholic beverages, to cease all on premises service and consumption of food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages), inside or outside, at or before 10:00PM is hereby modified only to the extent that all such businesses shall cease all on premises service and consumption of food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages), inside or outside, at or before 11:00PM; and provided further licensees operating bowling alleys or casinos shall cease all operations at or before 11:00PM.

• The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required any gym or fitness center to cease operation and close to the public at 10:00PM is hereby modified only to the extent that any such business shall cease operation and close to the public at 11:00PM.

G I V E N   under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this fourteenth day of February the year two thousand twenty-one.

BY THE GOVERNOR         

Secretary to the Governor