While people may be hungry during the pandemic Councilman Mark Gjonaj didn't forget that their pets may be hungry also, so this past Saturday he loaded up his van with two-hundred bags of pet food to give out to pet owners. There were fifteen pound bags of cat food, and sixteen pound bags of dog food that were given out on the Wallace Avenue Walkway of Pelham Parkway by Councilman Gjonaj and others.
The time is getting shorter that you will have me as your mayor. When you think of how your mayor is one year from now I want you to think back that year, and say am I better off without Bill de Blasio as Mayor or do I miss Bill de Blasio as my Mayor.
7-Day Average Positivity Rate 1.76%; Lowest Since November 5, 2020
2,573 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide; Down 611 Over the Last Week
625 Patients in the ICU; 381 Intubated
Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.25%
39 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"New Yorkers have embodied the spirit of New York Tough, and it shows in our numbers more and more every day," Governor Cuomo said. "It is easier than ever to receive the vaccine and as the rate of vaccinations increases and the rate of infection decreases we are able to accelerate the reopening. While the light at the end of the tunnel has never been brighter, this war isn't over. I encourage New Yorkers to continue doing the things we know stop COVID in its tracks: wear a mask, practice social distancing and, most importantly, get vaccinated. I urge those who have yet to be vaccinated to do the right thing for themselves, their families and their communities and roll up your sleeve. We are all in this together."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
91,035 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours
More than 1.1 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days
Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State's Vaccine Program Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than 7 million New Yorkers are now fully vaccinated. 91,035 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.
"Thanks to our dedicated health professionals and volunteers, 7 million New Yorkers are now fully vaccinated — which is the highest number of fully vaccinated adults than in any other large state, according to CDC." Governor Cuomo said. "We will continue to work with our providers and community leaders across the state to ensure the vaccine distribution remains equitable and to address any persisting hesitancy people have about getting the vaccine. Anybody who is 16 years of age and older is eligible, but we're seeing that some of us are less eager to get it. We all have a duty to do what's necessary to protect one another, and getting vaccinated is part of that duty so that we can defeat this virus once and for all."
All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.
STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN
Total doses administered - 15,734,364
Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 91,035
Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,183,484
Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 46.6%
Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 35.2%
2,539 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide
613 Patients in the ICU; Lowest Since November 24, 2020
379 Intubated; Lowest Since December 2, 2020
Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.94%
7-Day Average Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.79%; Lowest Since November 5, 2020; Down 50% Over the Last Month
37 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"New Yorkers have shown strength and resiliency through an incredibly difficult time in our lives, and the numbers are declining as we make progress fighting this pandemic. As vaccination rates go up, we're making the vaccine easier to access and improving the state's public health by establishing walk-in appointments and new pop-up sites," Governor Cuomo said. "The infection rate is a function of what each of us does to slow the spread, and washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing remain critical behaviors that save lives. I urge everyone who can get the vaccine to make an appointment if you are not already vaccinated so we can put this pandemic behind us and rebuild New York."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
Owners of Popular Establishments, Including Dark Horse Tavern, to Repay State Nearly $500,000
Businesses Underreported More Than $4 Million in Taxable Sales Over 5 Years
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller today announced the guilty pleas of the owners of a number of popular upstate restaurants and bars for tax evasion. George Seibel, 60, of Homer, and Anthony Caruso, 60, of Cortland, as well as the parent companies of their respective businesses — Dark Horse Tavern, A Pizza and More, Hairy Tony’s, and Dasher’s Corner Pub — pleaded guilty to Criminal Tax Fraud for underreporting more than $4 million in taxable sales. As part of their pleas, the defendants repaid the state the full $479,203.03 they owed to New York.
“We will not allow anyone to get away with stealing from the state’s coffers,” said Attorney General James. “These guilty pleas ensure that these establishments finally pony up the cash they illegally pocketed and rein in their dishonest behavior. I want to thank Acting Commissioner Hiller for her leadership and her department’s critical work in protecting New York taxpayers.”
“Business owners who blatantly disregard their obligation to pay over the sales taxes they collected from their customers deprive the communities where they operate of revenue needed for vital services and put similar businesses at an unfair disadvantage,” said Acting Commissioner Hiller. “I thank the Attorney General for her partnership on this case, and we’ll continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
A joint investigation by the Office of Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Taxation and Finance revealed that — between 2010 and 2015 — Seibel and Caruso collectively underreported a total of more than $4 million in taxable sales, and failed to remit over $475,000 in sales tax collected from their six different restaurants and bars throughout Cortland and Onondaga Counties.
Seibel and Caruso registered APAM, LLC with New York state and subsequently opened three pizzerias named A Pizza and More, located in Cortland, Homer, and Tully, New York. A Tax Department audit of sales tax returns for the period between December 1, 2011 and May 31, 2015 revealed that Seibel and Caruso underreported A Pizza and More’s taxable sales by $1,948,166.04. As a result, Seibel, Caruso, and APAM failed to remit $158,653.28 in sales tax due to New York state.
Caruso individually registered Anthony Caruso, LLC with New York state and opened Hairy Tony’s, a pub located in Cortland, New York. A Tax Department audit of sales tax returns for the period between December 1, 2010 and May 31, 2015 revealed that Caruso underreported Hairy Tony’s taxable sales by $1,637,649.90, and failed to remit $131,024.98 in sales tax due to New York state.
Seibel individually registered Academy Avenue Enterprises, Inc. with New York state and opened Dark Horse Tavern in Cortland, New York. A Tax Department audit of sales tax returns for the period between March 1, 2012 and November 30, 2015 revealed that Seibel underreported Dark Horse Tavern’s taxable sales by $1,098,799.73, and failed to remit $90,895.47 in sales tax due to New York state.
Seibel also individually registered James & Main, LLC with New York state and opened Dasher’s Corner Pub, a pub and restaurant located in Homer, New York. A Tax Department audit of sales tax returns for the period between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2015 revealed that Seibel failed to remit $98,629.32 in sales tax due to New York state.
In December 2019, APAM pleaded guilty before the Honorable Gerald Keene in Cortland County Court to Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree — a Class D felony — and paid all sales tax owed in full.
Also, in December 2019, Seibel and James & Main, LLC each pleaded guilty before the Honorable William J. Foley in Homer Town Court to Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree — a Class A misdemeanor — pertaining to their failure to remit sales tax concerning Dasher’s Corner Pub. All sales tax owed by Dasher’s Corner Pub has been paid in full, and Seibel was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.
On Friday, before the Honorable Gerald Keene in Cortland County Court, Seibel pleaded guilty to two additional counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree pertaining to his failure to remit sales tax concerning APAM and Dark Horse Tavern, and Caruso pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree pertaining to his failure to remit sales tax concerning APAM and Hairy Tony’s. Additionally, Academy Avenue Enterprises, Inc. and Anthony Caruso, LLC also pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree pertaining to the Dark Horse Tavern and Hairy Tony’s respectively. All sales tax owed by Dark Horse and Hairy Tony’s have been paid in full. Seibel and Caruso were both sentenced to one-year conditional discharges.
The OAG wishes to thank the Department of Taxation and Finance for their valuable assistance in this investigation.
Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter and Assault; Will Be Sentenced to 24 ½ Years in Prison
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter and first-degree Assault for stabbing a woman to death and for wounding another woman in separate incidents in the Bronx within six hours last November.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant pleaded guilty today to two atrocious crimes. The defendant used a butcher knife to stab a woman on a street, causing serious injuries, and six hours later he wielded that knife to ferociously stab another woman multiple times, causing her death.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Baron George, 38, of 3339 Kingsland Avenue, today pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter and first-degree Assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2021 to 24 and a half years in prison and five years post-release supervision for the fatal stabbing, and five years in prison and five years post release supervision for the assault, both sentences to be served concurrently.
According to the investigation, on November 22, 2020 at approximately 3:40 AM at Bullard Avenue and East 236th Street, the defendant and the victim were in his car when he grabbed the victim’s head and forced it towards his pelvic area. After the victim refused to perform a sexual act on him, the defendant stabbed her multiple times in the back and arm with a butcher knife, causing substantial pain and serious physical injury.
According to the investigation, on November 22, 2020 at approximately 9:37 a.m. inside of a motel at 2291 New England Thruway, the defendant stabbed Brizjel Kemp, 38, with a butcher knife multiple times in her body causing her death.
The defendant fled to New Jersey, where he was arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman in Galloway. The victim in that incident survived. George was arrested on December 5, 2020 for the incidents that occurred in the Bronx.
District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Sheldon Smith of Bronx Homicide and Detective Mark Moccia of the 47th Precinct for their assistance in the investigation.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Lift Most Industry Capacity Restrictions Beginning May 19 Given Vaccination Progress and COVID-19 Case Decline
Business Capacity Limits to Be Replaced with Space Available to Maintain Six Feet of Social Distancing on May 19 in New York and New Jersey
Outdoor Social Gathering Limit Increases to 500 on May 10 in New York; Indoor Social Gathering Limit Increases to 250 on May 19 in New York
Outdoor Residential Gathering Limit is Removed and Indoor Residential Gathering Limit Increases to 50 on May 19 in New York
Large-Scale Indoor Venue Capacity Increases to 30% and Large-Scale Outdoor Venue Capacity Increases to 33% on May 19, Proof of Vaccination or Recent Negative Test Still Required in New York
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a significant easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the region's businesses, venues and gatherings given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
"The tide is turning against COVID-19 in New York, and thanks to our increasing vaccination rates, as well as our successful, data-based regional approach, we're able to take more steps to reopen our economy, help businesses and workers, and keep moving towards returning to normal," Governor Cuomo said. "Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers and our partners in government, we are now able to increase capacity limits for businesses, event venues and residences to reflect what we're seeing in the COVID data. Maintaining this progress is critical and in order to keep moving in a positive direction, New Yorkers must continue to take all the proper precautions. If we let up now, we could slide backwards and that is something nobody wants. So, let's be safe and for anyone who has yet to be vaccinated, please do so as soon as you can. With the addition of walk-in appointments, we've made it as easy as every to get your shot, so there are truly no excuses."
Governor Phil Murphy said, "With our COVID-19 numbers, particularly hospitalizations, trending decisively in the right direction and our vaccination goals within reach, now is the time to take major steps to reopen our economy and loosen both indoor and outdoor gathering and capacity restrictions. We've done this the right way, in partnership with our neighboring states of New York and Connecticut, and by allowing data, science, and public health to guide our decision-making. Over these next few weeks, I encourage all remaining eligible New Jerseyans to get vaccinated so we can continue fighting back against this virus and move toward a 'new normal' for ourselves, our neighbors, and our loved ones."
Governor Ned Lamont said, "Our region has led by example since the beginning of the pandemic, taking the virus seriously and working collaboratively across state lines to the benefit of all of our residents. We were able announce the elimination of business restrictions due to a nation-leading vaccine distribution program which benefits all Connecticut residents, and our neighbors in New York and New Jersey."
New York and New Jersey Announce Today:
Social Distance-based Business Capacities
Effective May 19, most business capacities—which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy—will be removed in New York and New Jersey. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet. This new distance-based maximum capacity will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings. It will also apply in houses of worship.
Increase in Social and Residential Gathering Limits
In New York beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people. Also, the outdoor residential gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing, and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people. In New York, any event gatherings in excess of the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Event Venues
Congregate commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of four present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated.
Starting May 19, large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity, which is an increase from the current 10 percent capacity limit. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Industry Reopening Requirements
While most industry capacity restrictions will be lifted, industry-specific requirements will remain in effect for a longer period of time, including state or local health authority event notification, health screening, contact information for tracing, enhanced air handling and building system standards, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols. The State will continue to provide additional guidance on these provisions as they apply to each industry.
Today's announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen the economy amid a steady decline in New York's COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. On April 30, Governor Cuomo announced that New York City indoor dining will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7, bringing New York City in line with the rest of New York. The Governor also announced that hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7. New York City gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50 percent capacity beginning May 15. On April 28, Governor Cuomo announced that the food and beverage service, and catered event, curfews would end this month.
Connecticut Previously Announced:
