Governor Cuomo Announces Second-Straight Day of Record Low Single-Day and 7-Day COVID-19 Positivity Rates

 

7-Day Average is 0.56% — Has Declined Every Day for Two Straight Months; Lowest in the Country per Johns Hopkins University

NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker Issues Letter to CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky on New York's School Mask Policy

Statewide Positivity Rate is 0.42%

89,424 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

916 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide — Lowest Since October 17

15 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. New York State's 7-day statewide positivity rate fell to 0.56 percent — the 60th consecutive day of decline, down 84 percent from the previous peak of 3.57 percent on April 4, and down 93 percent from the post-holiday peak of 7.94 percent on January 4. New York's 7-day average positivity rate is the lowest of any state in the country for the third consecutive day, per Johns Hopkins University.

"We're working night and day to beat back this pandemic and reach the light at the end of the tunnel, but the key remains vaccinations and we need to get as many shots in arms as possible in every corner of this state," Governor Cuomo said. "Our numbers are trending in the right direction and much of the economy has been reopened but we cannot lose sight of our vaccination goals. For everyone who hasn't yet been vaccinated, remember that you don't just protect yourself with the shot — you protect family, friends and our state, so make an appointment or walk into a site today."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker issued a letter informing CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky of New York State's concern over the inconsistency in the CDC guidance between children who are unvaccinated at summer camps and the current rules for unvaccinated children at schools. New York has informed the CDC that on Monday the state intends to allow school districts to waive the mask mandate for students outside the building unless the CDC advises the state before Monday of contrary data or science.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 187,686
• Total Positive - 779
• Percent Positive - 0.42%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.56%
• Patient Hospitalization - 916 (-54)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 114
• Patients in ICU - 232 (-13)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 134 (-9)
• Total Discharges - 182,730 (+128)
• Deaths - 15
• Total Deaths - 42,760
• Total vaccine doses administered - 19,316,094
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 89,424
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 500,355
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 65.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 57.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 54.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 46.5%

Former Senior FinCEN Employee Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Unlawfully Disclosing Suspicious Activity Reports

 

Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards Repeatedly Transmitted SARs and Other Sensitive Government Information to A Reporter

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NATALIE MAYFLOWER SOURS EDWARDS, a/k/a “Natalie Sours,” a/k/a “Natalie May Edwards,” a/k/a “May Edwards,” a former Senior Advisor at the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), was sentenced to six months in federal prison for unlawfully disclosing Suspicious Activity Reports (“SARs”) and other sensitive information.  EDWARDS previously pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to disclose SARs before United States District Judge Gregory H. Woods, who imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Today’s sentence demonstrates that public servants who abuse the power entrusted to them will face steep consequences for their actions.  Maintaining the confidentiality of SARs, which are filed by banks and other financial institutions to alert law enforcement to potentially illegal transactions, is critical to preserve the integrity of myriad investigations, and the financial privacy of individuals.  Government employees entrusted with such highly sensitive information owe a duty to safeguard that information.  The defendant abused that trust to serve her own purposes, broke the law, and now faces time in a federal prison for her actions.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint, Information, other court filings, publicly-available information, and statements made in public court proceedings:

The mission of FinCEN is to “safeguard the financial system from illicit use and combat money laundering and promote national security through the collection, analysis, and dissemination of financial intelligence and strategic use of financial authorities.”[2]  Among other things, FinCEN manages the collection and maintenance of SARs regarding potentially suspicious financial transactions, which, under the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), U.S. financial institutions and other parties are required by law to generate and deliver to FinCEN.  Under the BSA and its implementing regulations, willful disclosure of a SAR or its contents by government employees or agents except as necessary to fulfill official duties is a felony.

Beginning in approximately October 2017, and lasting until her arrest in October 2018, EDWARDS agreed to and did unlawfully disclose numerous SARs to a reporter (“Reporter-1”), the substance of which were published over the course of approximately 12 articles by a news organization for which Reporter-1 worked.  The illegally disclosed SARs pertained to, among other things, Paul Manafort, Richard Gates, the Russian Embassy, Maria Butina, and Prevezon Alexander.  EDWARDS had access to each of the pertinent SARs and saved them—along with thousands of other files containing sensitive government information—to a flash drive provided to her by FinCEN.  She transmitted the SARs to Reporter-1 by means that included taking photographs or images of them and texting the photographs or images to Reporter-1 over an encrypted application.  In addition to disseminating SARs to Reporter-1, EDWARDS sent or described to Reporter-1 internal FinCEN emails or correspondence appearing to relate to SARs or other information protected by the BSA, and FinCEN non-public memoranda, including Investigative Memos and Intelligence Assessments published by the FinCEN Intelligence Division, which contained confidential personal information, business information, and/or security threat assessments.

In addition to her prison term, EDWARDS, 43, of Quinton, Virginia, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Governor Cuomo Announces Results of Memorial Day Weekend Crackdown

 

More Than 9,200 Tickets Issued During Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Period

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police issued a total of 9,214 tickets statewide during the Memorial Day Weekend enforcement campaign to combat drunk and impaired driving. The enforcement period began on Friday, May 28 and continued through Tuesday, June 1.

"Driving while impaired is reckless and irresponsible behavior and it will not be tolerated in this state -- period," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers need to make responsible choices and drive sober or get a ride when you're unable to safely get behind the wheel. Failing to do so will result in real consequences or needless and avoidable tragedies."

During the campaign, which was partially funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. Troopers arrested 185 people for DWI and investigated 851 crashes, including 163 personal injury crashes and two fatalities.

Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Mark J.F. Schroeder, said, "I applaud the New York State Police and all law enforcement across the state for their vigilance and commitment to getting impaired drivers off our roads. The reckless decision to drive impaired is not only costly, but often leads to deadly consequences. Avoid tragedies by having a plan to get home safely."

State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "While we have made strides to reduce impaired driving, these results are proof that far too many people are still making the wrong decision and getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs. We have no tolerance for this behavior, and our Troopers will remain vigilant to remove these reckless individuals from our roadways."

As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued.

Speeding                               3,991

Distracted Driving                415

Seatbelt violations               3,100

Move Over Law                   177

During last year's Memorial Day Weekend enforcement campaign, which ran from Friday, May 22, 2020, through Tuesday, May 26, the State Police issued 8,907 total tickets and arrested 203 people for DWI.

VNNA June Monthly Zoom Meeting - 13th City Council Forum

 

VNNA June Monthly Zoom Meeting

Time: Jun 9, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2592510029...

Meeting ID: 259 251 0029

Passcode: 2021

Dial by your location

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbCinpq0y

212 Days and Counting - Which One is the Real Mayor of New York?

 

Big Bird is a vertically gifted, empathetic leader who dedicates  his life to teaching kids and learning himself. To be compared to him is a badge of honor.

– New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, @NYCMayor

Hi, I'm Big Bird and I am being compared to the Mayor of New York City. He likes it, ask me what I think.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. Endorses William Rivera in the 18th City Council District

 

Friend— We earned the endorsement of Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr!  This is a significant moment for our campaign -- and it couldn’t come at a better time. With Election Day less than three weeks away, we now have the momentum we need to win.  But this endorsement won’t mean anything if we don’t capture the momentum by making sure every single Bronx resident knows what’s at stake and why it’s so important they come out to vote on June 22nd.  As an admirer of Ruben Diaz and his commitment and service to our city, I couldn’t be more honored by his endorsement. You can watch his remarks by clicking here.

Click here to SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Thank you,  William Rivera

Jacobi Hospital SUV to Receive A $400,000.00 Federal Earmark to Expand

 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took center stage at Jacobi Hospital Thursday afternoon, as it was announced by her, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the Hospital Stand Up to Violence unit would be getting four hundred thousand dollars to expand and hire a counselor for family members of shooting victims, and an emergency room social worker.

Jacobi Hospital is presently in Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's district, and in City Councilman Mark Gjonaj's district also. Councilman Gjonaj has been a supporter of the original SUV program that covers many communities in the Bronx where gun violence is a problem. I asked if the elected officials would be willing to bring in Federal Police to go after the gangs under the RICO Act as was done in cities like Chicago and St. Loui, but the congresswoman shied away from answering the question, while Congressman Bowman and Senator Schumer stayed silent. 

Over six-hundred people citywide, and over two-hundred people in the Bronx have been shooting victims including a fifteen year old boy who died of his wounds over the Memorial day Weekend. Senator Schumer said that the money would come from the $1.9 Trillion dollar American Rescue Plan, recently signed by President Biden. 

Senator Schumer saying that this Earmark would be part of the American Resque Plan.

Congressman Bowman spoke of his days being a principal, where the youth need to be involved in programs that will keep them out of trouble.

Medical Director Neo Romoo tells of the work done inside the hospital on shooting victims, and the need for SUV.

After the press conference many staff members of Jacobi Hospital went outside to pose with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Councilman Gjonaj, and Dr. Mitchell Katz (2nd from the right) the CEO of the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation.

Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of Laguardia Airport's New Outer Roadway Network as Part of Airport's $8 Billion Transformation

 

Project Marks Latest Milestone in LaGuardia's Complete Rebuild to Date, Following Opening of Terminal B in June 2020 

New Airport Roadway Network Opens Six Months Ahead of Schedule, in Time for Summer Travel Season as Passengers Return to the Skies  

   

26 New Bridges/Flyovers Reduce the Need for Congestion Causing Traffic Signals From 19 to 3, Improving Traffic Flow Around LaGuardia  

   

Governor Announces Council for Airport Opportunity's LaGuardia Career Center Will Be Extended by Four Years to 2025 to Continue to Help Queens Residents Find Jobs at the New LaGuardia Airport

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of LaGuardia Airport's new Terminal C outer roadway system, completed six months ahead of schedule and in time to improve traffic flow at the airport as travelers return to the skies this summer. The roadway opening is the latest milestone in the ongoing $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia Airport into the 21st century gateway New York deserves. 

"A completely redesigned road network — with state-of-the-art traffic management systems and fewer signaled intersections — will make it far easier for travelers arriving by vehicle to get to terminals or parking garages, representing a significant step forward as we create a world-class travel experience at a new LaGuardia Airport," Governor Cuomo said. "Along with plans to build AirTrain LaGuardia, which will create the airport's first reliable and fast mass transit rail link to Manhattan, the new roadway network puts LaGuardia Airport well on the way to becoming one of the most accessible airports in the nation." 

Governor Cuomo today also announced $1.5 million in additional funding to the Council for Airport Opportunity for the LaGuardia Career Center which, working with Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities and Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC, will continue to provide opportunities for local residents to benefit from the airport's redevelopment through 2025. The Council for Airport Opportunity is a nonprofit organization that provides airport-related recruitment and job placement services to Queens residents, including those who are minority and disadvantaged.  

Governor Cuomo's vision for a new and unified LaGuardia Airport — the first major new airport in the United States in 25 years — was unveiled in 2015, following the recommendations of the governor's airport advisory panel. Construction started in 2016, with significant milestones coming at a brisk pace, including the opening of a new Terminal B garage in February 2018, a new Concourse B in November 2018, a new Delta Concourse G in October 2019, a new Terminal B headhouse in June 2020, the first phase of Concourse A in August 2020, and the opening of the first taxiway beneath a pedestrian skybridge in May, 2021. Currently, more than half of LaGuardia passengers are using new gates and facilities.  

The project — one of the largest public private partnerships in aviation history — includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal and concourse except for the historically landmarked Marine Air Terminal, all while continuing to maintain full flight operations which included passenger volume records in 2018 and 2019.

Completion of the Outer Roadway Network 

Central to the vision for a new LaGuardia is creating a unified airport with two new main terminals connected by a Central Hall and a new, simplified and highly efficient roadway system that will allow for speedier vehicular movements. 

The Port Authority has allotted $625 million to new roadway/bridge construction as part of the overall $8 billion LaGuardia Airport modernization project. This includes LaGuardia Gateway Partners work on the western half of the airport at the new Terminal B and Delta's rebuilding of the entire eastern half of the airport to replace existing Terminals C and D with a single new Terminal C, which will be complete mid-2022. 

Twenty-six new bridges/flyovers replace 15 existing bridges and significantly eliminate the need for on-airport traffic signals. Prior to the start of the modernization program, there were 19 traffic signals for drivers to navigate at Terminals B, C and D. Following completion of the modernization project, only three of those 19 traffic signals are expected to remain. Most of the on-airport road crossings will have been eliminated by raising traffic up onto bridges, sometimes three levels high. To further improve traffic flow, the 8.4 miles of new airport roadway will feature more and wider lanes than the previous 7.7 miles of airport roadway. 

As Governor Cuomo announced last spring, roadway construction was accelerated during the pandemic as a result of reduced traffic and travel volume at the airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, which slashed six months off the scheduled time for completion. 

The piece of the Outer Roadway network that is being activated was a section of roughly 1 mile in length on two new bridges, consisting of upper and lower level roads, in front of the new Terminal C, which is under construction by Delta Airlines. 

   

Council for Airport Opportunity 

The additional funding for the Council for Airport Opportunity announced by the Governor is in addition to the $1.4 million allocated by the Port Authority of NY&NJ and airlines serving the airport in 2018 to establish the new partnership with Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities and Neighborhood Housing Services to provide the following services to local residents:

• Job placement assistance with airport employment opportunities
• Job development, skills training, and readiness programs
• Career counseling, interview preparation, and orientation for success in employment

Operating out of a new satellite office opened in April 2019 at 107-20 Northern Boulevard in Corona, the career center has already assisted 3,575 customers and placed 376 people in jobs at LaGuardia Airport, including 245 from Queens.

The extension of CAO funding is intended to maximize access to job opportunities for local residents, both during the redevelopment and beyond, and is among the many community benefits associated with funding for AirTrainLaGuardia. Funding for the office was set to have expired at the end of 2021. 

CAO recruits candidates for airport employment and provides them with job readiness counseling, career orientation and instruction in interviewing skills and job search techniques. Elmcor and NHS will add their in-depth knowledge of the community to ensure that the new CAO office reaches all local residents seeking to benefit from economic opportunities at LGA.