Governor Cuomo Announces 13th Consecutive Day of Record-Low COVID Positivity Statewide

 

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.47% - Has Declined for 66 Consecutive Days - Lowest in the Nation per Johns Hopkins University

104,488 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours - 11 Million New Yorkers Have Now Received at Least One Dose - Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.2%

State-Run Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Sites Demobilizing as Demand for Testing Drops 88% from January to May

9 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.

Governor Cuomo also announced the demobilizing of state-run drive-through COVID-19 testing sites across New York State beginning Friday, June 11. These testing site closures follow historically low positivity rates and an 88 percent decrease in drive-through testing demand from January to May 2021, allowing the State to focus its resources on getting more New Yorkers vaccinated. As New York State rapidly approaches the goal of a 70 percent vaccination rate, and with the abundance of various testing options in all areas of the State, the dependence on drive-through testing has dramatically decreased.

"New Yorkers have embodied the spirit of what it means to be New York Tough and it is because of their determination to defeat COVID-19 that we are able to demobilize these testing sites," Governor Cuomo said. "Since our nation-leading testing program began in March 2020, over 57 million tests have been conducted in New York State, with 1.6 million at our drive-through sites. This incredible effort was made possible through partnerships with our State agencies, their dedicated workforce, health care providers and the National Guard and I cannot thank them enough for their service to New Yorkers. I encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated so we can continue our work to return to normalcy and reimagine a stronger, better and healthier New York."

As drive-through testing sites begin to demobilize, no current drive-through testing appointments will be impacted. Demobilization will begin tomorrow with the following state-run drive-through sites:

Friday, June 11

Bronx - Lehman College

2925 Goulden Avenue

 

Bronx, New York

Brooklyn - Brooklyn Developmental Center

888 Fountain Avenue

 

Brooklyn, New York 

Erie County - Buffalo Sabres Lot

Buffalo Sabres Lot

125 Perry Street

Buffalo, New York

 

Nassau County - Jones Beach State Park

Roosevelt Nature Center

1 Ocean Parkway

Wantagh, New York

 

Oneida County - Griffiss International Airport

Griffiss International Airport

800 Ellsworth Road

Rome, New York

 

Staten Island - Staten Island Seaview Avenue

OMH South Beach

777 Seaview Avenue

Staten Island, New York

 
Today's data is summarized briefly below:

·         Test Results Reported - 139,492
·         Total Positive - 566
·         Percent Positive - 0.41%
·         7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.47%
·         Patient Hospitalization - 758 (-19)
·         Patients Newly Admitted - 105
·         Patients in ICU - 190 (-5)
·         Patients in ICU with Intubation - 113 (-7)
·         Total Discharges - 183,346 (+96)
·         Deaths - 9
·         Total Deaths - 42,833
·         Total vaccine doses administered - 19,820,785
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 104,488
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 594,115
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 66.9%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 59.3%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 69.2%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 60.3%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 55.2%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 48.2%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 57.2%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 48.9%

NYC PARKS TO REOPEN 13 RECREATION CENTERS TO MEMBERS MONDAY, JUNE 14, WITH NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

 

NYC PARKS TO REOPEN 13 RECREATION CENTERS TO MEMBERS MONDAY, JUNE 14, WITH NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP announced that on Monday, June 14, the first phase of recreation center reopenings will begin with the opening of 13 centers to existing members; two additional recreation centers will reopen to members on Wednesday, June 23. To ensure proper social distancing and prevent overcrowding, initially, recreation centers will only be open to members who were active as of March of 2020.  

“Recreation centers sit at the heart of so many communities, providing New Yorkers of all ages the chance to participate in athletics and a variety of other programming,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As we take these steps to reopen safely, I encourage everyone who isn’t vaccinated already to get their shot today.”

 

“As our city continues to take great strides in recovering and reopening, we are thrilled to begin the process of reopening our recreation centers for New Yorkers to enjoy,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “While we are excited to begin reopening our centers, we urge everyone to get vaccinated and continue to follow mask and social distancing guidance, so that we may fully emerge, together, from this pandemic.”

 

NYC PARKS RECREATION CENTER REOPENINGS:

 

June 14, 2021: Hunts Point (BX), Brownsville (BK), Hansborough (MN), Alfred E. Smith (MN), Highbridge (MN), Rec Center 54 (MN), Thomas Jefferson (MN), Tony Dapolito (MN), Al Oerter (QN), Lost Battalion Hall (QN), Greenbelt (SI), Lyons (SI), Faber (SI), 

 

June 23, 2021: McCarren (BK), and Ocean Breeze (SI).

 

As a precaution due to COVID-19, several new policies are being implemented to keep recreation members safe. The reopened centers will operate at reduced capacity, and mask wearing is required for all. Recreation center equipment has been arranged to promote social distancing and shared equipment will be cleaned frequently. Indoor pools remain closed to the public at this time. 

 

Parks recreation centers were closed in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, recreation centers were repurposed in support of COVID-19 related services including youth education and childcare services, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and mask and food distribution hubs. 

 

Since 1910, the NYC Parks has provided the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout New York City. Parks’ 36 recreation centers offer facilities such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, and dance studios, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. All recreation centers also offer a range of programs for people of all ages. 

 

Hours of operation vary - please visit Parks’ Recreation Center page for more information: nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters.

COURT GRANTS MOTION BY BRONX DA DARCEL CLARK TO DISMISS OVER 6,000 MISDEMEANOR MARIJUANA CASES

 

Includes Pending Cases and Bench Warrants

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that the Supervising Judge of Bronx Criminal Court, George A. Grasso, granted her Office’s motion to dismiss more than 6,000 cases that involved the charge of misdemeanor marijuana possession or sale, during a proceeding today in the Bronx Hall of Justice. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The Legislature has de-criminalized the possession and sale of small amounts of marijuana to right the wrong of disproportionate enforcement and arrests in communities of color like the Bronx. We had long stopped prosecuting these offenses because they were not a threat to public safety, and they gave people a criminal record that had negative collateral consequences on employment, housing, education, and immigration.

 “Our application today is part of my Office’s pursuit of justice with integrity. There is no purpose in spending prosecutorial and judicial resources on conduct that the Legislature has decriminalized. Since Article 221 has been repealed, there is no longer any basis to continue the prosecution of open cases that contain a sole charge of misdemeanor marijuana possession and/or sale, or keep active warrants related to these matters, so we have moved to dismiss 6,089 cases.”

 Administrative Judge Grasso said, “Today is a historic day in Bronx Criminal Court. Our Criminal Justice System has responded swiftly to the actions and intent of the New York State Legislature with respect to over six thousand pending and closed matters relating to Marijuana charges. This means that thousands of individuals (many who are young people of color) can now go about their business without being under the cloud of a criminal matter. I take pride in our Court’s continuing partnership with the Office of the District Attorney and the Defense Bar in our efforts to effect fair and impartial justice in Bronx County!”

 Peter Jones, Attorney-In-Charge of the Bronx Trial Office at The Legal Aid Society, said, “We thank DA Darcel Clark for agreeing to dismiss thousands of marijuana cases for expungable offenses, and appreciate her recognition that continued prosecution for matters that have been legalized is unjust. For decades, our clients shouldered the brunt of marijuana prohibition, losing years of their lives ensnared in the criminal legal system and denied meaningful employment, housing and other opportunities. These dismissals are critical for our clients, the majority from communities of color, who can now move on with their lives.”

 District Attorney Clark appeared before Judge Grasso in his courtroom today to declare, “In the furtherance of justice, the People move to dismiss 6,089 cases with sole charge of misdemeanor possession or sale of marijuana.” This total includes 2,441 summonses, 1,998 pending cases with 1,974 open warrants, and 1,650 cases in which a plea was entered and there is an open warrant based upon the failure to complete a sentence.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR AMPHITHEATER, PUBLIC RESTROOMS, GREENWAY BRIDGE IN AMBITIOUS EAST SIDE COASTAL RESILIENCY PROJECT

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced almost $140 million in new City funding to add more community amenities as part of East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR), the world-leading effort to protect Manhattan’s east side from the worst effects of climate change. The funding will support new public restrooms, a new amphitheater, and in a separate capital project, a $129 million flyover bridge to elevate the Manhattan Greenway over its narrowest point along the East River.

 

ESCR is a $1.45 billion climate resiliency project that will bolster flood protection and improve open spaces for more than 110,000 New Yorkers – including 28,000 public housing residents – on Manhattan’s East Side, from East 25^th Street south to Montgomery Street. These neighborhoods, which were pummeled by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, will now be home to one of the most ambitious infrastructure and climate justice projects in New York City history. The project is being managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction.

 

“East Side Coastal Resiliency is one of the boldest and most ambitious infrastructure projects in this city’s history, and these improvements will help make Manhattan more accessible and safer than ever from the worst effects of climate change,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our investments will add open space and recreation, while contributing to a more fair and equitable recovery for communities that were badly affected by both Sandy and the pandemic.”

Improvements to the project including:

• $4.83 million to replace the existing East River Park amphitheater structure with a new one at the same location.
• $5.8 million to build a comfort station at Murphy Brothers Playground, a 1.27-acre park at Avenue C and East 17^th Street. The playground was already scheduled to receive updated recreation facilities and flood protections. Other improvements to the playground will include a new basketball court, new synthetic turf ballfields, a new dog run, a new power source for the existing Little League scoreboard, and enhanced landscaping.
• $129 million, in a separate capital project, to the Department of Transportation to fully fund a future flyover bridge that will improve bike and pedestrian access through this critical part of the Greenway. The bridge will span the “pinchpoint” area of the Manhattan Greenway as it passes 14^th Street along the East River, an area where the Greenway narrows to just a few feet wide to fit between the river, the FDR Drive and adjacent Con Edison facilities. The bridge construction will be coordinated with ESCR.

 

“We’re excited to add these new elements that were community priorities to the program,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer. “The project has been responsive to community concerns while protecting residents and East River Park from severe climate events and improving open space and access, including through these investments as well as phasing project construction to keep almost 50% of the Park open at all times.”

 

“These projects support community priorities and will help to enhance waterfront parkland on Manhattan’s East Side with new infrastructure, amenities, and improved access,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “ESCR is on track to provide coastally resilient parks and integrated flood protection for more than 110,000 New Yorkers, and we are grateful to Mayor de Blasio for this additional investment in making sure these green spaces are neighborhood assets.”

 

“DOT is proud to be part of the great team of City agencies contributing to the massive and important East Side Coastal Resiliency project,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We have made so much progress in the de Blasio Administration creating better pedestrian and cyclist access to Manhattan’s incredible waterfront.   One of the remaining challenges has been the four-foot wide pinchpoint on the Greenway at East 14th Street, its narrowest point.    The Mayor’s investment in a new flyover bridge will not only provide a wider and safer Greenway access, it will be an attractive addition that helps meet our ultimate goal of uninterrupted waterfront access around the entire borough of Manhattan.”

 

"As we work to address climate threats facing New Yorkers, we're also investing in amenities that help support vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods," said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate Resiliency. "This additional funding will deliver on longstanding community priorities and make public spaces along the East Side of Manhattan more accessible and inviting to residents and visitors alike."  

 

"These community investments are great examples of how we can protect New Yorkers from rising sea levels worsened by climate change while improving the quality of life for local residents," said Ben Furnas, Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate & Sustainability. "This additional funding will increase access to open public spaces along the East River and create new infrastructure that prioritizes green transportation modes like walking and biking."

 

ESCR will include an integrated 2.4-mile system of raised parkland, floodwalls, berms and movable floodgates to create a continuous line of protection against sea level rise and the growing threat of stronger, more severe coastal storms worsened by climate change.

 

In addition to protecting New Yorkers from coastal storms and sea level rise, ESCR will also dramatically improve local parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities. The project involves significant upgrades to public open spaces and amenities, including improved waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points. It will also upgrade existing sewer systems to capture and manage precipitation during storms.

 

Construction of ESCR began at Asser Levy Playground on East 25th Street in November 2020. In April, Mayor de Blasio announced the beginning of major construction activities on the project when crews began pile driving near Stuyvesant Cove Park. The entire project is projected to be completed by 2025, though the project’s flood protection will be fully operational by 2023.

 

COUNCILMEMBER REV. RUBEN DIAZ, SR. ANNOUNCES THE ANNUAL MORRISON FESTIVAL

 

Council Member Ruben Diaz, Sr. along with H.O.G.A.R, Bronx County Expo Association, and Freddy Perez, Jr. Entertainment, announces the 20-year celebration of Morrison Avenue Festival in Bronx County.

 

More than five thousand (5,000) people are expected this Saturday, June 12, during the celebration of the Annual Morrison Avenue Festival (Between Westchester & Watson Avenues) in the County of the Bronx. The Festival will start at 12 noon until 6 in the afternoon.

 

For the past 20 years, the Morrison Avenue Festival has been a day of fun, games, and entertainment for children and families completely free. "LA SONORA PONCEÑA" have been invited from Puerto Rico among other musical groups. 

At 3 p.m., guests of honor, dignitaries, and elected officials will address the public.

 

Note: Transportation to get to the Festival: Train # 6, Buses # 4, # 27 to the Morrison Avenue Stop

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER SILVER AND COMMISSIONER GUTMAN ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR $80M RENOVATION OF JOHN FINLEY WALK

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, and DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman today announced plans to rehabilitate John Finley Walk, the promenade above the FDR Drive between E. 81st and E. 90th streets. The $80 million project will bring needed state of good repair improvements to the 1930s top-level structure. 

“John Finley Walk is an incredible spot to take a stroll and enjoy the waterfront,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These infrastructure improvements will ensure New Yorkers will be able to enjoy this beautiful promenade for generations to come.”

“Investing in parks and open space is critical as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “Repairing John Finley Walk’s infrastructure will ensure all New Yorkers continue to have access to this open space for walking, running, biking and more.”

 

“Our public spaces are critical to the health of our city, and their restoration is critical to our City’s comeback,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development for Vicki Been. “We are proud to announce this investment to rehabilitate the John Finley Walk, a well-loved, waterfront promenade in the Upper East Side. With this investment, we hope that it can serve many generations of New Yorkers!”

 

“John Finley Walk is a treasured part of Carl Schurz Park and an important link to the East River Esplanade, and this project will provide upgrades and make needed repairs to the 80-year-old structure,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FACIP. “Thanks to funding from Mayor de Blasio and project management by the experts at DOT, the promenade will continue to connect the Upper East Side community to the waterfront for decades to come.”

 

"As New York City reopens and recovers, we must continue investing in the open spaces that we all love, including our incomparable waterfront,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "Finley Walk, so popular with Upper East Side pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, is a gem -- and the funding the Mayor has announced today will extend its life by decades, as well as make it safer and more welcoming. We are always excited to work alongside our partners at NYC Parks, and we thank Council Member Ben Kallos and Congressmember Carolyn Maloney for their tireless advocacy of this project."

 

The project, which is being managed by the Department of Transportation on behalf of NYC Parks, will implement structural repairs to the underside of the deck, repair walls along the roadway, and replace concrete girders. It will also make important upgrades, eliminating uneven surfaces, improving drainage, replacing the pedestrian railings, and replacing street lighting and benches along the entire span.

 

Parks and DOT plan to present information to Community Board 8 on June 10. The full project details and timeline will be determined during the design process. 

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Nominations and Appointments to Administration

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new nominations, which were confirmed by the New York State Senate, and appointments to his administration.

"Throughout COVID, New Yorkers have proven themselves to be tough, smart, united, disciplined, and loving. They deserve to have a government filled with individuals who personify those same characteristics. I feel confident every nomination here today fits that standard," Governor Cuomo said.

State Board of Elections Chief Enforcement Counsel 

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate and the Assembly to the State Board of Elections as Chief Enforcement Counsel:

• Michael Johnson

Public Service Commission

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate to the Public Service Commission: 

• Hon. David Valesky
• John Maggiore
• James Alesi
• Rory Christian

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority:

• Sarah "Sadie" McKeown
• Frances Resheske
• Sherburne Abbott
• Richard Kauffman
• Jay Koh
• Arturo Garcia-Costas

BRONX MEN INDICTED FOR MURDER AND ARSON IN 2018 FIRE THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY

 

The Boy’s Mother and 7-year-old Sister Were Critically Injured in Blaze; Two Firefighters Suffered Burns

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx men have been indicted on Murder, Arson and additional charges for starting a fire inside a Belmont building in 2018 that killed two people including a 14-year-old boy, critically injured his mother and sister, and left two firefighters with burns. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants, who are brothers, allegedly started the fire in an apartment because they wanted to hurt two people inside. The fire traveled to the apartment above where a family lived, killing a 14-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man. The boy’s mother and seven-year-old sister sustained terrible injuries, and two firefighters were also injured. We will seek justice for the innocent lives lost and for the individuals who suffered because of the defendants’ malicious actions.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Charlie Garcia, 44, who is currently incarcerated for another incident in Manhattan, and Edward Garcia, 47, who was residing in a homeless shelter, were charged with first-degree Arson, two counts of second-degree Murder, two counts of Attempted Murder in the second degree, second-degree Arson, three counts of firstdegree Assault, two counts of Attempted Assault in the first-degree and four counts of seconddegree Assault. Charlie Garcia was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross. Remand was continued and he is due back in court on September 9, 2021. Edward Garcia is awaiting arraignment.

 According to the investigation, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 5, 2018, in the ground floor apartment the brothers shared in 2381 Hoffman Street in the Belmont section, the defendants used ignitable liquid, disconnected the gas line from the stove, and started a fire that rapidly accelerated. The defendants allegedly started the blaze and fled as two individuals who were staying in the apartment, Alyssa Cooke and Paul Montgomery, slept inside. The fire traveled to the apartment above where Evelyn Aponte, her 14-year-old son Jordan Conde, her seven-year-old daughter and her boyfriend Roberto Cortez were. Jordan and Cortez died of smoke inhalation and sustained burn injuries.

 Aponte sustained third-degree burns on over half of her body and the young girl suffered third-degree burns to her feet, collapsed lungs, and a burned throat due to smoke inhalation. Both were hospitalized for months. 

 Additionally, two firemen who responded to the scene sustained injuries. FDNY Firefighter Ryan Davis suffered second-degree burns to his legs and FDNY Lieutenant Daniel Bocian suffered a second-degree burn to his wrist as well as a hernia.

 District Attorney Clark thanked FDNY Fire Marshals John Szeligowski and Edwin Vega, and NYPD Detective Robert Klein of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their assistance in the investigation

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.