Governor Hochul Directs State Agencies to Prepare Emergency Response Assets Ahead of Late-Season Winter Storm

 

Winter Storm Warnings in Effect Throughout Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier Regions

Higher Elevations to See Heaviest Snowfall with Up to Foot of Snow for Parts of Central NY and Mid-Hudson Regions

Snowfall Rates of 1-2 Inches Per Hour Anticipated Through Tuesday Morning in the North Country

New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Potential Downed Trees and Power Outages; Use Caution During Tuesday Commute

 Governor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare emergency response assets as a late-season winter storm system is expected to bring snow and rain to several parts of the state beginning Monday evening and continuing through Wednesday morning. Winter Storm Warnings for heavy snow are currently in effect across areas with higher elevations in the Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier regions, which includes the Catskills. These areas are expected to see the heaviest snowfall with up to a foot of heavy, wet snow expected in parts of Central New York and the Mid-Hudson regions, as well as potential snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour in the North Country. Given the potential impacts of this system, New Yorkers should prepare for potential downed tree limbs and power outages in the areas of the heaviest snowfall, even if surface accumulations are minimal. Governor Hochul is also urging New Yorkers to use caution during the Tuesday morning commute.

"As New Yorkers, we know all too well that Winter can last beyond March, and this week we're preparing for a storm expected to bring up to a foot of snow in some parts of the state, making for a messy commute on Tuesday," Governor Hochul said. "State agencies are ready to respond to this late season storm system and we are urging New Yorkers to keep an eye on the forecast for local impacts and take precautions if traveling on Tuesday."

Parts of Central New York and the Mid-Hudson regions are expected to see up to a foot of snow by Wednesday morning. The Mohawk Valley Region could see up to seven inches of snow, and a general 2-5 inches of snow is expected for parts of the North Country, the Southern Tier and Western New York. The Capital Region and Finger Lakes regions are expected to receive two inches or less of snow, and the New York City and Long Island regions are expected to receive a few inches of rain from the weather system. Downed tree limbs and power outages are possible in regions of heaviest snowfall, even if surface accumulations are minimal.

Multiple weather warnings, watches, and advisories have been issuedacross the state in advance of the winter weather system. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Although we're more than halfway through April, snow is never out of the question in upstate New York. Our teams are fully prepared to handle this storm and will work with our local partners to make sure they have all the resources and support they need. While this storm isn't anything new for New Yorkers, we should all remain vigilant over the next 24 hours, check your local forecast, leave plenty of room Tuesday morning if you are traveling, and remember to check on friends and loved ones."

Safety Tips

Winter Travel

The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms are transportation-related crashes. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.

It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.

Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.

Some of the most important tips for safe driving include:

• When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary.
• Use caution on bridges as ice can form quicker than on roads.
• Wet leaves on roadways can cause slippery conditions, making it important to drive at slower speeds when approaching patches of them.
• Make sure your car is stocked with blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick-energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
• Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline freeze-up.
• If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
• Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
• While driving, keep vehicles clear of ice and snow.
• Plan stops and keep distance between cars. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.

For more safety tips, please visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING GIRLFRIEND

 

Defendant Seen Pushing a Shopping Cart Dripping Blood; Victim’s Body Was Never Found 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty by a jury of second-degree Murder for stabbing his girlfriend to death.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant killed his girlfriend and disposed of her body like garbage. Although her remains were never recovered, a jury listened to the facts of the case and found the defendant guilty. I hope this sentence brings some solace to the victim’s family.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Miguel Bonilla, 49, was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. The defendant was found guilty of second-degree Murder after a jury trial on January 31, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on August 9, 2016, the victim, Juana Alvarez, 52, was reported missing. It is believed she lived with her then-boyfriend Miguel Bonilla and her dog. On August 22, 2016, the defendant was arrested for not paying his subway fare. In a statement to police, he confessed to stabbing his girlfriend and disposing of her in a dumpster. The investigation led detectives to an upstate landfill, but the body was never located. A search warrant of the victim’s home found traces of her blood in the apartment. Detectives also obtained surveillance video showing Alvarez walking her dog walking outside the building daily until July 27, 2016, the last time she was ever seen. Two days later, the defendant was captured on video pushing a shopping cart dripping with blood.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Albert Crawford of the Arson and Explosion Unit (formerly of the 44th Precinct), and Detective John Entenmann of the Crime Scene Unit, as well as retired NYPD Detective Sean O’Leary of Bronx Homicide for their investigation.

MAYOR ADAMS, SANITATION COMMISSIONER TISCH ANNOUNCE $11 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR NEW STREET CLEANING INITIATIVES

 

Part of Earth Week Commitment to Getting Stuff Done for NYC Neighborhoods and Planet

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced an $11 million investment in cleaner streets and improved mobility for DSNY. As part of an effort to make New York City streets cleaner, alternate side parking will be fully restored beginning July 5, 2022, and in an effort to reduce New York City’s carbon footprint, funding for year-round protected bike lane cleaning will make biking an even more reliable mode of transportation for New Yorkers. This $11 million commitment will appear in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) executive budget to be released later this month.

“We’re no longer just going to talk about cleaning up our streets or taking steps to fight climate change, but we’re going to actually put really money behind these initiatives and lead by example here in New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “To begin Earth Week, we’re committing $11 million to cleanliness and expanded mobility so that our city can come back stronger than ever. This announcement includes items that have been talked about for years, but we’re finally ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for our neighborhoods.”

 

“Environmental justice begins at the street level, and clean streets are vital to vibrant neighborhoods and our city’s economic recovery,” said DSNY Commissioner Tisch. “The nearly 10,000 DSNY employees — and I’m proud to count myself as one of them — are excited to be getting more of the tools we need to do our job of keeping the city healthy, safe, and clean.”

 

“Today’s announcement is a great way to kick off Earth Week by delivering cleaner and more efficient streets to New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “I thank Mayor Eric Adams for his leadership on climate and sustainability matters and look forward to New Yorkers enjoying clear bike lanes and cleaner streets. And I welcome new Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch as DOT continues our partnership with DSNY."

 

Today’s $11 million investment includes:

 

• A full restoration of alternate side parking (ASP), to allow DSNY’s mechanical brooms to do their jobs. Mechanical brooms are the city’s most effective tools for street cleaning — sweeping litter from along the curb on thousands of miles of New York City streets. ASP had been partially suspended as a COVID-19 pandemic measure, and this restoration is not only part of a return to normal, but to the high level of street cleanliness New Yorkers expect and deserve.
• Funding for both equipment and personnel to perform year-round street cleaning on protected bike lanes and other narrow infrastructure. DSNY will begin piloting sweeping operations this summer using a fleet of 10 Micromobility Operations Machines (MOMs), similar to the ones used to plow bike lanes effectively during winter 2021-2022. DSNY will have several dozen of these units in two different sizes by the end of next year.

 

“It's critical that we support a plan that keeps our streets clean and safe, supporting micromobility and helping reduce the reliance on fossil fuel burning cars,” said Julie Tighe, president, New York League of Conservation Voters. “The New York League of Conservation Voters is excited to see this new investment to keep bike lanes clean so more riders can take advantage of reliable transportation that helps keep our city healthier and safer, and we thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch for their leadership.”

 

“We applaud the New York City Department of Sanitation’s commitment to deploy new bike-lane sized sweepers this year,” said Eric McClure, executive director, StreetsPAC. “The significant investment in more nimble sweepers is critical for keeping up with the building of more safe, physically protected bike lanes, coupled with the full restoration of alternate-side parking, will go a long way toward giving New Yorkers the clean streets and sidewalks we all deserve. Kudos to Commissioner Tisch and Mayor Adams for this investment in cleaner and safer streets.”

 

Each of these initiatives builds on existing work by DSNY, and takes services for New Yorkers to a new level. During the partial ASP suspension, DSNY and the City Cleanup Corps continued to sweep the streets as effectively and as fully as possible. This announcement will facilitate that work further. Similarly, the MOMs street sweeping program follows a successful implementation of these devices for plowing — often simultaneous with car-lane clearance.

 

Permits Filed For 53 East 177th Street In Mt. Hope, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for an eight-story mixed-use building at 53 East 177th Street in Mt. Hope, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of Walton Avenue and East 177th Street, the lot is within walking distance of the Tremont Avenue subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Mike Schwartz is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 84-foot-tall development will yield 52,359 square feet, with 50,520 square feet designated for residential space and 1,838 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 81 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 623 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have open space but no accessory parking.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed for the parking lot on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

MAYOR ADAMS, FORMER MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCE ‘SUMMER BOOST NYC’ PROGRAM TO SUPPORT 25,000 NYC STUDENTS

 

Program Will Provide Summer Learning and Enrichment for 25,000 Charter School Students

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg today announced the launch of ‘Summer Boost NYC’ — a new Bloomberg Philanthropies program that will support summer learning at public charter schools in New York City for approximately 25,000 K-8 students who have fallen behind and face significant learning gaps that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For two years, in-person learning disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying social- and health-related effects have resulted in significant learning loss, particularly for students of color from low-income families.

“Whether at a district school or a charter school, every young person should be invested in, and this $50 million investment will do just that,” said Mayor Adams. “Many of our sons and daughters had disrupted learning during the past two years because of the pandemic and deserve an opportunity to learn during the summer. This investment will give young New Yorkers in the program the chance to grow, to learn, and to explore their talents and imagination. I want to thank Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for creating the Summer Boost NYC program, continuing to make massive investments in our children, and showing an entire nation how to make our schools work for everyone. With their support, we are ensuring no young person is left behind.”

 

“After two years of school closures and inadequate remote instruction, students across the U.S. have suffered unprecedented learning loss,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP; and 108^th Mayor of New York City. “The harm has fallen heaviest on the children who were already too far behind, especially low-income Black and Latino students. That could have devastating effects on their chances for graduating high school and going to college or beginning a career. Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks deserve credit for recognizing the crisis and taking immediate action by expanding Summer Rising across the city. The private sector and philanthropic groups also have a duty to step in and do what they can to help get kids back on track. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. This summer is a valuable opportunity to make up for lost ground, and we’re not going to let it slip by.”

 

“It is essential that every child in New York City has a safe and supportive place to grow this summer,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for their generosity and for helping to lift up our youngest New Yorkers.”

 

A private study from McKinsey found that the pandemic fed the ongoing educational crisis already facing many students of color from low-income families in New York City. Unless urgent action is taken, some of these students may never catch up and their future higher education, employment, and wage-earning opportunities will be severely impacted. Recently, New York City expanded its Summer Rising program for 2022 and now serves 110,000 students in grades K-8 — up more than 10 percent from last year. Summer Boost NYC builds on the city’s Summer Rising initiative by aiming to support students at charter schools — which 14 percent of New York City public school students attend — expanding much-needed summer school programs to more than 135,000 students.

Attorney General James Reminds Landlords to Not Raise Rents If They Accept Pandemic Rental Assistance

 

Landlords Who Receive Payments from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Cannot Raise Rents for 12 Months

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued an advisory to landlords reminding them that they cannot raise rents if they accepted or plan to accept funding from the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which was recently expanded in the state’s budget. Landlords who accept payments from the program are prohibited from raising rents for a year after they receive the funds. Attorney General James is ready to take action to protect tenants if landlords fail to abide by ERAP’s rules.

“The rules are clear: Landlords who accept ERAP payments cannot raise rents for 12 months,” said Attorney General James. “This program was created to support struggling tenants and keep New Yorkers in their homes during the pandemic. Landlords who accepted payments from the state yet are still raising rents are double dipping and breaking the law. I urge any tenant who accepted ERAP payments and received a new lease with rent increases from their landlord to contact my office.”

ERAP is a rent relief program that provides support to low- and moderate-income tenants across the state who could not pay rent during the pandemic. Since the state started accepting applications in June 2021, it has provided hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers with financial support to pay off back rent. It pays up to 12 months of rental arrears accrued on or after March 13, 2020 as well as up to three months of additional rental assistance going forward. In addition, the program pays up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears that accrued on or after March 13, 2020. The program was recently infused with an additional $800 million.

Landlords who accept ERAP payments agreed:

• Not to increase the monthly rental amount for one year from receipt of the ERAP payment;
• To waive any late fees due on any rental arrears covered by the ERAP payment; and
• Not to evict ERAP recipients when their lease expires. This does not apply if the apartment is in a building of four or fewer units and the property owner or owner’s immediate family members intend to immediately occupy the unit for use as a primary residence.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has received reports from tenants that landlords who accepted ERAP payments are sending them renewal leases with rent increases amid the 12-month grace period. While these leases may be generated automatically by management, landlords are cautioned not to seek rent increases in renewal or new leases that commence during the 12-month period.

“Now more than ever, it is critical for tenants across New York to empower themselves and know their rights under ERAP, and for landlords to adhere to the law,” said Judith Goldiner, attorney-in-charge of Civil Law Reform Unit, The Legal Aid Society. “We applaud Attorney General James for putting property owners on notice and reinforcing that there will be serious consequences for unscrupulous landlords.”

“The Emergency Rental Assistance program has been an effective tool in ensuring tenants can remain housed during a global health crisis,” said Meghan Zickl, legal tenant advocate, PUSH Buffalo. “Continuing to fund ERAP is a decision we are relieved the New York state legislature made a priority in the most recent state budget. However, we remain concerned about landlords who will take advantage of this mutually beneficial program and seek to undermine the tenant protections in it by raising the rent during the first year, apply excessive late fees, or even trying to move their tenants out, all while accepting ERAP. We have seen this happen in the prior round of ERAP funding, and we must remain aware of those patterns and address them if our goal is to stabilize our communities.”

“The state law that implemented ERAP took measures to promote housing stability,” said Jill Bradshaw-Soto, Esq, chief program officer, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. “Our clients face numerous obstacles to maintaining safe and sustainable housing and these challenges have increased during the pandemic. As the majority of tenants in housing court are unrepresented, it is critical that both tenants and landlords are informed and understand the ERAP program and it’s protections.”

“During the COVID19 pandemic hundreds of families in North Brooklyn struggled with staying safe and healthy but lost income had difficulty meeting housing costs,” said Frank Lang, housing director, St. Nicks Alliance. “In 2021 St. Nicks Alliance assisted over 200 households apply to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) so these families don’t become homeless. We remind landlords that received ERAP funds to comply with the program regulations. To tenants that received ERAP assistance we encourage them to seek Housing Counseling assistance to ensure that their housing rights are protected.”

Attorney General James offers the following tips and guidance to tenants who have received funding from ERAP:

• Return leases that have a rent increase. Leases that include an increase within 12 months of your landlord receiving ERAP payments should be returned to your landlord with a note explaining that the landlord received ERAP payments and cannot increase the rent. Tenants should follow up with management to explain why the lease is improper and ask for a new lease to be issued.
• Monitor your rent statements. Check your rent statements to make sure that your rent hasn’t been increased or that your landlord is charging you late fees for any of the months covered by the ERAP payment.
• Do not ignore court papers. Even if your landlord received an ERAP payment or you submitted an ERAP application, do not ignore court papers.   
• Speak with an attorney. If your landlord is taking you to court or you have questions about your lease, you should speak with an attorney. You can visit OAG’s tenant help website to find free legal representation.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - Apri; 18, 2022

 

As New Yorkers Continue to Travel During Spring Recess, Remember to Use the Toolkit: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

More than 38 Million Total Vaccine Doses Administered

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"The vaccine and booster are our best tools to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and keep the numbers down," Governor Hochul said. "As the two new and highly contagious variants continue to circulate, make sure you are getting tested and if you test positive please stay home and consult your doctor on available treatments. Be smart, wear your mask if you're around vulnerable family members and think it's necessary, and make sure the friends and family you are spending time with are vaccinated and boosted if eligible."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

Note: The HERDS Survey (Hospital/Death data) had been paused due to the Holiday weekend. The survey will resume today and the Hospital/Death data will be displayed in tomorrow's report.

• Cases Per 100k - 21.98
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 29.99
• Test Results Reported - 57,556
• Total Positive - 4,296
• Percent Positive - 7.30%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.12%
• Patient Hospitalization - Will be reported tomorrow
• Patients Newly Admitted - Will be reported tomorrow
• Patients in ICU - Will be reported tomorrow
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - Will be reported tomorrow
• Total Discharges - Will be reported tomorrow
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - Will be reported tomorrow
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - Will be reported tomorrow

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 70,546

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.    

• Total vaccine doses administered - 38,006,331
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 10,935
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 208,550
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 86.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.6%

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:    

Borough	Friday, April 15, 2022	Saturday, April 16, 2022	Sunday, April 17, 2022
Bronx	1.47%	1.56%	1.64%
Kings	2.80%	2.91%	3.04%
New York	4.70%	4.70%	4.85%
Queens	2.71%	2.82%	2.98%
Richmond	3.42%	3.31%	3.42%