2006 MURDER SUSPECT ARRAIGNED ON INDICTMENT

 

Defendant Fled to Kosovo After He Allegedly Ran Over Bystander After Bronx Bar Fight; Extradited to Face Charges

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been brought to justice for the 2006 killing of an innocent bystander when he drove his S.U.V. at a crowd on Belmont Avenue after a bar fight. 

District Attorney Clark said, “After 18-years of eluding authorities, the defendant is facing justice for allegedly mowing a victim down on the sidewalk with his vehicle. I thank the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Kosovan authorities for their assistance in returning the defendant so that we may bring closure to this case of senseless murder.” 

District Attorney Clark said Ahmet Gashi, aka Ahmet Arifi, 42, was indicted on two counts of second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, and first-degree Reckless Endangerment. He was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera on December 16, 2024. He was remanded. He is due back in court on January 16, 2025. 

According to the investigation, on December 31, 2006, at approximately 4:35 a.m., Gashi got into an argument and physical altercation at the Moonlight Restaurant and Bar at 2370 Belmont Avenue. After being ejected, Gashi continued arguing with people outside the bar and was told to leave. Gashi allegedly got into his black S.U.V, sped on the sidewalk, dispersed a crowd of people, and struck Kemal Kolenovic, 28. Kolenovic, an innocent bystander, was thrown down the block from the initial impact and died from his injuries. The defendant fled to Kosovo and was extradited to the U.S. on December 13, 2024.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Carlos Vasquez from the NYPD Cold Case Squad for his work on the investigation.

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

Money in Your Pocket: Governor Hochul Reminds New Yorkers of Minimum Wage Increase on January 1

New York’s Minimum Wage Set to Increase to $16.50-Per-Hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $15.50-Per-Hour for the Rest of the State

Part of Historic Agreement to Increase New York’s Minimum Wage Through 2026 and Index to Inflation Beginning in 2027

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New Yorkers earning minimum wage will earn an additional $0.50 per hour starting on January 1, 2025. New York’s minimum wage will increase to $16.50-per-hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $15.50-per-hour for the rest of the state. This adjustment is part of New York’s historic multiyear agreement between Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to index the minimum wage to inflation. Today's announcement is part of NYSDOL’s ongoing effort to educate employees and employers alike, ensuring awareness of the change, and to proactively reduce potential wage theft.

“Putting money back in your pockets has been the focus of my first three Budgets, and that includes increasing minimum wage for the lowest earners across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “With rising costs of living, this increase will help to lighten the burdens of inflation for New Yorkers while providing businesses with the time needed to adjust.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “In this current era of inflation and rising costs, every cent counts for all New Yorkers, especially workers who earn minimum wage. By gradually increasing wages for the lowest earners, we are ensuring businesses can adjust to the change while also helping more families make ends meet. I want to thank Governor Hochul and the Legislature for working together to strengthen the paychecks of New Yorkers statewide.”

Employers can find additional information, including an interactive Minimum Wage Lookup Tool, by visiting the Minimum Wage website.

Minimum wage earners who do not see the increase reflected in their paychecks can file a wage complaint on the New York State Department of Labor’s website or by calling 833-910-4378. For more information about NYSDOL’s efforts to combat wage theft, visit the Department’s landing page.

 

New York State Department of Labor Announces New Guidance to Protect Outdoor Workers From Extreme Cold

 

Expands on the Department’s Efforts to Ensure Worker Safety During Extreme Weather

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced the release of new comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme cold weather. This initiative builds on NYSDOL’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of outdoor workers during extreme weather events, following the release of heavy precipitation, wildfire smoke, and extreme heat guidance.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “New Yorkers know that cold temperatures during the winter are part of life in the Empire State, but without suitable preparation and equipment, frigid weather can be dangerous. This new guidance provides New York businesses the tools they need to keep their employees safe during the winter.”

Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill can make it dangerous to be outside for prolonged periods. Employers should limit workers’ time in frigid elements whenever possible. If workers must be outside, it is essential that employers take proactive steps to ensure worker safety. The new guidance outlines specific precautions that employers should take before, during, and after extreme cold weather events to keep outdoor workers safe. This includes critical recommendations for building a work/rest schedule based on wind chill levels, properly acclimatizing workers to cold weather, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and developing an emergency preparedness and training plan.

During extreme cold events, the guidance advises employers to engage in best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day. 
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Have a written plan for handling acclimatization, extreme cold preparedness and emergency response.
• Train workers and supervisors annually on cold preparedness plans and to recognize the symptoms of cold-related illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite. 

To keep themselves safe, workers should:

• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

The NYSDOL encourages all employers to utilize this guidance as needed to help keep workers safe amidst extreme cold temperatures. Ensuring worker safety in extreme weather conditions not only reduces the risk of illnesses, accidents and injuries, but also helps businesses save money by avoiding increased workers’ compensation claims, insurance costs, and decreases in productivity. In a unionized workplace, employers should negotiate in good faith and follow any collective bargaining agreement currently in place. 

For more information, including access to the full guidance documents, please visit the NYSDOL’s Extreme Weather Guidance page.

CONSUMER ALERT: Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Issues Warning and Tips to Help Prevent Package Thefts During the Holiday Season

 

Online Purchases and Package Deliveries Increase During the Holiday Season, Leaving More Consumers Vulnerable to Package Theft

 

Secretary Mosley: “While you’re preparing to spread holiday cheer with those gifts, thieves may be trying to steal both from you.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing tips on how consumers can protect themselves from thieves trying to steal packages from their homes this holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday shopping on Black Friday through Cyber Monday, both online and in-store, set record levels for consumer spending, indicating shopping is showing no signs of slowing down. The increase in shopping can lead to an increase in package deliveries, leaving more consumers vulnerable to package theft. According to the Better Business Bureau, package thieves stole more than $18 billion in merchandise over the last year.

“Many consumers have already started or finished their online holiday shopping for the season and are now waiting for their gifts to be delivered to their doorsteps,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “While you’re preparing to spread holiday cheer with those gifts, thieves may be trying to steal both from you. If you’re expecting deliveries this holiday season, make sure you’re taking added precautions and keeping track of your packages to prevent them from being stolen.”

 

Follow these tips to prevent package theft and identity theft while checking things off your shopping list:

 

• Keep track of your packages: Package theft peaks during the holiday season, so keeping track of your deliveries is critical to prevent theft. Delivery companies offer real-time tracking and the option to receive customized alerts so you can stay on top of your holiday shipments once they arrive and retrieve your packages as soon as they’re delivered.
• Schedule deliveries when someone is home: Many online retailers and delivery companies allow consumers to schedule specific delivery timeframes. Choose a timeframe when someone will be home to avoid potential theft. When you are home, closely monitor delivery progress via tracking links and bring the package inside as soon as possible to limit the window of vulnerability.
• Enlist your neighbor’s help: If you’re not going to be home, enlist the help of a trusted neighbor. When possible, have your packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person.
• Monitor your front door with a security or doorbell camera. While a camera may not deter thieves, the presence of a camera can help you keep track of when packages are delivered so you can retrieve them quickly. If a package is stolen, the video recording of the theft can also be shared with police.
• Take advantage of the "Ship to Store" option: Many retailers offer a "ship to store" option. This means that you can order items online and have them sent to a local brick-and-mortar store. You can then pick up your purchase at a time convenient for you.
• Consider alternative delivery options: Most delivery companies have alternative pickup and delivery options available. Some include redirecting packages to a local merchant partner or holding packages at their location. Do some research by visiting their websites to explore your options and update your delivery preferences. If you know you’re going to be on vacation, request a vacation hold on all shipments.
• Opt for other services: If you’re doing most of your shopping online, consider alternative services like a package locker, lockbox or smart lockers.
• Require delivery confirmation signature: Consider requesting a signature for packages, especially for high-ticket items. This will ensure your items are not left unattended when delivered. This may require choosing a pricier shipping option.
• Find out how a delivery company will communicate with you:Depending on how you signed up for notifications, messages from a delivery company are usually posted within a secure online portal. Delivery companies will never contact you with unsolicited calls or texts. If you receive an unexpected call, hang up and call the company using the official customer service number to verify its legitimacy.
• Beware of phishing attempts: Another common scam this time of year is scammers using phishing emails and text messages to impersonate delivery companies (e.g., UPS, USPS, FedEx), banking and credit card companies and other large retailers (e.g., Netflix, PayPal, eBay, Amazon), which often include links to sites attempting to steal your information.  Common phishing techniques include:
• Suspicious links. These messages often look legitimate, but if you click the link, your usernames and passwords for your online banking, email or social media accounts could be compromised according to the Federal Trade Commission. Always open a browser and type the company’s website address yourself instead of clicking on a link in an email or text message.
• Request for personal information: You receive an unexpected text from a delivery driver or a post office asking you to verify your address. If you call a number from an unsolicited message, you will then be asked to confirm your personal information and may be asked to provide your credit card information to pay a delivery fee. If you did not recently order a product, the caller may try to convince you the package is a gift from a friend or family member. In either scenario, the package does not exist. Providing your personal information to a scammer puts you at risk of falling victim to identity theft.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

 

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Up 3% in November

 

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 3% in November compared to the same month in 2023, according to data released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.86 billion for the month, up $53 million year over year, with New York City accounting for 61.5% of the increase.

“Local sales tax growth in November was a bit stronger compared to the 1.9% year-to-date increase,” DiNapoli said. “New York City’s collections continue to drive statewide growth, accounting for a majority of the overall increase. Still, monthly collections are subject to volatility, and local officials should take this into consideration when budgeting for future sales tax revenue.”

In November:

• New York City’s collections totaled $848 million, an increase of 4% compared to the same time last year.
• County and city collections in the rest of the state totaled $903 million, an increase of 1.8%.
• 61% (35 of 57) of counties experienced year-over-year increases.

Monthly sales tax collections are the cash distributions made to counties and sales tax-imposing cities by the state Department of Taxation and Finance. The amounts are based on estimates of what each municipality is due. In the third month of each calendar-year quarter, these distributions are adjusted upward or downward, so that the quarter as a whole reflects reported sales by vendors. The next quarterly numbers (for October-December) will be available in January 2025.

Data

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by County and Region 

Related Report

Third Quarter 2024 Local Sales Taxes

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY HAS WON $40 MILLION IN EPA GRANTS TO ELECTRIFY HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES, SCHOOL BUSES

 

Federal Funding Will Allow City to Replace 55 Diesel Vehicles With EVs, Doubling City’s Existing Heavy-Duty EV Fleet

Will Also Allow City to Add 109 More Electric School Buses to Fleet

City’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Program Will Reduce Annual Emissions by 700 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide — Equivalent of Planting a Central Park-Sized Forest

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the city and its partners have won approximately $40 million in competitive grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Program. The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) $17.3 million award will allow the city to replace 55 diesel trucks with electric vehicles (EV), as well as to add 10 additional fast chargers across the city and expand EV training for city mechanics. Additionally, with city support, the New York City School Bus Umbrella Services, Inc. won an approximately $32 million grant to purchase an additional 109 electric school buses for city students. It builds on unprecedented success of the city's Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force in winning grant funding from the Biden-Harris administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Under Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi's leadership, the task force has secured more than $2.3 billion in grants — $1.3 billion of which were through competitive applications — to support upgrades to New York City's infrastructure and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“Building a safer city also means protecting New Yorkers from dangerous emissions and the impacts of climate change — and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Mayor Adams. “These $40 million in grants — part of the over $2.3 billion in federal infrastructure grants that we’ve won — will allow us to take dozens of heavy-duty diesel trucks and more than a hundred polluting school buses out of our city’s fleet and replace them with clean, zero-emissions vehicles. My thanks to the EPA for these grants, and to all of our city agencies, fellow elected officials, and advocates who made it a reality.”

“We continue to make it rain for New York City, this time with $40 million in grants to reduce emissions of our heavy-duty fleet and build on our efforts to electrify our school buses and industrial parks like Hunts Point,” said Deputy Mayor Joshi. “Deep thanks to the Biden-Harris administration for working with us to make New York City one of the most prepared cities in the nation, doing our part to protect our planet and spur good green jobs.”

“Our school system isn’t only educating tomorrow’s sustainability leaders—we’re also working hard to make our city a greener place for the next generation,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Thanks to this grant, as our students learn about climate action in school, they can know that the transportation they take to school is also working to support our planet and city. We’re grateful to our partners at the EPA for helping us to make this work possible.”

“Electric vehicles are the way of the future; they’re cleaner, produce zero emissions, and, with over 5,400 already in our fleet, we’re showing our commitment on the streets of the city,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Thanks to this $17 million grant from the EPA, we’re not just bolstering the greenest fleet in the nation, we’re also investing in the physical infrastructure and the knowledge base needed to maintain it.”

Vehicles being replaced with new zero emission models include:

• Diesel-powered food delivery trucks that deliver hot food and supplies to correctional facilities.
• Refuse haulers and mechanical brooms that contribute to the collection of 24 million pounds of recyclables, trash, and compostable material annually citywide.
• Rack trucks, which carry equipment for road repairs and maintenance and traffic control, and attenuator trucks designed to improve work zone safety on roads and highways during road work and construction activities.
• Utility, tapping, valve, and attenuator vehicles, which are used to maintain the infrastructure that provides drinking water and processes wastewater and runoff citywide, including 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts, 7,500 miles of sewer lines, and 153,000 miles of catch basins.

Beyond the 55 new heavy duty zero emissions vehicles, DCAS will also invest in new workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of zero-emissions vehicles. This will include driver, mechanic, and other essential personnel training related to the maintenance and operation of new technologies and electrician training to install electric vehicle supply equipment. Ten additional fast chargers will be installed to support DOT electric vehicles citywide, expanding DCAS’s largest-in-the-state charging network of more than 2,100 chargers. To date, over 76 percent of the city’s fleet — more than 21,000 vehicles — now use sustainable alternative fuels, including electric, hybrid electric, solar, and biofuel.

Through the city’s Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, the city and its partners have won a wide range of grants, including but not limited to:

• $164 million to help transform the Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a modern, 21^st-century maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community hub.
• $127 million, across several successful applications, to acquire nearly 400 electric school buses.
• $117 million to construct the next phase of the Queensway, a new linear park being built on a vacant corridor of the former Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Beach Branch.
• $100 million to construct Cloudburst stormwater management projects in Corona and Kissena — low-lying neighborhoods subject to frequent flooding.
• $96 million to construct a segment of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along 10^th Avenue in Inwood.
• $57 million to help 1-4 family homes and affordable housing developments afford solar panels.
• $25 million to add electric micromobility charging and storage stations to New York City Housing Authority developments.

FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT UPSTATE RAINFALL, MAYOR ADAMS DOWNGRADES CITY DROUGHT POSTURE FROM WARNING TO WATCH

 

Significant Rainfall in Watershed and Melting Snowpack in Mountain Regions Greatly Improved Reservoir Storage Levels  

  

Pausing $2 Billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project Enabled DEP to Optimize Flow,  Enhance Water Supply Flexibility to Meet City Water Demands 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala downgraded the city’s drought warning to a drought watch. Significant rainfall and melting snowpack in the city’s upstate watershed have significantly replenished reservoir levels, decreasing the risk of a water shortage. Additionally, the temporary pause of the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct repair project has restored flow from four critical reservoirs and enhanced water supply flexibility to meet the city's water demands. As a result of all of these factors, Mayor Adams has downgraded the drought warning and water-saving measures previously implemented by city agencies. Additionally, last week, Mayor Adams lifted the temporary citywide ban on open flames and fireworks following recent rainfall in the five boroughs. 

  

“Thanks to recent precipitation and melting snowfall upstate, in addition to our decision to pause the Delaware Aqueduct repair project, we’re in a much better place than we were a few weeks ago, allowing us to downgrade our drought warning to a drought watch,” said Mayor Adams. “If conditions continue, we hope that, in the coming weeks, we will be able to rescind the watch as well. However, it’s a good reminder of the kind of world climate change is creating: a world with more extreme weather events and more dangerous impacts. We’ll continue doing everything we can to secure our water supply, guard against the impacts of a warming world, and keep New Yorkers safe.” 

  

“New Yorkers and our fellow city agencies have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to conserving water during these unprecedented conditions. Thanks to significant rainfall, melting snowpack, conservation efforts, and strategic adjustments to our infrastructure projects, we’re able to lift the drought warning,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “As we confront a changing climate, we need to use our natural resources more wisely. Continuing to practice water conservation is a sustainable habit valuable even outside times of drought.” 

  

Mayor Adams and Commissioner Aggarwala first issued a drought watch back on November 2, as the city was experiencing the driest spell in recorded history. They upgraded the drought watch to a drought warning on November 18. The historic lack of precipitation led to unprecedented challenges, including brush fires within the city and the watershed. The long-lasting lack of precipitation led DEP to take extraordinary steps to safeguard the city’s water supply.  

  

New York City’s complex reservoir system is extraordinarily robust and was designed for resilience, capable of operating effectively even at below-average levels. In addition to the much-needed recent wet weather in the watershed, an analysis of weather patterns indicate consistent precipitation in the forecast, ensuring reservoir levels will continue to rise. Reopening the Delaware Aqueduct, the world’s longest tunnel of any kind, has allowed DEP to optimize flow with this recent influx of rainwater. With all three reservoir systems — the Delaware, the Croton, and the Catskill — now fully operational, DEP has increased flexibility to meet the city's water needs. 

 

 

Map of New York City’s water supply. Credit: DEP 

  

When the city decided to move forward with the final phase of the Delaware Aqueduct repair project this year, weather models had predicted a wetter-than-usual fall. The final phase involves connecting a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel near Newburgh to prevent a decades-old, 35-million-gallon a day leak under the Hudson River. In order to initiate that last portion of work, DEP stopped the flow of water from the four reservoirs that feed into the Delaware Aqueduct and increased the city’s reliance on the Croton and Catskill systems. DEP also completed significant capital projects to prepare for this phase, including increasing the Catskill Aqueduct’s capacity, upgrading infrastructure across the watershed, and more. 

  

Although contingency plans showed the project able to be successfully completed even if rainfall was well below average, the historic dry spell forced DEP to pause the project last month. The lack of rain upstate meant that water reserves across all reservoirs were not where they needed to be to complete the project in the spring. Pausing the project allowed DEP to protect the long-term health of the water supply while continuing to provide New Yorkers with the best drinking water in the world. DEP is optimistic that work will resume on this critical repair next fall. 

  

New York City has been successful in conserving water for decades. The city's average daily water demand has decreased by approximately 35 percent over the past several decades, even as the city's population has grown by more than 1 million people. During its peak, in 1979, the city's average water usage was 1.5 billion gallons of water a day. Thanks to improved management strategies — systemwide leak detection and repairs, replacing old meters with automated meter readers, and providing an online platform for customers to track and monitor water usage and quickly detect leaks in their buildings — the city now uses just 1.1 billion gallons a day on average, and under 1 billion gallons during the winter months. 

  

DEP manages the nation's largest municipal water supply system, which provides high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs. 

 

New Yorkers should continue to minimize water usage where possible, and Mayor Adams reminded New Yorkers of the following ways they can conserve:  

 

•   Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311. An open hydrant can release more than 1,000 gallons per minute, which wastes 1.4 million gallons of drinking water in a 24-hour cycle.    

•   Don't flush the toilet unnecessarily. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets are by far the main source of water use in a home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Each flush can use 1.6 gallons, with older models using as much as six gallons.    

•   Take shorter showers, saving five to seven gallons a minute. When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons.    

•   Don't run the tap while shaving, washing hands, or brushing teeth. Faucets use two to three gallons per minute.    

•   Fix leaks. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, according to the EPA.    

•   Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available. Turn off the water while washing dishes.    

•   Install water-saving fixtures, including low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as faucet aerators.    

•   Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.    

•   For even more ideas, visit DEP's Water Savings Tips website.