Governor Hochul Directs State Agencies to Prepare for Heavy Rain and Snow During New Year Holiday

Locally Heavy Rain Expected for Parts of New York City, Long Island and Central New York During New Year’s Eve Celebrations Tuesday Night

Heavy Lake Effect Snow East and Southeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario Starting Wednesday Night and Continuing Through Sunday with Significant Snowfall Accumulations Possible Where Snow Bands Persist

New Yorkers Urged to Pay Attention to Local Forecast and Prepare for Inclement Weather Conditions

Governor Kathy Hochul directed State agencies and urged New Yorkers to take precautions as storms are forecast to impact New Year’s Eve celebrations downstate with possible heavy rain followed by a winter storm system set to impact some upstate areas through Sunday. On New Year’s Eve, locally heavy rain is forecast for parts of New York City, Long Island and Central New York. Those attending festivities in Times Square should expect to be impacted with heavy rain and plan accordingly. On Wednesday night, Lake Effect Snow will develop east and southeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario, continuing into the weekend. Areas in Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, the Mohawk Valley and the North Country could see significant snowfall accumulations where snow bands persist longest through Sunday. New Yorkers in these areas should pay close attention to their local forecasts and avoid any unnecessary travel as the combination of snow and strong winds could create whiteout conditions.

“As we ring in the New Year, State agencies are prepared to respond to heavy rain and snow, and I’m urging all New Yorkers to stay safe by planning ahead and monitoring your local forecast,” Governor Hochul said. “Those heading to Times Square should expect rain, while upstate residents may face significant snow and strong winds. New Yorkers should remain weather aware over the next couple of days and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions worsen.”

Winter Storm Watches have been issued for parts of Western New York, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley and the North Country from Wednesday through Sunday. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at alert.ny.gov, a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

Safety Tips

Travel

Some of the most important tips for safe driving include:

• Monitor the forecast for your local area and areas you may be travelling to.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like 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.
• If you have a cellphone or other communications device such as a 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.
• The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. 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.
• Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, to safely 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. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it's operating.

Power Outages

• Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
• If you lose power, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
• If heat goes out during a winter storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

To Report an Electric Outage, call:

• Central Hudson: 800-527-2714
• Con Edison: 800-752-6633
• National Grid: 800-867-5222
• NYSEG: 800-572-1131
• O&R: 877-434-4100
• PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
• RG&E: 800-743-1701

Heating Safety

• Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters.
• When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation and follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep curtains, towels, and potholders away from hot surfaces.
• Have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors and make sure they work.
• If you use kerosene heaters to supplement your regular heating fuel, or as an emergency source of heat, follow these safety tips:
  • Follow the manufacturers' instructions.
  • Use only the correct fuel for your unit.
  • Refuel outdoors only and only when the unit is cool.
  • Keep the heater at least three feet away from furniture and other flammable objects.
  • When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.

For more safety tips, visit dhses.ny.gov/safety. For all non-emergency service needs in New York State before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit www.211nys.org/.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit dhses.ny.gov. 

United States Files Complaint Against Dave Inc. and CEO Jason Wilk Alleging Deceptive Practices in Violation of Federal Law

 

The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced a civil enforcement action against Dave Inc. (Dave) and its co-founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jason Wilk, for alleged violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA).

Dave is a financial technology company that offers consumers short-term cash advances through its mobile app. The government’s lawsuit alleges that the defendants misled consumers by deceptively advertising Dave’s cash advances, charging hidden fees, misrepresenting how Dave uses customers’ tips and charging recurring monthly fees without providing a simple mechanism to cancel them.

According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Dave and Wilk market their app as instantly providing consumers “up to $500” without any hidden fees. The complaint alleges that the defendants actually very rarely offer consumers anywhere near the advertised $500, often do not offer any cash advance at all, and charge an “express fee” to get cash advances instantly that they do not clearly disclose before consumers give the app access to their bank accounts. The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants induce app users to pay a sizeable “tip” on Dave’s cash advances by using a deceptive interface that does not offer a clear way to avoid tipping. According to the complaint, Dave’s app falsely represents to consumers that the company will purchase or pay for a certain number of meals for needy children based on the size of a customer’s tip, while in reality Dave keeps the vast majority of tips for itself and donates only a nominal sum to charity that is insufficient to purchase the stated number of meals. Finally, the complaint alleges that the defendants have violated ROSCA by enrolling their customers in automatically recurring monthly membership fees without clearly and conspicuously disclosing material transaction terms and without providing a simple mechanism for consumers to cancel those recurring fees.

This complaint, filed by the Justice Department, seeks unspecified amounts of consumer redress and monetary civil penalties from the defendants and a permanent injunction to prohibit them from engaging in future violations. It amends and replaces an earlier complaint that FTC filed, which named only Dave as a defendant and did not seek any civil penalties.

“The Justice Department is committed to stopping companies and their executives from preying on financially vulnerable consumers with deceptive advertisements, hidden fees and subscriptions that are difficult to cancel,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to enforce the FTC Act, ROSCA and other statutes that protect consumers from such misconduct.”

Senior Trial Attorney Sarah Williams, Trial Attorneys Sean Z. Saper and John F. Schifalacqua and Assistant Director Zachary A. Dietert of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case, in coordination with staff at the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov.

A complaint is merely a set of allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government would need to prove by a preponderance of the evidence.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Nassau County

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Lynn Walsh, who died on March 17, 2023 following an earlier motor vehicle collision involving an off-duty member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Massapequa Park, Nassau County on March 10, 2023.

On March 10, Ms. Walsh was in the pedestrian crosswalk crossing Sunrise Highway at the intersection with Unqua Road, in Massapequa Park, Nassau County. Ms. Walsh was struck by three vehicles, one of which was driven by an off-duty member of NYPD. Ms. Walsh was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

Partnerships for Parks - Bronx Newsblast January 2025

HIGHLIGHTS Mulchfest Say fir-well to your holiday tree at NYC Parks Mulchfest and join us in the NYC holiday tradition of recycling Christmas trees!   Bring your tree to a Mulchfest location and NYC Parks will chip it into wood chips to nourish trees and make NYC even greener. Chipping Weekend is Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Bring your tree to a chipping site and leave with your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or make a winter bed for a street tree. To participate, look for a chipping site here. Native Plants Initiative We rolled out the Native Plant Initiative at the end of 2023 to benefit our city’s local ecosystems and wildlife. In 2024, the first full year of the initiative, volunteers installed over 1,000 native plants at about 50 It’s My Park projects across our city. 62 distinct species were planted, including wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. We thank all of you who worked with us on the Native Plant Initiative last year, helping to provide food, nectar, and habitat for insects, birds, pollinators, mammals, and more. We look forward to creating and caring for our native ecosystems with you in 2025 and beyond. To get involved, email adam.blachly@parks.nyc.gov or your local community engagement coordinator.  COMMUNITY EVENTS Mulchfest 2025 at Starlight Park Bring your tree to the parking lot at Bronx River House (near southern entrance of Starlight Park) and we will “Treecycle” it with our woodchipper. The chips from your tree will be used as mulch throughout the Starlight Park. Take home a christmas tree smelling sachet or a bag of NYC finished compost (while supplies last) to feed your plants.  SPECIAL Raffle entry with each tree brought to the chipping event (ONLY at this Starlight Park location).  Date/Time: Saturday & Sunday, January 11th &12th, 10:00AM to 2:00PM Location: River House, Bronx River Alliance, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459 More info: https://bronxriver.org/visit-the-river/calendar Contact: Nathan.Hunter@parks.nyc.gov. Intro into Urban Soils Workshop Is soil alive? What’s the difference between soil vs dirt? Explore these questions and more as we dig deep into soil during Mulchfest 2025!  Date/Time: Saturday, January 11th, 11:00AM to 12:00PM Location: River House, Bronx River Alliance, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459 More info: https://bronxriver.org/event/intro-into-soil-101 Contact: Rodney@bigreuse.org. TRAININGS Introduction to Proposal Writing Candid Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? If so, you don't want to miss one of our most popular classes! This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include: The basic elements of a proposal The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no 30-minute hands-on exercise to develop a proposal outline (in-person classes only) Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to: Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation Know how and when to follow up with funders after submitting a proposal Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here! Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? Candid Starting a nonprofit can seem terrifically complicated -- is it worth it?  This class can help you decide. In this session you’ll learn the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit.  You’ll also learn about possible alternatives to starting your own nonprofit that you may not have considered.  Finally, you’ll be introduced to a tool that will help you assess your own readiness to move forward. Upon completion of this course you should be able to: Outline the steps required to start a nonprofit Assess the alternatives to starting a nonprofit Complete the nonprofit startup assessment tool to determine where you are in the startup process and identify the next steps you should take Access additional resources to help you in your journey Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here! Nonprofit Leaders Speak on Founding a Nonprofit as a Black Leader Candid Research has shown that Black nonprofit leaders face unique challenges, particularly in securing adequate funding for their organizations. A study by Candid found that nonprofits with Black CEOs are more likely to have smaller revenues than those with white CEOs, and Black leaders didn’t really need that study to know this was the case.   Despite the challenges Black nonprofit leaders face, they are still working to meet the needs in their communities. These leaders use knowledge, partnerships, and ingenuity to get the work done because they are passionate about the role they play in the world.  As part of Candid’s "Nonprofit leaders speak on..." series, join us to discuss founding a nonprofit. Attendees will gain valuable insights and leave with actionable strategies for building a nonprofit from the ground up.  Outcomes Meet three Black-led nonprofits and learn about their work Describe the steps founding executive directors take from securing start-up funds through getting paid as a full-time employee for their work Discover pro-tips on starting, then growing, a nonprofit including how to generate a variety of revenue streams Recognize the gaps in philanthropy, how these leaders fill them, and what we can do as champions of good work to help close gaps Location: Online Cost: Free Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 2:00-3:30pm Link: Enroll here! GRANTS AND RESOURCES Daily Grants  The Pollination Project The Pollination Project offers seed funding of up to US$1 thousand to compassion-driven individuals, informally organized groups and organizations, and formally registered or incorporated non-profit organizations based anywhere in the world. Topics for projects include education, clean water, afforestation, animal advocacy, and many others.  Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more The Resiliency and Recovery Fund The Pollination Project The Resilience & Recovery Fund (RRF) will provide fast, small one-time grants of $1,000 to support grassroots volunteer responses to natural disasters, pandemic, humanitarian crises, or similar emergent events. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and existing TPP grantees in good standing who have not previously received RRF funding are eligible to apply. Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more Gardens for the City Program New York Restoration Project Is there a community space in your neighborhood you’d like to see transformed? If so, apply for NYRP’s help. NYRP provides support for projects of various scales — from building a few vegetable beds to large-scale restoration work. NYRP helps provide materials, horticultural knowledge, environmental education, and construction expertise in order to help create community gardens and accessible landscapes in under-resourced neighborhoods.  Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. (Due to the high volume of applications, all future GFTC inquiries will be considered for 2025.) Link: Learn more The Awesome Foundation  The Awesome Foundation The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1000 at a time. Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly.  Deadline: Reviewed monthly Link: Learn more For questions or concerns, contact your borough community engagement coordinator: Robert Madera | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator Community Districts: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 718.430.1815 | Robert.Madera@parks.nyc.gov Ashley Santos | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator Community Districts: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11 718.430.4667 | Ashley.Santos@parks.nyc.gov

 

Happy New Year from KRVC!

If you do not have plans for NYE, please join us at KRVC!

Our friends from FDNY picked up toys Christmas  morning and delivered to kids in the South Bronx.  Shoutout to Riverdale fireman Aidan O'Brien and  his mom Roxanne for taking the lead on this!

Our friends at Amazon dropped off forty boxes of  non-perishables to the community space.  Donations will be redirected to Bronxites.  Breaking Bread, Building Bonds. Thank you to the office of  Mayor Adams for facilitating this special dinner. Community  members spoke about concerns and how we can find a  solution, together. Thank you to Neem for hosting us, and  Shelley Simpson for facilitating the conversation and leading  our monthly networking meetups.

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - A more vibrant 2025

It’s a place you know and love. It’s a place to relax, play, recharge, and spend time in nature. It’s where you find community, connection, and tranquility.

This is Van Cortlandt Park—your park. And now you can plant the seeds for your park to grow in 2025, just by making one gift to VCPA before the year ends.

As a proud park supporter, you protect and preserve this natural wonder as an essential part of community life in the Bronx. Your generous support of the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is what keeps the park green, vibrant, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

In the days and months ahead, your park needs you! Whether we’re working year-round to protect and preserve all its natural wonders... bringing in additional seasonal staff to clean up the park... or restoring its forests, wetlands, meadows, and trails...

... your generosity helps everything take root.

Whether our education staff is out in the field, teaching Bronx kids about the environment... whether we're planning new community events and cultural celebrations... or expanding our volunteer and stewardship efforts..

... your year-end gift ensures a flourishing future for your park.

Plant the seeds to thrive in 2025!

With gratitude and best wishes for the New Year,

Stephanie Ehrlich            

Executive Director, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

P.S. Help us start the New Year as green and vibrant as ever! Please give now to protect and preserve the last of New York City’s native woodlands and wetlands.

Support Van Cortlandt Park!

Our Contact Information 
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance 
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1 
Bronx, NY 10463 
718-601-1460 
http://vancortlandt.org