Governor Hochul Marches in the Israel Day on Fifth Parade

Governor Hochul: “Today we march in defiance and also to stand up for the values that define New York State since its very beginning. We will always be that bastion, that beacon of hope for others to be able to live the way they want to live, and practice their religious belief freely from harassment.”

Hochul: “I was proud to stand with our leaders from JCRC and UJA and other organizations to literally sign the ‘Buffer Bill’ — the first ever in the State of New York that says when you go to worship with your families, you should not have to endure harassment, intimidation or hatred from anyone.”

Today we march in defiance and also to stand up for the values that define New York State since its very beginning. We will always be that bastion, that beacon of hope for others to be able to live the way they want to live, and practice their religious belief freely from harassment. That is why just one hour ago, I was proud to stand with our leaders from JCRC and UJA and other organizations to literally sign the ‘Buffer Bill’ — the first ever in the State of New York that says when you go to worship with your families, you should not have to endure harassment, intimidation or hatred from anyone.

We're going to stand up and make sure that you're protected on our streets and in our subways and in our schools and our community centers, because this is who we are, my friends, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. We stand up for each other. We are allies with one another, and hate against one is hate against all.

Mayor Mamdani Outlines ‘Block By Block’ Plan For Affordable Housing Construction

 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday highlighted key elements of “Block by Block,” the administration’s housing strategy aimed at addressing the city’s affordability crisis through the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The plan sets a goal of producing 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade and is paired with nearly $5 billion in funding over the next two years for new rent-stabilized affordable housing, including dedicated investments in senior and supportive housing.

The initiative is being advanced by City Hall in coordination with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Department of City Planning, and the New York City Housing Development Corporation.

Block by Block combines direct public investment, financing reforms, and a broad land-use agenda intended to increase housing production across the five boroughs. Key components include a citywide transit-oriented development proposal, the use of voter-approved land-use tools to accelerate affordable housing projects, and the creation of New York City’s first revolving loan fund for affordable housing development. The administration is also continuing implementation of Executive Orders 4 and 5, which were signed on Mayor Mamdani’s first day in office to speed housing development and expand affordable housing opportunities on city-owned land.

The plan incorporates recommendations from the Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) Task Force, including reforms to environmental review procedures that city officials say will reduce development timelines for affordable housing projects. Additional strategies focus on maximizing the use of city-owned sites for both 100 percent affordable and mixed-income housing, including projects co-located with public facilities such as schools and libraries. The administration has also outlined efforts to preserve existing affordable housing and improve conditions in public housing developments.

“New Yorkers deserve a housing plan that meets this crisis with ambition, scale and urgency it demands,” Mayor Mamdani said. “If we want New York City to remain a place where working people can afford to live and build a future, we have to build far more housing and give New Yorkers housing options of all types, across the entire city. Block by Block is an all-of-the-above strategy to deliver the homes New Yorkers need, including 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade.”

Assemblymember John Zaccaro - 2026 Summer Kickoff Family Fun Day is Almost Here

 

Friends, 

Our 4th Annual Summer Kickoff Family Fun Day is just around the corner! 

 

The past 3 years we have seen thousands of people join us on a beautiful Saturday in June to enjoy music, games, food, bouncy houses, face painters and more. The best part?  It was all provided FREE of cost. 

 

This year, we are going BIGGER. More bouncy houses, games, food, and fun for the whole family!

 

Bring your friends and family and get ready to enjoy one of the best days in the boogie down Bronx. 

 

When: Saturday, June 20, 2026

Where: Williamsbridge Rd (between Lydig and Neill Ave)

Time: 12pm - 4pm

 

On behalf of my office and family, we can’t wait to spend an afternoon with all of you. 

 

With Gratitude,

 

John Zaccaro, Jr. 

New York State Assembly

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Give back to your favorite park

 

Wetland Wednesdays
Wednesdays, June 3, 17, 24 - Meet at 9am

It’s time to tackle the water chestnut that takes over Hester & Piero’s Mill Pond every summer. We’ll provide waders, gloves, and all the tools you’ll need to hop in the water with us and help remove this pesky plant.
RSVP Now
Meet at Van Cortlandt Golf House

Trail Work Thursdays

Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25 - Meet at 9am
Blaze trails with us! Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact to ensure trail safety for runners and hikers.
RSVP Now
Meet at VCPA Learning Gardening

Forest Fridays

Fridays, June 5, 12, 26 - Meet at 9am
Join us for invasive species removal at the peak of the growing season. June is when invasives are easiest to spot and most vulnerable to removal — your work opens the forest floor for native wildflowers, oak seedlings, and the spring-loaded understory waiting underneath.
RSVP Now
Meet at Van Cortlandt Golf House (New Location for June!)

Cross Country Course Volunteer Day

Saturday, June 6 - meet at 10am
Get a different kind of workout! Bend, stretch, and lift when you fill holes, rake gravel, and move wheelbarrows to keep our beloved cross country course in running shape.
RSVP Now
VCPA Learning Garden

Tune Up Tuesday

Tuesday, June 9 + 23 - 10am to 1pm

Turnip to volunteer! Volunteers will help care for our garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed – just show up in clothing that can get dirty!
RSVP Now

VCPA Learning Garden

After Father’s Day Weekend Clean Up

Monday, June 22 - meet at 9am

Beautiful holiday weekends bring lots of visitors to the park. Lots of visitors make a mess! Volunteers are needed to help keep the park tidy. Join the Van Cortlandt Park staff in cleaning up the Park after holiday weekends.
RSVP Now
Van Cortlandt Golf House

Support Our Work in Van Cortlandt Park

 

26.2 in 26

Join the Challenge — hike, run, stroll, or skip your way to 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park anytime in 2026.

You choose the trails. You choose the pace. You choose the timeline.

Register Now  

Make a Donation

The park is really big. Our staff is really small. Only with your help can we grow our capacity, hire more staff, and take on projects to improve Van Cortlandt Park… for YOU!  Please consider a gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance today.

Donate!

VCPA Merch Shop!

Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance!

Shop Now!

Become a Member

Members get VCPA merch and invitations to member only hikes while supporting their favorite park!

Join Now!

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

State Senator Julia Salazar - Next Week: Free Tenant Support

 

2026 VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA)–WEDNESDAY JUNE 3–MONTHLY MEETING—7PM

 

MEET THE CANDIDATES

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026

7:00 PM

MONSIGNOR FIORENTINO SENIOR APTS.

1830 AMETHYST STREET

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance

www.facebook.com/VanNestNeighborhoodAlliance

Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Influence Major International Sports Competition by Doping

 

Paul Alexander Askew (46, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to influence major international sports competitions by doping. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, beginning on or about July 10, 2023, and continuing through to on or about January 31, 2024, Askew conspired with a professional track and field athlete and at least one other person to provide the athlete with testosterone, a banned substance, to improve the athlete’s performances at major international track and field competitions. The doping was ongoing during the athlete’s competitions in the 2023 Ed Murphey Classic, in Memphis, Tennessee; the 2023 Xiamen Diamond League, in China; and the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, in Eugene, Oregon. Although the doping conspiracy was revealed before the athlete could compete in other competitions, Askew and the athlete also intended to use illegal testosterone injections to improve the athlete’s performance at the 2024 American Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 United States Olympics Trials, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

This case was investigated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Fraudster Who Sold Personal Information of Over 7 Million Elderly Americans to Jamaican Scammers Sentenced to Prison

 

A North Carolina man was sentenced to 121 months in prison and three years of supervised release for running a seven-year scheme where he victimized millions of elderly Americans by selling their personal information to Jamaican lottery fraud scammers. He was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $5,214,688.48.

According to court documents, Troy Murray, 57, of Hickory, North Carolina, devised a scheme where he organized, maintained, and sold lists containing the names, phone numbers, physical addresses, and, in some cases, ages and email addresses, of elderly Americans to individuals in Jamaica involved in lottery fraud schemes. From 2016 to 2023, Murray sold these lists to Jamaican scammers, who perpetrated lottery fraud on elderly American consumers, earning Murray hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

Murray was a prolific and well-known lead list broker for Jamaican scammers. To complete the transactions, scammers would typically call email, or text Murray for a list of names. Murray then provided a price per list, typically $500, for 100 to 300 names. Initially, Murray instructed scammers to provide payment via wire transfer; however, after multiple monetary wire transmission services blocked him from using their services, he instructed scammers to send him pre-paid gift cards to pay for the lists instead. Murray’s list broker service was so well known in Jamaica that that his pseudonym, “Steve Dixon,” was referenced by a Jamaican musical artist in a 2022 song lyric.  

After receiving payment from the Jamaican scammers, Murray used the funds to purchase farm equipment, vehicles, and collectibles like bars and coins made of precious metals. Murray also sent money he made from the scheme to one of his sons to purchase personal property and pay for his business and living expenses.

During the scheme, Murray sent at least 22,000 lead lists to scammers. These lists contained the names and personal information of over seven million elderly Americans and garnered Murray over $5.2 million. Victim losses exceeded $9.5 million.

In January 2026, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.