Publisher / Editor Brian Harrod provides hyper local news for Yonkers, NY, that is also continually updated from thousands of sources on the Roundup Newswires Network
To put it into perspective, from last week to today, we have not seen a significant increase. Since Yonkers falls within #WestchesterCounty, we will be entering phase one immediately once the County meets the Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s seven-point plan, and we receive the green light from New York State.
Although we are eager to reopen, let’s make no mistake, now is not the time to let up. We must stay the course and rise to the occasion.
YONKERS, NY – On Sunday, May 24th, NYS Assemblyman Nader Sayegh (AD-90) and Yonkers City Council woman Tasha Diaz (YCC-District 3) will host a socially distanced ‘Memorial Day Weekend Grab and Go Barbecue’ contribution packed with PepsiCo products.
Participants will receive a reusable tote bag filled with a hot dog, hamburger, a soft drink, a mask, and your choice of ice cream.
Social Distancing laws will be strictly enforced in accordance with Governor Cuomo’s PAUSE Executive Order. WHAT: A Grab and Go socially distanced community BBQ to celebrate Memorial Day WHEN: Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 2:00 pm WHERE: 10 Palisade Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701 (Next to Chicken Island) WHO: New York State Assemblyman #NaderSayegh and #Yonkers City Councilwoman #TashaDiaz, and #PepsiCo, who generously donated so much of the items that will be distributed among a first come, first served basis, as well as other elected office holders, candidates, among other organizations, and businesses expected to attend…..
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that Tuesday, May 26th, will be the first day of Phase 1 of the “re-opening” of the Mid-Hudson Region, which includes #Yonkers, as Country Executive George Latimer and others agreed to have contract tracers train over this Memorial Day weekend.
Phase 1 re-opening under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan includes the following industries, subject to industry-specific guidance by the State and in accordance with the Regional Re-opening Control Board’s consideration.Construction
Building Equipment Contractors
Building Finishing Contractors
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
Highway, Street and Bridge Construction
Land Subdivision
Nonresidential Building Construction
Residential Building Construction
Utility System Construction
Manufacturing
Apparel Manufacturing
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing
Machinery Manufacturing
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
Paper Manufacturing
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
Printing and Related Support Activities
Textile Mills
Textile Product Mills
Wood Product Manufacturing
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Construction
Building Equipment Contractors
Building Finishing Contractors
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
Highway, Street and Bridge Construction
Land Subdivision
Nonresidential Building Construction
Residential Building Construction
Utility System Construction
Wholesale Trade
Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers
Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
Retail Delivery, curbside, and in-store pickup service only for the following businesses:
Clothing Stores
Direct Selling Establishments
Electronics and Appliance Stores
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores
Florists
General Merchandise Stores
Health and Personal Care Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Shoe Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument and Book Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Other Crop Production
Support Activities for Animal Production
Support Activities for Crop Production
Support Activities for Forestry
Other Animal Production
Each company seeking to re-open must file a detailed plan for a safe re-opening.
For additional details on the Phase 1 operations, I strongly urge you to review the Governor’s re-opening plan for details. Additional details are also outlined here.Re-opening will be gradual, with an anticipated two-week evaluation between each stage. The Region’s Regional Control Room will monitor the opening from our regional perspective, and the Regional Control board includes, among others, County Executive George Latimer, #YonkersMayor Mike Spano, and President of the Westchester-Putnam AFL-CIO #TomCarey.
Each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower the risk of infection in the business.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that religious gatherings can resume in the city of hills, but houses of worship will have to follow strict guidelines.
PRAISE GOD: Its time for religious institutions in Yonkers to break out the hand sanitizers available, and make sure that worshipers wear masks and practice social distancing.
A HIGHER AUTHORITY: However, Catholic Churches are waiting for until His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan gives them permission to open.
Governor Andrew Cuomo also says religious organizations can hold parking lot services if they prefer.
Governor Andrew Cuomo received a diagnostic COVID-19 swab test in his nasal cavity during Sunday’s briefing to demonstrate the test’s simplicity, he said, and encourage all New Yorkers to get one.
Western New York will start reopening Tuesday after hiring several hundred coronavirus COVID-19 contact tracers overnight, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Western New York, which includes Buffalo, will become the sixth region of 10 to begin the state’s gradual, four-phase reopening plan.
Western New York needed to hire 352 contact tracers to reach its required 521 as of Sunday afternoon. County and other officials worked hard and completed the task and started training as of Monday afternoon.
As of Tuesday, Westchester County and the Hudson Valley did not satisfy the state’s required 14-day decline in net hospitalizations on a rolling three-day average to gradually restart the economy as well as the coronavirus death rate.
Westchester can can start reopening once they meet the state’s benchmarks regardless of the order’s expiration.
Westchester had only met five of the state’s seven reopening criteria as of Tuesday.
New York’s COVID-19 fatalities reached 21,995 Monday — up from 21,750 Saturday and 21,889 Sunday, with many in the New York City metropolitan area.
The state saw 106 virus-related deaths Sunday, including 83 in hospitals and 23 in nursing homes. The state’s death rate from the virus remains flat after totaling 139 fatalities Saturday, 157 Friday and 132 Thursday.
Just over 370 new virus patients entered hospitals statewide each Sunday and Monday — a dip from last week’s daily average of 400 and an average of about 600 the prior week.
Judges and staff will return to courthouses in 30 upstate counties this week.
Yonkers Raceway can open June 1 statewide without fans.
Elective surgeries will resume in Westchester County, including at ambulatory surgery centers. Elective surgeries cannot be performed in New York City, on Long Island or in Rockland Counties.
MHACY Welcomes Wilson Kimball As Its New President and CEO. The Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the City of Yonkers and the second largest public housing authority in New York State.
To improve the channels of communication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) will hold its first virtual town hall meeting with residents on Thursday, May 21 at 1 p.m.
From discussing tenants’ rights during the pandemic under the state’s eviction moratorium to how families can get free computer tablets to help their children with schoolwork or help seniors connect, MHACY will share information that is vital to residents. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Dr. Mark Samarneh, chair of the Mayor’s Health Advisory Board will be special guests.
“Information is the key to any good relationship, and we want our residents to know that MHACY cares, especially during this time when so many people are feeling isolated and facing financial hardships,” said Wilson Kimball, MHACY’s new President and CEO. “Many of our residents are senior citizens and we want them to know that we are here for them and to urge them to take advantage of all the services we have to offer, whether it be home delivered meals or a computer tablet to connect to friends, family and services.”
Kimball started in her new position on April 13 after serving as Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Yonkers since 2013.
Mayor Mike Spano said he was enthusiastic about being the first guest on the new MHACY Town Hall meetings.
“I’m always willing to raise my hand whenever there is an opportunity for me to speak with our residents and let them know about all that we are doing here in Yonkers. “I congratulate Wilson on all she is doing to keep our residents safe and for improving the lines of communication at a time when we need it most.”
MHACY Board Chairman James Landy said since Kimball started at MHACY she has made improving communication a top priority. MHACY has new Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages so they can share information more quickly. They have also updated MHACY’s website www.mhacy.org
“We are working hard to keep MHACY residents safe during this pandemic,” said Landy. “And improving communication about social distancing and vital services is one way to do that.”
Residents are encouraged to post questions in advance or during the meeting.
MHACY will be holding the town hall meetings monthly going forward. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 1 p.m.
ABOUT MHACY
MHACY has an unparalleled commitment to redeveloping, managing and administering its housing stock to provide low-income families, the elderly and disabled individuals with access to good, sustainable housing that improves the quality of the residents’ lives, fosters their economic success, and allows them to serve as integral members of communities in which they live.
Lawrence “Larry” W. (Van Nostrand) Vandak born May 30, 1988 passed peacefully on Friday May 15th after a brave and challenging two-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
He was loved infinitely by his wife of 5 years Julie (Zwisdak) Vandak who was his high school sweetheart and business partner.
He loved punk rock music, playing video games and watching wrestling.
He enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee every morning with his mom Mariellen (Wilson) Van Nostrand.
Larry had an amazing ability of making lifelong friends instantly with his easygoing, carefree personality.
He was a talented musician and played in a number of local bands including Broken Record and The Gravity Theory.
Larry was a funny, kind and motivated individual.
He became an entrepreneur at the young age of 25 when he opened the dog grooming salon Groom Spot in Tuckahoe NY.
He loved his dog Maeby and had dreams of rescuing many more shelter mutts.
He is survived by his wife, his mom, his grandpa Charles Edward Wilson, and an extensive family of cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Viewing for Lawrence “Larry” will be held Tuesday May 26th from 9:30-11am at:
The Clerk’s office has opened a mobile office outside of City Hall (40 S. Broadway) which operates every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
A tent has been put up in order to assist in time-sensitive matters such as providing residents with birth and death certificates as well as marriage licenses.
This is for emergencies only and those seeking help are required to make an appointment ahead of time. An appointment can be made by e-mailing cityclerk@yonkersny.gov.
Helpful signage is posted to ensure Yonkers residents know where to go once they arrive at City Hall. Please note that due to COVID-19 precautions, only one person will be allowed in the tent for assistance at any given time.
CITY OF YONKERS: In an effort to continue to keep our City clean, Mayor Mike Spano has announced that the City of Yonkers will restart the cleaning of City streets.
These cleanings were suspended while Alternate-side Street Parking Rules were not in effect.
Effective Monday, May 18 through Sunday, May 24 the Yonkers Department of Public Works (DPW) crews will resume with its street-sweeping hours and work daily to clear the accumulated debris from streets since the issued stay-at-home order.
Alternate side of the street parking rules will then be suspended for an additional two weeks, May 25th through June 7th, during which time the city will reassess cleanliness.
Violations of the parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Yonkers on-street parking meter hours will remain shortened (10AM-6PM) during the New York State’s PAUSE.
However, if residents need to park for extended hours it is suggested that they utilize city garages or lots. For more information on Yonkers Parking Authority locations and regulations, visit www.yonkersparkingauthority.com.
Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a member of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, issued the following statement marking the 1-year anniversary of the House passing the historic Equality Act, which ensures LGBTQ Americans are guaranteed the full protections under federal civil rights law:
“No American should face discrimination, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Last year, I joined my House colleagues to take a momentous vote in passing H.R. 5, the Equality Act.
For too long, LGBTQ Americans have faced discrimination regarding employment opportunities, access to education, access to credit, jury service, obtaining federal funding, housing and public accommodations.
I have always supported the LGBTQ community, from my vote against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 to the Equality Act, and every day in between.
Now we need the GOP and the White House to finally support our LGBTQ friends.
“The LGBTQ community continues to face severe hardships. The Senate must act and provide our LGBTQ friends the support they need.”
At the 139th Annual Meeting of the Yonkers Board of Education, held by video conference May 12, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trustees re-elected Rev. Steve Lopez and Ms. Judith Ramos Meier to serve as president and vice-president respectively.
Both will serve one-year terms in their leadership posts.
The Board’s Policy Committee meets Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:00PM, and the Board’s May Stated Meeting will be held Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00pm, both by video conference.
All public meetings of the Yonkers Board of Education are streamed live, accessible from the yonkerspublicschools.org website.
Yonkers’ Representative Eliot Engel requests that White House and State Department Preserve and Produce Records Related to Friday’s Late-Night Firing
WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Senator Bob Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, yesterday launched an investigation into President Trump’s firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. Writing to the White House, the Department of State, and the State Department Office of Inspector General, the lawmakers requested that administration officials preserve all records related to the firing and turn information over to the committees by Friday, May 22.
“President Trump’s unprecedented removal of Inspector General Linick is only his latest sacking of an inspector general, our government’s key independent watchdogs, from a federal agency. We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the President’s gutting of these critical positions,” wrote Engel and Menendez. “Reports indicate that Secretary Pompeo personally made the recommendation to fire Mr. Linick, and it is our understanding that he did so because the Inspector General had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself. Such an action, transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability, would undermine the foundation of our democratic institutions and may be an illegal act of retaliation. This concern is amplified by the fact that it came only hours after the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which contains additional legal protections for inspectors general.”
Chairman Engel’s and Ranking Member Menendez requested that the administration turn over records and information related to the firing of Mr. Linick, information about Stephen J. Akard, whom the State Department has announced will lead the OIG, and records of all IG investigations involving the Office of the Secretary that were open, pending, or incomplete at the time of Mr. Linick’s firing.
MGM Yonkers, doing business as Empire City Casino, is going to lay off 890 people due to the closing of the casino during New York Pause.
The employees are represented by a number of unions including Operating Engineers, Teamsters, Council of Carpenters, Plumbers and Steamfitters, Communications of America, and Operating Engineers.
The Hebrew Home at Riverdale in the Bronx is under investigation by the state Department of Health. The probe follows a New York Post report in which staffers alleged that the nursing home was covering up COVID-19-related deaths.
Video Journalist Ru Ros covers the Yonkers Police Department as they respond to shots fired on Hamilton Avenue (between Morris & Post)
Reporter Ru Ros says a Yonkers SWAT Team and three YPD Negotiators were inside 78 Hamilton Avenue negotiating, after over one hour a female and male were brought out and placed inside police cruisers.
Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970), better known by his stage name DMX, is an American rapper and actor. He began rapping in the early 1990s, and released his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998 to both critical acclaim and commercial success, selling 251,000 copies within its first week of release.
DMX was sentenced to one year in prison in 2018 after he was charged with 14 federal counts of tax fraud, and now the Yonkers rapper has received a tax warrant for $224,845.82 from the State of New York.
DMX was released from prison in 2019 following time for tax evasion, and upon his release was ordered by a judge to pay the government $2.29 million in restitution.
Those around DMX says the he eventually resolve it, like he has done with the IRS situation.
It’s not all bad news from the rapper, though, as he recently announced that he’s been working on a new record, but it looks like tax authorities will be reaping any profits.
New York state will once again allow horse racing at Yonkers Raceway, without fans, starting June 1, marking another step toward revitalizing the economy in the city of hills and Hudson Valley.
Without fans, MGM’s racetrack will forego the usual boost in revenue they receive from large gatherings for racing, but televised events will still bring in some money.
State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow says New York State is expected to issue guidance sometime in the coming week as to how Empire City Casino employees at the racetrack should handle themselves to operate safety.
New York state is projecting a $13 billion revenue loss over the next fiscal year due to COVID-19.
That’s on top of the state’s direct spending in response to the pandemic, which has topped $3 billion since the beginning of March.
Yonkers congressman Eliot Engel said the U.S. House approved legislation Friday that would provide an additional $500 billion to states to aid their response for COVID-19. It would also repeal a cap on state and local tax deductions for states most affected by the disease, like New York.
Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the U.S. Senate to take up the measure, which he called a “smart bill,” though the upper house isn’t expected to approve it as written.
The state Division of Budget has projected that state funding for schools, local governments, and hospitals could be cut as much as 20% without additional aid from the federal government.
Yonkers senator Shelley Mayer says those cuts are expected to be decided in the next two weeks.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, has been reluctant to provide aid directly to state governments, saying it would amount to a “blue state bailout” for states like New York.
Yonkers senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins says if federal lawmakers provide funding for New York state later this year, the cuts the governor is expected to announce this month could be restored.
JOURNAL NEWS: Nothing can stop this Yonkers group from dishing over lunch
JEANNE MUCHNICK: There’s a lot of love in Yonkers and it can be found in a small group called the Yonkers Thursday Lunch Club (TLC).
YONKERS: A coterie of mixed ages, races, occupations and retirees — the majority of whom are Yonkers residents (others work there) — is so enamored of the city that, for the past six years, they’ve regularly met every Thursday at noon at various downtown restaurants.
And, the coronavirus has not stopped them.
Which is where Zoom comes in.
“TLC is still going strong,” said Bob Walters, one of the TLC coordinators, of their new virtual meal.
“It’s not the same as regular lunch, but it’s still good to see and hear everyone.” Added Rose Avilés, the community services coordinator for the Yonkers Public Library:
“I think during these unprecedented challenging times, it’s crucial for us to meet as we used to, and be in one another’s company.”…..
HOME VIDEO: #AnthonyMillerJr. knows how lucky he is to have a mom as wonderful and fun as his.
YONKERS DANCE PARTY: That’s why Anthony always makes sure to appreciate their time together, being locked down in the city of hills — even when they’re unloading groceries at home!
And mom didn’t miss a beat to Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).”
NEW YORK POST: #AutumnMassaquoi, 19, of #Yonkers, allegedly began kicking the 2-train motorman’s cab door as as he pulled the southbound train out of Wall Street station around 8:15 p.m. Friday, according to #NYPD and internal #MTA records.
Police said the motorman opened the door to confront his 5-foot-6 assailant — who allegedly flashed a knife, punched him in the face and followed him into the cab, where she continue to attack.
Massaquoi allegedly fled at Clark Street station in Brooklyn Heights after the victim attempted to prevent her escape — only to be apprehended later at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, according to police.
Transit workers found the train car “soiled with blood” and fragments of the weapon lying on the ground, according to the internal MTA report.Massaquoi was arrested for assault, harassment and menacing….
A Westchester child care director is worried that other facilities don’t have the necessities to reopen.
Little Angels Child Development director #AngelaBayerPersico says while she’s been lucky to receive donations from clients, many child care facilities don’t have the means to acquire personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.“Childcare needs to be looked at as the foundation…for anybody to work in whatever job you’re doing. You need to have a place for your child. A safe, quality place for your child to go to,” says Bayer-Persico….
