New York State was the second-least affordable state for retirees, a factor that largely drove its ranking as the second-worst state to retire in, according to WalletHub’s recent analysis. Its overall score was 41.86 across dimensions of affordability, quality of life and health care.

New York has the third worst “general tax-friendliness” rating, the 10th-lowest retired taxpayer-friendliness, the fourth-highest share of population aged 65 and older in poverty (11.5% in poverty) and the sixth-highest adjusted cost of living (131.66). Retired taxpayer-friendliness measures taxation on retirement income, property and purchases, and special tax breaks for seniors.

The state suffered in the health care category as well, coming in 27th, with the third-worst quality of public hospitals (according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ranking of public hospitals), the seventh-highest risk of social isolation and the least family medicine physicians per capita. Social isolation takes the following risk factors into account: divorced, separated or widowed; never married; poverty; disability; independent living difficulty; and living alone.

Still, the state has above average quality of life, stacking up as 17th best in the nation. The state is ranked third for highest life expectancy, following only Hawaii and California. It has the best access to adult volunteer activities (0.23 rated charity organizations per capita) and the eighth-highest number of golf courses per capita (0.23), according to the report.

WalletHub’s September 2020 analysis of 182 best and worst places to retire, based on affordability, activities, quality of life and health care, ranked Rochester as 127th, Buffalo as 146th, New York City as 166th, and Yonkers as 172nd.

New York City received the highest subscores among the state’s municipalities, coming in at 24th best in terms of activities and 33rd best in quality of life.

New Jersey was the worst state to retire in and the least affordable, according to the analysis. The Garden State had the 35th best quality of life and 33rd best healthcare compared with other states.

ALBANY: New York’s Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would pause the statute of limitations on any possible New York crimes committed by a U.S. president amid New York investigations involving former President Trump.

Without a “tolling” or extension of the statute of limitations, a failure to meet this filing deadline could have been fatal to a Trump lawsuit or prosecution.

YONKERS: Human service organization Rising Ground is putting its Leake & Watts campus in Yonkers on the market. The 32-acre property, which overlooks the Hudson River, is listed with Transwestern Real Estate Services.

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground, formerly Leake & Watts, is a leading nonprofit organization serving children and families confront dealing with poverty, disabilities and a lack of access to services.

YONKERS: Councilmembers Mike Breen, Minority Leader and Anthony Merante have brought forth a resolution that is intended to send a strong message to Albany lawmakers that Yonkers and numerous Italian-American organizations are vehemently opposed to terminating the Columbus Day holiday by pending legislation in NYS Assembly Bill # A2492 and Senate Bill #:S2759 

However, there is much opposition from Yonkers’ Hispanic population think that Columbus Day may be about to set sail into irrelevancy, because of injustices inflicted of millions of people.

Minority Leader, Mike Breen stated, “It may be appropriate to recognize indigenous peoples in New York there is no need to do so at the expense of the millions of people of Italian-American Heritage who celebrate Columbus Day in honor of the contributions of Italian-Americans to American history, economy and culture”. 

Councilmember Anthony Merante added, “It is undeniable that the City of Yonkers has a large and active Italian –American population that has historically embraced Columbus Day as an annual holiday and celebration of their culture including a parade, scholarship awards and other events and activities. This tradition must be continued”.

Located in the Nodine Hill neighborhood with access to transportation, shopping & health care. Community room, exercise room & outdoor seating area.

Residents of Dayspring Commons will have free access to recreational programs and social services that will be provided at the Dayspring Community Center located next door. 

Rents include Heat

To obtain an Application: 914‐332‐4144 | http://www.housingactioncouncil.org/

To Submit an Application: Mail or hand deliver to 55 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Public Lottery: April 15, 2020 ‐ Via Zoom/ or other Virtual Method | Listed on http://nyhousingsearch.gov/

“This week in the Assembly, I was proud to introduce a resolution calling on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 5th, 2021 as Kashmir American Day in New York State. This Resolution, which passed unanimously, makes New York the first state to proclaim a Kashmir American Day, to acknowledge the challenges and struggles of the people of Kashmir and the support they receive in this country from organizations including the American Pakistani Advocacy Group, led by my friend and their president Ali Rashid. I presented Ali and members of the groups board of directors with the official proclamation Friday in Yonkers.”

A few years back Angelique Piwinski joined the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Yonkers,

She was the first openly transgender person ever to serve on this governing board in the church’s 325-year history. and now she has joined the #HudsonRiverMuseum’s Board of Trustees in #Yonkers.

#AngeliquePiwinski also previously worked in various marketing positions in the past.

Ms. Piwinski is also served as a member of the Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board.

YONKERS, NY — One of New York State’s community-based pop-up vaccination sites is coming online this week in Yonkers.

Nodine Hill Community Center
140 Fillmore Street
Yonkers, NY 10701
Phone: (914) 377-6444
Open: Thursday, February 4 – Saturday, February 6 – By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: Sun River Health

The Nodine Hill Community Center pop up site was made possible through partnerships with public and private health care providers.

Westmed Women’s Health and Pediatrics departments in partnership with The Parent Collective, these classes are designed to provide Westmed patients evidence-based information on how to breastfeed and are intended to help them get off to the best possible start.

“Both the Women’s Health and Pediatrics Departments at Westmed strongly support breastfeeding for as long as possible to extend the health benefits for both mother and child,” says Dr. Patricia Calayag, deputy medical director at Westmed Medical Group.

“Due to the current circumstances related to the pandemic, many new mothers are finding themselves with limited support as they isolate at home in order to keep their newborns as safe as possible. New motherhood can be challenging under normal circumstances, the pandemic has made it even more challenging for mothers to get the support they need. The first few weeks of parenthood are crucial to helping mothers to establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship with baby. Westmed is committed to removing barriers to care and support for mothers by providing education and guidance in this effort.”

In addition to the expert facilitators from The Parent Collective, a Westmed pediatrician, obstetrician or Westmed lactation specialist will also join the class to help patients start planning for their own breastfeeding experience.

In this class mothers will receive information about topics such as initiating breastfeeding, latching on, hunger cues, feeding schedules, pumping and storing milk as well as formula feeding.

Support will also be offered for those who will be breastfeeding twins or breastfeeding with a breast reduction or augmentation.

Additional postpartum support will be available with a follow-up class for those who register. There will also be classes offered in Spanish.

“Our pediatricians believe breastfeeding gives infants their healthiest start.  We are delighted to join with our obstetricians in supporting new mothers in this important parenting stage,” said Dr. Sara Kenamore, head of pediatrics at Westmed.

“Many feel that breastfeeding should come easily,” states Dr. Rosalie Alvarado, OB-GYN and lactation specialist at Westmed.

“However, this is often not the case, and many mothers will need support from their community and lactation specialists to get off to the best start. By offering these classes, we want to encourage the breastfeeding conversation, help families feel prepared and help mothers feel comfortable to seek support if they are experiencing challenges. “

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for 1 year or longer.

A 24-year-old Yonkers man held in the shooting of an NYPD officer this week has an arrest history and criminal warrants in New Jersey.

Ajani Jones of Yonkers, is charged with first-degree attempted murder of a police officer in the shooting about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday after a traffic stop in the city, authorities said.

Police said Jones ran from police after they pulled him over on Lafayette Avenue near White Plains Road. An officer fired one shot and Jones fired four times, striking a 31-year-old officer in the lower back.

YONKERS: Daniel Wolf, a celebrated photography collector and dealer who was married to the architect and sculptor Maya Lin, died on January 25 at his home in #Colorado.

In 2013, an old #YonkersJail located on downtown Alexander Street was purchased by the famed art collector and he got a deal, because it had been appraised at for $2.5 million. – but the final agreement was a drastically reduced price of $1 million that left taxpayers holding the bag.

Daniel Wolf and his wife, architect Maya Lin also got, which #Yonkers homeowners had to make up the difference.

In exchange for the favor, they intended to reuse the jail for offices, artists studios and an public exhibition / event space and further helped lower the final purchase price for Wolf and Lin would at $729,937.

Later an article appeared in the NY Times shared….

“Daniel Wolf, an art and photography dealer, and his wife, the artist and architect Maya Lin, thrilled local artists in 2013 when they bought the empty 1926 Yonkers City Jail.

Although the couple initially considered holding public events there, Mr. Wolf has found that he needs the entire building to store his collection.”Wolf also collected antiques and objects, including pre-Columbian furniture, Chinese bronzes, American prehistoric pottery, and more.

In an interview with the New York Times in 1998, Wolf and Lin discussed the ways in which their aesthetics, put on display in their New York home.“I’m excessively this, and she’s excessively that,” he told the Times.

“We love each other’s that, but we’re each inherently this.”

Among his accomplishments, Wolf played a crucial role in the development of the Getty Museum’s photography collection. A 1994 Los Angeles Times article describes how during the 1980s he “circled the globe for the Getty, methodically acquiring the most important photographs money could buy.

But Yonkers residents were taken for a ride by the two glob trotters, who promised the Yonkers Jail project would create 10-15 local construction jobs that never materialized.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883901698534056/

SKATING TO VICTORY: Yonkers City Council man John Rubbo was unopposed in his re-election effort and enjoyed 100 percent support for his bid to continue to represent #Yonkers‘ District 4

YONKERS: #WestchesterCounty Legislator #JoseAlvarado also won an easy victory from the Yonkers Democratic City Committee as Community Activist London Reyes failed to show up to challenge him.

It is unclear at this time if #LondonReyes will collect signatures from voters in an effort to once again be placed on the #DemocraticPrimary ballot in Westchester County’s 17th Legislative District.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883566898567536/

YONKERS #WestchesterCounty Majority Whip #ChristopherJohnson was nominated by Yonkers Democratic City Committee against challenger Dwanita M. Crosby, who says she will collect signatures from voters to get on the democratic primary ballot in the city of hills.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883472675243625/

YONKERS: #TimHodges beat the challenge of Stella Schwuchow to get the Nomination of the Yonkers Democratic city committee to take on councilman Anthony Merante.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883446731912886/

YONKERS: #ZafiroAcevedo and #CrystalSuazo lost to second district Yonkers City Council woman Corazon Pineda Isaac

It is unclear if either of these two community leaders will collect signatures to get on the democratic primary ballot to further challenge the bi-partisan majority leader.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883425581915001/

YONKERS: Yonkers City Council President: Council President Mike Khader garnered 85 Percent of Vote of Yonkers Democratic city committee.

Challenger Lakisha Collins-Bellamy garnered 13 percent of the vote of Yonkers Democratic City Committee,

Lakisha Collins-Bellamy For Yonkers City Council President has vowed to continue this race and to take her campaign to the people of #Yonkers by petitioning voters to get on the democratic ballot.

Executive Director of Yonkers PAL DouglasGray and Community Activist Pete Spano’s efforts to get nominated for Yonkers City Council President went nowhere.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2883398311917728/

YWCA Yonkers

Address: 87 S Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701

Phone: (914) 963-0640

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2882808141976745/

DANBURY, CT — The city has hired, Kevin Ford, the retired chief of operations of the fire department in Yonkers, NY. as interim fire chief in Danbury.

At the Yonkers FD, Kevin Ford served for 26 years and rose through the ranks of that department, eventually retiring as chief of operations in 2020.

He carries a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Iona College, and is certified in all hazard emergency response.

Danbury is in the process of hiring a fire chief after the departure of Chief T. J. Wiedl in July 2020 and Acting Chief Mark Omasta in January 2021.

Chief Ford is also a candidate for the position.

Launch1000 is a free online, self-paced entrepreneurial training program designed to jumpstart 1,000 new businesses by helping County residents put their new business ideas to the test.

Launch1000 will help you evaluate your idea, test it with potential customers, and see if it seems likely to succeed. 

As you progress through the program, additional resources such as mentorship, valuable introductions, and even grants, will become available.

One Yonkers entrepreneurs tells us, “It really is a helpful program. I’m learning true networking and how to really make my business work better. I’m in Phase 2 and the encouragement is amazing as well.”

The program requires access to a tablet or laptop, and stable WiFi. If you do not have access to these, the County can help. Please note your needs on the application. All County residents are eligible to apply.

LAUNCH1000 PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

• Phase 1 “Me, My Idea, and Why Am I Doing This?”
• Phase 2 “Will Customers Want This?”
• Phase 3 “Testing My Idea”
• Phase 4 “Finding Clients, Users, Donors Before Launch”
• Phase 5 “How Will Everything Get Done? Planning Business Operations”
• Phase 6 “Creating Raving Fans: Planning Sales and Marketing”
• Phase 7 “Show Me The Money: Planning the Financial Model”

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Access to an online, guided step-by-step success platform
• Online feedback and acceleration coaching
• Two online weekly workshops
• Online community forum to connect and network with other Launch1000 participants
• Opportunities to earn benefits, resources and relevant introductions throughout the progression of the program:
• Earn up to $5,000 in performance-based grants
• Earn access to exclusive online events
• Earn a mentor
• Earn one on one sessions to accelerate your idea

For more information and to apply, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/launch1000/  

YONKERS: Cisco has awarded Westhab a grant of $250,000 of in-kind technology and services to provide free Wi-Fi access at Westhab’s Dayspring Campus.

This is the first step in Westhab’s larger vision to expand free Wi-Fi to the entire Nodine Hill community. Cisco has enacted similar partnerships in the past, notably with the City of Toronto, where they have set up 25 free Wi-Fi hotspots and counting.

Westhab’s Dayspring Campus, set to open in the spring, is made up of a state-of-the-art community center next door to Dayspring Commons, a 63-unit affordable and supportive housing residence, with 37 units set aside for formerly homeless families. All residents will have access to a full range of support services.

The Dayspring Community Center, situated in the gut-renovated Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church building, will be host to several after-school and adult-learning programs, acting as a hub for community learning and engagement.

The Wi-Fi access provided by Cisco’s generous grant will encompass these two buildings, the Dayspring playground and outdoor space, and expand to nearby storefronts and local vendors.

Free Wi-Fi at the Dayspring Campus means that:

• every resident of Dayspring Commons will have free Wi-Fi, eliminating a pricey utility from their monthly expenses;
• students and program participants at the community center will be able to access online resources and conduct lessons both inside and outdoors in the Dayspring playground; and
• storefronts and local vendors in the immediate area will benefit from free Wi-Fi as well, facilitating touchless transactions and contributing to economic empowerment.

Wi-Fi has become a social justice issue in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With school and many jobs taking place online, reliable Wi-Fi is essential for children to access online classes and for many adults to work remotely.

This means that low-income people are at a disadvantage—especially those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, let alone pay for Internet. Whether a child needs Wi-Fi to do homework or a community-member needs it to interview for a job via Zoom, the Dayspring Campus will provide a Wi-Fi hub for the entire community. 

The Yonkers Downtown BID is featuring 11 restaurants as part of a “Yonkers Downtown Takeout Week.”

YONKERS: A “Yonkers Downtown Takeout Week.” event will run from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6, offers customized takeout packages include either $40 or $20 takeout options and vary by restaurant.

Participating restaurants are:

Dolphin Restaurant
Dos Marias
Guapo Restaurant
Francey Brady’s
Giovanni’s Pizza
La Bella Havana
Metate Yonkers
Singas Pizza
X2O
Yonkers Brewing Co.
Zuppa Restaurant

A previous Downtown Bid promotion in August called “Yonkers is back to business” with Mayor Mike Spano failed to properly promote Yonkers restaurants through food and drink discounts, that basically did not reach households in the city of hills, because Sarah Brody, executive director of the Yonkers Downtown BID used out of town media outlets, with no penetration in Yonkers.

YONKERS: Andrea Stewart-Cousins team put together a video featuring several students from her district

The project launched in December to local school districts garnered nearly 100 entries from students in K-12th grade and college from Greenburgh, Scarsdale, Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle.

“It was wonderful to see how many students wanted to share their dream for the future for themselves, their family, their friends, and for our country,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

https://www.facebook.com/andrea.stewartcousins/videos/702880923742814

Learn more about Anthony Merante here: https://www.facebook.com/Merante2021