WHITE PLAINS FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING OPENS 8 AM THURSDAY AT THE GEDNEY YARD.

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Mayor Tom Roach the leading Mayor in Westchester County Green Initiatives Brings White Plains into County Executive George Latimer’s Food Scraps Recycling Program

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER, From the Westchester County Department of Communications and City of White Plains Mayor’s Office. Debruary 3, 2021:

Mayor Tom Roach today announced The City of White Plains will start a voluntary, residential food scrap drop off program and to participate in the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facility’s new Residential Food Scrap Transportation and Disposal (RFSTAD) program, program,

Mayor Roach in an announcement with Westchester County Executive George Latimer was ebullient:

“White Plains is excited to participate in this new County program. The City has encouraged its residents to compost on their own property as a means of reducing their carbon footprint, but this new program allows us to expand that opportunity to residents who do not have their own yards as well as to those who are interested in this new recycling option but do not have use for the compost.

In addition to providing an important environmental benefit, the Food Scrap Recycling program is also a great example of shared services between governments, which is good for our taxpayers.”

Karen Pasquale, Senior Advisor to the Mayor released the details for residents to WPCNR, the city’s Food Scrap Recycling Program starts Thursday and is open 6 Days a Week at 8 AM:


1. Participation is free.


2. Residents can drop off food scraps at the Gedney Recycling Yard, 87 Gedney Way, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sunday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. 


3. Accepted Food Scraps include: grains, pasta, dairy, fruit, veggies, stems, peels, meat, bones, egg shells, coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, napkins, BPI-certified compostable bags.


4. The Gedney Recycling Yard is ready to accept food scraps starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 4, 2021.

County Executive George Latimer congratulated Mayor Roach for joining the initiative:

“We could not be happier with the City’s decision to partner with the County in expanding food scrap recycling options for our residents. The inclusion of White Plains will make a tremendous impact, representing the largest municipality in the County to date offering food scrap recycling to its residents.

The goal of the RFSTAD program is to expand food scrap recycling by reducing the costs and making it feasible for all our municipalities to operate programs. The announcement that White Plains will be part of the program shows that it is working the way we intended.”

Under RFSTAD, the County’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) arranges for the consolidation, transportation, and processing of food scraps collected by municipalities.

The County’s participation reduces the cost so that it is the same as– or less than — the transportation and disposal cost of garbage, making food scrap recycling feasible for municipalities that otherwise would not be able to offer this service. Moreover, incorporating grant funding from NYSDEC for start-up materials, allows local municipalities to start these programs for a few thousand dollars.

Mayor Roach added launching Food Scrap Recycling to White Plains fits in with the city’s pioneering green initiatives:

‘White Plains has been working on several fronts to reduce its carbon footprint. We are getting ready to install solar on city buildings and facilities, we offer 28 electric vehicle charging stations in public garages and lots throughout the city, textile and shoe recycling, we’ve phased out the use of the dirtiest fuel oils, and more (see Go Green White Plains). I am pleased to be able to add the Food Scrap Recycling program to this list and thank the County Executive for this opportunity.”

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Governor: 20% Increase in Vaccine National Supply. Hospitalization Rate Declining Statewide. Westchester Infection Rate: 5.8% –DOWN from 6.6% Last Week

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WPCNR GOVERNOR CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 2, 2021:

The federal vaccine supply to the states will increase by about 20 percent for the next three weeks, up from the initial 16 percent expected bump in allocations.

Additionally, private pharmacies in the state who are charged with prioritizing the 65-plus population will now receive an additional 10 percent, or about 30,000 doses, directly from the federal government. This will supplement doses allocated to them by the State.

Following the snowstorm, all New York State-run vaccination sites will be open and ready to administer doses during regularly scheduled hours starting tomorrow (by appointment only). If your appointment was canceled due to the weather, don’t worry — you have been rebooked. Be sure to check for an email or text rescheduling your appointment.  

 Here’s what else you need to know tonight: 

1. COVID hospitalizations ticked up to 8,067. Of the 150,199 tests reported yesterday, 8,215, or 5.47 percent, were positive. The 7-day rolling average of test positivity, 4.95 percent, is the lowest since December 6.

(Editor’s Note: In Westchester County in the 7 days from January 25 (last Monday), 90,760 people were tested, and 5,275 persons have tested positive, 237 a day, a positive infection rate of 5.8%, down dignificantly from the 6.6% of Jan. 18-25. According to the New York State Covid-19 Tracker Workbook.

This shows a significant lowering of the weekly infection rate in one week. In the week from January 18 to January 25, 85,249 were tested in the county, 5,609 tested postive, 6.6%

There were 1,053 patients in the ICU yesterday, up three from the previous day. Of them, 1,004 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 146 New Yorkers to the virus. 

2. Over 2 million total vaccine doses have been administered in New York State. This total includes the federal Long Term Care Facility program. As of 12pm today, 91 percent of first doses allocated to state health care distribution sites have been administered. This represents 1,414,241 first doses administered of the 1,554,450 first doses received from the federal government (NYS health care distribution sites only). 321,204 second doses have been administered out of 725,050 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker.  

 3. The Bronx continues to have the highest test positivity rate of the New York City boroughs. The Bronx’s positivity rate is 6.57 percent, followed by Queens at 5.21 percent, Brooklyn at 5.17 percent, Staten Island at 4.65 percent, and Manhattan at 3.06 percent (7-day rolling averages). Later this week, Yankee Stadium will open as a mass vaccination site specifically and exclusively for Bronx residents who are 65 or older or in other eligible groups.  

4. Among the regions of New York, Long Island has the highest test positivity rate. Long Island’s positivity rate is 6.03 percent, followed by the Mid-Hudson Region at 5.76 percent, the North Country at 5.51 percent, New York City at 5.09 percent, Western New York at 5.01 percent, the Capital Region at 4.67 percent, Mohawk Valley at 4.09 percent, the Finger Lakes at 3.79 percent, Central New York at 3.08 percent, and the Southern Tier at 1.92 percent (7-day rolling averages). No matter where you live, please continue to take the recommended health precautions, including wearing a mask and washing your hands often. 

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Tonight’s “DBM” takes us to Smithtown, New York, where for 75 years the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind has trained dogs to guide blind or visually impaired people for free. The training process takes two years, and is followed by a matching process to make sure each dog is a good fit for the eventual owner. Last week, ABC7 featured the story of John Brennan, a blind veteran, and his new guide dog, Edgar, who were matched a few weeks ago. John Miller, President and CEO of the organization, said: “When you see somebody paired with someone who needs them, you really understand what you are really doing here. You’re providing somebody with independence.”  If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
 Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 
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White Plains Shows Drop of 50 in New Covid Cases…total active: 569

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From Mayor Thomas Roach. February 2, 2021:

The data is showing that active COVID cases in White Plains are beginning to decline. There are currently an estimated 569 active cases in our City, down 50 from our call last week. At White Plains Hospital, the number of COVID patients has been declining slightly.  

While the reduction we are now seeing in new cases is certainly good news, the emergence of several COVID-19 variants proves that we must not let down our guard.

Even though some of these variants appear to be more transmissible, wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequently washing or sanitizing your hands continue to be effective safety measures, and remain our best means of preventing the spread of this virus until the vast majority of the population is vaccinated.  Keep wearing your masks whenever you are out!  

We receive many questions about vaccine distribution and know that many eligible residents have not yet been able to secure a vaccination appointment. The priorities for vaccine distribution are set by the state, the appointments are set up by the state, as are the locations where vaccinations will take place and the manner of making those appointments.

Those eligible to be vaccinated at this time include healthcare workers, people age 65 and older, first responders, teachers, public transit workers, grocery store workers, and public safety workers.

This past week, Johnson & Johnson released efficacy data showing its single dose vaccine to be effective against COVID-19. The company is expected to seek emergency use authorization this month. Once approved, it will add significantly to the vaccine supply. We remain in regular contact with state and county officials to offer our assistance and obtain distribution information as quickly as possible so that we may share it with you.

Eligible residents should continue to check the state website or call the state Hotline to check for new openings.  You can also sign up for alerts about vaccine eligibility from the Westchester County Department of Health. Go to cityofwhiteplains.com to find out more. 

We are experienced a significant Nor’Easter yesterday.

The City of White Plains has 80 plows mobilized. Plowing operations started Sunday night at 9:00 PM and crews worked through the night and into afternoon in continuous shifts. The rate of snowfall and the amount of snow makes clearing challenging, but our DPW crews are on top of it. Metro North and Bee Line bus services have both been suspended. Please stay safe and stay home! 

Our next call is on February 8th. Until then remember, we’re standing together by staying apart.

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Las estadísticas muestran que los casos activos de COVID en White Plains están comenzando a disminuir. Actualmente hay un estimado de 569 casos activos en nuestra ciudad, 50 menos que los que mencionamos en nuestra ultima llamada la semana pasada. En el Hospital de White Plains, el número de pacientes con COVID ha ido disminuyendo levemente.

Si bien el que los casos estén disminuyendo es una buena noticia, la aparición de diferentes variaciones de COVID-19 demuestran que no debemos bajar la guardia. Aunque algunas de estas variantes parecen ser más contagiosas, el uso de una mascarilla, el distanciamiento social y lavarse o desinfectarse las manos con frecuencia siguen siendo medidas de seguridad efectivas y siguen siendo nuestro mejor medio para prevenir la propagación de este virus hasta que la gran mayoría de la población está vacunada. ¡Sigue usando tu mascarilla cuando salgas!

Muchos nos han preguntado en cuanto a la distribución de vacunas y sabemos que muchos residentes que cumplen con los requisitos de vacunación aún no han podido obtener una cita. Las prioridades para la distribución de vacunas las establece el estado, las citas las establece el estado, al igual que los lugares donde se llevarán a cabo las vacunaciones y la manera de hacer esas citas. Aquellos que reúnen los requisitos para vacunarse en este momento incluyen trabajadores de la salud, personas de 65 años o más, socorristas, maestros, trabajadores del transporte público, de supermercados y seguridad pública. La semana pasada, Johnson & Johnson publicó estadísticas que muestran que una sola dosis de su vacuna es eficaz contra COVID-19. Se espera que la compañía reciba la autorización para el uso de emergencia este mes. Una vez aprobada, aumentará significativamente el suministro de vacunas. Permanecemos en contacto regular con los funcionarios estatales y del condado para ofrecer nuestra asistencia y obtener información de distribución lo más rápido posible, para que podamos compartirla con usted.

Los residentes que reúnen los requisitos para la vacuna deben continuar visitando el sitio web del estado o llamar al numero del estado para verificar si hay nuevas vacantes. También puede inscribirse para recibir alertas sobre los requisitos para vacunas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Westchester. Vaya a cityofwhiteplains.com para obtener más información.

Al momento de grabar esta llamada, estamos experimentando una tormenta de nor- este significativa. La ciudad de White Plains tiene 80 camiones con palas para quitar la nieve movilizados. Estos comenzaron anoche a las 9:00 p.m. y las cuadrillas trabajarán durante la noche y hasta mañana por la tarde en turnos continuos. La acumulación de nieve y la cantidad de nieve que cae dificultan la limpieza, pero nuestros equipos de trabajos públicos están haciendo los más que pueden. Los servicios de autobús de Metro North y Bee Line han sido suspendidos. ¡Por favor, manténgase seguro y quédese en casa!

 Nuestra próxima llamada es el 8 de febrero. Hasta entonces, y recuerda: estamos más juntos manteniéndonos más separados.

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BEELINEBUS TRANSIT IN WESTCHESTER SUSPENDED

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Due to the considerable snow fall and hazardous road conditions,

Bee-Line buses and Paratransit vehicles will not be operating

tomorrow morning. If the roads are safe and passable, we will plan

to resume service at noon tomorrow Tuesday 2/2/21.

Please check our website for updates.  

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ALL IS REASONABLY QUIET AS OF 11:30 PM, SNOW CONTINUES LIGHT: FINAL TOTAL 14 INCHES IN WHITE PLAINS 1 FOOT DEEP AND RISIN’ AS OF 1:30 EST. SNOWIN’ AND BLOWIN’ AT THE RATE OF 1 INCH AN HOUR. WIND NE AT 16, GUSTS TO 30. BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. COUNTY EXECUTIVE DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY THROUGH FEB.4

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11-1/2 INCHES. WITH DRIFTING SHIFTING SNOWS AS OF 1:30 PM IN WHITE PLAINS. DPW IS CLEARING ONCE AN HOUR. SNOW CONTINUES THROUGHOUT MONDAY EVENING AND TUESDAY MORNING SNOW IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND STICKING.

A local state of Emergency is hereby declared in the County of Westchester beginning at one o’clock p.m. on the first day of  February 2021, and ending at one o’clock p.m. on the fourth day of February 2021.  This State of Emergency shall be in effect for a period of time not to exceed seventy-two hours.

The state of Emergency has been declared due to a disaster and emergency condition existing by reason of the occurrence of, and imminent threat of, widespread or severe damage, injury, loss of life and property resulting from a severe and prolonged snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.

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GOOD MORNING! 26 AND SNOWY WINDY WPCNR DEGREES: 3-1/2 Inches of Snow Falls Overnite in White Plains. Snow Continues.SCHOOLS CLOSED

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SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH MONDAY, OVERNIGHT, ENDING TUESDAY AFTER. TOTAL ACCUMULATION ABOUT A FOOT. 8 INCHES EXPECTED TODAY.
Bee-Line buses and Paratransit vehicles are running with 30 minute delays.
 Routes 7, 8, 9, & 30 are traveling on the standard snow detours.
 Route 32- No service today
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