WORKING HARD ON THE RAILROAD : GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES SERVICE ON ALL THREE WESTCHESTER MENTRO NORTH AND AMTRAK TO ALBANY ARE BACK.

Posted on July 12, 2023 by John Bailey

Before and After Storm Footage Available Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the full reopening of the Metro-North Railroad and announced Amtrak service will resume between New York City and Albany after the historic rainfall and flooding that hit the region on July 9.

BEFORE AND AFTER REPAIRS THE LAST 487 HOURS–MTA PHOTOS

Governor Hochul, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi made the announcement after welcoming some of the first Metro-North commuters to arrive at Grand Central Terminal after service was restored on the Hudson Line.

“Experts said it could take more than a week to restore full Metro-North service, but thanks to the hard work and talent of MTA union workers we have restored service to every Metro-North station,” Governor Hochul said. “Because of the climate crisis, these weather emergencies are quickly becoming our new normal – and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to strengthen our infrastructure so it’s resilient for generations to come.”

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Metro-North service was suspended north of Croton-Harmon on the Hudson Line and north of Southeast station on the Harlem Line. Less than two days after the storm hit, Metro-North was able to return service to the Hudson Line, beginning with Poughkeepsie-bound trains operating on Tuesday evening.

Service was also restored on the Upper Harlem Line Wednesday morning.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “We’ve been weathering big storms together – Hurricane Ida rocked the Hudson Valley in 2021, hitting the Metro North operations especially hard, and now here we are in the aftermath of another once-in-a-generation storm. The MTA team stepped up once again to get the railroad back on track. I have to thank the hundreds of crew members who worked around the clock to make this happen.”

Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, “Sunday’s historic storm caused significant damage to the Wassaic Branch and the Upper Hudson Line, and the Metro-North workforce came out in force to clear our tracks and restore service as quickly as possible. From the crews doing the clean-up, to the workers who helped with the temporary bus service, I cannot thank each employee enough for their work.”

Service was suspended on the Hudson Line north of Croton-Harmon on Sunday afternoon and on the Harlem Line north of Southeast on Monday morning, due to severe storm damage. The suspensions of service on the Hudson and Harlem lines were impacting nearly 14,000 riders per day, and nearly 105,000 riders rely on these lines every week.

The removal of fallen trees, water, mud and boulders engaged hundreds of MTA workers and contractors, with more team members tracking outages, moving equipment and managing substitute bus service.

These teams included members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Association of Commuter Rail Employees, and the Railway and Airway Supervisor Association. Crews will continue clean up along the Hudson Line as the railroad works to restore full regularly scheduled service on the line.

LESSONS I LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC FROM YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

Posted on July 11, 2023 by John Bailey

Lessons I learned during the pandemic

By Dr. KATELYN JETELINA

(Republished with permission)

JUL 11, 2023

For the past 3.5 years, I’ve been going 2,000 mph just trying not to crash into the guardrail. Emergencies will do that, particularly in spaces that aren’t prepared. I’m finally able to slow down and process the good and bad in both my roles: being on the front lines of the response and publishing YLE.

Last week I was invited to the University of California San Francisco Grand Rounds— a formal meeting in which providers discuss the latest medical breakthroughs and research. It was the last of the COVID-19 series and a great discussion about what we learned. The recording is below.

I’ve also started a list my phone. The past few years are still a bit of a blur, so this is just a start. Below is what I’ve jotted down so far.

Lessons I learned:

The three most important words: I don’t know.
Approach novel threats with humility. Man this stupid virus gave us some surprises.
Approach populations with humility. Helicoptering in is not the same thing as stakeholder engagement.
There are only tough and tougher policy decisions during an emergency. Many decisions were leaps of faith. Schools were a great example.
Public-private partnerships are critical: Operation Warp Speed. Google mobility data. CVS/Walgreens and vaccine distribution. Antigen tests and USPS. Contact tracing. Wastewater. Public health was brought to a new level.
Humans don’t like being reminded of their vulnerabilities. It brings out a lot of hate and anger.
We can do hard things: 91% of Americans 12+ years have the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. That’s absolutely huge.
Public health is inherently political. Policy isn’t just based on science but also culture, psychology, politics, and values. A lot of the time we agree on data, but we value different priorities.
Using public health as a partisan pawn, though, will cost lives. Using masks (or lack thereof) as a tribal symbol is a prime example.
Scientific communication. Oh, where do I begin? This deserves its own YLE post.

Things I got wrong

Hindsight is 20/20. But there is a difference between being wrong vs. being off because of limited knowledge at the time. There are things I need to be better at in the future, regardless of the rapidly changing evidence. Here are some examples:

Noise. I initially dismissed lab spillover theory because of the messenger (Trump) and because it was wrapped up in other conspiracy theories. I’m getting better at dealing with noise, but not perfect.
Feasibility. I strongly supported CDC’s recommendation on masking under 5 years old, but I ultimately think the WHO got this right (mask over 5 years old). Families were kicked off flights because toddlers wouldn’t wear a mask without crying. I felt for those parents. I was that parent. Feasibility is a big part of public health adherence.
Being partisan. I fell for the partisan bait many times. This isn’t how we build new foundations of trust.
Being sloppy, like not vetting sources carefully enough or leaving an ACIP meeting early and sending millions the wrong recommendation. (I’m still embarrassed.)

Things I hope you learned

Science is ever evolving. It never stops.
A healthy population is a healthy economy. These interests are not competing, but rather complementary.
Inequality is so very apparent in health and well-being.
It’s really easy to forget how bad and scary it was. Revisionism is real and can happen unconsciously.
When public health works, it’s invisible. But there are a ton of people working their butts off. As the Peace Corps say: It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.
Public health is a cycle of panic and neglect. We need to stop this. Supporting public health is just words unless it’s backed up with funding.

Bottom line

The pandemic made us move at incredible speed; we were bound to make mistakes. But, as Jonathan Mann said during the HIV era, “At the time of plague we did not flee; we did not hide; and we did not separate”. Here’s to learning, adapting, and being better prepared for tomorrow.

Love, YLE

“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife. During the day she is a senior scientific consultant to a number of organizations. At night she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health world so that people will be well equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON GUNS ALLOWED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSERS

Posted on July 11, 2023 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Governor Kathy Hochul July 11, 2023:

Today, the New York Times published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul on an upcoming Supreme Court decision that could have significant ramifications for survivors of domestic abuse. Text of the op-ed is available below and can be viewed online here.

When my mother turned 70, she had a unique birthday wish. Instead of a party or a cake, she told our family she needed our help to open a transitional home for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

She saw this birthday present as the culmination of a lifetime spent fighting for survivors of abuse, a journey that began back in the 1970s when it was commonplace to use terms like “battered women,” and survivors had few places to turn. A few months after my mom’s birthday, the Kathleen Mary House opened its doors — named in honor of her mother, Kathleen Mary, a survivor of domestic abuse.

When I was born, my mother gave me the name Kathleen Mary, and her lifelong activism on behalf of survivors made a huge impact on me. The effects of domestic violence are not limited to a single generation, nor should our vigilance against it be.

That is just one reason I’m so concerned about the outcome of an upcoming Supreme Court case, United States v. Rahimi, which next year will decide whether to uphold a gun safety law that protects survivors of domestic violence.

The Supreme Court recently announced plans to take up the Rahimi case, which will likely rely on the court’s recent Second Amendment decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

In that case, a majority led by Justice Clarence Thomas overturned New York’s concealed carry law that had been on the books for more than a century — claiming 21st-century gun laws should be consistent with an earlier time, when muskets were common firearms.

In doing so, the court stripped away a critical tool I had as governor to keep New Yorkers safe. If left unchecked, the decision would have allowed more deadly firearms than ever to flood our communities, our businesses, our bars and restaurants and even our crowded subway cars. One stray word, or sharp elbow, could immediately have devastating, life-threatening consequences.

Now, in Rahimi, the Supreme Court will decide whether deadly firearms can flood the homes of domestic violence survivors.

The case arrives at the court after a Fifth Circuit decision in favor of abusers.

The Fifth Circuit decided that government cannot prevent an abusive individual, against whom a court has issued a domestic violence protective order, from possessing a deadly firearm.

By overturning a federal law aimed at protecting survivors of abuse, the appeals court put forth an outrageous legal theory that claims individuals with domestic violence orders have a constitutional right to possess a gun.

Using Justice Thomas’s historically focused argument from Bruen as precedent, the Supreme Court could rule that domestic violence survivors today deserve only the protections they had in the 18th century — a time before most women could own property or work outside the home, let alone vote.

The stakes could not be higher.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicates that about 41 percent of women and 26 percent of men in the United States have experienced sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner and reported being affected by it during their lifetime.

According to U.S. crime reports, about 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, and over half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

Here in New York, there are approximately 80,000 serious offenses such as assaults, sex offenses and violations of orders of protection each year across the state, and data shows that in New York approximately 1 of 5 homicides are related to domestic violence.

The Supreme Court has a choice: It can lean into the dangerous Fifth Circuit theory that guns cannot be regulated for the purpose of protecting survivors of domestic violence, or it can uphold federal law that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

Before oral arguments are heard, there’s no way to tell which way the Supreme Court will rule. The precedent set by Bruen is extraordinarily troubling. Yet even within the court’s majority in Bruen, there was a split. Justice Thomas kept his focus on historical arguments. But a concurrence by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in which Chief Justice John Roberts joined, left room for certain basic protections, noting that “properly interpreted, the Second Amendment allows a ‘variety’ of gun regulations.”

This concurrence helped inform New York’s response to Bruen. After New York State’s century-old gun law was overturned, I took immediate steps to restore protections from gun violence, including signing new laws to strengthen training and gun licensing requirements.

In the spring of 2022, we bolstered our state’s red flag laws, getting guns away from people like domestic abusers who pose a risk to themselves or others and closing loopholes that made the tragedies in Buffalo and in Uvalde, Texas possible.

As a result, courts have issued roughly 9,000 extreme-risk orders of protection in the past year, up from 1,400 in the preceding two and a half years.

Depending on the scope of the court’s decision in Rahimi, these protections could be at risk as well.

After a brief spike during the start of the pandemic in 2020, New York is gradually and steadily returning to prepandemic shooting levels and has one of the top five lowest rates of firearm-related deaths. I’ve always said public safety is my top priority as governor, and I’m committed to using every tool at my disposal to keep our communities safe from gun violence.

An extreme, out-of-control Supreme Court put gun safety laws at risk in Bruen. Across America, survivors of domestic abuse will now wait in fear to see whether Justice Kavanaugh and his colleagues deem laws that protect survivors to be “properly interpreted” under the Constitution.

I can only imagine what my late mother would say about these judicial attacks on survivors of abuse. But in her honor, and on behalf of all New Yorkers, I’ll never stop fighting for justice.

THIS JUST IN: 10:30 P.M. EDT. ROAD CONDITIONS COMMUTER CONDITIONS. GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON THE RAIN EMERGENCY: ROAD CLOSURES, COMMUTER RAIL STATUS

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

GOVERNOR HOCHUL UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON ONGOING STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AND POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL FLOODING

Hudson Valley:

State Route 218 is closed in both directions between Storm King Highway and Town of Cornwall/Town of Highlands line, Town of Cornwall, Orange County
Palisades Parkway is closed in both directions Between exits 14 and 18, Town of Highlands, Rockland County
State Route 32 is closed in both directions at Troutbrook Rd, Woodbury, Orange County
U.S. 6 is closed in both directions between NY 293 and Palisades Parkway Ramp, Woodbury, Orange County
U.S. 6 is closed in both directions between NY 9D and Annsville Circle, Cortlandt, Westchester County
U.S. 9W is closed in southbound directions north of NY 218 Exit, Highlands, Orange County
U.S. 9W is closed in both directions area of NY 293, Highlands, Orange County
U.S. 9W is closed in both directions at Old State Rd, Highlands, Orange County
State Route 32 is closed in both directions at Woodbury Rd, Woodbury, Orange County
U.S. 9W is closed in northbound directions at Bear Mountain Circle, Highlands, Orange County
U.S. 9W is closed in both directions between Seven Lakes Drive and S Entrance Road, Stony Point, Rockland County
U.S. 9W is closed in both directions at Mine Dock Rd, Highlands, Orange County
Palisades Parkway is closed in southbound directions between U.S. 9W; U.S. 6; end route and Exit 15; Old Gate Hill Road; County Route 10, Highlands, Orange County
U.S. 9W is closed in northbound directions south of Stoney Lonesome Rd, Highlands, Orange County
State Route 980U is closed in northbound and southbound directions between U.S. 9W and State Route 218, Highlands, Orange County
State Route 292 is closed in both directions between State Route 292; State Route 311; State Route 55, Patterson, Putnam County
State Route 17 is closed in eastbound directions on ramp to exit 130A, Woodbury, Orange County
State Route 132 is closed in both directions South of U.S. Route 6, Town of Yorktown, Westchester County
State Route 448 is closed in both directions east of North Broadway, Mount Pleasant, Westchester

Capital Region:

State Route 32 is closed in both directions between Tibbits Avenue and Bridge Avenue, Cohoes, Albany County

Central New York:

State Route 104 is closed in both directions Between Standpipe Rd. and Emery Rd., Mexico, Oswego County

U.S. 11 is closed in both directions between State Route 69 and Czebeniak at the Bridge over the Little Salmon River, Mexico, Oswego County
U.S. 69A is closed in northbound directions Between State Route 69 and U.S. 11, Parish, Oswego County

Metro-North Transit Service CONDITIONS:

MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced a partial restoration of train service on the Hudson Line beginning the morning of Tuesday, July 11. Hudson Line trains will operate between Grand Central Terminal and Peekskill at least once per hour.

Metro-North will continue to provide limited bus service for essential travelers between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie, with buses departing Croton-Harmon on a load-and-go basis. Buses will make stops at Croton-Harmon, Beacon and Poughkeepsie.

There is no substitute service provided at Manitou, Garrison, Cold Spring and New Hamburg.

Bus service on the Upper Harlem Line between Southeast and Wassaic will continue on Tuesday at least through mid-day, making all station stops.

The American Red Cross has established two shelters – one in Ontario County at the Canandaigua Town Hall (5440 Route 5 & 20 West, Canandaigua) and in Orange County at the Sacred Heart School (7 Cozzens Avenue, Highland Falls).

The majority of counties in the easternmost part of the state are under a Flood Watch through this evening as up to two more inches of rain are expected for areas in the Capital Region and the North Country. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov.

New Yorkers are 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.

Due to Significant Flooding and Transportation-Related Impacts From Heavy Rainfall; More than Eight Inches of Rain Fell in Parts of Mid-Hudson and More than Five Inches in the Finger Lakes Between Sunday and Monday

Road Closures Remain in Albany, Oswego, Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties; Metro-North Services Remain Suspended for Upper Harlem Line, Hudson Line Trains to Operate Between Grand Central and Peekskill Beginning Tuesday Morning

Governor Hochul Spoke with White House, FEMA Leadership and U.S. Senators from New York on Potential for Federal Disaster Assistance

Additional 2-3 Inches of Rain Possible Tonight into Tomorrow Morning in the Capital Region and North Country; Flood Watches Remain in Effect for Entire Eastern Part of the State

Governor Hochul today provided an update to New Yorkers as heavy rainfall continues throughout the State and continues to impact widespread areas in the Mid-Hudson, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North County regions. On Sunday, Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency in Orange and Ontario Counties as numerous road closures and reports of flooding were addressed by state and local responders.

Between Sunday and Monday, more than eight inches of rain was reported in parts of the Mid-Hudson Region (Orange County), and more than five inches of rain were reported in the Finger Lakes Region (Ontario County). As the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services field staff began damage assessments in Orange and Rockland Counties today, Governor spoke with federal officials from the White House, FEMA and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today regarding the ongoing emergency and the potential for federal assistance to help rebuild.

“While much of the storm has passed through New York, it’s critical to remain vigilant,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m so grateful to every first responder, state worker and local leader who has stepped up to care for their neighbors in the wake of unprecedented flooding. Moving forward, I’m committed to helping these communities recover and rebuild.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Our team continues to work around the clock to assist our local partners and assess damages in impacted counties. New Yorkers in the North Country will experience more rain tonight with potential for flooding. Stay alert and use extra caution if traveling tonight into tomorrow.”

The State Department of Transportation is monitoring and responding to weather conditions and has more than 3,470 supervisors and operators available statewide, including more than 545 in the Hudson Valley region. Staff are actively assessing damage and working to get state roads back open as quickly as possible.

To assist with operations, 36 staff from the Capital Region and the Mohawk Valley are being deployed to the Hudson Valley region as follows:

Capital Region – sending 19 operators and 4 supervisors to the Hudson Valley
Mohawk Valley – sending 11 operators and 2 supervisors to the Hudson Valley

The Department has deployed bridge inspection teams from Long Island, the Southern Tier and Hudson Valley to the Hudson Valley region and their work is ongoing.

The State Route 9W bridge over the Popolopen Creek in the Town Highlands, Orange County, is currently closed for repairs while state engineers develop a plan to repair the bridge and resume traffic as quickly as possible. The Department of Transportation also deployed damage assessment teams from the region and across the state to assess damages on both state and local roads, with information and data currently being assessed by the teams.

Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

1,427 large dump trucks
323 large loaders
79 tracked and wheeled excavators
84 chippers
19 graders
18 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
15 tree crew bucket trucks

Portions of the following State Routes are closed:

WPCNR.COM BRINGS YOU COMPLETE COUNTY EXECUTIVE UPDATE IN PRIME TIME—STORM SITUATION– DISABILITIES FAIR– MIGRANTS

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

“INVEST FEST” TUESDAY 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M HARTSDALE RIDGE ROAD PARK

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

WESTCHESTER COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU HOSTS ‘INVEST FEST’ 2023

The engaging event will host recreational and fun-filled learning activities for 200 youth that promote social, emotional, physical and educational well-being.

Tuesday, July 11

11a.m.-2p.m.

Ridge Road Park

287 Ridge Road

Hartsdale, NY 10530

(White Plains, NY) –

The Westchester County Youth Bureau will host its third ‘Invest Fest’ celebrating 30 years of positive youth development programming made possible through the County’s Invest in Kids funding. The event will be held in collaboration with over 20 youth serving agencies on July 11 from 11a.m.-2p.m. at the County’s Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.

‘Invest Fest’ will feature 25 different “Invest Stations” run by Invest in Kids program staff. The stations will offer a variety of interactive experiences to keep the youth motivated and moving, ranging from charades, inflatable archery, giant jenga and selfie stations to mask making and fun trivia. There also will be an interactive hip-hop workshop by ‘Teens Under Construction.’

Youth Bureau Executive Director and ‘Invest Fest’ Creator Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said: “This year’s theme, ‘Invest in You,’ coincides with the positive youth development philosophy of creating safe, nurturing environments that encourage belongingness. Too often, geography and resources limit youths’ ability to network and learn from each other. With 22+ agencies volunteering their resources, youth will have the opportunity to network and experience camaraderie with their peers, while gaining exposure to existing youth services and natural supports in the County.”

NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS EXECUTIVE, 3 SOMMA FOOD GROUPS EXECS CONVICTED OF EXTORTION CONSPIRACY AND BRIBERY

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

Former New York City Department of Education CEO of School Support Services and Three Executives of SOMMA Food Group Convicted of Extortion Conspiracy and Bribery

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

On June 28, a federal jury in Brooklyn returned guilty verdicts on all counts of a superseding indictment against Eric Goldstein, the former Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Department of Education’s (NYC DOE) Office of School Support Services, and Blaine Iler, Michael Turley and Brian Twomey, operators of a food services company, with conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right and solicitation and giving of bribes relating to programs receiving federal funds.

The verdict followed a 4-week, trial before Visiting U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin. When sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Extortion, Hobbs Act Extortion, Conspiracy to Commit Federal Program Bribery, Federal Program Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud, and Honest Services Wire Fraud, the defendants each face up to 20 years in prison as well as forfeiture and restitution penalties.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the verdict.

“The defendants’ criminal conduct is a textbook example of choosing greed over the needs of our schools and the well-being of our children. Our children depended on nutritious meals served in schools and instead, got substandard food products containing pieces of plastic, metal, and bones, which is unacceptable,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s verdict demonstrates the consequences of corruptly placing personal profit over the public interests.”

Mr. Peace expressed his thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, for their outstanding investigative work on the case.

As proven at trial and contained in court filings, between 2008 and September 2018, Goldstein oversaw the management, budget, and operations of several NYC DOE departments, including the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (SchoolFood), which was responsible for managing the overall food service operation for all New York City public schools.

In early 2015, Iler, Turley, and Twomey created a food services company called SOMMA Food Group (SOMMA), to provide food products to retail and food service markets, including to K-12 schools across the United States. SOMMA promoted and sold yogurt, hamburgers, and antibiotic-free chicken products marketed under the brand name Chickentopia.

At or about the same time SOMMA was founded, Goldstein, Iler, Turley, and Twomey co-founded Range Meats Supply Company (RMSCO), to purchase grass-fed beef products that SOMMA, in turn, would then promote and sell under the brand name Range Meats to retail markets and New York City schools.

At the same time, Iler, Turley, and Twomey partnered with Goldstein in RMSCO, Iler, Turley and Twomey began to promote SOMMA’s products to SchoolFood officials and employees, all of whom reported to Goldstein in his role as OSS Chief Executive.

During a meeting with Iler in New York in July 2015, Goldstein told him, “I’m going to buy a lot of f—ing chicken from you guys, let’s do the beef.”

Between 2015 and December 2016, defendants Iler, Turley, and Twomey provided numerous benefits to Goldstein, including enticing Goldstein with potentially lucrative business opportunities and monetary payments to RMSCO for Goldstein’s benefit.

In exchange, Goldstein used his influence as head of SchoolFood to help Iler, Turley, and Twomey in SOMMA’s business dealings before SchoolFood.

Goldstein helped ensure that SchoolFood accepted SOMMA’s products for purchase, expedited the approval process and resolved disagreements between SOMMA and SchoolFood officials in SOMMA’s favor.

The defendants purposefully concealed Goldstein’s ownership interest in RMSCO from the NYC DOE while Goldstein was using his influence and public position at NYC DOE to benefit SOMMA.

In the fall of 2016, SchoolFood stopped serving SOMMA’s chicken tenders after a NYC DOE employee choked on a bone that had not been removed from a chicken tender supplied by SOMMA.

Goldstein, who had final approval as to whether and when the chicken tenders would be allowed back in schools, delayed approving the reintroduction of the tenders until Iler, Turley, and Twomey agreed to transfer SOMMA’s ownership interest in RMSCO to Goldstein as well as to transfer $66,670 to a bank account in RMSCO’s name that Goldstein had opened and controlled.

Following weeks of negotiations, on November 29, 2016, Iler, Turley and Twomey agreed to pay the bribe Goldstein was soliciting and one day later, on November 30, 2016, Goldstein approved reintroduction of SOMMA’s chicken products in schools.

The products were served in schools until April 2017 when, following repeated complaints from students and staff that the chicken tenders continued to contain foreign objects. SchoolFood decided to remove all of SOMMA’s food products from New York City public schools.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Polemeni, Andrew Grubin, Laura Zuckerwise, and Kaitlin McTague are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Rachel Friedman and Kavya Kannan.

The Defendants:

ERIC GOLDSTEIN
Age: 55
New Rochelle, New York

BLAINE ILER
Age: 35
Dallas, Texas

MICHAEL TURLEY
Age: 54
Fayetteville, Arkansas

BRIAN TWOMEY
Age: 50
Dallas, Texas

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-550 (DC)

WESTCHESTER SPARED BIG DAMAGE FROM SUNDAY MONSOON. MIGRANTS CONTINUE MODEL NEIGHBORS IN ARDSLEY, YONKERS AND WHITE PLAINS, COUNTY EXECUTIVE INDICATES. NO INCIDENTS. NO DISEASE OUTBREAKS, GOOD NEIGHBORS. NO ACTION ON STATE AND COUNTY REQUESTS FOR AMNESTY COURT OR PERMISSION TO WORK BY BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. (MIGRANTS IN LIMBO.)

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. July 10, 2013:

In his Monday briefing today, County Executive George Latimer noted Westchester County was spared heavy damages from the torrential rains that swamped and flooded Orange and Rockland Counties Sunday with 14 inches of rain.

The County Executive said Route 6 to 9D was “all blocked” in the Yorktown area was closed as crews continue to clear damage and downed trees at the 2 P.M. hour. Route 202 the east-west main cross route in Yorktown to Peekskill was blocked to Lexington Avenue in either direction. The Mayor of Peekskill reported on the update that the main road on the Peekskill waterfront was undermined by the rains and crews were assessing the damange.

Rail commuter service is disrupted.

The County Executive said the Harlem line stopped service at Southeast and buses would take commuters the rest of the way. Service on the Hudson line had no service between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie. Bus service would connect commuters to Poughkeepsie, roads permitted, of course.

On the migrant issue in Westchester where migrants transferred by Texas and other states then 350 of them housed in Ardsley, Yonkers and White Plains, Mr. Latimer had this to say. Nothing has changed. No new migrants at this time are planned to be housed in Westchester. But now in its sixth week, the county is still awaiting approval and establishment of a interim amnesty court in White Plains and approval of migrants to work in the county from the Biden admnistration. The Department of Home Security has not responded in the last 3 weeks since being asked by Governor Hochul and Mr. Latimer to allow this to settle the migrants’ fates.

Here is Mr. Latimer’s comment on the migrants today:

GOVERNOR HOCHUL DECLARES EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY 8 INCHES OF RAIN

Posted on July 10, 2023 by John Bailey

OVERNOR HOCHUL DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY AS EXCESSIVE RAINS CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS ACROSS MID-HUDSON REGION

Eight Inches of Rain Reported in Orange County Resulting in Widespread Flooding, Road Closures and Other Life-Safety Impacts

Additional rainfall amounts between 2 to 4 inches is likely Monday, with locally higher amounts up to six inches. A Flood Watch remains in effect for most of the state.

As of 8 p.m., road closures include:

Palisades Interstate Parkway and U.S. Route 9W in Rockland County
U.S. Route 6 in Westchester County
U.S. Route 9W, State Route 218, State Route 293, State Route 17M, and State Route 32 in Orange County
State Route 403 and State Route 301 in Putnam County
State Route 190 in Clinton County

Five Swift Water Rescue Teams and A High-Axle Vehicle Deployed to Assist with Flood Rescue Efforts in Mid-Hudson Region

State Emergency Operations Center and State Fire Operations Center Activated to Respond to Local Requests for Assistance

New Yorkers Should Monitor Local Weather Forecast Through Monday As More Heavy Rain and Flooding Expected

Road Closures in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, and Clinton Counties

SUNDAY NIGHT Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency for Orange County, where a reported eight inches of rain resulted in widespread flooding, numerous road closures, and other storm-related impacts.

At Governor Hochul’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center and is ready to support local requests for assistance.

DHSES’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control deployed four Swift Water Rescue teams and State Parks deployed an additional team on Sunday to the Mid-Hudson Region to assist with flood rescue efforts. DHSES field staff are also embedded at the Orange County Emergency Operations Center to facilitate local requests for assistance.

“I’m issuing a State of Emergency in Orange County, which has experienced life-threatening conditions due to flash flooding,” Governor Hochul said. “We are approaching a critical point in this weather event, and New Yorkers must remain vigilant. Remember: avoid flooded roads, monitor your local forecasts and have an evacuation plan ready if you’re in a danger zone.”

DHSES is working closely with all impacted counties to coordinate response. Numerous roadways consisting of State Route 9W and Palisades Interstate Parkway are experiencing heavy flooding and washouts. The Palisades Parkway Northbound is closed from exit 14 to Long Mountain Traffic circle. As of Sunday evening, there were more than 12,000 power outages reported in Putnam, Dutchess, Albany, Ulster and Orange counties.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “We are working closely with partner agencies and local governments to address flooding in the Mid-Hudson region this evening. We have been preparing over the last few days for this weather system and have been in close contact with local officials throughout the weekend. New Yorkers should take extra caution, if traveling, and stay alert.”

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “The New York State Police is working with its agency and law enforcement partners in the Hudson Valley Region to get stranded motorists to safety. We have deployed additional troopers and resources including Swift Water Teams to assist those impacted by the flooding. This is an active emergency situation, and more storms are expected. We urge motorists to avoid the area for their safety.”

TODAY, thunderstorms forecast for the Capital Region, Central New York, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, and Southern Tier Regions, and rain showers forecast for the Finger Lakes Region.

Excessive rainfall caused by slow-moving thunderstorms is likely to continue causing flash flooding and minor to isolated moderate river flooding into Monday. Most of the eastern portion of the state remains under a moderate risk for excessive rainfall Monday.

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Disaster Supplies

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Non-electric can opener
Essential medicines
Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
If you can’t get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators – use stairs instead.

For more information on personal preparedness and how to stay safe during severe weather, visit: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/safety-and-prevention.

WESTCHESTER’S RICHARD CIRULLI-SHOWMAN, EXECUTIVE, EXISTENTIAL PHILOSOPHER, PLAYWRIGHT NOVELIST. MEMORIAL TODAY

Posted on July 8, 2023 by John Bailey

Rich Cirulli’s Obituary as it appeared in today’s Port Chester Westmore News.

A Visitation and Memorial Service will be held today Saturday July 8 at Craft Memorial Home, 40 Leicester St. , Port Chester, NY from 4-8 pm.

Condolences can be left for the family at