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)