FROM THE DESK OF: Yonkers Newswire Publisher Brian Harrod.

 

HYPER LOCAL NEWS FROM YONKERS: The Yonkers Newswire If You Miss A Day, Then You Miss A Lot YONKERS PICS: Congrats to Yonkers Public Schools students Alyssa Lee, Arianna Cambeiro and Charlie Hernandez on their acceptances to Cornell University, and Jaden Halevi on his acceptance to Dartmouth College https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280762292181326/ STATEMENT: From #Yonkers County Legislator James Nolan https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280986382158917/ ### IMPROVE YOUR GAME: JR Ramirez Sports Performance https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280671355523753/ ### YONKERS PICS: The Groundwork Hudson Valley in #Yonkers added four new board members. They are Ruth Walter; #JuliaSchonfeldMD; Stephan Spilkowitz; and #FazeenaBacchus https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280715268852695/ ### YONKERS EVENT: Celebrate Independence Weekend With "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" At Untermyer Park https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279640265626862/ ### YONKERS PIC: The Crestwood Community Fund hosted a gala, successfully fundraised over 185k to rebuild Schultz Park’s playground in the memory of two young ladies from the neighborhood, Annie McMahon and Allie Sullivan https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279660002291555/ ### YONKERS MAN: Admits to stealing almost 300 checks out of NJ mailboxes https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3281046508819571/ ### GET READY TO WRESTLE: Yonkers' Eddie Kingston ready for a fight ahead of ‘Blood & Guts’ Detroit show https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280710395519849/ ### TAKE A LOOK: Clark's Bar and Restaurant Building and Business for sale $1.2 Million At 1271 Saw Mill River Road In Yonkers https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3281138738810348/ ### 2022 ELECTIONS: Six term Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky beat incumbent Yonkers Assemblyman Tom Abinanti in the 92nd District https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280692178855004/ ### HOLLYWOOD ON THE HUDSON: Lionsgate Studios Yonkers Owner Great Point Buys Big Broadway Set Designer Hudson Scenic https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279199122337643/ ### YONKERS MAN: South Jersey To NY Journey Ends With 250 Pounds Of Coke Seized, Pair In Federal Custody https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279700735620815/ ### EMOTIONAL DISTURBED PERSON: Video Journalist Ru Ros Responds To 73 Hamilton Avenue Where A Person Is Threatening to Jump From A Window https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279635572293998/ ### YONKERS PROTEST: Advocates rally in Yonkers to demand lawmakers vote on Equality Amendment during special session https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3281045215486367/ ### NEED FLOWERS: Beautiful Blooms Florist In Yonkers https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279712478952974/ ### GOOD CITIZENS: Video Journalist Ru Ros Is There As Yonkers City Council Majority Whip John Rubbo Recognizes The Good Samaritan’s At The Chipper Truck Cafe https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279399342317621/ ### HISTORIC WIN: Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York took a crucial step toward winning a full term on Tuesday, easily fending off a pair of spirited primary challengers and cementing her status as the state’s top Democrat less than a year after she unexpectedly took office https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280725522185003/ ### STATEMENT: From #Yonker's State Assemblyman Nader Sayegh https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279656538958568/ ### HORSE RACING: The fields have been drawn for the finals of the MGM #Yonkers Trot and #MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the first leg of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crown, which will take place on Friday (July 1) at Yonkers Raceway https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279617358962486/ ### YONKERS EVENT: James Nolan’s Annual Summer Bash Fundraiser https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279106029013619/ ### YONKERS CANCELLATION: Due to circumstances out of their control , the Yonkers PBA has been forced to reschedule our Cornhole Tournament at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279664975624391/ ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: HAPIK'ss Largest US Location At #RidgeHill In The City of Yonkers https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3275858646005024/ ### YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK: The Yonkers Office for the Aging got these furry bots to giveaway to #Seniors that are socially isolated to keep as companions https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3278191889105033/ ### BE SAFE: A black bear continues to roam around #Yonkers for the last month and has last been spotted in the Homefield neighborhood https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3277932325797656/ ### AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Cottage Garden Families In Yonkers Are Going To Be Pushed Out Of Their Two And Three Bedroom Apartments By Wilson Kimball And Be Replaced With Seniors https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3277221205868768/ ### YONKERS HISTORY: The RKO used to be a Movie Theater right here in Downtown YONKERS (53 S Broadway), the last movie played at this location was back in 1976 (46 years ago) https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280754692182086/ ### 2022 ELECTIONS: Journalist Ardina Seward Interviews Harrison's #MarkJaffe Who Is Challenging Incumbent #Yonkers Congressman Jamaal Bowman In The 16th Congressional District --- Also In The Race Is #Yorktown's Vedat Gashi And Rye's Catherine Parker https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279405592316996/ ### NEW GUN LAWS COMING: #NewYork Gun owners will be barred from carrying firearms in a wide array of “sensitive locations,” and businesses must explicitly allow armed patrons under an agreement reached Wednesday between lawmakers and Gov. #KathyHochul. https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3281049532152602/ ### ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES: No #YPD Miranda Warning For You https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3276733119250910/ ### NEW YORK POLITICS: Attorney General James Urges Senate to Pass Equality Act https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280743905516498/ ### ALSO THESE NEWS STORIES: From The Westchester News Center WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> YONKERS: The Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority Opens Waiting List -First Time In 10 Years https://westchester.town.news/g/white-plains-ny/n/85912/yonkers-yonkers… ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> YONKERS: Two Planned Affordable Housing Buildings For Families At Cottage Gardens To Be Canceled And One Senior Citizens Only Building To Be Constructed https://westchester.town.news/g/white-plains-ny/n/85805/yonkers-two-planned-affordable-housing-buildings-families-cottage-gardens ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> WESTCHESTER TEENS: High School Students Can Exercise For Free At Planet Fitness This Summer https://westchester.town.news/g/white-plains-ny/n/85951/westchester-tee… ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> THE GOLDEN APPLE: Golf In Westchester County Has A National History Like No Other https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3279293258994896/ ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> Lots To Build A 14-story Affordable Housing Building https://westchester.town.news/g/white-plains-ny/n/85766/yonkers-develop… ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> THE SIXTH BOROUGH: Yonkers Serves As The Gateway Between New York City And The Hudson Valley https://newyork.town.news/g/new-york-ny/n/85686/sixth-borough-yonkers-s… ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER >>> PROTECTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS: Westchester County Executive George Latimer Signs Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access Act https://westchester.town.news/g/white-plains-ny/n/85982/protecting-wome… ### WESTCHESTER NEWS CENTER: Top News Stories From The Golden Apple https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3280642265526662/

Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Police: **NEWS RELEASE** Yonkers Police Department Makes Several Firearm Trafficking Arrests.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/30/2022.

 

Yonkers Police Department Makes Several Firearm Trafficking Arrests in Multi-Agency Investigation; Shuts Down Alleged “Iron Pipeline” Gun Trafficking Network.

Yonkers, NY – Today, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah, and DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III announced a series of arrests in a multi-agency investigation into illegal firearms trafficking.

Earlier in 2022, the Yonkers Police Department Narcotics Unit initiated a joint investigation with members of DEA Group D-43, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office into the illegal interstate trafficking of firearms to Yonkers. The investigation focused on the trafficking of "ghost guns;" partially furnished, non-serialized, and untraceable firearms that can be easily assembled to become fully functioning firearms at home with parts that can be bought online and through various retailers. These “ghost guns” are designed to avoid gun laws and regulations.

On June 24, 2022, Detectives arrested Jose Gregory OLIVO-FELIZ (27) of Yonkers, Pedro Junior OLIVIO-FELIZ (21) of Yonkers, and Idanis LORA-ESPINAL (30) of Washington, D.C., in connection with this investigation. During those arrests, Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO (25) of Washington, D.C.,allegedly fled from arresting officers but was later located in Washington, D.C., and apprehended on June 29, 2022, by members of the investigative team with the assistance of the FBI, DEA Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. All four defendants have been arraigned in Yonkers City Court and are currently held without bail. 

This joint investigation resulted in the seizure of TWO conventional firearms and 31 “ghost guns” that were allegedly purchased and assembled in Washington, D.C., before being transported to Yonkers for sale. The investigation shut down an alleged “Iron Pipeline” of illegal firearms from Washington, D.C., to Yonkers, NY.

“The Yonkers PD is doing a tremendous job in reducing gun violence by getting these illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who want to cause harm,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “YPD’s proactive approach is working, but we need to remain vigilant to ensure these ghost guns do not infiltrate our neighborhoods. I commend the collaborative efforts of the joint agencies who worked with our Narcotics Unit to help stem the growing gun and drug pipeline that is plaguing our nation. Let these arrests serve as a message that Yonkers does and will not tolerate these guns in our community.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza stated, “This investigation shows the amazing work that can be accomplished when highly-skilled investigators collaborate toward the ultimate goal of public safety. Because of the efforts of these Detectives and their supervisors, more than 30 guns have been removed from the streets of Yonkers and its surrounding communities. I applaud the hard work in this lengthy and successful investigation by our Yonkers Police Narcotics Unit and our partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as the agencies in the Washington, D.C. area for a job well done.”

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah stated: “The proliferation of illegal firearms, like ghost guns, flowing into New York from out of state is a grave threat to the safety of our communities. I’m grateful to the Yonkers Police Department and the numerous state, local, and federal partners who pursued this investigation and who work with us every day to rid our streets of illegal guns. As promised, I will use the full force of my office to prosecute gun crimes and gun traffickers.” 

“New Yorkers should feel a little safer this holiday weekend after this gun trafficking network operating from DC to NY has been shut down,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III. “DEA’s strategic and targeted enforcement is focused on removing major drug threats and associated violence stemming from gun and drug trafficking networks. I applaud the diligent and courageous work by our law enforcement partners in New York and Washington DC area throughout this investigation and arrests.”

The felony complaint, filed in Yonkers City Court, sets forth the following charges:

Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO; charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. 

Jose Gregorio OLIVO-FELIZ; charged with two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, three counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. 

Pedro Junior OLIVO-FELIZ; charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. 

Idanis LORA-ESPINAL; charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree. 

As alleged in the felony complaint, a total of 31 ghost guns and two conventional firearms were sold on five separate occasions between April 28, 2022, and June 24, 2022, as detailed below:

• On five occasions between April 28, 2022, and June 24, 2022, Jose Gregorio OLIVO-FELIZ was in possession of and sold a total of 31 ghost guns and two conventional firearms in the City of Yonkers.
• 
  
• On two occasions between May 6, 2022, and May 13, 2022, Pedro Junior OLIVO-FELIZ was in possession of and sold a total of 10 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers. 
• 
  
• On two occasions between May 6, 2022, and June 24, 2022, Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO was in possession of and sold a total of 26 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers.
• 
  
• On June 24, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Idanis LORA-ESPINAL was in possession of 19 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers.

All suspects are currently in custody and awaiting upcoming court appearances. The case is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.

NOTE: Booking charges are merely accusations, and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

FROM THE DESK: Of Yonkers Newswire Publisher Brian Harrod.

 

NYC TRANSIT NEWS: Former Yonkers Police Commissioner Named MTA Police Chief https://newyork.town.news/g/new-york-ny/n/92556/nyc-transit-news-former-yonkers-police-commissioner-named-mta-police-chief BACKGROUND: New MTA Police Chief John Mueller led the police force for the second largest city in the MTA region NEW YORK CITY AND YONKERS, NY — June 29, 2022– Former Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller was named the MTA’s chief of police placing the 28-year Yonkers Police Department veteran atop the 1,000-member police force responsible for the security of the transit authority’s sprawling network of commuter trains, subways, and busses. The Yonkers Police department has over 600 members on its police force. Mr. Mueller’s appointment came with the endorsement of state Yonkers' Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and a former president of the Yonkers Naacp. A Yonkers native, Mr. Mueller spent time with the NYPD before joining Yonkers’ police department in 1994. He served as the #YPD commissioner from 2019 until April of this year. ### Brian Harrod is the publisher and editor of the RoundupNewswires.com news website, as well as, the hyper local YonkersNewswire.com news and social media pages. You can learn more about Mr. Harrod at BrianHarrod.com.

Yonkers Insider: Yonkers City Council: Yonkers City Council Meeting- June 29, 2022.

 

Yesterday evening, June 29, 2022, the Yonkers City Council held a Stated City Council Meeting, which was our last council meeting for the 2021/2022 Council Session. All items on the agenda appear below, as well as the decisions taken by the City Council in regard to these items. The first City Council meeting of the new session will take place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, and will be a Rules Committee meeting.

Stated City Council Meeting Agenda 1. Local Law authorizing the sale and conveyance of a portion of unmapped portions of Saw Mill River Road to 1270 Saw Mill Associates LLC (Adopted 7-0) 2. Local Law authorizing the lease of space within the Crisfield Street pump station (Adopted 7-0) 3. General Ordinance amending Article IX of Chapter 109 of the Code of the COY entitled “Stopping, Standing and Parking” in relation to commercial and other vehicle momentary parking (Adopted 7-0) 4.  Special Ordinance amending the budget for the COY for the 2021/2022 FY in relation to transferring funds to and from various accounts for the purpose of:1) down payment on purchase of park land (Adopted 6-1, with Councilman Merante voting no) 5.  Special Ordinance authorizing and directing the acquisition of the following properties required in connection with the future dedication of parkland (Adopted 6-1, with Councilman Merante voting no) 6. Special Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a grant issued by the dormitory authority of the State of NY and municipal facilities capital grant program for the construction of Yonkers Police and Fire Training facility for use by the YPD and YFD (Adopted 7-0) 7.   Special Ordinance for Wellness in Nutrition program (WIN) and Nutrition Services Program (NSIP) in the amount of $237,255 and amending the COY grant budget 2022/23 (Adopted 7-0) 8.   Special Ordinance for the title IIC/NSIP nutrition services in the amount of $250,741 and amending the COY grant budget for FY 2022/23 (Adopted 7-0) 9.   Resolution - determination of significance pursuant to SEQRA relating to the proposed conveyance of a portion of unmapped portion of Saw Mill River Road (Adopted 7-0) 10.  Resolution – determination of significance pursuant to SEQRA relating to the proposed lease of city owned property located at 699 Scarsdale Road to Westchester Joint Waterworks (Adopted 7-0) 11.  Resolution approving an IMA by and between the COY and the County of Westchester to accept Wellness in Nutrition program (WIN) and Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) contract, program FY 2022-23 grant funding (Adopted 7-0) 12.  Resolution approving an IMA by and between the COY and the County of Westchester to accept title iii-c grant funding (Adopted 7-0) 13.  Resolution approving an IMA by and between the COY and the County of Westchester to accept title iii-b grant funding for information and assistance (Adopted 7-0) 14.  Resolution approving an IMA by and between the COY and the County of Westchester to accept title iii-b grant funding for transportation (Adopted 7-0) 15.  Resolution approving an IMA by and between the COY and the County of Westchester to accept livable community regional host services program year 2022 grant funding (Adopted 7-0) 16.  Resolution – Homesite Insurance Company a/s/o Szymon Piecuch - $15,500 (Adopted 7-0)   17.  Resolution - Christina Coffaro vs. COY - $5,000  (Adopted 7-0)           18.  Resolution – Establishing standard work days for elected officials (Adopted 7-0) 19.  Resolution – Advice and consent to the reappointment of Mackenzie Forsberg to the Planning Board (Adopted 7-0) 20. Resolution – urging the Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings to provide an online registry of available affordable rental housing units (edited to replace " Department of Housing and Buildings" with "Office of Constituent Services")   (Adopted 7-0) Have a great summer! 

Best regards,   Hon. Corazon Pineda-Isaac E-mail: corazon.pineda.isaac@yonkersny.gov Tel: (914) 377-6312

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Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Police: **YONKERS POLICE NEWS RELEASE**.

 

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: ***NEWS RELEASE***: YONKERS MAYOR SPANO APPOINTS SONJA SMASH AS CITY’S FIRST EQUITY OFFICER.

Photo Credit: Yonkers Insider Publisher Delfim Heusler.

Yonkers Insider covered today's Press Conference at Yonkers City Hall, where Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano appointed Sonja Smash as City of Yonkers First Equity Officer. This was done to develop Strategies to Promote Greater Equity within the City of Hills in terms of A Diversity and Inclusion Specialist. 

Yonkers Insider will continue to Provide News to the Citizens of Yonkers that is happening in Yonkers City Hall. 

Yonkers Insider Publisher Delfim Heusler

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: YONKERS MAYOR SPANO APPOINTS SONJA SMASH AS CITY’S FIRST EQUITY OFFICER.

Diversity & Inclusion Specialist to Develop Strategies to Promote Greater Equity within City of Yonkers.

YONKERS, NY – June 29, 2022 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced his appointment of diversity and inclusion specialist Sonja Smash as the City’s first-ever Equity Officer. Smash will lead efforts to create new administrative procedures and policies that proactively implement strategies promoting equity and inclusion in the City of Yonkers.

“I am excited to welcome Sonja and this new position to our administration,” said Mayor Spano. “As we continue to celebrate diversity in Yonkers, Sonja’s expertise coupled with her enthusiasm will bring unlimited possibilities to better diversifying our workforce and ensuring our policies are accessible and equitable for all.”

As the City of Yonkers Equity Officer, Smash will develop a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) strategy for the City to fully integrate into the City’s culture, mission and operations and will recommend policies and programs related to recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, training and outreach in support of DEIA. Smash also will collaborate with the City of Yonkers’ Health Equity Taskforce in the City’s approach to reducing and improving access to better health.

Smash joins the City of Yonkers with over 10 years of human resources and diversity and inclusion experience. Currently, Smash serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging/Business Operations for Gigi Gilliard Development where she provides solutions-focused HR guidance and collaborates with cross-functional teams on key DEI initiatives and training. Previously, Smash was Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and served as Manager of Higher Education and Communications for Say Yes to Education. Smash holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Communications from College of New Rochelle. She is also certified in Diversity & Inclusion by ESSEC, the National Equity Project and Rutgers University. Smash is currently pursuing a Diversity and Inclusion Professional Certificate from Cornell University.

Sonja Smash commented, “Thank you, Mayor Spano for this pioneering appointment, I’m honored to be the City’s first Equity Officer. I am passionate about the work of Equity and Inclusion and I look forward to partnering with the Mayor and his administration, the Health Equity Taskforce and, City stakeholders to foster a more inclusive and equitable city for all.

I applaud Mayor Spano for taking this extraordinary step in the City’s journey towards equity and inclusion. This journey will require courageous conversations and transformational transparency to close the equity gaps. This journey is ‘OUR’ journey, and we are committed to working with residents and stakeholders across the city to bring about equitable and sustainable impact for all.”

Smash began her new position with the City of Yonkers on June 1^st.