THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JANUARY 6, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 1 • JANUARY 6, 2022

BETTOR DAYS AHEAD Mobile Sports Wagering Finally Set to Launch in NY this Month

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State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said mobile sportsbooks should go live in the Empire State in mid-January.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 1 • JANUARY 6 2022 | 1

Mobile Sports Betting to Launch Later this Month: Addabbo

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State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing , Gaming and Wagering.

By Michael V. Cusenza While a date hasn’t been set, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently said mobile sports betting will launch in New York in January 2022.

“The servers for the sportsbooks that had to be put on the land based casinos with the licenses are almost ready,” Add-

abbo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, told The Action Network on Tuesday.

The South Queens senator, who has been working on bringing mobile sports wagering to the Empire State for years, previously pointed to a mid-January launch date.

“I remain hopeful that New Yorkers will finally be able to partake in mobile sports betting around mid-January,” Addabbo said in a text to NY Sportsday. “And given the growing anticipation along with New York’s stature in global sports, I believe with a premier product we have great potential to realize huge advances in revenue, educational resources, jobs, and new gaming addiction funding. The State Legislature should stand ready to evaluate New York’s mobile sports betting product and make improvements if necessary such as possibly incorporating fixed-odds horse racing with the mobile sports platform.”

In November, the State Gaming Commission named the nine NY mobile sports wagering licensees: • Bally Bet • BetMGM • Caesars Sportsbook • DraftKings • FanDuel • PointsBet • Resorts World Bet • Rush Street Interactive • WynnBET

Senator Addabbo said that mobile sportsbooks should launch in New York before month’s end.

“With New York moving closer to the goal line to witness its first mobile sports bet, we must remain focused on providing a premier product and giving New Yorkers the best mobile sports betting options in order to effectively compete with neighboring states like New Jersey,” Addabbo said in a statement released on the same November day that the Gaming Commission announced the licensees. “I am confident that with the announced, cred-

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ible winning bids, we have the potential of eclipsing other states in mobile sports betting handle, raise significant revenues and funding for education and youth sports, while effectively addressing the problem gaming issue. Of utmost importance remains the timeframe for the servers that validate the mobile bets to be up and running, ready to take New York’s first mobile sports bets in January and in time for the 2022 Super Bowl.”

Ariola Releases Plan for her First 100 Days in Office

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Councilwoman Ariola released her 100-day plan on Sunday.

By Michael V. Cusenza City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) this week released her 100day plan for Council District 32: • Meet with Commanding Officers at all local precincts • Meet with principals at each elementary school, middle school and high school • Meet with Mayor Eric Adams to discuss issues pertaining to District 32 • Meet with religious leaders from

Christian Community • Meet with religious leaders from Jewish Community • Meet with religious leaders from Sikh Community • Meet with religious leaders from Hindu Community • Meet with religious leaders from the Muslim Community • Tour business district in Woodhaven and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Richmond Hill and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Ozone Park and meet with business owners • Tour business district in South Ozone Park and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Howard Beach and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Broad Channel and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Belle Harbor and meet with business owner • Meet with Council Members representing surrounding districts • Meet with Borough Commissioners of all city agencies • Hold monthly meet-ups with constituents (“Coffee with the Councilwoman”) • Meet with all local civics and community organizations • Improve accessibility for COVID

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Photo Courtesy of Google

Part of Ariola’s plan calls for her to meet with volunteer fire and ambulance corps in District 32.

testing sites throughout the district • Meet with Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Corps in West Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, Rockaway Point, Roxbury and Point Breeze • Meet with Community Boards to discuss statement of needs • Address proposed re-zoning plans on the Rockaway Peninsula • Meet with MTA to discuss better options for transportation in our district including the viability of expanding the ferry service, QueensLink and express buses

from the district to Manhattan • Tour business district in Rockaway Park and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Far Rockaway and meet with business owners • Tour business district in Breezy Point and meet with business owners Ariola succeeded former Councilman Eric Ulrich after cruising to victory over Democrat Felicia Singh in November. On Wednesday, Mayor Adams announced that Ulrich had joined his administration as senior advisor to the mayor.

Executive Order to Reform Small Biz Violations

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“We’re cutting the red tape and bringing real relief to the entrepreneurs who have made their dreams a reality and keep our local economy strong ,” Mayor Adams said.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Monday signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to reform existing business regulations, ensuring local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties. The Executive Order builds upon Local Law 80 and calls on the Department of Buildings, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Sanitation, Fire Department, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules and allowing for cure periods or warnings for first-time violations.

“Our small businesses have been through so much during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Adams said. “The last thing they need to deal with are unnecessary fines. We’re cutting the red tape and bringing real relief to the entrepreneurs who have made their dreams a reality and keep our local economy strong.”

The executive order will require: • Within three months, each Agency will identify the 25 violations that are responsible for the greatest number of summonses and fines issued to small businesses and submit the following: Recommendations for which violations should be reformed via a) elimination, b) fine schedules scaled back, c) allowance of a First Time Warning, and/or d) allowance for a Cure Period for first-time violations.

If no reform action is recommended for a violation, provide an explanation as to why the status quo should be maintained (e.g. serious health or safety risk) Identify the necessary actions for reform (e.g. rule-making, City legislation, State legislation, etc.)

• All enforcement agencies should immediately review and update their violation tracking systems, inspection procedures and trainings, and the language on their summons tickets in order to ensure that they are prepared to introduce cure periods and first-time warnings for violations in compliance with this executive order.

• The establishment of an Inter-Agency Working Group—which includes each enforcement agency and to be chaired by a Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development and the SBS commissioner—to review agency submissions and oversee the ensuing business regulatory reform process.

“I applaud Mayor Eric Adams taking the initiative and using his executive powers to help our small businesses. I believe that it is our small businesses that keep our city running, and by working with city departments and agencies on how to best reform the existing business regulations regarding violations, we can give these business owners time to fix the issues before slapping them with a fine. I am hopeful this measure by Mayor Adams relieves some of the burden placed on the small businesses in my district, such as those in Rockaway, on Cross Bay and Woodhaven boulevards, Myrtle and Metropolitan avenues, where the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt our local businesses for a sustained period of time,” said State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach).

“I support Mayor Adams’ proposal to help small businesses by reducing the red tape and fines that make entrepreneurship so difficult in this city. I believe these initiatives will help revive many industries that were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” State Sen. James Sanders, Jr. (D-South Ozone Park) added.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 1 • JANUARY 6 2022 | 3

‘Stay Safe and Stay Open’ School Plan Launches this Week

By Forum Staff Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, Mayor Eric Adams, former Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, and Schools Chancellor David Banks recently announced a multipronged approach for safely returning to school in-person this January following winter break.

Returning to School Safely All New York City students and staff members should and were encouraged to get tested prior to January 3. In partnership with the Test+Trace Corps, families and DOE staff members can go to any City-run testing site to get tested or pick up readily available at-home rapid tests. Sites with rapid tests can be found at nyc.gov/ covidtest, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48, or call 311 to find a testing site near you.

Doubling In-School Surveillance Testing The nation’s largest in-school surveillance testing program is expanding to double the number of individuals tested in each school by including both unvaccinated students and vaccinated students, as well as staff. The random in-school surveillance program continues to provide public health experts with an accurate look at the prevalence of COVID-19 in schools. All families, regardless of whether their young person is vaccinated, should consent to in-school testing at https://www.schoolsaccount.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Adams and Schools Chancellor Banks visit a City public school.

nyc/ or return a signed consent form to their school. As part of the return to school, school leaders will continue messaging the importance of providing consent as a critical part of keeping schools open and communities safe during the winter months.

Keeping Staff Safe New State policy, which aligns with new CDC guidance and was co-written with the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shortens the isolation period for fully-vaccinated critical workers (includ-

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ing school personnel) who test positive, but are asymptomatic, to five days. Staff can return on the sixth day as long as they remain asymptomatic, have not had a fever in 72 hours, and wear an appropriate highquality mask (such as a KN95, which will be provided to staff ). Staff will continue to have access to at-home rapid tests as well as in-school testing.

Immediately Identify & Respond to Positive Cases to Stay Open Every student and adult in a classroom

with a positive case will immediately receive an at-home rapid test kit and will need to take two tests in five days. Students who are asymptomatic do not need to quarantine and can continue attending school. This policy is more expansive than the CDC’s quarantine policy, which applies to only close contacts. The DOE is sourcing approximately two and a half million athome rapid test kits, in addition to the one million test kits provided by the Governor, to have on hand before the start of school.

Additionally, in anticipation of a winter increase in cases, the Situation Room has doubled its staffing levels from 275 to over 500. All positive cases, including from rapid tests, will be reported directly to the Situation Room via phone or email, and the Situation Room will provide schools with support, communications to families, and monitoring for instances of widespread inschool transmission that would result in a school closure.

Continuation of Gold Standard Health & Safety Protocols The DOE closely adheres to CDC guidance: making vaccination easily accessible and available for all, a vaccine mandate for all in-school staff members, universal indoor masking, physical distancing, routine screening testing, fully functioning ventilation systems backed up by two air purifiers in every classroom, and oversight by the Situation Room.

Pol Touts Water Safety Law

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato

“We will save lives with this legislation,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.

By Forum Staff Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) on Tuesday announced that her legislation creating the first ever Commission to Prevent Childhood Drownings in New York State was recently signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The landmark bill was inspired by a wave of drownings in the Rockaway Peninsula, and was supported by a broad coalition of elected officials, community organizations, and swim safety advocates, Pheffer Amato noted. The goal of the commission is to create and launch new tactics and methods to reduce childhood drownings in New York through obtaining data and holding hearings. Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) sponsored the bill in the State Senate. “ We will save lives with this legislation,” Pheffer Amato said. “ We’ve sent a signal that the State of New York cares about preventing unnecessary loss of life, and that water safety is not a privilege, but a necessity. This historic Commission will use their knowledge to come up with new ways of expanding water safety in our state to protect our children. I want to thank the many swim safety advocates who fought so hard for this bill to pass, Senator Tim Kennedy for his steadfast commitment to passing this bill in the State Senate, and Governor Hochul for signing this impactful bill into law.”

Pheffer Amato represents the entire Rockaway Beach, Howard Beach neighborhoods, and many other coastal communities in the 23rd Assembly District. This legislation will create a nine-person task force with appointees from the governor’s office, and both houses of the legislature. The task force will be responsi-

ble for a report six months after their first meeting.

“Childhood drowning causes hundreds of deaths every year across our nation, along with non-fatal injuries such as severe brain damage,” Kennedy said. “Many of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with proper education, with one study showing that formal swimming lessons reduced the likelihood of childhood drowning by a massive 88 percent. In Western New York, we are blessed with two Great Lakes and numerous rivers, creeks, and streams that provide endless recreational opportunities, but also present risks. With the creation of the Commission to Prevent Childhood Drowning, we are setting New York State on a path to save lives. Thank you to Assemblymember Pheffer Amato for her leadership in the Assembly, and to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of this legislation and signing it into law.”

“The Water Safety Coalition, a group of concerned residents, community groups, non-profit organizations, and local Rockaway businesses, is thrilled to hear that the Governor has signed this bill into law,” said Nikita Scott of the Rockaway Water Safety Commission. “ We thank Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato and the other elected officials involved for their leadership in this effort. Along with the thousands of New Yorkers who have signed petitions, educated themselves and taken action to make their community a safer place. Our coalition looks for ward to supporting the implementation of the bill and continuing to work together to make water safety education an essential right for all, to save lives and create a more inclusive recreation community.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

FINDING OUT ABOUT HORMONES: A new option for women's health The days of people assigning total trust in their doctors and staying out of their health care decisions are long over. Many factors have contributed to the new-age awareness in personal health care, most notably, rising healthcare cost.

One rising area in personal awareness comes from women’s eagerness to investigate the effects of thier ever changing hormones on overall health.

Hormones provide many clues about women’s health, but diagnostic testing can run into thousands of dollars which prohibits many, both insured and uninsured, from taking advantage of the valuable knowledge to be found in the information provided by the bodies hormones.

Several start up companies launched home testing kits in 2018 with options for testing affects on stress, thyroid and fertility intel among other conditions. Experts are predicting that hormonal home testing will grow three to four-fold over the next few years.

While we support everyone arming themselves with as much information and safe practice diagnostic tools to participate actively in their own healthcare, we want to make you aware of some of the possible pitfalls.

Home hormone testing definitely has a financial advantage. Most of the kits start under $100 and top out at $400, but one the associated drawbacks is not really knowing what to test for to get the answers you’re seeking could easily be a waste of money on tests that don’t apply.

Additionally, you should always do this testing in conjunction with your doctor’s advice, but be aware that some docs may not have the expertise to interpret results of the hormone panels. It’s critical to work with a physician who can help you make sense of your test results and any follow-up measures needed to be taken in reaction to the results.

Many of the kits also include diet and lifestyle recommendations along with supplement suggestions. These kits may very well end up leading to important findings and diagnoses that women might not otherwise seek out. Some of these discoveries could be life threatening and in turn life saving. The kits can be a great option for women, not just those with curiosity, but for those who might not otherwise get essential lab testing.

We always advocate your interest and active pursuit to ensure your best healthcare options but we caution you to approach every aspect of the process with careful planning, research, and always with supervised, expert medical care.

So if you’re interested in pursuing this new opportunity for women’s health, we ask that you make wise choices and feel free to consult with us in search of the right option for you.

Until next time.

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106th Precinct Welcomes Eight Rookies

The commanding officer of the 106th Precinct on Wednesday announced that eight rookie cops have been assigned to the South Queens precinct.

“They are eager to start working with the community,” Capt. Jerome Bacchi said.

“Welcome,” added City Councilwom-

an Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park). “May St. Michael watch over you and keep you safe.”

The 106th Precinct includes Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Howard Beach, and Old Howard Beach.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 1 • JANUARY 6 2022 | 5

Hochul Announces Winter Surge Plan 2.0

Photo Courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of the Governor

“We can get through this surge through targeted actions, partnerships with local leaders, and by taking common sense steps to keep us all safe: get vaccinated, get boosted, and wear a mask indoors,” Gov. Hochul said.

By Forum Staff Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced Winter Surge Plan 2.0, a new targeted effort to bolster New York’s fight against the winter COVID surge.

Hochul’s plan focuses on five core areas: keeping students in school, doubling down on masks and testing, preventing severe illness and death, increasing access to vaccines and boosters, and working together with local leaders.

Keep Schools Open • Providing tests to students and school districts: 5.56 million tests arrived for schools this week and between six and seven million more are expected to arrive in the coming days. New York has mobilized 40 trucks and 86 state personnel to distribute tests. Overall, New York State has secured 37 million tests for distribution.

• Working with counties to implement Test-to-Stay: Test-to-Stay policies have proven successful at keeping our kids safe and schools open. If a student tests positive, classmates can take a test kit back home with them and return to the classroom upon receiving a negative result instead of mandatory quarantining.

• Keeping college students and faculty safe: SUNY and CUNY will be intro-

ducing a new requirement for all students to get boosters, campuses will require mandatory mask wearing in public indoor spaces, and will require all faculty to be vaccinated. Students will also be required to submit negative tests upon returning to campus.

Keep Masking, Keep Testing: Gov. Hochul said she recognizes that to stop the spread of the virus, New Yorkers must continue wearing masks and getting tested for COVID. Hochul will: • Extend the mask-or-vax requirement: the Department of Health will extend the mask-or-vaccine requirement for an additional two weeks, protecting workers and allowing businesses to remain open.

• Make masks more widely available: New York State has already distributed 5 million KN-95 masks, and more will be distributed through state legislators.

Hundreds of thousands of masks will also be distributed for nursing home visitors.

• Launch new testing sites: Governor Hochul will open six new testing sites on January 4, totaling 19 state-run sites statewide. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced the launch of two new testing sites at MTA stations, in addition to previously announced MTA pop-ups.

Preventing Severe Illness and Death: With case counts rising, Hochul said that

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Hochul’s plan focuses, in part, on increasing access to vaccines and boosters.

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Photo Courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of the Governor

“We must ensure we use them all. Governor Hochul’s targeted plan to expand vaccination and booster access, mask and test, and increase measures to protect our health care workers is the comprehensive strategy needed to combat the fast-spreading Omicron variant,” Acting State Health Commissioner Bassett said.

she is making it a priority to prevent severe illness and death by supporting our hospital system. The Winter Surge Plan 2.0 will: • Distribute antiviral treatments: New York is working with the Biden Administration to secure doses of the antiviral drug Pavloxid and make this treatment more widely available.

• Boost hospital capacity: Governor Hochul will continue enforcing the November 26 Executive Order to boost hospital capacity. Since it took effect, the number of hospitals with limited capacity needing to pause non-essential surgeries has declined from 32 to 21.

• Launch National Guard EMT training: to ramp up our long-term health care workforce capacity needs, the Department of Health and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs will be launching two pilot EMT training classes on January 5th. This will cover two classes of 40 service members (80 service members in total) who will be able to be deployed by February.

• Secure additional help from Federal partners: in the coming days, we will receive federal Department of Defense (DoD) Medical Response and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs). This will include a 35-member DMAT to SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, 23-member DoD Medical Response Team to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, and 50 new ambulance teams deployed to NYC. • Protect nursing home residents and workers: the Hochul Administration is in constant contact with all 606 nursing homes in New York and will be providing them with additional PPE to ensure the safety of all patients and staff.

Additionally, the Administration is coordinating with hospitals and will be deploying durable medical equipment in continued support of the care for all New Yorkers.

Expand Access to Vaccines and Boosters: Vaccines continue to be the best defense against COVID hospitalization and death. While 95 percent of adult New Yorkers have received at least one shot,

there’s more to do to increase vaccination and booster rates, especially among children: • Provide boosters to nursing homes: New York will begin requiring each nursing home to demonstrate their plan to increase vaccination and booster rates among their residents.

• Increase pediatric vaccination: the most unvaccinated eligible cohort is New Yorkers aged 5-11. New York will increase our focus on pediatric vaccination.

• Get booster shots to teenagers: we anticipate approval of Pfizer’s booster shot for children aged 12-15 and will immediately begin outreach to that population once ready.

Work with Local Partners: From the beginning, Hochul noted that she has emphasized that the fight against COVID must take a collaborative approach. Fighting the winter surge requires close collaboration with local partners: • Let local leaders lead: from New York City to Erie County, local leaders are making smart choices. We will continue this surgical, targeted approach.

• Provide resources to local partners: Hochul will continue to lead a wholeof-government approach to fight COVID, making sure county emergency managers and local school boards have the tests and masks they need.

“We can get through this surge through targeted actions, partnerships with local leaders, and by taking common sense steps to keep us all safe: get vaccinated, get boosted, and wear a mask indoors,” Hochul said.

“We have every tool to keep our families and communities safe,” Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett added.

“We must ensure we use them all. Governor Hochul’s targeted plan to expand vaccination and booster access, mask and test, and increase measures to protect our health care workers is the comprehensive strategy needed to combat the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Leveraging these layered mitigation tactics is how we will protect the health of New Yorkers and effectively manage the winter surge.”

Schumer Urges Biden Administration to Direct COVID Antiviral Drugs to NY

By Forum Staff Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday made an announcement about testing in New York and then touted a new push to deliver the state enough of the newest weapon in the war on COVID: antivirals.

Schumer said that science has finally delivered ‘Tamiflu’ for COVID, also known as antiviral medications that act very similar to the Tamiflu antiviral patients take for the influenza virus. However, Schumer said that New York will not have enough supply of these new COVID antivirals to meet the current need as he urged the Biden administration to act by directing these new medications to surge areas, like New York.

Schumer said the reason for this antiviral supply lag is because the antiviral medications are new and because production is still ramping up. Schumer said that, in the meantime, the feds should prioritize the antivirals that are available to surge communities so that they aren’t potentially unused. Schumer said these new antivirals are necessary to keep people out of local hospitals and recovering at home.

According to NPR, Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir are both oral antiviral pills that can be taken at home to keep patients out of the hospital. They're

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer

Senator Schumer said that New York will not have enough supply of new COVID antivirals to meet the current need as he urged the Biden administration to act by directing these new medications to surge areas, like New York.

meant to be taken within the first few days of having COVID-19, and they reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 88 percent for Paxlovid and 30 percent for molnupiravir. NPR added that, right now, they're just for patients at the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness. For example, people with weakened immune systems, including transplant patients and older adults, are especially vulnerable. So many of the hundreds of thousands of people testing positive for the coronavirus daily would not be candidates for the treatments.

The Department of Health and Human Services allocated around 65,000 treatment courses of Paxlovid and 300,000 courses of molnupiravir to states and programs around the country last week. State health departments, like New York’s, get to decide which clinics, hospitals, local health departments and pharmacies will receive shipments, and then they can be shipped out.

According to New York State, they have received a limited supply of both Paxlovid and molnupiravir from the federal government. New York State's distribution meth-

odology for the new oral antiviral category of COVID-19 medications is to initially distribute on a pro rata population basis to every region in New York State. The City of New York has elected to receive its distribution to one pharmacy that will do home delivery to all boroughs in New York City.

The rest of the state's nine regions are having their doses delivered to pharmacies in counties within their regions. Pharmacies were chosen based upon population density, as well as Medicaid population density.

During the initial weeks of allocation, when supplies remain scarce, only a few pharmacies in each county will receive the antivirals. Patients will require a prescription for Paxlovid and molnupiravir.

Schumer also announced additional mobile COVID testing sites today, based on need, and he urged more to follow. Several other sites are currently operational across New York City: • 2 at Travers Park on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights • 2 at Queens Valley Playground Corner of 137th Street and 77th Avenue in Flushing • 2 at Helen Marshall Playground 100th Street and 24th Avenue in East Elmhurst • 2 at Hart Playground Corner of 65th street and Broadway, Woodside

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Two Men Charged in Hollis Stabbing Death

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“This kind of violence and lawlessness is creating havoc and heartache in our communities, and it must end,” DA Katz said.

By Forum Staff Two men have been charged in the stabbing death of a man in Hollis last month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.

Raymond Kenner, 22, of Manhattan, and Alexander Stephens, 31, of St. Albans were arraigned Thursday on a complaint charging them with two counts of murder in the second degree, robbery in the first and second degree, tampering with physical evidence, criminal possession of stolen property the fifth degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Kenner was also charged in a second complaint with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

According to the first complaint, just after 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, the defendants were allegedly observed on video surveillance following Andrew Cunje as he walked along Jamaica Avenue from 201st Street to Carpenter Avenue. Kenner and Stephens then confronted the 25-yearold victim, and moments later Cunje was on the ground bleeding.

Katz said the victim was rushed to an area hospital where he was treated for multiple stab wounds to his back and chest and later died from his injuries.

Two days later, according to the second complaint, Kenner was seen on surveillance video around 11 p.m. on 89th Avenue near Rufus King Park. Kenner was seen with Benjamin Vasquez, who was stabbed multiple times. The 29-year-old victim died

Photo Courtesy of Google

Kenner was seen with victim Benjamin Vasquez on surveillance video around 11 p.m. on 89th Avenue near Rufus King Park in Jamaica.

from the injuries.

According to the charges, when Kenner was apprehended, he was wearing the same clothes he was seen in on video footage as he followed the victim on Dec. 21, and there was blood allegedly splattered on his clothing. Stephens was wearing the same boots from the surveillance video of Dec. 21 and the boots also allegedly had blood stains on them.

Additionally, the DA said, police recovered a folding knife allegedly from Kenner’s pocket.

“As we close out 2021, sadly we have

another two killings in our neighborhoods and one man is charged in both slayings just two days apart. A second co-defendant allegedly took part in one of the stabbings,” Katz said. “This kind of violence and lawlessness is creating havoc and heartache in our communities, and it must end. The two defendants are now in custody and charged with very serious crimes.”

If convicted, Kenner and Stephens face up to 25 years to life in prison; Kenner faces another 25 years to life on the second complaint.

City Cleanup Corps has Removed More than One Million Trash Bags

By Forum Staff The City Cleanup Corps has removed more than one million bags of trash citywide since the program’s launch in April 2021, former Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced.

According to de Blasio, the New Dealinspired economic recovery initiative supports communities, businesses, and tourism by refreshing and revitalizing public spaces. As of Dec. 20, CCC members had hand-swept nearly 70,000 block faces, maintained more than 40,000 rain gardens, planted over 10,000 plants across the five boroughs, and painted over 630 properties that had been defaced with graffiti.

“As New York City’s Strongest pick up 12,000 tons of trash and recycling every day, City Cleanup Corps members have been valuable partners in our shared mission of keeping our city clean and safe,” said Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson. “We applaud the Corps on today’s milestone and their ongoing work in the revitalization of our city.

With nearly 1,000 new Sanitation Workers joining our team this year, the Department of Sanitation looks forward to continued partnership with the Corps’ expanded programs in the months ahead.”

Through the collaboration of more than two dozen City agencies and community-

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“City Cleanup Corps members have been valuable partners in our shared mission of keeping our city clean and safe,” said City Sanitation Commissioner Grayson.

based organizations, members of the CCC tend to the needs of neighborhoods by hand-sweeping public spaces, cleaning defaced properties, power-washing sidewalks, tending to green spaces, and creating community murals, among other efforts to help bolster New York City’s economy. Since its inception, the CCC has employed more than 10,000 New Yorkers, and after surpassing this hiring goal, the program is supporting the extension of existing CCC

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members’ tenures through the end of Fiscal Year 2021, alongside the latest program expansions.

In partnership with the City Artist Corps, NYC Department of Probation, and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, City Cleanup Corps supported Beautify NYC, a program through which local artists and young people collaborated on arts projects to revitalize community spaces. From July to November, local arts organizations ran

weekly project-based workshops for youth ages 16 to 24 across a variety of artistic disciplines, with both artists and young people paid for their work. The 21 projects, which ranged from designing tree guards to painting colorful murals, took place in seven neighborhoods across the City with Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Centers: East New York, Jamaica, Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Harlem, and the South Bronx. Each project culminated in a final event that connected artists, young people, and organizations to the broader community. Beautify NYC leveraged the power of art and culture to advance recovery in some of the areas most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional number of workshops will continue through June 2022.

“City Cleanup Corps is transforming parks and open spaces across Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula. Thanks to these efforts, parks and shorelines are cleaner, the blight of graffiti has been removed from public spaces and our recovery is moving in the right direction. Most importantly, as we navigate the pandemic together, the city has recognized that our parks play an essential role in our recovery and the Conservancy is grateful to support the Corps to help improve these spaces,” said Alex Zablocki, executive director, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.

Tunnel to Towers Pays off Mortgages on Homes of 14 NY and NJ First Responders

By Forum Staff

Photo Courtesy of Tunnel to Towers

NYPD Police Officer Dave Guevara and his wife Lakisha Guevara

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation recently announced that it has paid off the mortgages on the homes of 14 New York and New Jersey first responders.

The foundation paid, in full, the mortgages on the homes of: • 7 NYPD Officers • 4 FDNY Firefighters • 2 New Jersey Police Officers • 1 Federal Corrections Senior Officer Specialist Nine of the families receiving mortgage payoffs today lost their loved ones to Sept. 11-related cancers and other illnesses.

NYPD Police Officer Dave Guevara passed away from Sept. 11- related cancer on April 7, 2017. He served with the NYPD for 23 years. He left behind his wife Lakisha, and their three children.

“As newlyweds, purchasing our first home gave us the ability to create lasting memories for ourselves and our children. It not only offered a sense of stability but a place where we would grow together. My family and I are forever grateful to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to allow us to focus on healing rather than the financial burden of mortgage payments,” said Lakisha Guevara.

For Jennifer Carney, widow of City Firefighter Christopher Carney, who passed away this August of job-related cancer, the Tunnel to Towers support is bittersweet.

“I feel truly blessed to have this gift, although I wish it was under different circumstances. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has done amazing things for families and I am proud to now be a part of that family. We miss our hero every day and wish he could be here

Photo Courtesy of Tunnel to Towers

The Carney family

with us. Having our mortgage paid off is an indescribable feeling. It allows me to focus on my children and their needs as well as my own. It’s a blessing that I know my husband would be very appreciative of,” said Jennifer Carney.

Flushing Woman Charged with Killing Man Found Dead in her Bed in September was discovered a day later on Sept. 19.

Deng fled the scene. She was apprehended in New Mexico after the car she was driving broke down on the side of the road. New Mexico State Troopers recovered a loaded revolver allegedly from Deng’s car which was a ballistic match to the bullet recovered in Deng’s bedroom.

Deng was also allegedly found to be in possession of the victim’s personal property.

“The defendant is accused of shooting the victim in the head, then taking his car to flee the state,” Katz said. “Gun violence is never the solution. The defendant has been returned to Queens.

She now faces very serious charges.”

If convicted, Deng faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

The victim was shot in Deng’s bedroom in her apartment on 39th Avenue near Union Street.

BY Forum Staff A Flushing woman has been indicted for allegedly shooting and killing her exboyfriend in September, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

Haiyan Deng, 31, was extradited from New Mexico last weekend after fleeing the five boroughs following the murder. She was arraigned Monday afternoon on a nine-count indictment charging her with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon

in the second and fourth degree, burglary in the first degree, assault in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and harassment in the second degree. Deng was ordered to return to court on Feb. 3.

According to the indictment, Deng shot and killed Justin Li in her Flushing apartment on Sept. 18.

First responders conducting a wellness check on the 26-year-old victim and found him deceased in Deng’s bed. He was bleeding from a single gunshot wound to the head and “Gun violence is never the solution,” DA Katz said.

File Photo

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 1 • JANUARY 6 2022 | 13

Legal Notices Formation of CRESCENT TAX SOLUTIONS, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/25/2021. Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to KAREEM ALMATHRAHI, 6011 CATALPA AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NY, 11385,USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

2810 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/23/21. Latest date todissolve: 12/31/2120. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 70-18 261st Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004. Purpose: Any lawful purpose CATHERINE MULHOLLAND LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/10/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CATHERINE MULHOLLAND 6 BEACH 221 STREET, BREEZY POINT, NY 11697. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of New York Built, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 11/29/2021. Office located in Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC at 37-08 36 AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, ASTORIA, NY, 11101. Purpose: any lawful purpose M C DAS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/03/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 15330 89th Ave, #324, Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of Checo Multiservices LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York on October 29, 2021. Office location: Queens County, Secretary of State is designated as agent upon who process against the LLC may be served. Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon the LLC to C/O 108 – 05 51st Street, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SHZ ESTATE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/07/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 9720 164th Ave, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 9201 AVENUE L LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/07/21. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Attn: Aristotle G. Mirzaian, c/o Curcio Mirzaian Sirot LLC, 48 Wall St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10005-2903. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

HAGION PROPERTY LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 11/30/2021.

Off. Loc: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 7123 Nansen St., Forest Hills NY, 11365. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act.

R&W FOODS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/30/21. Office located in Queens. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA.Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation: 140-35 69 AVE LLC (the ‘LLC’) filed Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State on 02/19/2021.

Office location: QUEENS County.

The New York Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and is directed to forward service of process to Lowenfeld Law Firm P.C. 1706 Sheepshead Bay Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11235 193-03 Union Turnpike LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 193-03 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366.

Purpose: General.

TB ORGANIZED LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/03/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to TB ORGANIZED LLC, 1041 ANNAPOLIS STREET, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11691, USA.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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28-13 48 ST LLC filed w/ SSNY on 12/21/21. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 25-84 Steinway St., Astoria, NY 11103. Exist date: 1/1/22 Purpose: any lawful.

QL CONSULTS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/26/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Legalinc Corporate Services Inc., 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1-086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: General.

WEI BUSINESS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/09/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to WEI BUSINESS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANT LLC, 65-17 110th St., Forest Hills, NY, 11375, USA.Purpose: General.

VISION LIGHT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/27/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SHIH CHUN TAI, 10518 METROPOLITAN AVENUE, FOREST HILLS, NY,11375, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

MARCK HOLDINGS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/3/2022. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 137-46 71st Ave Flushing, NY 11367. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LET’S GROOVE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/03/2022.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: LISA STOCKMAN, 3083 32nd Street, Apartment 3A, Long Island City, NY, 11102, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1340804 for a Bar/Tavern Liquor License has been applied for by CHEAP SHOTS CROSSBAY INC. under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law for premises located at 137-09 Cross Bay Boulevard, Ozone Park, New York, 11417, County of Queens, for on-premises consumption.

CASA FERREIRA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/08/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 8631 257TH ST., FLORAL PARK, NY, 11001, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

HARPREET KAUR REALTOR LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/28/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Harpreet Kaur, 8225 247th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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