Author: Editor

The General election this year is on November 3, 2020.

There are three openings for Yonkers City Court Judge this year and Verris Shako would like you to cast one of those judicial votes for her.

Verris has protected the rights of Yonkers residents. She has represented clients on matters involving criminal, family, and traffic law in Yonkers City Court as well as in many other courts in Westchester County.

After years of practice, Verris started her own law practice in 2009.

She has litigated felony matters to verdict as well as conducted trials in family court.

Verris understands the law and the importance of giving both sides an opportunity to be heard before deciding on a case.

She believes in Justice.

She will bring that experience and dedication with her to the bench.

Verris has fought for and understands the importance of protecting the rights of parents, grandparents and children.

She understands that legal decisions affect everyone in a family.

By running for Yonkers City Court Judge, she aims to protect Yonkers families by ensuring their right to be heard and their cases are resolved in a fair and impartial manner.

As a Judge, Verris will bring her many years of dedication to advocating and finding solutions for Yonkers residents to all litigants that will appear in front of her.

Verris is a member of many local organizations and associations including the Yonkers Lawyers Association, Westchester County Bar Association, Westchester Women’s Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Westchester Black Bar Association, Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club and the Yonkers chapter of the Black Women’s Political Caucus.

Verris is grateful for the support she has received as a candidate for Yonkers City Court Judge.

Verris grew up in Westchester County and has lived in Yonkers for over sixteen years.

She is happily married to her biggest supporter, her husband Lucson.

Verris and Lucson are the proud parents of two children.

Verris serves as a class parent and sits on the PTA board of a Yonkers Public School.

Verris is also a Yonkers Girl Scout Troop Co-leader for kindergarten and first grade girls.

Verris is strongly committed to serving her community and is honored to receive the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Verris is personally fulfilled by her work as an attorney and says she will continue to protect the rights of the residents of Yonkers as a Yonkers City Court Judge.

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YONKERS: It was not long ago when inclusive hiring (sometimes called second-chance hiring) was all the rage across the U.S.

In February, U.S. unemployment was at 3.5 percent, the nation was reckoning with its mass incarceration problem, and various business organizations were busting myths about what’s involved with hiring people who have criminal records.

The Ban the Box campaign, around since 2003, was also gaining more supporters.

Fast forward a few months and now, almost no one is talking about inclusive hiring. And speaking of rage, there’s currently a different form of it sweeping across the U.S.

One company that has not shied away from inclusive hiring despite the current crises is Greyston Bakery, which has long been churning out brownies in Yonkers, New York, and includes Ben & Jerry’s amongst its customers.

For Joseph Kenner, who has been with Greyston since early 2018 and was named CEO of the company this past April. no other employee engagement option exists other than inclusive hiring.

From Kenner’s point of view, the convergence of COVID-19, the protests stemming from the murders of Black Americans including George Floyd, and the current economic crisis makes hiring the most vulnerable even more of an imperative, especially since many people with criminal justice histories never got a “first chance” at employment in the first place.

Greyston has already gone above and beyond its mission of employing the last hired and first fired to bake brownies. Two years ago, the company opened the eponymous Center for Open Hiring, a space where business leaders can learn more about the “open hiring” human resources model. Greyston and the staff running the center are spreading the word on inclusive hiring however they can. Next, they’ll host a seminar on Tuesday, July 14. The event has the goal to show leaders the value of investing in employees, “rather than screening them out.”

Open hiring seeks to turn the human resources model on its head. Most companies expend their resources screening out people. But with open hiring, companies commit to training, learning, development, benefits and a culture of support.

The process is simple: In Greyston’s case, applicants are asked for the name, contact information and if they can stand on their feet for a full day’s shift.

Plus, Greyston employees need to be able to lift 50 pounds, as baking 8 million or so pounds of brownies and blondies a year requires moving around lots of huge bags of flour and sugar.

At a time when companies are making bold statements about standing with Black Americans and promising to build more diverse workforces, Joseph Kenner and his company doesn’t have to pledge anything – it is hiring now.

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YONKERS: Yonkers Police Department officers were called to the front entrance of the Whitney Young Manor Apartments at 354 Nepperhan Avenue at around 6:10 p.m. on Friday where they found Lateef Butler on the ground suffering from several gunshot wounds.

He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect, Terrence Gonzalez, also of Yonkers, was located a short distance away and a .38 caliber revolver was found nearby.

Yonkers PD Detectives interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance video and determined several people had been involved in a dispute including the victim and suspect and when the argument escalated, Gonzalez allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Butler several times before fleeing on foot.

In addition to the murder charge, Gonzalez is also charged by the YPD with criminal possession of a weapon.

The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

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YONKERS AND THE BRONX – (June 24, 2020) – Juan Rodriguez, guilty plea puts an end to a legal case which had dragged on and on since July 26 day when he drove to work and forgot his children were in the back seat.

The father previously said he “blanked out” when he forgot to drop the babies off at day care in Yonkers that day.

Eight hours later they were found dead in his parked car in the Bronx at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He drove two blocks before seeing the children unresponsive in the back seat.

Juan Rodriguez called his wife and then 911.

Almost 11 months after Juan Rodriguez forgot his 1-year-old twins in a car when he went to work in the Bronx, he pleaded guilty and will avoid prison time.

The Bronx District Attorney said the Rockland County man was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge after the guilty plea to second-degree reckless endangerment.

Juan Rodriguez was potentially facing manslaughter charges.

The father had been out on bail since his twins’ deaths.

Juan Rodriguez said he forgot the babies in his car when he went to work on July 26; when he came back eight hours later, both were dead from the extreme heat.

Juan Rodriguez admitted to parking his car in his employment lot and leaving young Luna and Phoenix were inside.

Bronx DA Darcel Clark said that the children were strapped in their car seats throughout the hot summer day, with no windows open.

These two babies suffered horribly.

Investigators said temperature inside the car, which was left in the hot sun from just after 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., reached more than 100 degrees, the investigation revealed.

The medical examiner said that the body temperature of both children was 108 degrees.

The father, who has three other children, including a 4-year-old boy, was “extremely transparent” about what happened, his attorney previously said.

Juan Rodriguez’s lawyer told the court that his client’s wife had backed him every step of the way and feels that her husband just made a terrible and mistake.

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There will be one less gym option available when the coronavirus pandemic finally recedes, which is bad news for anyone who depends on 24 Hour Fitness in Yonkers.

The California chain says it’s closing more than 130 locations across the country, including the location at at 589 Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers.

It’s one of 10 locations in New York to be closed, including others on the Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge in the Bronx,

The closures will essentially reduce 24 Hour Fitness’ total reach by nearly a third.

The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, according to a release, and with that filing, secured $250 million to help reopen some of its clubs.

In a statement, chief executive Tony Ueber blamed the closings on the coronavirus.

The chain boasted 420 locations in 18 states.

It moved into New York in late 2014 after 24 Hour Fitness bought 32 Bally Total Fitness clubs, which suffered through two bankruptcy filings, and slowly sold off all its club locations, closing its final one in East Harlem in 2016.

There are a number of Yonkers fitness centers a short drive from 24 Hour’s now former location, although all are temporarily shuttered because of the pandemic.

But when 24 Hour Fitness opened many on the Yonkers Newswire Facebook News Discussion group talked about how the various gyms could survive in Yonkers and neighboring communities, since they were so close to each other.

There were many social media group members that predicted that the 24 Hour Fitness location on Tuckahoe Road would not be successful.

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NEW YORK – Solidifying his support across Democratic Congressional leadership, Congressman Eliot Engel was endorsed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, both of California.

The lawmakers cited Congressman Engel’s “extraordinary progressive record of service to New York and the nation” and pledged support for his reelection campaign in the 16th District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester.

The announcements increased the momentum among Congressman Engel’s Democratic colleagues: last week, the Congressional Black Caucus endorsed his reelection.

“I firmly support Eliot Engel for Congress,” said Speaker Pelosi.

“I think the people of New York are very blessed to have him in the Congress. Chairman Engel is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He also has unique privilege [of being both] the chairman of Foreign Affairs and a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. That’s a lot of power.”

“Time and again, when his voice has been needed on civil rights, equality for women, gun safety legislation, the minimum wage, affordable housing, and our environment Eliot has always been there, helping to lead the way,” said Congresswoman Waters.

“He’s a true progressive. We absolutely need to return his experience and deep commitment to Congress – particularly now as we fight to take back the White House.”

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) is seeking re-election in the 16th District of New York, including the north Bronx and southern Westchester.

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On Wednesday, May 27, Yonkers’ State Senator Shelley B. Mayer sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo urging that he permit outdoor in-person high school graduation ceremonies in July under guidance set by the NYS Department of Health.

Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, said “Our students have already had to make tremendous sacrifices due to the coronavirus pandemic. High school graduation is such a special milestone–I believe that we can find a safe way for them to celebrate.”

The letter states: “The high school graduating class of 2020 should be permitted to embrace their achievements, celebrate their successes and be fully recognized as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

The relationships students have developed with their schools, teachers and peers will forever be grounded in their hearts and we know you share with us a commitment to find a way for them to celebrate their final high school moment in a traditional, ceremonious manner”

But some are worried that an outdoor and in person high school graduation in Westchester County’s largest city could cause a second outbreak of the pandemic that has devastated the city of hills and has already caused students and families much hardship.

The current pandemic that shut Yonkers and Westchester County down on March 22nd was sparked by a child’s bar mitzvah celebration in New Rochelle.

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YONKERS – On Tuesday, May 19th, the New York State Laborers’ Union Local 60 delivered meals to union workers on essential job sites in Yonkers and New Rochelle to show appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice members have displayed to keep Westchester running during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These individuals are tirelessly restoring roadways in New Rochelle, run by PAB Contracting and on the Bronx River Parkway in Yonkers run by Montesano Brothers Inc., to ensure these roads are safe and well-maintained for all New Yorkers.

“From highway maintenance and repairs, to hospital construction, to housing for the homeless and more, New York’s Laborers have been on the frontlines doing the hard work to benefit their communities,” said Anthony Ascencao, Business Manager, Laborers’ Local 60.

“It’s true across the state, and it’s especially here in Westchester County. We are eternally grateful for the work of hospital staffs and first responders, but also want to take a moment to thank these hardworking men and women. Our members are some of the most dedicated individuals you’ll come across, and they truly love what they do in their communities. I want them to know that their work is important and has not gone unnoticed.”

The Laborers’ Local 60 has been using the hashtag #Local60Strong on social media to show solidarity on essential work sites.

You can follow along on Facebook to see the progress they are making on these sites, and any new projects they are working on. Members of the community are asked to show their appreciation by posting encouragement for these men and women in the field.

“Construction, in ideal conditions, can be dangerous, difficult and demanding work,” said Jay Fragoso, Field Representative, Laborers’ Local 60.

“This is especially true in the middle of a pandemic. And yet, we have so many members working every day and getting the job done safely because they know others are depending on them. That type of dedication deserves a heartfelt ‘thank you’ and recognition. This event is just a small way for us to do that, and acknowledge their significant contributions to Westchester County.”

Workers on the job sites enjoyed breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and beverages while viewing messages of appreciation displayed on a mobile truck decal parked on site.

“It’s been a great experience serving these workers on the job today. And they are helping local restaurants like mine survive these hard times”, said Joe Gil, owner of Bagel Land. “We might not always recognize some professions as essential until we need them. These workers are keeping the roads I drive to work in safe and operational.”

“The health and safety of our members is, has always been, and forever will be, our number one priority,” said Patrick Purcell, Executive Director, New York State Laborers’ LECET.

“It is equally important to us that they know their hard work is recognized and appreciated. Our members play an essential role in keeping our state safe and operational. We are thankful for the opportunity to show our gratitude.”

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