DOH Provides Further Update on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOH) published additional information on its website on the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, April 29. As reported by Norwood News, the vaccine is available in New York City for people aged 18 and older following a short pause in use to investigate a potential health issue. DOH officials said the agency continues to have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine and of other authorized COVID-19 vaccines. “Vaccination remains the most important step you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday, May 3, that the MTA will resume 24-hour subway service in New York City beginning Monday, May 17. In April, MTA New York City Transit officials announced 2,009,025 trips were recorded on the subway on April 8, the first time that more than two million trips were taken on the subway since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city. The resumption of 24-hour service will coincide with the governor’s announcement lifting the 12 a.m. food and beverage service curfew for outdoor dining areas. “COVID-19 is on the decline in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Intermittent, full closures at the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (Harlem River Lift Bridge) to and from Manhattan are scheduled on Friday, May 7, and Friday, May 14, from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. for bridge lifts to test mechanical functionality and allow completion of routine preventative maintenance. Each closure lasts approximately 20 minutes. Motorists may experience delays and should consider an alternate route. Motorists can sign up for MTA e-mail or text alerts at www.mymtaalerts.com for the latest information on this planned work.

Off Duty NYPD School Safety Agent Arrested for Assault, Endangering a Child

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 8.39 p.m, Valerie Collins, 55, an off-duty New York City employee was arrested and charged in the 45th precinct with assault and with endangering the welfare of a child. Collins is an NYPD school safety agent. No information was available for Collins on the NYPD’s public records site. The 45th precinct contains six miles of park area, and 10.6 miles of waterfront. It covers the Bronx neighborhoods of Co-op City and City Island. A person arrested and accused of a crime is innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the person seen in the attached photo regarding an assault that occurred in the 52nd precinct. It was reported to police that on Monday, April 19, 2021 at approximately 2.30 p.m., in front of 2406 University Avenue in the Fordham Manor of the Bronx, a 13-year-old male victim was approached by the unidentified male suspect. The suspect stabbed the victim multiple times in the left leg with a cutting instrument, before fleeing the scene, on foot, towards Father Ziezer Place. EMS responded to the location and transported

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Tuesday, May 4, that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in the Bronx in 2017. Clark said, “The defendant followed a 12-year-old girl, who was on her way back home from a store, and sexually assaulted her in broad daylight. He also terrified the child by threatening to kill her and her family. We hope today’s sentence brings some solace to the victim and her family.” Clark said the defendant, Malcolm Lugo, 24, last of 3988 Bronxwood Avenue in

By DAVID GREENE, SÍLE MOLONEY & JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following story is an updated version of the one that appears in our latest print edition. As officials from the Bronx office of the New York City Board of Elections were busy tallying votes at their Grand Concourse headquarters to determine the outcome of the District 11 and District 15 City Council special elections a few weeks ago, the president of the Bronx NAACP, said voter education is key to the future of a free and fair society. It may also be key to a more dynamic primary election season. Biarni Burke, president of the Bronx chapter

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner, Basil Seggos, announced on Sunday, May 2, that “New York State Compost Awareness Week” is taking place from May 2-8. Compost Awareness Week raises awareness statewide of the environmental benefits of composting, and the declaration was formalized in a recent proclamation signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Recycling food scraps, grass, leaves, yard clippings, and other organic materials through composting reduces New York’s dependence on landfills and combustors and helps to lower climate-altering emissions while producing valuable, nutrient-rich compost that improves soil health and water quality. Seggos said New

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for Ironworkers, Local Union #40 & #361, will conduct a recruitment drive from May 5 through May 19, 2021 for 100 ironworker (outside) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced on Friday, April 30. The agency said that the 100 individual apprenticeships represent the total number of openings across two separate recruitment regions – Long Island and New York City. Applications must be obtained and submitted online at www.nycironworkers.org, starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 and ending at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Applicants