NYPD Sergeant Arrested on DUI Charges in 50th Precinct

On Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 3.20 a.m., Mario A. Morales, 47, an off duty NYPD Sergeant, was arrested and charged in the 50th precinct with charges of driving while intoxicated, and refusal to take a breath test. According to publicly available records, Morales became a police officer on March 1, 2000. He was promoted to detective on Dec. 22, 2005. Less than six months later, on May 26, 2006, he became a sergeant. Over the course of his career, he has been honored with recognition for excellent and meritorious police duty work and has been commended

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of longtime labor leader, Larry Moskowitz, to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) on Thursday, April 29. According to the press release, the CFB is an independent and non-partisan agency that administers one of the strongest, most effective campaign finance systems in the country. “As New Yorkers prepare to make their voices heard in local elections this year, they need a Campaign Finance Board that ensures the democratic process is conducted with integrity and fairness. Larry Moskowitz is the perfect choice to carry the CFB’s work forward

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An annual stakeholders event honoring award recipients was held on Wednesday, April 21, as part of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s successful CureViolence program, called Stand Up To Violence (SUV). During the ceremony, the work of dedicated community partners was acknowledged, the progress made over the past year was on display, and the plan for peace in the year ahead was discussed. Present at the COVID-19 compliant event, which took place at Bronxwood International Church, located 3232 Lurting Avenue in the East Bronx, were NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s Stand Up To Violence (SUV) team, Pastor Jay Gooding, Assembly Member Nathalia

By MICHAEL HOROWITZ

As an American Jew, I try hard not to have a persecution complex when it comes to anti-Semitic acts, like last weekend’s attacks on four synagogues in the Fieldston and Riverdale sections of the Bronx, as reported by Norwood News. However, in retrospect, I view the attacks on these houses of worship as part of a trend that has engulfed our city, our state, and our nation ever since Donald Trump first ran for President of the United States. Trump successfully used scapegoating, as bigots and self-seeking politicians do, to increase support for his causes and cover up

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Newly elected, District 15 councilman, Oswald Feliz, announced on April 22 that he has been selected to join both the City Council’s education committee and the public housing committee. Feliz was declared the winner of the District 15 race earlier this month and is now set to defend his seat in the upcoming June primary. He replaced former councilman and now Congressman Ritchie Torres, who represents the 15th congressional district, following his general election win in November 2020. Meanwhile, District 11 councilman, Eric Dinowitz, is serving on the following committees: aging; civil service & labor; consumer affairs &

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Fordham Anti-Racist Alumni Collective (FAAC) announced on Monday, April 26, that the group had compiled a list of student grievances against the faculty, administration, and staff of Fordham University, which were submitted by victims through the group’s Instagram accounts. “These powerful accounts of racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, sexual harassment, lack of professionalism and institutional neglect expose Fordham University’s record of failure to hold faculty, administrators and staff accountable for harm caused in the classroom and on campus,” a statement from FAAC read. The alumni group, which is committed to amplifying the demands of Black students at Fordham University,

By DAVID GREENE

It’s been a long, emotional year for everyone, ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit our shores last spring. For the NYPD, policing compliance with the statewide lockdown took its toll, as public frustration, then anger mounted, bodies piled up, and PPE was initially in short supply. That was before mass, almost daily, street protests took off in the wake of the horrific killing of George Floyd by now convicted, former police officer, Derek Chauvin. Public condemnation was swift regarding the handling of the protests by the NYPD and more negative press and vitriol ensued when video emerged of police vehicles

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial, and if they feel the verdict could be a turning point in police/community relations. “I don’t think it’s right. The government has to be more careful now, because what they did to George [Floyd] was not right, because there was discrimination. I think we’re all equal, everyone, White and Black and Spanish, all around the country, so I think the police officers have to care a little bit more about what’s going on, and do what they’re supposed to do. The verdict will help,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Woodlawn Cemetery held an “Earth Day Celebration” on Saturday, April 24, 2021, following the official Earth Day on Thursday, April 22. The event took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and well over 200 people attended. Both adults and children enjoyed trolley rides, tree carving, (small grey fox) tree planting workshops, tree identification walks, arts & crafts, yoga on the lawn, and a free hot dog lunch, complete with a bag of chips and bottled water. Kids did not go empty-handed either and received a goodie bag filled with the Woodlawn Arboretum coloring book and