Police Advisory as Series of Schools Receive Envelopes Containing White Powder

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Friday, March 19, at 7.27 p.m., the NYPD issued a general press advisory, advising that from March 10, 2021 through March 19, six schools in Manhattan were mailed a similar-looking white envelope containing a white powdery substance. In each instance, the material was screened and determined to be non-hazardous. Each envelope has a U.S. flag stamp and a handwritten address in block letters. The NYPD shared an example of the envelope for public awareness. New NYC Schools Chancellor, Meisha Porter, had recently written an op-ed about her plans in her new role, and reassured children, parents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday, March 17, at approximately 3.03 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an aided infant inside 1069 Gerard Avenue in the Concourse section of the Bronx, in the 44th precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 1-month-old baby girl, unconscious and unresponsive, with no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location, and transported the aided infant to BronxCare Health System, where she was pronounced deceased. Police reported that the medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The infant has been identified as Hanniel Darkwah of 1068 Gerard Avenue, in the Bronx.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A lifelong resident of Van Nest, founder of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance, and a Bronx Community Board 11 (CB 11) board member since 2011, Bernadette Ferrara is one of ten candidates in the District 15 City Council District race, aiming to fill the seat vacated by former councilman and now Congressman Ritchie Torres. Though Norwood News requested an interview with Ferrara, time did not allow for this finally, and so, here, we present a profile of Ferrara’s candidacy based on her campaign platform, and on her public comments during recent interviews and debates on three areas: housing, policing,

By ONI TONGO

March is National Nutrition Month. It’s a great time to think about what we eat, and how we can make healthy food and physical activity part of our lives. We can celebrate by trying a new food or recipe, making healthy snacks with our kids, or adding a different physical activity into our daily routine. This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate,” which is all about choosing food and fitness goals that work best for you. Our city and our neighborhoods are diverse, and folks have unique food preferences and tastes. That means we also have a lot

Editor’s Pick Want to see a live entertainment show? Join the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts for a series of “Rhythm of Dance” live shows from March 16 to March 21. This incredible show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, showcasing a wealth of Irish talent, and featuring World and Irish champion dancers, and some of the finest traditional musicians and singers. Combining traditional dance and music with the most up-to-date stage technology, this two-hour dance and music extravaganza takes the audience on an exhilarating, energy-packed time trip through the ages. To register for tickets, visit https://www.lehmancenter.org/events.

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on life one year on from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just want this [expletive] to be over with, I just want to go back to school. I just want everything to go back to normal. No, I didn’t think it was that serious when this first started. I thought it would [have been] over by now and it hasn’t – that’s how serious it was, and how many people have died.” Aameenah Islam West Farms “I just came out of the nursing home, and I was with

By DAVID GREENE

A few dozen home care workers held a rally in the Bronx on Friday, March 12, to push for the passage of the “Fair Pay for Home Care Act,” which aims to guarantee workers better conditions. Low wages and poor conditions have been causing a mass exodus from the profession, affecting both elderly and disabled people, who are usually cared for in their homes by such workers. However, due to the shortage, seniors and people with disabilities are increasingly being forced to enter already overburdened nursing homes. The Fair Pay for Home Care Act (S-5374) was introduced on

By MEISHER PORTER

This week, I began leading the nation’s largest public school system, a school system that serves more than one million students, including, many years ago – me! I am both excited and honored to take on this role. Not only because I am a New Yorker, born and bred, but because education is in my blood. Both my mom and auntie were teachers, and between them have 40 years of changing young people’s lives. I became a New York City public school educator because of them, and the amazing teachers I had as a student, myself – like Ms. Pearlman, my

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police responded to a 911 call regarding a woman who had been shot inside 3339 Hull Avenue, in Norwood, in the 52nd precinct on Wednesday, March 17, at approximately 10.09 p.m. Upon arrival, officers observed a 20-year-old woman inside the location, unconscious and unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to her head. EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Jacobi, where she was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing. The identity of the deceased is pending proper family notification. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is