Author: admin

Bronx Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of Woman Already Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Brooklyn Teen

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Thursday, Feb. 24, that a Bronx man has been indicted for the sex-trafficking of a 28-year-old New Jersey woman, and is also under another indictment for sex-trafficking a 15-year-old Brooklyn girl. In both cases he allegedly beat and choked the victims.   Clark said the defendant, Reginald Cooke, AKA Reggie, 31, of Anderson Avenue in Highbridge, was arraigned on Thursday on three counts of sex trafficking, second-degree promoting prostitution, second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, fourth-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree assault, fourth-degree


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Op-Ed: Why You Shouldn’t Just Vote In the Presidential Election

By MARGARET GROARKE
  Presidential elections are important. But your vote also matters, probably even MORE so, in local elections. In New York City elections, we choose the people who will be in charge of many of the things that affect our daily lives. If you care about the quality of local schools, the way NYPD polices your community, the state of the parks, how safe it is to walk, drive or bike on our streets, those are all issues that are dealt with by the mayor and the City Council.    So, why did five times as many people vote in the


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Take-5, Top-Prize Lottery Ticket Sold in Norwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York Lottery announced there were multiple top-prize, winning tickets sold for the Feb 23, TAKE-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in The Bronx and in Huntington Station at the following locations:   Lucky Spot Convenience Corp located at 3401 Jerome Ave in the Norwood section of The Bronx, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $30,317.50 Huntington Card & Smoke Inc located at 517 East Jericho Tpke in Huntington Station, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $30,317.50   Take-5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. Drawings take place every evening at 10:30 p.m. Winning tickets


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BCC Students Shoot Short Film: “The Essential Bronx: COVID Stories”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    Like shows on Broadway, live performances by Bronx Community College (BCC)’s Theatre Workshop have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its students found another outlet for their talents in Essential Bronx COVID Stories Part 1, a powerful short film written, performed and shot by the students themselves.   Chronicled over the past year, these unique stories are now available to watch, and the public can get to know the lives of the students affected by the pandemic and experience them recounting their stories of struggle.   Dr. John Socas is director of the workshop at BCC.


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Bronx Polar Bears’ Annual Swim in Aid of the Homeless Cancelled Due to COVID-19

By DAVID GREENE
For the first time in over thirty years, the Bronx Polar Bears Club cancelled its annual St. Valentine’s Day swim at Orchard Beach, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   On Saturday, February 13, Anna Romanovich of Brooklyn, a 10-year member of the club, said, “This year is the first year we will have to skip the annual arctic adventure, a frosty tradition that brought the Polar Bear plunge to the Bronx.” The annual event sponsored by BronxNet and BronxWorks, helps raise funds and brings awareness to local groups working with the homeless.   Romanovich continued, “This year, it’s become yet


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District 11 June Primary Race: Abigail Martin Endorsed by NYC Kids PAC for City Council

By DAVID GREENE
City Council candidate in the District 11 Democratic June primary race, Abigail Martin, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 23, that she has received the endorsement of NYC Kids PAC, the only parent-led political action committee focused on NYC public schools.   NYC Kids PAC opposes the privatization of public schools, and advocates for the elimination of high-stakes testing and the reduction of class size and school overcrowding, among other issues. The organization advances its goals by supporting candidates for office who have demonstrated a commitment to improving New York City’s public schools.   Martin’s campaign said she is a parent of


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“Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” Virtual Walk-Through at Bronx Museum

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A special virtual walk-through of “Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” exhibition is currently on view in the Bronx Museum’s North Gallery. Shaun Leonardo will be joined by the exhibition’s curator, John Chaich, for an in-depth look at the exhibition and the artist’s process on Thursday, Feb. 25, between 1 and 2 p.m. Following the tour, the public is invited to ask questions and have a robust public conversation with both the artist and the curator. Register in advance HERE to receive the link to join.

SBA Now Offering PPP Loans to Sole Proprietors & Businesses with Less than 20 Employees

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID 
By SÍLE MOLONEY
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has offered several different relief options to help businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations recover from the impacts of COVID-19. However, despite this, and as reported previously by the Norwood News, the agency had not managed to reach the smallest businesses which have often suffered the brunt of the economic fallout from the pandemic.   That has now changed and the SBA is now offering Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to both sole proprietors and businesses with less than 20 employees with effect from Wednesday, Feb. 24 through Wednesday, March


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Empire State Building to be Lit in Red, Black & Green in Honor of Black History Month

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Fashion For All Foundation (FFA), founded by Hannah Stoudemire and Ali Richmond, have partnered with the NAACP NY State Chapter in lighting the Empire State Building in red, black and green (colors that represent the Pan African Flag) in honor of Black History Month 2021. According to the organization, it is the second year in a row that FFA has had the honor to light up the building, and the lighting will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Empire State Building will be lit for one evening only, starting at dusk (at 6:07 p.m.) and will shine all evening and


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