Salazar, Mark-Viverito Endorse Elisa Crespo in 15th City Council District Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Both State Sen. Julia Salazar and former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced on Monday, Dec. 14, that they are endorsing Elisa Crespo for the 15th District City Council seat, currently held by newly elected congressman, Ritchie Torres. In a video shared on Twitter, Mark-Viverito said, “We need a candidate who will create pathways for unemployed workers, particularly those stigmatized by race, gender identity, or former incarceration status. We must seize upon this moment to make history, and elect bold leaders who are prepared to tackle the fights ahead. That’s why I’m proud to endorse mi hermana, a fellow Latina,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As previously reported by the Norwood News, the Foundation for Excellence in Education (FLAG) Award for Teaching Excellence opened its nomination process for this school year’s awards program in October. The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers in each borough who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. The nomination period for 2020 has since been extended to Jan. 3, 2021. Jurists include Betty A. Rosa, interim commissioner of the New York State education department, and Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, chancellor of the City University of New York. Students, parents, school personnel, and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Monday, Dec. 14, there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold in the Dec. 13, Take-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in the Bronx, Shirley and in Rego Park, at the following locations: E&M Wine & Liquors located at 1242 Ogden Avenue in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, which sold one prize winning ticket worth $17,558.00 Nirvana Vape & Smoke located at 800 Montauk Highway in Shirley, which sold one prize winning ticket worth $17,558.00 Lucky Corner located at 93-23 63rd Drive in Rego Park, which sold one prize winning ticket worth $17,598.00

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Jamisha McKay, 19, who lives in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, in the 43rd precinct. McKay was last seen on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at approximately 1.15 p.m., inside her home at 420 Howe Avenue. She is described as being approximately 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. There is no known clothing description for McKay as of the time she was last seen. Anyone with information with regard to this missing person is asked

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Dec. 1, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, issued an open letter to all New Yorkers, citing the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases and calling on all New Yorkers to remain vigilant about adhering to public health guidance. In the letter, he said to further protect people who are most at risk for severe COVID-19, the City’s health department was advising adults over 65 and people with certain underlying health conditions, as well as household members and caregivers of these people, to limit activities outside their

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Nov. 9, the New York Public Library (NYPL) had introduced a Phase 2 opening service, providing desktop computer usage to library users, limited browsing at 14 branch libraries, as well as in-person appointments and grab-and-go pick up at research libraries. However, on Monday, Nov. 16, representatives said that after careful examination of the recent unfavorable trends in COVID-19 cases across New York City, NYPL made the difficult decision to roll back to a Phase 1 opening service, system-wide. On Nov. 25, NYPL closed three libraries on Staten Island, following the State’s designation of the impacted areas as orange

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Due to the chance of colder winter weather in the forecast, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Winter Operations Advisory for Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. The department said that its snow clearing equipment is ready to tackle any winter weather coming our way, and added that the advisory does not constitute a snow alert, since an alert would require that Open Restaurants cease roadway dining. To better facilitate continued operations for Open Restaurant participants this year, DSNY said it will issue both “Snow Alerts” and “Winter Operations Advisories,” with the department planning to use

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx Night Market is pausing its usual winter, off-season break to support the local micro-business community, predominantly immigrant-owned businesses reeling from the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated shutdowns. Though usually closed during the winter months, the beloved open-air festival is taking a stand and curating a Holiday Market on Fordham Plaza where all proceeds will be donated to support market and street vendors critically affected by the pandemic. The event, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20, will kick-off for a winter series specifically aimed at allowing these businesses to engage

By DAVID GREENE

With food insecurity never as widespread as it has been throughout 2020, elected officials across the borough were out in force, once again, a few weeks ago handing out frozen turkeys so that Bronxites could enjoy a regular, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, despite the abnormal atmosphere amid the pandemic. On Monday, Nov. 16, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined representatives from FreshDirect and City Harvest at the corner of East 137th Street and Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven, to distribute 700 turkeys with all the trimmings, as well as PPE to local residents. In a press release ahead of the