Friends of Devoe Park Gather for Park Clean-Up & Crocus Bulb Planting Event

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As part of their regular and ongoing efforts to clean-up parks in the Northwest Bronx, and generally to promote a strong community spirit, Friends of Devoe Park (FoDP), along with some members of Northwest Bronx Democrats for Change, gathered, once again, on Saturday, Nov. 7, to take part in a crocus bulb-planting and clean-up event. This week, they were joined by a representative of Partnership for Parks, a public-private program that, according to their social media page, supports and champions a growing network of leaders who care and advocate for neighborhood parks and green spaces. The program

By DAVID GREENE

A pair of police patrol officers from the 52nd precinct who were on routine patrol along Jerome Avenue recently helped track down a runaway dog and reunite it with its grateful owner. The unidentified owner was walking her dog in St. James Park at Jerome Avenue and West 192nd Street in Fordham Manor at around 12 noon on Sunday, Nov 1, when she became separated from her canine companion. Recounting the story, moments after being reunited with the pooch, the owner said, “He was playing in the park and some kids left, and I guess he wanted to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Oct. 29, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and will be sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentence will run concurrently with a five-year sentence for gun possession in a separate case. According to the investigation, on Oct. 23, 2016, at about 2 a.m., the defendant, who uses a wheelchair, fired multiple shots at Kevin Thomas, 28, during a dispute in the Mott Haven Houses, striking the victim 13 times. He fled the scene and was arrested on Jan. 20, 2017, in a location in the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at 2.31 a.m., an off-duty New York City employee was arrested and charged in the 49th precinct in the Bronx. Hector Martinez, 39, an NYPD police officer, was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with impaired ability from alcohol intake.

South Bronx: Police Seek Public’s Help to Locate Missing 65-Year-Old Man

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Michael Thomas, 65, of 345 East 146th Street, who was reported missing on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in the 40th precinct. Thomas was last seen at his home in the South Bronx on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at 7.40 p.m. He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds, and was last seen wearing dark clothing. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Gabriella Gabrielsen, 41, of 345 East 146th Street in the South Bronx, in the 40th precinct. It was reported to police that Gabrielsen was last seen on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at approximately 2 p.m., inside her home in the South Bronx. Gabrielsen is described as female, White, 5 feet, 6 inches, weighs 100 pounds, and was last seen wearing all dark clothing. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Census 2020 director, Julie Menin, announced her resignation from the de Blasio administration on Nov. 10, weeks after overcoming the initial phase of the pandemic, a fiscal crisis, and hostility from the Trump administration to achieve record census response rates in New York City. Menin leaves city government after years of service in both the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, including commissioner of the department of consumer affairs, commissioner of media & entertainment, executive assistant corporation counsel and redistricting commissioner. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio paid tribute to Menin, saying, “Julie Menin has an extraordinary record

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, restaurants are facing an entirely new set of challenges. In response, DoorDash is providing $5,000 grants to small businesses selected through an application process in select cities across the US. The grants are part of DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative to help restaurants recover and succeed amidst COVID-19 related challenges. The $5,000 in grants will also help offset the costs for outdoor heating. Eligibility Requirements: Must have 3 stores or fewer currently operating Must have $3 million or less in 2019 annual revenue per store Must employ 50 people or fewer per store Full details for DoorDash’s Local Restaurant Grants Program can

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, has released a simpler loan forgiveness application process for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. The agency said the action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses, while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The SBA and Treasury departments said the move eases the burden on PPP lenders, allowing them to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. The SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications, and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders in favor