Health Check: Answering Community Questions about Mental Health

By CARLOS TEJEDA

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to share information and resources about good mental health. Mental Health America has chosen as its 2023 theme for the month “Look around, Look within.” Dr. Brenda Boatswain is the wellbeing manager at Montefiore Einstein and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Here, she answers questions from the community about mental health. What can people do to prevent mental illness? When we talk about prevention of mental illness, we should discuss things that can be done, even before a person is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A diverse community group comprising teenagers, adults, around 13 kids including a 3-year-old toddler, his grandparents, and a storeowner ensured there were happy smiles all around Bedford Park last week after they each worked in different ways to reunite a friendly lost husky called Kenzie with his rightful owners, but not before a few impromptu chases took place across Mosholu Parkway. Nora Hamond told Norwood News that she was about to enter her building in the vicinity of East 201st Street near Marion Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, April 26, with her 3-year-old grandson, Javier Sierra Hamond, while her husband

By ARIEL PACHECO

Concourse Village Elementary School held a memorial ceremony for former student Angellyh Yambo on March 30 during which the school’s art room, a place she loved to hang out, was dedicated to her. The former student, who spent much of her youth in Kingsbridge Heights, was tragically killed in broad daylight as she walked home from school with friends in Mott Haven on April 8, 2022. She was hit by a stray bullet shot by a then 17-year-old male youth. The private ceremony, which her family and friends attended, was held to honor and memorialize Angellyh who, according to

By DAVID GREENE

Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the 6th Annual Child Safety Fair hosted by the Office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, held at the Baychester Community Center, located at 1220 East 229th Street in Edenwald on Saturday, April 15. Outside the community center the NYPD shutdown Schieffelin Avenue where a basketball station and a bouncy house was set up for the daylong event. Dozens of tables were set up inside and outside the center as various city agencies and local nonprofits provided information on healthcare and various programs. There were also some free giveaways. Other groups in

By DAVID GREENE

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance identifying the people seen in the attached photos who police say are sought in connection to an armed home invasion, robbery and assault that occurred in March in Morrisania. Police said that on Thursday, March 23, at approximately 10 p.m. inside a residential building located at 547 East 168th Street, two unidentified people broke into an apartment. They said one displayed a gun and the other a cutting device, and stabbed a 30-year-old female victim in the left arm causing a laceration. A police spokesperson said, “The individuals then removed

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the recent announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden of his decision to run for reelection in 2024. If he were to win, he would be 82 years old when sworn into office. “I think it’s fantastic. I think he’ll be a great, great president when he gets reelected. I don’t buy that [he’s too old]. I don’t believe in Fox News. I believe in facts, not fiction. The president has all his faculties, absolutely! He will run again. Against whom? No comment if you catch my drift.” Jeff Corman, Kingsbridge “Well,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department said a 15-year-old girl reported missing from Bedford Park has been located. Prior to being located, police said Esmaylin Soriano, of Decatur Avenue had last been seen on Monday, May 1, at around 7 a.m., leaving her home. Esmaylin was described as female, is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, is Hispanic White, has brown eyes and curly brown hair. Prior to being located, police said she had last been seen wearing gray jeans, red ‘Vans’ sneakers, and a black, hooded sweatshirt. Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story included

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Tuesday, May 2, that a mechanic has been charged with criminally negligent homicide of his 25-year-old apprentice co-worker, for failing to implement critical safety features, which led to an elevator collapse in a building in the Mt. Eden section of The Bronx in February 2021. In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant, a mechanic, was working with the victim to upgrade an elevator inside a Bronx building. The defendant allegedly failed to comply with multiple safety protocols, and because of those faults the elevator car plunged six stories,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s help identifying the three people seen in the attached photo who police say are sought in connection with an assault that occurred in Wakefield. Police said that on Sunday, April 16, at approximately 8.15 a.m., a 68-year-old male MTA employee became engaged in a dispute with three unidentified females on the platform of the Wakefield-241st Street subway station. “One of the individuals then struck the victim in the head with a broomstick, while the other two individuals punched him,” a police spokesperson said. “The individuals then fled out of the