Health Check: Take Care of Your Mental Health

By Dr. GIFTY AMPADU

Each year, usually around the start of the year, which is just around the corner, we are encouraged to meet with our primary care physician to assess our physical wellbeing. Not often prioritized as part of this routine is an effort to assess our psychological and emotional wellbeing, which is concerning, because poor mental health has an impact on physical wellbeing and quality of life. Mental health problems continue to rise across the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased isolation, anxiety, unresolved grief, stress, and financial and housing insecurities, all of which are predictors of a mental health crisis. Also at risk are people with chronic medical

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Friday, Dec. 17, that there were multiple, top-prize winning tickets sold for the Dec. 16, TAKE 5 drawing. The tickets were sold in The Bronx, East Aurora, and Manhattan, at the following locations: Layton Avenue Food Corp, located at 3201 Layton Avenue in Country Club section of the Bronx, which sold one prize-winning ticket, worth $14,004.50 Tops Markets #118 located at 65 Grey Street in East Aurora which sold one prize-winning ticket, worth $14,004.50 163 Liquors Store Inc located at 2001 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, which sold one prize-winning ticket, worth $14,004.50 TAKE

By SÍLE MOLONEY

There was plenty of holiday cheer to be had on Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 7, as the annual, holiday, tree-lighting event, organized by Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) and Friends of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP), made a welcome return. Amid the ongoing pandemic, and prior to the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, last year’s tree-lighting event was carried out discreetly, with no formal gathering. This year, the event which took place on the Bedford Park/Norwood border, where masks were required, saw about 200 people gather in front of a large stage set-up specifically for the occasion. They

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers if they believe the original West Side Story movie accurately portrayed the racism experienced by Puerto Ricans in New York City at the time the movie was made. “I don’t know about the racism; that was, like, 50 years ago, but I saw the coming attractions to the new film, and it doesn’t look anything like the original.” Phyllis Butler, Norwood “I guess that was before most people’s time. I’m 73, I grew up in the South Bronx in the 50s and 60s… I was traumatized, man. My brother had to fight and run from

By Dr. DAVE A. CHOKSHI

As a father of a young child and the City’s doctor, it has been especially meaningful for me to see so many brave children roll up their sleeves to get vaccinated against COVID-19. I have had the privilege of being present when some have gotten their first dose. I remember one young person had tragically lost their mother to the COVID-19 pandemic. The family felt relief and joy after waiting so long for the comfort of knowing the child was protected. Since the COVID-19 vaccine was authorized, over 140,000 children ages 5-11 have received at least one dose in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police have arrested a 41-year-old man had been sought for questioning in relation to a burglary that occurred in Bedford Park in the 52nd precinct, in October. He has been charged with robbery, burglary, and a number of other additional charges. As reported, on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at approximately 9.40 p.m., at a residence in the vicinity of East 204th Street and Grand Concourse, a man gained entry into a 22-year-old woman’s home through an open front door. He displayed a firearm and demanded money from the victim. He managed to successfully remove jewelry, valued at

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 56-year-old man who was reported missing in Allerton, in the 49th precinct. Alfredo Peters, 56, of 2401 Laconia Avenue in Allerton, was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at around midnight, leaving his home. He is described as male, has a medium build, is Black, is approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds, has brown eyes, is bald, and was last seen wearing gray pants, a multi-colored shirt, and black sneakers. Anyone with information regarding this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD confirmed on Wednesday that a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Bedford Park, in the 52nd precinct, has been found and is safe. Earlier on Wednesday, Dec. 15, the NYPD had sought the public’s assistance in locating the missing teenager. Prior to being found, Yesenia Soto, 13, of Briggs Avenue in Bedford Park, had last been seen in her home on Tuesday Dec. 14, at 7.30 a.m. She is described as female, 13 years of age, Hispanic, is 4 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair, and had last

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Tuesday, Dec. 14, that a Bronx man has been charged with attempted murder and additional offenses for a shooting that wounded a woman as she pushed her two-year-old daughter in a stroller in the Marble Hill neighborhood. Clark said, “The defendant acted recklessly with indifference to life when he fired a gun on a Bronx street. The bullet did not strike his target; instead it struck a woman who was pushing her two-year-old daughter in a stroller.” She added, “No person, let alone a mother and her child, should have to fear