UPDATE: COVID-19 Delta Variant Spotlights Vaccine Hesitancy in the Bronx Once Again

The following is an extended version of the story that recently appeared in our print edition. Like many New Yorkers, Dilletta Pina, a 70-year-old retiree from Norwood, worries about the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta variant. To stay safe, Pina never leaves her house without a mask, diligently washes her hands, and practices social distancing. But, like some of her fellow Bronxites, there is one step she’s not yet ready to take, and that’s getting the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, compared to other boroughs, as reported, the Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

In gratitude for the sacrifice of the African Ancestors who built what is now Van Cortlandt Park, the African Burial Ground located within the park, was consecrated during a special, live-streamed Juneteenth ceremony on June 19. Cultural consultant, Peggy King Jorde, hosted the proceedings. According to newjersey.com, King Jorde has been involved in memorializing and preserving African burial grounds for nearly 30 years, after what started as a one-time project on a Manhattan site during her time working in the design and construction office of former New York City mayor, the late David Dinkins. That work grew into

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES, MICHAEL HOROWITZ & SÍLE MOLONEY

Beloved, local character and restauranteur, Joe Torres Sr., was honored during a street co-naming ceremony in Soundview on June 26, in the presence of family, friends, neighbors, former customers and elected officials. “Joe Torres Way,” a section of street encompassing Westchester and Thierrot Avenues was renamed in memory of Torres on the recommendation of Assemblyman José Rivera and Freddy Jr Perez, president at FPJ Amusements & Entertainment Services, Inc. It was an apt tribute to Torres Sr., who owned and ran Joe’s Place, an upbeat, family-friendly, Puerto Rican themed restaurant, located at 1843 Westchester Avenue in Soundview, for more than

The United States Postal Service (USPS) Van Cott branch in Norwood is apparently back open following a temporary closure lasting nearly two weeks, and despite confirmation from USPS that the branch would remain closed until Friday, July 11. Following several, prior, temporary closures due to flooding and the presence of a foul odor in early 2019, the Van Cott post office, located at 3102 Decatur Avenue was, once again, found to be closed on Monday, June 24. On that date, a mobile post office was parked out front in which staff were seen carrying out most regular post office

Veterans make up one of the most vital demographics within our local community. Many of us may have heard about our veterans, or know someone who is a veteran, but how much do we really know about our veteran colleagues, friends and neighbors, and the challenges they face? Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7)’s Veterans Affairs Committee dug deeper into this topic by seeking feedback from several agencies and partners, and from veterans, themselves. To date, the committee has covered quite a few important veterans’ topics, such as the importance of accessing dental care, why caregivers are important, knowing one’s

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Anthony Rivieccio, founder and CEO of The Financial Advisors Group, a local, online business celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, confirmed on June 30 that 65 percent of the group is being sold to outside investors. At the same time, Rivieccio has launched a new financial business, Rivieccio Financial Advisors. Describing the former business as a fee-only, financial-planning firm, specializing in solving clients’ financial problems, Rivieccio said he first got into the finance world on July 1, 1991, when he became a licensed broker and entered what he called the whacky world of Wall Street. “In those days, it

Over 120 preschoolers from the New York Institute for Special Education recently participated in the school’s annual “Trike-a-Thon,” in efforts to raise needed funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event, held on Thursday, May 13, at Frampton Hall on Astor Avenue in Pelham Gardens, had students from the school’s ‘readiness program’ ride their tricycles through the halls of the school to raise money and awareness for the urgent work that St. Jude’s carries out each year, treating an average of 8,500 children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Students aged three to five obeyed speed limits

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating a woman reported missing in Morris Park, in the 49th precinct. It was reported to police that Eveline Cabral, 39, of 700 White Plains Road in Clason Point was last seen on Friday, July 9, at approximately 1.41 p.m., inside Einstein Hospital, located at 1825 Eastchester Road in Morris Park. Cabral is described as female, 39 years old, Black, approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighs about 108 pounds. Anyone with information with regard to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS

Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held one of its last meetings before the summer break on Thursday, June 17, to discuss neighborhood updates and various motions that were due to be tabled at the Board’s executive meeting held on June 23. It was an eventful meeting that touched upon a variety of topics and saw four motions passed. Two were presented by the housing, land use and economic development committee, one by the parks’ committee and one arose during the new business section of the meeting. The first motion which was passed by the Board pertained to