Dekalb Avenue Building Explosion: Con Ed Investigation Continues

By DAVID GREENE

At least one resident of a Dekalb Avenue building in Norwood had a close call after he said his kitchen exploded for no apparent reason, prompting a substantial response from police, firefighters and paramedics. According to the FDNY, the incident was reported at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. In an initial call from an NYPD dispatcher that was rebroadcast over the Citizens App, the dispatcher reported, “52 precinct, unconfirmed 59-explosion, 3521 Dekalb Avenue.” The dispatcher added, “Explosion in the kitchen; cabinets have been blown out.” Video from the Citizens App showed several fire trucks and an NYPD

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

When members of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) held their usual, virtual, monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6, concerns were raised over the impact of New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) plans for two new housing developments at East Bedford Park Boulevard and Webster Avenue, which form part of a 2011 re-zoning plan to revitalize 88 blocks of Webster Avenue. According to Barbara Stronczer, president of BMCA, and as reported by the Norwood News, the $93 million housing and retail project was due to incorporate 188 reduced-income apartments for seniors at 2856 Webster Avenue in 2020. This was to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Mino Lora, candidate for City Council in the 11th District in The Bronx, and previously profiled by the Norwood News, picked up the endorsement of City Councilman and Deputy Leader Jimmy Van Bramer on Jan. 26. Lora is running in the March 23rd special election in the district. Van Bramer is chair of the City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries, co-founder of the Council’s progressive caucus, co-chair of the Council’s budget negotiating team and a candidate for Queens Borough President. Lora is an educator and the executive director of the People’s Theatre Project. Van Bramer said that

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of Jazelle Phifer, 16, of 2970 Bainbridge Avenue, who was reported missing on Monday, Feb 1, in Bedford Park, in the 52nd precinct. Jazelle was last seen at her home at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. She is described as female, Black, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and was last seen wearing all dark clothing. Anyone with information with regard to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jessica Haller, candidate in the District 11 City Council race, for which a special election is set for March 23, announced on Feb. 2 that she has contracted the coronavirus. Saying that, normally, she wouldn’t share information about her health, Haller, nonetheless, said she felt like it was important to let residents know what was going on with her family. “Even having adhered rigorously to mask-wearing and other guidelines, I have contracted COVID,” she wrote in a written press release. “I may have been exposed during a medical appointment. At the same time, coincidentally, my daughter, who is studying

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Board of Trustees of The City University of New York (CUNY) voted on Monday, Feb. 1, to appoint Dr. Fernando Delgado, executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Minnesota Duluth, as the next president of Lehman College. Dr. Delgado’s appointment will be effective July 1. Reacting to the announcement, Delgado said he was honored to be selected for the role and fully embraces the college’s mission of access and student success. “As the child of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, I relate very personally to the values of Lehman and CUNY, what they offer

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Following the recent snow storm, the New York City Department of Education (DoE) announced on Tuesday, Feb. 2., that New York City district elementary, early childhood education, and District 75 buildings will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3, 2021. All programs and activities will be held as scheduled. Takeout and community meals will resume at all locations. DoE thanked all custodial engineers and custodial staff who are out in full force today to shovel snow, clear sidewalks, and ensure the buildings are ready for staff and students to safely return tomorrow.

Van Cortlandt Park: Daylight Robbery of Livery Driver

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is asking the public’s assistance identifying the man seen in the attached photo and video who is sought in connection with a gunpoint robbery that occurred in the 50th precinct. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at 1 p.m., in the vicinity of Hudson Parkway and Mosholu Parkway, in Van Cortlandt Park, a 28-year old male livery driver stopped to offer assistance to a vehicle that appeared to have mechanical trouble on the side of the road. When the suspect got into the victim’s livery car, the suspect displayed a firearm and demanded money

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Departs is asking the public’s assistance in identifying the woman seen in the attached photos in connection with a robbery that occurred in the 52nd precinct. On Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at approximately 6.47 a.m., in front of 83 West Fordham Road in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, an unidentified woman approached a 35-year-old female victim, punched her about the body and forcibly removed her jacket. The suspect then fled on foot eastbound on West Fordham Road towards Jerome Avenue. The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention on scene.