Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo Bring Some Festive Cheer to Kids (& Adults)

By DAWN CLANCY

The Bronx Zoo has officially kicked off the festive season with the return of its annual Holiday Lights celebration. From now until Jan. 10, families and friends of the zoo can meander through an outdoor, illuminated menagerie of land and sea animals from far-away corners of the world. For many, the experience provides a much-needed boost of holiday cheer, and a brief but welcome respite from the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michelle Witkowski, 31, a mother of two, recently travelled from Brooklyn to see the light show. “We’ve had tickets for a month. My kids have been so

By DAVID GREENE

One trend seen throughout the pandemic has been the collaboration between community volunteers, philanthropic organizations and private and government sectors in filling the vacuum created by an unprecedented and urgent need for food and other essential services. One such example is where healthcare plan provider, Fidelis Care, teamed up with Rethink Food in partnership with Essen Health Care each Monday throughout December to provide free gourmet meals, and free rapid COVID testing to both the general public and to local healthcare professionals. Having kicked off the initiative on Monday, Dec. 4, the coalition aimed to distribute 2,400

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday Dec. 23, 2020, at around 12.02 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress in front of 1097 Boston Road in Morrisania, in the 42nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers encountered a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the neck. EMS also responded to the scene and transported the teen to NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. The deceased was identified as James Solano of 1020 Trinity Avenue in the Bronx. On Monday, Dec. 28, Marquis Beckford, 22, of East

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts up to 65 mph, starting Thursday evening, Dec. 24, and continuing into Friday, Dec. 25. Accordingly, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. Department officials said the agency will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city, and if sites are not secured, it will issue violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx is celebrating with cheerful holiday performances, and viewers can share in that holiday spirit by tuning in to BronxNet. The seasonal line-up includes Handel’s Messiah performed by The Orchestra of The Bronx and Bronx Opera Company, Manhattan College’s Lessons and Carols, a virtual Nutcracker by the Paige Fraser Foundation, a Parranda celebration by Casita Maria, and Pregones PRTT’s Fiesta Navideña. Handel’s Messiah features readers from the Bronx community including Dr. Ruth Westheimer, NYS Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, NYC Councilman Andrew Cohen, Congressman José E. Serrano, Bronx Community College President Thomas Isekenegbe, Riverdale Press Editor Michael Hinman, and BronxNet

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 at around 8.17 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot in front of 915 Prospect Place in the William McKinley Houses section of the Bronx, located in the 42nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 29-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the left arm and head. EMS responded to the location, and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was pronounced deceased on Thursday, Sept. 17. There were no arrests and the investigation remained ongoing. The deceased was identified as Jaguar Housey, 29, of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Dec. 23 that nine alleged Bloods gang members have been indicted on various charges of sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking and promoting prostitution, as well as additional charges for running a sex trafficking ring out of multiple Bronx motels and other hotels around the city. The defendants are Angel Cano, 22, Bronx, Luis Cano aka Lou, 23, Bronx, Brandon Diaz aka Billz, 27, Bronx, Elvis Dominguez aka LV, 24, Bronx, Ashley Garcia, 19, Bronx, Andrew Garcia aka Drew, 23, Bronx, Shaquille

By SÍLE MOLONEY & JOSÉ A. GIRALT

As the holidays reach peak season, the NYPD has also been stepping up its ongoing outreach efforts with local communities, organizing a number of kid-friendly, holiday events across the borough. Meanwhile, the report by the City’s Department of Investigation into the NYPD’s handling of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations this year was released on Friday, Dec. 18, amid some scathing criticism from legal groups. On Friday, Dec. 11, the Police Athletic League (PAL) hosted a bunch of children at PAL’s new South Bronx Center to kick off the holiday season with an outdoor tree lighting ceremony. Organized by PAL

By SÍLE MOLONEY

According to the latest NYPD crime statistics for the 52nd precinct covering Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights, grand theft auto (motor vehicle theft) crimes were up by 128.6 percent in the 28 days prior to Dec.13, compared to the same period last year. Norwood News reached out to the 52nd precinct to see if police could provide any insight or identify any patterns as to why this was the case. Officer José Fernandez said, “As of now, a lot has to do with people double-parking their vehicles to go into the store, or to

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Archive

Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo Bring Some Festive Cheer to Kids (& Adults)

Fidelis Coalition Helps Local Restaurants to Feed Bronxites & Get Tested for COVID-19

Update: Man Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old in Morrisania

DOB: Property Owners, Contractors, & Crane Operators To Take Precaution During High Winds

Handel’s Messiah & Other Holiday Performances on BronxNet

Anthony Taveras Morales Sought in Connection with Fatal Shooting of Jaguar Housey

Bloods Gang Members Indicted for Sex Trafficking Ring in Multiple Bronx Motels

NYPD Hosts Various Holiday Events as DOI Releases Report on NYPD Handling of BLM Protests

Sharp Rise in Grand Theft Auto Rates in 52nd Precinct