Archive

Health Check: What We Can Learn About Physical Distancing From Older Generations

By Gary J. Kennedy MD
  There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has changed many things in our world over the past few months. I’ve heard concerns from families and communities about how older adults will cope with physical distancing, but we see that with age comes some advantages.   Positivity bias – Older adults exhibit what has been described as a “positivity bias”. They tend toward optimism more so than their younger counterparts. They have rebounded from adversity before, likely many times over their lives, and expect to do so again. Even in the face of uncertainty older adults often have a positive outlook and


Read More

Bronx Bus Improvements Underway as Phase III of Reopening Approaches

By Síle Moloney
Phase III of the City’s reopening plan is set to go into effect on Monday, Jul. 6, incorporating personal care services like manicuring and tattooing. Indoor dining has been postponed because of the recent rise in coronavirus cases in cities which reopened indoor dining too soon. In June, Mayor Bill de Blasio, in conjunction with the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that nine major bus lane projects were underway in preparation for reopening, including one major bus project along the 149th Street corridor in the Bronx.   The corridor incorporates four bus routes, Bx2, Bx4, Bx17 and Bx19, and


Read More

Norwood: Extensive, Industrial-Style Clean-Up Underway at 205th Street Station

By Síle Moloney
  An extensive, industrial-style, subway clean-up is underway at Norwood’s 205th Street subway station, and will continue throughout the coming days. A professional team of about ten cleaners, suited in protective equipment and masks, began a major clean-up at the station on Jun. 29. The workers were seen getting into all the nooks and crannies in the ceiling and along the walls and stairs using a power spray, and various chemical agents.   Initially, because of hoses seen on the subway floor, some people thought that the station had been flooded by the heavy rain which fell late on the


Read More

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale: Learning The Art of Effective Communication

By Auréole Ribes
The word of the day, announced over Zoom chat, at the most recent Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, was “polyvalent” which means “having different functions, forms or facets”. There is hardly a better word to describe the club.   Toastmasters International is a non-profit, educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, which just last month celebrated its 21st anniversary since its foundation, is one of 16,800 such clubs, collectively comprising 358,000 members across 143 countries. Since 1924, the organization has helped people from diverse cultural and socio-economic


Read More

Pet Budgie Lost, Owner Seeks Help from Public

By Síle Moloney
    The owner of the budgie shown in the photo is requesting the public’s assistance in locating her pet, called Dave. She said he is not the best flyer and apparently gets tired fast. If found, Dave needs to be caught as fast as possible.   More details and contact information for the owner are attached.    

Norwood: Suspect in Attempted Morning Rape Identified and Charged

By Síle Moloney
Police confirm on Jun. 28, 2020, that the man shown in the attached photos and videos who was wanted for questioning by the NYPD in connection to an attempted rape on Jun. 26, within the confines of the 52nd precinct, has been identified and charged. Pursuant to the ongoing investigation, Michael Rosa, 25, of Melrose, Bronx, NY has been arrested and charged with attempted rape, strangulation, sexual abuse, forcible touching and assault.   On Friday, Jun. 26, 2020, at approximately 8:00 a.m., a 27-year-old female victim was entering a residential building located at 3345 Reservoir Oval West when a man


Read More

Fordham Manor: 18-Year-Old Woman Shot in Face and Hospitalized

By Síle Moloney
The New York City Police Department confirm that an 18-year-old female was shot once in the face at 4:35 a.m. on Jun. 26, 2020 in front of 2591 Briggs Avenue in the Fordham Manor area of the Bronx. The bullet from a firearm grazed her left cheek.   The woman was watching fireworks in front of the location at the time of the incident. There is currently no perpetrator description at this time. The victim was removed to Saint Barnabas Hospital by EMS. She is not likely to die, and is in a stable condition.   The NYPD’s Emergency Service


Read More

Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice Pen Open Letter to City Officials Calling to Defund NYPD

By Síle Moloney
Following a historic week of legislative reform aimed at addressing racial injustice and inequality at both City and State level, a group of about 50 local residents gathered peacefully at Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood on Friday Jun. 19 for a kid-friendly Juneteenth celebration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.   Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice and allies is an unofficial, local group recently formed and spearheaded by four local, multiracial women, Miriam Neptune, Jatnna Ramirez, Carissa Smith and Pam Sporn.   In addition to organizing the Juneteenth event, the first of its kind in Norwood, the group


Read More

17 Officers Charged, Four Suspended without Pay following Investigation into Layleen Polanco’s Death  

By Síle Moloney
  Following the conclusion of an internal investigation, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Jun. 26 that 17 uniformed Department of Correction staff will be charged for their conduct surrounding the death of 27-year-old trans woman, Layleen Polanco, at Rikers Island in June 2019.   As reported recently by Norwood News, Polanco, according to earlier reports, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a cab driver and for possession of a controlled substance, and was being held at Rikers Island on a $500 bail. She died on Jun. 7, 2019 following an epileptic seizure, according to a medical examiner. She had been


Read More