Presidential Delegation Named to Attend Inauguration of De Jesús Chaves Robles in Costa Rica

President Joe Biden announced on Thursday, May 5, that a U.S. presidential delegation will attend the inauguration of his excellency, Rodrigo Alberto de Jesús Chaves Robles, as president of the Republic of Costa Rica on May 8, 2022.   The Hon. Miguel Cardona, U.S. secretary of education, will lead the delegation. The delegation also includes the Hon. Cynthia Telles, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, the Hon. Uzra Zeya, under secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights at the U.S. State department, and the Hon. Cristóbal Alex, special assistant to the president and White House deputy cabinet


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National Weather Service Issues Flood Advisory for Saturday, May 7

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory on Saturday, May 7, at 12:43 p.m. which will remain in effect until 2.45 p.m.   Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in parts of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including the northeast New Jersey counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union and the southeast New York counties of Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Queens and Richmond (Staten Island). Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas is expected. The doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain, causing urban and small


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UPDATE Mott Haven: Actor, Malik Yoba, Discusses Real Estate Documentary Series with Students

  The Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters welcomed actor, Malik Yoba, to their school on March 28 to present his documentary film series, “The Real Estate Mix Tape Vol. 1,” which also features Majora Carter, real estate developer and founder of Hunts Point’s Boogie Down Grind Café. Though Yoba is not a former student of the school, we were informed, “he was born in the old Lincoln Hospital down the road.”   According to various sources, including IMDb, Yoba is an actor, filmmaker and writer, known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J. C. Williams on “New York


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Charlie Hewitt Brings The Hopeful Project, a Digital Billboard Campaign, to The Bronx

  Lisa Watkins, a retired Bronx schoolteacher, recalled seeing a story on the news about a Charlie Hewitt, a Maine-based artist, who had a huge “Hopeful” sign displayed on billboards in New Jersey. Considering the collective trauma of COVID-19 endured by so many Bronxites in such a relatively short space of time, she remembered thinking at the time that it would be a great word to have projected across the borough.   “We had the two years of the pandemic,” Watkins said. “Just when we thought we were coming out of the pandemic around Christmas time, we had the resurgence


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Highbridge: Building Applications Filed for 950 Ogden Avenue

Building permit applications have been filed with NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for a new, four-story, residential building at 950 Ogden Avenue in the Highbridge section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY.   Located at the intersection of West 162nd Street and Ogden Avenue, the lot is close to the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium subway station, serviced by the B, D, and 4 trains.   The proposed 54-foot-tall development will yield 9,124 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 13 residential units, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 701 square feet. The steel-based


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Bronx BP Calls for Policy Changes to Improve Black Maternal Mortality

  To mark Black Maternal Health Week, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined a host of mothers and advocates fighting for access to safe childbirth support on the steps of Bronx County Courthouse on Wednesday, April 13. The group were gathered to demand policy changes at State level to combat the high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity seen in the borough.   According to data published by Fatoumata Diallo, city research scientist for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Bronx had the highest severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rate among all five boroughs as of


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Olivia and Liam Top U.S. Social Security Administration’s Charts (Again!)

Olivia and Liam remain America’s most popular baby names, based on newly released 2021 data from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Liam has been the top choice for new parents for five years in a row, while Olivia has topped the list for three years.   During what was described by the agency as an unprecedented time, parents chose to stick with familiar names. Out of both Top 10 lists combined, only one name changed, with Theodore replacing Alexander in popularity. The name Theodore joins the Top 10 list for the first time. “Welcome to the club Teddy!” agency representatives


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UPDATE Mobile Car Washes Posing Fire Hazard & Other Concerns for Community Members

  The following story is an extended and updated version of the one that appears in our latest print edition.    District 11 Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Assemblyman Jeffery Dinowitz (A.D. 81) visited Webster Avenue with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and members of the 47th Precinct on Friday, April 29, to observe firsthand what was described as an escalating situation regarding the increased presence of mobile car washes along the avenue, as first reported by Norwood News in 2016.   The council member and assemblyman discussed with agency representatives how


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Health Check: Self-Care & Compassion Lead to More Joyful Parenting

Parents have been asked to carry a heavy load – balancing work demands, childcare, changes in school format, and worries about COVID-19. Many people have noticed changes in how they feel and respond to others. Stress can affect mood, leading to irritability, anxiety, or withdrawing from close relationships.   When your mind is crowded with many different priorities and worries, and your body is drained from poor sleep or limited self-care time, parenting can feel more challenging. Stress can lead you to a “reactive” mode where frustration takes over. When overwhelmed, it’s hard to tune in to what children need


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