NYC Voter Assistance Advisory Committee Holds Public Meeting February 23

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) announced that the next public meeting of the New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom. According to NYCCFB, VAAC advises the board on its nonpartisan voter engagement initiative, NYC Votes, by promoting voter registration, participation and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships. It also recommends legislative and administrative changes to improve NYC elections, sponsors the City’s official debate program, produces the citywide voter guide,

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

Video courtesy of the NYPD The NYPD is seeking the public’s help identifying a person of interest, sought for questioning in connection to an assault and shooting that occurred on the border of Fordham Manor and Fordham Heights. On Thursday, Feb. 10, at approximately 4.12 p.m., the person in question displayed a firearm from the backseat of a vehicle in the vicinity of East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue. He later fired the gun at a 15-year-old male victim, striking him in his leg. The victim was transported to an area hospital in stable condition. A video

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A person has been found deceased in an area described by police as Bronx Boulevard park in the Wakefield / Olinville section of The Bronx. Police said on Thursday, Feb. 17, at approximately 2.30 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an aided person inside Bronx Boulevard park, located in the 47th precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed an unidentified female, lying face down with no apparent signs of trauma. EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. The office of the chief medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death and the investigation remains

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Spreading love is, of course, the main theme of St. Valentine’s Day, and it was in no short supply earlier this week at Beth Abraham Center, a large, 448-bed, nursing facility located at 612 Allerton Avenue in the Allerton section of The Bronx. The recreation department, led by Leduc Lee, went around to each resident’s room to deliver St. Valentine’s Day goodie bags and balloons to the residents, but there was also another reason to celebrate. An extra special birthday celebration was also held for 78-year-old resident, Esperanza Oppenheimer, who was born in New York City on St. Valentine’s

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust are now accepting entries for the 2022 New York State Student Research Awards program, according to State education commissioner, Betty A. Rosa, who made the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 16. Now in its 32nd year, the Student Research Awards program is a statewide historical research competition for students in grades four through twelve. The annual program provides an award to students whose projects are selected as winners in the elementary, middle school, and high school divisions. The program encourages students to explore the wealth of historical records held in repositories

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD has released additional photos and video of two men seen in the attached photos who are sought in connection with a robbery and hate crime that occurred on the border of University Heights and Morris Heights. It was reported to police that on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 2.42 p.m., at the intersection of Davison Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, a 49-year-old male victim was walking down the street when he was approached by the two unidentified men who proceeded to punch the victim about the body, and demanded his property. They forcibly removed the victim’s jewelry and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Building applications have been filed with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for a new, seven-story, mixed-use building at 2311 White Plains Road in the Allerton section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Located between Thwaites Place and Waring Avenue, the lot is near the Pelham Parkway subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains according to YIMBY. Floriand Lulaj, under 2720 Claflin LLC, is listed as the owner behind the applications. The proposed 75-foot-tall development will yield 39,621 square feet, with 33,464 square feet designated for residential space and 6,157 square feet for community

By SÍLE MOLONEY

After anti-Black and vulgar graffiti was photographed in the Spuyten Duyvil Playground on Saturday, Feb 12, a number of elected officials, city agencies and others issued public statements condemning the incident, and took various actions on the matter. In the meantime, for the second consecutive weekend, a park in the Northwest Bronx was discovered to have been targeted with more anti-Black graffiti. Elected officials are now planning to join together for a formal press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to stand firm against the hateful incidents, and to continue to call for a thorough investigation into both incidents.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced that in observance of Presidents’ Day, there will be no trash, curbside composting or recycling collection on Monday, Feb. 21. Residents who normally receive Monday trash or curbside composting collection may place their material at the curb between 4 p.m. and midnight Monday evening, for collection beginning Tuesday. However, DSNY officials said delays are to be expected, as is common after holidays and winter storms. They added that they appreciate the patience of New Yorkers as they work to collect the backlog of material. Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material