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District 11 City Council Race: Kevin Pazmino Says “Progressive Left” Has Taken Over Democratic Party

By SÍLE MOLONEY
With campaigning almost at an end, and as the last remaining hours of voting remain on Election Day 2021, District 11 Republican and Conservative Party candidate, freelance filmmaker, Kevin Pazmino, is reminding voters why they should vote for him in the general election race.   Pazmino, previously profiled by the Norwood News [Kevin Pazmino] ahead of the March 2021 special election, ran unsuccessfully in that race against then candidate and now Councilman Eric Dinowitz. Speaking to Norwood News on Nov. 1, Pazmino said, “I would say if people are unhappy with the Democratic Party’s leadership, they should vote for change.”


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Op-Ed: How the Senate Will Decide the Fate of Local News

By STEVE WALDMAN
The Senate is now deciding the fate of local news.   As part of the Build Back Better Act, the Senate is, in the next few days, considering an important proposal: providing a payroll tax credit to local news organizations to retain or hire local journalists.   Why? Local news is in a deep crisis. The Internet has fundamentally broken the business model of local newspapers. The number of reporters has dropped by more than half since 2000.   There are at least 1,800 total “news deserts,” with no local newspapers at all, and thousands more have “ghost newspapers” that


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Kingsbridge: Food & Book Giveaway Held for 100 Families

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Jessica Woolford, founder of community mutual aid group, Kingsbridge Unidos, Latanya DeVaughn, founder of Bronx Bound Books and representatives from State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) held a food and book giveaway in Kingsbridge on Friday, Oct. 29. The event took place at 4 p.m. at 824 Broadway between 238th and 239th Streets.

Jerome Park: Search for 11-Year-Old Boy, Reported Missing with Another Boy in Brooklyn

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two 11-year-old boys, one of whom is a Bronx resident, who were last seen, and reported missing, in Brooklyn.   It was reported to police that Ruben Rodriguez, 11, of 3001 Briggs Avenue in Jerome Park, and Jerome Jemmot, 11, of 56 North Oxford Walk in Brooklyn, were last seen together on Monday, Nov. 1, playing inside Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, in the 88th precinct.   It’s the second time in a matter of weeks that Ruben has been reported missing, as reported.   Ruben is


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UPDATE As Election Day Beckons, Elected Officials Try Multiple Approaches to Curb Gun Violence

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
Reports of gun violence continue to make headlines in the Bronx and across the City, and some elected officials are making it a focal point of their political endeavors in the lead up to Election Day. Although New York City has seen historic drops in most crime categories, 2021 is proving to be especially dangerous for teenagers.   According to NYPD data, through Sept. 26, 2021, there were 16 fatal shootings involving teen violence. This is more than double the number, at seven, reported throughout 2020 for such fatalities. In addition, as of Sept. 26, 2021, there were a reported


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Robert Durst Charged with the 1982 Murder of Wife, Kathie, Maintains Innocence

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced on Monday, Nov. 1, that Robert Durst has been indicted for the murder of his first wife, Kathleen Durst, in South Salem, Westchester County, on or about Jan. 31, 1982.   Durst, 78, was charged by a Westchester County Grand Jury in an indictment on Nov. 1, with murder in the second degree, having previously been charged in a complaint filed on Oct. 19, 2021, with murder in the second degree.   In the context of the announcement, Rocah said, “When Kathleen Durst disappeared on Jan. 31, 1982, her family and friends


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Funeral Details Announced for Former Salesian High School Student and Coach, Paul Sousa

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Norwood News has been informed by officials of New Rochelle’s Salesian High School of the death of former student and coach, Paul Sousa.   “The Salesian Family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of the Salesian baseball star and former coach, Paul Sousa (’72),” the notice read. “Paul was an incredible athlete, coach and friend.” Officials at the school, located at 148 East Main Street in New Rochelle, NY said Sousa’s two sons, Paul Sousa Jr. (’98) and Scott Sousa (’03), also attended Salesian High School.   The following notice has been posted to the Pelham Funeral Home


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UPDATE Fordham Heights: 21-Year-Man Shot in Head, Arrest Made

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A 17-year-old male has been arrested on murder chargers following the shooting of a 21-year-man in the head in Fordham Heights in late October.   As reported at the time, police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot at 2253 Ryer Avenue, located in the 46th precinct, on Sunday, Oct. 24, at approximately 8.49 p.m.   Upon arrival, they observed the man, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. EMS also responded and transported the victim to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The incident


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Family & Friends Mourn the Passing of Kathleen A. Benjamin, Mother of Ex-Assemblyman Michael Benjamin

By MICHAEL BENJAMIN
Former Bronx assemblyman, Michael Benjamin, announced that his mother, Kathleen A. Benjamin, née Conton, passed away at Calvary Hospital (Morris Park) on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at the age of 86. A native of Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Kathleen came to the Bronx in 1956 and later married husband, Ray Benjamin, in October 1957. She resided at Tracey Towers in the Jerome Park section of the borough, on the border with Norwood.   After three children and ten years as a “stay-at-home,” mother, Kathleen became a para-professional at the school her boys attended, P.S. 130X, on Prospect Avenue


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