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Dinowitz Bill Allowing Seniors in Co-Ops Access to Home Equity Loans Passed by Legislature

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The State Assembly and State Senate have passed legislation (A1508) to allow seniors living in cooperative apartment buildings to apply for “reverse mortgages,” a type of loan currently available to homeowners that transfers built-up home equity into cash. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who was one of the legislators to introduce the bill, announced the news on Friday, June 11, as the Legislature broke for the summer recess.   According to bankrate.com, a home equity loan is a lump-sum loan that’s secured by home equity. Quickloans.com defines equity as the difference between what a person owes on their mortgage and


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Bronx BP Race: United Probation Officers Endorse Vanessa Gibson

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The United Probation Officers Association announced their support on Sunday, June 13, for District 16 City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson in her bid to win the Bronx borough presidency.   Dalvanie K Powell is president of the association and said The Bronx needs elected officials who understand the role that probation officers play in turning lives around in New York City and that Gibson “certainly” does that. “She has proven herself, time and again, that she is committed to the future of the Bronx and to New York City, and we proudly endorse her for borough president of the Bronx. We


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MTA Officers Arrest Three Motorists within 30 Minutes for Attempted Toll Evasion on RFK Bridge

By SÍLE MOLONEY
MTA Bridges and Tunnels announced that on Wednesday, June 9, bridge and tunnel officers successfully apprehended three motorists for allegedly using fraudulent license plates, in an attempt to evade paying the toll on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.   The arrests were made in a 30-minute span, and began at approximately 9:30 a.m. Personnel utilized intelligence provided by Bridges and Tunnels staff and electronic license plate readers for the purpose of stopping persistent toll violators. According to the officers, the first motorist was found to have a fraudulent temporary New Jersey license plate.   Ten minutes later, at approximately 9:40


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Update: Jamaal Bowman Issues Statement on Eric Adams’ Education Remarks on Virtual Learning

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In response to remarks about remote learning made by Brooklyn borough president and New York City mayoral candidate, Eric Adams, during a Citizen’s Budget Commission forum in February 2021, which were posted to Twitter on June 11, U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), himself, a former teacher, released a statement on Saturday, June 12, condemning the borough president’s remarks.   The tweet was posted under the Twitter handle for The Matt Skidmore Show. Under the YouTube channel for the The Matt Skidmore Show, it states that “Matt creates a video explaining why voters should consider 2020 Democratic Presidential candidate and former


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Bedford Park: Search for Man Wanted in Connection with Reckless Shooting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person seen in the attached video who is wanted for questioning in connection to a reckless endangerment incident that occurred in the 52nd precinct.   On Saturday, June 12, at approximately 2.35 a.m., the person approached an 18-year-old male victim and a 17-year-old male victim as they sat in a parked vehicle in front of 2835 Grand Concourse, in Bedford Park. After the vehicle left the location, the suspect displayed a firearm and discharged it multiple times in the vehicle’s direction. The victims were not injured.   Video is attached.


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Wiley Outlines New Universal Health Care Plan at Montefiore, Backs Fernández for Bronx BP

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Human rights lawyer and candidate for mayor, Maya Wiley was back in The Bronx on Tuesday, June 8, for a visit to Montefiore Medical Center, where she held a press conference to announce details of her plan for universal health coverage in the City. She was joined by members of 1199 SEIU and New York State Nurses Association. Wiley said the plan would transform health coverage in New York City and extend care to hundreds of thousands of residents, including the undocumented.   About 600,000 New Yorkers are uninsured according to Wiley, and half of those are undocumented. Meanwhile, a


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Assembly Passes Bill Mandating Ongoing Training of Forensic Evaluators of Child Abuse Cases

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A landmark bill (A2375B) which creates new standards for those working in a profession that often holds significant influence in the outcomes of custody and visitation hearings has been passed in New York State Assembly, as confirmed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) on Friday, June 11.    The legislation adds new requirements for child custody forensic evaluators. Under the bill, such evaluators must be New York State-licensed psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists who have undergone biennial domestic violence-related training. The legislation also tasks the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to work with the New York State Coalition


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Olinville: Search for Missing 15-Year-Old Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old from Olinville. Mariyah Roman of 3764 Bronx Boulevard was reported missing on Sunday, June 6, in the 47th precinct.   Mariyah was last seen by her mother on Sunday, June 6, at around 5 a.m., inside her home. It was further reported that she was later observed by a third party on Monday, June 7, at approximately 5 a.m. at the corner of White Plains Road and Burke Avenue, located in the area between the Parkside Housing Project and Gun Hill Houses.   She


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Bronx CB7 May General Meeting Sees New Officer Nominations & Veterans Fare Discounts

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  A jam-packed agenda extended the May Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) general board meeting to just under two hours. Much of the meeting, held on May 25, was spent going over the nominations for incoming officer positions for the upcoming year, including chairperson, first vice chair, second vice chair, third vice chair, treasurer, and secretary. Several motions were also passed, including those relating to requested letters of support from the board to different city agencies and elected officials.   Each year, during the general board’s May meeting, nominations are made for new officer positions, and the final vote is


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