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Wells Fargo Provides $5 million to Local CDFIs to Help Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Wells Fargo announced on Friday, Feb. 12, that six New York-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs) have received a combined $5 million from the bank’s “Open for Business Fund” (OFB) to help local small businesses impacted by the economic struggles caused by COVID-19.   Wells Fargo representatives said the bank selected Accompany Capital ($500,000), Greater Jamaica Development Corporation ($500,000), Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund ($400,000), NDC Community Impact Loan Fund ($1 million), Pursuit Community Finance ($1 million) and Renaissance Economic Development Corporation ($1.6 million) as part of a nationwide small business recovery effort.   Representatives said the new Wells Fargo grants to


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on How to Spend St. Valentine’s Day

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers how they planned to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic.   “I do have plans with a special guy this year for Valentine’s Day. We talked about the possibility of going out to a restaurant for this day, and we both decided it’s best to just stay at his place, and he’s going to cook for me. It is because we are choosing not to be around too many people, and who knows if restaurants are going to get crowded on Valentine’s Day, due to reopening of indoor dining on this holiday. I


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Update: Firefighters, EMT, Paramedics, Retail Workers Endorse Eric Dinowitz in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Eric Dinowitz, teacher and Democratic male district leader for the 81st Assembly District, who is running for City Council in the 11th City Council District, was endorsed, on Feb. 3, by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).   Stuart Appelbaum, president of the RWDSU, described Dinowitz as a proud union member and dedicated teacher who would be a strong voice for unions and workers in the City Council. “He has a record of standing with RWDSU members in his district and with workers throughout the city,” he said. “We know we can rely on Eric to stand up


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Update: New York League of Conservation Voters Endorse Jessica Haller in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) announced on Friday, Feb. 12, their endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race, for which a special election will be held on March 23.   Julie Tighe, president of NYLCV said Haller has spent decades as a dedicated climate activist. “She is committed to prioritizing environmental justice, growing renewable energy, and improving resiliency in our communities – some of our top priorities,” said Tighe. “That’s why we are proud to endorse her in her special election and urge voters in District 11 to join us in casting their ballot for


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Update: District 15 City Council Race: Ischia Bravo Receives Endorsement of Several Labor Unions

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  District manager for Bronx Community District 7 (CB7) and Democratic candidate in the 15th City Council District race, Ischia Bravo, has secured the support of several major labor unions with just weeks before the special election is due to be held on March 23. Bravo is running to fill the seat of former Councilman and now Congressman, Ritchie Torres, who was elected to Congress in November 2020.   Bravo has secured the support of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU;


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Update: District 15 City Council Race, John Sanchez Endorsed by State Environmental Group

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  John Sanchez, candidate for City Council District 15, announced, Feb. 12, that he received the endorsement from the New York League of Conservation Voters, a non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that fights for clean water, clean air, renewable energy, and open space through political action.   Julie Tighe, president of the conservation group, said Sanchez was committed to protecting the environment and supports improvements to mobility and better mass transit. “Reducing emissions from the transportation sector, the leading contributor of climate change, is one of our top priorities,” she said. “That’s why we are proud to endorse


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City Issues ‘Winter Operations Advisory’ for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City which will be in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, through 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Due to the chance of more forecasted snowfall, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) issued a Winter Operations Advisory for Saturday, Feb. 13, starting at 1 p.m. also.   Snowfall is expected beginning Saturday afternoon and may continue in the form of snow or freezing rain through as late as Sunday mid-day. The department began pre-treating roadways with salt and brine early Saturday morning, and salt spreaders will


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NYPD Officer from 52nd Precinct Charged with Assaulting a Child

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 at 5 p.m., an off-duty New York City employee was arrested and charged in the 52nd precinct.   Freddy Difo, 29, an NYPD police officer was charged with assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child.    

Update: Sports Arenas & Stadiums to Reopen Feb. 23 with Limited Spectators, Senators Urge Curbing Use of Executive Orders

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State
By SÍLE MOLONEY
A week after Yankee Stadium opened as a large-scale vaccination site in The Bronx, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, Feb. 10, that stadiums and arenas will be allowed reopen for sports and other events with limited spectators starting Feb. 23. The governor said that following the success of the Buffalo Bills testing program, sports and entertainment events in major stadiums with a capacity of 10,000 or more will be allowed to reopen with limited attendance.   He said that venues and events must follow State guidelines on capacity limitations, testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, social distancing and more. Norwood


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