NYS Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers against COVID-19 Vaccination Scams

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) issued a notice alerting consumers about scammers who are taking advantage of COVID-19 vaccinations to steal personal information. Scammers are using techniques that typically arise with a major global event, such as falsely claiming to be online sellers of the vaccination, sending fake emails and texts that contain harmful links designed to steal your personal information, and using robocalls to pitch vaccination information. People should be on the lookout for scammers looking to take advantage of public interest surrounding vaccinations. “The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccination

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Saniya Williams, 16, of 1689 Randall Avenue in the Clason Point section of the Bronx, who was reported missing in the 43rd precinct. Saniya was last seen on Thursday, Dec. 24, at her home, at around 4.20 in the afternoon. She is described as female, Black, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs 220 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a royal blue coat, black jeans, and black/gold sneakers. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is asked

By DAWN CLANCY

In efforts to push Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for support of the Housing Justice for All Rent Relief Package of 2020, members and supporters of the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) organized a caroling rally outside the assemblyman’s home on Thursday, Dec. 17. The three-bill package, drafted by a number of State senators and assembly members, and supported by the Housing Justice for All coalition, aimed to address the statewide eviction, rent, and homelessness crisis in New York, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Had it passed the state and assembly, the package would have instituted a universal eviction

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As efforts continue to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday, Dec. 28, that a new issue has come to light —possible vaccine fraud by a health care provider. The State Department of Health was made aware of reports that an Orange County health provider may have fraudulently obtained COVID-19 vaccines and diverted them to members of the public, contrary to the State’s guidance to first administer the vaccine to frontline health care workers, as well as nursing home residents and staff. The State Department of Health is assisting the State Police in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Dec. 28, that the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1, will conduct a recruitment session from Jan. 29, 2021 through December 17, 2021 (excluding July 2021 and August 2021) for 25 bricklayer-mason apprentices; 25 pointer, caulker & cleaner apprentices; ten stone mason apprentices; and ten plasterer apprentices. Applications and affidavits will be available online at www.bricklayersandalliedcraftworkerslocal1ny.org for 24 hours a day on the following dates: 1/29/21, 2/26/21, 3/26/21, 4/30/21, 5/28/21, 6/25/21, 9/24/21, 10/29/21, 11/19/21, and 12/17/21. Applications and affidavits must be printed, filled

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following feature story is an extended version of the one which appeared in our recent print edition. Growing up at 2746 197th Street and Decatur Avenue in the Bronx, Nilda Irizarry Hofmann said she had no connections with the NYPD nor any inkling that, one day, she would end up as one of the highest-ranking women in the largest police department in America. Following her retirement at the end of October, marking 30 years of service, the former chief told the Norwood News one thing she knew she never wanted to do when she grew up was

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Saturday Dec. 26, 2020, at approximately 9.26 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who was shot behind 365 East 183rd Street in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx, in the 46th precinct. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the man deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. The identity of the deceased is pending family notification. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime

By DAVID GREENE

For the second time in a month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) has declared jurisdiction over a crime incident that took place in the Bronx, and are declining to make any of the details of the incident public until after the Christmas holiday. Details remain sketchy, but it’s understood a carjacking took place at just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in the vicinity of the NYPD’s Transit Bureau District 12, located at East 180th Street and Morris Park Avenue in the Van Nest section of the Bronx. During the carjacking, one woman was struck by

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Nhya White, 16, of 2200 East Tremont Avenue in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, who was reported missing in the 43rd precinct. Nhya was last seen on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 at her home at around 7 p.m. She is described as female, Black, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweater, a blue jacket, black jeans, and purple boots. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the