More Overdose Deaths in Bronx Than In Any Other County; Substance Use Treatment Programs In Danger

By Nickolaus Hayes

What Happens when Substance Use Treatment Programs Can No Longer Stay Afloat? Emergency funding could be needed to keep substance use treatment programs in operation as some governments continue to shut down their communities. The Trump administration has repeatedly cited the possible rise of overdoses and suicides when calling for states and businesses to re-open. However, only a hundredth of one percent of the nearly $2.5 trillion was dedicated to mental health and substance use treatment. Many treatment centers, drug courts, and recovery programs have been forced to close, or they had to scale back during the shutdown. Many

By DAVID GREENE

In our July 2 edition, after four months of being cooped up at home, we asked readers how they coped through the shutdown, and how they were adapting to the “new normal” as the City entered Phase III of the reopening plan. Actually, the new normal has been great for me. I’m the owner of a boutique in Harlem and a liquor brand owner, so for me I haven’t had problems, except for having to close my doors and not have my regular clients come through. But because liquor is essential, we all love to drink. It’s been

By Marisa Marotta

Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30. A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood. She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.

By Síle Moloney

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Jul. 10 that the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, Local Union #8 will conduct a recruitment drive from Aug. 12, 2020 through Aug. 21, 2020 for 25 roofer apprentices. Please note the 25 openings listed for roofer apprentices represent the total for two recruitment regions – the Hudson Valley and New York City regions of the state. Applications may be completed and submitted online only, starting at 8:00 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2020 at www.roofers8.org. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 250 applications will be accepted, on

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Can you get a higher tax refund this year if you haven’t filed yet? Yes and No! The options now are very limited. Why? Simply because tax planning is NOT the same thing as tax preparation, and tax preparation is NOT tax planning. Tax planning is learning and applying the tax rules to your lifestyle. After keeping all those receipts, you apply them to your tax filing the following year. Thus, the absolute best way to maximize your 2020 tax refund next year is to start learning, and applying the rules from January 2020 now, and yes, six

By Síle Moloney

Ayaris Perez, and his colleague, Edwin Torres, both filmmakers from Norwood, make up half of the Bronx Film 48 team, a Bronx community film initiative established in March 2019, the goal of which is to increase the number of filmmakers in the Bronx, increase the number of produced films within the Bronx, and connect filmmakers through networking events, workshops and an annual 48-hour film challenge. The group is launching the 2nd annual Bronx 48-hour film challenge on Jul. 10 at 5:00 p.m. This time, it’s an indoor film challenge, requiring all short film submissions to be made indoors. “It

By Síle Moloney

Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey was appointed the new Chief of Community Affairs on Jun. 24, 2020, and has been given a mandate to reimagine the critically important Community Affairs Bureau within the NYPD. He spent his first few days listening to what his colleagues, and the residents of the neighborhoods he will serve, want and need. He’s visited precinct station houses, held virtual meetings with community and elected leaders, listened at houses of worship and walked the streets over the holiday weekend to hear people’s vision for fair and effective policing in the 21st century. Maddrey takes over the

By José A. Giralt & Síle Moloney

On Apr. 27, citing concerns over the probable spread of the coronavirus, the New York State Board of Elections announced the cancellation of the State’s presidential primary. The Sanders campaign released a statement the same day, describing the decision as an “outrage”. “What the [NYS] Board of Elections is ignoring, is that the primary process not only leads to a nominee, but also the selection of delegates, which helps to determine the platform and rules of the Democratic Party,” the statement read. Bizarrely, the Board chose not to cancel the congressional, state and other special primary elections

By Síle Moloney

The New York Public Library kicked off its virtual, six-week, summer camp program on Monday, Jun. 29, and will continue until Aug. 7. Every week, kids and students of all ages, and their families, can find a new batch of fun, hands-on activities that promote learning, reading, and creativity, all of which can be done from home. The link to the website is here. It is nypl.org/summerreading. Activities will be posted five days a week and will also be accessible on weekends.