Consumer Costs

National Restaurant & Coffee Shop Closes after 43 Years

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Restaurant & Coffee Shop, located at 8 Bedford Park Blvd in Bedford Park has shuttered according to a notice seen by Norwood News in its window on May 27, and as previously advised by Norwood resident and nearby Lehman College Professor Eileen Markey.

AOC Leads Reintroduction of Bill to Combat Non-Consensual, Sexually Explicit Deepfake Imagery 

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) led the reintroduction on May 21 of the “Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act” (DEFIANCE Act), bipartisan legislation that would grant survivors the right to take civil action against people who knowingly produce, distribute, solicit and receive or possess, with the intent to distribute nonconsensual, sexually-explicit, digital forgeries.

Gillibrand Announces New Bill Covering Free Childbirth for Families with Private Insurance

By SÍLE MOLONEY
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced on Wednesday, May 21, the introduction of her bipartisan bill, “Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act,” bipartisan law that, if passed, would require insurance companies to fully cover the costs associated with childbirth, including labor and delivery and prenatal, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum care.

Unity Democrats Announce Endorsements in Upcoming Democratic Primary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Unity Democratic Club announced their official endorsements for multiple political races in the upcoming 2025 primary elections in late February. These included City Council Member Justin Brannan (C.D. 43) who represents parts of Brooklyn for the role of NYC comptroller, a role currently held by Brad Lander, City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (C.D. 17) for Bronx borough president, a role currently held by Vanessa L. Gibson, Danielle Herbert Guggenheim, a Unity Democrat member and former vice-president, for City Council District 11, a role currently held by Eric Dinowitz, and finally incumbent City Council Member Pierina Sanchez for District 14.

Conflicts of Interest Board Settles with De Blasio in First Enforcement Action Against an NYC Mayor

Bronx Elected Officials Back a Snowstorm Hearing
By SÍLE MOLONEY
After three years of litigation, the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) has reached a settlement with former Democratic NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to resolve his violations of the City’s conflicts of interest law in connection with his 2019 presidential campaign, board officials announced Wednesday, May 14. As part of the settlement, De Blasio will pay the City a total of $329,794.20 in restitution and fines. They said he has already paid $100,000 of this sum to the Board.

Bronx Man Working as Former Manhattan NYCHA Super Gets 18 Months for Bribery & Extortion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Hector Colon, a 47-year-old Bronx man and former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for soliciting and accepting approximately $30,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding repair contracts or approving repair work worth at least $400,000, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday, May 6.

Norwood: Decatur Ave Home Used by Gang Broken into Again

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
Nearly five months after federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided a Norwood building used by gang members at 3267 Decatur Avenue, and almost two months after federal prosecutors announced the seizure of the building through the courts, to the relief of block residents, workers were seen sealing the two-story home at the end of March. One month later, on April 30, the home was broken into and not for the first time.