Criminal Justice

Morrisania: Back-to-School Giveaway and Stop the Violence Event Held

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES
Nonprofit, Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters (“BABES”) held a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event at Cauldwell Avenue between 161st and 163rd Street, southwest of Forest Houses housing development, in Morrisania on Sept. 10. According to B.A.B.E.S., the group came together to make a difference in the lives of those who need help, adding that they were there to help those in need and for those who don’t know where else to turn to when they need something. They said they did just that at the recent Back-to-School event, adding that the area is underserved because there is “no


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UPDATE Elections 2022: Republican Candidate, Phyllis Nastasio, on Education, Crime and NYCHA Housing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this online story and some copies of the print edition incorrectly referenced Phyllis Nastasio as a Democratic candidate in the upcoming election for A.D. 80. In fact, Nastasio is running on the Republican/Conservative ticket in this race. We apologize for this error. Our profile on Democratic nominee, John Zaccaro Jr., for A.D. 80 can be read here.    Raised on Arthur Avenue, Pelham Parkway resident, Phyllis “Tiz” Nastasio is running on the Republican/Conservative ticket in the November general election in A.D. 80 to succeed incumbent, Democratic Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez. She faces John Zaccaro who


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Fordham Manor: Nonprofit, KISS, Provides Overdose Training in St. James Park

By DAVID GREENE
In efforts to combat the alarming number of opioid overdose deaths in The Bronx, one local nonprofit, recently held an overdose prevention event at St. James Park in Fordham Manor, during which 240 “Narcan” kits were distributed and training was provided on how to use them to save a life during an overdose situation.   In 2020, a total of 1,580 New Yorkers died from a fentanyl-involved overdose, according to the City’s health department (DOH). Meanwhile, the rate of overdose death per 100,000 people was 75.3 percent for the Hunts Point-Mott Haven neighborhoods, as reported, compared with the citywide rate


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Research by Albert Einstein College of Medicine Physicians May Help Detect Risk of Alzheimers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In a study involving more than 1,000 cognitively normal adults aged 60 and older, Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., M.S., Emmeline Ayers, M.P.H., Nigel Kravatz, and colleagues at The Bronx’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein) found that older adults who have difficulty identifying odors are likely to transition soon from normal cognition to motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR).   This syndrome, characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait [manner of walking], is often a prelude to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The study participants were given the “brief smell identification test,” which assesses sense of smell. Over a period of about


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Adams Applauds President Biden on Latest Marijuana-Related Announcement

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams applauded an announcement made on Thursday, Oct. 6, from U.S. President Joe Biden regarding new measures taken in relation to the so-called “War on Drugs” and specifically in relation to the incarceration of individuals for cannabis-related offenses.   The president provided a recap of his announcement later on Thursday on social media, saying, “As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.”   He continued, “First, I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses


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District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez Hosts Summer Block Party

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES
District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez hosted a community block party on Morris Avenue between 181st Street and Burnside Avenue in Fordham Heights on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., with free food, music and access to various resources.   As the event took place during the summer heatwave, some kids were seen cooling off with water sprayed from a nearby fire hydrant. Meanwhile, members of the City’s test and trace taskforce gave out goodie bags, including test kits and other health-related resources, and a number of other elected officials also made an appearance on


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