Education

Norwood: Healing Circle Held After Murder of Ángel Mendoza Hernández 14 Disrupted by Bikers

By SÍLE MOLONEY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES
As various community and wellness leaders gathered at a circle of healing event in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood on Tuesday evening, Aug. 12, in a pre-organized effort to help local youth process their feelings following the fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández inside the packed park one week earlier, the peaceful gathering was abruptly and seemingly deliberately and maliciously disrupted by a group of motorized bike riders.

City Budget Expands Sunday Opening to Three Bronx Public Libraries including Kingsbridge

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Beginning Sept. 7, 11 additional library branches across New York City will offer service on Sundays, thanks to new operational funding of $2 million secured in the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The expansion was championed by the New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and council members and encompasses three Bronx libraries: Kingsbridge, Mott Haven and Baychester.

UPDATE Norwood Residents Call for More Park Oversight after Murder of Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández 14

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Shocked and outraged at the murder of 14-year-old Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández who, as reported, was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in a packed Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood on Tuesday, Aug. 5, in a violent gang assault, the Norwood community is taking various steps to support the teenager’s grieving family and enhance park security to prevent further tragedies.

Elected Officials Encourage New Yorkers to Make Use of Family Enrichment Centers (FEC)

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Elected officials are encouraging New Yorkers to make full use of the City’s local Family Enrichment Centers (FEC). Launched in 2017, these are welcoming walk-in, family-centered spaces, open to all, co-designed with community members, and run by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). The availability of such centers seems all the more relevant given the latest wave of violence unleashed against young people in The Bronx. Some of the programs include medical support, parent discussion groups, men’s discussion groups, and clothes and food distribution.  

UPDATE Hochul Fires Back at Ted Cruz’s Diss Over Head Attire at Fallen Bronx NYPD Det. First Grade Didarul Islam’s Funeral

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has fired back at Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas after an apparent diss and after he was called out by the Council of American-Islam Relations (CAIR) and others for questioning her decision to wear a head covering while attending the funeral of slain NYPD Det. First Grade Didarul Islam, who was Muslim, on Thursday, July 31.