Wakefield Library Gets Funding of $360K for Infrastructure and ADA Upgrades

By ARIEL PACHECO

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz were at New York Public Library’s Wakefield branch on Sept. 3 to present a check for $360,000 for infrastructure upgrades and increased accessibility for people with disabilities.

Robert Tucker Sworn in as 35th Fire Commissioner of New York City

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Robert Tucker was appointed as the new fire commissioner of the FDNY and was sworn in on Aug. 12. He is the 35th person to hold the position. City officials said, previously, Tucker worked for the Queens DA’s office and was CEO of a private security and cyber intelligence company, T&M Protection Resources. They said he also worked at the FDNY, though never as a firefighter, served as secretary of the FDNY Foundation, and was also a past honorary fire commissioner. “I can think of no higher calling than serving as the fire commissioner for the City of New York,” he said.

Local Youth Choirs Invited to Submit Entries to Perform on NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” Broadcast

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NBC 4 New York/WNBC and Telemundo 47/WNJU are offering an exciting opportunity for a local youth choir this holiday season. Starting today, Sept. 17, and continuing through Oct. 13, choral groups are invited to visit nbcnewyork.com/choir or telemundo47.com/choir and submit an entry for this year’s Star Choir competition.

Kingsbridge Heights: Theory 9 Inc. & Partners Host 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The nonprofit, Theory 9 Inc. held a fun-filled 5th Annual Back-to-School giveaway on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Fort #4 Playground at 2895 Reservoir Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights.

Swimmers See No Danger in Bronx River Swims

By DAVID GREENE

Following our recent story on unsupervised swims in the Bronx River over the summer and despite some drowning incidents in New York City this summer, swimmers, mostly teens and young children, were once again observed having an unsupervised swim in the river last month. Two sources say the practice has been going on for years, if not decades.

New Protections Against Deed Theft Recently Became Law

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York Attorney General Letitia James reminded New Yorkers during the summer that a new law (S08306) establishing deed theft as a crime, and expanding the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) ability to prosecute deed theft, went into effect in mid-July.

South Bronx: Angellyh Yambo Foundation Partners for Back-to-School Giveaway

By ARIEL PACHECO & SÍLE MOLONEY

A back-to-school giveaway was held at La Central YMCA on Saturday, Sept. 7, in partnership with the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Angellyh Yambo Foundation, Metroplus Health, RomoGIS, The Hub Third Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau. Families were invited to bring along their kids for a day of fun, games, and of course a backpack giveaway to coincide with the start of the school year.

Norwood: Police Foundation Hosts “Options” Program Event at Williamsbridge Oval

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Members of The New York City Police Foundation teamed up with Montefiore Hospital to host a daylong health and social event at Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval park on Friday, August 16, as part of the foundation’s “Options” programming.

AG James Warns of AI Generated Fake Videos Showing Celebrities Touting Investment Scams

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James issued an investor alert on Aug. 29, warning New Yorkers about scams luring potential investors with fake videos created with artificial intelligence (AI) that apparently show celebrities or wealthy business leaders touting investment schemes, which are actually fraudulent. James said the videos, known as deepfakes, often appear in social media feeds, digital ads, and messaging apps and are expected to fuel billions of dollars in fraud every year.