UPDATE U.S. VP Kamala Harris Visits The Bronx as Immigrant New Yorkers Rally for Visa Amnesty

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

The following is an extended version of the story that appeared in the latest print edition of the Norwood News. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, visited the Bronx on Friday, Oct. 22, at the invitation of Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-14). The event took place at the recently opened, state-of-the-art Edenwald YMCA center in the Northeast Bronx, which falls within Bowman’s district. The purpose of the visit was to promote the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” agenda, and while the mood among those in attendance, inside the venue,

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAWN CLANCY

The first wave of children to receive the newly authorized COVID-19 vaccine had their shots administered at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in Norwood on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The kids in question were 11-year-old twins, Jamie Onofrio Franceschini and Ryann Onofrio Franceschini, and Kenechi Acholonu (9), Amechi Acholonu (7), and Chizara Acholonu (5). “Today is a huge relief,” said Chrissie Onofrio, the twins’ mom. “For the last 20 months, we have been doing everything we could to keep them safe. As adults, we have been able to be vaccinated, and have only seen vaccinated people.” She added,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jessica Woolford, founder of community mutual aid group, Kingsbridge Unidos, Latanya DeVaughn, founder of Bronx Bound Books and representatives from State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) held a food and book giveaway in Kingsbridge on Friday, Oct. 29. The event took place at 4 p.m. at 824 Broadway between 238th and 239th Streets.

UPDATE As Election Day Beckons, Elected Officials Try Multiple Approaches to Curb Gun Violence

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Reports of gun violence continue to make headlines in the Bronx and across the City, and some elected officials are making it a focal point of their political endeavors in the lead up to Election Day. Although New York City has seen historic drops in most crime categories, 2021 is proving to be especially dangerous for teenagers. According to NYPD data, through Sept. 26, 2021, there were 16 fatal shootings involving teen violence. This is more than double the number, at seven, reported throughout 2020 for such fatalities. In addition, as of Sept. 26, 2021, there were a reported

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood News has been informed by officials of New Rochelle’s Salesian High School of the death of former student and coach, Paul Sousa. “The Salesian Family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of the Salesian baseball star and former coach, Paul Sousa (’72),” the notice read. “Paul was an incredible athlete, coach and friend.” Officials at the school, located at 148 East Main Street in New Rochelle, NY said Sousa’s two sons, Paul Sousa Jr. (’98) and Scott Sousa (’03), also attended Salesian High School. The following notice has been posted to the Pelham Funeral Home

By JASON GONZALEZ & SÍLE MOLONEY

For Pierina Sanchez, the Democratic nominee for the District 14 City Council seat in the upcoming general election, it’s all about the love. Sanchez is all in for the “Boogie Down,” saying passion for the community is a major driving force behind her campaign. With early voting already underway and only one day remaining before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, Sanchez is transparent and says a vote for her on Nov. 2 will benefit the borough. “It’s about the love,” Sanchez said during a campaign rally held outside the Kingsbridge Armory in the Kingsbridge Heights section

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Sunday, Oct. 31, that one, top-prize winning ticket was sold for the Oct. 30th TAKE 5 EVENING drawing. The ticket, worth $44,943.50, was purchased at Webster Deli Inc, located at 363 E 180th Street in Fordham Heights. Lottery officials said Take 5 players with midday and evening draws on the same ticket should check their numbers at nylottery.ny.gov to determine if they have the winning numbers for the corresponding midday or evening drawing. Officials say TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The drawing is televised twice daily at

By SARAH HUFFMAN

New York City’s Racial Justice Commission (RJC) hosted a virtual panel entitled, “Overcoming Racial Disparities in Health and Mental Health” earlier this summer to discuss health and persistent racial disparities in health and mental health. The event, held on July 20, was hosted by commission chair, Jennifer Jones Austin, and was divided into two, hour-long panels, each made up of three expert panelists. The first panel comprised LaRay Brown, CEO of the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and president and CEO of One Brooklyn Public Health System, Guillermo Chacon, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, and Claire Green-Forde Ph.D.,

By SARAH HUFFMAN & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA) and The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association (PPNA) collaborated with Miriam Quiñones of Miriam Quin Photography on Sunday Aug. 29 at 2134 Barnes Ave in the Bronx, for a back-to-school giveaway. Around 650 school backpacks filled with school supplies including pencils, notebooks, erasers, folders and more, were handed out to students. Families with children of all ages lined up around the block on Barnes Avenue to wait their turn for a backpack. Volunteers from AAOHA, PPNA, and community partners had worked throughout the afternoon to fill the backpacks and distribute them to

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UPDATE U.S. VP Kamala Harris Visits The Bronx as Immigrant New Yorkers Rally for Visa Amnesty

UPDATE First Wave of Kids 5-11 Get COVID-19 Shots at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

Kingsbridge: Food & Book Giveaway Held for 100 Families

UPDATE As Election Day Beckons, Elected Officials Try Multiple Approaches to Curb Gun Violence

Funeral Details Announced for Former Salesian High School Student and Coach, Paul Sousa

UPDATE: District 14 City Council Race: For Pierina Sanchez, It’s About the Love

TAKE 5 Top-Prize NY Lottery Winner Sold in Fordham Heights

Pelham Parkway Community Groups Unite for Back-to-School Giveaway