Environment

UPDATE Friends of Devoe Park Hold “Dancing in Unity” Event  

By SARAH HUFFMAN
  Friends of Devoe Park (FODP) hosted a “Dancing in Unity Fair,” on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Devoe Park, located in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The event featured a face painter, balloon animal artists, a DJ, food provided by Ms. Geneva’s 50/50, an ice cream truck sponsored by Fordham Toyota, and a variety of lawn activities, games, and crafts for children which were organized by the City Parks’ department.   Earl Evans, one of the balloon artists hired for the event, said the kids really enjoyed playing with the balloons and kept coming back to his tent


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UPDATE: Out & About: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration, Free Brazilian All-Stars Concert, Italian Heritage Trolley Tour & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Editor’s Pick  Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information.   Events The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct.


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UPDATE New “Green” Tremont Playground to Absorb Stormwater & Help Reduce Flooding

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The groundbreaking for a new, green playground at P.S. 306/M.S. 331 in the Tremont section of the Bronx took place on Tuesday, Oct. 5. New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), The Trust for Public Land, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, and Fordham University president, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., joined a diverse student body, teachers, and families for the occasion.   The state-of-the-art schoolyard, which will be open to the community during non-school hours, will serve more than 42,000 residents within a 10-minute walk of home. Newly designed green infrastructure will capture two


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FEMA Warns Residents to Be Wary of Fraud and Scam Artists 

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a warning to New Yorkers, once again in recent days, to be wary of fraud and scam artists. Agency officials said, after a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. Federal and state emergency management officials urge residents to watch out for and report any suspicious activity.    Officials said unscrupulous people may try to take advantage of vulnerable survivors by posing as official disaster aid workers or even as relatives trying to help survivors complete their applications.     Common post-disaster fraud practices


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NYC Department of Sanitation Notice of Public Hearing on Petitions for Rule Making

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Sanitation will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. on proposed new rules on petitions for rule making.   In accordance with the Citywide Administrative Procedure Act (“CAPA”), amendments to CAPA require that every City agency publishing a proposed rule, or an emergency rule, in the City Record, transmit that rule by e-mail to the following: the speaker of the City Council; the Office of Legislative Documents of the City Council; each member of the City Council; every community board; the news media and civic organizations.   What is DSNY proposing? DSNY is proposing


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FEMA Urges Americans to Spend Their Grants Wisely

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As eligible, disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is assuring Americans that federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA officials said that the FEMA notification letter will inform residents of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds and urges them to use the funds as stated in the award letter, and only for disaster-related expenses.   The agency has provided the following tips: FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the


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AG James Orders Release of Video Footage of Shooting of Michael Rosado

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James released security camera video footage on Friday, Oct. 1, that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Michael Rosado, 24, who died at the end of August, following an encounter with members of the NYPD in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx, as reported.   According to police officials, a dispute began at 4:15 a.m. outside of the Los Polmaritos Deli & Grocery at 2080 Valentine Avenue, located at the corner of East 180th Street on Sunday, Aug. 29.   As reported, at an NYPD press


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Neighborhood Notes on Redistricting, Bronx Bus Redesign, Booster Vaccinations & More!

Missing Local People  A 10-year-old boy has been reported missing from Jerome Park. For more information, click here A 23-year-old man has been reported missing from Olinville. For more information, click here. A 13-year-old girl has been reported missing form Laconia. For more information, click here. An 85-year-old man has been reported missing from Williamsbridge. For more information, click here.     COVID-19 Updates On June 24, 2021, New York State ended the State disaster emergency (PAUSE order) declared on March 7, 2020, to fight COVID-19. On Sept. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a series of universal mask requirements designed


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Lawsuit Gives Blind Individuals Access to NYS Emergency Mass Notification System

By SÍLE MOLONEY
People who are blind and use screen readers will now have independent access to life-saving information offered by “NY-Alert,” New York State’s Mass Notification System. Disability Rights Advocates, a nonprofit, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 29, that under a settlement agreement just reached between blind advocates and the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), the state agency will bring critical information on the NY-Alert website into compliance with web accessibility standards within six months.   The advocates said this will mean that individuals who use screen readers can ensure they receive urgent emergency notifications, including time-sensitive alerts about


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