Fully Vaccinated State Senator Alessandra Biaggi tests Positive for COVID-19

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Democratic State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34), who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester counties, confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated. The senator wrote as part of her weekly update on Friday, Oct. 22, “On Thursday evening I tested positive for COVID-19. While I am fully vaccinated and have taken all CDC recommended safety precautions, I unfortunately contracted the virus. I am experiencing symptoms and currently isolating at home per CDC guidelines.” Biaggi went on to say that as someone experiencing a breakthrough case, she wanted to take the time to

By DAWN CLANCY

On a cloudy Saturday morning, Cindy Barrera and her dog, Venom, stopped near the corner of East Mosholu Parkway North and 206th Street in Bedford Park and glared at the Heineken beer bottle caps, greasy granola bar wrappers, and spent coffee cups tangled up in a nearby patch of grass. Barrera, a 30-year-old registered nurse, is fed up with the amount of trash dumped along the parkway. It’s a problem that has plagued the area, also known as Mosholu Parkland, for years. “It really [expletive] me off because we have such a beautiful park,” said Barrera. “To see trash

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bedford Park residents have been getting more and more vocal about the unsightly, overflowing trash situation on Mosholu Parkway during their regular Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) meetings, as reported, but another issue which has also raised concern is the growing number of make-shift tents erected by homeless people along the parkway in recent weeks. As one resident, who went by the Twitter username, @maminature30, tweeted on Monday, Oct. 18, “@EricDinowitzNYC, @norwoodnews, @NYCDHS, @NYPD52Pct How long before the encampment at Moshulu Parkway becomes a tent city? It already doubled in size since last week. Somebody needs to intervene.”

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

New York State Attorney General Letitia James is delivering more than $256 million to New York City to stem the tide of opioid addiction and overdose. The announcement was made as part of a statewide campaign called, “Heal NY: Turning the Tide on the Opioid Crises.” James made the announcement inside the auditorium of Lincoln Hospital, located at 234 E 149th St, in Mott Haven, on Oct. 4. The funds are part of a $1.5 billion legal settlement reached with various manufacturers and distributors of opioids, according to the attorney general’s office, and are earmarked for addiction abatement,

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on what the Democrats should cut from the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill to get it over the line to satisfy Republicans. “Oh! Is that what they’re doing? No, I don’t think they should try and appease the Republicans. Well, they shouldn’t cut healthcare and they shouldn’t cut education. That’s a very hard decision. I know they have to vote on something. Kids need education because it’s bad out here. They need all the education they can get. Oh gosh, maybe the added healthcare for seniors is, maybe, the least important now.” Pamela

By MICHAEL D. CABANA & EVIN F ROTHSCHILD

Now that school is back in session in The Bronx and the colder weather and flu season are here, it is a good time to review how to best keep your children healthy and protected. While numbers are, thankfully, decreasing, COVID-19 remains a threat and it remains important to stay alert. Now, when the typical cold weather sniffles come around, more families may be concerned if it’s allergies, a cold, the flu or COVID-19. As symptoms of these conditions are similar, it is important to recognize when you or your child should get tested for COVID-19 to prevent further

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), released new data on Monday, Oct. 18, on the 313 complaints from the Black Lives Matter protests. So far, CCRB officials said they have completed 127 full investigations resulting in 42 substantiated complaints of misconduct containing 91 allegations against 65 officers. The agency recommended charges and specifications, the highest level of discipline for the most serious allegations of misconduct, against 37 officers. Each of these officers will face an administrative trial run by the CCRB’s Administrative Prosecution Unit (APU), and if found guilty, could face loss of vacation days, suspension,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D Clark released the following statement following the announcement of the death of Gen. Colin Powell on Monday, Oct. 18. “Today we lost an extraordinary American to COVID-19, a person who dedicated his life to the national security of this great country. Colin Powell was a son of the South Bronx, who studied at Morris High School, attended a CUNY college, joined the U.S. Army and went on to become the first Black U.S. National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State,” she said. “Even after achieving so much,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 1970s vibe was in order on the tennis courts of the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Friday evening, Sept. 24. District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, District 16 City Councilmember Vanessa Gibson, and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation partnered to host a highly successful “Skate Night,” which drew a crowd of about 120 excited skaters, young and old, beginners and seasoned, some staying on until after the sun went down. Sponsored by NYC Health+Hospitals, BronxNet, Fidelis Care, Emblem Health and Essen Healthcare, the event was marked by an upbeat, backdrop of funk music, courtesy of an on-site