Health

Tax Lien Sale Stopped for Homeowners, Emergency “PAUSE” Order Extended until October 4

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Friday, Sept. 4, the ongoing, apparent feud between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio was, once again, played out in public when the governor undercut plans by Mayor Bill de Blasio to re-schedule the City’s annual tax lien auction to Sept. 25.   According to the Coalition for Affordable Homes, every year, homeowners who fall behind on their tax or water bills can find themselves subject to the City’s annual lien sale, a process through which the City sells outstanding tax and water debts, and the ability to collect them, to private investors. After the sale, the


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NYC Health Department to Spray Pesticide in Bronx to Reduce Risk of West Nile Virus

By SÍLE MOLONEY
To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of the West Nile virus, the City’s health department will conduct an adulticide treatment in the Bronx. Adulticide is an insecticide or agent used to kill adult insects. Trucks will spray pesticides in sections of the Bronx on Wednesday, Sept. 9, between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting. In case of bad weather or equipment malfunctions, application will be delayed until Thursday, Sept. 10.   The health department said it will use very low concentrations of DeltaGard® and/or Anvil®. The agency also said that the risks of


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Norwood: Food & Mask Giveaway Lines Are Not Getting Shorter

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A further food and mask giveaway was held at Hull Avenue and 204th Street in Norwood on Sept. 3, 2020, as food insecurity continues to be a concern for many families across The Bronx.   The event was promoted by the American Albanian Open Hand Association, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, City Councilman Andrew Cohen, State Committee Leader Elect Sandra Pabon, and Male District Leader Elect Marcos Sierra. In addition to those listed on the event flyer as the event organizers and promoters, among those who joined to volunteer on the day at the event


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AG James Renews Suspension of Medical and Student Debt Owed to State for Sixth Time

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Friday, Sept. 4 that the State will renew, for the sixth time, an order to halt, for an additional 30-day period, the collection of medical and student debt that has been specifically referred to her office for collection.   James will renew the order first made in March, and renewed in April, in May, in June, in July, and in August to ease the financial burdens for many workers and families by halting the collection of medical and student debt owed to the State of New York, and referred to the OAG for collection through


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Bedford Park: Man Sought in Connection with Robbery of Woman

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of the unidentified male seen in the attached surveillance photo and who is sought in connection with a robbery which took place within the confines of the 52nd precinct.   It was reported to police that on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020 at approximately 5.33 p.m., a 42-year-old female victim was walking in front of 2848 Bainbridge Avenue in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx, when an unidentified man approached her from behind. He forcibly removed her purse from her hand and property from her pockets after pushing


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NYC School Workers Solidarity Campaign Rejects School Reopening Deal with City

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In another rebuke of the Sept. 1 deal agreed between New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and UFT President Michael Mulgrew on the physical reopening of public schools this fall, NYC School Workers Solidarity Campaign rejected the deal, issuing a lengthy statement on the matter on Sept. 2.   “The New York City School Workers Solidarity Campaign stands behind our educators. We are a coalition of parents, educators, nurses, union and community members, and we support school workers’ demands to not reopen in-person schooling until it is safe,” the statement read.   “The recent deal negotiated between Mulgrew and


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“Letter to the President” Music Video Release Party and Panel Discussion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
“Letter to the President” is a highly anticipated/controversial single featuring some premier Hip-Hop artists from “The Young Millennials,” aka The YM Squad, RNB Nah (Bronx) featuring Big Boos, Nene Ali (Bronx), Lil Legin, Destiny Rae and JSA.   On Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Community Board Athletic Leadership League (CBall) will host a virtual launch party and panel discussion to coincide with the music video release. CBall is a non-for-profit organization which, among other objectives, works to provide children from New York City with opportunities to participate in sports activities.   Joining the artists


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Johnson Calls for Return of Indoor Dining as New Jersey Restaurants Open on Friday

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson released a statement on indoor dining on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “It’s time to allow indoor dining in New York City with reduced capacity and clear guidance to ensure social distancing and safety,” Johnson said. “This is crucial for restaurant owners, who have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic and the resulting drop in tourism. Summer is winding down, and they need to begin planning for the colder months. Of course, we will continue to monitor the City’s COVID-19 rates, just as we must for all of our businesses.” Johnson added, “We know


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United Federation of Teachers & Allies React to School Reopening Delay

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In response to an announcement on Sept. 1 by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew of an agreement to delay in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year by two weeks, the MORE-UFT caucus released a statement on Sept. 2, giving their lukewarm reaction to the news. MORE UFT is made up of members of UFT, and members of school communities, and their allies.   “We welcome a slight delay of in-person school reopening in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, and recognize that our advocacy with our parent, student, and


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