Immigration

Neighborhood Notes: Free Mammogram Screenings, Free English Classes, Public Safety Meeting & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Buildings After Hours Do you have questions about a building project? Drop by NYC Department of Buildings After Hours event to chat one-on-one with DOB experts for solutions and guidance on your project every Tuesday night! When you need straight answers to your buildings-related questions, sometimes it is better to talk with the experts face to face. That’s why DOB introduced “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly event offering in-person advice and services to New Yorkers every Tuesday at each of its borough offices. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3tm0BAB. A Kingsbridge Armory Visioning Workshop will be held on Nov.


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Fordham Heights: NJ Man Charged in Fatal 2020 Hit & Run of Food Delivery Worker, Victorio Hilario-Guzman

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Oct. 19 that a New Jersey man was charged with recklessly driving on the Grand Concourse, leading to the death of Bronx food delivery worker, Victorio Hilario-Guzman, in 2020.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant accelerated and ran a red light, striking a food delivery worker on a bicycle. His alleged reckless actions ended the life of the victim, who was delivering food in the middle of the pandemic.” She added, “I send my deepest condolences to the victim’s family, who had to wait for two years


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: DV Awareness Month, High School Admissions Test, Heat Season & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  GoFundMe Page for Bedford Congregational Church Residents are being kindly asked to donate to support the upgrading of the heating system at Bedford Congregational Church, located at 309 East 201st Street in Bedford Park. Founded in 1889 and a designated landmark since 2000, the church is a 501c3 charity and provides space for local support groups battling addictions, as well as other congregations. A replacement oil tank is needed before the water pipes freeze and burst. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/warm-hearts-cold-church.   Alternate Side Parking Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended Monday-Tuesday, October 17-18 in observance of  Shemini Atzereth and Simchas Torah.


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UPDATE Communities Clash over Orchard Beach Shelter, Rivera Asks Mayor to Reconsider Randall’s Island Site

By DAVID GREENE
The following is an updated and expanded version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   A contentious battle pitting neighbor against neighbor has apparently been averted, as the temporary shelter that was being built to house 1,000 male asylum seekers at Orchard Beach parking lot has been halted. As reported, Mayor Eric Adams did an about-face on Monday, Oct. 3 and is now moving the controversial shelter to Randall’s Island.   Workers had begun erecting several massive tents on Monday, Sept. 26, but three demonstrations were since organized opposing the site by local Republican Party candidates, Tina


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Housing Asylum Seekers at Orchard Beach Temporary Shelter

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the plan to house asylum seekers at a temporary shelter that was being built on the Orchard Beach parking lot in the Northeast Bronx, but which has, in the meantime, been moved to Randall’s Island.   “I think it’s completely irresponsible for anybody to be putting something over there based on the fact that it’s in a flood zone, based on the fact that there’s no form of transportation for these people, which is pretty much inhumane. Why do they always consider The Bronx the dumping ground for society’s problems? They started


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UPDATE Mayor: Orchard Beach Asylum Seeker Relief Center to be Moved to Randall’s Island

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday evening, Oct. 3, that the Orchard Beach relief center which was targeted to house up to a thousand asylum seekers will be moved to Randall’s Island in Manhattan. The announcement comes after a weekend of both protests and flooding at Orchard Beach, located in the Northeast Bronx, and further to the mayor’s earlier announcement on Sept. 22 of the construction of the Orchard Beach site, as reported.   “New York City has, on its own, safely and efficiently provided shelter, health care, education, and a host of other services to more


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Mayor, Schumer Announce First-in-Nation “Street Deliverista Hubs” for Food Delivery Workers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor Eric Adams and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced the launch on Monday, Oct. 3, of a first-of-its-kind hub program for New York City’s 65,000 delivery workers, many of whom are immigrants. The program is designed to use existing infrastructure like vacant city newsstands to provide a place for the workers to rest and recharge.   Government officials said street “deliverista” hubs will create a place for delivery workers to seek shelter from the elements, charge their electric bikes and cell phones, and at the same time, revitalize these empty spaces to ensure New York City’s public spaces


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UPDATE Gibson Cites Potential Concerns with Orchard Beach Asylum Seeker Relief Center Proposed by Adams Administration

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has cited potential concerns envisaged with locating an asylum seeker relief center at Orchard Beach in the Northeast Bronx, such as potential flooding and lack of adequate transportation connectivity. The Adams administration included the center as a target location proposed to house asylum seekers during an announcement made last Thursday, Sept. 22. Other center openings in other locations are also planned.   City officials announced last week that humanitarian emergency response and relief centers to support hundreds of asylum seekers arriving in New York City each day from Texas and other border states would be


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