Bedford Park: Search for Missing 16-Year-Old Boy

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 16-year-old male youth reported missing from Bedford Park. It was reported to police that Arvin Alcatara, 16, from 2980 Valentine Avenue, was last seen on Friday, March 10, at around 4 p.m. inside his home. Arvin is described as male, is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighs around 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and black sneakers. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also

By DAVID GREENE

This week, in the wake of the 5-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Sunday, March 5, caused by a lithium-ion battery explosion from the charging of an e-bike, we asked readers their thoughts on the use of illegal, damaged or improper chargers or lithium-ion batteries. “It’s an urban nightmare! Bringing something that’s flammable and explosive into a city of eight-and-a-half million people is crazy. To risk your neighbor’s life, firemen’s lives, your life, and the ruination of housing stock that’s depleted as it is…for what? Deliveries? You can’t pick up your own stuff? And I think the city really has to

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The Rotunda of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park was filled with some of New York’s political constellation on Saturday, March 4 for the inauguration ceremony of Democratic Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80). The guest list included U.S. Sen. and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Councilman Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15), among many others. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was scheduled to attend three other events the same day, sent well wishes, via video message, to Zaccaro Jr., profiled last year by Norwood News. Before administering the oath of office, State Assembly

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story which appears in our latest print edition. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, the borough’s 14th president, delivered her first State of the Borough address in sparkling attire at Manhattan College on Wednesday, March 1, outlining the accomplishments of her administration during 2022 and unveiling her strategic agenda for 2023. With the college celebrating its 100th year this year, its president, Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, said college officials were honored to host the event. “We recognize that The Bronx is a special place and look forward to partnering

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department said a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Bedford Park on Thursday, March 9, has been located and is safe. Prior to this latest update on March 11, police said it had been reported to them that Qualaya Daniels of 2681 Marion Avenue had last been seen on Monday, March 6, at around 3 a.m., leaving her home. She was described at the time as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, having a thin build, a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. As reported, another 14-year-old girl from Norwood was

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on March 9 that a Manhattan man has been charged with kidnapping, murder and other charges for shooting two people in a car, setting it on fire, and incinerating them on Shore Road in Pelham Split Rock Course in Pelham Bay Park in the East Bronx in May 2022, as reported. Clark said, “The deaths of these two young people allegedly culminated a chain of violent events in Manhattan and Queens. A defendant has been brought to justice, and we will hold accountable any others involved in this horrific crime. I hope

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A free 3v3 basketball tournament: Buckets for the Bronx: 3v3 Community Classic for Bronx teens was held at the Apex Center at Lehman College on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event was organized by local community members, Jessica Altagracia Woolford, founder of Kingsbridge Unidos, and Haramritjot Singh, founder of Cash Cow NYC. The tournament was open to local high school students aged 14-18 of all genders. It was free to enter and winners earned prizes, including three tickets to a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, various cash prizes, two dozen brand-new Spalding basketballs, and exclusive Cash Cow NYC merchandise.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Black History Month was celebrated across The Bronx in February with several events held in honor of the country’s ancestors, while elsewhere, the ongoing debate over the teaching of Black history to children in schools continues to make headlines. Democratic State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), who broadly represents the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Jerome Park, Riverdale, Fieldston, North Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, parts of Fordham, Belmont, Tremont, Van Nest, Little Yemen and Allerton, held a Black History Month celebration at Tracey Towers housing complex, located at 40 West Mosholu Parkway South in Jerome Park on Saturday, Feb. 25,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Norwood. It was reported to police that Litzy Espinal Rojas, of 3599 Bainbridge Avenue, Apt 6I, Bronx, NY, was last seen on Sunday, March 5, at around 2 a.m. inside her home, located at 3599 Bainbridge Avenue. She is described as a female, is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, is Black Hispanic, and has brown eyes and black hair. Police said she last seen wearing a black sweater, black leggings and black and gray sneakers. Anyone with information in regard to