UPDATE Applications Open for Fourth Annual Brandon Hendricks Scholarship

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Applications for the fourth annual Oyate Group Brandon Hendricks Scholarship have officially opened, with an award of $20,000 going to each of two applicants for the first time in the scholarship’s history, organizers announced on March 2. Previously, as reported, the organization offered $5,000 in total in scholarship funds. Founded in honor of Brandon Hendricks, a 17-year-old, rising basketball star, who, as reported was fatally shot in crossfire at 1726 Davidson Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx on June 28, 2020, the scholarship, according to Oyate Group officials, provides graduating seniors the opportunity Brandon never received,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Coming quickly on the heels of last month’s announcement of the roadmap for citywide curbside composting service, NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced on Monday, March 6, that all NYC Department of Education (DOE) schools in The Bronx will receive five-nights-per-week collection of compostable material. This means less rat food out in the black bags each night, cleaner streets, and cleaner air – led by students. “Just like with recycling decades ago, young people are our best ambassadors for composting,” said DSNY commissioner, Jessica Tisch. “They see the difference it makes to compost at school, and they tell their parents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating a 55-year-old man reported missing from the Allerton section of The Bronx. It was reported to police that Corby Webb of 2415 Williamsbridge Road Apt 1B, Bronx, NY was last seen on Thursday, Feb. 16, at around 6.40 a.m., leaving his home at the Pelham Parkway NYCHA development, located at 2415 Williamsbridge Road. He is described as male, is around 5 feet, 11 inches tall, is White, weighs around 160 pounds, and has dark colored eyes. His last clothing description is unknown. Police were told he often frequents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD said a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Norwood has returned home. Prior to her return, police said that it had been reported to them that Leanna Fernandez of Hull Avenue had last been seen on Friday, March 3, at around 7.30 a.m., leaving her home. An NYPD spokesperson said at the time, “[She] is described as a female, light complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair with blue tips. She was last seen wearing a cream colored jacket, blue shirt, and gray pants.” Anyone with information regarding this missing person is asked to call

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, in partnership with BetaNYC, has launched a new mapping tool which shows the level of playground accessibility for residents near their homes and schools. The map was designed to provide an easy way for residents and their families to locate playgrounds that are safe and accessible and to accommodate those with disabilities. The new mapping tool includes detailed information about each playground throughout New York City, including the types of accessible features that are available at each playground. According to the councilman’s office, Dinowitz, a former teacher who represents the Northwest Bronx

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

Angellyh Yambo was a 16-year-old high school student with dreams of becoming a doctor when she was shot and killed as she walked home from school with friends in Mott Haven on April 8, 2022. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, on what would have been Angellyh’s 17th birthday, her family and friends gathered at her mausoleum in Woodlawn cemetery to mark the official launch of The Angellyh Yambo Foundation. During the emotional event, different colored balloons were released into the air marking the exact moment of her birth, 17 years earlier. Later, the family confirmed that the foundation’s website was

By DAVID GREENE, SÍLE MOLONEY & SARA MARTINEZ

Norwood parents are gearing up for a fight to keep beloved St. Brendan Catholic School open following an announcement on Feb. 15 that the Norwood school, founded in 1908, will close its doors at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, along with 11 others across the City. Meanwhile four, additional Catholic schools in The Bronx will merge into two. The news follows the previous closure of six Catholic schools in The Bronx in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic due to declining income, as reported at the time. Of the twelve impacted schools set to close this year, six

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Zeta South Bronx Elementary School K-2nd grade students and staff are in for a treat on Monday, Feb. 13, when the South Bronx school will host a special musical performance by Liang Wang, principal oboist for the New York Philharmonic, and Junko Ichikawa, an award-winning pianist. According to representatives of Zeta South Bronx Elementary School, located at 425 Westchester Avenue, part of the charter school’s whole-child education approach and its commitment to reversing the quality gap, includes providing students with a robust specialty curriculum and programming through which students can explore and discover their own unique interests and passions.

By DAVID GREENE

Parents making their routine trip to pick up their kids from school in Kingsbridge Heights were horrified recently to learn that a 16-year-old male youth had been stabbed. Police said the teen remains in critical condition as police search for the suspect who reportedly plunged a knife into the victim. According to an NYPD official, the incident was reported at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, on Jerome Avenue, between West 195th Street and West Kingsbridge Road on the border of Kingsbridge Heights and Fordham Manor. The NYPD official told Norwood News, “A 16-year-old male was stabbed in the stomach