UPDATE Jacobi Welcomes First Baby of the New Year as Hochul Urges Parents to Vaccinate Kids

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jacobi Medical Center, part of NYC Health + Hospitals public hospital system, welcomed its first baby of the New Year, Sophia Parra-Garcia, on Jan. 1 at 1.22 a.m. The baby girl weighed in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and is just 17 inches tall. Her proud parents, Elaine Garcia Blanco and Michael Parra Lopez, are pictured above and below – her mom holding her new bundle of joy. Judging by these cute photos of the adorable little girl, who seemed to be fast asleep in her mom’s arms, Baby Sophia appeared nonplussed over the buzz she generated at Jacobi

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department confirmed on Jan. 9 that a 15-year-old boy who was reported missing in Williamsbridge, in the 47th precinct, has returned home. Prior to returning home, Elijah Pratt-Johnson, 15, of 3638 Holland Avenue, from the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx, had last been seen on Friday, Jan. 7, at approximately 8 p.m., inside his home. He was described as being approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 115 pounds, is Black, has a thin build, a brown skin complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Elijah had last been seen wearing a black jacket, a blue hoodie,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Montefiore Health System’s first baby of the New Year, born within the hospital’s network, was a baby girl, born in The Bronx in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2022. Chimbusuto “Suto” Nwanko arrived in the world at 5:50 a.m. The baby girl weighs 3.402kg/ 7lbs 8oz and is 18 inches long. The baby’s mom, Uzoamaka Nwanko, is from The Bronx. Pictured are mother and baby, grandmother, Roseline Nwanko, together with nurses, Elizabeth Decaro, RN and Meghan Devivo, RN. Meanwhile, New York City announced on Dec. 23 that the most popular names in the City are Emma

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Five-month-old baby, Mason, from the Bronx, recently celebrated his first Christmas with a virtual visit from Santa at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Mason also received some holiday gifts thanks to the 2021 Holidays from the Heart campaign. The Holidays From the Heart Program supports the most vulnerable and financially challenged patients at CHAM. “During this holiday season, as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, we sadly must restrict all visitors to CHAM,” Montefiore officials wrote on the Holidays from the Heart campaign page. “Through donations to the Holidays From the Heart campaign, we seek

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In the spirit of holiday giving, St. Brendan School, a Catholic, elementary school, located in the Norwood section of the Bronx, in the Archdiocese of New York, recently held its annual toy drive for Catholic Guardian Services (CGS). CGS cares for over 1,000 children in need ranging in age from infancy to 21. This year, according to school representatives and thanks to the generosity of the school’s students and their families, St. Brendan’s was able to collect 23 bags of toy donations for children to enjoy in time for Christmas.

Bronx CB7 Prepares Budget for Fiscal Year 2023

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

July 1, 2022, will mark the start of another fiscal year for New York City government, designated as FY 2023 (FY23). Although still seven months away, community boards across the city have started the process of submitting their annual Capital and Expense Budget Requests which inform the borough president, city council, and mayor about the priorities in each community district. Officially known as the Statement of Community Needs and Community Board Budget Requests Fiscal Year 2023, the 37-page document identifies the most pressing concerns in each local community. On Nov. 30, Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) voted on, and

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The first thing 6-year-old Camilia Vanderhorst wants people to know about her new Yorkie puppy is its name. “I’ll call him Coco, [not Coco Melon]” she insisted softly as she addressed the media gathered in front of her home in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx on Nov. 10. Asked what was the first thing she planned to do with her new pet, the shy 6-year-old said, “We can play fetch.” While the origin of Coco’s name was unclear, what was obvious was Camilia’s joy at seeing her wish for a new puppy come true. She received

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An early toy drive, ahead of the holiday season, was organized by new, nonprofit community group, Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters (B.A.B.E.S.) on Friday, Nov. 19 in Throggs Neck. The group, who say they don’t yet have a website or social media presence, said they were pleased with the success of the first Christmas toy drive for underserved, Bronx children, which was held at Bridges, located at 4100 East Tremont Avenue. According to B.A.B.E.S. members, Maribel Mercado, Regina Padilla, Betsy Torres, Emily Toro, Miriam Quiñones (Norwood News photographer) and Alicia Rodriquez, the community very much appreciated everyone who made the