UPDATE Polly the Dog Joins the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore’s Child Life Team

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Polly, a 23-month-old, black labrador, has joined the Child Life team at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) in Norwood to support young patients during hospitalizations and medical appointments.

Torres Announces $18,171,279 in Federal Funds for Community Projects

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced $18,171,279 in federal funding for community projects across New York’s 15th Congressional District on Thursday, March 21. The funding, which his office said was secured through the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process, will support a range of initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding access to healthcare, and enhancing educational opportunities for constituents.

UPDATE Norwood Daycare Center Owner Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child & Child Pornography

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood-based daycare center owner, Silfredo Castillo Martinez, 34, pled guilty on Thursday, March 21, before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to a superseding information charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and production of child pornography, federal prosecutors said.

UPDATE University Heights: Police Appeal for Help Locating 15-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 15-year-old girl from University Heights who is reported missing.

Jazz Fellowship Applications Open for Black Women or Black Non-Binary Jazz Musicians at BKCM

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Applications are now open for the next round of the Jazz Leaders Fellowship at The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM), a 126-year-old nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through the educational and therapeutic powers of music. Applications must be submitted by May 15 and the winners will be announced in June.

Schools Chancellor Speaks on Disqualifications in PSAL Class 4A Boys Varsity Basketball Championship

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Schools Chancellor David C. Banks released a statement on Saturday, March 16, following eligibility audits and disqualification of some teams participating in the 2024 Public School Athletic League (PSAL) Class 4A Boys Varsity Basketball Championship game scheduled for Friday, March 15.

Bronx Man Gets 15 Years for Drug Trafficking in Exchange for Sex with Minor Causing Death of 19-Year-Old

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 31-year-old Bronx man was sentenced on March 13 to 15 years in prison for paying for commercial sex with a 16-year-old minor using fentanyl-laced pills that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old victim, a friend of the minor. Both victims ingested the fentanyl. The minor became ill but survived.

Bronx Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking A Minor

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A Bronx man was sentenced to 11 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick for sex trafficking a minor victim, federal prosecutors announced on Thursday, March 14. The sentencing followed the defendant’s conviction on all counts at his trial on May 9, 2023.

UPDATE Bedford Park: Trial Begins for Man Arrested after Fatal Shooting of Mother & Assault of Two Minors

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The murder trial following the fatal shooting of Saida Bonilla Mejia, 40, of 226 East 203rd Street in Bedford Park began at Bronx Hall of Justice on Wednesday, March 13.

Norwood News

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Kids

UPDATE Polly the Dog Joins the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore’s Child Life Team

Torres Announces $18,171,279 in Federal Funds for Community Projects

UPDATE Norwood Daycare Center Owner Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child & Child Pornography

UPDATE University Heights: Police Appeal for Help Locating 15-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing

Jazz Fellowship Applications Open for Black Women or Black Non-Binary Jazz Musicians at BKCM

Schools Chancellor Speaks on Disqualifications in PSAL Class 4A Boys Varsity Basketball Championship

Bronx Man Gets 15 Years for Drug Trafficking in Exchange for Sex with Minor Causing Death of 19-Year-Old

Bronx Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking A Minor

UPDATE Bedford Park: Trial Begins for Man Arrested after Fatal Shooting of Mother & Assault of Two Minors