Update: Public School Cleaners & Handypersons Reach New Four-Year Contract with City

By SÍLE MOLONEY

School cleaners and handypersons who maintain over 1,500 New York City public school buildings voted on Saturday to ratify a new four-year contract with their employer, the New York City School Support Services (NYCSSS). According to NYCSSS, the new agreement, which was signed less than two weeks before the current contract was set to expire on June 30, secures improved communication with the employer to resolve workplace issues, improved access to vacancies, and increased funds for the workers’ supplemental retirement fund, among other improvements. School building service workers perform a critical role cleaning and sanitizing school buildings. Throughout the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person seen in the attached video and photos who is wanted in connection to an assault that occurred in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct. On June 25, at approximately 11.10 p.m., in front of 2710 Morris Avenue, in Fordham Manor, the suspect fired several rounds from a firearm at a group of people, striking a 26-year-old man in the left thigh and a 20-year-old man in the right ankle, before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The 26-year-old victim was transported by EMS to St. Barnabas

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Emergency Management Department (EMS) and the City’s health department advised New Yorkers on Saturday, June 26, to take precautions to beat the heat. High heat and humidity are in the forecast Sunday, June 27, through Wednesday with heat index values in the mid-90s to low 100s. To help New Yorkers beat the heat, New York City will open cooling centers throughout the five boroughs beginning Sunday. Attendees must wear face coverings inside all cooling centers and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center,

Possible Arson Incident in Soundview

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

The NYPD responded to a police radio report regarding a reported attempted arson incident in the Soundview section of the borough on Saturday morning, June 26, at around 11 a.m. NYPD officers were later seen parked outside 1750 E 172nd Street on Saturday morning as they investigated a report of gasoline poured on a door in the 6-story building in an apparent attempt to start a fire. It was also reported that the Fire Marshall was called to the scene. Norwood News recently reported on three recent arson incidents in the Bronx in recent weeks which involved a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance identifying two people seen in the attached surveillance video and photos regarding a robbery that occurred in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct. On Saturday, June 12, at 8.40 a.m., inside the subway station located in the vicinity of East Kingsbridge Road and Grand Concourse, in Fordham Manor, the victim, a 37-year-old man was traveling aboard the southbound (D) train, and as the train pulled into the Kingsbridge Road station, two unknown people walked past him. The first individual bumped into his leg and a verbal dispute

By ARACELIS BATISTA, DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Music industry professionals have joined forces to form the concept for the International Salsa Museum (ISM) in The Bronx and organizers recently held a press conference in Kingsbridge Heights, outside the massive Kingsbridge Armory which they hope will, someday, be the home of “El Condado de la Salsa.” The ISM is a non-profit which was created to educate and increase the public’s awareness of salsa and to “preserve salsa music’s rich cultural history.” It was founded by musician, music director, and producer, Willy

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Rafael Evangelista, 78, of 2275 Barker Avenue, Apt 7G, in Allerton, located in the 49th precinct. It was reported to the police that Evangelista was last seen Tuesday, June 22, at 10 a.m. inside of his home. He is described as being approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, has a medium complexion, weighs 160 pounds, is of a thin build, has brown eyes and is partially bald, with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black glasses, a dark blue t-shirt, green

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery today announced one top-prize winning ticket was sold for the June 23 TAKE 5 drawing. The ticket, worth $57,982.50, was purchased at Los Castillos Mini Market Corp, located at 1601 University Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx. The five winning numbers for the TAKE 5 game are drawn from a field of one to 39. The TAKE 5 drawing is televised every day at 10:30 p.m. A Lottery draw game prize of any amount may be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing. The 5 winning numbers for the TAKE 5 game are drawn from a field

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the unidentified man seen in the attached photo and video who is sought in connection with an attempted assault that occurred in Wakefield. It was reported to police that on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 2.02 p.m. in front of 647 East 223rd Street, in the 47th precinct, the unidentified suspect who was riding a dirt bike dismounted the bike and approached the victim, a 25-year-old man who was seated inside a black Acura MDX SUV. The suspect produced a handgun and fired it at