Fordham Manor: Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a teenager who lives in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct. Elena Figueroa, 13, of 2683 Creston Avenue, in the Bronx, was last seen Sunday, June 6, at around 11 p.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, approximately 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. Her clothing description at the time of her disappearance was unknown. A photo of Elena is attached. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is asked to call

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path is a summer program for New York four-year-olds being offered to families at no cost and is currently open for registration. The program is being offered in eight states this year, and will serve over 4,000 families this summer, including 700 four-year-olds in New York state. The registration deadline for the program is coming up on Tuesday, June 8. According to the organizers, the program’s youngest learners are some of the most vulnerable, educationally, due to the pandemic. Nationally, there is concern that many preschool-aged children will not be ready for kindergarten in the fall.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 12-year-old girl who was reported missing in the 50th precinct. Denyea Fludd of 5050 Iselin Avenue, in the Fieldston section of The Bronx was last seen on Saturday, June 5, at around 10 a.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, of a medium build, Black, has black hair, and was last seen wearing a multi-colored bonnet (hair tie), multi-colored leggings, a black shirt, and white socks. A photo of Denyea is attached. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved $19,903,652 in public matching funds payments to 162 candidates in the 2021 primary elections during a public meeting held on May 27. With these payments, the Board approved more than $32.3 million to seven candidates running for mayor. The CFB has now issued nearly $96 million to candidates participating in the 2021 elections — the most in the history of New York City’s campaign finance program — and more than the candidates have reported raising in private contributions (nearly $60.3 million as of May 21). Public funds dwarf the amount spent thus

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City will pay youth from designated city areas $1,200 to take online courses this summer, following the success of the NeON Summer initiative which was launched in 2020. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the 2021 initiative will enroll 2,700 youth in six weeks of online instruction. It is hoped the program will help the city’s youth build skills, focus their career goals and express their creativity. According to City officials, participating eligible New Yorkers will receive a stipend, and could earn up to $1,200. NeON Summer is open to three groups: young people aged 14 to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Hate crimes across New York City rose by 366 percent during the week ending May 30, compared to the same period last year, according to NYPD data. In the Bronx, year-to-date hate crimes have risen by 200 percent, compared to 2020. Attacks against the Asian American community, fueled by ignorance regarding the spread of the coronavirus have been widely reported by various news outlets, while Norwood News has previously reported on hate crimes carried out against the LGBTQ+ community and the Jewish community in recent months. In an effort to address this, a Stop the Hate rally was held

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Fire Officers’ Association (UFOA) announced its endorsement on Sunday, June 6, of judicial candidate, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, in her run for a civil court judgeship in Bronx County’s Second Municipal Court District, marking the candidate’s second union endorsement from a major city union. Jake Lamonda, president of the UFOA, wrote in the letter of endorsement, “The executive board of the UFOA unanimously and enthusiastically voted to endorse life-long New Yorker, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, an ambitious attorney and long-time advocate for civil servants.” The letter continued, “Her experience, commitment to justice, and passion for public service will make

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 20-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man have been arrested on murder charges in connection with a homicide that occurred in Fordham Heights on Sunday, June 6, On June 14, police confirmed that Fatimah Adegoke, 20, of Yonkers was arrested on charges of murder, manslaughter, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon On June 9, Marlon Gardner, 23, of New Rochelle, had been arrested on charges of murder, manslaughter, robbery, burglary and criminal possession of a loaded firearm. On Sunday, June 6, at around 2.14 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Sunday, June 6, that one top prize winning ticket was sold for the June 5 TAKE 5 drawing. The ticket, worth $62,606.00, was purchased at Kingsbridge Tobacco & Convenience Store, located at 271 E Kingsbridge Road in the Fordham Manor 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. New