New Tracker Allows Public to Better Understand DOB Project Timelines

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Oct. 14, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) launched an online Service Levels Tracker, a new tool which allows New Yorkers to see average wait times for DOB services while also, according to DOB, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to both expediency and efficiency. While this information has been available to the public in different forms over the years, the new tracker puts it all in one location, with a clear explanation of the different DOB metrics. Too often, homeowners and the public do not have the tools necessary to understand where DOB fits into the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Urban League and its partners invite community-based organizations (CBOs) to apply for a NYC Council Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) grant by the new extended deadline of Nov. 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. The New York City Council established the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) in recent years and has allocated $2.5 million to award grants to support Black, Latino, and Asian-led community-based organizations throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The first New York City Council fund of its kind, CCNSF aims to build the capacity of New York City nonprofits

By David Greene

An elderly man is reported to be fighting for his life after being struck by an MTA express bus in the Morris Park section of the Bronx on a dark, rainy evening amid poor visibility. Police and fire officials confirmed that a 78-year-old male victim was crossing Morris Park Avenue at the Radcliff Avenue junction at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 when he was struck by a moving bus. The elderly man was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he is listed as being in critical condition. Officers from the 49th precinct shut down Morris Park Avenue

By David Greene

Given that youngsters on both sides of Pelham Parkway often celebrate Halloween with an annual parade, the usual holiday excitement was a little less evident this year due to the parade being cancelled amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to try to make up for some of that lost fun, this year, officers from the NYPD’s 49th precinct on Eastchester Road in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, held the first, socially distant Pumpkin Carving event at their station-house. Two separate carving sessions were held on Thursday, Oct. 22, and were so well received, the officers

By Síle Moloney

Eric Dinowitz, Democratic District Leader and City Council candidate in the 11th District race, is calling for future changes to early voting as New Yorkers turn out to vote early in record numbers this week. “New Yorkers are proving what we’ve known all along – early voting is good for our democracy – and when given the opportunity, people will excitedly vote early,” Dinowitz said. “I am proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and, most of all, patience of my fellow New Yorkers as they wait in line for hours, sometimes even in rain. Poll workers have been friendly and

By David Greene

A young skateboarder crossing an intersection in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, as the lights were green, was struck by a moving vehicle just outside a local church where the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD were wrapping up a daylong gun buyback event. According to the FDNY, the incident was reported at 3:07 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the corner of East 222nd Street and Barnes Avenue outside St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. When contacted by Norwood News for further information, FDNY officials could only say that one victim was removed from the location

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, at approximately 1:36 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an unconscious person inside 1220 Seneca Avenue in Hunts Point, in the 41st precinct. Upon arrival at the location, officers observed a 66-year-old woman, unconscious and unresponsive, with trauma to the head. EMS also responded to the location and pronounced the woman deceased at the scene. Later the same day, the woman was identified as Carmen Aponte, 66, of 1220 Seneca Avenue, Apt #4. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death but the incident has been deemed a homicide. Steven

By Síle Moloney

On Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 at approximately 4:39 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot in front of East 196th Street and Grand Concourse in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 35-year-old man with a gun shot wound to the torso. The victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. The name of the deceased is pending family notification. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s

By Síle Moloney & Miriam Quinoñes

A back-to-school giveaway was held at Gun Post Lanes bowling alley on Saturday, Sept. 26 on East Gun Hill Road in the Laconia section of the Bronx. The event included a special musical performance by old school, hip-hop artist, Melle Mel, who used the occasion to share some stories about his vast experience in the music industry, and to encourage local youth to stay in school. Melvin Glover, better known by his stage names, Melle Mel and Grandmaster Melle Mel, was born in the Bronx on May 15, 1961. He is a recording artist who was the lead vocalist