Business, But Not as Usual in Norwood

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

As a steady stream of customers enters Craft Empanadas on East Gun Hill Road, the blue tape on the floor reminds them to stay six feet apart. “We are an essential business and I’m happy we can stay open,” said Ricky Rodriguez. Along with his wife, Shary, the couple prepare 188 different flavors of empanadas at the Norwood location that opened in June 2018. Although happy to stay open for business, Rodriguez acknowledges that the restrictions associated with the coronavirus have severely reduced his daily sales. “Before, we used to average about 400 empanadas a day, but now

By Síle Moloney

An assailant wearing a mask punched an unsuspecting police officer, while his partner attempted to arrest another man wanted for robbery in University Heights on Tuesday. A separate altercation ensued shortly afterwards between a female member of the public and a police officer at the same location. Some of the fracas has been captured on video and is circulating on social media. The news comes as NYPD’s resources continue to be stretched due to absences tied to the coronavirus, as well as additional obligations relating to social distancing enforcement during the COVID-19 crisis. Police said that at approximately

From Wednesday, Apr. 1 to Wednesday, Apr. 15, the BX1, BX2 bus stop located at the west side of Grand Concourse and Clifford Place going southbound, will be temporarily relocated 100 feet south on Grand Concourse and Cross Bronx Bridge Expressway. Signage will be posted by the contractor advising customers of the relocation. This restriction is beginning at 7:00 a.m., and will be effective 24 hours around the clock (Weekends included). This restriction is necessary in order to facilitate the installation of the Bus Pad. The relocation is needed while the City’s department of design and construction work on

By David Greene

Despite non-stop news coverage, an unprecedented public awareness campaign, and the enormous public health threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic, some Bronxites are still finding it difficult to get tested, locate a testing site, or even get someone on the phone to answer questions. Wakefield carpenter Bruce Bennett, 56, said he’s been calling the City’s health department and 311 for so long, he now believes that if he had the infection, it has probably gone away already. He also called an out-of-state number he had seen on TV. During a telephone interview on Wednesday, Apr. 8, Bennett said, “I’ve

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 8, during his daily COVID-19 briefing that all New Yorkers would be able to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23 primary and special elections. The governor’s still-pending executive order is expected to codify the third and final component of legislation circulated by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), which called for expanding absentee ballot eligibility to include registered voters who are, “unable or averse to appear personally at polling places due to imminent, impending or urgent disease outbreak, including but not limited to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Dinowitz

Councilman Fernando Cabrera Looks to Unseat AOC

On Wednesday, Apr. 8, Council Member Fernando Cabrera issued the following statement on racial disparities in COVID-19 fatalities, with hispanic deaths highest. “The numbers released tell a disgraceful story. What we in low-income communities of color have suspected all along is finally out in the open. There is a tremendous racial disparity in the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City and throughout the United States. In New York City, Hispanics are 34% of COVID-19 fatalities but only 29% of the population. African-Americans are 28% of fatalities but only 22% of the population. Compared to whites

By Síle Moloney

Police responded to a complaint about an assault that occurred on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 7:10p.m. in front of 344 East 209th street, in Norwood within the confines of the 52nd Precinct. A 19-year-old female reported to police that while she was trying to break up a fight between two males, she sustained a laceration to her finger. She was not hospitalized as a result of this incident. The investigation continues. Meanwhile, anyone with information with regard to this incident should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public

By Síle Moloney

Students and staff at St. Catharine Academy high school in Allerton are doing what they can to ‘flatten the curve’ and help reduce the burden on the City’s health service, as the Bronx ranks third, after Queens and Brooklyn, in the number of positive COVID-19 cases citywide. The students and staff made a short public awareness video called, “I Stay Home,” highlighting their individual reasons for adhering to the governor’s order to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerry Schmid, dean of student life and athletic director at the Catholic high school for girls, coordinated the project. She

By David Greene

As New York City hospitals brace for a wave of further sickness and death that could overtax the entire healthcare system before the ‘flattening of the curve’ is reached in the next ten days, members of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) took time out to thank the staff of Montefiore Hospital. PBA president, Patrick Lynch joined a few dozen members of his union outside Montefiore Children’s Hospital on Bainbridge Avenue at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6, to show their appreciation, delivering drinks and 1,000 sandwiches, hastily made by Panico’s Community Market in Smithstown, Long Island,