Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Interim Representation in the 11th City Council District

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the fact that former Councilman Andrew Cohen has stepped down from the City Council since Dec. 31, 2020, to take up a judgeship on the Supreme Court based in the Bronx, ahead of the end of his last term in the City Council, and that a special election to find his replacement will not be held until March 23, 2021. We asked readers in District 11 if they feel they will be properly represented until such time as a replacement is elected. “The majority of people in government are driven

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Friday, Jan. 1, there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold in the Dec. 31, Take-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, and in Franklin Square in upstate New York, at the following locations: 3220 Market Corp located at 3220 Third Avenue in The Bronx, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $35,672.00 Not Just a Newstand located at 1155 Hempstead Tpke in Franklin Square, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $35,672.00 Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. Drawings take place every

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Robin Hood foundation is still accepting applications from nonprofits for its COVID-19 Relief Fund for immediate response grants in key priority areas, as confirmed on Dec. 31. Speaking to Norwood News by phone, Kevin Frederick Thompson, managing director of communications at the foundation, said that the usual source of funding for many nonprofits across the city has dried up or is temporarily unavailable. The foundation’s COVID-19 relief fund aims to bridge the gap in helping to support nonprofits which typically serve vulnerable populations, including low-income children and families, low-wage workers, individuals and families who are homeless and immigrant

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Although, there was no official Holiday Tree lighting event on Mosholu Parkway this year to reduce the risk of COVID-19, the tree lighting company made a low-key visit in mid-December to install the lights on the big blue spruce on Bainbridge Avenue and Mosholu Parkway, providing some sense of normalcy in what has otherwise been a wholly abnormal year. Before the snow fell, our photographer, Miriam Quinoñes, snapped these shots of the tree and adjacent holiday display which was sponsored by Bronx Community Board 7, and organized by Friends of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP), delighting young and old alike.

By DAWN CLANCY

The Bronx Zoo has officially kicked off the festive season with the return of its annual Holiday Lights celebration. From now until Jan. 10, families and friends of the zoo can meander through an outdoor, illuminated menagerie of land and sea animals from far-away corners of the world. For many, the experience provides a much-needed boost of holiday cheer, and a brief but welcome respite from the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michelle Witkowski, 31, a mother of two, recently travelled from Brooklyn to see the light show. “We’ve had tickets for a month. My kids have been so

By DAVID GREENE

One trend seen throughout the pandemic has been the collaboration between community volunteers, philanthropic organizations and private and government sectors in filling the vacuum created by an unprecedented and urgent need for food and other essential services. One such example is where healthcare plan provider, Fidelis Care, teamed up with Rethink Food in partnership with Essen Health Care each Monday throughout December to provide free gourmet meals, and free rapid COVID testing to both the general public and to local healthcare professionals. Having kicked off the initiative on Monday, Dec. 4, the coalition aimed to distribute 2,400

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts up to 65 mph, starting Thursday evening, Dec. 24, and continuing into Friday, Dec. 25. Accordingly, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. Department officials said the agency will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city, and if sites are not secured, it will issue violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than

By SÍLE MOLONEY & JOSÉ A. GIRALT

As the holidays reach peak season, the NYPD has also been stepping up its ongoing outreach efforts with local communities, organizing a number of kid-friendly, holiday events across the borough. Meanwhile, the report by the City’s Department of Investigation into the NYPD’s handling of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations this year was released on Friday, Dec. 18, amid some scathing criticism from legal groups. On Friday, Dec. 11, the Police Athletic League (PAL) hosted a bunch of children at PAL’s new South Bronx Center to kick off the holiday season with an outdoor tree lighting ceremony. Organized by PAL

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Monday, Dec. 21, The Woodlawn Conservancy, Inc. announced that it is to be the recipient of two grants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). One grant, in the amount of $56,250 will support tree maintenance and another, in the amount of $35,000, will support an urban forest management plan. Woodlawn Cemetery is a 400-acre, national historic landmark, and a Level II Arboretum (a botanical garden devoted to trees) with more than 6,000 trees on its grounds. In reference to the grant, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Healthy community forests provide a host of environmental,

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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Interim Representation in the 11th City Council District

A Lucky New Year for One Person as Take-5 Top Lottery Prize Ticket Sold in The Bronx

Robin Hood COVID-19 Relief Fund Still Open for Applications, including Emergency Cash Assistance

Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo Bring Some Festive Cheer to Kids (& Adults)

Fidelis Coalition Helps Local Restaurants to Feed Bronxites & Get Tested for COVID-19

DOB: Property Owners, Contractors, & Crane Operators To Take Precaution During High Winds

NYPD Hosts Various Holiday Events as DOI Releases Report on NYPD Handling of BLM Protests

Woodlawn Conservancy Receives Two Grants from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation