City Calls for Youth Participation on How to Spend $100,000 to Create Real Change

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYC Civic Engagement Commission recently announced the launch of a new youth-led, civic engagement initiative called “It’s our Money!” in partnership with the CORO Youth Participatory Budget Fellowship program, which is an existing program run by the Coro New York Leadership Center. The center works with youth leaders and people in business and communities, schools and unions, government and nonprofits, in an effort to move the city forward. The new “It’s our Money” collaboration empowers New Yorkers, aged 9 to 24 years old, to determine how $100,000 should be spent on projects based on their needs and ideas.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local youth and their families are invited to participate in a series of free Virtual Dance Parties, hosted by Hot 97 FM DJ Spazo. The dance parties are held monthly and are a collaboration between the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore B’N Fit program, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, Wellness in the Schools, and PS/MS-95. The goal of the dance parties is to encourage youth to get moving, decompress and connect with peers, while learning some health tips. The next session will be held on December 17 at 6 p.m. Prizes of gift cards are awarded for the best

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers if they agree that presidential pardons should be given when a president leaves office. Is it right and just? “That’s a good question. I believe that if you have a lot of proof, proof like they have on this person, Michael Flynn, there’s so much proof that this guy didn’t do anything wrong, so yeah, I believe in the pardons, even if the president is leaving office. Hey, he still has the ability. He’s still the president, yeah.” Dawn Marie, Indian Village “That’s a very interesting question. I don’t know if it’s

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) and the Bronx YMCA are working together again to bring joy to the Holiday season for families living in the Bronx, through their annual “Operation REALTORS® Kids” Toy Drive. This is the ninth year that the REALTOR® Association has operated the toy drive, and will it run from December 7 through 18. REALTORS® and members of the public are being asked to drop off unwrapped toys at HGAR’s Bronx location, 1867 Williamsbridge Road or White Plains location, One Maple Avenue, during the drive period between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Toys may also be dropped

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of an unidentified man seen in the attached photos and video, who is sought in connection with a robbery which took place in the 52nd precinct. On Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at 12.30 in the afternoon, in front of 2500 Webb Avenue in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx, the man approached a 39-year-old female victim from behind and forcibly removed her bag from her hand. He fled on foot with the bag, which contained $1,100, an ID card and bank cards. The victim was not

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) has approved a class action settlement in C.W. v. The City of New York – litigation brought by The Legal Aid Society and Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, which expands access to essential, life-saving youth programs and services for runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to 20 in New York City. Under the settlement, the City will implement procedural changes regarding how city agencies manage homeless youth, improving the system for all young people ages 16 to 20 that will enter it going forward. “We are

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Monday, Nov. 30, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) released its October 2020 enforcement bulletin, which provides highlights of the agency’s actions to sanction and deter bad actors in the construction industry through the enforcement of safety laws and codes of conduct for construction professionals. The bulletin includes summaries of DOB-imposed disciplinary actions, including penalties and license suspensions and revocations. The actions below represent a portion of DOB’s overall work to enforce the City’s building codes and safety laws, in addition to the thousands of inspections conducted and violations issued by the agency each month for illegal

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts over 40 mph, starting Monday, Nov. 30. 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. The department wrote it will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department is expected to take immediate enforcement action, issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where it deems it necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds, and last longer than forecast

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at 8.24 a.m., an off-duty New York City employee was arrested and charged in the 45th precinct, which covers Co-op City and City Island. Rosana Martinez, 24, an NYPD police communications technician was charged with menacing behavior.