Politics

Pierina Sanchez to Announce Community Investments at Block Party on Saturday, July 30

By SÍLE MOLONEY
District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez will host a community block party on Morris Avenue, between 181st Street and Burnside Avenue, on the border of Fordham Heights and University Heights on Saturday, July 30, from noon to 4 p.m., during which she is expected to announce a number of investments in the district.   With a large variety of activities, food, and more, according to the councilwoman’s office, District 14 residents are welcome to attend. The event is being hosted in partnership with the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF), Fidelis Care, and the Union Community Health Center


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UPDATE Project Renewal’s Longtime Venture, Bedford Green House, Officially Opens

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Nearly 1,500 people are recorded as being homeless every month in The Bronx, according to City data, with many living in shelters located around the borough. According to State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) and one city agency representative we spoke to, various non-profits, government representatives, elected officials and some candidates running for office have been pushing over many years to reduce these numbers and raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in the city.   One positive result of these sustained local efforts


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Bronx Defenders, Advocates & Elected Officials Launch The Bronx Cannabis Hub

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Bronx Defenders and The Bronx Community Foundation, along with U.S. senate majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, joined Bronx community leaders on Sunday, July 24, to announce the launch of The Bronx Cannabis Hub. Advocates included the Drug Policy Alliance, Mothers on the Move, 1 Freedom For All, TakeRoot Justice, and All That Jive NYC.   The launch follows a Bronx Cannabis Forum held last month, as reported, which aimed to tackle various open questions surrounding the emerging cannabis market in New York State, further to the passage


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UPDATE Court Prohibits DOE from Making Further Budget Cuts to Schools, for Now

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Judge Lyle Frank of the NY State Supreme Court granted plaintiffs to a lawsuit against the City a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Friday, July 22, which precludes the Adams administration from temporarily, at least, making any further cuts to the public schools’ budget. The court also ordered that school spending remain at Financial Year 2022 budget levels.   Last month, the City Council approved a budget deal, cutting school budgets based on declining enrollment projections. According to reporting by Chalkbeat, the city’s public schools (excluding charters) have lost 9.5 percent of their students since the pandemic began. During 2020


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Sepúlveda Announces Official Visit by NYS Senate Delegation to the Senate of the Dominican Republic

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (S.D. 32) announced a historic collaborative agreement with the senate of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, July 20, which will include an official visit by a delegation from the New York State senate to the senate of the Dominican Republic.   “Today, I announce, with great joy, a historic agreement to strengthen relationships between both governmental parties, on behalf of our diaspora, throughout the Great State of New York,” said the senator, who represents parts of the South and Central Bronx. “New York State is home to more than one million Dominicans who have a rich


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Monkeypox Vax Updates, Free Yankees Tickets, August Primaries & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Beat the Heat  Amid the current heatwave, which has now been extended to July 24 at 8 p.m., for tips on how to beat the heat, click here. For more information on public pools, click here. It’s going to be a hot week in NYC. Take steps to stay safe & #beattheheat: ✅Keep cool and hydrated.✅Find your nearest cooling center: call @nyc311 or visit https://t.co/9PRlDTeUgY ✅Be a buddy and check on your neighbors.✅Stay informed and sign up for @NotifyNYC alerts. pic.twitter.com/9MUQVnU3m9 — NYC Emergency Management Commissioner (@NYCEMCommish) July 19, 2022 Con Edison Discounts  According to Bronx Community Board 7, this summer,


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UPDATE NYC Districting Commission Releases Proposed City Council District Maps

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Districting Commission released on Friday, July 15, the first draft proposals of the 51 redrawn city council districts, further to a series of initial hearings held across the City in recent weeks. The new draft proposed maps can be reviewed here. The latest Bronx hearing held at Hostos Community College can be watched here.   The Commission is responsible for drawing 51 new City Council maps based on the results of 2020 Census, which saw New York City grow by 629,000 since 2010 to reach a total population of 8.8 million in 2020. To reflect this increase,


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Legal Aid Society Calls for New Chief Judge with Public Defender Experience when Janet DiFiore Steps Down

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Public defenders, The Legal Aid Society, released a statement on Monday, July 12, in response to an announcement by New York State Court of Appeals chief judge, Janet DiFiore, that she will resign next month after seven years in the role. The public defenders are calling for a progressive-leaning judge to be appointed to the bench.   “The Legal Aid Society thanks Chief Judge Janet DiFiore for her years of public service and efforts to improve New York’s court system, bolster funding for civil legal services organizations, and for improving our clients’ access to justice,” an extract from the statement


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A March for Angellyh

By EMILY SAWAKED
  The emotions permeating the atmosphere were clear as young protestors of all ages gathered around their political leaders, teachers, parents, and relatives of the late Angellyh Yambo at a rally organized during Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor their 16-year-old school friend.   Angellyh was tragically and fatally killed in broad daylight by a stray bullet just north of the Mott Haven border on Friday, April 8, as she walked home from school. Two of her friends were also shot and injured during the same incident. Jeremiah Ryan, 17, was later charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with


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