Missing Girl, 17, Likely Victim of Sex Trafficking, Located in Wakefield Motel

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. A 17-year-old girl, who police say had been reported missing from Brooklyn was located by a nonprofit representative at the Metro Motel in the Wakefield section of The Bronx on Saturday, July 23. The nonprofit representative, whose name we are not disclosing for security reasons, but who spoke with Norwood News directly about the incident, said the teen is a likely sex trafficking victim, one of millions caught up in an estimated, billion-dollar, global industry. The nonprofit works with victims and survivors

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is a slightly extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. The recent State and congressional redistricting process has been confusing to put it mildly, but it has had one benefit. Because the State senate and congressional primary elections have been delayed to Aug. 23, it means voters have had more time to get to know the candidates aiming to represent them in 2023. On Monday, July 25, Schneps Media hosted a debate between the two Democratic candidates running for the “new” State senate district 33 seat. They are incumbent progressive State

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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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Politics

Missing Girl, 17, Likely Victim of Sex Trafficking, Located in Wakefield Motel

Rivera and Camilo Face Off in Debate ahead of Aug. 23 Senate District 33 Democratic Primary

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPDATE NYC Districting Commission Releases Proposed City Council District Maps