UPDATE NYS Cannabis Control Board Holds First Public Meeting

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Cannabis, Photo courtesy of Elsa Olofsson via Flickr The New York State Cannabis Control Board held its first public meeting On Tuesday, Oct. 5. Board officials said members of the public were welcome to attend virtually via videoconference. On Sept. 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the final appointments to the five-member, Cannabis Control Board, which is charged with approving a comprehensive regulatory framework for New York’s cannabis industry. The board will oversee licensing of cannabis businesses and the approval of various actions taken by the Office of Cannabis Management. The members are Tremaine Wright, Cannabis Control Board

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice regarding an upcoming public hearing on Oct. 20, and an opportunity to comment regarding some proposed new rules governing dangerous vehicles, pursuant to Section 1043(b) of the New York City Charter. What is DOT proposing? This proposed rule would add a new section to Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Rules of the City of New York (“34 RCNY”) to outline details of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (“DVAP”) as authorized by Local Law 36 of 2020. When and where is the hearing? The New York City Department

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Friday, Oct. 1, that it is entering a new phase of the COVID-19 vaccination / testing program whereby unvaccinated employees will be required to test weekly for COVID-19, beginning Monday, Oct. 4. The MTA currently has 138 on-site locations where employees can get tested. The agency also announced that any new hires, beginning on or after Sunday, Nov. 14, must be fully vaccinated. MTA officials said these were the latest steps being taken by the MTA to protect transit workers and customers of the largest transportation network in North America. They said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

October marks Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. Between 2017 and 2018, intimate partner homicides in the Bronx increased by 85.7 percent, from seven in 2017, to 13 in 2018, according to a 2019 report by the New York City DV Fatality Review Committee. Meanwhile, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2017 that one in four women, and one in seven men will be victims of DV or abuse in their lifetime. On Friday, Oct. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $6.5 million in funding that will allow state-licensed service providers to offer survivors of domestic violence and

Missing Local People A 10-year-old boy has been reported missing from Jerome Park. For more information, click here A 23-year-old man has been reported missing from Olinville. For more information, click here. A 13-year-old girl has been reported missing form Laconia. For more information, click here. An 85-year-old man has been reported missing from Williamsbridge. For more information, click here. COVID-19 Updates On June 24, 2021, New York State ended the State disaster emergency (PAUSE order) declared on March 7, 2020, to fight COVID-19. On Sept. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a series of universal mask requirements designed

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), who represents parts of the Bronx, issued a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 29, on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s appointment of Mary Bassett MD, MPH, as the next State health department commissioner, following the recent resignation of Dr. Howard Zucker. “Governor Hochul’s appointment of Dr. Mary Bassett as our State’s next health commissioner is a clear indication that she wants to quickly redirect the agency’s role back to its core mission— to protect and improve the health and well-being of all New Yorkers,” Rivera said. “Dr. Bassett, who will be the first African-American to lead

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who represents parts of the Northwest Bronx and Northern Manhattan, and Grace Meng (NY-6) who represents parts of Queens, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 22, that they have secured over $11 billion in federal relief to help New Yorkers recover from the devastation caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. “Hurricane Ida marked the second time in two months our communities were flooded as a result of the climate crisis, and New Yorkers need for our support,” said Espaillat. “While we continue to survey the economic toll this storm took on our communities, it’s clear that our people needed immediate

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Senator and Bronx Democratic chair, Jamaal T. Bailey released the following statement on Sunday, Sept. 26, on the nomination of Yudelka Tapia as Democratic nominee for the 86th Assembly District. “We are proud to congratulate District Leader Yudelka Tapia on her nomination by the 86th Bronx Democratic county committee to serve as the next Assemblymember of the 86th Assembly District,” he said. “The Bronx continues to make great strides towards leadership that is representative of our great borough. For the first time, The Bronx’s Assembly delegation is primed to be comprised of a majority of female members. Yudelka

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plans to curb misinformation on abortion, as announced on Sept. 13. “You know if women want to have that, they have the right to do that. I don’t agree with certain things, but I can’t comment on that really, you know what I’m saying? They should have the right to do it, but babies need to be born. Republicans always cry they’re pro-life when it comes to abortion, but it never comes up when you’re talking about gun control. Everybody has an opinion, but when babies

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Politics

UPDATE NYS Cannabis Control Board Holds First Public Meeting

NYC DOT Notice of Public Hearing on New Rules to Curtail Dangerous Vehicles

MTA COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Program for Current Employees Enters New Phase

UPDATE Governor Marks Launch of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with $6.5 Million in Funding

Neighborhood Notes on Redistricting, Bronx Bus Redesign, Booster Vaccinations & More!

Rivera Hails New State Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, as “Exemplary”

Espaillat & Meng Secure Funding for Federal Disaster Relief in Wake of Hurricane Ida

Bailey Issues Statement on Nomination of Yudelka Tapia as Democratic Nominee for A.D. 86

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Hochul’s Plans to Curb Misinformation on Abortion