Illegal Gas Line Eyed as Cause of Paulding Avenue Explosion that Injured Nine

By DAVID GREENE

At least nine people were injured in Westchester Heights, including several children and one firefighter, after a gas explosion inside a multi-unit residential home shook the building’s foundation and blew out many of the windows and doors. Two of the victims were reported in serious condition. The explosion occurred inside 1522 Paulding Avenue in the Westchester Square section of the Bronx at 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18. At the scene, FDNY Deputy Chief John Sarrocco issued a brief statement that was later released on Twitter. “We received a call for an explosion,” he said. “Units arrived on scene

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following article is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Shanti Sledge was 24 when he took the courageous step to return to education after a seven-year absence, attempting, once more, to obtain his high school diploma, having dropped out of public school in his mid-teens. “I feel like the first time around, I wasn’t as motivated or felt like I really paid attention,” he said. “I was just all over the place. I had dropped out of high school and I went to Job Corps to pursue my trade, my career.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lawyer and City Council candidate in the District 11 race, Dan Padernacht, has received the endorsement of Bill Samuels, a business leader, lawyer, and founder of the Council on Economic Priorities, EffectiveNY, the New Roosevelt Initiative, and New Yorkers for a More Effective Constitution. Samuels wrote in a press release on Monday, March 1, that Padernacht’s history of leadership in the Northwest Bronx has amply prepared him to represent his district in the city council. “He has a facile understanding of the economic and social issues within the district and innovative approaches to post-pandemic recovery,” Samuels said. “Dan will

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Assemblywoman for the 80th Assembly District in the Northwest Bronx, Nathalia Fernández, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday, Feb. 24, to bring a mass COVID-19 vaccination site to the North Bronx. Despite the City providing free transportation for seniors to get vaccinated as well as efforts to deliver expanded access to the COVID-19 vaccine across those communities most at risk, vaccination rates are still relatively low, as reported earlier this week by the Norwood News, particularly in low-income and minority communities. “If the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department has arrested a woman in Manhattan, for attempted murder for pushing another middle-aged woman onto the subway tracks at a Bronx subway station earlier this month. The police had asked for the public’s assistance on Feb. 9, in ascertaining the whereabouts of the unidentified woman seen in the attached photos and video, who had been sought in connection with the incident, which took place in the 42nd Precinct / Transit District 12. It was reported to police that on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at around 7.50 p.m., on the platform of the 174th

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Sen. Brian Benjamin received the endorsement of the Bronx County Democratic Party on Thursday, Feb. 24, in his bid to win the seat for New York City comptroller. Representatives for the Party said it is committed to helping elect Democrats across the borough who will continue to fight for progress and for the residents of the community. The Party’s representatives said the endorsement was based on Benjamin’s extensive experience handling investments, and his background in finance, a crucial skill, they said, for the job of city comptroller. Combined with his work as chair of the Budget and Revenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Thursday, Feb. 24, that a Bronx man has been indicted for the sex-trafficking of a 28-year-old New Jersey woman, and is also under another indictment for sex-trafficking a 15-year-old Brooklyn girl. In both cases he allegedly beat and choked the victims. Clark said the defendant, Reginald Cooke, AKA Reggie, 31, of Anderson Avenue in Highbridge, was arraigned on Thursday on three counts of sex trafficking, second-degree promoting prostitution, second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, fourth-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree assault, fourth-degree

By MARGARET GROARKE

Presidential elections are important. But your vote also matters, probably even MORE so, in local elections. In New York City elections, we choose the people who will be in charge of many of the things that affect our daily lives. If you care about the quality of local schools, the way NYPD polices your community, the state of the parks, how safe it is to walk, drive or bike on our streets, those are all issues that are dealt with by the mayor and the City Council. So, why did five times as many people vote in the

By DAVID GREENE

City Council candidate in the District 11 Democratic June primary race, Abigail Martin, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 23, that she has received the endorsement of NYC Kids PAC, the only parent-led political action committee focused on NYC public schools. NYC Kids PAC opposes the privatization of public schools, and advocates for the elimination of high-stakes testing and the reduction of class size and school overcrowding, among other issues. The organization advances its goals by supporting candidates for office who have demonstrated a commitment to improving New York City’s public schools. Martin’s campaign said she is a parent of

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Politics

Illegal Gas Line Eyed as Cause of Paulding Avenue Explosion that Injured Nine

Update: New Schools Chancellor Offers Hope to Second-Chance Students

Update: District 11 City Council Race: Dan Padernacht Endorsed by Progressive Activist, Bill Samuels

Update: Nathalia Fernández Calls for Mass Vaccination Site in the North Bronx

Woman Who Pushed 2nd Woman onto Bronx Subway Track Arrested for Attempted Murder

Bronx County Democratic Party Endorses State Sen. Brian Benjamin for NYC Comptroller

Op-Ed: Why You Shouldn’t Just Vote In the Presidential Election

District 11 June Primary Race: Abigail Martin Endorsed by NYC Kids PAC for City Council