Politics

Congressman Jamaal Bowman Safe Following Attack on Capitol, Joins Calls for President’s Removal

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Newly elected Bronx congressman in the 16th congressional district, Jamaal Bowman, issued a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 6, to confirm that he was safe and secure following the breach of the Capitol by white supremacist extremists incited by President Donald Trump earlier that day. It has been reported that four people have been killed. Bowman joined Congressman Cori Bush (D-MO) in calling for the impeachment of the president and the expulsion of the Republican members of Congress who he said allegedly incited the attack on the Capitol. He also described the president’s remarks to protestors as “open sedition.”   “Thank


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Sammy Ravelo Runs for Bronx BP

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
Standing on Fordham Road across the street from the military recruiting center where he signed up for the United States Navy more than three decades ago, Sammy Ravelo announced his candidacy for the Bronx borough presidency on Dec. 30. Before a small crowd at the busy intersection of Grand Concourse, Ravelo addressed the mostly, Spanish-language media covering the event.   In reference to the building where the Bronx borough president’s office is located, speaking in Spanish, Ravelo said, “The time is now for a person who has served his community for more than 25 years, like I did in the


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Update: City Council Candidate, Mino Lora, Has COVID-19, Governor Reduces Signature Requirements

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mino Lora, candidate for City Council in the 11th District in The Bronx, and previously profiled by the Norwood News, issued a statement on Thursday, Jan. 7, confirming that she has contracted the coronavirus. “I tested positive for COVID-19, and am quarantining with my husband and our two children,” she said. “My symptoms are mild so far.” As reported by Norwood News, on Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio set the date for the Special Election for District 11 and District 15 as March 23, and encouraged “all the folks out there in those two districts who want


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Mayor Sets March 23 Special Election Date for 11th & 15th City Council Races

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Monday, Jan. 4, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio set March 23 as the Special Election date for the 11th and 15th City Council races in the Bronx. Announcing the date, the mayor did not comment in the press release on recent calls to both the mayor and the governor, as reported by Norwood News, to waive the 450 minimum signatures needed by candidates from residents to get their names on the ballot. Some candidates have said such a waiver would reduce mass person-to-person contact during a time of rising COVID-19 cases across the city.   “I am


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Calls Grow Louder for Special Election Rule Changes Amid Rising COVID Cases

By SÍLE MOLONEY
District 11 City Council candidate, Dan Padernacht, and a number of other City Council candidates held a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 29, where they discussed different proposals to mitigate against the health risks associated with campaigning in the Northwest Bronx in the era of COVID-19, as reported by Norwood News.    The candidates called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to waive the minimum 450-signature requirement to qualify to place their names on the ballots in the District 11 and District 15 special elections, which are expected to be announced on or about Jan. 1, 2021


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Biaggi’s Healthy Terminals Act Honors Baggage Handler who Died of COVID-19

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Dec. 31, 2020, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi’s bill S6266D into law. The bill will allow thousands of essential airport workers at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport access to a supplemental wage benefit to acquire healthcare.   The senator who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester, issued a statement following the signing of the bill.   “This is a victory for all New Yorkers as we take an integral step to protect some of our most vulnerable workers in the wake of the global pandemic. Long before COVID, mostly Black,


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First Baby of 2021 at Montefiore Delights Mom & Dad, Brings Hope for a Brighter New Year

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As many around the borough were welcoming in a, hopefully, happier, healthier and more hopeful new year, with quiet family get-togethers, perhaps tuning in to watch the low-key celebrations unfold at Times Square, where foot traffic was very much reduced to a select few frontline workers for a special New Year’s Eve show featuring The Bronx’s own, Jennifer Lopez, proud parents Gissel Vargas and Jehovell Garcia had a very different reason to celebrate the arrival of 2021. A Happy New Year was certainly in order for the pair as their newborn son, Nathan Garcia, the first baby to be born


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Statement From Mayor De Blasio on Law Department Report on NYPD Response to BLM Protests

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a video response and written statement on Wednesday, Dec. 30, supporting the findings and recommendations of Corporation Counsel James Johnson’s report on the NYPD’s response to the George Floyd protests in New York City, as reported by Norwood News.    “There are clear lessons to be learned from the protests this year and a necessary drive to bring about real, transformative changes,” said de Blasio. “We must make improvements immediately, and the reports from the Department of Investigation ((DoI) and the Law Department will help guide the way forward. In addition to the


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Update: Murder Investigation Opens after Man Found Shot Dead in Van Cortlandt Village Apartment

By DAVID GREENE
  The NYPD is currently examining security camera footage to assist with their investigation into a homicide after a man was discovered shot to death inside a Van Cortlandt Village apartment.   According to an official police update received Tuesday night, Dec. 29, officers from the 50th precinct were called to ‘The Van Cortlandt Gardens,” located at 3951 Gouverneur Avenue, between Sedgwick Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South earlier that morning at 10.50 a.m.   According to the statement, officers responded to a 911 call of an aided male inside apartment 1-J. The statement read, “Upon arrival, officers observed a


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