Espaillat Delivers State of the District Address for NY-13

By ARIEL PACHECO

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) hosted his annual State of the District address on Jan. 29 at The Forum at Columbia University in front of a packed auditorium with many more waiting outside. As usual, the event was an occasion to highlight the congressman’s legislative victories and present his legislative agenda for the 118th Congress. During his address, Espaillat, a Democrat, committed to increasing funding for public safety, community and cultural programs, infrastructure development, and educational initiatives. “We created and passed legislation to create jobs, to help small businesses, to address climate change, to lower the cost of healthcare,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Correction (DOC) officials said a person in custody at the North Infirmary Command (NIC), part of Rikers Island detention center, has died, marking the first death of a person in DOC custody in 2023. The news was confirmed by department officials on Saturday, Feb. 4 at around 11.20 a.m. “Marvin Pines, 65, who was in custody at the North Infirmary Command (NIC) passed away on 2/4/23,” a DOC official said. “Mr. Pines was pronounced dead at NIC at approx. 6.18 a.m. this morning.” Reacting to the news, DOC Commissioner Louis A. Molina said, “Any death

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As February marks Black History Month, Democrats, Rep. Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (NY-16) and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker reintroduced The African American History Act in both the House and the Senate and are urging leaders across the nation to tell the truth about the United States’ history of racism and white supremacy. The bill was reintroduced on Feb. 2 with over 100 original co-sponsors in the House, representatives for Bowman and Booker said. “It is our moral imperative to tell the truth about our past to finally reconcile with this nation’s history of racism and white nationalism, and our

By SÍLE MOLONEY

City health officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1, an end to the MPV [monkeypox / “mpox”] outbreak. The news comes as transmission remains “very low” in the City for two consecutive months health officials said, adding that the declaration followed the successful vaccination of more than 100,000 New Yorkers, and community partnerships in education and behavior change. The City had been the epicenter of the outbreak last year but according to health officials, DOH launched a number of successful response strategies to curb transmission. The declaration of the end of the outbreak also comes as the U.S. public

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson announced on Jan. 24 the launch of the Bronx’s first-ever online community board application process, available in English and Spanish, adding that the launch was an effort to prioritize fairness, equity, and broader participation that, according to Gibson, mirrors the diversity in all 12 Bronx community boards. Each year, the Office of The Bronx Borough President accepts applications from city residents who reside, work, and/or have professional or other significant interests in the borough. According to Gibson, the new digital application process should make applying easier, more accessible, and should ensure the Office

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough Hall was lit in yellow in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance on Friday, Jan. 27, along with all municipal buildings across the the City. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the City commemorated the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, adding, “We remember and honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the many others that were murdered.” Gibson continued, “Today, seven people were killed in a terror attack inside a synagogue in Jerusalem. We will not tolerate these horrendous acts of

By SARASWATHI CUFFEY

Tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death and disease with over 28,000 New Yorkers continuing to die every year, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Fact Sheet: The Toll of Tobacco in New York. May 18, 2021. Although the rates of youth smoking cigarettes are declining, the rate of e-cigarette use by high school youth continues to rise, according to a 2019 survey on New York City Youth Risk Behavior conducted by NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The same survey found that 37,000 New York City high school students use e-cigarettes and are

By DAVID GREENE

This week, amid new allegations of financial misconduct, reports of a federal investigation, and widespread calls for his resignation, we asked readers their thoughts on newly sworn-in, Republican congressman, Rep. George Santos (NY-3), who represents parts of Long Island and who, according to media reports, has admitted to lying about his experience and education. As reported recently by Norwood News, local Norwood congressman, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) has also called for an investigation into Santos’ campaign finances. “You shouldn’t be a politician if you can’t be as honest as you’re supposed to be. If he was my representative, I would

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The first anniversary of the Twin Parks fire tragedy which ripped through the towering housing development in Fordham Heights on Jan. 9 2022, was marked by a somber ceremony on Monday, Jan. 9. As reported extensively at the time, the tragic event claimed the lives of 17 Bronxites, including 8 children, mostly of Gambian descent. The cause of the fire was found to be a combination of a “malfunctioning space heater” and reportedly malfunctioning self-closing fire doors. With legal proceedings against the Twin Parks building owners still pending, Mayor Eric Adams and other Bronx elected officials attended the private

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Politics

Espaillat Delivers State of the District Address for NY-13

UPDATE Man, 65, Dies in DOC Custody at North Infirmary Command of Rikers Island Prison

Bowman, Booker Reintroduce African American History Act, Urge Nation to Tell the Truth About its Past

New York City Declares End to MPV Outbreak After “Nation-Leading Response”

Bronx BP Launches Digital Community Board Application Process, CB7 Hiring District Manager

Bronx Borough Hall Lit Yellow for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Op-Ed: The Work Never Stops in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Controversy Surrounding Long Island Rep. George Santos

Victims of Twin Parks Fire Tragedy Remembered on First Anniversary