Charges Dropped against Sen. Sepúlveda in DV Case; Witness Does Not Wish to Testify

By DAVID GREENE

The Bronx District Attorney has dropped all charges against State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda who, as reported, was charged with allegedly attempting to choke his estranged wife at his West Farms home on Jan. 9, 2021. A source at the Bronx District Attorney’s office said on Monday, Oct. 4, “The case against (Luis) Sepúlveda was dismissed today. We moved to dismiss because we are unable to meet (the) burden of proof.” The source added, “The complaining witness no longer wants to testify.” The dismissal of the case, prompted Sepúlveda to tweet, “Today, the Office of the Bronx District Attorney

By DAVID GREENE

Police are looking for the gunman who shot a 43-year-old man in Norwood. The NYPD say the man was hit in the abdomen at 12:20 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, in front of 3128 Hull Avenue at East 204th Street. The still-unidentified suspect fled the area. The victim was transported to a local hospital, and was expected to recover. As of Sunday afternoon, police had no suspects in the case, but continue to investigate. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public

By DAVID GREENE

Police are looking for the assailant who stabbed a 57-year-old male victim in the abdomen during a robbery in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. According to police, the incident was reported at 4:14 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, at the corner of Jerome Avenue and West 192nd Street. The suspect approached the victim from behind and removed a chain from his neck at which point, a struggle ensued. After stabbing the victim and causing a laceration to his stomach, the suspect fled northbound into St. James Park. No arrests have been made and no description of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As eligible, disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is assuring Americans that federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA officials said that the FEMA notification letter will inform residents of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds and urges them to use the funds as stated in the award letter, and only for disaster-related expenses. The agency has provided the following tips: FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the

By DAVID GREENE

Fire officials have reported one person was injured in an early morning fire in a five-story building on East 205th Street in Norwood. The fire broke out in a top-floor apartment at 376 East 205th Street, near Webster Avenue at 1:10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 4. Bronx All Hands Box 3544, 376 E 205 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING A, APT 5E — FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) October 4, 2021 One victim was removed from the building and transported to Jacobi Medical Center, with one source reporting the victim’s [unconfirmed] condition as critical. The fire was brought under control at 1:59 a.m. and

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

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

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing on Sunday, Oct. 3. Angelica Black, 16, of 1181 Sherman Avenue, located in the 44th precinct, near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, was last seen leaving her home, over one month ago, on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at approximately 6 p.m., She is described as being approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing black pants, black sneakers, and a red sweater. Her photo is attached. Anyone with information in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police have confirmed that an 8-year-old girl who was reported missing on Sunday from the Norwood section of the Bronx has been found and is safe. Users of the Citizens’ App posted on Sunday morning, Oct. 3, that police were searching for the child, described as an 8-year-old, Hispanic girl, who, prior to being found, had last been seen the same morning, wearing pink pajamas and traveling southbound on Webster Avenue. Norwood News reached out to the NYPD for verification of the incident and for any further information on the missing girl, including a photo. In a follow-up