Bronxites Pick up the Pieces & Seek Relief in the Wake of Storm Ida

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

The relative and literal “calm before the storm” on the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday, Sept. 1, perhaps lured many Bronxites into a fall sense of security that then-impending Storm Ida would not be as extreme as forecast. The consequences of such nonchalance proved to be devastating. Between noon and 6 p.m., the day was overcast, humidity was at 82 percent, temperatures ranged from 68 to 72 degrees F, southwesterly winds were traveling at 11.8 mph but there was no rain. At 6.18 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted that tornado warnings had been issued for

By DAVID GREENE

Many Bronxites across the borough are patiently waiting for the cold weather to arrive so that those prone to carousing outside, blasting loud music from speakers, while in the parks or in cars, will gradually move indoors, and badly affected neighborhoods will return to the once peaceful communities they used to be. For years, despite hundreds of noise complaints sent to 311 by Bronxites across the borough, meetings with elected officials, and enforcement by NYPD officers, the goal of eliminating unwanted noise, particularly over the summer months, has remained elusive. Now, however, a new law, along with new technology,

9/11 Memorial Events Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Supreme Court of Bronx County is hosting a 9/11 memorial service on Monday, 13th Sept. at noon, at Lou Gehrig Plaza. See attached flyer for more information. Partnerships for Parks announced that on Saturday, October 16th, nearly 1,000 volunteers will gather in parks across the city for Fall IMP-act Day, the group’s annual citywide park beautification day. For the 20th anniversary of 9/11, volunteers will begin planting 70,000 daffodil bulbs which will bloom in the spring of 2022, honoring the lives lost to the terrorist attacks through the Daffodil

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war in Afghanistan. “I think it’s about time they did this. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing this. They’ve been in Afghanistan for such a long time, I think it’s about time they do pull them out. No, it wasn’t done the right way. I don’t believe so, but few wars end peacefully. I don’t believe this world learned anything from the occupation. I think it’s gotten worse. We’ve gotten very stupid.” Kendall Levine, Hunts Point “It was a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City’s Emergency Management Department provided the following update on Thursday evening, Sept. 2. on its recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Ida’s arrival in New York City. Officials said they are continuing to coordinate the interagency response to what they said was historic citywide flooding, as reported by Norwood News. They said several City agencies, including the FDNY, NYPD, the Departments of Environmental Protection, Parks, Buildings, Transportation, the New York City Housing Authority, and Emergency Management, continue to respond to hazards caused by the storm, and are also working with partners like Con Edison and the American Red

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) advised building owners and property managers on Thursday, Sept. 2, to take added precautions when surveying damage at their properties, after historic and deadly floods inundated neighborhoods across the city overnight. Officials said heavy flooding conditions have the potential to cause structural damage, undermining concerns, hazardous mold, and deterioration of building electrical and gas plumbing systems, all of which can pose a serious hazard to New Yorkers entering flood-damaged buildings. Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca said that while the worst of the flooding has thankfully subsided, it doesn’t mean that the potential

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Janno Lieber, acting MTA chair and CEO has instructed New Yorkers not to attempt to travel until further notice amid Tropical Storm Ida, while Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency, as did New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor made the announcement late Wednesday evening, while the governor confirmed the announcement via Twitter shortly after midnight on Thursday, Sept. 2. Later, on Thursday morning, Lieber provided a statement on the impact of the storm, which was also classified as a hurricane that hit Connecticut and New Jersey on Wednesday. I am declaring a state of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The MTA shared its preliminary findings on Wednesday, Sept. 1, of its investigation into the recent power outage which caused widespread subway service disruption on Sunday evening, Aug. 29, with half of the subway network impacted, including subways lines 1 through 7, as well as the LIRR. Newly appointed New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul provided a brief overview of the situation, which she described as an unprecedented system breakdown, on Monday morning at a press briefing. The service disruption which caused substantial panic among New York City commuters, as reported by various news outlets. She said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An 11-month-old, approximately 80-pound, female cougar was removed from a New York City home on Thursday, Aug. 26. in coordination with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Bronx Zoo. The HSUS was on scene with the owner who surrendered the cougar to the authorities. The NYSDEC and NYPD worked to coordinate the safe removal of the big cat from the home and transported her to the Bronx Zoo where she was cared for by veterinarians and animal care staff over the

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Bronxites Pick up the Pieces & Seek Relief in the Wake of Storm Ida

UPDATE For Police Officers and Community, the Battle Continues Over Loud Music

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes on 9/11 Commemoration, Back-to-School Events, Help with Flooding & More

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on President Biden’s Decision to End the War in Afghanistan

UPDATE: City Issues Update on its Response to Flash Flooding Post Tropical Storm Ida

UPDATE: DOB/DSNY Issue Advice to New Yorkers after Historic Citywide Flooding

FURTHER UPDATE Acting MTA Chair: New Yorkers Should Not Attempt to Travel Amid Tropical Storm Ida

MTA Shares Preliminary Findings of Recent Subway Power Outage Investigation

Bronx Zoo Helps Coordinate Transfer of Pet Cougar Living in New York City Home to Arkansas Sanctuary