Schools

Inspector General Publishes Investigative Report & Makes Public Letters Sent to Govt. Agencies & Officials

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Offices of the NYS Inspector General published its latest investigative report on Friday, Aug. 19, as well as 21 previously non-public letters arising from investigations undertaken by the office. The letters, which were sent to public officials and agencies regarding allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing, provide information on the ultimate investigative findings by the inspector general.   According to the office, the published documents constitute the remainder of such investigative letters issued in 2013, and continues what was described by the offices as the inspector general’s commitment to providing all such historical letters on a year-by-year basis.   “Today’s


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UPDATE Elections 2022: Rezoning, Development Take Center Stage during Senate District 34 BronxNet Debate

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY
Your poll site may have changed. Check your voting card before you go to vote.   Hosted by BronxNet’s Gary Axelbank, the three candidates in the Democratic primary race who are aiming to fill the seat in redrawn Senate District 34, participated in a debate aired on BronxNet on Aug. 8 to discuss the issues affecting residents in the district, the candidates’ respective policy positions, and if elected, their goals for the district. Zoning and development took center stage.   Christian Amato served as a board member and as a co-chair of the transportation committee on Bronx Community Board 11, and


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Elections 2022: Senate District 34 Candidates Debate Climate, Crime, Budgeting & More

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY
Your poll site may have changed. Check your voting card before you go to vote.   Voters still undecided about who to back in the 34th senatorial district Democratic primary were given the opportunity to gain more insight into the three candidates’ policies, when they took on issues ranging from climate to crime, and from budgeting to job development during a recent debate hosted by Schneps media. On Tuesday, July 26, Christian Amato, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80), and John Perez answered questions posed both by the two moderators, Jane Hanson and Stephen Witt, and by each other in preparation for


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Public Advocate Stalls Property Tax Collection as City Education Budget Remains in Doubt

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Preston Niblack, commissioner of the Department of Finance, on Saturday, Aug. 13, indicating that, in accordance with Section 1518 of the City Charter and in light of the ongoing court battle over the Department of Education (DOE) budget, he will not be signing the FY202 property tax warrant at this time.   According to a press release dated Friday, Aug. 12, the public advocate wrote that according to the recent State Supreme court ruling in Williams v. The City of New


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Football Meets Fire Safety as Bronx Buccaneers & FDNY Team Up for Skills & Drills Camp in the Oval

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES & SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   It was a hot yet fun-filled and educational day all around as a Football Skills & Drills Camp was held in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Saturday, July 30, hosted by FDNY Community Affairs, the FDNY Office of Recruitment and Retention, and the FDNY Bravest Football Team in conjunction with local football group, the Bronx Buccaneers.   Participants received training on not only some useful football skills, but fire safety training, and emergency preparedness and CPR training too. In addition, participants registered


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Defining US, The Story of Umoja

By EMILY SAWAKED
There is nothing more powerful than hearing the voices of people who have been on the front lines of a battle against oppressive systems. The docuseries, “Defining US,” focuses on the U.S. public school system and its impact on low-income children of color across the nation. It premiered at the Toronto Black Film Festival in February, and as part of the series, two individuals with experience of the Bronx public school system shared their stories.   One, Angel Diaz, is a former student at the school and now a paraprofessional [teaching assistant] at the school, and the other, Ingrid Chung,


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Kingsbridge Unidos and Cash Cow NYC Host Norwood Food Giveaway Friday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Kingsbridge Unidos, a mutual aid group, and Cash Cow NYC, a local clothing brand, will be helping Bronx families get Back-to-School ready and distributing fresh produce to them during a food drive on Friday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m.   Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Kingsbridge Unidos founder and former candidate for State Assembly, Cash Cow NYC, and volunteers said they will be serving 500 families across the Northwest Bronx, as the event marks the third, annual Back-to-School event for Kingsbridge Unidos and its largest distribution to date.   Volunteers packed produce and school supplies in the morning at 3047 Kingsbridge Terrace


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Mega Millions Ticket Worth $1,000,002 & Taket-5 Top-Winning Ticket Sold in The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York Lottery announced on Saturday, July 30, that one second-prize ticket for the July 29 Mega Millions drawing was sold in The Bronx, and the ticket is worth a guaranteed $1,000,002.   The ticket was purchased at New Way Deli & Lottery Corp, located at 77 East Kingsbridge Road.   The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70. The Mega Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 25. The Mega Millions drawing is televised every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.   On July 21, the New


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UPDATE Court Prohibits DOE from Making Further Budget Cuts to Schools, for Now

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Judge Lyle Frank of the NY State Supreme Court granted plaintiffs to a lawsuit against the City a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Friday, July 22, which precludes the Adams administration from temporarily, at least, making any further cuts to the public schools’ budget. The court also ordered that school spending remain at Financial Year 2022 budget levels.   Last month, the City Council approved a budget deal, cutting school budgets based on declining enrollment projections. According to reporting by Chalkbeat, the city’s public schools (excluding charters) have lost 9.5 percent of their students since the pandemic began. During 2020


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