UPDATE First Wave of Kids 5-11 Get COVID-19 Shots at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAWN CLANCY

The first wave of children to receive the newly authorized COVID-19 vaccine had their shots administered at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in Norwood on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The kids in question were 11-year-old twins, Jamie Onofrio Franceschini and Ryann Onofrio Franceschini, and Kenechi Acholonu (9), Amechi Acholonu (7), and Chizara Acholonu (5). “Today is a huge relief,” said Chrissie Onofrio, the twins’ mom. “For the last 20 months, we have been doing everything we could to keep them safe. As adults, we have been able to be vaccinated, and have only seen vaccinated people.” She added,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood News has been informed by officials of New Rochelle’s Salesian High School of the death of former student and coach, Paul Sousa. “The Salesian Family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of the Salesian baseball star and former coach, Paul Sousa (’72),” the notice read. “Paul was an incredible athlete, coach and friend.” Officials at the school, located at 148 East Main Street in New Rochelle, NY said Sousa’s two sons, Paul Sousa Jr. (’98) and Scott Sousa (’03), also attended Salesian High School. The following notice has been posted to the Pelham Funeral Home

By JASON GONZALEZ & SÍLE MOLONEY

For Pierina Sanchez, the Democratic nominee for the District 14 City Council seat in the upcoming general election, it’s all about the love. Sanchez is all in for the “Boogie Down,” saying passion for the community is a major driving force behind her campaign. With early voting already underway and only one day remaining before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, Sanchez is transparent and says a vote for her on Nov. 2 will benefit the borough. “It’s about the love,” Sanchez said during a campaign rally held outside the Kingsbridge Armory in the Kingsbridge Heights section

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Sunday, Oct. 31, that one, top-prize winning ticket was sold for the Oct. 30th TAKE 5 EVENING drawing. The ticket, worth $44,943.50, was purchased at Webster Deli Inc, located at 363 E 180th Street in Fordham Heights. Lottery officials said Take 5 players with midday and evening draws on the same ticket should check their numbers at nylottery.ny.gov to determine if they have the winning numbers for the corresponding midday or evening drawing. Officials say TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The drawing is televised twice daily at

By DAWN CLANCY

Six years ago, Tina Padilla, 53, had to learn how to walk again after emergency back surgery left her with a metal rod implanted along her spine, but all traces of her painful past were seemingly gone as the fifth-grade teacher danced with a swarm of students to celebrate the return to in-person learning at P.S. 94’s “Welcome Back” bash held on Saturday, Oct. 16, in Norwood. The outdoor event, held on the school’s grounds, located at 3530 Kings College Place, attracted over 150 parents, students, and teachers, all eager to celebrate the school’s reopening after COVID-19 forced

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bedford Park residents have been getting more and more vocal about the unsightly, overflowing trash situation on Mosholu Parkway during their regular Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) meetings, as reported, but another issue which has also raised concern is the growing number of make-shift tents erected by homeless people along the parkway in recent weeks. As one resident, who went by the Twitter username, @maminature30, tweeted on Monday, Oct. 18, “@EricDinowitzNYC, @norwoodnews, @NYCDHS, @NYPD52Pct How long before the encampment at Moshulu Parkway becomes a tent city? It already doubled in size since last week. Somebody needs to intervene.”

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on what the Democrats should cut from the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill to get it over the line to satisfy Republicans. “Oh! Is that what they’re doing? No, I don’t think they should try and appease the Republicans. Well, they shouldn’t cut healthcare and they shouldn’t cut education. That’s a very hard decision. I know they have to vote on something. Kids need education because it’s bad out here. They need all the education they can get. Oh gosh, maybe the added healthcare for seniors is, maybe, the least important now.” Pamela

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lehman College is partnering with the national mentoring organization iMentor to launch a new program that will provide 260 freshmen and transfer students, who are already enrolled in one of the organization’s high school programs, with one-on-one mentoring and support to help them excel academically and graduate college in four years. The Alice Griffin Scholars Program is named in honor of Alice V. Griffin, Ph.D., who taught at Lehman for 42 years until her retirement in 1991. Griffin was instrumental in founding Lehman’s graduate English program and served as its director. She was also the mother of iMentor founder,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Public Library will be hosting a special Welcome Week at all branches in the Bronx from Monday, Oct. 18, to Saturday, Oct. 23, along with free school supplies for kids. Branches will offer free programs and activities throughout the week to encourage visits, and give visitors a taste of all that libraries have to offer. Examples of programs include outdoor story time, crafts, writing workshops, and more. For a full list of programs, visit nypl.org/welcome. In addition, NYPL will be giving away 15,000 draw-string bags full of school supplies at each library branch, including notebooks,

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UPDATE First Wave of Kids 5-11 Get COVID-19 Shots at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

Funeral Details Announced for Former Salesian High School Student and Coach, Paul Sousa

UPDATE: District 14 City Council Race: For Pierina Sanchez, It’s About the Love

TAKE 5 Top-Prize NY Lottery Winner Sold in Fordham Heights

P.S. 94 Holds “Welcome Back” School Bash

UPDATE Residents Unhappy with Tent “Encampment” on Mosholu Parkway

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on What to Cut from the $3.5 Trillion Infrastructure Bill

Lehman College and iMentor Launch Program in Honor of English Faculty Member Alice Griffin

NYPL To Hold “Welcome Week” Event & School Supplies Giveaway at Public Libraries from Oct. 18 to Oct. 23