Morris Heights: Three Sought for Armed Robbery
Council Passes Street Vending Bill Package, Adams Vetoes Bills
Though the street vendor movement made history on Thursday, Dec. 18, with a supermajority (39/51) of the City Council voting “aye” to pass bills 431-B, 408, and 1251 after years of advocacy and with what was described as a broad coalition of support, former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the bills, along with around 16 others, on the last day of his term on Dec. 31.
Julie Menin Elected as First Jewish Speaker of City Council, Hires Miguelina Camilo as Chief of Staff
The New York City Council voted Jan. 7 during its 2026 charter meeting to elect Manhattan City Councilwoman Julie Menin (C.D. 5) as speaker for the next four years. She is the first Jewish speaker to lead the City’s legislative body, according to City Council officials. Menin represents Manhattan’s Upper East Side, including Lenox Hill, Yorkville, and Carnegie Hill, along with Roosevelt Island, and she will lead the city council during what city officials said is a pivotal moment, when the council will address the affordability crisis, an affordable housing shortage, and other key issues.
Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Death of Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia
This week, given Norwood and Parkchester are home to large Bengali communities, we asked residents for their thoughts on the life and recent death of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, who, according to various sources cited by Wikipedia, served from 1991-1996, and from 2001-2006. Zia died on Dec. 30, 2025, at the age of 80.
Obituary: Joseph Anthony Castro
Mr. Joseph Anthony Castro, a resident of New York since 1947, died Tuesday Dec. 30, 2025, at his home in The Bronx. He was born Oct 18, 1947, in New York, NY to Octavio and Julia (Torres) Castro. He is survived by a niece, Jamie Castro, living in Battle Creek, Michigan. Joseph will be laid to rest in Michigan, beside his brother, Fillip O. Castro, and other family at Battle Creek Memorial Park.
