UPDATE Off-Duty Police Officer Killed, Man in Custody

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police have opened a murder investigation after an off-duty female NYPD officer was killed, following an apparent stabbing incident in the South Bronx. Police said on Monday, June 13, at around 2.50 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call regarding a woman who had been stabbed inside an apartment on the Grand Concourse, in the vicinity of the Concourse and Melrose sections of the borough, located in the 44th precinct. Police said, “Upon arrival, officers observed a 31-year-old female, an off-duty NYPD police officer, unconscious and unresponsive, with multiple stab wounds about the body.” They added, “EMS pronounced

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is appealing to the general public for help identifying a group of individuals seen in the attached video footage and photo who are sought for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation following the murder of a 27-year-old man in the Tremont section of The Bronx. On Thursday, June 9, police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot at 595 East Tremont Avenue. Police officials said, “Upon arrival, officers observed a 27-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive, with multiple gunshot wounds to the body and torso.” They added, “EMS responded and transported

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) announced that on June 2 the State senate majority passed the bill she sponsored to establish a rape kit tracking system in New York State. The bill was also passed in the assembly, where it was sponsored by Assembly Member Amy Paulin, and now awaits sign-off by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Bill S7867A/A9596 will direct the Division of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the State Department of Health, Office of Victim Services, Division of State Police, and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Abuse to develop and implement a statewide electronic tracking

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A Bronx male sex offender, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in May 2022, had been released on bail in January 2021 despite having been hit, as a co-defendant, just four months earlier with 22 charges, including sex trafficking of a child and promoting prostitution and separately, for rape, a criminal sex act, unlawful imprisonment, and attempted strangulation. Upon release on bail, he attempted to traffic a previous victim and was rearrested the following month. Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on May 16 [2022] that the defendant, Reginald Cooke, AKA Reggie, 33, last of Anderson

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The American Albanian Open Hand Association (AAOHA) held a celebration on May 14 on the occasion of the nonprofit’s 8th anniversary to honor the various volunteers who give up their free time to support the association’s ongoing work in the community. AAOHA president and founder, Aleksander Nilaj, invited all volunteers who had worked with him for the last 8 years to the event, held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx, where over 20 volunteers were recognized and honored on the night. According to its website, the Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA), established

By DAVID GREENE

Volunteers, once again, carried out the painstaking task of locating more than 8,000 graves of American servicemen and women to place American flags on them in honor of Memorial Day at Woodlawn Cemetery. Volunteers fanned out across the sprawling cemetery, located at 4199 Webster Avenue at East 233rd Street, and placed small flags at the headstones or in front of community mausoleums as a gesture of respect and tradition for the country’s fallen military members. This year’s “flagging” season began on Saturday, May 21, and continued through Sunday, May 29. On Sunday, May 22, volunteers, including a local

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has advised of the following street and bridge closures in The Bronx from June 10 to June 29. Bruckner Boulevard between 3 Avenue and Lincoln Avenue: This street will be closed Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 29 to facilitate crane operation. Grand Concourse between Major Deegan Expressway Northbound Exit 3 and East 138th Street: This street will be closed Fridays form 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and/or from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. through June 13, for knuckle boom. Willow Avenue between East 133rd Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Board of Elections has said all residents at Tracey Towers can finally vote at the Tracey Towers polling site (located onsite in the community room) in the upcoming primary election on June 28, bringing relief to some senior residents who had not relished the prospect of having to travel further afield to cast their ballots. However, the precise reason for the poll site change, which came within weeks of Election Day and before a subsequent reversal of the decision, remained unclear until Wednesday, June 15. Sallie Caldwell, a Tracey Towers resident, told Norwood News on Tuesday,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Building applications have been filed with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for “a vertical and horizontal enlargement” of a 2-story structure into a 4-story residential building at 51 West 174th Street in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Located between Macombs Road and Grand Avenue, the lot is a 5-minute walk to the 176th Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Yitzi Salamon is listed as the owner behind the applications. The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 13,179 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 25 residential

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

UPDATE Off-Duty Police Officer Killed, Man in Custody

Tremont: NYPD Seeking 5 Persons of Interest following Murder

Biaggi-Backed Bill Establishing Rape Kit Tracking System Passes Assembly & Senate

Bronx Man Charged with Sex Trafficking, Rape & Attempted Strangulation Released on Bail

Albanian American Open Hand Association Volunteers Honored on 8th Anniversary

Volunteers Continue “Flagging” Tradition at Woodlawn Cemetery

Bridge and Street Closures in The Bronx from June 10 to August 31

UPDATE Elections 2022: All Tracey Towers Residents Will Vote Onsite After Poll Site Change Reversed

Morris Heights: Building Applications Filed for Expansion to 4-Story Structure at 51 West 174th Street