UPDATE Van Cortlandt Village: Elevator Outage at Fort Independence Houses

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

FDNY officials responded to reports of an elevator that was out of order at Fort Independence Houses, a residential housing complex located at 3340 Bailey Avenue in Van Cortlandt Village on Wednesday evening, Feb. 9. Video by David Greene Fire trucks and firefighters were seen both inside and outside the multiple dwelling building on Wednesday evening, responding to the incident. Norwood News reached out to the FDNY for more information, after FDNY officials were heard on site inside the location telling residents that the issue was potentially linked to a burst pipe. Regarding the cause of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A new affordable housing lottery has launched for units at 3508 Tryon Avenue, a seven-story, residential building in the Norwood section of The Bronx. Designed by Tabriz Group Design, and developed by Peter Persuad, the structure yields 24 residential units, as reported by YIMBY. Available on NYC Housing Connect, NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD)’s online portal, are eight units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $54,858 to $167,570. According to NYC Housing Connect, amenities include assigned parking spaces, storage, security cameras, gated access, and package lockers.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Monday, Feb. 7, that the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for Heat & Frost Insulators, Local Union #12 A.J.E.F., will conduct a recruitment drive from March 7 through March 18, 2022 for 20 insulation and asbestos worker apprentices. DOL officials said the 20 openings listed for the apprentices represent the total number for two recruitment regions – the Long Island and New York City regions of the state. They said this is a limited-application recruitment drive, and only 200 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In perhaps not such a surprising announcement, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), who represents parts of The Bronx and Westchester, formally endorsed New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) for U.S. Congress in New York’s 3rd congressional district (NY-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Bowman’s endorsement comes one day after Biaggi launched her congressional campaign to succeed Democrat, Thomas Suozzi, as reported. Suozzi announced a bid to run for governor in November 2021. “I am proud to endorse Senator Biaggi in her run for Congress,” said Bowman in a written statement. “Senator Biaggi leads with relentless compassion. She’s smart, bold,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Former New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito endorsed Melanie D’Arrigo in New York’s 3rd congressional district race on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Described as a healthcare advocate, organizer, activist, mother of three, and a leader in the Latino and Puerto Rican communities in The Bronx, D’Arrigo recently announced her candidacy for the seat which is currently held by moderate Democrat, Thomas Suozzi. Suozzi announced in November 2021 that he was running for governor. Parts of the eastern section of The Bronx now fall under New York’s 3rd congressional district since Gov. Kathy Hochul recently approved the Democrats’ latest re-districting

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) officials congratulated Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday, Feb. 8, on appointing who they referred to as two highly qualified executives, who are also women, to NYC Department of Parks and Recreation: Commissioner Susan M. Donoghue, and as her first deputy commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. Donoghue is the president and parks administrator of Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn; and Rodriguez-Rosa is the “beloved” Bronx parks commissioner, according to BCEQ. In a press release issued Tuesday, Chauncy Young, BCEQ board member, congratulated both Donoghue and Rodriguez-Rosa, saying, “We look forward to working with your leadership team

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Parks announced on Monday, Feb. 7, that is is proud to present the Poe Park Visitor Center’s virtual exhibition as part of the agency’s Black History Month celebration. The online show is in addition to “The NYC Parks Renaming Project: Celebrating Black Leaders,” at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, as well as other events and tours taking place this month. Both shows are free and will be available to view through February 28, 2022. NYC Parks Acting Commissioner Liam Kavanagh said of the exhibit, “Through photography, paintings, and mixed media, these gallery shows highlight thought-provoking interpretations of

By ELLEN MARY LAWRENCE

Rose Margaret Moran, long-time Bronx resident of Decatur Avenue in Norwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at the age of 90. Born on July 20, 1931, she was the daughter of James Moran and Ellen (Neville) Moran. Rose was the epitome of the song, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” As a young girl, she traveled with her mother and younger sister, Mary, by steam liner back to the family farm in Ireland. They lived there for a year, learning the culture and heritage from her beloved grandparents. Rose taught elementary and middle school for nearly

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Montefiore Health System announced on Tuesday, Feb. 8, that Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President, has joined Montefiore as senior vice president of strategic initiatives. Diaz Jr. served as Bronx borough president from 2009-2021, where according to the official press release, he led an unprecedented revival of The Bronx in areas of economic development, job creation, health, and housing. Prior to serving as borough president, Diaz Jr. was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1997-2009. Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, said, in the context of the announcement, “Ruben Diaz

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Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

UPDATE Van Cortlandt Village: Elevator Outage at Fort Independence Houses

Norwood: Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 3508 Tryon Avenue

NYS Department of Labor Announces Insulation & Asbestos Worker Apprenticeships

UPDATE Bowman, Lander Back Alessandra Biaggi in New York’s 3rd Congressional District Race

UPDATE Former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Endorses Melanie D’Arrigo for Congress in NY-3

Adams Appoints Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as NYC Parks Deputy Commissioner

Poe Park Visitor Center’s Black History Month Exhibition Now Open to View Virtually

Obituary: Local Norwood Resident, Rose Margaret Moran, Remembered

Ruben Diaz Jr. Joins Montefiore as Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives