UPDATE 70 Guns Turned in at Wakefield Gun Buyback Event Honoring Brandon Hendricks

By DAVID GREENE
A gun buyback event held in the Wakefield section of the Bronx on Saturday, Dec. 18, which offered the highest dollar amount per gun to date in New York City, was successful in taking 70 guns off the streets, while also providing those who possessed them extra cash for the holidays.   The event was organized as part of a new gun buyback program launched in December 2021 called, “A Mother’5 Promi5e,” the brainchild of Eve Hendricks, mother of rising basketball star and tragic homicide victim, 17-year-old Brandon Hendricks, who, as reported, was fatally shot in what was reportedly crossfire


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Fordham Manor: FDNY Confirms No Injuries following Fire in Multiple Dwelling

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The FDNY confirmed there were no injuries reported following a fire which broke out on Dec. 26, 2021, at 2720 Grand Concourse in The Bronx. The alarm was raised at 6.58 p.m. when all hands were requested to respond to the fire which originated on the 2nd floor of a 6-story, multiple dwelling.   More than 60 fire fighters responded to the incident and FDNY said a hazmat response was also required for lithium-ion batteries (a type of rechargeable battery) in the apartment.   Hazmat stands for “hazardous materials,” and the job of the hazmat team is to respond to any


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UPDATE COVID-19 Testing at Bronx Zoo & E. 180th St., Test Price Gouging & Reduced Isolation Requirements

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Amid massive COVID-19 testing shortages, Somos Community Care and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (NYC DOH) are launching a new testing site at Bronx Zoo for New Yorkers aged 5 and older.   As cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continue to rise in New York City, and despite many NYC Health + Hospitals sites reinforcing testing availability, demand for tests is skyrocketing. It is hoped the new testing site will help alleviate some of the pressure. The Bronx Zoo testing site will also help support the zoo’s Holiday Light Show and officials say the first 300 guests


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New Law Sponsored by Jeffrey Dinowitz Will Require Board of Elections to Offer Voters Absentee Ballot Tracking

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As more New Yorkers get comfortable with absentee voting, a new law sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) will make it easier for voters to keep track of where their ballot is from start to finish. The new law (A4186-B) was signed on December 22, 2021 and will create a statewide online absentee ballot tracking system, something which is already in effect in New York City, and was used in recent municipal elections. The new law was also carried by State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Democrat, who represents New York’s 14th senatorial district of South Eastern Queens.  As part


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UPDATE Eric Dinowitz Urges DOE to Provide COVID-19 Testing for All in Schools, City Announces New Measures

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
Days before New York City public school kids were dismissed for their winter recess, a few council members requested New York City Department of Education (DOE) and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to make more COVID-19 testing available at public schools.   At a press conference on Dec. 20, originally scheduled to take place in City Hall Park but which was switched to an online event due to the latest surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, District 11 city councilman, Eric Dinowitz, pointed to past instances of rising numbers of infections following holidays as a


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Williamsbridge: More Photos Released in Connection with Assault of 73-Year-Old Man

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Police have arrested a 14-year-old male youth and have also released additional photos of a girl who is sought in connection to two assaults in Williamsbridge, including one on a 73-year-old man.   As previously reported, the NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals seen in the attached video and photos who are sought for questioning in connection to an assault pattern that occurred in the 47 Precinct/Transit District 12.        The first incident occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at approximately 10.50 p.m., when the individuals approached the 73-year-old male employee of a fruit stand,


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Fordham Manor: Search for Group following Assault on Woman

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the individuals seen in the attached photos and video regarding an assault that occurred in Fordham Manor in the 52nd precinct.   It was reported to police that on Thursday, Dec. 9, at approximately 5.40 p.m., inside a store located at 2543 Webster Avenue, the individuals struck a 42-year-old female victim in the face with a metal garbage can before fleeing the location. The victim was removed to St. Barnabas Hospital with serious injuries to the face.   Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to


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Norwood: St. Brendan’s Annual Toy Drive Brings Joy to Kids

By SÍLE MOLONEY  
In the spirit of holiday giving, St. Brendan School, a Catholic, elementary school, located in the Norwood section of the Bronx, in the Archdiocese of New York, recently held its annual toy drive for Catholic Guardian Services (CGS).   CGS cares for over 1,000 children in need ranging in age from infancy to 21.   This year, according to school representatives and thanks to the generosity of the school’s students and their families, St. Brendan’s was able to collect 23 bags of toy donations for children to enjoy in time for Christmas.      

Concourse: Building Applications Filed with DOB for Conversion of Building at 1315 Findlay Avenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Building applications have been filed with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for a two-story, residential conversion into a four-story, residential development at 1315 Findlay Avenue in the Concourse section of The Bronx, south of Claremont Park, as reported by YIMBY.   Located between East 169th and East 170th Streets, the lot is within walking distance of the 170th Street subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Leo Brody of ZLB is listed as the owner behind the applications.   According to YIMBY, the proposed 53-foot-tall development will yield 8,702 square feet designated for residential space. The


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