FEMA Urges Americans to Spend Their Grants Wisely

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As eligible, disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is assuring Americans that federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA officials said that the FEMA notification letter will inform residents of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds and urges them to use the funds as stated in the award letter, and only for disaster-related expenses. The agency has provided the following tips: FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the

By DAVID GREENE

Fire officials have reported one person was injured in an early morning fire in a five-story building on East 205th Street in Norwood. The fire broke out in a top-floor apartment at 376 East 205th Street, near Webster Avenue at 1:10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 4. Bronx All Hands Box 3544, 376 E 205 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING A, APT 5E — FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) October 4, 2021 One victim was removed from the building and transported to Jacobi Medical Center, with one source reporting the victim’s [unconfirmed] condition as critical. The fire was brought under control at 1:59 a.m. and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Cannabis, Photo courtesy of Elsa Olofsson via Flickr The New York State Cannabis Control Board held its first public meeting On Tuesday, Oct. 5. Board officials said members of the public were welcome to attend virtually via videoconference. On Sept. 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the final appointments to the five-member, Cannabis Control Board, which is charged with approving a comprehensive regulatory framework for New York’s cannabis industry. The board will oversee licensing of cannabis businesses and the approval of various actions taken by the Office of Cannabis Management. The members are Tremaine Wright, Cannabis Control Board

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice regarding an upcoming public hearing on Oct. 20, and an opportunity to comment regarding some proposed new rules governing dangerous vehicles, pursuant to Section 1043(b) of the New York City Charter. What is DOT proposing? This proposed rule would add a new section to Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Rules of the City of New York (“34 RCNY”) to outline details of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (“DVAP”) as authorized by Local Law 36 of 2020. When and where is the hearing? The New York City Department

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Friday, Oct. 1, that it is entering a new phase of the COVID-19 vaccination / testing program whereby unvaccinated employees will be required to test weekly for COVID-19, beginning Monday, Oct. 4. The MTA currently has 138 on-site locations where employees can get tested. The agency also announced that any new hires, beginning on or after Sunday, Nov. 14, must be fully vaccinated. MTA officials said these were the latest steps being taken by the MTA to protect transit workers and customers of the largest transportation network in North America. They said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) released a report on Jan. 28, entitled, “Nursing Home Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.” On its release, Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) said, “This shocking yet unsurprising report must serve as a wake-up call that vulnerable residents and their families deserve better.” He added that many of the failures documented in this report had been going on for years and had only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report included the following preliminary findings. A larger number of nursing home

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lehman College is hosting a number of performance, concerts and cultural activities throughout the year. The events are open to the public and admission is free, unless otherwise stated. Below is a list of what’s happening for the remainder of October. October 5 On Freedom & Forgiveness: A Conversation with Ray Hinton Office of Campus Life and the Lehman Reentry Committee host prison reform advocate Anthony Ray Hinton, author of “The Sun Does Shine”. Hinton survived for 30 years on Alabama’s death row. His story is a decades-long journey to exoneration and freedom.In 2018, he published his book

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the individual seen in the attached photos and video who is wanted for questioning in relation to a commercial burglary that occurred in the 47th precinct. On Sunday, Sept. 19, at approximately 4.29 p.m., inside 3391 Boston Road (Clean & Green Laundromat), in Williamsbridge, the unidentified man entered the office of the location and removed a bag containing over $10,000 in cash before fleeing in an unknown direction. Surveillance photos and video are attached. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing on Sunday, Oct. 3. Angelica Black, 16, of 1181 Sherman Avenue, located in the 44th precinct, near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, was last seen leaving her home, over one month ago, on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at approximately 6 p.m., She is described as being approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing black pants, black sneakers, and a red sweater. Her photo is attached. Anyone with information in