Real Estate Industry Group and Union Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Rules

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB), the multi-employer group association representing the city‘s real estate industry, and SEIU 32BJ, the union representing 85,000 building service workers in the city, issued, on Saturday, Oct. 2, a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement covering rules for implementing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for staff working in most city buildings.   The agreement, which would cover thousands of commercial and residential properties in the city, sets the process and safeguards which must be followed in the event a site or an employer intends to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.   Howard Rothschild, president of the realty advisory board


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UPDATE Governor Marks Launch of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with $6.5 Million in Funding

By SÍLE MOLONEY
October marks Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. Between 2017 and 2018, intimate partner homicides in the Bronx increased by 85.7 percent, from seven in 2017, to 13 in 2018, according to a 2019 report by the New York City DV Fatality Review Committee. Meanwhile, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2017 that one in four women, and one in seven men will be victims of DV or abuse in their lifetime.   On Friday, Oct. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $6.5 million in funding that will allow state-licensed service providers to offer survivors of domestic violence and


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Live Music Returns to Lehman Center on Oct. 2, with a Free Celebratory Concert on Oct. 10

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
The stage lights at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts are once again beaming, as the center reopens to host an array of live performances. The 2,276-seat auditorium has already welcomed Latin music legend, Andy Montañez, in a tribute concert to the late Celia Cruz on Saturday, Oct. 2. Montañez was joined by the Mambo Legends Orchestra with Patty Padilla.   The center has scheduled shows through the spring of 2022, and the various musical performances will span a number of genres, including salsa, merengue, Brazilian samba, freestyle, and concludes the calendar year with the full-length presentation of The


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Weekend Bridge and Street Closures in the Bronx, Oct. 1 to 3

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has advised of the following weekend street and bridge closures in the Bronx from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3. Tilden Street between Barnes Avenue and Bronxwood Avenue: This street will be closed Friday and Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 9am to 6pm through 11/10/21 to facilitate crane operation. East 160th Street between Forest Avenue and Tinton Avenue: This street will be closed from 8am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday through 11/2/21 to facilitate crane operation. Forest Avenue between East 158th Street and East 160th Street: This street will be closed from 8am


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AG James Orders Release of Video Footage of Shooting of Michael Rosado

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James released security camera video footage on Friday, Oct. 1, that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Michael Rosado, 24, who died at the end of August, following an encounter with members of the NYPD in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx, as reported.   According to police officials, a dispute began at 4:15 a.m. outside of the Los Polmaritos Deli & Grocery at 2080 Valentine Avenue, located at the corner of East 180th Street on Sunday, Aug. 29.   As reported, at an NYPD press


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Wakefield: Building Application Filed for 4180 Carpenter Avenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Construction permit applications have been filed with NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for a five-story, mixed-use building at 4180 Carpenter Avenue in Wakefield, The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY.   Located between East 232nd and East 233rd Streets, the interior lot is one block west of the 233rd Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains.   Mark Stagg of RYTY Home Builders LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.   The proposed 53-foot tall development will yield 62,566 square feet for residential space. The building will have 92 residences, most likely rentals based on the


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HPD Announces Launch of “Heat Season”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced on Friday, Oct. 1, the beginning of New York City’s eight-month-long “heat season,” during which all residential building owners are required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when outdoor temperatures fall below 55 degrees during the day. Indoor temperatures must also be maintained at a minimum of 62 degrees overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. Building owners are legally required to provide hot water at 120 degrees year-round.   HPD officials said that during the last heat season, spanning from Oct. 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021, HPD


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UPDATE Officer Charged with Assault & Criminal Mischief in 50th Precinct

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD confirm that on Friday, Oct. 1, at 00.01 a.m., an off-duty New York City employee was arrested and charged in the 50th precinct.   Jermack Romero, 39, an NYPD officer with the 44th precinct in the Bronx, was charged with two offenses: assault and criminal mischief.   In response to a follow-up inquiry, the NYPD confirmed by phone to the Norwood News on Sunday, Oct. 3, that the two charges arose from a domestic violence incident. Police confirmed that the victim was in a relationship with Romero and alerted the NYPD of the assault. The additional criminal mischief


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New York Public Library Launches Host of Programs for the Fall, Reviews “Fine” Policy

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Public Library (NYPL) has launched a suite of new, in-person, educational programs which became effective Monday, Sept. 20, and which are designed to support New York City students and their families this fall. They are available at several library branches in the Bronx.    NYPL officials said the diverse set of programs are designed to help students excel in school, spark a lifelong love of reading, encourage curiosity and independent learning, and remind the most vulnerable families that their local libraries provide access to critical educational resources and free, quality programming. Check out @NYPL's events for adults, teens,


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