UPDATE: Out & About: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration, Free Brazilian All-Stars Concert, Italian Heritage Trolley Tour & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information. Events The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct.

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. 8 to Oct. 11. 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 149th Street between Dead End and Exterior Street: This street will be closed Saturday from 8am to 6pm through 11/8/21 for new building construction access and use. East 160th Street between Forest Avenue and Tinton Avenue: This street will be closed from

By DAVID GREENE

Not having gathered last year due to the statewide shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, New York State’s top elected officials joined members of the Bronx Democratic Party at the Marina Del Rey in Throgs Neck, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, for the party’s annual fundraising gala. State officials included New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, and NYS Comptroller Thomas Di’Napoli. Also in attendance were outgoing mayor, Bill de Blasio, Democratic nominee for mayor, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, the Bronx Democratic

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a mother and daughter who were reported missing from Fordham Heights, in the 46th precinct. The two were last seen on Sept. 29, at approximately 9.30 p.m., leaving their home. Melissa Gonzalez, a mother of 2195 Grand Concourse, is described as a 16-year-old Hispanic girl. Her clothing description on the date of her disappearance was unknown. Josmely Gonzalez is Melissa’s daughter and lives with her at the same address. She is described as being 3 months old, Hispanic, and also had an unknown clothing description as of the date of

By DAVID GREENE

Having been closed for more than a year, due to the citywide shutdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Mosholu branch of New York Public Library (NYPL), like many others, reopened to the public in July, as reported. In August, it held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its refurbished, outdoor patio to the general public, and it’s proving a big hit. Library officials and residents celebrated the opening on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Mosholu branch, located at 285 East 205th Street in Norwood, where they handed out free book bags, computer and e-book tutorial

By SARAH HUFFMAN

In April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, The New York Times and other media outlets reported that Dr. Lorna M. Breen, medical director of the emergency department at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, died by suicide in Charlottesville, Va., where she had been staying with family, as confirmed by her father and police. She had, reportedly, been treating many coronavirus patients prior to her death. According to a pre-pandemic, 2014 Work/Life Profile of Today’s Physician, most doctors work between 40 and 60 hours per week, but nearly one-quarter work between 61 and 80 hours per week. Meanwhile,

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Ridgewood Savings Bank held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14 to mark the opening of its newest branch in the Norwood section of the Bronx, at 320 East 204th Street. It replaces the former Norwood branch located at 3445 Jerome Avenue. On May 24, a representative from Ridgewood told the Norwood News, “We are moving the Jerome Avenue branch because it is largely outdated and inefficient in terms of its size.” The representative added, “We are moving to a more modern facility [..] to better serve our customers and the needs of our community.” The opening ceremony was

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals seen in the attached photo and video who are sought in connection with an assault that occurred in Jerome Park, within the confines of the 52nd precinct / transit district 11. It was reported to police that on Monday Sept. 20, 2021, at approximately 5.55 p.m., inside Mosholu Parkway subway station, an individual assaulted a 15-year-old victim, punching the victim several times in the face, as well as spraying them with pepper spray. The victim was treated at the scene for injuries. The assailant is described

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the different COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are now in effect, and whether they agree with them. “Honestly, it’s really a mixed bag because vaccines do work to an extent, but then we have heard about those who have been vaccinated getting “break out” cases, but generally, those cases that have COVID, they don’t show symptoms. Yet, they’re still a health liability because they can still transmit [the virus]. Maybe they don’t. I just think, right now, with the misinformation going on, and the weaponization of information to make the vaccine