Schumer Hails New Child Tax Credit Plan, Citing Benefits Over a Child’s Lifetime

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Following the passage of the broader American Rescue Plan earlier this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has heralded the recent Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion which ensures payments of up to $300 per child will automatically go out to families across New York State, each month. The program took effect on Friday, July 16 and Schumer said the plan will impact over 86 percent of New York children.   “Help is here for families across New York in the form of enhanced Child Tax Credits that puts more money in families’ pockets to recover from COVID, while


Read More

Mott Haven: Search for Missing 14-Year-Old Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 14-year-old girl reported missing in Mott Haven in the 40th precinct.   It was reported to police that Darianny Grullon, 14, of 640 East 137th Street, Apt. 2E, in the Mott Haven section of the borough was last seen at her home at approximately 7 p.m., on Thursday, July 15.   She is described as female, 14 years old, Hispanic, light skinned, is approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. She was last seen wearing a red baseball hat, a maroon t-shirt, maroon sweat pants, and


Read More

Bronx Fashion Week Model Casting Call for September Fashion Show

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Fashion Week (BxFW) organizers are planning their next fashion show, scheduled to take place on Sept. 18. In preparation for the show, organizers are holding a casting call for models on July 31.   According to its website, Bronx Fashion Week hosts some of the leading fashion events in the country by encouraging and empowering people through fashion. Since its inception in 2013, the organization has been dedicated to “cultivating the success of both established and emerging designers, as well as other talented individuals by advancing diversity and inclusivity within the fashion industry.”   Having had to cancel the


Read More

Music, Fun & Politics Merged at the 20th Annual Morrison Avenue Festival in Soundview

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES, SHANIA DEGROOT & SÍLE MOLONEY
  The 20th annual Morrison Avenue Festival returned with gusto to the Soundview section of The Bronx on Saturday, June 12, having been cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   District 18 City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., along with H.O.G.A.R., (Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources, Inc.) Bronx County Expo Association, and Freddy Perez Jr. of FPJ Amusements and Entertainment Services Inc. hosted the popular event which, though well attended, saw smaller crowds than the original 5,000 expected for a joy-filled day of music, dancing, fun, as well as a bit of political rallying thrown in for good


Read More

Van Nest: Search for Group following Armed Robbery of Store

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying five individuals seen in the attached video who are wanted for questioning in connection with a robbery that occurred in the Van Nest vicinity, in the 49th precinct.   On Friday, July 9, at approximately 10.55 a.m., the suspects entered Falcon Smoke Shop, located at 768 Morris Park Avenue, and displayed a firearm. They proceeded to remove approximately $800 in cash from the register before fleeing the location. Video is attached.   On July 20, NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea spoke on NY1 about the different approaches currently being discussed, including


Read More

UPDATE Van Cortlandt Park/Kingsbridge: Search for Man Wanted in Connection with Two Home Robberies

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual seen in the attached video who is wanted for questioning in connection with two robberies that occurred in the Northwest Bronx, in the 50th precinct.   On Friday, July 16, at approximately 10.15 a.m., the suspect knocked on the door of an 89-year-old man’s apartment in the vicinity of Van Cortlandt Park. When the victim answered, the suspect forced his way inside and removed jewelry from his bedroom, as well as his bicycle.   On the same day, at approximately 1 p.m., the suspect knocked on the door


Read More

“Saturday Night Lights” Program Opens Up 23 Sports Venues for Bronx Youth on Saturday Nights

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the expansion of the recently launched “Saturday Night Lights” (SNL) program with 23 additional sites added in the Bronx, joining the two that opened in 2019.   On July 9, the NYPD, the Department of Youth and Community Development (NYCD), the city’s five district attorneys’ offices and several city agency partners, community-based organizations (CBOs) and foundations announced the opening of 100 gyms across the city for free, high-quality sports programs for kids on Saturday nights.   An earlier expansion of the SNL program, announced on July 9, was supported by a commitment


Read More

Norwood: Car Break-in on Reservoir Oval East as Grand Larceny Auto Incidents Increase by 44 Percent

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES & SÍLE MOLONEY
A car break-in occurred in front of the Keeper’s House at 3400 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, resulting in a smashed window and a damaged door. The incident apparently took place during the early hours of Friday morning, July 15.   A rock was lying on the street close to where the car was parked in front of the Keeper’s House (home of the Norwood News) on Friday morning, and one resident reported having heard a loud noise at around 5 a.m. that morning.   Police arrived at the scene and requested access to the security camera footage to see


Read More

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez Releases Statement on Demonstrations in Cuba

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) released a statement on Thursday, July 15, on the ongoing demonstrations by Cubans against worsening economic conditions, as recently reported by The New York Times and other outlets, including power outages, shortages of food and medicine, and spiking inflation.   “We are seeing Cubans rise up and protest for their rights like never before. We stand in solidarity with them, and we condemn the anti-democratic actions led by President Díaz-Canel,” the congresswoman said. “The suppression of the media, speech and protest are all gross violations of civil rights. We also must name the U.S. contribution to


Read More