Bronx BP Race: Vanessa Gibson Backed by Statewide Tenants PAC

Tenants PAC, a leading advocate for tenants’ rights in New York State, has endorsed District 16 City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, in her campaign to become the Bronx borough president. According to its website, the PAC’s mission is to give a strong public voice to tenants, and to make tenants a viable electoral force. Michael McKee is treasurer of the PAC and said the group was proud to support Gibson because of her proven record protecting tenants’ rights. “Vanessa’s work sponsoring the Right to Counsel law in the City Council is truly groundbreaking, and has already helped lower evictions across

District 14 City Councilman and majority whip, Fernando Cabrera, secured an important endorsement in his bid to win the Bronx borough presidency, on Monday, June 7, when he was formally backed by former Commissioner of Veterans Services and former mayoral candidate, Loree Sutton. The endorsement is both timely, given Pride Month coincides with the upcoming June primaries, and noteworthy since Sutton is, according to Cabrera’s campaign, a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, a community the councilman has alienated in the past due to his stance on homosexuality. As previously reported by Norwood News, Cabrera courted controversy in 2014, while serving his

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Tuesday, June 8, there were multiple, top-prize winning tickets sold for the June 7 TAKE 5 drawing, including one ticket sold in The Bronx. The winning tickets were sold at: HANDY PANTRY NO 10 located at 12250 ROUTE 25 in MATTITUCK, which sold 2 prize winning tickets worth $22,729.00 SAJOMA LIQUOR INC located at 1350 EDWARD L GRANT HWY in Mount Eden in The BRONX, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $11,615.00 HANNAFORD #8361 located at 592-600 COLUMBIA TPK in EAST GREENBUSH, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $11,364.50 DISCOUNT PLUS

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a teenager who lives in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct. Elena Figueroa, 13, of 2683 Creston Avenue, in the Bronx, was last seen Sunday, June 6, at around 11 p.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, approximately 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. Her clothing description at the time of her disappearance was unknown. A photo of Elena is attached. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is asked to call

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path is a summer program for New York four-year-olds being offered to families at no cost and is currently open for registration. The program is being offered in eight states this year, and will serve over 4,000 families this summer, including 700 four-year-olds in New York state. The registration deadline for the program is coming up on Tuesday, June 8. According to the organizers, the program’s youngest learners are some of the most vulnerable, educationally, due to the pandemic. Nationally, there is concern that many preschool-aged children will not be ready for kindergarten in the fall.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 12-year-old girl who was reported missing in the 50th precinct. Denyea Fludd of 5050 Iselin Avenue, in the Fieldston section of The Bronx was last seen on Saturday, June 5, at around 10 a.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, of a medium build, Black, has black hair, and was last seen wearing a multi-colored bonnet (hair tie), multi-colored leggings, a black shirt, and white socks. A photo of Denyea is attached. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved $19,903,652 in public matching funds payments to 162 candidates in the 2021 primary elections during a public meeting held on May 27. With these payments, the Board approved more than $32.3 million to seven candidates running for mayor. The CFB has now issued nearly $96 million to candidates participating in the 2021 elections — the most in the history of New York City’s campaign finance program — and more than the candidates have reported raising in private contributions (nearly $60.3 million as of May 21). Public funds dwarf the amount spent thus

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City will pay youth from designated city areas $1,200 to take online courses this summer, following the success of the NeON Summer initiative which was launched in 2020. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the 2021 initiative will enroll 2,700 youth in six weeks of online instruction. It is hoped the program will help the city’s youth build skills, focus their career goals and express their creativity. According to City officials, participating eligible New Yorkers will receive a stipend, and could earn up to $1,200. NeON Summer is open to three groups: young people aged 14 to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Hate crimes across New York City rose by 366 percent during the week ending May 30, compared to the same period last year, according to NYPD data. In the Bronx, year-to-date hate crimes have risen by 200 percent, compared to 2020. Attacks against the Asian American community, fueled by ignorance regarding the spread of the coronavirus have been widely reported by various news outlets, while Norwood News has previously reported on hate crimes carried out against the LGBTQ+ community and the Jewish community in recent months. In an effort to address this, a Stop the Hate rally was held