City Comptroller & Bronx BP Races: Four Candidates Cross-Endorse Each Other

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

During back-to-back campaign events in the Bronx last Friday and Saturday, two pairs of candidates running for elected office cross-endorsed each other ahead of the Democratic primaries in June. On March 12, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson endorsed fellow council member, Vanessa Gibson, for Bronx borough president, since incumbent, Ruben Díaz Jr., announced last year he was not seeking re-election. The following day, March 13, State Sen. Brian Benjamin endorsed Assembly Member Nathalia Fernández, also for the Bronx borough presidency. In return, Gibson and Fernández endorsed Johnson and Benjamin, respectively, for the position of city comptroller. During the first event,

By MICHAEL HOROWITZ

Altagracia Soldevilla is proud to be labeled an anti-establishment candidate in the upcoming District 15 City Council special election. She stresses that her only allegiance is to the people in the largely Latino district. “If I am elected to the City Council on March 23, I will be fighting for my neighbors and others in the district, many of whom are struggling to survive, especially in the midst of the pandemic,” Soldevilla said, in a telephone interview with the Norwood News. Soldevilla, who works as an adjunct at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, traces her political philosophy to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition in which Norwood News takes a closer look at some of the candidates endorsed by the Northwest Bronx Democrats over the years, including one who attended a Proud Boys rally. Local political organization, the Northwest Bronx Democrats (NWBx Dems), announced on March 16 that they have chosen their candidate for the position of Bronx borough president, and have thrown their support behind the city councilman for the 14th District, Fernando Cabrera. Anthony Rivieccio is the founder of the organization which has approximately

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Friday, March 19, at 7.27 p.m., the NYPD issued a general press advisory, advising that from March 10, 2021 through March 19, six schools in Manhattan were mailed a similar-looking white envelope containing a white powdery substance. In each instance, the material was screened and determined to be non-hazardous. Each envelope has a U.S. flag stamp and a handwritten address in block letters. The NYPD shared an example of the envelope for public awareness. New NYC Schools Chancellor, Meisha Porter, had recently written an op-ed about her plans in her new role, and reassured children, parents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday, March 17, at approximately 3.03 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an aided infant inside 1069 Gerard Avenue in the Concourse section of the Bronx, in the 44th precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 1-month-old baby girl, unconscious and unresponsive, with no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location, and transported the aided infant to BronxCare Health System, where she was pronounced deceased. Police reported that the medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The infant has been identified as Hanniel Darkwah of 1068 Gerard Avenue, in the Bronx.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A lifelong resident of Van Nest, founder of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance, and a Bronx Community Board 11 (CB 11) board member since 2011, Bernadette Ferrara is one of ten candidates in the District 15 City Council District race, aiming to fill the seat vacated by former councilman and now Congressman Ritchie Torres. Though Norwood News requested an interview with Ferrara, time did not allow for this finally, and so, here, we present a profile of Ferrara’s candidacy based on her campaign platform, and on her public comments during recent interviews and debates on three areas: housing, policing,

By ONI TONGO

March is National Nutrition Month. It’s a great time to think about what we eat, and how we can make healthy food and physical activity part of our lives. We can celebrate by trying a new food or recipe, making healthy snacks with our kids, or adding a different physical activity into our daily routine. This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate,” which is all about choosing food and fitness goals that work best for you. Our city and our neighborhoods are diverse, and folks have unique food preferences and tastes. That means we also have a lot

Editor’s Pick Want to see a live entertainment show? Join the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts for a series of “Rhythm of Dance” live shows from March 16 to March 21. This incredible show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, showcasing a wealth of Irish talent, and featuring World and Irish champion dancers, and some of the finest traditional musicians and singers. Combining traditional dance and music with the most up-to-date stage technology, this two-hour dance and music extravaganza takes the audience on an exhilarating, energy-packed time trip through the ages. To register for tickets, visit https://www.lehmancenter.org/events.

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on life one year on from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just want this [expletive] to be over with, I just want to go back to school. I just want everything to go back to normal. No, I didn’t think it was that serious when this first started. I thought it would [have been] over by now and it hasn’t – that’s how serious it was, and how many people have died.” Aameenah Islam West Farms “I just came out of the nursing home, and I was with

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

City Comptroller & Bronx BP Races: Four Candidates Cross-Endorse Each Other

District 15 City Council Race: Altagracia Soldevilla on Fighting for Her Neighbors & Being the Anti-Establishment Candidate

UPDATE: Northwest Bronx Democrats Endorse Fernando Cabrera for Bronx Borough President

Police Advisory as Series of Schools Receive Envelopes Containing White Powder

One-Month-Old Baby Girl’s Death Treated as Suspicious as Fractures Found to Skull

Update: District 15 City Council Race: Bernadette Ferrara on Housing, Policing & Economic Development

Health Check: How to Eat Healthy During National Nutrition Month and Beyond

Out & About: Sports Discussions, Rhythm of the Dance, Representation Through Art

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the COVID-19 Pandemic One Year On