UFT Calls for Fully Remote Learning at all NYC Public Schools Amid Rising COVID Cases

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Citing a 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate that surpasses 9 percent in New York City, the solidarity caucus of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is calling for the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to follow through on the Governor’s guidance and transition to fully remote learning for all NYC public schools. The UFT wrote in a press release dated Jan. 3 that both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio recently suggested ditching the 9 percent threshold, a move the union finds alarming. “Governor Andrew Cuomo remarked that data shows schools are ‘almost without exception’

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Mohammed Barry,16, of 1521 Sheridan Avenue, Apt C8C in the Claremont section of the Bronx, who was reported missing in the 44th precinct. Mohammed was last seen at his home residence on Thursday Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. He is described as male, Black, 16, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and a black jacket. Anyone with information in regard to this individual is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Yasmin Moreno, 17, of 1215 Grand Concourse in the Bronx who was reported missing in the 44th precinct. Yasmin was last seen at her home on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at 1 p.m. She is described as female, Hispanic, 5 feet tall, weighs 110 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants, pink blouse and white sneakers. Anyone with information with regard to this individual is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance identifying the individual who appears in the attached surveillance video who is wanted for questioning in connection with a reckless endangerment incident that occurred in the 52nd precinct. On Friday, Jan. 1, 2020 at around 4.56 a.m., inside 2842 Grand Concourse in the Jerome Park section of the Bronx, a group of individuals were engaged in a dispute, following a small-scale gathering. During the dispute, an unidentified man fired a gunshot inside the location. He did not strike anyone and there were no reported injuries as a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Ishaliqua Johnson, 16, of 2555 Bainbridge Avenue from the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx who was reported missing on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in the 52nd precinct. Ishaliqua was last seen at her home on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 at approximately 10 a.m. She is described as female, Black, approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, has a thin build, black hair and black eyes. Anyone with information with regard to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 11 City Council candidate, Dan Padernacht, and a number of other City Council candidates held a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 29, where they discussed different proposals to mitigate against the health risks associated with campaigning in the Northwest Bronx in the era of COVID-19, as reported by Norwood News. The candidates called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to waive the minimum 450-signature requirement to qualify to place their names on the ballots in the District 11 and District 15 special elections, which are expected to be announced on or about Jan. 1, 2021

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Jan. 1, the New York City Police Department issued a notice advising the media that they were seeking the public’s assistance in locating Mary Brown, 72, of 2325 Williamsbridge Road, Apt. 1C in the Bronx, who was reported missing in the 49th precinct. Brown had last been seen in her home on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 at 12.40 in the afternoon, and was described as female, Black, 5 foot, 2 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds with brown eyes. On Jan. 2, her daughter confirmed that Brown had been found. “She was found by me, her daughter, at

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Friday, Jan. 1, there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold in the Dec. 31, Take-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, and in Franklin Square in upstate New York, at the following locations: 3220 Market Corp located at 3220 Third Avenue in The Bronx, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $35,672.00 Not Just a Newstand located at 1155 Hempstead Tpke in Franklin Square, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $35,672.00 Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. Drawings take place every

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Dec. 31, 2020, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi’s bill S6266D into law. The bill will allow thousands of essential airport workers at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport access to a supplemental wage benefit to acquire healthcare. The senator who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester, issued a statement following the signing of the bill. “This is a victory for all New Yorkers as we take an integral step to protect some of our most vulnerable workers in the wake of the global pandemic. Long before COVID, mostly Black,