Questions Remain after Van Nest Carjacking

By DAVID GREENE

For the second time in a month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) has declared jurisdiction over a crime incident that took place in the Bronx, and are declining to make any of the details of the incident public until after the Christmas holiday. Details remain sketchy, but it’s understood a carjacking took place at just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in the vicinity of the NYPD’s Transit Bureau District 12, located at East 180th Street and Morris Park Avenue in the Van Nest section of the Bronx. During the carjacking, one woman was struck by

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Nhya White, 16, of 2200 East Tremont Avenue in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, who was reported missing in the 43rd precinct. Nhya was last seen on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 at her home at around 7 p.m. She is described as female, Black, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweater, a blue jacket, black jeans, and purple boots. Anyone with information with regard to this incident is asked to call the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Facebook Live has been the tool of choice for many candidates running for elected office this year. For Adolfo Abreu, in his bid to win the District 14 City Council race and replace incumbent councilman, Fernando Cabrera, who is term limited, it has also proven to be a fruitful means of cultivating community conversations on each of the six specific strands of his campaign platform. Focusing his attention on a homes’ guarantee and community control of housing, just and quality education, participatory democracy and co-governance, community health and wellness, safety and dignity in communities, and economic development, Abreu has

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Although, there was no official Holiday Tree lighting event on Mosholu Parkway this year to reduce the risk of COVID-19, the tree lighting company made a low-key visit in mid-December to install the lights on the big blue spruce on Bainbridge Avenue and Mosholu Parkway, providing some sense of normalcy in what has otherwise been a wholly abnormal year. Before the snow fell, our photographer, Miriam Quinoñes, snapped these shots of the tree and adjacent holiday display which was sponsored by Bronx Community Board 7, and organized by Friends of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP), delighting young and old alike.

By DAWN CLANCY

The Bronx Zoo has officially kicked off the festive season with the return of its annual Holiday Lights celebration. From now until Jan. 10, families and friends of the zoo can meander through an outdoor, illuminated menagerie of land and sea animals from far-away corners of the world. For many, the experience provides a much-needed boost of holiday cheer, and a brief but welcome respite from the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michelle Witkowski, 31, a mother of two, recently travelled from Brooklyn to see the light show. “We’ve had tickets for a month. My kids have been so

By DAVID GREENE

One trend seen throughout the pandemic has been the collaboration between community volunteers, philanthropic organizations and private and government sectors in filling the vacuum created by an unprecedented and urgent need for food and other essential services. One such example is where healthcare plan provider, Fidelis Care, teamed up with Rethink Food in partnership with Essen Health Care each Monday throughout December to provide free gourmet meals, and free rapid COVID testing to both the general public and to local healthcare professionals. Having kicked off the initiative on Monday, Dec. 4, the coalition aimed to distribute 2,400

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday Dec. 23, 2020, at around 12.02 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress in front of 1097 Boston Road in Morrisania, in the 42nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers encountered a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the neck. EMS also responded to the scene and transported the teen to NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. The deceased was identified as James Solano of 1020 Trinity Avenue in the Bronx. On Monday, Dec. 28, Marquis Beckford, 22, of East

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts up to 65 mph, starting Thursday evening, Dec. 24, and continuing into Friday, Dec. 25. Accordingly, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. Department officials said the agency will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city, and if sites are not secured, it will issue violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx is celebrating with cheerful holiday performances, and viewers can share in that holiday spirit by tuning in to BronxNet. The seasonal line-up includes Handel’s Messiah performed by The Orchestra of The Bronx and Bronx Opera Company, Manhattan College’s Lessons and Carols, a virtual Nutcracker by the Paige Fraser Foundation, a Parranda celebration by Casita Maria, and Pregones PRTT’s Fiesta Navideña. Handel’s Messiah features readers from the Bronx community including Dr. Ruth Westheimer, NYS Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, NYC Councilman Andrew Cohen, Congressman José E. Serrano, Bronx Community College President Thomas Isekenegbe, Riverdale Press Editor Michael Hinman, and BronxNet