Census Director Julie Menin Departs De Blasio Administration

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Census 2020 director, Julie Menin, announced her resignation from the de Blasio administration on Nov. 10, weeks after overcoming the initial phase of the pandemic, a fiscal crisis, and hostility from the Trump administration to achieve record census response rates in New York City. Menin leaves city government after years of service in both the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, including commissioner of the department of consumer affairs, commissioner of media & entertainment, executive assistant corporation counsel and redistricting commissioner. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio paid tribute to Menin, saying, “Julie Menin has an extraordinary record

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, restaurants are facing an entirely new set of challenges. In response, DoorDash is providing $5,000 grants to small businesses selected through an application process in select cities across the US. The grants are part of DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative to help restaurants recover and succeed amidst COVID-19 related challenges. The $5,000 in grants will also help offset the costs for outdoor heating. Eligibility Requirements: Must have 3 stores or fewer currently operating Must have $3 million or less in 2019 annual revenue per store Must employ 50 people or fewer per store Full details for DoorDash’s Local Restaurant Grants Program can

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, has released a simpler loan forgiveness application process for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. The agency said the action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses, while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The SBA and Treasury departments said the move eases the burden on PPP lenders, allowing them to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. The SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications, and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders in favor

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90 percent of all businesses), nonprofits and small residential landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. NYFLF is providing working capital loans so that small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords have access to credit as they reopen. These loans are available to small businesses

By DAVID GREENE

The NYPD is looking for the person, or persons, responsible for an attempted burglary of a Bank of America Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) on Jerome Avenue in Norwood. According to police spokesman, Sergeant Edward Riley, officers from the 52nd precinct were called to the Bank of America bank branch, located at 3424 Jerome Avenue, just before noon on Friday, Nov. 6. The bank’s two ATM machines were closed to customers the entire day, as police and a security remained at the scene until after 11 p.m., when an armored car arrived and members of the NYPD’s Crime Scene

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 at around 6.45 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault which occurred inside 1460 Macombs Road in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx, in the 44th precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 20-year-old woman with a stab wound to her chest. EMS transported the victim to Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, where she was pronounced deceased. She was identified as Nyla Bond, 20, of East 168th Street in The Bronx. Two individuals were subsequently arrested and charged in relation to her death. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 at noon, a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Following reports on Saturday, Nov. 7, by various media outlets, on both sides of the political divide, that former Vice President Joe Biden was the projected winner of the 2020 presidential election, we asked residents in Norwood for their reaction to the news. Dr. Rohit Reddy is a fourth year neurology resident at Montefiore Medical Center. He said he was just really happy that Biden won. “As a health care worker, it’s really awesome that someone who actually has a plan about dealing with the pandemic, and actually respects healthcare workers, is actually going to take office next year,”

By ARIANA CIPRIANI

Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) is inviting Bronx small business owners to apply for PPE Micro Grants. The PPE Micro Grant program, made possible by The Robin Hood Foundation, provides direct relief to Bronx small business owners to ensure that their businesses remain compliant and safe for employees and customers. Fifty grantees will receive $1,000 in funding to cover the costs of COVID-19-related, personal, protective equipment expenses. Eligible expenses include masks, hand sanitizer, face shields, cleaning equipment, barriers, gloves, signage, and more. To be eligible for grant funding, businesses must be located in the Northwest Bronx, have a valid

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The FDNY confirm that a fire in a multiple dwelling was reported on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1.21 p.m. at 3318 Bainbridge Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. Three fire units responded and the fire was placed under control at 1.42 p.m. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Norwood News is following up with the FDNY on the cause of the fire.