Teaching Award Nominations Now Open for NYC Public School Teachers

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Foundation for Excellence in Education (FLAG) Award for Teaching Excellence has opened its nomination process for this school year’s awards program. The program recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers in each borough who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. It is an extension from last year’s launch in Manhattan. One grand-prize winner from each New York City borough will receive a $25,000 cash prize, and each finalist will receive a $10,000 prize. In addition, each winner’s school will receive $10,000, and each finalist’s school will receive $2,000 for an arts-based initiative that the recipients will create

By MIRIAM QUINOÑES & SÍLE MOLONEY

It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day as the Northwest Bronx Democrats for Change got together to clean up Devoe Park on Saturday, Oct. 4, following their recent clean up of Poe Park, as reported by Norwood News. They were joined by Bronx Parks’ Commissioner Iris Rodriguez Rosa, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Councilman Fernando Cabrera, among other volunteers. Rachel Miller Bradshaw, recently elected president of Northwest Bronx Democrats for Change, said Devoe Park was featured recently on WABC as it had become notorious for the amount of trash build-up, and several groups in the densely populated area

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Teresa Donovan, 15, of 2964 Williamsbridge Road, who was reported missing in the Allerton section of the Bronx, in the 49th precinct. Teresa was last seen on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at approximately 3 p.m. at her home. She is described as female, White, 5 feet tall, weighs 100 pounds, has brown eyes and pink hair. She was last seen wearing black sneakers and all black clothing. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Doris Cato, 73, of 1770 Story Avenue, who was reported missing in the the 43rd precinct, in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Cato was last seen on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 at approximately 8 a.m. at 1770 Story Avenue. She is described as female, Black, 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighs 140 pounds, has brown eyes and gray hair. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt, green pants, and blue slippers. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Legal Aid Society has called on the City Council to abolish genetic stop-and-frisk after the New York City Police Department (NYPD) recently announced that it would remove some New Yorkers’ profiles from its DNA database. In a memorandum published on its website, the NYPD said it has reviewed approximately 4,000 DNA profiles currently in the City databank and has determined that nearly half of them (1,845) would be removed because the impacted people had not been convicted of a crime. The agency said that it would keep the remainder of these 4,000 profiles in the databank, as the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Oct. 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York launched new Domestic Violence Regional Councils that will help transform and modernize delivery of services for victims, survivors and their families. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and throughout the pandemic we have seen an alarming rise in domestic violence cases,” the governor said. “These 10 new councils will engage with local experts to help domestic violence survivors and their families.” The governor added that it was also an important reminder for people that they aren’t trapped because of COVID. “If there is an issue where you face imminent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With the deadline for the U.S Census now set for Oct. 16 at 6 a.m., several Bronx public charter schools are encouraging communities throughout the Bronx to ensure they fill out the census and get counted. Across the country, there are attempts to undercount communities of color and the most vulnerable. The future of the Bronx and of New York City depends on an accurate count of its residents, which will determine how much federal support it receives for the next decade. Now more than ever, the stakes of being counted have never been higher: Nearly $1 trillion in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A public installation of sculpture by artist, Fran Sisco, is now on view in the Pelham Art Center courtyard. The installation, entitled Nature Culture Sculpture, consists of three found wood assemblage sculptures by Sisco that reflect a message of unity and positivity. The three sculptures, “My Kelly,” “Blessings of Trans Unicorns” and “Two in Love” are in the courtyard through March 2021. The colorful pieces are constructed from dead tree limbs and emphasize the beauty in natural simplicity. Visitors can view the installation outdoors at Pelham Art Center, located at 155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham. Public Art Installation Opening

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) on Oct. 14 to release thorough guidance for city restaurants planning to stay open and serve customers outdoors with heating devices this fall and winter. The announcement furthers New York City’s efforts, laid out in the Mayor’s recovery agenda, to become the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living. In September, the mayor announced that the City’s popular Open Restaurants program will be extended year-round and made permanent. The program, which has enrolled more than 10,500