Mayor Says School Reopening to be Delayed, Local Parents Give their Views

Following the threat of a teachers’ strike, and subsequent negotiations, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, CSA President Mark Cannizzaro, and DC 37 Executive Director Henry A. Garrido announced on Tuesday, Sept. 1, an agreement to delay in-person learning in schools to Sept. 21.   Teachers will report to buildings on Sept. 8 as originally scheduled, but will have dedicated time for training, professional development, and readiness to collaborate and prepare for blended and remote learning before in-person learning begins on Sept 21. Beginning Sept. 16, teachers will begin to engage students in


Read More

Op-Ed Financial Focus: How Does the City Get Needed Money in this Coronavirus Year?

There is no doubt that New York City needs help.   With a current unemployment rate of 20 percent and City government threatening even more layoffs, the City is going to need increased revenue, quickly.   There was outcry last week when City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson were alleged to have tried to save revenues by savagely cutting many areas of the City budget, an allegation they denied. They said they were looking for federal government assistance first.   In the absence of that, and knowing it might be difficult to get money from the


Read More

MTA Announces Service Details for Labor Day

Most Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) services will operate on Sunday schedules for the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 7, with subway and bus options for customers traveling to NYC-area beaches. Metro-North Railroad will operate on a regular weekday schedule.   Front door-boarding and fare collection has resumed on MTA buses. Customers are reminded to wear masks and social distance when possible while using the system. Wearing a face covering on public transportation is required by law under executive order 202.18 issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo effective April 17. The MTA launched its “Mask Force” on July 20 as part


Read More

Bronx D.A. Moves To Dismiss over 300 Summonses for Violating Curfew in June 4 BLM Protest

        Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Sept. 1 that her office will file a motion with the supervising judge of Bronx Criminal Court to dismiss more than 300 summonses issued for disorderly conduct and violation of a prevailing emergency curfew during a large protest that took place in the Bronx on June 4, 2020. Protestors were decrying the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.            Clark said, “I believe in and encourage our Bronx residents to raise their voices to protest social and racial injustice


Read More

11th City Council Race: Dionel Then Drops Out, Endorses Dan Padernacht

Dionel Then has withdrawn from the 11th City Council District race in the Northwest Bronx and is endorsing candidate, Dan Padernacht, for the position, it was announced on Aug. 31. The 11th district comprises the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn, and the seat is currently held by Councilman Andrew Cohen.   The news means there are now five remaining candidates in the race, as reported recently by Norwood News. Marcos Sierra officially filed last month to join Eric Dinowitz, Jessica Haller, Padernacht and Abigail Martin.   In a press release coinciding with


Read More

Gillibrand visits Food Pantry in Bronx, Announces New Nutrition Bill for Students

  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the senate committee on agriculture, nutrition and forestry, visited three food pantries in Queens, the South Bronx and Washington Heights on Monday, Aug. 31. Gillibrand met with community stakeholders on the frontlines of feeding New Yorkers and announced her bill, the Ensuring Nutrition for America’s Student’s Act.    With food pantries across New York facing unprecedented and growing demand, and with schools set to reopen in just a few days, the bill will provide nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced lunches due to school closures caused by the


Read More

Norwood Census Response Rate Worse than 2010 as Final 30 Day Countdown Approaches

Monday, Aug. 31, marks 30 days before the end of the 2020 census. Without a complete census count, New York City is set to potentially lose billions for COVID-19 relief and up to two seats in Congress and the electoral college, which decides the presidency. In Norwood, the response rate was 60.5 percent (census tract 423) as of Aug. 31. The final 2010 response rate for the neighborhood was 63.2 percent, and the target was to beat that response rate in 2020.   NYC Census Director Julie Menin and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department released the following statement


Read More

Fordham Manor: Two Young Missing Brothers Found

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 at 00.30 a.m., police confirmed that two young brothers, Savaughn Cheatham, 5, and Javan Cheatham, 12, from the Bronx, who were reported missing on Aug. 29 in the 52nd precinct, have been located in good health.     The NYPD had sought the public’s assistance in locating the two boys who were last seen walking together in the vicinity of Andrews Avenue and West Fordham Road in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx, on Saturday Aug. 29, 2020 at approximately 10:17 a.m.  

Take Five Top-Prize Ticket Sold in Bronx

The New York Lottery today announced there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold for the Aug 28 TAKE-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in The Bronx, Cape Vincent and Potsdam. The tickets were sold at the following locations: EL CHATO DELI GROCERY located at 2002 ELLIS AVE in BRONX, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $22,449.00 KINNEY DRUGS #017 located at 200 MARKET ST in POTSDAM, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $22,449.00 AUBREY’S SHOPPING CENTER & INN located at 342 E BROADWAY in CAPE VINCENT, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $22,449.00 Take 5 numbers are


Read More