Schumer: Executive Orders Omit Funding for New York School Reopening, Testing & Tracing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Monday, Aug. 10, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer highlighted what he called some of the glaring deficiencies in President Donald Trump’s announced ‘Executive Orders’ that he said are cause for serious concern amid the public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus. Schumer said President Trump’s actions yesterday “totally” leave out money for state and local governments—from New York City, to Long Island and beyond.   He also said the orders totally exclude money for schools to reopen safely, a New York priority. Finally, Schumer warned the orders leave out testing, tracing and treatment of the coronavirus itself. Schumer


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Heat Advisory in Effect from Monday, August 10 to Wednesday, August 12

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department advised New Yorkers on Monday, Aug. 10 to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. High heat and humidity are in the forecast each day, with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. Cooling centers will open beginning Monday Aug. 10.   Attendees must wear face coverings inside all cooling centers and adhere to social distancing guidelines. To find your nearest cooling center


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1,452 Bronx Households Still Without Power 6 days after Tropical Storm Isaias

By DAVID GREENE
  Con Edison is slowly restoring power to the 21,655 customers in the Bronx who were left without it after Tropical Storm Isaias passed through the area on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The National Weather Service reported sustained winds in the area of 30 to 40 miles per hour, which brought down large trees on top of parked vehicles, houses and power lines.   Power outages were reported in Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Bay Plaza, Kingsbridge, Williamsbridge and Riverdale. One resident of Williamsbridge reported that the lights went out Tuesday, briefly came back on Thursday night August 6, went off again


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Infected Mosquitoes Found in Bronx and Staten Island; no human cases

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York City Health Department detected mosquitoes with West Nile virus in New York City in mid-July. The infected Culex mosquitoes were collected in the Bronx and on Staten Island. No human cases have been reported to date.   Mosquito season in New York City typically spans from April through September. The Health Department is increasing mosquito surveillance in the surrounding area by installing additional mosquito monitoring traps. There are currently over 53 surveillance sites citywide. The Department uses an integrated management approach to control mosquitos which can transmit West Nile virus and will spray pesticide to target mosquitoes


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First Climate Justice Working Group Meeting on Aug. 13 & DEC Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), 13-member Climate Justice Working Group will hold its initial meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. Established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (2019), the Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities to reduce co-pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, compile regulatory impact statements, and manage the allocation of investments pursuant to the Act.   The Act is among the most ambitious climate laws in the world and requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030, and no less than


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Eviction Moratorium Extended to September 4, Bronx Affordable Housing Application Deadline Aug. 14

By Síle Moloney
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the moratorium on evictions in New York State has been extended to Sept. 4. The moratorium was first put in place in March to protect residential and commercial tenants facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. “As long as we are in the middle of the pandemic, there will be no evictions,” he wrote on Aug. 7.   On May 7, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the governor announced that the state’s moratorium on COVID-related residential or commercial evictions would be extended for an additional 60 days until Aug. 20. He also announced, at that


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Bronx H.S. of Science Appeals to Cuomo on School Reopening Plan; Governor Says Reopen

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Aug. 5, The Bronx High School of Science, in collaboration with other high school students across the City wrote and delivered a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to supersede Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal for blended learning in high schools this fall.   According to The Bronx High School of Science, student leaders representing 40,601 New York City public high schoolers are calling out what they refer to as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s dangerous proposal for blended learning in high schools under the City’s school reopening plan. Various students, parents, teachers, and alumni signed the letter highlighting


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Fordham Manor: Individuals Sought by NYPD in Burglary Pattern Probe

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of the unidentified individuals who are seen in the attached photos, and are sought in connection with a burglary pattern identified within the confines of the 52nd precinct, in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx.   It was reported to police on Monday, June 1, at 8.20 p.m., that at 301 East Kingsbridge Road, a group of unidentified individuals gained entry by forcing a roll-down security gate. Once inside, two incidents occurred.   The unidentified individuals removed prescription and over-the-counter medication valued at


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More Damage Seen in Morris Park following Storm Isaias

By Síle Moloney
Additional damage from Storm Isaias was evident in the Morris Park section of the Bronx as these photos dated Aug. 5 show. Our full story, published yesterday, on Storm Isaias can be read here.   Check out our Facebook page for additional videos posted today of both the damage and the clean-up efforts in Williamsbridge Oval Park.   As of Aug. 6 at 5.14 p.m., there were 14,494 households still without power in the Bronx. The estimated time for restoration of service, according to Con Ed, is Sunday, Aug. 9 by 11 p.m.   Morris Park residents of the Bronx


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