New Law Provides Relief for Tenants, Businesses, and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic

By Síle Moloney

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed seven pieces of legislation into law on May 27 providing relief for tenants, commercial establishments, and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new laws support struggling small businesses by imposing limits on third-party food delivery services, extending the suspension of sidewalk cafe fee collection, and protecting commercial tenants from harassment and personal liability. Together, the bills offer sweeping protections for New Yorkers in a time of unprecedented financial insecurity. “New Yorkers have been fighting every day to flatten the curve and get through this pandemic together. Now, it’s time for us to

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 81-year-old José Negroni (pictured) of 2061 St. Raymond Avenue in the Parkchester area of the Bronx, who resides within the confines of the 43rd precinct. It was reported to police that Negroni was last seen at his residence on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at approximately 1:55 p.m. He is described as male, Hispanic, is 5 foot, 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has white hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue baseball hat, plaid shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers. Anyone with information with

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Nellee Grice (pictured) who resides within the confines of the 43rd precinct. Details are as follows: Missing: Nellee Grice 14-year-old female 704 Taylor Avenue Bronx, NY It was reported to police that Nellee Grice was last seen at her residence on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at approximately 3:00 a.m. She is described as female, Black, is 6 foot, 1 inch tall, weighs 140 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish,

By David Greene

For about the last 18 years, volunteers across New York State have been placing American flags at the gravestones of thousands of U.S. military members on Memorial Day. Sadly, this year most graves went “un-flagged” because of prevailing social distancing restrictions. In past years, Lynn Radke and Bruce Campbell of Woodlawn Conservancy in the Bronx would organize hundreds of volunteers from groups like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Mellon Bank, and the Washington Grey Cadets for the annual ‘Flagging of the Graves’ at Woodlawn Cemetery. Volunteers would usually set out with maps and flags, and scour the

By Síle Moloney

The American Legion of Co-op City, Post 1871 gathered at 2049 Bartow Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2020 for a wreath-laying ceremony and car parade, in place of the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The event went ahead despite the statewide ‘PAUSE’ order which is still in effect in New York City and in other regions of the state, and which precludes non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason. The PAUSE order dictates that parties, celebrations or other social events are canceled or postponed at this time and that any concentration of individuals

By Síle Moloney

Traditionally, the Muslim festival of Idul-Fitr (Eid Al-Fitr) is a time of joyous celebration, one shared among friends and family to mark the end of Ramadan, a month-long period during which Muslim Americans fast during daylight hours, and offer up additional prayer and reflection. The holiday is also usually an occasion to join together in prayer as part of a congregation. Due to the prevailing statewide PAUSE order, and related social distancing restrictions, celebrations which would normally have taken place on Sunday, May 24, were markedly quieter this year. Ahead of Sunday’s holiday, the Islamic Circle of North

By David Greene & Síle Moloney

On Sunday, May 24, 2020 at approximately 21:52 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault which was still in progress in the vicinity of 195th Street and Marion Avenue, in the Fordham Manor area of the Bronx, within the confines of the 52nd precinct. Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed a 37-year-old male who had sustained multiple stab wounds to his body. EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. A 29-year-old male was taken into custody and the investigation remains ongoing. The

By David Greene & Síle Moloney

Police responded to a report of a shooting on Monday, May 25, 2020 at approximately 1:05 a.m. in the Morris Heights area of the Bronx at 1652 Popham Avenue, within the confines of the 46th precinct. A 20-year-old female was shot once in the leg. The suspect is described as a male, Black, last seen wearing a black and white sweatshirt. He fled the location in an unknown direction. The victim was transferred by EMS to St. Barnabas Hospital in a stable condition. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

By David Greene & Síle Moloney

On Saturday, May 23, 2020 at approximately 17:43 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault inside 941 Hoe Avenue, within the confines of the 41st precinct. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a 35-year-old male lying unconscious and unresponsive inside the lobby of the location with three gunshot wounds to his torso. EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was pronounced deceased. The victim has been named as 35-year-old Najai Sow of 941 Hoe Avenue. His family has been notified. There are no arrests at this