Montefiore’s “Holidays From the Heart” Program Supports Most Vulnerable and Financially Challenged Patients

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Five-month-old baby, Mason, from the Bronx, recently celebrated his first Christmas with a virtual visit from Santa at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Mason also received some holiday gifts thanks to the 2021 Holidays from the Heart campaign. The Holidays From the Heart Program supports the most vulnerable and financially challenged patients at CHAM. “During this holiday season, as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, we sadly must restrict all visitors to CHAM,” Montefiore officials wrote on the Holidays from the Heart campaign page. “Through donations to the Holidays From the Heart campaign, we seek

By Dr. DAVE A. CHOKSHI

The holidays are here, and I know many New Yorkers are making difficult decisions on how to connect with family, friends and loved ones. This is a time of the year we all look forward to, and while this holiday may not be exactly what we wished for, we can still make it a safe and healthy one by taking a few precautions. COVID-19 cases are surging in New York City and across the country because of the Omicron variant, and we expect the steep increase to continue in the coming weeks. Hospitalizations will also follow, particularly among the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) announced bidding on Dec. 24 for four construction contracts listed below by county. Firms interested in receiving additional information or in acquiring bid documents should visit the OGS website at www.ogs.ny.gov and click on the Design & Construction link or call 518-474-0203. ALBANY COUNTY CONSTRUCTION WORK: Contract No. 46057-C Description Remove & Replace Roof, Building 21 Location State OB Campus – Albany, NY Bid Date 1/26/2022 2:00:00 PM Estimate $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 ALBANY COUNTY HVAC WORK: Contract No. 46057-H Description Remove & Replace Roof, Building 21 Location State

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual seen in the attached photograph and video who is sought in connection with a robbery pattern identified in the 47th precinct area. The first incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 20, at approximately 8.04 p.m., at a commercial establishment located at 3631 Holland Avenue in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. The unidentified individual entered the location and displayed a firearm at the cashier and demanded money. He successfully removed approximately $120 in cash and around $13 worth of merchandise. He then fled northbound on

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual seen in the attached video and photo who is sought in connection with a robbery that occurred in the 46th precinct. On Monday, Dec. 27, at approximately 11.45 a.m., the individual approached a 43-year-old United States Postal Service (USPS) worker, in the vicinity of 2051 Grand Concourse in Fordham Heights, while he was delivering mail. The individual threatened to shoot the victim and removed a quantity of mail. No injuries reported. The video and photo are attached. Anyone with information regarding this incident is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD announced on Wednesday, Dec. 29, that they have made additional arrests in the context of the murder investigation of Edward Campbell, 40, of Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights, who was shot in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx on Sunday, June 6. Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, three additional individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the killing. On June 14, Brian Gibbs, 23, of New Rochelle, NY was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, robbery, burglary and criminal possession of a weapon. On June 29, Jonathan Gomez, 18, of Yonkers, NY was arrested and charged with

By DAVID GREENE

A gun buyback event held in the Wakefield section of the Bronx on Saturday, Dec. 18, which offered the highest dollar amount per gun to date in New York City, was successful in taking 70 guns off the streets, while also providing those who possessed them extra cash for the holidays. The event was organized as part of a new gun buyback program launched in December 2021 called, “A Mother’5 Promi5e,” the brainchild of Eve Hendricks, mother of rising basketball star and tragic homicide victim, 17-year-old Brandon Hendricks, who, as reported, was fatally shot in what was reportedly crossfire

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The FDNY confirmed there were no injuries reported following a fire which broke out on Dec. 26, 2021, at 2720 Grand Concourse in The Bronx. The alarm was raised at 6.58 p.m. when all hands were requested to respond to the fire which originated on the 2nd floor of a 6-story, multiple dwelling. More than 60 fire fighters responded to the incident and FDNY said a hazmat response was also required for lithium-ion batteries (a type of rechargeable battery) in the apartment. Hazmat stands for “hazardous materials,” and the job of the hazmat team is to respond to any

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Amid massive COVID-19 testing shortages, Somos Community Care and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (NYC DOH) are launching a new testing site at Bronx Zoo for New Yorkers aged 5 and older. As cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continue to rise in New York City, and despite many NYC Health + Hospitals sites reinforcing testing availability, demand for tests is skyrocketing. It is hoped the new testing site will help alleviate some of the pressure. The Bronx Zoo testing site will also help support the zoo’s Holiday Light Show and officials say the first 300 guests