Diocese of New York Launches NY Episcopal Federal Credit Union on Ascension Day

Just days before the consecration of Bishop Coadjutor-elect Matthew Heyd on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 18, the New York Episcopal Federal Credit Union (NYEFCU) was officially launched at the campus of St. James Church in Fordham Manor. A coadjutor is a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop and is also often designated as the bishop’s successor. The Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, the 16th Bishop of New York, and Heyd were present on the day to launch the credit union and ceremonially open the first accounts. They said it marked a major milestone in enhancing financial inclusivity for those


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City Addresses Hazardous Conditions involving Lithium-Ion Batteries in E-Bike Stores following Fatal Fire

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim announced a new action plan on Wednesday, June 21, to expedite investigations into complaints made via 311 about potentially hazardous conditions involving lithium-ion batteries at bike shops and bike repair shops within the five boroughs.   As reported, another e-bike battery fire, this time inside Electric Transporters e-bike store in the Norwood section of The Bronx, broke out on June 7 and fortunately resulted in no injuries. However, a separate e-bike battery fire claimed the lives of four people at


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UPDATE Elections 2023: Council Member Marjorie Velázquez Endorsed by NYC PBA in Re-Election BID in District 13

  District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez announced on Wednesday, June 21, that she received the endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (NYC PBA) in her bid for re-election in the upcoming Democratic primary on June 27. The councilwoman won her seat in 2021. Her team said the endorsement highlights what they described as “Velázquez’s unwavering commitment to public safety and her dedication to supporting law enforcement officers who serve and protect the residents of New York City.”   Representatives for the union, which represents over 24,000 active and retired police officers, said they recognize Velázquez as


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UPDATE Wakefield: 48-Year-Old Bedford Park Man Dies following Fatal Shooting, One Arrested

A 32-year-old man has been arrested following the fatal shooting of 48-year-old Bedford Park man in the Wakefield section of The Bronx on Juneteenth, police said.  According to the NYPD, on Monday, June 19, at approximately 12.03 p.m., officers from the 47th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot inside a bodega located at 4052 White Plains Road.   “Upon arrival, officers observed a 48-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the back,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was


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MTA Online Portal Now Open for Public Comment on Fare and Toll Changes

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials reminds the public that comments on proposed changes to fares and tolls can be submitted online.   In addition, they said a series of four hybrid public fare hearings will be held between Thursday, June 22, and Monday, June 26. All hearings will take place in person at MTA Headquarters located at 2 Broadway, New York, on the 20th Floor in the William J. Ronan Board Room and will be streamed live via Zoom and YouTube.   Members of the public who wish to speak can provide comments either in person or via Zoom, according


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UPDATE Williamsbridge: Affordable Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 739 East Gun Hill Road

An affordable housing lottery is open for units in a newly constructed, 8-story building, Gun Hill Road Apartments, located at 739 East Gun Hill Road in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx. Designed by Marin Architects and developed by RYTY Home Builders, according to YIMBY, the structure yields 134 residential units and 69 parking spaces.   Available on NYC Housing Connect, the online portal for New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) are 41 affordable housing units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible annual incomes from $73,886 to $227,630.


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Allerton: Affordable Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 2279 Barker Avenue

A housing lottery described as affordable has launched for various sized units at 2279 Barker Avenue, a seven-story residential building in the Allerton section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY.   Designed by Dome Architecture, the structure yields 23 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect, the online platform of NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD), are 22 units for residents earning 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $99,086 to $198,250.   Amenities include bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, recreation room, and virtual doorman.   Units come with dishwashers,


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UPDATE MTA, DOT Outline Bx12 Planned Service Improvements on Fordham Road & on Other Routes

Regular riders of the Bx12 bus who complain that most days the buses are crowded, and that there are not enough of them can look to the latest findings from both the Metropolitan Transportation Administration (MTA) and NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) for confirmation. Officials from both agencies updated residents and Bronx Community Board 7’s Traffic & Transportation committee at the last committee meeting before the summer break on Thursday, June 1.   Reading from a slide show presentation, one official said, “The Bx12 is the busiest bus route in The Bronx, and second busiest in NYC after the M15.”


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Op-Ed: Bring Paid Family Leave after Stillbirth to a Vote Now

Stillbirth is still birth. “A woman who has a stillborn child still goes through the trauma of labor and birth, and this is compounded by the loss of a child,” wrote Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson in her April 2023 Black Maternal Health Week letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.   But right now, our Bronx representative and speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl Heastie, seems to think it’s okay for New York to revoke a mother’s right to previously-approved paid leave and tell her to “get back to work” only days after birthing and then burying a


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