Consumer Costs

Espaillat, Ocasio-Cortez Lead Efforts in D.C. to Provide Shelter for the Unhoused & Asylum Seekers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Congress members, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), have introduced what has been described as critical new legislation to protect housing insecure migrants and individuals. H.R.9210 aims to waive certain requirements for Community Development Block Grant amounts, used for public service activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to homelessness and emergency rental assistance needs.   In the context of the bill’s introduction, the representatives said, “Our bill will eliminate the 15 percent cap on housing public services, as stipulated in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and extend CDBG emergency grant payments from three to


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Elections 2022: Local Bronx Voters Share their Top Concerns as they Hit the Polls

By JOSÉ GIRALT & JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA
Norwood News caught up with voters on Election Day, Nov. 8, to get a feel for their top voting issues. We first spoke to some voters and one poll site worker at P.S. 15, Institute for Environmental Learning poll site, located at 2195 Andrews Avenue North, in University Heights.   Mildred Perez, 44, told us she did not have a straightforward voting experience. “I usually go to the school. I don’t remember the name of the school right now, but it’s on Aqueduct [Avenue] and 183rd,” she said. “They told me to come here to vote and this is the


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: RSV Awareness, Coyote Info Session, Senior Apartments & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Muggings in Van Cortlandt Park VCP Alliance officials advised the public in a Nov. 15 social media post that they had learned about a series of muggings that had happened along the southern end of the Putnam Greenway near Van Cortlandt Golf Course in the park. “Please be extra cautious when out in the park, especially as the days get shorter,” they wrote.   Small Homes Rehab NYCHA Program New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has partnered with local agencies to renovate 18 homes throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens and make them available to public housing residents through the


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UPDATE Unconfirmed Reports of a Power Outage in Williamsbridge, Con Edison Notified

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Norwood News has received as yet unconfirmed reports of a power outage affecting residents in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx in ZIP code 10467. (This is also the ZIP code for Norwood News, and so far, our lights are on.) A user of the Citizens’ App reported on Thursday, Nov 10, at around 6.15 p.m. that, “ConEd reported a power outage affecting customers in ZIP code 10467.”   We contacted Con Edison for a status update and await their response. According to their outage map, there are some outages in New York City and in Mount Vernon it seems.


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Will Credit Unions Solve the Affordable Financial Services Crisis?

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
When Sonya Ferguson started to do the math on how much it was costing her to fill up her pre-paid debit card, she wondered if there was a better way. Her main method of banking consisted of check cashing outlets and pawn shops. Recalling a recent experience, she said, “I asked for a pre-pay card, and they said ‘$10.’ I said ‘Ok, I want to put $100 on it.’ They said ‘$5, you have to pay to put $100 on your pre-pay card.’ I said, ‘But it’s my card!’”   Ferguson said she realized she didn’t have enough money for


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Neighborhood Notes: Free Mammogram Screenings, Free English Classes, Public Safety Meeting & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Buildings After Hours Do you have questions about a building project? Drop by NYC Department of Buildings After Hours event to chat one-on-one with DOB experts for solutions and guidance on your project every Tuesday night! When you need straight answers to your buildings-related questions, sometimes it is better to talk with the experts face to face. That’s why DOB introduced “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly event offering in-person advice and services to New Yorkers every Tuesday at each of its borough offices. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3tm0BAB. A Kingsbridge Armory Visioning Workshop will be held on Nov.


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Torres’ Highest Priority for Small Business: Access to Capital

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA
Ahead of Election Day, Nov. 8, and in a bid perhaps to win over his future constituents in New York’s redrawn 15th Congressional District, Rep. Ritchie Torres has said one of his highest priorities is to provide small businesses with access to capital. The Democratic congressman was speaking at a virtual forum held on Thursday, Oct. 13, hosted by Biz2Credit, an NYC-based lending company for small businesses. Torres appeared as a guest alongside Long Island Republican, Rep. Andrew Garbarino.   “One of my strongest priorities is to ensure that we are doing everything we can in Congress to support the


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the City Council’s New Law Expanding Childcare Access

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the City Council’s new law to expand access to childcare services, and if the new law will allow them to return to work or potentially change to a better job.   “Oh yeah, that’s a good idea! That could get people to work, but are you sure the daycare is safe? Of course, daycare is important. We are struggling more in The Bronx than people in the City. A lot of people don’t have anyone to take care of their kids like a grandmother or someone related to a single mom. Yes, it’s


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: DV Awareness Month, High School Admissions Test, Heat Season & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  GoFundMe Page for Bedford Congregational Church Residents are being kindly asked to donate to support the upgrading of the heating system at Bedford Congregational Church, located at 309 East 201st Street in Bedford Park. Founded in 1889 and a designated landmark since 2000, the church is a 501c3 charity and provides space for local support groups battling addictions, as well as other congregations. A replacement oil tank is needed before the water pipes freeze and burst. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/warm-hearts-cold-church.   Alternate Side Parking Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended Monday-Tuesday, October 17-18 in observance of  Shemini Atzereth and Simchas Torah.


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