Environment

No Visit to Rikers by Biden as WITNESS launches Hats & Gloves Campaign

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Chair of the New York City Council criminal justice committee, Manhattan City Council Member Carlina Rivera, tweeted on Wednesday that she had written a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden, inviting him to take a tour of Rikers Island during his upcoming visit to New York on Thursday, Feb. 3. However, a visit by the president to the controversial City jail was not on the cards in the end, as confirmed by the White House. The president’s visit was instead taken up with various discussions with Mayor Eric Adams and other gun violence prevention expert groups on immediate strategies to


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New York State Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Offers Help with Water Bills

By SÍLE MOLONEY
During Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7)’s Sanitation committee meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3, Eleftheria “Effie” Ardizzone from NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) shared that New York State is offering a low-income household water assistance program (LIHWAP), through which eligible homeowners could receive up to $5,000, to resolve overdue water bills.   The New York State Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is offering eligible homeowners a one-time payment of up to $5,000 to resolve overdue water bills. The State is now accepting applications. To learn more, or to apply, visit: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/water-assistance/.   Ardizzone said that unlike the City’s


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National Weather Service NYC Says Dense Fog Expected until Thursday, Feb. 3 at 10 A.M.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City office of the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dense fog advisory which is in effect until Thursday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m.   NWS officials said visibility would be around one quarter of a mile or less in the expected dense fog, which is due to hit portions of southeast New York, northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut. They warned of hazardous driving conditions due to low visibility. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you,” officials said.    

Fordham Manor: Freezing Weather Driving Coat Theft?

By DAVID GREENE
  As temperatures dropped to below freezing on Friday, Jan. 21, police responding to a call about a “shoplifter armed with a knife,” arrested the man for shoplifting a winter coat, and a short time later, were called back and made another arrest at the same Burlington Coat Factory store in Fordham Manor.   The caller told the 911 operator that the suspect had been cutting off the anti-theft devices on the stores’ garments, using a knife. Half a dozen patrol units from the 52nd precinct arrived at the scene, quickly apprehended the man, and recovered the winter coat, still


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Banks & COVID-19 Testing Sites Re-Open After Snow Storm, Mayor Shares COVID-19 Update & Best Sledding Parks

By SÍLE MOLONEY, DAVID GREENE & MIRIAM QUIÑONES
A notice in the window of Capital One Bank on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood on Friday afternoon, Jan. 28, informed its customers that the bank was closing early that day, ahead of the snow storm which was due to hit the City on Friday and last until Saturday, Jan. 29.   Customers were still able to withdraw money from the bank’s ATMs. Meanwhile, as reported, City and State officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers ahead of the storm to stay home and avoid getting injured or stuck in an emergency situation as the City’s


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Out & About: Woodlawn Lovers Trolley Tour, International Salsa, NYC Compost Project & More!

Editor’s Pick Join Elizabeth Cooney, Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy’s coordinator of educational programming for Woodlawn’s Lovers Trolley tour of the cemetery, located at 4199 Webster Ave, Bronx, NY 10470, on Sunday, Feb. 13, the day before St Valentine’s Day, at 2 p.m., at the Jerome Avenue entrance, and visit the sites of Woodlawn’s notable lovers. Tour stops include Irene and Vernon Castle, Ida and Isidor Straus, and Celia Cruz and Pedro Knight. Adults $25 and Students/Seniors $20. All guests are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and will be asked to wear a mask on the trolley. For tickets, go to: https://www.woodlawn.org/conservancy/tours-events/, and


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Neighborhood Notes: Mosholu Pkwy Mobility Workshop, Public Service Fellowship, COVID Testing Sites Reopened & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Local People Reported Missing in Recent Weeks   A 14-year-old girl was reported missing in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. Click here for more details. An 85-year-old woman was reported missing in Mt Hope section of the Bronx. Click here for more details. A 74-year-old man was reported missing in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. Click here for details. A 56-year-old man was reported missing in the Allerton section of the Bronx. Click here for more details. A 60-year-old woman was reported missing in the Olinville section of the Bronx. Click here for more details. A


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NWBCCC Bids Fond Farewell to Karen Washington at The Bronx People’s Festival

By DAVID GREENE
  Over 300 Bronxites turned out for a day of learning, planning, and healing, as dozens of local organizations converged on The Mary Mitchell Center, located at 2007 Mapes Avenue in the Crotona section of the Bronx, for “The Bronx People’s Festival” on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.   Participating groups included Mothers on The Move, Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association, Laborers International Union of North America, The Point, The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative and others. The various groups were on hand to provide guests with assistance, as well as free gifts, as


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Sanchez Chairs Council Committee on Housing & Buildings, as Women Comprise Council Majority

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Thursday, Jan. 20, the New York City Council appointed recently elected, Bronx, District 14 City Council Member, Pierina Sanchez, as chair of the council’s powerful housing & buildings committee, which has jurisdiction over New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB), as well as rent regulation policies and practices.   HPD is responsible for promoting the quality and affordability of the city’s housing by developing new, affordable housing, enforcing the housing maintenance code, and engaging neighborhoods in planning. DOB is the primary regulator of the construction and real estate industries in


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