Norwood: Search for 14-Year-Old Missing Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Norwood. It was reported to police that Litzy Espinal Rojas, of 3599 Bainbridge Avenue, Apt 6I, Bronx, NY, was last seen on Sunday, March 5, at around 2 a.m. inside her home, located at 3599 Bainbridge Avenue. She is described as a female, is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, is Black Hispanic, and has brown eyes and black hair. Police said she last seen wearing a black sweater, black leggings and black and gray sneakers. Anyone with information in regard to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Calling all Bronx Parents! Now is the time for New York City families throughout the five boroughs to register their children for an unforgettable summer of free Fresh Air Fund experiences at sleepaway camps in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, or for them to visit volunteer host families along the East Coast. The Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Junior in Harriman State Park, New York is named in memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, a 15-year-old victim of gang violence who was murdered on East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue in the Belmont section of The Bronx in June 2018. “Camp Junior,”

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Applications for the fourth annual Oyate Group Brandon Hendricks Scholarship have officially opened, with an award of $20,000 going to each of two applicants for the first time in the scholarship’s history, organizers announced on March 2. Previously, as reported, the organization offered $5,000 in total in scholarship funds. Founded in honor of Brandon Hendricks, a 17-year-old, rising basketball star, who, as reported was fatally shot in crossfire at 1726 Davidson Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx on June 28, 2020, the scholarship, according to Oyate Group officials, provides graduating seniors the opportunity Brandon never received,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Coming quickly on the heels of last month’s announcement of the roadmap for citywide curbside composting service, NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced on Monday, March 6, that all NYC Department of Education (DOE) schools in The Bronx will receive five-nights-per-week collection of compostable material. This means less rat food out in the black bags each night, cleaner streets, and cleaner air – led by students. “Just like with recycling decades ago, young people are our best ambassadors for composting,” said DSNY commissioner, Jessica Tisch. “They see the difference it makes to compost at school, and they tell their parents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating a 55-year-old man reported missing from the Allerton section of The Bronx. It was reported to police that Corby Webb of 2415 Williamsbridge Road Apt 1B, Bronx, NY was last seen on Thursday, Feb. 16, at around 6.40 a.m., leaving his home at the Pelham Parkway NYCHA development, located at 2415 Williamsbridge Road. He is described as male, is around 5 feet, 11 inches tall, is White, weighs around 160 pounds, and has dark colored eyes. His last clothing description is unknown. Police were told he often frequents

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD said a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Norwood has returned home. Prior to her return, police said that it had been reported to them that Leanna Fernandez of Hull Avenue had last been seen on Friday, March 3, at around 7.30 a.m., leaving her home. An NYPD spokesperson said at the time, “[She] is described as a female, light complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair with blue tips. She was last seen wearing a cream colored jacket, blue shirt, and gray pants.” Anyone with information regarding this missing person is asked to call

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, in partnership with BetaNYC, has launched a new mapping tool which shows the level of playground accessibility for residents near their homes and schools. The map was designed to provide an easy way for residents and their families to locate playgrounds that are safe and accessible and to accommodate those with disabilities. The new mapping tool includes detailed information about each playground throughout New York City, including the types of accessible features that are available at each playground. According to the councilman’s office, Dinowitz, a former teacher who represents the Northwest Bronx

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

Angellyh Yambo was a 16-year-old high school student with dreams of becoming a doctor when she was shot and killed as she walked home from school with friends in Mott Haven on April 8, 2022. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, on what would have been Angellyh’s 17th birthday, her family and friends gathered at her mausoleum in Woodlawn cemetery to mark the official launch of The Angellyh Yambo Foundation. During the emotional event, different colored balloons were released into the air marking the exact moment of her birth, 17 years earlier. Later, the family confirmed that the foundation’s website was

By DAVID GREENE, SÍLE MOLONEY & SARA MARTINEZ

Norwood parents are gearing up for a fight to keep beloved St. Brendan Catholic School open following an announcement on Feb. 15 that the Norwood school, founded in 1908, will close its doors at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, along with 11 others across the City. Meanwhile four, additional Catholic schools in The Bronx will merge into two. The news follows the previous closure of six Catholic schools in The Bronx in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic due to declining income, as reported at the time. Of the twelve impacted schools set to close this year, six