Op-Ed: The Work Never Stops in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

By SARASWATHI CUFFEY

Tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death and disease with over 28,000 New Yorkers continuing to die every year, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Fact Sheet: The Toll of Tobacco in New York. May 18, 2021. Although the rates of youth smoking cigarettes are declining, the rate of e-cigarette use by high school youth continues to rise, according to a 2019 survey on New York City Youth Risk Behavior conducted by NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The same survey found that 37,000 New York City high school students use e-cigarettes and are

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Jan. 25 that a Manhattan man was sentenced to five years in prison after a jury convicted him of weapon possession for displaying a loaded gun in a Marble Hill playground. “The defendant threatened the safety of the community, striking fear in people who use the Marble Hill Playground as a place to take their family,” Clark said. “The jury in this case was able to review the evidence and came back with a guilty verdict. We are sending a clear message that we are not tolerating gun violence in the

Out & About: Happenings at Van Cortlandt Park

Editor’s Pick EVENTS The 4 Bronx Project and Female Fight Club are sponsoring a contest to Celebrate Women in the Community who are actively making the community a better place. The organizers of the event are asking for nominations of outstanding women in Riverdale, Norwood, Wakefield, Van Cortlandt and Marble Hill. The celebration will be hosted by 4 Bronx, the Fight Club, and the Women of Reform Judaism at Riverdale Temple on March 8, International Women’s Day. An awards ceremony will be held for seven of the nominees, and a film and picture displays will feature the work of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD has launched a murder inquiry following an incident in the Westchester Square section of The Bronx in which a 15-year-old boy died. Police said that on Monday, Jan. 23, at around. 4.18 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an aided, unconscious male who was inside an apartment building located on Doris Street. “Prior to the arrival of police, EMS responded to the location and transported an unconscious and unresponsive 15-year-old male to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced deceased,” an NYPD spokesperson said. “Further investigation revealed the male victim had sustained trauma

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 14-year-old boy reported missing from Bedford Park has been located, police said. Prior to being located, it had been reported to police that Cain Pemel, 14, of Grand Concourse had last been seen Friday, Jan. 13, at around 1.45 p.m., leaving his home. Cain was described as male, is around 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing a red sweatshirt, black pants, and black sneakers. On Jan. 19, an NYPD spokesperson said, “The missing has been located and is safe.”

Fordham Manor: Community Gathers to Condemn Shooting of Pregnant Woman, 35

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

Community members, clergy, law enforcement, elected officials and other leaders gathered in Fordham Manor on Jan. 5. to condemn the recent shooting of a pregnant woman on the Grand Concourse earlier this month. She is expected to survive, police said. An NYPD spokesperson said that on on Monday, Jan. 2, at around 7.38 p.m., police responded to a call regarding a person who had been shot in the vicinity of 2535 Grand Concourse. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 35-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her leg,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the female victim to St.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) announced in August 2022 that construction for Just Home, a housing project for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with life-threatening medical conditions, was going ahead, as reported by YIMBY. Located at 1900 Seminole Avenue in the Morris Park section of The Bronx, the initiative will create approximately 70 studio and two-bedroom apartments. The existing property at 1900 Seminole Avenue currently sits vacant on the NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Medical Center campus. According to City officials, tenants will have access to intensive on-site social services provided by licensed

By DAVID GREENE

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Several thousand children received gifts, and in some cases, enjoyed one last encounter with Santa Claus before the end of the holiday season, as several local organizations hosted traditional “Three Kings Day” events across The Bronx. The annual holiday, traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6 each year, recognizes the journey detailed in The Bible of the three kings, also known as the “three wise men” who traveled to Jerusalem to bring gifts to Baby Jesus on the occasion of his birth. One “Three Kings

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on Jan. 5, that P.J. Salvage has recalled about 2,650 units of a specific set of children’s pajamas which have failed to meet the federal, flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. A refund is being offered for the returns. The recalled children’s pajama sets are 65 percent polyester and 35 percent rayon and comprise a two-piece, long-sleeve shirt and pants set. The pajama sets were sold in sizes x-small, small, medium, large and x-large in the following colors and print patterns: camo print