“Coquerel’s Sifaka” Baby Born at Bronx Zoo Makes Public Debut

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A “coquerel’s sifaka” baby (propithecus coquereli), born at the Bronx Zoo, has made its public debut. According to Bronx Zoo officials, the birth is the result of the hard work and husbandry expertise of the zoo’s keepers and will be featured on this week’s episode of Animal Planet’s THE ZOO. The story follows the adult sifakas as they are introduced for the first time in hopes that they will eventually mate. The baby is a male and was born over the summer. The Bronx Zoo breeds sifakas as part of its Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, a cooperative breeding

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD announced that the annual balloon inflation ahead of the Thanksgiving Day parade celebrations in Manhattan will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. At the organizer’s request, all attendees over aged 12 must be vaccinated and provide proof to the screeners in order to attend the balloon inflation. Children under 12 years may attend with a fully vaccinated adult.

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) held its annual Harvest Fest at the center, located in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood, on Oct. 28. The event featured raffles, vaccine and voting information, and various activities and stands. Margaret Della, chief executive director of KHCC, said the Harvest Fest used to be held indoors, but last year they moved it outside as a COVID-19 safety precaution. “This was, like, the first event that we had where we were bringing people back together again, and it was so fun,” she said. Activities on the day included temporary tattoos, a Wii station, a photo

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Bronx Film 48, founded in 2019, the group behind the annual, 48-hour film challenge has announced a fundraising drive to raise $20,000 for the 2022 fiscal year, to expand its offerings. The team is looking to offer an outdoor summer film series, more networking events and the return of its annual, “48-hour film challenge: The Bronx.” The summer film series is aimed at hosting roof-top, drive-in, and outdoor film screenings of curated, independent films across the Bronx, from Orchard Beach to the Andrew Freedman Home. The fundraising campaign will allow the group to connect Bronx filmmakers with

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local People Reported Missing in the last Two Weeks A 72-year-old woman was reported missing in the Mt Hope section of the Bronx. Click here for more details. A 44-year-old Brooklyn man was reported missing in the 52nd precinct. Click here for more details. A 15-year-old girl was reported missing in Jerome Park. Click here for more details. A missing South Carolina Man Last Seen in Fordham Heights. Click here for more details. COVID-19 Updates As of Aug. 17, people 12 and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

By SARAH HUFFMAN

The inaugural Norwood Community Appreciation Block Party was held on Oct. 17 on Tryon Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. Alina K. Dowe and Sedella M. Harvin, two Norwood residents, joined forces with the nonprofit, Using Positive Initiatives Effectively (UPIE), and The Dowe Twins, a brand created to bring awareness to, and empower kids who learn differently from others, to host the event. UPIE is Dowe’s nonprofit which she started in October 2020 with the mission of identifying and developing initiatives to make positive change in the community. Meanwhile, as previously reported, Princeton and Brazil

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Thursday, Nov. 18, that one second-prize ticket for the Nov. 17 Powerball drawing was sold in The Bronx. The ticket is worth a guaranteed $2,000,000. The ticket was purchased at NY Famous Deli located at 1683 E 172nd Street in Soundview. The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The red Power Ball is drawn from a separate field one to of 26. The Powerball drawing is televised every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. According to the New York Lottery officials, the lottery continues to

By DAVID GREENE

Following the recent withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August, after 20 years of war in the country, local officials, veterans, and their supporters gathered across The Bronx at several ceremonies to take time to recognize Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11. At Woodlawn Cemetery, once again, a commemorative event was held under a large, outdoor tent located a stone’s throw away from where Revolutionary War troops fought off a British invasion from Queens in “The Battle of Gun Hill,” in 1777. Meg Ventrudo, executive director of Woodlawn Conservancy, told the crowd that cemetery staff have been working over

By DAVID GREENE

With the spotlight on Puerto Rico following the recent Somos conference, this week, we asked readers for their thoughts on whether the island should become the 51st state or maintain its independence. “I feel that Puerto Rico should stay the way it is and maintain their independence. They don’t get enough support. I really don’t know. I don’t live there so I don’t know what’s going on exactly. But I know from what I see, and from what my family tells me, it would be nice to maintain their independence, but I don’t think they will be able