Neighborhood Notes on Expanded Funeral Cost Reimbursement, Winding Down of Expanded Unemployment Benefits, Libraries Services Reopen & More

COVID-19 Updates Restrictions COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings. See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/. Front Line Healthcare Workers Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week that more than 40,000 workers in city-run hospitals and health clinics

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new charging stations currently being installed in public areas around the City, including in Norwood, for electric vehicles (EVs). “My feeling is, basically, that it helps out the community, you know? It gets everybody into electric vehicles that are better than gas. It’s better for the environment. We all need to step up. I don’t drive, but I see a lot of these electric scooters, which I think are a bad idea. They are very hazardous, yeah. Can you charge a scooter on those things? I think it brings a brilliant

Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held one of its last meetings before the summer break on Thursday, June 17, to discuss neighborhood updates and various motions that were due to be tabled at the Board’s executive meeting held on June 23. It was an eventful meeting that touched upon a variety of topics and saw four motions passed. Two were presented by the housing, land use and economic development committee, one by the parks’ committee and one arose during the new business section of the meeting. The first motion which was passed by the Board pertained to

New York City recently took its first step in developing a public infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) as officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT), Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) and Flo Energy unveiled a new EV pilot program and the first of 100 charging stations to be installed across the five boroughs between now and October. A press conference announcing the milestone was held on Thursday, June 24, at the southeastern corner of Putnam Place and East Gun Hill Road in Norwood, where the new state-of-the-art, curbside EV charging port is now located. Two customers at a time can charge their

COVID-19 Updates COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings. See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/. The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or directly

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) may extend the elimination of cash transactions at subway booths, a policy first brought in March 2020 to halt the spread of the coronavirus. “I don’t think it’s a good idea because a lot of people don’t have the means to acquire a bank card or debit card or credit cards to pay for the subway. How would ending cash transactions make the subway safer? Everyone that has to go somewhere will use the subway, so what would make it safer? I don’t understand how that would

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Metro-North Railroad and Long-Island Railroad are welcoming back customers with the return of the popular “Summer Saturdays” program. Monthly railroad commuters and their friends and families can save and explore local regions with ‘Summer Saturdays’ on LIRR and Metro-North this summer. Between Saturday, July 3, and Saturday, August 28, LIRR and Metro-North will honor all monthly tickets for travel to and from all LIRR and Metro-North stations, regardless of what stations are printed on the ticket. Monthly ticket holders traveling on these days will be able to bring up to four additional travelers for only $1 per person

Mass Vaccination Sites All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first served basis. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or call (877) 829-4692. COVID-19 Testing Sites For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48 or go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page. Home Vaccinations for 12-Year-Olds and Older On June 23,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the Bronx harder than any other borough by several measures, according to an economic analysis released on June 8 by the New York State comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, with one finding showing that only 61.3 percent of households had reliable internet, compared to a range of 69.5 to 78 percent across the city, as previously reported by Norwood News. To address this, the comptroller’s office reported that as part of a recent deal, the City expects fiber-optic infrastructure to reach 500,000 new households citywide (no deadline was specified), including households in Norwood, Fordham, University Heights, Bedford

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Neighborhood Notes on Expanded Funeral Cost Reimbursement, Winding Down of Expanded Unemployment Benefits, Libraries Services Reopen & More

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on New Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Bronx CB7 Addresses Rezoning Changes, Parks Projects & Traffic Concerns

Norwood Goes Electric with Installation of First Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Neighborhood Notes on a Youth Run Farm Stand, Fostering a Guinea Pig, Help for Small Businesses & More

UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on MTA Extending Cash Transaction Elimination at Subway Booths

Friends & Families of MetroNorth Commuters Can Save Money with ‘Summer Saturdays’

Neighborhood Notes on Home Vaccinations for 12-Year-Olds & Older, Fireworks Display, Gun Buyback Event & More

State Comptroller Releases Economic Report on The Bronx