BP Diaz Launches COVID-19 Virtual Memorial

By Síle Moloney

On Friday, June 12, 2020, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. launched a virtual tribute to remember and celebrate the lives of Bronxites lost during the coronavirus pandemic. The virtual memorial went live on the Bronx Borough President’s website bronxboropres.nyc.gov/covidmemorial and honors borough residents who lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those wishing to submit the name of a Bronxite to be included on the page can do so at bit.ly/bxcovidmemorial. “The COVID-19 pandemic hit our borough very hard, affecting us all as a community,” said Diaz Jr. “This virtual memorial allows us the opportunity to mourn

By Síle Moloney

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a Small Business Emergency Grant Program for small businesses who have been impacted by looting and experienced damage to their storefronts, with Bronx businesses receiving priority. The City will begin providing grants to small businesses of up to $10,000 per business, thanks to $500,000 in initial funds received from SOMOS Community Care. The grants will help with recovery, including repairs, security systems, locks, and more. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will work with Small Business Services to assess the level of need throughout the city, with the intent

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Frank Pirraglia, 21, saw the devastation caused by looters on Fordham Road last Monday night, he realized it was also a call to action. “After seeing all the violence and destruction, I realized I needed to get out there and do my part to try and help clean up,” he said. On Tuesday morning, it was clear Pirraglia would be part of a larger contingent of volunteers taking swift action to remove the debris left by looters. Such actions were reminiscent of those taken by Bronxites in the 1970s to rebuild their community in the wake of

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

With coronavirus worries sweeping New York City, it was only a matter of time before those worries came to the Bronx. In the last 24 hours, a slew of events and meetings have been cancelled. They include: All CUNY & SUNY Schools Working Remotely: The decision by Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered CUNY and SUNY in-class sessions to be cancelled and taken online. This includes Lehman College and Bronx Community College. SUNY Maritime in Throggs Neck remains open. This is already on top of other institutions, including Fordham University’s Bronx campus, shut down. Mercy College announced classes cancelled until March 15. Manhattan

The Changing Bronx Political Landscape Both Big and Small

By DAVID CRUZ

It began at the top. Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who’s helmed the borough presidency for 10 years, announced in late January that he will no longer seek the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, dashing the hopes of many that Diaz would be the first Latino mayor in city history. Just over a month later, as many political observers were still processing the Diaz news, one of his closest allies and power player, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, who happens to be the Bronx Democratic Party boss, announced he’ll be done with public life, opening his seat for the Democratic

A Tribute for the Bronx's 'Unsung Heroes' and a Vital Bus Stop That Could Be Cut: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fifth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a unique State of the Borough address delivered by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The speech, Diaz’s penultimate before he heads into retirement in 2021, put the focus on the borough’s men and women who “put in the work” to better the borough. The story focuses on one Fordham local who certainly

The Bronx political landscape was thrown into a tailspin when Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced out of nowhere that he would not be running for mayor of New York City. For anyone following Diaz Jr.’s career such as this publication, one would know that rumors of a mayoral run began more than a decade ago. Then Diaz Jr., then in his 30s and with a receding hairline, represented the energy the Bronx needed at the moment. He brought a charisma that sought mega projects arrive to the Bronx, though some remain pending. Even so, he had the makings of

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s third edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We have packed 28 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a bill being championed by Councilman Andrew Cohen and housing advocacy groups that expands Right to Counsel. The act–which provides free legal counsel to those facing eviction–covers those considered extreme low income. New legislation looks to expand the income eligibility standards. Jose A. Giralt breaks it all down for us. Inside the

Heidi Hynes, A Model for Community Activism, Passes Away at 51

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Heidi Marie Schloegel Hynes, 51, executive director of the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center [MMC] in Crotona died on Nov. 24 after a battle with cancer. She lived in Bedford Park with her husband Brian and daughter Frieda, leaving behind a legacy of community service that inspired many activists across the Bronx. Heidi was born on Jan. 19, 1968 in Kansas City, MO. She married Brian Hynes in 1995 and lived in Bedford Park since then. “I think the key to understanding Heidi and her commitment to activism came from the realization that there was nothing wrong with the