Decatur Avenue Tenant’s Problems Pile Up, Black Water Emerges from Sink Plughole

By SÍLE MOLONEY, MIRIAM QUIÑONES & DAVID GREENE

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Longtime Bedford Park resident, Joy LaFontaine, told Norwood News she is fed up complaining to both 311 and her landlord about various, ongoing maintenance problems she is encountering in her Decatur Avenue building, including a lack of heat, dampness, flooding, disruptive neighbors, and alleged rat sightings, saying she has seen little in the form of results for her efforts. Based on 311 public data, LaFontaine’s complaints are emblematic of those logged by thousands of other New Yorkers, particularly tenants on the federal housing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. When Bryan Cortez started studying Computer Information Systems at Bronx Community College (BCC) in the fall of 2021, New York City, like the rest of the country was still getting to grips with living through a second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This had followed a summer spike in COVID cases caused by the then-new and highly infectious Delta variant. As a result, Cortez started his first semester at BCC, located at 2155 University Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday, Dec. 15, that as COVID-19 cases are rising across America as people gather for the holidays, effective Dec. 15, every household can order four free, COVID-19 test kits to be shipped straight to the door of each home. Meanwhile, in New York City, NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan issued a new advisory on Dec. 9 as the City faces high levels of a triple onslaught of COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases. The health commissioner said New Yorkers are strongly urged to wear masks in public, indoor settings, and crowded outdoor

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) commissioner, Jeanette Moy, announced on Sunday, Nov. 13, the State will sell more than 1,300 items of FEMA-supplied inventory from decommissioned COVID-19 alternate care facilities at two auctions taking place on consecutive days. The auctions will be held at the New York State Preparedness Training Center located at 5900 Airport Road in Oriskany, Oneida County, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on both Tuesday, November 29, and Wednesday, Nov. 30. Bidders can participate in the auctions in person or by proxy in Oriskany and virtually here. Among items from the alternate care

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced that a three-dose course of the hepatitis B vaccine, HEPLISAV-B, fully protects adults living with HIV who have never been vaccinated against, or infected with, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), according to study findings presented on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Infectious Diseases (ID) Week conference in Washington, D.C. The NIAID, part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the ongoing Phase 3 ACTG A5379 clinical study. HBV is spread primarily through sexual contact and through the sharing of contaminated needles. It can cause chronic hepatitis B infection

By ONI TONGO

Fall is the start of flu season. In addition to the flu, over the last few years, there has been an increase in the spread of vaccine preventable illnesses, including the rapid spread of COVID-19 and, more recently, monkeypox. Vaccines can help protect our bodies against such diseases by imitating the infections and teaching our immune system how to fight them off in the future. Over time, our bodies build up “memory” enabling our bodies to “remember” how to fight similar infections in the future. Sometimes, after getting vaccinated, the imitation infection might cause some illness symptoms, like

By EMILY SAWAKED

The Office of the Bronx Borough President, Destination Tomorrow, and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOH) recently hosted a Bronx Town Hall on the Monkeypox epidemic, as case numbers continued to rise across the borough and city. Livestreamed on Monday, Aug. 15, from New Settlement Community Center in the Mt. Eden section, the event was moderated by BronxNet’s Gary Axelbank, and saw representatives from all three host groups answer questions from concerned citizens about vaccination sites, testing, outreach for populations at-risk and preventative measures. Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero kicked off the event, saying, “We’ve

By P.S. / M.S. 95 STAFF

As children, parents, and teachers gear up for another new school year, almost two and a half years on from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent school closures, staff at P.S. / M.S. 95, The Sheila Mencher Van Cortlandt School, a public school located at 3961 Hillman Avenue in Van Cortlandt Village, reflect on the experience of being plunged into remote learning over two years ago and eventually resurfacing to an in-person learning environment once more. COVID-19 compelled our dive into unchartered waters, turbulent technology, and concerns about student learning, health and feelings. Special education teacher at

By SÍLE MOLONEY

City and State health officials updated New Yorkers on the detection of polio in the City’s sewage system on Friday, Aug. 12, suggesting a likely local circulation of the virus in New York City. Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and even death in some cases. State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said for every one case of paralytic polio identified, hundreds more may be undetected. “The detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in New York City is alarming, but not surprising,” Bassett said. “Already, the State Health Department, working with local

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Decatur Avenue Tenant’s Problems Pile Up, Black Water Emerges from Sink Plughole

UPDATE Heating Restored at Bronx Community College Amid Resignation

UPDATE Biden: As COVID-19 Cases Rise, Households Can Order Four Free COVID-19 Test Kits

NYS to Auction More than 1,300 Surplus Items from Decommissioned COVID-19 Care Facilities

NIAID: Three-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Regimen Protects People with HIV

Health Check: The Importance of Getting Vaccinated this Fall

Bronx Monkeypox Townhall Addresses Stigma, Vaccines & Prevention

Health Officials Announce Wastewater Monitoring as Polio Detected in New York City