Calls Grow Louder for Special Election Rule Changes Amid Rising COVID Cases

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 11 City Council candidate, Dan Padernacht, and a number of other City Council candidates held a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 29, where they discussed different proposals to mitigate against the health risks associated with campaigning in the Northwest Bronx in the era of COVID-19, as reported by Norwood News. The candidates called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to waive the minimum 450-signature requirement to qualify to place their names on the ballots in the District 11 and District 15 special elections, which are expected to be announced on or about Jan. 1, 2021

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a video response and written statement on Wednesday, Dec. 30, supporting the findings and recommendations of Corporation Counsel James Johnson’s report on the NYPD’s response to the George Floyd protests in New York City, as reported by Norwood News. “There are clear lessons to be learned from the protests this year and a necessary drive to bring about real, transformative changes,” said de Blasio. “We must make improvements immediately, and the reports from the Department of Investigation ((DoI) and the Law Department will help guide the way forward. In addition to the

By DAWN CLANCY

The Bronx Zoo has officially kicked off the festive season with the return of its annual Holiday Lights celebration. From now until Jan. 10, families and friends of the zoo can meander through an outdoor, illuminated menagerie of land and sea animals from far-away corners of the world. For many, the experience provides a much-needed boost of holiday cheer, and a brief but welcome respite from the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michelle Witkowski, 31, a mother of two, recently travelled from Brooklyn to see the light show. “We’ve had tickets for a month. My kids have been so

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Montefiore Medical Center vaccinated its first Montefiore employee with the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Gina Benvenuto, RN, a 36-year-old patient care coordinator at the neuro-intensive care unit who has been with the hospital for 14 years, was the first employee to receive the vaccine. The vaccination process continued thereafter among other Montefiore employees. At the Bronx Community Board 7 Health committee meeting later that evening, there were plenty of questions about the vaccine roll-out, many on the testing process, with residents looking for reassurances about the robustness of that testing. One resident suggested having representatives from

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York labor leaders sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation on Wednesday, Dec. 9, outlining the critical need for state and local funding in any stimulus bill in order to prevent massive damage to the State of New York. The letter was addressed to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirstin Gillibrand and members of the New York congressional delegation. In it, officials talked about the desperate circumstances New York suffered at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis that continue today.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continues to rise across New York City, during a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 24, the De Blasio administration outlined the steps that will be taken in the coming months to address the increase in the context of the upcoming holidays, including the consequences for those who do not comply with quarantine restrictions if traveling. Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi paid tribute to front line workers, asking New Yorkers to remember that those same front line workers will be working through the holiday period and will not be able to

By DAVID GREENE

Con Edison is slowly restoring power to the 21,655 customers in the Bronx who were left without it after Tropical Storm Isaias passed through the area on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The National Weather Service reported sustained winds in the area of 30 to 40 miles per hour, which brought down large trees on top of parked vehicles, houses and power lines. Power outages were reported in Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Bay Plaza, Kingsbridge, Williamsbridge and Riverdale. One resident of Williamsbridge reported that the lights went out Tuesday, briefly came back on Thursday night August 6, went off again

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Aug. 5, The Bronx High School of Science, in collaboration with other high school students across the City wrote and delivered a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to supersede Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal for blended learning in high schools this fall. According to The Bronx High School of Science, student leaders representing 40,601 New York City public high schoolers are calling out what they refer to as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s dangerous proposal for blended learning in high schools under the City’s school reopening plan. Various students, parents, teachers, and alumni signed the letter highlighting

By Síle Moloney

Dear Readers, I hope you’re all well! I don’t say that lightly. Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with us during what we know, you know, has been a pretty crazy, and unprecedented time for everyone. After two and half months on hiatus due to circumstances related to the pandemic, this year’s seventh edition of the Norwood News is out now. Indeed, that is a story in itself (but for another day). We’re happy to be back, and to share plenty of interesting community news with you, so let’s get to it! After months of lockdown

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Mayor Bill de Blasio

Calls Grow Louder for Special Election Rule Changes Amid Rising COVID Cases

Statement From Mayor De Blasio on Law Department Report on NYPD Response to BLM Protests

Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo Bring Some Festive Cheer to Kids (& Adults)

Montefiore Rolls out First Vaccinations, as City & State Plan Education & Equitable Distribution of Vaccine

Cuomo, De Blasio, NY Officials Unite in Urging Congressional Reps to Provide Fair Stimulus Funding to NY

De Blasio Outlines Quarantine Enforcement, Pays Tribute to Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

1,452 Bronx Households Still Without Power 6 days after Tropical Storm Isaias

Bronx H.S. of Science Appeals to Cuomo on School Reopening Plan; Governor Says Reopen

Thank You For Your Patience: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!