Primary might be over, but absentee vote issues are just beginning
Primary election night is notoriously exciting — a late night for candidates to pile into local bars and party with volunteers and campaign workers until the wee hours while supporters stare at their television screens awaiting results.
Voters, volunteers, absentee ballots ... oh my!
The months and weeks leading up to New York’s Democratic primaries were filled with twists and turns as state officials struggled to find balance between keeping New Yorkers safe from the coronavirus pandemic and not hampering turnout in a critical summer political event.
Keeping neighborhood together a pic at a time
Mom and pop shops are the lifeblood of tight-knit communities. Riverdale Avenue, Broadway, West 231st Street and Johnson Avenue are among the many centers of social interaction in the area, and a place where one can always find a familiar face.
FIRST ONLINE
Key Food closes — When it will reopen, no one knows
It’s not like it was free of issues before, but few expected the Key Food supermarket at 5661 Riverdale Ave., to be shuttered on a seemingly random morning. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to the long-embattled North Riverdale grocery store Monday morning when would-be customers were greeted with large banners declaring the store had indeed closed.
FIRST ONLINE
NYC enters Phase III of coronavirus reopening, but no indoor dining
Hopefully those who are enjoying a chance to finally eat out don't mind that the state will continue taking that term quite literally. New York City enters the third phase of its coronavirus reopening on Monday, but it will do so with restaurants only being allowed to offer outdoor dining.
Budget deal struck, but $1B less for NYPD
In the 12 days leading up to July 1, when the new budget fiscal year was slated to begin in New York City, a crowd of protesters occupied City Hall Park on Centre Street in Manhattan in an effort to pressure the city council and Mayor Bill de Blasio to defund the New York Police Department.
FIRST ONLINE
Biaggi leaves Ben Franklin Club to start her own
For years, a sign above the West 231st Street headquarters of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club has featured the name of elected officials representing the Bronx. It includes names like borough president Ruben Diaz Jr., U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and even at the lowest elected levels, Eric Dinowitz and Randi Martos as Democratic district leaders.
Farmer's market coming to Clinton HS in August
Soon, the Sunday Market won’t be alone anymore. Longtime educator and lover of just about anything that grows out of the ground, Raymond Pultinas, is ready to open a Saturday version of the popular farmer’s market. But it’s going to try a location that hasn’t necessarily been a hot spot in recent memory of fresh produce — DeWitt Clinton High School.
Trying to understand work, numbers of contact tracing
Contract tracers from New York’s Test & Trace Corps hit the streets, and throughout this past month have reached out to more than 7,500 people who tested positive for the coronavirus. Their goal? To find others who might also have been infected, and to contain an outbreak before it spreads.
Villaverde loses CB8 chair vote, but wins resolution
Even Community Board 8 deserves a break. And like in past years, it’s getting it with a summer hiatus that not only allows its nearly 50 members a chance to recharge their batteries, but also a chance to reset the board itself.
Does future of police include public schools?
The city council passed a package of laws earlier this month aimed at creating new regulatory guidelines for the New York Police Department. The package included a legal ban on the use of chokeholds — a bill first introduced after Eric Garner of Staten Island was killed in 2014 where such a maneuver was reportedly used.
With lockdown end in sight, Wave Hill branches out
Unlike some other parts of New York City, Riverdale and its surrounding neighborhoods offer a number of outdoor spaces and trails for those looking for some fresh air and exercise can take advantage of. And one of those regular stops — at least before the coronavirus pandemic world — was Wave Hill, overlooking the Hudson River from its Palisade Avenue home.
'Rent' is due for an outdoor show
There may be 525,600 minutes in a year, but for many who have had to stay home through the coronavirus pandemic, it might feel more like 525,600 years. Few have probably felt that deeper than the young actors of the Riverdale Rising Stars program who, up until the beginning of spring, were in the final stretch to bring their version of the rock musical “Rent” to stage.
As city reopens, senior citizens still rely on COVID-19 food help
When Jessica Haller decided to run for city council, she framed her campaign on the environment — with sustainable neighborhoods her main focus. But nobody could have expected what 2020 had in store.
Hebrew Home ‘driving’ for more visitors
When the Hebrew Home at Riverdale shut its doors to visitors March 11, Michael Stoller wondered if he would ever see his 93-year-old mother Renee again.
Opinion
Obituaries
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Remembered for her strength, love, smile, Elizabeth Regan, 88
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Crowd lines Mosholu to say farewell to Mike Rooney, 66
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A life well lived for the loving Dr. Mavis Thompson-Blaize
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Kingsbridge Avenue legend Raymond Ikone dies at 79
Actress, singer, and occasional television face Gigi Williams
We are saddened by the passing of Grace “Gigi” Williams on May 11, 2020.
Letters/Op-Ed
Police Beat
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Fisticuffs ends in pairs of matching handcuffs
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What's your number? What's your other one?
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Prescriptions and MetroCards, oh my!
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A clean sweep in the laundry room
Medical breakthrough? More like a break-in
We all know medical supplies have been a little hard to find these last few months — masks, gloves and face shields have all been in short supply — but one thief decided to take matters into his own hands June 14.
Political Arena
Press Points
GREEN SCENE
Documenting nature's beauty here in Riverdale's Park
Riverdale is full of parks. Some are quite large, like the 114 acres of Riverdale Park, while others are relatively small, like the less than 2 acres that make up Brust Park, probably known primarily by those who live in its proximity.
SCHOOL DESK
Rounding up the college graduates
Ileana Glyptis of Riverdale was one of 480 seniors who graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, last month.