Neighbors fight to shield their backyards
Higher density housing is coming, one community leader warns, and it'll be hard to stop
By the end of this year, Corey Johnson and many of his city council colleagues will head for the door, their time up at City Hall. Yet, the Speaker doesn’t want to make that grand exit without establishing some kind of legacy, and he believes he has found it in a long-term comprehensive planning bill he’s simply called “Planning Together.”
Good for democracy, or for machines?
Low turnout in special elections help parties get faves into office, expert says
If there’s one thing the candidates in the March 23 special election may agree on, it’s that not enough people came out to vote. Barely 9,000 of the district’s 90,000 registered voters cast early, live or absentee ballots in the race. For Mino Lora — who currently sits in second place in the race to replace Councilman Andrew Cohen behind early frontrunner Eric Dinowitz — this low turnout is by design.
Advocates applaud New York legalizing marijuana
State lawmakers accomplished something this budget season many deemed impossible: They finally legalized marijuana in New York. Effective immediately, anyone older than 21 in New York can legally carry up to three ounces of marijuana and even smoke it in public, although many restrictions on where that’s permitted already are in place. For instance, smoking it in schools or while driving a car remains illegal.
FIRST ONLINE
It’s finally over: Eric Dinowitz is going to City Hall
After nearly three years of running, former teacher Eric Dinowitz will succeed Andrew Cohen on the city council. At least until the end of this year.
Mayoral candidates split on role of city’s specialized high schools
There are only nine of them. And they stand at the forefront of academic excellence, as most of them require a standardized test for admission.
Preschools ready for next fall’s free 3-K expansion
Many parents have longed for the opportunity for their children to see the inside of a classroom for the past year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But come September, more of the city’s youngest learners might have the opportunity to do so.
FIRST ONLINE
Riverdale Press wins 8 state awards, including top prize for general excellence
It's always a great day for community journalism, but Friday was even more special for The Riverdale Press team after winning eight statewide awards at the New York Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest, including one of the organization's most prestigious: the Past Presidents' Award for General Excellence.
Proposed traffic calming hits roadblock
Anonymous posting can be a nuisance. But when that anonymity migrates from the internet to the side of city streets, it can cause a bit more trouble — not to mention sending a project you’ve spent the better part of six months working on essentially back to square one.
BACK TO SCHOOL? OR NOT YET?
Classroom return: 25,000 and counting
If the past year has taught society anything, it’s that a lot can change even over the course of a few weeks. And even more can change over four months.
Special election is over, but primary just getting started
They both took a major gamble stepping away from the recent city council special election to instead focus on the June Democratic primary, and now both Abigail Martin and Marcos Sierra hope it will pay off.
Restoring flagpole to old glory for Old Glory
It seems about once a year or so, someone happens by the small patch of hilly land separating Henry Hudson Parkway East and the actual Henry Hudson Parkway and finds something they didn’t expect: an old flagpole.
Lora has special election hopes, but they’re thin
Voters — at least the fewer than 10 percent who came out — have made their voices heard, but the special election to replace Andrew Cohen on the city council is far from over. And non-profit executive director Mino Lora remains optimistic about her chances of upsetting former schoolteacher Eric Dinowitz, who has a 17-point lead from early and live votes.
BACK TO SCHOOL? OR NOT YET?
Closing the COVID-19 distance — in schools, at least
Few education landscapes have been subject to changes over the course of the coronavirus pandemic as much as the city’s public elementary schools.
Earlybird ready to fly to caffeinate North Riverdale
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say opening a business during the coronavirus pandemic is a risky venture. This is especially true for restaurants, cafés and bars — many of which have closed over the past year.
Fostering community by bartering some sourdough
There was a time when many longed to stay home and chill. Then the coronavirus pandemic came with its months-long lockdowns, and those wishes came true. Except it wasn’t as relaxing as many might have imagined, instead quickly finding new ways to pass the time at home.
Opinion
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Paper industry already is taking responsibility
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Need some 'old' normal
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It's simple: Just vote
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Just a little bit longer
A simple way to honor
Dwight James Baum thought of everything when designing the 50-foot tower made of fieldstone and limestone, intended to honor not just those who died in World War I, but all who returned from the conflict as well. He even included an 18th century bell considered a spoil of the Mexican-American War.
Obituaries
Letters/Op-Ed
Police Beat
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A very hungry thief
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A very spooky steal
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Catch these check thieves ... if you can
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‘I was just trying to give it back’
Man not throwing away his shot on bus
We all get a little frustrated sometimes riding the bus. But shooting off a handgun isn’t a good way to blow off some steam.
Political Arena
Press Points
School Desk
Coronavirus
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New York needs money — will the wealthy have to pay?
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Biden administration ‘testing’ waters at schools on state level
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One Year Later ...
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Seniors face roadblocks in efforts to vaccinate
Confusion leads to missed meals in quarantine
College is supposed to be the time of your life. But as the coronavirus pandemic completely upends what it means to study and live on campuses across the country, a few students much closer to home say they suffered even more: Days filled with hunger.