Money available for community solar

While advances in solar technology has made installing such equipment a little more affordable for many, there are still a large number of communities were access to such energy sources is almost unheard of.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s making $52.5 million available through the state’s Energy Research and Development Authority that could help up to 50,000 low- to moderate-income households harness the power of the sun.

Cuomo is calling it his “Inclusive Community Solar Adder” program, and he believes it could help disadvantaged communities save on utility bills by providing access to clean, renewable energy.

State officials say utility bill savings could be at least 10 percent, and could make operating affordable communities even more inexpensive.

This program is part of Cuomo’s long-running NY-Sun initiative that has committed $30 million for projects directly benefiting environmental justice and disadvantaged communities, according to a release. Many of those projects are expected to come online by 2023.

Man forces way into two apartments

Police are looking for a man they say invaded a pair of homes near Van Cortlandt Park and Kingsbridge last week, taking off with everything from jewelry to a bicycle.

An 89-year-old man living near the park said someone knocked on his door just after 10 a.m., on July 16, only to find someone on the other side of the door pushing his way inside. The invader took the jewelry and the bike, and then walked back out the door.

A few hours later, police say the same man knocked on an apartment door near West 232nd Street and Tibbett Avenue. When the 42-year-old woman who lives there answered, the man pushed his way inside again, this time brandishing a weapon.

He reportedly forced the woman to give him $150 in cash before taking off once again.

Investigators from the 50th Precinct didn’t provide a description of the man, but did release a surveillance video of what they believe is him riding an elevator with the bicycle and with what also appears to be a woman’s purse in his hand.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the New York Police Department’s CrimeStoppers hotline at (800) 577-8477, or visit NYPDCrime-Stoppers.com.

Accolades for public media election story

BronxNet, the Norwood News and Fordham University’s WFUV Radio recently won first place for collaborative effort from the Public Media Journalists Association for its in-depth story: “2020 Election Local Lens.”