Spelling S-h-o-w-d-o-w-n at PS 94

By DAVID CRUZ

After 15 rounds and a suspenseful 90 minutes, 10-year-old Mazeen Chawdhury emerged champion of PS 94 King College School’s annual Spelling Bee, which drew plenty of oohs, aahs, and aha moments. Separating Raisa Alam, the runner up, from first place: serviceable. Raisa fell short in spelling the word, but Mazeen did, of course. A first place ribbon soon followed. The two, along with third place winner David Marcos, took on 22 others in an edge-of-your-seat competition that ranks as one of the more anticipated events at the Norwood grade school. The group of competitors were already some of the

A Kingsbridge Native Ascends to High NYPD Ranks

By DAVID CRUZ

About 17 miles from Norwood, in Manhattan’s Battery Park, a familiar face in the neighborhood was awarded a gold star. For Nilda Hofmann, the former commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct who was formally promoted to Chief of Community Affairs on Jan. 18, the gold star symbolizes an expansion to familiar territory—managing the fraught bond between the NYPD and communities. Just how to keep that bond between communities and the Police Department stands at the heart of her objective. “You have to reach out to people that are not comfortable talking to the police,” Hofmann said at a news conference

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Finally! Two children’s librarians are officially on the job at the Mosholu Public Library, library officials confirmed. Nicole Figueroa and Katie Loucks started on Dec. 26 and Jan. 8 respectively. Both are full-time librarians, according to the New York Public Library. Officials plan to hold a community meet-and-greet on Feb. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the library, 285 E. 205th St.

Financial Focus: Humans vs. Software Tax Preparers

As a 25-year financial advisor, I am obviously a big fan of tax preparation and planning to be a human process of actually a bigger project called financial planning. Today’s technology allows us to handle many wonderful tasks that outside human professionalism is today. Today, many believe tax prep software and Internet services can provide a do-it-yourself approach to getting your taxes done in 15 minutes and getting a huge tax refund. Such nonsense talk! That’s like saying technology allows for major surgery to happen in the morning and then we can go back to work in the afternoon. Yes, today’s technology

By DEBORAH CRUZ

After two years of its proposal, a supportive/affordable housing residence in Norwood will be opening its doors later this year after unexpected delays. But the committee that heard the latest development is worried over whether they’re guaranteed spots for current neighborhood residents. At the Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use Meeting on Jan. 9, John McDonald, the COO of The Doe Fund, a non-profit group that’s nearly built the $29.5 million affordable housing unit at 3100 Webster Ave., outlined the project. He was joined by Amanda Septimo, a community outreach consultant for the Villa Avenue project, who explained the issues surrounding

Editor’s Pick Sweet-Toothers Invited The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., invites teens and young adults to its Chocolate Cake and a Book event, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Guests will be treated to cake in addition to a free book. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Onstage Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Hasta Siempre, featuring Luis “Perico” Ortiz, performing salsa music, celebrating his 55th anniversary, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $65; $100/VIP (which includes pre-concert reception including hors d’oeuvres and drinks at 6:30 p.m.).

Become Civically Engaged Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. encourages New Yorkers to become more civically engaged as part of the “Hour New York Challenge.” Those interested take a pledge to dedicate at least one hour each month throughout 2018. Activities include attending community board meetings, volunteering with a nonprofit, and generally being a more informed and active citizen to improve neighborhoods. For more information, call (718) 590-3543. Catholic Schools Open Houses Bronx Catholic elementary schools are holding “Touring Tuesdays” open houses: Jan. 30, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or by appointment. Local

ARFHY SANTOS (LEFT) and another man, William Lopez of Highbridge, face multiple charges. Source: NYPD

A Bedford Park man has been charged with attempted murder after video captured him attempting to run over an NYPD officer in Manhattan’s Times Square. Arfhy Santos, 20, of Valentine Avenue faces attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment charges after police say he intentionally rammed his 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-63 onto a police officer who spotted the car he was in driving in a reckless manner. The incident happened at the 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue on Jan. 13 at around 11:40 p.m. Video captures the officer jump onto the hood of the car to try and stop it, only to

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. There are 16 pages filled with a lot of useful information intended to make your aware of where you live. We begin, of course, with page one. In one of the more hotly controversial stories of the year (we’re only the second edition of 2018) teachers and staffers of JHS/MS 80 came in the defense of its principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The five-year principal and the school are under investigation for covering up a fight