KNIC State Loan Formally and Finally Approved

By AARON MAYORGA

On Nov. 16, the Board of Directors for Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s economic development arm, voted to approve the agency’s $138 million capital loan to the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). Under the terms of the loan, KNIC agrees to pay a commitment fee totaling one percent of the loan’s principle (or, $1.38 million) at the loan’s closing. KNIC also has agreed to hire a construction monitor to be “selected at ESD’s sole discretion.” KNIC must also contribute at least $20 million to the project’s development, which boasts a $353 million price tag. The capital loan will carry

Crime File: Alleged Repeat Robber Strikes Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

Police in the Bronx have identified a suspect wanted for robbing at least eight women in the Norwood section and surrounding neighborhoods. The man, known by police but unidentified by the public, remains at large. Officers with the 52nd Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers assigned to Sector C, where the majority of the crimes happened, are now patrolling the neighborhood during the day. Six of the eight robberies have happened during the day time, with two happening in the late hours. Sector C usually covers West Gun Hill Road to Webster Avenue at Mosholu Parkway and from Goulden Avenue south to

By JENNIFER RAJEWSKI, RN, VICE PRESIDENT AT PARTNERS IN CARE

Family caregiving can take many forms—from parenting a child with special needs who requires around-the-clock supervision, to caring long-distance for an elderly parent who is alone in the apartment they’ve spent their life living in. According to the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), there are “over 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.” Undeniably this role is deeply rooted in love, and caregivers are happy to help their family members who need it. Still, it is important that family caregivers also acknowledge the added demands caretaking can bring. The holiday

By DAVID CRUZ

Two Bronx cultural institutions have been given the green light to generate more interest in STEM subjects thanks to a renewed grant by the state’s largest utility firm. The New York Botanical Garden in Bedford Park and Wave Hill conservatory in Riverdale will each receive a $25,000 grant by Con Edison to help pay for educators under the company’s STEM Days Out program. The program brings in teachers specializing in science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM subjects. “Students will see and touch exhibits, and learn from experts they would not ordinarily meet at school,” said Frances A. Resheske,

And the Worst Landlord in Norwood Goes To…

By DAVID CRUZ, AARON MAYORGA, and YARA PALIN

The worst landlord in Norwood goes to Narsinh Desai, according to this year’s worst landlord watchlist compiled and released by the New York City Public Advocate’s Office. Desai, listed as the head officer for Norwest Realty, is ranked the 70th worst landlord in the 100 Worst Landlord’s Watchlist by Public Advocate Letitia James. The shame list was first conceived by Mayor Bill de Blasio when he served as public advocate. “There are some unscrupulous property owners who have chosen to exploit the market and the dire need for housing,” James, flanked by housing advocates and legislators, said at a news

By YARA PALIN

Police are looking for a suspect connected to at least eight related robberies in Norwood, falling within the 52nd Precinct. A 64-year-old woman at Valentine Avenue and East 204th Street was approached by a man who snatched her purse before escaping on Nov. 6. The woman did not suffer any injuries, police say. A 33-year-old woman was also robbed of her purse. The man approached her in front of 359 East 204th Street on Oct. 27 when he grabbed her purse and ran northbound on Decatur Avenue, police say. In a similar incident, a suspect approached a 20-year-old woman

Proposed EMS Charging Station to Cut Emissions

By STEPHANIE LUCIANO

Expected to take a little over one full parking space, and reduce the emission of fossil fuels contributing to pollution, the FDNY looks to install an ambulance charging station on the corner of Sedgwick Avenue and East Fordham Road in Kingsbridge. It’s now received the backing from Community Board 7 representing the Kingsbridge area where the proposed station will be installed. Far from the commonly known charging station, this station allows paramedics to turn off their EMS engine while remaining to a power source. Before then, EMS buses needed to stay on so the medicine inside the ambulance stayed cool

By STEPHANIE LUCIANO

New York Lottery found one of its top prize winners in Norwood. It became someone’s lucky day after they entered A & A Grocery and Deli on 361 E. 204th St. and asked for a Take 5 Quick Pick ticket they didn’t know would be worth exactly $57,867.50. The winning numbers for the Nov. 12 drawing: 06-19-21-25-27, chosen from a field of one to 39. All winning Take 5 tickets, including the winner, can cash their prize up to one year of the drawing date regardless of its amount size.

Proposed Norwood Shelter Edges Closer to Relocation

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

After months of complaints that later inspired a protest, the proposed homeless shelter on Webster Avenue is closer to being moved to the former Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS) building at 3600 Jerome Ave. Meantime, Eduardo Laguerre, CEO of a non-for-profit that looks to put a shelter at the property on 3041 Webster Ave., is not happy with the public outcry. Laguerre, who operates Neighborhood Association for Intercultural Affairs (NAICA), had his sights on Webster Avenue, currently Sam’s Floor Covering, to build a shelter. It’s unclear what type of shelter will be built, though building documents suggest it would be