Editorial – Forecasting the Norwood News Stories of 2015

The New Year is often marked with questions. For the Norwood News, our key question is this–what will the state of the northwest Bronx be on Dec. 31, 2015? To answer that, the Norwood News is turning to the past, examining last year’s stories to predict some of this year’s hot topics for the northwest Bronx:

Neighborhood Notes

BP Seeks CB Applicants The Borough President’s office is currently accepting applications for membership to local Community Boards. The submission deadline is Feb. 6. For more information, call (718) 590-3914 or visit www.bronxboropres.nyc.gov. DOS Christmas Tree Pickup NYC Parks Department hosts Treecycle at MulchFest, Jan. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at citywide locations. Remove lights and decorations and bring your tree for recycling through Jan. 11. Patrons may have free mulch available at each chipping site with free bags provided or bring your own bag. Residents may also leave their trees for DOS pickup through Jan. 16

Out & About

Editor’s Pick Free Family Fun The entire family is welcome to attend the free Burdetsky Family Circus at the Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., Jan. 10 at 2:30 p.m., including a performing dog. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Onstage Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, presents Classical Guitarist Jay Kauffman, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (718) 885-1461.

Bedford Park Artist Channels Touch of Picasso at Gallery

By DAVID CRUZ Call him the Pablo Picasso of Bedford Park. Persio Minier, a pony-tailed, award-winning artist hailing from the Dominican Republic, has made a career emulating the Spanish genius for decades. Since the beginning of 2014, he’s showcased his work at a tiny Bedford Park art gallery that doubles as a speech therapy center.

Bronx Youth Heard Fall/Winter 2014 Edition Is Here

The Norwood News is once again proud to present Bronx Youth Heard, a special newspaper that teaches basic journalism skills to Bronx high school students. We had a great turnout of burgeoning reporters who gave it their all in crafting their pieces that are presented below. We want to publicly thank New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera and The Simon Bolivar Foundation for making this possible. A special thanks to our instructor, Katina Paron, who engaged students to always think like a journalist. With that, here are the Bronx Youth Heard stories for the Fall-Winter 2014/2015 session.

by David Cruz If you’re in the northwest Bronx, take a walk to one of 300 locations to pick up your free copy of the Norwood News. Or you could just read it from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. We’re excited to publish the first edition of 2015, loaded with local news, a New Years editorial and our ever-popular Out & About and Neighborhood Notes section. We’re also proud to host Bob Kappstatter, a guest contributor for the newspaper, who drafted our lead story–year-end crime stats for the 52nd Precinct. Stats show the precinct is headed in a

Two Suspects, One with Norwood Ties, Arrested in NYPD Officers’ Shooting

By David Greene Two police officers are recovering and two suspects are now in custody after the plain clothes officers from the 46th Precinct approached a pair of suspects wanted for an armed robbery.

Year-End Stats Show Violence Down In 52nd Precinct

By BOB KAPPSTATTER The year 2014 was one of pluses and minuses for the 52nd Precinct. But its commanding officer isn’t complaining–or relaxing.

Two Police Officers Wounded in Fordham Gunfight

by David Greene A day after NYPD police officer Wenjian Liu was laid to rest, two anti-crime cops were wounded after they responded to a call of a robbery in progress at a deli in Fordham Heights. The shooter remains at large.