Yearlong Participatory Budgeting Process Underway In Northwest Bronx

By Imani Hall Bronxites living in the northwest Bronx began a rare exchange with the city–fleshing out next year’s budget. The process is part of Participatory Budgeting Program (PBP), and on Monday council member Andy Cohen’s chief of staff, Daniel Johnson, held a public info meeting, informing Bronxites about the project.

Future Uncertain for Norwood Church

By PAMELA SEGURA There is speculation that Shrine Church of St. Ann’s, a neighborhood staple in Norwood, could shut its doors. The church, on Bainbridge Avenue at Gun Hill Road since 1927, serves as the foundation for St. Ann’s School, a middle school located above the church.

Participatory Budget Sessions Coming To Norwood

By Richard Bucey It’s not every day one can have a direct influence on the New York City Budget. But that day’s coming to Norwood. A nine-month process starting in July and ending next April is set to further enhance the role communities play in deciding where it wants its tax dollars to go. Councilman Andy Cohen, representing Norwood, is now adopting the program, formally dubbed Participatory Budgeting. Under the program, residents will provide input into how $1 million of funding set aside for capital projects, which works out to be a fraction of Cohen’s overall capital funding. With the

Bronx 100 Scavenger Hunt Slated For July 12

By the Norwood News So how knowledgeable are you about the Bronx? You can put that knowledge along with your hunting skills to the test with the Bronx 100 Scavenger Hunt, a promotional event by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Bronx Tourism Council. On July 12, a total of 40 teams will be vying for first place as they scour the Bronx to identify key landmarks of the borough through a series of clues revealed that day. The event serves a two-fold purpose–allowing residents to understand the Bronx more while advancing the Borough Office’s Bronx Centennial celebration. “Throughout our

By David Cruz Carrying on his agenda for public school reform, Mayor Bill De Blasio announced a $23 million boost for arts education. The earmark adds a major boost for an arts component that dwindled through the school system in recent years.

Roasted! Fordham Newsstand Barred From Selling Coffee After Starbucks Opens

by David Cruz Business at this coffee shop’s been grounded. Profits have tanked for the operator of a newsstand in the lobby of One Fordham Plaza, the enormous 12-story complex that’s home to offices occupied by city, state and medical agencies. That’s because the owner of the stand was ordered to stop selling coffee following a deal struck between the management company and the newly-opened Starbucks coffeehouse in the building’s ground level. The Starbucks opened last month, considered somewhat of an encore for the Seattle-based coffee company. Several years ago a Starbucks had opened on West Fordham Road, then closed.

By LAWRENCE HELLER At the Escape Restaurant, the newest eatery in the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District, the BID’s Board of Directors held its annual meeting on June 10 to outline its hits and future ambitions.

Sunday Shooting Leaves Man Dead in Kingsbridge Terrace

by David Greene The Bronx could not escape a series of shootings that happened throughout the city, with the borough’s only weekend shooting happening in Kingsbridge.

The Norwood News is once again proud to present the latest edition of Bronx Youth Heard, a special publication reported, researched and written solely by Bronx high school students. The students were part of a 12-week program that exposed them to the basics of journalism, the mechanics of writing and the empowerment of civic mindedness. Our instructor, Katina Paron, worked closely to harness their talents, which are here for Norwood News readers to see. Before we close, we want to thank several folks: Councilman Fernando Cabrera and former Councilman Joel Rivera for allocating the funds needed to keep the program running, Hostos Community College