SEE PHOTOS: Bronx Polar Bear Swim

By DAVID CRUZ

Orchard Beach may be off season now, but it didn’t stop some brave Bronxites to take a dip into the freezing waters for the annual Bronx Polar Bear Swim at Orchard Beach. Co-hosted by BronxNet Television and BronxWorks, the annual Dip Against Homelessness on Feb. 9 doubled as a donation drive for the homeless during the coldest time of the year. Check out photos by Miriam Quinones in the Norwood News Facebook link below.

Jules Ira Rubenstein, the Original Inquiring Photographer, Dies at 74

By DAVID GREENE

Life-long Van Cortlandt Park resident Jules Ira Rubenstein, the original “Inquiring Photographer” who produced that popular feature for the Norwood News for 14 years until his retirement more than a decade ago, died from complications of pneumonia. He was 74. A source at Montefiore Hospital, where Rubenstein had been hospitalized since October, stated he had died on Feb. 4, confirming that at around 4:30 a.m., he was found unresponsive. “They tried to resuscitate him [but] he expired,” the source added. Rubenstein was the Norwood News’ first “roving reporter” who covered local breaking news events such as police and fire department activity. He was first hired by

NYBG Enters Into Residential Development Market With Pending Pair of Buildings

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is slated to construct two residential buildings totaling more than 400 units along a property it owns Webster Avenue in Bedford Park, advancing an interest in development that harkens back to nearly a decade when community advocates joined city leaders in rezoning Webster Avenue to welcome such development projects. Ahead of a Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting tonight, NYBG approached community stakeholders regarding the two projects—a senior home and an affordable housing development. It’s tapped Douglaston Development to spearhead the projects after entering into a 99-year lease. Financial details

“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address

By HENRY MCEACHERN

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his State of the City address yesterday at the American Natural History Museum, framing his points that centered around the theme dubbed “save our city” in a town hall style format. That included promises to expand education, spur small business reform, and create greater affordability. Under the enormous blue whale model inside the American Natural History Museum, de Blasio also focused on creating stronger bonds between the NYPD and young people. Last year, there was an increase in the number of youth-on-youth robberies, with 29 percent of those arrested falling under the age of eighteen,

Botanical Square Revives Long-Dormant Tenants Association, Amplify Need for Fixes

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

For 10 years Rosalina Garcia has been living on the first floor of 2995 Botanical Square in an apartment with “crooked floors.” With help from the executive director at West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center, Joshua Stephenson, she is hopeful to see the floors fixed soon. “Now, through the petitions that we put in court with [the help of] Steph, they will eventually have to fix it,” Garcia said. “Steph” is Garcia’s shorthand for Stephenson. He has also helped the residents at 2985-2995 Botanical Square, known collectively as Botanical Square, organize a tenants association to address the concerns at

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Local law enforcement and judicial officials in the Bronx point to the recent uptick in crime borough wide as a sign that aspects of the newly implemented criminal justice reform is making it harder to keep communities safe, following a position repeated from high-ranking NYPD officials. So far this year, the 52nd Precinct has experienced a 113 percent increase in robberies so far this year, 55 percent more grand larcenies, and a 250 percent rise in car break-ins so far this year. Rapes has also risen by 200 percent. Notably, the murder rate remains the same as last year with

By DAVID CRUZ

When Marcos Sierra stepped down as male district leader for Norwood’s 80th Assembly District, which stretches from Norwood to Morris Park, he was on the verge of being a dad again. His mother, meantime, was facing critical surgery. It was too much for Sierra, once a member of Community Board 7 who now serves as assistant program director for R.A.I.N., who decided to step down. John Zaccaro Jr., also a former CB7 member and current chief of staff to Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., soon stepped up, appointed by the Bronx Democratic Party to fill the post. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez currently

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Many people own a home or property that they rent out. People do it for many reasons, most notably for additional income, but is this non wage gross income taxable? Yes. Notice I said gross? Because, like a simple math problem, now that you’ve added up your income, now it’s time to subtract your income from your expenses, because your net income is what you are finally taxed on. Not your gross income. Figuring out gross income is pretty simple, right? If you own a home or property that you now decide to rent out then you have rental income.

Oval Park Sees 42 Fresh Trees on Landscape

By DAVID CRUZ

The city Parks Department is planting seeds for a leafier Oval Park after construction-hatted crews decked in neon vests were spotted planting close to four-dozen trees around the perimeter of the Norwood greenscape. A Caterpillar crawler also joined the crews the week of Jan. 20, digging out soil as crews shimmied an unprecedented 43 saplings ranging from oaks, Japanese katsura trees, and London planes, into their new home. The new trees are scattered about the park though many can be found on the upper promenade. It can take decades to see these trees grow to maturity, with the katsura tree