Opinion: A Love Letter to the Bronx Should Serve as an Inspiration

By DAVID CRUZ

For anyone who hasn’t had the chance to catch HBO’s documentary, The Bronx, USA, I have two words: see it. For 90 minutes you’ll be spellbound by the essence of the Bronx, captured beautifully in this dazzling documentary that follows famed Seinfeld producer George “Georgie” Shapiro, and his Bronx buddy Carl Golub, who travel back to Norwood, embracing its halcyon past. The documentary is a parallel story of sorts, with a portion of the documentary dedicated to Shapiro’s adolescent days in Norwood (strangely, the neighborhood isn’t referred to as Norwood, but “the neighborhood”) and the other to a group of

At Bronx Community Charter School, a Question: "What Does Norwood Mean to You?"

By DAVID CRUZ

In the space of six weeks, Amanda Vasquez, a seventh grader at Bronx Community Charter School (BCCS) learned that pigeons are vital to Norwood’s ecosystem, especially near Tracey Towers. Inban Devadoss and Grace Ildefonso, second grade students at BCCS, familiarized themselves with A&A Grocery at East 204th Street, learning that the 24-hour deli’s marquee dish is its bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Inban took what he learned a step further, proudly showing off replicas of the deli’s bacon, egg, and cheese meal and Goya cans on display using Model Magic Clay, visualizing his takeaways. For BCCS, the study served as

Inquiring Photographer: Early Voting in New York City

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on early voting, allowing them several days to cast a ballot ahead of Election Day. I was aware of it, and I think it will help a lot of people. I’m used to going on Election Day; I’ve been doing it for 40 years, so I will continue to do it on Election Day. But it’s convenient for some people who can’t vote because it’s late, or they rush, or some people don’t take it seriously. Now some people will say they have time before the big day, so it’s convenient. Melvin Roseborough

On Halloween, 14-Year-Old Shot in Kingsbridge Heights

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The early morning conversations at Giant Sam Laundromat on Jerome Avenue and East 196th Street revolved around last night’s shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Kingsbridge Heights, hitting him in the leg. “This neighborhood is being overrun by tigres,” said a woman in Spanish while doing her laundry. The woman, who did not want to be identified, used the Spanish word for ‘tiger’ as slang for thug or hoodlum. The shooting happened within the vicinity, with reports from WABC-TV saying the boy was shot near East 193rd Street near St. James Park. The precinct’s ShotSpotter system had gone off, alerting

By NATALIE MIGLIORE of WFUV

When Gun Violence Becomes Personal The Norwood News, in partnership with WFUV radio and BronxNet Television, presents a five-part series on the impact gun violence has had on Bronx neighborhoods and the people who live in them. Shootings across the Bronx have increased so far this year, with 156 reported cases where a gun went off versus 148 shootings at the same time last year, according to NYPD statistics. The alarm on gun violence has sounded, and advocates have heard it, working toward the common goal of reducing gun violence. Some have never met, yet their lives have been changed

A Civics Lesson on Impeachment, Courtesy of Norwood’s Congressman

By DAVID CRUZ

Constituents within the 13th Congressional District, which covers Norwood, got a lesson on impeachment from Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who spent more than an hour covering the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Espaillat, a Democrat who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, one of three bodies conducting the impeachment probe on Mr. Trump, outlined the process of on impeachment at a forum on Oct. 17. “I hope that this process will be expedited but that it will be fair and that it will be one where the American people gain a level of confidence in government again,” said Espaillat. In

In Lifting the Seal of Police Personnel Records, Norwood Senator at the Helm

By DAVID CRUZ

Repealing the non-disclosure of personnel records of police officers, known under state law as 50-a, is taking center stage in the era of criminal justice reform, with advocates and opponents of the law debating the merits that could drastically change law enforcement. And at the center of that debate is Norwood’s state Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, chair of the Codes Committee and lead sponsor of a bill that would see the law completely abolished, clearing New Yorkers in reviewing disciplinary records of NYPD officers. Bailey has heard from both sides following two hearings that examined the 43-year-old law, sifting through

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York City Council voted to suspend Councilman Andy King for 30 days without pay following a damning 48-page report that outlined gross violations of public office while retaliating against former staffers for speaking out against him. In a 44 to 1 vote against King, the Council also stripped King of committee assignments (King serves as chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee), ordered him to pay a $15,000 penalty, and instituted a monitor to ensure the Council workplace rules at King’s Bronx office are properly followed. The move is a rare vote for the 51-member Council, which hasn’t voted

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Negligent Homicide for Accidental Shooting Police have charged a Bronx man with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide relating to the death of a Tracey Towers resident back in April. Martinon Afari-Yeboah was charged on Oct. 22 for the April 21 death of Fredrick Afoakwah. Police say that at about 5:27 a.m. that day Afari-Yeboah placed a loaded 9mm firearm on a table in an apartment at Tracey Towers when Afoakwah began to touch the firearm, which discharged one round in his neck after he picked it up. Afoakwah was pronounced dead after being taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. Cell Phone