Vocal Tenants at Stagg Buildings Ramp Up Demand for Fixes

By DAVID CRUZ and JOSEPH KONIG

Residents of three fairly new buildings on Webster Avenue that are owned and operated by The Stagg Group have gotten the ear of Community Board 7, which plans to hear from residents at its next Housing, Zoning & Land Use Committee meeting in February. The Stagg Group, a construction and development company with multiple ongoing projects in Bedford Park and Norwood, told the Norwood News they will be sending a representative to the meeting to hear out the tenants’ concerns. The news is the latest in a fight waged by tenants over conditions at the buildings at 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster

The man allegedly involved in a wild shootout with plainclothes cops from the 52nd Precinct faces a 31-count indictment. The shooting left two people hurt by several stray shots that came from one of the officer’s gun. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office has charged Edwin Castillo-Concepcion of Longwood with first- and second-degree attempted murder, and other related charges in the shootout at University Heights on Dec. 5. Castillo-Concepcion also faces robbery charges in a crime that happened moments before the shooting touched off. Authorities said Castillo-Concepcion robbed two men at gunpoint inside 98 W. 183rd St., stealing a backpack before firing

By BOB KAPPSTATTER

When Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps took over as commander of Norwood’s 52nd Precinct this past November, he had his work cut out for him. Overall crime in the precinct covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham, and University Heights, was up 5.52 percent last year. Murders, though comparatively lower in number to past history, were up 250 percent, with eight murders last year compared to two in 2017. Broken down, two of the murders were domestic, with at least one involving what Alps said was a stepfather and son, and two domestic partners; four involved disputes, one narcotics and the eighth

Giving Time, Feeling Good About it, At Walton House

By DAVID GREENE

Dozens of volunteers recently gathered at eight assisted living residences across the city, including Walton House in the Tremont section, for “A Day of Action Against Homelessness.” More than 200 volunteers from nearly a dozen companies like Wells Fargo, Black Rock and Digitalware, joined the staff of the Jericho Project at their newest building at 2065 Walton Ave., where they assisted in placing holiday decorations and brought holiday food they shared with residents. The Walton Avenue building opened in July and was designed from young adults and members of the military. The building was also the first completed under Mayor

NYPD Traffic Agent Punched While On Duty

By ALONDRA VASQUEZ

An NYPD traffic agent was assaulted on Jan. 8 while preforming his duties and police need help tracking the assailant. Police said the incident occurred near the intersection of East Kingsbridge Road and East 194th Street. The traffic agent was preforming his duties when suddenly he was punched in the face and taken to the hospital where he was treated for pain. The suspect (pictured left) wanted for questioning is described as, Hispanic, in his early twenties, standing at 5’8” and weighing approximately 140Ibs. He was last seen wearing a red-hooded sweatshirt, black Nike sweatpants, and white/black sneakers. Anyone with

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By DAVID CRUZ

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fifth State of the City address saw the immediate creation of a Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, a plan for increased worker protections, expanded 3K program, while also promoting a plan for guaranteed healthcare and a paid two-week vacation proposal for employees. Surprisingly, there were some specifics for the Bronx, a point that was not lost on Democratic colleagues like Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who’s expressed interest in running for mayor in 2021. Still, Diaz criticized de Blasio’s proposal to take buildings away from landlords with a history of harassment and poor building management.

Bronx Gets Priority in de Blasio's NYC Care Initiative

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan that would guarantee healthcare for 600,000 low-income New Yorkers, with Bronx residents expected to get priority. Coverage will also apply to undocumented immigrants. But how to pay for it became the biggest question during de Blasio’s announcement. “Health care is a human right. In this city we are going to make that a reality in this city we are taking that ideal and putting it into practice. From this moment on in New York City everyone is guaranteed the right to health care,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, sitting alongside advocates and First

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

An investigation is underway by the NYPD to determine what caused the death of a man found inside Van Cortlandt Park. The body was found close to the park’s entrance of Jerome Avenue and East Gun Hill Road. Its discovery fell within the 50th Precinct. The investigation also comes days after police in the 52nd Precinct learned of a decomposed body found at French Charley’s Park. Police released very few details other than the victim was 33 years old whose body was found at 7:15 a.m. on Jan. 5. EMS said he was dead at the scene. The body was

By DAVID CRUZ

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez took the oath of office to be the 80th Assembly District representative, telling guests the state “must dream big.” Alongside friends and family, Fernandez was sworn into office by New York State Supreme Court Judge Llinet Rosado at Jacobi Medical Center, which falls within her district. Fernandez, a Democrat, laid out her support for a progressive agenda, and calling out skeptics. “To those who are naysayers and deniers. To those don’t believe a progressive vision is best for our community, we have one thing to say to you: that you are outnumbered,” said Fernandez, in her remarks.