Collapse at Bedford Park Parking Garage Destroys Dozens of Cars

By DAVID GREENE

Owners of vehicles stored at a public indoor parking garage in Bedford Park have been anxiously awaiting news if their vehicles were destroyed following the collapse of the facility. Police, fire and paramedics were dispatched to Dr. Parking, located at 3000 Jerome Ave. near Bedford Park Boulevard at just after 6 a.m. on Feb. 19. Officials say there were no injuries, with workers managing to escape. Investigators from the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Building’s (DOB) were investigating. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported Number 4 Trains were running at a reduced speed past the area to

By DAVID CRUZ

The long and lumbering review process for a mall directly across a mega-mall in the Bronx is underway. And while review processes involve the approval of the sitting Councilman, the real decider could be the Bronx political machine’s attorney doubling as the developer’s lobbyist. Stanley Schlein, the attorney representing the Bronx Democratic County Committee and key advisor to its chair, Marcos Crespo, is registered to speak on behalf of Grid Properties, the developer behind the proposed Baychester Square Mall. Developers are eyeing the 400,000-square-foot lot of land directly opposite the Bay Plaza Shopping Center, owned by real estate magnate Sam

Editor’s Pick Do It Your Way Van Cortlandt Jewish Center presents Tribute to Frank Sinatra performed by Steven Maglio, Feb. 26, to be held at Vladeck Hall, 74 Van Cortlandt Pk., So. Scheduled at this fund raising event will be a raffle and Chinese buffet with dessert. Entrance is free for purchase of raffle tickets only and is from 11 a.m. to noon. A kosher Chinese lunch will be served at noon followed by the show at 1 p.m., concluding with dessert and raffle drawing. The entire event costs $35 up to Feb. 21 and $40 after Feb. 21. Cost

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

The passing of the Right to Counsel Bill, a measure that offers pro bono attorneys to residents taking their landlords to Bronx Housing Court and relieves tenants unaware of the archaic Housing Court system that is by all intents and purposes chaotic. The New York City Council debate this agreement for two years, and have finally done right by the Bronx’s working poor. For anyone who faces the task of taking their landlord to court, they would tell you it can be overwhelming, especially for those facing eviction. Usually, landlords, particularly big name ones, do not go to court. They

Community Board 7 is currently operating without a district man- ager, following suit with Community Boards 5 and 8, also without DMs. Andrew Sandler (pictured left), the CB7’s district manager, has been out on medical leave since early January and it is unclear exactly when he will return. He’s expected to be back within the next couple of months. In the interim, CB 7 will be run by Tom Lucania, director of community boards from the Bronx Borough President’s office. He’ll also take over DM duties at CB5 and CB8 until the DM seats can be filled. He’ll also handle

By DEBORAH CRUZ

Nearly three years after the Archdiocese announced the closure of Shrine Church of St. Ann, church officials announced it will close St. Ann School resting above the now-defunct church, surprising parents who’ve long considered the school a major part of their lives. Many parents, the bulk of whom live in the community, were shocked and angry over the school’s imminent closure. Many of the parents were disappointed with the decision to close down the school. “My little one just started,” said Melissa Martinez, 39. “Now we have to start the process all over again and look for another school that

By DAVID CRUZ and DANIELA BEASLEY

For the last decade, Montefiore Health System has taken steps to lower the rate of heart disease in the Bronx. That mantra has taken place literally and figuratively. It was at the hospital’s Moses Campus on East Gun Hill Road in Norwood on Feb. 2 where a queue of Montefiore employees took a stroll around the hospital’s perimeter where one loop equates to a quarter mile. Walking has its merits, and has a greater chance of lowering the risk of heart disease. The queue was led by Dr. Steven Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, who kicked off

By DAVID CRUZ

For Community Board 7’s Robyn Saunders, you can’t salute a veteran enough. The scion of a family of veterans, Saunders sees service to country as a crucible that should never be overlooked. “I just don’t want us to forget,” Saunders told the Norwood News midway through a recognition breakfast honoring veterans whose service to country goes back to World War II. “They protect us even when we’re unaware they’re protecting us.” Saunders and CB7 organized the breakfast on Feb. 10 at Lehman College, with the school’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs sharing hosting duties. The ceremony saw 19 living

By Adeline Hanssen

The city is giving young people extra time to sign up for a summer job. The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development announced early applications are available for its Summer Youth Employment Program. The program connects young people ages 14 to 24 with paying jobs available from July 5 through Aug. 19. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who’s pushed for more young people to get summer jobs, hopes the early applications will “connect even more youth from across the five boroughs to meaningful opportunity.” Applicants, after submitting an application, are chosen via a lottery system. In 2015, a