Tribute Set for Famed Yiddish Poet from Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ A memorial is slated for Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, the borough’s lifelong authority on Yiddish art, music and poetry, who passed away on Nov. 28 from natural causes. She was 93. Her son Itzik, a Yiddish studies professor, has organized a Jan. 12 tribute in her name hoping guests will learn about “her widespread influence on the younger generation of Yiddish poets, singers and songwriters.” Well over dozens are expected for the commemorative ceremony at the Sholem Aleichem Cultural Center on Bainbridge Avenue at 208th Street at 1:30 p.m., where they will be presented with Yiddish-language songs and a

Is the Grand Concourse the Borough’s New Boulevard of Death?

by David Greene Two Bronxites getting ready to celebrate the holidays were mowed down in separate incidents, just two-blocks away from each other on the Grand Concourse– during a 25-hour period leading up to Christmas Eve. The still-unidentified 26-year old male victim remains hospitalized at St. Barnabas Hospital after being struck by a 1999 BMW SUV at the corner of the Grand Concourse and E. 198 Street, at just before 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23.

Andy Cohen Sworn in as Councilman for 11th District

by David Cruz With his wife and energetic child by his side, Andy Cohen took the oath of office as the next Councilman for the 11th Council District, succeeding term-limited Oliver Koppell. Well-wishers, community leaders and nearly the entire Bronx Democratic Caucus were on hand to witness Cohen sworn to office by friend and former colleague Bronx Supreme Court Justice Justice Edgar Walker. “The campaigning is over, the rhetoric is over, no more campaign promises—it’s time for the real work to begin,” said Cohen, delivering remarks from a prepared speech in a nervously quick yet emotional tone.

Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Major Deegan

Traffic on the Major Deegan Expressway came to a major halt after a small plane made a successful impromptu landing at the highway on Saturday shortly after 3p.m. Twitter went abuzz on photos over the single-engine plane landing, with the FDNY and NYPD showing off some photos. The small plane, classified as a 1966 Piper A PA-28-180, made the emergency landing near the East 233rd Street exit on the northbound side of the highway after experiencing some engine failure, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio in a news conference. . Published reports indicate three passengers, all from Danbury, CT, were

by David Cruz The biggest snowstorm of the seasoned trounced parts of the Bronx, but residents, known to be toughies, ventured out to the white oasis to take advantage of the icy stuff. Some loyal Norwood News readers were out there capturing it all. Thanks so much for photographers Annette Melendez and Yolanda for submitting these photos, awesome job to the pair. It was a fun ride, with hints of normalcy coming back into play. But don’t fret, it is the beginning of the winter, so there’ll likely be even more time for another storm.

Snow Update: Closures, Clean-up and Outreach

by David Cruz The snow has stopped, so let the great big dig out begin! The borough, now blanketed with icy snow, is now digging itself out following Winter Storm Hercules. The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning remains in effect in the Bronx until 1pm Friday, January 3rd. The mountains of snow, however, will still be around for days and Mayor Bill de Blasio, in what many are dubbing his first test as the leader of this city, is still urging everyone to take caution when heading outside. “This has been and remains a dangerous storm. It is going

NYC Dept. of Ed Cancels After-School Programs Following Snow

Fearing the worst from Winter Storm Hercules, the New York City Department of Education has officially canceled after school programs, school field trips and PSAL games for all all one million students for Friday, January 3. As for whether classes will be canceled, a statement by the DOE said “families should, for now, plan on schools being open tomorrow (Friday) morning. The snow is coming down, so check back tomorrow morning to see whether classes are cancelled indefinitely.

Snow Update: Send Us Your Snow Photos!

With a monster storm approaching, what would it be without some awesome pictures! Email your awesome snowstorm pics to dcruz@norwoodnews.org and we will publish them on the site, immortalizing the fury of this storm forever! You can also tweet us @norwoodnews. So far, agencies are batting down the hatches as the storm lumbers along from the west, later joining with another storm system that will produce sub-zero temps that haven’t been seen in years. The Sanitation Department already has it’s army of workers patrolling the neighborhoods with the MTA stopping express service at 5:45pm today, January 2. For drivers: ALTERNATE SIDE IS