Alleged Drunk Driver Mows Down Man On Grand Concourse

by David Greene As families prepare their last-minute Christmas plans, a 26-year old man is now fighting for his life after being struck by an alleged drunk driver in Bedford Park. Officers from the 52nd Precinct and paramedics with EMS arrived to E. 198th Street and the Grand Concourse just after midnight on Christmas Eve to find a 26-year-old man struck by a BMW that remained on the scene, according to police. The unidentified victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. After an investigation, police arrested and charged the driver, 49-year-old Freddie Rodriguez of

Governor Andrew Cuomo thanks volunteers from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), where he came bearing gifts. The governor donated several toys, clothes and other items to the social services center on Sunday, December 22nd, as part of a massive, statewide toy drive. In all, KHCC cobbled 50 toys, 300 coats and 300 books, which’ll later be distributed to needy families around the borough. It was the center’s first visit from a sitting New York State governor since it opened in 1974.

ICYMI: Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center Re-Opens

[Slideshow: Photographer Adi Talwar chronicles the re-opening of the Williamsbridge Oval Rec Center.] by David Cruz To Norwoodians and beyond, Williamsbridge Oval Park is considered “the hidden jewel of the Bronx,” a park so immersed in Norwood, it’s deemed the epicenter of the leafy neighborhood. So when the recreation center temporarily closed in 2010 for repairs, a sense of loss rippled throughout the community. That is until now.

Community Board 7 Meeting CANCELLED

With black ice, slippery sidewalks and another layer of snow falling throughout the northwest Bronx, Community Board 7 has cancelled it’s monthly general board meeting today, Tuesday, December 17th. Folks were to have gathered at the Bedford Park Senior Center at 243 East 204th Street at 6:30pm. Folks would have noticed the board convening without the presence of it’s district manager, Socrates Caba, who resigned with just six months on the job. No word on when the next meeting is slated to start, but check back with the Norwood News for any updates.

Holiday Lights Aglow At Local BIDs

By David Cruz The holiday spirit courses through your friendly, neighborhood business improvement districts with two commercial strips ringing in the Yuletide season in high style. The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District and the Fordham Business Improvement District held separate holiday lighting ceremonies these past two weeks, treating kids to gift-wrapped presents while encouraging bargain hunters to shop locally. “This brings you together,” said Marcia Cameron, executive director of the Jerome Gun-Hill BID. “There’s something in the air.” Cameron was on hand for the BID’s second annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, fighting frigid temperatures with some Dunkin’ Donuts brew and a

Out & About: What’s Happening in the Bronx this Weekend (Dec. 13-15)

Editor’s Pick Hot Chocolate and Goodies Bronx Parks invites the public to the following free holiday events with tree lighting ceremonies, caroling, cookies, and raffles. Details are subject to change in case of inclement weather. Dec. 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Shoelace Park, 211th Street and the Bronx River Greenway. Hot chocolate will be served. Holiday Events The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents A Christmas Carol, theatre show for ages 3 to 12, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, presents the following holiday

The newest copy of the Norwood News is out at your local diners, clinics and stores with several high-profile stories that already has everyone talking. The big story, of course, is the New York City Council voting 48-1 in favor of repurposing the Kingsbridge Armory into an ice skating mecca, capping an often challenging struggle over what to do with the massive property that’s stood vacant for roughly 20 years. To find out who the lone dissenter was, you have to read the paper! Another bombshell of a story can be found on page 2–the resignation of Community Board 7’s

Norwood News’ Bronx News Roundup Returns

The Norwood News would not be the same without the popular Bronx News Roundup, showing some love to borough papers as they attempt to keep everyone honest. Baseball, an impending mega-ice center and now a possible soccer stadium. As plenty of attention was focused on the Kingsbridge Armory vote by the City Council, New York Football Club and the Bloomberg administration kicked around a possible deal to bring a soccer stadium to the borough, as reported by The New York Times. Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio is said to have “real concerns” over whether this project can work for a

In one of the shortest administrative tenures in recent times at Community Board 7, the board’s district manager has suddenly resigned with just only half a year on the job. Socrates Caba turned in his letter of resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to CB7 Chairwoman Adaline Walker, who was voted into office in June, the same month Caba had been hired following a lengthy recruiting process. Walker, a seasoned CB7 member with an education background, had replaced outgoing Chairman Paul Foster. Caba, meanwhile, had replaced Fernando Tirado, who resigned following hostile tensions between him and the executive board who often