Future of Aqueduct Walk as Hammered Out By Advocates

By SÍLE MOLONEY

“Love your Park” were the three simple words greeting about 40 local residents arriving for an envisioning forum at University Heights Presbyterian Church on June 10. Each resident was armed with concrete plans for the revitalization of the historic Aqueduct Walk, stretching from West Tremont Avenue to Kingsbridge Road and Aqueduct Avenue. The evening was organized by Carlos Acosta, Pilar Maschi, and Ted Enoch from Partnership for Parks, a public-private partnership between the city Parks Foundation and the city Parks Department. The group supports and champions neighborhood volunteers and equips them with the tools to advocate and care for their

Following Through on a Promise, Norwood Shelter to Get Peace Officers

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Last July, the Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS), managed by BronxWorks, opened at 3600 Jerome Ave. a block from the Woodlawn station of the 4 train. The location was chosen after Norwood parents, local officials, and Community Board 7 (CB7) protested the original site on Webster Avenue across from PS/MS 20, a K-8 school on the other side of Norwood. At the latest meeting of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning Committee, members learned of the addition of a permanent clinic within the one-year-old facility. News of the expansion drew concerns, even surprising the committee, given how no

After Spate of Elder Abuse Cases, Officials Highlight Senior Resources

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS and DAVID CRUZ

In response to recent assaults on the elderly, city and borough officials are making a greater effort at underscoring the litany of resources and safety tips for seniors. “We know that in recent weeks here in the Bronx, in the city of New York, in the media we have seen horrific, horrific examples of abuse, of violence, of assaults, harassment towards our senior population. And what we are here to say is,” said Bronx Borough President Rueben Diaz Jr. at a news conference, “We are here for you. We are here to help you.” Diaz mentioned a specific incident in

Children Unaccompanied at US-Mexico Border to Be Housed at University Heights Home

By DAVID CRUZ

A social services nonprofit is slated to operate a federally-funded home in University Heights that’ll house unaccompanied children found illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, the Norwood News has learned. The move caught every elected official representing the neighborhood by surprise. In a letter intended for Community Board 7, but initially sent to neighboring Community Board 5, Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) will look after a maximum of 24 kids aged 12 to 17 at a residential three-family home at a sleepy section of University Heights. The letter does not indicate when the children will be placed. Such an announcement is rare

New Gym Brings Art of Fighting and Mindfulness to Bedford Park

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

When William Rivera was six years old, he started learning martial arts. Over the years, the art form inspired and encouraged him to teach others. “I always loved martial arts. It was always my dream to teach, you know? Open up a martial arts school and teach and get students, see them progress and represent me,” Rivera said. His dream came true. Now, Rivera is an instructor, or “Kru” in Thai, and owns his own martial arts gym, BX Thaiboxing Academy, at 2832 Valentine Ave. by East 197th Street in Bedford Park. The room is full of sunlight inside BX

State Legislature Passes Rent Reform Laws. How Will This Impact Bronx?

By DAVID CRUZ

New layer of protections to safeguard about 1 million rent stabilized apartments in the city, with a majority of them in the Bronx, have now been hammered out after the State Legislature announced reforms to the state’s existing rent laws. The measure is now headed to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk, who announced he will “sign it.” The measures aim to prevent de-regulation of rent stabilized apartments, which are much more affordably priced than market rate apartments priced beyond $2700. Deregulation has long been blamed for aggressive displacement of low-income tenants, a problem that’s very familiar for the Bronx, which is

Caught on Video: Nighttime Theft of E-Bike on Rochambeau Avenue

By DAVID CRUZ

Police have released video showing two people who stole an e-bike locked on a fence in Norwood on May 13, according to the 52nd Precinct. Grainy surveillance video shows two suspects in front of 3171 Rochambeau Ave. in Norwood at around 10 p.m. Police say the e-bike was locked and the suspects took it, soon taking off. Anyone with information in regard to the identity of the persons is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on

Norwood Bank Branches Face Pending Closures (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

Norwood’s East 204th Street commercial strip is currently home to four banks. By October, that will whittle down to two, making it a little tougher for residents to cash checks, deposit monies, or get a certified bank money order. It also adds to the ongoing trend of a borough that’s unbanked. Two of the banks–the Chase Bank at 311 E. 204th St. and Bank of America at 299 E. 204th St., occupying an baroque-influenced storefront just near Bainbridge Avenue–will close its doors, a move where low foot traffic and relatively closer banks are to blame. Bank of America customers will

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was converted into a salsa venue on June 7, with salsero Edwin Perez holding a free evening salsa concert co-sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones.