After One Bike Share Company Backs Out of the Bronx, Two Step it Up

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Five days after the bike-sharing company ofo backpedaled on a pilot program providing dockless bikes in the Bronx, Citi Bike and JUMP Bikes have stepped up to double the number of pedal-assist bicycles in the borough. These e-bikes will officially become available by July 28 and mid-August, according to the city Transportation Department (DOT). City Bike and JUMP Bikes will now provide 200 pedal-assist bikes respectively. Ofo was originally chosen to make 200 regular pedal bikes available in the Bronx by the end of July, mostly around the Fordham University area. However, on July 19 DOT announced that ofo was

City Health Department to Spray Pesticide in Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

Helicopters are expected to fly over Norwood the night of July 24 as the city Health Department plans to spray a mosquito killer at the north Bronx neighborhood to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. The choppers will come around the overnight hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to a press release. The Health Department will spray over a large swath of the Bronx, from the I-95 in Baychester to Riverdale. Health officials say low concentrations of Anvil 10 + 10 will be used. Even though the pesticide used to spay insects is not harmful to residents, the

Months After Jerome Avenue Rezoning an Aggressive Eviction

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Francisco Moran, owner of American Tires at 1331 Jerome Ave. in Mt. Eden, received notice that he had a new landlord, he had no idea he would be asked to close his business at the location by August so the property can be redeveloped. The new property owner sees Moran as an impediment to his plans for a new 15-story building at the location. Peter Fine of Atlantic Development Group bought the property in May for $11.1 million and is the first developer to take advantage of the City Council’s rezoning laws for the neighborhood designating the properties as

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By MELINDA MARQUEZ, MPH, CHES

Summertime fun includes activities such as swimming, biking and just being in the great outdoors. But it’s important to remember to remain safe. Swimming is a great way to get exercise and stay healthy. Children especially enjoy spending time in swimming pools and playing on sandy beaches. Even if children know how to swim, it is safest to keep them in a life jacket, particularly when at the beach or in large bodies of water like lakes and ponds. Children should also be kept out of the water if they are not feeling well or become sick. It’s important to

Free Air ConditionerFree air conditioners are available to low income NYC residents who have a medical condition made worse by heat, and either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program within the past 10 years. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more detailed information and requirements, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Secure Valuable Electronics The NYPD’s Operation I.D. helps residents register their

Editor’s Pick Free Annual District BBQ Senator Jamaal T. Bailey presents free Annual District BBQ, July 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 959 E. 233rd St. Events include games, constituent services, food, musical entertainment, health screenings, and more. For more information and to RSVP by July 20, call (718) 547-8854 or email ngaray@nysenate.gov. Onstage The Bronx Arts Ensemble presents two free concerts at 2 p.m.: July 22 – featuring Beethoven serenades, at Fordham University’s McGinley Center; and July 29 – Mary Ann McSweeney’s Urban Fado ensemble performing Urban Fado, a mix of contemporary jazz and Portuguese folk music, at

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Destiny Armstead moved into 1561 Walton Ave. with her son Destin, 6, last December they were both excited. “We couldn’t even sleep the first night because everything was new and beautiful. It’s like a dream come true for me,” said Armstead. Mayor Bill de Blasio came to Armstead’s building in Mt. Eden to see an example of how his initiative to provide 300,000 affordable apartments by 2026 is progressing. After taking a tour of Armstead’s $509 per month two-bedroom apartment, led mostly by Destin, the mayor announced that the city financed more than 32,000 affordable homes in the 2018

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer is proposing new ways for New Yorkers to pay for security deposits because of the alarming number of issues specifically faced by low-income tenants. A report released by Stringer’s office shows that in the Bronx tenants are paying on average more than 10 percent of their annual income to secure an apartment. In Melrose, Longwood, and Hunts Point, tenants are paying 15.8 percent of their annual income, and in Claremont-Bathgate they pay 25 percent. “Every day, New Yorkers are working harder and saving less – and right now, huge proportions of their annual incomes are

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and loaded with 20 pages of original news content covering the Bronx. In keeping with tradition we begin with page one! This one focuses on the re-opening of Whalen Park, which unlike other park projects has opened in record time (see headline). Find out how what prompted this park to open so quickly. Also, you can hear from what parents think of the revamped park. On page 3 you’ll find a great feel-good story of Bobby Gonzalez, a Norwood man who will be honored for his