Owner of Dilapidated Home Dies, Cats Rescued

By DAVID GREENE

A Norwood man who appeared to have hoarding tendencies had passed away inside his dilapidated home on East 206th Street, with many suspecting his body had been inside the home for days. Police confirmed they discovered the body of homeowner Martin James Brennan, 55, at midnight on Sunday, March 25, inside the home at 306 E. 206th St. off Perry Avenue. The city Medical Examiner said he died of natural causes. “I saw them going in there with hazmat suits and the police were outside, so I knew something was going on,” said Natasha Ferrell, an eyewitness. A second eyewitness

Housing Advocates Alert Tenants of Right to Counsel

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

The citywide effort to spread word on the city’s Right to Counsel (RTC) law continued at Monroe College on April 12 by a coalition pushing for greater awareness of the law. The Right to Counsel NYC Coalition (RTCNYC) brought a cadre of lawyers and activists under one roof for the town hall, warning residents of the unscrupulous methods some landlords employ to evict tenants. The Right to Counsel law was enacted last year, offering low-income New Yorkers legal representation in the ever chaotic housing court. Tenants attending housing court because of a nonpayment notice or those being sued by landlords

CB7 Chair Unexpectedly Resigns, Will Remain Member

By DAVID CRUZ

Adaline Walker-Santiago, the chair of Community Board 7 who brought a cheerleading style to her leadership, unexpectedly resigned on April 17. In her announcement to members and the general public at the latest community board, Walker-Santiago pledged to remain a member of the north Bronx board. Her resignation as chair is effective April 30. Walker-Santiago told the Norwood News shortly after her announcement that her decision to step down stemmed largely from freeing up her time. She said she plans to travel abroad, spend more time with family, and continue serving as a life coach. For the last five years, Walker-Santiago

Candidates in 80th Assembly District Race Spar

By DAVID CRUZ

Ahead of the April 24 special election, the debate between the candidates vying for the 80th Assembly District seat touched on issues of immigration, business development, and the opioid crisis, while also exploring the political divide that has swept the country. The political spar between Democrat Nathalia Fernandez and Republican Gene DeFrancis was ripe with the theme of community authenticity. For DeFrancis, an Allerton resident who serves as founder of the Allerton International Merchants Association, being bred in the district made him the viable candidate as opposed to Fernandez, who has simply worked in the community until recently when she

Debate for Norwood Assembly Seat Tonight

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News is a media sponsor for tonight’s televised debate between Democrat Nathalia Fernandez and Republican Gene DeFrancis for Special Election in the 80th Assembly District seat left vacant by Councilman Mark Gjonaj. But while Fernandez will lay out her platform on television, you won’t find it on the city Campaign Finance board’s special election guide. Fernandez, who previously worked for Gjonaj, secured the Democratic nomination for the district, which covers Norwood, parts of Bedford Park, Morris Park, Van Nest, and Pelham Parkway. The nomination put her on the Democratic ticket. The Bronx is overwhelmingly Democratic. The Special Election Guide

Norwood News Wins Four Prizes at NYPA Awards

By THE NORWOOD NEWS

Four awards went to the Norwood News took by the New York Press Association (NYPA), the best number in recent memory. David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the paper, took home a First Place prize in the News Story category at the Better Newspaper Contest, for his piece on rent histories questioned by a nonprofit housing advocacy group. The story was written in March. Judges called the story, “Fundamental reporting at its best.” Though the prize put him at the top, it was Adi Talwar’s Third Place award for Photographer of the Year that stood out. Talwar beat out 17 other photographers

On April 4, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) opened its first ever food pantry at 3450 DeKalb Ave. Though an official ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for April 24, the pantry has already begun serving the surrounding community. Residents looking for assistance need not worry about income or location requirements. Although intended to serve Norwood’s low-income residents, all are welcome, Lenora Sealey, director of Support Services at MMCC, explained. Residents can receive a set number of items depending on the number of family members they are providing for. The pantry will be open on the first and last Saturdays

Editor’s Pick Veterans Brunch Awards The public is invited to the free Veterans Brunch Awards, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building faculty dining room, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. This event will acknowledge men and women from all divisions of the Armed Forces who have served our country, and includes free raffles and free brunch. Meet veterans, active duty members and their families, and get information about services for vets. RSVP to veteransbrunch.eventbrite.com. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Onstage The Williamsbridge Oval presents Henry V, free, via a mobile theatre, April 14

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, spanning the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018! There is tons of news to cover so let’s get right into it! Our front page story focuses on Bailey Houses, part of the stock of troubling properties owned by NYCHA. The chair of the New York City Council’s public housing committee visited the Kingsbridge complex, finding conditions problematic. Her visit came as the agency’s chair announced her resignation. Read what tenants have to say about the lumbering repair process. The timing will shock you.