Financial Focus: $1500 Tax Advance? Go see Al Capone Instead

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Rapid Refund. Remember that name? It was so misleading, the IRS and New York made tax filing firms correct it’s meaning because it was misleading advertising. So now, we have “Rapid Advance.” No, it’s not your tax refund, but a 0 percent loan given to you on a pre-paid debit card. Well, you might say, that sounds very convenient. It sure is! The tax filing companies want you to use this new card–to spend your money–and they will charge you every dollar for it. So, you’ve finished your taxes! Got your debit card and your loan? You want it now

By DAVID CRUZ

Three years ago, PS 77 at 3177 Webster Ave. opened with the hopes of easing overcrowding within the school district. Three years later, the school is overcrowded, according to Marvin Shelton, president of the Community Education Council for School District 10. “I talked to the principal and she said, ‘yeah, we’re capping Kindergarten already,’” Shelton said, recalling a meeting he had at the school recently. “They’re a Pre-K to 5 and they’re only Pre-K to 3, and they’ve already filled up the building. It just shows how backed up the district is in terms of making new capacity.” And

A few weeks ago I met a man from the South Bronx named Wellington. He was diagnosed with cancer and lost his health insurance. The City of New York fought for him and discovered he was entitled to free health coverage. Within a few days Wellington was in the hospital, getting care. Today he is cancer free. This is a frightening time. People tell me they’re worried about losing affordable health care and don’t know what to do. My answer: Tell everyone you know to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act – or as some people

By DAVID CRUZ

Police have released a photo of a suspect wanted for allegedly attacking a 79-year-old man from behind. The victim was entering the lobby of an apartment building in the vicinity of DeKalb Avenue and East 213th Street around 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 19 when the suspect, described as a male Hispanic in his teens, came from behind and put him in a headlock, according to police. The suspect threw the victim to the ground, and quickly took the victim’s wallet and cellphone before taking off. The victim was rushed to Jacobi Hospital and treated for his injuries. The individual last

Amid President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration stances that include erecting a wall between the US-Mexico border and cutting billions of dollars in federal funding to so-called “sanctuary cities”, New York City among them, Bronx Democratic officials from all levels of government blasted the new policies as a show of unity against the Trump administration. “[N]o other borough, no other county in the state of New York will suffer more from these cuts than the borough of the Bronx,” Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, flanked by a cadre of Hispanic legislators at a news conference at Borough Hall. Diaz noted

By DAVID CRUZ

Online grocery purchases are now a possibility for food stamp recipients, thanks to a pilot program. The program allows recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy SNAP-approved food from FreshDirect and Amazon. Lobbying efforts from the Bronx Borough President’s Office and federal legislators convinced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to widen the acceptable food outlets SNAP benefits can take advantage of as a way to improve access to affordable food in areas where food deserts are the norm in the Bronx. It also gives a revenue boost to FreshDirect and Amazon. SNAP benefits come in a reloadable

By By DANIELA BEASLEY

Knife Attack in Bedford Park Three individuals are wanted in regards to an assault that ended with a victim’s pinky finger lobbed off. The incident happened on January 21 in a building at 3029 Briggs Ave. in Bedford Park. At around 11 p.m. police say the three individuals assaulted a 25-year-old male with machetes and a knife. The victim was taken to a hospital, who was treated for his severed pinky along with lacerations to his arms and legs. He is in stable but critical condition. The first individual is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s and was

NEIGHBORS ALERTED THE Norwood News to this home at 306 East 206th St. that’s become somewhat of a dumping ground with animal cages and cat litter buckets strewn about the three-story property. Records show the property is under foreclosure. An auction to buy the home is scheduled for Jan. 23. At the moment, it’s unclear whether the home is occupied. Photo by Deborah Cruz

Inquiring Photographer: Expectations of President Trump

By DAVID CRUZ

This week we asked readers the one thing they would like to see President Donald Trump do and/or not do in his first year in office. I would like to see him make America great as he said he wants to do. I don’t want to see him take away Obamacare, unless he can replace it with something that’s going to be more effective and will include more people. I’m hopeful, let’s give him a chance. Barbara Wadell-Steele Mott Haven I don’t want him to deport any immigrants, because this city was made by immigrants. I’m afraid of Donald