On a Sunday Night, a Rape Stirs Bedford Park

Police have arrested a suspect for the rape of a teen girl in Bedford Park. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the victim, a 19-year-old from Bedford Park, was walking on East Mosholu Parkway South and Marion Avenue around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday when she was approached by a man brandishing a knife. At knifepoint. the suspect forced the victim into his car and sped off, heading to an unknown location in the borough of Queens. It was there where he sexually assaulted her, according to police. The suspect soon drove the victim back to Bedford Park, dropping her off.

Lehman College’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is offering the first of its spring 2016 semester free career information sessions on Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Expert guidance will be provided on several non-credit certificate programs for those who wish to acquire new skills to change careers or upgrade skills for their current position. Programs covered include Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC); Business Bookkeeping; Certified Financial Planner (CFP); IRS Enrolled Agent; Real Estate Salesperson; Entrepreneurship; Computer Information Technology including Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, Graphics and Web Design and Programming, A+ Computer Technician, Healthcare IT Technician, and Cisco

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their New Year’s resolutions and hopes for 2016. My New Year’s resolution is for me to help out my mom more with things like paying for groceries and anything that she needs, and for me to do better in school. Tevin Woodley Parkchester I’m going to help my family out, so they may live more comfortably. Joshua Rivera Manhattan My hope for the New Year is for these politicians to help clean up the Bronx a little more and create more jobs and help the homeless. It’s a real

By By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

As I celebrate my 20th year as an income tax and financial advisor, I am sure I will continue to be asked the number one question: “Can I get free money from the IRS?” The answer: YES YOU CAN! But you must qualify and understand the laws. To understand the laws, you must know about tax deductions and tax credits. A tax deduction reduces your taxable income by a percent of every dollar, while a tax credit offers dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe. For example, if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket, as most lower middle class New

By DAVID CRUZ

The Bedford Mosholu Community Association wants to light a fire under the New York City Department of Parks, demanding they lock Williamsbridge Oval Park nightly following a series of fires. The group’s president, Barbara Stronczer, told members she plans to draft a letter asking the Parks Department to close the park at dusk. In recent weeks, at least seven intentional fires were sparked causing community residents to be uneasy regarding safety in the park. The fires led to the apprehension of one teen, but it remains unclear whether he is responsible for all the fires. The Parks Department increased Parks

Anticipating news stories is a bit tricky in journalism. Stories involve truth, which is always stranger than fiction, making news predictions, well, tricky. But in looking ahead, the Norwood News is looking backward to determine what stories will spark ire, provoke further discussion, and signal change. So far, this could be the year of repeats. With that, here are some stories that could get the presses going: Securing the Oval: Let’s hope 2015 was the last year the neighborhood saw a string of violent incidents, brush fires, and fresh graffiti tags that bewildered neighbors around the park in the latter

Editor’s Pick Lengthen the Holiday Season Keep the holiday going with the following events: The New York Botanical Garden presents All Aboard With Thomas and Friends, through Jan. 24, featuring sing-alongs, mini performance adventure, and crayons and coloring for the kids. Kids can be photographed with Driver Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine which can be printed out and purchased onsite. They also receive a certificate and temporary tattoo. For more information, call (718) 817-8700. Also offered is the Holiday Train Show, presented by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, daily through Jan. 18 from 10 a.m.

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2016. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. “Treecycling” Recycle your holiday tree to nourish parks throughout the city. Free mulch and free collection bags will be provided at Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course at Bailey Avenue and VC Pk. So., Jan. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to

Community Board 7’s Screening Committee is expected to unveil its recommended district manager candidate for the Board at the next general board meeting. The post was vacated in October by Dustin Engelken, who resigned for personal reasons. He was at the helm for just over a year, making him the third district manager to leave the position in three years. Thomas Lucania, the Bronx Borough President’s Director of Community Boards, had since been filling in the position. District managers are paid city administrators who serve the needs of a community board comprised of volunteer residents. The Screening Committee will present