Neighborhood Notes: Free Tax Prep Help Around The Bronx

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Tax Prep Free tax preparation services are available at Ridgewood Savings Bank, 711 Allerton Ave., on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To be eligible, a person must be single with no dependents with an annual salary of $30,000 or less, or with dependents and making an annual or salary of less than $55,000. For information, or to reserve a space, call (917) 509-4609 or email vkancler@ridgewoodbank.com. Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018 and

With New York Governor Andrew Cuomo making the legalization of recreational marijuana one of his top priorities for 2019, lots of questions remain about the specifics of the law and its implications for communities across the state. It’s one reason why the Norwood News, in partnership with BronxNet Television and WFUV Public Radio have organized a forum around this topic dubbed, “Bronx Connections: The Impact of Legal Weed,” which will be presented and televised live on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. Concerns still loom over the impact of the bill. Some want to make sure those incarcerated for the sale

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story brings you to Williamsbridge Oval Park where the Bronx Buccaneers have reclaimed their practice spot just in time for spring. The Bucs nearly lost their spot after the team parted ways with the permit holder. Martika Ornella reports on who the team is tipping its helmet for the good news. Inside the cover you’ll find a follow-up piece what exactly

Stagg Group, and its Tenants, Make Their Case Before Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

In a packed, standing room only office of Community Board 7, the Housing, Land Use, & Zoning Committee heard heated arguments about the lack of repair and maintenance services for tenants of 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster avenues. It was the result of a long-awaited meeting between tenants and representatives from the Stagg Group. The realty firm’s representatives were present defending their recent actions in improving response time to complaints about repairs and maintenance work. The buildings, collectively making up The Bedford Park Manor, opened in 2015, the first such properties to open following the 2011 rezoning of a large

Report: Majority of Kingsbridge Road Merchants Rent Burdened (Picture)

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

Evy Viruet started to think something was up when she kept getting phone calls from business owners on Kingsbridge Road about people coming around and taking pictures. “We figured they were up to something,” said Viruet, a small business organizer for Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC). Owners of Kingsbridge corridor businesses soon found ads on the real estate listing site Loopnet.com that offered 2 through 12 W. Kingsbridge Rd. and 2647 through 2659 Jerome Ave. up for sale, specifying that “existing tenants are month to month.” Many tenants in those buildings also have no commercial leases at all.

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

The Bronx Buccaneers youth football team has regained rights to practice on Saturdays this spring at Williamsbridge Oval Park. An official permit was issued in the Bucs’ name by the city Parks Department’s Bronx office. For the Bucs and the community supporting them, the permit is a welcomed end to their months-long battle to stay at the Oval. In December, the Buccaneers’ coach, Keith Spivey Jr., shared an online petition detailing the Bucs’ removal from the Oval by their former vice president, Richard Hernandez, current commissioner to the Corsairs Football League, the long-time permit holder. The Bucs were to be

Heating Assistance Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers will be accepted by local departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, household size and how the home is heated. Residents can apply online at https://on.ny. gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC DSS/HRA/ HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. For more information, call (212) 331-3126. Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018

SEE VIDEO: McDonald's Workers Brawl in Front of Shocked Norwood Customers

By DAVID GREENE

Two employees of the Norwood McDonald’s were captured on video in an all-out brawl that shocked customers. According to the NYPD, the incident took place at the McDonald’s at 300 E. 204th St. by Perry Avenue at 4:30 p.m., on Feb. 21. The unidentified 22 year-old victim reported the incident a week later. One detective explained, “She stated she was struck in the face several times by the subject with a closed fist. It’s unknown if she went to the hospital, but she suffered minor injuries.” On Feb. 28 police arrested Slade Shania, 18, of 53-05 Queens Blvd., who was

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

So why is tax planning, this time of year, even more important than tax preparation? Several reasons! First, you are living in 2019, not 2018. As you are reading this, because tax laws took effect on Jan. 1 you want to tax change your life as soon as possible to take advantage in the change in tax laws. Tax planning, in it’s simplest sense, is when one learns, strategizes, and executes their tax plan 2019 just before–or after “tax preparation, 2018,” so you can make sure knowing that Jan. 1, 2020 you are prepared to get a big hefty refund