Seats in Abundance in New York City Budget, But Not a School for District 10

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

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

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

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

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

Volunteers Sought to Count Homeless The Department of Homeless Services seeks volunteers to count the number of street homeless on Jan. 23 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. as part of the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). Data collected is to help individuals move from the streets to a safe environment. For more information and to volunteer, visit www.nyc.gov/hope to register. Apply to a Community Board Applications for placement into a local community board are available. City residents who qualify must either reside, work or have a professional or other significant interest in the Bronx. Applications are open to

Editor’s Pick Women: Defend Yourselves! All females ages 10 and over can join free Women’s Self Defense Workshops at the Williamsbridge Oval, Sundays through Feb. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn self defense moves and discuss the threats faced by females. For more information, call (718) 543-8672. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents a Reunion of Salsa concert, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $125/VIP. VIP includes pre-concert wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m. and the best seats in the house. For more information

By DAVID CRUZ

A Pentecostal church that once laid in ashy ruins in Fordham Heights has been restored. And while it’s been nearly seven years since a fire tore through the church, for Bishop Ronald L. Bailey, the hope of returning home was worth the wait. For Bailey, Love Gospel Assembly church’s commitment to the Bronx laid on firm ground and was forecast by the church’s late founder, Gerald Kaufman. “[H]e prophesized that if we stay, God would stay; God will restore the Bronx and that we will literally see the bricks come back to his building,” Bailey said in an interview