Bronx Primary: Espaillat Edges Wright in 13th CD, But Both Demand a Ballot Count

By DAVID CRUZ

It’s not over til it’s over. The crowded Democratic race for the 13th Congressional District seat did not appear to go for the frontrunner, Assemblyman Keith Wright, but to his lead opponent, state Senator Adriano Espaillat. But Wright told supporters he’s not ready to concede until “every vote is counted.” He also called on the Justice Department to examine the vote count process following news reports of voter irregularities in pockets of the district, which extends into the Norwood section of the Bronx following redistricting in 2012. Voters have long complained the borough, which makes up 20 percent of the

By DAVID GREENE

The owner of a popular deli in Norwood faces a slew of charged after he and several others were arrested in an early morning raid last week, followed by a second raid the following day at the man’s home. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirms that the entire family has been charged in a $296,000 food stamp fraud scheme. Police stormed into the AKS Halal Deli and Grill at 319 E. 204th St. on June 24. The popular deli boasts a large spread of hot food for its regulars and passersby. Police say the owner, Ali Shahzad, 61, was taken into

By DAVID CRUZ

The CUNY School of Journalism, which oversees the Center for Community & Ethnic Media (CCEM), announced a $1 million grant aimed at offering continuing education workshops to the city’s trove of journalists covering community news with scant resources. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) made the announcement at the school’s offices in midtown Manhattan. The office’s commissioner, Julie Menin, announced the award aimed at creating multimedia-based classes that can help “stay ahead of the changes.” CUNY School of Journalism dean Sarah Bartlett, joining Menin, called the grant a “dream come true.” Menin was also joined by CCEM’s co-director,

Dear Fellow Readers, It’s that time again! The latest edition of Norwood News is out, featuring plenty of community news you can use! We begin, of course, with the front page story on a new program rolled out by the 52nd Precinct dubbed the Neighborhood Coordination Officer program. Find out how this program, in the works for nearly a year, can do with improve the fraught relationship between the community and police. On page 2 you’ll find our take on what can make the program a true success. More inside-the-cover stories include the latest in several key political races in the

Crafty Seniors R.A.I.N. Boston Secor Senior Center, 3540 Bivona St, presents a free exhibition of crochet creations by the seniors on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (718) 671-8550. Rent Freeze Meeting A Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) workshop will be held on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Serviam Gardens, 323 E. 198th St. Those eligible may be able to receive a rent freeze, and can receive help completing their applications and collecting all documents needed for this program. Seniors must be at least age 62 or disabled, have

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229 E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Community Relations/Long Term Planning Committee meets June 28; Economic Development Committee meets June 28 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the Board office at (718) 933-5650. THE 52nd PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL meets June 23 at 7pm at the Botanical Gardens Auditorium. The entrance is on Mosholu Parkway opposite the Botanical Gardens Train Station. Editor’s Note: Starting in July, local Community Board 7, Bedford Mosholu Community Association, and the 52nd Precinct Community Council will be

By DANIELA BEASLEY

A proposal for a new BP gas station on West Fordham Road was met with strong opposition and little support from the community board whose jurisdiction covers the gas station. The gas station would be replacing a 55-space parking lot at 205 W. Fordham Rd. by Sedgwick Avenue. The plan lays out the gas station as having five pumps, a canopy and three curb cuts serving as entrances and exits. The placement of the curb cuts is what troubled Community Board 7’s Land Use/Housing Committee with respect to driver safety. West Fordham Road, a major thoroughfare, has cars traveling past

A witness called in the incident—shouting between two sisters inside a home. In a neighborhood of one-story ranch houses and serene weather, it’s not exactly the scene of a domestic dispute. But Gloria Bent, a member of Community Board 7, goes in. One of the sisters, abutting her front door, urges Bent to get her other sister out of the house. The woman’s tics and moaning drawl suggests she’s high and agitated. She fidgets with a pair of scissors. Bent notices her voice growing more impatient. “She’s in here, she’s bothering me; she’s telling me she wants me to get

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their plans for the upcoming summer season. Well, I’m planning to get a few extra credits at my school so I can graduate earlier. Having some fun, celebrating my holiday Ramadan, in which we fast for the entire month. It starts on June 6 and ends July 6. And I will help take care of my dad’s two stores and try and have a little fun. Mohammed Abdullah Zerega I’m going to rest, relax and enjoy the weather until the cold comes back. In Norwood, I like coming to the Williamsbridge Oval Park where I