An Enigma of a Parking Spot Surfaces at Tracey Towers

By DAVID CRUZ

The local 52nd Precinct and city Transportation Department both say they’re not responsible for vehicles inexplicably parking at a triangle just across from Tracey Towers. It’s a trend that confounded Sallie Caldwell, who’s lived at the enormous towers for nearly 50 years. It’s also a new trend as far as she’s concerned. The spot—found at a busy intersection of West Mosholu Parkway South edging Jerome Avenue–sits dozens of feet across the Norwood towers, where Caldwell’s a resident. An ever-vigilant resident, Caldwell has noticed vehicles have brazenly parked there overnight, narrowing the space for other vehicles looking to turn either into

37 Year-Old Man Shot Dead Along Perry Avenue

By DAVID GREENE and MARTIKA ORNELLA

Deep remnants of blood stain the sun-drenched street corner where Dwayne Saunders drew his final breath. His last moments defined by a violent foot chase, a crying girlfriend, and a good Samaritan struggling to keep Saunders’ weakening pulse from slowing to an end. Minutes later, ambulances arrive to pronounce Saunders dead at the scene. “I tried to help him out as much as I can,” said the would-be savior, who only went by James, 31. He remembers using napkins from a nearby bodega to absorb the streams of blood gushing out of Saunders. Police say Saunders suffered gunshot wounds to

Experts Weigh in Opioid Scourge in NW Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

With the northwest Bronx gravely impacted by the city’s opioid crisis, experts from the law enforcement, legislative and medical fields convened at Williamsbridge Oval Park to dispense information on opioid’s impact on communities. The awareness workshop event was organized by state Senator Jamaal Bailey, who’s district covers Norwood. The community is policed by the 52nd Precinct, one of the busier stationhouses dealing with the narcotic outbreak. The area of Fordham stands among the top five locations where use of the opioid drug is prevalent throughout the city. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the precinct, which has attempted to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ and DAVID GREENE

Police are close to tracking a suspect they’ve identified in the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old man in Norwood. The shooting at the 52nd Precinct ranks as the first homicide in 2018 for the northwest Bronx stationhouse. During the regular monthly meeting of the 52nd Precinct Community Council, held on April 26, at the Fordham United Methodist Church on Marion Avenue, Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Peter Fiorillo made it known during his breakdown of the latest crime statistics for the area. “There is a person identified already and the hunts on. We’re still looking for him, we haven’t arrested him

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering Bronx communities, is out this week! Check out these stories put together by our dedicated interns and freelancers that can get the conversation going. We begin, of course, with page one! The political season came early this year as a special election impacting Norwood happened on April 24, with Democrat Nathalia Fernandez becoming the interim Assembly Member for the 80th Assembly District. Learn Fernandez’ goals and whether others are gunning for the seat. It will be interesting to see who throws their hat into this seat. Other stories include the

By DAVID CRUZ

The 52nd Precinct’s first homicide in 2018 happened at a six-story building in Norwood. Police report a 38-year-old took a few shots to the body just before 4 p.m. on April 23 inside 3152 Hull Ave., a largely residential section just off East 204th Street. The victim, unresponsive, was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital’s trauma unit where he was pronounced upon arrival. So far the police have no reported leads on who may have killed the victim. His name is being withheld until the family is notified. The shooting ranks as the first reported homicide of the year. Around the

CB7 Chair Unexpectedly Resigns, Will Remain Member

By DAVID CRUZ

Adaline Walker-Santiago, the chair of Community Board 7 who brought a cheerleading style to her leadership, unexpectedly resigned on April 17. In her announcement to members and the general public at the latest community board, Walker-Santiago pledged to remain a member of the north Bronx board. Her resignation as chair is effective April 30. Walker-Santiago told the Norwood News shortly after her announcement that her decision to step down stemmed largely from freeing up her time. She said she plans to travel abroad, spend more time with family, and continue serving as a life coach. For the last five years, Walker-Santiago

Norwood News Wins Four Prizes at NYPA Awards

By THE NORWOOD NEWS

Four awards went to the Norwood News took by the New York Press Association (NYPA), the best number in recent memory. David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the paper, took home a First Place prize in the News Story category at the Better Newspaper Contest, for his piece on rent histories questioned by a nonprofit housing advocacy group. The story was written in March. Judges called the story, “Fundamental reporting at its best.” Though the prize put him at the top, it was Adi Talwar’s Third Place award for Photographer of the Year that stood out. Talwar beat out 17 other photographers

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, spanning the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018! There is tons of news to cover so let’s get right into it! Our front page story focuses on Bailey Houses, part of the stock of troubling properties owned by NYCHA. The chair of the New York City Council’s public housing committee visited the Kingsbridge complex, finding conditions problematic. Her visit came as the agency’s chair announced her resignation. Read what tenants have to say about the lumbering repair process. The timing will shock you.