Sexual Predator on the Loose in the Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

Police have released a sketch of an sexual predator on the run after allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman near the New York Botanical Garden. The incident happened during the late hours of May 29 between 11 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. in the area of Mosholu Parkway and Southern Boulevard, according to police. The suspect approached the 29-year-old victim and struck a conversation. They eventually walked to a nearby park where the perp exposed himself and offered cash to the victim in exchange for groping him, according to police. The woman refused, stalked off until the man grabbed

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers! The twelfth edition of the Norwood News covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use! While we normally begin with page one, we want to divert your attention to page 8 and the paper’s winning of a New York Press Club Award. The award went to our coverage of efforts to stop overdevelopment in Bedford Park following an eviction of building tenants. So proud of how far we’ve come to put our name out there! Especially grateful to Daniela Beasley, Deborah Cruz and Adi Talwar for sharing in the prize! Read the series that

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Job Fair A job fair with city agencies expected to attend will take place on June 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 991 Longwood Ave. For more information, call (718) 931-2620. Free STEP Program Rising seventh and eighth grade students in the Bronx can apply for a free summer long Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP) that offers academic preparation, science classes, personal development, lunch and MetroCards. For more information, and to obtain an application, call Deborah Negron Cordero at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at (718) 430-41666. LGBTQ Needs Assessment An assessment survey on the needs of the

Norwood News Wins NY Press Club Award, a First

The Norwood News was honored June 5 by the New York Press Club in the first ever Community Coverage category. The paper was recognized for its series on efforts to stop overdevelopment in the neighborhood of Bedford Park amid an eviction proceeding that went awry for residents. The award honored the paper’s editor-in-chief, David Cruz, along with former reporter Daniela Beasley, freelance reporter Deborah Cruz, and freelance photographer Adi Talwar for contributing to the series. “We wish to thank Mosholu Preservation Corporation, publisher of the Norwood News, for supporting local community journalism for nearly 29 years,” David said. Ironically, it was David who lobbied the New York Press Club’s board of governors to consider creating the award, given the large number of small but incredibly relevant community journalism outlets across the city.

Crime File: Another Heroin Death in the Bronx

By TATYANA TURNER

In the early hours of Thursday, May 25, a man walked into Montefiore Medical Center carrying a needle and a bag of heroin. He made his way to the bathroom, locked the door, and never stepped out. “He passed away,” said Lieutenant Brian Hogan of the Narcotics division as he informed the crowd of nearly 50 who attended the 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting. “That’s up to number 11 [this year]. Last year we had 23; we’re going to surpass that number.” Overdose and addiction is an issue that has been plaguing the Bronx, including Norwood. Authorities blame the spike in heroin deaths on fentanyl, a powerful narcotic that’s now mixed with heroin. “If you inhale a small amount, you’re going

Editorial: USPS and Bronx DA Need to Squash Mailbox Fishers

For the past two years, the commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct has sounded the alarm on so-called “fishing” scams where thieves feed adhesive and glue into a mailbox on the hopes of hoisting, or fishing, out mail containing money orders and checks. But the crime has not only bedeviled the precinct, but the entire Bronx. Indeed, this crime of opportunity remains even in the face of consistent arrests made on the scam. It’s also time to call out the United States Postal Service for allowing this crime to continue. The United States Postal Service, which cries over loss of

By DAVID CRUZ

Of the daily annoyances that make the Bronx a peril for drivers is parking. In every case, there’s barely enough to go around. Roiling civilian drivers more is city employees who skirt the rules by placing a city-issued placard on their dashboard, indicating to a traffic agent they are on official business. It’s promulgated a culture of opportunity for drivers who may use the placard to park with impunity, and creating resentment against traffic agents. It’s further promulgated by a culture of tolerance from traffic agents who create a double standard by issuing a ticket to a violator but look

Dear Fellow Readers, It’s that time again! The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. We begin with the front page and the story that impacts you the most. We’re talking about the impending return of the Community Board 7’s district manager. If you live in the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, and University Heights, then the return could affect you. Read the story about Andrew Sandler, who’s been on medical leave for four months. Politics is on the mind of the Norwood News and we have a story

The Norwood News was recognized for several awards, continuing its streak in producing award-winning community journalism. The paper was recognized on May 18 at the Independent Press awards, commonly known as the “Ippies.” There, the paper took home a second place prize for Best Small Circulation Publication, adding to the first place prizes it received for the category in 2015 and 2016, a veritable 3-peat. “This feisty little bi-weekly produces an impressive variety of original stories with just one full-time staffer,” read Tom Robbins, lead judge and investigative journalist in residence for the CUNY School of Journalism, which sponsors the