State of the Bronx Address Takes Aim at City and President Trump

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Flea Market Donations Sought Donations are needed for the Bedford Mosholu Community Association flea market scheduled to be held on March 4. Bring new and used items (except clothing) to the BMCA office at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Feb. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 25 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and March 1 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230 or email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. State Job Exam Exams that qualify you for a state job in the fields of health and human services, environmental conservation, human resources, administrative analysis, and transportation will

By DAVID GREENE

Owners of vehicles stored at a public indoor parking garage in Bedford Park have been anxiously awaiting news if their vehicles were destroyed following the collapse of the facility. Police, fire and paramedics were dispatched to Dr. Parking, located at 3000 Jerome Ave. near Bedford Park Boulevard at just after 6 a.m. on Feb. 19. Officials say there were no injuries, with workers managing to escape. Investigators from the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Building’s (DOB) were investigating. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported Number 4 Trains were running at a reduced speed past the area to

By DAVID CRUZ

The long and lumbering review process for a mall directly across a mega-mall in the Bronx is underway. And while review processes involve the approval of the sitting Councilman, the real decider could be the Bronx political machine’s attorney doubling as the developer’s lobbyist. Stanley Schlein, the attorney representing the Bronx Democratic County Committee and key advisor to its chair, Marcos Crespo, is registered to speak on behalf of Grid Properties, the developer behind the proposed Baychester Square Mall. Developers are eyeing the 400,000-square-foot lot of land directly opposite the Bay Plaza Shopping Center, owned by real estate magnate Sam

By DEBORAH CRUZ

Nearly three years after the Archdiocese announced the closure of Shrine Church of St. Ann, church officials announced it will close St. Ann School resting above the now-defunct church, surprising parents who’ve long considered the school a major part of their lives. Many parents, the bulk of whom live in the community, were shocked and angry over the school’s imminent closure. Many of the parents were disappointed with the decision to close down the school. “My little one just started,” said Melissa Martinez, 39. “Now we have to start the process all over again and look for another school that

By DAVID CRUZ

For Community Board 7’s Robyn Saunders, you can’t salute a veteran enough. The scion of a family of veterans, Saunders sees service to country as a crucible that should never be overlooked. “I just don’t want us to forget,” Saunders told the Norwood News midway through a recognition breakfast honoring veterans whose service to country goes back to World War II. “They protect us even when we’re unaware they’re protecting us.” Saunders and CB7 organized the breakfast on Feb. 10 at Lehman College, with the school’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs sharing hosting duties. The ceremony saw 19 living

By Adeline Hanssen

The city is giving young people extra time to sign up for a summer job. The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development announced early applications are available for its Summer Youth Employment Program. The program connects young people ages 14 to 24 with paying jobs available from July 5 through Aug. 19. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who’s pushed for more young people to get summer jobs, hopes the early applications will “connect even more youth from across the five boroughs to meaningful opportunity.” Applicants, after submitting an application, are chosen via a lottery system. In 2015, a

By SHANNON MEEHAN of WFUV

The Norwood News and WFUV are collaborating on a five-part series profiling different types of illiteracy impacting the Bronx. The South Bronx, a vibrant neighborhood of working families, faces a literacy crisis that is affecting most of the area’s residents. Despite efforts by nonprofits and reading programs, the South Bronx has one of the lowest literacy rates of all five boroughs, intertwining with incomes in the South Bronx. Both facets remain low. Strides to break the cycle of illiteracy are being made in the South Bronx, though progress has not advanced enough. It still remains the poorest and has the

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest corner of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 16 pages full of news, it’s always easy to begin at the beginning with page 1. Our front page focuses on the imminent closure of St. Ann School, which comes just two years after the catholic church closed. Read what parents have to say about the school and it’s profound impact it’s had on children. An editorial focuses on the New York City Council’s passage of the Right to Counsel, and why it’s