Bronx Connections: The Gang Impact (Part 1 of 5)

By By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI of WFUV

Credible Messengers to Bring Cautionary Tales of Gang Life to Belmont The Norwood News, WFUV radio, and BronxNet Television have partnered to bring you a five-part series on gangs in the Bronx and their implications to their communities. This past summer, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was brutally murdered by gang members affiliated with the Trinitarios in a case of mistaken identity in Belmont, drawing massive media attention and spurring the hashtag #JusticeforJunior Freddy “June” Charles Jr., a so-called “credible messenger” at the Morrisania-based “Release the Grip” (RTG), said no one should die like that. When news of Junior’s murder broke, he

VOLUNTEERS WITH THE Citizenship Project help foreign-born Bronx residents properly fill out their federal applications for U.S. citizenship status. The group was at Tracey Towers on Oct. 13 at the event sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen (right).

In the Public Interest

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Blake Announces PA Run Assemblyman Michael Blake, who, along with representing the 79th Assembly District while pushing a national Democratic agenda as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is throwing his hat into the race for New York City Public Advocate. The Public Advocate’s seat will officially be up for grabs come November since the current advocate, Letitia James, won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general. With an overwhelmingly Democratic state, James’s shot at winning the AG seat is all but secured. Should Blake win the advocate seat, it will open the door for his Assembly seat. The

LINDA MCCAULEY, DAUGHTER (at mic) of late Bedford Park resident Mary Vallati speaks during a surprise awards presentation to Patricia Burlace (r), Sister Annunciata Senior Center executive director, on Oct. 11. The Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA), represented by Ella Santos (l), Margaret Collins (2nd from l), and president Barbara Stronczer (2nd from r) were there to honor Burlace for being completely dedicated to the senior center located in Bedford Park. Burlace accepted the award named after Vallati. Photo courtesy BMCA

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 24 pages packed into this paper there’s plenty of news to share. So let’s get to page one. The front page focuses on The Bedford Manor, which opened in 2016 and is already showing signs of decay. A tour by the Norwood News given by one resident shows a breakdown of services. Reporter Joseph Konig got word from the landlord. Read what he has to say. Other stories include the city Environmental Protection playing defense over poor water pouring out of northwest Bronx homes. We

Flanked By Bronx Electeds, Schumer Rails Against CSX Land Deal Talks

By JOSEPH KONIG

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a slew of Bronx lawmakers slammed rail transportation giant CSX for walking away from a deal to sell unused land in Kingsbridge to the city so it can be converted into a greenway and bike path. “We cannot allow this project to be delayed just because CSX wants to squeeze a few more pennies out of the community,” Schumer said at a news conference Oct. 17 held at the West 238th Street overpass near Broadway. “We are telling them, asking them to come back to the table or else.” What “or else” meant was unclear

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. We have 20 pages of news and lots to cover. Our front page cover story focuses on comments made by the head of NYC Health + Hospitals offering assurances that North Central Bronx Hospital is here to stay. The Norwood News heard directly from the top person at NCBH and some ideas batted around for expansion. The Norwood News is also excited to announce our 30th anniversary celebration is three weeks away! Save the date for Thursday, November 1. We will be honoring Sally Dunford,

Ocasio-Cortez, Among the Like-Minded, Touts Criminal Justice Reform

By JOSEPH KONIG

With just over a month before the general election, Democratic congressional candidate for the 14th District, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, co-hosted a town hall at Parkside Houses focusing on criminal justice reform. Ocasio-Cortez spoke on ending cash bail, closing Rikers, and ways to turn activism into governance alongside activists and community leaders. “I don’t want us to do what I believe happened in the aftermath of the Obama presidency,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We were like amazing, hope, change… he’s going to take care of it. It doesn’t work like that. We have to have each other’s backs.” The event was the first of a series of town halls she will host in the run-up to

In Bedford Park Preservation Campaign a Need Your Photos

By DAVID CRUZ

As developers far and wide continue eyeing Bedford Park for development, the Bedford Mosholu Community Association is utilizing a workaround strategy to ward further development. And Ella Santos, a vice president of the group needs an item that’ll serve as the lifeblood of the campaign: your photos. “They don’t have to be historical photographs. It could be current,” said Santos, speaking at the latest BMCA meeting Oct. 3. “Any old photos of you standing in front of your house, with friends.” BMCA is now applying to be placed on the Historic Districts Council’s (HDC) “Six to Celebrate” initiative which assists