Experts Weigh in on Opioid Scourge in NW Bronx

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 MARTIKA ORNELLA

Low-income students with dreams of attending one of New York City’s specialized high schools will finally have an equal shot at admittance if new legislation is passed. State senators Jamaal T. Bailey, representing Norwood, and his colleague Toby Ann Stavisky introduced a legislative package geared at widening diversity in specialized high schools by making the admission process more equitable. Black and Latino students accounted for only 11 percent of those admitted to specialized high schools in 2016, despite making up 68 percent of the city’s entire student body. According to Department of Education (DOE) admissions data, black and Latino students

A Bronx Salad is Tossed in Battle to Reverse Health Outcomes

By JULIA RIST of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV, BronxNet TV complete their five-part series profiling food insecurity across the Bronx. Johlany Tejada is a first grader at an afterschool program operated by BronxWorks, a social services non-profit. Johlany has attended the program for two years and says that one of her favorite parts of the day is sitting down to eat. But her favorite snack isn’t what one would consider typical elementary school fare. It’s the Bronx Salad. “When I tried it, it tasted like it came straight from the trees and they just put water on it and it tasted very healthy,” Johlany

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

Dog Waste Stations Now Available Along Mosholu Parkway

By DAVID CRUZ

Bag It! The Parks Department says 16 dog waste bag stations have been installed across Mosholu Parkway by the New York City Parks Department. The stations contain clean plastic bags intended for dog owners to pick up after their pooches. A Parks Department spokesperson said the installation project was finalized two weeks ago costing roughly $1400. “This will be a perfect opportunity now for us to educate the public even further,” wrote Elizabeth Quaranta, president of Friends of Mosholu Parkland, a volunteer advocacy group for the park side of the parkway, in a letter to the Parks Department outlining her

Editor’s Pick Free Concert at NYPL The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Sonida Costeño Trio in Concert, featuring Latin music, April 28 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents the following concerts: Bobby Valentin, performing Latin music, with his orchestra, April 28 at 8 p.m. (tickets: $50 to $75; $125/VIP includes orchestra seats, pre-concert drinks and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m.); Texture Man, presented by Festival of Praise, featuring a variety of performers, April 29 at 6 p.m.

By NIALL RIDGLEY

Luis Diaz, a Bronx resident, is overjoyed as he shakes Councilman Andrew Cohen’s hand. He asks for a picture, saying, “I want to show people that, you know, I know big people.” A photo was snapped at Unique People Services (UPS), located at 3510 Bainbridge Ave. Diaz has been getting assistance there since 2014. He’s since moved into a role as a pantry volunteer. Diaz put the need for pantries in clear terms, saying, “It’s more than just food, it’s being aware.” The Bainbridge UPS pantry was founded in 2009 and operates via discretionary funds from the New York City

BronxNet Nosotros Program Profiles Bronx Judge

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Judge Llinet Rosado sat down with Yeila Lluberes of BronxNet’s Nosotros on April 25 at 9:30 p.m. The pair discussed Rosado’s journey from having grown up in housing projects on the Lower East Side to her election as a Bronx County Civil Court judge. Rosado was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States as a young child. She worked at the Bronx Legal Aid Society and as a family law attorney. Nosotros is a Spanish language program that profiles prominent members of the Bronx community, with in-depth discussions meant to inspire and connect. Rosado’s Nosotros episode

By DAVID CRUZ

Nathalia Fernandez was so used to working behind the scenes. Now she’s front and center. Fernandez secured her victory on the April 24 special election for the 80th Assembly District seat, allowing her to soundly defeat Republican challenger Gene DeFrancis, founder of the Allerton International Merchants Association. Fernandez, winning by more than 1500 to DeFrancis’s 300 (official numbers by the Board of Elections won’t be available for a few weeks) now succeeds her former boss, former Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. Her win automatically makes her the district legislator serving Norwood, parts of Bedford Park, Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, and Van