Pumpkins, Puppies, and Brew Slated for Oct. 14 JGH-BID Fall Fest

By DAVID CRUZ

Thousands of people are expected to walk up and down Norwood’s largest commercial strip on Oct. 14 as the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District is set to host its annual Fall Festival. That day, the commercial corridor will be cleared of vehicles for visitors to browse through all the offerings available by the BID’s pool of local merchants and street vendors. As most signature BID events go, the Fall Festival aims to draw a crowd in hopes of familiarizing patrons with the commercial district’s many shopping options. The BID, spanning Jerome Avenue between Mosholu Parkway and East Gun Hill

Out & About: Get Ready for the JGHBID Fall Festival

Editor’s Pick JGH-BID Fall Festival The Jerome-Gun Hill BID presents its 16th Annual Fall Festival, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., along Jerome Avenue between Mosholu Parkway and Gun Hill Road. Events include musical performers, hula hoops, jump rope, caricatures, face painting, food, free health screenings and giveaways. No rain date. For more information, call (718) 324-4946. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents the following events: Santo Domingo Tiene Salsa, featuring a number of known performers playing salsa music, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. (tickets are $50 to $75; $125/VIP

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

The intersection of East 204th Street and Decatur Avenue is finally getting a traffic light, which could ease congestion at the busy crossroad. There is currently a stop sign, but Norwood residents still cross with caution. The crossroad is located near a commercial strip that is home to many businesses including Lexa Bar & Garden, Price Busters, and Leroy Pharmacy. Because of this, there is constant traffic among pedestrians and drivers there. There are four schools in the surrounding areas of the intersection, including PS 20, Headstart Archdiocese of New York, Bedford Park Elementary School, St. Brendan’s School, and PS

City Announces Hurricane Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico

By DAVID GREENE

City officials and members of the techno-pop music group Black Eyed Peas stood outside of FDNY’s EMS Station 26 on Boston Road, announcing New York City’s relief efforts for hurricane-torn Puerto Rico. Mayor Bill de Blasio was on hand for the Oct. 7 announcement. From now until the end of the month, the city will be accepting needed donations for the commonwealth at 17 Bronx police stations and five FDNY/EMS stations across the borough until Oct. 31. “They may be more than 1,000 miles away in terms of geography, but there right here in terms of our hearts, we are Puerto

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use! We begin with a special report on the issue of homelessness crisis. Our reporters fanned out over the last two weeks interviewing the borough’s downtrodden and learn why they prefer the streets over a shelter. The story comes amid the city’s plan to bring more shelters to Norwood. It’s a can’t miss story by me, Aaron Mayorga, Yara Palin, and Adi Talwar with help from Diego Barcacel Pena and Stephanie Luciano. Be sure to check out this eye-opening story and

By DAVID GREENE

Although the latest stop work order for a troubled building under construction in Norwood has been lifted, unpaid fines levied against the developer are expected to pass $83,000. The property at 3084 Webster Ave., at the corner of East 203rd Street, an 11-story residence under construction by The Stagg Group, currently has a total of 19 violations, seven which are still pending before an administrative court, according to records by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). The most recent stop work order was issued on Oct. 2, when inspectors found a construction elevator, also known as a hoist, that

By DAVID CRUZ, AARON MAYORGA, and YARA PALIN

From the freneticism of Fordham to the more bucolic parts of Mosholu Parkway, the uptick in homelessness has not gone unnoticed by residents. In many instances, makeshift beds can be spotted in parts of Fordham while a camp for the homeless is commonly used in a leafy section of Dead End Park by Allerton Ballfields. For the number of homeless the Norwood News spoke to, living on the streets is a life more familiar than a roof over their head. It also presents the safest option. And as the city Department of Homeless Services (DHS) mulls over the site of

Newly Sworn in Lehman College President Pledges Expansion

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

The inauguration of Lehman College’s third president, Dr. José Luis Cruz, was filled with smiles and optimism for the future. It also doubled for the announcement of a new initiative by the college dubbed “90 by 30.” Cruz’s 90 by 30 initiative hopes to produce 90,000 degrees and credentials by the year 2030, doubling the current number of degrees conferred. The plan includes hiring more professors and working on expanding virtual and physical infrastructure. This includes building a $53 million, 50,000-square-foot nursing teaching and research center, a $12.8 million addition to the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and the

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

The Norwood News’ Neighborhood Notes section has a listing of services that include organ donation signup, free WiFi for students, and SAFE Disposal events.