Is It Trespassing? Norwood Neighbors Wage Fight Over Construction Rights

By MICHAEL TURAY

When Michael Acton saw his neighbor digging holes just at the foot of his home, he left his house, and it wasn’t pretty. Police were called to 271 Van Cortlandt Ave. E. and Acton was given a court order for trespassing. And in the space of a month, the feud between Acton and his neighbor, Nazmul Alam had gone from bad to worse after Alam removed the 100-year-old retaining wall that separates the neighbors’ homes. This happened without the approved city Department of Building (DOB) permits, resulting in the agency issuing a full stop work order. For Acton, much of

Major Disruptions Ahead for Norwood in Last Leg of Sewer Project

By DAVID CRUZ

Those living or traveling through Norwood will have to brace for another round of patience-challenging congestion as the city finally resumes completion of a massive sewer replacement project. And the city put the holdup on the state’s largest utility. The epicenter of the project will once again happen on Bainbridge Avenue, a busy arterial roadway that virtually cuts through the neighborhood, serving as a nexus for travelers in and around Norwood. There, between East 211th Street and Jerome Avenue by the Woodlawn No. 4 station (Jerome and Bainbridge avenues intersect at that point), the city will temporarily convert the two-way

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

After over a year of petitioning, commuters who rely on the No. 4 train at Mosholu Parkway can finally expect an elevator to be installed. But just how long the process or even when that installation will take place is up in the air. Under the persistent roar of uptown and downtown service, elected officials gathered under the train station on Sept. 25 to announce the plan, which is to be funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $51.5 billion capital budget for 2020-2024. A total of 70 stations in the city are expected to receive accessibility improvements. Though plans

Samelys Lopez, Bronx Progressive Activist, Launches 15th Congressional District Run

By DAVID CRUZ

Another progressive Democrat has announced a run for the 15th Congressional District seat, by far the most crowded political contest in the city. And she stands among the pack in grabbing a marquee endorsement from a prominent congressional Democrat. Samelys Lopez, a grassroots community activist who helped propel Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to victory last year, became the 13th candidate to announce a run for the South Bronx seat. “I just feel like it’s a time for something different, a fresh perspective; someone who is connected to the grassroots, the progressive community; someone who has an independent voice that can challenge

More Accolades for Kingsbridge Road Subway Heroes

By DAVID CRUZ

Jairo Torres, nudged between Councilmembers Fernando Cabrera and Andrew Cohen, graciously accepted a proclamation from Cabrera for saving the life of a little girl whose father pulled her onto the tracks of the Kingsbridge Road No. 4 subway station before killing himself. The setting was more intimate compared to the first proclamation he received two days before by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the first to honor Torres in a news conference full of pomp. It’s the latest in the kind of attention Torres has received since he saved Ferni Balbuena, the five-year-old girl who was nearly crushed by

Editor’s Pick The public is invited to the Mosholu Parkway Renaissance Festival to be held at the Kossuth Playground at Kossuth Avenue and Mosholu Parkway North on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include music, games and refreshments. Come in costume. For more information, visit mosholuparkland@gmail.com. Onstage Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance (BAAD), 2474 Westchester Ave., presents 2019 BlakTinX Performance Series, a variety of performances through Nov. 2, featuring singers, dancers, musicians and actors. For more information and a detailed schedule including cost, call (718) 918-2110. Events North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave., 17th floor

Subway Heroes Honored By Bronx Borough President

By MICHAEL TURAY

The Bronx version of Batman and Robin were honored by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for rescuing a five-year-old who was nearly crushed by a train. Jairo Torres and Antonyo Love, both from Kingsbridge Heights, jumped onto the tracks of the Kingsbridge Road subway station to save five-year-old Ferni Balbuena, who was trapped underneath a southbound 4 train car Monday morning. Balbuena and her dad were both struck by the train, her father died instantly, Balbuena miraculously survived. “On behalf of the 1.4 million Bronx New Yorkers, I want to say thank you. It is the true meaning of being

"A Safe Place to Call Home," Webster Green Officially Opens

By DAVID GREENE

State and local officials joined members of The Doe Fund for the official ribbon cutting of its recently completed, $30 million supportive housing project at 3100 Webster Ave., at the corner of East 204th Street in Norwood, adding to the number of new buildings popping up in the Norwood section. Construction on Webster Green began in 2016 and is part of a $20 billion, five-year plan of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, which will expand and preserve more than 100,000 units of affordable housing, with 6,000 additional units providing supportive services for families at risk of homelessness or adults with disabilities.

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s nineteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on two more Legionnaires’ cases popping up at Tracey Towers. The New York City Health Department is now collecting water samples as part of the city Health Department’s investigation. Reporter Jose A. Giralt continued his coverage with a meeting urging residents to heed the city’s advice. Inside the cover you’ll read Michael