City to Pick Up Tab on Tree-Damaged Sidewalks Near Homes

By DAVID CRUZ

Homeowners will be getting a reprieve from the city which will begin fixing sidewalks damaged by uprooted trees, a constant headache for homeowners. “It will not happen overnight. I mean as much as I appreciate the gratitude, I also know my colleagues and I are all realistic,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference on Sept. 10. He was joined by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who represents Norwood, for the announcement at Community Board 12 in Wakefield. The Department of Transportation (DOT) holds oversight of sidewalks. In the past, if a city-owned tree

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

In July 2018, Whalen Park was reopened amid fanfare with family members of the park’s namesake present. At a cost of $1.8 million, Councilman Andrew Cohen said at the time, “Today we have a park that’s as good as any park in the city.” Now, some residents are worrying over activities inside the park that go beyond just “hanging out,” with some fears the playground may revert back to the days when vagrancy was such a normal occurrence. Indeed, the park had been such an eyesore that it left then-Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene to declare it was once “plagued

Following Through on a Promise, Norwood Shelter to Get Peace Officers

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

The Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS) in Norwood will finally receive peace officers following efforts from Councilman Andy Cohen, Community Board 7, and several other elected officials, following through on a promise made by the New York City Department of Homeless Services for some. “I am really pleased they’re coming. I am very optimistic that they are going to reduce the overall impact of the shelter on the community,” said Cohen in a telephone interview with the Norwood News. DHS hopes the peace officers, who are expected to report for duty on Oct. 1, will relieve the 52nd Precinct from constantly

The Norwood News stopped by Wakefield on Aug. 30 for a back-to-school event complete with a backpack giveaway to local students ahead of the Sept. 5 start of public schools. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones.

Neighborhood Notes: Back-to-School Health Fair

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Back-to-School Health Fair A free back-to-school health fair is scheduled on Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, 1400 Pelham Pkwy. S., at the Pirate Ship Playground at Building 8 Courtyard. Free back-to-school supplies, music, and giveaways will be on hand. Anyone interested in signing up for affordable health insurance can do so. For more information, call Pitrina Moseley at (646) 335-8645. Free Paper Shredding Shred sensitive paperwork at a free shredding event happening on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Office of Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz at 3107 Kingsbridge Ave.

Editor’s Pick Freebies at the Oval Williamsbridge Oval (info: (718) 543-8672) presents the following free events: Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon – Puppet Show – Bessie’s Big Shot Aug. 31 at 8:30 p.m. – Outdoor film – “Uncle Drew” Onstage Woodlawn Cemetery holds free outdoor concert featuring Boricua Legends performing the music of Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz and other Latin American artists, Sept. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Bring chair or blanket; chairs will not be provided. Bags are subject to search. The Celia Cruz and Pedro Knight mausoleum will be open for

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Bronx constituents of the 13th Congressional District now have a new district office location. Congressman Adriano Espaillat, whose coverage area also covers Norwood, has moved his Bronx office into the same location as his former colleague, state Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz at 3107 Kingsbridge Ave., just north of West 231st Street in Kingsbridge. Since 2017, when he was sworn in, Espaillat’s Bronx district office was located at 2530 Grand Concourse inside what was originally known as the Dollar Savings Bank, near Fordham Road. Renovation work inside the landmark building forced the congressman to find another location. Espaillat said that the landmark

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the Child Victims Act that became law in New York State, allowing victims to file civil cases against abusers upwards of 50 years from the time the abuse occurred. For 15 or 16 years I have been fighting to amend case law. The legal system, when it comes to victims, they’re more concerned with defending the rights of the accused, who most of the time have actually perpetrated acts of violence against an animal or an individual or a group of individuals. I feel the laws have been too lax. Enough already.

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s seventeenth 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, capturing all kinds of stuff happening in the borough. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! For our front-page story, we delve into the ongoing heroin epidemic that appears to be a permanent fixture in the Bronx. A report from the New York City Health Department shows an increase in the number of opioid-related deaths in 2018, an eight percent increase. Reporter