Anti-Vaxxers Follow Jeffrey Dinowitz to the Bronx for Town Hall Protest

By JOSEPH KONIG

When Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’s bill eliminating the religious exemption for childhood vaccinations passed the Assembly in June, angry anti-vaxxers shouted and cursed at him from the viewing gallery above the assembly floor. “We’ll be back Jeffrey,” they promised. Over 100 anti-vaxxers delivered on that promise with their protest outside the Riverdale YM-YWHA on July 16. Inside the building, Dinowitz and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi were hosting a town hall on the achievements of the recent legislative session, including Dinowitz’s vaccine bill signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month. “My kids, my choice,” the protestors chanted. At least two

Diaz Sr. (Yes, Diaz Sr.) Allocates $11,000 to LGBTQ-Supporting Groups

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., a candidate for the 15th Congressional District who’s been routinely chastised for making anti-gay remarks, surprisingly contributed a total of $11,000 to LGBTQ-supported groups, according to a review of the recently enacted Fiscal Year budget. Diaz Sr., a self-proclaimed social conservative Democrat and pentecostal minister, doesn’t see this as a form of contrition. “Why did I give money to these groups? Because they need it,” Diaz Sr. plainly told the Norwood News in a phone interview. Diaz Sr. has allocated $6,000 to Pride Not Prejudice, an organization that uses art to present current issues, such

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fifteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into and share. We’ve packed 24 pages of news from this corner of the Bronx, capturing a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story looks at the possible implications behind the Bronx Bus Network Redesign Plan, that could knock out several bus routes cutting through Norwood. Read what residents have to say about the news, and what can be done about it. Inside the cover you’ll find a piece on the

'El Chapo,' Whose Drug Network Dominated the Bronx, Sentenced to Life

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman Loera, infamous former head of the Sinaloa cartel, the world’s most powerful drug organization, was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years on July 17, after an 11-week trial that ended in February. The cartel is known for its widespread distribution network that includes the Bronx. Guzman was found guilty on ten federal charges, including murder conspiracies, engaging a continuing criminal enterprise and other drug-related charges. The sentencing came a month after 18 people with ties to the cartel were charged by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office with dealing heroin and enough fentanyl to “kill

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Councilman Ritchie Torres has four times more money than his rivals in his run for the 15th Congressional District race, with $522,494 from 1,100, putting him ahead of his opponents by $400,000, according to campaign finance records. This puts him at the top when it comes to fundraising, a move that could afford him building a greater campaign apparatus than his rivals. But when it comes to the number of donors hailing from the Bronx, the bulk of those donors went to fund the campaign of Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., according to an analysis of the figures. Torres’ total

Bus Redesign Plan Could Axe Norwood Routes, Worrying Residents

By MICHAEL TURAY

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and its proposed Bronx Bus Network redesign plan could affect several Norwood bus lines, a move unseen in decades, and which could affect thousands of riders. The MTA’s draft plan to improve Bronx bus service released last month shows the Bx28 and the express BxM4, which run through Norwood, are expected to be rerouted, while the Bx38 would be eliminated altogether. In addition, the Bx30 will no longer travel to Norwood. Under the plan, the Bx28 won’t run through Mosholu Parkway and Paul Avenue respectively, which would make the Bx10 the only alternative for riders

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The grand opening of the new Van Cortlandt library, a quarter mile from its old site, took place on July 15, having officially closed its former smaller premises in June. To mark the occasion, colorful helium balloons swayed in the summer breeze and attendees tucked into a celebratory buffet while a human-sized, furry lion mingled playfully among staff, children, visitors and elected officials including Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “This was in the making for many years,” said Dinowitz. The new library, once a two-story apartment

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the Phase 3 expansion of its Citi Bike initiative on July 16, which will bring bike sharing to various South Bronx neighborhoods including Mott Haven, Melrose, Port Morris, Highbridge, Claremont, Morrisania, Longwood, Concourse, and Mt. Eden in the next year. Community Board consultation will start this fall and stations will be installed in 2020. DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg confirmed that a $100 million investment to expand the bike program through 2023 has been made by Lyft (Citi Bike’s parent company) which will also cover previously under-served neighborhoods in northern Manhattan, Brooklyn and

State of Oval Park Roils Residents, And Parks Responds

By DAVID CRUZ

The black bags were finally filled with trash. The grass trimmed. The overflowing trash bin cleared. The checkmarks made for a productive cleanup at Williamsbridge Oval Park. Yet credit for the several cleanup jobs goes to the handful of volunteers living near the park. In the space of several months, the group has taken it upon itself to do the work of the agency, whose track record for reliable cleanliness is spotty as of late. George Lunney of Norwood wasn’t taking it lying down. “We’re not getting any assistance whatsoever from the complaints we made with either 311 or with