Health

Community Board 7 Cancels All March Meetings, Suspends In-Person Constituent Services

By DAVID CRUZ
The spread of coronavirus has prompted Community Board 7, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, and University Heights to suspend in-person constituent services and cancel all of the remaining committee meetings and its upcoming general board meeting. In an email blast sent out today, the decision to suspend meetings was motivated “out of an abundance of caution.” So far, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus originating in the Bronx. For now, such constituent services will happen over the phone, with board officials sharing a listing of names, emails, and phone numbers should they need help. The list


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A Changing Bronx Political Landscape, a Farewell From Our Editor-in-Chief: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ
Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition (and my final one as editor-in-chief) of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. In a rare instance, which we hope will be a regular thing moving forward, we’ve packed a whopping 32 pages into this community paper! So let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses continues our look into the changing Bronx political landscape, which shifted once again after Assemblyman Marcos Crespo announced he will not seek re-election for his seat. The story looks at a number of upcoming races, including two


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How Coronavirus Worries Are Causing Widespread Cancellations in the Bronx

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service
By DAVID CRUZ
With coronavirus worries sweeping New York City, it was only a matter of time before those worries came to the Bronx. In the last 24 hours, a slew of events and meetings have been cancelled. They include: All CUNY & SUNY Schools Working Remotely: The decision by Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered CUNY and SUNY in-class sessions to be cancelled and taken online. This includes Lehman College and Bronx Community College. SUNY Maritime in Throggs Neck remains open. This is already on top of other institutions, including Fordham University’s Bronx campus, shut down. Mercy College announced classes cancelled until March 15. Manhattan


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Duane Reade, Staple in Kingsbridge Heights, Closes

Duane Reade, Staple in Kingsbridge Heights, Closes
By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
Kingsbridge residents who depend on the Duane Reade at 1 E. Kingsbridge Rd. to fill their prescriptions, purchase greeting cards, or buy their cosmetics will now have to find another store. Walgreens, the parent company, closed the store on Tuesday night. According to multiple signs on the storefront windows, pharmacy customers will have their prescriptions automatically filled at the next closest Duane Reade at 58 E. Fordham Rd., about a half mile south. The now-closed store sits at a prime location on the northeast corner of East Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue.  The Kingsbridge number 4 train station is just


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A Tribute for the Bronx’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ and a Vital Bus Stop That Could Be Cut: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

A Tribute for the Bronx's 'Unsung Heroes' and a Vital Bus Stop That Could Be Cut: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!
By DAVID CRUZ
Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fifth 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 a unique State of the Borough address delivered by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The speech, Diaz’s penultimate before he heads into retirement in 2021, put the focus on the borough’s men and women who “put in the work” to better the borough. The story focuses on one Fordham local who certainly


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Editorial: We Hope He Hasn’t Checked Out

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his annual State of the Borough speech in a rather interesting way, sidestepping its usual ceremonial proclivities that involve absorbing all the attention while unveiling his to-do list for the upcoming year by honoring the borough’s unsung heroes (more on this can be found in our front page story). But missing in that retrospective speech complete with pomp and swagger, bespoke of Diaz’s own personality, were ideas for the borough. Where were they? Checking back on previous state of the borough speeches (unlike this year, his office would send reporters a transcript of


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In the Bronx, State of the Borough Speech Offers Personal Retrospective

Crime File: Who's Wanted In the Bronx?
By DAVID CRUZ
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. threw away the oft-formulaic State of the Borough speech he’s delivered over the last decade for a retrospective of sorts while honoring a who’s who of civic activists, educators, and captains of industry. His penultimate speech at Borough Hall comes a few weeks after announcing he won’t be running for New York City mayor after all. Diaz, 47, told reporters he’s “at peace” with his decision, mentioning that the Bronx certainly has a crop of elected officials ready to pick up the baton. He mentioned by name Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo,


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Inquiring Photographer: State of the Bronx

Inquiring Photographer: State of the Bronx
With Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. set to deliver his State of the Borough address on Feb. 20, we asked readers to offer their take on the state of the Bronx. Right now, the main thing I’m concerned about is police actions. Other than that, the Bronx is a good place to live. Yeah, they’re still doing stop and frisk. They stop people for anything: weed, guns. I don’t mind them getting the guns off the street, but stopping everyone is harassment … I do worry about gentrification and that’s scary because it pushes the poor people right out of


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NYBG Enters Residential Housing Market, Five-Two’s Thoughts on Criminal Justice Reform: Check out the Latest Norwood News!

By DAVID CRUZ
Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We’ve loaded up 24 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a long-awaited project announced by the New York Botanical Garden, which is now entering the residential housing market. The affordable housing residences, with one set aside exclusively to seniors, will soon pop up along Webster Avenue. The area had been rezoned in ten years, clearing the path for projects such as this.


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