Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s twentieth 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 an impending sewer rehabilitation project that’s expected to make commuting in Norwood even more problematic. The New York City Department of Design and Construction says the project on Bainbridge Avenue near East Gun Hill Road–an already tough intersection–will last upwards of a year. We ask folks living in Norwood what they thought

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

At a community meeting held by the city Department of Health (DOH), residents of 20 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. were told that the water supply system in their building has tested positive for the Legionella bacteria. Although the findings by DOH were announced late last week, this meeting was the first time since then that residents were able to ask questions in person to Ricky Wong, director of Community Affairs with DOH, about actual remediation steps. “The management has submitted a short-term plan to disinfect the water supply. And it’s been approved,” Wong said. RY Management handles the maintenance at

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State

A Bronx teen has died from a vaping-related illness, marking the first such death in the state, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who has taken up the issue of vaping, announced the death at a news conference. “This vaping is a public health crisis. It is affecting our young people. It has been marketed to young people,” Cuomo told reporters. The teen was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center after the teen became ill, according to published reports. The Journal News, citing the state Health Department, reports the teen was admitted in early September for a vaping-related respiratory illness, released, then

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the state’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes and the trend vaping that’s responsible for killing nine people across the country so far this year. Another quick cash grab like the K-2 epidemic. The government reacts after research sees negative effects in the public. Meanwhile, owners made millions [of dollars] and promise to do better next time. Dion Powell Claremont I don’t know, but I always thought it was a waste of time. Users of tobacco don’t need to smoke less, they need to quit. No smoking at all. Never liked it and

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

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Smoke shops across the state are pulling flavored e-cigarettes off their store shelves after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an emergency ban of vaping products, considered to be heavily targeted towards youth. A Norwood smoke shop on the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 207th Street is breathing easy on this. Mo, who works there, says that e-cigarettes don’t make up a large percentage of the store’s revenue. Among those is Juul, a vaping product he says sells. “Juul is one section that sells. I sell other stuff. It’s a big loss but it’s not really gonna close me,” notes Mo.

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The discovery of two more cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Tracey Towers is creating two opposing reactions at the sprawling apartment complex. There are now four confirmed cases of the waterborne illness at 20 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. but none at its twin site, 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. Since the initial announcement more than two weeks ago of a second tenant being infected with Legionnaires’ within a 12-month period, some residents have attended multiple meetings organized by the city Department of Health (DOH) held at the building. DOH regulations mandate an investigation whenever a second case of Legionnaires’ disease

By JOSE A. GIRALT and DAVID CRUZ

After reassuring worried tenants at Tracey Towers last week about two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at the complex in the last 12 months, the Health Department (DOH) returned last night to inform the residents of two new cases. This brings the total number of cases to four. DOH officials confirmed the pair of cases originating at 20 W. Mosholu Pkwy. N., the same looming tower as the two original cases. So far the tower’s adjoining structure at 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. remains free of the waterborne illness. Ricky Wong, director of DOH’s community affairs unit, broke the news at

Sale of E-Cigarettes Face Ban Across the State

By DAVID GREENE

E-CIGARETTES SOLD at this store in Morris Park will be a thing of the past after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday, Sept. 15, that his administration was working on emergency legislation to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes across the state. The flavored e-cigarettes have already been removed from many store shelves after at least six deaths reported across the country. Those who have fell ill from smoking e-cigarettes reported symptoms that include shortness of breath, vomiting and fever. Cuomo signed a bill in July raising the age to purchase any tobacco products from 18 to 21. The new