Norwood News Grabs Eight Awards at Statewide Journalism Contest

By NORWOOD NEWS

The Norwood News had a good year at the statewide Better Newspaper Contest awards ceremony, picking up eight awards for its coverage of the Bronx last year. Among the big awards was the Thomas G. Butson Award for In-Depth Reporting, where editor-in-chief David Cruz placed third in a widely competitive category. “Thorough reporting,” read the judge’s comments on the story examining the complexities behind affordable housing in New York City, and the repercussions. The series, dubbed “Housing Matters,” was made possible through a fellowship with the Marguerite Casey Foundation. Other awards included a second place prize for Feature Story, which

Electeds Want Your Questions for Town Hall Forum in Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

Norwood’s representatives on the city and state level want you to bring your gripes to a town hall forum they’ve organized for tomorrow. The legislators–Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Assemblywoman Nathalia, and Councilman Andrew Cohen–will be on hand for the forum starting at 7 p.m. at Montefiore Medical Center’s Cherkasky Auditorium. The forum allows residents to share any community concerns with the four representatives. For Dinowitz, this represents his fourth town hall since November, which has drawn roughly 100 residents on average. “I’m hoping we get a good crowd. We have, in the past, trouble getting crowds,” said

Bronx Connections: The Health Impact (Part 3 of 5)

By JULIA ROSE HERMAN of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television present a five-part series on health-related struggles affecting residents of the Bronx. Urgent Care Offers Lower Costs and Wait Times, But at a Price As urgent care centers pop up across the Bronx, Dr. Barry Baker, a private practitioner, prefers the traditional physician-patient model. But it doesn’t mean he doesn’t keep one foot in the urgent care trend. Dr. Baker, who has an office in Throggs Neck, always knew he wanted to go into private practice. “I saw an ad in The New York Times ‘Practice for Sale’–I contacted the husband and

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018 and have children, or $30,000 or less without children, qualify for the free service. For more information or to make an appointment, call (718) 882-4000. Participatory Budgeting The next round of workshops on Participatory Budgeting, where residents can decide how $1 million in capital funding should be spent in the 11th Council District, takes place on the following dates and times for residents living in Bedford Park and Norwood: Sister Annunciata

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story focuses on progress at the The Bedford Park Manor, which will now be occupied with a live-in super. The tenants have been fighting the landlord, The Stagg Group, for several months over the conditions at the building. Jose A. Giralt spoke to all sides. We also hear from West Bronx Housing, which breaks down the unconventional approach by tenants. Inside the cover

Editor’s Pick MMCC Fun Mosholu Montefiore Community Center presents the third annual MMCC SpringFest on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3450 DeKalb Ave. The free open house features program demonstrations, a bounce house, face painting, crafts, snacks and fun for the whole family. There will also be an exhibition of an art show. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Forever Freestyle 13, featuring a variety of artists performing Latin music including hip-hop and disco, March 16 at 8 p.m. (tickets $55 to $100); Grupo Niche, performing Salsa, March

By MARINA KOPF of WFUV

Meeting the Demand for Dental Work in Underserved Communities Dr. Douglas York, CEO of the Union Community Health Center (UCHC) in the Belmont section of the Bronx, said the center’s waiting rooms for a dental check-up are always packed. They’re open six days a week and even some nights, hoping to get as many patients on their dentists’ chairs so they can utilize their services sometimes at no cost. There’s a shortage of dentists in the Bronx, with 33 dentists per 100,000 people in the borough, about half the national average, according to data from the ADA and The Center

With New York Governor Andrew Cuomo making the legalization of recreational marijuana one of his top priorities for 2019, lots of questions remain about the specifics of the law and its implications for communities across the state. It’s one reason why the Norwood News, in partnership with BronxNet Television and WFUV Public Radio have organized a forum around this topic dubbed, “Bronx Connections: The Impact of Legal Weed,” which will be presented and televised live on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. Concerns still loom over the impact of the bill. Some want to make sure those incarcerated for the sale

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story brings you to Williamsbridge Oval Park where the Bronx Buccaneers have reclaimed their practice spot just in time for spring. The Bucs nearly lost their spot after the team parted ways with the permit holder. Martika Ornella reports on who the team is tipping its helmet for the good news. Inside the cover you’ll find a follow-up piece what exactly