Bronx State Senators, Now in Majority, Get Committee Chair Assignments

By JOSEPH KONIG

The incoming Democratic majority in the state Senate handed out committee chair assignments on Tuesday, with several Bronx senators getting tapped to lead key committees by incoming state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins of Yonkers. As committee chairs, the Bronx Senate Delegation can set the agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Gustavo Rivera will head the Health Committee, Senator-elect Alessandra Biaggi will chair the notoriously ineffective Ethics Committee, and Sen. Luis Sepulveda will preside over the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who represents most of Norwood and Bedford Park, will chair the Codes Committee,

By DAVID CRUZ

Travelers driving through the northern edge of Bainbridge Avenue finally can breathe: the massive construction project is no longer blocking drivers going northbound towards the Major Deegan Expressway. But the project is not nearly over. Construction crews for the massive water pipe replacement project have entered into the second phase of the project, with EIC Associates Inc. set to install a massive trunk main that won’t disrupt service, but will likely expand the search for parking. Crews have knocked out street parking from beginning at the intersection of Jerome and Bainbridge avenues, and heading towards the Major Deegan Expressway, to

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities.With 24 pages of news, let’s get into the coverage. The front page focuses on a $3 million infusion of money for Bailey Houses. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo secured funding for roof repairs. Hear what tenants at the NYCHA property in Kingsbridge have to say about conditions. The paper also has an update to the fire that happened on Hull Avenue on Nov. 20. Thirty-five people making up seven families were displaced. Read how the community, including one state official, is doing its part to help the families.

By JOSEPH KONIG

Assemblyman Victor Pichardo has earmarked $3 million in capital funds for roof repairs at the Bailey Houses, a troubled NYCHA building in Kingsbridge. The news is the latest in a years-long fight by the building’s residents council to better conditions as a leaky roof continues to destroy property and harm residents. “The roof is just absolutely in complete disrepair,” Pichardo, flanked by residents, said at a news conference on Dec. 4. “This isn’t something that’s abstract. People are living with this every day. If there is a leaky roof, it creates mold issues across the entire building.” Pichardo said the

By DAVID CRUZ

Community Board 7 rejected a plan by a social services developer to build two buildings on properties where single homes once existed. The rejection opens the possibility the developer to drastically alter the buildings. Though advisory, the vote to send a letter to the city’s Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) agency represents no confidence in the building projects by Brooklyn-based CAMBA Housing Venture. Over the summer several homes were knocked down at East 202nd and East 203rd streets to make way for the projects, representing the ongoing deterioration of single-family homes in Bedford Park. Two weeks before the vote, neighborhood

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 20 pages of news, let’s get into the coverage! The front page focuses on the ensuring madness that was the Nov. 15 snowstorm. The roads became veritable traps as the city couldn’t quite clean up the streets. The Norwood News spoke with some frustrated residents while getting an explanation from city officials. The paper also has community reaction to sex allegations made against Bishop John Jenik. Supporters held a rally for Jenik, speaking up for the embattled bishop who was removed after a decades old sexual

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Heating Assistance Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers will be accepted by local departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, household size and how the home is heated. Residents can apply online at https://on.ny.gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. For more information, call (212) 331-3126. IDNYC Pop-Up Sign up for a free IDNYC card at the Community Board 7 office, 229A E. 204th St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 1 to 2 p.m.) through

Multiple Injuries in Midday Norwood Fire

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO and DAVID CRUZ

The Fire Department has confirmed a four-alarm fire at 3210 Hull Ave., a multi-family home by East 207th Street in the Norwood section of the Bronx next to PS 56. The fire comes just two days before Thanksgiving. Helicopters and roughly 200 firefighters are at the scene of the two-story building, where the fire was reported around 2:15 p.m. The blaze was reported as a three-alarm fire that eventually escalated to four alarms. “Fire quickly extended to adjacent buildings for a total of three buildings on fire,” said assistant fire chief John Hodgens. “We quickly transmitted additional alarms to get

By DAVID CRUZ

(Norwood, Bronx) One Injured in Norwood Fire — Firefighters continue to battle the now 3-Alarm blaze. Follow along for updates here. https://t.co/ODkCgsKxLV #ProtectTheWorld pic.twitter.com/ScbECIY4eM — Citizen NYC (@CitizenApp_NYC) November 20, 2018 The Fire Department has confirmed a four-alarm fire at 3210 Hull Ave., a multi-family home in the Norwood section of the Bronx next to PS 56. The fire comes just two days before Thanksgiving. Helicopters and hordes of firefighters are at the scene of the two-story building, where the fire was reported around 2:15 p.m. The blaze was reported as a three-alarm fire that eventually escalated to four alarms.