Bronx Braves First Snowstorm of 2018

Bronx Braves First Storm of 2018 (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

The first major snowstorm of 2018 forced the closure of the entire public school system, lawmakers offices, while emptying streets usually busy. The storm began at 1 a.m., intensifying during the morning rush. Trains operated smoother, with no outrageous delays. The MTA warns anyone traveling via the Metro-North should anticipate possible train delays. By noon, some six to eight inches of snow fell in the Bronx. For the last few hours, officials have warned New Yorkers to stay home and only travel if absolutely necessary. They’ve also asked loved ones to check on neighbors. Hazardous travel warnings have also been

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News produced a total of 284 stories (not counting Public & Community Meetings, Neighborhood Notes and Out & About) throughout the 25-issue print run for 2017. The issues the paper called attention to ranged, though some stories bore greater urgency in the hopes action from local legislators could be taken. Below are some topics that surfaced and resurfaced throughout the last 12 months, and are once again highlighted in the Norwood News’ annual Year in Review: Homeless Crisis Norwood was not immune to homelessness, an issue that continues pressing across the city. In the 25 Norwood News issues

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, As you stay snug in your homes or brave the temperatures in your winter coats, you might want to check out the latest edition of the Norwood News. The first issue of 2018 is packed with plenty of Bronx community news. We begin the first issue of 2018 by looking back at 2017 in our annual Year in Review write-up anchoring the paper. Our two-page spread takes you back to some of the more pressing stories of the year, with some numbers to support it. If there’s a local story we missed, be sure to send us a

Four-Alarm Fire at Building Owned By Norwood's Worst Landlord

By DAVID CRUZ

An overnight fire at a building owned by Norwood’s reported worst landlord displaced every tenant on one of winter’s chilliest nights. It was a fire that woke up Michael Cotto, a six-year tenant at 3414 Knox Pl. His daughter first woke up, inhaling smoke. “Everything is gone,” said Cotto, standing alongside his wife, Jacqueline Colon. Luckily, the pair and their daughter have found a home at his mother-in-law’s house. He and dozens of others in the 36-unit building have been displaced. The building was listed as being owned by Narsinh Desai. In November, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James placed

Work on Mosholu Grand in Norwood to Start in March 2018

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Mosholu Grand, the planned site of a 152-unit apartment building at a former auto repair shop and gas station location, is environmentally cleared for development following a monthslong debate over the property’s safety. Throughout the planning and demolition process, the community board and neighborhood residents were worried that the site at 150 Van Cortlandt Ave. E. might be environmentally unfit for living. But according to an environmental assessment statement signed off on Dec. 6 by Aaron Werner, the director of environmental planning at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), construction at the site “would not result in

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Apply to Local Community Board Applications for placement into a local community board are available. City residents who qualify must either reside, work or have a professional or other significant interest in the Bronx. Applications are open to anyone as young as 16 years old. Deadline for application submission is Feb. 9, 2018. For more information and to apply, call (718) 590-3913 or visit bronxboropres.nyc.gov/community-boards/. Summer Camp Applications Applications for summer camps sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will open Jan. 24, 2018. Applications should be submitted through the online registration program at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Parents

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Norwood section of the Bronx and its surrounding neighborhoods, is out with its last edition of 2017! It’s certainly been a ride. To refresh your memory of some of this year’s happenings, we encourage you to take a look at our editorial. It’s worth a read. But let’s get back to the beginning and page one! On Dec. 19, Bronx Community Board 7 finally found another district manager. This time it’s Ischia Bravo, who becomes the first female district manager since the late Rita Kessler. Her hiring was met

Water Main Break in Bedford Park Shuts Down Street

Several business are working feverishly to open tomorrow after holiday shoppers visiting a strip of stores along East 198th Street will be turned away after an early morning water main break in Bedford Park. The FDNY was called to the “major water main break” at 7:17 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19, in front of 2842 Grand Concourse, at East 198th Street. According to witnesses, the water cascaded down the incline street, flooding parked cars and the basement of at least one apartment building and two stores. According to Genaro Parra, the owner of Lena’s Restaurant at 206 E. 198th Street, who told the Norwood News late Tuesday afternoon,

Volunteers Spread Holiday Cheer to Kingsbridge’s Vulnerable (Web Picutre)

By STEPHANIE LUCIANO

Amid the season of giving, volunteers filled the space with holiday spirit at Jericho Project’s Kingsbridge Terrace Veterans Residence to spread some cheer. This year Jericho kicked off the holidays raising awareness on homelessness and formerly homeless individuals at the Jericho Project’s Day of Action on Dec. 8 at 2701 Kingsbridge Terr., one of their buildings reserved exclusively for veterans. Jericho Project provides supportive housing owning eight different buildings in Harlem and the Bronx. The residents are provided assistance, employment and educational credentials, to keep them from returning to the streets. Tori Lyon, Jericho Project’s CEO, employees and their supporting