Machete Attack in Fordham Leads to Indictment

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By BOB KAPPSTATTER

A Bronx grand jury has indicted a New Jersey man for a horrendous machete attack on a Fordham woman that left her with life-altering injuries. Hector de la Cruz, 27, of Paterson, NJ, was indicted on attempted murder and assault charges in the Feb. 21 attack on his ex-girlfriend inside the lobby of her Fordham Manor apartment building. The Daily News reported the victim was trying to get away from de la Cruz, moving to the Bronx from New Jersey. “The defendant allegedly struck this 20-year-old woman, who is the mother of his two-year-old daughter, in her face, hand and

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Are you paying too little in taxes? Too much? Who cares as long as you get a gillion-dollar tax refund, right? Boy, do you have a lot to learn. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place! In short, every taxpayer has a tax bracket. Of course, as our income goes up, so does our tax bracket. Based on your income at the last day of the calendar year that will put you in your tax bracket at the end of the year. So, by the end of the year, if you paid too little in taxes, you will owe

By DAVID GREENE

With the state’s new bail reform measure in effect for the last two months—and a faction of state senators looking to tweak the law—we asked readers their thoughts on the existing law as it is and whether it’s fair to link the increase in crime to the new law. [Bail reform is] a bad idea. What they’re doing now is not a good idea. I do think bail reform will bring more crime [and] even the police are angry about this. If someone gets arrested today…tomorrow they’re out. Oh yeah, bail was a good idea because some criminals need to

By HENRY MCEACHERN

With concerns on bail reform contributing to a spike in crime, and a dis-information campaign on the new measure fueled by those concerned, Community Board 7 is holding a forum to discuss the future of the state’s new criminal justice reforms, and what these sweeping changes actually mean for the Bronx. The meeting by CB7 is scheduled for on March 12 at 2530 Jerome Ave. at 6:30 p.m. Bail reform eliminates cash bail for misdemeanors, meaning that accused persons can no longer be held in jail before their trial if they can’t afford to get out. Judges can still place

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID

By JEROME GUN HILL BID

Shary and Ricky Rodriguez, the team behind Craft Empanadas and Shary’s Daycare on East Gun Hill Road, have opened their latest venture within the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (JGHBID). Craft Dance Studio, located below Craft Empanadas at 261 E. Gun Hill Rd., opened on Feb. 24 and serves as a space for dance classes, event rentals, and more. Children aged 3 and up can sign up for ballet, salsa, hip hop, and bachata classes on Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays. Adults can expect salsa and bachata classes to become available in the coming weeks. The studio space is also

By DAVID CRUZ

Councilman Fernando Cabrera, the socially conservative Democrat, announced he won’t be running for the congressional seat currently held by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, five months after announcing he will run for the seat. He instead is running for borough president, a move he initially told the Norwood News he would not be doing. Cabrera, who represents the 14th Council District covering Kingsbridge Heights, broke the news over the weekend, telling the New York Post he wants to clear the moderate Democrat lane so another moderate Democrat, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (no relation), can run against the democratic socialist. In a statement sent out to

Heastie Joins NCBH in Celebrating Black History Month

By HENRY MCEACHERN

State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie spoke to a crowd of residents on the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the future of criminal justice reform at North Central Bronx Hospital’s (NCBH) Black History Month Celebration, a first for the state’s first African American speaker. Heastie, whose public visit to NCBH was rare, reflected on his accomplishments as a head of state, including the raising of minimum wage to $15 an hour. He also spoke on education, saying, “We’ve added over $6 billion in education funding since I became speaker. We increased the opportunity programs for people wanting to go

Editor’s Pick Church Flea Market Bedford Mosholu Community Association sponsors a giant flea market on March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church of India, 360 Bedford Pk. Blvd. at Decatur Avenue. Included are new and used items including lamps, jewelry, books, toys, housewares, electronics, and more. A raffle and refreshments will be available. Info: (718) 584-1900. Onstage Lehman College for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Mummenschanz, a visual theatre troupe featuring stunning visual effects, March 1 at 4 p.m. (call for ticket information); and Grupo Niche, performing salsa, March

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