More Accolades for Kingsbridge Road Subway Heroes

By DAVID CRUZ

Jairo Torres, nudged between Councilmembers Fernando Cabrera and Andrew Cohen, graciously accepted a proclamation from Cabrera for saving the life of a little girl whose father pulled her onto the tracks of the Kingsbridge Road No. 4 subway station before killing himself. The setting was more intimate compared to the first proclamation he received two days before by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the first to honor Torres in a news conference full of pomp. It’s the latest in the kind of attention Torres has received since he saved Ferni Balbuena, the five-year-old girl who was nearly crushed by

Editor’s Pick The public is invited to the Mosholu Parkway Renaissance Festival to be held at the Kossuth Playground at Kossuth Avenue and Mosholu Parkway North on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include music, games and refreshments. Come in costume. For more information, visit mosholuparkland@gmail.com. Onstage Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance (BAAD), 2474 Westchester Ave., presents 2019 BlakTinX Performance Series, a variety of performances through Nov. 2, featuring singers, dancers, musicians and actors. For more information and a detailed schedule including cost, call (718) 918-2110. Events North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave., 17th floor

By DAVID CRUZ

Would-Be Cop Killer Suspect Charged A Fordham man is charged with attempted murder of a cop in an incident that began as an alleged car break-in. Prosecutors charged Ronnie Cole, 58, after prosecutors say he attempted to steal a BMW sedan within the confines of the 44th Precinct, but was confronted by Police Officers Diego Jimenez and Robert Knights. Cole told the officers the car was his, which they didn’t buy. A struggle ensued and Cole whipped out a 9mm and attempted to shoot one of the officers before he was shot, according to prosecutors. Ex-Student Sentenced A judge sentenced

Subway Heroes Honored By Bronx Borough President

By MICHAEL TURAY

The Bronx version of Batman and Robin were honored by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for rescuing a five-year-old who was nearly crushed by a train. Jairo Torres and Antonyo Love, both from Kingsbridge Heights, jumped onto the tracks of the Kingsbridge Road subway station to save five-year-old Ferni Balbuena, who was trapped underneath a southbound 4 train car Monday morning. Balbuena and her dad were both struck by the train, her father died instantly, Balbuena miraculously survived. “On behalf of the 1.4 million Bronx New Yorkers, I want to say thank you. It is the true meaning of being

"A Safe Place to Call Home," Webster Green Officially Opens

By DAVID GREENE

State and local officials joined members of The Doe Fund for the official ribbon cutting of its recently completed, $30 million supportive housing project at 3100 Webster Ave., at the corner of East 204th Street in Norwood, adding to the number of new buildings popping up in the Norwood section. Construction on Webster Green began in 2016 and is part of a $20 billion, five-year plan of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, which will expand and preserve more than 100,000 units of affordable housing, with 6,000 additional units providing supportive services for families at risk of homelessness or adults with disabilities.

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

Witnesses: Man Kills Himself at Kingsbridge Subway, Tries to Take Daughter With Him

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO and DAVID CRUZ

Train service on the 4 subway line heading downtown came to a halt this morning after a man killed himself as he jumped to the tracks and to an oncoming train while attempting to take his five-year-old daughter with him, according to eye witnesses. Authorities deemed it a suicide. The scene unfolded at around 8 a.m. on Monday when the five-year-old and her father. identified as 45-year-old Fernando Balbuena-Flores, were on the platform. Minutes later, after getting off his cell phone, he jumps to the tracks, taking his daughter with him as a train pulls into the station. The man