New Gym Brings Art of Fighting and Mindfulness to Bedford Park

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

When William Rivera was six years old, he started learning martial arts. Over the years, the art form inspired and encouraged him to teach others. “I always loved martial arts. It was always my dream to teach, you know? Open up a martial arts school and teach and get students, see them progress and represent me,” Rivera said. His dream came true. Now, Rivera is an instructor, or “Kru” in Thai, and owns his own martial arts gym, BX Thaiboxing Academy, at 2832 Valentine Ave. by East 197th Street in Bedford Park. The room is full of sunlight inside BX

State Legislature Passes Rent Reform Laws. How Will This Impact Bronx?

By DAVID CRUZ

New layer of protections to safeguard about 1 million rent stabilized apartments in the city, with a majority of them in the Bronx, have now been hammered out after the State Legislature announced reforms to the state’s existing rent laws. The measure is now headed to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk, who announced he will “sign it.” The measures aim to prevent de-regulation of rent stabilized apartments, which are much more affordably priced than market rate apartments priced beyond $2700. Deregulation has long been blamed for aggressive displacement of low-income tenants, a problem that’s very familiar for the Bronx, which is

Caught on Video: Nighttime Theft of E-Bike on Rochambeau Avenue

By DAVID CRUZ

Police have released video showing two people who stole an e-bike locked on a fence in Norwood on May 13, according to the 52nd Precinct. Grainy surveillance video shows two suspects in front of 3171 Rochambeau Ave. in Norwood at around 10 p.m. Police say the e-bike was locked and the suspects took it, soon taking off. Anyone with information in regard to the identity of the persons is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on

Norwood Bank Branches Face Pending Closures (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

Norwood’s East 204th Street commercial strip is currently home to four banks. By October, that will whittle down to two, making it a little tougher for residents to cash checks, deposit monies, or get a certified bank money order. It also adds to the ongoing trend of a borough that’s unbanked. Two of the banks–the Chase Bank at 311 E. 204th St. and Bank of America at 299 E. 204th St., occupying an baroque-influenced storefront just near Bainbridge Avenue–will close its doors, a move where low foot traffic and relatively closer banks are to blame. Bank of America customers will

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was converted into a salsa venue on June 7, with salsero Edwin Perez holding a free evening salsa concert co-sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones.

Financial Focus: Summer School Income Tax Planning

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

By the time you read this, summer school for colleges will begin. Yes, it’s time for college seniors to either make up those last classes, or adults, to continue their education. Myself, I will be spending the summer in the Business Department teaching what I believe will be the most important class that one could take this year: how to lower their tax burden in perpetuity. As I am sure you learned from your 2018 tax preparation, yes, your tax refund was probably lower! Remember, the 2017 tax reform changes effected many new things: lower individual and business tax rates,

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was the scene once again for the annual Bronx Family Day Olympiad on June 8, with families spending the day involved in several athletic events geared for family bonding. All sorts of games were on hand, and there was a visit by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Check out these pictures by Miriam Quinones.

Nighttime Shooting Near Devoe Park, Suspect Sought

By DAVID CRUZ

The NYPD is investigating the shooting of a 38-year-man right in front of Devoe Park, sending the victim to the hospital. Police say this happened at around June 9 near the University Heights park around 10 p.m. The victim was shot in the left arm. The shooter quickly fled on foot. Paramedics rushed the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, and was later released. Police say the shooting suspect was last seen wearing a red hood sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes. They estimate he’s around 20 to 30 years old, medium complexion, medium build, with brown eyes and black hair.

Mosholu Library Launches Summer Reading Program

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The sound of tambourine jingles and soft bongo drum-beats rang out from the small, colorful play area of Mosholu Library as an energetic and inquisitive bunch of happy kids sat cross-legged in a circle and gazed intently at Norbert Goldberg, their percussion instructor for the afternoon. Goldberg, part of the Urban Stages group that promotes different artists in the schools and libraries, was there to demonstrate different percussion instruments as part of a special educational musical workshop to mark the launch on June 6, of the library’s annual summer reading program. The program aims to encourage kids to continue reading