Neighborhood Notes: Free Heating Assistance

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. Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018

SEE VIDEO: McDonald's Workers Brawl in Front of Shocked Norwood Customers

By DAVID GREENE

Two employees of the Norwood McDonald’s were captured on video in an all-out brawl that shocked customers. According to the NYPD, the incident took place at the McDonald’s at 300 E. 204th St. by Perry Avenue at 4:30 p.m., on Feb. 21. The unidentified 22 year-old victim reported the incident a week later. One detective explained, “She stated she was struck in the face several times by the subject with a closed fist. It’s unknown if she went to the hospital, but she suffered minor injuries.” On Feb. 28 police arrested Slade Shania, 18, of 53-05 Queens Blvd., who was

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

Almost eight years ago, Norwood resident Iris Vega-Ortiz was reportedly awarded $33,000 after the state housing agency found her landlord had overcharged her by $400 a month on rent for several years. A new bill proposed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz might make Vega-Ortiz’s case more of a common occurrence. Dinowitz, a Democrat who represents Norwood, Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Wakefield and Woodlawn, has introduced a bill to change the state law when it comes to tenants who wish to file a rent overcharge complaint. Currently, tenants can request their rent history from the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

So why is tax planning, this time of year, even more important than tax preparation? Several reasons! First, you are living in 2019, not 2018. As you are reading this, because tax laws took effect on Jan. 1 you want to tax change your life as soon as possible to take advantage in the change in tax laws. Tax planning, in it’s simplest sense, is when one learns, strategizes, and executes their tax plan 2019 just before–or after “tax preparation, 2018,” so you can make sure knowing that Jan. 1, 2020 you are prepared to get a big hefty refund

Contest Looks to Tap Into Bronx’s Culinary Talents on Salad Dressing

By DAVID CRUZ

Throw in a dash of community gardens, a pound of culinary imagination, and a cash prize and you have a recipe for a contest seeking the next great salad dressing. The Bronx Canasta, a contingent of Bronx-based food and social justice groups, has announced a contest that seeks Bronx residents to create their own salad dressing and marinade recipe. Contestants will craft their recipes using ingredients grown at local community gardens grown across the Bronx. Organizers have taken the pains of prepping a recipe by simply having them submit them online. The contest has drawn interest from elected officials, including

By THERESA SCHLIEP

At $1200 a Month, Managing Diabetes Puts a Dent on Bronx Family’s Budget The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television present a five-part series on health-related struggles affecting residents of the Bronx. Elbia Cabral of Highbridge knows a lot about insulin. She knows the different kinds of long-acting and short-lasting insulin, the cheap brands, and the pricier brands. It’s been a year and a half since 12-year-old Elizabeth was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. And it’s been an adjustment for the whole family. Now, Elbia worries about her daughter’s health, and has plenty of questions on her management. “[I]s

CB7, Serving as Mediator, Looks for Resolve in Stagg/Tenants Feud

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Community Board 7 is finding itself in the middle of a tug-of-war between tenants from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster avenues, collectively named The Bedford Park Manor, and its buildings’ owner, the Stagg Group. At issue are conditions inside the properties that opened four years ago, leading the recent trend of major development for the Norwood/Bedford Park area. At the last meeting of CB7’s Housing, Land Use, & Zoning Committee meeting on Feb. 21, chairman John Snider made clear that tenants from the buildings have been heard from but representatives from the Stagg Group have yet to appear in person.

By DAVID CRUZ And ALONDRA VASQUEZ

DeWitt Clinton High School’s alumni association is troubled over a proposal by the city Department of Education to add a special education high school to the campus for the next school year. While the group doesn’t object to the program, they’re worried it will significantly diminish the Norwood school’s presence as it begins to hit its stride. DOE spokesman Doug Cohen confirmed to the Norwood News the agency’s consideration, writing in a statement that it will “continue to work closely with the [Community Education Council] and the entire school community throughout this process to address any feedback and ensure we’re

Councilman Ritchie Torres Takes Aim at Alleged Con Man at it Again

By ALONDRA VASQUEZ

The alleged con man who exploited the generosity of people following the death of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz is at it again, according to Councilman Ritchie Torres. Torres, at a news conference on March 1, reported that R.A. Gregg swindled $5,000 out of Larry Winawer over the purchase of a 1976 Cadillac Deville. “In December I had saw an advertisement of a vehicle. Mr. Gregg had represented himself as Dr. Gregg and he claimed that he had purchased the vehicle years ago from a relative a fellow doctor and that he was the rightful owner of the vehicle,” said Winawer, adding