Holidays in the North Bronx, So Far

By DAVID CRUZ

The holiday season is coursing through the Bronx this year, with several Yuletide events meant to brighten you up. It first began with the Festival of Lights, with Mosholu Montefiore Community Center lighting up the Menorah for the first day of Hanukkah. Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz helped light the traditional candles on the second day of Hanukkah. There have been several events courtesy of Bronx Community Board 7, which held its annual tree lighting ceremony. Photographer Jose Giralt was there to catch the action. Carolers from PS/MS 20 laid the soundtrack to the nighttime event that also

By DAVID GREENE

With a new commanding officer at the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct, this week we asked readers what are the specific problems and issues the command should focus on. Well, one problem is the people who are hanging out on the street at nighttime. They drink and play loud music. They come and hang out and lately there’s been some car break-ins here. They come at night and break the windows, but it starts with disorderly conduct. Before, the neighborhood was not like that, so it’s getting a little bit bad. The neighborhood is not that bad; the only issue is the

By JULIA RIST

A Lone Private Eye’s Quest to Take Down the Trinitarios The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television continue their five-part series on the impact of gangs in the Bronx. At first glance, Manuel Gomez, a private detective, comes across as a modern-day James Bond. His pen doubles as a recorder, reading glasses serve as a video recorder, and he carries a knife and DNA collector. Gomez also carries a 40-pound black briefcase with him at all times that contains handcuffs and a laptop. Gomez, who operates in the Bronx, has a keen interest in bringing the violent Trinitarios gang

Editor’s Pick Holiday Tree Lightings The public is invited to attend the following community holiday tree lightings: Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. – Hosted by Bronx Community Board 7, at Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. Featured are caroling, hot apple cider, holiday cookies, goodie bags giveaway and local elected officials. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. – Hosted by Jerome Gun Hill BID, at Jerome Avenue and East Mosholu Parkway. Featured are free toys for children, holiday shopping guides, pictures with Santa, and hot cocoa. For

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities.With 24 pages of news, let’s get into the coverage. The front page focuses on a $3 million infusion of money for Bailey Houses. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo secured funding for roof repairs. Hear what tenants at the NYCHA property in Kingsbridge have to say about conditions. The paper also has an update to the fire that happened on Hull Avenue on Nov. 20. Thirty-five people making up seven families were displaced. Read how the community, including one state official, is doing its part to help the families.

By JOSEPH KONIG

Assemblyman Victor Pichardo has earmarked $3 million in capital funds for roof repairs at the Bailey Houses, a troubled NYCHA building in Kingsbridge. The news is the latest in a years-long fight by the building’s residents council to better conditions as a leaky roof continues to destroy property and harm residents. “The roof is just absolutely in complete disrepair,” Pichardo, flanked by residents, said at a news conference on Dec. 4. “This isn’t something that’s abstract. People are living with this every day. If there is a leaky roof, it creates mold issues across the entire building.” Pichardo said the

Anger and Questions Linger After Three Post Offices Temporarily Shutter

By DAVID GREENE

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season came to an abrupt stop for more than a week at three local post offices in the Norwood and Allerton sections, after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced rain from a recent storm flooded the three locations. The three local post offices reopened Dec. 3 after being closed days before Thanksgiving. The Mosholu Post Office at 3464 Jerome Ave. posted a sign on the iron shutter gate reading, “Closed due to flood.” The paper sign was torn in half a day later. USPS spokesman Xavier Hernandez confirmed Mosholu Post Office, along

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

The bike sharing company JUMP looks to expand their pilot program that began in Fordham and Tremont this summer, to another part of the Bronx and hopefully the entire borough. Expansion rests on the city Department of Transportation, which would give the bike sharing company the green light. For now, the DOT confirmed it has extended the program for another 90 days with the agency closing monitoring demand. The program was originally set to last for four months, but rising interest from Bronx residents prompted DOT to extend the program. The pilot program brought 200 pedal-assist bikes to the Fordham

By DAVID CRUZ

Community Board 7 rejected a plan by a social services developer to build two buildings on properties where single homes once existed. The rejection opens the possibility the developer to drastically alter the buildings. Though advisory, the vote to send a letter to the city’s Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) agency represents no confidence in the building projects by Brooklyn-based CAMBA Housing Venture. Over the summer several homes were knocked down at East 202nd and East 203rd streets to make way for the projects, representing the ongoing deterioration of single-family homes in Bedford Park. Two weeks before the vote, neighborhood