New NCBH Ambulance Bays Part of Expanded Hospital Services

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital officials stood alongside elected officials in cutting the ribbon on two new ambulance bays near the entrance to its emergency room. The new bays represent some of the new expanded services to a hospital that had long been rumored to close. “This effectively doubles our previous capacity from two ambulances to four ambulance spaces,” said Cristina Contreras, NCBH executive director, at a news conference Nov. 16 Contreras added the services could lessen the strain area emergency rooms have had to handle. Though Contreras, in a moment of diplomacy, declined to “name names,” she appeared to refer

Snowstorm Leaves Frustrated Bronxites in the Lurch

By DAVID CRUZ

Elected officials in the Bronx are fuming over the city’s lax response to the season’s first snowstorm, with commuters sounding off on social media and drivers stranded on the roads for hours. Mayor Bill de Blasio, meantime, called the storm a teachable moment. “There are definitely some things we need to learn from this and some things we need to do better but it is also important to note that you know we got just about every form of bad luck we could have gotten yesterday,” said de Blasio in an interview on NY1. The snowstorm brought one to three inches

By DAVID CRUZ

The 52nd Precinct has a new commanding officer, a month after the previous commanding officer hinted at potential changes. The change was effective at midnight, and made official on the precinct’s active Twitter account. Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps is the new commanding officer of the Five-Two precinct, succeeding Inspector Peter Fiorillo. Fiorillo was commanding officer of the precinct for a little over two years, replacing Chief Nilda Hofmann. According to the NYPD’s website, Alps was the commanding officer of the local 49th Precinct covering the East Bronx. Alps replaced Keith Walton, who was accused and vindicated in a case of official

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

The city’s letter grading program on restaurants is now being applied to food carts and trucks, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Mobile food vendors will begin receiving grades this December and will be subjected to a similar scoring system as restaurants, receiving points for violations that will add up to a total inspection score corresponding to a grade of “A,” “B,” or “C.” Grades will be posted on the mobile food units and they will be equipped with location-sharing devices to be easily trackable for inspection. Only Health Department agents or staff will

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

When I teach clients the “Introduction to Financial Planning” I share with them that it is like eating a Mickey D’s Big Mac. Now, many say, “What makes the Big Mac unique is the special sauce.” The sauce that solves financial problems is called “The Six Steps to Financial Planning”. How can I retire? Can I get cheaper health insurance? Can I save enough to go on vacation next year? How can I lower my taxes and still get a huge tax refund? Questions, concerns, financial problems. And yes, you can get a financial hamburger anywhere. In a bank? In

By JOSEPH KONIG

Comic book pioneer and media mogul Stan Lee died at the age of 95 on Monday morning. Lee spent much of his teenage years living in University Heights and attending DeWitt Clinton High School in Bedford Park. Cause of death is not known. One of the most prolific contributors to the American superhero pantheon, Lee remained active his entire life, executive producing and making cameo appearances in every Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Less than a week before his death, Lee’s official Twitter account tweeted out a class photo from his time at DeWitt Clinton High School in the 1930s. Lee

Bedford Park Photos Wanted The Bedford Mosholu Community Association is accepting photos of the Bedford Park neighborhood to go with its application to the Historic Districts Council. The application seeks to begin an effort to preserve Bedford Park from further development. Photos can be sent to bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. Canned Food Drive The office of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, 3107 Kingsbridge Ave., is accepting canned goods for its annual food drive. Thanksgiving donations will be accepted before Nov. 14; donations for the Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa seasons will be accepted through Dec. 12. All proceeds will be delivered to Kingsbridge Heights Community Center

By JOY SPRENGER

Domestic violence (DV), also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse or relationship abuse, is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence does not discriminate! People of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim – or perpetrator – of domestic violence. It can happen to people who are married, living together or who are dating. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Unfortunately, Domestic Violence is very common. In fact, one in every four women and

By MARINA KOPF of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV Radio and BronxNet Television continue their five-part series on the impact of gangs in New York City. Kareem Nelson used to live what he calls the “street life.” He was involved in gang-like groups, sold marijuana and participated in gun violence. A gunshot wound paralyzed Nelson, but he still continued to work the streets. It wasn’t until after he did a stint in prison and was in a situation where he was forced to beg for his life, that he made the decision to change. In 2014, he created Wheelchairs Against Guns, using his experiences to