May Opening for Doe Fund Building in the Bronx

By DEBORAH CRUZ

After two years of its proposal, a supportive/affordable housing residence in Norwood will be opening its doors later this year after unexpected delays. But the committee that heard the latest development is worried over whether they’re guaranteed spots for current neighborhood residents. At the Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use Meeting on Jan. 9, John McDonald, the COO of The Doe Fund, a non-profit group that’s nearly built the $29.5 million affordable housing unit at 3100 Webster Ave., outlined the project. He was joined by Amanda Septimo, a community outreach consultant for the Villa Avenue project, who explained the issues surrounding

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Editor’s Pick Sweet-Toothers Invited The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., invites teens and young adults to its Chocolate Cake and a Book event, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Guests will be treated to cake in addition to a free book. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Onstage Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Hasta Siempre, featuring Luis “Perico” Ortiz, performing salsa music, celebrating his 55th anniversary, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $65; $100/VIP (which includes pre-concert reception including hors d’oeuvres and drinks at 6:30 p.m.).

Become Civically Engaged Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. encourages New Yorkers to become more civically engaged as part of the “Hour New York Challenge.” Those interested take a pledge to dedicate at least one hour each month throughout 2018. Activities include attending community board meetings, volunteering with a nonprofit, and generally being a more informed and active citizen to improve neighborhoods. For more information, call (718) 590-3543. Catholic Schools Open Houses Bronx Catholic elementary schools are holding “Touring Tuesdays” open houses: Jan. 30, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or by appointment. Local

ARFHY SANTOS (LEFT) and another man, William Lopez of Highbridge, face multiple charges. Source: NYPD

A Bedford Park man has been charged with attempted murder after video captured him attempting to run over an NYPD officer in Manhattan’s Times Square. Arfhy Santos, 20, of Valentine Avenue faces attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment charges after police say he intentionally rammed his 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-63 onto a police officer who spotted the car he was in driving in a reckless manner. The incident happened at the 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue on Jan. 13 at around 11:40 p.m. Video captures the officer jump onto the hood of the car to try and stop it, only to

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. There are 16 pages filled with a lot of useful information intended to make your aware of where you live. We begin, of course, with page one. In one of the more hotly controversial stories of the year (we’re only the second edition of 2018) teachers and staffers of JHS/MS 80 came in the defense of its principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The five-year principal and the school are under investigation for covering up a fight

By DAVID GREENE

In light of news over JHS 80’s performance, this week we asked readers their thoughts on the performance of local public schools in their neighborhoods. I think the schools are great except for MS 80, which was known as a very difficult school back in the ‘80s when I attended. So I would love to see that improve–and that was in the papers a couple of days ago. My daughter goes to Bronx Dance Academy in Woodlawn; she loves the school, she loves the principal, Ms. Lopez. It’s excellent and I see it every day with my child. Rashida Reed-Gordon

Number of Chain Stores Grows in the Bronx Again

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

The Bronx has seen an increase in the number of chain stores in 2017, a sign of anticipated economic growth in the borough, according to a newly released report by a think tank group. The news is in lockstep with the rest of the city, which has seen its ninth consecutive year of growth in the number of national retailers and food establishments. The report by the Center for Urban Future (CUF), a research group that focuses on the economy and infrastructure in New York City, found the number of Bronx stores rose by 1.8 percent. There were a total

Crime Drops in the 52nd Pct., But Now Embroiled in Scandal (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

The 52nd Precinct saw a double-digit drop in crime in 2017, following a citywide decrease in crime for a fourth consecutive year. But an investigation into how the number of gun arrests increased is under way. The Five-Two covers Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights and University Heights. Preliminary crime statistics publicly available show the precinct filed 1,789 crimes under the seven major crime categories tracked by the NYPD in 2017, as opposed to 2,096 in 2016. The seven major crimes include murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto. The numbers translate to a 14.65

It’s hard to tell what’s really happening at JHS 80, a school that became fodder for the New York Post and touched off responses from legislators and the city Department of Education. The Op-Ed submitted to the Norwood News about the school itself (see below) has generated more than 100 comments. There’s the one story where JHS 80, under the leadership of principal Emmanuel Polanco, has been saved from academic ruin; then there’s the story that describes JHS 80 as a “hellhole.” That storyline has been emphasized by a $2 million lawsuit against Polanco as described in the Post’s recent