Neighborhood Notes: Toy, Canned, and Clothing Drives

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Canned Food Drive Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz holds annual Holiday Canned Food Drive until Dec. 13. Donations, which are given to Bronx non-profits for families in need, can be dropped off at his office, 3107 Kingsbridge Ave. For more information, call (718) 796-5345. Heating Assistance Sign up to receive free heating assistance through the New York State Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Eligible households can receive assistance of up to $725. A family of four with a yearly income of $53,482 can still qualify for help. For more information about eligibility, and to sign up, call (212) 331-3126. Public Engagement Workshops

Council Speaker Takes a Bow, But More Work Lies Ahead (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

As the first New York City Council Speaker of Puerto Rican descent, Melissa Mark-Viverito placed a high priority on immigration issues that have helped raise her national profile as a staunch Democratic supporter of immigrant rights and vocal critic of the Trump administration. And as she finishes her last month in office and as speaker, Mark-Viverito, representing the 8th Council District in the South Bronx and Harlem, sees herself lobbing even more criticism at the Trump administration sans a political pulpit. “That’s why we have to fight so hard,” Mark-Viverito said. “There’s so much at stake.” Those were some

“Bill Finger Way” Honors the Bronx Mind Behind Batman

By AARON MAYORGA

Much like his most-famous creation Batman, Bill Finger spent much of his life cloaked in the shadows of others. But on the morning of Dec. 8, Finger was at the center of attention in his hometown. It’s there were superfans of the Dark Knight assembled at the corner of East 192nd Street and the Grand Concourse to rechristen the cross street in honor of Finger, the man who many do not know is the co-creator of the Dark Knight. “It’s pretty surreal,” said Benjamin Cruz, the great-grandson of Finger, whose contributions to the creation of Batman have largely gone overlooked.

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers whether an accusation or allegation of sexual harassment is enough to dismiss someone or should there be a full investigation? Are these dismissals a knee-jerk reaction or justified? Sometimes the way that people are dismissed are sometimes based on just the immediate reactions that some people give after the accusation. I think that some of the dismissals might be justified if the person actually admits to it. I suppose then that people have a right to dismiss them if they feel uncomfortable with them or they don’t want to be associated with them. I think

Crime File: Alleged Repeat Robber Strikes Norwood

By YARA PALIN

The man who allegedly committed a string of robberies in Norwood and Bedford Park is now under arrest, police say. He robbed eight women before being detained. Police say Germaine Butler, who is being charged with five counts of robbery and three counts of grand larceny, was hiding at his sister’s in Long Island after having been identified by several news outlets. The doorman there, who is a retired cop, recognized Butler and called in a tip. “[Butler] eventually left the apartment to order a pizza and [the doorman] called us,” says Captain Kevin Coleman of the 52nd Precinct. Coleman,

Out & About: Holiday Gatherings in the Bronx

Editor’s Pick Holiday Lightings The public is invited to the following holiday lighting events: Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. – At Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue, presented by Community Board 7. Activities include annual tree lighting, CB7 choir and Mount St. Ursula and PS/MS 20 choirs. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. – At Williamsbridge Square, 3500 White Plains Road (corner of Gun Hill Road), presented by Mosholu Preservation Corporation and Councilmember Andy King. Activities include holiday lighting, singing, dancing and free gift giving. For more information, email mpc@mpcbronx.org.

Batman Co-Creator to Get Street Renaming

By DAVID CRUZ

Holy street naming, Batman! The co-creator behind DC Comics’ Batman will be immortalized in Fordham. Bill Finger (pictured right), a graduate of Norwood’s DeWitt Clinton High School, will have his legacy honored with a street naming set for Dec. 8. The portion of East 192nd Street between the Grand Concourse and Valentine Avenue will be renamed “Bill Finger Way.” Finger was born Milton Finger on Feb. 8, 1914 in Denver, Colorado. He’s long remained in the shadow of Bob Kane, another Clinton H. S. alum credited as the main creator of Batman. But Finger, conceptualized the look of the Caped

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Norwood and the surrounding Bronx communities, is out with our second to last issue before year’s end (time flies when you’re having fun). With 16 pages of news from end to end, it’s best we get into it. We begin with page one, of course, and the issue of the Jerome Avenue Rezoning plan still in the making. The plan has received the blessing from the Bronx Borough Board, though with stipulations attached. Critics say it does not go far enough. Read what reporter Aaron Mayorga dug up. Inside

Health Check: Avoid Painkillers When Possible

By AMANDA PARSONS

You may be hearing a lot about opioids lately, particularly in the Bronx where more residents die of drug overdoses than in any other borough. Frequently used opioids include illegal drugs like heroin, but also legal drugs like morphine, hydrocodone (such as Vicodin), oxycodone (such as Percocet and OxyContin), and codeine (such as Tylenol #3). These drugs can be highly addictive and share similar effects on the body like relaxation, pain relief, and feeling “high.” But in higher doses, they can also lead to respiratory failure (when your breathing slows or stops) and death. Fentanyl, a known opioid, is particularly dangerous