At Town Hall Forum, de Blasio Hears Bronx Matters

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s latest town hall in the Bronx once again saw the mayor bring an impromptu, though somewhat scripted, approach, batting around his ambitions while tackling issues of rats, public housing, and crime. The issues were on the minds for those living within the 14th Council District, where the town hall was held. Councilman Fernando Cabrera hosted the forum with de Blasio, with commissioners from key city agencies on tap. The two began the evening offering support for the Bronx community and NYPD following the death of Dr. Tracy Tam in the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital shooting rampage and the

The city is opening a temporary IDNYC center at Norwood’s community center. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) will set up an office at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) for the week to get Norwood residents signed up to the city’s official identification card. The card comes with several perks, including 50 percent off prescription medications at participating pharmacies, discount movie theater tickets, and free membership to 35 of the city’s museums. Representatives will be there first thing Monday morning, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are absolutely necessary. To

Deaths of Toddlers in Van Cortlandt Village Ruled Homicide

By DAVID GREENE

Police have ruled the deaths of two toddlers in the Van Cortlandt Village section of the Bronx as a homicide. No one has been charged.

Thousands Mourn Slain Officer Miosotis Familia

By DAVID GREENE

More than 10,000 police officers from across the country joined community and family members to say goodbye to slain NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia in a moving ceremony held at World Changers Church on the Grand Concourse, blocks from where she was killed. Familia, a 12-year veteran of the force was shot in the head as she sat inside a mobile command center at the corner of Morris Avenue and East 183d Street in the early morning hours of July 5. The killer, Alexander Bonds, 34, quickly fled the scene but was shot dead by police minutes later. The shooting

Young Public Servant Dons CB7 District Manager’s Cap

By DAVID CRUZ

Andrew Sandler, district manager for Community Board 7, handed his resignation to the board less than a month after returning from a half year medical leave. In what’s become a recurring theme, the news once again leaves the board without a district manager. Sandler resigned officially on July 9, less than one month from the time Adaline Walker-Santiago, the board chair, announced his return. Sandler told the Norwood News that Sandler he wants to focus on recuperating from his undisclosed medical condition. Walker-Santiago, board members and director of community boards for the Bronx Borough President’s Office, Thomas Lucania, were alerted

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Recently, as I was watching a conversation among so-called “progressive Democrats,” two fascinating discussions came out of it. One was discussing what President Donald Trump has NOT done yet. No healthcare! No tax reform! Caught in scandals! They seem to have been very happy about it. The second was about the current state of our US economy. They were accurately discussing how retail spending has dropped significantly. How investment spending has not moved and how our government is not spending enough to solve our social ills. Again, they came to the conclusion that it was Trump’s fault. Yes, I couldn’t

Vigil Honors Victims of Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Shooting

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

At Mount Eden Malls in the West Bronx, mourners gathered around a table to write comforting messages on sheets that read, “We stand with Bronx-Lebanon,” a reference to the hospital at a busy part of Grand Concourse. It was at the hospital where former employee Henry Bello opened fire on six employees and killing Dr. Tracy Sin-Yee Tam, on June 30. Union and hospital officials paid respect to her and the victims at a vigil hosted on Thursday. A makeshift memorial was set up complete with pastel pink and yellow flower sprays along with a photo of Dr. Tam hung

Suspects Sought on Number 4 Subway Train Robbery

By DAVID CRUZ

A trio of thieves are on the run from police for choking a subway rider and stealing his phone, wallet, rings, and a watch. Police say the incident happened June 26 just before 5 a.m. on board an uptown 4 subway train entering the East 183rd Street station. One of the men choked the 21-year-old victim while the other two took his things. The first suspect is described as a heavyset man around 18 to 22 years old. The second is described as a Hispanic man with dyed blond/orange hair around age 18 to 22, while the third man is

Cuts in College Readiness Program Inspire Social Message Video

By DAVID CRUZ

Imani Martinez sat slightly coy as a video bearing her image boomed across the East Dining Room of Lehman College. On screen, Martinez stood confident, revealing moments and milestones that have contributed to her character. “Why must I have to put double the blood, sweat and tears I normally would have to put in order to accomplish my goal? Because I’m poor, Latina and I live in the Bronx,” Martinez, who dreams a career in law enforcement, said. Martinez’s verbal purge, a raw, coming-of-age message chronicled her personal struggles, ambitions, and a love for borough, warts and all. She intertwined