After Respite, More Fires Spotted at Oval

By David Cruz

They’re back. More nighttime blazes have been reported at Williamsbridge Oval Park, after a mostly quiet winter. It was an item of discussion at the latest 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting on March 24, where Lieutenant Kevin Maloney pleaded with the public to help officers identify any suspect or suspects. Maloney cautioned a tightly packed room inside the stationhouse that “it’s only going to get bigger” if residents don’t report keep their eyes open. In all, six fires were reported to police. In some instances, arsonists used trash as a fire starter. No one has been injured. Reports of brush

Dear Loyal Readers, The Norwood News, the Bronx community newspaper bringing you plenty of community news you can use, is out with its seventh edition of 2016! This week we once again go back to Kingsbridge Heights and a faceoff brewing between city officials and developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Apparently, the city is not satisfied with an explanation from KNIC saying it has money committed for the project. The New York City Economic Development Corporation is asking, “Show us the money!” Ice developers now have 30 more days to present funds. We also bring you stories on the

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Police have arrested a woman, shown in a surveillance video, walking away with a purse left in a dressing room at The Gap store on Fordham Road. The suspected thief lived within 20 minutes of walking distance of the clothier. On Feb. 7 at around 1:30 p.m., Lissett Jimenez of Fordham is seen entering the dressing room where a 20-year-old woman left her purse behind. Video shows Jimenez later leaving the dressing room with the victim’s purse in hand. Jimenez was charged with grand larceny just over a month after the store reported the stolen purse taken from the store

New zoning laws championed by Mayor Bill de Blasio with the approval of the City Council now make it easier for developers to build affordable housing without the addition of parking units, which could vastly impact the hundreds of drivers who rely on street parking in Norwood. The complex zoning laws, falling under Zoning for Quality & Affordability (ZQA), and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), are considered the DNA of de Blasio’s lofty Housing New York plan introduced in May 2014. The plan seeks to build 80,000 new units of affordable housing while repairing 120,000 more affordable units over the next

By DAVID CRUZ

For years, city officials and developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have been on the same page with respect to the impending project at the Kingsbridge Armory: They would like to see an ice center built. But until recently, the city has raised questions over whether KNIC has the proper financing needed to move forward with construction despite KNIC’s position that it does. KNIC was told to show it has the funding by March 25. But the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the city’s real estate arm, is not convinced. It’s now given developers another month

Free Financial Counseling Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Phipps Neighborhoods are offering one-on-one free financial counseling for Bronxites at Diaz’s office. Trained counselors will be able to discern and help with your financial challenges, bad credit, identity theft and other concerns. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (718) 590-3554. “Save Easter” Mission Victorious Warriors III Inc., a nonprofit football club, is looking for financial assistance for their “Save Easter” project that services the Crystal Place Shelter in Ferry Point. The group is asking for $10.00 or more per child, as well as coloring books, puzzles,

By DAVID CRUZ

[URIS id=20594] Stirring an audience of roughly 350 young women, Monroe College hosted its 4th annual female empowerment event, intended to boost confidence, challenge female stereotypes and inspire young women. The largely minority crowd, exclusively young women, packed Mintz Auditorium to hear motivational stories from other women whose personal stories on climbing the corporate ladder and attaining a measure of success served as a seed for their own self-empowerment. They also heard from Fox 5 anchor and radio personality Lisa Evers, who delivered the keynote speech. “The idea is to tell a story, share your story with other young people

Beginning the last week of March, residents living in the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Woodlawn and Riverdale will be able to vote on what community improvement projects will be added to their Council District’s capital budget through Participatory Budgeting. The process, whereby a member of the New York City Council offers residents the chance to decide how to spend $1 million in capital funding, is approaching the final stretch of its process. The office of Councilman Andrew Cohen, who once again hosted a Participatory Budgeting session, has released a voter guide that details the nature and prices of 12

By DANIELA BEASLEY

The rock pillars spanning the length of the heavily traveled Mosholu Parkway provide character to the leafy roadways. But the pillars have gone without rehab or renovations since the late 1970s, and it’s beginning to show. The pillars have been a long-standing issue, made even more problematic since some pose a safety hazard, according to Barbara Stronczer, who doubles as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and chairs Community Board 7’s Parks Committee. “You notice the deterioration of the columns. Take a look at the bottom of those pillars. I’m concerned someone is going to get hurt,” she said.