2016: New Minimum Wage, Workers Rights and Commuter Laws in Effect

By VIVIAN R. CARTER

When the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2016, hundreds of new laws and policies passed by city and state governments and regulatory agencies took effect. Several of these are notable in extending assistance to New York residents, like those in the Bronx, striving to make ends meet. Minimum Wage The most talked-about, an increase in the minimum wage from the statewide $8.75 to $10.50 per hour for New York City fast-food workers (and $9.00 for others), will benefit working-class Bronxites on a massive scale. Annually, that’s a raise of at least $500 for all full-time minimum earners, and over

Bronx Youth Heard, the after school program that teaches the fundamentals of journalism, is out with its first edition of 2016. The original work is a culmination of the elements of journalism taught at the class by Dalila Johari-Paul, the program’s lead instructor, and David Cruz, Bronx Youth Heard’s program director. Below is synopsis of each student’s piece: At Catholic Schools, Lessons Extend Beyond the Classroom: Jonathan Mercedes explores the benefits of after school programming at high schools under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of New York. Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop, But Still Pose Problems in the Bronx: Teen pregnancy rates

Greetings Readers! The Norwood News is out with its first edition of 2016! We ring in the new year with 20 pages of community news you can use. We also feature the work from students of the Norwood News‘ Bronx Youth Heard program, a twelve-week course that teaches the fundamentals of journalism to Bronx high school students. But first, we take you to Kingsbridge Heights where some behind-the-scenes dealings at the Kingsbridge Armory could finally jumpstart renovations for the highly anticipated Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Thanks to the state, the public can finally get a chance to see the long awaited project get

AN UNFORTUNATE WAY to end 2015. Crews with Con Edison work to remove this cable pole that dropped onto a vehicle on Wayne Avenue off Gun Hill Road on Dec. 29. Crews spent an hour hoisting the wooden pole off the vehicle following the incident which happened around 4 p.m. No one was hurt. The incident drew several bystanders who snapped some pictures as they stumbled upon it. Photo by David Cruz

Arrests Made in Fatal Stabbing on Decatur Avenue

By DAVID GREENE Police have arrested three of six young men wanted in connection with the stabbing death of a man on Decatur Avenue during the overnight hours of Dec. 30. Police say Hugo Ivan Galindo, 24, of nearby Hull Avenue, had been surrounded by the group outside 3340 Decatur Ave. at 2:45 a.m., where he was stabbed multiple times in the torso. He died a short time later at Montefiore Hospital. Less than 24 hours later, detectives from the 52nd Precinct arrested Alexi Santiago, 21, of 323 E. Mosholu Parkway N., and charged him with gang assault in the first degree. On Jan. 5,

Developers behind the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have been approved for a multi-million dollar loan by the state to begin construction on its $348 million ice skating center at the Kingsbridge Armory. The news signals a major hurdle crossed by developers, whose progress at the vacant Armory waned in 2015. Developers for KNIC Properties LP have spent the better part of 2015 scouting for philanthropists and private donors to help fund the massive project, purported to become the world’s largest ice skating center. Read materials for the public session here The Board of Directors for the Empire State Development

Journalism Program The Bronx Investigative Internship Program is accepting applications for its paid, 10-week program combining group work and required hours of individual reporting totaling 10 hours per week running from late January to late March. High school students and college-age Bronx residents are eligible. Applicants must be available to attend sessions every Monday and Tuesday evening from 3 to 5 p.m. during the program’s run. Applications are due by 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2016. To apply, go to http://bit.ly/1mwBd6i. Heating Assistance Available This winter, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers eligible households of low-income and elderly New Yorkers to receive a one-time benefit

The Mosholu Library at 285 E. 205th St. has decided to extend its hours effective Jan. 4, 2016. Thanks to a $43 million dollar grant to the New York City public library systems, patrons of the Mosholu branch will be able to enjoy a few extra hours during the week which are meant to encourage more patronage to the library. Along with the extra hours, the library will also be able to hire an additional children’s librarian. The new hours are as follows: Mondays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

In light of the recent conviction of former state Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, we asked readers if they think the outcome sends a clear message to Albany to clean up the way it conducts politics in this state. I congratulate the federal prosecutor on pursuing these cases of corruption by the Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos, and they deserve every bit of the justice system thrown at them that they got. I think Governor Andrew Cuomo has to be honest and truthful and really come out clean and make more corruption inquiries and get