More Fires at Oval as Officers Nab One Firebug

The 52nd Precinct has apprehended a teen suspect wanted in a string of nighttime fires at Williamsbridge Oval Park, which has prompted a large response by officers and the New York City Department of Parks, and continues to do so. Police have charged the suspect, a 17-year-old boy whose name is being withheld because of his age, with reckless endangerment after patrol officers caught up with him on Dec. 6, in front of the park’s recreation center before hauling him to the stationhouse. The 17-year-old had already been a person of interest for the rare fire the day before,

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers what is their favorite Bronx eatery. (Editor’s Note: Thanks to Norwood resident Helene Hartman-Kutnowsky, member of Community Board #7, for suggesting this question.) It’s really hard to pick one out because I have so many. I can’t remember which is the best one, but Nicky’s Pizzeria is good. They have pasta and they’ve got meatballs. The meatballs, definitely the meatballs, are my favorite. I think Subway is good, I always get my sandwiches there. Alen Peisel Norwood My favorite restaurant is the Star Restaurant on Webster Avenue. The chicken is good and they have a nice soup over there and they have

By MICHAEL BROWN JR.

Students at the Urban Institute of Mathematics (UIM), a middle school serving grades six to eight in Throggs Neck, visited the Bronx Historical Society (BHS) in Norwood on Nov. 19, to unveil its map of the 18th century, capping a six-course assignment with borough historians. The program, dubbed Map It! Exploring Your School’s Neighborhood, has been around for two years. The BHS project was funded by the New York Community Trust. BHS partnered with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to fuse the borough’s archaic back story into social studies lessons at participating schools. Students from Throggs

By ADVERTORIAL

Located just a block from Montefiore Medical Center in the Norwood section of the Bronx, Bainbridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center enjoys a well-earned reputation for providing excellence in person-centered healthcare in a warm and inviting “home-like” atmosphere. We have private and semi-private rooms with access to tastefully decorated recreation areas and outdoor patios where residents can enjoy a breath of fresh air. Guests at Bainbridge enjoy life to the fullest with a variety of activities to choose from; including regularly scheduled leisure outings, games, fitness activities, movies, spiritual, beauty and barber services on-site. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to join

By DAVID CRUZ and ADEDAMOLA AGBOOLA

As senior citizens awaited a pre-Thanksgiving sit-down meal at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s (MMCC) Senior Center, inside its sweltering kitchen an assembly line formed with Aaron Domeny topping spoonfuls of greens on an endless stream of plates. For anyone who knows Domeny, who hails from nearby Williamsbridge, they will likely describe him as a timid and shy 18-year-old. But Domeny, whose strait-laced demeanor is broken by the quips delivered by his boss and chef, Michael Tompkins, is also a young man with dreams of working at a five-star restaurant and has a humorous side. MMCC’s kitchen, cheerful and lighthearted as it

By DAVID CRUZ

Authorities have caught up to a man wanted for allegedly stabbing his estranged wife living in Bedford Park and fleeing with his 3-year-old daughter to New Jersey. Police have charged Diomedes Valenzuela, 51, for stabbing the 31-year-old female victim on Dec. 1 just before 2 p.m. in what police dubbed a custodial incident. Valenzuela was visiting his 3-year-old at her apartment on Perry Avenue when he got into an argument with the victim, according to police. The argument became heated and Valenzuela alleged stabbed the victim multiple times to the body. Valenzuela quickly grabbed his daughter and fled in a grey

By DAVID CRUZ

The recent spate of violence and alleged arson incidents within Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval Park has one local legislator and the neighborhood’s community board asking police to step it up. Councilman Andrew Cohen, representing the 11th District, which covers Norwood, along with Community Board 7 sent a joint letter to the 52nd Precinct and Parks Department to increase patrols around Oval Park. Both agencies share policing duties at the park. In the last two months, a series of suspected arson fires and violent incidents have taken place at the Bronx park, heavily used by families and neighbors getting a workout. “[T]he

Free Coat Giveaway Free adult and children’s coats are available to Norwood residents. Stop by The COVE, 3514 Wayne Ave. on Dec. 4 between 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 405-1312 or (646) 246-3897. Nominate a Teacher Nominate your child’s favorite teacher who shows exceptional success in impacting student learning, for a Big Apple Award, sponsored by the Department of Education in partnership with the Fund for Public Schools. Nominations can only be made online at http://on.nyc.gov/12ShVh8, through Jan. 18, 2016. Library Awards Nominations are being accepted for the NYC Neighborhood Library Award. To nominate your library,

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 staffers Londy Ramirez (l) and Maria Graziano (c) were honored for their daily contributions to the board covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham and University Heights. Their work on helping to organize the third annual Miss Abbie’s Halloween Extravaganza Health Fair was recognized by Shanequa Charles (r), Community Board 7 member and one of the event’s lead organizers. Photo courtesy Community Board 7