Editorial: A Bronx Newspaper Now Shadow of Its Former Self

It came as a surprise to us when a Facebook post read that the Bronx News, established for the past 42 years, would downgrade. Instead, the paper will serve as an advertising vehicle loaded with horoscopes, trivia, random fun facts, comics and virtually no original reporting. For all intents and purposes, the new Bronx News is a trivialized version of its former self. The publication certainly had an edge, with stories largely focusing on the darker side of the Bronx with a sprinkle of good news thrown in here and there. But say what you will about the newspaper, the

This week we asked readers about complaints to the city’s 311 hotline and how fast they got results. [A woman claimed to be a landlord and wasn’t.] 311 responded quickly, but they just put in the paperwork saying they gave the woman a violation. On that side it went fine. But we’re still left homeless and without a place to stay because this lady took our rent money and now eight people are left in the cold. Anthony Simpson Fordham I called

This week we asked readers their thoughts on new NYPD guidelines that would investigate all claims of use of force and officers who fail to step in during moments of alleged misconduct. I think it would be very helpful. I think that having another officer with them when something arises would be helpful in court. It would also help solve a lot of police brutality because there’ll be somebody watching, and somebody who will hopefully tell the truth when the time comes. Laura Premosch The Hub If one officer is doing something wrong to a suspect, his partner should actually report that

By JASMINE GOMEZ

When it comes to the 311 system, a look at Community Board 7’s list of gripes will tell you there are plenty of building issues to complain about. An analysis by the Norwood News, utilizing 311 data logged on or before Oct. 2, found the top category of logged complaints during the last week of September in Community Board 7 fell under Property and Buildings. The category of Public Safety, which catalogues hydrant issues, came in second. The Board, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge and University Heights had a total 771 complaints. The 311 complaints listed were deemed opened or unresolved five days from the time the complaint

By JANET NORQUIST-GONZALEZ

It’s been nearly four decades since I last visited Sweden. In 1976 my college roommate, Elisabet, suggested I visit her in Stockholm. It sounded like a good way to explore my Swedish roots for a few months, so I gladly accepted the invitation. I ended up staying nearly two years, long enough to fall in love with the culture. For years after returning to the U.S.A., I subscribed to the children’s comic book, Bamse, to keep in touch with the language. Would I be able to communicate in Swedish with real people after such a long time? I was determined

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bedford Park Senior Center, 243 E. 204th St. CB7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229A E. 204th St. at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Housing/Land Use & Zoning Oct. 21; Community Relations/Long Term Planning Oct. 27; and Economic Development Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 933-5650.

Latest Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Community news is alive and well here at the Norwood News, serving up another edition filled with plenty of community news you can use. We take you to Bedford Park first and speculation surrounding investment speculation on Webster Avenue that’s revolving around a tiny piece of property currently occupied by the US Postal Service. Reporter William Mathis digs up what is happening at the post office that’s making residents worry. Going inside the award-winning newspaper, and a story on the Norwood News crunching some numbers on the number of 311 complaints Community Board 7 has logged. The results surprised us. And this

By DAVID CRUZ

With slabs of concrete leaving one giant mess, the collapse of an aging stone wall and staircase at the northeast side of Williamsbridge Oval has sparked plenty of speculation on just what caused it to cave. Yet from all the conjecture and guessing games, there haven’t been many clear cut answers, bewildering soccer players, dog walkers and parents of young children playing at the heavily used park. As it stands, police have cordoned off the damaged concrete staircase leading to the park’s lower level. But the fallen yellow tape and tipped-over NYPD fences haven’t done much for park goers who

By DAVID CRUZ

Greetings, loyal readers! As expected, the digital edition of the Norwood News is out with, as you guessed it: Plenty of Community News You Can Use! We begin with a story that’s 25 years in the making: pilot access to the Jerome Park Reservoir, long a source of majesty for the Bronx, yet only experienced by a handful. Advocates are pushing, step by step, to grant access to parkgoers who have yearned to take a stroll around the man-made reservoir. Worth a read from our own Adedamola Agboola. Inside, you’ll find a story 76 years in the making: the closing of Freilich