Norwood News’ 2014 Year In Review

By HAYLEY CAMACHO The northwest Bronx has seen quite a batch of news stories that have gripped, intrigued and caused quite a stir during 2014. The Norwood News tracked many of these stories this year, and in some cases, broken them. As part of a yearly tradition, we look back at some of the top stories of 2014.

Editorial: Making Sense of KNIC’s Yearlong Holdup, And a Possible Delay

As we close 2014, the Norwood News wants to take you back to Dec. 2013 when the New York City Council, led by its Bronx delegation, overwhelmingly voted in favor of re-purposing the Kingsbridge Armory into the world’s largest ice skating rink. The fervor was exciting for the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. History had unfolded. The community was happy thanks to its legally binding Community Benefits Agreement. Many elected officials praised the project as the start of a new frontier for the Bronx—the rise of a burgeoning borough-wide sports Mecca. A smart first step as the borough dominated in the economic

Hector Aponte, Bronx Parks Commissioner, to Retire

by David Cruz Hector Aponte, the long serving Bronx Commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, is slated to retire. The agency confirmed to the Norwood News of Mr. Aponte leaving office after spending ten years as Bronx parks chief. It’s unclear when Mr. Aponte’s retire date is effective. Mr. Aponte, who grew up in the Bronx, was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as the Bronx Parks Commissioner. His first year in the Bronx came amid the early construction phase of the Croton Water Filtration Plan in Van Cortlandt Village, a massive water project tied to a

Bronx News Roundup: Lawsuits, protests and pop-up cafe

By David Cruz Thursday brings you another installment of Bronx News Roundup, where we take you around the Bronx to see what our fellow roving reporters are gathering for you. From what we’ve see there’s plenty to write about: Several outlets are reporting that the Archdiocese of New York is considering the closure of more parishes next year. Preliminary lists show St. Simon Stock Church at 2195 Valentine Avenue may merge with St. Joseph’s Church at 1949 Bathgate Avenue. The New York Times explores the current state of New York State-operated nursing homes following the aftermath death of Frank Mercado

by David Cruz Thursday ushers in the latest edition of the Norwood News, available at nearly 300 locations throughout the northwest Bronx. This week we delve into a five-year cluster site in Norwood that’s apparently worn out its welcome, according to rent paying tenants. The Norwood News spoke to both sides, who largely feel misunderstood. We also look at the Stagg Group as it edges closer to opening its three-building complex along Webster Avenue. By and large the buildings are deemed the linchpin to the building boom happening along the northwest Bronx corridor. Hear what residents have to say about the market rate

By DAVID GREENE This week we asked readers if proposed legislation changing NYPD policies (i.e. police requesting those stopped if they can be searched, no arrests for people carrying 25g or less of marijuana, and limiting chokeholds) will help or hurt their fight on crime and violence or police and community relations. I believe that the police have many options, and if you stop one action, they have many more. I don’t think it will stop the cops from inventing something different. They’ll have options where they can come up to you, search you and throw something in your pocket. Mortee

State of Heroin In The Bronx: A Special Report

By David Cruz Nearly fifty people streamed inside a cafeteria at a church basement in the South Bronx for a meeting. Handshakes followed by hugs and kisses opened the gathering that would last ninety minutes.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

by David Cruz Have two weeks flown by already? They must have since the latest edition of the Norwood News is out filled with plenty of news you can share with your community. This edition we look at the implications behind the impending closure of Shrine of Saint Ann’s Church in Norwood, one of six churches slated for closure in the Bronx. Michaela Ross picks up the story and what parishioners think on the closure. The feature In The Public Interest focuses on ways the city Education Department intends to fix the overcrowding issue in school districts, a step in the

by David Cruz The forecast this Election Day is calling for mild weather for early November. It’s a perfect time to vote! Polls at schools, community centers and senior centers are open until 9 p.m. in a General Election that’s already perceived as having a very low voter turnout despite a New York gubernatorial contest that needs to be decided. The top races in the Bronx have already been decided during the September Democratic primary, considered more important given the overwhelming number of registered Democrats in the Bronx. The Bronx Democratic County Committee helped garner wins for its incumbents, though