Bittersweet Street Renaming for Lesandro Guzman-Feliz

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

The family of a Belmont teen horrifically stabbed to death joined Councilman Ritchie Torres and members of NYPD Explorers program in a street renaming ceremony less than a year from the time the teen was killed. The corner of East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue in Belmont was renamed Junior Guzman-Feliz Way, in memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, who was killed directly across where the sign bears his name. Junior, 15 at the time, was stabbed last summer outside of a local bodega allegedly by members of the Trinitarios gang. Video surveillance shows Junior being pulled out of

By JOSEPH KONIG

Brooklyn City Councilman Jumaane Williams is the new Public Advocate for New York City, winning Tuesday’s special election with 33 percent of the vote in one of the more crowded political races in recent memory, according to unofficial tallies provided by the city’s Board of Elections. Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich finished in second with 19 percent of the vote. Williams ran in the special election for public advocate after falling short in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in September, losing to incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul 53.3 percent to 46.7 percent. “This campaign has been relatively short, but

Norwood Among Nabes Targeted for Lead Awareness Campaign

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

City health officials are sounding the alarm about lead poisoning that comes not from peeling paint but everyday foods and cosmetics. The city Department of Health & Mental Hygiene announced a lead prevention awareness campaign—which will include flyers, trainings and outreach through community organizations—targeted specifically at South Asian immigrants, who are particularly at risk. The rollout is part of LeadFreeNYC announced at North Central Bronx Hospital on Jan. 28 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who pegged it as a roadmap to the “literal eradication” of childhood lead exposure. The initiative includes free blood lead level testing and lead inspections for

State of the Borough Pores Over Decade of Change for the Bronx

By JOSEPH KONIG

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. gave his tenth “State of the Borough” speech on Thursday taking credit for nearly a decade of crime reduction and increased economic investment, while acknowledging the borough’s housing and transit challenges. He also indirectly addressed comments made recently by his father, that caused a greater political divide between the two. “The Bronx is thriving,” Diaz Jr. said. “Almost ten years ago, I gave my first ever State of the Borough address. I spoke about the need for better paying jobs, to fight crime in our streets, encouraging new development of all types, and the

By JOSEPH KONIG

Seventeen candidates are on the ballot for the New York City Public Advocate special election race on Feb. 26 next week, but voting will be harder than just picking the Democrat or the Republican. Due to the circumstances of the race, each candidate is running on their own unique party line. For example, former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is running on the “Fix the MTA” line and Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim is running on the “No Amazon” line. The winner of the Feb. 26 election will only hold the office for a few months before the September

This week we asked readers living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments in the Bronx about the recent decision for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee NYCHA, and the city’s $2.2 billion commitment for NYCHA repairs over the next decade. I’m all for that because right now we don’t even have heat in the building, no heat at all. We have running hot water, but no heat. We’ve had no heat since yesterday. It comes on and off. They keep saying they’re repairing it. The elevator keeps breaking down. Sometimes we have to go up and down

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of useful information. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story takes you to Bedford Park where locals are reeling over news the local Rite Aid has closed. This is troubling news for seniors living at Serviam Heights and Serviam Gardens, which serve senior citizens. Reporter Alondra Vasquez talks to a whole horde of residents over what this means for them and access to their prescriptions. Inside the cover you’ll find a two-page informative piece

Bailey Forms Criminal Justice Reform Council, Gauges Input

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, representing Norwood and chair of the Senate Committee on Codes, recently announced the creation of a Criminal Justice Reform Council, attracting advocates from the district to help reshape the state’s criminal justice system. The council is comprised of several advocates on criminal justice reform that hail from the Bronx, and Westchester County. Members on the council are representatives from an array of organizations that include the Legal Aid Society, Vocal-NY, CUNY Law School, Discovery for Justice, B.R.A.G., Not On My Watch, RAPP Campaign, and 100 Suits for 100 Men. Bailey felt it was imperative to develop

Snow Postpones Stagg Meeting at Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Snow and ice caused the cancellation of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning committee meeting of Feb. 12, in which residents from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster Ave., owned by the Stagg Group, were prepared for a heated confrontation with the landlord’s representatives. As previously reported in the Norwood News, residents of the three buildings have intensified their complaints over repairs not being tended to, security cameras not working, dirty hallways not being regularly cleaned, and just the overall difficulty of getting the management team to respond. Led by Zxavier Simpson, from 2985 Webster Ave., residents are joining