Skateboard Project Hits Another Snag, Delayed for Several More Months

By DAVID CRUZ

Just as crews were at the tail end of the long-anticipated skateboard park inside Williamsbridge Oval Park, the project hit a snag, delaying the project for several more months. News of the delay “We thought the skate park in the Oval was completed, however we found out that the surface, whatever they put down, cracked, and it all has to be ripped up again and redone,” said Barbara Stronczer, chair of Community Board 7’s Parks Committee, shared the news to a surprised audience at the latest Community Board 7 general board meeting. The delay, which was updated on the New

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s eleventh edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into. There’s almost something happening in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story analyzes the ongoing construction happening in Norwood and Bedford Park. It’s part of a larger trend of construction happening in the city. Read the story by me and Alondra Vasquez. Also, you maybe want to check out our map outlining some projects. Inside the cover you’ll find a piece

At Rally for Blake, Supporters Outline 15th Congressional District's Issues

By DAVID CRUZ

At the epicenter of a district partially on the mend, Assemblyman Michael Blake, who officially declared a run for Congress for the 15th Congressional District, told supporters he sought to remove the label that the district is the country’s poorest. “I’m not proud of that,” said Blake, standing before supporters on a stage erected on East 134th Street between Alexander Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard. Serving as the nation’s most impoverished district has prevailed since the current seat-holder, Congressman Jose Serrano–who announced he’ll retire after his current 15th term is up–took office in 1990. While the quality of life within the

By DAVID CRUZ

For Jonathan Ortiz, the first Democratic candidate to officially enter the 15th Congressional District race, the hardcore campaigning starts at 5:01 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends, Ortiz is in full-blown campaign mode. After leaving his day job as director of the Phipps Neighborhood Financial Empowerment Center, the South Bronx-bred Ortiz and his team can be spotted door-knocking and distributing literature across the district. Ortiz, a lover of media, also relies on various mediums to amplify his message for greater equity in the South Bronx. And Ortiz, 33, is running this grassroots campaign with zero support from the Bronx Democratic Party,

New Anti-Gang Initiatives Added to Five-Two’s Arsenal

By DAVID CRUZ

The presence of gangs across the 52nd Precinct’s jurisdiction has become something of a staple. While the weight of the police force can put a stopgap to gang culture that leads to arrest, the agency has expanded its use of anti-gang groups that, while not necessarily falling under the NYPD, have been given carte blanche to stymie gang violence. And they’ve begun to make their way to the 52nd Precinct. David Caba, program director for Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (BRAG), falling under the umbrella of Good Shepherd Services, leads the newest anti-gang initiative within the precinct’s borders. Introducing the

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s tenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into. There’s never a dull moment in the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story looks at the results of the annual Participatory Budgeting process that’s become a staple for Councilman Andrew Cohen. The results were unveiled on May 6, with some surprising results. Read the story by Emily Suzanne Lever and myself. Inside the cover you’ll find a piece on Assemblyman Michael Blake, who has ties

The $1 Million in Participatory Budgeting Results Are...

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER and DAVID CRUZ

Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen announced on May 6 that he’ll be contributing funds for bus countdown clocks, pothole repairs, and technology upgrades for public libraries as per the public through Participatory Budgeting initiative. The projects add up to $600,000, part of the $1 million the public has a direct say in spending through the initiative. The lion’s share, about $400,000, will go towards safety upgrades at Woodlawn Playground, with no specific projects for Norwood, unlike years before, which saw improvements to the Mosholu Public Library. “No projects specific to Norwood were available to vote on,” said Cohen, at a news

The Bronx Develops: South Bronx Waterfront Projects Spark Fears of Gentrification

By DAVID CRUZ

If the Democratic candidates vying for the seat in the 15th Congressional District intend to secure votes in that district, they may want to take a look at figures that can help mold their strategies in the early days of this race. The Norwood News broke down those figures contenders might want to take a look at that could influence their strategy in the early days of this race: Formal Candidates: Four candidates have formally declared in the order in which they declared: community organizer Jonathan Ortiz, Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. of the 18th Council District, mentor Tomas Ramos, and

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s ninth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. There’s 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story has Mosholu Preservation Corporation (publisher of the Norwood News), asking a question: what are Norwood’s consumer needs? Norwood residents and stakeholders offered their take at a workshop that happened April16. But read about the needs from those who didn’t attend the workshop. We’ve picked up patterns. Inside the cover you’ll find a piece on Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen