Ahead of Possible Government Shutdown, Bronx Locals Get Free Tax Help

By DAVID GREENE

As a possible federal government shutdown looms, Bronxites converged at one local bank for some to have their taxes prepped and filed before they’re refunds are stalled. On Feb. 7 Ridgewood Savings Bank, the largest mutual savings bank in New York State, announced it had partnered with non-profit tax professionals Ariva, in offering free tax preparation at two of its Bronx branches, including one at 3445 Jerome Ave. in Norwood. Customers arrived at the Jerome Avenue branch on Feb. 9 and 10 with documents in hand and met with a tax specialist and e-filed their returns the same day. Few seats

An Awareness Campaign to Combat Lead Exposure Beyond NYCHA

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

The fight against childhood lead exposure is about more than just lead paint. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced his new initiative, LeadFreeNYC, which aims to completely eliminate lead poisoning in children throughout the city. “We mean literal eradication,” said de Blasio, at a news conference alongside health experts at North Central Bronx Hospital in Norwood. Children can experience learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical and mental development due to the toxicity of lead, with children 6 and under being the most vulnerable. To make lead exposure “one of those diseases of the past” requires a deeper look

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on legislators currently considering the legalization of recreational marijuana—Would this be good or bad for New York City? Is pot a stepping-stone to harder drugs and would it decrease or increase crime? I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s very complex to even think about, because there’s a lot of parts to the issue. I don’t think it leads to harder drugs. If they start to tax it, they will make money like they do on booze, but what about the effect on crime? It’s a lot

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering the Bronx. In our third edition of the year, we bring you the latest! The front page story profiles the efforts made by the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) to designate Bedford Park as a historic district with the goal of slowing real estate development in the neighborhood. Read what members of BMCA and the Historic Districts Council have to say. In Norwood, the suspect wanted for allegedly exposing himself to an underage boy was collared by the NYPD, and the long-planned North Bronx Islamic Center is slated to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

On Jan. 4 , I wrote a financial article I thought was both very important and timely. I simply suggested at the time that if the federal government did not open by Feb. 16, its own citizenry might take action against our own elected officials. Two paragraphs from that article reflected that sentiment: First, I said, “Last tax season, the IRS had paid $12.6 billion in refunds to more than six million households by Feb. 2, 2018. By Feb. 16, the IRS had paid $101.2 billion to nearly 32 million households. And by March 30, the IRS had paid $212 billion to 73 million households.” Then

Mayor's Coming to the Bronx, and He's Bringing City Hall With Him

By STEPHANIE GARCIA

Next week the annual City Hall in Your Borough: Resource Fair will be coming to the Bronx, and several high level officials from all New York City agencies will be attending. This will allow residents to speak with these city officials, and voice concerns. Representatives from the city’s Transportation, Finance, Police, Education, Health, and Parks Department will be on hand. They’ll also be joined by employees from the New York City Economic Development Corporation and City Hall. The event is slated from Jan. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will be taking place at the Latino Pastoral Action

The Bronx Develops: A Metro-North Station in a City Within a City

By DAVID CRUZ

The plan to bring four Metro-North stations to the East Bronx crossed a major hurdle today after Governor Cuomo’s office announced that talks between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Amtrak, which owns the existing tracks Metro-North operates, have ended with a deal. Preliminary designs and a feasibility study that determines whether Amtrak can use its tracks on a daily basis will get underway for the project dubbed Penn Station Access, according to Cuomo’s office. Co-Op City, Morris Park, Parkchester, and Hunts Point will receive a station. These Metro-North trains will be re-routed to Penn Station instead of Grand Central Terminal.

By JOSEPH KONIG

Old Albany Post Road in Riverdale is unpaved and strewn with debris. Residents say cars are abandoned there, often left unattended sometimes for years. Their own cars, forced to navigate potholes and obstructions, have been damaged. Because of a massive puddle in the center of the road, which residents say is a year-round feature, the street was nicknamed “Lake Albany Post Road,” Any rain and the puddle consumes the opening of the street, preventing garbage trucks and other vehicles from driving onto it. A landlord of a Broadway building accessible from the tiny roadway built a wall to prevent the

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers who’s to blame for the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump or the Democrats? I blame the President because he wants his stupid wall. I feel like it’s wrong and he’s making everything worse. He wants to build a wall that’s unnecessary at the moment. There’s bigger problems right now, like three wars. I think it’s going to end very, very badly and a lot of things are going to happen because of these little mistakes. Sandra Velez Allerton Donald Trump is to blame for everything since he became President. He’s cashing in, doing