Breaking Down the Ocasio-Cortez/Crowley Race

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Democratic primary victory over incumbent Congressman Joe Crowley left many stunned, including members of the Bronx Democratic Party. Referring to the freshly defeated Crowley, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told a The New York Times reporter, “We need [Crowley] in Washington, DC. Washington is about consistency and seniority.” Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the Bronx Democratic Party chairman, told Politico that Ocasio-Cortez’s win “rattled” some members of his party. “I think we don’t have to view it all as a negative,” Crespo said. “There is an energetic new base that identifies as Democrats that are demanding and expecting change.”

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and loaded with 20 pages of original news covering the Bronx. In keeping with tradition we begin with page one! This one focuses two vicious stabbings that have caused great pause in the borough: the killing of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz and the near fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old by the Bronx River Parkway. This is apparently the work of the murderous street gang known as the Trinitarios. Find out how many suspects were rounded up for Junior’s killing so far. Our continuing coverage of Junior’s

Getting a Seat at the Bronx County Committee Table

By MARTIKA ORNELLA and DAVID CRUZ

As the Bronx political season kicks into high gear, community organizers like Samelys Lopez of Bedford Park are working to ensure more equitable political participation across the borough. This not only includes going to the polls, but running for a county committee seat, a governing body composed of members of the same political party. As it stands, the process is esoteric. How does one get on a county committee? The question stood at the heart of a workshop organized by Lopez, who corralled community activists and leaders from various political groups across the city to St. Paul’s Church in Parkchester

Clergy and Bronx Electeds Slam Trump Immigration Policy

By ANGEL MINDANAO

Clergy, community leaders and Democratic elected officials interlocked arms as they sang “We Shall Overcome” at a prayer vigil and rally on June 22, calling for the reunification of immigrant families detained at America’s southern border. The event saw legislators from the city, state and federal governments weighing in on a policy that, up until June 20, saw families of illegal immigrants separated. It was a policy done away with by an Executive Order President Donald Trump had signed. Legislators saw this as a moment to pounce on Mr. Trump despite the reversal. “There is no substitution for the care

By NORWOOD NEWS

The Norwood News, the community publication covering the Bronx and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, won a first place prize once again for Best Small Circulation Publication at this year’s Ippies Awards. The contest, now in its sixteenth year, celebrates the work of community and ethnic media outlets across the city. The Center for Community & Ethnic Media, which has its offices at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, has organized the show since its inception. Tom Robbins, investigative reporter in residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, cited the paper’s 2016 February 16 to March 1 edition

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and packed with plenty of Bronx news coverage. We begin our journey with page one and our front page story. This one focuses on Jean Hill, the newly voted chair of Community Board 7. The headline says it all: Hill’s stature is risen from her ascension to the role of board chair. Hear what Hill had to say on her expectations from Board members come September. We then head inside the cover and the local debate on the Specialized High School Admissions Test and a

New CB7 Chair a Rising Leader (Web Picture)

By MARTIKA ORNELLA, JOSE GIRALT, and DAVID CRUZ

Jean Hill, a Community Board 7 member, was officially voted in as the new chair of CB7, humbly rising from her seat with a declaration to members: “[W]hen you come back in September you be ready to work.” “Everyone here has a job to do,” Hill told members at the latest general board meeting on June 19 at the New York Botanical Garden’s Ross Hall. “You know I can’t do this all by myself.” A round of applause soon followed, kick started by Ischia Bravo, CB7’s district manager. The two were seen sitting together. Hill fills out the term left

Local Debate Begins on Future of Specialized High School Test

By DAVID CRUZ

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s decision to delay discussion on whether to keep or reject the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) opens the door for a yearlong conversation. And at least two local legislators look to keep the test, with one requesting add-ons be included. Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and state Senator Jamaal Bailey told the Norwood News that keeping the test is vital to the selection process of the city’s most prestigious schools. Dinowitz and Bailey both attended the Bronx High School of Science in Bedford Park, a highly sought-after specialized high school for placement. Questions over whether to outright

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of Bronx news to spread around. We’ve packed 12 pages of original reporting by our talented rotation of reporters we hope you’ll find insightful. For now, let’s begin with page one and a long-awaited project. That project falls in the heart of Norwood, Williamsbridge Oval Park. It’s there where a ceremonial groundbreaking of the highly anticipated skate park took place to the pride of many stakeholders involved. Read the city Parks Commissioner’s comments on this latest project. Read also why some will view this project as