By DAVID CRUZ Torres’ Time Some of the Bronx beltway’s brightest stars came out in support of their star, Councilman Ritchie (“The Rookie” as one guest phrased it) Torres, who flashed his Obama-like smile all night during his fundraiser. At Michaelangelo’s restaurant in Belmont, across the corner from where Torres claimed victory as Council Member during the 2013 election cycle, Torres worked the room extensively, shaking hands with residents from all corners of his 15th Council District.

Progress Moves, Though Slowly, On Proposed Oliver Place Park

By WILLIAM MATHIS Community Board 7’s efforts to see the building a new park in a rundown lot on the outskirts of Bedford Park advanced some, albeit minimally, during a meeting with representatives from various city agencies Wednesday night.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is hitting 300 locations throughout the northwest Bronx this morning, and it’s loaded with plenty of community news you can use. Here are some stories that can grab you: We begin what’s been happening in the neighborhood’s long running story: developments at the Kingsbridge Armory. Haydee Camacho delves into the story focusing on some folks wishing the Community Benefits Agreement tied to the Kingsbridge Armory Ice Center would have been fleshed out better. Worth a read. Valentine Avenue neighbors are still reeling over the death of a teen who plunged

By MOSES BUSTOS In a battle for better pay wages at a restaurant in Mt. Hope, workers demonstrated alongside supporters on April 13, in a protest that will be scheduled every Monday moving forward.

Rivera’s Presence Sought Kudos to Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s office for finally answering a request for a representative to take part in the Bedford Mosholu Community Association’s monthly meetings. It did take over a year.

Ribbon Cutting for Bedford Manor

Several Bronx community and elected stakeholders gathered April 14 to cut the ribbon on the newly opened Bedford Park Manor at 2985 and 2987 Webster Ave. The site, formerly a plumbing supplies company, houses 122 units, of which 80 percent are already rented. Amenities include a spacious courtyard. The complex was developed by The Stagg Group following major rezoning by New York City in 2009, at the behest of Community Board 7 and the Four Bronx Institution Alliance, comprised of Montefiore Medical Center, The New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Zoo and Fordham University.

A Death on Valentine Avenue Inspires Marijuana Debate

By JASMINE GOMEZ and DAVID CRUZ The news of a Mott Haven teen plunging six stories from a building in Fordham on April 2 has one neighborhood reflecting on the criminality of marijuana and its effect on their local community.

Latest Edition Of The Norwood News Hits Stands, and Online

By DAVID CRUZ The Norwood News is out with 24 pages of community news you can use, happenings and other nuggets of information. What’s intriguing about this edition (just coincidence really) is it’s heavily park-related. Makes sense, given all the parks that Norwood has been afforded these days. We begin with a push to restore some infrastructure issues at Mosholu Parkway, with representatives from the local institutions urging the community for some momentum in getting elected officials to commit to restoring the parkway. Find out what went on at a March 25 community meeting. One of our more attractive features this edition

By DAVID CRUZ Where’s the Love, Mr. Mayor? Noticed these days that appearances from Mayor Bill de Blasio is next to nothing in the Bronx this year. Looking at the first quarter of 2015, Mayor de Blasio has made four appearances in the Bronx compared to 19 in Brooklyn and seven in Queens. Staten Island, heavily Republican, placed last with only one visit. Manhattan was discounted since it’s his home base, but if one were counting, there were about 50 appearances. Our guess. He has roots in Brooklyn, which he could no doubt need for another go at Mayor in