Ramirez Indicted Hector Ramirez, a cyclical candidate for the 86th Assembly District seat in the West Bronx, can’t seem to catch a break. He lost in the latest race against party favorite, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, for a second straight time. Now he’s got an indictment on his hands for allegedly trying to rig it. His alleged infractions in cooking up absentee ballots and electioneering in last year’s September Primary caught up with him after the Bronx District Attorney’s Office nailed him and his campaign manager with a whopping 242-count indictment. Seven counts apparently correspond to one absentee ballot Ramirez

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is on its way to a restaurant, office or store near you, loaded with plenty of news you can use. Our latest offering brings you a timely story rankling many residents—illegal barbecues. Jasmine Gomez takes a look at just why barbecuing is something of a mainstay in the Bronx, despite being prohibited in some parks. We get the city’s side, and hear out the pros and cons. Definitely a community story worth reading. We then move on to a profile of a storied civic group that’s become synonymous to the

Let’s Support our Youth against Big Tobacco

An OpEd by VONETTA DUDLEY For the first time in nearly a decade, we have over one million smokers in New York City. One out of three smokers will prematurely die from smoking-related diseases. This is alarming especially when we know that tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death. In the Bronx, 16.1 percent of adults and 7 percent of the youth are current smokers.* Tobacco companies have been consistently targeting our youth and have labeled them as their “replacement smokers.” Tobacco companies won’t stop and will do what they have to in order for people to

By MOSES BUSTOS and DAVID CRUZ New York state’s housing laws make affordable apartments available to over a million low-income families by regulating tenant and landlord rights. The rent laws expire June 15, with the Albany Legislature tasked to strengthen, weaken or preserve them in accordance to the needs of tenants and the current housing market.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use! There’s plenty to talk about, so here goes: The big story is on something of a rarity: a stop by a U.S. sitting President in the Bronx. President Barack Obama did just that, spending an afternoon at Lehman College. The Norwood News was there to capture Mr. Obama’s rare event, which detailed the formation of a nonprofit geared towards young minority men. Heading back to more hyperlocal terrain, we go to Mosholu Parkway, where community residents are hammering out a

Public & Community Meetings

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on May 19 at Montefiore Medical Center’s Cherkasky Auditorium, 111 E. 210th St. CB7 committees are held on the following dates at the board office, 229A E. 204th St. at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Traffic & Transportation meets May 14; Housing/Land Use & Zoning Committee meets May 20; Education/Libraries & Youth Services meets May 21; Economic Development meets May 26; Community Relations/LTP meets May 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Parks & Recreation meets May 27. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will host a K2 Forum at North

By DAVID CRUZ Mr. Obama’s Visit to the Bronx President Barack Obama’s first visit to the Bronx was short and sweet, though attendance to see the Commander-in-Chief in person was somewhat of an exclusive affair, and away from the community at large. The Norwood News was granted access to hear the President’s half hour address on a new nonprofit for young minority men (see front page story).

In First Bronx Visit, President Obama Touts Mentoring Nonprofit for Minority Men

By DAVID CRUZ In his first, and perhaps, only stop to the Bronx, President Barack Obama visited Lehman College in Bedford Park to promote a non-profit aimed at reversing the disproportionate ill fates of minority men, a topic that continues to resonate in Bronx communities.

President Obama to Visit Lehman College for Nonprofit Announcement

By DAVID CRUZ In his first, and presumably, only official visit to the Bronx, President Barack Obama will deliver remarks at Lehman College on Monday, announcing the launch of a nonprofit initiative geared towards young minority men. The nonprofit, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, is an offshoot to the White House’s initiative of the same name. It was launched last year as a way to reverse the national trend of young men of color falling behind academically, which can often lead to fewer opportunities. President Obama has consistently pushed education as a gateway towards stability and future success, according to