Hector Aponte, Bronx Parks Commissioner, to Retire

by David Cruz Hector Aponte, the long serving Bronx Commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, is slated to retire. The agency confirmed to the Norwood News of Mr. Aponte leaving office after spending ten years as Bronx parks chief. It’s unclear when Mr. Aponte’s retire date is effective. Mr. Aponte, who grew up in the Bronx, was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as the Bronx Parks Commissioner. His first year in the Bronx came amid the early construction phase of the Croton Water Filtration Plan in Van Cortlandt Village, a massive water project tied to a

Bronx News Roundup: Lawsuits, protests and pop-up cafe

By David Cruz Thursday brings you another installment of Bronx News Roundup, where we take you around the Bronx to see what our fellow roving reporters are gathering for you. From what we’ve see there’s plenty to write about: Several outlets are reporting that the Archdiocese of New York is considering the closure of more parishes next year. Preliminary lists show St. Simon Stock Church at 2195 Valentine Avenue may merge with St. Joseph’s Church at 1949 Bathgate Avenue. The New York Times explores the current state of New York State-operated nursing homes following the aftermath death of Frank Mercado

By David Cruz The waitress at Symphony Diner quickly recognized Michael Blake. He ordered his usual—a western omelet with a side of orange juice. For the past few months, the man who’s gone from White House aide for President Barack Obama to the newest Assemblyman of the 79th District has been on fact-finding excursion, becoming a familiar face within the district he’s poised to represent.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

by David Cruz Thursday ushers in the latest edition of the Norwood News, available at nearly 300 locations throughout the northwest Bronx. This week we delve into a five-year cluster site in Norwood that’s apparently worn out its welcome, according to rent paying tenants. The Norwood News spoke to both sides, who largely feel misunderstood. We also look at the Stagg Group as it edges closer to opening its three-building complex along Webster Avenue. By and large the buildings are deemed the linchpin to the building boom happening along the northwest Bronx corridor. Hear what residents have to say about the market rate

by David Cruz Have two weeks flown by already? They must have since the latest edition of the Norwood News is out filled with plenty of news you can share with your community. This edition we look at the implications behind the impending closure of Shrine of Saint Ann’s Church in Norwood, one of six churches slated for closure in the Bronx. Michaela Ross picks up the story and what parishioners think on the closure. The feature In The Public Interest focuses on ways the city Education Department intends to fix the overcrowding issue in school districts, a step in the

by David Cruz The forecast this Election Day is calling for mild weather for early November. It’s a perfect time to vote! Polls at schools, community centers and senior centers are open until 9 p.m. in a General Election that’s already perceived as having a very low voter turnout despite a New York gubernatorial contest that needs to be decided. The top races in the Bronx have already been decided during the September Democratic primary, considered more important given the overwhelming number of registered Democrats in the Bronx. The Bronx Democratic County Committee helped garner wins for its incumbents, though

The Norwood News, your bi-weekly community newspaper you know and love to read is out once again, both on the digital format and over 200 locations in the northwest Bronx. In this edition we take an in-depth look at the super high-tech ShotSpotter system slated to arrive within the 52nd Precinct. Hear from Inspector Nilda Hofmann who can’t wait to see the system up and running in the station house that covers Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and Kingsbridge. We’ve also bridged the divide between newspaper and digital news with Norwood News Online, a feature showcasing some web exclusives that can only

by David Cruz Take participatory budgeting, a Tour de Bronx, the rebirth of the NCBH maternity ward and the list of Norwood’s worst landlords and you have the latest edition of the Norwood News, hitting newsstands at over 200 locations in the northwest Bronx. This week we explore key events happening in the community for you to share with friends and family. Check out roving reporter Hayley Camacho’s article on shady landlords whose buildings have made life hell for tenants in Norwood and Bedford Park. The responses she gathered are quite interesting. Next, we give you an update to a murderous

The 18th edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of news to consume. First, we check in what’s happening along Webster Avenue, and plans by a family-owned developer to build two eight-story buildings along the relatively barren corridor. On Decatur Avenue in Norwood, families will get a helping hand from a local councilman and community board as they rebuild after a devastating fire in September 10. The Norwood News also takes a look at building conditions along Kingsbridge and Fordham, where some tenants have banned together and another tenant is on her own. We also have your Norwood News fixtures–Inquiring Photographer,