KNIC Secures State Loan to Jumpstart Ice Skating Center Project, But Meets With Hurdles

The developers behind the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have been approved for a multi-million dollar loan by the state to begin construction on its $348 million project. But developers still can’t claim the lease since the city hasn’t released it to them, the Norwood News has learned. Developers for KNIC Partners LLC project have spent the better part of 2015 scouting for philanthropists and private donors to help fund the massive project, purported to become the world’s largest ice skating center. Last week, the Board of Directors for the Empire State Development (ESD), an economic development agency that seeks to

The holidays aren’t the same without hot cocoa, toys and a visit from Santa Claus. That’s what happened at Williamsbridge Oval Park Dec. 18, with the New York City Parks celebrating its annual Winter Wonderland on Dec. 18. The inclusive event celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, holidays practiced by the Norwood’s faithful. Kids gathered at the Oval’s Recreation Center to play some carnival games, learn about healthy eating options, and have get some face-time with Old Saint Nick. The event caps a year of special programming at the Recreation Center, which is opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9:30

By MICHAEL BROWN JR.

At the recent 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting, Inspector Nilda Hofmann announced that officers of the 52nd Precinct had received their NYPD-issued mobile phones and tablets intended to aid them in their fight against crime. The gadgets were given out earlier in December to the Five-Two as part of an initiative by Commissioner Bill Bratton that was funded by the New York City Council. Under Bratton, every precinct in the city will have equipped its officers with a phone or tablet. Previously, high ranking NYPD officials, commanding officers, and some squad supervisors were assigned an NYPD-issued phone. “You can reach

CONGRATULATIONS TO ACADEMY of Mount St. Ursula student Cinthia Ibarra (pictured), who heads to the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences on a full scholarship. The funds, estimated at $200,000, came from the QuestBridge College Match Scholarship program, which connects bright low-income students to America’s best universities. Cinthia was one of 51 students nationwide to be admitted as QuestBridge Scholars at U Penn. “Receiving the news that I was granted the scholarship just before Christmas was such a blessing to my family and I,” said Cinthia. Photo courtesy Academy of Mount St. Ursula

Be Healthy: Montefiore Program Links Power of Art to Well-Being

Vital Stats 1: Number of hours an art therapy session took to reduce symptoms in cancer inpatients. (Source: Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 2006) Within the grand hall of Montefiore Medical Center in Norwood, hospital medical staff and associates took a break from their daily tasks to stop by an art gallery showcasing the other side of their colleagues’ hidden talents. The Associate Art Showcase was hosted by Montefiore’s Healing Arts Program, which served as a kind of collective meeting ground for hospital staffers looking to show off their artistic side. “The feel in the room was really special and

By DAVID CRUZ

The door buzzed open at Freilich Jewelers, letting in Marilyn Maldonado, a faithful customer still stunned to learn the news–it would be less than a week until the store she frequented for 32 years would close after 76 years of business in the Bronx. “It’s Marilyn, with a broken heart,” said Maldonado, who has entrusted the store with her personal life’s milestones. “Why is your heart broken?” asked Allan Freilich, the bespectacled owner of the neighborhood jewelry shop. “Because you’re going,” said Maldonado, eventually awash in tears. “Is there someone we can call? We need you here.” “This is

Editor’s Pick Recycle Holiday Trees The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation presents Treecycle at Annual Mulchfest 2016. Recycle your holiday tree into woodchips that will nourish trees and gardens throughout the city. Free mulch collection bags will be provided and patrons may bring home a bag of free mulch for their own garden at the chipping site at Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course at Bailey Avenue and VC Pk. So., Jan. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donors may bring trees from Jan. 2 to 10 to local drop-off sites for future recycling: Williamsbridge

By DAVID GREENE

Feeding the poor and less fortunate in Norwood is no easy task and for the last 12 years members of the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal have done that. This year the religious order once again joined volunteers in handing out holiday gift bags to 300 families. The crowd gathered outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent on Bainbridge Avenue, next door to the former Shrine Church of St. Ann’s, handing out bags containing everyday food items. They were also handed a second bag filled with a traditional holiday meal that was highlighted with a frozen ham. According to Sister Mary

Dear Loyal Readers! The Norwood News has come out with its final newspaper of the year! It was a great year in news, which became the basis of our Year in Review story that traveled back to the early part of 2015 and all the stories we’ve chronicled. The year was filled with a lot of pluses and minuses, as in any year, and we give our take on how the Bronx fared this year in our editorial found on page 2. Every year has beginnings and endings, the latter being the more sadder of the two. This year Norwood residents