After Shooting of Brooklyn Officers, the Bronx Presses the Need for Unity

by David Cruz A push for calm in the aftermath of two cops fatally shot in Brooklyn has reverberated in the Bronx, with legislators siding with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s stance for unity following weeks of tensions and strained relations. In Kingsbridge Heights, legislators and residents stood outside the 50th Precinct, pushing for a more tempered city two days after Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were gunned down by Ismaaiyl Brinsley, a mentally ill Baltimore man bent on killing police officers. Brinsley would later kill himself while on the platform of a subway station.

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

J.R. Martinez (center) shared his back story to 100 Bronx men looking for a dose of inspiration. Martinez, a 2011 Dancing with the Stars winner, military veteran and author of Full of Heart took part in the city Department of Youth and Community Development’s Transition to High School Program, encouraging students to draft a book chapter that delves into a key moment in their personal life. Students from High School 433 in Kingsbridge and Pelham Prepatory Academy in Pelham Gardens will take part in the 11-week program. Held at Lehman College, the program looks to spur creativity while encouraging the fundamentals of

Neighborhood Notes

Metrocard Van A Metrocard van will be visiting two locations in Norwood and Bedford Park on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The first will be at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. from 12 to 1 p.m. and at the Bedford Park Senior Center, 243 E. 204th St., from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information contact Councilman Andrew Cohen’s office at (718) 549-7300. Williamsbridge Oval Classes The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center holds a variety of exercise classes, game room time, and computer classes for children, teens and adults this fall. For more information, call (718) 543-8672. Open House Councilman

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 and JANAKI CHADHA If you walk along East Gun Hill Road, you’ll see the white holiday lights sparking cheery feelings of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years. Turn the corner onto Jerome Avenue and you’ll notice the holiday rush at several stores throughout the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District.

Legal Drama in Kingsbridge Armory Saga Continues

by David Cruz They’re at it again.

Out & About

Editor’s Pick Carolers in Concert The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., invites the public to join the Definitely Dickens Carolers in Concert, Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m. The singers, dressed in Victorian-style costumes, will perform traditional and contemporary holiday classics. The performance will be followed by a screening of “A Christmas Carol.” For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

Death at University Nursing Home

by Anton K. Nilsson A 77-year old resident of the University Nursing Home in University Heights died last Monday after sustaining injury to the lower rear torso. One aide has been arrested, suspected of criminal negligent homicide and felony assault. Police say the deceased, Frank Mercado, a patient for UNH, was involved in a “physical altercation” inside the nursing home, at 2505 Grand Avenue. The incident occurred at around 11.30 on the morning of Monday, Dec. 8. He was rushed by private ambulance to the Montefiore Medical Center where he passed away. The Medical Examiner rules the incident a homicide. Cherrylee Young,