Bronx News Roundup for Dec. 22-28

Ding, ding, ding! Another round of the Bronx News Roundup is here with some interesting stories from our the journeymen and women telling the Bronx tale: A mega-building project is finally in the works for the neighborhood of Melrose, according to the Daily News. It won’t be until 2015 when residents will see the opening of “La Central”, a 184,500-square-foot building complete with 985 apartment units earmarked exclusively for low-income residents. Major real estate players are tied to the project, which is still subject to public review. Speaking of housing, an $18 million class action lawsuit is being filed

By Alex Kratz Editor’s Note: Former NN Editor-in-Chief Alex Kratz pens the 2013 year in review, a hallmark to the community paper. After seeing it all this past year, Kratz outlines his top three stories of the year. When I started at the Norwood News in 2006, I liked the idea of a Year in Review tradition that started well before my arrival. The issue gave us the chance to step back from the bi-weekly format and look at the bigger picture. What happened? What stories really impacted us as a community? It’s a tradition I hope will continue

by David Cruz Hearings are in the works over the NYPD Crime Map, the newly released digital map pinpointing where crime has occurred. The map was born out of a years-long investigation from the Norwood News, which inspired recently enacted legislation.

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Christmas came early for Norwood News readers as we published a day in advance of the holiday! As is the case every year, the Norwood News looked back on 2013 with our annual Year in Review, with former NN Editor-in-Chief Alex Kratz reminding us who was naughty and nice. Mr. Kratz also offers his ode to our very own Judy Noy, proofreading maven who’s been with the paper since the beginning. With another year in the history

by David Greene As families prepare their last-minute Christmas plans, a 26-year old man is now fighting for his life after being struck by an alleged drunk driver in Bedford Park. Officers from the 52nd Precinct and paramedics with EMS arrived to E. 198th Street and the Grand Concourse just after midnight on Christmas Eve to find a 26-year-old man struck by a BMW that remained on the scene, according to police. The unidentified victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. After an investigation, police arrested and charged the driver, 49-year-old Freddie Rodriguez of

Governor Andrew Cuomo thanks volunteers from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), where he came bearing gifts. The governor donated several toys, clothes and other items to the social services center on Sunday, December 22nd, as part of a massive, statewide toy drive. In all, KHCC cobbled 50 toys, 300 coats and 300 books, which’ll later be distributed to needy families around the borough. It was the center’s first visit from a sitting New York State governor since it opened in 1974.

ICYMI: Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center Re-Opens

[Slideshow: Photographer Adi Talwar chronicles the re-opening of the Williamsbridge Oval Rec Center.] by David Cruz To Norwoodians and beyond, Williamsbridge Oval Park is considered “the hidden jewel of the Bronx,” a park so immersed in Norwood, it’s deemed the epicenter of the leafy neighborhood. So when the recreation center temporarily closed in 2010 for repairs, a sense of loss rippled throughout the community. That is until now.

Community Board 7 Meeting CANCELLED

With black ice, slippery sidewalks and another layer of snow falling throughout the northwest Bronx, Community Board 7 has cancelled it’s monthly general board meeting today, Tuesday, December 17th. Folks were to have gathered at the Bedford Park Senior Center at 243 East 204th Street at 6:30pm. Folks would have noticed the board convening without the presence of it’s district manager, Socrates Caba, who resigned with just six months on the job. No word on when the next meeting is slated to start, but check back with the Norwood News for any updates.

Holiday Lights Aglow At Local BIDs

By David Cruz The holiday spirit courses through your friendly, neighborhood business improvement districts with two commercial strips ringing in the Yuletide season in high style. The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District and the Fordham Business Improvement District held separate holiday lighting ceremonies these past two weeks, treating kids to gift-wrapped presents while encouraging bargain hunters to shop locally. “This brings you together,” said Marcia Cameron, executive director of the Jerome Gun-Hill BID. “There’s something in the air.” Cameron was on hand for the BID’s second annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, fighting frigid temperatures with some Dunkin’ Donuts brew and a