Financial Focus: Where’s My Tax Refund?

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Where’s my tax money? Well, after now, our recent two-year experience with the change in the tax code we now know: Many things! From the new IRS postcard to the new formulas and worksheets. Of course, many people were happy with the front end of the new tax bill when passed by Congress in 2017. In 2018, on average, everyone received a two percent tax cut. Yes, you did. If you got paid , every two weeks, yes you probably received it. And, for example, on $50,000 of income, that would be a $1,000 total tax cut. And yes, evidence

3425 Gates Pl. Tenants Strike Against MCI Increase

By DAVID CRUZ and SHA-NIA ALSTON

When construction work on Phoenicia Herbert’s kitchen and bathroom was under way, she was expecting some kind of inconvenience. She just didn’t think it would turn out the way it did. It was at 3425 Gates Pl. in Norwood in 2016 where Herbert was forced to share a bathroom and kitchen with other tenants while work inside the apartments, which also included the installation of new windows and a front door, was under way. “They allowed one apartment that was already empty to be used per floor.” She even had to wait over half a day for a bathroom, causing

Resistance Mounts Towards Third Co-Location at DeWitt Clinton Campus

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Students, parents, and teachers at DeWitt Clinton High School are once again being asked to share their campus with another school waiting in the wings. The new school, known as PS X721 Stephen McSweeney School, is comprised of students diagnosed with autism, intellectual or multiple disabilities as determined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The school would be part of District 75 (D75), where students from the district are already enrolled at DeWitt Clinton Campus, albeit in smaller classroom settings. And with the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), the governing body comprised of mayoral appointees and slated to vote on

Norwood News Grabs Eight Awards at Statewide Journalism Contest

By NORWOOD NEWS

The Norwood News had a good year at the statewide Better Newspaper Contest awards ceremony, picking up eight awards for its coverage of the Bronx last year. Among the big awards was the Thomas G. Butson Award for In-Depth Reporting, where editor-in-chief David Cruz placed third in a widely competitive category. “Thorough reporting,” read the judge’s comments on the story examining the complexities behind affordable housing in New York City, and the repercussions. The series, dubbed “Housing Matters,” was made possible through a fellowship with the Marguerite Casey Foundation. Other awards included a second place prize for Feature Story, which

Bronx Night Market Brings Evenings of Music and Food to Fordham

By DAVID CRUZ

The city is restarting the vetting process for a manager overseeing the massive $34 million Fordham Plaza, after the neighboring business improvement district could not agree to the city’s stipulations. The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID), the largest BID in the Bronx, was on the cusp of signing a multi-year contract that would have allowed it to oversee Fordham Plaza, built in 2016 and complete with a café along with three vendor kiosks. The city Department of Transportation, which manages the plaza and was involved in talks, offered a tailored deal that included the city’s offer to fix and

Electeds Want Your Questions for Town Hall Forum in Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

Norwood’s representatives on the city and state level want you to bring your gripes to a town hall forum they’ve organized for tomorrow. The legislators–Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Assemblywoman Nathalia, and Councilman Andrew Cohen–will be on hand for the forum starting at 7 p.m. at Montefiore Medical Center’s Cherkasky Auditorium. The forum allows residents to share any community concerns with the four representatives. For Dinowitz, this represents his fourth town hall since November, which has drawn roughly 100 residents on average. “I’m hoping we get a good crowd. We have, in the past, trouble getting crowds,” said

Soma Health Club Abruptly Closes in Norwood, Shocking Customers

By DAVID CRUZ

Soma Health Club, Norwood’s family-owned exercise gym, closed its doors a week after telling its clients of its plans to shut down. The closure presents fewer options in the immediate area for health-conscience residents and neighborhood employees. A rise in rents caused the exercise gym to close its doors after more than a decade, said Kip Silva, the gym’s general manager. Silva said owners found the decision to close a tough one. “We can’t fully express our deepest gratitude for your business and support. Working with you has been nothing but an absolute pleasure,” wrote Soma Health Club’s owners. The

Campaign for More Norwood Spots Results in Progress

By DAVID CRUZ, SHA-NIA ALSTON, and ALONDRA VASQUEZ

Parking remains a challenge for Norwood residents and employees who work in the neighborhood. But a campaign led by Councilman Andrew Cohen was able to chip away at one of the top issues that have long plagued the north Bronx community. “I gave them a list, and they made good on it.” Cohen said, to the city Department of Transportation, which moved ahead with the traffic regulation change. It’s at the quiet section on Putnam Place between East Gun Hill Road and Reservoir Oval East where the DOT removed a “No Parking Monday/Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.” restriction, replacing

Man Attacked, Thrown Green Paint, at Fordham Station

By DAVID CRUZ

Police have identified a person of interest in the beating and throwing paint at a 67-year-old man inside the Fordham Road #4 subway station on March 27. Police at the 52nd Precinct say it happened at around 6 p.m. where the victim, walking downstairs towards the platform was attacked. The victim was punched in the head and face multiple times, before being pushed down the stairs. The man then threw green pain on the victim’s face before taking off. The victim was treated at St. Barnabas Hospital for a cut to the head. The man wanted by police is described