Out & About: Norwood News Celebrates 30 Years

By JUDY NOY

The public is invited to the 30th anniversary celebration of publication of the Norwood News on Nov. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lehman College’s Faculty Dining Hall in the Music Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. Dinner and drinks will be served. Event features keynote speaker and special guests will be honored. Tickets are $30/pp. For more information, call (718) 324-4998.

Bronx Connections: The Gang Impact (Part 1 of 5)

By By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI of WFUV

Credible Messengers to Bring Cautionary Tales of Gang Life to Belmont The Norwood News, WFUV radio, and BronxNet Television have partnered to bring you a five-part series on gangs in the Bronx and their implications to their communities. This past summer, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was brutally murdered by gang members affiliated with the Trinitarios in a case of mistaken identity in Belmont, drawing massive media attention and spurring the hashtag #JusticeforJunior Freddy “June” Charles Jr., a so-called “credible messenger” at the Morrisania-based “Release the Grip” (RTG), said no one should die like that. When news of Junior’s murder broke, he

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Cohen and the leader of the local quality of life group walked around East Gun Hill Road and Reservoir Oval to identify spots that either have out of date sign restrictions, or signs that are not visible as a way of converting them into parking spaces.

The Path to Citizenship

VOLUNTEERS WITH THE Citizenship Project help foreign-born Bronx residents properly fill out their federal applications for U.S. citizenship status. The group was at Tracey Towers on Oct. 13 at the event sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen (right).

In the Public Interest

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Blake Announces PA Run Assemblyman Michael Blake, who, along with representing the 79th Assembly District while pushing a national Democratic agenda as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is throwing his hat into the race for New York City Public Advocate. The Public Advocate’s seat will officially be up for grabs come November since the current advocate, Letitia James, won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general. With an overwhelmingly Democratic state, James’s shot at winning the AG seat is all but secured. Should Blake win the advocate seat, it will open the door for his Assembly seat. The

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Known as the Right to Know Act, the law was sponsored and introduced by Councilman Ritchie Torres of the 15th District, who noted the importance of an effective police-civilian relationship in a news conference at his district office in Fordham on Oct. 19. “We cannot improve community relations without first improving day-to-day interactions between police and civilians. Requiring an officer to proactively identify himself serves to de-escalate the encounter,” said Torres.

Recognition for Sister Annunciata Admin.

LINDA MCCAULEY, DAUGHTER (at mic) of late Bedford Park resident Mary Vallati speaks during a surprise awards presentation to Patricia Burlace (r), Sister Annunciata Senior Center executive director, on Oct. 11. The Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA), represented by Ella Santos (l), Margaret Collins (2nd from l), and president Barbara Stronczer (2nd from r) were there to honor Burlace for being completely dedicated to the senior center located in Bedford Park. Burlace accepted the award named after Vallati. Photo courtesy BMCA

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 24 pages packed into this paper there’s plenty of news to share. So let’s get to page one. The front page focuses on The Bedford Manor, which opened in 2016 and is already showing signs of decay. A tour by the Norwood News given by one resident shows a breakdown of services. Reporter Joseph Konig got word from the landlord. Read what he has to say. Other stories include the city Environmental Protection playing defense over poor water pouring out of northwest Bronx homes. We

Tenants: Repairs Now at New Stagg Buildings

By JOSEPH KONIG and DAVID CRUZ

Zxavier Simpson moved from Harlem in 2016 into 2985 Webster Ave., one of two buildings in a complex dubbed “Bedford Park Manor.” Less than two years later, he’s fed up with the flooding, broken elevators, loose wires, and squatters that plague his building. Simpson wants more effort from his landlords, but he says they have been nonresponsive and unhelpful. “No one ever answers the calls,” Simpson said. “The maintenance [workers] come in and take the garbage out. They don’t mop. They don’t clean… It’s like we’re just here and they’re just collecting money.” Shoddy living conditions and uncommunicative landlords is hardly abnormal