Espaillat Touts Money-Saving Energy Program

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Low-income residents can save some green by going green. “Weatherization is not like a sexy subject. The fact of the matter is that it really helps families, and it helps the planet, and it helps neighborhoods, and it’s a great addition to housing,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representing Norwood’s 13th Congressional District at a news conference announcing additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program increases the energy efficiency of low-income homes, which leads to lower utility bills. Some services WAP provides include repairing indoor heating systems, replacing windows and doors, sealing holes to reduce heat loss, installing

Traffic Tie-Ups Worsen on Bainbridge Avenue

By DAVID CRUZ

Drivers getting around the northwest Bronx will have to pack plenty of patience for the interim as the city partially closed off a key roadway in Norwood. Crews working for the city Department of Environmental Protection have placed barricades on the northbound side of Bainbridge Avenue, between the tip of Jerome Avenue (at the intersection of Bainbridge Avenue) and East Gun Hill Road, in the first week of May. This compounds the already hectic morning and evening rush for drivers and buses, adding minutes to the commute. The intersection is a nexus of travel for those going to Montefiore Health

By NIALL RIDGLEY

“This is the Bronx, if you hear something you like, yell out!” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to applause from the crowded room at the kick off of the 47th Annual Bronx Week. Bronx Week, funded by donations from local businesses, serves to celebrate the Best of the Borough, honoring local success stories, organizations while also serving as a showcase of offerings across the borough. The honorees at this year’s celebration include Tarana Burke, leader in the #MeToo movement, actress Maggie Siff, known for “Billions” and “Mad Men”; rapper Slick Rick and the New York Botanical Gardens, honored

An Enigma of a Parking Spot Surfaces at Tracey Towers

By DAVID CRUZ

The local 52nd Precinct and city Transportation Department both say they’re not responsible for vehicles inexplicably parking at a triangle just across from Tracey Towers. It’s a trend that confounded Sallie Caldwell, who’s lived at the enormous towers for nearly 50 years. It’s also a new trend as far as she’s concerned. The spot—found at a busy intersection of West Mosholu Parkway South edging Jerome Avenue–sits dozens of feet across the Norwood towers, where Caldwell’s a resident. An ever-vigilant resident, Caldwell has noticed vehicles have brazenly parked there overnight, narrowing the space for other vehicles looking to turn either into

By DAVID GREENE

With the naming of Stan Brezenoff as interim chairman of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), we asked residents at local housing complexes the specific problems in their buildings and solutions to the bureaucracy of living in a city-run housing complex. The staircases look like crap. I’ve been here 14 years and they were messed up since I got here. We have rats and mice running around. Maintenance is not doing their job and the residents don’t really care as long as they make it through another day. It’s terrible here. Joseph Liborsi Fort Independence Houses (Kingsbridge) They

Experts Weigh in Opioid Scourge in NW Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

With the northwest Bronx gravely impacted by the city’s opioid crisis, experts from the law enforcement, legislative and medical fields convened at Williamsbridge Oval Park to dispense information on opioid’s impact on communities. The awareness workshop event was organized by state Senator Jamaal Bailey, who’s district covers Norwood. The community is policed by the 52nd Precinct, one of the busier stationhouses dealing with the narcotic outbreak. The area of Fordham stands among the top five locations where use of the opioid drug is prevalent throughout the city. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the precinct, which has attempted to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Low-income students with dreams of attending one of New York City’s specialized high schools will finally have an equal shot at admittance if new legislation is passed. State senators Jamaal T. Bailey, representing Norwood, and his colleague Toby Ann Stavisky introduced a legislative package geared at widening diversity in specialized high schools by making the admission process more equitable. Black and Latino students accounted for only 11 percent of those admitted to specialized high schools in 2016, despite making up 68 percent of the city’s entire student body. According to Department of Education (DOE) admissions data, black and Latino students

A Bronx Salad is Tossed in Battle to Reverse Health Outcomes

By JULIA RIST of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV, BronxNet TV complete their five-part series profiling food insecurity across the Bronx. Johlany Tejada is a first grader at an afterschool program operated by BronxWorks, a social services non-profit. Johlany has attended the program for two years and says that one of her favorite parts of the day is sitting down to eat. But her favorite snack isn’t what one would consider typical elementary school fare. It’s the Bronx Salad. “When I tried it, it tasted like it came straight from the trees and they just put water on it and it tasted very healthy,” Johlany

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering Bronx communities, is out this week! Check out these stories put together by our dedicated interns and freelancers that can get the conversation going. We begin, of course, with page one! The political season came early this year as a special election impacting Norwood happened on April 24, with Democrat Nathalia Fernandez becoming the interim Assembly Member for the 80th Assembly District. Learn Fernandez’ goals and whether others are gunning for the seat. It will be interesting to see who throws their hat into this seat. Other stories include the