USPS Can’t Access Some Buildings, Compromising Delivery

This holiday season, you might miss out on that Christmas package you’ve been expecting. The United States Postal Service admits that its carriers can’t deliver packages to some 2,000 apartments in the Bronx. “Carriers cannot get into buildings,” said Diane Jones, a USPS customer relations coordinator, at the latest meeting of Community Board 7’s public safety committee. “And we’re going to have an issue once the holidays come in and the packages start coming.” The issue arises from a lack of keys. While letter carriers typically have the keys to all of the buildings along their route, package carriers do

By AARON MAYORGA

On Nov. 16, the Board of Directors for Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s economic development arm, voted to approve the agency’s $138 million capital loan to the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). Under the terms of the loan, KNIC agrees to pay a commitment fee totaling one percent of the loan’s principle (or, $1.38 million) at the loan’s closing. KNIC also has agreed to hire a construction monitor to be “selected at ESD’s sole discretion.” KNIC must also contribute at least $20 million to the project’s development, which boasts a $353 million price tag. The capital loan will carry

Crime File: Alleged Repeat Robber Strikes Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

Police in the Bronx have identified a suspect wanted for robbing at least eight women in the Norwood section and surrounding neighborhoods. The man, known by police but unidentified by the public, remains at large. Officers with the 52nd Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers assigned to Sector C, where the majority of the crimes happened, are now patrolling the neighborhood during the day. Six of the eight robberies have happened during the day time, with two happening in the late hours. Sector C usually covers West Gun Hill Road to Webster Avenue at Mosholu Parkway and from Goulden Avenue south to

By DAVID CRUZ

Two Bronx cultural institutions have been given the green light to generate more interest in STEM subjects thanks to a renewed grant by the state’s largest utility firm. The New York Botanical Garden in Bedford Park and Wave Hill conservatory in Riverdale will each receive a $25,000 grant by Con Edison to help pay for educators under the company’s STEM Days Out program. The program brings in teachers specializing in science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM subjects. “Students will see and touch exhibits, and learn from experts they would not ordinarily meet at school,” said Frances A. Resheske,

And the Worst Landlord in Norwood Goes To…

By DAVID CRUZ, AARON MAYORGA, and YARA PALIN

The worst landlord in Norwood goes to Narsinh Desai, according to this year’s worst landlord watchlist compiled and released by the New York City Public Advocate’s Office. Desai, listed as the head officer for Norwest Realty, is ranked the 70th worst landlord in the 100 Worst Landlord’s Watchlist by Public Advocate Letitia James. The shame list was first conceived by Mayor Bill de Blasio when he served as public advocate. “There are some unscrupulous property owners who have chosen to exploit the market and the dire need for housing,” James, flanked by housing advocates and legislators, said at a news

Proposed EMS Charging Station to Cut Emissions

By STEPHANIE LUCIANO

Expected to take a little over one full parking space, and reduce the emission of fossil fuels contributing to pollution, the FDNY looks to install an ambulance charging station on the corner of Sedgwick Avenue and East Fordham Road in Kingsbridge. It’s now received the backing from Community Board 7 representing the Kingsbridge area where the proposed station will be installed. Far from the commonly known charging station, this station allows paramedics to turn off their EMS engine while remaining to a power source. Before then, EMS buses needed to stay on so the medicine inside the ambulance stayed cool

By STEPHANIE LUCIANO

New York Lottery found one of its top prize winners in Norwood. It became someone’s lucky day after they entered A & A Grocery and Deli on 361 E. 204th St. and asked for a Take 5 Quick Pick ticket they didn’t know would be worth exactly $57,867.50. The winning numbers for the Nov. 12 drawing: 06-19-21-25-27, chosen from a field of one to 39. All winning Take 5 tickets, including the winner, can cash their prize up to one year of the drawing date regardless of its amount size.

Proposed Norwood Shelter Edges Closer to Relocation

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

After months of complaints that later inspired a protest, the proposed homeless shelter on Webster Avenue is closer to being moved to the former Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS) building at 3600 Jerome Ave. Meantime, Eduardo Laguerre, CEO of a non-for-profit that looks to put a shelter at the property on 3041 Webster Ave., is not happy with the public outcry. Laguerre, who operates Neighborhood Association for Intercultural Affairs (NAICA), had his sights on Webster Avenue, currently Sam’s Floor Covering, to build a shelter. It’s unclear what type of shelter will be built, though building documents suggest it would be

Vote on Jerome Avenue Rezoning Delayed Until Nov. 27

By DAVID CRUZ

The next leg of the public review process for the complex Jerome Avenue Rezoning plan has been pushed until Nov. 27, eleven days after its original date. The Bronx Borough Board, a panel made up of all Bronx community board chairs and their district managers, was expected to convene on Nov. 16 to discuss the plan. The large panel, headed by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., is part of the southwest Bronx proposal’s public review process. The board was to hear a presentation by the New York City Department of City Planning, the mastermind agency behind the proposal. The