A History Sign for the Namesake Behind Risse Street Park

By DAVID CRUZ

Learning about Risse Street Park’s ancestry is not exactly common knowledge to Norwood residents. In a few months, residents passing the tiny park will know the name. Pssst: it’s the grandfather of the Grand Concourse. Tom Campanella, a Cornell University professor and city Parks Department Historian in Residence and his assistant, Zachary Falk, a student from Cornell University, have been tapped to draft a brief history of the Norwood park. The findings will be included in a new signage slated to be installed by the Parks Department as part of its Historical Sign Program. The near 20-year program has acknowledged

By DAVID CRUZ

The holiday season is coursing through the Bronx this year, with several Yuletide events meant to brighten you up. It first began with the Festival of Lights, with Mosholu Montefiore Community Center lighting up the Menorah for the first day of Hanukkah. Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz helped light the traditional candles on the second day of Hanukkah. There have been several events courtesy of Bronx Community Board 7, which held its annual tree lighting ceremony. Photographer Jose Giralt was there to catch the action. Carolers from PS/MS 20 laid the soundtrack to the nighttime event that also

By JULIA RIST

A Lone Private Eye’s Quest to Take Down the Trinitarios The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television continue their five-part series on the impact of gangs in the Bronx. At first glance, Manuel Gomez, a private detective, comes across as a modern-day James Bond. His pen doubles as a recorder, reading glasses serve as a video recorder, and he carries a knife and DNA collector. Gomez also carries a 40-pound black briefcase with him at all times that contains handcuffs and a laptop. Gomez, who operates in the Bronx, has a keen interest in bringing the violent Trinitarios gang

Editor’s Pick Holiday Tree Lightings The public is invited to attend the following community holiday tree lightings: Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. – Hosted by Bronx Community Board 7, at Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. Featured are caroling, hot apple cider, holiday cookies, goodie bags giveaway and local elected officials. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. – Hosted by Jerome Gun Hill BID, at Jerome Avenue and East Mosholu Parkway. Featured are free toys for children, holiday shopping guides, pictures with Santa, and hot cocoa. For

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities.With 24 pages of news, let’s get into the coverage. The front page focuses on a $3 million infusion of money for Bailey Houses. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo secured funding for roof repairs. Hear what tenants at the NYCHA property in Kingsbridge have to say about conditions. The paper also has an update to the fire that happened on Hull Avenue on Nov. 20. Thirty-five people making up seven families were displaced. Read how the community, including one state official, is doing its part to help the families.

By JOSEPH KONIG

Assemblyman Victor Pichardo has earmarked $3 million in capital funds for roof repairs at the Bailey Houses, a troubled NYCHA building in Kingsbridge. The news is the latest in a years-long fight by the building’s residents council to better conditions as a leaky roof continues to destroy property and harm residents. “The roof is just absolutely in complete disrepair,” Pichardo, flanked by residents, said at a news conference on Dec. 4. “This isn’t something that’s abstract. People are living with this every day. If there is a leaky roof, it creates mold issues across the entire building.” Pichardo said the

Anger and Questions Linger After Three Post Offices Temporarily Shutter

By DAVID GREENE

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season came to an abrupt stop for more than a week at three local post offices in the Norwood and Allerton sections, after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced rain from a recent storm flooded the three locations. The three local post offices reopened Dec. 3 after being closed days before Thanksgiving. The Mosholu Post Office at 3464 Jerome Ave. posted a sign on the iron shutter gate reading, “Closed due to flood.” The paper sign was torn in half a day later. USPS spokesman Xavier Hernandez confirmed Mosholu Post Office, along

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

The bike sharing company JUMP looks to expand their pilot program that began in Fordham and Tremont this summer, to another part of the Bronx and hopefully the entire borough. Expansion rests on the city Department of Transportation, which would give the bike sharing company the green light. For now, the DOT confirmed it has extended the program for another 90 days with the agency closing monitoring demand. The program was originally set to last for four months, but rising interest from Bronx residents prompted DOT to extend the program. The pilot program brought 200 pedal-assist bikes to the Fordham

After Surviving Cancer, Norwood Resident Gives Back

By JOSEPH KONIG

Dr. Courtney Howard went to the rheumatologist earlier this year for a regular appointment. Howard lives with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands like tear ducts and salivary glands. “My rheumotologist was doing her normal lymph node checks and felt a lump around my ear,” Howard told the Norwood News in a recent interview. “She thought it was a lymph node, wasn’t really sure, but thought I’d be okay” Howard, a geriatric psychiatric fellow at Montefiore Medical Center and a resident of Norwood by way of Birmingham, Alabama, is well versed in the symptoms and traits of