Inquiring Photographer

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on President Donald Trump’s revised Executive Order calling on a temporary ban of citizens from six largely Muslim countries. It’s basically the same thing. He’s still targeting certain countries, even though Iraq is no longer on the ban, but it’s really the same thing. It’s just that this time he’s going through the proper protocols. I support protecting our borders and I believe there are rules, there are ways to come into this country. However, I don’t think it should just target certain countries and not just mainly minority countries. Marie Destin Norwood

By Dr. HERMINIA PALACIO

As a doctor, I learned to be relentless when treating my patients. So, I am proud of the relentless effort the de Blasio administration has put into taking on the homelessness crisis. As a New Yorker, I share the frustration of many that we haven’t made enough progress. We have already stopped the decades-long rise of people coming into shelters with an aggressive set of programs, including rental assistance, street outreach, affordable housing, and expanded legal services for those facing eviction. But we must do more. Now, we will create a more rational and effective shelter system that responds to homelessness borough

This week we asked readers if incidents like the man who died when he came in contact with a rat are being under reported or is this a growing epidemic? I think it’s been under reported. I think a lot of times incidents happen. Even if you’re not bitten, the rats are there and it’s been a problem for New York City, especially here in the Bronx. We need more politicians to bring this issue to Albany for funding. I didn’t know that rat droppings could kill you. I know that people do have allergies and they can get very

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, publishing Bronx community news you can use, is out at 300 stands across the northwest Bronx. We begin, as usual, with page one and a proposal to downzone Mosholu Parkway, the green pasture that doubles as a roadway. Read what Mayor Bill de Blasio had to say about development in the borough, and get a full picture of his recent town hall powwow from reporter Wendy Joan Biddlecombe. Inside the cover you’ll find stories on Norwood’s CVS pharmacy primed to closed, according to the big chain pharmacy, an investigation into

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard

By DEBORAH CRUZ

Nearly three years after the Archdiocese announced the closure of Shrine Church of St. Ann, church officials announced it will close St. Ann School resting above the now-defunct church, surprising parents who’ve long considered the school a major part of their lives. Many parents, the bulk of whom live in the community, were shocked and angry over the school’s imminent closure. Many of the parents were disappointed with the decision to close down the school. “My little one just started,” said Melissa Martinez, 39. “Now we have to start the process all over again and look for another school that

By Adeline Hanssen

The city is giving young people extra time to sign up for a summer job. The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development announced early applications are available for its Summer Youth Employment Program. The program connects young people ages 14 to 24 with paying jobs available from July 5 through Aug. 19. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who’s pushed for more young people to get summer jobs, hopes the early applications will “connect even more youth from across the five boroughs to meaningful opportunity.” Applicants, after submitting an application, are chosen via a lottery system. In 2015, a

By SHANNON MEEHAN of WFUV

The Norwood News and WFUV are collaborating on a five-part series profiling different types of illiteracy impacting the Bronx. The South Bronx, a vibrant neighborhood of working families, faces a literacy crisis that is affecting most of the area’s residents. Despite efforts by nonprofits and reading programs, the South Bronx has one of the lowest literacy rates of all five boroughs, intertwining with incomes in the South Bronx. Both facets remain low. Strides to break the cycle of illiteracy are being made in the South Bronx, though progress has not advanced enough. It still remains the poorest and has the

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest corner of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 16 pages full of news, it’s always easy to begin at the beginning with page 1. Our front page focuses on the imminent closure of St. Ann School, which comes just two years after the catholic church closed. Read what parents have to say about the school and it’s profound impact it’s had on children. An editorial focuses on the New York City Council’s passage of the Right to Counsel, and why it’s