New from the Norwood News

The latest action-packed edition of the Norwood News is out on streets and online now. We've got a great lineup of compelling stories for your reading enjoyment. Here's a quick preview:

We profile a father and Stella D'oro cookie factory worker who's struggling to provide for his family as the workers' strike stretches into its ninth month.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance and Community Board 7 are going to work with new borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr. to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement for the Armory mall project. It would be an unprecedented government-community partnership for city development projects.

The Health Department says its willing to open up a portion of the vacant old Fordham Library for community space. The agency is also willing to look at cheaper alternatives to installing a full-service animal shelter in the building, like a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, which pet advocates say would go farther toward ending pet homelessness. But first the City Council must change its law that mandates full-service shelters in all five boroughs.

The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition looked within to find its new co-executive directors and found two women of color -- the first time women of color are heading the 35-year-old organization.

Our special Real Estate section examines the buyer's market in the Bronx.

A story on the swearing-in of new borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr. Our editorial says Diaz, Jr. could excel in his new role, but he must avoid the the borough's minefield of political pitfalls.

Cops bust a suspect who they say sexually assaulted two teenage girls in the span of 8 days in the same location.

Don't forget to check our Out & About arts, recreation and entertainment calendar, our extensive online Neighborhood Notes guide to neighborhood programs, events and services.

Finally, our Inquiring Photographer asks residents about their thoughts on mayoral control of public schools, which is up for renewal on June. 30.

New from the Norwood News

The latest edition of the Norwood News is hot of the presses and online and on the streets now. Here's a quick preview of what's inside.

We delve a little deeper into the city's controversial plan to turn the old Fordham Library into an animal shelter, which is enraging local leaders and residents. Our editorial slams the plan, but says its "heartening" to see the community fighting to overturn it.

Newly elected State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., says he can't back Malcolm Smith for Senate Majority Leader after Smith spent thousands of dollars trying peg him as a Republican during his ugly primary battle with incumbent Efrain Gonzalez.

New Day, a fledgling Methodist church in the area is preaching about change and seeking active, social justice-minded parishioners who don't currently attend church.

The dramatic story of a Kingsbridge Heights man who climbed out onto his windowsill (after allegedly slashing his wife) and then stayed there, keeping police at bay for 13 hours.

The Bronx has the least amount of banks per person of any borough in the city. And now, with the economy sliding and banks merging, the situation could worsen.

Citizen scientists help track climate change at the New York Botanical Garden.

Plus, all the local election results for those who live in our coverage area (Community Board 7), our expanded Neighborhood Notes section and our Out & About arts and entertainment guide

Bronx News Roundup: Nov. 12

Getting a little bit of a late start today, but let's see what's floating around cyberspace.

My favorite story today is about a Morrisania area grandfather named Diogenes Angeles, 57, who used karate learned as a youngster to successfully defend himself against a trio of would-be attackers.

State Senator Carl Kruger of Brooklyn said he and the other two Democratic dissidents, Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Senator-elect Pedro Espada, Jr., both of the Bronx, would not decide on who they would support for Democratic leader until January. New York Democrats now control the State Senate 32-30, but need the threesome, which Espada is now dubbing, "The Three Amigos,"to vote in Malcolm Smith, the party's current minority leader.

More on this in the Daily News and more coming in the new edition of the Norwood News, which will be online and on the streets by tomorrow morning. We spoke with Espada, Jr. on Monday. He basically said the same he planned to vote for a Democrat, "but not Malcolm Smith." Say what you will about Espada, but the man knows how to make headlines. We're going to keep a close eye on how this story unfolds.

Bronxites are having a disporpotionally tough time getting new or refinanced loans, according a new report by Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, an NYU thinktank.

The DOE is asking principals to trim 1.3% of their budgets, meaning big schools will take bigger hits. The north Bronx's DeWitt Clinton High School stands to lose $400,000.

Speaking of cuts, the Animal Care and Control Center, a nonprofit wing of the Health Department, will slash $434,000 from its budget. The Center wants to put a new animal shelter in the old Fordham Library, much to the dismay of local residents and leaders.

Look for what's new in the Norwood News, coming tomorrow.