[2] It was founded in October 1988 by the Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center.

The paper, which began as a monthly in 1988, was created by Dart Westphal, president of Mosholu Preservation Corporation, with the help of founding editor Betty Chen, after "sensing that [Norwood] needed a communication vehicle, a way for people and organizations to talk to each other and build on their community improvement efforts.

[7] In 2006, the article "Battle Against Pinnacle Group Resembles '78 Riverdale Row" revealed shady tactics used by the Pinnacle Group, a housing corporation, to evict residents who could not afford to pay rent.

[8] In 2013, legislation was passed by Councilman Fernando Cabrera that allowed New Yorkers to view crime maps after the Norwood News spent years investigating the lack of transparency from the New York City Police Department.

[9][10] In 2015, the paper published the award-winning article "Tenants Turn Heat Up On Landlord", which revealed a spike in heat complaints after multiple buildings were purchased by The Related Companies, a multi-billion dollar development firm.