Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 10

Yesterday, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and others held a memorial service at the Bronx County Courthouse, in memory of the Bronxites who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A Bronx man, allegedly drunk at the wheel, was arrested last night after driving his livery cab the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester.

James Groves, a 49-year-old laborer from Harlem, says he's the mystery winner of last month's Mega Millions lottery jackpot. Two tickets split the $336 million prize. One was bought in California; the other - the one Groves is laying claim to - was purchased at a convenience store on Fordham Road.

Daily News columnist Albor Ruiz applauds Ruben Diaz, Jr.'s decision to stand up to Related Companies by demanding that they sign a community benefits agreement before redeveloping the Kingsbridge Armory.

The boyfriend of a young woman found stabbed to death in Mount Hope on Sunday has admitted to killing her, police say.

The Gotham Gazette takes a detailed look at the 14th District City Council race.

Last year, Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo dipped into her campaign war chest to help pay off her grandson's credit card debt, according to a Daily News investigation into campaign spending.(That would be the same grandson who was recently charged with stealing more than $200,000 from a non-profit.) Assemblyman Peter Rivera, meanwhile, used campaign money to treat himself to an Audi A6.

According to the article, politicians routinely raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations despite facing token (or non-existent) opposition. Two current examples: in their quest for reelection, Council members James Vacca and Maria del Carmen Arroyo have raised a whopping $293,495 and $206,338 respectively. Neither will face a primary opponent on Sept. 15. Other Bronx council members - even those facing stiff opposition - have raised a pittance by comparison.

On a lighter note:

The band The Bronx are fans of the borough the Bronx.

Here's some footage of three playful mongoose pups, newly born at the Bronx Zoo.