Bronx News Roundup Feb. 17

On Friday, the two tenants charged with the "Black Sunday" deaths of two firefighters in January 2005 were acquitted of all charges. The Daily News had an editorial criticizing the decision. A second jury is yet to determine the fate of the building's manager and the corporate owner.

Bob Kappstatter thinks Borough President Adolfo Carrion might get that much anticipated call from the White House this week. Carrion is giving his annual (and perhaps final) State of the Borough address at Lehman College this Friday.

A livery cab driver was shot and seriously injured in Longwood early this morning. On Saturday, another cab driver was shot - this time fatally - outside his Decatur Avenue home in Bedford Park.

In an illuminating interview with The Times, Rev. Wendell Foster, the former District 16 councilman, talks about growing up Alabama, his chance move to New York, the civil rights movement, and his efforts to break into politics and become the first black elected city official in the borough.

Dewitt Clinton girls fought off Bronx Science and Taft Education Campus to win this year's PSAL indoor championships.

The city has seen a recent surge in bedbug complaints. The neighborhoods with the itchiest people include central Brooklyn, midtown Manhattan, and parts of the north and east Bronx.

The Bronx is leaking jobs faster than any other borough. Local politicians are urging unemployed residents to apply for benefits to help ease their financial situations.

The Bronx Beat, a weekly newspaper produced each spring by students at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, is up and running again. Stories include:

Danger Lingers at Two Crosswalks
Sidewalk book sales fill a retail vacuum
Teens take active role in fight against HIV

More here.

Bronx News Roundup Feb. 4

Police are searching for a man who has targeted, attacked, and robbed at least three women in their apartment buildings in Norwood. The attacks have taken place in apartment buildings on Valentine Avenue, Strong Street, and Creston Avenue.

A public hearing on proposed MTA changes, which would eliminate the Bx 34, will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at Lehman College in the Lovinger Theater.

Firefighter Brendan Cawley, 35, survivor of the 2005 “Black Friday” fire blames the building’s tenants for the deaths of his colleagues, Lt. Curtis Meyran, 46, and Firefighter John Bellew, 37.

The family members of Amadou Diallo reflect ten years after his death. Diallo’s case became infamous after it was reported that police fired 41 times at him, even though he was unarmed at the time. Diallo, an immigrant from Guinea, West Africa, and Soundview resident, was 23 years old when he was killed.

A survey by the Citizen’s Committee of New York City finds that Bronxites are the least satisfied with their borough.