Bronx Weekend News Roundup, Feb. 7

From Green Bay to Beloit, from Milwaukee to Madison, frome Brandon to Kenosha, Cheeseheads rejoiced following the Packers 31-25 Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. As a descendant of a long line of Pack fanatics, I can tell you with certainty that Wisconsinites will revel in this moment for months, if not years. Dairyland might not as productive for the next few days, but it will definitely be happier.

OK, back to the Bronx, where this relatively tropical weather (high of 42 degrees today!) will not last as temperatures will drop into the teens mid-week. We might see a small amount of rain/snow overnight.

Story of the Day:
Opponents of the city's plan to shut down John F. Kennedy High School say the Department of Education set the school up for failure. On Thursday evening (technically early Friday morning), the Panel for Education Policy voted eight to four (with one panel member absent) to phase the school out by 2014. Starting next fall, the school will eliminate a class each year.

This type of phase-out has been the fate of most large Bronx schools, as the city continues to push for smaller, themed schools and more charter schools. The teacher's union believes venerable northwest Bronx high school DeWitt Clinton could be next on the chopping block. They say the fact that Clinton's taking on more and more high needs students every year is crippling their chances for success.

Quick Hits:
Two Bronxites were killed overnight in separate fires.One occurred at 192nd Street and Valentine Avenue, the other at 15 North Street.

Cops busted 19 alleged gang members and drug dealers in Soundview last week. It was the culmination of a year-long operation that police say also netted suspects wanted in connection to a handful of murders.

A pothole epidemic compounded by this winter's historically bad weather is wreaking havoc on Bronx vehicles to the consternation of Bronx drivers.

The old PS 31 building near Hostos Community College, once dubbed the "Castle on the Concourse," remains vacant and continues to deteriorate despite past promises by the city to renovate it.

Bronx GOP Chairman Jay Savino spent $8,300 worth of campaign funds on dining, mostly outside of the borough, last year.

A West African immigrant was crushed to death in Hunts Point Saturday while trying to load a vehicle into a container truck.

A 76-year-old Bronx man is suing the NYPD after police, looking for his son, an alleged drug dealer, raided his apartment and accidentally shot him in the mid-section.

Ilia Lopez, a 58-year-old mother of three adult children who live in the Bronx, was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Harlem on Friday morning.

Rapid tax refund outfits are costing low-income taxpayers, including many in the Bronx, a significant amount in fees.

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Clinton Football Overcomes Early Struggles, Looking for Next Big Upset Tomorrow

By Selim Khan

The clock may not be ready to strike midnight just quiet yet. Just like the 2007 New York Giants that went on to an improbable playoff run that ended in a Super Bowl victory, we may be seeing another Cinderella story taking place right before our very eyes in the DeWitt Clinton Governors varsity football team.

The 12th seeded Governors used a total team effort to pull off the upset against heavily favored #5 seed Erasmus Hall Campus, 20 – 16, this past Saturday at Midwood HS Athletic Complex in Brooklyn in the opening round of the PSAL playoffs.

They will play an even-more-heavily-favored Lincoln High School team tomorrow at noon on Lincoln's home field in Brooklyn.

Governor's Coach Howard Langley was confident in his bunch because even though Erasmus may have boasted a couple of talented Division I prospects, he wasn’t sure they had “25 kids better than us.”

Story of the Day: Clinton and Kennedy High Schools Share Rivalry and Growing Pains

Check out the Norwood News for a look at the rivalry between Kennedy High School and DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and what they're each up against this year. (Photo by Adi Talwar)

Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 14

The 10 men accused of savagely beating three men because they believed they were gay will appear in Bronx State Supreme Court today. The suspects have been charged with a number of hate crime offenses (for more on the incidents, here's a roundup of links).

Ildefanso (Cheto) Mendez, the 23-year-old accused of orchestrating the violent attacks, tells the Daily News that he's innocent and "not a monster."

Pelham Manor Police Chief Alfred Mosiello says his officer, who shot and killed a man on Boston Road on Tuesday after an altercation,  followed proper police procedure. Officer Kenneth Stretz attempted to pull over Wardell Johnson, of Harlem, who was driving an ATV and then fled when it ran out of gas.

BoogieDowner posts about some new grocery stores, here and here.

A breakout of violence at DeWitt Clinton High School earlier this month has administrators there declaring a "building-wide emergency" state at the school.

NYPD units are in the Bronx today, at a shooting range on Rodman's Neck, to conduct a practice exercise to prepare for a terror attack like the one that occurred at a Mumbai hotel in 2008.

Mayor Bloomberg and a number of volunteers painted the rooftop of a NCYHA housing complex, on E. 146th St., as part of a new program to help make buildings more energy efficient.

A Bronx judge has extended an order of protection against former Gov. Paterson aide David Johnson, who was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her apartment last year.

Bangladeshi leaders in the Bronx are applauding the arrest of four teenagers accused of mugging an immigrant teen in Parkchester last month. The South Asian community has been calling for more diligence in policing what they see as a growing number of bias crimes against them.

According to a press release from State Sen. Jeff Klein's office, a new security camera has been installed in Keane Square in Pelham Bay to help deter crime and loitering there.

The Bronx's Best and Brightest

With high school graduation season in full swing, we thought we would take a minute to congratulate all of our outstanding Bronx scholars. 

Here is a (not quite complete) list of valedictorians at Bronx high schools this year, provided to us by the Bronx County Historical Society and schools we were able to contact::

Megan Ma
Bronx High School of Science
Christopher Sacco
Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
Alexander Amoateng
DeWitt Clinton High School
Rikelmy Burgos
Discovery High School
Todd Hirsch
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Jen Branch
High School for Teaching and the Professions
Vrutel Patel
John F. Kennedy High School
Laura Tazarez
Kingsbridge International High School
Quashay Hardy
Leadership Institute (HS 279)

 [The list continues after the jump]

High School March Madness: Bronx's Wings Academy Advances to Semi-finals of City Championship

March Madness is officially upon us. And while the college tournaments have yet to begin, a lot has transpired since the New York City high school boys basketball playoffs started last week. After searching through the interwebs I've put together a little hoops roundup with some information on how the Bronx teams performed.

Spoiler alert: with one exception, they all lost.

John F. Kennedy, the northwest Bronx's best prospect and last year's city championship runner-up, was eliminated in a second round game against East New York Transit Tech, who beat the Knights 68-67. J.F.K had a bye the first round. The Post has a rundown of that upset right here.

Evander Childs, The Bronx High School of Science, and Christopher Columbus all met similar fates in their first round match-ups last Tuesday. Evander Childs lost to the #30 seed Prospect Heights, Bronx Science lost against the #32 seed Ft. Hamilton, and Christopher Columbus lost to the #28 seed Far Rockaway.

Dewitt Clinton made it through the first round, beating the 40th seed George Washinton 71-53. The Governors were humbled, however, in their second round match-up against the #8 seed Brooklyn Collegiate, who won 87-46.

The Bronx continues to be represented, however, by the #3 seed Wings Academy.

The Wings, hot off winning the borough championship last month, had a bye the first round and dispatched their first opponent, the #19 seed South Shore, in a second round game 88-75.

On Sunday, the Wings beat Abraham Lincoln High School 78-59. Lincoln has been the reigning city powerhouse; this will be the first time in nine years they do not compete in the finals at Madison Square Garden. The Daily News has more on that game here. Now, the borough champs are to face the #2 seeded Boys and Girls High School in the semifinals tomorrow. If they win that game, the Wings will advance to the finals, playing the winner of a Cardozo (#1)- E. New York Transit (#12) game.

PSAL has the playoff brackets up online, regularly updated. They can be found here.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year in the Bronx

Asian-American dancers and singers, along with Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Comptroller John Liu, helped ring in the Bronx’s Lunar New Year Celebration at DeWitt Clinton High School on Saturday, Feb. 20.
(Photo by Adi Talwar)

Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 19

NY1 reporter Dean Meminger was honored yesterday by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at the Bronx Museum of Arts for his contributions to the African American community.

The Times city room blog writes a story about the new skating rink on 161st St. where the old Concourse Plaza Hotel used to be. The Concourse Plaza rink is the Bronx's first skating circle since the Mullaly Park rink fell into disrepair in the '80s.

The DeWitt Clinton Girls Track and Field team edged by the Bronx Science team to win the indoor track and field championships at the Armory in Manhattan. Columbus came in third.

Mayor Bloomberg was in the Bronx yesterday to kick off a national campaign against mortgage fraud.

This years St. Paddy's Day Parade will honor twenty late Irish Americans as honorary grand marshals. The Post has the story here.

Ever wonder what those guys with the red berets and combat boots are all about? Here's an interesting profile of Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Bronx vigilante group The Guardian Angels. Sliwa talks about his beginnings at a Fordham Rd. McDonalds and a run in with the Mafia.

More about the Pelham bay fire, here.

New from the Norwood News

The forces of nature could not derail the latest edition of the Norwood News from hitting the streets and appearing online this week. Here's a little preview of what we have in store.

We have a slightly tweaked version of the story we originally ran in this space on Monday about activist Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter's possible run for the senate seat occupied by Pedro Espada, Jr. (We hear Pilgrim-Hunter is holding a fundraiser tonight. These are the types of events that will determine if she's in it for the long haul.)

A profile on the energetic new commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct. Plus an editorial on his prospects and how the NYPD can help communities police themselves. (Here's a hint: it's by providing them with more detailed information about where crime is happening in the neighborhoods they live in.)

In other crime news, we have a story on the two 52nd Precinct cops who were suspended after a video surfaced of them beating a hand-cuffed suspect. Also, there's a brief about the precinct's first murder of 2010. 

The COVE, a youth center in the Knox-Gates neighborhood, has reopened under new (old) leadership and a new focus.

DeWitt Clinton High School just opened a brand new Business Center.

Speaking of high schools, the Bronx Science boys basketball team compiled more wins this year than the last two combined and almost made the postseason.

A team of doctors from Montefiore Medical Center, just back from Haiti, tell their story about participating in the massive post-earthquake relief effort.

Plus: find free programs and services throughout the Bronx in our expanded Neighborhood Notes section (seriously, this page is packed with invaluable info) . . . find out what's going on arts and entertainment-wise in or Out and About section . . . and our Inquiring Photographer asks readers what they think about the looming city budget cuts.

New from the Norwood News

The latest edition of the Norwood News is out on streets and online now.

Every print copy also includes our "Bronx Wedding Guide," which will also run in the Mt. Hope Monitor and Tremont Tribune. The guide contains loads of planning tips to help you create the perfect Bronx wedding on any budget. You'll also find a bunch of coupons and discounts from our advertisers. Pick your copy up today at libraries, community centers, grocery stores and other Norwood News outlets in Norwood, Bedford Park, University Heights and Fordham Road.

Here's a quick preview of what else you'll find in this issue:

Bainbridge Avenue merchants are struggling to find a path forward after a Halloween fire left their businesses homeless.

City Council members strongly challenged the Related Companies' claims that they could not possibily guarantee living wage jobs at a revamped Kingsbridge Armory mall. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., community groups and the retailers union are pushing for living wage requirements to be included in a binding community benefits agreement.

Friends and family remember long-time Armory activist Phyllis Reed, who passed away earlier this fall. Reed created a garden on the outside grounds of the Armory as a way to bring the community together.

The unexpected suicide of a 13-year-old Tracey Towers resident left an entire community searchign for answers. [More on this story soon. There's going to be a wake for the young man this afternoon at Ortiz Funeral Home on Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse.]

The DeWitt Clinton football squad fell just two games short of a city championship.

Bronxites voted strongly against Mayor Bloomberg, now that he's back in his office, local residents want him to make changes.

Enjoy.

Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 16

At a hearing in Manhattan on Wednesday, a slew of Bronxites, including several representatives from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, urged the Federal Reserve and the government in general to do more to help struggling homeowners.

A front page story in the NY Times about the tribulations of the housing and organizing group, Acorn, starts off with former city housing commissioner Shaun Donovan praising the group for its work on a South Bronx affordable housing development. Lots of interesting stuff in this article, including its ties to the Working Families Party, which has wielded a lot of political clout in Bronx and city races this fall.

Here's the Stella D'oro cookie factory closing story from the workers' side. Here's the story from business/owners' side.

The state released its September unemployment figures yesterday. The Bronx unemployment rate jumped one-tenth of a percentage point to 13.3 percent. The overal city unemployment also jumped one-tenth of a point to 10.3 percent. The state rate is 8.9 percent.

A Bronx woman is suing a Manhattan club for excluding her because of her race.

The Bronx's JFK High School girl volleyball team improved to 6-0 this year.

DeWitt Clinton's football squad is ranked 8th in the city, according to the latest poll in the NY Post. Clinton play rival JFK, at JFK, this afternoon at 5 pm.

Governors Beat Falcons

18th of September, Friday afternoon: DeWitt Clinton High School hosted a PSAL boys football varsity game, between themselves and Susan E. Wagner High School. Governors the home team sent the Falcons back to Staten island after winning an exciting game 22-20. Click here for game statistics.

I could not stay for the whole game, had to go play paparazzi on the 4 train! More on that later. I hope you enjoy the photographs. Please click on the Images to view them larger.

Bronx News Roundup July 21

Four Democratic state senators, including Ruben Diaz and Pedro Espapda, have hit back at Mayor Bloomberg, after he allegedly compared them to Nazis. The mayor is frustrated the Senate hasn't acted sooner to renew mayoral control of schools.

Espada, the new majority leaders, raked in $150,000 in campaign donations in the first half of 2009, but he's yet to reveal how he spent it.

Councilwoman Maria Baez has the worst attendance record in the City Council. She showed up at just 56 percent of mandatory Council meetings and hearings in the 2009 fiscal year, according to the Post. This isn't the first time Baez has claimed top spot. In an interview earlier this month, she blamed a long-term illness for keeping her away from City Hall. She said Council Speaker Christine Quinn is "aware" of her condition, and has been helpful and understanding. Certainly, Baez's chronic absenteeism hasn't angered Quinn too much. Last week, she gave Baez a glowing endorsement at a campaign rally.

Quinn's support, and other developments, suggests Baez "still has plenty of political street savvy," writes Bob Kappstatter.

Residents doctors at St. Barnabas are asking Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate executive pay at the hospital.

Police are looking for three men who robbed a man at knife point on Saturday evening, inside a Washington Avenue building.

A Williamsbridge man was shot dead on Sunday night, as he tried to to protect his brother from an armed mugger.

Chinese alligators, bred in captivity at the The Bronx Zoo and later released at mouth of the Yangtze River, have begun breeding, much to the delight of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The species is said to be on the verge of extinction.

Castle Hill merchants say a parking ticket blitz is driving away customers.

Michael Martin, aka Iz the Wiz, a prolific graffiti writer from the the Bronx, has died.

A new book explores the history of DeWitt Clinton High School and its remarkable alumni.

Tenants of 1600 Sedgwick Ave. in Morris Heights say they've been hit by through-the-roof utility charges. More here.

Bronx News Roundup, May 26

President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor, a Bronx-born federal appeals judge, to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor, 54, who's of Puerto Rican heritage, grew in Bronxdale Houses in the south east Bronx, attended Cardinal Spellman High School, and went on to Princeton and Yale. If confirmed by the Senate, she'll be the first Hispanic justice.

Here's Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s statement on her selection:

It is with great joy that the whole borough of The Bronx received the news of President Obama’s nomination of one of our own, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to the Supreme Court. Over the last 30 years, Judge Sotomayor has proven herself to be an accomplished attorney and an excellent jurist who is dedicated to the rule of law and our constitutional values. A patriot of the highest order, Judge Sotomayor has worked tirelessly with the utmost of integrity to serve our country.
If confirmed as the next Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sotomayor will bring a legal and human perspective that will improve the Supreme Court for years to come.

More here on Sotomayor's humble beginnings and her career-to-date.

Clinton High School's boys and girls won the PSAL Bronx outdoor track and field titles on Sunday.

For Buddy Stein, the former editor of The Riverdale Press, last Wednesday's attempted bombings in Riverdale bought back some unpleasent memories: the firebombing of the Press' offices in 1989. Here's a Press editoral, published back in February on the 20th anniversary of the attack.

Marc Sternberg, the principal of Bronx Lab High school, a high school on the Evander Childs campus, writes in the Daily News that mayoral control saved his "dying school." We've linked to this before, but here's a very different take on mayoral control from Vincent Wojsnis, a teacher at MS 399 on East 184th Street.

Because of the fiscal crisis, Soundview Park's planned renovation won't be as extensive as the city originally intended.

PSAL Tennis

May 8th 2009, Indian field tennis courts: Tennis teams of DeWitt Clinton High School and John F Kennedy High School, played against each other during the second round of the PSAL "C" division playoffs. A total of 5 matches took place. Kennedy won 3, upsetting the favorites Clinton. I would like to congratulate and thank both coaches for having done an excellent job training their students, both at tennis and good conduct. Thank you Coach Charlotte Oestreicher (Kennedy), Thank you Coach Mark Morey (Clinton). It was a pleasure watching the young ladies play. I hope you enjoy the photographs. Please click on the images to view captions and larger images.

First Singles: Melissa Santana of Clinton won 10:5 against Octavia Davis of Kennedy.
Second Singles: Shatira Taylor of Kennedy won 10:7 against Hoa My Tran of Clinton.
Third Singles: Gsele Diaz of Kennedy won 10:6 against Edili Ramirez of Clinton.
First Doubles: Fannis Castillo and Terry Martin of Clinton won 10:3 against Carolina Guerrero and Saadisha Martin of Kennedy
Second Doubles: Alexis Rattler and Teara Shaw of Kennedy won 10:5 against Noryolleth Amaro and Marian Otenwarder of Clinton