Bronx News Roundup, July 6

The state Democratic Party is looking to oust embattled State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. from the party. A top official has asked Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, the Bronx County Democratic Committee chairman, to begin the expulsion effort. According to the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter, Bronx Dems are none-too-pleased they have to deal with this now, in what is already a busy political season. We'll have more on the this later today. 

In more Espada news, it's looking like he could face criminal charges for allegedly misrepresenting the finances of Soundview HealthCare Network, the non-profit he founded, on state and federal applications.  Espada and several of his associates already face civil charges for allegedly stealing more than $14 million from the organization.

A woman was stabbed to death in Eastchester yesterday. The police are looking for her husband in connection with the murder.

For the first time in years, violent crime is on the rise.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 12-year-old boy. Chandradat Persaud was last seen leaving his home on Croes Avenue.

A new community group, the South Bronx Community Congress, had asked Public Advocate Bill de Blasio to speak at their inaugural event last month, but disinvited him after hearing he opposed additional taxes on Wall Street.

Julia Vitullo-Martin, the director of the Regional Plan Association’s Center for Urban Innovation and a vocal critic of the now dead community benefits agreement (CBA) at the Kingsbridge Armory, sounds off on proposed CBAs in Buffalo. She says they would "cripple the waterfront."

A Mott Haven middle school is taking an innovative approach to teaching children about financial literacy.

A Bronx-based company, the Association for Energy Affordability, has won praise for its job creation program. With the help of federal stimulus money, the company has created more than 50 weatherization jobs.

Deputy Inspector Steven Mauriello, the under fire commanding officer of the 81st Precinct in Brooklyn, has been reassigned to Transit Borough Bronx. Among other things, Mauriello had been criticized for allegedly fudging crime statistics.

The Parks Department and HPD are drafting new rules which could threaten the existence of some of the city's community gardens.

City Island residents and boating enthusiasts want something done about a half-submerged boat in Eastchester Bay.

A Bronx pastor who was removed from his post last year after three women accused him of inappropriate behavior, wants his job back.

Lowell Hawthorne, the president of Golden Krust, the largest Caribbean franchise in the country, was recently honored at Bronx Community College, his alma mater, for funding scholarships there.

A Norwood resident has been posting photos of illegally parked cars on Uncivil Servants, a website that documents the abuse of government-issued parking permits.

The City Comptroller's office has launched a new website which provides detailed information on where the city spends its money.

Photographer Wayne Lawrence spent the past four summers snapping beach-goers at Orchard Beach.  Mother Jones has a slideshow of his work.