Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 19

The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating claims that Deputy Inspector John D'Adamo, the commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct, wrote off parking tickets received by friends and family members. D'Adamo has been top cop at the Five-Two since last October. Here's a profile that appeared in the Norwood News earlier this year. 

As we mentioned yesterday, the four Newburgh men accused of trying to blow up two Riverdale synagogues have been found guilty. In a statement, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz, Jr. said:

I am happy to see that justice has been done, and that the four thugs who plotted to destroy two Riverdale synagogues will be forced to pay for their crimes. The Bronx stands against hate in all of its forms, and all 1.4 million Bronxites are gratified that this loathsome attack on religious freedom will not go unpunished.

Legal experts say the convictions vindicate the post-9/11 strategy of using informants to identify and encourage individuals considered likely to engage in terrorism activities, in order to get them off the streets.

Two pit bulls attacked and injured two adults near Crotona Park early this morning.

For one Bronx family, Nov. 1 is a special day. Mom, dad, and baby all share the same birthday.

The owners of a venerable Bronx locksmith says their company's name is being dragged through the mud by scam artists.

In his weekly column, the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter says more trouble may be brewing for Co-op City's scandal-hit board of directors.

The Yankees have made a mint selling dirt from their old ballpark.

A Bronx-based beverage company is recalling certain juice drinks because of concerns over foodborne pathogens.

State Senator Jeff Klein is taking nothing for granted in his race against Republican challenger Frank Vernuccio.

An enormous pumpkin, weighing close to 2,000 pounds, will be on display at the Botanical Garden upcoming "Halloween Hoorah" event series. For times, etc. visit our events calendar.

Guilty Verdict for Four Men in Bronx Bomb Plot Trial

After eight days of deliberation, an 11-person jury found four men guilty of plotting to bomb two Riverdale synagogues and shoot down military planes.

Here's the NY Times story.

Here's the Riverdale Press story.

Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 12

If you missed it, here's a separate roundup of headlines concerning last week's appalling gay bias attacks in Morris Heights.

The building where the beatings took place--a brick three-family home at 1910 Osborne Place--is an example of the risky mortgage lending that's led to a growing number of abandoned properties across the city. Banks should notify the NYPD about empty buildings where gang members and dangerous squatters can set up shop, writes the Daily News' Michael Daly.

The four men accused in the Bronx synagogue bomb plot were denied a mistrial yesterday. The men's lawyers requested a mistrial on the grounds that jurors had been shown evidence that was not admitted during the trial; the request was denied, though one juror was dismissed from the case.

The 109-year-old Willis Avenue Bridge will be floated to New Jersey and disassembled this fall. The bridge, connecting the Bronx the northern Manhattan, has been replaced by a new structure.

Bronx Daily News reporter Patrice O'Shaughnessy writes of an unlikely connection between sources from two separate stories she wrote, over the span of several decades, both taking place in the Bronx.

Two Bronx residents have been accused of a major shoplifting heist at the Palisades Mall in Westchester.

A new book takes a look at the life and hardships of Yankees legend Mickey Mantle. 

Speaking of the Yankees: fans are irked by a huge increase in stadium parking fees. The garages have hiked their prices from $23 to--yikes--$40 for a space. 

Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 8

Happy Friday everyone! Looks like it's going to be a lovely weekend in the Bronx. Enjoy.

We'll start with what's becoming a big citywide story that has serious implications for the Bronx: Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to ban sugar-sweetened drinks (like soda and other sugar-heavy beverages) from being purchased using food stamps. Bloomberg faces several legal hurdles and what will sure to be a strong push-back from soda companies and their lobbyists. Earlier this year, the so-called "soda tax" Bloomberg, health advocates and nutritionists wanted implemented went absolutely nowhere in Albany. (I'm going to post this up as a topic for debate in our newly created forum later today. Feel free to chime in. UPDATE: just posted this topic on the forum. It only takes a minute to register. I just did it. Totally painless.)

The other citywide story we're keeping tabs on is the push to require businesses to provide paid sick leave for employees. Bloomberg says the legislation would be "disastrous" for small businesses. Most of the Bronx delegation in the City Council and Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. are strong supporters of the bill and yesterday, Council Christine Quinn agreed to negotiate on it.

Could the Bronx become an environmental-tourism destination? The Bronx Tourism Council is offering a Bronx EcoAdventure Tour as one of its five trolley tours. The Eco tour stops at the Botanical Garden, the Zoo and culminates with a canoe ride down the Bronx River, with a lunch stop at Arthur Avenue sandwiched in between. It's $65 for adults, $55 for seniors and children (the website says it's not suitable for kids under 10 and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult).

After a whirlwind journey that took him across the country and to three different junior colleges, Bronx hoopster Anthony Nieves, a standout on the club level who attended John F. Kennedy High School but never qualified academically to varsity play ball, has committed to play basketball next year for Southern Mississippi, a Division I school in Conference USA. Nieves, who is now 21, was nicknamed "Barbosa" for his likeness to Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa. 

Jury deliberations will continue today in the Bronx bomb plot trial after jurors sent two questions to the judge yesterday.

The Observer fleshes out a NY Post report that sex worker-turned-art teacher Melissa Petro has been offered $60,000 to pose nude in High Society magazine.

And for all you Bronx Bomber fans, here are highlights of last night's 4-2 Yankees victory over the Minnesota Twins, putting them up 2-0 in the best of five divisional series.

Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 23

Tensions are high in the ongoing Bronx synagogue bomb plot trial. According to NY1, Judge Colleen McMahon got into verbal spats yesterday with lawyers on both sides of the case.

Police arrested a 30-year-old woman yesterday in connection to a fire she allegedly started last week in the basement of an apartment building in West Farms.

There may not be alligators in New York's sewers, but a Bronx man found a 3-foot snake in his toilet earlier this week. Authorities say it was a harmless corn snake, and likely someones discarded pet.

A Bronx man is being charged with the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl Throgs Neck girl who went missing last week. She has since safely returned home.

A man from Riverdale is going to court today for leaving his dog locked in a van during 95-degree weather last July. The dog died, despite attempts by police to revive it.

Martha Stewart designed the Bronx Botanical Garden's "Edible Garden" exhibit. The homemaking maven also hosted a cocktail party at the garden on Tuesday.

Bronx-born Jenny-from-the-block Lopez will be the next new judge on American Idol. 

The City Council will announce a new plan today to deal with the city's distressed and over-leveraged buildings--like the crumbling Bronx properties owned by Milbank Real Estate.  We'll have more on this later.

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its 30th anniversary season this year. 

A Bronx student traveled to the White House this month to participate in a dance program.

Bronx Roundup, June 16

Anthony (Tony D) Palumbo, 61,  already facing charges of shaking down the owners of area bar tending schools, was arraigned yesterday and charged with ordering the murder of an associate, Angelo Sangiuolo, who was killed in 1992.

The four men accused of plotting to bomb Riverdale area synagogues may be set free. After Judge Colleen McMahon indefinitely suspended their trial, she announced the set case could be dismissed due to lack of evidence. The prosecution failed to turn over evidence months ago, she said.

Bronx baby, Sophia Lopez, was recently diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant. No one in her family is an ideal match. Her situation is further complicated because she is of Puerto Rican descent and they make up less than 10% of the bone marrow registry.

A 19-year-old Bronx man was charged Tuesday with being the gunman that killed hardworking driver, Cesar Santos, 48,  police say. The arrest was made with the help of an anonymous tipster who contacted the NYPD's Crime stoppers Tip line. Here's our story on the murder and arrest. Cops are currently hunting down his accomplice, described as Latino, 20, and wearing a white tank top.

A 6-foot-3, 230-pound, sex offender is being charged with attempting to rape a counselor at the Bronx Psychiatric Center who barely got away, according to court documents and the Daily News.