Looks like mostly sun in the Bronx today with temperatures creeping toward 50. High chance of rain tonight and tomorrow before a blast of warm air hits on Thursday and Friday.
To the news!
Story of the Day: Bus Driver's Shady Past Went Unchecked
More disturbing details are emerging about the checkered, trouble-filled past of Ophadell Williams, the driver of the tour bus that crashed into a sign pole on I-95 here in the Bronx, leading to questions (from victims and even the governor) about how he got the driving gig in the first place. Williams served two years on a manslaughter charge in the early 1990s and landed back in prison in 1998, serving four years for forgery. His driving privileges were suspended in 1995 after he ignored tickets for speeding and driving without a license. Williams will meet with investigators today.
The NY Times delves into the largely unregulated business of low-cost tour bus travel.
Meanwhile, the death toll of the crash reached 15 when a 70-year-old man succumbed to injuries last night at Jacobi. Another six victims remain in critical condition, with four of those using respirators to breath.
Quick Hits:
Following a series of fights and marital unrest, police say a Bronx man injected his wife and then himself with poison at their apartment on West 195th Street. The wife remains in a coma and is not expected to survived, while the husband was pronounced dead on arrival.
As we reported earlier, Bronx building workers reached a new contract deal, avoiding a strike that they say would have affected 250,000 borough residents.
Police say they are looking for a group of teens who are robbing Bronx postal workers.
The DN reports that more than 3,500 people attended the Throgs Neck St. Patrick's Day parade. Cut pictures included.
More on Bronx track superstar Ida Keeling, the fastest 95-year-old woman in the world.
The Globe and Mail is holding a live discussion with South Bronx "green" icon Majora Carter today at noon.
Author James Frey, blasted by Oprah and others for fabricating chunks of a popular memoir he wrote several years ago, has a new book out centered around a Bronx housing project. In it, the supposed Messiah smokes pot and patronizes hookers.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, March 15
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 23
Frigid air in the Bronx this morning eventually gives way to slightly less frigid air this afternoon, but the sun will shine!
A couple of programming notes: The Norwood News, which covers Board 7, hits streets today. We'll trickle out some of the published stories (and some that didn't make the cut) here on BxNN and have them all up on the News' site by the end of the week. Also, we will be Tweeting live (@norwoodnews, and I'll see if we can get it up on this site as well) from the Bronx Borough President's "State of the Borough" speech at DeWitt Clinton high school tomorrow, starting at 11:30 a.m. And look for Bronx Foodie and The Bronx Sports Column, making their triumphant returns on Friday.
To the news!
Story of the Day:
Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. gave a little highlight reel preview of his State of the Bronx speech to NY1's Dean "The Dream." Here's my condensed Sportscenter-like montage of what to expect: "The state of the borough is strong . . . lots of new housing! look at all of our green roofs! loans are flowing to Bronx businesses! . . . don't worry about the Kingsbridge Armory, trust us, we know taking on the mayor was risky, but we got this under control . . . Listen up, American Idols and Glenn Becks of the world, you're wrong about us, the Bronx is no longer burning, stop the stereotypes or risk a rumble!"
Quick Hits:
Following an infusion of 268,000 cubic yards of sand, Orchard Beach, a.k.a the Bronx Riviera, has its beach body back in shape for summer.
A pair of Bronx cops will not be charged with excessive force, despite video evidence that allegedly shows them roughing up a 19-year-old for riding his bike, says NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
Salsa legends Ruben Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa play Lehman Center on Saturday.
Ida Keeling, a 95-year-old Bronx girl, cruised to victory in the 60-meter sprint competition at a northern Manhattan track meet last week. After taking up running at the age of 67, Keeling's been crushing age-related sprint records ever since.
Speaking of running, congratulations to the Bronx Science boys and DeWitt Clinton girls for their victories in the Bronx indoor high school track and field championships.
Today, angry parents, teachers and elected officials are planning to take their fight to clean up PCB contamination at PS 68 to City Hall.
Gov. Cuomo's budget plan axes state funding to schools for the deaf, blind and severely disabled, including three in the Bronx.
The Post reports that there is new evidence suggesting charter-school students are doing better than public-school students in social studies and science.
