Welcome back to the program, ladies and gentlemen. To the Bronx news!
Weather: Hot, with a high around 93 and rain possible after 4 p.m. Higher chance of rain and thunderstorms overnight. The rest of the week is expected to be similarly blazing, without as much possibility for rain.
Story of the Day: Bronx Students to Help Build School in Mali
This summer, students at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics, which has a heavy focus on community service, are exporting their manpower and $74,000 to build a school in the West African country of Mali. After spending the year fundraising, a dozen students from the school left for Mali yesterday to get construction off the ground. They will stay for 13 days as part of an international school building program run by the nonprofit group builOn. The scariest part for one student: "The only part that's making me nervous is the flight. I'm afraid of heights," said sophomore Raychell Velez.
Quick Hits:
Monday, July 18, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, Monday, July 18
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, April 28
Weather: A severe weather warning is in effect for today, as intermittent periods of sunshine are disrupted by heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms.
Story of the Day: New Details in Bronx Gay Bashing
Police interview records turned over to defense lawyers in the case of October's bias attack reveal that the men accused--members of a street gang who call themselves the Latin King Goonies--were supposedly extorting one of their victims for protection money, the Daily News reports.
The crew allegedly demanded $2,000 from one of the victims, a 30-year-old man who was reportedly having sex with one of the gang's younger members, and viciously beat and sodomized both men when he couldn't pay up.
Accused ringleader ringleader Idelfonso Mendez and six of his cohorts face multiple hate crime charges, the article says. The men are due back in court next month.
Quick Hits:
Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr. is planning a march against same-sex marriage for May 15, the same day as the Bronx Puerto Rican Day parade. The Rev. is presumably preparing to fight a gay-marriage bill that's scheduled for a vote in Albany this spring, which has the support of Gov. Cuomo and a number of other Senate members.
A savvy parking garage owner in Mott Haven fended off two would-be burglars--one wielding a knife--with nothing but an apple. Impressive. Check out the video below.
The owner of the building where the fire took place, before it went into foreclosure, also owned another foreclosed property on nearby 187th Street. That building is also illegally divided in violation of the fire code, the Daily News says.
Northwest Bronx churches are once again being targeted by burglars, police say, after a string of break-ins since late March. A number of other parishes were burglarized this year around Christmas, though the man believed to be responsible for most of the incidents was apprehended a few months ago.
The NYPD ticket-fixing probe, which is being led by the Bronx District Attorney's office, is spreading, with officers from the State Police, Yonkers PD, Port Authority PD and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, believed to be involved.
Soundview's 12th annual Family Day Festival kicks off this weekend.
A struggling food pantry in Kingsbridge Heights is doing all it can to keep feeding the hungry.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Bronx Weekend News Roundup, Monday, March 21
Weather: straight ugly. Sn-rain is thankfully supposed to stop by the afternoon.
To the news!
Story of the Day: Bronxite The Real Baby Biggie
The afro-puffed baby posing in his diaper on the cover of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal "Ready to Die" album is a Bronxite. Keithroy Yearwood, 18, now a high school senior, says he was chosen for the shoot after a casting call by a modeling agency hired by Sean "P-Diddy or Puff Daddy or just plain Diddy" Combs' recording label, Bad Boy Records. Combs' office couldn't confirm this, but Yearwood's baby pictures appear to cement his claim. The album has sold more than 3.3 million copies, but Yearwood says he only received about $150 for two hours of modeling work. Sadly, he's since trimmed the 'fro. Here's video from the Daily News:
Quick Hits:
Lots of blood in the hits this morning. Just a warning.
The decomposing body of 400-pound man was found stuffed into a duffel bag by police in the man's apartment at the Justic Sonia Sotomayor Houses in Soundview. The unidentified man was found in a kitchen closet in his blood-stained, ransacked kitchen.
In Morris Park last night, police shot and killed a man who was apparently wielding a knife while fighting with a roommate.
Thomas Riley, a 23-year-old father, was killed in a hit-and-run incident Sunday morning near Fordham University. He was reportedly hit by a drunk driver in a mini-van.
The kids of murdered Bronx mom Tina Adovasio are struggling with her death.
Police say a Bronx man was killed in Mt. Vernon on Saturday morning.
Preliminary hearings began for two police officers facing assault charges for allegedly beating a man on White Plains Road while off duty.
In other, less bloody, news:
The Times' "Habitat" feature takes a look at a Mott Haven Queen Anne-style row house where Carol Zakaluk's family has lived for generations.
One suspect was arrested, but the armed bodega robbery spree in the Bronx continues.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Nov. 3
On the morning after, it appears Democrats will retain control of the state senate. (This is not a done deal, we'll keep you updated.) But with another razor thin majority, will they be able to do anything with it? [Update: it now seems as if Democrats will be fortunate to come away with a dead-locked state senate, as GOPers appear to be making gains in the NYC suburbs.)
Eric Schneiderman, a state senator from the Upper West Side who represents a small fraction of the Bronx (and used to represent more of the borough until redistricting eight years ago), will be the state's next Attorney General.
The Bronx Historical Society is looking to raise $2 million to create and endowment for Poe Cottage, which costs about $300,000 a year to run and is currently undergoing renovations.
The city's overall school report cards came out today. The Bronx managed to have the school with the best grade (Theater Arts Production Company School) and the worst (New Day Academy).
Four members of a Mott Haven family were killed in a Maryland car accident. They were on their way back to the Bronx from Virginia Beach.
Bronx native Prince Royce, the new bachata singing sensation, is exploding onto the Latin pop scene. He'll headline his first US concert at Lehman Center on Nov. 12 and 13.
State Senator Jeff Klein pulled out a win over pesky GOP challenger Frank Vernuccio.
After eating at the fast-food slider shop every Friday for four straight years, 27-year-old Bronxite Victor Gradowski will be inducted into the White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame. A White Castle official compared Gradowski's burger run to Joe DiMaggio's untouchable 56-game hitting streak. It remains unclear if he is friends with Harold or Kumar.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, May 20
Police are asking for help in locating the man who robbed a woman's car in Mott Haven--stealing a container with the remains of her recently cremated mother.
Police are also looking for 14-year-old Moona Choudhary, of 2158 Blackrock Ave., who has been missing since May 17. See this link for a photo.
The four Bronx men who were arrested in February for pelting off-duty cops with snowballs have some new evidence--video surveillance of the incident, where it looks like one of the officers pulls his gun. Watch the video here. The case against the four, who were charged with criminal possession of a weapon, was dropped earlier this month.
State Senator Jeff Klein, who heads the government efficiency task force, lauded Governor Paterson's recent decision to halt overtime pay to state agencies.
There's a new wave of young, Obama-inspired political hopefuls, according to the Daily News--including Pedro Espada challenger Gustavo Rivera.
Ex-Senator Efrain Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty last spring to counts of fraud and conspiracy, asked a federal judge yesterday to grant him a similar sentence as former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month on counts of mail fraud. Prosecutors have asked that Gonzalez get as much as 14 years.
Nine senior centers in the Bronx are on the chopping block as a result of state budget cuts.
A housing court judge issued a warrant for the arrest of a landlord for failing to show up in court and for ignoring orders to fix hundreds of violations at his 1585 East 172nd Street building.
A group of Riverdale residents stopped the Parks Department from spraying herbicide in Ewen Park.
A look at some of the changes, and non-changes, in Kingsbridge over the years.
Residents are campaigning to get grocery service FreshDirect to deliver to the Northwest Bronx.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, May 6
The city is stepping in and trying to prevent foreclosures of the 10 buildings that were bought by an LA based real estate investment company, who instead of improving the buildings has neglected major responsibilities due to their high mortgage.
Bronx teenager, Elias Peguero, was shot to death at an Inwood grocery store last night.
Members of Rosalie Hall, a Bronx social service agency that is geared towards helping pregnant teenagers, rallied yesterday at City Hall, protesting against ACS budget cuts that will force the agency to shut down.
Hundreds of people are expected at the "Million Mom March" in Mott Haven this Saturday that will be held in honor of gun violence victims .
MTA workers who were scheduled to lose their jobs beginning today, get to put in a couple of more hours thanks to a judge's order for a hearing with lawyers from the authority and the Transit Workers Union.
For the first time ever students applying to CUNY schools might end up on a waiting list if their applications aren't received before Friday.
Police are seeking help in finding Maxsime Cagan, the man responsible for a series of Bronx robberies. Aside from stealing money and merchandise, he is also know for stealing viagra.
The city has spent nearly $305 million over the past ten years settling claims of false arrests. According to the daily news, if this continues, plaintiffs suing in the Bronx will get the most out of it.
Fordham University students learn that their skills can help Bronx organizations that are geared towards increasing employment rates.
Only 43% of Bronx felony cases last year were found guilty, the lowest conviction rate in the city for the past 22 years.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, March 29
The parents of nine-month-old Neveah Jackson, who died Saturday of blunt-impact head injuries, are being questioned by the police. The Mott Haven couple claim that the child fell and hit her head on a desk.
Some residents of Manida Street in Hunts Point are seeking landmark status for a block of about 40 homes that date back to the early 20th century.
A civil rights photo gallery entitled "Road to Freedom" is on display at the Bronx Museum of the Arts until August 11.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. may run for citywide office in 2013 but if nothing is done with the Kingsbridge Armory, he may find it difficult to get elected. Last week Diaz appointed a task force to determine what to do with the long vacant building.
The Bronx Violence Intervention Program is in danger of losing government funding.
Sections of the Bronx River Parkway and the Saw Mill Parkway have been closed today due to flooding.
In addition to being champions of baseball, the New York Yankees were named the highest paid sports team in the world.
On Friday a judge ruled to block the closing of 19 New York City schools. Among the Bronx schools that were given a reprieve are Christopher Columbus High School and the Global Enterprise High School.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, March 22
Here's some Bronx news for you on this rainy Monday:
Making history yet again, President Obama's health care reform bill gets passed with a 219-212 vote. Here's the NY Times breakdown of the bill.
Yesterday, a 23 year-old Bronx man was arrested and charged with murdering his girlfriend's 22 month-old daughter in a Soundview apartment. According to a spokeswoman for the city's medical examiner, the baby suffered blunt impact wounds and cuts of the liver and other organs.
A Bronx father of two, Orlando Salgado, was stabbed to death Friday night near E. 197th Street and Webster Avenue after trying to defend a teenager who was involved in a dispute earlier that day. The teenager was able to get away unharmed.
Montefiore Medical Center has opened the only pancreas transplant program in the Bronx and Westchester. It will treat people with severe, end stage diabetes.
Anti-abortion protesters stake out at Mott- Haven abortion clinic in national 40 Days for Life Campaign.
A Malian Cultural Center opens here in the Norwood section of the Bronx. It is the first of its kind in the United States. It is dedicated to the people from West Africa's Republic of Mali.
On Friday night, police shot a 30 year-old man armed with knives, who was threatening to kill somebody inside an apartment in a Mott Haven building. Officers demanded he dropped the weapons, he ignored the demands while approaching the officers. He was shot twice.
A Bronx man was shot to death after asking a neighbor to quiet down so his children could get some sleep, Sunday night. He was shot in the chest by the neighbor, who fled the scene but returned to turn himself in.
The MTA revises its plans to cut transit services.
Monday, August 17, 2009
New York City Announces Plans to Drain the Mott Haven Swamp
After multiple complaints about the unsightly and unsanitary swamp in Mott Haven, the New York City Department of Sanitation and the Department of Environmental Protection have agreed to drain and clean up the flooded, trash-ridden mess of abandoned railway. The swamp is about one mile long and contains swarms of mosquitoes, packs of rats, piles of trash and an overwhelming stench.
Many newspapers have covered the swamp's numerous health code violations, wretched smell and negative effects on local businesses. Click here and here for articles.
This morning, Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, the Department of Sanitation commissioner, the Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner and the Community Affairs Unit Commissioner traveled down into the swamp to inaugurate the beginning of the draining process. According a press release from City Hall, in the next two to three days 150,000 gallons of water will be drained from the swamp and into the sewage system where the water will be treated.
After the draining process is finished, the Department of Sanitation will clean up the trash in the area and analyze it for the causes of the flood. The cleanup should take approximately one week. The Department of Sanitation also plans on closely monitoring the swamp to prevent further flooding incidents.
The only controversy remaining after the cleanup will be who will be footing the bill. Since the swamp is located on private property, the City of New York is not legally obligated to pay for the swamp cleanup. In City Hall's press release, the Department of Environmental Protection's Acting Commissioner, Steven W. Lawitts, said, "This is a case where a private property owner has abandoned his responsibility to maintain his property and in so doing has imposed a tremendous burden on his neighbors."
According to Jason Post, a spokesman for the Mayor, the city does not know who owns the swamp, but they are investigating Amtrak, the MTA, Midtown Trackage Ventures, Metropolitan 47th LLC and other railroad companies. The cleanup could cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars," says Post.
Since no private property owners have responded the government's demands to pay for the cleanup of the site, the New York City Department of Finance plans to foreclose the property and eventually receive compensation for the cleanup.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bronx News Roundup for June 9
Pedro Espada Jr., the new State Senate president, said in a radio interview on Tuesday morning that he personally wanted to bring same sex marriage to a vote. He also went on to say that he intends to fire the Senate’s highest-ranking Democratic staff member, Angelo Aponte, who as secretary of the Senate was the top aide to Malcolm A. Smith, the former majority leader. More here
State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. requested more than $2 million dollars in Senate earmarks this year for two groups with links to the health care organization that he founded according to the New York Times
Democrats met behind closed doors this morning to discuss a possible legal path to help them block the shift of control of the New York Senate to Republicans after the defection of Democrats Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate.
Mott Haven residents express anger over the Department of Parks and Recreation plans to plant trees in front of homes.
Sensors planned for the Bronx River Parkway will transmit real-time information on vehicle speeds and traffic volumes to police and public works employees.
Residents in the Wakefield section of the Bronx are unhappy over State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson’s undecided stance on the gay marriage debate.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Bronx News Roundup, May 14
Sorry for the late posting today. But do check out the latest Norwood News, which hits the street today. We’ll start with the heavy news and end on a lighter note.
More information on the death of Nimzay Aponte, a 23-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in a Mott Haven park on Tuesday. The Daily News reports that Aponte met Raymond Dennis, 35, online and they had chatted via instant messenger, though she refused to meet him. He tracked her down and spotted her on Tuesday in St. Mary's Park with a man, someone who was enrolled in a job-hunting seminar with her. The two were taking a break from the seminar when Dennis stabbed both Aponte and then the man. Paramedics raced the victims to Lincoln Hospital, where Aponte later died.
A Bronx man was shot and killed in Buffalo less than one day after graduating from the University of Buffalo. Javon Jackson, 23, graduated on Saturday, May 12, and was shot on Sunday at 3 a.m.
This morning a 9-year-old female yellow lab-chow mix ran onto the Major Deegan Expressway and was hit by a car close to exit 3. Soon after, another dog, apparently her son, ran to her rescue and would not let officers near her. Then, the dog ran off leading cops on a high-speed chase. The owner of the two dogs saw it all on T.V., and she went to animal care and control in East Harlem where the dogs were being held. The female dog is now at a pet hospital with a broken leg, but she’s expected to recover.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at NYU’s graduation ceremony yesterday at Yankees Stadium.
Newsday features several overlooked, but beautiful, places to visit in New York City and lists Vancortlandt Park and Poe Cottage as two of them.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Bronx News Roundup: Tuesday, Nov. 18
[See update at the bottom of this post]
It's getting chilly on Bronx streets in more ways than just the temperature.
Early Monday morning in Bedford Park, police discovered a man, described as being in his 30s, shot in the stomach. Medics took him to St. Barnabas, but he was pronounced Dead on Arrival. Police say the investigation is ongoing. The Post has a small blurb about it in its Daily Blotter.
A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting on Morris Avenue (near the Cross Bronx Expressway) that left a 17-year-old girl dead and two other teenagers wounded. Late Sunday night, Brandin Santiago was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
The Daily News picked up the Norwood News' story about how the city's Dept. of Health is going to turn the old Fordham Library into an animal shelter. Here's the Norwood News story about it.
Speaking of the Health Dept., the agency has created a Web site where residents can track rat infestations and how they're being dealt with. Here's the Web site: https://gis.nyc.gov/doh/rip/.
Enjoy.
The city says it was all a big understanding that led them to build a new school on a contaminated site in Mott Haven.
Speaking of Mott Haven contamination, residents in that area are complaining that a toxic sludge is mucking up an abandoned railway.
Fordham University and Albert Einstein Medical School are teaming up to help strengthen their science and medical programs.
And for dessert, Daily New Borough Chief Bob Kappstatter's political gossip column. He says Assemblyman Jose Rivera has the Bronx Democratic party running a budget deficit; District Leader Hector Ramirez, Luis Diaz's hand-picked successor in the 86th Assembly District, says he was betrayed by two lawyers associated with Rivera's County leadership. (Rivera's man, Nelson Castro, ended up winning the seat.) And he gives Councilman Jimmy Vacca a pass for voting in favor of a term limits extension (after he initially opposed it) because he says Vacca received some concessions for his district from the mayor.
[Update, 3:32 p.m. Thanks to Mr. Kappstatter for clearing up this last tidbit, which I misinterpretted earlier. It wasn't that Vacca received any concessions from Mayor Bloomberg for voting in favor of the term limits extension. But he could have lost some valuable goodies for his district if he didn't support the measure. It's a subtle, but substanative difference. The question remains: was it a smart move and what exactly did he protect? I think we'll see how some of this plays out during the fight over the mayor's plan to consolidate neighborhood senior centers. Vacca and others in the Bronx (like Oliver Koppell) who voted for the term limits extension have voiced their opposition to the plan. Will Bloomberg back off or roll right over them?]
