Bronx News Roundup, July 19

Weather: keep the sunblock handy and the AC cranked on--another hot and sunny one today, with temperatures in the low-90s. The heat will continue through the rest of the week, hitting a peak on Friday.

Story of the Day: Former Council Speaker Turns Bronx Builder
Today's Wall Street Journal takes a closer look at Gifford Miller, a former City Council speaker and one-time mayoral hopeful who, according to the story, "has no interest in ever returning to politics." His new career path--real estate--has brought him to the Bronx, where his firm is attempting to rezone a swath of land  in West Farms/Crotona Park to build a massive affordable housing complex.

We wrote about the $400 million project, which will consist of 10 high-rise buildings around the Cross Bronx and Sheridan Expressways, in the June issue of the Tremont Tribune, and some readers seemed wary of the plan. Read more here. 

Quick Hits:
The family of a 13-year-old Bronx girl say they will sue the Department of Education, claiming the girl was repeatedly raped by a computer repairman employed at her Harlem school.

Bronx News Roundup, July 27

A new study of health violations at sports stadiums across the country found New York among the worst offenders. At Yankee Stadium this year, 48 percent of vendors were cited for unsanitary conditions.

The number of rapes in the Bronx is on the rise, while funding for rape crisis and counseling programs is being cut dramatically.

The tragic deaths of two teens who drowned in the Bronx River this month shouldn't keep residents from enjoying River Park, says Daily News columnist Patrice O'Shaughnessy, who called the park "one of the most beautiful places in the Bronx."

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is challenging the petitions of her primary challengers. This and more Bronx political gossip in Bob Kappstatter's weekly column.

A 23-year-old man was shot to death yesterday in Olinville, adding to what's been a rise in the number of homicides in the 47th Precinct. 

A group of women in the south Bronx say the process of applying for welfare is so discouraging that some opt to go without the assistance they need.

Bronx News Roundup, July 23

Kenneth Clarke, 40, who worked for Con Edison, was gunned down Wednesday night in his home on Van Nest Ave. The Daily News has the story.

Crystal Reyes, one of the teens who drowned in the Bronx River on Sunday, was laid to rest yesterday morning. (Here's more on the tragedy, and its aftermath in the community).

The Times reports that only 53 people attended the Charter Revision Commission’s public session on Wednesday at Bronx Community College. The group's mission was to create proposals to put before the voters in November.

Ex-Bronx cop Juan Acosta was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison for aiding the distribution of cocaine and aiding the robbery a rival drug courier.

The Wall Street Journal reports today that Montefiore Medical Center, along with four other hospitals in Manhattan and Brooklyn, have agreed to a pilot program that seeks to cut medical malpractice costs. [You may need a subscription to access this story in the Wall Street Journal; another version of the article is available here.]

Following the rape of a 79-year-old Bronx woman on Monday, officials have put a $12,000 bounty on the offender's head yesterday. State Senator Pedro Espada,Jr. helped with the bill, adding $5,000 of his own money that was matched with $5,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation.

Robert Bella told indiewire.com that his well-received film, “Colin Fitz,” was largely shot in the Bronx's Woodlawn Cemetery. The film was shot on 35mm and was “in-the-can” for $150,000, he recalled.

Speaking of film, the UK's dailymail.com reviewed the flick "City Island," which was named after and filmed on Bronx turf, this morning.

In an article headlined "Ruben's No Pedro," the Albany Times-Union reports that Democratic conference leader John Sampson is co-hosting an August fundraiser for Ruben Diaz, Sr. next month in the Bronx, at Maestro's. Senior's son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., is sharing the hosting duties with Sampson. 

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.

Bronx News Roundup, September 9

Yesterday, after multiple failed negotiations over the past year, Lance Inc., a food company, bought the Stella D'Oro brand. Lance Inc. plans on moving Stella D'Oro cookie production to a plant in Ohio from the local Bronx plant in Kingsbridge.

Unfortunately for workers at the Kingsbridge plant, the purchase of Stella D'Oro ends their year-long strike against the brand's previous owner, Brynwood Partners, and they are now without jobs. Read the Norwood News article about the strike here.

Police reports show that two Bronx narcotics police officers did not investigate a tip-off about a reported drug den in Parkchester. After the officer's failure to investigate the tip, a man was fatally shot outside of the supposed drug den.

The family of Verda Henry, a life-long Bronx resident, is suing a New Rochelle nursing home for neglecting to provide adequate care and not properly treating an infected bedsore that led to Henry's death in 2007.

Yesterday, the trial began for a Bronx man, Tryone Simmons, accused of invading a Yonkers home and raping a woman in 2007. The trial is currently taking place at the state Supreme Court in White Plains. Simmons faces a sentence of eight years in prison for his crime.

New from the Norwood News

The latest action-packed edition of the Norwood News is out on streets and online now. We've got a great lineup of compelling stories for your reading enjoyment. Here's a quick preview:

We profile a father and Stella D'oro cookie factory worker who's struggling to provide for his family as the workers' strike stretches into its ninth month.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance and Community Board 7 are going to work with new borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr. to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement for the Armory mall project. It would be an unprecedented government-community partnership for city development projects.

The Health Department says its willing to open up a portion of the vacant old Fordham Library for community space. The agency is also willing to look at cheaper alternatives to installing a full-service animal shelter in the building, like a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, which pet advocates say would go farther toward ending pet homelessness. But first the City Council must change its law that mandates full-service shelters in all five boroughs.

The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition looked within to find its new co-executive directors and found two women of color -- the first time women of color are heading the 35-year-old organization.

Our special Real Estate section examines the buyer's market in the Bronx.

A story on the swearing-in of new borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr. Our editorial says Diaz, Jr. could excel in his new role, but he must avoid the the borough's minefield of political pitfalls.

Cops bust a suspect who they say sexually assaulted two teenage girls in the span of 8 days in the same location.

Don't forget to check our Out & About arts, recreation and entertainment calendar, our extensive online Neighborhood Notes guide to neighborhood programs, events and services.

Finally, our Inquiring Photographer asks residents about their thoughts on mayoral control of public schools, which is up for renewal on June. 30.

Sketch of Kingsbridge Road Rape Suspect

This is the police sketch of the man suspected of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, on May 10 and May 18, in an abandoned building on the corner of Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bronx News Roundup, May 20

Police are looking for a man they say sexually assaulted two teenager girls in the past 10 days in the same building near the corner of Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse.

According to the NY Post, cops say the man, described as balding, in his mid-30s, 5-9, 180 pounds, attacked an 18-year-old on May 10, but she managed to escape before being raped. But on Monday, cops say the suspect grabbed a 17-year-old girl, dragged her into the same nearby abandoned building as the first victim and raped her.

Police say rapes usually happen domestically, but these are random grab and drag assaults. The first assault happened in the middle of the day. The other late at night.

Here's video and a sketch of the subject on NY1.

On Monday, we wrote that the Armory's developer, Related Companies, is well-connected with the city. Yesterday, Eliot Brown on PolitickerNY.com wrote about how Related managed to not only get the Armory project certified by City Planning, but also its even more gigantic project over the West Side Railyards in Manhattan.

That means both projects will be in the hands of the current roster of Council members and a friendly mayor. Brown writes: "In the wake of November’s elections, the Council’s membership will change somewhat, starting Jan. 1—and perhaps the mayor will, too—adding uncertainty for developers in what can be a highly political process."

Stay tuned.

Scary Albany news that could impact Bronxites and everyone else from the Times: A report by state comptroller says revenue was down 44% from last year, meaning more budget cuts might be needed by the end of the year.

Speaking of cuts, the DOE says schools will have to cut 5% of their budgets for the next school year. The likely casualties: vital after-school and weekend programs.

Bronx News Round-up

Here's a bundle of recent Bronx news stories, courtesy of one of our talented young reporters, Stephen Baron.

Bronx HIV Testing Push
The city health department wants every Bronx adult to get a free HIV test over the next three years, officials announced today.

To tie in with National HIV Testing Day, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is launching the largest HIV testing initiative in the city’s history. The campaign, called “The Bronx Knows,” also hopes to reach the 250,000 Bronx adults who have never been tested.

Though the Bronx beats the other boroughs in testing rate, Bronxites count for nearly a quarter of the city’s HIV infections and a third of AIDS deaths each year. Among Bronx residents who tested positive in 2006, more than a quarter were already sick with AIDS.

The Norwood News has previously reported on Montefiore’s Adolescent AIDS Program and Bronx AIDS Services.

Bronxites can visit any of one of 40 testing locations in the borough for a free, confidential HIV test. Visit here for a listing of locations.

Pathways Saved
The Bronx alternative high school Individual Pathways at Walton High School will be open for at least one more year, which comes as a relief to neighborhood residents, the Daily News reports.

School Funding Restored
City Council restored $129 million to stave off school budget cuts in the approved budget last night, though the school funding came at the expense of money usually given to “library services, cultural affairs, legal aid, seniors and government services,” the Daily News reports.

Fordham and Botanical Garden
Fordham University announced with the New York Botanical Garden a new graduate degree program to receive a master’s degree or doctorate in environmental science, the Daily News reports.

Lehman College Student Raped
Police are on the hunt for a rapist who attacked a Lehman College student in her Washington Heights apartment, the Daily News reports. Police have not released the name of the 19-year-old student.