The family of a man killed when a livery cab crashed into a bus stop on West Kingsbridge Road on Tuesday, are upset that the minivan driver whose illegal U-turn caused the accident has only been slapped with a summons. Several other pedestrians were injured in the crash, two of whom are still in a critical condition.
A Bronx man shot in the thigh during last weekend's wild gunfight in Harlem is suing the city and the NYPD for $20 million.
Xavier Pollard, a high school basketball player from the Bronx who currently goes to school in New England, is attracting the attention of college scouts.
A profile of an Irish food store on Mosholu Avenue in North Riverdale.
David W. Johnson, Gov. David Paterson’s former aide, surrendered to Bronx prosecutors this morning to face misdemeanor assault charges. Johnson is expected to be formally charged and arraigned later today.
The Daily News's traffic columnist says the city tolls all the wrong bridges.
A tax preparer from the Bronx has been charged with identity theft. The scheme involved young cancer patients, the authorities say.
In an editorial, the Times Union says state legislators whould be term-limited. That way, pols like State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. would be eventually pushed out, the paper says. Still on term limits, this November voters can vote on whether to reintroduce a two-term limit for city council members, the mayor, and other city positions. Last night, the Charter Revision Commission approved the ballot question.
Espada has long been accused of living outside the district he represents. Now he's accusing primary opponent Gustavo Rivera of doing the same thing.
At embattled Congressman Charles Rangel's birthday party/fund-raiser last night, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Bronx/Queens) told NBC: "Charlie Rangel is my friend and you never forget a friend."
The Bronx Free Press has published a series of photographs of Bronx parks, before they were parks. The photos, and others, are currently on display at the Arsenal in Central Park.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 12
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 11
Bronx juror Jennifer Mercado, who is accused of stealing another juror's credit card and charging more than $500 to it, pleaded not guilty to charges that could put her in jail for up to four years. Mercado allegedly stole the card last March when she served on a burglary case involving a stolen credit card.
Bronx native Joe Resto braved the wild with Bear Grylls on Discovery's "Man vs. Wild." The episode will debut sometime next month.
Because of legislation spearheaded by Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblymen Michael Benedetto and Michael Benjamin, the state Department of Criminal Justice Services will now provide municipal housing authorities with a monthly list of all registered sex offenders living in their apartments.
Steven Slater, who quit his Jetblue flight attendant position by sliding down an emergency plane exit with a beer on Sunday, was released from the Vernon C. Bain Center in Hunts Point last night after posting $2,500 bail.
Benito Gonzalez of 2273 Tiebout Ave. was arrested in Greenwich, CT, Monday evening after police found him in possession of 210 bags of heroin. Greenwich Time has the full story.
On Insight Nueva York, host David Diaz and several guest panelists discuss the allegations that Senator Pedro Espada Jr. used taxpayer money to cover personal expenses. See the video here.
Bronx-born moms Sally Regenhard and Adele Welty were featured in an article in this week's Newsweek concerning the plans for a mosque near Ground Zero. Both women lost a son in the 9/11 tragedy.
What's Going On?
We're serving up your weekly dose of Bronx events. Check 'em out!
And don't forget to check our "What's Going On?" link, where we keep the events coming.
One Dead, Several Injured After Taxi Hits Bus Stop
One man died and eight other people were injured yesterday morning when a livery cab collided with a minivan, and then smashed into a bus stop.
Police and fire rescue teams were called to West Kingsbridge Road, between University Avenue and Web Avenue, at around 11 a.m. Several victims were briefly trapped under the wreckage and debris from the glass bus stop, which partially came down on top of the victims.
Police said that seven pedestrians were struck, including a 76-year old man who was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Barnabas Hospital. He's been named as Marcelino Adraneda, a Bronx resident.
There were other serious injuries. A 40-year-old woman's leg was severed, and a 71-year-old woman suffered trauma to the head, and had her right leg crushed.
The driver of the livery cab, registered to "First Class" car service, was removed to Jacobi Hospital with contusions and abrasions, but was expected to recover. He has not been charged with a crime.
The driver of the minivan was given a Breathalyzer test on the scene and later taken into police custody. He has been issued a summons for making an illegal U-Turn, the authorities say, which led to the accident.
Pedro Jaquez, 33, a resident of Fordham who was working a few doors away, recalled, "The bench was dislodged and it flew and hit other people. It was horrible."
The investigation is ongoing.
Article by David Greene
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tempers Rage on BronxTalk Assembly Debate
There was bad blood between the candidates in the race for the Democratic primary in the 76th Assembly district on BronxTalk this past Monday night and it showed. Challenger Luis Sepulveda accused incumbent Peter Rivera of corruption again and again and Rivera accused Sepulveda of mud-slinging and negative campaigning on baseless issues. Moderator Gary Axelbank tried to keep the peace but was not always successful. Here's a link to the show: BronxTalk - Monday, August 9, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 10
The Bronx woman who drove drunk and crashed her car on the Henry Hudson Parkway last October, is expected to plead guilty to manslaughter today. The car hit a tree and flipped over, killing one of the passengers, an 11-year-old girl. Her death led to tougher punishments for those who drive drunk with a child in the car.
A Bronx man who was shot dead during a wild gunfight in Harlem on Saturday night was probably killed by a police officer, the authorities now say.
Assembly candidate Luis Sepulveda is accusing the incumbent assemblyman, Peter Rivera, of not living in the 76th District, reports the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter in his weekly column. Also in the column: details of Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera's poor attendance record at Assembly sessions in 2009.
The new pastor of St. Athanasius Church in Hunts Point recently shocked congregants when he forced out a well-liked nun who had worked out of the church, donating clothes and food, for close to 50 years.
A 45-year-old woman died yesterday when a fire tore through her apartment on Walton Avenue in Mount Hope.
State Senator Jeff Klein in warning brides-to-be not to buy bridal gowns from a woman who allegedly takes the cash and runs. At least a dozen woman have been ripped off, Klein says.
The city is investigating the possibility of turning Fordham Plaza into a pedestrian-friendly public square, with a farmers' market, concerts series and more.
This Thursday, a gay activist group is planning to protest State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. - an ardent opponent of gay marriage - during a fund-raiser for Diaz at Maestro’s Caterers on Bronxdale Avenue.
Diaz was in Staten Island yesterday to denounce recent bias attacks there. His presence maddened a local assemblyman, who held up a wig and a pair of high heel shoes and said: "If you are going to act like a media whore on Staten Island, please have the courtesy to dress like one."
Monday, August 9, 2010
Gustavo Rivera Picks Up Union Support; Bronx BP Considering an Endorsement
Earlier today, two powerful labor unions, NY—1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and 32BJ SEIU, released a joint statement announcing their endorsement of state Senate candidate Gustavo Rivera, who is running against State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr.
"With high membership density in the 33rd, both 1199 and 32BJ are making this race top priority for the primary and general elections," the statement said. "Both unions will soon be starting with direct mail, live phone calls and ground troops to mobilize union members on Rivera's behalf."
"Albany needs leaders who put the interests of working New Yorkers ahead of politics and power plays," said 32BJ President Mike Fishman in the statement. "As someone who pledges to uphold the high standards we should expect from our public servants, we are proud to support Gustavo Rivera."
Added George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU: "Throughout his career, Gustavo has stood for integrity and the kind of progressive values that our members share. This district deserves honest leadership, and we believe Gustavo Rivera will be a true voice for reform rather than an obstacle for change."
Union support is seen as critical if Rivera is unseat Espada.
As we mentioned earlier, Rivera (pictured above) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. had scheduled a lunch meeting today at a restaurant in Kingsbridge to discuss Rivera's candidacy and his plans, if elected, for the 33rd District.
76th Assembly Debate on BronxTalk - TONIGHT!
Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 9
On Friday night and early Saturday morning, there were nine separate shooting incidents in the Bronx. Two teenagers were killed and 12 other people were injured. In a statement released Saturday, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said:
Last night’s wave of violence is extremely alarming, not only to myself but to the overwhelming majority of my constituents: 1.4 million Bronx residents who want to do nothing more than work, raise their families and live their lives in peace without having to worry that they or their children will be cut down by a thug’s bullet. The summer is supposed to be a time to relax with family and friends without fear of losing one’s life. Those responsible for these shootings must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Those who would turn to a gun as the answer to their problems have no place in decent society. This has to stop.
An off-duty Bronx police officer was arrested on Friday night for driving drunk, police say. Juan Burgos is a seven-year veteran assigned to the 43rd Precinct.
Bronx resident Gladys Carrión, the commissioner of the city's Office of Children and Family Services, has won friends - and plenty of enemies - for attempting to close several poorly run juvenile centers in upstate New York.
BoogieDowner has posted the names of 39 people on State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr's payroll, along with their wages. One name in particular - Haile Rivera - is raising eyebrows. Rivera, a University Heights resident and former Obama campaigner, previously mulled a run against Espada. Now he's working for him, and sounding like him, too. On Facebook last month, Rivera wrote: "Why is it that when the powers-that-be see a Latino/a rising, they do whatever it takes to bring him/her down?"
The Gotham Gazette takes an in-depth look at the race between State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Charlie Ramos.
Last night, a fire gutted a row of stores in Williamsbridge. Investigators are calling the blaze suspicious.
A construction crew began installing the new Willis Avenue Bridge this morning. The bridge, which connects the South Bronx with Harlem, is replacing the bridge of the same name. It'll reopen in the fall.
Ten wind turbines located on the roof of a Melrose Apartment building generate enough electricity to serve the building's common-area needs. The building, which boasts numerous other "green" initiatives, opened last October.
Bronx Borough President to Endorse Gustavo Rivera?
State Senate candidate Gustavo Rivera is meeting with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. today at the Land & Sea Restaurant in Kingsbridge to discuss his campaign, according to Diaz's communications director John Desio.
The meeting, which starts at 12:30 p.m., is open to the press. We'll be there and will post an update on the blog later this afternoon.
Rivera, in case you missed it, is running against Pedro Espada, Jr. in the 33rd District. He's picked up the support of the Working Families Party, The New Roosevelt Initiative, and several Bronx pols (including Councilman Oliver Koppell), but so far neither Diaz nor the Bronx Democratic County Committee have taken sides.
Interestingly, Diaz's father, State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., is firmly in Espada's camp.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Grand Dominican Parade
July 25 2010 was a HOT Sunday for most of the day before the weather changed its mind and blew down trees. It was also the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Dominican Parade in the Bronx.
Walking down the Grand Concourse, I found myself rubbing shoulders with over 2000 marchers and many more spectators. People enjoying their culture with pride, a beautiful Kaleidoscope of colors, a photographers dream. I did not notice the heat or the exhaustion during my time spent with the happy and energetic marching bands, artists, elected officials and a variety of other groups showcasing Dominican culture. Like a child in a candy store, in my minds eye I saw a gazillion images, many slipped away, some I bottled. Hope you enjoy the slide show, it was a privilege and a pleasure making the photographs.
Have an experiment in mind. I would like to make contact with the people in the photographs, would you like to help me? If you know anyone in the photographs, please get in touch with me at lens(at)rawlat.com
