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Friday, August 30, 2013

Fordham Rolls Over Rams


Fordham Rolls Over Rams

College Football Kicks Off in the Bronx

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 30- The earliest season football opening game since intercollegiate football began at Fordham in 1882 took place on Thursday night at Jack Coffey Field on Fordham’s Bronx campus. The Rams of Fordham welcomed the Rams of Rhode Island for the 12th meeting of a rivalry that started 101 years ago.

The two young squads appear to be moving in opposite directions. URI entered the contest with a 13-game losing streak while the Rams in 2012 made the second greatest improvement in NCAA football mobbing from a 1-10 mark in 2011 to a winning, 6-5, record in 2012 under first year head coach Joe Moorhead.

The stronger offensive performances that have come under the coaching of its star quarterback of the 1990’s were still in effect during the inaugural game of the 2013 season. For the second straight season Fordham scored more than 50 points in its opening game. The most recent contest before the two openers in which the Fordham Rams totaled more than 50 points was on September 6, 2003, also against Rhode Island.

Fordham’s quarterback Mike Nebrich began the scoring attack with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Sam Ajala at 10:08 in the first quarter. The two juniors connected again in the final quarter for a 64 yard touchdown. The two TD passes caught by Ajala equaled the output of his previous two seasons at Fordham.

Less than two minutes after his touchdown pass of the game, (8:14), the fleet Fordham quarterback rushed 32 yards for the second Rams touchdown. The extra points kicked by Brooklyn native Michael Marando gave Fordham a 14-0 advantage that was never overcome.

Nebrich also found last season’s First Team All-Patriot League wide receiver Brian Wetzel for two touchdown receptions. They combined for a 4-yard touchdown in the second period and for a 49 yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The inexperienced signal caller for Fordham showed his capabilities as he connected on 17 of 25 passes for 267 yards. He threw for four touchdowns without an interception.

Nebrich only played three games in 2012, after transferring from the University of Connecticut, before suffering an injury that ended his season.

Fordham sophomore JQ Bowers intercepted a pass of URI quarterback Bob Bentsen and carried it for a touchdown in the third quarter.

A freshman, Kendall Pearcey, scored the final points of the contest on a 16-yard run with 1:27 on the clock. Interestingly, the Bronx college student-athlete graduated from Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Florida.

After the contest concluded, the team gathered in jubilation to ring the Victory Bell and sing the Fordham Fight Song. These two traditional activities take place on campus after every Fordham football win.

Fordham will remain in the Bronx to prepare for its next opponent, Villanova. The two will compete at the Rose Hill campus on Saturday, September 7, at 6 pm.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deadly Driver

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deadly Driver: Parkchester Woman Stabbed to Death at Accident Scene By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, BRONX 28- Police responding to a call of a...

Deadly Driver


Parkchester Woman Stabbed to Death at Accident Scene

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, BRONX 28- Police responding to a call of an overturned vehicle at just before 4 a.m. on August 28 on the northbound New England Thruway at the Pelham Parkway exit, discovered the body of a 20-year old Parkchester woman who had been stabbed several times. 

The still unidentified victim was declared dead at the scene and the woman's 31-year-old boyfriend was taken into custody at the scene and remains at the 45th Precinct where he was being questioned in the killing.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Taste of the Bronx

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Taste of the Bronx: Photos by Seitu Oronde BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 26- Attendants got a chance to sample the culinary treasures of the Bronx during the 6th An...

Taste of the Bronx

Photos by Seitu Oronde

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 26- Attendants got a chance to sample the culinary treasures of the Bronx during the 6th Annual Allerton Avenue Festival & International Food Show.









Friday, August 23, 2013

Yankees realizing they are in a race

Now on to Tampa

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 23- There is no telling where this remaining month of August and the September stretch will take the New York Yankees. We do know this: The Yankees with their fifth straight win Thursday afternoon, 10th in their last 12 overall, are in good position for a wild card spot in the American League.

And, there is still an outside chance of contending for the Al East division as New York heads for an important three-game series down in Tampa Bay. The Yankees left the Bronx, after their 5-3 win and four-game sweep of the Blue Jays, 3/1-2 games off the pace for the second wild card spot in the league.

Six games away from the division lead, does not look bad either. Compare this to the standings of two weeks ago when it seemed improbable. There were those ready to pack their bags for the winter and the Yankees were preparing to make plans for their off-season moves.

Many moves on this roster will still be made, regardless what the final results will say at the end of September. But for now, with a schedule also in their favor, the Yankees believe they are in the playoff mix. After three down in Tampa Bay, it’s three games up in Toronto.

It is the same Blue Jays team the Yankees swept this week, a ballclub that has lost to New York ten consecutive games. Yes, they can make up more ground in the standings and it is entirely possible when they return to the Bronx, August 30th with three games against Baltimore, they could be closer.

“We’re making up ground and that’s what we need to do,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi after his team improved to 7-1 in their last eight games against American League East competition. The Baltimore Orioles, a team that used to win those one-run ballgames last season quickly see the Yankees moving on up.

Girardi has seen the difference. His team is getting good pitching and the home run ball has returned. Andy Pettitte held the Blue Jays to an earned run in 6.0 innings, on four hits. He won his second straight game after going 0-3 in five previous starts.

Curtis Granderson tied the game with a solo home run leading off the fifth inning, his first off a left hander this season.

“We’re right there,” said Pettitte (9-9) who had the cutter and fastball working again to his advantage. “We play good baseball the rest of the way we’re gonna pull this thing out.”

Girardi said, he has seen a different vibe with his team. Of course, winning will change the complexion of any team, in any sport. With the exception of a few additions, and return of the few walking wounded, the controversial Alex Rodriguez in particular, this is the same group of Yankees that had trouble hitting and pitching half way through the schedule.

“Seems like you can look up and down the lineup and that’s a different feel,” he said. Pettitte could not hold runners on, and the lineup had trouble getting runners home. That has all changed.

Pettitte has now held his opponent to no more than one earned run in each of his last three starts.

“Andy got a lot of ground balls,” commented Girardi.

The Yankees are fully aware now, as to how important their schedule is. A month or so ago, they still believed there was a chance at playing October baseball. But the reality was, they needed to pick up plenty of ground in the standings.

They have done that and will need to continue this run by winning as many series as possible in their remaining 35 games. The next nine-games and 26 of them are against Al east division teams. And the next three games down in Tampa Bay, against their tough pitching staff are important.

“Big, because they are ahead of us in the standings,” said catcher Chris Stewart.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Yanks Sweep Four Game Set over Blue Jays

Yanks Sweep Four Game Set over Blue Jays

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 23- The Yankees continued their concerted effort to reach the 2013 American League playoffs with a 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon.

The win was their fifth straight and 10th in the last 12 contests. The four game sweep of Toronto was the fourth consecutive series win for New York.

After the game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi spoke of the forward movement of the team, “We’re making up ground and that’s what we need to do. That makes it [reaching the post-season] attainable. There’s a different vibe [on the club] because we’re winning.”

A light rain caused an interminable delay of three hours and 32 minutes before the game began. The announced crowd of 40,116, most of whom left early or never came to the ballpark, were given the opportunity to exchange their tickets for a grandstand or terrace seat to a game with the Chicago White Sox on September 2, 3 or 4.

Each of the starting pitchers, Andy Pettitte and J.A. Happ, did not yield a run, gave up only one hit and one walk during the first four frames.

The scoreless duel ended in the fifth when J.P. Arencibia, on a 0-1 pitch, led off the inning by lifting the ball into the stands in left for his 19th home run of the campaign.
For the eighth time in their 12 victories over the Blue Jays, the Yanks came from behind to earn the victory.

A lead-off homer by Curtis Granderson in the bottom of the same inning tied the score at 1-1.

Later in the inning, a fly ball to center by Vernon Wells was inexplicably ruled a fielder’s choice rather than a hit or an error led to the second Yankees’ run. Toronto manager John Gibbons and Toronto pitcher Mark Buehrle were ejected from the game after arguing that the ball was caught.

The bottom Yankee batting order led to three tallies in the sixth. Three walks were followed by a two-run single by Eduardo Nuñez and an RBI ground-out by catcher Chris Stewart.

Pettitte recorded his second straight win. He pitched six innings while surrendering only one run and four hits. Girardi commended his performance, “He pitched very well. I thought his fast ball and cutter were good today. Andy got a lot of ground balls.”

The Blue Jays scored two runs in the seventh, but it was not enough to prevent them from losing their ninth of the last 12 games.

The Yanks now leave for a six game trip against American League East rivals, Tampa (3 games) and Toronto (3 games).Hiroki Kroda, C.C. Sabathia, and Ivan Nova are scheduled to be the starters in Tampa on the weekend.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Destiny’s Crooks?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Destiny’s Crooks?: Looking more like a Destiny’s Child tribute band than a burglary crew, police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a tr...

Destiny’s Crooks?



Looking more like a Destiny’s Child tribute band than a burglary crew, police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a trio of young thieves who burglarized a Soundview school. Surveillance video caught the images of the crew as they burglarized the Monroe Academy for Business and Law at 1300 Boynton Avenue on August 13. Cops say the group entered the school through a window and made off with laptops, cameras, a phone and a keyboard. The thieves also smashed several computer screens. 
Anyone with information should call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. 
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.

Bronx News Sports: Without A-Rod Drama Yanks Look Like They Have a Sh...

Bronx News Sports: Without A-Rod Drama Yanks Look Like They Have a Sh...: Yankees keep rolling with win over Blue Jays By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- There was no Alex Rodriguez drama at Yankee St...

Bronx News Sports: Mr. 4,000

Bronx News Sports: Mr. 4,000: Ichiro Suzuki Becomes the 4,000 Hit Man By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- Ichiro Suzuki reached a baseball milestone that ha...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Without A-Rod Drama Yanks Look Like They Have a Sh...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Without A-Rod Drama Yanks Look Like They Have a Sh...: Yankees keep rolling with win over Blue Jays By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- There was no Alex Rodriguez drama at Yankee St...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mr. 4,000

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mr. 4,000: Ichiro Suzuki Becomes the 4,000 Hit Man By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- Ichiro Suzuki reached a baseball milestone that ha...

Mr. 4,000


Ichiro Suzuki Becomes the 4,000 Hit Man

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- Ichiro Suzuki reached a baseball milestone that has been accomplished by only two men in baseball history, Pete Rose and Ty Cobb.

Suzuki’s single to left field in the first inning of Wednesday night’s encounter between the Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays was his 4,000th hit in professional baseball.
As was done more than a half-century ago when Roger Maris hit his 61st home run in a single season, some baseball observers will try to demean the outstanding and rare accomplishment by saying 1,278 of the 4,000 hits were achieved in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and should not be added to his Major League Baseball (MLB) totals.

Suzuki’s ability and his achievements on the baseball field in Japan and the United States should earn him enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as soon as he is eligible.

Although Ichiro will not be 40 until October, his long baseball journey started as a young boy under the strict direction of his father. His decision to pursue professional baseball as his calling began before he reached his teenage years. He excelled in Little League baseball and on his high school team.

His statistics, thus far, in each nation and collectively in both are superlative and show his superiority as a player regardless of the competition.

His batting average as a member of the Orix Blue Wave for nine seasons was .355. From his first full season, 1994, through his last year in Japanese pro ball, 2000, Ichiro, in all seven seasons, was a NPB All-Star, a Pacific League (PL) batting champion, a winner of the Best Nine Award, and a Golden Glove recipient. He was also the PL MVP in the first three of those magnificentseasons.

Neither the cultural change nor the level of the play in the major leagues prevented the first position player from Japan from excelling in MLB as he had in Japan. In his first year with the Seattle Mariners (2001), he was elected Rookie-of-the-Year and MVP of the American League.

In each of his first 10 seasons in MLB, Ichiro was a Gold Glove winner and a member of the A.L. All-Star Team.

His extreme versatility on the baseball field has been displayed by watching him every day and by the numerous and varied awards he earned, batting champion, stolen base leader, Silver Slugger Award winner and, of course, 17 consecutive years, in both nations, of the Gold(en) Glove as recognition of his defensive superiority as an outfielder.

Ichiro in a post-game press conference expressed the importance to him of being an all-around expert ballplayer, “As an amateur, I thought you had to be good in everything to be a professional. Then I found out that wasn’t true. I’ve always taken pride in all the things that happen in baseball. I work very hard. I want to be able to do all the things at a high level.”

Not only has Ichiro excelled in Japan and the United States, but he led the National Team from Japan to the Gold Medal in the first two sessions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), 2006 and 2009.

After Ichiro reached first base on Wednesday, all the Yankees players left their dugout and came onto the field to congratulate their great teammate on his rare accomplishment. The fans in the stands rose to cheer him. His countryman, Munenori Kawasaki, the Toronto third baseman was also applauding while standing at his infield position.

Ichiro, who always conducts himself as a serious professional, was more impressed by the supportive reaction of others than his own achievement, “I thought this number was just special to me. I wasn’t expecting what happened today, so much joy and happiness from them [teammates and fans]. I was really overwhelmed. The game was stopped for me. I was so happy and overjoyed with how they supported me. When I look back on this, what makes it important is that my teammates came out.”
Now that he has 2,722 hits in the majors, Ichiro was asked if his goal was to reach 3,000 hits. His response exhibits his professional mindset, “I can’t have that as a goal. What happens today determines what happens tomorrow.”

The consummate professional intends to prepare to do his best every day. One who is fortunate to watch him once or on a regular basis is seeing one of the all-time best players who brings credit upon the sport.

Without A-Rod Drama Yanks Look Like They Have a Shot


Yankees keep rolling with win over Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- There was no Alex Rodriguez drama at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night. He had the night off and requested a ceasefire with his attorney regarding impending lawsuits against the Yankees. Instead the attention was the 4,000 career hit for Ichiro Suzuki, and the Yankees ninth win in their last 11-games as they took the third of four games over Toronto 4-2.

Suddenly the Yankees are in the thick of the American League wild card race, and have inched closer to the Al east division leaders Boston and Tampa Bay. The win put New York four games away from the second wild card spot.

For the second time this season, the Yankees defeated 2012 NL CY Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who won the award when he pitched for the cross-town NY Mets. Dickey tossed a complete game, 8.0 innings, gave up four runs, six hits and recorded nine strikeouts.

The big blow off Dickey was a two-run home run off the bat of Alfonso Soriano. With one on and two out, Soriano reached for a Dickey knuckleball that landed in the left field stands. It broke a 0-for-17 snap for Soriano and was the 29th long ball given up by Dickey.

The Yankees have now hit a home run 25 times in their last 22 games dating back to July 28th, this after being held homerless in nine straight games from July 19-27.

“Our club is focused on winning,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. His team has secured their fourth straight series win, with the finale of the four-game series with he Blue Jays Thursday afternoon.

“I lacked a good knuckleball and Soriano hit one,” said Dickey, 9-12, who threw his 11th career complete game and second this season. He dropped to 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 12 career games, six starts against New York.

Commented Soriano, “I just tried to swing one and finally got one to hit,” about hitting the tough knuckleball.

Dickey admitted that this has been a season of struggle, something he never expected coming off the Cy Young Award season. The Mets traded him in the off season to Toronto in a package that also sent catcher Josh Thole to the Blue Jays.

Thole hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning, his first since last April 29th when the Mets played Colorado.

“Dickey was throwing great, four hits going into that last inning and really just that one big shot,” said Toronto manager John Gibbons about the home run ball Dickey surrendered to Soriano. It was the ninth home run for Soriano as a Yankee since coming over in a trade from the Chicago Cubs on July 26th.

The win was costly for the Yankees as Jayson Nix, starting at third for Rodriguez, was hit by a pitch in the second inning and was removed for a pinch runner. Nix underwent x-rays which revealed a fractured right hand. It was another serious blow for a team that has overcome the adversity of the injured this season.

Nix will be disabled and undetermined how long he will be inactive. It is his second time on the DL this season and 19th player in 24 stints for the Yankees to go down with an injury this season.

“Feel bad about Nix,” said Girardi. “In the absence of “Jeets” (Derek Jeter) and “Nuney” (Eduardo Nunez) going down, he’s a guy who makes good decisions and makes things right.”

As for Ichiro, it was a night of celebration. The 4,000th hit, combined 2,722 in the Major Leagues and 1,278 in Japan, was a single to left off Dickey in the first inning. Ichiro was congratulated by his Yankees teammates who came out of the dugout and greeted him by the first base line.

“They did not have to stop the game for me,” said the mild mannered Ichiro who had a separate press conference of about an hour with a contingent of media from Japan, downstairs in the Yankees press conference room area.

Dickey said about the historic hit to Ichiro, “You never want to be a guy to give up a milestone. That being said what an achievement. It could not have happened to a better player.”

“It’s special to him, to his family to his country,” said Girardi about the hit. And for the Yankees, more special because Ichiro has become a part of this resurgence and winning formula that has his Yankees aiming for a spot to play in October.

Comment Rich Mancuso: ring786@aol.com facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Despite A-Rod Circus Yankees seem like a Playoff Team

A-Bum Strikes Out 5 Times, Grounds into Double Play,
Yanks Still Win

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 21- Maybe it took the return of Alex Rodriguez in order for the New York Yankees to make their season more interesting. With or without the A-Rod controversy, manager Joe Giaradi had said it would take 35 wins after the all-star break for his team to be eligible for October baseball.

No matter how one feels about the player known as A-Fraud, Rodriguez enhances the Yankees lineup. Robinson Cano can vouch for that. In the first game of the Tuesday day-night twin-bill sweep over the Blue Jays, Cano went 4-for4 and hit his 200th career home run.

In the night game, another win in walk-off fashion, the Yankees sixth of the season, Cano went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games. In that span, he is hitting .456 with eight runs, five doubles, two home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Yes, like him or not, A-Rod does make a difference despite striking out five times and hitting into a double-play in the second game Tuesday night.

“You can see it’s a different lineup when you have Alfonso, Curtis, you have Alex,” commented Cano about the return of A-Rod, Curtis Granderson and the addition of Alfonso Soriano.

Despite all the controversy with A-Rod, and the fireworks from Friday night up in Boston, Girardi never gave up. He always said when his team came back to full strength they would get back in it.

Again, Alex Rodriguez has not been a distraction. Despite the lawsuits, an appeal process of a 211-game suspension, and the hierarchy not talking to their troubled player, the Yankees say A-Rod has been a vital addition and now every game is a run to keep playing in October.

“We’re a different team offensively,” Girardi said after the Yankees won their eighth game in their last 10 overall. Two more with Toronto on this brief home stand and then the battle continues with three down in Tampa Bay, a team in a battle with the Red Sox for the AL east division lead.

With Robinson Cano hitting his 200th career home run and right hander Ivan Nova allowing four runs in 6.1 innings, New York came home to the Bronx and defeated Toronto 8-4, in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Not like they were in April, May, June, and some of July, they overcame a four-run deficit for the first time this season. Right hander Phil Hughes (4-12) took the mound for the second game. He had better command with the changeup, the fastball had location, and he did not allow a home run at Yankee Stadium since June 19th.

And, Hughes also said, the offense helped. Alex Rodriguez is not a distraction. “He makes us a better team,” said Hughes about his controversial teammate.

Earlier as Nova (7-4) and the Yankees took the field for the first game, Major League Baseball announced Joe Girardi had been fined an undisclosed amount for his actions Friday night at Fenway Park. Later it was reported the fine was $5,000.

Girardi was ejected from that game in the second inning after arguing with plate umpire Brian O’Nora after Boston pitcher Ryan Dempster threw three pitches at Rodriguez, the last of the three that hit him and made things appear worse for A-Rod and the Yankees.

Dempster was also fined and suspended five games for his actions. Girardi wants this to end, and the frustration is unfolding. Because Girardi is only concerned about one thing, that is winning ballgames and the Yankees seem to be doing that more the past few weeks.

“I don’t really have any comment,” said Girardi about the suspension of Dempster. “Think I made my feelings pretty clear then,” he said. Girardi seemed annoyed about the questions being asked about Dempster, feeling he offered enough about the situation that happened Friday night.

Though Girardi said, a suspension for intentionally throwing at a position player does not always make sense as it related to five games, because Dempster will probably not miss a turn in the rotation.

As for winning another game, he said, “Win the game that is at hand. The guys went out and did that today and came from behind and got some big hits and that’s what we have to concentrate on.”

Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-5 with a double in the third inning and a single in the seventh. He is one hit shy of career ht 4,000, 1,278 of those hits came as a player in Japan. That was supposed to be another storyline, but A-Rod was the center of attention.

Suzuki did not start the second game. He pinch ran in the ninth for Mark Reynolds who walked. He advanced on a bunt, stole third and came home with the winning run on the first walk-off RBI hit from Jayson Nix.

In the end, winning ballgames is what it all about. A-Rod was not available for the media all day. He never is when not contributing, but has to have his forum when the timing is right.

With 37 games remaining, the Yankees are getting the timely hit, and overall, good starting pitching. The bullpen has been better and the home run trot is getting better for more than one.

“It’s fun in here again,” commented catcher Austin Romine who tied his career high, 3-for-3 in the second game. He too, has been a part of this resurgence that has the Yankees back in the wild card hunt and closing in for that second spot.

But they have to keep winning, and taking series in this stretch run for October. “That’s baseball, anything can happen. It’s not over till it’s over,” said Romine.

We heard that before, of course from the Yankees of years past and there was no A-Rod controversy then.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com/ Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso


Yanks Win Day/Night Doubleheader over Blue Jays

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 21- In the day portion of the day/night doubleheader with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, New York overcame a 4-0 deficit by scoring eight unanswered runs to win, 8-4. The hero was second sacker Robinson Cano who hit safely in all four at bats, driving in four runs.

Ichiro Suzuki raised his professional career hit total to, 3,999 with two hits in the opener.

The night contest was much more of a pitching duel, but ended in a similar fashion as the first game, with the Yankees coming from behind to achieve the victory.

Neither starter, Phil Hughes nor Mark Buehrle, has been highly successful at Yankee Stadium this season. In two starts in the Bronx this year, Buehrle has yielded 10 runs in only 11 frames. The career mark of the veteran hurler is 183-139, but against the Yanks he is 1-10 with an ERA of 6.28 in 16 starts. His team has defeated the Yanks only once in those 16 starts.

Hughes is 1-9 at home with an ERA of 6.03. Of the 23 home runs he has surrendered, 17 were hit at Yankee Stadium.

Both pitched into the seventh and neither even remotely resembled the ineffective pitcher he was earlier in the season in the Bronx.

Buehrle gave up two runs and six hits in 6.2 innings. He departed after Jayson Nix blasted a solo home run on the first pitch he saw in the seventh. The homer raised the batting average of Nix against the veteran left-hander to .426.

Hughes faced one batter in the seventh and left the game having yielded two runs and seven hits, but none of the hits were four baggers. Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was pleased with the starter’s performance, “His fastball was down better today. I thought he stayed off the barrel of the bat today. We need him to continue making progress.”

Although he did not get the win, his team did. Thus, Hughes was happy, “It all starts with the fastball. It’s something to build off.”

The game was tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the ninth. Mark Reynolds in his fourth game in Yankee pinstripes led off the inning by drawing a walk. Suzuki pinch ran for Reynolds. Eduardo Nuñez sacrificed Suzuki to second. The veteran great then stole third. The Yanks obtained their sixth walk-off win of the 2013 campaign as Nix singled in the winning run.

Of that successful rally, Girardi commented, “It was a good effort by all those guys.”
The Yanks have won 8 of their last 10 contests in a quest to qualify for the 2013 post-season.

The starters on Wednesday night are scheduled to be R.A. Dickey (9-11) for Toronto and Adam Warren (1-2) who will be making his second start in the majors, his first in 2013.


Yanks Win Day/Night Doubleheader over Blue Jays

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 21- In the day portion of the day/night doubleheader with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, New York overcame a 4-0 deficit by scoring eight unanswered runs to win, 8-4. The hero was second sacker Robinson Cano who hit safely in all four at bats, driving in four runs.

Ichiro Suzuki raised his professional career hit total to, 3,999 with two hits in the opener.

The night contest was much more of a pitching duel, but ended in a similar fashion as the first game, with the Yankees coming from behind to achieve the victory.

Neither starter, Phil Hughes nor Mark Buehrle, has been highly successful at Yankee Stadium this season. In two starts in the Bronx this year, Buehrle has yielded 10 runs in only 11 frames. The career mark of the veteran hurler is 183-139, but against the Yanks he is 1-10 with an ERA of 6.28 in 16 starts. His team has defeated the Yanks only once in those 16 starts.

Hughes is 1-9 at home with an ERA of 6.03. Of the 23 home runs he has surrendered, 17 were hit at Yankee Stadium.

Both pitched into the seventh and neither even remotely resembled the ineffective pitcher he was earlier in the season in the Bronx.

Buehrle gave up two runs and six hits in 6.2 innings. He departed after Jayson Nix blasted a solo home run on the first pitch he saw in the seventh. The homer raised the batting average of Nix against the veteran left-hander to .426.

Hughes faced one batter in the seventh and left the game having yielded two runs and seven hits, but none of the hits were four baggers. Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was pleased with the starter’s performance, “His fastball was down better today. I thought he stayed off the barrel of the bat today. We need him to continue making progress.”

Although he did not get the win, his team did. Thus, Hughes was happy, “It all starts with the fastball. It’s something to build off.”

The game was tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the ninth. Mark Reynolds in his fourth game in Yankee pinstripes led off the inning by drawing a walk. Suzuki pinch ran for Reynolds. Eduardo Nuñez sacrificed Suzuki to second. The veteran great then stole third. The Yanks obtained their sixth walk-off win of the 2013 campaign as Nix singled in the winning run.

Of that successful rally, Girardi commented, “It was a good effort by all those guys.”
The Yanks have won 8 of their last 10 contests in a quest to qualify for the 2013 post-season.

The starters on Wednesday night are scheduled to be R.A. Dickey (9-11) for Toronto and Adam Warren (1-2) who will be making his second start in the majors, his first in 2013.


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Quinn, deBlasio in Bronx Snub

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Quinn, deBlasio in Bronx Snub: No show for Bronx voters in mayor’s forum By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 20 - Six mayoral candidates in this year's e...

Quinn, deBlasio in Bronx Snub

No show for Bronx voters in mayor’s forum

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 20
- Six mayoral candidates in this year's election, speaking out to a capacity crowd during a Monday-night forum in Co-op City, stressed their opposition to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's key initiatives, including his stop-and-frisk policy, programs stressing tax breaks for Manhattan-based businesses, and policies that have widened the gap between the rich and the poor in the city.
The Riverbay Corporation, the Co-op City Democratic Club, and Transportation Forward (A Co-op City group fighting for bus-service improvements) sponsored the Monday-night forum, which barred questions from the audience of more than 1,000 shareholders.

One of the most notable aspects of the forum, in which questions were submitted in advance, was the failure of the two frontrunners in the Democratic Party Primary, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and New York City Public Advocate William de Blasio, to show up.
The six candidates in the mayoral contest who showed up for the Co-op City forum --- City Comptroller John Liu, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, former City Comptroller William Thompson, former City Councilman Sal Albanese, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, and Brooklyn minister Erick Salgado --- used the occasion to attack Bloomberg's policies in a community that is widely perceived as antagonistic to the three-term mayor.
Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd that came as a surprise to many observers, Comptroller Liu and Salgado said that they would scrap Mayor Bloomberg's stop-and frisk policy because it racially profiles black and Latino New Yorkers, while Weiner, Thompson, Carrion, and Albanese indicated that they would change the policy so that it no longer profiled minority New Yorkers as the city's criminal element. On the issue of transportation, the candidates agreed that bus service in Co-op City should be restored to the way it was three years ago, while Carrion, Thompson, and Liu expressed support for a MetroNorth rail link for the Co-op City community.
The six candidates agreed that transportation improvements in the area near the Bay Plaza shopping center should have been planned in conjunction with the expansion of the shopping center. They agreed that the Bloomberg Administration, in typical fashion, failed to adequately address the issue of road improvements that should have accompanied plans for the shopping center's major expansion, which is expected by the spring of next year.

The six candidates also agreed that City Hall hasn't done nearly enough to support youth programs in communities, like Co-op City. They suggested that one way to spur such programs would be to keep Truman High School open in the evenings so that such programs could be
started there. On the issue of Co-op City's collection of its own garbage, five of the six candidates said that they would not support giving the Riverbay Corporation a monetary benefit as a payment for doing a job that the city's Sanitation Department would otherwise have to do.
Disagreeing Rev. Salgado said that he would support giving Co-op City a real-estate-tax deduction as a consideration for the money that is needed to fund the Riverbay Corporation's garbage-collection initiative.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Police Seek Couple in Sedgwick Avenue Shooting

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Police Seek Couple in Sedgwick Avenue Shooting: By David Greene    BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- Police are asking for the public's help in identifying two individuals, including on...

Police Seek Couple in Sedgwick Avenue Shooting





By David Greene
  
BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- Police are asking for the public's help in identifying two individuals, including one who fired several shots at a crowd of people on the Morris Heights - Highbridge border.

According to officials, the incident took place at just before 1 a.m., outside of 1600 Sedgwick Avenue on July 21, when the male fired three times into the crowd.

Police say the female then took the gun and the pair fled.
  
The duo are now wanted on reckless endangerment and weapons charges by detectives in the 46 Precinct. No one in the crowd was injured.

The gunman is described as a dark-skinned, heavy-set male wearing a black shirt with white design. His cohort appears to be a female Hispanic wearing a tank-top and shorts.

Anyone with information on the couple are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or by texting CRIMES then enter TIP577. All information forwarded to the NYPD remains confidential.   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Preggers and Political Patronage in Election

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Preggers and Political Patronage in Election: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- With less than a month to go starting at the top with the race for mayor, i...

Preggers and Political Patronage in Election


100 PERCENT
By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- With less than a month to go starting at the top with the race for mayor, it is almost 100 percent sure that there will be a run off for mayor at least. 

The undecided vote (over 25 percent) is still larger than the number one candidate in the latest poll as once again the front runner is Christine Quinn with only 25 percent. Anthony Weiner has fallen to fourth place with Bill Thompson and Bill deBlasio both in the high teens a close second and third to Quinn. It is still too close to call as to just who may wind up as the two candidates that will face off in the run off election for mayor, and it is to close to call if the Board of Elections will have the results official (fully counted & correct) in time for the run off election.

It should be easier in the race for comptroller as there are only two candidates: Scott “Mild Mannered” Stringer and Eliot “Client # 9” Spitzer. Kristen “Madame” Davis was recently arrested for selling prescription drugs, and may not get to run in this race as planned. I was hoping for the Madame & the John to battle it out for control of New York City's finances. Spitzer has a slim lead here in the polls, but this one should go down to primary day as Stringer and Spitzer battle it out. One has to think that if Anthony Weiner did not get into the mayors race, that it could have been Eliot Spitzer for Mayor.

In the race to replace current Public Advocate Bill deBlasio his Deputy Public Advocate Reshma Saujani was last in the field of four Democratic candidates. Again here undecided voters is in first place equaling almost the total of all four candidates. Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James and upstart newcomer Cathy Guerriero are within one percentage point. James at 16 percent and Guerriero at 15 percent in the last poll. State Senator Dan Squadron was in third place.

“YES” current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has a primary this year. I was out on the campaign trail one evening as voters warmly said hello, but many added that they did not know that he was being challenged in the primary this year. Diaz wants every one to know that “YES” he does have a primary election this year.

In City Council Races - 11th District- this race is now down to two candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton, even though Stanton's camp is also attacking me as if I am a candidate in the race (see my Riverdale Report elsewhere in this paper).

12th District - Incumbent Andy King should take this one easily.
13th District - Incumbent Jimmy Vacca has no primary.
14th District - Incumbent Fernando Cabrera should win this easily.
15th District – No incumbent, this race is down to 6 candidates. 1 - Albert Alvarez is Chief of staff to out going Councilman Joel Rivera. Alvarez should be the front runner, but he is not used to being in the spotlight. Alvarez is having a hard time explaining what was done in the past 12 years by councilman Joel Rivera, and there is little to take advantage of. 

Raquel Batista is a fine hard working community activist & organizer. She would make a fine councilwoman, but may not have enough support in the district. Batista is also nine months pregnant with one month to go in the race. 

Rev. Joel Bauza was attacked for preaching anti gay language in his one debate, and was on the defensive most of that debate. Bauza is endorsed by State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. 

Joel R. Rivera has run for the 15th council district before, but is being challenged by other candidates for having the same name as the outgoing councilman. This Joel Rivera works for City Comptroller John Liu, and has been the most vocal in the two 15th council debates. 

Cynthia Thompkins did much better in the second debate than the first. She is openly gay, and confronted Rev. Bauza that his preaching is creating more violence towards gay people (a statement that Rev. Bauza denied and invited anyone to come to his church to hear him). 

Ritchie Torres has to be the front runner now that Kenny Agosto was knocked off the ballot. Both Torres and Agosto not only live near each other, but come from the Liberty Democratic Association. Torres has worked for Councilman Jimmy Vacca for many years as a housing liaison. Torres has been accused of taking advantage of that inside knowledge and influence in getting an apartment in a supportive housing unit when it went up several years ago. Torres has said that he has lived in poverty, and that his income of $20,000 from Councilman Vacca meets the income eligibility. Torres is still making the same salary years later as he is still living in the same supportive housing unit some of his opponents have pointed out. Torres is supported by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

16th District – No incumbent, but 77th A.D. Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson is the favorite in this rather large crowded field of candidates. Assemblywoman Gibson has the endorsement of the Bronx County Democratic organization which will propel her to victory in this district. It expected that the second place finisher will be Carlos Sierra.

17th District – Incumbent Maria Del Carmen Arroyo will probably win re-election over local community activist Julio Pabon, but it is the infamous Derek Jeter signature on Councilwoman Arroyo's petition that will be remembered most in this election.

18th District – Incumbent Annabel Palma should win re-election over challenger William Moore.

On Sunday August 18th Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj will be hosting International Family Day At Dewitt Clinton High School on the Goulden Avenue side from 12 – 6 p.m.

On Saturday August 24 the Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their 9th Annual Free Community Barbecue on East 204th Street beteeen Mosholu Parkway and the Grand Concourse from 1 – 6 PM. You can call Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez at 212-470-4784 for more information on the Free Community Barbecue.

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for more on what you may read in this column, items that may come in after my deadline, and see the many photos of the events that were taken. If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 728-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): WILD WEEKEND

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): WILD WEEKEND: 4 Wounded in 3 Shootings in 2 Hours By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- Police officers in the 50 and 46 Precincts had their ha...

WILD WEEKEND


4 Wounded in 3 Shootings in 2 Hours


By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- Police officers in the 50 and 46 Precincts had their hands full with three separate shootings reported in less than a two-hour period and within a 1-mile radius of each other.

Patrolmen in Kingsbridge Heights were first called for reports of a male shot outside of 2725 Webb Avenue at W. Kingsbridge Road, at 12:15 a.m., on Friday, August 16.

Police sources reported that the 19-year-old Hispanic male was discovered in the lobby of a building and removed in critical, but stable condition to St. Barnabus Hospital with gunshot wounds to a hand and leg.

The unidentified victim's condition was later upgraded to stable.

Forty-five minutes later, officers from the 46th Precinct were dispatched for a second gunshot victim in Fordham. Police say the victim was shot outside a deli at 375 E. 188 Street at 1 a.m.

According to a police source close to the investigation, the victim was transported to Jacobi Hospital by private vehicle. The victim was reported in stable condition. Investigators had no description available of the suspect at this time.

The third shooting in University Heights was reported at just before 2 a.m., outside of 2258 Grand Avenue. Officials say the gunman chased two males, firing a half dozen times, hitting one of the men.

EMS reported a 25-year-old male was shot in the right leg and was also transported to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released. The second male was reportedly treated for minor injuries.

Police have made no arrests in any of the incidents, anyone with any information is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS.   

Friday, August 16, 2013

Bronx News Sports: Angels Crush Yanks, 8-4

Bronx News Sports: Angels Crush Yanks, 8-4: Phil Hughes Loses Again By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 16- A very large crowd of 44,682 came to a matinee of Thursday with the...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Angels Crush Yanks, 8-4

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Angels Crush Yanks, 8-4: Phil Hughes Loses Again By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 16- A very large crowd of 44,682 came to a matinee of Thursday with the...

Angels Crush Yanks, 8-4

Phil Hughes Loses Again

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 16- A very large crowd of 44,682 came to a matinee of Thursday with the hope and possibly even the expectation that the recently reconstituted Bronx Bombers, that scored 27 runs against the Los Angeles in the past two games, would win and sweep the four game set.

The faith of those hopeful fans was not rewarded as the Yanks scored four runs, three in the final inning, too little certainly and almost too late. The Yanks hit safely in all nine innings, but did not score in seven. On the other hand, the Angels scored eight, more than enough to achieve an easy victory.

Phil Hughes, the Yankee starter, did not pitch poorly. He yielded only six hits in six innings, but three resulted in runs off Hughes. Rookie J.B. Schuck led off the contest with a single. After stealing second, he scored on a single by Josh Hamilton.
Erick Aybar began the third with a double. After two were retired, Hughes surrendered his 23rd home run, 17 at Yankee Stadium, in his 23rd start of the season to Chris Nelson. To add insult to injury, Nelson was briefly a member of the Yankees in May and the home run was his first of 2013.

After the game, Nelson spoke about the at bat, “I started off with a strikeout [in inning #2] and had to make adjustments. I just battled my way back [from a 0-2 count].”
The three runs were sufficient for Hughes to earn the loss, his 12th of the season. The right-hander lost his last five decisions and eight of his last nine. He has been especially ineffective at home. He has a mark of 0-8 and an ERA of 7.46 in his last nine starts at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankee relievers in the eighth, Shawn Kelley, Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain, poured gasoline on the fire that had already started as they collectively gave up an additional five runs that inning.

The hero of the game for L.A. was Nelson, who hit his second homer of the game in the eighth with the bases filled. His five RBI was a career high for a single contest. Of the game, he remarked, “I really enjoyed it.”

He also reminisced with reporters of his short time as a Yankee this year, “I enjoyed my time here. It was a great experience for me.”

Mike Scioscia, the manager of the Angels, was pleased but not surprised by the progress Nelson has made with his team, “It’s a great day for Chris, both offensively and defensively. He’s got some pop. Hopefully, it’s a sign of more to come. I think he’s getting acclimated.”

“Yankee killer’ Mike Trout continued his offensive against the Yanks. He raised his hit streak to 12 games against them. He reached base three times with a double, walk and was hit by a pitch to raise his on base streak to 37 consecutive games.
Yankee second sacker Robinson Cano raised his hitting streak to 10 games and his 2013 batting average to .300 with three hits during the game.

Alfonse Soriano who hit four homers and drove in 13 runs in the previous two games, did not lessen his batting success. He hit safely four times in five at bats and knocked in a run. When asked about Soriano, the opposing manager joked, “We kept Soriano in the park.”

The Yanks now travel north to Boston for a three game weekend series. They return to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday for a four game set with Toronto.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Fans to Hughes: Don't Come Home

Pitcher Continues Home Losing Streak

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- In his 24th start of the season, New York Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes hoped to get a win at home in the Bronx. He had been winless in his last eight starts at Yankee Stadium and Thursday afternoon in the home stand finale against the Angels the winless streak continued.

Hughes (4-12) threw six innings, gave up three runs on six hits, struck out five and walked one. Prior to Thursday, he allowed two runs or less in 12 of his 22 starts and was credited with three wins. Once again, Hughes was harmed by the home run ball, though this time only once in the Angels 8-4 win.

“He threw the ball better today, his command was better,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Indeed, it was a better start because Hughes was able to go the six innings, and his ability to get the strike out with a good slider. The curve was effective, but the fastball caused him to give up his 23rd home run ball of the season.

Chris Nelson hit the first of his two home runs of the day off a Hughes’ fastball in the fourth inning, a solo shot from the former Yankee that gave the Angels a 4-1 lead.

There were moments when the old Phil Hughes reappeared in the Bronx. In the second inning there was that fastball and command. After getting the first out of the inning, Hank Conger followed with a double to right and with a 95- mile fastball Hughes got out of the inning getting Nelson and Grant Green to swing.

“It was obviously better,” said Hughes about his outing, after losing his third straight start and fifth consecutive decision. “The fastball was better, a couple of mistakes here and there, that was the difference.”

He said there was a difference, but it is still a battle to get it better. The fastball to Nelson was down and away. “I could have made a better pitch,” he said.” Now as the Yankees embark on a three-game road swing to first place Boston, Hughes will have time to make more adjustments before another start in the Bronx next week.

“At the end of the day it’s a loss,” said Hughes. “We set out what to do to accomplish.” That work, he said, was working on getting the fastball where he wanted it to go. That pitch to Nelson is something that has been hindering him, more so, at Yankee Stadium where he has given up most of his home run balls.

Girardi said he likes the way his team is swinging the bats, as the Yankees are playing better and banged out 15 more hits against Angels pitching. But, they need Hughes to get on the winning track and real soon if they are to make a playoff run for October.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cancer Creep Was Tax Cheat

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cancer Creep Was Tax Cheat: Accountant Charged in $140 G Tax Scam of Cancer Charity BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15 - District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the...

Cancer Creep Was Tax Cheat


Accountant Charged in $140 G Tax Scam of Cancer Charity

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of Joseph Junkovic on charges that the 47-year-old Certified Public Accountant evaded over $140,000 in personal income taxes owed to the State of New York. Junkovic has also been charged with falsifying personal income tax returns for another individual.

The Grand Jury indicted Junkovic on a total of 16 counts of criminal tax fraud in the second, third, and fourth degrees, repeated failure to file personal income tax returns, false personal income and earning tax returns, grand larceny in the fourth degree, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, and falsifying business records in the first degree. Junkovic is facing a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted of the top count in the indictment, criminal tax fraud in the second degree.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Junkovic was arraigned before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle who set bail at $7,500 cash or $75,000 bond.

It is alleged that Junkovic operated both the not-for-profit Cancer Service Network (CSN) and JLJ Consulting, a financial services business, from his residence at 2348 Wickham Avenue, the Bronx. Junkovic, who was the sole shareholder of both entities, allegedly arranged for Cancer Service Network to pay JLJ Consulting hundreds of thousands of dollars for administrative and financial services. Since JLJ Consulting was formed as an S-Corporation, Junkovic was required to report those payments on his personal income tax returns. According to the indictment, Junkovic was aware of this obligation because of his training and years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. The indictment, which covers tax years 2008 through 2011, alleges that Junkovic either failed to report all of his income or simply failed to file a tax return. Junkovic is also alleged to have falsified personal income tax returns for an employee.

Junkovic’s not-for-profit Cancer Service Network was contracted by the New York State Department of Health to provide referrals for cancer screening services for indigent patients. The tax issues that are alleged in the indictment came to light after a bank notified New York State officials regarding certain undisclosed issues with Junkovic’s accounts following an internal review by bank auditors.

In addition to these New York State charges filed by the Bronx County Grand Jury, Junkovic is also facing charges filed by the United States Attorney for the Southern District. It is alleged in the federal complaint that Junkovic fraudulently obtained federal funds for the Cancer Service Network through grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the New York State Department of Health.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Smile Genius

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Smile Genius: Criminal Masterminds Caught on Tape Using Stolen Credit Card 20 Minutes After Breaking into Car Violent Purse Snatchers Sought Shooting in...

Smile Genius


Criminal Masterminds Caught on Tape Using Stolen Credit Card 20 Minutes After Breaking into Car

Violent Purse Snatchers Sought
Shooting in Riverdale,
Smash-n-Grab on Gun Hill Rd.

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- Cops are asking for the public’s help to stop a Riverdale stickup artist and a Gun Hill Road smash and grab thief. The later was caught on tape using the stolen credit card 20 minutes after the break in. 

At around 2:30 a.m. on August 14, a woman was robbed at gunpoint in Riverdale. Cops say the 28-year-old was walking north on Broadway, in the vicinity of West 261 Street when a man approached displaying a handgun and demanded her purse. When the woman refused the thief opened fire. The gunman fired once in the air and a second time at the victim. The thief scooped up the purse and fled on foot. The victim was not injured.

The gunman is described as a 30-year-old Hispanic male who is 5 foot 9.

In an unrelated case, cops say a purse was stolen when thieves broke into a car parked in a Rite Aid Parking lot. At around 11:45 p.m. on August 7, cops say the thief broke the window of a car parked in the store’s parking lot at 901 Gun Hill Road. The thief made off with the victim’s purse which was inside the vehicle.

Twenty minutes later cops were able to get a photo of the suspects who used the stolen credit card at a local grocery store. Surveillance video captured the pair entering the store and making the purchase. 

Anyone with information should call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. 

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.