Can Fordham Be Stopped?

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 6- On Saturday, the 8/9 nationally ranked Fordham Rams (9-0) gifted head coach Joe Moorhead with a come-from-behind 32-30 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders (3-7) for his 40^th birthday. Fordham extended its undefeated season to nine games and earned the school the Ram-Crusader Cup, which is awarded to the winner of each contest between the two.

The capacity crowd at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx was given a jolt early in the game as it appeared Fordham could lose its first game of the 2013 season. Fordham’s first scoring attempt, a 22-yard field goal by Michael Marando, was unsuccessful at 8:20 of the first quarter.

On the next drive of the contest, the Crusaders moved the ball 80 yards for the first score as quarterback Peter Pujals ran the ball for five yards and a touchdown. The extra point was missed.

Fordham took its first lead of the game on the next series of downs as Calvin Koonce, the team’s leading rusher, scored on an 11-yard carry. Fordham led, 7-6, at the end of the quarter.

The outcome looked bleak as the Crusaders scored the next 17 points. The first of those points was scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pujals to Kyle Toulouse.

A 52-yard complete pass from Fordham quarterback Michael Nebrich to Tebucky Jones did not result in a touchdown as a fumble was forced and recovered by Holy Cross on its one yard line. 

After the contest, Jones remarked, “I made a mistake; that’s not acceptable. That’s not going to happen again.” 

It didn’t on Saturday as Jones completed the game with 120 yards on six receptions. Jones has 59 receptions and 789 yards this year. The Crusader possession following the fumble ended with a 46 yard field goal kicked by John Macomber.

Later in the second, a Nebrich pass was intercepted at the Holy Cross goal line, preventing another Fordham touchdown. The new possession by the Crusaders concluded with a Holy Cross touchdown instead, which brought the score to 23-7.

The final score of the first half was a 10-yard touchdown run by Nebrich.

Fordham exhibited its resilience in the second. After the contest, Morrhead said of his team, “In the second half, the team showed outstanding character.”

Nebrich scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a seven-yard run on Fordham’s first drive of the second half for the only score by either squad in the third quarter.

Fordham next scored seven seconds into the final period as Nebrich threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Brian Wetzel. Dan Light scored the two-point conversion to give the Rams a 29-23 advantage.

The next Fordham drive culminated in a 39-field goal by Marando.

The final Crusader touchdown shortened the Fordham lead to 32-30, but was too late to alter the outcome of the contest.

Records were set by the Rams in the victory. The team broke its single game mark for total offense with 700 yards. Nebrich broke two of John Skelton’s single game records, passing yards gained with 524 on 39 completions of 49 attempts and total offense yards with 556.

Significant contributions were also made by others. Calvin Koonce gained 146 yards on the ground and 38 on three receptions. For the second straight year, he exceeded 1,000 yards (1,025) on the ground this season.

Sam Ajala gained 189 yards on 12 receptions, the junior leads the Rams with 64 receptions and 1,140 yards gained.

Linebacker Stephen Hodge had a career-high 15 tackles, 14 unassisted and four for yards lost. Moordhead praised the junior in a post-game press conference, “He’s a playmaker. The kid knows how to play the game of football.”

The night before the game, Moorhead told his players of the Heavyweight Championship bout in 1990 between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas in which the prohibitive favorite, Tyson, lost. Moorhead explained the purpose of the story, “I didn’t want us to be overconfident or take our opponent too lightly.” 

That possibility, the one-week bye and costly turnovers that Moorhead said, “Didn’t allow us to take advantage [of the yards we gained]” may have led to a slow start, but did not prevent Fordham from being victorious.

Fordham’s next game will be against Bucknell at 1 pm on Saturday, November 9. It will be the final home game of the regular season.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): DeBlasio, DeBlasio

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): DeBlasio, DeBlasio: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press Since my deadline is before Election Day I can not give you the results until next week where I will try to expl...

DeBlasio, DeBlasio

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Since my deadline is before Election Day I can not give you the results until next week where I will try to explain why it happened. Our headline was sung by newly elected Public Advocate Letitia James who was on hand with local Councilman Andy King, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressman Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Carl Heastie, and others on Monday November 4th when Bill deBlasio visited the Bay Eden Senior Center in the Edenwald section of the Bronx. This was a multi-part visit as the local elected officials warmed up the crowd of seniors before deBlasio arrived. Once Bill deBlasio arrived he was whisked to the front where the elected officials were speaking to give a last day reason why the voters at the senior center should vote for him. Deblasio said that people should not take his large lead in the polls as an excuse not to come out and vote, but urged all present to go vote on Tuesday November 5th. DeBlasio once again went through all the reasons why people should vote for him and not one of his opponents.

After deBlasio finished speaking he went around the room shaking hands with as many seniors as he could, and then went outside to hold a press conference. “The road to City Hall runs right through the Bronx” deBlasio said. He thanked Bronx Councilman Andy King for his support from the beginning when he announced that he was running for Mayor, and also said that he had supported Andy King in his special election race after the removal of former Councilman Larry Seabrook. After also thanking Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie, and Congressman Eliot Engel deBlasio took a few questions from the reporters gathered, and then left for another engagement.

After the press conference, I was able to catch BP Diaz and Assemblyman Heastie and ask them what they are expecting from new Mayor Bill deBlasio. Diaz said that he expects a fair shake from Mayor deBlasio on the problems of the Bronx. Diaz went into the subjects of schools, housing, senior services, and rattled off a few more areas that it seems the Bronx did not get enough services or aid. When I asked if he was worried about the Fresh Direct and Kingsbridge armory deals that were done through Mayor Bloomberg. Diaz replied that those projects are already in the pipeline.

As for just how the Mayor's race will go has to be explained in two different ways. First citywide the vote should be 65 – 70 percent for Bill deBlasio, 27 – 35 percent for Joe Lhota with up to 3 percent for all other candidates including 1 - 1.5 percent for Adolfo Carrion citywide. The Bronx vote is harder to gauge since Carrion is the former Bronx Borough President. I would have to guess 67 – 77 percent for Bill deBlasio, 10 – 15 percent for Joe Lhota, and 8 – 16 percent for the other candidates. It is most likely that Adolfo Carrion could finish second in the Bronx.

You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more and see photos of the “Shop and Frisk” demonstration that was held last Friday in front of the Macy's store in Parkchester. The demonstration was organized by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, with help from Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. 35 police officers were on hand to pen in the 75 protesters in the intersection opposite Macy's on Metropolitan Avenue. It was said that most Macy stores have jails (cells) to intimidate minority shoppers that Macy security have followed and accuse of shoplifting. Senator Diaz said that this is illegal and has introduced legislation to stop this “Shop and Frisk” of minority shoppers. 86 A.D. Assemblyman Elect Victor Pichardo was on hand to tell of his story as a teenager of this treatment that he went through. The chant of the crowd ended up “Shame on You Macy's”.

The Bronx Young Democrats had a hand here in the Bronx with the Bill deBlasio campaign. Several members of BYD were manning the offices that were used by the deBlasio campaign here in the Bronx. Look for some of these BYD's to be running for office soon, that is District Leader or State Committee party positions as a start next year maybe.

One famous South Park line is “They Killed Kenny”, and is it possible that the political life of Kenny Agosto is now dead. Kenny who was once considered a challenger to former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera was thrown off the ballot in this year's 15th City council race. He then threw his support behind Albert Alvarez who finished a distant fourth in the council race. Kenny also was redistricted out of the 80th A.D. into the 78th A.D., so he will no longer be the Male District Leader of the 80th A.D. Also look for some other changes in the Liberty Democratic Association after Ritchie Torres has been elected to the City Council.

While I am on the subject of the city council could it be that councilwoman Melissa Mark-Vittero is the choice for speaker by Mayor Bill deBlasio when he gets elected. More next week.

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 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Still Stumped by Sandy

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Still Stumped by Sandy: Residents still waiting for city to remove tree stumps By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 1- The Parks Department has bee...

Still Stumped by Sandy

Residents still waiting for city to remove tree stumps

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 1- The Parks Department has been inundated with requests to remove tree stumps, dead trees and repair sidewalk's since Superstorm Sandy-- but despite a $2 million increase in their annual budget, many stumps have been around for years before Sandy.

New York City lost an estimated 20,000 trees that line city streets when the storm struck our area on October 29, 2012. One such tree fell from outside of 17 E. 198 Street in Bedford Park, and landed on a two-family home across the street.

One resident of the block recalled the massive project to remove the giant tree and restore automobile traffic to E. 198 Street, he stated, "They came and cut it up and took it away, but look what they left."

A year after the storm one must navigate carefully across the narrow, dimly-lit street with minefields of cobblestone, just waiting to trip-up an unsuspecting traveler.

The source stated that it was police officers who removed the tree and not Parks Department workers or the sub-contractors who helped in New York City's recovery, many of whom have still not been paid.

The resident continued, "The condition is bringing rats, it's an

eyesore. It's a public hazard."

Another resident of the area explained, "It's so dangerous for a woman, I come off the 4-train and it's so dark, people can't see this."

The homeowner claims he has called 311 on five or six occasions.

A homeowner at 1700 Paulding Avenue in Morris Park says his tree was taken down by Parks Department workers years before Sandy, and he is still waiting.

The homeowner recently stated, "They were suppose to come back and fix the sidewalk and look at the stability and health of a couple of other trees." 

The tree died, like thousands of other via infestation of the Asian

long-horned beetle which was nearly eradicated, but has since made a strong recovery and is once again threatening the nearly 793,000 new trees planted through Mayor Michael Bloomberg's initiative Million Trees NYC.

One such tree planting event was held at Pelham Bay Park on October 10, when Parks officials were joined by members of the National Football League. The event culminated with a massive tree planting in the Rockaways, when 20,000 trees and 5,000 shrubs were planted.

According to Nathan Arnosti of the Parks Department, Parks has a budget of $5,776.164, "for pruning contracts and stump removal, an increase of $2 million from the previous fiscal year."

Barley acknowledging the problem, Arnosti continued, "The city lost approximately 20,000 street trees due to Hurricane Sandy, leaving an estimated 7,000 stumps."

Arnosti added, "An additional 2,000 to 3,000 trees whose damage from Sandy was not apparent until Spring: 2013 are in the process of being removed, and this coming spring Parks will be monitoring the health of an additional 4,000 trees that suffered damage from Sandy in the inundation zones."

The Parks Department spokesman added, "The costs of this ongoing removal process are still being determined."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): One Year After Sandy:City Isle Eatery Reopens

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): One Year After Sandy:City Isle Eatery Reopens:                                                                                                                                           ...

One Year After Sandy:City Isle Eatery Reopens

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 31- Standing at the far end of City Island, elected officials, members of the City Island business community and the owners of Tony’s Pier, came together to celebrate its re-opening a year after a fire consumed the entire restaurant during the height of Superstorm Sandy.

At the press conference, Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and members of the City Island Chamber of Commerce highlighted the progress made following Superstorm Sandy, while noting there is more work to be done.

Directly following the storm, Senator Klein’s office met with the owners of Tony’s Pier Restaurant and helped the owners obtain a building permit, expedited their electrical and gas work, ensured speedy review of building plans by the Department of Environmental Protection and worked with the State Liquor Authority and Community Board to obtain a license to serve alcohol.

Senator Jeff Klein said, “Exactly one year ago, Tony’s Pier caught fire in the heart of Superstorm Sandy. As flames consumed the restaurant, decades of hard work and history were at stake. The day after the storm, I saw the damage Sandy had caused and vowed to do everything I could to get our local businesses and residents back on their feet. In the past year, we worked hard to help rebuild Tony’s Pier – from expediting building permits to getting the lights turned on, and all that comes in between, my office worked with the owners and planners every step of the day. Today isn’t only a time to reflect on the hardships Sandy caused. It is also a day to celebrate the hard work and resilience of our community.”

“One year ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated this beloved Bronx business. But Tony’s Pier is back, stronger than ever, and I am proud to be here today for their reopening,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We have much to celebrate in our borough, and the return of Tony’s Pier is a moment for the entire Bronx to be thankful for the dedication of this business to our borough and their commitment to reopening, bigger and better than ever.”

  

Assemblymen Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) said, “It’s fitting that Tony’s Pier is reopening a year after the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy. It’s a tribute to the determination and the resiliency of the human spirit.”

“I am thrilled to have this family-owned small business back on its feet in record time, restoring 60 jobs to City Island in the process,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

Tony's Pier Co-owner Anthony Palumbo said: "One year ago today, we saw my family's restaurant, Tony's Pier, destroyed in flames. Thanks in no small part to the hard work of our elected officials, especially Senator Klein and the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., we have been able to commemorate Sandy's anniversary with the re-opening of our restaurant. I look forward to continuing our tradition of serving seafood on City Island for many years to come."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hunts Point Halloween Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hunts Point Halloween Parade: Photos by Gary Quintal The Village is not the only place to take in devilish Halloween fun. Young ghouls and goblins came out for the 28t...

Hunts Point Halloween Parade

Photos by Gary Quintal

The Village is not the only place to take in devilish Halloween fun. Young ghouls and goblins came out for the 28th Annual Hunts Point Halloween Parade. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Throggs Neck Halloween Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Throggs Neck Halloween Parade: Photos by Gary Quintal There’s nothing scary about the fun youngsters had at the annual Throggs Neck Halloween Parade.

Throggs Neck Halloween Parade

Photos by Gary Quintal

There’s nothing scary about the fun youngsters had at the annual Throggs Neck Halloween Parade. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Murdered Popular Teen Mourned: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park. According ...

Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park.

According to police, it was just after 9 p.m. on October 23, when officers responded to a call of a male shot outside of 2622 Jerome Avenue, in the Bedford Park section.

The victim, identified by police as Michael Beltre, 17, of Washington Avenue, had reportedly been shot one time in the face and was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Friend's say Beltre, a junior at Walton, had arrived in the Bronx just two short years ago from the Dominican Republic.

Police say Beltre was speaking to two individuals just steps away from McDonald's, when one of the two men pulled the gun and shot him.

The following day a large crowd of Beltre's friends were busy setting up a memorial for the young man, when police asked the teens to move it so a store owner could open her nail salon.

The store owner had recently been closed after part of the building's facade collapsed. On this day she would first have to scrub-down the dried blood left on the sidewalk.

At the new vigil, across the street from St. James Park, where Beltre could often be found playing basketball, one young mourner, offered, "He was a sweetheart. He had no enemies, no problems and he loved McDonald's."

Friends can not explain what happened or who did it.

Coincidentally, the morning after Beltre's brutal death, the annual breakfast of the 52nd Precinct Community Council was held just two short blocks from where the teen was shot.

Outgoing Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling stated, "That's currently under investigation. I was at the scene with the detectives, but I can't give you any details because it's an ongoing investigation."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Murdered Popular Teen Mourned: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park. Accordi...

Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park.

According to police, it was just after 9 p.m. on October 23, when officers responded to a call of a male shot outside of 2622 Jerome Avenue, in the Bedford Park section.

The victim, identified by police as Michael Beltre, 17, of Washington Avenue, had reportedly been shot one time in the face and was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Friend's say Beltre, a junior at Walton, had arrived in the Bronx just two short years ago from the Dominican Republic.

Police say Beltre was speaking to two individuals just steps away from McDonald's, when one of the two men pulled the gun and shot him.

The following day a large crowd of Beltre's friends were busy setting up a memorial for the young man, when police asked the teens to move it so a store owner could open her nail salon.

The store owner had recently been closed after part of the building's facade collapsed. On this day she would first have to scrub-down the dried blood left on the sidewalk.

At the new vigil, across the street from St. James Park, where Beltre could often be found playing basketball, one young mourner, offered, "He was a sweetheart. He had no enemies, no problems and he loved McDonald's."

Friends can not explain what happened or who did it.

Coincidentally, the morning after Beltre's brutal death, the annual breakfast of the 52nd Precinct Community Council was held just two short blocks from where the teen was shot.

Outgoing Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling stated, "That's currently under investigation. I was at the scene with the detectives, but I can't give you any details because it's an ongoing investigation."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Off...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Off...: Officer Injured in Norwood Pellet-Gun Shooting By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- An early morning pellet-gun shooting has lef...

Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Officer

Officer Injured in Norwood Pellet-Gun Shooting

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- An early morning pellet-gun shooting has left one police officer with a minor hand injury and a suspect was injured climbing over a fence-- after an early morning incident on Rochambu Avenue in Norwood.

According to Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling, the officer was shot in the hand by a pellet-gun as the officer struggled with a suspect that took place in the rear courtyard of 3133 Rocambeau Avenue at sometime after 4 a.m. on October 25.

A small army of police as well as tactical units converged on the area and at least one suspect, possibly two are currently in police custody.

The 52^nd Precinct, which has seen a noticeable up tick in crime and violent incidents such as this shooting, is currently in a transition as Deputy Inspector Nilda Hoffman was recently named commanding officer of the precinct that covers Norwood, Bedford Park and Fordham.

Dowling was on scene of this shooting and also attended that morning's Annual 52^ndPrecinct Community Council Breakfast.

At about the same time, Hoffman was at 1 Police Plaza where she attended a ceremony where she was promoted to Inspector, apparently one of the perks that come with her new command.

Ironically, the breakfast was held at Monroe College on Jerome Avenue, 2 short blocks from where a popular 17-year-old Walton High School student was shot to death the previous Wednesday evening.

At the breakfast, Dowling stated, "This morning's incident, the officers were investigating some individuals, they were alerted to the fact that one of the individuals was in possession of a firearm. They stopped two individuals as he went to stop one of them,  he drew a firearm from his person."

Dowling continued,"One of the officers felt the danger with him pulling out what appeared to him to be a gun... he discharged one round and did not strike the perpetrator or any innocent victims."

Police say the suspect was carrying a pellet-gun that looked like a real, "Desert Eagle," handgun. Sources say that officer suffered a minor hand injury and is believed to have been transported to North Central Bronx Hospital. The still-unidentified suspect suffered a leg in jury as he scaled a fence, he was treated at Montefiore Hospital.

Woman, 79, Shot Near Yankee Stadium

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 29- A 79-year old woman is recovering after being shot along E. 153 Street. 

Police say the unintended victim was walking along a courtyard with her grandchild when the gunfire began at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, October 28. Police were looking for the gunman, who was wearing a hooded jacket and fled in an SUV, believed to be a silver Volkswagen. 

Detectives were using surveillance video to identify the gunman, but police have no suspects at this time. 

Chinese Takeout Stickup Artist Caught on Tape

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dumb Crooks Rip Off Smart Phones

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dumb Crooks Rip Off Smart Phones: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 25 - Police are looking for groups of thieves who have attacked women for their smart pho...

Dumb Crooks Rip Off Smart Phones

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 25- Police are looking for groups of thieves who have attacked women for their smart phones.

The first attack occurred in Belmont on September 30. At around 4 p.m. a 16-year-old girl was walking in front of 826 East Tremont Avnue when the suspects approached from behind and demanded her smart phone. One of the group punched the teen in the back of the head and tried to remove the phone. When they could not make off with the phone, the attackers began beating the teen. 

The suspects are described as black females in their late teens and early 20s.

In an unrelated incident, thieves snatched the woman’s smartphone from her hands. The 24-year-old was standing on the corner of Boston Road and E. 180th Street when she was attacked. A man in his 20s ripped the woman’s Samsung Galaxy S4 cell phone from her hands and fled.

The last attack occurred in the West Farms. At around 7:50 p.m. on October 2 a woman was attacked for her iPhone. The woman was walking in the vicinity of Vyse Avenue and East 179th Street when two men pounced. The men ran up behind the 25-year old and snatched the iPhone 5 from the woman’s hands. 

The two men were described as black males in their late 20s. One suspect was wearing a grey sweat suit and the other was wearing a dark sweat suit. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chinese Takeout Stickup Artist Caught on Tape

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chinese Takeout Stickup Artist Caught on Tape: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 25 - Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a gunman who stuck up a Chinese ...

Chinese Takeout Stickup Artist Caught on Tape

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 25- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a gunman who stuck up a Chinese takeout restaurant near Yankee Stadium.

A gunman robbed a Highbridge Chinese takeout restaurant and it was all caught on tape. At around 11:46 p.m. on October 17, the crook walked into the restaurant at 1023 Ogden Avenue and displayed a black handgun. Waving the weapon, the gunman demanded cash from the register. The worker handed over the money and the thief fled but not before his image was captured on the business’ surveillance cameras.

On the tape the man is seen calmly walking up to the counter like a customer. He does not wear a hat, mask, hoodie or anything that could conceal his identity. Instead the suspect walks up to the cashier next to a waiting customer and then pulls out his gun. As the clerk collects the money out of the register the gunman shakes down the waiting customer of any valuables.

The suspect is described as a black male who is 5 foot 6. He has short black hair with a dark skinned complexion.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press We Found Joe Lhota BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24-  Maybe it was our front page photo of Republican M...

Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

We Found Joe Lhota

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Maybe it was our front page photo of Republican Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota on a milk carton as missing from the Bronx two weeks ago, but since then Lhota has come to the Bronx twice. 

First it was in Coop-City, and then this past Sunday to a legislative breakfast in Riverdale. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani won big in Riverdale, but times were different then. Lhota even promised to return to Riverdale two times before the November election. It seems while those at the legislative breakfast welcomed him few if any who attended are going to vote for Joe Lhota for mayor. I was told Lhota's opponent Bill deBlasio was out of town. DeBlasio has been to the event in the past in his capacity as Public Advocate. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more about the breakfast and see the many photos of the event. One of the photos is that of current MTA board member Charles Moerdler chatting with the former head of the MTA. Moerdler and Lhota had words during one MTA board meeting, but Mr. Moerdler said that he and Mr. Lhota have a cordial relationship. I would take that as a no vote. One of the honorees was Mr. Jeffrey Moerdler (son of Charles Moerdler) who heads the Riverdale Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance.

Is Bill deBlasio making some mistakes on his way to city hall? While the latest polls have deBlasio well ahead of Joe Lhota with no other minor candidate close to Lhota, what is Bill deBlasio thinking when he says he supports Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to ban sugary sodas over 16 ounces. After clearing up his statement a little deBlasio said that it is the obesity problem that plagues New York City children, and that is where he agrees with the policy efforts of Mayor Bloomberg.

While the Democratic Primary is the race to win in the Bronx there is still a general election on Tuesday November 5^th. In the 15^th City Council race Democratic Primary winner Ritchie Torres still may have a tough race in November, because while he won a six person primary one of his opponents from that primary faces Torres one on one in the General Election. This past Monday Democratic candidate for the 15^th city council seat held a fund raiser. You can go to my blog to see just who showed up to this fund raiser being given by Bronx County Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie.

Norwood received a slow zone thanks to the hard work of Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj and Jeffrey Dinowitz. This Norwood slow zone encompasses the Williamsbridge Oval, two schools, and five different early learning centers. As to just where the dividing line in the slow zone of the two assembly districts is, both assemblymen answered it is a joint slow zone with no seams.

What happens when there is a proposal to build something the community is against. This past Monday Community Board # 4 held a protest to a proposed Tier II Transitional Facility on the Grand Concourse. In a letter to the president and CEO of Housing Bridge Inc. CB 4 outlined that they sympathize with the individual and or families in need of such services, but cannot and will not support efforts to secure approval from DHS to acquire 42 units at 1387 Grand Concourse. CB 4 goes on to site “fair share” as an issue, and the lack of community participation in the process.

Finally there may be more delays at the now way over budget ($2 billion over budget) Croton Water Filtration Plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park. I received word about an investigation that may halt the project for up to two more years as certain things get double checked and triple checked before the plant can be operational. This could be one reason that the DEP cut down on the number of meeting from one a month to one a quarter. Just what is the DEP hiding now?

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an announcement listed or event covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer: By Patricia McDow BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20 th ,...

Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

By Patricia McDow

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20^th, Marie joined thousands of local breast cancer survivors, volunteers, business and community members at Orchard Beach as they united to fight breast cancer and save lives at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 3K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.

More than 229,060 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and more than 39,920 will die from the disease. Funds raised through Making Strides will help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

Many of the participants are already looking forward to next year October 19, 2014, hope you can join. If interested visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org to join, donate or create your own team.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance: Murder-Free Week Ends with Bloody Weekend (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- A rare lull in citywide h...

Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance

Murder-Free Week Ends with Bloody Weekend

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- A rare lull in citywide homicides ended with a weekend of gunfire that claimed the lives of four individuals across the borough.

The bloodshed began shortly after Pennsylvania resident Tyrek Singleton returned to his childhood home at the John Adams Houses on Tinton Street.

Singleton and a friend were ambushed by two assailants outside of 680 Tinton Avenue, at just after 6 p.m., of October 18.

Singleton was shot in the chest and was dead on arrival at Lincoln Hospital. His still-unidentified 26-year-old friend was shot in the leg and is recovering.

One police source stated that the surviving victim stated he did not know his assailants and no arguments took place before the shooting.

Police were once again called to reports of gunfire at 2:15 a.m., on October 19, when officers from the 42nd Precinct and PSA 7 discovered a man shot in the head outside the Arthur H. Murphy Houses, located at 1575 Vyse Avenue.

Investigators say Pablo Pagan, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene, steps away from his apartment.

Neighbors described Pagan as a dedicated father of three children who volunteered at the Castle Hill Little League.

After a third call of gunfire, police in Soundview were called to 1550 Westchester Avenue and discovered a man shot in the head and chest and lying on the ground at 4:14 a.m.

Authorities say Marco Castillo, 24, was shot after an argument with two men. According to one published report, Castillo was brawling with one of his attackers and winning the battle, when the second individual pulled out the gun and shot him.

Castillo was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where he died.

Residents reported hearing two gunshots and police are reportedly looking for two individuals, described as male Hispanics. The hooligan who started the fistfight was wearing a blue hooded jacket, the gunman reportedly had a mouth full of gold teeth.

A fourth victim was reported at 6:40 a.m. the following morning when police say Julio Ortiz, 38, of West 246 Street was also shot in the chest as he sat in his vehicle at a gas station.

Ortiz attempted to drive away, when he rear-ended another vehicle at Boston Road and Conner Street.

Ortiz was transported by EMS, but died at Jacobi Hospital.

A week earlier the city had reported a nearly unprecedented week as the NYPD released crime statistics for the week of October 7 through October 13, in which no homicides were reported in the five boroughs.

Marching at the annual Columbus Day Parade, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters, "We had no homicides in the city, which is, I think, emblematic of how safe the city has become and what a great job the New York City police officers are doing."

Despite the bloodshed, if current trends continue the city could have the lowest murder rate in half a century. Last year the city recorded 419 killings.

Statistics show there have been 256 murders around the city in 2013, compared with 346 reported at the same time last year.

The NYPD also reports that overall gun crime is down with 879 shootings, compared with 1,145 recorded during the first ten-months of 2012.

Despite the statistics detectives have yet to make a single arrest in any of the most recent Bronx killings. Anyone with any information in any of the cases are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Elderly Man Killed Along Schuylerville's 'Devil's ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Elderly Man Killed Along Schuylerville's 'Devil's ...:   (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene   BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 22- An elderly man visiting a doctor's office was struck a...

Elderly Man Killed Along Schuylerville's 'Devil's Curve'

 

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

 

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 22- An elderly man visiting a doctor's office was struck and killed as two or possibly three cars hit the victim as they sped past a busy intersection.

 

According to storefront surveillance video, Angel Luis Figueroa, 74, was crossing E. Tremont Avenue where Whittmore Avenue meets Puritan Avenue, at 7:32 a.m., on October 21.

 

Investigators say Figueroa, who had just moved his car for the alternate-side street cleaning rules to the opposite side of the road, where he put quarters in the meter-- when he was plowed into by a 1999 Dodge Durango heading east.

 

Figueroa was then thrown into oncoming traffic in the west bound lane where police were still investigating if he was hit by a Silver Nissan SUV, driven by a woman who briefly stopped, but kept going. Figueroa was then run over by a 2013 Nissan Altima.

 

Good Samaritan Louis LaMorte, 22, who called police and attempted to give aid, recalled, "When I got over to him he still had a pulse and I was calling 911, but when I called 911, they were having trouble finding where Puritan Avenue was."

 

LaMorte estimates the delay took three to four precious minutes, and an EMS ambulance arrived four-minutes later. Figueroa died at the scene.

 

"As soon as I got to him," LaMorte continued, "his mouth was open and he was bleeding out of the back of his head and his ear. I was checking his pulse on his wrist and right on his neck and he still had a pulse and then it lightened-up and that was it, he was gone."

 

Livery taxi driver Jose Perez who works for DAT Car Service was driving the black Nissan that eventually ran over Figueroa, told reporters at the scene, "I saw the guy crossing the street and somebody was coming from the opposite direction and hit him."

 

Perez claimed to have been cut-off by the female driver who eventually left the scene. Perez, who apparently had a passenger in his vehicle, grimly recalled, "I just ran over him, pulled over to the right."

 

After several hours, police would eventually place handcuffs on the still-unidentified driver of the Durango, for reportedly driving with a suspended license. It's believed the female driver who fled the scene was also being questioned by police, but as of Tuesday, October 22, no charges had yet been filed.

 

According to Anna Diaz, 33, one of Figueroa's three daughters, he had worked for 40-years at the Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital before his retirement. He continued to stay busy, taking care of his blind wife, transporting his grandchildren to school and volunteering at the Jasa Senior Center in Pelham Bay.

 

The distraught Diaz recalled, "He was a very good husband, a very good provider. He took care of us very, very well."

 

When told that one of the driver's may have been operating without a valid drivers license, Diaz asked, "Why would you put somebody's life at risk? You (the driver) took somebody away from me that I need and now is no longer there."

 

Diaz continued, "If you’re not supposed to drive, don't drive. I don't wish him any harm, or anything, because I'm not that kind of person, but you just took away my life right now, he was all I had."

 

Besides now having to make funeral arrangements, the family was wondering how to break the news to Figueroa's two grandchildren, ages 5 and 8.

 

Diaz stated that Figueroa had an appointment at the Throggs Neck Medical Care facility and had moved his car for the street-sweeper and had moved the car to the opposite side of the street, adding, "He was worried about getting tickets."

 

Area residents call the three-block stretch of E. Tremont Avenue, from Baisley Avenue to Waterbury Avenue, 'The Devil's Curve," because of the winding roadway that has claimed at least two other lives in the last decade.

 

Meanwhile, a group of cyclists called, 'Right of Way,' have begun spray-painting street corners, drawing outlines resembling the chalk outlines once used by police, in an effort to bring attention to the number of children who are struck and killed on city roadways.

 

Currently the eight markers around the city also include the first name and age of a child and many also have the words, "No criminality suspected." Apparently referring to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, they are also writing the words, "Why, Ray, Why?"