Manhattan Jaspers Win 8th Straight

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- Although the Manhattan Jaspers (11-2, 4-0) are undefeated in all eight games they have played away from their home arena, Draddy Gymnasium, they easily defeated the Fairfield Stags (3-11, 0-4), 83-57, at home on Saturday evening.

A layup by Manhattan’s star scorer George Beamon at 15:28 gave the Jaspers an early 11-2 advantage. A three by Rich Williams raised the lead of the Jaspers to double figures for the first time in the game, 21-11, at 11:53. The visitors cut the lead to six, 24-18, at 9:01, but the Jaspers kept a double digit advantage during the final four minutes of the first period. They led 43-28 at the half.

Manhattan shot at a hefty 54.5 precent while holding the Stags to only 30.6 precent during the half. Beamon led all scorers with 15 points. The three Manhattan seniors, Beamon, Rhamel Brown and Michael Alvarado, accounted for 29 of their team’s 43 points.

The teams played evenly during the first seven minutes of the second half with the score 53-39 in Manhattan’s favor. At that point, the Jaspers scored 12 unanswered points to raise their lead to 65-39 with 9:16 on the clock. The lead held to the end as Manhattan was victorious by a score of 83-57.

Manhattan players shot a healthy 50 precent from the floor (23 for 46) and from beyond the arc (8 for 16) during the one-sided encounter. Fairfield’s advantage in offensive rebounding, 14-5, allowed them 15 more shots than the jaspers, but the differential in shooting percentage between the teams nullified the advantage of the visitors. 

Another Manhattan benefit was being able to visit the charity stripe for 29 shots while the Stags only took 12 free throws.  Beamon led in scoring with 19 points, raising his career total as a Jasper to 1,531, 7^th place in team career points. Beamon is one of only seven NCAA players this season who averages 20 points and 7 rebounds per game.

The other two Manhattan seniors are nearing the 1,000 point total at the college. Brown’s 12 points gave him 960 and Alvarado’s 8 brought him to 940. Both should reach the milestone of 1,000 this season. Rich Williams netted 14 in only 18 minutes of action.

The Jaspers have won all eight games they played since dropping a 79-75 game to their Bronx rivals, the Fordham Rams, on November 26. 

Even more importantly, they have won all four of the conference games in the MAAC, putting them at the top of the standings. 

After a road contest, the Jaspers will return to Draddy on January 12 to face Marist, another conference foe.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baseball Legend and American Hero Jerry Coleman Pa...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baseball Legend and American Hero Jerry Coleman Pa...: (Photo by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin  BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- Jerry Coleman, a baseball lifer for nearly 70 years, and ...

Baseball Legend and American Hero Jerry Coleman Passes Away

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin 

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- Jerry Coleman, a baseball lifer for nearly 70 years, and an American military hero during World War II and the Korean War, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. Coleman died from head injuries suffered in a fall last month and the effects of pneumonia. 

Coleman was an especially beloved figure in the Bronx and in San Diego. The octogenarian was an All-Star player and popular broadcaster with the New York Yankees and Hall of Fame recognized broadcaster for more than 40 years with the San Diego Padres.

The place of a man nearly 90 currently working in baseball and the respect he has earned elicited the following tribute from MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, “Jerry Coleman was a hero and role model to myself [sic] and countless others in the game of baseball. He had a memorable multifaceted career in the National Pastime- as an All-Star during the great Yankees dynasty from 1949-1963, a manager and for more than a half-century, a beloved broadcaster, including as an exemplary ambassador for the San Diego Padres. But above all, Jerry’s decorated service to our country in both World War II and Korea made him an integral part of the Greatest Generation. He was a true friend whose counsel valued greatly.”

In the 1940’s, the California native was in the minors and served in active combat during World War II. He was brought up to the Yankees in 1949. Two years ago, during an interview at Yankee Stadium, Coleman humorously recalled his first game as a Yankee, “The first play of the game was a ground ball that went right between my legs. The next play was a one-hopper that came to me and resulted in a double play. After that, I said, ‘I’m saved.’”

Coleman’s playing career was far better than he liked to joke. The second sacker’s first season was so good that the Associated Press selected him as American League Rookie of the Year. In his sophomore season, he earned the Babe Ruth Award as the World Series MVP.

Coleman’s baseball career was twice interrupted for military service. He was the only major leaguer engaged in active combat during World War II and Korea. He flew 120 missions in combat. Coleman valued the wartime service to his country far more than his many years in baseball.

The articulate and good humored athlete spent seven years as a broadcaster with the Yankees after his playing career concluded. In this position, he again joined with his double-play partner Phil Rizzuto.

After relocating to California, Coleman broadcast for the California Angels and then for four decades broadcast for the Padres. In 1980, he managed the Padres, but returned to the broadcast booth after only one season. 

His excellence as a broadcaster earned him the Ford C. Frick Award in 2005 and enshrinement in the broadcast wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Anyone who had the opportunity to converse with Coleman was enlightened, entertained and uplifted as I was when I spoke at length with him during the 2012 Old Timers’ Day.

Anyone can learn more about Coleman’s interesting and worthy life by reading his 2008 autobiography “American Journey: My Life on the Field, in the Air and on the Air.”

Rest in peace-Gerald Francis Coleman.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Raptors’ Strong Second Half Leads To 75-66 Road Lo...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Raptors’ Strong Second Half Leads To 75-66 Road Lo...: BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- The Maritime men’s basketball team lost to Bard College, 75-66, on the road on Saturday afternoon at the Rapto...

Raptors’ Strong Second Half Leads To 75-66 Road Loss For Privateers

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- The Maritime men’s basketball team lost to Bard College, 75-66, on the road on Saturday afternoon at the Raptors’ Stevenson Athletic Center. The defeat drops the Privateers to 2-7 overall on the season, while Bard improves to 5-4.

Four players scored in double-figures for Maritime, led by junior Sean Corley (Harlem, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall), who registered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. It was his second double-double of the year. Freshmen Bobby Parlow (Bay Head, N.J./Point Pleasant Beach), Brandon Halligan (Durham, N.Y./Cairo-Durham) and Kevin Heine (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) all scored 11 points apiece.

The Privateers opened the game strong, building up a 12-5 advantage early after a jumper by Corley at 15:22 of the first. The lead moved to nine points, 16-7 (the biggest lead of the first half for Maritime), on another good jumper by Corley at 14:22. The Raptors fought back to within one points at 8:10 of the first after an 11-2 run was capped off by a layup by senior Lamar Powell. The Privateers responded with a 9-2 run to take 28-20 lead at 6:00.

With a four-point lead (32-28) with 2:31 to play in the first, Bard went on a 7-2 run to take its first lead of the day, 35-34, on a three-pointer by freshman Harry Johnson with exactly a minute to play in the half. After each team failed to score on their next possession, the Privateers got the ball back with eight seconds left and Corley dished it to Halligan, who drained a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to put Maritime back ahead 37-35 into the halftime break.

Corley scored a team-high 11 points in the first half, while Halligan had eight. The Privateers shot 50.0-percent from the field (12-for-24) and held the Raptors to a 44.4-percent clip (12-for-27). Powell led all players with 11 points for Bard in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, it was Bard that got off to a hot start, outscoring Maritime 18-1 over the first seven minutes of action to take a 53-38 lead. The Raptors took advantage of a drop off in Privateers’ shooting and some turnovers. The Raptors’ lead climbed to as high as 18 points, 65-47, at 8:07. However, the Privateers fought back to bring the deficit to just seven points, 66-59, after Halligan knocked down a three with 5:28 to play.

The Raptors’ lead reached double-digits once again when a three by Powell with 2:46 to play made the score 71-61. The Privateers got the game back within seven points two more times, but Bard nailed 4-of-6 free throws late and Maritime could not cash in on their late possessions, resulting in the nine-point loss.

The Privateers shot just 34.8-percent in the second half to finish the game with a 42.6-percent clip (20-for-47). Bard finished with 44.0-precent shooting on the day. Powell led all players with 26 points, while sophomore Brandon Cunningham tallied 10 points.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Traffic’s Plane Crazy

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Traffic’s Plane Crazy: Pilot makes miracle landing on highway Photo by David Greene By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- The stars must have...

Traffic’s Plane Crazy

Pilot makes miracle landing on highway

Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- The stars must have been aligned perfectly as a single-engine fixed-winged plane, with three passengers onboard, made an emergency landing-- on the northbound Major Deegan Expressway.

The unusual incident was reported at 3:26 p.m., on January 4, when a member of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit confirmed the incident, frantically telling his dispatcher, "Small plane down in the right two lanes."

The difficult landing on the three-lane highway was made more difficult as the two outside lanes had less room than normal due to the recent snowfall.

Less than two minutes later the officer told his dispatcher, "We are at the job, it looks like the airplane is in an upright position... were not confirming any injuries or not, but it looks to be a pretty good hard-landing at this location."

Partial credit for the averted tragedy goes to the quick-thinking road crew with the Department of Transportation, who were already blocking two lanes, filling potholes when they spotted the troubled plane and quickly used their vehicles to block the third lane, so the pilot could land.

First responders removed the 50-year-old male pilot and two female passengers, ages 43 and 20 who were transported to St. Barnabas Hospital with minor bumps and bruises. One of the passengers suffered a nasty bump on her head, but was expected to recover.

The Piper Cherokee PA-28 was built in 1966, took of From Danburry, CT. for a sightseeing trip around the Statue of Liberty and was returning to Connecticut when engine failure forced the aircraft down.

One Woodlawn resident, who declined to give his name, explained a friend had seen a ticker across the television screen, adding, "We live a couple blocks away and we came over."

Asked if he was surprised by the site, he replied, "Everything happens over here, you never know."

The miracle landing was reminiscent of former American Airlines pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who set a jumbo jet down on the Hudson River back on January 15, 2009.

The incident was the first breaking-news story of Mayor de Blassio's administration, prompting his remark to members of the media, "I thought I'd seen everything in my life," and calling it, "a bit of a miracle."   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby New Year

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby New Year: BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 2- The first Montefiore baby of 2014 was born January 1 at 12.15 am. Kairi Evany Cid Bravo was born at Montefiore’s...

Baby New Year

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 2- The first Montefiore baby of 2014 was born January 1 at 12.15 am. Kairi Evany Cid Bravo was born at Montefiore’s Weiler Hospital on the Einstein Campus, weighing in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and measuring 19 ½ inches. Pictured below is proud first-time Mom Kaori Bravo from the South Bronx with Nurse Christine Palazzo at the Mother and Baby Unit at Montefiore’s Weiler Hospital.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Police are still searching for a gunman who held up two grocery stores within two hours in t...

Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Police are still searching for a gunman who held up two grocery stores within two hours in two different nabes in the confines of the 45th Precinct.

Cops are asking for the public’s help once again to help identify the suspect in the two armed robberies. The first stickup occurred at Zerega Deli and Grocery on December 22. At around 1 p.m., the suspect walked into the store on Zerega Avnue, displayed a weapon and demanded money. The clerk forked over the cash and the perp fled. 

Two hours later the gunman struck again. At around 3:35 p.m. that same day, the suspect walked into Steve’s Deli & Grocery on Mayflower Avenue. Inside the Pelham Bay grocery, the man showed off a firearm and fled with the cash.

Investigators released surveillance video of the suspect and the alleged get-away vehicle. The gunman was seen wearing a red shirt, green knit hat and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS (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): Fireworks Explosion

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fireworks Explosion: Following Fireworks Shake and Wake in Park, Pol Calls for Stiffer Sentences for Vandals  BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- In the wake o...

Fireworks Explosion

Following Fireworks Shake and Wake in Park,

Pol Calls for Stiffer Sentences for Vandals 

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- In the wake of a major fireworks explosion Monday night in the Bronx, State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein announced he will introduce legislation that would dramatically increase penalties for vandals who set-off fireworks explosions causing more than $1,000 in property damage or public panic. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) will sponsor the legislation in the Assembly.

“New Year’s Eve should be a time for public celebration, not panic and fear. Last night’s explosion was terrifying and has no place in any community,” Senator Klein said. “If these types of vandals think they can get away with a slap on the wrist, they’re dead wrong. I will not risk letting our young people think that this type of life-threatening vandalism is ok here or anywhere else in New York.”

Assemblyman Benedetto said, "It is important that we send a message to all who think something like this is a 'fun prank'. It is anything but. Terrifying our residents in the middle of the night is anything but fun and they should be held responsible."

Currently, an individual who illegally explodes fireworks faces a maximum of 15 days in jail. But under Sen. Klein’s proposed legislation, an individual who illegally explodes fireworks and causes $1,000 or more in property damage or public panic would face a sentence of between 1- 4 years in prison. The legislation would elevate the offense from a violation  to a Class E felony.

Community Board 10 Chairman John Marano said, "It is scary knowing that the perpetrator of this explosion can just walk the streets and get away with harming others. I applaud Senator Klein for recognizing the need to hold those that cause public panic like this accountable. The common person should never have to live in fear."

Al Carena, President of Spencer Estates Civic Association said, "In this current climate we live in, incidences like this can cause public alarm and should be addressed. The New York State Legislature should take a look and consider this bill." 

Frank W. Diefenbach, Affected Homeowner on Middletown Road said, "The perpetrator of this explosion showed no regard for our property or for the safety of local residents and animals in the area who could have been hurt or injured. I think this legislation is a wonderful idea and it’s something that needs to be done to protect homeowners like me."

Monday night’s incident, which occurred inside Pelham Bay Park at approximately 11:00 p.m., is currently under investigation by the Arson and Explosion Squad and by the 45 Precinct Detective Squad. Damage to at least three homes has been reported as a result of the explosion.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rams Victorious in Fordham Holiday Classic

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rams Victorious in Fordham Holiday Classic: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Aficionados of college women’s basketball in the Bronx had an opportunity to attend ...

Rams Victorious in Fordham Holiday Classic

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Aficionados of college women’s basketball in the Bronx had an opportunity to attend two doubleheaders shortly before the close of 2013 as the 7^th annual Fordham Holiday Classic was held on the afternoons of December 29 and December 30 at the Rose Hill Gym. As in the previous six years, the invitees included teams from a wide area of the nation and from several conferences. 

In the opening contest on Sunday afternoon, the Fordham Rams easily triumphed over the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Spartans, 79-48. The Rams began aggressively by scoring the first eight points. At 11:35, Fordham reached its first double digit lead of the contest, 15-5. They increased their lead at the half to 39-20. 

Mid-way through the second half, Fordham increased its advantage to an insurmountable 67-34. Fordham’s experienced and classy coach, Stephanie Gaitley, gave all the reserves on its bench an opportunity to see action and to ensure that the visiting team from the South was not treated to an even more embarrassing defeat.

Erin Rooney paced the Rams, nearly achieving a triple double with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in only 27 minutes on court. 

The closing game of day #1 was the first meeting between the Harvard Crimson and the Tulsa Hurricanes. The two teams battled competitively on a court foreign to both. Control of the boards, 44 rebounds to 32, and six additional points from the charity stripe gave the 61-57 victory to Harvard.

The consolation contest between Tulsa and UNCG opened the second day of the tourney. The game was hard fought and evenly played by two teams that never previously faced one another. Tulsa led throughout most of the first half, but the Spartans took a 27-26 lead with four minutes left in the half. The Hurricanes followed with 10 unanswered points, and led at the half, 36-32.

After knotting the score at 38 early in the second half, the Spartans remained behind for the remainder of the game. They cut the Tulsa advantage to a single point on four occasions, but could not again equal the Tulsa point total. The Hurricanes won, 76-71.

The title contest of the two-day tourney was between Fordham and Harvard. Interestingly, the two men’s teams of the same universities met in the same Bronx venue two nights earlier. The Rams’ ability from beyond the arc furnished them an advantage during the opening half. Five of Fordham’s first six baskets were from downtown and allowed the Rams to lead, 20-12 at 7:47. A basket and a free throw by Emily Tapio brought Fordham its first double figure advantage of the game, 25-14, at 5:56. 

Fordham never lost the double figure advantage again during the contest. During the final two minutes of the game, Fordham, in the person of Abigail Corning, outscored the Crimson, 6-1, to raise its final score lead to a game high 20 points, 64-44. The win was the 10^th straight for the Rams, equaling a mark last accomplished in the 1978-79 season. They are undefeated at home, 7-0.

Corning had an impressive game for the Rams, grabbing 12 boards, scoring 9 and dishing 6 assists. Rooney led all scorers in the contest with 19.

Corning and Rooney were named to the All-Tournament team along with Janaé Stevenson of UNCG, Mariah Turner of Tulsa and Temi Fagbenle of Harvard. 

The women of Fordham next see action on the evening of January 2 in the Bronx versus Saint Louis. It will be Fordham’s first Atlantic-10 conference game of the season. 

Rams Victorious in Fordham Holiday Classic

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Aficionados of college women’s basketball in the Bronx had an opportunity to attend two doubleheaders shortly before the close of 2013 as the 7^th annual Fordham Holiday Classic was held on the afternoons of December 29 and December 30 at the Rose Hill Gym. As in the previous six years, the invitees included teams from a wide area of the nation and from several conferences. 

In the opening contest on Sunday afternoon, the Fordham Rams easily triumphed over the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Spartans, 79-48. The Rams began aggressively by scoring the first eight points. At 11:35, Fordham reached its first double digit lead of the contest, 15-5. They increased their lead at the half to 39-20. 

Mid-way through the second half, Fordham increased its advantage to an insurmountable 67-34. Fordham’s experienced and classy coach, Stephanie Gaitley, gave all the reserves on its bench an opportunity to see action and to ensure that the visiting team from the South was not treated to an even more embarrassing defeat.

Erin Rooney paced the Rams, nearly achieving a triple double with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in only 27 minutes on court. 

The closing game of day #1 was the first meeting between the Harvard Crimson and the Tulsa Hurricanes. The two teams battled competitively on a court foreign to both. Control of the boards, 44 rebounds to 32, and six additional points from the charity stripe gave the 61-57 victory to Harvard.

The consolation contest between Tulsa and UNCG opened the second day of the tourney. The game was hard fought and evenly played by two teams that never previously faced one another. Tulsa led throughout most of the first half, but the Spartans took a 27-26 lead with four minutes left in the half. The Hurricanes followed with 10 unanswered points, and led at the half, 36-32.

After knotting the score at 38 early in the second half, the Spartans remained behind for the remainder of the game. They cut the Tulsa advantage to a single point on four occasions, but could not again equal the Tulsa point total. The Hurricanes won, 76-71.

The title contest of the two-day tourney was between Fordham and Harvard. Interestingly, the two men’s teams of the same universities met in the same Bronx venue two nights earlier. The Rams’ ability from beyond the arc furnished them an advantage during the opening half. Five of Fordham’s first six baskets were from downtown and allowed the Rams to lead, 20-12 at 7:47. A basket and a free throw by Emily Tapio brought Fordham its first double figure advantage of the game, 25-14, at 5:56. 

Fordham never lost the double figure advantage again during the contest. During the final two minutes of the game, Fordham, in the person of Abigail Corning, outscored the Crimson, 6-1, to raise its final score lead to a game high 20 points, 64-44. The win was the 10^th straight for the Rams, equaling a mark last accomplished in the 1978-79 season. They are undefeated at home, 7-0.

Corning had an impressive game for the Rams, grabbing 12 boards, scoring 9 and dishing 6 assists. Rooney led all scorers in the contest with 19.

Corning and Rooney were named to the All-Tournament team along with Janaé Stevenson of UNCG, Mariah Turner of Tulsa and Temi Fagbenle of Harvard. 

The women of Fordham next see action on the evening of January 2 in the Bronx versus Saint Louis. It will be Fordham’s first Atlantic-10 conference game of the season. 

Pinstripe Bowl is Final College Game for Notre Dame Wide Receiver TJ Jones

By Howard Goldin

The final phase of the 2013 college football season has begun, which is the playing of the annual Bowl games. For the student-athlete that is a senior, he will be appearing in his final college game. The story of each of these young men’s past, present and future is unique, yet each, like every college graduate, will be entering a new stage of life with its own opportunities and challenges.

This story is about TJ Jones, a Notre Dame senior who plays wide receiver on its renowned football team. Jones was born in Winnipeg, Canada, but moved with his family to Georgia as a young child. He was a highly regarded football player in high school, but chose to enroll at Notre Dame for very personal reasons, “My father [Andre] went here [1987-91]. My father met my mother here when she was in graduate school and he was an undergraduate. In my visit to the school, I saw the closeness of my father with the other students after 20 years.” An example of the closeness of the students is that Jones’ godfather, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, was a teammate of his father on the football team at Notre Dame.

TJ, like his father, has been a success on the football field. Both were contributors to highly successful teams that compiled winning records and competed in a Bowl game at the end of each of the four seasons they played. During the current season, Jones surpassed his previous seasons’ statistics with 65 receptions accounting for 1,042 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns one by rushing.

The last four years have not been all smooth or good times as Jones’ father died in 2011, his sophomore year. It affected him greatly, “I believe I grew into the man I am today at a young age after my father died.”

At this stage in his life, the articulate young man voiced his thoughts regarding his years at Notre Dame, “It’s been a roller coaster, a lot of highs and a lot of lows. Today was my last practice. Saturday will be my last game. It’s hard to believe; I feel like I just got here. I feel young.” It’s bittersweet; I’m sad to leave these guys but it’s exciting. The possibilities [for the future] are endless.”

He also expressed his hopes for future endeavors. Like his father, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1991, Jones hopes to play in the NFL. Of being invited to the NFL Combine, he admitted, “That’s the goal.”

Jones also has longer-term goals for the more distant future after his football days have ended. The Radio, Television and Theater major projected his desires, “As I get older, I’d like to get small acting roles. I’d also like to be able to work with killer whales at Sea World.”

Regardless of what his future holds, the memories of his college years will always remain with him, “It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life, being part of the tradition of Notre Dame and playing at Yankee Stadium [in 2010 and 2013].”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 27- A suspect wanted in an armed robbery at a Chase Bank ATM was shot and killed  as he fought wit...

Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 27- A suspect wanted in an armed robbery at a Chase Bank ATM was shot and killed  as he fought with police on Davidson Avenue in Morris Heights.

Cops say James Torres, 44, was hit two-times in the chest at just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, December 26 after the confronted officers. Torres was shot during the scuffle with a pair of uniformed officers from the 46th Precinct. Torres later died at St. Barnabas Hospital. 

A loaded .380 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene. Police say Torres had an extensive criminal background with three felony convictions and 22 misdemeanor convictions for a host of crimes including assault, robbery, weapons possession and an assault of a police officer.  

Carlos Beltran Officially Introduced by New York Yankees

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 21- For the third time in the past three weeks, the New York Yankees officially introduced one of their free agent signees. These brief meetings with the press and media are wise ways for an organization to publicize its franchise in a positive manner and demonstrate to its fan base its efforts to improve the performance of the team in the coming season.

Catcher Brian McCann, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and on Friday, Carlos Beltran were the subjects of these public events. The player least needing an introduction to New York fans is Beltran.

The 36 year-old outfielder has been in the majors since 1998 and was a star on the New York Mets from 2005-2011. During that time, he has compiled very creditable on the field statistics and conducted himself humbly and gentlemanly off the field.  

After playing 14 games for the Kansas City Royals in 1998, Beltran earned the American League Rookie-of-the Year Award in 1999. After a trade to Houston during the 2004 season, Beltran became a free agent and was hopeful of signing with the Yankees in 2005.

Beltran recalled this experience, “I grew up being a Yankee fan, a Bernie Williams fan. I used to look up to this organization. They always did what it takes to put good teams out there and win championships. Eight-nine years ago, they [Yankees] couldn’t commit to the years I wanted. They were having problems with the salary cap. They got Randy Johnson and I signed with the Mets.”

Although he still retains the hurtful memories of having been unfairly spoken of negatively by Mets brass, Beltran put the entire Mets experience in a positive light, “I have good memories of Queens. As a person, I met so many good people. In my career, my best numbers were with the Mets.”

Beltran responded with total honesty when asked how playing for the Yanks will be different than playing for the Mets, “I don’t know. I have to experience it.”

New York Yankees President Randy Levine explained one of the reasons the Yankees desired to sign Beltran, “We know he can play in New York. A lot of great players can’t.” Beltran later explained the meaning of Levine’s words from his own playing experience, “Playing here [New York] is different than playing anywhere else. The attention here is more; that’s pressure.”

Despite the pressure, he talked of his happiness of being in New York, a feeling that was not always realized by the public, “People misunderstood that I didn’t like New York. I really did enjoy it. My wife loves it here.”

As a Latino born in Puerto Rico, the veteran major leaguer expressed happiness of being in the Bronx, “I’m proud that on this side of town we have a lot of Puerto Ricans. I have a double responsibility, representing the Yankees and representing my country. We’re going to have some fun.”

The socially conscious individual also spoke of his responsibility of giving back to the community, “My opportunity as a player is to give back. We are going to do something positive.”

As a veteran player who at the end of his current three year contact will have played in the majors for 18 seasons, Beltran is thinking of the future. He said although he never gave thought to the Hall of Fame, people have told him it could be in his future. Because of this possibility, he felt a strong preference for a three year rather than two year contract, “The third year, to me, is important. It allows me to play longer and get better numbers.”

The statistics and honors earned by Beltran are already quite impressive. The eight time All-Star, three time Gold Glove winner and recipient of the Silver Slugger twice is worthy of being considered. His .333 batting average in 51 post-season games also adds to his high reputation.

He responded to a query of when he will retire, “It depends on how I feel. Right now, I consider it my last contract.”

Perhaps, the comment by Levine of why this contract between Beltran and the Yankees was signed was most appropriate, “The stars were aligned.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Call them the crooks that can’t knock over anything. A wannabe Bonny and Clyde tried unsucc...

Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Call them the crooks that can’t knock over anything. A wannabe Bonny and Clyde tried unsuccessfully to stick up two chain stores.

At around 12:30 p.m. on December 7, a man and woman walked into a Carvel on Morris Avenue. The woman acted as a lookout as the male pulled out a handgun and demanded cash. The gunman grabbed the worker’s purse and attempted to flee. During the course of the getaway, the crooks dropped the purse fleeing empty handed. 

The pair struck again at around 6:30 a.m. on December 13. This time they tried to rob a Dunkin’ Donuts on Prospect Avenue. As the female crook acted as lookout, the gunman slapped the store employee in the face and demanded money. When the worker refused to fork over the cash, the pair left empty handed. 

The gunman is described as a black male between the ages of 25 and 30. He is 5 foot 8 and weighs 160 pounds. His accomplice is a black woman between the ages of 25 and 30. She is 5 foot 6 and weighs 180 pounds. 

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 texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- On the third day of Christmas, a Bronx bandit is on the NYPD’s wanted list for: sticking up...

Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- On the third day of Christmas, a Bronx bandit is on the NYPD’s wanted list for: sticking up 3 cell phone stores, punching one clerk in the face and making off with over $6 grand in cash. 

Police released surveillance video of the gunman who has held up three cell phone stores over the course of the past month. The first incident occurred on November 24 when the thief stuck up a Boost Mobile store on Webster Avenue. The suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded cash. He fled with $560.

At around 6 p.m. on November 29, cops say the suspect walked into the Simple Mobile store on Webster Avenue and showed off his handgun. The bandit proceeded to punch the clerk in the face and demanded cash. The gunman made off with $1,400 and the clerk suffered only minor injuries. 

At around 2:17 p.m. on December 8, the gunman struck again in the same store. This time he robbed the same Boost Mobile store and made off with $4,500. No one was injured in this stickup.

The gunman is described as a 25-year-old black male, who is between 5 foot 10 to 6 feet tall and weighs about 185 pounds. 

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 texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential. 

Tags: Holiday, Stickup, Cell phone, Boost Mobile

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Grinch Rips Off Playstation

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Grinch Rips Off Playstation: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Looks like a Bronx Grinch really did steal Christmas. Police are asking for the public’s h...

Grinch Rips Off Playstation

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Looks like a Bronx Grinch really did steal Christmas. Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch this holiday crook.

Investigators released a photo of a man, they say, robbed a University Heights family of their Playstation video game system, TV and an undetermined amount of cash. 

Cops say the crook pushed in a window air conditioning unit to gain access to the house. Once inside the crook made off with the items.

Police have identified the suspect as Angel Yambo, who is 39 years, 5 foot 9 and weighs 190 pounds. 

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 texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential. 

Tags: Grinch, Christmas, NYPD, Robbery

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Santa is the star of show

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Santa is the star of show: By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 18- Santa Claus, played by Co-op City locksmith Louis Loscalzo, was, once again, ...

Santa is the star of show

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 18- Santa Claus, played by Co-op City locksmith Louis Loscalzo, was, once again, the star of the show at the community’s winter-holiday celebration, which was held in the auditorium of the Dreiser Loop Community Center.

Co-op City’s effervescent Santa was on hand early to accommodate the community’s delightful children. including Adam Martinez, 5; Eriella and Sienna Gonzalez, 1 ½ and 8 respectively, and Marcel Williams, 4. 

For the children, sitting on Santa’s lap was clearly the highlight of the celebration.

Among the highlights of the festivities were the lighting of the Christmas tree by representatives for City Councilman Andy King, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Rep. Eliot Engel, as well as the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah by long-time shareholder Barbara Rose and the telling of the Kwanzaa story by Co-op City’s Girls Scout troop.

Adorable tots from the Garvey School and the Learning Ladder Day Care Center  spread holiday cheer, and so did singers and  dancers from the Co-op City Baptist Church, the Faith@Work Christian Church, the Cathedral United Baptist Church, and the Greater Love Baptist Church.

As in recent years, the winter-holiday celebration, sponsored by the Riverbay Fund, was a time for the community’s younger families to celebrate their children and for the community as a whole to celebrate positive aspects of life in Co-op City.

Highbridge News: 'Loko' Bandit at Large

Highbridge News: 'Loko' Bandit at Large: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 18- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a gunman who stuck up a conven...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): 'Loko' Bandit at Large

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): 'Loko' Bandit at Large: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 18- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a gunman who stuck up a conven...

'Loko' Bandit at Large

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 18- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a gunman who stuck up a convenience store and a parking garage. Investigators are hoping a sketch of the suspect will spur tipsters to call.

The gunman struck most recently around 4 a.m. on December 5. Cops say the man walked into a 7-Eleven store on University Avenue and took two cans of Loko beer from the refrigerator. The suspect placed the beers on the counter, whipped out a handgun and demanded cash. The 58-year-old female clerk put $100 on the counter and the gunman fled with the cash and the beer.

Detectives from the 46th Precinct have identified the convenience store bandit as the suspect wanted for sticking up a parking garage. At around 6 a.m. on November 28, the suspect entered RG Parking Garage on Loring Place South. He went up to an employee at the garage, displayed a handgun and demanded cash. The worker forked over money and the gunman fled. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Santa Spotted in the Bronx

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Santa Spotted in the Bronx: BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkchester Chr...

Santa Spotted in the Bronx

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkchester Christmas tree at the Oval. The event, filled with local singers and dancers, was capped off with the

holiday lights inside Met Oval. Then Old St. Nick was on hand for the tree lighting at the Fordham BID.

Arthur Avenue kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. In addition, holiday carolers sang to inspire the crowd.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Tribute to Michael Jackson

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Tribute to Michael Jackson: Doll House Celebrates 40 Years on Pelham Parkway (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 11- F...

Holiday Tribute to Michael Jackson

Doll House Celebrates 40 Years on Pelham Parkway

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 11- For the Garabedian family of Pelham Parkway, they don't just celebrate Christmas-- they live it.

And now for the 40th-consecutive year they have re-constructed the scene that kind of looks like Hollywood's A-list is celebrating Christmas with Santa Claus in Bethlehem.

Like one of Santa's elves, Gary Garabedian, 49, was recently spotted carrying out of his home some of the life-like manikins that weigh up to 40 pounds and securing them into place with a power drill, before another family member tends to its wardrobe.

Before the statues of Audrey Hepburn, Cher, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson are done, a dozen people were outside the home's fence and the available parking spaces in the immediate area were going fast.

Gary Garabeian, 49, later explained, "Every year it's the same theme and every year we keep adding, next year will be Elvis, the Wizard of Oz... we're trying to make it like all of the movie stars came to celebrate Jesus' birth."

In a 2008 New York Times article Garabeian and a family member briefly spoke about a "miracle," or "vision" the family had witnessed in 1973--yet would not reveal.

Garabeian again politely declined the invitation to share their secret, stating, "No we can't reveal that because something special happened to the family and my mother started to do this and we're keeping the tradition going as long as we can, God willing."

Most of the material used to create the 150-plus manikins was trash salvaged from the families fabric business.

When the weather is good, several thousand people will visit in a single night, many tossing dollar bills over the fence. The several thousand dollars raised is later donated to organizations that help children fighting diabetes.

It takes about 37,000 volts to power-up the 50,000-plus lights and displays. After problems in the past, Con Edison regularly visits the home to prevent power failures in the area.

Fact: During the month of December, the families electric bill can run between $1,300 and $1,500.

Myth: Despite it's brightness, the home can't be seen from outer space.

The displays current insurance policy puts its value at between $3 and $4 million dollars. But before any wise-guys get any ideas, the area is under 24-hour video surveillance and it's a regular stop for on and off-duty members of the NYPD.

Weather permitting, the display is on from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. from now until January 6. The home is located at 1605 Pelham Parkway North at Westervelt Avenue in the Pelham Gardens section.