Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hayes Stuffs Mount to Win Turkey Bowl

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hayes Stuffs Mount to Win Turkey Bowl: Photos by Gary Quintal By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2- Mount Saint Michael Academy and Hayes continued their tradition play...

Hayes Stuffs Mount to Win Turkey Bowl

Photos by Gary Quintal

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2- Mount Saint Michael Academy and Hayes continued their tradition playing their 71st annual Turkey Bowl at McGovern Field Thanksgiving morning to the usual sell-out crowd. This year the AA City Championship was also on the line.  

The scoring started early with Hayes and Mount trading touchdowns through the first four possessions, including a touchdown pass into the back corner of the end-zone on Hayes opening possession. 

Mount held a 16-14 lead at the half thanks to a missed extra point conversion by Hayes. Both sides seemed to solve each other until a fourth quarter touchdown run by Hayes put the Cardinals up for good with a 20-16 lead.  

The turning point came as Hayes, down by two, recovered a Mount fumble just inside the two yard line late in the third quarter after Mount had just successfully pulled of a fake punt, running for a first and goal.

Tags: Mount Saint Michael Academy, Cardinal Hayes, Thanksgiving, Turkey Bowl

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Still searching for answers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Still searching for answers: Pair Saved After Westchester Square Explosion (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2- A half dozen civilia...

Still searching for answers

Pair Saved After Westchester Square Explosion

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2- A half dozen civilians helped remove debris and assisted firefighters in locating two men who were buried in rubble after an explosion brought a small building down on top of them.

Rescue crews were called to B & L Auto Repair at 2601 Westchester Avenue at just before 8 a.m., on November 27, after the adjacent one-story structure used as an office, exploded and collapsed trapping the pair in debris.

Bill Sanfardino, who works at nearby electrical shop, recalled, "They’re good people... fortunately they got out alive, I mean it was a crazy scene. The building just exploded, I don't know how or why."

"We were sitting in the shop," Sanfardino continued, "and we heard a boom." Sanfardino stated they located the victims within the five minutes it took for rescue crews to arrive.

Doroteo Sanchez, a day-laborer was standing across the street at the time of the explosion, recalled, "I heard a loud boom. I thought it was a truck that hit one of the columns for the train station. I turned around and the building was down and smoke was rising up into the air."

Sanchez, 51, continued, "We all ran over there to see what was going on and somebody said that someone was in there, so we started looking around and moving beams and wood and brick out of the way.

"It looked like a war zone," Sanchez concluded, "I thought a bomb hit it or something."

The unidentified 63-year-old father and his 36-year-old son were rushed to Jacobi Hospital and were both expected to recover.

B & L Auto has been in business for the last 30-years.

One source close to the investigation stated that the victims were using an air compressor as they welded a gas line when the explosion took place.

Chief William Seelig of the FDNY's Special Operations Division, stated, "It was some pretty manually intensive work we needed to do to get the victims out."

Seelig added that the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation.   

Tags: Building Collapse, Westchester Avenue

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Speed Killed?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Speed Killed?: Metro-North Derailment Caused by Unsafe Speed? Investigators Search for Clues (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRO...

Speed Killed?

Metro-North Derailment Caused by Unsafe Speed?

Investigators Search for Clues

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2- Four people were killed and dozens injured when a Metro-North commuter train that departed Poughkeepsie, NY. and headed  for Grand Central Station--derailed just a few hundred yards from the Spuyten Duyvil Station.

Teams of rescue crews were dispatched after the 7:20 a.m. crash that ejected three of the four victims from the train. Authorities estimate the train was packed with over 125 holiday travelers returning from Thanksgiving celebrations, when it crashed on Sunday, December 1.

One resident of the area, who awoke as the train made it's turn as it approached the station, recalled, "I thought I heard it speeding around the turn just before it crashed."

Multiple sources say the train's engineer William Rockefeller, Jr., 46, a 14-year veteran with Metro- North, told investigators that the air-brakes on the train had failed.

Police used cadaver dogs to search for additional victims in the heavy brush as scuba divers searched the water where the Harlem River meets the Hudson.

Many of the reported 63 injured were transported to St. Barnabas, Jacobi and Montefiore Hospital's in the Bronx as well as New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.

Police have identified the dead as James Ferrari, 59, of Montrose, NY; Ahn Kisook, 35, of Woodside, Queens; James Lovell, 58, of Cold Spring, NY., and Donna Smith, 54, of Newburgh, NY.

Governor Andrew Cuomo visited the crash site and Mayor Michael Bloomberg and police commissioner Ray Kelly visited with many of the injured, including several off-duty police officers at both Montefiore and St. Barnabas Hospitals.

Bloomberg stated that the crash could have been much worse, telling reporters, "It could have happened later in the day, and on a business day when a train like that is full."

A team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on scene and immediately recovered the train’s "black box," that will provide crucial information as to what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.

Earl Weener of the NTSB stated, "Our mission is not to just understand what happened but why it happened, with the intent of preventing it from happening again."

The on-site investigation was expected to take a week, forcing the thousands of daily commuters along the Hudson Line to seek alternative routes. A detailed report on the exact cause of the crash was expected to take as long as a year.

The speed limit is normally 70 miles-per-hour along a straight-away before a 30 mile-per-hour limit as it approaches a sharp turn leading into the Spuyten Duyvil Station.

A train hauling garbage derailed back in July, a short distance from the most recent crash. That crash tore up the tracks and littered the line with tons of debris.

The crash was Metro-North's first fatal crash in its 30-year history.   

Tags: Train Derailment, Metro-North, Commuter Train

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Feeding the needy this Holiday

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Feeding the needy this Holiday: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined FreshDirect CEO & Founder Jason Ackerman to deliver more than 200 turkeys to the residen...

Feeding the needy this Holiday

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined FreshDirect CEO & Founder Jason Ackerman to deliver more than 200 turkeys to the residents of the Betances Houses on St. Ann's Avenue. The turkeys were delivered to the event in one of FreshDirect's all-electric delivery vehicles, part of the company's commitment to an environmentally-friendly fleet.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 27- On Tuesday night, for the 106th time, the men’s basketball teams ...

Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 27- On Tuesday night, for the 106th time, the men’s basketball teams of Fordham University (3-2) and Manhattan College (3-2) met at Draddy Gymnasium on the campus of Manhattan to achieve bragging rights by winning the Battle of the Bronx. The competitiveness that evening reflected the meaning of the rivalry to both schools. 

Of the rivalry, Fordham senior Brendan Frazier commented, “It means a lot. It has a long history. The game has been going on a long time before my time.”

The outcome of the contest was not decided until the final minute of action. A basket and a free throw by George Beamon accounted for the final advantage for the Jaspers with about two minutes remaining. The first tie of the second half and fifth of the game came with 1:39 on the clock as Fordham senior Branden Frazier netted two free throws to knot the score at 73. The senior sunk the next basket to give the Rams an advantage that they never relinquished. 

The visitors controlled the action during the early minutes and achieved the largest lead of the game, 20-9, on a 3-pointer by freshman Jon Severe. Frazier fed the ball to his teammates quite effectively at first, achieving five assists in the first nine minute. After the game, Frazier commented, “As a sophomore I felt I had to do everything, but now I feel the pressure has lifted.”

The Fordham lead lessened as the period continued but the first half ended with Manhattan trailing, 42-39. There were three major contributors to scoring the 42-Severe-22, sophomore Mandell Thomas-12 and Frazier-6. Manhattan’s major weapon, George Beamon, entering the contest with a 28 points per game average, only sunk one of nine shots from the floor in the half. 

Beamon’s effectiveness greatly improved in the second half, and Fordham’s shooting from the floor declined. A 3 by Beamon at 16:39 gave the Jaspers their first lead of the second half, 51-49. 

Despite several of Fordham’s starters playing with four fouls, the defense was sufficiently effective to protect the lead without anyone fouling out. 

Severe, with his college high, led the scoring with 30. Frazier scored 21, moving him into 19th place in career scoring at Fordham with 1,186. Thomas reached a double-double, 17 points and 11 rebounds. Travion Leonard and Ryan Rhoomes, the only bigs on the Rams at 6-6, again played effectively on defense and off the boards. 

Beamon also achieved a double-double, scoring 24 and grabbing 11 boards. Rhamel Brown had great night before fouling out late in the game. He scored 12, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked an incredible nine shots. 

After the contest ended, Coach Tom Pecora of Fordham spoke words of tribute to his team’s opponent, “They (the Jaspers) have a great balance. They’re just a good basketball team.”

The next game for each team will be at home; Manhattan will host Monmouth on December 8 and Fordham will host Furman on December 4.

Tags: Fordham, Manhattan College, Jaspers, Battle of the Bronx 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rainbow Not-Too-Bright Busted

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rainbow Not-Too-Bright Busted: Teens Busted in Subway Stabbing By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 26- Two teens have been arrested in a screwdriver attack aboar...

Rainbow Not-Too-Bright Busted

Teens Busted in Subway Stabbing

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 26- Two teens have been arrested in a screwdriver attack aboard a subway train.

Cops say the unidentified 45-year-old male victim was traveling on a northbound D-train when he was attacked by two assailants at the E. 170 Street Station at 2:30 p.m. on November 2.

The victim was reportedly punched in the face and stabbed with a screwdriver before the pair fled. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and was recovering.

A photo taken from surveillance video would help cops catch up to suspects Jay Nelson, 17, and his 16-year old cohort Malik Cruz, who have both been charged with assault and menacing.   

Tags: Subway, Stabbing, Teen

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stranded Motorist Killed,

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stranded Motorist Killed,:  3 Injured in Bruckner Crash     By David Greene   Police are investigating how a driver was sent over a highway divider to his death...

Stranded Motorist Killed,

 3 Injured in Bruckner Crash

 

 

By David Greene

 

Police are investigating how a driver was sent over a highway divider to his death 100 feet below.

Police were called to the westbound lanes of the Bruckner Expressway at Austin Place at 6:39 a.m., on Sunday, November 24. Sources say a 1996 Toyota Camry broke down on the elevated roadway when it was struck by a gray 2010 Honda Insight. Abubakar Saleh, 46, of Brooklyn, was standing in front of his disabled vehicle when the speeding car slammed into the vehicle from behind.

Saleh was declared dead at the scene. His body would lay on the street below, under a sheet and laying next to a lone sneaker for several hours as police shutdown most of the upper and lower portions of the busy highway as the NYPD performed it's investigation.

An unidentified 22-year-old victim, who was inspecting the vehicle with Saleh at the time of the crash, was transported to Jacobi Hospital with serious head trauma and was removed in critical condition. A second passenger in the vehicle, an unidentified 15-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the Honda also suffered minor injuries.

Police have not yet released his name, but say that the driver stated he did not see the vehicle in time to stop and so far no charges have been filed, but the investigation into the crash continues.

Sources close to the investigation say the driver of the striking vehicle is an employee of the New York City Department of Sanitation, but was off-duty at the time of the crash.

The NYPD could not confirm a report that a second crash took place when a, "rubbernecking," driver looking at the accident, struck a marked NYPD SUV.

Back on December 4, 2009, Suejas Estrada was killed when she was ejected from the window of her SUV, off the elevated portion of the roadway after a 3-car collision that also involved NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw.

The site where Saleh died was steps away from where Abigail Lino, a young mother from Manhattan was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on August 31. Lino had been attending an all-girls party at the clubhouse of the Black Falcon's motorcycle club when a partygoer yelled, "Gun," creating a panic, when Lino stepped into the street and was killed.

Police would later charge the driver in that crash.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Train Show Returns

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Train Show Returns: (Photos by Seitu Oronde) BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 22- A critically acclaimed and always eagerly anticipated tradition, the Holiday Trai...

Holiday Train Show Returns

(Photos by Seitu Oronde)

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 22- A critically acclaimed and always eagerly anticipated tradition, the Holiday Train Show presents an enchanted New York enlivened by model trains amid the glow of twinkling lights in America’s premier Victorian-style glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The exhibition showcases replicas of New York landmarks, artistically crafted of natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, and pine cones by designer Paul Busse’s team at Applied Imagination. The original Pennsylvania Station and Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center are among the favorites in the Botanical Garden’s collection of more than 150 Holiday Train Show replicas.

Visit the Garden’s Web site, nybg.org, to check dates and times for all of the Garden’s holiday offerings and to purchase advance timed tickets.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Give to Those in Need

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Give to Those in Need: Photos courtesy of NY Yankees The New York Yankees and White Rose teamed up once again to hold their annual Thanksgiving Food Voucher Giv...

Yanks Give to Those in Need

Photos courtesy of NY Yankees

The New York Yankees and White Rose teamed up once again to hold their annual Thanksgiving Food Voucher Giveaway on November 21, at Yankee Stadium. Bronx residents were invited to come to Yankee Stadium and pick up a food voucher, which can be redeemed at a local Met Food market or Pioneer Supermarket (while supplies last). 

Tags: Yankees, Vouchers, Turkeys, Thanksgiving

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jacobi Honors Indian Culture

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jacobi Honors Indian Culture: On November 15th, Bharati Dance Academy performed at Jacobi in honor of the Diwali holiday.

Jacobi Honors Indian Culture

On November 15th, Bharati Dance Academy performed at Jacobi in honor of the Diwali holiday.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Player Visits Kids with Giant Hearts

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Player Visits Kids with Giant Hearts: BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 20- New York Giants kicker Josh Brown delivered gift baskets filled with NFL souvenirs to patients at The Chil...

Player Visits Kids with Giant Hearts

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 20- New York Giants kicker Josh Brown delivered gift baskets filled with NFL souvenirs to patients at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) on November 19. Josh teamed up with Super Baskets of Hope, an NFL-affiliated non-profit organization, to visit the children and share toys, games and crafts to offer inspiration, entertainment and hope during their hospitalization.

Tags: NY Giants, NFL, Children's Hospital at Montefiore

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Cl...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Cl...: The Maritime basketball team lost to RIT, 95-54, Saturday afternoon on the second and final day of the First Annual Admiral’s Classic host...

Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Classic

The Maritime basketball team lost to RIT, 95-54, Saturday afternoon on the second and final day of the First Annual Admiral’s Classic hosted by the Privateers at the Riesenberg Hall Gym. The Privateers fall to and even 1-1 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 2-0.

Three players scored in double figures for Maritime, led by junior Sean Corley (Harlem, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy), who registered 19 points, while also leading all players with five assists and matching the game-high with seven rebounds. Junior T’Vaughn Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas/Sunland Baptist Academy) added 16 points and freshman Kevin Heine (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) recorded 11 points.

The Tigers shot an impressive 57.4-percent from the field (31-for-54), while holding the Privateers to just a 37.0-precent clip (20-for-54). RIT also scored 22 points off of Maritime’s 16 turnovers and the Privateers only cashed in for 12 points off of 10 Tiger turnovers. The score was 56-24 in favor of RIT after one half of play.

Sophomore big man J.P. Reagan led the Tigers with a game-high 20 points and brought down seven boards. Three other players had double-digit scoring days: freshman Mitch Herman (13 points), Gabe Nicasio (11 points) and Miguel Lopez (10 points). Sophomore Kamron Davis recorded nine points and seven rebounds.

The Privateers will return to action on Nov. 23, for a road game at Morrisville St. College. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Mustangs’ Stewart Center.

Tags: Maritime College, Basketball

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Evander Mauls Smith

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Evander Mauls Smith: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal A tight first half turned into a runaway Sunday afternoon in PSAL playoff football ...

Evander Mauls Smith

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

A tight first half turned into a runaway Sunday afternoon in PSAL playoff football action.  

Alfred E Smith entered the contest as the Number 1 seed in the Cup Division hosting the Evander Childs Tigers with the winner heading to final at Springfield Gardens Campus in Queens.  

The first half saw Evander take a 7-0 second quarter lead on a quarterback keeper near the goal-line. The second half looked promising for Smith as they gained possession on a fumbled kickoff return, putting them at mid field to start the third quarter.  

Smith followed up with a long run putting them inside the 5 yard line, setting them up for a potential game tying score but an interception off of a deflected pass spelled the beginning of the end for the Warriors.  

Evander scored 21 unanswered points capped by a fourth quarter interception return. A late touchdown return by Smith kept Evander from ensuring a shutout. The 35-8 victory now puts Evander in the title game taking on George Washington Sunday November 24th.

Tags: Evander Childs Tigers, Alfred E Smith, PSAL Football

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe honors vets during home opener

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe honors vets during home opener: By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team opened the annual  Mustangs Winter Tip ...

Monroe honors vets during home opener

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team opened the annual  Mustangs Winter Tip Off with gifts for America's Purple Heart heroes. And then they went out and painted the MAC (Monroe Athletic Complex) royal blue and gold, getting two wins. On Saturday they defeated Frederick CC (Frederick, MD) 88-50 and followed it up with a 77-66 defeat of Monroe CC (Rochester, NY) on Sunday. Monroe is now 4-0 on the season.

"Hustle and team play, that's what's going to do it for us this season," said Coach Jeff Brustad, "and that's what you saw this weekend. Lots of cogs were working on Saturday and then against MCC on Sunday, when we got down we didn't panic.  Everyone chipped in and we fought back for the win."

Saturday was Veterans Appreciation Day at the MAC and the Mustangs held a stirring ceremony before their game honoring the Monroe chapter of the SVA (Student Veterans Association), the military order of the Purple Heart - Chapter 21, and veterans presently residing at the FDR facility in Montrose, NY. Each vet was introduced and then the Mustangs came onto the court and gave them gift bags of Mustangs souvenirs, individually thanking them for their sacrifice.

"We're glad we won the games, but we have no doubt who the real heroes were in the gym this weekend," said Coach Brustad.  "It was our honor to be able to personally thank them."

In the game the Mustangs jumped out to a 17-0 lead right from the bat, led by 17 at the half, and never looked back. Jaelyn Johnson-Coston was on fire, shooting 7/9 from the field to amass his 16 points. Three other Mustangs were in double figures: Nehemias Morillo had 14, and Devin Martin and Arkeem Joseph had 10 each.

Sunday's game was more competitive as MCC took a 12-point lead (55-43) with 12:03 to go in the game, but the Mustangs chipped away and tied it at 65 on a couple of free throws by Martin with 3:14 left. Then three-pointers at the 2:55 mark by  Carlos De Jesus and Morillo with 2:00 left gave Monroe a lead they would not relinquish.

Monroe's attack was balanced as Johnson, Morillo, and freshman Thomas Rivera tallied 11 points each. Martin had 10.

The Mustangs have added a game to their schedule. They'll play at home against the Canaries Basketball Academy this Wednesday at 5:00pm at the MAC.

Tags: Monroe College, Basketball, Veterans

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years: Got scrap value for the 26 cars he stole BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that Reynaldo Naz...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years: Got scrap value for the 26 cars he stole BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that Reynaldo Naz...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years: Got scrap value for the 26 cars he stole BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that Reynaldo Naz...

Low-end serial car thief gets 7 years

Got scrap value for the 26 cars he stole

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that Reynaldo Nazario, a serial car thief, has been sentenced to a maximum term of up to seven years in prison for stealing 26 cars during a two and a half month period from August 9, 2012 to October 23, 2012.

Nazario, 36, of West 182^nd Street, the Bronx, pled guilty last month to 26 felony counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree. Although the People recommended that Nazario be imprisoned for 10 to 20 years based on his prior history and the number of cars stolen, Acting State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus sentenced the defendant to serve 3 ½ to 7 years in prison.

Nazario admitted that he sold the stolen cars to scrap yards which paid approximately $450 per car after he presented documentation in which he swore falsely that he was the legitimate owner of the vehicles. The cars, mostly mid to late 90s Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans, were stolen from neighborhoods all over the Bronx while parked on the street. Nazario was arrested following an investigation by the NYPD Auto Crimes Division. Nazario became an immediate suspect in the thefts based on having had prior convictions for a similar pattern of car thefts in the past.

Tags: Car Thief, Bronx District Attorney

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Gangland Shooting Here?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Gangland Shooting Here?: Gangster Shot Dead in Country Club By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- A career criminal with ties to organized crime ha...

Gangland Shooting Here?

Gangster Shot Dead in Country Club

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- A career criminal with ties to organized crime has been shot dead, execution-style, in the quiet neighborhood of Country Club.

Police were called to Elsworth Avenue at Baisley Avenue at 10:30 p.m., on November 15, when officers discovered Michael Meldish, 62, behind the wheel of his Lincoln Town Car, with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Residents say at least one individual on the block was standing on the corner having a cigarette at the time of the shooting, but soon developed amnesia, later stating, "I don't know anything."

However, a neighbor of the block recalled, "He was saying that he heard one shot and saw the guy jump into a blue hatchback."

Another resident of the block who also declined to give their name, added, "The house on the corner has a surveillance camera pointed right where it happened, but their kids had turned it off, so it wasn't recorded."

Meldish and his older brother Joe were prominent figures in the 1980's drug trade in Harlem and the Bronx as known associates of the Genovese and Luchese crime families.

Police suspected the brothers were involved in as many as 40 murders. Police say Michael had arrests for assault, smuggling and weapons possession.

Joe is currently serving a 12-year sentence for the shooting death of Joey Brown, shot eight times inside the former Frenchy's Tavern in Throgs Neck, back in 1999.

Tags: Gang, Shooting, Country Club, Michael Meldish, Frenchy's Tavern

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washi...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washi...: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Manhattan Jaspers returned to Draddy Gym in Riverda...

Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washington, 80-74

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Manhattan Jaspers returned to Draddy Gym in Riverdale for the opening home game of the 2013-14 basketball season on Saturday night against the George Washington University Colonials. The two teams began the season undefeated in their first two contests.

The two met last season. In that game, the Colonials defeated the Jaspers, 67-55, due to the absence of the Jaspers’ leading player, George Beamon. Beamon missed the final 26 games of the 2012-13 season.

The 6-4 forward was in the lineup on Saturday and made a big impact, especially in the first half when he scored 20 and grabbed seven boards.

The visitors, in their first of two visits to the Bronx and their first of four to the New York metropolitan area this year, appeared comfortable early in the contest as they gained a 9-5 advantage at 16:45.

The Jaspers then showed their scoring prowess with a 22-7 scoring run that gave them their first double digit lead, 27-16, at 9:31.

The scoring remained stable for the rest of the period as the Jaspers led 39-30 at the half.

The Jaspers shot with excellent accuracy from the floor, 15 for 28, but their percentage from beyond the arc, 4 for 13, was far below their long range shooting excellence during the first two games. Another drawback that led to further problems in the second half was having drawn 12 personal fouls.

George Washington spurted to a 45-44 lead after beginning the second half with a 15-5 scoring run. With G.W. ahead, 50-49, at 12:33, Maurice Creek of the Colonials sunk two 3-pointers in the space of 23 seconds to put his team ahead by a score of 56-49.

The visitors reached their first double figure advantage, 63-53, with 8:08 left to play. The Jaspers closed the gap to two points, 72-70, with 1:10 on the clock, but were outscored 8-4 in the final minute.

Although Beamon scored 34 and grabbed nine rebounds, no other Jasper reached double figures in any category. Three players on the visitors scored in double figures, Creek led with 27, Isaiah Armwood scored 20 and Kevin Larsen achieved a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The shooting accuracy from the floor by the Jaspers declined drastically during the second half as they only netted 8 of 29 shots. 

Manhattan committed 15 fouls in the second half. Their 27 fouls in the game gave the Colonials 13 additional attempts from the charity stripe, which gave them sufficient additional points to achieve the victory.

The taller and more athletic Colonials also controlled the boards, 43-30.

The Jaspers will return to Draddy on Tuesday night, November 26, to host Fordham in the annual Battle of the Bronx.

Tags: Manhattan, Jaspers, Basketball, George Washington

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Football Suffers First Loss of Season

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Football Suffers First Loss of Season: Rams can’t overcome five turnovers, fall, 27-14, at Lafayette BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- It was a game of lots of little missed opportu...

Football Suffers First Loss of Season

Rams can’t overcome five turnovers, fall, 27-14, at Lafayette

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- It was a game of lots of little missed opportunities that resulted in a big missed opportunity for the Fordham football Rams, the opportunity to go undefeated for just the third time in school history. The Rams turned the ball over five times and never seemed to be able to get on track, falling to Lafayette College, 27-14, in Fisher Stadium.

The loss for the Rams, who entered the game ranked fifth in the NCAA FCS, drops Fordham to 10-1 on the year while Lafayette improves to 4-6.

Playing without the services of injured quarterback Mike Nebrich, the Fordham offense went through stops and starts, seeming to pick up big yardage on some plays but having the play called back by costly penalties, as the Rams were held to a season-low 14 points.

The defense also came up with some big plays, intercepting the Lafayette quarterback four times, but could not come up with the big stops when needed, allowing the Leopards to convert on six of 14 third downs.

Things looked good for the Rams at the start as Fordham took the opening kickoff and drove to the Lafayette 26, thanks to a 20-yard rush from Carlton Koonce on the first play and a 30-yard completion from Peter Maetzold to Brian Wetzel two plays later. Facing a fourth-and-one at the Lafayette 26, Koonce took the ball around the right side and picked up the first down but the Rams were called for holding and had to settle for a 47-yard Marando field goal attempt which went wide left.

The Leopards used the momentum of the missed opportunity and moved to the Fordham 13 where Brett Biestek rushed Lafayette quarterback Drew Reed on third down, causing an incompletion, but  Ryan Gralish kicked a 30-yard field goal to give Lafayette a 3-0 lead with 9:24 left in the first.

The Rams again moved the ball to midfield on the ensuing possession but Wetzel fumbled after hauling in a pass and the ball was recovered by the Leopards.

It took one play for Lafayette to capitalize on the miscue as Reed connected with Mark Ross with a 49-yard scoring strike to boost the Lafayette lead to 10-0 with 8:03 on the clock. 

The Leopards threatened early in the second quarter with a first and goal at the two but Stephen Hodge intercepted Reed in the end zone to thwart the treat.

The offense seemed to feed off the momentum, moving 80 yards on eight plays with Maetzold finding Wetzel on a screen pass that Wetzel brought 34 yards to the end zone to get Fordham on the board with 10:38 left in the second.

The Rams picked off Reed again on the next possession when Jordan Chapman was able to grab the ball while lying on the ground on the Fordham 21.

Koonce appeared to pick up 21 yards on the first play from scrimmage but the Rams were called for holding and, two plays later, DeOliver Davis picked off a tipped pass for Lafayette on the Fordham 33.

Lafayette turned the interception into points as Ross Scheuerman took it in from the two five plays later to put the Leopards up 17-7 with 5:34 left in the half.

Fordham used a 42-yard completion from Maetzold to Wetzel on the second play of the ensuing drive to move into Lafayette territory but two plays later, Maetzold was picked off by Lafayette’s Matt Smalley on the Lafayette 28.

The Leopards moved to the Fordham 24 on the first series of the second half but Jake Rodriques stepped in front of a Reed pass on the Fordham 15 and he returned it to the Fordham 28. But the Rams again couldn’t take advantage of the turnover, going three-and-out on offense.

The game remained 17-7 until Lafayette took over on its own 23 following a Fordham punt with 4:39 left in the third. The Leopards kept it on the ground for most of the drive, gaining 68 of the 77 yards on the ground, capped by a two-yard scoring run from Scheuerman as Lafayette increased its lead to 24-7 with 2:06 left in the period.

Early in the fourth, the Leopards intercepted Maetzold on the Fordham 44 and the Leopards moved to the eleven where Gralish connected on a 29-yard field goal to give Lafayette a 27-7 lead with 8:19 remaining.

Later in the quarter Ian Williams outjumped Ross and came down with an interaction for Fordham on the Rams’ 20. Maetzold moved the offense down to the Lafayette 13 where he connected with Wetzel for their second scoring strike of the game as the Rams pulled to within 13, 27-14, with 2:07 on the clock.

The Rams attempted an onside kick following the score but were called for illegally touching the ball and Lafayette was able to run out the clock.

Maetzold completed 22 of 39 passes for 305 yards and two scores, his second straight 300-yard passing game, with Wetzel catching eight of the passes for 149 yards and Tebucky Jones making five receptions for 54 yards. Koonce gained 92 yards on 17 carries.

Defensively, Hodge led the Rams with nine total tackles, eight solo, and he intercepted a pass while Levon Williams, Ian Williams and Jake Dixon each finished with seven stops.

The Rams close out the regular season next Saturday, November 23, with a trip to Hamilton, N.Y., to face the Colgate University Raiders in Andy Kerr Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

Tags: Fordham, Rams, Football, First Loss

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Assault Rifle Recovered Near Cluster of Schools

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Assault Rifle Recovered Near Cluster of Schools: (Photo Courtesy of NYPD) By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- Police recovered an assault rifle and scores of ammun...

Assault Rifle Recovered Near Cluster of Schools

(Photo Courtesy of NYPD)

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- Police recovered an assault rifle and scores of ammunition from a Morrisania home around the corner from five schools.

At around 5:40 a.m., cops armed with a search warrant went through the house at 1160 Forest Avenue. Inside a closet in the home under a blue T-Shirt, officers recovered an AK-47 assault rifle with a 30-round magazine. 

A further search of the home revealed the following: fifty, .38 caliber rounds; three 9mm rounds; nine 12-gauge shotgun shells; a pistol magazine and a 30-round capacity magazine. Police charged the following with criminal possession of a weapon: Steven Walker, Victoria Velez and Emmanuel Rosado.

Although there was no report of the suspects intention on using the weapon, the recovery of a military assault rifle so near to schools has some residents on edge. The home is within a two-block radius of the following schools in either direction: PS 212, Bronx Latin School, Dr Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, on Home Avenue; New Covenant Christian Middle and High School on Boston Road and Morris Academy on Boston Road.

Tags: Assault Rifle, Schools, Bronx, New York, NYPD, AK-47

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines: Using Facebook to Help Those Hit by Tragedy (Photos courtesy of Red Cross)   WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The American Red Cross announced an...