WELCOME TO THE BRONX!

Mugging Victim Says Investigators Made Her Feel Like She Was ‘Asking for It’

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 16- A day of shopping and visiting friends became a nightmare for a mother and daughter from New Jersey, as they were attacked for a gold chain-- just hours before and blocks away from where the NYPD would hold it's annual, "National Night Out," event.

The pair were attacked as they stood on the street corner at Allerton Avenue and Wallace Avenue, at 3 p.m., on Tuesday, August 7.

A relative of the pair was with the daughter, a woman in her early 60s and her mother, who is 81-years old, when she turned her back for two-minutes.

The relative recalled, "The parking meter was about to expire, so I went to put a quarter in the meter and I heard a commotion and turned around, and I saw this young fellow in front of her and his hands were by her neck."

The younger victim and the young thief, said to be 17-years old, were both pulling on the chain, even after the two women were knocked to the ground. The relative came running and the two assailants took off up Wallace Avenue.

The relative stated, "She said the officers at the (49th) precinct were wonderful, but she was not happy with the district attorney. He made it seem like she was asking for it. Asking her why she was visiting from New Jersey."

After spending about eight hours at the station-house, one suspect was charged. The younger victim identified the individual in custody as the assailant who attempted to steal the chain, although he claims it was the second individual.

The two women were back in the borough at the Bronx Hall of Justice the following Thursday, at 9 a.m., for the first court appearance-- which of course was postponed.

The relative said of the situation, "Their making it easier for the criminal and if you have to stay eight-hours and then come back for a court case, they're making it more difficult to prosecute."

"The system is not fair," the relative added, "They were the criminals and the district attorney was asking why she was wearing jewelry. So now you can't carry a purse, because it could be snatched?"

Outside the courthouse the victim stated, "I lived in New York before, but it's worse now then it was before, because there are a lot of young people preying on the elderly, out of greed."

Residents say a rash of violent muggings and assaults have taken place around the area in recent weeks.

One area resident recalled an unreported incident, an attack by three to four males on a man who is mute, stating, "They beat and kicked him because they didn't like the way he looked."

The resident added, "He didn't report it because he was scared. A lot of things are going on around here that you don't hear about."

Wallace Avenue resident Jerry Honan recalled the recent robbery of a neighbor's cellphone, recalling, "He asked to be let into the building and the guy just cold-cocked him."

The suspect in that incident was described as a Black male in his 20's, with dreadlocks and wearing a red hat.

Honan added, "It's been busy around here with the violent muggings."

Residents of 2714 Wallace Avenue have a warning posted on the building's front door, warning them of the attacks and instructing them to call police if they see someone suspicious attempting to enter the building.

Residents of the building say the warning was posted after a woman was mugged in the building.

To make matters even worse, police in the 49th Precinct are also looking for an assailant who has slashed two victims in unprovoked attacks along Boston Road-- and robbery doesn't appear to be the motive.

In the latest statistics released by the NYPD, there have been 192 robberies reported in the 49th Precinct so far this year, up from 189 reported in the same time period last year, an increase of 1.6 percent.

There have been 173-felony assaults reported so far this year, up from 155 last year, an increase of 11.6 percent.

This year marked the 29th Annual, "National Night Out Against Crime," where residents are encouraged to come out of their homes and participate in a host of public events, in an effort to bridge better relations between the police and the community.

The evening was marred as well, when three teens were shot at the Haywood Playground in Williamsbridge. All of the victims were removed to Jacobi Hospital and expected to survive.

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Rain Can’t Dampen Yankees

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Bombers in sweep mode with latest win over Rangers

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 16- The four-game series in the Bronx this week with the Yankees and Texas Rangers could be a possible prelude to the American League Championship Series in October. So far, after the Yankees rain delayed 3-2 win Wednesday night, the advantage in October could go to New York.

Pitching wins games in the post season, and Yankees starters have certainly quieted a potent Texas lineup. Freddie Garcia, making his 13^th start of the season followed the two-hit shutout of the night before allowing two runs in 6/2-3 innings in winning his third straight start.

Garcia (7-5) allowed four hits and the Yankees bullpen did the rest. Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless ninth and recorded his 29^th save.

“Our guys have done a tremendous job,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “I applaud out pitches.” Ivan Nova, (11-6) will try and get the Yankees a sweep over the Rangers as the series concludes Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

But it seems the Yankees pitching staff this season has found a way to keep Texas off the bases. The Rangers came into the series as the top hitting team in baseball with a .276 average.

“Once again pitching stops everything,” commented Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Yankees pitching has held Rangers batters to a .199 average this season, and until Josh Hamilton hit the first of two home runs in the fourth inning, another one in the sixth, accounting for their only runs, the Yankees staff had held Texas scoreless for 19 consecutive innings in the Bronx.

“They scored a bunch of runs the first night,” added Washington. “Last night they got another good pitching performance from Kuroda. Tonight we were in the ballgame. But you have to give them credit. Their pitching stopped us.  We’re a team that can score runs but we just haven’t been able to score any right now in these three games here.”

Washington said he was hoping to see his team score some runs Thursday afternoon. But the way the Yankees starters have been going in this series, there may be no need to rush CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte off the disabled list and back in the rotation.

Said Garcia, who has not lost to the Rangers since 2004, “When you see one guy pitch, and the other guy pitch you’re thinking you got to go out there and try to do the same.” He is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA during the streak against Texas.

Texas has scored four runs in the three games and has lost eight straight games in the Bronx. Hamilton reached a career high in home runs with 33, and became the second player to drive in 100 runs this season, next to Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera.

“When you are seeing the ball good you feel like you feel like you can pretty much hit anything,” said Hamilton who had a four-home run game earlier this season at Baltimore and recorded his seventh career multi-home run game.

Hamilton came up in the ninth inning against Soriano with a chance to tie the game and struck out.

A three-run third inning was enough runs for the Yankees. Nick Swisher drove in a run off with a double off Texas starter and loser Scott Feldman (6-7). Swisher has driven in seven runs in the series, including a grand slam home run Monday night and a two-run blast Tuesday.

New York won for the seventh time in the last eight games. 

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com. Watch and listen to Rich tonight on www.inthemixxradio.,com live at 10:30 p.m. as he hosts Keep it in the Ring w/Rich&Jason.

So Who's on The Primary Ballot?

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- First, on Saturday August 25^th from 1 – 6 p.m. The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting our 8th Annual Free Community Barbecue. This year our Free Community Barbecue will take place on East 204^th Street between the Grand Concourse and Mosholu Parkway. We will be honoring Congressman Eliot Engel for his distinguished record as an elected official, Community Board #7 District Manager Fernando Tirado for his outstanding work in the local community, and our special Guest of Honor will be New York City Comptroller John Liu who is doing an extraordinary job as a watchdog of the city's financial affairs. There will be food, lots of different entertainment, and of course lots of speeches by your elected officials.

We told you last week that the “COURT PHASE” of the election process was going on where as even though the Board of Elections ruled those RENEGADE candidates on the ballot, it was time for KING STANLEY (Bronx Democratic County Lawyer Stanley Schlein) to go into high gear. From the words he uttered at the Board of Elections “Similar Handwriting, Forgery, and Fraud” that the board does not rule on KING STANLEY was going to court to knock off those RENEGADE candidates that dare challenge Loyal Bronx Democratic County backed candidates. Well here is what happened.

In the 79th A.D. candidate Isreal Martinez was thrown off the ballot by KING STANLEY so incumbent Eric Stevenson will not have a Democratic primary opponent, but there will still be a primary for the two District Leaders and Male State Committeeman in the 79th A.D.. King Stanley also was successful in getting various RENEGADE candidates that were running for minor party positions knocked off the ballot. However only the 81st, 83rd, and 85th A.D.'s are free of any primary in September.

77th A.D. incumbent Vanessa Gibson will face Edwin Figueroa and Anthony Curry. 78th A.D. incumbent Jose Rivera will face his current 78th A.D. State Committeeman Richardo Martinez. 80th A.D. incumbent Naomi Rivera will face Mark Gjonaj, Irene Estrada Rukaj, and Adam Bermudez. 82nd A.D. incumbent Michael Benedetto faces Egidlo Sementilli. 84th A.D. incumbent Carmen Arroyo faces Charles Serrano and Maximino Rivera. 86th A.D. incumbent Nelson Castro faces Richard Soto. With no incumbent in the 87th A.D. Luis Sepulveda faces Daniel Figueroa. The one Bronx State Senate race has 33rd S.D. Incumbent J. Gustavo Rivera facing Manuel Tavares, and in the Civil Court 2nd Division Bronx Eddie McShan faces Juana P. Valentin. A party position race that will be closely watched will be in the 77th A.D. to see if party insider Benny Catala can win back his District Leader position that incumbent Mark Escoffey Bey won in a surprise victory in 2010. Check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for the link to the Board of Elections site with the most recent update of all the candidates that are on the September Primary ballot for all five boroughs and all parties for any September primary.

On the Monday August 5th show of Bronxtalk hosted by Gary Axelbank his guest was Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie. County Leader Heastie was asked some very tough questions about what was going on under his leadership as county leader such as the recent challenges to all opponents of the Bronx elected officials this year. There were also a few callers that did not hold back on their comments and questions to Chairman Heastie. We will say that the questions were all answered, Chairman Heastie was very professional in his answers, and he did not get up and leave as a few elected officials have done in the past. By the way the previous Bronx Democratic County Leader Jose Rivera refused to appear on Bronxtalk, and we are told that debates are being set up for the viewers. We wonder if Assemblyman Rivera will show up for his debate, and when we asked his daughter Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera if she would debate we heard what is the next question. Check my blog for the link to see the Bronxtalk Carl Heastie interview.

Lastly, Check my blog to read about and see photos of National Night Out festivities from the 49th, 50th, and 52nd Precinct Council events. Also check the archive section to read about and see photos of the murals that local children in the Morris Park area painted on the wall of the Amtrack underpass on Bronxdale Avenue. This event was brought together by State Senator Jeff Klein, Community Activist (and candidate for the 80th Assembly) Mark Gjonaj, the Chairman and District Manager of Community Board #11, the Morris Park Community Association, and others.

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.

Kuroda Pitches Masterpiece

Yanks Defeat Texas, 3-0

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 15- Starters Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harrison engaged in an exciting pitching duel on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Kuroda was the superior pitcher of the night as he pitched a complete game victory over the Texas Rangers, 3-0. The win moved the Yankees 1.5 games ahead of the Rangers for the best record in the American League.

The Japanese native lived up the complimentary words uttered by Yankee skipper Joe Girardi before the contest, “He’s met our expectations definitely. He has pitched outstanding for us. Each start he really gives us a chance to win. He’s given us distance. He’s been extremely consistent. It’s what we expected when we got him. The one thing we talked about with Hiroki was this guy can really pitch and locate, and he’s done that.”

Kuroda thrilled the 44,533 fans in attendance by pitching no-hit ball through the first six frames. During that time, the only runners were Elvis Andrus, who walked in the first and Mitch Moreland, who walked in the third.

Andrus broke up the no-hitter with an infield single to lead-off the seventh. Josh Hamilton’s long fly to right and a wild pitch moved Andrus to third, where he was stranded when Nelson Cruz grounded out to end the inning.

Michael Young singled through the middle to begin the eighth, the second and final hit for Texas in the game.

After the contest concluded, Girardi’s words of praise for Kuroda were similar to those uttered before the game began, “It was probably our best pitching performance. I saw he was very good early on. It was pretty much fastball, slider to get ahead [of the batters].

The win was Kuroda’s 11^th of the season. Girardi believes, “Realistically, he could have 15 or 16.”

When asked why he allowed Kuroda to complete the game, Girardi responded, “His pitch count was down [and] his pitches were still good.”

Kuroda, through an interpreter, responded to questions regarding how he felt when his no-hitter ended with the following words, “I feel bad; I let down all the fans. I had to regroup myself a little bit. Even if you throw a no-hitter, it’s only one win. The most important thing was for our team to win.”

Texas starter Matt Harrison handled the Yankees easily though 6.1 innings. Derek Jeter led off the first with a single to left field to raise his hitting streak to 10 games. The hit was his 3,243^rd in the majors. Harrison gave up hits to Casey McGhee in the second, Mark Teixeira in the third and McGhee in the fourth.

Jeter, the last batter Harrison faced singled with one out in the seventh. Jeter, with 3,244 hits, needs only eight to tie Napoleon Lajoie for 12^th place in the career rankings for hits. Of Harrison’s performance, Girardi remarked, “He seemed to get better as the game went on.”

Reliever Alexi Ogando gave up home runs to the first two batters against him. Nick Swisher followed Jeter with his 16^th dinger of the year. Mark Teixeira, the next batter, blasted his 23^rd of the 2012 campaign. Enough damage was done by Yankees batters that inning to ensure the victory.

The Yankees hope to increase their seven game winning streak over the Rangers in Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night as Freddy Garcia (6-5) gets the start against Scott Feldman (6-7).

Cougar Gate!

Could This Be The End For The Rivera Dynasty?

(Facebook photos of Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera with her boyfriend/staffer and another with an unidentified woman.)

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- Could Cougar Gate torpedo the Rivera political dynasty? The fallout from a Facebook page showing Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera in skimpy clothing and talking about her boy toy have constituents wondering if the Morris Park pol’s days are number. 

In addition, officials are looking into why the elected official put her “Hunky Babe,” on payroll for her office even though he worked full time for the Department of Education. 

In what could be larger than the Congressman Weiner scandal, a Sunday New York Post article exposed a secret Facebook page that Bronx Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera had where she is just known as Daniela Rivera her middle name. The Post article says that the Facebook page is devoted to a man complete with dozens of photos of her in various poses with her “Hunky Babe,” who was put on her payroll as a full time staffer (according to NYS Comptroller DiNapoli's office, and Assembly records) while he was a full time teacher in Brooklyn. 

The Post article also shows a photo of Assemblywoman Rivera dressed in skimpy clothes with another woman. The Post article continues to say that the man is now seeking a soon to be vacant City Council seat in Williamsburg Brooklyn. It is said that the man did not return calls, and the Post says that Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera denied that he had a no show job, but did not respond to requests for an accounting of his work and hours. The Facebook page in question has since been taken down.

We have been told to look into Assemblywoman Rivera's expense reimbursements, because we were told that she may have put in for expenses when she was not in Albany. We tried calling her office and could not get any comment by our deadline. We also called several of Assemblywoman Rivera’s supporters on the Facebook article, again not getting much more than no comment, so she has a Facebook page, and most people do. An interesting curve here is that early last week we were told by a colleague of hers that her father Assemblyman Jose Rivera was in Florida. We were wondering why her father, who also has a primary less than one month from now, would be out of town. We were told that he was at the home of a close friend resting from the stress of several things that has occurred the past two weeks. We called Assemblyman Jose Rivera's office and were told that yes he was in Florida, and was okay when we asked about his health.

There are people who now are calling for not only Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera to resign, but also for her father Assemblyman Jose Rivera to step down. The elder Rivera boasted on NY1 Noticias “Pura Polital” that among other things that he wants to run for the city council next year to increase his pension. A city council member makes up to $50,000 a year more than an assemblyman. 

Go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for the link to the New York Post article on Naomi Daniela Rivera.

Women Shine in Tennis Tourney

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- The 20^th anniversary of the Bronx Open, a USTA Pro Circuit tennis tournament played at the tennis courts in Crotona Park, was celebrated last week. The prelude to the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam event hosted in the United States, which will also be played in New York City, is a drawing card to young women pros from all corners of the globe.

The 32 entrants in the main singles draw included players from 13 nations in the continents of North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Thus, the Bronx, as its history reflects, welcomed women from throughout the world.

The players competed to raise their rankings and earn a share of the $50,000 in prize money by their success in the tourney. They also came to sharpen their skills in competition on the same surface and in the sane weather conditions as the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing, where the U.S. Open will be played two weeks after the Bronx tournament concluded.

Romina Oprandi of Switzerland lived up to her first seed position by capturing the title and winning the $7,315 in prize money with a victory over a former Bronx champion (2001, Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in the final. After the first set, it appeared as if Chakvetadze was on her way to be the only woman to be a two-time winner of the event. Both reached the exalted final game by defeating young Americans, Chi Chi Scholl (20) and Alison Riske (22) in the semis. Oprandi’s victory was her second tournament win within the past month. It was her 22^nd ITF title.

The doubles final was a clash between two Japanese twosomes. The second seeded team of Shuko Aoyama and Erika Sema defeated the team of Eri Hozuma and Miki Miyamura in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Residents of the Bronx and tennis fan visitors were able to see professional tennis free of charge with the only exception being the final on Sunday afternoon, which charged a nominal fee of $10.

Youngsters, ages 6-18, were able to learn or improve their tennis skills with free tennis lessons that were given every afternoon of the tournament from 5-7 p.m. The Thursday session, as it is every year, was the special Kid’s Day. The annual Around the World Parade and other festive children’s activities took place.

The sponsor of the week-long event was Emblem Health.

The health maintenance organization has sponsored the tournament through 18 of its 20 year existence.

Highlanders Train Future All Stars

By Deigo Mack

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- Recently, I had a chance to spend a day with Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy (HBA) founder Joe Cisco Sr. After seeing his team in action, I came away impressed with a local sports program and recognized an undying dedication to Bronx youth.

In fact, for over 20 years, in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx, Coach Joe Cisco Sr. has built a baseball program with an emphasis on character and mental preparation rather than winning championships. Sound odd? Go figure.

Cisco explains “Winning isn’t everything because after you win a ballgame, it’s destined your going to lose one sooner or later. And then, what? Here at Highlander Baseball, we believe losing is more important than victories. Think about it. How else would we know our capabilities unless we lost a game or two? After that, you make adjustments and be thankful someone taught us our weak points.”

So regardless of the scoreboard, HBA remains a winner both on and off the field. The biggest example is Coach James Cisco Jr., the founders’ son, whom played baseball at Fordham University. Nowadays, the younger Cisco coaches the Highlander’s 17-year-old traveling team for his Dad, making HBA, a family affair.

Even players say the camaraderie is genuine. Talented St. Raymond’s High School pitcher Malik Dixon said, “I wouldn’t be the pitcher I am today without Highlander Baseball Academy and I owe it all to Coach Joe and his son.”

Even hard hitting third baseman Miles Semetis stated, “We learn so much about life from Coach Joe and Coach James, baseball becomes easier. They teach us about hard work, dedication and staying the course.”

For instance, it is common for HBA players to participate in off season training: batting cages, weight training, fielding instruction, and other developmental drills are worked on during winter months.

In the summer, it is baseball tournaments and high school showcases for HBA players. Their results speak for themselves. Highlander Baseball Academy is responsible for sending over 50 kids to college and minor league franchises since 1990.

Joe Sr. said, “I’m 64 years old. My son has energy to travel…I don’t. Plus, Junior knows the program inside out…he lived it. I enjoy watching him coach, he makes me so proud.”

Sitting in the dugout, Joe Jr. leads HBA into the future with designer shades on. He offers coded encouragement to his players between innings, which proves you’d have to be inside Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy to understand its lingo.

But the day wouldn’t be complete without a last word from HBA founder, Joe Sr. who says “Remember winning isn’t everything, our goal is to get kids to college.”

Looking over numerous college scouts and press interviews of his players, it seems his formula is working. Training, Education and Exposure is Highlander’s motto.

It’s a job well done.

visit www.eteamz.com/HighlanderAcademy  Facebook.com/Highlanders Training Academy

e-mail Deigo Mack: Deigomack@yahoo.com