City Island News BX: Driver sentenced for fatally striking mother of tw...

City Island News BX: Driver sentenced for fatally striking mother of tw...: Driver sentenced for fatally striking mother of twins BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 29- District Attorney Robert Johnson a...

Driver sentenced for fatally striking mother of twins

Driver sentenced for fatally striking mother of twins

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 29- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced that 29-year-old Agustus Jenkins of Montgomery, NY, has been sentenced to the maximum sentence of 1-1/3-to-4 years behind bars for the January 2014 death of the mother of twin toddlers, Nydja Herring, of the Bronx.

Jenkins was found guilty of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a Class E Felony, following an 11-day trial before Justice Peter Benitez, during which the jury returned their verdict on June 4^th after less than a day’s deliberation.

The 32-year-old victim was crossing the street at East Tremont and Van Nest Avenues, on the way to the store to buy milk for her twin toddlers, when she was struck by Jenkins’ speeding vehicle. He was behind the wheel but had a friend with him, along with two children aged four and 11.  Blood alcohol tests showed he was operating the vehicle above the legal limit. He was also driving on a suspended license. Ironically, Jenkins was coming back from the wake for a baby who had died from SIDS.

Not only were Nydja Herring’s twin 2-year-olds left without a mother, the victim’s own mother was scheduled to receive a kidney from her daughter. Herring’s mother is still on the organ transplant list.

#NYPD #BronxDistrictAttorney #FatalAccident #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Restaurant Charges to Use Bathroom

City Island News BX: Restaurant Charges to Use Bathroom: Gotta Go? Better Have the #Dough! Restaurant Charges to Use Bathroom By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 29...

Restaurant Charges to Use Bathroom

Gotta Go?

Better Have the #Dough!

Restaurant Charges to Use Bathroom

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 29- Residents and visitors of Norwood got a shock recently when one popular restaurant began charging a $3 fee to use the restroom.

Those entering the El Caribe Restaurant located at 2 East Gun Hill Road were immediately confronted with a pair of signs that read, "Bathroom is only for the customers. You want to use it? You will have to pay $3.00."

One local resident who declined to use his name because he had friends among the staff, stated, "I think they’re going to lose a lot of business because it's a public facility and now your going to ban people from using the bathroom."

The resident added, "C

ustomers may want to go in there and wash their hands before a meal. Now they’re going to charge you to use the bathroom and wash your hands? That's crazy."

One East Gun Hill Road street peddler offered, "Since they started doing that we walk around the block and use the bathroom at North Central Bronx Hospital, so we just won't patronize them anymore. It's a shame and it's a lousy policy. No other restaurant is doing that, so we'll just go somewhere else."

Asked if he'd ever used the bathroom, the peddler replied, "Yes, it's a nice bathroom, but it's kind of small. It's not like the gas stations, but I don't think it's worth three bucks."

Repeated attempts for comment were met with employees slamming down the receiver of the telephone on two separate occasions.

The trend appears to be growing as the front door to the Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center a block away, now has a sign on it's from door that reads, "Sorry no public restrooms."   

City Island News BX: Pols Hail Supremes on #GayMarriage Decision

City Island News BX: Pols Hail Supremes on #GayMarriage Decision: Pols Hail Supremes on #GayMarriage Decision  BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 26- Officials throughout the Bronx hailed the Suprem...

Pols Hail Supremes on #GayMarriage Decision

Pols Hail Supremes on #GayMarriage Decision 

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 26- Officials throughout the Bronx hailed the Supreme Court’s decision making gay marriage the law of the land.

The court’s 5-4 decision allows gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in any of the 50 states. 

“Today is a historic day in the United States,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The Supreme Court has made history and affirmed a basic human right today by allowing men and women to legally marry throughout this nation, regardless of their sexual orientation.

“After two decades of litigation, the Supreme Court has finally expanded equal rights and marriage equality to all. I would like to thank the Supreme Court for having the courage to make this bold decision, and I congratulate this nation’s LGBT community for their efforts on this issue,” Diaz said.

“Today the Supreme Court put to rest a decades-long civil rights struggle for marriage equality,” said Rep. Joe Crowley. “In its decision the Supreme Court affirmed what a majority of Americans believe, that marriage between two loving individuals, regardless of their sex, deserves full protection under the law as afforded under the 14^th Amendment. History will remember this day as a watershed moment, a day when ‘we the people’ took another major step toward justice in our enormous and enduring struggle to form a more perfect union.

“So today, as we celebrate this momentous victory for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters let us also remember those we lost along the way. Those who came before us as activists, advocates, and allies who, when faced with bigotry and violence, did not shrink, but rather stood for the belief that discrimination based on sexual orientation has absolutely no place in the laws and policies of our country. We stand on the shoulders of those giants today, and proudly proclaim love is love.”

“America will never forget this day, and neither will people all across the world who know the meaning of love and compassion,” said Mayor Bill deBlasio “June 26, 2015, will forever be memorialized as a pivotal moment in the history of our nation – the day the Supreme Court affirmed our core values of love, equality, and justice, rejected ignorance and malice, and appealed to the humanity in us all. Our country will finally afford millions of Americans the rights they have always deserved, but until now were unable to exercise. Today, this country is richer – filled with 

more equality, more acceptance, and more love than yesterday. And for the people of this city, where the movement for LGBT rights began in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, we can be proud that we helped blaze the trail to this great victory.”

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement on the Unite States Supreme decision on same-sex marriage:

"Indeed, all love is equal. I applaud the Supreme Court ruling on the same-sex marriage case and reaffirming that the union of the LGBT community should be treated equally. This decision marks another milestone toward American progress as the court reaffirms equal protections guaranteed to all Americans under the 14th Amendment. Today, a long overdue justice and equality have been served.

“Far too many couples have been denied protections by their governments, rights to legally commit to one another, and basic responsibilities as spouse and parents. The Court's ruling today makes it loud and clear that same-sex marriage is less about redefining the institution of marriage, but more so to ensure fundamental rights and dignity that gays and lesbians across the country deserve.

“As our nation celebrates Pride Month, this ruling could not come at a more appropriate time. I am proud that New York State is a leader in marriage equality and I look forward to other states across the nation recognizing this important right for all people. Let us continue on our path towards progress and let nothing stand in the way of ensuring equality for all,” Rangel said. 

#SupremeCourt #GayMarriage #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: #Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

City Island News BX: #Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center: Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW ...

#Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay

Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- In a sign of the continued revitalization of the Bronx, community leaders hailed the opening of the borough's first upscale hotel. The ribbon cutting was also the capping of an odyssey for the Metro Center complex which went from an abandoned factory and vacant land to a thriving college campus style office complex and medical village.

The 125-room Marriott Residence Inn officially opened to great fanfare on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony with elected officials. Sure the Bronx has many motel rooms but none you would want to spend the night in. New Rochelle boasted the closest place to get a nice hotel room while visiting family rather than a hot-sheet motel. Now all that has changed with the opening of a first-class hotel.

"We’re thrilled that Marriott, one of the world’s premier hospitality companies, chose this location. Metro Center Atrium is unique in the Bronx – there’s nothing quite like it available anywhere else in the Borough. This truly is a landmark event for Metro Center Atrium, for our company, and for the Bronx," said Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development, whose company envisioned and built the Metro Center.

The Marriott is the crowning jewel in the Metro Center complex. The hotel caps off the Metro Center Atrium which is a mix of medical and office space in a suburban style campus.

Twelve years ago Old London Foods moved out of the area behind the Metro North tracks. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr said people were worried about the loss of jobs and that the land would sit unused. Now the Metro Center boasts 370,000 square feet of medical offices, an Applebee's, an LA Fitness and now a first class hotel. The complex also includes Mercy College.

"Today we have seen the realization of a magic trick," Diaz said.

Metro North is planning to reopen the old Morris Park station which will have a stop steps from the Marriott. Thus giving hotel guests access to transportation to Penn Station in Manhattan and upstate New York.

The new hotel is already a success. Officials say that although it officially opened today, the hotel is already 80 percent occupied. Business execs and hospital visitors to the medical centers inside the complex as well as nearby Calvary, Einstein Hospital and Jacobi Medical Center are staying at the new Marriott.

“Today is a great day for the Bronx,” said New York City Council Member James Vacca. “We welcome Marriott as the borough’s first hotel with open arms and hope it is the signal of even more great things to come. Clearly Marriott has recognized that the Bronx is a destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike. We already have beautiful parks, the

best zoo in the nation, the Yankees, and a PGA tour worthy golf course recently completed in nearby Ferry Point Park.”

Father Richard Gorman, chairman of Community Board 12, said the grand opening is a culmination of the revitalization of the borough.

"The Bronx is not only coming back. The Bronx is back," he said.

#Marriott #Simone #MetroCenter #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

City Island News BX: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave. Photos by Dan Gesslein The smells of zeppole a...

Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

Photos by Dan Gesslein

The smells of zeppole and sausage and peppers wafted through the air as the sounds of traditional Italian music filled the streets of Arthur Avenue during the Feast of St. Anthony. During the weekend long celebration feast goers got a chance to see a tradition return in the Bronx’ Little Italy as the “Dancing of the Giglio” was performed in front of Mt Carmel Church. Over 100 people lifted the platform containing the statue of St. Anthony as well as a performing band and danced through the streets.

#LittleItaly #ArthurAvenue #FeastofStAnthony #DancingGiglio

 

City Island News BX: City Island kicks off Summer with Art

City Island News BX: City Island kicks off Summer with Art: City Island kicks off Summer with Art Photos by Dan Gesslein The quiet Bronx fishing community City Island showed off its art s...

City Island kicks off Summer with Art

City Island kicks off Summer with Art

Photos by Dan Gesslein

The quiet Bronx fishing community City Island showed off its art side during the annual Arts and Crafts fair. The two-day event featured vendors selling home made wares such as paintings, photographs, jewelry, stained glass, native crafts, bath & body products and clothing. In addition to face painting attendees listened to music from local bands and took in the island during a beautiful weekend. 

#CityIsland #ArtsCrafts #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: How’d That Gun Get There?

City Island News BX: How’d That Gun Get There?: How’d That Gun Get There? Shot Spotter Nabs Clueless Gunman By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 8- Talk about a smo...

City Island News BX: How’d That Gun Get There?

City Island News BX: How’d That Gun Get There?: How’d That Gun Get There? Shot Spotter Nabs Clueless Gunman By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 8- Talk about a smo...

How’d That Gun Get There?

How’d That Gun Get There?

Shot Spotter Nabs Clueless Gunman

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 8- Talk about a smoking gun, a clueless gunman was nabbed by cops thanks to the new ShotSpotter system and he handgun hanging out of his pocket.

At around 4 a.m. on June 7, police responded to a report from ShotSpotter of a single gunshot fired in the Jackson 

Houses. Responding Officers Luke Paulson and John Carbone went to 325 East 156th Street where the ShotSpotter system recorded the gunfire. At the scene the officers observed a couple in their twenties sitting on a bench by themselves. 

The officers who are assigned to the housing patrol PSA 7, approached the couple and asked if they had heard any gunfire. The man and woman both said they heard nothing. Officer Paulson then asked the male to raise his arms and turn around. When he did not respond, the officer physically turned him around and patted the man’s pants and coat pockets. When he did so Officer Harkins noticed a portion of a handgun sticking out of his pocket. As the cops put handcuffs on the suspect the gun fell to the floor. While recovering the firearm cops recovered a spent shell casing under the bench where the couple was sitting.

Police recovered the loaded 22 caliber Walther P22 and arrested 22-year-old Charles Annis. Cops also arrested his companion Mary Tejeda who was wanted on a bench warrant. They recovered a small amount of marijuana from her purse. 

ShotSpotter uses a series of microphones placed on buildings in developments. The microphones pick up the sound of gunfire and its software is able to determine the location of where the shot was fired.

Officer Paulson praised the ShotSpotter technology in helping to locate shooters and get guns off the street. 

“You can canvass and save someone who has been shot. That is probably its greatest benefit,” said Paulson.

#NYPD #ShotSpotter #Walther P22 #Bronxnews

UA-29409426-1

City Island News BX: Now it's Murder

City Island News BX: Now it's Murder: Now it's Murder Fat Albert and Batman Beat Down Victim Dies BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 4- Three men wanted for a baseball bat b...

Now it's Murder

Now it's Murder

Fat Albert and Batman Beat Down Victim Dies

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 4- Three men wanted for a baseball bat beat down are now wanted for murder.

Police say 47-year-old Bakari Sissoko died from his injuries when he was bashed in the head with a baseball bat in Mt. Eden. Police released surveillance video of their three suspects. 

At around 3:40 a.m. on May 30, Sissoko was found unconscious inside 1575 Townsend Avenue. The victim suffered such a beat down that he was knocked unconscious from fractures to the skull and face.

The three men wanted for questioning were seen on the building's video. One is heavy set. One was seen as shirtless and the third was seen carrying a baseball bat.

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

#CaughtOnTape #NYPD #FatAlbert #Batman #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Hit-n-Run Driver Schooled in Justice

City Island News BX: Hit-n-Run Driver Schooled in Justice: Hit-n-Run Driver Schooled in Justice Charged in Mowing Down Columbia U Alum BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3-  District Attorney Robert Johnson ...

Hit-n-Run Driver Schooled in Justice

Hit-n-Run Driver Schooled in Justice

Charged in Mowing Down Columbia U Alum

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the Supreme Court arraignment of Michael Longo in the death of a 38–year–old Columbia University financial director, Daniel Cabrera, in a hit-and-run crash that occurred on February 23, 2015 in the Marble Hill section of Manhattan.

The 58-year-old Longo pled not guilty in Bronx Supreme Court to the charge of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D Felony.

Longo is accused of mowing down and leaving the father of one for dead in the intersection of West 225^th Street and Broadway, shortly before 7 p.m., as Cabrera was heading home to Cortlandt Manor in Westchester County. Longo allegedly sped away southbound over the Broadway Bridge in a Dodge Magnum.  The vehicle, which was not registered to him, was later recovered in Upper Manhattan.

Assistant District Attorney Sharon Adler of the Bronx D.A. Trial Bureau 20/50 requested the defendant be remanded, but Supreme Court Justice George Villegas set bail at $25,000 bond or $15,000 cash and adjourned the case until August 25th Part 96 Supreme Court, Bronx Hall of Justice, 265 E. 161^st Street.

If convicted of the charges, Longo faces a potential two-and-a-third to seven years behind bars.

The charges in this indictment are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

#NYPD #BronxDA #HitNRun #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: CAUGHT ON TAPE: Wolfpack Deli Attack

City Island News BX: CAUGHT ON TAPE: Wolfpack Deli Attack: CAUGHT ON TAPE: Wolfpack Deli Attack Thugs Beat Disabled Merchant Over Bags of Chips BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- A group of real t...

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Wolfpack Deli Attack

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Wolfpack Deli Attack

Thugs Beat Disabled Merchant Over Bags of Chips

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- A group of real tough guys punched and beat a disabled merchant with an umbrella.

Surveillance video shows the gang of thugs rampaging through the Mount Hope deli taking bags of chips and soda off the shelves and putting them in their pockets. 

The clerk is seen walking out from behind the counter with a cane trying to stop the mob. Then members of the group began punching the elderly man and hitting him with an umbrella.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential. 

#NYPD #Thugs #CaughtOnTape

City Island News BX: Puerto Rican Pride on Display

City Island News BX: Puerto Rican Pride on Display: Puerto Rican Pride on Display 100 PERCENT By Robert Press This past Sunday's Puerto Rican Day Parade up the Grand Concours...

Puerto Rican Pride on Display

Puerto Rican Pride on Display

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

This past Sunday's Puerto Rican Day Parade up the Grand Concourse was the climax to the celebrating of Puerto Rican Heritage Month. Photos of the parade are elsewhere in this newspaper. There were festivals and events such as those that you can find on my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com , and it was great to see all the wonderful people that were involved all month long. There are too many people to thank, but I know many of them do not want any thanks for doing much of what they love, that being able to show their love for their heritage.

I was able to attend the kick off for the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade which was posted on my blog. It was good to see Mr. Francisco Gonzalez again, and that he is still doing what he loves, that being a part of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade. I stopped by the East 152^nd Street Festival that took place last Saturday, and have placed a few photos of the event on my blog also.

If you are driving by a school you may either want to check your speedometer to see that

you are within the speed limit of 25 Miles Per Hour (or less if posted), or just smile if you are speeding because you may be on 'CANDID SPEED CAMERA'. I found one of the Department of Transportation's Speed Camera Cars sitting in front of PS 81 in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Yes the camera on the top of the Speed camera Car was going , and the flash was going off on a regular pace. The car is a Ford Escape SUV, and while this one was white the Speed Camera Cars also comes in black. To see photos of the Speed camera Car sitting in front of PS 81 go to my blog archive for may under the title 'Smile you are on Candid Speed camera'. Also is a photo of Mayor de Blasio when he introduced the Speed Camera Cars.

New York One almost gave me a good reason to cancel my Cablevision subscription. That being taking off New York One Political Rundown commentator Curtis Swila. Swila had said some stupid remarks about our current City Council Speaker which I will not reprint, and it seems after five weeks of the Church Ladies Coffee Klutch (a spinoff from Saturday Night Live) that Curtis Swila will be returning to the Political Rundown. No offsense meant to you J.C. Polanco, but you are no Curtis Swila, and don't quit your day job. Unfortunately this means that we will be getting a no steroid version of Swila, but maybe that is a good idea if one looks at the kind of year that Alex Rodriguez is having without using steroids.

Upcoming events -

Monday, June 15^th is the rescheduled 3^rd Annual Bronx Day in Albany. Check my blog or call 718- 409- 0109 for more details.

Thursday, June 18^th from 2 – 7 p.m. is the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Bronx Business Expo at Bay Plaza. You can call the BCC at 718-828-3900 or go to their website at www.bronxchamber.org for more information on how to showcase your Bronx business, or how to attend.

Saturday, June 20^th is the 7^th Annual Fair at the Square in the famous Westchester Square at the intersection of East Tremont and Westchester Avenues. This event begins at 11 a.m., and is being sponsored by the Westchester Square BID. You can call 718-395-1932 for more info.

If you have any political news that you would like to share, have any comments about this column, or have an event that you would like to have 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. 

#PuertoRicanParade #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Kids Love New Zoo Exhibit

City Island News BX: Kids Love New Zoo Exhibit: Kids Love New Zoo Exhibit BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The Children’s Zoo at WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo ...

Kids Love New Zoo Exhibit

Kids Love New Zoo Exhibit

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The Children’s Zoo at WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo has undergone a renovation and officially reopened with a weekend-long celebration.

“Originally opened at the Bronx Zoo in 1941, the Children’s Zoo is a historic part of any visit to the Bronx Zoo,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and Bronx Zoo Director. “The Children’s Zoo is an experience people remember from their childhoods and represents many people’s first up-close encounter with wild animals. The new Children’s Zoo maintains the nostalgia from the past while creating new experiences and introducing a variety of different species to the exhibit.”

Species new to the Children’s Zoo include giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), Linne’s Two- toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus), South American coatimundi (Nasua nasua) and the world’s smallest deer: the pudu (Pudu puda). Other wildlife favorites returning to the children’s zoo include American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), and South American squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) which now live on an island habitat surrounded by wading Caribbean flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) and other dabbing waterfowl.

The exhibit improvements are substantial, but maintain the walk-through trail experience and key features such as the aviary, prairie dog tunnels, bird nests, turtle shells, and tree house slide that have become iconic and a source of nostalgia for many.

WCS worked with author/ artist Brendan Wenzel on the new whimsically illustrated interpretive graphics that identify species, provide key facts about the animals, and educate about the species’ conservation needs in the wild. He will be on-site all weekend to sign his new book, Some Bugs.

The Children’s Zoo officially re-opened on May 30 with a weekend-long celebration. As part of the festivities, Peppa Pig, the world-famous star of the hit animated TV series airing daily on Nick Jr., joined families for a weekend full of fun at the zoo.

Kipps Bay Boys and Girls Club, BombaYo Afro-Puerto Rican Youth Project, and Casita Maria Chorus from The Bronx each performed music and dance numbers all weekend and to celebrate the grand re-opening.

WCS’s Education Department hosted “Children’s Zoo Quests” and the “Adventure Club” for kids and families, presented by Canon U.S.A. These daytime guided tours run every half hour, and will continue through November 1 on weekends, Wednesdays, and holidays.

Canon has generously sponsored the transformation of the Children’s Zoo, including the enhanced animal exhibits, colorful updated graphics, and innovative play experiences.

For more information about the Bronx Zoo’s new Children’s Zoo or the grand re-opening events, visit www.BronxZoo.com.

#BronxZoo #WCS #ChildrensZoo #Bronxnews