City Island News BX: September 2015

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

BRONX NEWS: #Legionnaires Found in Lehman

BRONX NEWS: #Legionnaires Found in Lehman: Legionnaires Found in Lehman Einstein College, Calvary, Bronx State all Test Positive By Dan Gesslein Shock amongst the city’s silence sw...

Monday, September 28, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Legionnaires Strike Again

BRONX NEWS: Legionnaires Strike Again: #Legionnaires Strike Again 7 People Infected in Morris Park By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The Legionnaires Epide...

BRONX NEWS: Square Goes Back to the 80’s

BRONX NEWS: Square Goes Back to the 80’s: Square Goes Back to the 80’s BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- On September 26, 2015, the Westchester Square community and merchants paid homa...

Thursday, September 24, 2015

City Island News BX: #Pope Watch

City Island News BX: #Pope Watch: #Pope Watch Fordham Prepares for #PopeFrancis’ Visit Will Stream Papal Speech By Joana Mercuri Fordham University BR...

#Pope Watch

#Pope Watch

Fordham Prepares for #PopeFrancis’ Visit

Will Stream Papal Speech

By Joana Mercuri

Fordham University

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- There is just one day until Pope Francis arrives in New York City as part of his visit to the United States, and Fordham is making arrangements to get the University community as involved as possible.

In the days leading up to the pope’s visit, Fordham has been preparing “spiritually and pastorally” in every way it can, said Lito Salazar, SJ, executive director of campus ministry. “We are encouraging daily and Sunday Mass homilists to consider invoking Pope Francis’ words or commenting on his global pastoral ministry whenever relevant to unpacking Scriptures at liturgical celebrations,” Father Lito said.

“In addition, the intentions of the pope and his visit have been and will continue to be in the intercessory prayers of the faithful. The Holy Hour devotion set for Mondays will have the same intention.”

Watch the pope live

The pope’s address to the United Nations, which takes place Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:30 a.m., will also be live streamed from the McGinley lobby at Rose Hill; Lowenstein 2nd floor plaza at Lincoln Center; and Room 228 at Westchester.

In addition, students can enter into a lottery to win a ticket to that evening’s papal Mass at Madison Square Garden. The lottery can be found in the student tab at my.fordham.edu.

Students and community members will also have the opportunity to pray evening vespers along with the pope as he leads evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday, Sept 24. Beginning 6:45 p.m., the vespers will be streamed at University Church and Our Lady’s Chapel at Rose Hill and at Blessed Rupert Mayer, SJ Chapel at Lincoln Center.

Community service

On Saturday, Sept. 26, students are invited to participate in a community service project in honor of the pope’s visit. Participants will join Habitat for Humanity’s Pope Francis House in Yonkers to help construct homes.

“Care for the poor and the marginalized is a central theme of Pope Francis’ papacy, and using our gifts and talents to care for the needs of others is something that’s part of Fordham’s identity as a Catholic and Jesuit school,” said Conor O’Kane, director of campus ministry at Rose Hill.

“The pope has an authenticity and spiritual freedom that resonates with our students,” O’Kane said. “His leadership and emphasis on what it means to be a person of faith in the world today is a question that’s relevant to all of our students. So his messages have been animating all that we say and do here [in campus ministry].”

#Pope #Pope Francis #Fordham University #Holy Father

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

City Island News BX: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

City Island News BX: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- They’re the little blue pills – and little yellow...

Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- They’re the little blue pills – and little yellow pills – that are often instantly recognizable. But what a lot of consumers didn’t recognize is that these Viagra and Cialis pills were knock-offs – made from the same or similar ingredients as the real thing, but not manufactured by pharma giants Pfizer and Eli Lilly.

And now, announced Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, 49-year-old Babou Jobe (pron JOE-bee) has been sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, half of which he paid. Jobe pled guilty on an earlier date to Trademark Counterfeiting in the second degree, a Class E Felony. He was sentenced by Justice Marc Whiten of the Bronx County Criminal Court.

When Jobe was arrested on September 18, 2014, at a store at 6 East 184^th Street in the Fordham section of the Bronx, he had in his possession nearly 14,000 Viagra and Cialis pills in bottles and blister packs, along with a sheaf of Viagra labels. All were counterfeits.

The Viagra pills contained the active ingredient of the real drug, but at less than 15 percent of the advertised dosage and the filler material included vulcanized rubber. Jobe told investigators, “Yeah, I know it’s fake,” admitting that he’d been selling the counterfeits since 2012, making about $1,500 a month.

The packaging for both the Viagra and the Cialis pills was close, but no cigar. Noted one representative of Eli Lilly and Co., the maker of Cialis, the bottles not only had invalid lot numbers, but the coloration and design was off.

Jobe, in taking this plea, also waived his right to appeal and, as a non-US citizen, is subject to deportation to his native Gambia. At his sentencing he stated, “I’m very sorry for what I did and I ask for forgiveness from the Court.”

The case against Jobe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter D’Angelo and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Cristina Park of the Bronx D.A. Arson/Auto/Economic Crime Bureau. Jobe’s arrest resulted from an investigation initiated by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor with assistance from the New York County District Attorney’s Office.

#Viagra #Arrest #Bronx DA

Monday, September 21, 2015

City Island News BX: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

City Island News BX: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- State Senator Jeff Klein joined City Island restaurant owners and residen...

City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- State Senator Jeff Klein joined City Island restaurant owners and residents at Hawkins Park on Sunday afternoon for Klein’s third annual City Island Clam Chowder Festival. The chowder festival took place during City Island’s annual Chamber of Commerce Arts & Crafts Fall Fair.

“The City Island Clam Chowder Festival is a time-honored tradition in The Bronx — celebrating the culinary treasures of this beloved seaside community. I’m proud to host the third annual Chowder Festival in partnership with the City Island Chamber of Commerce and our many local businesses. Congratulations to all our winners and everyone who participated in this great competition,” said Senator Klein.

Local residents and families enjoyed samples of chowder from participating restaurants, including Johnny’s Reef, Bistro SK, the Ale House, Sammy’s Fish and Shrimp Box, the Lobster House, Arties Steak & Seafood, Crab Shanty and many more. At the festival, fairgoers also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite chowder.

In total, three awards were given: people’s choice chowder; best Manhattan clam chowder; and best New England clam chowder. Judging the competition was Senator Klein, Director of The Doyle Collection of Hotels & Co-Founder of Young Travel Professionals Karen Magee, Broadway Actress Kara Tremble, CEO and Founder of Reservation Genie Ivan Collins, General Manager of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Westchester Jeff Dziak, and Chef Eric Mauro of Bistro Rollin in Pelham, NY.

The following winners were chosen by the community:

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Harlem Yacht Club

The following winners were selected during the official judging competition:

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Ale House

“We are happy Senator Klein is hosting this year’s clam chowder contest – a tradition on City Island that we are very grateful he revived. The City Island Chamber of Commerce has worked together with Senator Klein for many years and we look forward to building on that partnership in the future,” said Skip Giacco, president of the City Island Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a culinary highlight of the fall season on City Island. We need to give new names to the great chowders made here: no longer Manhattan or New England but City Island Red and White!” said Barbara Burn Dolensek of the City Island Civic Association.

Bronx Sports: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup

Bronx Sports: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup Rams defeat Columbia for fifth straight year BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- In each of his four years at...

Friday, September 18, 2015

Bronx Sports: A Meaningful Subway Series Begins

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BRONX NEWS: Hope for Pope's Visit

BRONX NEWS: Hope for Pope's Visit: Pope’s visit to New York Viewed as uplifting occasion By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Most Bronx reside...

Thursday, September 17, 2015

CCCTV: Crooks Caught on Camera: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD

CCCTV: Crooks Caught on Camera: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police released v...

City Island News BX: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras

City Island News BX: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras, Backs Putting Cops Back on the Beat By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, (BRONX...

New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras

New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras,

Backs Putting Cops Back on the Beat

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, (BRONX NEWS)- The new captain of the 45th Police Precinct said that she is leaning toward supporting body cameras for the city’s police officers.

Capt. Danielle Raia said that her inclination is to support having police officers videotape their encounters with potential criminals, but that the idea needs further study before it is implemented in New York City.

The new commanding officer for the 45th Precinct stressed that she was expressing her personal views on the issue of body camera for police officers, rather than an initiative that the NYPD is currently planning to implement.

“I can see the pros and cons on this issue,” Capt. Raia stressed. “What I’m really saying is that the issue needs further study, but that body camera have considerable merit even though there could be some problems with the use of the body cameras.”

Those in the NYPD who support body cameras for police officers have contended that they would help to eliminate confusion over whether an officer may have used excessive force or acted inappropriately while doing his or her job.

Those opposed to the body cameras have argued that photographing encounters with police could lead to misinterpretations and differing views in police encounters even though the cameras are supposed to lead to factually based recordings.

Those opposed to the body cameras have also contended that they would inhibit police work by appearing to tie the hands of patrol officers.

The commanding officer of the 45th Precinct counts herself as among NYPD Commissioner William Bratton’s biggest boosters. Raia said that she especially approved of Bratton’s efforts to open up lines of communication between NYPD officers and the people who live and work in the city’s neighborhoods.

Bratton has indicated, in recent weeks that he wants to bring back something like the Neighborhood Police Teams from the 1970s. The focus of this thrust was for officers to walk beats in the communities and get to know the people in the city’s neighborhoods and the crime related concerns that these neighborhoods confronted.

“As I understand it, the new community policing thrust will not focus on police officers walking beats, but it will focus on officers interacting with people in community in an effort to develop intelligence and gain a better understanding of the issues that are important to the people in communities who we serve,” Capt. Raia noted.

The commanding officer of the 45th Precinct stressed that pilot programs emphasizing community policing are being developed in anticipation of their rollout in the not-too-distant future.

“We, at the 45th Precinct, will not have one of the pilot programs, but I’m very interested in seeing how they work out,” Capt. Raia noted. “The whole idea of community policing is a good one, but it needs a bit more study within the context of today’s world.”

#Police #BodyCameras #NYPD #Bronx

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

BRONX NEWS: There Could Be More Hispanics For Trump Than What’...

BRONX NEWS: There Could Be More Hispanics For Trump Than What’...: There Could Be More Hispanics For Trump Than What’s Been Said (Despite what elites say, one Bronx pol says there could be a large group lo...

City Island News BX: Driver Sought in Death of Biker on City Island

City Island News BX: Driver Sought in Death of Biker on City Island: Who Killed Gabriela? Driver Sought in Death of Biker on City Island By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police ...

Driver Sought in Death of Biker on City Island

Who Killed Gabriela?

Driver Sought in Death of Biker on City Island

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police are looking for the driver who struck and killed a female bicycle rider killed as she prepared to cross the City Island Bridge.

Officials say the 27-year-old victim Gabriela Aguilar-Vallinos was riding her bike westbound on City Island Avenue, when she was struck at 11:45 p.m., on Friday, September 11, shortly after leaving work at the popular Sammy's Shrimp Box.

Vallinos was rushed to Jacobi Hospital with serious trauma to her head and died a short time later.

Police were looking for a white 2015, two-door Hyundai Genesis or Honda with front end damage, that fled westbound over the bridge.

One police source stated, "The driver briefly stopped long enough to catch a look at his victim, before he fled the scene."

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS.

Two-hours later a motorcycle crash was reported at Commerce Street and Newbold Avenue in the Soundview section. Police say the unidentified 30-year-old rider was turning when he slammed his Suzuki motorcycle into a fence at a high rate of speed, pinning his 27 year-old female passenger under a gate.

The victim was eventually extricated and transported to a local hospital, where she died. Her name has not yet been released pending family notification.

The motorcycle driver remains in critical condition.

#CityIsland #Gabriela Aguilar-Vallinos #Hit-n-Run #NYPD

BRONX NEWS: #Politics: Moves as Hassel-Thompson Loses Big

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Monday, September 14, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Bronx BP on the Mound at Yankee Stadium

BRONX NEWS: Bronx BP on the Mound at Yankee Stadium: Bronx BP on the Mound at Yankee Stadium 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The headline refers to Bronx Borough P...

Thursday, September 10, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Apple Heralds TV's Future

BRONX NEWS: Apple Heralds TV's Future: Apple Heralds TV's Future By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Tim Cook unveiled the future of TV at yesterday's A...

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Former Diaz Staffer Challenges Bronx Political Mac...

BRONX NEWS: Former Diaz Staffer Challenges Bronx Political Mac...: Former Diaz Staffer Challenges Bronx Political Machine By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- A former staffer of b...

Thursday, September 3, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Push to Ban K2 Online

BRONX NEWS: Push to Ban K2 Online: Push to Ban K2 Online BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Stop selling dangerous synthetic weed online, a group of elected officials demanded. ...

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

BRONX NEWS: Bronx reporter remembers covering Katrina

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