Death of Popular Homeless Man Raises Questions

Sitting on benches inside Whalen Park, the concrete-covered corner near the Mosholu Library in Norwood, a group of five friends, most of them homeless, slowly drank beers and speculated about the mysterious death of their compatriot, Billy "Peanut" Murphy.

Days earlier, on Sunday, Aug. 15, Murphy, 47, had succumbed to injuries suffered from what appeared to be a severe beating. It was the latest in a string of violent incidents involving the local homeless population. |  Read More

Carlos Laboy, Beloved Drama Teacher, Dies

When doctors told Carlos Laboy this spring that he had a rare blood cancer, he didn't cry-he was his usual upbeat self, cracking jokes to lighten the mood and make those around him laugh. The only time his illness got to him was when he was told that, because of treatment, he would have to leave his job at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC), where he's directed the drama program for nearly 15 years.

Laboy passed away Sunday after a months-long battle with Mantle cell lymphoma, a non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 59. |  Read More

Groups See Gustavo Rivera As Best Shot to Oust Espada

Aside from the fact that he's running for the 33rd District Senate seat currently held by Pedro Espada Jr., here's something you may not know about Gustavo Rivera: the guy is a huge Trekkie.

"Dude, I was a mega nerd," said Rivera, a 34-year-old native of Puerto Rico who has picked up a slew of institutional support over the past several weeks in his bid to unseat Espada in the Democratic primary |  Read More

One Dead, 8 Injured in Kingsbridge Road Accident

One man was killed and eight others were injured on Aug. 10 when a livery taxi driver violently crashed into a bus stop after swerving to avoid a minivan making an illegal U-turn on busy West Kingsbridge Road. |  Read More

Cemetery Makes Changes After Racism Charges

Following an independent review prompted by charges of racism and discrimination by employees, Woodlawn Cemetery says it will make significant changes to employment and training practices.

Still, cemetery employees remain skeptical about the depth of the investigation and say the cemetery's response was inadequate. |  Read More

Stretch of E. 197th Street Closing

The city has authorized the closure of East 197th Street, between Decatur and Marion avenues (see map), for the next three months as John Civetta & Sons, Inc. reconstructs a retaining wall there. |  Read More

School Guide: What You Need to Know

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Upstart Survives 'Frivolous' Petition Challenges

Sometimes Robert Giuffre, the 27-year-old candidate for assembly in the Bronx's 81st District, which includes Norwood, Morris Park and Allerton, thinks he might be going crazy.

It's usually when he looks at the state government's petitioning process that determines which candidates get on the ballot during election season and sees how discouraging it is to potential challengers. "I'm up at night thinking, 'Am I the only one who sees how insane this is?'" Giuffre says. |  Read More

 Upstart Survives 'Frivolous' Petition Challenges

 Challenger: Naomi Rivera Needed a Primary