Kingsbridge Heights: Search for 23-Year-old Man Reported Missing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 23-year-old man reported missing from the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx. It was reported to police that Sean Mercedes of 3034 Albany Crescent was last seen leaving his residence on Friday, March 24, 2023, at approximately 0500 hours. He is described as male, is 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 155 pounds, is Hispanic, and has brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants, and black work boots. Anyone with information in regard to the whereabouts of this missing person is asked to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) has launched a housing lottery for units at 1169 River Avenue in Concourse, a 19-story mixed-use building in Concourse, The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Community Access, an NYC supportive housing and social service non-profit, the structure yields 245 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect, HPD’s online portal, are 96 units for residents earning 60 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $31,852 to $132,400. According to HPD, amenities include a community center,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A man has died following a road accident in Bedford Park, police said. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 23, at around 9.43 p.m., according to the NYPD who said officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle collision that involved a pedestrian who had been struck at the intersection of East 198th Street and Grand Concourse. An NYPD spokesperson said, “Upon arrival, officers observed an unidentified adult male pedestrian, unconscious and unresponsive, lying on the roadway with head trauma. EMS responded to the location and transported the aided male to St.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local kids from Olinville, Gun Hill Houses and beyond faced off in the third, free, monthly “Mind Your Beat” dance battle at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center on Saturday, March 4. Dancers ages 9 to 14 shared the spotlight for a series of knock-out, one-on-one dance battles throughout the evening, all with the aim of “releasing their inner beast,” having some fun, and the chance to take home some coveted cash prizes. The monthly event is part of a dance battle series led by artist-in-residence and lead Hip Hop instructor, Joss [Jocelyn] Gutierrez, judges, “Nate the Great” and Dee Ross, with DJ

By ARIEL PACHECO

During the March Traffic and Transportation committee meeting of Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) presented its final plan on proposed bus and pedestrian improvements to address congestion along Gun Hill Road before the plan’s implementation in the coming months. DOT said as part of the discussions around the MTA Bronx Bus Network Redesign project, implemented in 2022, more than 50 outreach events were held, and it was clear the community wanted to see improvements to the Gun Hill Road bus service, named as one of ten key Bronx corridors for bus priority. DOT

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

A new musical voice is emerging from The Bronx but this time it’s not related to doo wop, salsa, or hip-hop, three musical genres often associated with the “Boogie Down.” This new talent is breaking ground from her home base in Hunts Point and into the world of opera – yes, opera! Linda Collazo has been developing her musical talents her entire life. Now, as a 27-year-old mezzo-soprano, she will make her Carnegie Hall debut on March 25, and a month later, she makes her Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall. Although her success is the

By ARIEL PACHECO

During the health and human services committee meeting for Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) in February, a representative from NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (NCB) provided updates to over a dozen participants in attendance on several topics, including a citywide behavioral health project, new-look ambulances, and Botanical Garden parking for NCB staff. According to Alfredo Jones, a representative from NCB, NYC Health+Hospitals, the City’s public hospital system, received a memo from Gov. Kathy Hochul requesting the provision of 253 additional behavioral health beds across City hospitals to address the behavioral and mental health needs of New Yorkers.

By DAVID GREENE

A fire that destroyed a small outhouse office for a parking garage in Bedford Park as well as a truck parked next to it remains under investigation according to the FDNY, while one car owner alleges 40-mile-per-hour winds brought down a powerline in the area, sparking the fire. Fire officials were called to 2 J’s Parking Lot, located at 2768 Webster Avenue, between East 198th Street and Oliver Place at 7.52 p.m. on Monday, March 13, for a reported “shed / trailer fire” in the back of the lot. The “all-hands” fire brought 12 fire units, comprising 60 firefighters

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Police Department said a 72-year-old woman has died, and a 46-year-old male driver of a motorcycle and a 17-year-old pedestrian were both hospitalized following a motorcycle accident in the Allerton section of The Bronx. Police said that on Wednesday, March 22, at around 4.30 p.m., officers from the 49th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle collision in which a pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Pelham Parkway and Williamsbridge Road, within the confines of the 49 Precinct. A police spokesperson said, “A preliminary investigation on scene determined that a 46-year-old