Police Athletic League’s Tournament of Champions Engages Bronx Kids in STEM Projects

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police Athletic League (PAL) youngsters from all five boroughs of New York City participated in the citywide PAL Tournament of Champions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Challenge, on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Activities focused on STEM and physical education learning, featuring engineering, design and physics skills building. The 2022 competition was an individual, center-based competition held at each PAL center with participants in Kindergarten through eighth grades working within age groups. Dana Wheeler, PAL director of education and program development, said the academic needs of the participants continue to be a top priority at PAL, with STEM activities serving

By DAVID GREENE

The once popular Madden’s Pub, located at East Bedford Park Boulevard and Villa Avenue in the Bedford Park neighborhood, has sadly and quietly closed its door after at least 50 years in business. Since the pandemic first hit, Madden’s had struggled to survive. In the summer of 2021, the management team opened an outdoor shed for additional seating and brought in a giant TV so that fans could see NFL games on Sundays. The owners also installed a small window for takeout orders and began selling White Castle hamburgers, a move which had begun to draw crowds.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Freedom Youth Family Justice Center Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, which provides support to people, particularly youth, affected by human trafficking and domestic violence, recently opened a new office in The Bronx, located at 555 West 235th Street, in Riverdale. The organization runs a number of programs, one of which is the Young Adult Discovery (YAD) program. This serves victims and survivors of human trafficking and prostitution aged 12-17, who are seeking a holistic approach to making positive changes in their lives by providing tools and support for those re-entering society. Norwood News has reported

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Fordham University announced on Feb. 10, via a Zoom conference, that Tania Tetlow will become the 33rd president of the University. Tetlow will become both the first woman and the first lay-person to lead the university in its 181-year history, when she assumes the role in summer, ahead of the new academic year. “I am thrilled beyond measure that the search committee, with all of its engagement from faculty and students, and the board itself has chosen me to do this,” Tetlow said. “I will give absolutely everything I have to doing it well,” she added. Robert D.

Editor’s Pick As reported, NYC Parks announced on Monday, Feb. 7, that is is proud to present the Poe Park Visitor Center’s virtual exhibition as part of the agency’s Black History Month celebration. The online show is in addition to “The NYC Parks Renaming Project: Celebrating Black Leaders,” at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, as well as other events and tours taking place this month. Both shows are free and will be available to view through February 28, 2022. EVENTS The New York Botanical Garden’s Grow More Vegetables Certificate Series is an edible gardening course designed to equip

By DAVID GREENE

This week, amid the mayor’s plan to remove people experiencing homelessness and who have mental health issues from the subway system, we asked readers if they felt safe riding the subway. “I take the subway. Sometimes, I feel safe, depending on the time of day. I think they’re making efforts; I’ve been watching the news recently. I think they’ve made long-term efforts, but as of today, I think the police are relaxed when it comes to looking at potential perpetrators [of crime]. I think they can strengthen their efforts and can use more soft training skills in interacting with the

By DR. JOSE M. WILEY

February is American Heart Month, when we raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in adults living in New York City, and it is important to know if you are at risk for heart disease. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has tools and resources to help you identify and manage your risk for heart disease. You can access these resources and use their Heart Age Calculator tool by going to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/heart-age-calculator.page. One condition related to heart disease is peripheral artery disease (PAD).

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 24-year-old woman has died following an assault in the Tremont section of The Bronx, and a 27-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. On Thursday, Feb. 24, at approximately 7 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding the assault, which took place inside an Arthur Avenue residential building in the Tremont neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers found the woman, unconscious and unresponsive, with a slash wound to the throat, inside the bedroom. Officers also encountered the man, also with a slash wound to the throat, inside the location. EMS responded and pronounced the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD has arrested a 19-year-old male in connection to a borough-wide robbery pattern identified at various Bronx businesses in the 42nd, 44th, 46th, 48th and 49th precincts. The department asked for the public’s help identifying the individual seen in the attached surveillance photos who had been sought for questioning in connection with the various incidents. It was reported to police that between Thursday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 20, between the hours of 5.49 p.m. and 7.10 p.m., the suspect entered multiple commercial establishments ranging from Taco Bell and McDonald’s to Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, and some drug