$5.5 Million for Universal Hip Hop Museum & New Capital Funds for Other Bronx Cultural Institutions

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced on Wednesday, Aug. 3, a total of $5.5 million in new capital funding for the Universal Hip Hop Museum to fit out its future 52,000-square-foot home at the Bronx Point development at Mill Pond Park in the South Bronx. As previously reported, the transformation of the South Bronx is ongoing and on May 20, 2021, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new museum, part of the $349 million Bronx Point development, took place. The museum will memorialize the history of hip-hop

Editor’s Pick District 14 Bronx Council Member Pierina Sanchez and anti-gun violence interrupters, Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.), a program of the Good Shepherd Services nonprofit, Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) are hosting a single-round basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug 6 at noon at P.S. 279, 2100 Walton Avenue, in Fordham Heights to celebrate unity and non-violence with food, games, and music, in response to two shootings that occurred in front of council member’s constituency office. Amidst increased rates of gun violence, this basketball tournament will offer a much-needed alternative for youth in The Bronx to convene in a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery announced on Saturday, July 30, that one second-prize ticket for the July 29 Mega Millions drawing was sold in The Bronx, and the ticket is worth a guaranteed $1,000,002. The ticket was purchased at New Way Deli & Lottery Corp, located at 77 East Kingsbridge Road. The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70. The Mega Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 25. The Mega Millions drawing is televised every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. On July 21, the New

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood neighbors of 35-year-old young husband and father, Nathaniel “Nate” Rivers, were still processing his sudden and tragic passing on July 21, just hours after a horrific, fatal stabbing ended his life as he sat in his car, sharing a pizza with his wife in the midst of a summer thunderstorm. His murder is one of 11 to have taken place in the 52nd Precinct so far this year, a jump of 450 percent in the precinct’s murder tally, compared to the same period last year (2). Just under two weeks later, on Aug. 2, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell

By EMILY SAWAKED

Donning a green cap and gown, and cheered on by countless family members, one Bronx native had an extra special reason to celebrate receiving her associate degree from Bronx Community College (BCC) last month. Having first embarked upon her collegial path in 1961, Mercedes Yordan walked, for the first time, in a college graduation ceremony this past June, following a long life and varied career. Yordan said she got married and had children soon after she started her studies the first time around. She said it meant she had to leave college, bringing her foundational time in academia to a

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

A 59-year-old man was murdered in cold blood outside a smoke shop in University Heights on Saturday afternoon. Police said the incident unfolded on Saturday, July 30, at around 12.07 p.m., when officers responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been stabbed at Magic 7 Smoke Shop, located at 174 West Fordham Road in the 52nd Precinct. “Upon arrival, officers observed 59-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive male with a stab wound to the neck,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the aided male to NYC Health and Hospitals/Jacobi where he was later

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez will host a community block party on Morris Avenue, between 181st Street and Burnside Avenue, on the border of Fordham Heights and University Heights on Saturday, July 30, from noon to 4 p.m., during which she is expected to announce a number of investments in the district. With a large variety of activities, food, and more, according to the councilwoman’s office, District 14 residents are welcome to attend. The event is being hosted in partnership with the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF), Fidelis Care, and the Union Community Health Center

By DAVID GREENE

With U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand calling for an investigation into potentially unfair business practices by the airline industry during record delays and cancellations, we asked readers about their recent experiences at City airports. “I’ve had some problems changing flights; we had delays, yes, all of that. Right now, my grandson is coming back from Florida, and they just switched his flight to Sprint. So right now, we’re waiting for his COVID test. He’s been stuck for two days already. No, the airline didn’t put him up in a hotel; my son took him home and now he has to go

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Friday, July 25, NYC Parks held a celebration to mark the $5.2 million reconstruction of Wakefield Playground in The Bronx. NYC Parks first deputy commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, joined Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, representatives from Bronx Community Board 12, Friends of Wakefield Playground, teachers and students from P.S. 16, children and teachers from Demores Childcare, and members of the community for the occasion. “Wakefield Playground is a true neighborhood playground, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to completely rebuild it for the community,” said

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$5.5 Million for Universal Hip Hop Museum & New Capital Funds for Other Bronx Cultural Institutions

UPDATE Out & About: B.R.A.G. Basketball Tournament, Zumba for Seniors, Woodwind Quintet on Van Cortlandt Museum Lawn & More!

Mega Millions Ticket Worth $1,000,002 & Taket-5 Top-Winning Ticket Sold in The Bronx

UPDATE Norwood Neighbors Mourn Tragic Death of “Very Good” Neighbor, Father & Husband, Nate Rivers

1961 Freshman Graduates from Bronx Community College and She’s Just Getting Started!

University Heights: Man Murdered outside Smoke Shop on Fordham Road

Pierina Sanchez to Announce Community Investments at Block Party on Saturday, July 30

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Travel Experiences amid Calls to Investigate Potential Unfair Airline Business Practices

$5.2 Million Wakefield Playground Renovation Sees Two Basketball Courts, Soccer Field & Spray Showers