Gun Violence Interrupters, B.R.A.G., to Host Free BBQ for Bronx Community on July 16

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Good Shepherd Services’ Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) program will host the “B.R.A.G. Northwest Peace BBQ,” on Saturday, July 16 from noon to 5 p.m. As reported, the group will bring together elected officials and community members for an afternoon of free food, games, and music to celebrate unity and non-violence within the local community. As rates of gun violence continue to rise both locally and nationwide, the event will mark the second BBQ this summer of B.R.A.G.’s annual series of Peace BBQs, which provide safe spaces where youth, families, and violence interrupters can gather safely, without fear of gun

By EMILY SAWAKED

Following the State primaries held June 28, Empire State Indivisible, a group dedicated to systematically creating political change in New York State, held a fruitful meeting on July 6 to debrief on the impact of the June primary results, as well as planning how the group will continue to support candidates it has endorsed in the upcoming August primaries. In The Bronx, that means providing support to State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), the incumbent who is being challenged by Bronx Democratic Party-backed candidate, Miguelina Camilo, a former commissioner with the New York City Board of Elections, and current

By DAVID GREENE

A 75-year-old male pedestrian remains in critical condition after he was run down by a turning vehicle as he was crossing a Kingsbridge Heights street. The alleged driver, who was seen sporting house slippers as he stepped out of his vehicle at the scene of the accident, was later arrested and faces multiple charges. Police officials say the incident was reported at 2:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, when the victim was hit as he crossed West Kingsbridge Road at Bailey Avenue. An unidentified police official told Norwood News the following day, “A preliminary investigation determined that a 29-year-old

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

It has been more than a year since recreational marijuana use for adults has been legal in the State of New York. Signed into law on March 31, 2021 and known as MRTA or The Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act [sic], as reported, it also created a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), governed by a Cannabis Control Board to regulate adult use, medical, and hemp cannabis. The exact terminology of the product can change depending on the market and other stakeholders, whether it includes production, medical and/or recreational use. The Office of the Bronx Borough President helped organize

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help identifying the people seen in the attached surveillance photos and video who are sought for questioning regarding an attempted robbery that occurred on the border of Kingsbridge Heights and Fordham Manor. It was reported to police that on Friday, June 17, at approximately 1.16 p.m., four unidentified people, described as male, attempted to steal the unattended moped of a 31-year-old victim in the vicinity of Morris Avenue and East Kingsbridge Road. Police said the group displayed a gun when confronted by the victim and then fled on foot to

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

A female resident of Tracey Towers has died following a reported stabbing at the Jerome Park Mitchel Lama housing complex, police said. An NYPD spokesperson said a 52-year-old woman is deceased following the incident which took place on Thursday morning, July 14, at around 10.50 a.m. Asked for further details, the spokesperson said it was believed to be “domestic in nature.” The spokesperson said a person of interest is currently in custody but police were unable to confirm the age or gender of the person. Asked if it was a neighbor who raised the alarm, the spokesperson

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating the person seen in the attached video and photos who is sought for questioning in connection to an attempted assault that occurred in Edenwald. Police said on Monday, July 11, at around 9.48 a.m., in front of 1225 East 233rd Street, a 36-year-old man was sitting in his vehicle when an unknown individual approached it. “The individual proceeded to display a firearm and discharged it multiple times, striking the victim’s vehicle three times,” a police spokesperson said. “The individual fled the location westbound on East 233 Street. No injuries

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

After a two-year hiatus from the usual on-campus graduation ceremonies, without the need for social distancing, it was a welcome return to normal as Bronx Community College (BCC) Class of 2022 held their commencement ceremony on the college grounds on June 3. The students were joined on the day by the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021, as well as family and friends, all sitting comfortably under expansive white tents to witness the conferring of associate degrees in the fields of science and arts, on what was a bright sunny morning. Like many others, the graduating classes

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Public defenders, The Legal Aid Society, released a statement on Monday, July 12, in response to an announcement by New York State Court of Appeals chief judge, Janet DiFiore, that she will resign next month after seven years in the role. The public defenders are calling for a progressive-leaning judge to be appointed to the bench. “The Legal Aid Society thanks Chief Judge Janet DiFiore for her years of public service and efforts to improve New York’s court system, bolster funding for civil legal services organizations, and for improving our clients’ access to justice,” an extract from the statement