After Supreme Court Ruling, Bronx Councilman Wants to Legislate School Access for Churches

Following a Supreme Court decision that would keep churches from worshiping inside school buildings, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera, a deeply religious politician who doubles as pastor of a church on Morris Avenue, will attempt to legislate guaranteed access for churches at New York City public schools.

Bronx Church’s Petition to Worship in Public Schools Denied by Supreme Court

The Bronx Household of Faith, a small congregation in University Heights, and dozens of other churches throughout New York City will become homeless on Jan. 1 after the Supreme Court decided today not to review an appeals court ruling in June that upheld the city’s policy of excluding churches from using public schools for worship services.

One of Bronx’s Original ‘Green’ Building Programs on Chopping Block

In her 10th floor apartment in Keith Tower on Southern Boulevard, Marge Marcone wipes her hand across the long windowsill in her living room, and is still amazed by the lack of dust. It has been more than a year since a local community organization installed all new windows in her apartment for free — a major improvement from her old, faulty windows.

Bronx Anti-Smoking Events This Week

A number of local groups and elected officials will host a forum tonight at the Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. “Laying the Foundation for Healthy Living,” is the first in a series of forums organized by the Bronx-Smoke Free Partnership, and will focus on the health benefits of smoke-free housing policies. Panelists include the housing chair for Bronx Community Board 8, a representative from the New York Fire Department Fire Safety Education Department, and a pediatrician from Montefiore Medical Center. RSVP to Deidre Sully at dsully@healthsolutions.org or at (718) 466-8862. In other anti-smoking news, tomorrow,

City Can End Rental Program for Ex-Homeless, Judge Rules

A Manhattan State Supreme Court judge ruled last week that the city was no longer required to provide rental subsidies in a widely-used but controversial affordable housing program, putting thousands at risk of homelessness as soon as next month, some advocates say.

Tracey Tenants Rage at Rent Hike Proposal

Citing poor management that has led to deteriorating conditions, tenants at Tracey Towers argued against a proposal at a public hearing last month that would hike their rent by over 60 percent over the next three years.

Fire on Gun Hill Affects Families, Businesses

On the first Friday morning of August, Ashley Santiago looked out the window of her apartment on the corner of Gun Hill Road and Rochambeau Avenue and saw fire raining down from the sky.

New Webster Ave. Plans Bring Cheers and Jeers

Webster Ave., the gritty, industrial stretch that runs through the neighborhoods of Norwood and Bedford Park was rezoned by the City Council this past March, with a plan designed to encourage more retail stores and residential housing in an area now largely composed of parking lots and auto body shops.

Long Time Resident Killed in Decatur Blaze

A Saturday afternoon fire on the top floor of a five-story Decatur Avenue building in Norwood claimed the life of 37-year-old resident Chris Podesta who died of smoke inhalation, according to the medical examiner’s office.