Rikers Inmate Charged with Arson in Massive Fire at Jail

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Thursday, June 29, that a Rikers Island inmate was charged with starting a large fire on Rikers Island that injured 12 detainees and correction officers with smoke inhalation. In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant allegedly started a blaze that sent thick smoke billowing through the jail, causing detainees and correction officers to suffer smoke inhalation, and putting dozens of lives at risk. Thankfully, first responders were able to put the fire out quickly to prevent further harm.” Clark said Marvens Thomas, 30, was charged with with

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

At a public meeting billed as a “Boroughwide Town Hall on Public Banking,” representatives from ten Bronx-based groups joined various elected officials to push for State and City legislators to build upon efforts to promote worker-owned businesses, increase community land trusts, and facilitate access to more local credit unions as an alternative to big commercial banks. On May 11, inside the auditorium of the Bronx Library Center, located in Fordham Manor, attendees viewed video and slide presentations describing how these actions could improve economic conditions in the borough. Listed as expected attendees on the press release announcing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Just days before the consecration of Bishop Coadjutor-elect Matthew Heyd on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 18, the New York Episcopal Federal Credit Union (NYEFCU) was officially launched at the campus of St. James Church in Fordham Manor. A coadjutor is a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop and is also often designated as the bishop’s successor. The Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, the 16th Bishop of New York, and Heyd were present on the day to launch the credit union and ceremonially open the first accounts. They said it marked a major milestone in enhancing financial inclusivity for those

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The MTA has announced service changes for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The MTA has added weekend service on the , , and lines. Starting this weekend, June 30, and every weekend going forward, average wait times for trains will be reduced by up to 4 minutes, with trains arriving every 8 minutes, and trains arriving every 8-10 minutes (instead of every 10-12 minutes as before), meaning less time traveling. Meanwhile, because of urgent track repairs, trains aren’t running between Broad Channel and Far Rockaway all weekend, and are replaced by free shuttle buses. The silver lining is

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the age-old problem of double parking, the problems it can cause, as well as possible solutions. “I see a lot of cops stop people from double parking because every time there’s double parking, it always causes a lot of traffic and people can’t get through. If people keep on double parking, they’re just going to get tickets. If they don’t want to get a ticket, you must move the car because the cops always come around and tell you no double parking. There should be even more enforcement.” Allan Peisel, Norwood “It

By DAVID GREENE

A tandem tractor-trailer recently got trapped under the elevated subway in Kingsbridge for several hours, as police and fire units blocked off traffic in the area and two dozen MTA employees attempted to free the truck with minimal damage to the subway line. According to an unnamed MTA official, the incident took place at 10:42 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, at the intersection of Broadway and West 231st Street. The truck, registered to S Auto Transport of Bunridge, Florida was still stuck under by 1:30 p.m. that afternoon. MTA officials said the overhead subway service was not impacted,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police have formally charged one person in the context of a murder investigation after a man was taken into custody for questioning following the fatal stabbing of a 52-year-old second man in the middle of the street in a seemingly random attack in Kingsbridge in the early hours of Friday morning, June 30. Police said that at around 00.16 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress at West 236th Street and Broadway, a few hundred feet from the 50th Precinct stationhouse. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 52-year-old male with multiple stab wounds

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 74-year-old female pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a car in Bedford Park on Thursday, police said. Police said the accident took place at 9.31 a.m. at Bainbridge Avenue and East Mosholu Parkway South. Police said a 46-year-old man was driving a Honda CRV westbound on Bainbridge when it was struck by a 2006 Toyota Corolla traveling southbound on East Mosholu Parkway South. “Subsequently, the Honda struck a 74-year-old pedestrian [who] was crossing at that intersection,” a police spokeswoman said, adding that the pedestrian sustained severe trauma to the body and was transported to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police have identified the 26-year-old man who died following a fatal shooting in Williamsbridge on Thursday, June 29. As reported, according to the NYPD, on June 29 at around 00.32 a.m., officers from the 47th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding shots fired at East 213th Street and Holland Avenue. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 34-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the right leg,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to NYC Health & Hospitals/Jacobi, in stable condition. Further investigation revealed a second victim from the incident location, a