Bronx Democrat Klein Strikes Senate Power-Share Deal With GOP

In an unprecedented move that has angered local Democratic lawmakers, Bronx State Senator Jeff Klein and his conference of Independent Democrats struck a power-sharing agreement with Republicans last week.

Race to Replace Norwood/Bedford Park Councilman Heats Up

Last week, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz showed up at Scott Tower in Bedford Park to address the audience at the November Community Board 7 general meeting to talk about a few issues facing the state legislator. He also brought along a friend and ally, Andy Cohen, who he introduced as the Aging Committee Chair of Community Board 8, which includes Kingsbridge and Riverdale.

Latino Muslims Search for Identity, Community in the Bronx

Al-Samat, a native of the Dominican Republic, converted to Islam in 2010 after a long period of faith exploration as she became increasingly dissatisfied with the Catholic Church. Now, she says she has found a welcoming home here at Masjid Annasr, one of several West African mosques in Morris Heights, a majority-Hispanic area increasingly dotted with Ghanaian groceries offering Halal cuts of goat meat.

Facing Death With the Courage of a ‘Warrior Princess’

For such a young lady, 10-year-old Lydia Stephens is already well acquainted with death. She no longer fears it. Twice, she’s drawn to the brink of it and bounced back miraculously. Her courage while staring into the face of it is nothing short of heroic. That’s why they call her the “Warrior Princess.” This is her story.

Crime Watch: Taxi Robbery Suspects Sought

Police are looking for help in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with a livery cab robbery in the Fordham-Bedford neighborhood.

With Hunger Rising, Local Bronx Groups Do Their Part

Even before Hurricane Sandy left thousands of New Yorkers without power and many homeless, the city was facing a surge in hunger. In the northwest Bronx, two groups are doing their part to ease the hunger crisis.

Editorial: Koppell Has Solution to ‘Ridiculous’ Situation

Councilman Oliver Koppell was fired up during last week’s Bronx Community Board 7 meeting, aiming his ire at the Department of Education for its handling of the capping issue at PS 340 (see story here).

PS 340 Parents in Uproar Over Transfers

Parents, local activists and elected officials are upset with the Department of Education’s decision to transfer an entire class of kindergarteners from PS 340 in the middle of the semester to another school — a move parents say would severely inconvenience them and their children.

Editorial: Lessons From a Marathon

I overcame a barrage of obstacles — physical, mental, even geographical — on my quest to run the New York City Marathon this year. But it was an epic storm seven days before the pay off that finally did me in. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was it the right decision? Absolutely.