By DAVID CRUZ Torres’ Time Some of the Bronx beltway’s brightest stars came out in support of their star, Councilman Ritchie (“The Rookie” as one guest phrased it) Torres, who flashed his Obama-like smile all night during his fundraiser. At Michaelangelo’s restaurant in Belmont, across the corner from where Torres claimed victory as Council Member during the 2013 election cycle, Torres worked the room extensively, shaking hands with residents from all corners of his 15th Council District.

KNIC Lease in Escrow Pending Full Funding of Project

By DAVID CRUZ Though developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC), slated to be built inside the cavernous Kingsbridge Armory, ensure the project is progressing, there are signs it hasn’t churned along as much as it wants the public to think.

Driver Still on the Run in Hit-and-Run of Traffic Agent

By DAVID GREENE Police are looking for the driver who ran over a 24-year-old NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agent and sped away, fleeing down East Gun Hill Road last week. Police officers from the 52nd Precinct and paramedics were called to 275 East Gun Hill Road at Putnam Place at 11:59 a.m., on Thursday, April 23. According to the FDNY, paramedics arrived in four-minutes and transported the victim to Jacobi Hospital, who was listed in serious condition. According to one NYPD source, “The on-duty traffic agent was crossing the street in the crosswalk, when he was struck by an unknown vehicle, a blue Dodge minivan.

Report: Sexual Harassment Suit Expected to be Filed Against Councilman Andy King

By DAVID CRUZ Councilman Andy King, the north Bronx legislator known for his flamboyance, is expected to be sued for sexual harassment, according to a published report.

CB7 Approves Letter to Pols on Mosholu Parkway Rehab

By DAVID CRUZ The plan to see a massive rehab project for Mosholu Parkway advanced some after Community Board 7 approved a letter for local elected officials, requesting they jump on momentum to see the rehabilitation of the green parkway.

Police Respond to Robbery Spike Worries, While Answering Questions of Teen’s Rooftop Death

By WILLIAM MATHIS Crime within the 52nd Precinct continues to rise, though the police ensured community members at a recent meeting it intends to stem the rise. The meeting rehashed incident involving the death of a 17-year-old who plunged to his death from a rooftop while evading police in early April.

Water Rates Rise As Tree Delivery Still in Waiting

By MOSES BUSTOS At the latest Croton Facilities Monitoring Committee (CFMC) on April 20, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a 3.24 percent water and sewer rate increase for the 2016 fiscal year. The agency, which has oversight on the long-overdue Croton Water Filtration Plant project, has passed the cost to building the water plant, which is four times over budget, by raising water rates.

Empowering Male Teens at Monroe College

By JASMINE GOMEZ In a borough where 26 percent of people aged 18 to 24 have no high school diploma, a number of professionals sat at round tables at Monroe College’s Mintz Auditorium hoping to increase those numbers.

Gjonaj Strives to Curb Illegal Dumping with Clean-Up Day

By JANAKI CHADHA After a long and cold months, with temperatures climbing, it seems like spring has finally sprung. To help get community parks ready for the new season, local Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj is hosting clean-up events in the area, one of which will take place at an ad hoc dumping ground on Mosholu Parkway on Saturday, April 25.