Business Beat – New Retail Center in the Bronx Creates over 200 New Jobs

By KASIA ROMANOWSKA As the holiday season rapidly approaches, a new shopping center has opened up in the Bronx following a ribbon cutting and a year of debuts for shopping centers across the borough.

ATM Bandits Strike Again in Bedford Park, Raising Burglary Count To 54

by David Greene A group of experienced thieves, eluding police since early this year, have struck again in Bedford Park.

Be Healthy – Campaign To Curb Teen Pregnancies In The Bronx

Vital Stats: 11.1% – Percentage of pregnancies among females aged 15-19. (Source: Center for Disease Control) by David Cruz Recognizing the high number of teen pregnancies throughout the Bronx, the New York City Health Department has launched an advertising blitz to help reverse teen pregnancy figures.

Fordham Public Art Piece Obstructed by Agency Vehicles

By Anton K. Nilsson A public art piece on the sidewalk at the corner of East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue is frequently obstructed by parked vehicles belonging to multiple city agencies, enraging officials from the borough’s biggest business improvement district.

Mulling Over the Final Journey

British Traveler George Meegan Revisits Norwood and Talks Death By KASIA ROMANOWSKA George Meegan, the renowned British adventurer who spent seven years crossing both Americas by foot, is revisiting Norwood, where he looked back on his epic walk while extending an invite to friends for his “last journey.” Yet on this one, he will be present only in spirit.

Debates For Police Accountability Rage at Five-Two Mtg.

By David Cruz One day after celebrating her 24th year at the NYPD, Inspector Nilda Hofmann faced a tense standoff with two police skeptics calling for more accountability within the Police Department. Their weapons: debate and rebuttals that seared with hostility.

Spelling Bee C-R-A-Z-E At P.S. 94

By Anton K. Nilsson Emotions ran high at the eighth annual P.S. 94 spelling bee. For the 26 participating fourth and fifth graders, the dominant feelings were of excitement and stage-fright; for the three finalists, it was all P-R-I-D-E and J-O-Y.

S. Bronx Group Home Under Fire After Abuse Claims

By DAVID GREENE A 17th staffer at a South Bronx home for special needs adults has been told to stay home amid a state investigation of alleged chronic abuse by employees.

Neighborhood Notes

Gjonaj Mobile Office Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj’s mobile office van is open each Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at the corner of East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue for constituents to voice community concerns. For more information, call (718) 409-0109. NYPD Career Community Day NYPD recruiters will be at Poe Park at East 192nd Street and the Grand Concourse on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. as part NYPD Community Career Day. Various departments include police, school safety and traffic divisions. For more information, contact your local precinct. Free Flu Shots Free flu shots will be administered to