Fight Over Worship at Schools Puts U-Heights Church in Spotlight

When the leaders of Bronx Household of Faith, an evangelical Christian congregation based in University Heights, first approached the city, in 1994, about using its public schools to hold worship services, they didn’t think much of it. They certainly did not think they would find themselves, 17 years later, fighting for freedom of religion and speech as part of a back-and-forth legal case that could end up in front of the Supreme Court.

Reservoir Access Fight Escalates as BP Takes Lead

There’s a path around the Jerome Park Reservoir, just like the Central Park Reservoir. And while Manhattanites can run around theirs with a view of the water, Bronxites aren’t allowed to run and walk next to theirs and many are fed up.

Pride, Relief, and Uncertainty for Lehman Graduates

“Why does King Lear suffer? What is a neutron?” poet Billy Collins asked a crowd of 3,000 anxious graduates, proud parents, and supportive friends, during his speech at Lehman College’s commencement ceremony two weeks ago in Bedford Park. “It’s not about knowing the answers to these questions,” Collins said. “It’s about having the intelligence to know how to think.”

Teen Chefs Wage Battle for Better Health

Earlier this month teen chefs squared off in a final competition at Evander Childs Educational Campus. The program, sponsored by the Montefiore School Health Program, is part of its healthy eating initiative. Although the program is intended to promote good nutrition and healthy meals, it has not only transformed the way Evander students eat, but the way they connect with one another.

Crime Watch: Boy Shot On Grand Ave.

Police are asking for help finding the gunman responsible for opening fire on a crowd last Friday night in Fordham Heights, injuring three people, including a 5-year-old boy.

Honoring Megan Charlop by Doing

The staff of the Montefiore School Health Program coordinated the first community service day in honor of Megan Charlop, the beloved Norwood resident and longtime Bronx activist who died in a tragic accident while riding her bike to work in March 2010. The inaugural Meg Charlop Day of Service on a sweltering June 9 resulted in 480 trees planted along the wetlands trail in Van Cortlandt Park near the Mosholu Golf Course and Shandler Recreation Area. The participants removed invasive species as well.

Op-ed: Action Needed on Dirty Boilers That Pollute and Kill

When it comes to health-threatening air pollution in New York, toxic boilers are public enemy number one. These boilers—which burn #4 and #6 heating oil in apartment buildings and other structures—are a menace to the health and well-being of our city. While they are only used by one percent of all New York buildings, they account for an astonishing 86 percent of the city’s airborne soot pollution.

Goulden Avenue: Closed For Construction

Starting on July 5, a stretch of Goulden Avenue, from 205th Street to about one block north, will be entirely closed off to traffic as workers connect water pipes underneath the street. The pipes will connect the Jerome Park Reservoir to the new water filtration plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park.