Riders Riled Over MTA Fare Hikes

The Metropolitan Transit Authority put a damper on the New York holiday season, enacting subway and bus fare increases on Dec. 30, just in time for the New Year. It’s the third year in a row that the agency has hiked its prices, an attempt to close a seemingly never-ending budget gap.

Halloween Fire Lot for Rent

In October 2009, a major fire destroyed 10 stores on the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 204th Street. The charred remains were torn down, and since then the lot has stood empty, dotted with weeds, and surrounded by plywood boards. The landlord has been unreachable during this time.

When Does it Make Sense to Buy the Monthly Metrocard?

Commuters who don’t take mass transit every day might save money by skipping the monthly-unlimited MetroCard, which now costs a whopping $104, and opting to pay $2.25-a-ride instead.

Be Healthy: Q&A with David Lehmann, Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership

David Lehmann, a longtime worker in the public health field, heads the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership, a program funded by the State Department of Health and Human Services based at 1826 Arthur Ave. The Partnership works with community groups and organizations throughout the Bronx to prevent young people from smoking and to shape public policy against the tobacco industry. Earlier this month, the Norwood News sat down with Lehmann to get his take on cigarettes and smoking in our community.

Local Groups Push for Parks And Beaches Smoking Ban

Community groups and local legislators are looking to drum up support this year for a City Council bill that would ban smoking in public parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas across the five boroughs.

Monte Nurse Book Drive

A group of nurses at Montefiore Medical Center held a book drive this holiday season, collecting children’s books to distribute at one of the hospital’s children’s health clinics.

Kappy Heads Downtown With One Foot in Boogiedown

The Daily News’ Bob Kappstatter, who writes the popular political news and gossip column in the paper’s weekly Bronx Boro News section (get your copy on Tuesdays), is leaving his longtime role as the News’ Bronx bureau chief to chase down citywide police and crime stories.

2010 Year in Review: Espada Loses Seat; Freedom Next?

If 2010 was a terrible year for Pedro Espada, Jr., the soon-to-be former state senator, then 2011 could be even worse. In April, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed a civil suit, charging that Espada had used Soundview HealthCare Network, the nonprofit he founded and runs, as a “personal piggy bank.” He stole $14 million, the suit alleges, spending it on family trips, restaurant bills and, famously, take-out sushi delivered to Espada’s Westchester home.

2010 Year in Review: Armory Fight Spawns Legislation, More Task Forces

If 2009 was the year the city finally voted on a proposal to redevelop the enormous and vacant Kingsbridge Armory, then 2010 was the year everyone tried to figure out the significance of the City Council deciding overwhelmingly, one year ago, to kill a Bloomberg-backed plan to mold the Armory into a shopping mall.