Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, the community activist who led the local fight to defeat the mayor’s plans to build a mall in the Kingsbridge Armory, told the Norwood News on Tuesday that she was ending her candidacy for state Senate in the 33rd District.

There is something to be said for the power of puppy eyes. So proved Toby, a wolfhound mix, when he was adopted from a shelter by Dr. Andrew Kaplan, a practicing veterinarian in New York City. Although Toby was deemed “unadoptable” and “aggressive,” Kaplan took him from the shelter just hours before he was scheduled to be put to death.

Toby soon became Kaplan’s companion and his inspiration to battle pet overpopulation.

Daniel Padernacht, a 33-year-old housing lawyer who has joined the crowded list of challengers to incumbent Pedro Espada, Jr. in the race for 33rd District Senate seat, is a homeboy. A Kingsbridge homeboy.

Gustavo Rivera, one of several candidates looking to unseat State Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. in the 33rd Senate District, has been endorsed by Bill Samuels and his organization, the New Roosevelt Initiative.

"Rivera is simply the strongest candidate to challenge Espada and I urge everyone who wants a better legislature to unite behind him," said Samuels in a statement.

New York State is poised to pass legislation allowing for a no-fault claim as reason for divorce. New York is currently the only state that says one spouse must be at fault in order for a marriage to legally fail.

Following a series of service changes and cuts by the MTA, which is looking to bridge an $800 million budget gap, some commuters in the northwest Bronx say they are being inconvenienced and overcharged. Others say the changes have largely not affected them.

Embattled State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. angrily fired back at State Democratic leaders who formally requested that he be ousted from the party, saying he had the backing of nearly 10,000 registered Democrats.

Across the street from St. Brendan’s Church last Saturday, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. deflected questions from reporters as he shook hands and gave out free bags of groceries to dozens of residents.

Gary Perez, a 2007 Monroe College graduate, returned to his Alma Mater on July 8, not as a student but as an NYPD officer.