Two small northwest Bronx high schools are thriving as evidenced by their latest graduating classes. Here’s a look at their graduation ceremonies, which offer some reasons as to why their doing so well.

Congratulations to Michele Lynn Hayes on her graduation from Southern Westchester BOCES Nursing Program. Michele graduated from the accelerated program on June 18. She resides in the Norwood section of the Bronx, and will now seek to establish her nursing license before embarking on a career in nursing.

Michael Santiago graduated from P.S. 8, Briggs Avenue Academy. He will be attending Pace Academy in the fall. His parents love him and are extremely proud. Christian Santiago has moved up from his kindergarten class at P.S. 23 and will be attending P.S. 8, the Briggs Avenue Academy. His parents and family are proud of him and love him very much.

Help for those looking for job training programs or other employment opportunities in the Bronx and beyond.

A listing of local programs, services, announcements and events for our readers in the Bronx and beyond.

In the last two weeks alone, a 15-year-old Bedford Park resident was murdered, and shooting incidents have doubled. There were only four shooting incidents in the first five months of the year and there have been four since June 12. The gun violence is being compounded by reports of raucous street behavior in neighborhoods throughout the precinct.

Local residents and housing advocates say State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., whose name means "sword" in Spanish, has stabbed them in the back by siding with Republicans, not supporting rent laws that would preserve affordable housing and essentially paralyzing the state legislature.

The sounds of drumming and shouting radiate throughout the halls of PS 340 as the elementary students’ simulated African marketplace comes to life. "Two dollars!" one child yells, while another tries to haggle down the price.

The extension of term limits for New York City’s elected officials from two to three terms has allowed veteran lawmaker Oliver Koppell to make a bid to retain his City Council seat in District 11, which includes Norwood, parts of Bedford Park, Riverdale and Woodlawn.

This time around, he faces Tony Cassino, a former chairman of Community Board 8 (Riverdale), who officially kicked off his campaign on June 7.