UPDATE Elections 2023: Sparks Fly at District 13 BronxNet Debate over Upzoning, Public Safety & Endorsements

It was Halloween [Oct. 31] and you could pretty much cut the atmosphere with a knife by the end of the BronxNet debate held between the two candidates running in the upcoming general election on Nov. 7 in City Council District 13. Moderator extraordinaire Gary Axelbank had his work cut out for him as he tried to sign off during the recording of the debate at BronxNet's Lehman College studio in Bedford Park, while Democratic incumbent City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez and Republican and Conservative candidate Kristy Marmorato continued to talk over one other, each with allegations of nepotism.

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Number of Illegal Smoke Shops Opening Up in The Bronx

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the proliferation of illegal cannabis stores opening up in Bronx communities. As reported, Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. recently carried out two different raids in Assembly District 80, targeting illegal stores, as community boards across the City continue to assess the situation in efforts to balance everyone's rights in the context of the license application process. 

Soundview: 100+ Pounds of Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone and Heroin Seized in Bronx Pizzeria

Over 100 pounds of suspected cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone, carrying an estimated street value of $4 million, was seized by law enforcement from a Bronx pizzeria last week, officials said. The seizure, part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in New York City, was carried out by federal, State and local law enforcement officers at Mexzzarella Pizza in the Soundview/Clason Point section of The Bronx, officials said. 

Bronx Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 50th Season Opens Oct. 22 at Lehman College

The Orchestra of the Bronx, founded and conducted by Michael Spierman, returns on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. for a free concert at Lehman College's Lovinger Theatre, performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (the Eroica). Spierman leads a 40-member orchestra of musicians drawn from other major orchestras and Broadway shows.   

Female NYPD Officer from The Bronx & Yonkers Partner Arrested for Attempting to Sell Fentanyl, Heroin & Cocaine

Federal prosecutors say a Bronx female NYPD officer, Grace Rosa Baez, and a Yonkers man, Cesar Martinez, who are romantic partners, have been busted and charged with attempting to traffic fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Both were arrested on Thursday, Oct. 19, and were presented on Friday, Oct. 20, before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in Manhattan federal court.