UPDATE Bronxites Honor Victims of Sept. 11th Attacks, 20 Years Later

By DAVID GREENE

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Bronxites gathered at various memorial events across the borough to honor the memories of those lost during the September 11th attacks in 2001. They joined family members, friends, and strangers across the City to pause and remember the 2,977 people killed when two hijacked jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan twenty years ago, as well as those who subsequently died as a result of the events of that day. On Saturday, Sept. 11, Bronxites gathered at the 9/11 memorial monument, erected on the grounds of Jacobi Hospital on Pelham

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES, SHANIA DEGROOT & SÍLE MOLONEY

The 20th annual Morrison Avenue Festival returned with gusto to the Soundview section of The Bronx on Saturday, June 12, having been cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. District 18 City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., along with H.O.G.A.R., (Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources, Inc.) Bronx County Expo Association, and Freddy Perez Jr. of FPJ Amusements and Entertainment Services Inc. hosted the popular event which, though well attended, saw smaller crowds than the original 5,000 expected for a joy-filled day of music, dancing, fun, as well as a bit of political rallying thrown in for good

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES, MICHAEL HOROWITZ & SÍLE MOLONEY

Beloved, local character and restauranteur, Joe Torres Sr., was honored during a street co-naming ceremony in Soundview on June 26, in the presence of family, friends, neighbors, former customers and elected officials. “Joe Torres Way,” a section of street encompassing Westchester and Thierrot Avenues was renamed in memory of Torres on the recommendation of Assemblyman José Rivera and Freddy Jr Perez, president at FPJ Amusements & Entertainment Services, Inc. It was an apt tribute to Torres Sr., who owned and ran Joe’s Place, an upbeat, family-friendly, Puerto Rican themed restaurant, located at 1843 Westchester Avenue in Soundview, for more than

By DAVID CRUZ

United Auto Workers Region 9A union (UAW) is throwing its support behind former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the first labor union to support Mark-Viverito in her run for the 15th Congressional District race. The endorsement comes a day before candidates in the crowded race start collecting signatures to get on the June Democratic primary ballot. “Although we have relationships with several of the candidates in this race, our bond with Melissa is strong,” Beverley Brakeman, UAW Region 9A director, said in a statement. “From her days as a City Councilwoman and then Speaker, Melissa always stood by

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By DAVID CRUZ

The chances of the Bronx seeing one of its own run City Hall–and being the city’s first Latino mayor–have come to an end. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced he is withdrawing his run for Mayor of New York City and not seeking any other elected title when his current tenure ends in 2021, an unexpected move as many believed his entire career was built for a mayoral run. The news, first reported by The New York Times, sent shockwaves throughout the Bronx political landscape. Diaz Jr. cited his need for spending more time with his family as a

Union Representing NYCHA Workers Backs Torres' Congressional Campaign Run

By DAVID CRUZ

The largest labor union representing employees from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and City University of New York (CUNY) are ready to throw their support for Councilman Ritchie Torres in his run for the 15th Congressional District, adding to the number of labor unions already backing Torres. Teamsters Local 237 will announce its support Tuesday morning for Torres, one of the more highly visible candidates for the South Bronx race that began in March when current seat-holder, Jose Serrano, announced he won’t run for re-election. “Teamsters Local 237 supports Ritchie Torres in his congressional bid because we know from

Samelys Lopez, Bronx Progressive Activist, Launches 15th Congressional District Run

By DAVID CRUZ

Another progressive Democrat has announced a run for the 15th Congressional District seat, by far the most crowded political contest in the city. And she stands among the pack in grabbing a marquee endorsement from a prominent congressional Democrat. Samelys Lopez, a grassroots community activist who helped propel Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to victory last year, became the 13th candidate to announce a run for the South Bronx seat. “I just feel like it’s a time for something different, a fresh perspective; someone who is connected to the grassroots, the progressive community; someone who has an independent voice that can challenge

Diaz Sr. (Yes, Diaz Sr.) Allocates $11,000 to LGBTQ-Supporting Groups

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., a candidate for the 15th Congressional District who’s been routinely chastised for making anti-gay remarks, surprisingly contributed a total of $11,000 to LGBTQ-supported groups, according to a review of the recently enacted Fiscal Year budget. Diaz Sr., a self-proclaimed social conservative Democrat and pentecostal minister, doesn’t see this as a form of contrition. “Why did I give money to these groups? Because they need it,” Diaz Sr. plainly told the Norwood News in a phone interview. Diaz Sr. has allocated $6,000 to Pride Not Prejudice, an organization that uses art to present current issues, such

Polls have closed and now it’s wait-and-see time throughout the five boroughs. There are several competitive races right here in the Bronx that are up for grabs tonight. Here are a few final notes from the campaign trail.