Bronx News Network

Bronx News Roundup, Friday, June 17

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Happy Friday folks and welcome to our Friday edition of the Bronx News Roundup. Let’s get to the news!Weather: Cooler, periodic bouts of rainfall, high in the upper 70s. Should be nice most of the day Saturday, then rain is expected to return Saturday night and into Sunday. Story of the Day: So, Who Owns The Land Near Lehman HS? The Bronx is on the front page of today’ edition of the NY Times (and it has nothing to do with Pedro Espada or hate crimes!) with a story about the protracted football field at Herbert H. Lehman High School.

Bronx News Network

Deadly Shooting of Young Mother Spurs Community Concern

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Editor’s Note: This story was first published in the June edition of the Tremont Tribune, out now.Family and friends erected a shrine for Claudia Millan on the street corner where she died. (Photo by Jeanmarie Evelly)Summer started off on a tragic foot this year, as an exceptionally warm Memorial Day weekend saw the horrific and fatal shooting of a young mother in the Bathgate neighborhood.Claudia Millan, 29, was shot in the head on the corner of Park Avenue and East 178th Street on Sunday, May 29. According to the New York Times, Millan was walking with her 2-year-old son in tow at the time of the incident, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. as she made her way towards her home on E. Tremont Avenue.The boy, Jah-mere, the youngest of Millan’s four children, was unharmed other than a cut to his leg, the paper reported. Police said this week that there have been no arrests.Community leaders say the gruesome shooting—which came during a weekend marked by seven other gun deaths across the city—might be a troublesome indicator.“This is just the beginning,” said Abdul Malik Talib, of the Masjid Adam Mosque on Crotona Avenue, who also runs a youth anti-violence program called F.U.S.E.D. “This is the beginning of a very long slope.”While overall crime is down across the city, violent crimes like rape and murder have increased since last year, according to NYPD statistics. In the 48th Precinct, there have been four murders since the start of 2011, four times the number compared to this time last year, when there had been none.Talib said he thinks the change—especially what he sees as an uptick in youth violence—is related to the city’s budget cuts and a slashing of resources in a neighborhood that already has so few.“This is a direct connection to the funds being taken out of our community,” he said.Heidi Hynes, director of the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center in Crotona, agreed.“I think that violence, especially youth violence, is connected to not having positive influences,” she said.“The budget cuts are going to hit our neighborhoods this year; there are going to be less services for people.

Bronx News Network

A Double Bronx Rainbow

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After the heavy rain and thunder today, I saw these rainbows looking east from where Tryon Ave meets the Williamsbridge Oval Park. The vivid colors did not last long. Bottled it for all to enjoy. If you want to see more of my work, head on over to rawlat.com/adi

Bronx News Network

Bronx News Roundup, June 16

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Weather: Warm and sunny today, in the high 70s/low 80s. Chance of rain late tonight and into tomorrow morning.Story of the Day: Mount Hope Dad Gets a New KidneyWe’ll start off today’s roundup with a feel-good piece in honor of Father’s Day this weekend. New York Daily News’ Patrice O’Shaughnessy brings us the story of Bronx dad Jameak Lee, who after a decade of illness, dialysis and disappointment, successfully underwent a kidney transplant this winter. This will be the first Father’s Day in his 12-year-old son Justin’s life that Lee will feel well enough to celebrate.Speaking of transplants: Bronx’s own St. Barnabas Hospital will be honored by the New York Organ Donor Network next week for being the top organ donor hospital in the greater New York metropolitan area.

Bronx News Network

West Farms Residents Get Free Home Makeovers

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Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the June edition of the Tremont Tribune, out now.Volunteers from Rebuilding Together NYC repair homes on Bronx Park Avenue and East 178th Street, part of the nonprofit’s “Neighborhood Rebuilding Day.” (Photo by F.G. Pinto)By FAUSTO GIOVANNY PINTOThey came in the early morning in droves brandishing tool belts, saws and a dumpster. Before most people were up they were busy hammering, painting, and repairing in an all-day extreme remodeling session.The volunteer handymen and women came to be part of Rebuilding Together NYC’s annual Neighborhood Rebuilding day, in which local homeowners received repairs at no cost. This was the first time the event was held in the Bronx.“We weren’t sure what we were getting into, but it’s exciting, it’s so much fun,” said Cristin McComell, 28, a service manager at Wells Fargo, as she painted a fresh coat of white paint on an old wall. Originally from California, McComell heard about the program through a community service leader at Wells Fargo.The event was held on East178th Street between Morris Park Avenue and Bronx Park Avenue. Rebuilding Together NYC sponsored the event in conjunction with Shawmut Design and Construction, Wells Fargo, and State Farm.

Bronx News Network

The Bronx Green Machine Goes 'Above and Beyond'

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The sweet smell of basil drifted down the hallways of Discovery High School in late May. Parents, teachers, and neighbors anxiously chased the scent down to classroom 279, where Steven Ritz and his science classes hosted a Farmers Market and Edible Plant Sale. At the event, guests were not only able to purchase a selection of fresh veggies, plants, and flowers, but also learn about the unique science curriculum Ritz has created. “This is my portable science lab,” Ritz explained. “Unlike software that gets outdated and textbooks which are expensive; this room is a constant learning resource.” Ritz says he started bringing plants into the classroom in order to give his students a hands on lesson.