By Hugh Thornhill

Here’s your news roundup for the day:

– A driver who lost control of her car struck several pedestrians and took out four storefronts on Monday evening, CBS New York reports. Three people, including the driver, were taken to Jacobi Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Though a Department of Buildings representative said that the buildings damaged remain structurally sound, the storefronts are severely damaged and will be closed until further notice.

– For 33 years, a group called the 52 People for Change have been trying to save  Playground 52 in the South Bronx from disparity, the New York Times reports. Local officials have allocated millions of dollars towards maintaining the park, however the park is still in disrepair after all these years.

– The Rebel Diaz Hip Hop Collective is considering creating a community center out of shipping containers since their artist-in-rent contract at the Music Heritage Center in Morrisania will expire on August 11, the Daily News reports. The high cost of rent and rising real estate pricing were also two contributing factors to finding a cheaper alternative to building a community center.

– Local State Senator, Jeff Klein, earmarked $250,000 for his anti-gun initiative dubbed Operation S.N.U.G. for the Bronx, the Bronx Times reports. The initiative is modeled after Chicago’s “CeaseFire Chicago” program. Mediators will be sent out to targeted areas and will settle any impending quarrels that could result in gun violence.

– The black Astra 9 mm pistol used by 14-year-old Bronx gang member, Shaaliver Douse, used in the confrontation with police on Sunday was purchased in 1999 by 35-year-old Louisville man in a Crestwood, Kentucky Shop, the Daily News reports. The weapon was never reported stolen, and police are currently trying to figure out how it ended up in Douse’s hands.

– Some new bike lanes have been added along the northeastern section of the Bronx through Co-op City, to Baychester, Bronx Park, and Pelham Bay, NY1 reports. While many Bronxites see this as a way to keep cyclists safe, some critics say that the new lanes will increase traffic throughout the borough.

– KD Dance, a Bronx-based Clothing retailer, was awarded a total of $44,000 from the Small Businesses Services for customized training for his employees, NY1 reports. Small businesses can get a grant up to $400,000 through the city agency’s customized training grant program in order to eliminate financial constraints that can keep a business from growing.

That’s your news roundup for the day, we’ll be back next week.