belmont

Bronxite and Former Fordham H.S. Student Samara Joy Wins Two Grammy Awards

By DAVID GREENE
  Bronxite and alum of both Fordham High School of the Arts and SUNY’s Purchase College, Samara Joy [McLendon], was a relatively unknown jazz singer before she was awarded a Grammy for Best New Artist at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 5.   Joy beat out a field of newcomers including Anitta, Omar Apolo, JD Beck, Molly Turtle, and Tobe to capture the coveted prize. During her acceptance speech, the 23-year-old Castle Hill native appeared flabbergasted, telling the recording world’s A-list stars, “I am so… Oh my gosh! I can’t


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Belmont: Search for 16-Year-Old Missing Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing from Belmont. Police said that Taniah Gale, of 588 East 181st Street, Bronx, NY, was last seen Saturday, Jan. 14, at around 8 p.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, is around 5 feet tall, weighs 140 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black coat, beige and white pajama pants, and red, black and white sneakers. Anyone with information regarding this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS


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Six “Los Sures” / Trinitarios Gang Members Sentenced in Murder Case of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Plugins 16 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, Jan. 13, that six members of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman–Feliz, 15, bringing an end to the legal case.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “These six defendants, members of the Los Sures Trinitarios set, chased Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman–Feliz and dragged him out of [a] Belmont bodega where he was stabbed by five other defendants.” She added, “Their unconscionable actions led to the death of the


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Off-Duty NYC Department of Homeless Services Employee Arrested for Menacing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty City employee was arrested in The Bronx on Monday, police said.   According to the NYPD, Tonya Simmons, 47, an off-duty employee with NYC Department of Homeless Services was arrested on Monday, Jan.  9, at 9.24 p.m. within the boundaries of the 48th Precinct, which covers the neighborhoods of Belmont, East Tremont, and West Farms, while Fordham University’s Bronx campus is nestled in the precinct’s northern corner.   Simmons was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.


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Bronx Marks World AIDS Day Amid High HIV Rates

By ARIEL PACHECO
  The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted an event to mark World AIDS Day on Fordham Plaza on Thursday, Dec. 1 to spread awareness about AIDS, a life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that attacks the immune system of the patient. The event also served to offer helpful resources to the Bronx community.   Gibson was accompanied on the day by numerous organizations and non-profits, including Black Health, Amida Care, Latino Commission on AIDS, Essen Health Care, Osborne Association, Boom!


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Belmont: Building Applications Filed with DOB for 6-Story Building at 536 East 183rd Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Building applications have been filed with DOB for a new, 6-story, mixed-use building at 536 East 183rd Street in the Belmont section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Located between Third Avenue and Bathgate Avenue, the lot is located an 18-minute walk from the 182nd-183rd Streets subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Dean St. Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.   The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 39,136 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 58 residential units, most likely rentals, based on the average unit scope of 674


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Last Trinitarios Gang Member Pleads Guilty in Fatal Stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Dec. 13 that the last of the defendants in the June 20, 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, who was also a member of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang, has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for his role in the killing. He had previously pleaded not guilty.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “This is the last of 13 defendants who had a role in the death of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman-Feliz to be held accountable. Although the defendant did not stab the victim, his actions


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Belmont: Two Girls, 11, Hospitalized after Hit & Run Collision by Driver of Black SUV

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Two 11-year-old girls are recovering from their injuries at Jacobi hospital following a hit & run incident in the Belmont section of The Bronx, police said.   A police spokesperson said that on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at around 5.40 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle collision involving two pedestrians who had been struck in the vicinity of Arthur Avenue and East 180th Street, located in the 48th Precinct.   “Upon arrival, officers observed two 11-year-old, female pedestrians with minor injuries,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded to the location and transported the victims to Jacobi Hospital,


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Inquiring Photographer: Qualities Bronxites Would Like to See in Newly Elected Judges

By DAVID GREENE
  With the recent judicial elections now over, this week, we asked readers what qualities they want to see in the judges recently appointed to the bench.   “I personally would like to see stricter enforcement, a more punitive enforcement of laws, which affect people who are battered on the subway, muggings and things like that. This whole thing with cashless bail…I know, statistically, they all tell us the data shows it’s not a problem, but perception-wise, we see on the television every night. We see a mugging, a mugging, a mugging, and then you hear the next day that the guy


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