Spring Break with BRAC

Bronx River Art Center

1087 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx, NY 10460 BronxRiverArt.org  (718) 589-5819 Spring Break with BRAC We will be OPEN the whole week with One-Day Workshops from 11:00am-1:00pm April 22-25 with Supervised Art Time afterwards and  Regular Afternoon Classes from 4:30pm-6:30pm

Click the Button Below to Register for  Spring Break Workshops eventbrite.com

CHECK OUT OUR SPRING BREAK WORKSHOPS HERE Special Screening event of Student Digital Animations and Photography on Friday, April 26 from 11-1pm followed by the Documentary Film A River Returns: A History of the Bronx River Afterwards all are invited to join our Cultural Immigrant Initiative  Dance Party featuring Masks by  Seniors and Students from  Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. District 18  in Soundview at the  Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center 1000 Rosedale Ave at 3:00pm!

Upcoming Events From Councilman Mark Gjonaj

Sign the Petition Against the Morris Park Avenue Road Diet Plan Please support our local businesses and community by signing a petition and voicing your opposition to the proposed Road Diet Plan for the Morris Park Avenue Commercial Corridor and the main artery for many hospitals in our District. Please visit or call our offices with any issues or concerns. To better serve you, we are open Monday-Friday from 8AM-6PM. District Office 1478 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10461 P: 718-931-1721 F: 718-931-1605 Legislative Office 250 Broadway Suite 1847 New York, NY 10007 P: 212-788-7375 F: 212-442-2724 For information on our local community board meetings: Community Board 10 Community Board 11 For information on our local Precinct Community Board meetings: 45th Precinct 49th Precinct

Governor Cuomo Announces Creation of Task Force to Train Technicians for Jobs in the Auto Industry

Excelsior Automotive Technician Task Force Will Develop Educational Programs to Train Workers for Specific Car Manufacturers

  During the opening of the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center in Manhattan New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of a new task force that will develop programs for training auto technicians and enabling participants to directly transition into the industry. 

"One of the things we're going to do here in this state is change our education system, where the State University of New York is going to offer specialized training in tandem with the manufacturers so that you can go to school and come out as a Nissan-certified technician or a Honda-certified technician or a BMW technician," Governor Cuomo said. "We have over 75,000 technician jobs that are good jobs, high-paying jobs, and we want to educate New Yorkers for those jobs right here in New York. This new task force will set us on that path." 

Many current vocational programs offer a generalized technician program, however training that is more specific offers benefits to both students and companies. Typically, auto manufacturers require a unique training program to teach prospective technicians how to work on their vehicles. This work is currently happening at several SUNY schools where they are working with automotive companies like Subaru, Tesla and Toyota.

We have over 75,000 technician jobs that are good jobs, high-paying jobs, and we want to educate New Yorkers for those jobs right here in New York. This new task force will set us on that path said Governor Cuomo.

The Task Force will convene stakeholders from the automotive, labor, manufacturing and academic arenas to address the following areas in the marketplace:

• Improve the current automotive technician curricula at the secondary and higher education levels to ensure it is keeping pace with technology;
• Identify and improve current training models and facilities to ensure they reflect modern workforce needs;
• Replicate and scale best practices and educational models to reach dealers and potential technicians in online space;
• Develop and implement professional development programs for teachers and college professors to ensure they are aligned with market needs;
• Create new veteran and women specific campaigns to broaden the diversity of the workforce;
• Develop and invest in new re-training programs and apprenticeships to enable new and older workers to continue their careers; and
• Explore options with correctional institutions to create an automotive technician reentry program.

Castle Hill Little League Easter Bash

President Christina Martinez of The Castle Hill Little League (with the Bunny Ears) and two of her officers from the organization. 

  The rain already stopped as the Castle Hill Little League Easter Bash began. It was inside the Gym of the Holy Cross School on Castle Hill Avenue where 100 children came to get a face tattoo, Easter photo, watch a magic show, and receive a basket full of fun from the Easter Bunny.  

Above - Gianna Maldonado gets her face tattoo put on.

Below - Tristan Diaz shows off his completed face tattoo.

Above - There was a magic show for the children.

Below - The Magician makes a bird appear in front of the children.

The Easter Bunny was on hand to help give each child a basket filled with fun.

Easter Bunny Visits Allerton Avenue

  The Easter Bunny was spotted on Allerton Avenue today in front of the Sanz located at 815 Allerton Avenue. With the Easter Bunny were the PS 89 Panther girls, local businesses and residents, and officers from the 49th Precinct to make sure the Easter Bunny was safe from those looking to have him for supper. 

Above - This Easter Bunny wanted to stay real close to officer Hernandez from the 49th Precinct.

Below - The Easter Bunny checks to see how he came out in the selfie.

Above - A group photo of the Easter Bunny, PS 89 Panther Girls, and the two NCO officers from the 49th Precinct.

Below - Even Grace Lovig felt like a kid again getting her picture with the Easter Bunny.

Members Of Violent Bronx Gang Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering, Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses

Adonis Ramirez, a/k/a “Frenchie,” is Charged With Murder in Aid of Racketeering

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 11 members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew with various racketeering, firearms, and narcotics offenses, and charging an additional three defendants with narcotics and firearms offenses.  ADONIS RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Frenchie,” is also charged with a September 28, 2017, attack on Charles DelToro that resulted in DelToro’s death on October 4, 2017.

Eight of the defendants, ADONIS RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Crazy,” a/k/a “Locotron,” JONATHAN ESPINAL, a/k/a “Twin,” DERIAN DEL CARMEN, a/k/a “Mel,” ELVIN PEREZ, a/k/a “Choco,” YISANDER RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Bean,” MARIO DELOSSANTOS, and DANIEL GONZALEZ were taken into custody last night and this morning.  They will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses later today.  Five of the defendants, ADONIS RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Frenchie,” DAVID GARCIA, a/k/a “Clippa,” BRANDON ESTEVEZ, a/k/a “Boppy,” JONATHAN MALDONADO, a/k/a “Tego,” and LOUIS RIVERA are currently incarcerated in state custody on other charges, and will be presented at a later date.  JEFFREY ESTEVEZ, a/k/a “J,” was already in federal custody, having been previously charged in federal court with narcotics trafficking.  JOSUE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “V,” remains at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Deborah A. Batts.  

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, members of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew wreaked havoc in the Bronx, engaging in brazen acts of violence, including murder and multiple attempted murders, as well as narcotics trafficking.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of the NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

The 2200 Morris Avenue Crew was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in the Bronx.  Members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of their gang, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.  

The Indictment charges BRANDON ESTEVEZ, ADONIS RAMIREZ, GARCIA, RODRIGUEZ, ESPINAL, DEL CARMEN, JEFFREY ESTEVEZ, MALDONADO, PEREZ, YISANDER RAMIREZ, and SANCHEZ with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.  Count Two of the Indictment charges ADONIS RAMIREZ with the murder in aid of racketeering of Charles DelToro.  Counts Three and Four charge BRANDON ESTEVEZ, MALDONADO, and PEREZ with participating in an attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting of a rival gang member on February 11, 2018, and a related firearms offense.  Counts Five and Six charge JEFFREY ESTEVEZ with participating in an attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting on May 25, 2018, and a related firearms offense.  Count Seven charges DEL CARMEN, MALDONADO, and RODRIGUEZ with attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a stabbing that occurred on June 19, 2018.  Count Eight charges ESPINAL with attempted murder in aid of racketeering.  Counts Nine and Ten charge SANCHEZ, YISANDER RAMIREZ, GARCIA, and DEL CARMEN with attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting that occurred on March 24, 2019, and a related firearms offense.  Count Eleven charges all of the defendants with a narcotics trafficking conspiracy.  Count Twelve charges all of the defendants with possessing and using firearms in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy charged in Count Eleven. 

Charts containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.  He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance in the investigation. 

The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	JEFFREY ESTEVEZ (24) ADONIS RAMIREZ (24) DAVID GARCIA (19) ADONIS RODRIGUEZ (24) JONATHAN ESPINAL (25) DERIAN DEL CARMEN (23) BRANDON ESTEVEZ (24) JONATHAN MALDONADO  (22) ELVIN PEREZ (24) YISANDER RAMIREZ (21) JOSUE SANCHEZ (25)	Life in prison
2	Murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	ADONIS RAMIREZ	Death or mandatory minimum of life in prison
3	Attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO ELVIN PEREZ	10 years in prison
4	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO ELVIN PEREZ	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
5	Attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	JEFFREY ESTEVEZ	10 years in prison
6	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	JEFFREY ESTEVEZ	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
7	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	DERIAN DEL CARMEN JONATHAN MALDONADO ADONIS RODRIGUEZ	20 years in prison
8	Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	JONATHAN ESPINAL	20 years in prison
9	Attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	JOSUE SANCHEZ YISANDER RAMIREZ DAVID GARCIA DERIAN DEL CARMEN	10 years in prison
10	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	JOSUE SANCHEZ YISANDER RAMIREZ DAVID GARCIA DERIAN DEL CARMEN	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
11	Narcotics trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	JEFFREY ESTEVEZ ADONIS RAMIREZ DAVID GARCIA ADONIS RODRIGUEZ JONATHAN ESPINAL DERIAN DEL CARMEN BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO  ELVIN PEREZ YISANDER RAMIREZ JOSUE SANCHEZ MARIO DELOSSANTOS (52) DANIEL GONZALEZ (22) LOUIS RIVERA (53)	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
12	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a narcotics trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	JEFFREY ESTEVEZ ADONIS RAMIREZ DAVID GARCIA ADONIS RODRIGUEZ JONATHAN ESPINAL DERIAN DEL CARMEN BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO  ELVIN PEREZ YISANDER RAMIREZ JOSUE SANCHEZ MARIO DELOSSANTOS DANIEL GONZALEZ LOUIS RIVERA	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of five years in prison

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Police-involved Shooting in the 34 Precinct, Upper Manhattan

The following information is preliminary and may be subject to change as the investigation progresses.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. April 18th, members of the 34th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit responded to a shots-fired call — which also caused a ShotSpotter activation — at 187th Street and Wadsworth Avenue, in the 3-4 Precinct. Upon arrival at that location, officers observed and approached a male who matched the description given in the 9-1-1 call. The suspect then runs with a gun in his hand, and an officer pursues on foot, leading to a parking lot on Broadway — north of 187th Street. The suspect then runs to the rear of the parking lot and takes a position behind the last parked car. Our officer takes cover behind a vehicle — three cars away. The suspect then fired three rounds at the police officer, who is struck in the right armpit. The wounded officer fires back one time. At the same time this is happening, the officer's partner, also a 3-4 Precinct Anti-Crime officer, drives his unmarked police car into the parking lot. He gets out and takes a position in front of the car. One bullet fired by the suspect goes past this officer and through the windshield of the police car. This second officer then fires three rounds at the suspect. The perpetrator was struck one time in the chest, and was transported to Columbia-Presbyterian — where he was pronounced deceased at 5:10 p.m. Our wounded officer was brought here to Mount Sinai-St. Luke's, where he is being treated and is currently in stable condition. We visited with the officer and his family just a few minutes ago. He is in good spirits, and the NYPD family stands ready to do all we can to assist in his full recovery.