Permits Filed for 2609 Marion Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 2609 Marion Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 193rd Street and East 194th Street, the lot is near the Kingsbridge Road subway station, served by the B and D trains. Leapold Zicherman is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 74-foot-tall development will yield 35,382 square feet, with 29,793 square feet designated for residential space and 5, 589 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 52 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 572 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar.

Lester Katz of XPdite Group LLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien Charged for Hit-and-Run Crash that Killed Sheriff's Deputy in Texas

 

 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Dennis Arguello-Acosta, a criminal illegal alien, on March 14. Arguello-Acosta was driving a vehicle that hit a Fort Bend County Deputy, Kenneth Lewis, on February 21, 2026, and fled the scene. Following the hit-and-run, Lewis passed away. 

On March 11, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies received an anonymous tip regarding information on Arguello-Acosta.

Deputy Kenneth Lewis

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in coordination with the FBI, identified the suspect and the location of his residence. ICE has taken custody of Arguello-Acosta to ensure he is not released back into American communities. He may now face state charges.

“Deputy Kenneth Lewis served his community honorably as a law enforcement officer—and he would still be with us today if it were not for this criminal illegal alien who should’ve never been in our country in the first place,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE has arrested Arguello-Acosta to ensure that he is not free to roam on our streets and threaten public safety. Under President Trump, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

Mexican Illegal Alien and Convicted Felon Both Face Federal Charges After Norcross Drug Busts

 

Benjamin Alberto Lozoya, a convicted felon, and Arturo Carreno-Rivera, an illegal alien from Mexico, face federal charges after law enforcement seized at least 30 pounds of fentanyl, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, and two loaded firearms in drug trafficking operations in Norcross, Georgia this week. 

“The defendants conducted their alleged narcotics trafficking in public with no fear of being caught,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “These arrests and charges send yet another strong message to the methamphetamine and fentanyl traffickers operating in our communities:  we work in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to take your deadly drugs off the street and prosecute you in federal court.” 

“Fentanyl and methamphetamine destroy lives, and those who traffic these drugs while carrying firearms put entire communities at risk,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Through the DEA’s Fentanyl Free America Campaign, we will continue to pursue and dismantle the networks responsible for distributing these deadly substances.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court:  On the afternoon of March 11, 2026, DEA agents observed Benjamin Alberto Lozoya allegedly sell over four pounds of methamphetamine to an individual in a Norcross, Georgia parking lot. Agents then followed Lozoya to a trailer residence a short distance away. While watching the area, agents observed Lozoya exit a nearby shed, walk to another suspected drug transaction, and deliver approximately $11,000 in cash to a waiting vehicle. Agents quickly arrested Lozoya and found a stolen loaded handgun in his pocket and approximately six pounds of methamphetamine in his backpack.  Agents searched the shed and found over 18 pounds of fentanyl in the form of purple bricks, as well as about 25 pounds of a white crystalline substance that was consistent in appearance with methamphetamine.  

The investigation revealed that Lozoya was previously convicted in DeKalb County Superior Court in April 2023 of drug distribution, possessing a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony, and evidence tampering.

That same afternoon, DEA agents observed Arturo Carreno-Rivera allegedly conduct a suspected drug transaction with an individual at a Norcross gas station. A short time later, a Georgia State Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop of Carreno-Rivera’s car on Buford Highway in Norcross. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found over a pound of fentanyl. DEA agents subsequently executed a search warrant at Carreno-Rivera’s Norcross residence, where they located an additional 11 pounds of fentanyl and a loaded semi-automatic handgun.  

The investigation revealed that Carreno-Rivera is a Mexican national with no legal status in the United States.

Benjamin Alberto Lozoya, 27, of Chamblee, Georgia, and Arturo Carreno-Rivera, 45, of Mexico, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Elizabeth McBath earlier today on criminal complaints charging them with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine (Lozoya) and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl (Carreno-Rivera). 

Members of the public are reminded that the criminal complaints only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Gwinnett County Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Forsyth, III, Johnny Baer, and Bernard Eyth are prosecuting the cases.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

These prosecutions are also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

MAYOR MAMDANI APPOINTS GREGORY ANDERSON AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION

A key architect of City’s “Trash Revolution” returns to lead New York’s Strongest 

With nearly a decade at DSNY, Gregory will advance transformative programs including waste containerization and curbside composting 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Gregory Anderson as Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Anderson will lead the nation’s largest municipal waste management agency, with nearly 10,000 employees who collect 24 million pounds of waste each day and keep the city’s 6,000 miles of streets clean and clear of snow.

Anderson returns to DSNY after nearly a decade of experience at the agency. He was a key architect of the city's “Trash Revolution,” advancing waste containerization and public space cleanliness initiatives. He also helped negotiate landmark legislation establishing commercial waste zones and mandatory curbside composting. He previously served as a founding board member of the Sanitation Foundation, DSNY's nonprofit partner.

Most recently, Gregory served as Deputy Director of State Operations for Governor Kathy Hochul, supporting the day-to-day management of more than 70 state agencies and authorities serving 20 million New York State residents. He led interagency emergency management efforts, coordinating responses to snowstorms, floods and other emergencies, as well as preparedness for major events.

After deftly guiding DSNY for a year and four months as Acting Commissioner, including through the historic snowfall and sustained cold of 2026, Javier Lojan will resume his role as First Deputy Commissioner.

“This is a well-deserved homecoming,” said Mayor Mamdani. “As Commissioner, Gregory will carry forward the transformative projects he helped build, from waste containerization and curbside composting to commercial waste reform. He joins DSNY at a pivotal moment. This winter, New York’s Strongest showed what public service at its best looks like, working 12-hour shifts over more than 40 days to plow thousands of streets and clear record numbers of crosswalks and bus stops. I want to thank Javier for his leadership and continued service, and I look forward to working with Gregory to keep pushing forward to build a cleaner, healthier and more just city for all New Yorkers.”

“DSNY is in good hands with Gregory Anderson, an experienced innovator who spent nearly a decade at the agency modernizing how we keep our city clean and moving,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “With his background in sanitation, environmental policy and emergency response, he is ready to lead New York’s Strongest during this new era for our city. I am so grateful to Javier for guiding the agency for over a year and through a historic winter and his continued leadership as First Deputy Commissioner. I look forward to seeing the great things DSNY will accomplish for all who call New York home.”

“As we have all seen over the last two months, DSNY provides some of the most essential services for New Yorkers. Under the Mayor's leadership, we will start a new era for our city's neighborhoods, one where cleanliness is measured not by the absence of trash but by vitality and well-maintained public spaces,” said DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson. “As Commissioner, I will work tirelessly to deliver on the promise of a clean city — one where every New Yorker leaves their home to a block they take pride in, a neighborhood they cherish and a city that helps them thrive. Thank you, Mayor Mamdani, for this incredible opportunity.”

“I am pleased to welcome Greg Anderson as the new DSNY Commissioner, and I’m confident that the Department will continue to thrive under his leadership,” said DSNY First Deputy Commissioner Javier Lojan. “Serving as Acting Commissioner has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I am proud of the work we accomplished together on behalf of New Yorkers. As I transition back to my role as First Deputy Commissioner, I remain fully committed to supporting the Department’s mission and ensuring a seamless transition as we continue delivering for New York City every day.”

About Gregory Anderson

Anderson most recently served as Deputy Director of State Operations for Gov. Kathy Hochul, overseeing daily operations across New York State government, including more than 70 agencies and authorities. He led interagency emergency management efforts and supported rebuilding the public workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He previously spent nearly a decade at DSNY, where he held senior leadership roles, directed policy priorities across two mayoral administrations and managed major initiatives, including waste containerization and universal curbside composting. He also held roles in policy, external affairs and operations at DSNY and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. He lives in Queens with his wife, 2-year-old daughter and German shepherd.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Student Art Show This Weekend!

 

BRAC Student Art Showcase

Saturday, March 21 from 1 - 4pm

FREE EVENT

Celebrate the incredible creativity of our Winter 2026 program students as they proudly showcase their artwork throughout the Bronx River Art Center!

•   Check out student artwork made by students from our comic book, ceramics, stained glass, printmaking, mask making, photography, and drawing classes!
•   Enjoy free refreshments (popcorn, ice tea, and more)!
•   Enter a raffle for a free class or workshop!
•   Learn about our BRAC Innovator afterschool programs, MSCreate and Teen Project Studio!
•   Register for our Spring art classes! Ask about our BRAC Community Access Scholarships, which offers partial and full scholarships to our weekly classes, plus other discounts.

RSVP for Student Art Show

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce SOLD OUT - Women in Business Luncheon 2026

 

Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Rigging Bids for Healthcare-Related U.S. Air Force Projects

The owner of a storage sales company pleaded guilty to two felony counts for conspiring to rig bids and defraud the U.S. Department of War in connection with the sale of shelving and storage products to the U.S. Air Force to service multiple healthcare facilities, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced today.

According to the information and plea agreement filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Eric J. Caddy, 62, of Huntington, Texas, and his co-conspirators submitted collusive bids for multiple healthcare-related projects at Air Force Base Moody in Valdosta, Georgia, including: (1) the Medical Logistics Warehouse Project; (2) the Pharmacy Modernization and Renovation Project; (3) the Veterinary Clinic Project; and (4) the Dental Lab Clinic Project. One of Caddy’s co-conspirators instructed Caddy to submit intentionally higher prices for the projects and even provided Caddy with the specific pricing to include on bids for the projects. Caddy then submitted the collusive bids to a prime vendor for the federal government, which in turn submitted the collusive bids to the U.S. Department of War. Caddy and his co-conspirators concealed the bid rigging from the government by having Caddy “re-write” certain bid forms “in [Caddy’s] own handwriting” before transmitting them. The projects, which totaled over $1.6 million, were funded through the Defense Logistics Agency’s Facilities Maintenance, Repair, and Operations Program. The guilty plea is the first in an ongoing investigation into bid rigging and fraud impacting U.S. military facilities in the United States.

“Defending free and fair competition in healthcare spending is a critical priority for the Antitrust Division, particularly when it affects the U.S. military,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel Glad of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force and its partners will continue to find and prosecute those who corrupt the competitive process and increase healthcare-related costs in the United States.” 

“Bid rigging harms taxpayers, honest contractors and all of us who play by the rules, and will not tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes for the Middle District of Georgia. “The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division has been an invaluable partner in ensuring that competition remains free and fair in the Middle District of Georgia.”

“The Air Force Office of Special Investigations remains steadfast in our mission to protect the integrity of Department of War procurement processes and safeguard resources critical to the readiness and welfare of our Airmen,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrell Freeman of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Southeast Field Office. “Bid rigging schemes like this undermine fair competition, inflate costs for essential healthcare infrastructure, and ultimately harm the brave men and women serving in our military. Working alongside our partners at the Antitrust Division, DCIS, and DLA OIG, we will continue to vigorously investigate and hold accountable those who seek to defraud the United States.”

“Bid rigging involving military healthcare contracts isn’t just illegal, it’s a direct betrayal of the service members and their families who rely on these facilities,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jason Sargenski, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southeast Field Office. “This guilty plea sends a clear message that companies and individuals who cheat the competitive bidding process for contracts that support our nation’s defense will be held accountable. DCIS, alongside our partners, remains committed to protecting the public interest and the integrity of the defense contracting process.”   

The Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Defense Logistics Agency Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Daniel Chung and Christian Neumeister of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

The maximum penalty for a conspiracy to rig bids in violation of the Sherman Act for an individual is 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to defraud the United States is five years in prison and a $250,000 criminal fine. The fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine. Caddy is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.

Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about antitrust and related offenses that result in criminal fines or other recoveries of at least $1 million may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. Whistleblower awards can range from 15 to 30 percent of the money collected. For more information on the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, including a link to submit reports, visit www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards. 

Governor Hochul Announces New Funding Opportunity for Abortion Health Care Services

$20 Million in State Grants for Supplemental Abortion Provider Support Program Available to Eligible Providers

State Department of Health Issued Letters to 22 Awardees Announcing Funding Availability

Governor Hochul today announced $20 million in state grants available to eligible providers to fund medication abortion health care services under the New York State Supplemental Abortion Provider Support Fund. The Department of Health has issued letters to 22 potential awardees notifying them of their eligibility for funding.

“We are facing a time when our fundamental rights are under attack by anti-choice politicians who are determined to dismantle established reproductive freedoms,“ Governor Hochul said. “New York will always remain a safe haven for people seeking care, and I will never back down from fighting to protect access to health care that thousands of New Yorkers rely on.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul remains a champion for reproductive health care in New York State as abortion access remains under attack across much of the country. This critical funding ensures clinics have the support they need to continue to provide high quality health care services in communities across the state. New York remains committed to protecting these fundamental rights and remains a safe harbor for those in need of abortion care.”

In May 2022, in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Governor Hochul allocated a $25 million Abortion Provider Support Fund to expand New York’s provider capacity. As part of the FY25 enacted State budget, an additional $20 million in funding was made available to the New York State Department of Health through the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grants Program.

The Supplemental Abortion Provider Support Fund provides financial support to providers of medication abortion to ensure they can provide equitable access to timely and quality abortion services.

The program funding supports the following:

• Recruitment, hiring, training and retention of clinical and medical staff
• Costs associated with expanding the number of hours, days and alternate times for currently employed clinical staff to provide increased access to care
• Care management and navigation services
• Funding uncompensated health care services associated with abortion care
• Outreach and marketing costs and other administrative or operational needs that increase access to abortion care

Governor Hochul has remained a champion of reproductive rights in New York State, ensuring abortion care remains available, affordable and accessible.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to support abortion providers, including additional funding in the FY26 Enacted Budget for capital investments to enable clinics to fund renovations and equipment upgrades to help facilities modernize and secure their operations.

Further, Governor Hochul worked with the Legislature last year to codify abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State, requiring hospitals to provide this care, reinforcing access to abortion services when medically necessary.

Abortion access remains safe and accessible for New Yorkers and for those traveling from outside of New York State. Medication abortion is a safe method to end a pregnancy used by millions of people each year. Additional information about abortion access in New York State is available by visiting the  Know Your Rights website here, and resources to locate an abortion provider are available here.