Monday, September 23, 2013

Westchester Square News: Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despi...

Westchester Square News: Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despi...: (Customers of Hawaii Sea Restaurant stand on line outside Herbert H. Lehman High School for a free shot from the Department of ...

Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despite Hepatitis Outbreak

(Customers of Hawaii Sea Restaurant stand on line outside Herbert H. Lehman High School for a free shot from the Department of Health.--Photo by David Greene)
By David Greene
  
BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 22- Hundreds of patrons of a popular Westchester Square restaurant have been immunized after an outbreak of hepatitis A that has so far sickened four customers and one employee.
Officials from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOH) ordered the New Hawaii Sea Restaurant, located at 1475 Williamsbridge Road, closed on September 19, after the outbreak came to light.
The following day an alert was issued for customers of New Hawaii Sea, who ate there between September 7 and September 19, urging them to get a free hepatitis A Vaccine.
One customer who declined to be identified, drove up to the restaurant to read the signs posted on the businesses front door, before driving the half-mile to Herbert H. Lehman High School where the free shots were being offered.
The customer who has been a frequent visitor of the New Hawaii Sea for the last 25-years, recalled, "I ate there twice in the last month. I got an alert on facebook and heard it on the news. Actually, it's one of the better restaurants around here." 
When the restaurant's B letter grade on its front window was pointed out to the customer, he responded, "I never noticed the rating. The place seems to be clean, the service is good and the portions are a very nice in size... it's shocking."
On September 21 officials from the DOH were back at New Hawaii Sea re-inspecting the restaurant as several hundred customers waited for over an hour for the free shot, just a short drive away.
The official said the business could be back open after enough food handlers at the restaurant could be immunized--possibly in time for the Saturday night dinner crowd.
The DOH alert stated, "Hepatitis A is spread by eating food (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated by an infected person. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea."
DOH Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley told reporters, "If people experience symptoms, they should see a doctor immediately. This incident serves as an important reminder to always wash your hands thoroughly before handling food to prevent the spread of disease."
"I love Hawaii Sea," another 25-year customer of the Chinese and Japanese eatery stated after exiting Lehman High School, adding, "It happens." The woman laughed after declaring, "I'll be back."
A third customer who waited 90 minutes for his shot was asked if he'd return, the man responded, "Probably not."
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus and is spread when trace amounts of fecal matter of an infected person is ingested. There is currently no treatment once a person is infected but the disease can be prevented with a vaccine within 14 days of exposure.
Officials say that hepatitis A is fatal in fewer than 1 percent of all reported cases.
On September 22 an employee of the New Hawaii Sea stated that the business, "will be closed for a few more days."   

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Westchester Square News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Westchester Square News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying: Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show ...

Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show that the city is on pace to have the lowest murder rate in the last 50 years, but that offers little comfort to family members of those killed or wounded by the almost daily, random street violence.
Detectives are still hunting the gunman who shot and killed Raymond Hernandez, 22, who was shot in the hallway of 2860 Grand Concourse on July 15.
On August 3, officers from the 46th Precinct reported a person shot and killed at 2377 Creston Avenue. Police were looking for two black males seen fleeing the scene.
Kahleed Adams had returned to the ruff and tumble streets of Fordham Heights where he was shot in the buttocks a week earlier. At 12:30 a.m. on August 19, he was approached by a group of men at E. 184 Street and Morris Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking Adams in the head.
Despite being in full view of an NYPD surveillance camera, installed after Adams was shot the first time, detectives continue to hunt for the young man's killer.
But the most blood-spilling, effecting the most people are the random acts of violence that often go unreported. Information can now be found on social media websites as the community seems to be trying to keep itself informed, but rumors continue to be almost as big a problem as the violence itself.
Officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to calls of a person stabbed at 12:10 a.m. on August 3. The victim was reportedly stabbed at the intersection of Morris Avenue and E. Kingsbridge Road. Police were looking for a black male wearing a white and gray shirt and dark jeans. 
At 7 p.m. on August 4, a livery taxi driver was stabbed in the chest an neck as he sat behind the wheel at Bainbridge Avenue and E. Fordham Road. An unidentified resident of the block reportedly tossed a large rock at the car, causing the suspect to flee the stolen car.
Police reportedly discovered Luis Ferrierra, 22, hiding in a backyard. He has since been charged with felony assault and robbery--his eighth arrest for 2013.
When asked about the member of the community tossing the rock, one resident responded, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already." 
Residents near PS 8 at Mosholu Parkway South and Bainbridge Avenue reported hearing shots during the night of Friday, August 9.. Residents awoke the following morning to discover a bloody park bench. So far the incident remains a mystery.
At just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, a person was reported shot at E. Gun Hill Road and Decatur Avenue. However, this incident could not be confirmed.
Police say it was a drug dealer who shot a potential customer on August 13, outside of 2685 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park. The 31-year old victim was shot in the left hand and right thigh and was treated and released from Jacobi Hospital.
That gunman was described as a male wearing a white shirt and blue hat.
On August 15, Yonkers police were apparently in pursuit of a vehicle that crashed as it exited the Major Deegan near the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, the armed suspect reportedly fired at least one shot at pursuing officers before making an escape into the woods.
On August 16 three people were shot over the period of two-hours. At 12:15 a.m. a victim was discovered inside of a building at 2725 Webb Avenue. The 19-year old victim had been shot in the hand and leg and was expected to survive.
Residents of the Fordham Manor block that intersects with W. Kingsbridge Road don't even flinch when they hear gunshots anymore. The block has had two other recent shooting's. A 51-year old man was shot in the arm back in April and two men were shot outside of a bodega on July 28.
Police were still looking for the gunman in the July 28 case, described as wearing all red and carrying a black plastic bag.
Forty-five minutes later officer's from the 46th Precinct in Fordham were called to another 24-hour deli at 375 E. 188 Street. The victim in that shooting was transported by a civilian vehicle to Jacobi Hospital and was also recovering.
At just before 2 a.m., a man was wounded outside of 2258 Grand Avenue in University Heights. The 25-year old victim suffered a gunshot to the right leg and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released.
EMS reported the transport of a stabbing victim from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and E. 197 Street at just before 10 p.m. on August 17.
At some time after 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a man was shot in the leg outside of 275 E. Gun Hill Road. The unidentified victim was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly looking for two male Hispanics who fled the scene.
Recently police did announce an arrest in the May 29 shooting of Alex Rodriguez, who was shot in the head at the intersection of E. 184 Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights. Rodriguez died after being taken off life support.
Jamie DeJesus has been charged with manslaughter in the case.
Outspoken Bedford Park resident Ron James Sorenson who was shot as a young man as he drove a livery taxi in the South Bronx back in the late 1960's, recently stated about the judge's recent decision to re-evaluate the NYPD's stop-and-frisk, offering, "None of these people who are against stop-and-frisk have ever been shot. I have and I think the practice saves lives."
Despite the recent surge in killing, NYPD statistics show murder is down over the same time period as last year. So far this year there were 42 homicides in the Bronx, compared with 68 last year.
Community Board # 7 is still in a transition as it's new District Manager Socrates Caba and Chairperson Adaline Walker-Santiago are in the process of taking over the day to day operations of the board. But a blind man can see they have their work cut out for them.
Anyone with any information on any violent crime are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.