Winner of Vol. 75, No. 52
What’s inside?
the Pulitzer Prize
Thursday, December 18, 2025
$1.00
Firefighters battle two-alarm blaze Deputy Chief says efforts on Palisade Ave. were hampered by a faulty hydrant, but DEP insists it was working fine.
Mayoral meeting
By MICHELLE MULLEN mmullen@riverdalepress.com
Reporter Olivia Young asked the mayor tough questions about SNAD violations. Page A6
Photo by Michelle Mullen
Firefighters formed a line to spread out a hose to a distant hydrant. Deputy Chief Jeffrey Facinelli said that the closest hydrant was inoperative. However, a Department of Environmental Protection representative disputed the claim.
Worthy bridge Advocates are pushing for the Henry Hudson Bridge to win landmark status. Page A4
First snow Sunday’s snowstorm was a delight to some, a burden to others. Page A5
Thick plumes of black smoke blanketed parts of North Riverdale on Dec.12 as crews of New York’s Bravest battled whitehot flames sweeping through a derelict home. Reports of the fire at 5501 Palisade Ave. came in at 9:32 a.m., according to the FDNY, and it took more than four hours to get under control. Yet, the incident is shrouded in mystery. The roaring blaze broke out in the basement of a deserted building which sat empty for years. Neighbor Lara Holtz, who lives just up the hill, recalled smelling smoke that morning and initially believed it was coming from a nearby resident lighting a bonfire. “[Then] I saw smoke from the roof,“ she said. “It’s really strange. The house has been empty for a long time, so it’s definitely unusual.” Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Facinelli of FDNY Division 7 was among the first to arrive at the scene of the one-alarm fire, Continued on page A4
Another hat in the ring
Amanda Septimo is latest Torres challenger By OLIVIA YOUNG oyoung@riverdalepress.com
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, a South Bronx-native and representative since 2021, announced her campaign for Congress, becoming the sixth candidate in the race for Rep. Richie Torres’ seat. The 34-year-old progressive Democrat is running on safer streets, affordable housing, and clean air, as well as creating more jobs and support for small businesses. Septimo told The Press that Riverdale voters should know she aims to be a rep-
resentative who understands all perspectives, and is looking forward to getting to know the neighborhood and the needs of its residents better. After attending a recent event with a local political organization, she said some constituents expressed concern for the dynamic developing between Torres and congressional candidate Michael Blake. Blake, a critic of Israeli military action during the War in Gaza, has targeted Torres’ pro-Israel platform since announcing his campaign in November. “Israel is an important issue,” Septimo said. “But it’s not why I’m running for the
Bronx for Congress.” Another worry Riverdale constituents expressed is that they feel “squeezed,” unable to keep up with the rising cost of living, even though they’re considered middle-class. That challenge is not unique to the area, Septimo explained. “Ultimately, people want to feel safe and be able to afford their bills,” the assemblymember said. “They want to be able to live in a community that feels like it’s thriving. Whether you’re in Riverdale or in the South Bronx, that feels like a universal truth.” The 15th Congressional District is one of the poorest in the nation, a label Septimo
said she doesn’t often mention. It’s a lesson she learned from former Rep. José Serrano, the long-serving Democrat that Torres succeeded. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Septimo worked under Serrano first as a community liaison and later as a district director. “People use that phrase deriding the Bronx and sort of describing us as this place of despair,” Septimo said. “There are many people struggling, but [Serrano] always said it’s an honor to represent people who are poor because they have so much need. With that need comes so much trust Continued on page A4
Unique creative quarters take shape in Riverdale a seasoned photographer, Grusel offered to help Rod with his social media content. oyoung@riverdalepress.com The musician described Grusel as an Right now, the unit inside a diminutive older brother figure. Though Grusel has professional building at 2735 Henry Hud- two teenage kids of his own, he always son Pkwy. is a work in progress. Ripped up made time to help Rod shoot content, helpcarpet reveals cement floors, construction ing him gain followers. “He believed in my projtools are strewn about, dryect as soon as we met, and wall patches line the walls said ‘Bro, I’ll help you. I’m and there is even a standnot gonna charge you. Don’t alone bathtub in the corworry,’” Rod said. “I’ve never ner. But in a few months, run into somebody like that.” it will be a decked out proFrom there, their colduction studio. laboration grew, and when The Riverdale residents Rod shared his idea for TR behind it — 28-year-old Production Studios about musician Antoly Rodriguez six months ago, the pieces and 54-year-old celebrity started coming together. hairstylist William Grusel Right away, Grusel ap— said the interior will be proached Rod with a stratfilled by a podcast room, a egy. They reached out to gaming lounge and a conlandlords, secured a unit, tent creation area for phosourced investors and tographers or artists. started building, all made For Rodriguez, who easier by Grusel’s backgoes by the stage name Courtesy Toly Rod ground owning hair salons Toly Rod, the idea was TOLY ROD in Manhattan. The vision shaped by his own experiwas ambitious but clear — ences as an artist. The Latin-pop and R&B singer was often looking a space that is as sleek and practical as it is for sets to shoot his music videos, and felt a sense of community. “I’ve been an artist my whole life, so has a need for something more accessible. Studios with the right equipment were pricey, [Rod],” Grusel said. “We’re putting all our passions, our knowledge and creativity into and ones within budget lacked quality. “People are getting away with these this,” Corners will be designed for photothings because there’s a huge demand, but they’re not really offering the best servic- shoots or movie scenes, letting creators es,” Rod said. “Our space, we want it to be “look like they’re on an airplane, but they’re in a studio,” Grusel explained. But transformable.” Rod met Grusel a few years ago while they’re adding a stage for small live-music the stylist was chopping off a man bun that or poetry performances as well, and imag“needed to go.” They clicked instantly. Also ine the gaming lounge could also serve as Continued on page A4
Un
By OLIVIA YOUNG
Photo by Michelle Mullen
Conditions seemed less than ideally sanitary as the shelves emptied during the last days of Key Food’s operations at the Skyview Shopping Center.
Key Food closing leaves a growing grocery gap The closure of the Key Food supermarket at 5661 Riverdale Ave. is drawing renewed attention to how long-standing building violations and deferred maintenance at the Skyview Shopping Center property went unresolved while one of North Riverdale’s most relied-upon grocery stores continued operating. In the days before it shuttered on Dec. 16, shelves stood bare and clearance signs advertised 20 percent off remaining items – even on top of existing sale prices, a last hurrah for shoppers as a neighborhood anchor for those living nearby . For many residents, the loss removes
Is i
one of the few supermarkets that balanced walkability and parking. The closure now forces residents, particularly seniors, to travel farther for necessities in an area where options have steadily narrowed. “Many of our senior citizens must walk the hills and valleys of Riverdale, some of which do not have sidewalks, in order to shop here,” Thomas Maguire, a nearby resident, noted. “They will now have to take a bus to 235th Street, down to Broadway or up to Yonkers in order to do their basic shopping.” Continued on page A4