A blog devoted to tracking news related to Aqueduct.
A deceased humpback whale washed up on the shore at Beach 117th Street this morning around 7:30 a.m. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is currently working alongside the New York City Department of Sanitation and the Office of Emergency Management to assess how to remove the mammal.
The group notes that, although the whale is deceased, it is strongly recommended a distance of 150 feet be maintained at all times due to disease and safety concerns.
Last week, customs agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) caught a passenger pretending to be a crew member at JFK International Airport.
On March 27, officers intercepted Mario Hudson, who was arriving from Kingston, Jamaica. he was dressed what appeared to be a pilot’s uniform.
But during baggage inspection, CBP officials found what appears to be two fake Delta Airlines ID badges.
While examining Hudson’s luggage, officers noticed the sides and bottoms appeared to be unusually thick and heavy, they said. Hudson was taken to a private search room, where his suitcase was probed.
Officials found a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. The total weigh of the cocaine taken was about 5 pounds, with an approximate street value of $85,000.
Hudson was arrested for the import of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security for investigations. He now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District.
Two arriving passengers were busted for allegedly trying to smuggle heroin into the country at JFK Airport.
On March 26, Andres Uribe Rebolledo and his girlfriend Yuly Valencia Sanchez, both Colombian citizens, arrived on a flight from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
During a security examination, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers discovered a Marshall speaker and a Glenmorangie whiskey box gift set that appeared to be unusually heavy. A subsequent probe of the items produced a tan substance which tested positive for heroin.
In total, approximately nine pounds of heroin – with a street value of $250,000 – was seized.
“Heroin is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets.” said Leon Hayward, acting director of CBP’s New York field operations. “Our officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.”
Both travelers were arrested and face narcotics smuggling charges.
A 23-year-old man was fatally shot in the torso in St. Albans early Wednesday morning.
At about 3:49 a.m., an activated ShotSpotter siren alerted police officers to shots fired in the area of 126-14 Merrick Boulevard, home to a stretch of commercial businesses, authorities say.
Officers found two men hit with gunshot wounds. The first victim was shot in the torso while another 23-year-0ld man was hit in the lower left leg.
EMS responded and took both men to Jamaica Hospital. The first man was pronounced dead while the second victim remains in stable conditions, according to police.
There have been no arrests yet, though authorities have ruled it a homicide. An NYPD investigation is ongoing.
GET INKED IN QUEENS!
Resorts World Casino NYC hosts United Ink “No Limits” Tattoo Expo!
Join Resorts World Casino New York City for United Ink No Limits Tattoo Expo 2017 this weekend, March 31 – April 2, at the casino’s Central Park event space. With 70,000 square feet of event space, Central Park is the ideal setting for trade shows like the United Ink Tattoo Expo.
The expo features international artists from the U.S., Portugal, Italy, France, the UK, and more and will be attended by thousands of music, art and tattoo lovers. Presented by Tattoo Lou’s and sponsored by Inked Magazine, World Famous Tattoo Ink, Skin2Skin by Allbody, Ultimate Tattoo Supply, and Find My Ink, the expo brings together 250 of the world’s best tattoo artists. World renowned tattoo artists will include Ryan Ashley Malarkey, Timmy B, Big Joel, Anton Avtonomov, Sam Barber, and Jak Connolly, among others. Reality T.V. stars including Sarah Miller, Big Gus, and Jasmine Rodrigues of Tattoo Nightmares are also expected to attend.
There will also be a special Ms. Inked United contest, hosted by Bernadette Macias from Tattoo Titans, with prizes ranging from $100 to $500 and a chance to win a 4-page spread in Inked Magazine.
Pre-Event Party – Thursday, March 30, 8 p.m., Bar 360
Tattoo Convention – Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2 (Friday 2 p.m. -11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. -12 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.), Central Park Event Space
Ms. Inked United – Saturday, April 1, 5 p.m. – Tattoo contest with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500
Tickets are $25 and a weekend pass is $55. Guests must be 18 years or older to enter the casino and to get tattooed or pierced. Advance Tickets may be purchased via etix.com or at the Resorts World Casino Gift Shop. Tickets will also be available at the door. Parking is free and there will be free shuttle buses from all over NYC, Queens, Brooklyn and the LIRR Jamaica station.
Resorts World Casino New York City is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in Jamaica. www.rwnewyork.com
In honor of Women’s History Month, Resorts World Casino is hosting an exhibit honoring Haitian painter and makeup artist Chantal Gesse from March 9 to April 7.
Tomorrow, March 23, Gesse will greet guests at a private reception in honor of her work.
Known for her depiction of the human form in its natural state, Chantal is one of New York’s most talented artists.
Gesse was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She moved to New York City in the 1980s, where she began to flourish in art.
Her art received recognition when Paramount Pictures featured her work in films such as Boomerang and A Bronx Tale. Today, you can see her paintings in many restaurants across the city.
Gesse received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Parsons School of Design, where she was able to experiment with different techniques.
The reception with Gesse will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The exhibit is open until April 7.
A traveler entered JFK Airport carrying packages of cocaine under his pants, but he didn’t get far.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mayobanex Ruiz Gomez from the Dominican Republic entered JFK Airport from Santo Domingo on March 16.
He presented himself for inspection, but authorities say when agents inspect Gomez’s suitcase, he displayed signs of nervousness.
In other words, he probably gave it away himself.
Gomez was taken to a private search room, where CBP officers conducted a physical search. The officers found several packages taped to his legs beneath his pants.
The packages had white powder that then tested positive for cocaine. About five pounds of cocaine was seized, with an estimated value of $83,000.
CBP officers arrested Gomez and turned him over to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for investigation. He now faces federal narcotics charges for smuggling illegal drugs.
He will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District Court of New York.
The Queens District Attorney (DA) Richard A. Brown announced last week that a Massachusetts man has been indicted on hate crimes charges for attacking a Muslim employee inside the Delta Sky Lounge at JFK Airport in January.
The defendant, 57-year-old Robin A. Rhodes of Worcester, was arraigned on Thursday, March 16. He faced a four-count indictment, including third-degree assault as a hate crime, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, third-degree menacing and second-degree aggravated harassment.
He faces up to four years in prison if convicted, the DA says. Rhodes was released on bail and was ordered to return to court on June 12.
“The defendant is accused of physically and verbally attacking a woman for no apparent reason other than because of her religion,” Brown said. “Crimes of hate will never be tolerated in Queens County and when they do, regrettably occur, those responsible will be brought to justice.”
According to the criminal charges, the Delta-contracted employees was sitting in her office inside JFK’s Terminal 2 at about 7:10 p.m. Rhodes, who had arrived from Aruba and was awaiting a connecting flight to Massachusetts, came up to the door.
“Are you [expletive] sleeping? Are you praying? What are you doing?” Rhodes said to the victim, before punching the door, which hit the back of the woman’s chair.
The charges also say when the victim asked Rhodes what she did to him, he said, “You did nothing but I am going to kick your [expletive] ass.”
Rhodes then kicked the victim in the right leg. The victim tried to get away, moving into the corner of her office. Rhodes then allegedly kicked the door, stepped into the office and prevented her from leaving.
When someone came to intervene and calm Rhodes down, the Worcester man moved away from the door. The victim ran out toward the lounge’s front desk.
What happened after was equally as shocking.
According to authorities, Rhodes followed her, then got down on his knees and mockingly bowed down in imitation of a Muslim prayer. He shouted, “[Expletive] Islam, [expletive] ISIS, Trump is here now.”
“He will get rid of all of you,” he continued. “You can ask Germany, Belgium and France about these kinds of people. You will see what happens.”
According to the charges, the victim suffered pain and redness in her right leg.
In the next few weeks, you’ll get a chance to listen to the sweet sounds of the Queens Symphony Orchestra for free.
Councilman Eric Ulrich announced the third annual Queens Symphony Orchestra concert series will kick off on Thursday, March 23rd. They will play in neighborhoods including Woodhaven, Ozone Park and South Ozone Park.
“I am a proud supporter of the arts and know how important it is to have quality musical performances in our community,” Ulrich said. “I encourage all my constituents to join us for this wonderful concert series.”
The free events are funded by the City Council’s Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
Each concert will begin at 7 p.m.
Here’s the schedule for the concert series:
Come Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with U2NYC Tribute Band! Come celebrate one of New York’s greatest traditions in Queens!
Come out to Resorts World Casino New York City (RWCNYC) this weekend for the perfect after-parade destination at Bar 360 with U2NYC Tribute band!
Enjoy St. Patrick ’s Day themed Apple Martinis and Green Beer while you watch U2NYC perform a special show paying homage to the classic music of U2. Resorts World will be offering Green Beer for a special price of $5.
And of course all guests can try their hand at RWCNYC’s popular electronic video blackjack machines!
RWCNYC will also be offering the following gaming promotions throughout March:
Resorts World Casino NYC is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica. www.rwnewyork.com
