Category: Uncategorized

Authorities may have a new tactic soon in the search to find the killer of Karina Vetrano.

Earlier this month, Queens Country District Attorney Richard Brown called on the state to authorize the use of familial DNA. Brown believes a familial DNA search, which would match DNA from the scene to possible relatives of the killer currently in the state’s database, could yield new information.

The State Commission on Forensic Science will now hold a special meeting to discuss familial DNA searching and whether it should be permitted in New York State. The meeting will take place Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1 Centre St., Manhattan.

“There is no question that DNA can help solve crime, obtain justice for victims, guard against wrongful arrests and conviction and exonerate the innocent,” Commission Chairman Michael C. Green said. “The Commission and its DNA Subcommittee look forward to receiving comments from all those interested as we move forward with a thorough review, based on proven science, to determine whether familial searching should be authorized in New York State.”

All individuals who wish to speak at the meeting must submit written comments relevant to the topic in writing by Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.  

The state Division of Criminal Justice Services, which provides staff support to the Commission and Subcommittee, is accepting submissions via e-mail atforensics@dcjs.ny.gov or surface mail to: Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Forensic Services, 80 South Swan St., Albany, New York 12210.

All written comments must be received by the Jan. 18 deadline so Commission and Subcommittee members can receive and review them prior to the joint meeting.

 

 

Resorts World Casino NYC and the American Red Cross teamed up once again last Thursday to collect another 29 units of blood.

That means in 2016, the two organizations have collected more than 90 units of blood, surpassing its annual goal.

Nearly 30 people donated to the last blood drive of the year, half of whom are Resorts World employees.

The casino hosted four blood drives in total, collecting a total of 93 units.

“We are excited to work together with the American Red Cross to collect critical resources that enable medical professionals to save countless lives,” said Michelle Stoddart, director of PR and community development at Resorts World. “I was ecstatic to see the results of our final blood drive, where we were able to collect 29 units of blood and surpass our goal for the year.”

Their next blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2017. Two more drives are scheduled for July 13 and October 6.

Councilman I. Daneek Miller is hosting his annual toy drive at Detective Keith Williams Park this Sunday, December 18 at 4 p.m.

According to Miller’s office, for the past six weeks, residents and organizations have been donating new or unwrapped toys to the office. All of them will be distributed to children in need for the holidays.

Santa Claus and Mr. Met will be among the attendees to spread the holiday cheer this weekend.

MCR Development will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the TWA Hotel at JFK International Airport today at 10:30 a.m.

The hotel was designed by architect Eeo Saarinen. The TWA Flight Center will be rehabilitated to its 1962 glory and reopened to the public as part of a 500-room airport hotel.

Elected officials, development partners and MCR Development CEO Tyler Morse will be at the groundbreaking.

Resorts World Casino will host a concert and meet & greet with Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees

on Friday, December 16th at 10:30pmin front of the Sound Booth at Bar360.

Jeff Timmons is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinium R&B band 98 Degrees. He went from a teenage heartthrob in the late 1990s to a successful solo artist, music and television producer and entrepreneur.  Timmons launched his solo career in 2002 by touring with songwriter Jim Brickman.  Timmons wrote and arranged his first solo album, Whisper That Way, which was released in August 2004.  The album reached number 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  In December 2009, Timmons released his second album, Emotional High.

The member of 98 Degrees became the first white band to sign with Motown Records.  Once the group’s creditability was established, Motown released videos on MTV and 98 Degrees became an overnight success!  They have attained eight top 40 singles in the US and have sold over 10 million records worldwide.

Tickets begin at $35 and can be purchased at http://www.etix.com/ticket/v/9244/resorts-world-casino-new-york-city .

Officers from the NYPD 106th precinct made a major weapons bust at around 6 a.m. this morning.

According to police, pursuant to an investigation, they obtained a search warrant for a private residence at 114-31 123rd Street in South Ozone Park.

A search of the home yeilded:

• One Raven semi-automatic handgun, .25 caliber
• Eleven rounds of .25 caliber ammunition
• Three rifle-style BB Guns
• One machete
• Two tiger hook swords
• A quantity of marijuana
• A quantity of pills

Police arrested 21-year-old Jason Nero and 20-year-old Hector Rentas, both of the residence, on charges of: two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Police are looking for this man, sketched above, for allegedly shooting two Jamaica residents last month.

Authorities say that on November 27, at approximately 6:56 p.m., a 911 call was placed about two people shot at 163-72 Mathias Avenue.

Cops found an unconscious and unresponsive 58-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. The man turned out to be Henry Wright, a state corrections officer.

Police also found a 52-year-old woman, his wife, Sharon Floyd-Wright, with a wound to her left shoulder.

Both were taken to Jamaica Hospital, where they’re in critical condition.

A preliminary investigation found that two suspects, one of which has a teardrop tattoo on his face, pushed their way into the Jamaica home before shooting both victims.

The suspects then fled, one eastbound on Mathias Avenue and the other westbound.

Police are also looking for the car they drive, a light-colored Hyundai Elantra, shown below.

Get a costume and get in character!  Resorts World Casino New York will host WinterCon on Sat. Dec 3rd from 10am-8pm and Sun. Dec 4th from 10am-5pm at the Central Park Event space.

WinterCon is the largest sci-fi convention in the NY area and is dedicated to bringing fans a more intimate convention experience, allowing them to get up close and personal with their favorite stars, authors, and comic book characters.  Fans will get a chance to dress-up like their beloved heroes while meeting them in person!

The festival will feature special guest appearances and panels with the cast of Mad Max, Star Wars, The Warriors, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, James Bond, The Last Dragon, Saved by the Bell and Family Guy.  Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Mad Max: The Road Warrior featuring appearances by the original cast members including Bruce Spence, Virgina Hey, Vernon Wells, and many more.

This year’s WinterCon will also include the Masquerade Cosplay Contest, awarding up to 4 prizes for costumes, live skits and more!  Rules and regulations for the Cosplay contest can be found on the New York WinterCon website, www.nywintercon.com

The biggest comic and sci-fi festival is a family-friendly place for children to explore, learn and be inspired by their heroes.  Pick up collectable movie merchandise, costumes and toys with thousands of items to choose from – there really is something for everybody!

General Admission for Adults is $36, $19 for children’s tickets.  Adult weekend passes start at $58, children’s are $23 and can be purchased online or at the casino.   www.rwnewyork.com

An arriving passenger at JFK was busted by customs officers with cocaine in his suitcase.

On Sunday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped Dhroepchand Badal, who had arrived on a flight from Paramaribo, Suriname, via the Port of Spain, Traded and Tobago.

During inspection, authorities noticed that Badal’s suitcase was unusually heavy and that the sides were thicker than normal.

Upon investigation, officers found a white powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine.

Badal was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.

The total weight of the cocaine was about 15 pounds, and valued at more than $255,000.

Nadal now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Resorts World Casino and the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens is hosting the 13th annual Global Cuisine of Queens event tomorrow at 6 p.m.

The event is a showcasing of 30 restaurants, bakeries, caterers, wineries and breweries throughout Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys & Girls Club, which provides programs for at-risk youth to “realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for general admission. You can purchase tickets at this site.

Approximately 1,000 guests are expected top attend. These are some of the participating vendors at tomorrow night’s event:

• RW Prime
• Blend on the Water
• London Lennie’s
• Manhattan Beer
• Shake Shack
• Firehouse Kitchen TV
• Villa Russo
• Tom Cat Bakery
• Lovie’s Nostalgia
• City Chefs NYC