TOMORROW: Walk for Wellness!

Knicks legend John Starks will join elected officials in Southeast Queens to take part in the second Walk for Wellness this Saturday.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. at Roy Wilkins Park (Merrick Blvd and Foch Blvd), residents will walk to put the community back on a track to a healthy lifestyle.

In Southeast Queens, one in four adults get no physical exercise, and one in five are obese. Being overweight increases risks for heart diseases and other problems, especially diabetes. According to officials, 10 percent of adults in Southeast Queens suffer from diabetes, which is above the city average of 8 percent.

If not for the health, come for the free giveaways, which will be given to every participant.

Walk for Wellness

Share

Former mayor endorses Adams for State Senate

Dinkins Endorses Adams

Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins has formally endorsed Adrienne Adams, currently the chair of Community Board 12 and a candidate for the State Senate.

The senate district includes Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway. The Democratic Primary will be on Tuesday, September 13.

Dinkins, the city’s only African American mayor, said Adams has worked tirelessly for her community for years.

“She has always fought hard to better our schools, help our seniors and improve our quality of life,” Dinkins said. “She is a trusted leader that Southeast Queens and the Rockaways need.”

In return Adams called Dinkins an “important figure in our city’s history.” She credited him for driving down crime, improving quality of life and preserving affordable housing.

Dinkins’s endorsement adds to a long list of establishment support that Adams has received, including endorsements from Rev. Floyd Flake, Congressman Gregory Meeks and the Queens County Democratic Committee.

Share

Outreach program making an impact in Richmond Hill & Greater Queens

Outreach_Outpatient_Services_OOS_977305Outreach, located at 117-11 Myrtle Avenue in Richmond Hill, provides quality outpatient treatment for persons, aged 18 and older with alcohol and/or other substance abuse problems.

Their programs are built on a multi-phase model creating opportunities to achieve and recognize specific goals as a person moves through each level of recovery.

 

The experience also allows participants to break their isolation and become members of a larger, more supportive external community. A wide range of  structured activities emphasize appropriate interdependence among participants and staff as an integral part of the recovery process.

Length of stay depends on individual need. Services are available in Spanish at Richmond Hill and in Polish and Spanish in Greenpoint. Special program tracks are also available for individuals with DWI/DUI violations.

 

  • Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 6.50.54 PMIndividualized Assessment and Treatment Planning
  • Individual, Group and Family Counseling
  • Toxicology Testing
  • Health Education and Intervention
  • HIV Education and Prevention
  • Vocational Counseling
  • On-Site Self-Help Meetings
  • Acupuncture (at Richmond Hill facility)
  • DWI Services

 

At its offices in Richmond Hill and Greenpoint, Outreach’s “trauma-informed care” program features a diverse staff that specializes in marriage and family therapy for women that suffer from both substance abuse and mental health issues.

Beginning with a brief phone assessment, specialists at Outreach determine appropriate treatment through a six to nine-month program. Specifics include a relapse-prevention plan, job training and placement, stabilizing housing and psychiatric services.

You can call Outreach at (718) 847-9233, or visit their website for more information.

Share

Knife-wielding burglar targeting chain restaurants

1487-16 QRS Pattern #90 (111 Pct) (06-01-16  3)Police say the same knife-wielding burglar who’s struck three chain eateries in Howard Beach, Flushing and Forest Hills, may have struck again, this time at a Subway in Woodside.

According to police, during the most recent incident at the sandwich chain, located at 205-12 Northern Boulevard, a male suspect went behind the counter, displayed a knife and demanded the register be opened. An employee opened the register and $400 in cash was removed. The incident occurred on June 1 at around 9:25 p.m.

Authorities believe that the alleged crime fits the pattern of three previous incidents last month. Those incidents are:

On May 11, at about 9:50 p.m., an individual entered Carvel, located at 103-21 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills and displayed a knife to an employee. At the individual’s request, the employee opened the register for the suspect, who removed the entire tray containing about $500 in cash.

On May 23 at about 11:30 p.m., an individual entered the Dunkin’ Donuts located at 146-36 45 Avenue in Flushing and displayed a knife, demanding that a male employee open two cash registers. The suspect fled with approximately $600 in cash.

On May 25 at about 11:55 p.m., an individual entered a Dunkin’ Donuts located at 163-02 Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach. The suspect displayed a knife and removed the cash register drawer which contained approximately $776.

The individual in all the incidents is described as a black male, approximately 5’9″, medium build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, and boots.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Share

Kids, families volunteer to clean up Baisley Pond Park

Baisley_Pond_Park_1

Dozens of kids and their families came out to Baisley Pond Park over the weekend as part of “It’s My Park” Day, a citywide effort hosted by NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation to clean up parks across the five boroughs.

Volunteers picked up trash, planted flowers and repainted benches as part of the effort. Community organizations also raked leaves, painted fences and hosted children’s activities to prepare for the upcoming season of events.

The following organizations attended the “It’s My Park” Day cleanup: 149th Street Block Association, Talent Youth Development Education and Entertainment, Southeast Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Baisley_Pond_Park_2

Baisley_Pond_Park_3

Share

Ozone Park man sentenced for 2013 shooting of cop

Police_Line_Crime_Scene_2498847226-300x200-1

An Ozone Park man convicting of shooting an off-duty police officer in 2013 was sentenced has been sentenced to 59 1/3 to 66 1/3 years to life in prison this week.

According to Queens County District Attorney Richard Brown, Jose L. Bernazard, 42, whose last known address was on 88 Street in Queens, tried to gain entrance to the Jamaica home of Christina Rodriguez on Sunday, June 2013, at around 10 p.m.

When Rodriguez refused his entry, Bernazard then allegedly climbed through a window according to trial testimony. Once inside, he reportedly began to assault her and her 10-month old son.

Hearing their cries for help, off-duty police officer Joseph Koch, 28 at the time, went to their aid. He reportedly had his police shield clipped to his waist band in plain view.

As Bernazard and Kock struggled during the confrontation, Bernazard allegedly grabbed Koch’s gun and shot him in the hand. Bernazard was also struck by a bullet during the struggle.

All four individuals were taken to the hospital from the scene to be treated for their injuries.

Brown said a subsequent investigation revealed that Bernazard had stalked Ms. Rodriguez between January 26, 2012, and June 16, 2013, during which time he assaulted Ms. Rodriguez on three separate occasions prior to the June 16, 2013, incident.

“The defendant is a clear danger to the woman he had briefly dated, her son and to the general public,” said Brown. “This individual showed a total disregard for the judicial system. He broke into the home of his former girlfriend, assaulted both her and her young son and repeatedly ignored lawful mandates to stay away from her. And when he continued to harass and stalk her and a police officer intervened attempting to effect his arrest, the defendant shot him. In this case, a lengthy prison term was more than warranted and the defendant will likely spend the rest of his days behind bars.”

A jury convicted Bernazard on April 18, 2016, of second-degree attempted murder, second- and third-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, first degree burglary, aggravated criminal contempt, second-degree criminal contempt, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation,second-degree criminal trespass, fourth-degree criminal mischief and first-degree stalking following a three and one-half week trial.

Share

Police looking for South Ozone Park robbery suspects

1403-16 106 Pct 4-23-16 photo of individual #21403-16 106 Pct 4-23-16 photo of individual #1Police are looking for two individuals depicted in surveillance photos in connection with a robbery of a Metro PCS in South Ozone Park last month.

According to police, on Friday, April 22, at about 8 p.m., two individuals entered the store at 105-12 Rockaway Boulevard through the front door then knocked the wall down to gain entry. The suspects then removed approximately $300 and fled the scene.

Both individuals are described as white males.

Share

New playground coming to Rochdale Village school

Rochdale_Playground_smaller
Photo Courtesy: Office of Councilman Ruben Wills

Playtime for students at a Rochdale middle school is about to become more fun.

City officials and community leaders broke ground on a new playground at Catherine and Count Basie Middle School 72, located at 133-25 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., last Tuesday afternoon.

The ceremony kicked off reconstruction for the $2.5 million project, which is expected to finish by next April.

“A playground is a vital element of a child’s education. If it’s neglected, not only will it decay, but our young men and women’s minds and bodies will do the same,” said Councilman Ruben Wills. “The playground at Catherine and Count Basie had been lacking in upkeep for more than a decade, and its dilapidated condition came to attract attention from negative influences.”

The redesigned playground will come with a slew of new features and amenities, including a synthetic field with a 3-track lane, outdoor classroom and amphitheater and interchangeable basketball and volleyball court.

Share

Cocaine found inside sock at JFK

JFK Cocaine Body Carry 002

A man traveling from Santiago, Dominican Republican, tried to smuggle cocaine through his sock and laptop bag, but was caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

Angelo Fernandez, a U.S. Citizen, flew into John F. Kennedy Airport on April 29. During his exam, CBP officers noticed that the inside panels of his computer bag felt unusually thick and that the bag was heavier than normal when empty.

When Fernandez was searched in a private room, officers felt a “rigid object” in his groin area. They pulled out a sock with 100 pellets. Officers probed the pellets, which produced a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

His laptop bag was also probed, revealing the white powder.

Fernandez was arrested for importing a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. The approximate value of the cocaine he carried totaled $160,000.

Fernandez now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges.

 

Share

Wanted for questioning: man police say tried to rob Ozone Park bank

1196-16 Robbery 106Pct PHOTOPolice are looking for a man they say tried to rob a bank in Ozone Park yesterday.

According to police, at around 1:20 p.m., the suspect pictured to the right entered a Chase Bank location at 103-48 Lefferts Boulevard and passed a note demanding money. When the teller walked away, the man fled the scene without any cash.

The individual wanted for questioning is described as a Black male who was last seen wearing a black jacket.

 

Share