NAG to host free soil testing workshops

Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) is hosting three more free soil testing workshops this spring:

  • Saturday, April 22 – Greenpoint Reform Church, 136 Milton St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 6 – McCarren Park Greenmarket, North 12th St. and Union Ave., 10 am. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 13 – McCarren Park Greenmarket, North 12th St. and Union Ave., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The workshops are a one-stop shop for education about safe gardening and remediation support. According to NAG, community members will learn why lead contamination exists in our soil, its human health effects and simple remediation and safety techniques.

According to the Department of Health, North Brooklyn has some of the highest blood lea levels in the city. Lead gets into the soil through oil chipping paint, dust, industry and diesel truck residue from the pre-1995 era.

Learn more about it at the upcoming workshops.

NAG asks that you bring a handful of soil in a Ziplock bag to be tested.

Los Sures to celebrate 45 years

Executive director Ramon Peguero

Southside United HDFC, more commonly known as Los Sures, is celebrating 45 years of fighting for affordable housing in the outside of Williamsburg.

On Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m., the community group will host its annual fundraiser at Freehold Brooklyn, located at 45 South 3rd Street.

The theme of the celebration will be “Celebrating 45 years of commitment to affordable housing, community development and advocacy.

“Now more than ever, with affordable housing still being a major issue for residents of Southside Williamsburg, our organization is keenly aware of its role in stabilizing families and the community as a whole, despite the challenges we face,” said executive director Ramon Peguero. “Many organizations close down after 45 years, but we are determined to achieve even more in the next 45 years as we work diligently to meet the needs of the community.”

In addition to managing affordable housing units, Los Sures also operated a weekly food pantry, a hydroponic farm, a senior center and other services such as tax prep.

The organization also runs a museum, El Museo de Los Sures, which is a “hub of exquisite artistic expression, attracting patrons who are eager to experience diverse artworks.

Brooklyn man killed by truck in parking lot

Screen shot via Google Maps

Police are investigating the death of a 63-year-old man inside an East Williamsburg parking lot.

Authorities say yesterday afternoon, at about 3 p.m., officers responded to a call about a man struck by a car inside the parking lot of Decorama, a building supply company at 1233 Metropolitan Avenue.

Sources say Hou J. Li, from Coney Island, was hit by a 2005 GMC flatbed truck, driven by a 32-year-old man. He was  backing out of the parking lot when he fatally struck Li.

Police arrived to find Li unconscious and unresponsive with head trauma. EMS responded, and immediately pronounced him dead.

There are now arrests at this time. The investigation is ongoing by the NYPD’s Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Squad.

Williamsburg community leaders honored

Two north Brooklyn leaders were honored at Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s annual Communion Breakfast last Sunday.

John D’Arienzo and Andrew Anastasio, both undertakers by trade,  and their families have served the local community for generations.

St. Nicks Alliance, the School Settlement Association and the Conselyea Street Block Association joined them in their celebration on April 2nd.

Police seek suspect for attempted burglary

Police are searching for this man for an attempted burglary in Williamsburg.

Authorities say on March 27, at about 12:20 p.m., the suspect went inside the residential building at Keap Street and South 1st Street.

He approached an apartment door, covered the peep hold and opened the unlocked door.

Unfortunately for the attempted burglar, he saw a 73-year-old woman and another 39-year-old woman inside the apartment.

The suspect immediately closed the door and flew down the stairs and out of the building.

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. All calls are strictly confidential.

Motorcyclist fatally killed in BQE accident

A motorcyclist from Fort Greene was killed in an overnight incident along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway on early Monday morning.

Police say that at around 4 a.m., 35-year-old Anthony Rivera lost control of his Yamaha motorcycle westbound on the BQE near Morgan Avenue on the Greenpoint side.

He was ejected and landed in the middle of the roadway. Rivera was then struck by a 2007 Toyota SUV, driven by a 52-year-old man.

That man remained on the scene and was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where he’s in stable condition, authorities say.

EMS responded to the scene and pronounced Rivera dead at the scene.

There are no arrests and an investigation is still ongoing.

Weeknight L train service to be disrupted for two weeks

The MTA announced that portions of the L train will be shut down on weeknights for maintenance, cleaning and repair work.

From April 3 to 7, and again from April 10 to 14, the L line will be suspended in both directions between Lorimer Street and Broadway Junction from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Instead, the L will operate in two sections, between Canarsie and Broadway Junction, and from Lorimer Street to 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The MTA will provide free shuttle buses as alternate transportation between Lorimer Street and Broadway Junction.

MTA officials recommended transferring to the G, M, A and J trains for service as well.

The closures are part of the MTA’s FASTRACK initiative that performs weeknight maintenance work in tunnels, stations and on track. According to the MTA, the train-free time gives workers a “safer work environment” to perform repair tasks.

“FASTRACK has consolidated maintenance forces in a concentrated area for proactive maintenance that helps improve service delivery,” said Wynton Habersham, senior vice president for the Department of Subways.

Police investigate death of 4-month-old baby

Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-month-old baby inside Brooklyn Hospital yesterday evening.

Officers were told by hospital staff that Shabsie Tabak, from Williamsburg, was brought into the facility by Hatzolah, a volunteer ambulance service.

Tobak’s 23-year-old mother accompanied the baby to Brooklyn Hospital in Downtown Brooklyn.

The Medical Examiner will determine the toddler’s cause of death, authorities say. NYPD is conducting an ongoing investigation into how Tabak passed away.

Drunk Brooklyn man falls to his death

Screen shot via Google Maps

Police say a drunk Brooklyn man fell from the fourth floor of an East Williamsburg building to his death on Saturday.

According to authorities, 21-year-old Tyler Wyatt was seen falling from a window in front of 924 Metropolitan Avenue.

When officers arrived, he was found with trauma to his body. Wyatt was taken to Woodhull Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation is still ongoing. The Medical Examine will determine his cause of death.

Wyatt’s listed address is 953 Metropolitan Avenue, just down the street.

Media reports say Wyatt was at a party and was drunk when he fell out of the building window.

His family has been notified of his death.

Brooklyn DA’s office looking for high school interns

Photo Courtesy Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

If you know any high school students interested in criminal justice, please spread the word.

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) are partnering for a summer internship program for high school students who live or attend school in Brooklyn.

Students with an interest in criminal justice or public service are invited to apply for the five-week program.

“We are excited to host this hands-on and interactive internship program offering high school students the chance to work directly with Assistant District Attorneys and gain valuable real world experience,” Gonzalez said. “Participating students will receive an insider’s view of the criminal justice system and the chance to be mentored in a professional workplace setting.”

Selected students will be assigned to specific units within the DA’s office. They will support the work of ADAs and other staff members.

Some of the responsibilities include:

  • Assisting with legal research and analysis using the Internet, news articles and legal periodicals
  • Helping attorneys on pre-trial matters
  • Working on case preparation, discovery, file maintenance and organizing court documents
  • Participating in trial zone workshops
  • Going on judicial, legal and law enforcement-related field trips
  • Observing criminal proceedings including trials, guilty pleas and sentencing.

The program is open to qualifying sophomores, juniors and rising seniors who must commit to the entire duration of the program.

The internship will run from July 10 to August 11. Students will come in Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students will also receive a $150 weekly stipend and commuting costs.

Applicants are required to sent their most recent school transcripts, a one-page resume, two letters of recommendation and evaluation forms from either a teacher, coach or mentor.

Applicants must also submit a 300-word typed essay (12-point font and double-spaced) on why you are interested in interning with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and what impact you think it will have on your personal and professional future.

Completed documents should be emailed to the Brooklyn DA’s office at brooklynda.org/internships in PDF format with the subject line: “Brooklyn DA Summer Internship Program.” Applications are due no later than April 20, 2017.

If you have questions, contact [email protected].