The top 10 stories of the summer

It's the end of summer — so we're taking a look back at the headlines.

September 2, 2019 Kelly Mena

The Mermaid Parade. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane.

1. One killed, 11 injured in Brownsville mass shooting, reversing neighborhood’s gun violence decline

Police taped off the playground where one or more shooters shot twelve people — killing one — at a n annual block party in Brownsville. Eagle photo by Noah Goldberg — Police taped off the playground where one or more shooters shot twelve people — killing one — at an annual block party in Brownsville. Eagle photo by Noah Goldberg

While the Central Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville was celebrating their annual Old Timers Day block party in late July, two shooters opened fire, striking seven men and five women. The mass shooting was said to have been sparked by an apparent “look or stare” from opposing groups in the area, according to the NYPD. The shooting had the highest number of injuries of any New York City shooting in 2019, according to the Gun Violence Archives data.

The case remains unsolved, and there haven’t been any arrests. The NYPD is currently offering a $10,000 reward for any information that could help them secure an arrest in the case.

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2. Evening flash floods render city streets impassable

Intrepid cars take the plunge. Eagle photo by Mary Scott — Intrepid cars take the plunge. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

The intrepid staff of the Brooklyn Eagle took to the streets to record the intense downpour that flooded the borough’s streets and train stations on July 22. That Monday night, drivers were forced to wade through water as streets turned into rivers and pedestrians were scrambling to dodge the deluge on the way home.

The rain also seeped into the train stations, leaking onto train tracks and platforms as subway riders experienced the wetness indoors.

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After the rain, the reckoning: Park Slopers check the damage after a 40-minute flood

3. Coney Island turns ‘Upside Down’ for Stranger Things premiere

Photo courtesy of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park

Arguably the most anticipated new season of the summer, Stranger Things’ season three transformed Coney Island’s famous Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park into 1980s Hawkins, Indiana.

The beloved amusement park was given the star(court) treatment getting covered in the sci-fi’s show’s theme. The park’s iconic rides, like the Wonder Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Bumper Cars and Carousel, were all “stranger-fied,” according to park officials.

The Netflix series took over the park for the Fourth of July weekend, giving boardwalk goers a chance to Hopper into the show with photo opportunities and show-themed gifts.

Podcast top three:

Our weekly podcast, Brooklyn this Week, was on fire all summer long. Here are some of the hits.

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to Brooklyn this Week on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.

4. Drugs, noise and trash: Brooklyn club continues to flout the law, residents say

A party at the Brooklyn Mirage. Photo by @aLIVEcoverage

Residents, police and community members complained that the nightclub venue Brooklyn Mirage was more of a problem than a party, ultimately leading to the community board denying the venue’s liquor license renewal.

Even before opening in the summer of 2017, the concert venue had a tumultuous history with the State Liquor Authority and Community Board 1. The fate of the club’s ability to serve alcohol will ultimately be decided by the SLA, once they finish reviewing two current disciplinary cases.

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5. Seven arrested in Bushwick drug bust

The Bushwick Houses. Eagle photo by Noah Goldberg

A group of seven men were arrested during a drug bust in northern Brooklyn in late June. According to federal prosecutors, six men were reportedly selling heroin laced with fentanyl and crack cocaine inside the Bushwick Houses, a public housing complex while one allegedly sold heroin near a public elementary school.

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6. ICE attempts two raids in Sunset Park

Protesters outside Sen. Chuck Schumer's home. Eagle photo by Kevin Limiti — Immigration reform activists. Eagle file photo by Kevin Limiti

In the wake of the Trump administration’s supposed crackdown on undocumented immigrants across 10 cities, Sunset Park was first to feel the impact, with two attempted raids in the majority immigrant neighborhood.

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7. Meet the candidates in Brooklyn’s judicial elections

A sleepy Democratic primary season gave us an opportunity to take a closer look at judicial races, which too often go under the radar. Ahead of the elections we profiled the candidates, spoke about the role of a surrogate judge, and the money fueling that race.

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8. Shooting at Crown Heights vigil injures four

Police look for evidence at the scene of a shooting that injured four on Buffalo Avenue and Sterling Place early Aug. 5. Eagle photo by Noah Goldberg

The summer of 2019 was a violent one for Central Brooklyn, as the community was hit with two mass shootings in the span of nine days, including one in Crown Heights that injured four.

Two men and two women were struck by flying bullets near Buffalo Avenue and Sterling Place on Aug. 5 while at an early morning vigil for someone who died of natural causes. Police said at the time that the shooting was “targeted” and “gang-related,” but did not mention who was targeted or what gangs were involved.

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After Brownsville and Crown Heights shootings, state steers $200k to local anti-gun violence groups

9. Feltman’s loses Coney Island home

Here is a closer look at the Surf Avenue property where Feltman’s of Coney Island was formerly located. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

One famous hot dog was switched for another at a Coney Island eatery. The hot dogs of Feltman’s of Coney Island, which served its namesake wiener at a booth inside of a concession stand at 1000 Surf Ave., is no longer available. The stand was taken over by the other famous wiener vendor, Nathan’s Famous. The departure of Feltman’s closes the chapter on the hot dog’s historical beginnings at the boardwalk. Hot dog inventor Charles Feltman once had a massive restaurant at the site.

10. 18th Ave Feast 2019: A food tour

Each year a large stretch of 18th Avenue, aka Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard, from 67th to 75th streets. transforms and becomes a buffet of Italian street food known as the Feast of Santa Rosalia. The annual celebration honors the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily with food, entertainment, music, rides and carnival games.

Also: A dangerous season for cyclists

Mirza Molberg, the founder of Ghost Bikes. Eagle photo by Arthur De Gaeta

The year 2019 will likely go down as one of the most dangerous for Brooklyn bicyclists in the Vision Zero era. Of the 19 cyclists to die in New York City, 14 lost their lives in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Eagle has been covering the deaths, as well as the efforts to make the roads more safe for all forms of transportation.