Brooklyn Today: The top 10 stories of the summer

September 3, 2019 Brooklyn Today

Dramatic clouds form a backdrop for the landmarked Parachute Jump. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

Share this:

THE LEDE: Good morning! It’s the end of the summer, and since we love nostalgia as much as the next local news outlet, we wanted to take a look back at some of our defining headlines of the last three months. The stories include news of ICE raids, gun violence and mermaids, among other topics.

Think there’s something we should cover? Let us know. Also, if you like what we’re doing, tell a friend, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

THE RUNDOWN

~DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD COULD LEAD TO CHANGE IN BUILDING LAW: Five-year-old Alysson Pinto-Chaumana was walking along the sidewalk in Bushwick with her mother when the girl pulled on a decorative marble fence. The heavy stone fencing collapsed on top of her, killing her. Now the area’s councilmember is looking to make a change in building law.

~THE TOP 10 STORIES OF THE SUMMER: Doesn’t it feel like the Mermaid Parade was just yesterday? This summer spates of gun violence and multiple ICE raids left Brooklyn on edge. Flash floods inundated the streets and voters elected new judges. We compiled a list of those stories and more as we look back at some of the summer’s defining headlines.

~MASKED MAN KILLED BY POLICE IN BROWNSVILLE SHOOTOUT: A masked man was shot and killed by police officers in Brownsville after he opened fire on cops, according to authorities. The deadly shootout came on a particularly violent night in Brooklyn that left two other people killed in separate shootings.

~HOW TO HANDLE YOUR KID’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY: The start of the school year is only days away. On Sept. 5, New York City’s public school students head back to class. This time of transition and change can elicit a wide range of emotions from children — regardless of their age — and be stressful for the entire family.

~DESIGN FOR NEW, SHADY PARK IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN APPROVED AFTER 12 YEARS: It will be small and plunged into shadow for most of the day, but a new design for a long-delayed Downtown Brooklyn park was embraced by Community Board 2’s executive committee meeting.

~HOW TO AVOID BROOKLYN’S WORST LANDLORDS: We’ve reached the end of apartment-hunting season — at least for those who weren’t savvy enough to understand that September leases tend to be the most overpriced. With some help from housing experts, here’s a guide to sleuthing yourself away from the slumlords.

~GREENPOINT NATIVE PLANS 2021 RUN FOR NORTHERN BROOKLYN COUNCIL SEAT: A Greenpoint native is looking to seize on the momentum of progressive, grassroots victories to bring her into the City Council — and she’s hoping to face stiff competition.

~ON FIRE! IF VOTIVE CANDLES WERE VOTES, LIZ WARREN WOULD WIN: Sen. Elizabeth Warren is trending in Brooklyn — as a votive candle. Sales of $14 candles that depict the Democratic Presidential primary candidate as a Catholic saint are surging at a Prospect Lefferts Gardens gift shop called Awesome Brooklyn.

~MTA REMOVES SCHEDULES FROM BUS STOPS: Riders waiting for the bus can no longer tell what time it will arrive after the MTA systematically removed schedules from bus stop poles, according to four Bay Ridge lawmakers who fired off a letter to MTA Chairperson Patrick Foye objecting to the move.

STAFF PICKS

~ READ: “As the Amazon burns, cattle ranchers are blamed. But it’s complicated.” (National Geographic)

~ EAT: Here’s the 12 hottest brunch restaurants in the city, with three in Brooklyn. (Eater)

~ HEALTH: Drinking red wine in moderation may be good for your gut. (Medical News Today)

~ TECHNOLOGY: “For two years, a handful of websites have indiscriminately hacked thousands of iPhones.” (Wired)

WHAT’S HAPPENING

5:00PM – 9:00PM — Climate Disasters and the Green New Deal at The New School. Details.

7:00PM – 8:00PM — NYRR Open Run at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6. Details.

8:00PM – 10:00PM — Ambush Comedy at Two Boots Williamsburg. Details.

THE WRAP

⌛ ON THIS DAY

In 1947, the Eagle reported, “Capt. Thor Heyerdahl said today that the 101-day, 2,000-mile voyage he and other Norwegian scientists made aboard a huge raft from Peru to a South Pacific island strengthened his theory that Pacific natives are descendants of South and North American Indians.”

📔 IMPRINT

Kim Kardashian poses on the September cover of Vogue Arabia.

👑 ROYAL WATCH

“Find out which royal family member is inspiring the most baby names” (People)

🏀 SPORTS

“Nets should sign Carmelo Anthony” (Clutch Points)

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Shaun White, Pauline Collins, Charlie Sheen, Paz de la Huerta, Valerie Perrine, Kiran Desai and Alison Lurie!