What’s News, Breaking: Wednesday, January 4, 2023

January 4, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CREATORS OF BPL’S ‘BOOKS UNBANNED’ HONORED AS LIBRARIANS OF THE YEAR

The cover of this month’s Library Journal salutes the Librarians of the Year from the BPL. Photo: Library Journal/Matt Carr. Republished with permission from Library Journal.

NATIONWIDE – The scholarly publication Library Journal has named a team from the Brooklyn Public Library as Librarians of the Year, recognizing their tenacious fight for the principles of intellectual freedom against an alarming rise in censorship. The award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the library profession, was given to Librarians Nick Higgins, Leigh Hurwitz, Karen Keys and Amy Mikel, along with YA Internship Coordinator, Jackson Gomes, all of whom were recognized for creating and running Books Unbanned, a national campaign to provide access to books to young people across the country. The program, which was developed in response to an alarming rise in book bans in school and public libraries, allows young adults ages 13 to 21, nationwide, to apply for a free eCard from BPL, and thus access to the library’s extensive collection of eBooks and audiobooks.

Since launching in April 2022, more than 6,000 teens from all 50 states have applied for the card.

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BISHOP BRENNAN DEDICATES THIS WEEK’S PODCAST TO BENEDICT XVI’S LEGACY

PROSPECT HEIGHTS – Brooklyn Diocesan Bishop Robert J. Brennan’s weekly podcast, “Big City Catholics,” reflected on Benedict’s legacy. Co-hosting the podcast with Father Christopher Heanue, rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Bishop Brennan offered remembrances of Pope Benedict XVI, including his visit to New York City in 2008 and encounters with him.

“Big City Catholics” is available on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube, or on the Diocese of Brooklyn website.

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DIOCESAN CURRENTS NEWS PROVIDES LIVE COVERAGE OF POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT’S FUNERAL

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, which was part of the late Pope emeritus Benedict XVI’s legacy when he elevated a Prospect Heights church to cathedral status, will provide live special coverage of the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI on Currents News, including analysis and commentary on Thursday, January 5 beginning at 2:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (New York being six hours earlier than Rome). Christine Persichette, anchor of Currents News, will lead the in-studio team coverage along with Father Frank Tumino and Ed Wilkinson, editor emeritus of The Tablet. The coverage and Mass will also be livestreamed on the NET website.

Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann will be the main celebrant at noontime Requiem Mass (prayer for the repose of the soul of a deceased person using a particular form of the Roman Missal) to honor the late Pope Benedict XVI, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn.

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DiNAPOLI TO NEW YORKERS: ‘DON’T WAIT TO CLAIM YOUR MONEY!”

CITYWIDE – Declaring, “Don’t wait to claim your money!,” State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli reminds New Yorkers that they may be due unclaimed funds, such as lost and forgotten money, bank accounts or refund checks. DiNapoli, who oversees more than 46 million unclaimed funds accounts valued at $17.5 billion, will be holding two outreach events in Brooklyn this month to help constituents with such matters: Thursday, January 19 at 6 p.m., hosted at the Cypress Hills Library (1197 Sutter Ave.) and Tuesday, January 24 at 11:15 a.m., hosted at Brookdale Senior Center, 817 Avenue H in Kensington.

Residents who cannot make it to the events can search for and claim their money by using the online claiming system or by calling 1-800-221-9311.

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EXPANDING PARTICIPATION TO MORE NEW YORKERS AMONG CAPITAL REFORM TASK FORCE’S RECOMMENDATIONS

CITYWIDE – The Capital Reform Task Force, whose members also include several city agencies from the Comptroller’s Office to the New York City Department of Design and Construction, City Parks, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), among others, made its initial recommendations in several areas of the capital process. These include improving the project pipeline, streamlining approvals, managing projects more effectively, reforming procurement and expanding the number of New Yorkers who can participate.

The task force’s comprehensive citywide review benefited from an examination of many successful DDC initiatives, which, in certain instances, made sense to extend to other city agencies.

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MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW REFORMS TO TRIM TIMELINE FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS DELIVERY

CITYWIDE – A new, comprehensive set of reforms aim to cut years off the city’s capital project delivery process and save New York City taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday, January 4. The Capital Process Reform Task Force, which Mayor Adams formed last April, composed of leaders representing the construction industry, labor, and Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, is responsible for conducting a top-down review of the city’s capital process and recommending reforms, from project initiation to closeout.

The task force, which in October announced a set of 17 initial recommendations, on Wednesday released its year-end report with an additional 22 recommendations Taken together, the 39 recommendations are expected to reduce by several years the process for delivering public works.

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NEW LAW REQUIRES NEW YORK TO PRESERVE ITS NATURAL RESOURCES

STATEWIDE – A new law that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed sets the goal to support and contribute to national efforts to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030. This legislation (indexed as S.6191A/A.5390B) requires the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to develop strategies and a methodology to promote biodiversity and preserve New York’s wildlife, forests and clean water sources — all essential to New York’s health and economy.

The legislation, which builds on the State’s existing conservation efforts, establishes the goal while collaborating with a broad group of stakeholders.

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STATE SUES AUTO LENDER FOR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

STATEWIDE – New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have sued Credit Acceptance Corporation, one of the nation’s largest subprime auto lenders, for deceiving thousands of low-income New Yorkers into high-interest car loans. The lawsuit alleges that CAC pushed unaffordable loans onto tens of thousands of low-income consumers throughout the state, without considering their ability to repay their loans in full, by misstating key terms on loan agreements, including the principal and interest amounts, and failing to disclose thousands of dollars in credit charges.

The lawsuit seeks to end CAC’s abusive and deceptive practices, reform or eliminate existing CAC loan agreements, and collect restitution for impacted consumers.

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POSSIBLE NEW SCHOOL TO COME TO BAY RIDGE

BAY RIDGE – Community Board 10 will be holding a special review of the NYC School Construction Authority’s site selection of the former St. Nicholas home in Bay Ridge. The meeting to discuss the potential new school site will be held on January 12 at the Bay Ridge Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to the public.

The plan for the century-old building, which began its life as a mansion and was then converted to a hospital, would be the second new school proposed in Bay Ridge in 2022, following permits filed for a location at Senator Street and Third Avenue in May.

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BROOKLYN MAN ARRESTED AFTER MONTHS FOR SEPTEMBER SHOOTING

Police announced on Tuesday, January 3 that Darren Monroe of Brownsville has been arrested in connection with the non-fatal September shooting of another man in the Bronx. Monroe is accused of chasing the victim on foot in the early morning of September 19 while firing shots at him, and was charged with assault, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.

The victim was struck multiple times, but was transported by EMS to a hospital in time and survived the shooting.

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POLICE HUNT FOR SERIAL SUBWAY PERVERT

If you recognize this man, please don’t hesitate to reach out to authorities with any information you can share. All tips are strictly confidential.

CITYWIDE – Police are warning the public of a serial flasher who has been haunting the city’s subways and who exposed himself to women at least five times since July of 2022. Three of the five incidents happened in Brooklyn on the F train, but the man was also spotted at the Seneca Avenue M train station in Queens and at the Newkirk Avenue Q train station in Brooklyn — where after exposing himself once, he waited for the victim to return before harassing her again later in the day.

Anyone with information in regard 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); or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.

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MAYOR’S PROPERTY ANOTHER CASUALTY IN RAT WAR

BROOKLYN – Just one day after defeating a previous rat-related ticket in December, Mayor Adams was hit with another summons in relation to signs of a rodent infestation at one of his Brooklyn properties. Adams claims to have spent over $7,000 attempting to rid himself of the rats, but now faces a fine of $1,200 as the city says those efforts haven’t solved the problem.

“I will again challenge these violations and show that rats don’t run this city,” the mayor told CNN.

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ORTHODOX SCHOOLS MAY CLAIM UNNEEDED SPECIAL ED FUNDING

A New York Times investigation has revealed troubling details about the possible misuse of $350 million in state funds intended to support special needs students in Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish schools, who now represent more than half of the 18,000 citywide requests made by parents for privately-sourced learning aid. State law dictates that the city must, if necessary, pay private companies to provide services for disabled children within their schools, but under former Mayor de Blasio the approvals process for parental requests was fast-tracked, leading to what some critics describe as an explosion in companies who accept money but do not actually provide learning services to the children or who focus on religious instruction instead of secular education.

“They’re accessing tremendous amounts of city resources, but they’re not actually providing special education,” said former city education official Elana Sigall of the schools.

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STORM PLAN: NEWTOWN CREEK SURGE BARRIER, SEAWALLS FOR BK WATERFRONT

GREENPOINT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it is recommending a storm risk management for New York’s harbor that will involve installing a storm surge barrier across Newtown Creek, as well as seawalls, flood walls and levees along the shoreline from Box Street to Kent Street, traversing Newtown Barge Park and Transmitter Park, and on parts of Dupont Street, Kent Street and Greenpoint Avenue. More details about this plan will be presented at the Community Board 1 meeting on Wednesday, January 4, where the public will also have a chance to provide brief comments and opinions on the situation.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the WEBEX platform, which attendees will need to download beforehand; registration is online on Community Board 1’s official city website.

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DRAMA IN CONGRESS AS MCCARTHY FAILS THIRD VOTE

WASHINGTON – Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy has failed yet again in a third round of voting to gain the necessary 218 supporters in his quest to become the next Speaker of the House, as a group of far-right Republican representatives remains firm in their opposition, viewing the California congressman as corrupt and overly willing to work with Democrats. Political insiders revealed to the BBC that they don’t see a path to victory for McCarthy, suggesting that when the House reconvenes on Wednesday further votes are likely to also fail.

It is unclear who other than McCarthy might have a shot at attaining the top post, but multiple names have been put forward, including McCarthy ally Steve Scalise, Freedom Caucus member Jim Jordan, and even Democrat and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who would have to convince six Republicans to change sides to win the vote.

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BROOKLYN’S REP. JEFFRIES OFFICIALLY BECOMES DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER AS GOP STAYS DIVIDED ON SPEAKER VOTE

NATIONWIDE – As the new 118th Congress adjourned on its first day in session on Tuesday, January 3, without having successfully chosen a new Speaker of the House, Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-8th District) was officially elevated to House minority leader. Rep. Kevin McCarthy failed after three roll calls to garner enough votes from a fractured GOP delegation, with some Republicans instead voting for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio.

Tuesday’s vote would still not match the 1856 fight for House Speaker which, having taken two months, was the longest in U.S. history.

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CITY WILL CONSIDER BILL TO PRESERVE RETIREES’ HEALTHCARE CHOICES

CITYWIDE – City Council on Tuesday announced that it is working to preserve city municipal retirees’ current Medicare coverage to allow them choices. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, “Given that the Administration and the Municipal Labor Committee are moving forward to implement Medicare Advantage in alignment with the courts and arbitrator’s decisions, the Council is formally considering legislation to preserve retirees’ choice of health insurance rather than have them automatically enrolled in Medicare Advantage as the sole plan on January 29.”

The City Council’s Civil Service and Labor Committee will hold a public hearing next week to “consider the proposed legislation to preserve healthcare coverage choice for retirees,” although the date and time have not yet been announced as of press time.

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AFTER PROLONGED OUTAGE, GAS RESTORED TO NYCHA HOUSES JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS

GOWANUS – Residents of the NYCHA Gowanus Houses finally got their gas utility restored on December 23, after six difficult months, reports City Councilmember Lincoln Restler (D-33). During this outage, Restler, whose district stretches from Greenpoint to Gowanus, purchased and distributed warm meals every Saturday to the residents in partnership with the Gowanus Houses Resident Association, Agape Food Rescue and Rethink Food. Restler reported that the NYCHA staff held recurring calls with his office to keep the team closely updated on the progress of getting the gas restored.

The protracted outage received frequent media attention, as National Grid blamed a third-party contractor for damage to the gas lines.

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CARPENTERS AND CONTRACTORS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO FAMILIES

BOROUGHWIDE – Children around Brooklyn received more than 1,734 toys this past holiday season, thanks to the New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters and the Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York, who partnered with local elected officials and community organizations for six events throughout Brooklyn and many more throughout the city. Participating elected officials were State Senators Roxanne Persaud (D-19/southeastern Brooklyn) and Julia Salazar (D-18/northern Brooklyn); Assemblymembers Jaime Williams (D-59/southeastern Brooklyn) and Emily Gallagher (D-northern Brooklyn); and, City Councilmembers Darlene Mealy (D-41/central Brooklyn) and Chi Ossé (D-36/Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy).

The annual toy drives are part of the unions’ larger effort to give back and uplift communities to build a better New York.

Assembly Member Jaime Williams with carpenters participating in a toy drive.
Photo: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York.

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SUBWAY SHOOTER PLEADS GUILTY TO MULTIPLE TERROR ATTACK COUNTS

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – The man accused of leashing terror on an N train last spring pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court, before U.S. District Judge William F. Kuntz, II on Tuesday, January 3. The defendant, Frank James, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation vehicle — one count for each gunshot victim — and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of his attack.

The charges relate to the defendant’s April 12, 2022 mass shooting on the New York City subway in Sunset Park, for which James will face a sentence of up to life imprisonment on each of the 11 counts.

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BRAZILIAN AUTHORITIES TO REVIVE SANTOS CASE

RIO DE JANEIRO – Adding another wrinkle to the ongoing local, federal and media investigations of GOP Rep.-elect George Santos, prosecutors in Rio de Janeiro have told the New York Times that they intend to pursue charges against Mr. Santos related to a 2008 incident in which Santos, according to his own admission to police, stole a checkbook from an elderly man cared for by his mother and used it to purchase $700 in clothing. The Times was told that the investigation had stalled because Brazilian authorities had been unsure of his location prior to Santos winning election to the House of Representatives.

An attorney for Mr. Santos said on Monday that he is in the process of engaging legal counsel in order to respond to these revived charges.

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POLICE SEEK YOUNG WOMEN IN SUBWAY PHONE ROBBERY

PARK SLOPE – Early in the morning of Sunday, December 11, three young women surrounded a man inside the 7^th Avenue subway station and forcibly removed his phone. No injuries were reported, but police have released photos of the women in an effort to identify them.

Anyone with information regarding 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); or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.

If you recognize these women, please don’t hesitate to reach out to authorities with any information you can share. All tips are strictly confidential.

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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON LEAPS FROM PROMENADE ON NEW YEAR

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – A shocking Twitter video claims to show an unidentified person lying injured on the BQE after leaping off the Heights Promenade. In the video, which the uploader tagged as “#mentalhealth,” police officers can be seen surrounding the unresponsive person as a fire engine pulls up and traffic continues to move north in the right lane.

Police sources have not released any information about the incident as of this time.

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LUCKY LOTTERY TICKETS SOLD ON LAST DAY OF YEAR

FLATBUSH – The New York Lottery announced on Saturday that there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold for the December 31 evening Take 5 drawing, one of which was sold from the Thriftway Pharmacy in Flatbush. The lucky winner will be taking home $20,474 — a happy new year indeed.

New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the state’s toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply.

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WOMEN ROB TJ MAXX, THREATEN WORKER

MIDWOOD – In the afternoon of Tuesday, December 27, two women entered a TJ Maxx store in Midwood and attempted to steal children’s clothing. The women threatened a store employee before fleeing south down East 15th Street, and are now sought by police.

Anyone with information in regard 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), or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.

If you recognize these women, please reach out to authorities with any information you may know. All tips are strictly confidential.

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INDOOR AMUSEMENT PARK OPENS IN SUNSET PARK

SUNSET PARK – A location of the nationwide chain Urban Air Adventure Park has landed in Sunset Park, with the 40,000-square-foot space holding its grand opening on New Year’s Eve. The massive indoor playground, which features, among other things, bumper cars, trampolines, climbing walls and slides, is a hit with neighborhood children, who according to PIX lined up for more than a city block outside prior to showtime.

The new park will be open seven days a week, on weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and with abridged hours on weekdays.

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TWO SOUGHT IN RESTAURANT SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the police if you know anything about this incident. All tips are strictly confidential.

HOMECREST – Shortly after midnight on December 19, a young man and woman were seated inside the Enigma Restaurant Lounge in Homecrest when a group of people approached and engaged them in a verbal dispute, before two members of the group pulled guns and shot the couple in their torsos as they ran for their lives. The victims were able to escape and seek help, and police are now on the hunt for the two gunmen, the first of whom is described as having a dark complexion and medium build and was last seen wearing a black hooded winter jacket, a black ski mask, blue jeans and white sneakers, and fled in a white Jeep SUV; the second of whom is described only as having a dark complexion, and fled on foot.

Anyone with information in regard 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); or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.

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DEMOCRATS MAY NOT SEAT CHANG IN ASSEMBLY

ALBANY – Democrats in the Assembly are set to bar newly elected southern Brooklyn Republican Lester Chang from taking office, according to a source for the New York Post, on the grounds that Chang may not have met the 12-month residency requirement for living in Kings County before running in the 49^th assembly district. Chang, the first Asian American to be elected to office from Brooklyn, contends that while his bills may have been going to his Manhattan address, he was living with and caring for his ailing mother in his childhood home in Midwood, something his lawyers say is proven by affidavits from his family.

If Chang is not seated, the next step will be for the governor to call a special election for his assembly district — one which, ironically, Chang may now meet the requirements for.

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PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM DELIVERS ITS FIRST BABY OF 2023

CONEY ISLAND – Kingsley Mei became the first 2023 baby born in the city’s public health system, when he emerged at the stroke of midnight on January 1 at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health (formerly named Coney Island Hospital). The first boy born to parents Holly and Dexin, Kingsley weighed in at 6 lbs. and 7.6 ounces. and measured 19 inches at birth.

The City’s public health system delivers approximately 15,000 babies annually as part of its prenatal care, labor and delivery services, family planning, comprehensive gynecology and women’s health and primary care outpatient medical support services

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POPE BENEDICT’S LEGACY INCLUDES DESIGNATING PROSPECT HTS. CHURCH AS CO-CATHEDRAL

PROSPECT HEIGHTS – The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights is part of the late Pope emeritus Benedict XVI’s legacy, even if the national news overlooked it. Just before announcing his retirement, Benedict elevated the historic St. Joseph’s Church to a co-cathedral for the Diocese of Brooklyn, while keeping the smaller St. James Cathedral-Basilica as another seat of the diocese.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph later earned the 2015 Lucy G. Moses Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

The front façade of St. Joseph’s Church as pictured on January 23, just a month before then-Pope Benedict XVI elevated it to cathedral status. Photo: Brooklyn Eagle/Francesca N. Tate.

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ASSEMBLYMEMBER CUNNINGHAM SALUTES GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S INAUGURATION

CROWN HEIGHTS – As Governor Kathy Hochul was inaugurated on Sunday, January 1 as the first woman to be elected to New York State’s highest office, Assemblymember Brian Cunningham (D-43^rd District) sent his congratulations. Cunningham, who represents portions of Crown Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, stated, “Governor Kathy Hochul brings a wealth of experience and a strong record of public service to this role. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for women’s rights, education, and economic opportunity, and we have no doubt that she will continue to deliver as Governor.

Hochul, who had served as lieutenant governor during the Andrew Cuomo administration, became governor after his August 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations; she was later elected as governor in November 2022.

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ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 43 ORGANIZES CONSTITUENT ROUNDTABLES

CENTRAL BROOKLYN – Assemblymember Brian Cunningham’s #TeamCunningham has been working to create community task forces to help support constituents in Assembly District 43, which encompasses much of Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Individuals who participate in the task forces will convene regularly to discuss areas of interest or concern, including legislation, budgets and resources.

Constituents may sign up for roundtables focusing on small businesses, transportation, public safety, food and health equity, youth and education and arts and culture via [email protected] or [email protected].

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SURVEYS FOR CROWN HEIGHTS MERCHANTS AND CUSTOMERS

CROWN HEIGHTS – Merchants and small businesses in Crown Heights are being encouraged to voice their needs in a survey that the Bridge Street Development Corp. and the NYC Department of Small Business Services have distributed. The two advocacy groups seek in particular to address the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic caused and have designed the survey to gather information on the kinds of resources that would help you grow the business, the ways in which the area can be revitalized, and the types of merchants they would like to have in their neighborhood.

A similar survey is being distributed to shoppers around Crown Heights and is accessible online.

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CATON AVENUE YOUTH SHOT AND KILLED

FLATBUSH – Following family notification, police have released the name of a teen who was shot and killed just before the New Year holiday weekend. Police responding to a 911 call on Friday, December 30 found Darius Roache, 17, of Caton Avenue (within the 70^th Precinct) lying in a staircase of an apartment building at 2201 Caton Ave. unconscious and with a gunshot wound to the torso; NYC Health and Hospital/Kings County pronounced him deceased.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with knowledge of this incident is urged to contact NYPD/Crimestoppers via the hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, the NYPD Crime Stoppers website or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

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POLICE WANT CELL PHONE THIEF WHO DRAGGED YOUTH

GREENWOOD HEIGHTS – Police are seeking the pictured man wanted in connection with a forcible theft on 4^th Avenue in Greenwood Heights (72^nd Precinct) on the afternoon of December 15. The victim, a 12-year-old male, was standing in front of 597A 4th Avenue when the unidentified assailant grabbed him by the hood of his shirt and dragged him while forcibly removing his cell phone before fleeing southbound on foot.

The victim did not report any injuries.

A photo of this sought individual was attained from the vicinity of the incident location along 4th Avenue, near the Prospect Expressway’s 17th St. entrance. Photo: NYPD/Crime Stoppers.

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ONE DEAD IN TRAIN YARD CAR PLUMMET

PROSPECT HEIGHTS – The driver of a car that fell 30 feet after crashing through the barrier of the LIRR train yard near the Barclays Center was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday, while the passenger remains in critical condition at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. ABC News reports that the driver, a senior citizen, suffered a medical episode and lost control of the car, causing the crash.

The train yard was supposed to be covered as part of the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park development, but delays and setbacks have caused the project to fall far short of its predictions.

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BAM TO HONOR MLK WITH TRIBUTE

CROWN HEIGHTS – The Brooklyn Academy of Music will be holding its 37^th annual tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16 this year, featuring a two-hour program with “music, performances, and an urgent and timely call to action” by civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill. BAM will also be presenting a free program of activities for kids on the same day, with dance and music workshops helping to introduce activism to young learners.

Admission to the tribute is first come, first served, but will be streamed online for those who can’t make it; and a schedule for all adults’ and kids’ events can be found on BAM’s website.

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HOCHUL SWORN IN FOR FULL TERM

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been in office since the resignation of Andrew Cuomo 16 months ago, was sworn in on Sunday for her first full term after winning the gubernatorial election in November. This marks the first time in New York’s history that a woman has been officially elected to the post, an event Hochul noted in her speech, saying that when New York’s first governor took office, “not a soul in that place would have ever dreamed that a woman would take that oath in this same state.”

Hochul faces challenges in the new year after a narrower-than-anticipated November victory over Republican Lee Zeldin, highlighting what some see as discontent among the ranks of New York Democrats.

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POLAR BEAR CLUB TAKES PLUNGE IN CONEY ISLAND

CONEY ISLAND – Relatively tropical temperatures drew a larger crowd than usual to the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Coney Island, where since 1903 members of the public have joined the Polar Bear Club in dunking themselves in the icy ocean on New Year’s Day. Gothamist reports that thousands showed up for the event starting at 11 a.m., braving the 43-degree waters to earn goosebumps of pride.

The Polar Bear Plunge is always free, but donations are encouraged, and participants this year raised more than $83,000 for local organizations like the New York Aquarium and the Alliance for Coney Island.

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CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR HOMELESS OUTREACH SURVEY

CITYWIDE – The city is seeking volunteers ages 16 and up for the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate Survey, which aims to count the number of unsheltered people in NYC and will be conducted overnight on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Thousands of volunteers will work in teams of two to four to canvass the streets from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and administer a short survey to homeless people who are willing to participate.

Interested participants can register online and find more information on the Department of Homeless Services website.

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BQE MAINTENANCE EXTENDED TO JANUARY NIGHTS

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – The DOT has announced that ongoing maintenance on the southbound portion of the BQE means that one lane of the roadway heading towards Staten Island will need to be closed overnight on Jan. 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 23 and 25. The left lane will be shut down from midnight to 5 a.m.

The maintenance work is part of the city’s plan to overhaul the crumbling expressway, but the debate goes on in Brooklyn Heights as residents express reservations about the final form that plan should take.

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DEM REP INTRODUCES ‘SANTOS’ ACT

THE BRONX – U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, announced on Thursday that he is introducing a new bill called the Stop Another Non-Truthful Office Seeker – or, SANTOS – Act. Torres wrote on Twitter that the bill will require candidates to disclose details about their educational, employment and military history under oath “so we can punish candidates who lie to voters about their qualifications.”

The bill’s name is a reference to Rep.-elect George Santos, a Republican from Long Island whose biography has come under scrutiny in recent days after a New York Times investigation revealed many aspects of it were fabricated.

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NURSES READY TO STRIKE ON NINTH

CITYWIDE – The New York State Nurses Association delivered notice on December 31 to eight hospitals that its nurses’ staff will be striking starting Jan. 9 if new contracts aren’t agreed upon, prompting management at New York-Presbyterian to come to a tentative agreement with the nurses; meanwhile, strike votes expected to pass by wide margins are ongoing at four more hospitals. The union says they want better patient-to-caregiver ratios, higher pay and benefits and more attention given to safety by hospital administration.

The Brooklyn hospitals that would be affected by the strike are Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Interfaith Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and NY Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

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POLICE SEEK HELP FINDING MISSING BROWNSVILLE WOMAN

BROWNSVILLE – Police are asking the public to keep their eyes open for a Brownsville woman last seen in the late afternoon of Thursday, December 29. The missing woman, Valerie Joyner, 55, is described as being 5’9″ tall and 130 pounds and was last seen wearing red Christmas pajamas with a blond wig.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), for Spanish call 1-888-57-PISTA (74782); or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.