What’s News, Breaking: Wednesday, January 24, 2024

January 24, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AND ANIMAL CRUELTY,
CONNECTED TO STARRETT CITY STABBING

EAST NEW YORK — A STARRETT CITY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN THE MURDER OF A WOMAN in the same housing complex and for the death of her dog. Eugene Andre, 36, of 1500 Hornell Loop, was charged on Wednesday, Jan. 24, with Murder, Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, in connection with the Friday, Jan. 19 stabbing of 58-year-old Donna Hyman of the same address. The dog’s wounds were consistent with having fallen from a high place; investigators believe that its death is connected to the double stabbing.

Neighbors had reported the man arguing with his victim over the dog’s continuous barking. While initial reports identified Andre as Hyman’s son, the NYPD did not mention their relationship on the Jan. 24 public record.

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MAN WITH PRIOR FELONY CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT
FOR DECEMBER’S RED HOOK SHOOTING

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A NEW JERSEY MAN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING that took place last month in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo presided Wednesday afternoon at Brooklyn federal court in the arraignment of Luis Rosario, who was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition relating to a Dec. 3, 2023, shooting in Red Hook. As court documents alleged, the defendant fired multiple shots from close range at three men standing on the sidewalk outside of a supermarket and restaurant located across the street from a housing project. Surveillance video footage shows Rosario pulling a gun from his jacket and opening fire while passersby were walking along the sidewalk. Rosario shot one man in the leg, causing him to collapse. Rosario then got into a car and drove it directly toward the victim, running over his foot.

Rosario has a prior felony conviction. He could get up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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JON STEWART RETURNS TO ‘THE DAILY SHOW’
FOR 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR

NATIONWIDE — FANS OF COMEDY CENTRAL’S POLITICAL SATIRE PROGRAM “THE DAILY SHOW” will see the return of 23-time Emmy winner Jon Stewart, who will host it every Monday during the Presidential election cycle, starting on Feb. 12. The Daily News reports that the Manhattan-born Stewart, now 61, will host Monday nights in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, a key primetime day that is believed to bring in the largest viewership to The Daily Show. Stewart will also serve as executive producer, working with manager James “Baby Doll” Dixon to “shape” the program.

Stewart hosted “The Daily Show” from 1996 until 2015, during which time they won Outstanding Variety Series at the Emmys for ten years straight from 2003-2012, and winning again in 2015.

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BROOKLYN NON-PROFIT RECEIVES $1.4M GRANT
TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH

BOROUGHWIDE — MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM AN UNPRECEDENTED $1.4 MILLION GRANT THAT Brooklyn Communities Collaborative, a non-profit focused on strengthening health and well-being in this borough, has received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The grant money will be used to develop a Maternal Health Program to address the maternal mortality crisis and improve maternal/infant health in Central and Eastern Brooklyn. The grant is part of an innovative grantmaking strategy by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address structural health inequities in marginalized and vulnerable communities. BCC’s initiative will assist community-based organizations that have expertise and experience in improving maternal health, with the goals of enhancing access to health resources, educating adolescents on pre- and inter-conception care and the management of existing health conditions before pregnancy.

The Brooklyn Communities Collaborative was just one of three organizations nationwide to receive this support.

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MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS, GET STUDENT LOANS
REPAID UNDER BILL SEN. GILLIBRAND SUPPORTS

CAPITOL HILL — BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE in underserved communities is the focus of a video press conference that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Sen. Gillibrand announced her support for The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, which would repay up to $250,000 in eligible student loans for mental health professionals who agree to work in designated professional shortage areas. Loans taken out for education in mental health or a related field leading to master’s or doctoral degrees or post-doctoral study would be eligible for repayment.

Kings County has several neighborhoods designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, including Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, East Flatbush, Brownsville, and even parts of Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Coney Island. The Metropolitan Detention Center is also designated.

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WATER MAIN BREAK IN BAY RIDGE IMPACTS 200 HOMES, 16 BUSINESSES

BAY RIDGE — A WATER MAIN BREAK FLOODED HOMES, BUSINESSES AND A CULTURAL CENTER in Bay Ridge on Wednesday, according to news reports. Water service has been restored, but the cleanup and repairs are ongoing. The water gushed into the cultural center for the Federation of Associated Laconian Society at Fourth Avenue and 68th Street, leaving more than a foot of water in the basement.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection told the Brooklyn Eagle that roughly 200 households and 16 businesses were without water. “Repairs to the pipe are now complete and water service has been restored to all impacted customers,” DEP said.

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MALLIOTAKIS WANTS MIGRANT SHELTER LEASE
CANCELED FOR FLOYD BENNETT FIELD

FLOYD BENNETT FIELD — A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING REP. NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS (R-11) of Brooklyn and the U.S. Park Police have renewed their call to retroactively cancel the migrant shelter lease at Floyd Bennett Field, following its evacuation earlier this month during a snowstorm. Rep. Malliotakis will take part in a rally Thursday morning, Jan. 25, at Floyd Bennett Field where she, Assemblymember Jaime Williams of southeastern Brooklyn (D, AD-59) City Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-32/Jamaica Bay and Rockaways) and Ken Spencer, chairman of the U.S. Park Police FOP, will urge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to approve a vote on her bill, The Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R.5283), that would prohibit federal funding from being used to provide housing for migrants on any federal park land that would cancel the lease.

The House passed the bill with bipartisan support last fall, but Congressmember Malliotakis claims that Majority Leader Schumer has failed to schedule it for a vote in the Senate.

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DISMEMBERED BODY PARTS FOUND STUFFED IN FLATBUSH FREEZER, WOMAN UNDER ARREST

FLATBUSH — DISMEMBERED BODY PARTS AND A MAN’S HEAD were found stuffed inside a sealed freezer in a Flatbush apartment by police who were responding to a CrimeStoppers tip about a possible body being “stored” there, the New York Post reports. A woman inside the apartment was detained on unrelated warrants. Police came upon the ghastly scene around 6:15 a.m. Monday when they showed up at the fourth-floor unit on Nostrand Avenue near Farragut Road in Flatbush. The identity of the victim is still unknown.

The Office of The Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, according to a statement issued by NYPD. The investigation remains ongoing.

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CONSUMERS URGED TO PROTECT BANK
ACCOUNTS FROM ‘CHECK WASHING’ FRAUD

STATEWIDE — AVOID PUBLIC MAIL COLLECTION BOXES AND TAKE OTHER PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT BANK ACCOUNTS, WARNS the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. The agency, responding to a spike in check fraud, is providing consumers with guidance to avoid mail theft and check-washing schemes. Above all, DCP warns New Yorkers against mailing checks from public collection boxes. During check washing schemes, thieves steal checks, often in bulk from U.S. Postal Service mail collection boxes, and use common chemicals like nail polish remover to erase (or “wash”) the payee and dollar amount while preserving the check’s original signature. These scammers then profit from making checks payable to themselves or selling the stolen, signed blank checks. DCP recommends mailing checks directly from post offices, not leaving mail in boxes overnight and placing holds when traveling.

The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reports that the number of check fraud crimes nationwide surged in 2020. During 2022, FinCEN received over 680,000 suspicious activity reports related to check fraud, almost twice the number recorded in 2021.

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SCHOOLS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR ‘CLEAN GREEN SCHOOLS’ INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS

ALBANY — SCHOOLS NEEDING INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES TO COOL OFF on hot days can submit proposals for substantial grants through the $100 million Clean Green Schools Initiative, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday. All high-needs school districts (NYC is designated as such) or schools located in a disadvantaged community are eligible. Incentive amounts start at $500,000 for qualifying projects leading to improved air quality, increased resiliency and a pathway toward electrification. “These investments will make our school facilities cleaner and more sustainable — and will have a tremendous positive effect on future generations of students,” Hochul said in a release.

NYSERDA will host a webinar on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. ET for schools to learn more about the types of eligible projects and how they will be evaluated. Proposals are due on June 6 by 3 p.m., ET.

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TIMEOUT SURVEY RATES NYC AS TOP CITY IN THE WORLD

WORLDWIDE — A SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY TIMEOUT ranked New York City as the top city in the world based on factors like things to do — from art galleries and museums to live music, theater and dining — and quality of life considerations, like happiness of locals, vibrancy, access to green space and strong community vibes. Timeout says now is the time to visit the city because of an “incredibly busy Broadway season,” with top-rated shows like Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Sweeney Todd,” and a deluge of new productions coming in the spring, including the highly-anticipated “The Notebook,” “Water for Elephants” and “The Who’s Tommy.”

Cape Town came in second; Berlin was ranked number three; London ranked fourth; and Madrid was number five.

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NYS IS HASHING OUT RULES ALLOWING GROWING WEED AT HOME

STATEWIDE — THE NYS CANNABIS BOARD WILL CONSIDER RULES ON WEDNESDAY that will allow New Yorkers over the age of 21 to grow their own weed at home, Gothamist reports. Regulations will likely allow home gardeners to grow six mature (with buds) plants and six immature plants per residence, and keep up to 5 pounds of trimmed flower — far more than the 3 ounces that are legal to possess otherwise, Gothamist points out.

It will still be illegal for NYCHA residents to grow cannabis at home, since the projects are federally subsidized — though Mayor Eric Adams is reportedly trying to think of a work-around, Gothamist says.

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DECEASED MAN FOUND ON SUBWAY TRACKS
HAD BEEN TRAIN SURFING, SAY WITNESSES

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS — A DISTURBING NEW DEVELOPMENT HAS EMERGED REGARDING A TUESDAY RUSH HOUR FATALITY AT THE PROSPECT PARK B & Q train station. According to News 12 Brooklyn, a man in his 50s had reportedly been train surfing when an out-of-service Q train on the express track struck him. NYPD authorities told News 12 that a “man was surfing on the side of the train, holding the doors facing outward from the platform.” However, the New York Post also reported that the man’s jacket had gotten caught on a signal pole, and an MTA employee said that the man had been behaving in a deranged manner inside the train before he started surfing. The victim, whose identity was being withheld as of press time Tuesday night, was found on the tracks around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 23 and pronounced deceased on the scene according to first responders.

The collision stalled B and Q trains, “severely disrupting” service for hours.

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CONSTRUCTION WORKER AT BROOKLYN JAIL DIES AFTER FALLING THROUGH HOLE IN FLOOR

BOERUM HILL — A 64-YEAR-OLD CONSTRUCTION WORKER died following a tragic accident in September at the construction site for the new Brooklyn borough jail at 275 Atlantic Ave., the Daily News reports. Yong Chin Son fell 18 feet through a hole that had been covered with loose planks, while removing asbestos on the 11th story of the old Brooklyn House of Detention in Boerum Hill. Son, of Flushing, Queens, was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist and died three days later, on Sept. 16. “He was planning to retire next year. He was very well respected,” said Local 78 President Jan Sanislo. Son’s family is suing the city for $15 million.

According to the NYC Department of Buildings, the same contractor, Northstar, received another violation on Jan. 16 for more unprotected holes — this time on the 7th floor — among other violations.

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BROOKLYN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EDGED UP IN DEC. 2023, ECHOING NATIONWIDE FIGURES

BOROUGHWIDE — THERE WERE SLIGHTLY MORE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN BROOKLYN IN DECEMBER 2023 than there were in December 2022, according to preliminary non-seasonally-adjusted figures released by the state Department of Labor on Tuesday, Jan. 23. At 5.4% in December 2023, unemployment in Brooklyn was also slightly higher than it had been in November 2023, when it stood at 5.2%. This slight increase echoes a nationwide rise in unemployment, which rose from 3.3% in November to 3.5% in December. Across Brooklyn, there were 1,140,000 workers employed and 65,400 unemployed in December, according to the Labor Department.

Several other NYS counties logged higher unemployment rates in December, including The Bronx at 6.6%, Hamilton County at 7.4% and Lewis County at 5.6%.

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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR OFFSHORE WIND INNOVATION HUB

CITYWIDE — THE OFFSHORE WIND INNOVATION HUB on Tuesday, Jan. 23, opened its 2024 application process, which is designed to identify and support entrepreneurial and innovative companies to help unleash the potential of the dynamic new offshore wind industry. Through a highly competitive selection process, applicants will have to showcase the potential and economic impact of their innovation. Finalists from the initial pool of applicants will be invited to participate in a public pitch event in New York before a panel of judges drawn from academia, business and government. Winners participate in a six-month mentoring and business development program designed to prepare them to partner with major offshore wind developers and be part of the larger offshore wind value chain. Applications will be accepted online until March 25.

Launched in January 2023, the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub is led by Equinor and BP in collaboration with Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium. Equinor and BP are involved in the Empire Wind 1 project, but no longer on Empire Wind 2.

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BROOKLYNITES ENCOURAGED TO SHARE AN EXTRA COAT

BARCLAYS CENTER — NEW YORK CARES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BARCLAYS CENTER, WILL HOST BROOKLYN’S LARGEST ONE-DAY COLLECTION FOR THE 35TH ANNUAL COAT DRIVE, on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24. New York Cares has received a record number of nearly 200,000 requests for coats this season from nonprofit partners, representing Brooklynites in need who will be without a warm winter coat due to economic hardships. Volunteers will be stationed at Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, from 3 to 7 p.m. to collect new and gently used winter coats, with all donations being distributed to Brooklyn Defender Services. Participating with the volunteers will be a basketball legend from the Brooklyn Nets.

New Yorkers who donate a coat will receive a complimentary ticket to the Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz matchup at Barclays Center on Monday, Jan. 29 — with the purchase of an additional ticket.

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WORKERS COMP. BOARD LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE TOOLKIT

STATEWIDE — THE NYS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD HAS LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE TOOLKIT FOR INJURED WORKERS, Chair Clarissa Rodriguez announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The one-stop webpage provides critical resources for workers who have been injured or become ill on the job, such as information on filing claims, understanding their rights, benefits, return-to-work and other available resources. Available online, the Injured Worker’s Toolkit explains how the workers’ compensation system works, spells out the benefits and provides key deadlines as it guides the reader through the process of filing a claim.

As part of its ongoing outreach, each month the Board’s Advocate for Injured Workers hosts a free monthly Workers’ Comp 101 webinar with basic instructions and a Q&A session, and the Workers’ Comp 202 webinar, which provides a deeper dive into medical care and other key topics.

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SUBWAY TRAIN FATALLY STRIKES PERSON AT PROSPECT PARK STATION

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS — A PERSON WAS FATALLY STRUCK BY A TRAIN AT THE B & Q LINE’S PROSPECT PARK STATION during Tuesday morning’s rush hour, reports Patch and other news sources. The victim, whose identity was being withheld, was pronounced deceased upon arrival at a local but undisclosed hospital, according to the FDNY. The collision stalled B trains in both directions from the express-transfer station, which is at Lincoln Road near Ocean and Flatbush Avenues, and southbound Q trains from 7th Avenue to Brighton Beach/West 8th Street.

The MTA’s website noted after 12:30 p.m. that service on the B line was back to normal, and that another situation near the Neck Road station in Gravesend/Homecrest was causing unrelated delays.

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‘FOOD IS MEDICINE,’ EMPHASIZES CITY HOSPITAL SYSTEM’S PODCAST

CITYWIDE — PLANT-BASED EATING AS POWERFUL MEDICINE IS THE FOCUS OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ LATEST EPISODE OF ITS NEW PODCAST, “THE REMEDY.” NYC Health + Hospitals on Tuesday, Jan. 23, released “Episode 2: Food is Medicine,” featuring leaders and health care providers from the nation’s largest municipal health care system. Host Dr. Michael Shen, with Dr. Michelle McMacken, executive director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, and the health system’s Executive Chef Phil DeMaiolo discuss the popular Lifestyle Medicine Program, a six-month initiative to support patients as they learn to cook healthier meals, read nutrition labels, exercise, and to help patients adopt a plant-based diet. “Episode 2: Food is Medicine” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.

During the episode, Chef Phil explains the recent overhaul of the hospital menu to offer creative, plant-based dishes that reflect the city’s diverse cultures, and the logistics involved in an operation that serves more than 15,000 hospital meals daily.

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INVITATION TO WRITE THE NEXT ANTHEM FOR NATION’S SONGBOOK

BROOKLYN AND CITYWIDE — BROOKLYNITES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WRITE A NEW ANTHEM TO ADD TO THE NATION’S SONGBOOK, thanks to a collaboration with the Brooklyn Public Library, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and two other NYC public library systems. This new project, named Anthem to the U.S., invites members of the public to create a contemporary anthem that reflects a new generation’s hopes, struggles and untold histories. Initially up to 160 selected participants will embark on an immersive three-part writing workshop series exploring themes, song structures and melodies across diverse styles. Interested readers may visit https://anthemtous.org/ for more information. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 11:59 p.m.

The final three anthems will be judged and brought to life with performances at Brooklyn Public Library and Lincoln Center. The winning work will be added to the canon of songs that includes “America the Beautiful,” “We Shall Overcome,” “My Country, Tis of Thee” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

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FDA FIELDS MORE REPORTS OF LEAD TOXICITY FROM CINNAMON APPLESAUCE POUCHES

NATIONWIDE — AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF LEAD TOXICITY INI CINNAMON APPLESAUCE POUCH BRANDS has expanded, with the Food & Drug Administration having received more than 90 confirmed complaints and reports from consumers of adverse health effects. Recall alerts had been publicized last November of WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis brand fruit puree products. As of January 22, 2024, FDA has received 90 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products. To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom a complaint or adverse event was submitted and met FDA’s complainant definition, are between zero and 53 years of age and the median age is one year old.

WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and have been available through multiple retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination stores and other online outlets. Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores; while Weis is a store—brand.

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MIDWOOD PARENTS WORK TO KEEP MIGRANT KIDS IN SCHOOL

MIDWOOD — PARENTS AT TWO SOUTHERN BROOKLYN SCHOOLS HAVE JOINED in an effort to help dozens of migrant families keep their kids in class, reports Gothamist, as the mayor’s controversial policy requiring families in city shelters to leave or reapply for beds elsewhere after 60 days begins to take effect this month. P.S. 139 parents have started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised $11,000 for housing expenses, while P.S. 315 has opened a volunteer “donation store” with free coats, clothing, suitcases and other essentials. Other parents have thought up inventive ways to help, including sharing their kitchens to allow migrant parents to make food to sell, searching for low-cost housing, coordinating donation drop-offs and connecting migrants with lawyers and other immigration services.

Adams has said the 60-day stay limit is necessary to keep beds open for new arrivals, but critics say that since families who reapply will not be guaranteed placement at their old shelters, children could experience severe learning disruptions if reaching their current schools becomes impossible.

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COMMUNITY BOARD APPLICATIONS OPEN

BOROUGHWIDE — BROOKLYNITES INTERESTED IN SERVING ON ONE OF the borough’s 18 community boards can now apply for a seat through late February, BP Antonio Reynoso announced this week. The 50-member volunteer boards hold hearings, offer recommendations on local affairs and wield influence in land-use and zoning decisions. Eligibility is open to anyone 16 or older who lives, works, studies, owns property or has another significant interest in a board’s district.

Applications can be found online on the Brooklyn Borough President’s city webpage and can be submitted until Feb. 19.