In a move to reduce budget costs, city fire officials last week reactivated plans to remove fire alarm boxes from local streets. FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Shacknai made the announcement at the October 19 Borough Cabinet Meeting, saying the move would save the city $6.3 million annually. “The question the Fire Department is facing is what we can cut […]
95-Year-Old WWII Veteran Receives Bronze Star
Congressmember Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, The Bronx) presented World War II veteran and Jackson Heights resident George Vujnovich with the Bronze Star, one of the military’s highest honors. Vujnovich received the medal for his efforts during Operation Halyard, a once-classified mission that resulted in the successful rescue of over 500 Allied airmen. Vujnovich served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), […]
LaG CC To Hold Voting Machine Demonstration
When LaGuardia Community College students, including those with disabilities, step into the voting booth on November 2 they will know exactly what to expect and how to cast their votes. The lever machines have been replaced with a paper ballot that will be read by an optical scanner. The college, 31-10 Thomson Ave. in Long Island City, is holding a […]
Van Bramer Town Hall Hears Of Schools, Housing Issues
City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer’s latest town hall meeting was held on Saturday, October 23 at the Long Island City library on 21st Street and featured officers from several city agencies. The library, opened to great fanfare in 2007, stands between the Ravenswood Houses and the Queensbridge Houses, so the New York City Housing Authority sent three representatives. The single […]
Elevator Surveillance Camera Captures Robber’s Image
The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in a robbery within the confines of the 114th Precinct. On October 9, at approximately 9:40 p.m. a suspect described as a black female approximately 5 foot 2 inches tall with black, short hair pulled back, last seen wearing eyeglasses, a white, long-sleeved […]
Astoria’s Steinway Mansion Site Of Cocktail Reception
Michael Halberian, owner of the William Steinway mansion at the foot of 41st Street in Astoria, entertained guests and prospective buyers on October 20 at an evening cocktail party and open house reception. Halberian, who has lived in the house for all 82 years of his life, announced in August that he plans to sell the historic gothic revival […]
Parishioners Nab Church Thief
A local thug with a penchant for stealing from churches will be spending the next three months behind bars, thanks to Astoria parishioners who brought his crime spree to an end. Police said parishioners spotted Gerald Duganiez at about 5:20 p.m. on October 16, prying open a poor box at Most Precious Blood Church on 36th Street. The […]
Immigration Link Eyed In Suicide-Slay
Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy by the city Medical Examiner to determine the exact cause of death of a man whose body was discovered in an October 23 fire at a Flushing office building. Cops said the body of the man, whose identity was not released, was found at about 2:30 p.m., throat slashed, at the […]
Touchstone Health, Health Care Partners To Provide More Products, Services To Medicare Patients
Touchstone Health, one of New York’s fastest growing Medicare Advantage insurers, and HealthCare Partners (HCP), one of the area’s largest and most successful Independent Physician Associations (IPA), recently announced a long-term agreement that will result in greater healthcare access for Touchstone members. This collaboration, effective October 1, 2010, will mean improved care and more choice for Medicare members, as well […]
Community Greening Groups Divert Leaves To Compost
NYCLeaves: Project LeafDrop, is a coalition of community and botanical gardens, environmental groups, city agencies and community partners dedicated to directing fall leaves from the trash bin to the compost bin. Project LeafDrop gives New Yorkers the opportunity to recycle residential leaves into “brown gold”, keep them out of the waste stream, and nourish gardens. Last year, residents throughout the […]