Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown joined by New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB) Chairman John D. Sabini and state Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico announced on February 28 that three individuals and a corporation who used a licensed church bingo hall in Queens as a front to steal approximately $830,000 from Greek Orthodox Church charities have pleaded […]
City Seeks Financial Advisor On Parking Meter Plan
Last month the city Economic Development Corporation (EDC) started searching for a financial advisor to help with Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plans to privatize the more than 30,000 parking meters located throughout the five boroughs. Officials are considering a lease/ownership deal with a private firm that would assume maintenance of the meters that generate approximately $150 million a year for city […]
At Budget Hearings, Marshall Believes Queens ‘Shortchanged’
Borough President Helen Marshall said she understands that during these difficult fiscal times cutbacks are necessary, in her borough as well as elsewhere. But, she said at the annual public hearing concerning capital and expense budgets held at Borough Hall February 23, she also believes Queens is being shortchanged. Some 60 speakers, representing 14 community boards and nearly every college […]
Suspect Captured In Amsterdam
Peter Belegrinos, who viciously punched a nine-year-old girl in the face and sexually molested her on Shore Boulevard near Astoria Park, was apprehended in the Netherlands more than five years after his initial arrest. “After five years on the loose, our community can finally rest assured that this predator is behind bars. This monster should never have been given the […]
112th Precinct Seeks Robbery Suspects
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance with the identity and whereabouts of the following three individuals wanted in connection with a commercial robbery in the 112th Police Precinct. On Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 at approximately 8:25 p.m., two male Hispanics and one male black entered 101-22 Queens Blvd., at which time the black suspect displayed a knife while one […]
Suspect In Child Abuse Case Fights Extradition
The 29-year-old Astoria man who was on the run for six years after jumping bail for kidnapping and child sexual abuse charges, last week told an examining judge in the Netherlands that he won’t return to Queens without a fight. Peter Belegrinos, whose last known Queens address was 20-64 24th St. in Astoria, was arrested on February 21 at Amsterdam’s […]
Queens Library Executive FY 2012 Budget Testimony
This testimony was given by Thomas W. Galante, chief executive officer, Queens Library, before the Queens Borough Board on the Fiscal Year 2012 Proposed Executive Budget. Good morning. I am Tom Galante, chief executive officer of the Queens Library. I want to begin by thanking Borough President Helen Marshall and the Queens Borough Board for this opportunity to testify today and […]
Borough-Wide Blotter
104th Precinct Bogus Check Writer Busted Cops arrested a 26-year-old Ridgewood man on February 26, after he stole and forged two checks and deposited them in his own bank account. Police said, between January 25 and February 5, George Zelaya took a check from the mailbox of a co-worker. He erased the name on the check and inserted his own […]
Students At Holy Cross Crusade Against Cancer
On February 11, the halls and classrooms of Holy Cross H.S. were awash in a sea of pink tee shirts. For the third year in a row, students participated in the program, Knights for a Cure, an effort to raise money for foundations dedicated to education and research concerning the causes, treatment and cure for breast cancer. To participate in […]
Cop, Fire Unions Burning Mad Over Proposed Cuts
Police and fire union officials and elected officials are blasting Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 2012 executive budget proposal that calls for some half-billion dollars in cuts to the NYPD budget and $200 million in the FDNY budget, along with the closings of 20 unidentified fire companies. Union leaders are fuming over Bloomberg’s proposal to eliminate the city Variable Supplement Fund (VSF) […]