A Queens computer teacher arrested earlier this year for molesting two students was charged last week with fondling three other students, police said. Wilbert Cortez, 49, is accused of touching five boys between 2007 and 2011 on multiple occasions at P.S. 174 in Rego Park, police said. Cortez, who was reassigned out of the classroom following his February 16 arrest, […]
McCauley, Woodhaven Business Owner, Dies
Woodhaven resident and business owner, Rita McCauley passed away Wednesday, May 30. The wake took place at Walker Funeral Home in Woodhaven. The funeral mass was held on Monday, June 4 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Woodhaven. She is survived by her sons Eugene and Brian.
Van Bramer Leads Rally At City Hall For Queens Library
Hundreds of library supporters led by Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee Chair Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, other members of the City Council, representatives of Queens Library Guild Local 1321 and members of the community rallied on the steps of City Hall to restore proposed budget cuts to Queens Library today. If not restored, the proposed cut of 31 percent would […]
Banner Day Returns
Organized by the New York Mets management to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise, Banner Day made a return before the May 27 game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Mets legends Dwight Gooden, Rusty Staub, Howie Rose and Evan Roberts served as judges for the hundreds of banners that were walked around the track of […]
Congratulations To The QCC Class of 2012
Marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another, hundreds of graduates gathered for Queensborough Community College’s 51st annual Commencement ceremony. Adorned in caps and gowns under a brilliant blue sky, the Class of 2012 celebrated its graduation on June 1. Keynote speaker Dr. John King, New York State Education Commissioner, praised the graduates for their perseverance and […]
Elected Officials, Community Rally To Save Fire Companies
Councilmember Elizabeth S. Crowley, along with state Senator Joe Addabbo Jr., Assemblymembers Mike Miller and Rory Lancman, Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy, Uniformed Fire Officers Association board members, community leaders, residents of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven and students from P.S. 273, rallied to oppose Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed cut to 20 fire companies throughout New York City. “For the […]
Dromm, Wills, Ulrich Rally to Protect Immigrant Services
Councilmembers Daniel Dromm, Ruben Wills and Eric Ulrich were joined by community leaders and other advocates at a press conference on May 29 to urge the city to protect Immigrant Opportunities Initiative (IOI) and adult literacy funding which provides essential services to immigrant New Yorkers. “The people that have the least are the ones affected the most in difficult economic […]
Goldfeder Removed Graffiti From Addabbo Bridge
In response to his April 24 letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office, Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) announced that the New York City Graffiti Removal Unit removed the graffiti on the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge. “While enjoying some time touring Jamaica Bay, I noticed the graffiti on the side of the bridge and immediately sent a letter to the mayor’s […]
Vallone Honors Cop Of The Year
The 114th Precinct Community Council’s annual Fellowship Breakfast was held on May 30 at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 21-01 24th Ave., Astoria. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was joined by Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., Commanding Officer of the 114th Precinct Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi and Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens North Executive Staff Assistant Chief Diana L. Pizzuti. During […]
Queens Celebrates At Pride Parade
On June 3, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas marched in the 20th Annual Queens Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade in Jackson Heights. Simotas joined Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer, Daniel Dromm and Julissa Ferreras, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, community leaders, and performers on the parade route down 37th Avenue. The parade and the multicultural festival that followed it kicked off […]