Category Archives: Ridgewood
Police are combating a spike of at least nine burglaries in April within a few blocks of each other in Maspeth. The burst of crimes happened in the area of Maspeth surrounded by the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Long Island Expressway and Queens Boulevard. Eight of the nine were concentrated between 51st and 47th avenues and between 61st and 66th streets. Police say a suspect or group of suspects who knows the area is burgling houses, mostly in the afternoon. Officers … Continue reading
There’s been a “dramatic” spike in drunken driving arrests recently across Middle Village, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Glendale, police from the 104th Precinct reported this week. Precinct commanders say it’s due to proactively pulling drivers over. So far this year, officers in the precinct have arrested 78 motorists for driving under the influence, said Capt. John Travaglia, executive officer of the 104th, who focuses heavily on traffic in the area. Just during the last 28-day period of crime statistics, officers made … Continue reading
Sidewalks throughout Community Board 5 are getting substantial repairs recently as the Department of Transportation sweeps through to rectify problems. Sidewalk violations, tree damage and sidewalk issues in Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth and Middle Village are all getting attention right now, CB 5 District Manager Gary Giordano told the board at its meeting on May 10 at Christ the King Regional High School in Ridgewood. Giordano said most of the repairs are likely sidewalk violations the DOT has issued over the … Continue reading
A man in Ridgewood faces four charges, including first-degree auto stripping, for allegedly running a motorcycle chop shop in the basement of his home. Philip Dietrich, 43, who lives at 60-91 Putnam Ave. in Ridgewood, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Wednesday, May 9. He was charged with first-degree auto stripping, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was held on $1,000 bail and … Continue reading
A livery cab driver who led a Panamanian family of four on a terrifying ride after picking them up at JFK International Airport has been sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation. Bhupinder Singh, 38, of 1708 Himrod Street in Ridgewood pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful imprisonment. Singh’s trouble started on February 21, when he illegally offered arriving passengers at JFK Airport’s International Terminal his services as ground transportation for hire. Port Authority Police Officer Dante Castro-Recio … Continue reading
The 104th Precinct believes it has a handle on the influx of robberies that’s plagued most of the city this year, and 15 newly assigned officers could help curb the trend even more, said the precinct’s commanding officer. So far this year, there have been 95 robberies compared to 68 last year in the precinct, which spans Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale and Ridgewood. However, on May 7, Capt. Michael Cody told attendees of the Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together … Continue reading
Every year for the past five years, Queens fights for its libraries. Council members, the borough president, Queens Library employees— anyone who can read and wants a place to do it—take to the steps of their libraries and city hall. This year is no different, except there’s more on the line. Mayor Michael Bloomberg released his executive budget last week, and in it he proposed a $26.7 million cut to the Queens Library— a 31 percent reduction from last … Continue reading
As another way to drum up support for a possible new transportation option in Queens, one local legislator has turned to the internet to gather signatures. Asssemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) recently launched a petition on his assembly website to get community support for restoring the Rockaway Beach Rail Line, which would stretch 3.5 miles starting from Rego Park and continuing through the Rockaways. The rail, which would come across the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) line, has been inactive since … Continue reading
A toy gun made out of PVC pipe and wires sparked the evacuation of P.S. 68 Cambridge in Ridgewood on Monday morning. At around 9 a.m. students from preschool to fifth grade filed out of the school at 59-09 Saint Felix Ave. “There was a report of what appeared to be a dismantled gun attached to some wires in front of the school building,” Department of Education spokeswoman Marge Feinberg said. Police responded and quickly determined it was a toy … Continue reading
Members of the Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) civic group will send a letter to Community Board 5’s transportation committee asking them to consider resizing or eliminating a bus stop along Stanhope Street in Ridgewood. There are three stops within three blocks along Stanhope next to Cleveland Park, members reported, taking up space where a stop might not be needed. “Something that we’re always looking for in Ridgewood is additional parking,” Michael Hetzer, CBR’s vice president, said. The B38 … Continue reading
As part ofthe controversial turnaround plan, the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) voted eight to four on Thursday, April 26 to close 24 schools across the city, including seven in Queens. The 24 schools will cease to exist in the fall, and a new school will be opened in each building with new leadership, new PTAs and the same students. A committee, including a new principal, Department of Education (DOE) representatives and teachers union representatives will then hire a faculty … Continue reading
Hours before the vote to determine the fate of 26 schools citywide, Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood heard news that it had been pulled from the list of schools scheduled for closure. On Thursday, April 26, a cheer went up from classrooms as the principal announced over the loudspeaker that the school would remain open instead of being put into the controversial turnaround plan. The decision was announced the same day that the Panel for Educational Policy voted … Continue reading
Residents andpublic officials got their chance to speak up on Thursday, April 26 against a New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plan, which would increase water rates 7 percent for the upcoming fiscal year. In one of five meetings it held throughout New York City, the DEP presented its water rate hike plan at Christ the King High School in Middle Village. Carter Strickland, commissioner of DEP, said that the main reason for the hike is to cover … Continue reading
Once again, lien day—the day the city can sell off property liens for delinquent tax and utility payers—is coming up this month. And once again, the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC) is trying to let property owners in and around Ridgewood know that they’re at risk of losing their properties. Every year, the city’s Finance Department publishes a list of properties with unpaid taxes, water, sewer or other charges. After May 17, the city can sell a lien against those … Continue reading
It’s been a decade of flavor for Queens Taste. The annual event lets attendees try a morsel of food from restaurants all around the borough. And this year, the Queens Economic Development Corporation marked the tenth year of the event’s existence at Citi Field. Business owners, community leaders, restaurateurs and foodies got a culinary tour of Queens with dozens of restaurants offering tasting. The event also celebrated the 35th anniversary of the corporation, which awarded StartUP awards to promising business … Continue reading