Feb. 3, 2024 By the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society
In 1968, the city of New York was gripped by the disappearance of a little girl from Woodhaven. Those emotions turned to horror when the little girl’s body was discovered in a neighbor’s attic and the killer was revealed to be a 16-year-old boy.
Oct. 24, 2023 By Anthony Medina Numerous flower bouquets and candles were placed at the street post at the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue where many remembered seeing school crossing guard Krystyna Naprawa on the job. The 63-year-old school crossing guard died on Friday, Oct. 20, when a dump truck driver who was making a right-hand turn from Woodhaven Boulevard and onto Atlantic Avenue struck Naprawa. On Monday, Oct. 23, four days after her death, members of the Woodhaven and Ozone Park communities joined elected officials, friends and family members for a candlelight vigil in memory of Naprawa…
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Sep. 22, 2023 By Bill Parry Just days after the city marked the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the World Trade Center, the City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 415, calling on Congress and the Biden administration to sign the September 11 Day of Remembrance Act. The act will officially designate the date as a federal holiday and give Americans a day off from work and school to more fully contemplate the impact the tragic event had on the history on the city and nation. Councilwoman Joann Ariola was inspired to sponsor the resolution by Belle…
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Aug. 23, 2023 By John Schilling Hundreds of firefighters, elected officials, neighbors, friends and family gathered at Beach 129th Street and Newport Avenue in the Belle Harbor section of the Rockaways on Wednesday, Aug. 23, for a street co-naming ceremony to honor the life and legacy of the late FDNY Firefighter Timothy Klein. Klein, a…
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Aug. 15, 2023 By Bill Parry While it remains difficult to pinpoint the exact number of illegal smoke shops and unlicensed cannabis dispensaries that have proliferated across Queens, it is estimated that more than 8,000 are operating citywide. On Monday a new law was enacted that gives the authorities the power to fine landlords for…
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Aug. 9, 2023 By John Schilling During last week’s National Night Out festivities, the 100th Precinct of Rockaway Beach honored South Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola with the NYPD Civilian Commendation Award for her efforts to improve the area’s “public safety, quality of life and police-community relations.” Ariola, who first took office in early 2022, represents…
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Jul. 20, 2023 By John Schilling The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) invited local leaders and residents of Old Howard Beach for a walkthrough of the construction site on the corner of 99th Street and 165th Avenue near Frank M. Charles Memorial Park on Wednesday, July 19. A part of the Raised Shorelines…
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Jun. 12, 2023 By Gabriele Holtermann Elected officials, community leaders and residents on June 11 joined City Councilwoman Joann Ariola for a street co-naming ceremony at Beach 116th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard in memory of Lew Simon. The fierce Rockaway advocate and Democratic district leader for the 23rd Assembly District died on Nov. 7,…
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May. 9, 2023 By Bill Parry A Howard Beach street corner was co-named in honor of Valentina Marie Allen, a 2-year-old girl from the neighborhood who captured the heart of the community before she tragically died from hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 2015. Councilwoman Joann Ariola hosted the official co-naming ceremony on Saturday, May 6,…
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Apr. 24, 2023 By Bill Parry With the temperature rising, Councilwoman Joann Ariola and the NYPD have a clear message to riders on illegal ATVs, motorbikes and other vehicles: steer clear of the Rockaways this spring and summer or lose your ride. Last July, the invasion of marauding bikers got so bad on the peninsula…
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