Queens News - Local News

Subscribe in a reader By Jane Sadowsky-Emmerth, RN, Partners in Care, an affiliate of VNSNY Anyone who has a relationship with someone suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s knows that even the simplest tasks in daily life can become true challenges—for both caregivers and the family members themselves.  Something as innocent as making and enjoying a morning cup of coffee or tea can turn into an exhausting and frustrating experience—especially with challenges like COVID-19 causing additional stress. Coping is difficult enough on good days, we don’t need the little joys of life to become a burden too. As a registered nurse and clinical case manager at Partners in Care , a licensed home care agency affiliated with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York , I know there are countless potential obstacles that can make even daily rituals extremely difficult for caregivers. My colleagues and I have come up with some ideas for communicating that we hope will help caregivers maintai...

Social Distancing Paused for Celebration Two women recreate the famous photo from 1945 as they share a kiss in Times Square after Joe Biden was elected President on Saturday, November 7, 2020.--Photo by David Greene Subscribe in a reader By David Greene, November 8, 2020 To New Yorkers who celebrated in Times Square on Saturday, Joe Biden's presumed victory over President Donald J. Trump was like New Year's Eve, Super Bowl Sunday and Fourth of July rolled up into one. Several thousand people take to the streets of Times Square after former Vice President Joe Biden is elected the 46th President of the United States on Saturday, November 8, 2020.--Photo by David Greene Less than an hour before The Associated Press reported that Biden had been declared victorious with a win in Pennsylvania at 11:25 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 7, President Trump Tweeted, "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!" Twitter flagged the message as misleading, warning readers, "Official sources...

Joseph Vitti, Director of the Hospice Veterans Program at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, liaison, salutes a VNSNY Hospice patient and WWII veteran following medals ceremony. Subscribe in a reader By Chandra Wilson, November 9, 2020 One warm summer day, in a New York high-rise apartment, a bedridden World War II veteran receiving care from  Visiting Nurse Service of New York Hospice and Palliative Care  received an unexpected surprise. The veteran, Edward Flanagan, had enlisted in the Navy after his beloved older brother died in combat and went on to see action in the Pacific theater. He later became a successful bank executive and active member of the community in his hometown of New Rochelle, New York—but like most war veterans, he was shadowed by memories, some more painful than others. It also saddened Mr. Flanagan that his Naval medals and discharge papers had gone missing. VNSNY Hospice Veterans Program Director Joseph Vitti was at his bedside with duplic...

Bandits Stole Gucci, Chanel, Prada Clothing by the Tractor Trailer Full   $6 million worth of designer merchandise Subscribe in a reader Law enforcement broke up a high-end fashion theft ring out of JFK Airport which stole a tractor trailer full of Gucci, Chanel, Prada clothing. Sample of the high-end fashion clothing recovered including Gucci, Chanel and Prada. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that six individuals involved in two cargo heists and selling the proceeds have been indicted and variously charged with grand larceny, conspiracy, criminal possession of stolen property and other crimes for allegedly carrying out complex heists from John F. Kennedy International Airport earlier this year.  Using insider information, the defendants allegedly hauled tractor trailers loaded with more than $6 million worth of designer merchandise, including Chanel handbags and jewelry, Gucci purses, sunglasses, sneakers and clothing, along with Prada bags, ready-to-wear a...

File photo Subscribe in a reader The Health Department released early flu vaccination data for this year’s influenza season, showing substantial increases compared to the same time last year.  From July 1 – October 24, 2020, there was a 37% increase in the number of adults aged 19 and older who have received the vaccine compared to the same time last year (an increase of 189,017 adults [517,676 last season to 706,693 this season]), and a 27% increase for children 6 months to 18 years old (an increase of 105,881 children [397,626 last season to 503,507 this season]). In total, over 1,210,000 New Yorkers have received this year’s flu vaccine based on doses entered into the Citywide Immunization Registry. However, since adults are not required to be reported to the Registry like children are, likely more doses have been given than captured.  The City aims to have a historic flu campaign this season, with more New Yorkers getting vaccinated than ever before. All New Yorkers ...

Caught on Camera- Off-Duty Cop Stops Homeless Gunman Subscribe in a reader By Dan Gesslein, October 28, 2020 A homeless man who shot and killed a deli employee was stopped from hurting anyone else when an off-duty police officer tackled the gunman. The officers is being praised by the Police Commissioner for his heroics and the gunman has been charged with murder.   Surveillance video captured the moment Off-Duty Police Officer Jason Maharaj tackled a gunman inside a Queens deli. At around 6:15 pm on October 26, Steven Cohen, 63, got into an arguement with an employee inside Cross Bay Express Deli, at 137-02 Cross Bay Boulevard. Cohen, who is said to have been living inside a car parked in front of the deli, had been thrown out of the store for his behavior.  However, he returned a short time later with a Colt revolver and opened fire. One of the multiple shots fired struck and killed Tarwala Mahmadkhurshid who worked at the deli. Prosecutors say that after hitting Mahmad...

The NYPD released video of a pregnant woman being dumped on the side of a highway. Caught on Camera- Pregnant Woman Left to Die on Side of the Road Subscribe in a reader A Long Island man has been charged with strangling his pregnant girlfriend and dumping her body on the side of the road before driving off. The shocking crime was caught on traffic cam video which led to the man’s arrest.  Police arrested Goey Charles in connection with the death of his girlfriend. Goey Charles, 29, has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, whose body was found Friday morning alongside the Horace Harding Expressway.  “This is a heartbreaking case. A pregnant woman was allegedly killed by this defendant – the father of her unborn child. Her family is devastated,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “The defendant is in custody and will answer for his alleged actions.”  The callous act of dumping the dying pregnant woman on the side of the highway was s...