CRASH AND CUFFS
A New Jersey man was recently arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide seven months after vehicle passenger Maryluz Catano, 30, was killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Cops Cuff Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver Responsible for Passenger’s Death in February Crash
By Michael V. Cusenza
The long arm of the law finally caught up with Tykee Stokes last week when the Orange, N.J. man was arrested and charged in the death of a passenger in a car that was struck by a hit-and-run driver in February at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard.
According to the City Police Department, on Feb. 19, at approximately 1:15 a.m., cops responded to a motor vehicle collision in Woodhaven. Further investigation by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad determined that a 2013 Volkswagen (vehicle No. 1), operated by a 44-year-old man, was traveling westbound on Jamaica Avenue crossing over to Woodhaven Boulevard when it was struck by a 2011 Jeep
(vehicle No. 2), operated by a 31-year-old male, that was traveling southbound on Woodhaven Boulevard. e front passenger of the Volkswagen, Maryluz Catano, 30, a fellow resident of the Garden State, su ered head trauma and was rushed by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries on March 4. e rear passenger of that vehicle, a 34-year-old female, was removed by EMS
to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with minor injuries.
Cops booked Stokes, now 32, last Wednesday and charged him with criminally negligent homicide, tra c device violation: red light, and speed violation: imprudent speed.
e investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad.
Addabbo Introduces Bill to Enhance SchoolAdmission Process for Siblings
By Forum Sta
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) on Monday announced the introduction of Bill S9912, which is aimed at providing preference for school admissions to students who have siblings already enrolled in the same public elementary or middle school. This bill is
particularly important for families living in cities with populations of one million people or more.
e goal of the bill is to make school admissions fairer and to help families who struggle with the challenges of having children in di erent schools.
Addabbo said he introduced the bill and intends to work on advancing it during the
2025 legislative session, in response to constituents who contacted him complaining that their child was being placed on a City Department of Education waitlist for a speci c school, while currently having a sibling a ending that same school.
“At times, the public school admissions process places parents in a practically impossible situation – get their children to and
pick them up from two different schools at the same time,” added Addabbo, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “The unnecessary stress on the parent can be avoided with rational thought and common sense. By giving preference to siblings in school applications, we are supporting our families and building a stronger community in our schools.”
Courtesy of RecentBooking.com Stokes was charged last week. He remains in custody.
Photo Courtesy of Google Catano eventually succumbed to her injuries on March 4 at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
Photo Courtesy of Google
e goal of the bill is to make school admissions fairer and to help families who struggle with the challenges of having children in di erent schools.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
“The unnecessary stress on the parent can be avoided with rational thought and common sense,” Sen. Addabbo said.
Governor Signs Public Utility Rate-Change Laws
By Forum Sta
Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed legislation to increase transparency and accountability in the public utility rate-setting process.
“Today, we are taking bold steps to ensure New Yorkers have greater transparency into the utility rate changes that impact their daily lives,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers deserve to know why there is an increase in rates and how the revenue will be spent. These laws represent a new chapter of a fair, open and trustworthy utility system for New Yorkers.”
Legislation S.9188/A.9827 requires the Public Service Commission to publish certain information prior to a major rate change by a public gas or electric utility, including an explanation of why the rate change is requested and a summary of how the proposed revenue will be spent. The legislation will provide public education about
the rate process with minimal additional cost, allowing for expanded transparency and accessibility.
“Consumers have for far too long been left in the dark when it comes to utility rate increases, with providers offering little explanation or accountability. With the cost of energy delivery and development constantly rising, these bills will bring greater transparency, protections from unjustified rate hikes, and add a financial deterrent to would-be bad actors,” State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said.
Legislation S.6710/A.3746 establishes civil penalties for making false material statements to the Public Service Commission in relation to a rate proceeding. The penalty will be up to $250,000 for any utility corporation and its officers, agents or employees that knowingly make a false material statement, representation or certification to the Public Service Commission in any rate proceeding.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Beyond My Ken
new laws will provide public education about the rate process with minimal additional cost, allowing for expanded transparency and accessibility.
Photo Courtesy of Gov. Hochul
“Consumers have for far too long been le in the dark when it comes to utility rate increases, with providers o ering li le explanation or accountability,” Sen. Comrie said.
Pols to Host Paper Shredding and Household Good Collection Event
Another
By Forum Sta
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) are hosting a special event aimed at assisting constituents in declu ering their lives while responsibly disposing of personal documents and donating usable household items to support veterans.
e event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Forest Park Bandshell Parking Lot in Woodhaven. A endees will have the opportunity to securely shred old papers and documents. Additionally, the United Veterans War Council will be present to collect donations for veterans, including clothing, toys for children, shoes, household goods, books, and smaller furniture items.
Please note that items such as cardboard, newspapers, le folders, and any metals or plastics cannot be shredded at this event. To ensure everyone has a chance to participate, there is a limit of three copy boxes per person for shredding.
“It’s crucial to ensure that documents containing sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers and ac-
count details, are properly shredded and recycled,” Addabbo said. “ is event also provides a wonderful chance to aid our veterans. Clear out your home of excess items and donate gently used clothing and furniture to those who have served our country.”
For more information about this event, contact Addabbo’s o ce at (718) 7381111.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
constituent watches his paper being shredded.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Constituent at a recent event empties paper to be shredded into container.
City Launches New Ghost Car Task Force
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
HEALTHY HEARTS START AT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY
By Forum Sta
Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a new interagency task force that will help remove illegal “ghost cars” — cars that are virtually untraceable by traffic cameras and toll readers because of their forged or altered license plates — from parking spaces on city streets.
The task force, which features 15 uniformed members of service of the City Police Department assigned strictly to parked ghost car removal under the direction of the City Department of Sanitation, began regular operations on Sept. 10, and over the first five nights of operations alone removed 295 ghost cars, freeing up space for New Yorkers who follow safety and regulatory requirements.
“The era of the free ride is over,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.
Current city and state enforcement efforts against ghost cars — which have been used in everything from hit-andrun collisions to robberies and shootings — focus on enforcing against these automobiles while in motion, on the streets, or at toll plazas. This new task force will apply interagency best practices to the rest of the day, when these unregistered, uninsured, or stolen vehicles are parked. This mirrors a prior interagency collaboration between the NYPD and DSNY on a related issue — removing abandoned and derelict vehicles from streets. In the first year of that effort, the Abandoned Vehicle Task Force — structured similarly, with NYPD officers detailed to DSNY — the number of vehicles removed from city streets by DSNY more than doubled.
The vehicles seized by this task force will be held at NYPD lots where they will be processed and either claimed, auctioned, or destroyed after all investigations are complete.
“Red light and speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe. Drivers that use forged, obstructed, or altered plates to cheat the system put all of us at risk,” said City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Getting ghost cars off our streets improves the lives of hard-working New Yorkers who follow the rules. We thank Mayor Adams, DSNY, NYPD, and our sister agencies for all their work to get these vehicles off the roads.”
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) added, “Today, we are going full throttle to rid our city of the pervasive ‘ghost cars.’ There have been over 20,000 complaints of phony paper plates since their advent during the pandemic. Drivers of these untraceable cars are using these plates to commit crimes, cover up stolen vehicles, evade their fair share of tolls, and violate traffic laws with impunity. Presumably none of them are carrying insurance, spelling disaster if they are in an accident. This partnership between the NYPD and DSNY, with 15 law enforcement officers devoted exclusively to ghost car removal, will accelerate enforcement to get these dangerous cars off our streets. We have already made incredible progress, removing 295 ghost cars in five days. I am working at the state level to give the city even more enforcement tools, including empowering law enforcement to use VINs to issue summonses when there is a phony plate. Together, we will be the exorcist that banishes the ghost cars haunting New York City.”
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health problem in the United States. It is the cause of 1 in every 3 deaths in this country. ere are more than 2 million strokes and heart a acks each year. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) are the leading health risk factors for CVD. ese conditions a ect more than 80 million Americans each year. Along with the enormous loss of life comes the enormous nancial burden caused by CVD. Because of the economic downturn caused by heart disease, Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers have really stepped up to the plate to ensure that health care teams manage disease collectively and e ectively. e role of the pharmacist here is clear: to ensure that heart disease patients adhere to their medication regimens, thereby preventing rehospitalizations. Heart medications include many types of drugs, including lipidlowering drugs like statins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors, blood pressure medications like beta blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors, and thyroid medications like levothyroxine. ese are just a few of the many medications a heart patient may encounter. With new drugs coming out all the time, doctors are realizing the value of
pharmacists’ drug expertise—an important part of saving patients’ lives. Your local pharmacy is a real place to learn about your medications. Not only what they do for your conditions and whether you always have an adequate supply, but also whether you are taking the right drug at the right dosage. Another component your pharmacist monitors is the possibility of any potential drug interactions between your speci c medications. e role of a pharmacist as a member of your heart health team is recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), which recommend a team approach that includes pharmacists to the treatment of hypertension. Community pharmacists make a huge di erence by providing services such as blood pressure measurements, as well as counseling patients on many lifestyle issues such as diet and exercise. You can come to us with any di culty you are facing, even when trying to quit smoking. e bo om line is that your pharmacist is in an ideal position to help manage your blood pressure and cholesterol medication therapy. Talk to us and take advantage of the opportunity to heal your heart!
Richmond Hill Restaurant Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography O ce e vehicles seized by the task force will be held at NYPD lots where they will be processed and either claimed, auctioned, or destroyed a er all investigations are complete.
Banks to Retire, Adams Announces Appointment of Aviles-Ramos as Next Schools Chancellor
By Michael V. Cusenza
Schools Chancellor David Banks announced on Wednesday that he would be retiring e ective Dec. 31, 2024.
“A er nearly 40 years of dedicated service to New York City's public schools, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this year. I want to thank Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve as chancellor, and I am immensely proud of the progress we’ve made together — ensuring every child can read, expanding special education and gi ed & talented programs, and creating innovative pathways for our students to secure rewarding careers and
long-term success. Additionally, I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of families who entrust us with their children and the 140,000 employees who show up every day for our students — you make our public schools possible. I grew up in our public schools and spent most of my adult life serving the students and families of our city, and I have every con dence that the work we’ve started will continue to thrive and bene t generations to come.”
Mayor Eric Adams said that he was “immensely grateful and proud of the work accomplished in New York City Public Schools under Chancellor David Banks. In less than three years, our city’s public schools have transformed — from en-
suring schools were safe and open coming out of the pandemic to a space that has increased our students’ reading scores, math scores, and graduation rates. We’ve implemented critical initiatives like ‘NYC Reads,’ ‘NYC Solves,’ and universal dyslexia screenings, while also ensuring a seamless and timely coordination with partners to welcome, enroll, and support thousands of newly-arriving students and their families on a citywide scale. We’ve done all this and more on behalf of nearly 1 million public school students, and Chancellor Banks was crucial to ge ing that done every day. On behalf of all New Yorkers, we thank Chancellor Banks for his service, and wish him well in his retirement at the end of the calendar year.”
Additionally, on Wednesday, Adams announced the appointment of Melissa Aviles-Ramos as the next City Schools chancellor. Aviles-Ramos is the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in New York City Public Schools, and currently serves as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external a airs. She joined the City Department of Education in 2007 as an English teacher, and then went on to serve as an assistant principal, principal (where she brought up graduation rates by 60 percent in just two years), deputy superintendent, acting superintendent, and education administrator. Her e orts have included creating advisory councils, launching community-based projects, and spearheading initiatives that address critical issues a ecting students and their families, according to the Adams administration.
“Becoming the chancellor for nation’s largest school district is the ultimate job for a lifelong educator,” said incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “As a former teacher and a mom of a public-school student, I believe strongly in our work and in maintaining stability through this transition. Under my leadership, we will continue to strengthen our supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, improve our city’s literacy and math pro ciency rates, help our older students forge pathways to a bright future, and keep our schools safe.”
Flushing Woman Convicted in Stabbing Death of Immigration Lawyer
By Forum Sta
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Xiaoning Zhang, 27, has been convicted of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges for the killing of her immigration lawyer, Jim Li, who had dropped her as a client shortly before the incident. The victim was renowned for his legal work and was an activist during the Tiananmen Square uprising in China in 1989.
Zhang, of Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, was found guilty today of murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, menacing in the third degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and harassment in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth C. Holder, who presided at trial, scheduled sentencing for Oct. 2, at which time Zhang faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Trial openings began on Sept. 9, and closings occurred on Sept. 19. The jury deliberated for one day.
According to the trial records, on March 11, 2022, police were called to the law o ce of Mr. Jim Li in Flushing regarding a disturbance. Zhang was insistent that Li, who was handling her asylum request pro bono, also work to have a photo of the defendant at a United Nations protest removed from the internet. Li told her he could not do that, which enraged the defendant. Zhang then admi ed
to Li that she had lied on her asylum application about being raped by Beijing police in China. Li then told Zhang he would no longer represent her in the immigration ma er.
The defendant was asked to leave, but Zhang refused,
according to trial testimony, and instead reacted by grabbing Li by the neck and choking him. Responding police escorted the defendant out of the building and reiterated that she was not to return.
Three days later, on March 14, 2022, according to trial records, the defendant went back to Li’s law office in Flushing. The defendant was armed with a paring knife and a larger kitchen knife. She confronted the victim again and this time repeatedly stabbed the victim in the chest and neck. A member of Li’s staff held Zhang until police arrived and placed the defendant under arrest.
The 66-year-old man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
“Jim Li was a renowned immigration attorney in Flushing and hero for his actions in Tiananmen Square. After meeting with Xiaoning Zhang, he agreed to represent her pro bono in her immigration matters. When the defendant’s demands and lies about her circumstances became apparent, Li told Zhang he could no longer represent her,” Katz said. “The defendant, filled with anger and animus, went to Li’s law practice several days later armed with two knives and repeatedly stabbed him. A jury weighed the trial evidence, and after careful consideration, found this defendant guilty of this senseless murder. We extend our condolences to Mr. Li’s many family members and friends, both in the legal community and around the world.”
Photo Courtesy of Jim Li and Associates
Victim Jim Li
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography O ce
Chancellor Banks announced that he would retire at the end of the year.
Sanitation Worker Killed in the Line of Duty
By Michael V. Cusenza
A City Sanitation worker was killed on Saturday in Little Neck when he was thrown from the cab of a DSNY truck he was driving, causing him to be run over by the wheels of that truck.
According to the City Police Department, on Saturday around 5:45 p.m. cops responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision within the vicinity of the Q11 and Q13 Garage on Douglaston Parkway. Upon arrival, police observed a Richard Errico, 54, uncon-
scious and unresponsive, lying on the ground with trauma to the head and body. Errico was pronounced dead on scene by EMS.
Further investigation by the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad determined that Errico was operating a 2018 Mack Heil City Department of Sanitation Truck and was making a U-turn from northbound to southbound Douglaston Parkway. Midway through the turn with the wheel fully deflected to the left, the operator did fall out of the cab of the vehicle and
was subsequently run over by the front and rear wheels of the vehicle.
There are no arrests at this time and the investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad.
“Our thoughts tonight are with Richard’s family, friends, coworkers, and everyone who knew and loved him,”
Mayor Eric Adams said. “I met with Richard’s family tonight and shared how deeply sorry I was for their loss. Richard kept our streets and communities safe and clean for more than 19 years, and
we should all be keeping Richard and his family in our prayers. He, like 8,000 uniformed sanitation workers, went to work every day to make a difference in their communities. New York’s Strongest work tirelessly every day in incredibly difficult and physically taxing jobs. Too often, we don’t stop to thank them for all they do to make our city a better place for us all to live. Next time we see one of our trucks pass by or a sanitation worker keeping our neighborhood clean — let’s all give them the thanks and recognition they deserve.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
e accident occurred in the vicinity of the Q11 and Q13 Garage on Douglaston Parkway.
Photo Courtesy of YouTube.com/FormerWMDriver
employee was killed when he fell out of the cab of the DSNY truck and was run over by its ont and rear wheels.
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Richards to Host Second Annual Queens Climate Expo
By Michael V. Cusenza
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. on Friday announced he will hold his second annual Queens Climate Expo on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the New York Hall of Science in Corona.
One of many climate-related events hosted across the city during Climate Week NYC, the expo will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and feature a number of interactive family-friendly activities, such as a home hydroponics workshop, while representatives from numerous environmental advocacy organizations will be on hand to connect directly with a endees about the resources they o er.
At the expo, NYSCI will also unveil its new hydroponics systems and interactive displays detailing what hydroponic labs are and the bene ts of building your own at home, established in partnership with New York Sun Works and the Queens Borough President’s O ce. is partnership fosters scienti c inquiry, promotes sustainable practices and aims to inspire a new generation of agricultural innovators.
e event will feature remarks from Borough President Richards, as well as the leadership of NYSCI and New York Sun Works. Additionally, admission to NYSCI will be free on Saturday, Sept. 28 a er 4 p.m.
many leaders in our community,” Borough President Richards said.
e expo serves as the culmination of NYSCI’s weeklong Stemocracy Festival and represents the continuation of Borough President Richards’ staunch commitment to both correcting longstanding environmental inequities and ensuring Queens is a global leader in the ght against climate change.
e Borough President hosted his inaugural Queens Climate Expo in September 2023, just ve months a er Operation
Urban Sustainability — his working group of local environmental justice leaders and resiliency advocates that he established the prior year — released its inaugural climate report, a 25-page blueprint to guide the Borough President Richards’ sustainability and resiliency e orts.
For example, the report indicated that, of the 59 community boards in NYC, CB 10 had the third-most tra c fatalities and are among the districts with the least
amount of air pollution. Community Board 9 had the fewest tra c injuries while being among the most ooded districts in the city.
e group released its second report in April 2024, detailing the work ahead in areas such as urban agriculture, composting, energy-e cient development, environmental justice, education, nature preservation, ood prevention and transportation.
Borough President Richards has also allocated more than $5 million across 24 di erent schools for the creation of hydroponics labs — including more than $2.7 million across nearly a dozen schools in Fiscal Year 2025 alone — and $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 to fund the planting of dozens of trees across neighborhoods that historically su ered from severe heat-zone e ects.
“Queens has made an incredible amount of progress in recent years when it comes to clean energy and climate resiliency, thanks to the work of so many leaders in our community,” Richards said. “Join us at our annual Queens Climate Expo as we highlight that work and commit ourselves to the e orts ahead in order to position our borough as a true global leader in the ght against climate change.”
Members of the public who wish to attend the annual Queens Climate Expo are asked to RSVP at queensbp.nyc.gov/rsvp.
City Places Coastal Communities under Travel Advisory
By Forum Sta
Anticipating coastal ooding, the City Emergency Management Department on ursday placed parts of all ve boroughs under a Travel Advisory from ursday Sept. 19 through Monday, Sept. 23, to elevate their readiness levels.
e City said that o shore winds in combination with a full moon would result in higherthan-normal water levels near and along the coast during several high tide cycles through Monday. Minor ooding was expected ursday night, with minor to locally moderate ooding likely Friday and Saturday. Additional rounds of minor coastal ooding would be possible Sunday and Monday, NYCEM noted.
In Watch and Warning areas, ood levels may rise to as high as 2 feet above normally dry ground. In Advisory areas, about 1 foot of ooding was expected. Flood may be widespread across low-lying areas near the shore. is included roads, parking lots, parks, and waterfront homes or businesses with basements. Numerous road closures were expected, and vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront are at high risk of ooding. Flooding was also expected to extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays. New Yorkers with vehicles in these areas are strongly urged to move them further inland to prevent damage.
On ursday night, Coastal Flood Advisories were in e ect for Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Southern Queens, with about 1 foot of ooding expected in normally dry areas. For Friday mid-day, Coastal Flood Warnings were in e ect for South Queens and the Bronx,
while advisories were in e ect Brooklyn, Manha an, North Queens, and Staten Island.
But seemingly the expected deluge turned out to be a whimper.
Regardless, whenever a travel advisory is in e ect, NYCEM recommends the following preparedness actions for New Yorkers for those in coastal ood-prone regions and lowlying areas:
• Relocate parked vehicles to higher ground or inland, ensuring they do not obstruct roadways or block emergency access.
• Communication and Information: Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts through various chan-
nels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 di erent languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app in your phone's app store, or dial 311. Keep a ba ery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected.
• Gather Supplies: Every household member should have a Go Bag packed with essential items, such as bo led water, non-perishable food, and basic medical supplies.
• Tidal Awareness and Coastal Barriers: Monitor tide tables and storm surge forecasts. Know when high tides are expected in
your vicinity and be prepared to adjust your plans. Where feasible, deploy sandbags or other deployables suitable for a residence to reduce the risk of tidal water intrusion.
• Watercra and Boat Security: If you own boats or watercra , secure or relocate them immediately. Fluctuating tides can not only carry them away but loose watercra can cause additional damage.
• Storm Drains and Local Warnings: If it's safe to do so, check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runo and lessen the chances of localized ooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves.
Photo Courtesy of BP Richards
“Queens has made an incredible amount of progress in recent years when it comes to clean energy and climate resiliency, thanks to the work of so
ACS, Public Schools Launch New Early Support Programs
By Forum Sta
e City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser and City Schools Chancellor David Banks on Monday announced the launch of new school-based early support prevention services programs that have established partnerships with schools.
According to the City, e school-based early support programs aim to address stressors (economic, academic or behavioral) that may impact a child’s well-being, help meet families’ concrete needs and help strengthen social connections and engagement within the school community, all to help families remain strong. Families can be referred to school-based early support programs by school personnel or communitybased service providers or seek services on their own.
School sta are among the largest reporter groups, accounting for about one in ve intakes to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). e new school-based early support programs are just one way in which ACS is working to help families sooner and prevent unnecessary reports to the SCR. Recently, ACS and NYC Public Schools revised their annual training to help school sta understand the impact of making a report to the SCR, the need to focus on objective facts and be aware of implicit bias when deciding whether to make a re-
port, and how to access the many resources available to families city without making a report.
e school-based early programs will serve approximately 1,280 families each year at elementary and middle schools in the following school districts: Queens (24, 27, 29, 30); Bronx (7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12); Brooklyn (15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 23, 32); Manha an (1,4,5); and Staten Island (31).
e 11 provider agencies awarded contracts include:
• CAMBA
• Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
• Coalition for Hispanic Family Services
• Good Shepherd Services
• Graham-Windham
• I’ ISE Girls & Boys International Corporation
• SCAN-Harbor
• e Child Center of NY
• e Reggio Emilia Montessori Center, LLC
• United Activities Unlimited
• YMCA of Greater New York
As part of their contracts, the 11 provider agencies o ering these 16 programs have identi ed at least three partner elementary and/or middle schools in their districts and must maintain a presence in each school. Providers are also required to collaboratively co-design at least four school-based o erings per year based on the needs and priorities of the school community. ese may include school outreach e orts, youth development activities, peer support groups, cultural celebrations and other types of events that may connect families to other community resources.
“When families need help, we want to make sure they can turn to a place they trust for support that is helpful to them. To this end, the new school-based early support programs are designed to provide an array of exible supports to families and will be delivered by trusted organizations in their communities. is menu of services includes: funding for concrete support for families, caregiver support group o erings, case management and a range of school based o erings co-designed by school personnel, families and programming sta . is announcement also further our e orts with NYC Public Schools to help reduce the number of unnecessary investigations experienced by Black and Hispanic/Latinx families by be er connecting families to supports and services well before concerns warrant a call to the state’s child abuse hotline,” said Commissioner Jess Dannhauser.
Online Passport Renewal System becomes Permanent
By Forum Sta
A er recently announcing a pilot program to allow travelers to renew their passports online, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) said on Friday that the initiative has become permanent.
Meng announced the pilot program last summer. It provided a limited number of slots for individuals to submit renewal applications, and the application window closed each day once the system reached its daily limit. e new and permanent online system, which aims to enhance how borough residents and other travelers renew their passports, is now fully functional and will be available 24/7 from cell phones, tablets, and computers.
To renew a passport online, travelers from Queens and the rest of New York and the U.S. must meet the following requirements:
1. e passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
2. e State Department issued the passport you are renewing between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application.
3. You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth or place of birth.
4. You are not traveling for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application.
5. You are applying for a regular tourist passport.
6. You live in the United States.
7. You have your passport with you, it is not damaged, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen.
8. You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
9. You can upload a digital passport photo.
10. You are aware that the State Department will cancel the passport you are renewing a er you submit your application.
e number of Americans with valid passports has grown exponentially over the past 30 years. In 1990 just ve percent of Americans had passports. Now, that number has grown to 48 percent.
In 2023, the State Department elded half a million passport applications a week and issued a record 24 million passports. Standard processing times for a passport ranged from 10-13 weeks and expedited requests took about 7-9 weeks. In calling for the passport backlog to be addressed, Meng pushed the State Department to decrease the long wait times, and that included questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the problem during a congressional hearing in May 2023. According to the State Department, standard processing times have since been reduced to 6-8 weeks and expedited processing is down to just 2-3 weeks.
To renew a passport online, travelers can go to h ps:// travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html.
“As a lawmaker who has fought to reduce wait times for passports, I am thrilled that the process for renewals has been modernized and made easier through this new online tool which is now up and running,” said Meng. “This new platform will take advantage of technology to provide another option for those in Queens and across the country who are seeking to renew their passports. The service will be a huge convenience for travelers seeking to plan international vacations, visit loved ones abroad or conduct business around the world. I am excited to see the online system benefit our borough and country, and positively impact travel for many years to come.”
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“[T]he new school-based early support programs are designed to provide an array of exible supports to families and will be delivered by trusted organizations in their communities,” ACS Commissioner Dannhauser said.
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According to the State Department, standard processing times have since been reduced to 6-8 weeks and expedited processing is down to just 2-3 weeks.
GARAGE/ YARD SALE
DESHPREMIK. US LLC Filed 9/5/2024. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: JB MEMITONE, 21 CLARK AVE. MELVILLE, NY, 11746.USA Purpose: General.
PTOR STUDIOS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 02/22/24. Ofce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to MENGXI ZHOU, 13105 40TH RD, APT PH3N, FLUSHING, NY, 11354,USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
MARVEL CLEANING NYC LLC Filed 9/5/2024. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: ANDREA MARTINEZ, 2315 121ST. STREET, 2F, COLLEGE POINT, NY, 11356, USA. Purpose: General.
SWEET LUXE OASIS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/21/24. Ofce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
JIWOO PARK ARCHITECTURE PLLC Filed 9/5/2024. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: e PLLC, 3215 35th Street, #E2, Astoria, NY, 11106, USA. Purpose: General.
RI TA S LLC. Filed 5/10/2024. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: F NCES MOSLEY, 107-33 118TH ST. QUEENS, NY 11418. Purpose: General.
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plainti , vs. KEYA ROYSTER AS ADMINIST TRIX AND HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PAMELA JAMES, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second oor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 6932 Burchell Avenue, Arverne, NY 11692. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Arverne, in the Fi h Ward of the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 16048 and Lot 45. Approximate amount of judgment is $312,382.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of led Judgment Index #728147/2021. Michael F. Mongelli, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, A orneys for Plainti . Firm File No. 221030-1
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.
NAME: MOM 43RD LLC. Articles of Organization were led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/21/2024, o ce location Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to the LLC, 102-38 43rd Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
JPS HIGHGATE GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/02/24. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of Hillside Story Property LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 8/12/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 15 Francis Terrace, Glen Cove, NY 11542. Purpose: any lawful activity.
MELANYX SKIN LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/01/24. Ofce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
EONLIGHT LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 06/23/24. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to YA XI WANG, 58-40 217TH STREET, BAYSIDE, NY, 113641912,USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
ORDINARY SUNDAY FILMS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/21/24. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Nightcap Creative, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 07/29/2024. Ofce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 5205 Queens B lvd, 6G Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
AD INSPIRE LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 07/15/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 6913 58TH RD, MASPETH, NY,11378,USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Legal Notices
JP&L PRO CLEANING SERVICE
LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/16/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: JANY PEREZ 28-28 43RD STREET, 2ND FLOOR, QUEENS, NY, 11103,USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
WHL HOLDINGS LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/11/2024. Ofce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 42-06A, Bell Blvd, Ste 248, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
ISENCE SOLUTIONS LLC
Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/12/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: B NDON LAM, 139-39 35TH AVE, APT 2D, FLUSHING, NY, 11354,USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
BRILLISKIN LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/24/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 1, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
LOPEZ-RIVE GROUP LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/24/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Rafael Lopez, 126-41 148th Street, Jamaica, NY 11436. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
WYNONA CREATIVE AND EVENTS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 05/30/24. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to BIANCA WYNONA ALEXIS CABALDA PLANAS, 58-12 QUEENS BLVD, SUITE 2 #1024, QUEENS, NY, 11377, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
WAGS&WIGGLES LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/18/24. Ofce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, Plainti AGAINST Michael Guberman, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 7, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second oor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on October 18, 2024 at 10:00AM, premises known as 332 Beach 13th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block: 15614, Lot: 75. Approximate amount of judgment $316,248.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of led Judgment Index #715018/2022. e aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the QUEENS County COVID-19 Protocols located on the O ce of Court Administration (OCA) website (h ps://ww2.nycourts. gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in e ect at the time of this foreclosure sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Nicole Demetra Katsorhis, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-095960F00 82108
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS.
NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, Plainti s -against- 118-80 MONTAUK LLC, et al. Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 15, 2024 and entered on July 24, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., in Courtroom # 25, Jamaica, NY 11435, on Friday, or at such other location in the courthouse that the Court may designate for conducting this foreclosure auction on October 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the westerly side of Montauk Street, distant 732.74 feet southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said westerly side of Montauk Street and the southerly side of Baisley Boulevard; being a plot 76 feet by 156.13 feet by 229.22 feet by 30 feet. Block: 12452 Lot: 79 Said premises known as 118-80 MONTAUK STREET, SAINT ALBANS, NY 11412 Approximate amount of lien $285,733.99, through January 4, 2024, plus interest fees & costs.Premises will be sold subject to provisions of led Judgment and Tems of Sale.Index Number 704668/2020.
JOSEPH F. DEFELICE, ESQ.., Referee Sey farth Shaw LLPA orney(s) for Plainti s 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
