Author: GreenpointBlog

The MTA announced that portions of the L train will be shut down on weeknights for maintenance, cleaning and repair work.

From April 3 to 7, and again from April 10 to 14, the L line will be suspended in both directions between Lorimer Street and Broadway Junction from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Instead, the L will operate in two sections, between Canarsie and Broadway Junction, and from Lorimer Street to 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The MTA will provide free shuttle buses as alternate transportation between Lorimer Street and Broadway Junction.

MTA officials recommended transferring to the G, M, A and J trains for service as well.

The closures are part of the MTA’s FASTRACK initiative that performs weeknight maintenance work in tunnels, stations and on track. According to the MTA, the train-free time gives workers a “safer work environment” to perform repair tasks.

“FASTRACK has consolidated maintenance forces in a concentrated area for proactive maintenance that helps improve service delivery,” said Wynton Habersham, senior vice president for the Department of Subways.

Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-month-old baby inside Brooklyn Hospital yesterday evening.

Officers were told by hospital staff that Shabsie Tabak, from Williamsburg, was brought into the facility by Hatzolah, a volunteer ambulance service.

Tobak’s 23-year-old mother accompanied the baby to Brooklyn Hospital in Downtown Brooklyn.

The Medical Examiner will determine the toddler’s cause of death, authorities say. NYPD is conducting an ongoing investigation into how Tabak passed away.

Police say a drunk Brooklyn man fell from the fourth floor of an East Williamsburg building to his death on Saturday.

According to authorities, 21-year-old Tyler Wyatt was seen falling from a window in front of 924 Metropolitan Avenue.

When officers arrived, he was found with trauma to his body. Wyatt was taken to Woodhull Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation is still ongoing. The Medical Examine will determine his cause of death.

Wyatt’s listed address is 953 Metropolitan Avenue, just down the street.

Media reports say Wyatt was at a party and was drunk when he fell out of the building window.

His family has been notified of his death.

If you know any high school students interested in criminal justice, please spread the word.

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) are partnering for a summer internship program for high school students who live or attend school in Brooklyn.

Students with an interest in criminal justice or public service are invited to apply for the five-week program.

“We are excited to host this hands-on and interactive internship program offering high school students the chance to work directly with Assistant District Attorneys and gain valuable real world experience,” Gonzalez said. “Participating students will receive an insider’s view of the criminal justice system and the chance to be mentored in a professional workplace setting.”

Selected students will be assigned to specific units within the DA’s office. They will support the work of ADAs and other staff members.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Assisting with legal research and analysis using the Internet, news articles and legal periodicals
• Helping attorneys on pre-trial matters
• Working on case preparation, discovery, file maintenance and organizing court documents
• Participating in trial zone workshops
• Going on judicial, legal and law enforcement-related field trips
• Observing criminal proceedings including trials, guilty pleas and sentencing.

The program is open to qualifying sophomores, juniors and rising seniors who must commit to the entire duration of the program.

The internship will run from July 10 to August 11. Students will come in Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students will also receive a $150 weekly stipend and commuting costs.

Applicants are required to sent their most recent school transcripts, a one-page resume, two letters of recommendation and evaluation forms from either a teacher, coach or mentor.

Applicants must also submit a 300-word typed essay (12-point font and double-spaced) on why you are interested in interning with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and what impact you think it will have on your personal and professional future.

Completed documents should be emailed to the Brooklyn DA’s office at brooklynda.org/internships in PDF format with the subject line: “Brooklyn DA Summer Internship Program.” Applications are due no later than April 20, 2017.

If you have questions, contact hsinternships@brooklynda.org.

It’s finally here!

Starting this weekend, residents of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn and others within Councilman Stephen Levin’s district can vote on their favorite neighborhood projects.

This year, Levin has allocated $1.5 million that will fund the top projects voted by residents in the participatory budgeting process.

Projects include improvements to parks, new equipment for local schools and safer streets.

To vote, the only requirements are to be over the age of 14 and to live within the district. Check the listed places and times when you can cast your vote for your favorite projects.

Voting will run through April 2nd, so don’t forget to let your voice be heard.

If you want to volunteer or have any questions, contact Benjamin Solitaire at 718-875-5200 or bsolotaire@council.nyc.gov.

On Sunday, April 9, the Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) is hosting a day-long walking tour of the Newtown Creek.

The 14-mile walking tour will cover the full perimeter of the creek. It’s the first organized journey of this length for the alliance.

The Creek-a-thon will begin in Long Island City and end in Greenpoint. Along the way, they’ll hit Blissville, Maspeth, Ridgewood, East Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint.

The tour will include numerous bridges and all five tributaries that connect to the creek.

The guides for the 14-mile trek will be Mitch Waxman and Will Elkins of the Newtown Creek Alliance.

Along the way, they’ll take a break at Goodfellas Diner in Maspeth.

Interested attendees are encourages to wear study and comfortable closed-toed shoes, hats and sunglasses. Sunscreen and water bottles are also recommended.

To register for the Newtown Creek-a-thon, click here.

A 22-year-old Bronx man was fatally shot inside a Bushwick industrial building yesterday morning, according to the NYPD.

Police say Jefferson Exantus from 1466 Grand Concourse was shot inside 1269 Flushing Avenue, pictured above, at about 5:20 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Cops found Exantus with a gunshot wound to his face. EMS took him to Woodhull Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

There are no arrests at this time. The investigation is ongoing, authorities say.

Community Board 1 will host its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m.

The original meeting on March 14 was rescheduled due to the snowstorm.

The meeting will be held at Swinging 60s Senior Center at 211 Ainslie Street.

If you can’t make the meeting, you can live stream it by clicking here.

The Grand Street BIG is hosting its 6th annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl on Friday, March 17 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The pub crawl features drink specials at bars down Grand Street, from Bar Mcondo to Lady Jay’s and Huckleberry Bar.

You can enjoy a $5 Green Match Soju Shot and Hite Korean beer from Mahji, an $8 Rockaway Gold Black Stout and a shot of Tullamore Dew Whiskey from Noorman’s Kill, and even a free hot dog from Bushwick Country Club.

Spend your St. Patrick’s Day evening on Grand Street, and enjoy!

Councilman Stephen Levin is hosting a meeting on Thursday about the development in north Greenpoint.

Attendees will get updates from local developers and discuss how new construction will impact Greenpointers.

The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Polish and Slavic Center at 176 Java Street.

To RSVP, email bsolotaire@council.nyc.gov.