NYC Metro and LI news thread Aug 26.

[hrmjustin]

NYPD investigates possible bias crime against Upper East Side couple

UPPER EAST SIDE (WABC) -- Authorities are investigating a possible bias crime against a married couple Monday night outside their Upper East Side apartment building.

Investigators say the victims were accosted by a group of five to eight men waving Palestinian flags from two cars at 245 East 63rd St. around 8 p.m.


http://7online.com/news/nypd-investigates-possible-bias-crime-against-upper-east-side-couple/281606/

[hrmjustin]

1. Mob Informant Who Ran Afoul of FBI Will Get New Trial

Jon Campbell
A longtime mob informant will get another chance, after an appeals court granted his motion for a new trial.

Volkan "The Turk" Mergen wore a wire for more than a decade as an associate of the Gambino and Bonanno crime families. And while his cooperation might have earned him some good will from the feds, they were a little upset with him after he allegedly lied to FBI agents about an arson attack in which he participated.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/08/mob_informant_who_ran_afoul_of_fbi_will_get_new_trial.php

[hrmjustin]

2. Police investigate shooting of boy, 3, in the Bronx

WILLIAMSBRIDGE (WABC) -- Police are investigating a shooting that wounded a three-year old boy in the Bronx over the weekend.

Officers responded to the rear of 829 East 226th Street in Williamsbridge at 8:22 p.m. Saturday on the report of shots fired.

http://7online.com/news/police-investigate-shooting-of-boy-3-in-the-bronx/281550/

[hrmjustin]

3. DOE bungles $356 million in federal funds for special education

Diane C. Lore | [e-mail]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As principals and administrators report for work and

P1 Stringer
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer says city public schools lost out on some $356 million in federal funds for special education services because the Department of Education failed to file the proper paperwork in a timely manner. (Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimo)

prepare their budgets for an onslaught of new students and services, a new audit finds city public schools lost out on a whopping $356 million in federal funds for special education services because the Department of Education's Office of Special Education failed to file the proper paperwork in a timely manner.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/doe_bungles_356_million_in_fed.html#incart_river

[hrmjustin]

4. Brooklyn Residents Warned About Church Donation Scam

http://www.ny1.com/content/news/214491/brooklyn-residents-warned-about-church-donation-scam/

Short article.

[hrmjustin]

5. Mayor Promises Tougher Security Following Second Brooklyn Bridge Trespassing

Josh Robin

The view from Zelda Josephs' balcony is both spectacular and familiar.

It's of the skyline, with the Brooklyn Bridge front and center.

"It's my view, it's my extended apartment. I love it! It's my bridge!" Josephs says.

Lately, the view of the bridge has been disturbingly unfamiliar.

First came white flags raised on both towers. Two German artists say they did it, but haven't been arrested.

http://www.ny1.com/content/news/214467/mayor-promises-tougher-security-following-second-brooklyn-bridge-trespassing/

[hrmjustin]

6. Thousands Gather For Elaborate ‘Dinner In White’ In Battery Park City

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/25/thousands-gather-for-elaborate-dinner-in-white-in-battery-park-city/

[hrmjustin]

7. Long Island Dog Rescue Accused Of Selling Sick Dogs Fights To Remain Open

CALVERTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Calverton no-kill dog rescue operation that is under investigation by the state attorney’s office is fighting to stay open in an attempt to stop dozens of dogs from being euthanized.

If Precious Pups is shut down, then about 50 dogs a week that it gets from kill shelters will die, warned the organization’s attorney Alan Sash.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/26/long-island-dog-rescue-accused-of-selling-sick-dogs-fights-to-remain-open/

[hrmjustin]

8. NYPD Cracked Down on Cyclists, Will Cops In the Bike Lane Be Next?

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/08/nypd_cracked_down_on_cyclists_will_cops_in_the_bike_lane_be_next.php

[hrmjustin]

9. 9/11 Memorial Exhibition Of Unidentified Remains To Open For Families Of Victims

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The major components of the 9/11 ceremony will remain the same, including the reading of names and the moments of silence, however a few things will be different this year.

As WCBS 880’s Rich Lamb reported, for the first time on the anniversary of the tragedy, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will be open to families who wish to go there.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/26/911-memorial-exhibition-of-unidentified-remains-to-open-for-families-of-victims/

[hrmjustin]

10. Puppy Struck By Garbage Truck While Riding On Bike In Queens Heads Home

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/26/uppy-struck-by-garbage-truck-while-riding-on-bike-in-queens-heads-home/