Jan. 9, 2025 By Kirstyn Brendlen “The Coney,” the casino seeking approval in the People’s Playground, will create a $200 million community trust fund to support the area if it’s approved, the development team announced on Thursday. A board of local stakeholders, who would determine how the money would be used, would oversee the…
Jan. 7, 2025 By Dean Moses The suspect accused of burning a woman alive on the F train in Brooklyn last month was arraigned on a grand jury indictment Tuesday as faith leaders announced a memorial service for the victim. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on first-degree…
Jan. 2, 2025 By Adam Daly The annual Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge drew thousands of people to the beach on New Year’s Day as participants took a freezing dip to ring in 2025 while raising record funds for local nonprofit organizations. New Year’s Day was a little warmer than usual, with air temperatures…
Jan. 2, 2025 By Dean Moses Police have identified the woman who was burned to death aboard a Brooklyn F train in a shocking arson attack last week. Debrina Kawam, 57, was so badly burned it took authorities several weeks to put a name to her body. Sources familiar with the investigation say that…
Dec. 31, 2024 By Brooklyn Paper New year, same us — and by “us,” we mean fantastic local coverage you can’t find anywhere else. On the heels of a year full of pizza, portraits, parades, and protests, we’ve compiled a list of 10 big stories you can look for in the pages of our papers…
Dec. 30, 2024 By Lauren Rapp The Brighton Beach community came together last week near Coney Island for a joyous menorah lighting, marking the first night of Hanukkah with a celebration of light, unity and freedom. Rabbi David and Rebbetzin Yocheved Okunov of the Warbasse Jewish Heritage Congregation led families in kindling the neighborhood’s menorah…
Dec. 27, 2024 By Ethan Stark-Miller Community advocates gathered at Brooklyn’s Coney Island Stillwell Avenue subway station on Thursday afternoon to mourn a woman who was burned to death in the station on Sunday morning. The prayer vigil, hosted by activist Rev. Kevin McCall, was held to commemorate the yet-to-be-identified woman who died after being set…
Dec. 23, 2024 By Dean Moses The man accused of setting a woman on fire onboard a Brooklyn subway train was charged Monday with first and second-degree murder. Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly walked up to a woman on an F train…
Dec. 20, 2024 By Lauren Rapp The art of amusement continues! “Luna Luna: A Forgotten Fantasy” will extend its exhibition at The Shed in Chelsea through Feb. 23, 2025, peeling back the curtain on the first known art amusement park — lost since 1987. Luna Luna made history in Hamburg, Germany as the first…
Dec. 20, 2024 By Meaghan McGoldrick O'Neil A homeless man has been indicted for murder after allegedly fatally stabbing another man during a dispute on an N train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday. Zhongqian Chen, 32, was arraigned Dec. 17 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen…