Firefighters, Bus Riders Injured In Bklyn. Crash
      Over 18 passengers and the driver of a B15 bus were reportedly injured after colliding with Ladder Company 103's firetruck at an East New York intersection on Tuesday morning, Dec. 16.
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Caroling Children Sing At Capital One Bank In Ridgewood, Queens
      Visitors and employees at the Capital One Bank branch on Forest Avenue in Ridgewood were treated to the sounds of the Christmas season by members of the St. Brigid School Children's Choir on Tuesday morning, Dec. 16.
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TOO MUCH, TOO CLOSE
Civic Says Maspeth H.S. Plan Bad For Area, Wants Another Location
by Robert Pozarycki
      Ranking members of the Juniper Park Civic Association spoke out against plans to build a new 1,600-seat high school at a former Maspeth warehouse during the group's Dec. 11 meeting at Our Lady of Hope Auditorium in Middle Village.
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Citywide Board Gives Green Light To Maspeth Cell Tower
by Robert Pozarycki
      Despite opposition from local residents, the city's Board of Standards and Appeals unanimously approved on Tuesday, Dec. 16 a communications company's permit to erect a cell phone tower atop a Maspeth home.
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Local Community Boards Want Engine Co. 271 Open All Nights
Denounce Plan For Night Closure
by Robert Pozarycki
      Following news that the Fire Department will close Engine Company 271 during overnight hours beginning in January, two local community boards served by the firehouse on the Ridgewood/Bushwick border are working to ensure that it stays open at all times.
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Flames Burn Man In Bushwick Home
      One man suffered burns to his legs during a one-alarm blaze inside a Bushwick residence on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15, it was reported. Fire Department sources said the fire started at around 3:10 p.m.
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CBs ON THE OUTS?
Board 6 Warns Of Rumored Changes To City Charter
story and photo by Sam Goldman
      Rumors of a possible revision to the city charter that would eliminate community boards and borough presidents topped the news coming from Community Board 6's Dec. 10 meeting at the Kew Gardens Community Center.
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MTA Bus Co. VP Defends Q60 Changes
Claims Service, Reliability Will Improve
story and photo by Sam Goldman
      The loss of Q60 bus stops across Queens Boulevard has prompted a strong reaction from pols and residents alike, prompting MTA officials to defend the move at Board 6's Dec. 10 meeting.
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Apt. Damaged In Bed-Stuy Blaze
      Smoke billows from the top floor of an apartment house that caught fire in Bedford-Stuyvesant last Saturday afternoon, Dec. 13. According to Fire Department sources, the one-alarm blaze started at around 2:50 p.m.
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Eatery Broiled In One-Alarm Blaze
      Flames charred the inside of a popular East Elmhurst restaurant during a one-alarm fire last Saturday morning, Dec. 13. According to FDNY sources, the blaze broke out at around 4:10 a.m.
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PARK PLAN ROLLS ONWARD
Dept.Talks Second Phase Of Elmhurst Plan At Board 5 Meet
story and photo by Robert Pozarycki
      With the first phase of the creation of a new park at the former Elmhurst gas tanks site now complete, Parks Department officials gave a look at plans for the second half during Community Board 5's Dec.
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N.Y. National Guard Members Are Promoted For Excellence
Officers From R.H., Astoria, Corona
      Several local members of the New York State Army National Guard have been promoted in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership. As announced by Major Gen. Joseph J.
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He's Struck By Sedan At Intersection
      A man reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car at the intersection of Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road on the Ridgewood/Middle Village border last Saturday night, Dec. 13, it was reported.
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Cuff Oz. Pk. Man In Deadly Pkwy. Crash
Victim Ejected From His Sedan
by Robert Pozarycki
      Racing another car on the Grand Central Parkway proved costly for an Ozone Park man booked on homicide charges after his sedan overturned and killed a friend riding with him early on Monday morning, Dec. 15, it was reported.
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Riders Find Improvements On J, Z Lines
      Satisfaction with service on the J and Z subway lines increased among customers who gave the trains a C grade in the second-annual Rider Report Cards, it was announced by MTA New York City Transit. The grade was up from a C- issued by participants last year.
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Rep. Talks Economy, Bailout At M.V. Meet
Update On Budget, Rezoning Proposal
story and photo by Robert Pozarycki
      The state of the American economy was the focus of Rep. Anthony Weiner's appearance at last Monday's Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association meeting at St. Margaret's parish hall.
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Paterson Signs Bill To Curb Sale Of Untaxed Cigarettes
Revenues Lost On Reservations
      Gov. David A. Paterson has signed a bill to curb the sale of untaxed cigarettes to Indian retailers in violation of the cigarette tax laws of New York State. The state Department of Taxation will have 60 days to issue a certification form and prepare to receive the certifications that will be submitted.
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N.Y. State Recovers $551M In Improper Medicaid Payments
Gain Money Through Fraud Probes
      Gov. David A. Paterson and New York State's Medicaid Inspector General (MIG) James G. Sheehan announced last Friday, Dec.
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