Staten Island student, 17, paints 110 portraits of classmates as surprise graduation gift
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With graduation just around the corner, Sofia Nielsen knew she wanted to do something unique and meaningful for her fellow Notre Dame Academy classmates. It was then that a “crazy” idea started to sketch itself in the young artist’s mind: The 17-year-old Dongan Hills resident...
Popular New York Chicken Chain May Close Every Location
A "gourmet chicken" chain that’s become a favorite across New York could vanish completely. A Sticky's says the U.S. government might force it to close all of its locations. Sticky's opened up in 2012. Now, 12 locations are open in the New York and New Jersey area. "At Sticky's,...
What are the odds? 6 sets of twins graduating from same Staten Island school
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The chances of having twins are not extremely common, but even more remarkable is that one Staten Island elementary school is graduating six sets this year. PS 56 in Rossville has six sets of twins graduating fifth grade this month. “It’s a pretty unique situation...
One of New York’s Most Famous Italian Goods Store to Close after 56 Years
A small shop that was New York's go-to place for authentic Italian food and goods is going out of business. The news comes just days after the beloved Italian eatery, Domenico's Restaurant in Levittown, announced it was permanently closing by month's end. Another recent closure was the Trestle Restaurant &...
N.Y. Gov. Hochul appoints Staten Island community leader, attorney as Court of Claims judge
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul this week appointed 17 new faces to the Court of Claims, including a Staten Island attorney who is no stranger to public discourse. Menachem “Mendy” Mirocznik has served as a court attorney to Judge Orlando Marrazzo Jr. in different civil courts since 2009, according to a press...
Free N.J. Juneteenth celebration offers much more than just entertainment
For 20 years, Elizabeth has hosted its annual Juneteenth Celebration to honor Black history and ancestry. This year is no different. The event, which drew 3,000 participants last year, will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at Elizabeth City Hall, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza. “It’s...
Staten Island chef, 39, dies of injuries 3 months after being hit by SUV
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Staten Island community is mourning the loss of Pedro Huerta, a cherished staff member of O’Neill’s Restaurant in Port Richmond. According to the restaurant’s social media accounts and a GoFundMe previously created to support Huerta’s recovery, the chef died of injuries and complications he...
NYPD: Shots fired, ballistic evidence recovered on Staten Island
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Police are investigating after shots were fired on Tuesday in Mariners Harbor. The incident was reported just after 8:50 p.m. on the 200 block of Lockman Avenue near Brabant Street, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD. The location provided by police is in the...
Staten Island events planned to mark Juneteenth
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island will join thousands of communities nationwide in marking Juneteenth, a day of observance that marks the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas received word that they had been freed. This day, which was designated a federal holiday in 2021, has been...
Convicted murderer in ‘96 robbery at popular Staten Island pizzeria denied parole
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A man convicted 30 years ago in the murder of a West Brighton restaurant owner has been denied parole, state prison records show. Arnaldo Rodriguez, now 49, was believed to be one of three young men who carried out a robbery at the former Pal Joey’s on Forest Avenue on the evening of March 1,...
