Williamsburg News

50th Assembly District candidates Emily Gallagher, left, and challenger Anathea Simpkins.

McGuinness Bike Lane Foes Back Primary Challenger in Greenpoint Assembly Race

April 1, 2024, 5:01 a.m.April 1, 2024, 6:31 a.m.

State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher faces a challenge from Anathea Simpkins, who is backed by forces working to block a street safety redesign on McGuinness Boulevard.

Greenpoint residents attend an EPA-sponsored informational event at St. Stanislaus Kostka Lower Church about conducting air quality tests as part of the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site cleanup.

FAQ NYC

LISTEN: The Plume Beneath the Surface Is Creeping Up on Meeker Ave.

Feb. 14, 2024, 5:24 p.m.Feb. 14, 2024, 5:24 p.m.

Now defunct dry cleaners, metal and brass foundries, and soap and lacquer manufacturers leaked toxic chemicals into the ground in Greenpoint and East Williamsburg, beneath businesses and homes. The feds are taking a look, but in the meantime, locals could be breathing in fumes. There’s a way to find out and fix any problems, but […]

Williamsburg

Unending Raw Sewage Leak Plagues Williamsburg Public Housing Development

May 4, 2023, 4:28 p.m.May 4, 2023, 4:28 p.m.

NYCHA sends maintenance workers to clean up after each new effusion, but “they’re not hitting the root cause” as sidewalks permanently stained brown force pedestrians to detour into oncoming traffic.

Subway

Latest Subway Surfing Death Highlights Surge of Risky Riders in Pandemic

Feb. 21, 2023, 6:43 p.m.Feb. 22, 2023, 11:10 a.m.

The number of incidents of people riding outside the train in 2022 was up nearly fourfold since 2021 and nearly double the 2019 tally.

Brooklyn

Williamsburg Community Board Manager Cashes Out After 45 Years and a Free SUV

Oct. 3, 2022, 5:00 a.m.March 14, 2024, 2:22 p.m.

Gerald Esposito’s sudden retirement leaves Community Board 1 bracing for budget catastrophe as he redeems decades of unspent vacation time. Two other recent Brooklyn board retirees got paid more than $200,000 between them.

Election 2020

How a North Brooklyn Transfer of Political Power Threatens Millions in Funding to the Area

Nov. 2, 2020, 7:40 p.m.Nov. 10, 2020, 2:29 p.m.

The defeat of longtime Brooklyn Assemblymember Joe Lentol by newcomer Emily Gallagher raises questions about community project funding — highlighting a shadowy spoils system that gives outsize spending power to entrenched Albany lawmakers.

Evictions

Evictions on Hold Until Oct. 1, but Pre-Pandemic Housing Court Cases Forge Ahead

Aug. 12, 2020, 8:48 p.m.Aug. 13, 2020, 8:27 a.m.

Some tenants breathe easier with new clarity from the courts about how and when cases may resume. But others are first in line when evictions restart.

Williamsburg

Brooklyn Community Board Considers Suspending Its 2020 Election Over Pandemic Disruptions, Sparking Backlash

June 8, 2020, 10:13 p.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 7:38 a.m.

Community Board 1, which came under fire last year for using public funds to purchase an SUV for its leadership, weighs allowing executives to remain unchallenged until next June.