FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM DECEMBER 15, 2016 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3 Dollar Tree, CVS chains growing in Queens Th e number of national retail locations in Queens increased slightly this year and the retailers that added the most signifi cant presence to the borough were Dollar Tree and CVS, according to a new report. According to the Center for an Urban Future, which released their Ninth Annual State of the Chains report on Dec. 8, Queens has the second highest number of chains next to Manhattan but has experienced a downturn since 2014, when the number of chains grew 5.3 percent. Dollar Tree, which had no locations in Queens last year, opened 17 new locations in the borough. Th ere are now stores in Queens Village, Sunnyside, Woodside, Flushing, Middle Village and more. Th e chain sells house, offi ce and other supplies for cheap. CVS opened 16 stores citywide this year and 13 of those locations were in Queens alone. Other chains that expanded include Dunkin’ Donuts with eight new locations, Subway with three new locations and Starbucks and Family Dollar with four new locations each. Angela Matua State to consider expanding DNA testing A state commission has agreed to consider permitting expanded DNA screening methods that could help solve the murder of Howard Beach‘s Karina Vetrano and other cold case homicides. Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement on Dec. 11 that he was pleased the state Commission on Forensic Science “has agreed to consider authorizing the use of familial searching of New York’s DNA databanks.” Th e commission will take up the matter at its next meeting, according to a spokesperson for Brown. Th e DA hopes the use of this method will help investigators fi nally crack a substantial lead in the Vetrano case. He specifi cally cited the investigation in a letter he sent on Th ursday, Dec. 8, to Michael C. Green, the executive deputy commissioner of the state Division of Criminal Justice and chair of the Commission on Forensic Science. Robert Pozarycki Maspeth man charged for burglary pattern Police fi nally slapped the cuff s last week on a suspected burglar from Maspeth accused of breaking into and ransacking nine homes around the borough in two months’ time, prosecutors announced. Juan Cuervo, 53, of 56th Avenue faced a judge Th ursday night, Dec. 8, for arraignment on an array of charges including second-degree burglary, second-degree attempted burglary, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, petit larceny, criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools. According to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Cuervo allegedly struck nine homes throughout several Queens neighborhoods between Sept. 15 and Nov. 11 of this year, ransacking apartments and removing assorted property in the process. Police were able to track Cuervo down on Wednesday aft ernoon, Dec. 7, when he was spotted attempting to enter a home on 80th Street in Elmhurst. Robert Pozarycki A BRAND NEW START Photo provided by Councilman Peter Koo’s offi ce The Francis Lewis High School Patriot cheerleaders, Councilman Peter Koo and Principal David Marmor celebrate the renovated gymnasium. One of Queens’ biggest public high schools celebrates its newly renovated gym BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 A high school in Fresh Meadows celebrated its fi rst major gym renovation since it was built in 1960. A ceremonial ribbon was cut by students and community members on the brand-new gymnasium at Francis Lewis High School (FLHS) on Monday, Dec. 12, prior to the start of the fi rst boys basketball home game of the season. Th e $1.2 million gymnasium restoration includes the addition of state-ofthe art maple fl ooring and new bleachers that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and accessible. Th e school serves approximately 4,500 students and ranked No. 29 on this year’s U.S. News report of the top 50 schools throughout New York City. Contributions from Councilman Peter Koo and the School Construction Authority were used toward the project. “With over 30 public schools athletic league teams (PSAL), Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), numerous clubs and events, we know that our school community will enjoy the benefi ts of our new gymnasium for the next 56 years,” principal David Marmor said. “Th ank you Council member Koo for your continued support!” “Th is is the fi rst large-scale renovation of this gym since it was built in 1960,” Koo said. “More than 4,000 students now have daily access for basketball, volleyball, wrestling and other activities. Th is renovation includes new fl oors, new bleachers and electric work. Every year during budget season, the fi rst calls I make are to our schools to make sure you have what you need to provide our kids with the best education possible. I’m ecstatic I was able to contribute $350,000 toward this gym renovation. Th ese students work hard every day to make the most of their education, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to make sure they have the resources they need.”
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