FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com january 30, 2014 • The Courier SUN 3 MORE $ FOR SANDY REPAIRS The MTA is getting more money to help recover from Sandy. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $886.3 million to the transit agency to repair and rebuild infrastructure that was damaged by the storm, and to protect and fortify against future ones. The grant builds on an initial $193.9 million the FTA announced in March, 2013. The bulk of the money, $615.6 million, will go towards New York City Transit. The Long Island Rail Road received $145.7 million, Metro- North Railroad $103.5 million, and $21.4 million will go towards repairing damaged security equipment in East River tunnels. Vincent Asaro was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Lufthansa Heist in 1978, which was recreated in the 1990 film “Goodfellas” Photo courtesy New York Daily News LIFE IMITATES ART Bust alleged Bonnano member for 1978 Lufthansa heist BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] It’s bad news for this “Goodfella.” Vincent Asaro, an alleged mobster, was busted at his Ozone Park home in connection with the notorious Lufthansa heist. Asaro, 78, was apprehended by the FBI in a series of predawn raids on Thursday, January 23 that nabbed four other suspected mob men. On December 11, 1978, Asaro and others lifted about $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry from a Lufthansa Airlines cargo building, according to court papers. The loot amounts to about $20 million today. The heist, the biggest committed in the United States at the time, was portrayed in the 1990 film ”Goodfellas.” Asaro, a supposed ranking member of the Bonnano crime family, was reportedly in charge of mob activities at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, where robberies were common. He’s charged with 13 counts of racketeering, including various counts of extortion, credit conspiracy and theft, according to the indictment. Asaro is also said to have been involved in the 1980s murder of Paul Katz, who vanished after kingpins suspected him of being a rat. Katz’s remains were found when federal agents searched the Ozone Park home of late mobster James “Jimmy the Gent” Burke in June. Asaro’s neighbors in Tudor Village were “shocked” at news of the arrest. “He’s a really nice guy, that’s all I can say about him,” said Gina D. She said the accused mobster helped her shovel snow and would frequently assist a woman who lived across the street. Jerome Asaro was also taken in and charged for involvement in Katz’s murder. The pair is additionally accused of burning down a Rockaway Boulevard building and robbing an armored car business of $1 million. Also arrested were Jack Bonventre, Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore and John “Bazoo” Ragano, according to the indictment. TELL US YOUR LOVE STORY Calling all Queens couples! The Courier wants to hear your love story. Do people tell you you’re perfect together? Is your love story one for the ages? If you are married or engaged and live in the borough, tell us in 100 words or less what makes you and your significant other a great couple. The pair with the best story will win a gift certificate to Christie & Co. Salon • Spa and will be featured in The Courier in print and on our website. Entries will be accepted until Thursday, February 6. To enter, please email the following information to ctumola@ queenscourier with the subject line “Couples Contest”: Name Phone number Email Where in Queens are you from? Engaged or married? Ages How long have you been together? In 100 words or less tell us why you are a great couple REMEMBER THE WORLD’S FAIR? Did you or someone you know attend the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows- Corona Park? If yes, The Courier is asking you to share your memorabilia and/or memories with us to commemorate the event’s 50th anniversary this April. You could win a dinner for two. Please email your entries to editorial@ queenscourier.com with the subject line “World’s Fair Anniversary” or to Editorial, 38-15, Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361. Note: All photos/items become property of The Queens Courier Ulrich secures $600G for roller rink BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] The Rockaway Rockies are getting a new rink. The roller hockey rink, on Beach 109th Street and Shore Front Parkway, will be reconstructed this fall, thanks to $600,000 in capital funding secured by Councilmember Eric Ulrich. “This will be a state-of-the-art recreational space and is just the latest investment in our commitment to rebuilding a strong, more resilient Rockaway,” Ulrich said. The space will get a new asphalt rink surface, new dasher boards and fencing. It will also feature a new scorer box, lighting and electrical conduits for the first time. New benches, pathways and drinking fountains will be installed around the rink. The Rockaway Rockies Hockey League took part in the design process and will be a close consult for the project moving forward. “I am looking forward to dropping the first puck,” Ulrich said. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER ERIC ULRICH The Rockaway Rockies roller hockey rink will be reconstructed this coming fall.
SC01302014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above