8 The Courier sun • APRIL 7, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Katz kicks in a million for NYFAC gym in Howard Beach BY ERICA SIUDZINSKI editorial@qns.com/@QNS In advance of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz announced that she’s allocating $1 million in discretionary capital funds toward the construction of a new gym for autistic individuals in Howard Beach. The 3,800 square-foot Center for Physical Achievement gymnasium and fitness space will provide a space of social interaction and an organized play environment for children who otherwise have a difficult time interacting with peers. Experts say that recreational programs supervised by counselors can be beneficial in assisting children to develop not only healthy bodies, but healthy social skills. This $1 million allocation will help the New York Families for Autistic Children center complete the $2 million addition. When opened, the gym will include specialized exercise equipment modified for special needs individuals and a long menu of recreational services and programs from basketball and volleyball to aerobics, creative movement and yoga. The gym will be a place where individuals with autism spectrum disorder can “better learn to take care of their bodies MR. ANDREW BAUMANN JOHN D. ARCHITECT 160-55 CROSS HOWARD BEACH,CHIEF as well as their minds,” said NYFAC President and CEO Andrew Baumann, praising the project as “the center first of its kind in Queens.” Katz has been a long-time advocate of the autistic community. In the past two fiscal years, Katz has allocated $305,000 for Quality Services for the Autism Community which has gone towards after-school programs and the purchase of five specialized transport vans. “All of our families – including those who have children with an autism spectrum disorder – should get the investment of resources and facilities to help reach their full potential,” said Katz. “If it’s good for families, it’s good for Queens.” EXECUTIVE OFFICER NY FAMILIES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN, INC NEW 3 STORY ADDITION NYFAC CENTER FOR PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT 164-14 CROSS BAY BOULEVARD HOWARD BEACH, NEW YORK Rendering courtesy of NYFAC Feds charge a Brooklyn man for role in robbery & shooting of a Knicks player in Maspeth By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz A Brooklyn man alleged confessed to federal agents that he participated in last December’s robbery and shooting of New York Knicks player Cleanthony Early in Maspeth, Queens. Delvon Dowling, 22, fessed up to his role in the ambush robbery that occurred on Dec. 30, 2015, in the vicinity of Tyler and Maurice avenues. He made his alleged confession after being arrested by federal authorities last Friday on an unrelated charge. According to the criminal complaint, Dowling and three unidentified cohorts met up in Brooklyn and drove to the CityScapes gentlemen’s club on 58th Street with the intention of committing a robbery. Early and a female companion left the club just before 4:30 a.m. inside an Uber cab, authorities said. The four suspects, riding in three vehicles, followed the cab to the corner of Tyler and Maurice avenues, where they surrounded it. The crooks got out of their vehicles and then confronted Early inside his cab, demanding his jewelry and property. Dowling allegedly told investigators that he waited near one of the suspect’s cars while the robbery was in progress. Although Early complied with their request, it was reported, one of the suspects shot him in the right kneecap. The perpetrators then fled the location. Early was treated for his injuries at Elmhurst Hospital; he finally returned to action as a bench player for the Knicks last week. His companion was not injured. Federal agents learned that the suspects shared the proceeds of the robbery upon returning to Brooklyn, including two cell phones stolen from Early that were sold to an undisclosed buyer for $40 a piece. A day after the Dec. 30 robbery, CityScapes nightclub was hit with two Molotov cocktails in an unrelated incident. Police also shut down the club through a court order in March for a number of violations; CityScapes has since reopened. THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony Giudice Federal agents have made a key arrest in last December’s robbery and shooting of Knicks player Cleanthony Early in Maspeth.
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