Meaghan McGoldrick O’Neil
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Writer. Bravo convert. Friend to all bodega cats.
Editor @brooklynpaper. Formerly @amnewyork @bklyneagle @poynter+. Proud parent of @ccklbrooklyn.
Articles by Meaghan McGoldrick O’Neil
Boo-klyn is back: Your guide to fall festivals and family-friendly Halloween events across the borough
Whether you’re looking for a free afternoon outing, a chance to show off the family’s best costumes or a slightly spooky adventure, these borough-wide festivities offer plenty of ways to make the most of Halloween season. Harvest Festival at Lakeside in Prospect Park Thursdays and Fridays, 3-6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (through Nov.
Bronx man charged in botched robbery that left Brownsville restaurant worker dead
Jesus Acosta, 31, of the Bronx, was arraigned on Sept. 21 in Brooklyn Supreme Court on an 11-count indictment stemming from the Aug. 22 shooting at American Best Wings & Pizza on Rockaway Avenue. Acosta is charged with first- and second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree attempted robbery and related charges, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. He is being held without bail and is due back in court Dec. 4.
Brooklyn company, two Queens men indicted over alleged sale of fake construction safety cards
Redcode Inc., which has a location on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn and another in Queens, along with its owner and an associate, has been indicted on charges that they made and sold counterfeit Occupational Safety and Health Administration and New York City Department of Buildings safety cards to workers who never received the required training, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday.
Downtown Brooklyn man gets 13 years for four-day gunpoint robbery spree
Jaquan Smith-Mack, 34, was sentenced Wednesday in Brooklyn Supreme Court to 13 years behind bars followed by five years of post-release supervision. He pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery in June, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the robbery spree began Sept.
Dumbo’s Beat The Bomb puts $1,000 on the line for teams that can survive its toughest challenge
Brooklyn thrill-seekers can now put their money where their slime-covered mouths are. Beat The Bomb, the immersive social gaming venue that launched in Brooklyn in 2017, announced last week the launch of Cash Bomb, its newest and final mission — and the only one that comes with an actual cash prize. The company was founded by Alex Patterson, a Brooklyn Heights native and former corporate lawyer who went on to work in several roles at Tough Mudder, the Dumbo-based obstacle-course company.
Adrienne Adams rallies Brooklyn Dems at new Prospect Lefferts Gardens field office
New York’s Democratic ticket is putting boots on the ground in Brooklyn ahead of November’s election, with lieutenant governor candidate Adrienne Adams rallying volunteers Wednesday night at the opening of a new campaign field office in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The office will serve as a hub for phonebanks, door knocking and other volunteer activities aimed at electing Democrats up and down the ballot.
Battle of Brooklyn marks 250 years with reenactments, tributes across the borough
At Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklynites gathered for “The Battle of Brooklyn 250: The Meaning of Freedom,” a program that brought elected officials, community leaders and historians to Battle Hill, the highest point in Brooklyn and the site of a key part of the 1776 battle. The ceremony culminated with a commemoration at the hilltop monument. Brooklynites gathered on Battle Hill at Green-Wood Cemetery on Aug.
Wall collapses during Sunset Park demolition project, damaging community center next door
The collapse occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. at 5005 Fifth Ave. Firefighters responded to reports of a partial building collapse and found damage to the upper corner of the adjacent building at 520 50th St., home to The Salvation Army Brooklyn Sunset Park Corps Community Center.
Chestnut, Sudo reclaim Nathan’s crowns in scorching Fourth of July frank-fest
With mustard belts on the line, Chestnut powered through 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to secure his 18th Nathan’s title, while Sudo devoured 38.75 to earn her 12th women’s crown. The defending champions entered the annual frank-fest with targets on their backs, but by the final buzzer, they’d once again proven they were the undisputed top dogs of Coney Island’s most famous Independence Day tradition.
Brooklyn’s longest-running Independence Day parade marches into its 119th year in Park Slope
Patriotism was on parade in Park Slope on Sunday as marchers, color guards and Revolutionary War reenactors took to the streets for the 119th annual Brooklyn Independence Day Parade. The celebration began at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 245 Prospect Park West, where attendees gathered for an 11 a.m. Mass followed by a presentation of honors before the parade got underway around noon.
Critically endangered African Penguin Chick Walter explores bubbles at New York Aquarium
Walter, the critically endangered African penguin who made his public debut earlier this year at the New York Aquarium, is now testing out one of the simplest joys in his seaside world: bubbles. The juvenile penguin was recently photographed exploring a new enrichment activity in his sunny Sea Cliffs habitat at the Coney Island aquarium, where keepers say the rising stream of bubbles is designed to spark curiosity and encourage natural foraging behavior.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum gala raises $640K to expand free access, programs for families
Proceeds from the museum’s annual Spring Gala on June 11 will fund exhibits, cultural festivals and hands-on learning programs, as well as its Community Access initiative, which allowed nearly half of visitors this year to attend free of charge, according to museum officials. “Tonight’s gala was a celebration of what’s possible when a commun Ed Odom, Tanya Levy-Odom and Atiba T.
Red, white and Brooklyn: Where to celebrate the Fourth of July across the borough
Whether you’re looking for fireworks over the Atlantic, a frankly one-of-a-kind Coney Island tradition, or a history-filled outing with the family, Brooklyn has plenty on tap this Fourth of July. Here’s a roundup of some of the borough’s biggest Independence Day events. Brooklyn’s favorite seaside light show gets a patriotic upgrade this Independence Day. In addition to Coney Island’s free summer fireworks series, which takes place every Friday night through Aug.
Claire Valdez wins Democratic primary in NY-7, defeats Antonio Reynoso in closely watched progressive battle
Claire Valdez wins Democratic primary in NY-7, defeats Antonio Reynoso in closely watched progressive battle By Shane O’Brien, Gabriele Holtermann & Meaghan McGoldrick O’Neil Posted on June 23, 2026 Queens Assembly Member Claire Valdez has won the Democratic primary in New York’s 7th Congressional District, defeating a crowded field and moving closer to replacing retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
Be Pasta launches ‘Postcard Project’ to showcase local student artists
The initiative was created by Be Pasta owners — husband-and-wife duo Monia Solighetto and Alessandro Trezza, along with partner Daniele Tassi — as a way to celebrate pasta and its connection with art. For Solighetto, the creation of art and food share much overlap. “It feels natural for me to see a kind of blank canvas with some ingredients on top, and instead of coloring and drawing, you’re cooking,” Solighetto said. “In a way, it’s the same action.
‘It’s about time’: Brooklyn celebrates historic Knicks championship
Over the moon Knicks fans poured into the streets across Brooklyn, turning neighborhoods into impromptu block parties filled with music, dancing and chants of “Let’s Go Knicks.” Knicks fans dance in the streets of Brooklyn Saturday night after New York clinched its first NBA championship in 53 years. Knicks fans celebrate New York’s second NBA title and its first championship in 53 years. Knicks fans celebrate New York’s second NBA title and its first championship in 53 years.
‘In Plain Sight:’ New exhibition at Brooklyn Army Terminal reimagines industrial past as a living gallery
The exhibition, which opened June 4 with a public celebration attended by artists, community members and city officials, marked the 40th anniversary of the New York City Economic Development Corporation‘s stewardship of the historic Sunset Park waterfront campus. Featuring works by 12 Brooklyn-based artists, “In Plain Sight” explores the layered histories of Brooklyn’s working waterfront while highlighting the creativity, labor and cultural diversity that continue to shape the neighborhood.
Norwegian Day Parade draws crowds to Bay Ridge for 73rd annual march
Despite a grim forecast, spectators lined a sunny parade route, waving Norwegian and American flags as bands, community organizations, churches, families and cultural groups took part in the annual tradition. This year’s theme, “Our Legacy Continues,” reflected the parade’s longstanding mission of preserving Norwegian heritage and celebrating the ideals of independence and freedom embodied by Norway’s Constitution Day.
Gunman gets 15 years to life for 2020 killing of innocent bystander in Crown Heights park
A Brooklyn man convicted of gunning down an innocent bystander during a chaotic shooting in a crowded Crown Heights park was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years to life in prison. The ruling caps a yearslong prosecution tied to a broad-daylight attack that killed a father of two. The defendant, 21-year-old Gucci Morris, was sentenced on May 12 to 15 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of 53-year-old Christopher Ross on Aug. 9, 2020 in Crown Heights.
Elderly Brooklyn parolee found guilty of murdering, dismembering woman in East New York
An 87-year-old parolee from Brooklyn has been convicted in the killing and dismemberment of a woman whose body parts were discovered in plastic bags near her East New York apartment, prosecutors said last week. After roughly an hour of deliberations, a Brooklyn Supreme Court jury found defendant Harvey Marcelin guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and concealment of a human corpse.
‘Not being taught’: Parents pull children from St. Bernadette’s school amid concerns
Since 1953, St. Bernadette’s Catholic Academy has educated local students for high school and beyond. Located between 13th Avenue and 83rd Street, the school reports strong academic results in math and English language arts compared with other Catholic academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn, according to its website. With a student body of 323 spanning kindergarten through eighth grade, SBCA has long emphasized its small, community-oriented environment.
A promise kept: Gerritsen Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade marks 16 years of community pride
A neighborhood tradition rooted in family and resilience returned Saturday, March 28, as the 16th annual Gerritsen Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off along Gerritsen Avenue, drawing crowds of bundled-up spectators in green and gold to celebrate community. What began as a heartfelt promise has grown into one of southern Brooklyn’s most beloved grassroots events. Founder Jim Donovan, who launched the parade in 2010 in honor of his late father, once recalled the unlikely origins of the march.
Chase expands Brooklyn footprint with opening of new Flatbush Avenue branch
A new bank branch is making a deposit in Brooklyn’s future. JPMorgan Chase opened a new Boerum Hill branch this week, marking another step in the bank’s expansion across the borough and highlighting its growing partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations. The grand opening took place Tuesday morning at 104 Flatbush Ave. and brought together leaders from community groups, higher education and workforce development organizations with representatives from the bank’s leadership team.
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health opens $2M eenovated Oncology and Infusion Center
South Brooklyn Health administrators, doctors, and local officials celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the hospital’s newly renovated Oncology and Infusion Center on Friday, Feb. 27. Photo by Paul Frangipane For patients facing cancer treatment, every moment in a hospital can feel daunting. On Friday, Feb.
Snowy scenes: The storm that stopped Brooklyn, in pictures
Snowy scenes: The storm that stopped Brooklyn, in pictures A brave Brooklynite bears it all on the storm-blasted shoreline of Coney Island. Photo by Erica Price
Fire Dragon year welcomed with snow as 18th Avenue Lunar New Year Parade marches on in Bensonhurst
Performers bring color and movement to a wintry 18th Avenue during one of Brooklyn’s biggest Lunar New Year parades. Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Brooklyn welcomed the Year of the Fire Dragon with a little bit of ice and snow on Sunday as the Chinese American Social Services Center hosted one of the borough’s biggest Lunar New Year Parades along 18th Avenue.
BROOKLYN BLIZZARD | Where to find warming centers in Brooklyn
After one of the decade’s most intense blizzards left much of the borough buried under more than a foot of snow, New Yorkers are being urged to stay indoors — and to seek out warming centers if they lose heat or need shelter. Brooklyn woke Monday to a borough transformed and largely paralyzed. According to the National Weather Service, snowfall totals reached as high as 18 inches in parts of Kings County, with flakes still falling through morning.
Brooklyn ‘Survivor’ winner Kyle Fraser returning for show’s milestone 50th season
Kyle Fraser didn’t expect winning “Survivor” to follow him onto the subway platform in Brooklyn. But these days, when the 32-year-old attorney steps off the train at Atlantic Avenue, briefcase in hand, someone usually does a double take. It’s been that way ever since Season 48 began airing last March. And next Wednesday, he’ll return to TV screens when he joins the all-star cast for the show’s milestone 50th season, stepping back into the game just months after earning the title of Sole Survivor.
Kaya Bliss marks one year in Bay Ridge with three-day celebration
Kaya Bliss, Bay Ridge’s first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary is turning one, and it gave the neighborhood a full weekend of celebration to mark the milestone. From Feb. 6-8, the shop at 8412 Third Ave. hosted a three-day anniversary bash packed with steep discounts, brand pop-ups, giveaways and what owners called “the best vibes in Brooklyn.” Kaya Bliss opened its doors on Jan.
The Benito Bowl is here: The Benito Bowl Is Here: Brooklyn’s best Super Bowl parties for football and Bad Bunny fans
Super Bowl Sunday is practically a national holiday — whether you’re in it for the football, the friends, the high-budget commercials, or just the halftime show, there’s always something for everyone (and we’re not just talking game day food spreads). This year’s Super Bowl LX brings a classic NFL rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Renderings revealed for apartment tower on Crest Hardware site in Williamsburg
The new owners of Crest Hardware’s former buildings on Metropolitan Avenue are advancing plans to replace the familiar red structures with a residential tower. City records show developer Green Street has filed a new building permit application for an 11-story, 70-unit apartment building at 554 and 558 Metropolitan Avenue. According to the permit, IMC Architecture designed the 115-foot-tall building, which will include a total of 5,422 square feet of space.
Amid SNAP uncertainty, Anthem boosts holiday food access with $60K donation to local charities
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York is donating more than $60,000 to support holiday food distributions across the state, helping families in need during a time of rising grocery costs. The donation will fund more than 32 food distribution events in partnership with The Campaign Against Hunger and Food Bank for New York City. The events, running through Dec.
$2M in city funding to transform Wyckoff Heights’ neonatal care, ‘where life starts’
City Council Members Sandy Nurse and Jennifer Gutierrez present a check for $2 million to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for renovation of their neonatal department, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Photo by Paul Frangipane Wyckoff Heights Medical Center is moving forward with plans to modernize its Neonatal Suites after receiving a $2 million grant from the New York City Council. The check was presented to hospital leadership on Dec.
East Flatbush man gets 15 years for kidnapping, near-fatal stabbing of ex
An East Flatbush man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and repeatedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend in a brutal April 2023 attack that left her for dead on the side of a Long Island parkway, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday. The defendant, 39-year-old Darren Brathwaite, was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin following his conviction on Sept. 30.
‘We’re here for the kids of Brooklyn’: Maimonides Pediatric Trauma Center celebrates 10 years at Community for Kids benefit
Honorees Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Declan Doyle, Kids for Kids Foundation, and Ben-Bay Kiwanis Foundation at Maimonides Health’s 10th Annual Community for Kids benefit. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud The Maimonides Pediatric Trauma Center marked a decade of life-saving care at its 10th Annual Community for Kids benefit, held Dec. 4 at the El Caribe Country Club in Mill Basin.
State Champs bring ‘Around the World and Back’ full circle with Brooklyn Paramount show
When pop-punk band State Champs first wrote the song “Losing Myself” for their 2015 album “Around the World and Back,” lead singer Derek DiScanio had no idea just how deeply he’d connect with its lyrics ten years later. “It was my favorite song back then, but I didn’t really know what it meant,” he told Brooklyn Paper. “And now going back to and listening to ‘Losing Myself,’ I’m like, I knew that was my favorite song on the album, but I wasn’t really sure why.
Living lightscapes transform Downtown Brooklyn for the holidays
Despite drizzly weather, enthusiastic locals gathered in Albee Square on Tuesday night to usher in the holiday season at Downtown Brooklyn Partnership’s (DBP) annual DTBK Gets Lit! Celebration. The Nov. 25 event featured the traditional Christmas tree lighting, a festive program of performances, and the debut of a new dynamic light installation transforming Downtown Brooklyn into a winter wonderland.
LIVE UPDATES: Polls open across Brooklyn as voters turn out for the 2025 election
Election Day is underway in Brooklyn, where voters are lining up to cast their ballots for the 2025 New York City mayoral race and a series of pivotal local contests. In what could be the city’s largest voter turnout in decades, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are expected to head to more than 14,000 polling sites today to cast their ballots, capping off a strong showing during the early voting period.
Drink if you dare: Someday Bar’s Black Lagoon pop-up brings spooky sips to Boerum Hill
At Someday Bar, community has always come first — but this month, the beloved Boerum Hill staple is uniting its patrons in the most haunting way imaginable. The bar’s annual Black Lagoon pop-up has returned, transforming Someday into an eerie, immersive haven of darkly inventive cocktails, ghoulish decor and an emo soundtrack fit for the undead.
PHOTOS | Bensonhurst celebrates annual Columbus Day Parade along 18th Avenue
Bensonhurst’s 18th Avenue was alive with energy on Saturday as locals from all walks of life weathered the storm for the neighborhood’s storied Columbus Day Parade. The day began with a pre-parade mass at St. Athanasius Church. The march kicked off at 1 p.m. from 61st Street, continuing along 18th Avenue to the Federation of Italian American Organizations’ “Il Centro” Community Center. Close Get the Full Story News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.
Bay Ridge’s John Paul Jones Park reopens after $1.4M renovation
A beloved Bay Ridge park with deep ties to America’s military past just got a makeover. NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa joined Council Member Justin Brannan, representatives from U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton, and community members on Monday, Sept. 29 to celebrate the $1.4 million renovation of John Paul Jones Park, better known to locals as “Cannonball Park.” The 10-week project fully repaved the park’s pathways and central plaza, replaced benches, repaired curbs and reseeded lawns.
Maimonides marks milestone with opening of state-of-the-art Clinton Hill Pavilion
Maimonides Health marked a milestone Monday with the opening of the Maimonides Doctors Clinton Hill Pavilion, a new facility bringing together nearly 40 doctors across 14 specialties under one roof. The Pavilion, located at the corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic Avenues, consolidates three established Maimonides practices — Doctors Sunrise Medical Group, Obstetrics and Gynecology Women’s Health and Multispecialty Care — into one modern, full-service destination.
Third Avenue Festival draws record crowds for 52nd year in Bay Ridge
The streets of Bay Ridge came alive Sunday, Sept. 28 as the 52nd Annual Third Avenue Festival transformed 25 blocks from 69th to 94th Street into a lively celebration of food, music and community. The festival featured more than 180 vendors serving food, drinks and local goods, alongside 15 stages showcasing live entertainment.
Brooklyn turns up the heat at 12th annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo
The 12th annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo turned up the heat at Industry City on Sept. 20, drawing spice lovers from across the tri-state area looking to tempt — and test — their taste buds. From Carolina Reaper bobbing contests to craft cocktails, local beers, and what organizers call the “Emmy Awards of hot sauce,” the day was a flaming celebration of flavor for all who dared attend. Close Get the Full Story News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.
Tribeca Pediatrics expands Bay Ridge footprint with new Fort Hamilton office
Tribeca Pediatrics is expanding its presence in Brooklyn with the opening of a new Bay Ridge office. The Fort Hamilton practice — at home on the corner of 89th and Third Avenue, previously home to neighborhood favorite O’Sullivan’s — is inviting local families to a community meet-and-greet this weekend. From 3-5 p.m. on Sept.
‘His memory is alive’: Thousands gather in Bay Ridge for annual Xaverian Hoban Run
Bay Ridge marked the unofficial start of fall on Sunday as thousands gathered for the annual Police Officer Christopher Hoban Memorial Run at Xaverian High School. The 5K event — with a five-mile option for the more ambitious — honors the late Xaverian alum and Bay Ridge native who was killed in the line of duty in 1988, and supports a scholarship fund established in his name. On the night of Oct.
Addabbo Health Center earns national recognition for patient-centered care
A Brooklyn clinic is drawing national attention for making patients feel seen, heard and cared for. The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center recently received the 2025 Community Health Quality Recognition Badge from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, a federal award honoring excellence in quality improvement, health equity and patient-centered care.
Brooklyn kids put creativity in the driver’s seat at 18th annual South Slope Soap Box Derby
Dragons, pizza rats and spaghetti-powered machines hurtled down 17th Street on Saturday as the South Slope Soap Box Derby returned for its 18th year, drawing families to Brooklyn’s most imaginative race. Nearly 90 homemade soap box cars built from recycled materials hurtled down the slope to cheers from hundreds of friends, family and fans.
‘The Heartbeat of Gowanus’: New Groundswell mural honors neighborhood’s past, present and future
The walls of the Fifth Avenue Committee’s Center for Community Development on DeGraw Street now pulse with new life. On Thursday, Aug. 21, FAC and Groundswell Community Mural Project unveiled “The Heartbeat of Gowanus,” a large-scale community mural created by lead artists Kristy McCarthy and Yolande Delius in collaboration with 13 youth artists from Groundswell’s Voices Her’d Visionaries program, local leaders and neighborhood residents.
Slices and stories: AARP marks 90 years of Social Security at Bed-Stuy pizza pop-up
Pizza and policy came together on Aug. 14 in Bed-Stuy, where AARP New York marked Social Security’s 90th anniversary with a “Pizza Pop-Up” at A Slice of Love — and urged residents to help “protect the pie.” U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), House Minority Leader, joined the event to reaffirm his commitment to protecting the program and to hear directly from older adults about how Social Security has shaped their lives.
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