Author: Mike Nova

Brooklynites  looking to take charge of their health and well-being won’t want to miss the Healthy Aging & Wellness Expo, returning for another exciting year. Produced by Caribbean Life and Brooklyn Paper, this premier event is set to take place on April  15 at the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center.

This free event is designed for those 55+, seniors, caregivers, and health-conscious individuals looking to learn about the latest advancements in health, wellness, and lifestyle improvements. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading healthcare professionals, wellness experts, and local organizations offering valuable resources tailored to aging well and living a vibrant life.

What to Expect at the Healthy Aging & Wellness Expo

The expo will feature a diverse lineup of exhibitors, engaging panel discussions, and interactive activities, all geared toward promoting healthy lifestyles and proactive aging. Visitors can look forward to:

Expert-Led Seminars and Panel Discussions

A major highlight of the event is the series of informative discussions led by medical professionals, wellness experts, and industry leaders. These sessions will cover a range of important topics, including:

• Preventative Healthcare & Screenings

Learn about the latest medical screenings and preventative care strategies to maintain optimal health.

• Nutrition & Healthy Eating for Seniors

Discover how to improve energy, digestion, and overall well-being through a balanced diet.

Fitness & Mobility – Get expert advice on staying active and independent through exercise and physical therapy techniques.

A major highlight of the event is the series of informative discussions led by medical professionals, wellness experts, and industry leaders. These sessions will cover a range of important topics, including:

• Managed Health Care

Exhibitor Booths with Free Resources

Attendees will have the chance to visit exhibitor booths featuring healthcare providers, insurance specialists, senior living communities, wellness brands, and local organizations. Representatives will be on hand to provide resources, answer questions, and discuss services tailored to aging adults and their families.

Free Health Screenings and Demonstrations

The event will also offer complimentary health screenings such as blood pressure checks, vision and hearing tests, and glucose monitoring, allowing attendees to stay on top of their health. In addition, there will be live demonstrations showcasing senior-friendly fitness programs, stress-reducing techniques, and even cooking demos featuring nutritious recipes.

Networking & Community Engagement

Beyond the educational and health-focused opportunities, the Healthy Aging & Wellness Expo serves as a great networking event. Attendees can connect with like-minded individuals, meet local business owners, and discover community resources that support senior living and overall wellness.

Why Attend?

Whether you are a senior looking to enhance your quality of life, a caregiver seeking resources, or simply someone interested in proactive health and wellness, this event has something for everyone. The Healthy Aging & Wellness Expo offers a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and take actionable steps toward a healthier future—all in a welcoming and supportive environment.

How to Register

The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is encouraged. For more details and to RSVP, visit HealthExpoBklyn.com

Don’t miss this chance to invest in your well-being and explore everything Brooklyn has to offer for healthy aging!

Healthy Aging & Wellness Expo is scheduled for April 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center in Brooklyn. For more information visit HealthExpoBklyn.com

 

Just 19 years of age, Christian Josiah Montrose was shot dead steps away from his Brooklyn home on March 19, 2024. One year later, his family is still searching for answers and tearfully clamoring for justice.

Police believe Montrose was a fatal victim of mistaken identity when an unknown gunman opened fire on him from a vehicle that pulled up alongside where he was standing on East 101st Street in Canarsie, shooting him multiple times.

Montrose’s brother held him in his arms as he lay dying. His family said he had no criminal record and was a good kid. 

“The ground right there, that’s where his blood was shed,” his mother, Amanda Montrose, said during a vigil Wednesday night marking one year since the cold-blooded murder.

The Montrose family held the March 19, 2025 community rally at the spot where the teen lost his life to demand cops step up the investigation and find the killer. His mother told attendees that her late son aspired to become a firefighter and wanted to do good in the world. She likewise described him as a devoted son.

“Josiah had a big, beautiful smile. Even when he was upset or I was mad with him, he would say: ‘Ma, you know, I appreciate you, and I love you,” a distraught Amanda Montrose said while weeping. “Some stupid idiot murdered my child.”

She went on to question the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office as to why so many mothers are losing their children to gun violence, and many of these cases remain unsolved. 

The family intimately shared memories of the type of loving individual Josiah Montrose as well as stressed that the vigil was both about the gun violence that plagues their streets and the celebration of their loved one’s life. 

“They took this loving man away from everybody else, and to say that this injustice is going unheard is craziness,” said Crystal Montrose, Josiah Montrose’s twin sister. “We have to ask, why is it so easy for someone to come roll up on somebody’s house and shoot somebody right there? Why is it so easy to do that?” 

Still, no arrests have been made in the year-old murder investigation. Amanda Montrose, however, holds out hope that justice will come and her son’s killer will eventually be caught.

“We are left with no words, just an empty hole in our hearts. Every day we are, I imagine what this monster looks like, but I know one day we will get justice, one way or the other. We will get justice. We will get justice. This coward took my perfect son and shattered his dreams,” she said. “The one thing I promise your mother will feel my pain. Your mother will feel my pain.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

When Gov. Hochul created the Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund in 2022 — a $200 million dollar pool to finance dispensary ownership

The post Hochul grapples with marijuana rollout failure appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Spring has returned, which means that the opening of the two major Coney Island theme parks is right around the corner.

The post Dates set for opening ceremonies at Coney Island parks appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

He was sentenced to 7 years in prison on charges that he posed as a teenager on Snapchat to solicit nudes and sexual videos from children.

The post Former Saint Ann’s teacher sentenced after posing as teen on Snapchat to solicit nude images from kids appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Winston Nguyen, a former “Jeopardy!” champion and private school math teacher in Brooklyn Heights, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for soliciting sexually explicit images from teenagers.

Nguyen, 38, of Harlem, pleaded guilty earlier this month to posing as a teenage boy on Snapchat and convincing students aged 13 to 15 to send him lewd photos and videos.

From October 2022 to May 2024, Nguyen used two Snapchat accounts — hunterkristoff and haircutbongos — to contact victims, pretending to be a teenage boy.

Prosecutors said he sent explicit images and videos depicting a teenage boy masturbating and engaged in prolonged sexual conversations with the victims. He then persuaded them to send him pictures and videos of themselves performing sexual acts.

The victims attended various Brooklyn private schools, including Saint Ann’s, Poly Prep Country Day School, Berkeley Carroll School, and Packer Collegiate Institute.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phillip Tisne sentenced Nguyen on March 16 to seven years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision.

Nguyen, who taught at St. Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, pleaded guilty on March 3 to one count of using a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Upon his release, he must register as a sex offender.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called Nguyen’s actions a “sickening betrayal of trust” in a statement. “Today’s sentencing holds him accountable for his actions while sparing the young and vulnerable victims from having to relive this emotional abuse in court,” Gonzalez said. “I commend the prosecutors and investigators who brought this defendant to justice and the young survivors who bravely stepped forward.”

Investigators linked the Snapchat accounts to IP addresses associated with Nguyen, including his Harlem residence. Other evidence included digital communications, images, and victim accounts, according to the DA’s office.

Nguyen gained brief fame after winning on the gameshow “Jeopardy!” in July 2014, appearing in two episodes. He was arrested on July 25, 2024 following and investigation by KCDA Detective Investigators, with the assistance of Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talukder and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab.

A man was critically wounded in a Brooklyn shooting on Thursday morning and detectives are scrambling to find the suspect responsible.

Law enforcement sources said the incident happened at about 8 a.m. on March 20 near an apartment complex at 327 Wilson Ave. in Bushwick.

Officers from the 83rd Precinct initially responded to the location after receiving a ShotSpotter activation. ShotSpotter is the NYPD’s citywide network of sensors designed to pick up sounds of possible gunfire and initiate a quick response.

Cops did not find a victim at the Wilson Avenue location when they arrived. Moments later, however, they learned that the victim had been taken via private means to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for treatment.

Law enforcement sources said the victim, a 33-year-old man, arrived at Wyckoff Hospital with gunshot wounds to his head and buttocks. He is currently listed in stable condition.

The 83rd Precinct has seen a surprising number of shootings since the start of 2025. Year-to-date through March 16, according to the most recent CompStat report, the command logged three shootings; there were no shootings tallied at the same point in 2024.

After Thursday morning’s shooting was confirmed, police combed the apartment complex on Wilson Avenue, looking for shell casings and other evidence.

At this time, police do not yet know the circumstances leading up to the shooting or have a description of a suspected shooter. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

SECOND-GRADERS AT SAINT SAVIOUR CATHOLIC ACADEMY received a special visit from Brooklyn Diocesan Bishop Robert Brennan.

The post Bishop Brennan serves as guest at Saint Saviour for Great Diocesan Read Aloud appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.