🌱Crown Heights Child Killed + Gowanus Rezoning Opponents + Dumbo Drop

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! I am your host Patrick Murray here with 5 fresh headlines to kick off your morning.

First, today's weather:

Party cloudy with a high of 72 and a low of 57.

Here are the top stories today in Brooklyn:

1. A 9-year-old girl was found dead in her Brooklyn home with a head injury and bite marks, and her mother has been arrested and with a homicide in her death. The victim, Shalom Guifarro, was found in her family's apartment on Lincoln Place in Crown Heights. The victim's mother, Shemene Cato, was arrested on charged with murder, manslaughter, assault, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal possession of a weapon. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...)
2. Opponents of the Gowanus Rezoning plan have alleged that the federal-led canal cleanup efforts violated federal environmental laws. In a letter addressed to the EPA Inspector General Sean O'Donnell, members from Voices of Gowanus accused the government of failing to build sufficient sewer tanks, curtailing National Grid's cleanup requirements and not fully investigate soil and water cleanliness at certain sites. The EPA did not immediately respond to the letter. (Patch)
3. The Dumbo Drop Block Party is set to return on May 21. The annual celebration serves as a fundraiser for the neighborhood's Title 1 schools, and will feature a number of available prizes. Every $20 entry will give a participant a small toy elephant which will be dropped from a Washington Street rooftop. (Brooklyn Paper)
4. A Brooklyn man has died after a fire ravaged his Brighton Beach home. Just after 10 p.m. on Monday night, flames broke out in the 2900 block of Brighton 5 Street. The victim was found unconscious and unresponsive in the building's basement, and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. (WABC-TV)
5. Patti Smith will attend the sixth annual "Night of Ideas" on Saturday at the Brooklyn Central Library. Also in attendance will be award-winning journalist Leïla Slimani, and Kathryn Kolbert, co-founder of the Center for Reproductive Rights. Registration for the event, and proof of vaccination in order to attend. (Patch)

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Today in Brooklyn:

• Selma Blair at the Bell House. (7:30 p.m.)
• Gavin Matts live at Union Hall. (7:30 p.m.)
• The Pretty Reckless at Brooklyn Made. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• For fans of thrift, do not miss out on Brooklyn Flea. (Instagram)
• Jimmy Kimmel announced the return of his one week "Brooklyn Week" special. (TV Insider)
• Check out this week's Brooklyn real estate roundup. (Brooklyn Patch)
• How did rap music bring together this Brooklyn power couple? (W Magazine)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• We Have Fun: A Free Weekly Comedy Show (May 18)
• The OMNI Ensemble performs a free pop up porch concert (May 19)
• Greene Hill School Virtual Middle School Tour (May 20)
• #1 Art Exhibition This Spring! Marko Stout at Brooklyn Art Cave!! (May 20)
• Nanny Appreciation Brunch! (May 21)
• The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Treehouse Shakers (May 22)
• Accentuate the Positive (May 28)
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Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Celebrating Buck Lai During Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you soon.

— Patrick Murray

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com