🌱 Funeral Held For FDNY EMS + Lawsuit Challenges NY Gun Rule

Good morning, New York City! Here's today's rundown:

• Alison Russo-Elling, the EMS who was killed in a random attack last week, was remembered at a funeral service yesterday.
• Some NYCHA residents say they are without heat or hot water.
• A new federal lawsuit challenges New York State's ban on guns in sensitive locations.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 73 Low: 58.

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Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

1. A funeral service was held on Wednesday for FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo-Elling who was randomly murdered last week outside of her workplace. The 24-year veteran of the force had been planning on retiring soon. "Any hate in your heart created from this sudden calamity, I need you to remove that. I need you to replace it with love," said her daughter Danielle Fuoco at the funeral. (New York City Patch)
2. Residents of NYCHA's Woodside Houses in Queens say they have been without heat and hot water for the past several days, as the temperature begins to drop for the first time this season. Woodside Houses' boiler was severely damaged during Hurricane Ida last year, and residents claim it hasn't worked consistently. (Gothamist)
3. At least 50 workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island that has voted to unionize were suspended, after refusing to continue working immediately following a trash compactor fire. Workers at an Amazon warehouse near Albany will hold their own union election next week. (NBC New York)
4. There was a nearly 98 percent reduction in criminal cases brought by New York City for fire violations in 2021 when compared to pre-pandemic levels, and this year is off to a slow start as well. The city says it's focusing on pressing civil charges, although its strategy has come into question after a devastating fire at Twin Parks, an affordable housing building in The Bronx, killed 17 people in January. (Subscription: New York Times)
   • In related news, one resident of Twin Parks says that she was asked to vacate her hotel room provided by the city, without having been successfully moved into permanent housing. (THE CITY)
5. Over two dozen churches have filed a lawsuit challenging New York's rule barring guns from sensitive locations such as Times Square. The suit, filed in federal court this week, claims the ban violates their Second Amendment Rights. (Spectrum News NY1)

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Today in New York City:

• New York Comic Con Returns to the Javits Center on Oct. 6-9 (10 a.m.)
• bb.q Chicken to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Brand-New Manhattan East Side Location (11 a.m.)
• Sunset Kayaking & Picnic - BIGVISIONNYC — Hudson River Park (5 p.m.)
• SOHO International Film Festival Unveils 2022 Lineup - Opening Night Oct. 6 — Village East Cinema (6 p.m.)
• R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - A Celebration of the Legendary Queen of Soul — Kings Theater (8 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• A Gambino mobster has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for murdering his friend instead of returning $750,000 to him. (New York City Patch)
• A woman faces federal identity theft charges for allegedly scoring luxury apartments across New York City which were used by gang members. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• Workers at Staten Island's first unionized Starbucks location rallied on Wednesday ahead of their upcoming contract negotiations and a month-long store renovation. They are hoping to gain consistent work schedules, among other demands. (Subscription: SI Live)
• A Queens man made an appearance in federal court this week for allegedly smuggling snakes in his pants while trying to cross the U.S.-Canadian border. (New York City Patch)
• Advocates are concerned about the rise of New York City's 'anti-homeless' architecture, which makes it difficult for unhoused people to find places to rest. (AMNY)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, rode the Staten Island Ferry on Wednesday during a visit to The Big Apple. (New York City Patch)
• The Yankees' Aaron Judge broke an American League baseball record on Tuesday night when he hit his 62nd home run of the season. (Gothamist)
• New York City is releasing thousands of new doses and opening up eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine to anyone who thinks they might be at risk for infection, including people of any gender who have multiple sexual partners. (Subscription: New York Times)

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Events:

• Live at W83 featuring Quatour Caèl (October 7)
• R.E.S.P.E.C.T. — A Celebration of the Music of Aretha Franklin (October 7)
• Cold Stun Run — Sea Turtle Recovery's 5k & Fun Walk (October 8)
• Morristown Festival of Books (October 8)
• 32nd Annual West 104th Street Yard Sale (October 8)
• EmblemHealth Healthier Futures Wellness Expo: Free Live Music & More! (October 8)
• OPEN HOUSE Rare Opportunity to Purchase a Home in Gorgeous Southampton Beach Community (October 8)
• IMAGINE I'M SOMEONE ELSE: a one-woman, one-viola comedy show by Isabel Hagen (October 8)
• West 44th Street GARAGE SALE (October 8)
• Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® NYC Saturday Midnight Yacht Party 2022 (October 8)
• Nyack Famous Street Fair (October 9)
• 2nd Annual St. Nicholas Park Jazz Fest (FREE) (October 9)
• Celebrate Free Laundry Day at 4 Clean Rite Center locations (October 10)
• Mid-Century Modern Design | Online Auction (October 11)
• Demystifying the ISEE/SSAT Tests (October 12)
• WEBINAR: Quarterly Investment Outlook (October 12)
• Collector’s Jewelry, Novelty and Fine Artwork | Online Auction (October 13)
• Learn How to Knit a Hat at Shari Tata (October 13)
• City Gate Productions Presents: Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (October 14)
• Uptown Riders Street Art Bike Tour (October 15)
• "Murdered By The Mob" Dinner Theater Show / Party (October 15)
• Dracula. Theater at St Jeans Oct. 18-19 (October 19)
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For sale:

• Lovely and Quiet 1 Bedroom Steps from Central Park! (Details)
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Housing:

• FOR-SALE-BY-OWNER Southampton Private Beach Community/ Renovated Charmer. (Details)
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Lost & found:

• Lost Dog "Tulip" Last Seen Sept. 23 in Manhattan (Details)
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Other classifieds:

• Behind The Scoreboard — Mini-Pitch Soccer Arrives in Yonkers (Details)
• Trick and Treat with Travel (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com