BROOKLYN, NY – A Brooklyn mother is calling for justice and community awareness after her 17-year-old daughter was assaulted by the daughter of an off-duty city worker arrested just days ago for assault herself.
This incident reportedly occurred just days after the city worker was arrested for a similar offense. Now, she is calling for city officials to take action on the unchecked and out-of-control violent crime in the city.
The assault took place on May 11 as Janay’s daughter was leaving a birthday party at Myst Lounge in Coney Island. According to Janay, her daughter was attacked by 18-year-old Zakiyah Pridgen and several accomplices.
Zakiyah is the daughter of Ola Pridgen, a New York City Department of Sanitation worker who was arrested for assault on May 5. The attack was reportedly unprovoked and resulted in trauma and physical injuries to Janay’s daughter, including hair loss.
Janay says that the attack was part of a pattern of behavior, pointing out that Zakiyah and her group had traveled from Canarsie to Coney Island specifically to commit the assault, which was recorded on video.
This event occurred just a week after Zakiyah’s mother was implicated in a similar crime, suggesting a troubling trend of violent behavior.
In addition to highlighting the assault, Janay criticized the security measures at Myst Lounge, where the birthday party was held.
She claims that the lounge’s security failed to intervene during the assault, and the lounge’s management prioritized profits over the safety of its patrons, many of whom were minors.
This has raised significant concerns about the safety practices at the venue. Myst Lounge has not issued a statement regarding the violent attack within its walls.
Janay has reported the incident to the police, with the case now being handled by Detective Elizabeth D of the 61st Precinct. She is calling for the arrest of the perpetrators and for legal action to be taken against those responsible for safeguarding the venue to prevent future incidents.
The community is urged to come together to address these issues of public safety and hold those accountable to help ensure a safer environment for all residents. Janay’s plea highlights the need for increased vigilance and immediate action to prevent further violence and ensure the welfare of the community’s youth.
- Root Beer Inspired Chain Giving Anyone Over 100 Free Root Beer for Life
A&W Celebrates 105 Years with Free Root Beer Floats for Centenarians
New York —A&W Restaurants, the oldest franchised restaurant chain in America, marks its 105th anniversary by honoring the Greatest Generation. Starting this month, anyone aged 100 or older will enjoy free Root Beer Floats for life, a sweet tribute to a group often overlooked by brands.
The celebration ties back to A&W's historic roots, which began on June 20, 1919, when co-founder Roy W. Allen opened his first Root Beer stand in Lodi, California, to welcome home WWI veterans. Today, the chain continues to serve the same famous Root Beer made fresh in its restaurants worldwide, along with iconic Root Beer Floats in frosty glass mugs.
This year’s birthday initiative focuses on the estimated 108,000 centenarians in the U.S. Liz Bazner, VP of Marketing & Innovation at A&W, emphasized the importance of these long-time fans, stating, "These are people that have been with A&W since the beginning. We wouldn't have survived the last century without them, so we wanted to show our appreciation with something special just for them."
Highlighting the celebration, WWII veterans and centenarians Hazel Calloway, 104, and Glendell Bennett, 100, were featured enjoying their free floats. Adding a modern twist to the campaign, 95-year-old 'granfluencer' Baddiewinkle, known for her vibrant social media presence and zest for life, serves as the official spokesperson, expressing her excitement for the promotion.
To participate, eligible seniors simply need to visit any A&W location across the U.S. and may be asked to show identification. For those not yet in their centennial year, A&W also offers a free Root Beer Float on birthdays for customers aged 13 and up through Rooty's Mug Club. More details and exclusive deals on A&W's All-American menu can be found at awrestaurants.com/100.
A&W has New York restaurants in Cortland, Fishkill, Hudson, Lake George, Niagara Falls, Owego, Vestal, and Wilmington.
- Red Lobster Closures No Problem, Flava Flav is Here to Promote Crabfest
Red Lobster and Flavor Flav Kick Off Crabfest 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ —Red Lobster has teamed up with longtime fan Flavor Flav to announce the return of Crabfest. The annual seafood celebration offers guests a variety of crab dishes, featuring wild-caught crab legs prepared with new flavors, including Cajun Butter, Roasted Garlic Butter, and Simply Steamed.
Fans can enhance their Crabfest experience with the new Crab Mac & Cheese, available alongside the full pound of crab legs. Social media has seen a surge in fan support, with many sharing memories and urging the restaurant to #SaveTheBiscuits.
Sara Bittorf, Chief Experience Officer at Red Lobster, highlighted the enthusiasm of fans and the excitement of partnering with Flavor Flav. "We love seeing our fans show up and rally for us, so when Flavor Flav reached out, we answered the call and invited him to join us in reminding fans we're here to stay."
The Crab Your Way℠ menu allows guests to customize their crab legs, choosing between Snow or Bairdi crab, with the latter being sustainably sourced from the Bering Sea. In addition to the customizable options, new dishes include the $20 Creamy Crab Carbonara, Crab & Lobster Duo, and Snow Crab & Crab-Topped Steak.
Red Lobster's Crabfest offers a flavorful seafood experience, starting at $20, with additional charges for premium options like the Bairdi crab. For more information and to view the complete menu, visit Red Lobster's website.
- Can This Beer Pizza Save the Cubs From Dismal Season?
Home Run Inn Partners with Chicago Cubs for "Beer Pizza" at Wrigley Field
CHICAGO, IL—The Chicago Cubs are in dead last place in their division right now, but maybe this new beer pizza can help the team out of the cellar.
Home Run Inn, known for its original tavern-style thin crust pizza and as the Official Pizza of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field, is once again teaming up with the Cubs to offer the "Beer Pizza." This unique pizza, inspired by Chicago’s favorite beer, combines the flavors of beer and pizza into one savory experience.
Gina (Perrino) Bolger, Senior Vice President and a fourth-generation family member at Home Run Inn, expressed excitement about the return of this popular menu item. "Chicagoans showed us their love for the mix of beer and pizza in one bite, and we're delivering it once again!" said Bolger.
The Beer Pizza features a wheat ale flavor, albeit non-alcoholic, and will be available in an 8-inch sausage variety at select Wrigley Field concession stands throughout the rest of the regular season. Fans can also enjoy this zesty treat in various other pizza varieties at Home Run Inn restaurants for a limited time.
- Hard Rock Cafe Launches Global Burger Competition
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—Hard Rock Cafe International celebrates its Founders' Day by launching the World Burger Tour competition, featuring five culturally inspired burgers from around the globe. Starting tomorrow, these unique creations will be available at Hard Rock Cafe locations worldwide through September 2, 2024.
The competition showcases burgers crafted by Hard Rock chefs, each reflecting their local culture and culinary flair. The finalists include the Bengaluru Burger from India, with a sweet and spicy profile; the Bucharest Burger from Romania, featuring marinated camembert and red wine cranberry jam; Brazil's Gramado Burger with a whiskey bacon jam; the Kathmandu Burger from Nepal, offering a blend of caramelized onions and sweet chili mayo; and the Pittsburgh Burger from the USA, loaded with beer cheese sauce and smoked bacon.
This year's contest began with over 150 innovative burger ideas, narrowed down through sales performance and culinary evaluations this spring. The top five now vie for the title of fan favorite on a limited-time menu.
Anibal Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Cafe Division, emphasized the brand's commitment to creating memorable dining experiences influenced by the diverse communities Hard Rock serves. This event not only celebrates the chain's inception in London on this date in 1971 but also its evolution into a major entertainment and hospitality name with over 300 locations worldwide.
For those interested in participating in the World Burger Tour and possibly discovering their new favorite burger, details and the nearest Hard Rock Cafe locations can be found at cafe.hardrock.com.
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- Manhunt For Suspect Who Robbed Group of Children at Knifepoint Inside Queens Park
QUEENS, NY—In a distressing incident at Kissena Park, near Colden Street and Kalmia Avenue, two 13-year-olds were accosted by an unidentified man on Thursday afternoon. At around 3:30 PM, the assailant, brandishing a knife, forced the teenagers—a boy and a girl—into a nearby wooded area where he robbed and assaulted them.
The suspect, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s with curly hair, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, was last seen wearing red sneakers and carrying a green backpack.
He has dental braces and a distinctive tattoo of either a boar or a bull with red eyes on his chest. After committing the assault and robbery, he fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to a local hospital, where they were listed in stable condition. The attack has prompted a police search for the suspect, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to help ensure community safety.
- Where to eat, stop, and stay in Swan Valley, Idaho, on your way to Jackson Hole
With the Teton Pass corridor suffering catastrophic damage, travelers heading to or from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, now find themselves rerouted through Swan Valley, Idaho. This detour brings attention to Swan Valley, a community rich in natural beauty and local charm, now serving as a crucial transit route during this period.
Dining in Swan Valley
Visitors to Swan Valley have several appealing dining options. The Gilded Trumpeter at River Retreat Lodge offers a boutique dining experience with a menu featuring appetizers, salads, proteins, and desserts, accompanied by a selection of wines and beers. The restaurant is located at 1591 Old Irwin Road in Irwin and accepts reservations via OpenTable.For a more casual meal, the Snake River Roadhouse Bar and Grill provides a classic pub atmosphere and is situated on the main highway at 2998 Swan Valley Highway. Another quaint option is the Little Moose Lodge Restaurant, known for its burgers and fish and chips, located at 3427 Swan Valley Hwy.
Accommodations in Swan Valley
For those needing to stay overnight, Swan Valley offers several comfortable options. River Retreat Lodge features six spacious suites with breakfast included, located at 1591 Old Irwin Road. Hansen Guest Ranch offers a western-style bed and breakfast experience at 956 Rainey Creek Road, and Little Moose Lodge provides pet-friendly accommodations at 3427 Swan Valley Hwy.Local Amenities
For everyday needs, Swan Valley General Store provides groceries, a deli, bakery items, and a fuel station. It is open daily with extended hours on Fridays.Swan Valley not only offers a temporary route for travelers but also a chance to explore its outdoor attractions, including world-class fly-fishing on the Southfork of the Snake River, hiking, and biking around the Palisades Reservoir, and more. This diversion, while unexpected, highlights the resilience and hospitality of Swan Valley’s community, ready to welcome new visitors and support regional economies during this challenging time.