The top five local stories that you clicked on at Metro.us in 2013
1. Students fight for teacher allegedly fired for being transgender
January – Mark Krolikowski, a music teacher at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, Queens, was allegedly fired for being transgender. The teacher had taught at the school for more than 30 years.
When one of his former students, Astoria resident Cristina Guarino, heard that he was fired, and reportedly due to his appearance, she started a Change.org petition demanding the school issue Krolikowski a formal apology. More than 6,000 people signed the petition.
2. VIDEO: Violent fight between SUV driver and group of bikers
September – The video of motorcyclists who pulled an SUV driver from his vehicle and beat him in September went viral and blew up into one of the biggest stories of the year.
In the video, a swarm of motorcycle riders traveling on the West Side Highway surrounded the black Range Rover as Alexian Lien, 33, drove with his wife and young child. He hit one of the bikers trying to make a getaway. A chase ensued until the suspects pulled the victim from his car and assaulted him.
3. MAP: Where to find all Banksy artworks in NYC
October – The elusive London-based street artist Banksy was in NYC for the month of October, creating pieces all over town. Metro had an online map to highlight all of the locations he posted.
4. Who’s the man behind Hollywood Stuntz?
October – The group of bikers involved involved in an assault on a father driving an SUV with his wife and daughter were in town for a ride called Hollywood Stuntz, police reported. Metro profiled Jamie Lao of Ozone Park, the reported brainchild of the Hollywood Stuntz ride.
5. Chinatown bus offers service between Philly and NYC
July – A Philadelphia bus company launched in Chinatown, STSC Transportation Services, offers daily bus rides between Philadelphia and New York City.
