Author: schnepsrestagent

Five years post-COVID, Queens nurse visits ICU where colleagues saved her life

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Czarinna Andres A retired nurse from Queens who nearly died from COVID-19 returned last week to The Mount Sinai Hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit—where she once worked—to thank the colleagues who saved her life. Theresa Francisco, 69, a resident of Far Rockaway and a native of the Philippines, had spent…

Cuomo picks up new wave of Queens endorsements in bid for mayor

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A slew of Queens elected officials has formally endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid, following the backing of the Democratic Organization of Queens County and its chairman, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks. State senators Joseph P. Addabbo and Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Members David Weprin and Edward…

Chocolate Factory Theater co-founder Lewandowski to exit leadership role in June

Apr. 2, 2025 By sobrien April 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Sheila Lewandowski, co-founder and executive director of the Chocolate Factory Theater, has announced that she will step down after more than 20 years of service with the Queens-based Center for Experimental Artistic Performances. Lewandowski, who co-founded the Chocolate Factory in 2004 alongside her former…

Latin Jazz meets Swing in a musical mashup at Flushing Town Hall on April 19

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Athena Dawson A legendary Latin jazz percussionist is returning to the world’s borough this month for a rhythmic performance at Flushing Town Hall. St. Albans native and Latin jazz percussionist Steve Kroon will take the stage with his band, The Steve Kroon Latin Jazz Ensemble, alongside Patience Higgins and the…

Community groups criticize Sen. Liu for backing Metropolitan Park casino bill

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Apr. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A coalition of community groups in Elmhurst, Flushing, Jackson Heights and Corona has criticized State Sen. John Liu for announcing his plans to introduce a parkland alienation bill in the State Senate that brings the $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino project closer to reality. Liu announced Sunday that…

Bird flu outbreaks spread to more Queens live markets, sparking calls for shutdowns

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Apr. 1, 2025 By Colum Motherway The New York State Department of Agriculture confirmed more live animal slaughter markets in Queens have suffered bird flu outbreaks this month, bringing the total number of outbreaks in the borough to eight in just seven weeks.  The outbreaks, which affect thousands of birds, have sparked renewed calls…

Op-ed: Local high school student calls for New York’s leaders to act today to protect the future of our state 

Apr. 1, 2025 By Czarinna Andres April 1, 2025 By Brianna Abad, TREEage’s Queens Borough Organizer, with Assembly Member Claire Valdez (AD-37) This op-ed from Queens-based TREEage climate organizer Brianna Abad speaks to the need for bold investments and climate action at the state level to protect young people from the worst effects of pollution and…

MTA hosts Transit Talk in Flushing to urge MetroCard users to switch to OMNY

MTA staff speak to customers at the transit talk event at Flushing Main Street station on Monday, March 31. Several customers raised questions about the transition to OMNY.

Apr. 1, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The MTA hosted a Transit Talk at the Flushing-Main Street subway station Monday evening to urge riders to switch to OMNY, as the agency prepares to permanently retire MetroCards by Dec. 31. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow and other transit officials were on hand in Flushing on Monday evening…