Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials largely condemned a jury’s “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Friday. Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and injured a third in Kenosha last year, was found not guilty on all charges including homicide after a jury deliberated for about 26 hours. Rittenhouse, who was… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joined cycling advocates Thursday to call on the governor to sign her bill that would require the MTA to prioritize bicycle access. González-Rojas and State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), who sponsored the bill in the state Senate, gathered with advocates at the foot of the… Read more »
Nov. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills sponsored by Queens legislators Tuesday that aim to protect LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Hochul signed the bills into law during transgender awareness week. The first bill, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos and known as the START Act, strengthens protections for victims of sex and… Read more »
Nov. 18, 2021 By Christian Murray The Durst Organization announced Thursday that it has started leasing units in its 71-story luxury building that has recently gone up in Queens Plaza. The development, which is located adjacent to the historic Clock Tower at 29-27 Queens Plaza North, features 928 apartments, with its market-rate units renting for… Read more »
Nov. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Republican candidate Vickie Paladino has won the Council District 19 race after absentee ballots were tallied this week. Paladino, a Whitestone civic leader, narrowly defeated Democrat Tony Avella, who represented the district in the council from 2002 to 2009, once the mailed-in votes were counted. Her campaign confirmed her… Read more »
Nov. 17, 2021 Staff Report Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced grant funding Wednesday to 28 community-based organizations for the implementation of her Office’s Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Project (CYDCPP). The District Attorney’s initiative aims to provide youth activities and wrap around services to help prevent crime and keep young people out of… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Queens borough president has launched a new initiative to educate high schoolers about city government and the importance of civic engagement. The borough president’s office is sending in staff into Queens high schools to teach students about the role city officials and elected leaders play in local government,… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A private Greek Orthodox school in Astoria closed its buildings for the week on Monday after one staff member and two students tested positive for COVID-19. Saint Demetrios School — which includes a high school, middle and elementary school — has switched to remote learning for all students through… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of Queens politicians and lawmakers are calling on the Queens district attorney to drop all charges against a man who was arrested for murder when he was 15-years-old and is now facing a retrial after his 2018 conviction was overturned last year. The local pols penned a… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Christian Murray Two Queens stores—one in Jackson Heights and the other in Elmhurst—have sold New York lottery tickets that have reaped buyers millions. A 7-Eleven store located at 79-01 Northern Blvd sold a $1 million Powerball ticket that an unnamed buyer won on Nov. 8. Meanwhile, Jean Moreno of Elmhurst won… Read more »