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 »
Nov. 15, 2021 By Max Parrott Bike advocates and elected officials celebrated the completion of the final phase of the Department of Transportation’s Queens Boulevard redesign on Sunday. The event showcased the results of a decade-long advocacy push to redesign the stretch— commonly referred to as the “Boulevard of Death” — into roadway that now… Read more »
Nov. 15, 2021 By Christian Murray Most New York City adults will now be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi issued an advisory Monday that allows residents 18 years and older to get a booster shot, as long as it has been at least six months since they… Read more »