March 18, 2022 By Christian Murray A Starbucks in Astoria has announced plans to unionize, the first location in Queens to do so. Workers at the 30-18 Astoria Blvd. store sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announcing their intention to form a union and their legal right to do so. “Starbucks continues to… Read more »
March 18, 2022 By Michael Dorgan An 11-year-old girl was groped by an alleged pervert on a Corona street Monday morning. The victim, police said, was walking in the vicinity of 43rd Avenue and 97th Place at around 7:30 a.m. when the alleged creep approached her and grabbed her buttocks. He then fled the scene… Read more »
March 17, 2022 By Allie Griffin Nearly a dozen council members, including three from Queens, along with scores of community-based groups are pushing back against cuts proposed by the mayor in the preliminary budget he introduced last month. The elected officials and groups said Mayor Eric Adams’ $98.5 billion budget cuts funding to important services… Read more »
March 17, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A man was fatally struck by a subway train in Astoria Thursday afternoon after slipping off the platform while urinating on the tracks. The 27-year-old victim fell in front of an R train at around 3:35 p.m. as it pulled into the 46th Street station, according to police. The… Read more »
March 17, 2022 By Allie Griffin A large energy company that had its plans to build a power plant in Astoria rejected by the state in October has challenged the decision and in doing so has drawn the ire of local officials and activists. NRG Energy is seeking the state’s approval to replace its 50-year-old peaker… Read more »
March 17, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A 73-year-old Flushing scholar — who helped establish a pro-democracy group in Queens — is one of five defendants who have been charged with spying on Chinese dissidents in the United States. Shujun Wang was arrested Wednesday and charged in Brooklyn federal court for secretly working with the Chinese… Read more »
This article was originally published by The CITY on March 16, 2022 at 10:05 p.m. By Greg David, THE CITY To the Citizens Budget Commission, the controversial property tax break called 421-a for developers of new rental buildings, including affordable apartments, is essential to increase the city’s too-small housing supply. “Allowing 421-a to lapse would… Read more »
March 16, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A woman who was arrested in Flushing Monday following the fatal stabbing of a well-known Tiananmen Square activist turned immigration lawyer has been charged with murder. Xiao Ning Zhang, 25, was charged at Queens Criminal Court Wednesday for allegedly stabbing attorney Jim Li to death inside his law firm… Read more »
March 16, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A teacher at a Jackson Heights middle school has been arrested for sexually abusing a minor under the age of 13. David Reinoso, a teacher at I.S. 145 Joseph Pulitzer, located at 33-34 80th St., was arrested by New York State police Friday and charged with sexual abuse and… Read more »
March 15, 2022 By Allie Griffin The twice-convicted politician Hiram Monserrate has launched another run for State Assembly. Monserrate announced earlier this month on Facebook that he is running again for State Assembly District 35 — covering Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Corona. “I’m on a mission to make sure our voices are heard,” he shared… Read more »