May 3, 2021 By Christina Santucci A slew of elected officials were joined by thousands of supporters in downtown Flushing Sunday afternoon – in a show of solidarity against hatred and bias directed at Asian Americans. The event, called “We Belong Here: Queens Rises Against Hate March,” began with remarks from politicians and community leaders… Read more »
April 30, 2021 Op-ed by Dietmar Detering The decision to close Indian Point, the nuclear plant located 35 miles north of NYC, is wrongheaded, and will result in more pollution for residents of western Queens—setting New York back decades on climate action. One might think that with passage of New York State’s celebrated Climate Leadership… Read more »
April 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin A reckless driver struck a scooter, plowed into multiple cars and careened into an outdoor dining structure in Astoria last night—killing one man and injuring a woman. The out-of-control driver, a 60-year-old woman, was allegedly speeding in a 2013 Mercedes Benz C-300 northbound on 35th Street around 7:45 p.m…. Read more »
April 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin The City Council passed a bill Thursday to ensure that the Open Streets program is a permanent fixture in New York City for years to come. The bill, sponsored by Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera, codifies and expands upon the initial program that closes streets to through traffic for… Read more »
April 29, 2021 Op-Ed By Julie Won Prior to the pandemic, small businesses in Western Queens were already caught between a rock and hard place. Rising rents, predatory landlords, and displaced residents presented serious challenges to the businesses that have called Queens home for years or even decades. Then, COVID-19 hit and the bottom fell… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City plans to “fully reopen” on July 1, more than a year after the pandemic halted life in the city that never sleeps. “It’s time to set a goal for a full reopening in New York City and that goal is July 1,” Mayor Bill de Blasio… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Two men have been indicted on a long list of charges involving the sex trafficking of teenagers at two Queens hotels. Lawrence Winslow and Alan Velvett, both 27, face up to life in prison on two indictments for allegedly raping and trafficking their young victims in February. Winslow and… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio released the city’s executive budget for Fiscal Year 2022 Monday and included millions of dollars in funding for speed cameras, open streets and bike lanes among other items. The $98.6 billion “Recovery Budget” has been padded with federal stimulus money to help New York City… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Food and fun! That’s the concept behind a new outdoor barbeque restaurant that opened in Astoria earlier this month that features a large games area. Backyard Smokehouse, located at 25-22 Astoria Blvd., opened on April 15 and is serving barbequed meats that are cooked with Korean ingredients. It also… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin A slew of state-imposed COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants will be lifted next month. Previous executive orders that Governor Andrew Cuomo imposed on the businesses at the height of the pandemic — such as curfews, the required food with alcohol purchase rule, and the suspension of bar service… Read more »