March 20, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Community Board 2 has called on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would make it easier to convert commercial buildings to residential use and lift density restrictions in order to tackle the housing crisis. The measures, if passed into law, would pave the way for vacant or unused commercial… Read more »
March 17, 2023 By Bill Parry In a sure sign the MTA is about to embark on a long-awaited project to renovate subway stations along the elevated 7 train from Woodside to Corona, RockFarmer Properties announced Judlau Contracting LLC has signed a long-term lease for office space at Heritage Tower in Jackson Heights. Judlau Contracting,… Read more »
March 17, 2023 By Julia Moro During a press conference on Thursday, March 16, Gov. Kathy Hochul called for Assemblyman Juan Ardila to resign, days after two women accused him of sexual misconduct at a 2015 party. “I condemn all forms of sexual assault. It is intolerable and unacceptable what he did,” Hochul said Thursday… Read more »
March 15, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A disgraced former Catholic deacon from Maspeth has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for having sex with three teenage boys, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Rogelio Vega, 52, — who previously served as a deacon at Saint Sebastian Church in Woodside — was sentenced in Brooklyn Federal court… Read more »
March 14, 2023 By Michael Dorgan The leaders of four City University of New York (CUNY) colleges in Queens were presented with a $5.5 million check for funding on Tuesday, March 14. The presentation was made by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, whose office allocated the funds to LaGuardia Community College, Queens College, Queensborough Community… Read more »
March 13, 2023 By Julia Moro While Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila acknowledged and apologized for sexually assaulting two women at a party in 2015, one of his alleged victims now demands that he step down. “I am calling for Juan Ardila to resign as an Assembly member and would like to see the organizations and… Read more »
March 14, 2023 By Christian Murray Freshman Assemblyman Juan Ardila, who represents western Queens, faced political fallout Tuesday after being accused of sexual assault by two women—allegations that the lawmaker did not refute when asked for comment. Ardila, who first took office in January after winning a vacant 37th District assembly seat last year, allegedly… Read more »
March 14, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Police have released obscured images of a man wanted in connection with the robbery of a bank in Flushing on Friday, March 10 – after he allegedly failed to rob two other banks in Queens earlier that day. The suspect, police say, first attempted to rob the Citibank branch… Read more »
March 14, 2023 By Tammy Scileppi They say that the universe is all about random events. An unlikely friendship between two Queens residents — a popular TikToker and a hardworking pizzeria owner — would lead to an interesting collaboration and a new TikTok video. The inspiring outcome will surprise you. Pizza-maker Dave Acocella met Kenny… Read more »
March 13, 2023 By Bill Parry To commemorate the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic citywide shutdown, the Queens World Film Festival is collaborating with the Zip Code Memory Project and a number of Queens-based cultural institutions for the premiere of “Together, Not Alone,” at The Local in LIC on Sunday, March 19. The event… Read more »