Nov. 5, 2021 By Max Parrott A developer’s application to rezone a section of 31st Street in Astoria — to make way for three large residential buildings — received the conditional approval of the Queens borough president last week. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ approval, which he issued on Oct. 29, is at odds with… Read more »
Nov. 4, 2021 By Christian Murray (Updated) A bicyclist was fatally struck by the driver of a box truck in Sunnyside Wednesday, police said. Qiang Tu, 58, of Forest Hills, was riding his bicycle westbound on 47th Avenue at around 8:35 a.m. when he was struck by a box truck driver who was traveling on… Read more »
This article was originally published by The CITY on Nov. 3, 2021, 7:45 p.m. BY Rachel Holliday Smith New Yorkers were on track for a new constitutional right to clean air and water, thanks to a ballot proposal that appeared headed for passage. The measure, which had garnered more than 60 percent of the vote by… Read more »
Nov. 3, 2021 By Christian Murray A Woodside resident with strong ties to Long Island City has been appointed Queens Deputy Borough President. Ebony Young, who worked as the executive director of the YMCA in Long Island City for nearly nine years, will replace Rhonda Binda who is leaving borough hall to join the private… Read more »
Nov. 2, 2021 By Christian Murray Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, who will be out of office at the end of the year due to term limits, is trying to pass a bill before he leaves that aims to reduce the amount of plastic food utensils in New York City. The legislation, which he introduced… Read more »
Nov. 1, 2021 By Christian Murray People who own pit bulls, Rottweilers and other dogs deemed aggressive have often struggled to buy homeowners’ insurance or have faced higher premiums. That is about to change. A bill, sponsored by State Sen. Mike Gianaris, was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week, which bans insurance… Read more »
Nov. 1, 2021 By Christian Murray A Queens state assembly woman has introduced legislation that would require school administrators to report statistics pertaining to the race and socioeconomics of their student body as part of their annual report cards. Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas—who represents Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside—introduced a bill Oct. 20 that… Read more »
Oct 29, 2021, By Alex Zimmerman, Chalkbeat New York Enrollment in the nation’s largest school system has dropped roughly 1.9 percent this school year, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the education department. Roughly 938,000 students are enrolled in New York City’s public schools, down from about 955,000 last school year, when the system… Read more »
Nov. 1, 2021 By Christian Murray The City Council approved two rezoning applications last month paving the way for two large-scale developments in western Queens. The developments are in Woodside and Astoria and each consists of about 200 rental units with ground floor retail and space for cultural groups. The rezonings are both within the… Read more »
Oct. 27, 2021 By Christian Murray The streets of Sunnyside Gardens will be closed for a few hours Sunday night to make way for approximately 1,000 kids who will be trick-or-treating. The annual Halloween event through Sunnyside Gardens will return this year in full force after the pandemic crimped festivities last year. “I’m expecting 1,000… Read more »