April 22, 2021 By Christian Murray Several candidates are running to represent the 22nd Council District—a position that was recently occupied by Costa Constantinides. In our latest Podcast, we talk to Nicholas Velkov who is vying for the seat, which covers Astoria as well as sections of East Elmhurst, Woodside and Jackson Heights. Velkov is an… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill that redefines the definition of rape passed the State Assembly on Tuesday. The legislation, typically referred to as the “Rape is Rape” bill, aims to expand the definition beyond vaginal penetration. Currently, oral and anal sexual assaults are charged as “criminal sexual acts,” not rape. While criminal… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Police released video footage Tuesday of a shooting that took place on Northern Boulevard in Long Island City earlier this month that left a man hospitalized. The police said that two unidentified suspects approached a 44-year-old man at approximately 8:40 p.m. on April 9 in front of 30-25 Northern… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Christina Santucci Real estate development company TF Cornerstone announced Tuesday that it is now leasing market rate apartments at one of its new towers at Hunters Point South in Long Island City. The apartments on offer are in its 45-story building at 52-41 Center Blvd. — part of TF Cornerstone’s two-tower… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Christina Santucci The Community Council for the 114th Precinct in Astoria is holding a virtual meeting this evening – the group’s first meeting in more than a year. Information about how to attend was posted on Twitter by the 114th Precinct’s account, and the Zoom meeting is scheduled to begin at… Read more »
April 27, 2021 Op-ed By John J. Ciafone Crime is out of control in the City and in our neighborhoods. Every day citizens are being victimized by the criminal element which is unabashed in committing violence. There is no more safety, whether at home, on the street or in the subways. We have succumbed to… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Christina Santucci A 43-year-old police officer – who was directing traffic at the scene of a fatal crash – was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the Long Island Expressway in Fresh Meadows early Tuesday morning. NYPD Highway Officer Anastasios Tsakos, a 14-year veteran of the department, had been diverting traffic… Read more »
April 26, 2021 By Christina Santucci More than 150 participants turned out for a bike ride in Queens Saturday in solidarity against anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) violence, event organizers said. The 10-mile ride, held Saturday afternoon, was put together by Biking Public Project Co-Founder Helen Ho, Margaret Lu of Girls Bike NYC, activist… Read more »
April 26, 2021 By Christina Santucci Volunteers who run a community fridge in Woodside said their refrigerator was vandalized early Sunday morning – and they are now working to set up a replacement. The Woodside Community Fridge provides free food for anyone and everyone – no questions asked – from the publicly-accessible refrigerator and shelf… Read more »
April 26, 2021 By Christina Santucci The city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking community input about bus routes – as well as pedestrian and bike safety – on 21st Street in western Queens, as part of a study of the corridor. The agency has established a community advisory board to solicit feedback and has… Read more »