July 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Brand new elevators at the Astoria Boulevard N/W station opened to customers today, after many months of construction. Two street-to-mezzanine elevators and two mezzanine-to-platform elevators were put into service today at the station. Local leaders — who have pushed for elevators at the station for years to make it… Read more »
July 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Police are looking for a duo who robbed a gas station in Astoria at gunpoint last night. Two men entered a Mobil gas station, located at 32-09 21st St., just before 9 p.m. brandishing a black firearm. The pair demanded money from a 65-year-old employee as they went behind… Read more »
July 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Alternate side parking rules will return for all of next month, beginning Monday, Aug. 3, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The city has repeatedly suspended the street parking rules during the coronavirus pandemic, so that New Yorkers don’t have to move their cars for street cleaning. Alternate side… Read more »
July 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin A former Wake Forest basketball coach avoided jail time at his sentencing Thursday for the ‘one punch’ death of a Florida man in Long Island City two years ago. Jamill Jones, 37, of North Carolina, was sentenced to three years’ probation, 1,500 hours of community service and a $1,000… Read more »
July 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin BJ’s Wholesale Club will open a Long Island City location early next year, the company announced Wednesday evening. The bulk goods warehouse store will open on 48th Street, taking the spot in the Plaza 48 mall that was once home to National Wholesale Liquidators. The news that BJ’s was… Read more »
July 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin The State Senate passed a bill Wednesday that aims to make sure that people are not detained longer than 24 hours if they have not been charged. State Sen. Mike Gianaris introduced the bill after seeing protesters at Black Lives Matter rallies being held for extended periods without being… Read more »
July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin A gun trafficking ring in Queens has been dismantled after its ringleaders were arrested Tuesday. Three Queens residents who oversaw the operation were arrested and arraigned Tuesday for smuggling guns from Virginia to New York, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. A Virginia man was also arrested Tuesday as… Read more »
July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin Progressive newcomer and housing counselor Zohran Mamdani has beaten incumbent Aravella Simotas in a close Democratic primary to represent Astoria in the State Assembly. Simotas — who was first elected in 2010 — conceded to the first-time candidate and Democratic Socialists of America member today. “I congratulate @ZohranKMamdani for… Read more »
July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin A new drive-in movie series is coming to Flushing Meadows Corona Park next month to offer Queens residents a safe film screening experience with a retro flair. Rooftop Films is partnering with the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) and the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) to bring… Read more »
July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin The State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that come from commercial breeders. The bill, introduced by State. Sen. Mike Gianaris, aims to end puppy mills and breeding farms, where animals are typically overbred and often confined to poor living… Read more »