July 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The mayor signed a package of police reform bills into law Wednesday that aim to combat police brutality and encourage greater police accountability. The legislation takes aim at police misconduct by banning cops from using chokeholds in all situations as well as making police records more accessible to the… Read more »
July 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The fight to stop a local supermarket from shutting during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have failed. The owners of the Key Food store, located at 22-15 31st St., informed the state last week that they will shutter the store in October and lay off all of its 151… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Police are searching for a man who stole an electric bicycle from an e-bike store in Astoria earlier this month and punched an employee who tried to stop him. Police said the suspect entered Fly E-Bike, located at 33-06 28 Ave., on July 1 at around 12:30 p.m. before… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A jeweler who ran a failed Ponzi scheme and was left owing investors around $200 million was arrested and charged Tuesday. Gregory Altieri, 53, promised investors that he could generate returns of between 30 percent and 70 percent in a matter of months based on jewelry deals he could… Read more »
July 10, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The operators of a California sandwich shop have come to New York and have opened an eatery in Long Island City. Joel Miller and Dave Fernie, who operate a single shop in Los Angeles called E Stretto, have opened up a counter inside Dutch Kills bar, located at 27-24… Read more »
July 13, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Public Library (QPL) has opened some of its local branches for the first time in nearly four months. Seven locations opened to the public for pickups and returns today while nine additional sites are now accepting returns. The library system shut all of its 66 branches on… Read more »
July 10, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that alternate-side parking will remain suspended through July 19. De Blasio has repeatedly suspended alternate side parking throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the need for residents to leave their homes. The mayor said that he will determine whether it will be extended… Read more »
July 9, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Comedian Michael Che has been hosting a series of free outdoor popup shows in Long Island City that have been drawing large, socially-distanced crowds. The Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-host has been holding weekly stand-up comedy events outside the Plaxall Gallery, located at 5-25 46th Ave., since June…. Read more »
July 7, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Rory Lancman has called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to fire Police Commissioner Dermot Shea for blaming the recent surge in violent crime on criminal justice reforms and measures that aim to combat police brutality. Lancman, who represents the 24th Council District in central Queens, said that… Read more »
July 7, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Police are searching for a man who burglarized a grocery store in Astoria early Sunday morning and stole cash and cigarettes. The suspect allegedly smashed through the glass front door of Noreen’s, located at 29-24 Hoyt Avenue South, at around 5:18 a.m. on July 5, according to police. The… Read more »