May 11, 2022 By Christian Murray The State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. 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 conditions. Gianaris hopes the legislation will… Read more »
May 11, 2022 By Michael Dorgan The FDNY pulled a man’s body from the East River by the Astoria Ferry Terminal Wednesday morning. First responders were called to the waterfront at around 6 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a body floating in the river near Vernon Boulevard and 30th Drive, police said. The area… Read more »
May 11, 2022 By Christian Murray A fiery Astoria woman has been locked up for fatally pushing an 87-year-old woman to the ground in Manhattan in March. Lauren Pazienza, who lived at the Shore Towers apartment complex in Astoria, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault. Pazienza, who pleaded not… Read more »
May 10, 2022 By Michael Dorgan More than a dozen councilmembers– including three from Queens–have introduced legislation that would ramp up fines for drivers of noisy vehicles. The bill—sponsored by 17 councilmembers including Queens representatives Sandra Ung, Linda Lee and Lynn C. Schulman—would double the existing penalties for motorists who drive with loud exhausts or… Read more »
May 10, 2022 By Michael Dorgan New Yorkers who live in low-income neighborhoods lack access to quality parks and playgrounds when compared to residents living in affluent areas, according to a Queens councilmember. Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, who represents District 25 in Jackson Heights, says that neighborhood parks in poorer communities are often inadequately maintained due… Read more »
May 10, 2022 By Christian Murray Jackson Heights Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas introduced legislation Monday that would set up a $50 million fund that would pay for abortion services for women from out of state where the procedure is outlawed. The bill, titled the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program, would lead to the establishment of a… Read more »
May 10, 2022 By Christian Murray A development company plans to build a 23-story residential tower on Vernon Boulevard—on the site that is currently home to the dilapidated Paragon Paint Building. Quadrum Global, an international investment firm, is seeking a zoning variance through the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) in order to develop the… Read more »
May 9, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A woman is dead after being struck by a motorist while crossing 21st Street in Astoria Friday night. Karina Larino, 38, was hit by a driver of a 2005 Honda Element while attempting to cross 21st Street— near Astoria Park—at around 10:10 p.m., according to police. The victim lived… Read more »
May 5, 2022 By Michael Dorgan The owner of The Brass Owl, a boutique located on Ditmars Boulevard, is opening a children’s store. The new store, which will be called The Tiny Owl, will open on May 21 at 31-21 Ditmars Blvd. in a space that was previously occupied by Zikos Realty. The Tiny Owl… Read more »
May 6, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A pedestrian is in critical condition after being mowed down by a hit-and-run driver in Astoria early Friday morning. The victim, a 33-year-old man, was hit while crossing at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 33rd Street at around 3:40 a.m., according to police. The driver, who was in… Read more »