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 Allie Griffin A slew of state-imposed COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants will be lifted next month. Previous executive orders that Governor Andrew Cuomo imposed on the businesses at the height of the pandemic — such as curfews, the required food with alcohol purchase rule, and the suspension of bar service… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin Students attending St. John’s University in the fall will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before class begins. The university announced last Wednesday that all students who plan to attend in-person classes next semester will be required to be fully vaccinated. COVID-19 shots are now available to all… 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 28, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A 16-year-old girl was beaten and robbed by three people while she was inside her apartment at Queensbridge Houses last month. The victim had let her boyfriend into her apartment, located at 41-05 10th St., on March 27 at around 5:45 p.m. before three female suspects busted into the… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin A bill that would ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores in New York is making headway in the state legislature. The legislation — sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and State Sen. Michael Gianaris — is set to move for a full vote on the… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Queens’ first-ever professional soccer franchise has a new home. Queensboro FC announced Tuesday that it will build a new 7,500 seat stadium at York College in Jamaica, where the first team will play its home games in its inaugural 2022 season and beyond. The club said it was entering… 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 »