April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A federal jury convicted a Ridgewood man Wednesday for making online threats to kill Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Chuck Schumer and other leading Democrats. Brendan Hunt, 37, was found guilty in Brooklyn federal court after he called for the death and public executions of Ocasio-Cortez, Schumer and House Speaker… Read more »
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 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City plans to “fully reopen” on July 1, more than a year after the pandemic halted life in the city that never sleeps. “It’s time to set a goal for a full reopening in New York City and that goal is July 1,” Mayor Bill de Blasio… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio released the city’s executive budget for Fiscal Year 2022 Monday and included millions of dollars in funding for speed cameras, open streets and bike lanes among other items. The $98.6 billion “Recovery Budget” has been padded with federal stimulus money to help New York City… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Food and fun! That’s the concept behind a new outdoor barbeque restaurant that opened in Astoria earlier this month that features a large games area. Backyard Smokehouse, located at 25-22 Astoria Blvd., opened on April 15 and is serving barbequed meats that are cooked with Korean ingredients. It also… 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 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 »