April 6, 2021 By Ryan Songalia With New York’s state budget expected to be released shortly, a group of Queens legislators are hoping it includes a number of progressive measures aimed at raising taxes on wealthy residents and large corporations. A package of six bills known collectively as the Invest In Our New York Act… Read more »
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A documentary series highlighting nonprofits in the borough – and how they have fared during the pandemic – debuted last week. The series, which was created by the Astoria Film Festival, showcases seven organizations and is being screened on Queens Public Television (QPTV), as well as on YouTube and… Read more »
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci Sunnyside Shines is holding its annual Restaurant Week later this month—the first time it will be held in spring. More than 40 restaurants are slated to participate in the event, scheduled to take place April 14 through April 20. As part of Sunnyside Restaurant Week, each business will offer… Read more »
April 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is revoking a controversial rule that closed public school buildings for 10 days if two unlinked COVID-19 cases were found in the school community. The DOE will no longer shutter schools for in-person classes due to two cases of the virus,… Read more »
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens state senator is calling on Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring its annual All-Star Game to Citi Field this summer. State Sen. and Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris penned a letter to the MLB commissioner Friday, encouraging him to relocate the showcase to Queens. Baseball officials had announced… Read more »
April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens cop accused of kneeling on a man’s neck during an arrest in Jamaica earlier this year will not be prosecuted, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday. The DA’s office had been investigating Officer Thomas Montario’s actions during a Jan 2. arrest of Long Island resident Sircarlyle… Read more »
April 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is backing a developer’s plan to build a “green energy” hub on the Long Island City waterfront. Yang joined local leaders and community members in the neighborhood Wednesday to announce his support for the plan dubbed “River Green Power” that would provide power to the… Read more »
April 2, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Spring is in the air and a new store that sells rare and exotic houseplants has just opened in Long Island City. Planted by Christy, located at 24-11 41st Ave., opened Saturday and offers a range of extravagant houseplants sourced from Southeast Asia that fetch as much as $10,000… Read more »
April 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin Comedian Amy Schumer entertained lucky park-goers with a surprise performance at Astoria Park Tuesday. Schumer — known for her comedy special “Inside Amy Schumer” and the movie “Trainwreck” — shared jokes during a ten-minute set near the waterfront. Local residents were thrilled to stumble upon the comedian — who… Read more »
April 1, 2021 By Christian Murray A 19-year-old Woodside Houses resident has been arrested and charged with murder for the stray-bullet killing of 37-year-old mother-of-two earlier this month. Dajuan Williams, of 50-15 Broadway, allegedly killed Gudelia Vallinas, while she walking near the corner of 48th Street and Broadway at around 8:30 p.m. on March 12…. Read more »