Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin A bill sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris to increase the amount in dispute that small claims court can address in New York City was signed into a law by the governor Monday. The law increases the previous jurisdictional limit from $5,000 to $10,000 and only applies to courts… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin Queens community leaders broke ground on a new $1.5 million student-designed playground at P.S. 84Q in Astoria Monday. The new green playground, scheduled to open in the fall of 2020, has been designed by students who have learned skills like budgeting, negotiation and planning in the process. At the… Read more »
Dec. 17, 2019 By Allie Griffin Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted multiple women in separate incidents in both Astoria and Jackson Heights. The suspect first assaulted two women at an Astoria massage parlor near Steinway Street and 25th Avenue on Nov. 8. At about 8:45 p.m., the unidentified man grabbed a… Read more »
Dec. 16, 2019 By Kristen Torres A Queens lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban “devocalization” surgeries on household pets — a procedure that leaves cats and dogs unable to communicate. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who represents western Queens, announced the legislation on Dec. 14 while speaking at PetCon NYC — a nationwide conference for animal… Read more »
Dec. 16, 2019 By Allie Griffin A 27-year-old man from Brooklyn was convicted of manslaughter for the 2016 shooting death of a man in Astoria, the Queens District Attorney’s Office announced Friday. Santiago Salcedo, of Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree attempted assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession… Read more »
Dec. 12, 2019 By Christian Murray An Astoria woman who fatally shot her boyfriend and then set his body on fire pleaded guilty yesterday to first-degree manslaughter. Dawn McIntosh, 50, shot her boyfriend Shron McWhorter, 43, in the chest and torso sometime some time between 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 and Saturday, Aug. 29,… Read more »
Dec. 11, 2019 By Christian Murray Trader’s Joes is coming to Long Island City, according to a number of well-placed real estate brokers. The popular grocery chain, known for its quality products at affordable prices, will be moving into 22-43 Jackson Ave. A lease has been signed and the store is expected to open late… Read more »
Dec. 11, 2019 By Michael Dorgan A bill to reform the way the state enforces new regulatory measures was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday. The new law requires state agencies to first assess the impact new regulations will have on small businesses as well as help them better adjust to the… Read more »
Dec. 10, 2019 By Kristen Torres A new sculpture unveiled at Socrates Sculptural Park in Long Island City highlights the importance of trade workers through a one-of-its-kind lighting structure. The sculpture, entitled “Muscle Memory,” was created by trade workers from the Workers Art Coalition (WAC), members of the Local 3 I.B.E.W and students from SUNY’s… Read more »
Dec. 9, 2019 By Allie Griffin Assemblymember Aravella Simotas will face a liberal challenger in next year’s Democratic primary. Newcomer Zohran Mamdani, a 28-year-old foreclosure housing counselor, is running for the 5-term incumbent’s seat representing District 36 in the New York State Assembly. The district covers Astoria. The New York City chapter of the Democratic… Read more »