Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board approved the hiring of 500 additional transit police officers Wednesday, despite opposition from several local lawmakers. The board voted to approve the authority’s $17 billion budget for 2020, which included funding for the additional officers — an expected $249 million over the next… Read more »
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Van Bramer Calls for Commercial Rent Control Bill, Aims to Protect Small Businesses From Rent Hikes
Dec. 18, 2019 By Kristen Torres Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer has sponsored a commercial rent control bill that aims to protect small businesses from hefty rent hikes. Van Bramer held a press conference in support of the bill outside of the recently-closed Dave’s Bagels, located at 43-20 Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside, on Friday. “Saving… Read more »
Gianaris Bill to Raise NYC Small Claims Court Limit to $10K Signed into Law
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 »
Astoria Community Leaders Break Ground on $1.5 Million Playground
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 »
Police Searching for Suspect Who Sexually Assaulted Women in Astoria and Jackson Heights
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 »
Gianaris Introduces Bill to Ban “Devocalization” Surgeries on Household Pets
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 »
Brooklyn Man Convicted of Manslaughter for 2016 Shooting Death on Steinway Street
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 »
Astoria Woman Who Fatally Shot Boyfriend and Set His Body Alight Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter: DA
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 »
Trader Joe’s is Opening in Long Island City, According to Brokers
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 »
Simotas’ Bill to Assist Small Businesses With Regulatory Changes Signed Into Law
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 »