July 30, 2019 By Max Murray Two units are up for grabs in another Astoria affordable housing lottery — with the monthly rents going for $1,200 and $1,450 respectively. The apartments are contained within a newly-constructed 3-story, six-unit building at 20-52 49th St., between 20th and 21st Avenues. The two units differ in pricing with… Read more »
July 29, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Board of Elections unanimously certified the election results in the contested Queens District Attorney Democratic Primary race today, naming Borough President Melinda Katz victorious over public defender Tiffany Cabán. Despite the board’s certification, the race is far from over, as Cabán’s campaign continues to contest more than 100… Read more »
July 27, 2019 By Christian Murray A 38-year-old Ravenswood resident who distributed cocaine and heroin in and around the NYCHA housing projects on 36th Avenue pleaded guilty to drug charges last week. Jamarl Gilmore, who ran a crew of drug dealers out of the Ravenswood NYCHA development, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree criminal sale of… Read more »
July 27, 2019 By Christian Murray In July 2013, several Dutch Kills residents joined elected officials at the intersection of 39th Avenue and 29th Street to call on the City to take action to prevent traffic accidents at the location. Yesterday, almost six years to the day, the DOT joined the same elected officials and… Read more »
July 25, 2019 Staff Report Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a $58.4 million plan to improve bike safety throughout the city, following a rash of cyclist deaths this year, including two in a 24-hour period just this week. The wide-ranging plan includes a number of infrastructure, enforcement, policy and outreach measures. It plans to… Read more »
July 25, 2019, Jackie Strawbridge The recount in the Queens District Attorney Democratic primary race completed today, with Borough President Melinda Katz declaring victory over public defender Tiffany Cabán. “Now that every valid vote has been counted and recounted, the results confirm once again that the people of Queens have chosen Melinda Katz as the… Read more »
July 24, Staff Report Police are looking for an e-bike rider who robbed two people on the streets of Astoria in May and June. The first robbery occurred on May 26 at 1:40 p.m., near 48-01 Northern Blvd. The victim, a 30-year-old man, was waiting at a bus stop when an unidentified man approached him… Read more »
July 23, 2019, Jackie Strawbridge The MTA will install netting under elevated train tracks in four locations throughout Queens and Manhattan, including under the N/W between Queensboro Plaza and 39th Avenue, following several incidents of debris falling from train tracks onto roads below. The new nets are part of a pilot program to test “whether… Read more »
July 22, 2019, Jackie Strawbridge Astorians will get the opportunity tonight to comment on Con Edison’s plan to increase electricity and gas rates starting in 2020. Council Member Costa Constantinides will host a public comment session regarding the rate hike at P.S. 122 (21-21 Ditmars Blvd.) at 7 p.m. this evening. The rate hike in… Read more »
July 19, 2019, Staff Report Astoria residents looking for relief from this weekend’s heat wave can visit local Queens Public Library locations during special Sunday opening hours. The Queens Public Library will open 11 branches around the borough that are normally closed on Sunday, to serve as City-designated cooling centers—including the Astoria branches at 14-01 Astoria… Read more »