Jan. 8, 2024 By Martha Stark For decades, it has been an open secret that New York City’s property tax system is inequitable and unfair. This regressive system, rooted in outdated and discriminatory policies, has not only exacerbated the housing crisis but also deepened the economic divide, disproportionately burdening lower-income and minority communities. Next week,…
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Jan. 8, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan Advocates standing up for elderly, disabled and low-income bus riders brought up several issues with the MTA’s proposed plan to redesign the entire Queens bus network during a virtual meeting held by a transit advocacy group on Thursday. About a dozen participants who familiarized themselves with the MTA’s $30 million bus plan, which was unveiled in December, say that its proposed removal of over a thousand bus stops will hurt riders. While the MTA hopes to give riders faster and more consistent service, while also combatting low ridership, advocates argue that it has failed…
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Jan. 4, 2024 By Ethan Marshall New events come with the new year. As we enter the first weekend of 2024, there is plenty of things to do across Queens. Whether it is related to art, entertaining performances, or even contributing to the community, there are a lot of activities to keep people occupied in…
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Jan. 4, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The COVID-19 pandemic led to more of the highest-earning residents of New York State who make at least $815,000 a year to leave for other states. However, they are now much less likely to move away than those in the middle class and working class, according to a study…
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Jan. 4, 2024 By Rachel Butler Residents of East Elmhurst, Astoria and Jackson Heights will be meeting with government officials on Feb. 1 to discuss the long-standing issue of sewer backups and flooding in their respective neighborhoods. The issue has been especially problematic in recent years, given the extreme weather. For instance, Hurricane Ida in…
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Jan. 3, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The number of robberies spiked across Queens over the final month of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD on Monday. During the 28-day period from Dec. 4-31, the number of robberies rose 54.2% in northern Queens, from 118 cases in 2022 to 182 in 2023. The most significant increase was seen in the 110th Precinct, which oversees Corona and Elmhurst. Cases there rose from 18 to 52. In southern Queens, there was a 23.6% increase in robberies over the same period…
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Jan. 3, 2024 By Bill Parry Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz was sworn in for a second term Tuesday in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall. The ceremony was attended by 200 staff and justices, and her youngest son, Hunter, held the copy of the Old Testament used for the swearing in. She was sworn in by Supreme Court Administrative Judge Donna-Marie Golia. Katz made history when she first took office four years ago becoming the first woman ever to serve as head prosecutor in Queens and the first new Queens District Attorney in 28 years, following…
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Dec. 29, 2023 By Ethan Marshall COVID-19 is on the rise throughout the nation and Queens is one of the areas most impacted by the surge. New York City as a whole has seen an increase in cases over the past month, with Queens being the borough that is leading the way. The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Queens has been steadily rising since the middle of November, according to NYC.gov, which is tracking the cases. Cases have increased from 215 on Nov. 21 to 636 on Dec. 21. This rise in cases has occurred even with…
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Dec. 28, 2023 By Ethan Marshall As we prepare to celebrate the new year, there are still plenty of things to do this weekend in Queens before the year wraps up. From social events to fun classes, there is a lot to look forward to this weekend. Friday, Dec. 29 Youth Art Festival NYC Parks will shine a spotlight on and celebrate the artistic creations of their afterschool youth program participants. There will be several fun activities available, including button making, 3D models, glitter tattoos, alebrije postcards, watercolor paintings and stop motion animation. (Al Oerter Recreation Center, 131-40…
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Dec. 28, 2023 By QNS’s advertising partner As the City’s Finance Commissioner during the Bloomberg Administration, Martha Stark helped bring a new level of transparency to the property tax system. For the first time, owners were notified of the process and information that was used to assess their property taxes. Now, as the co-founder of…
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