Dec. 23, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon

At least two high-profile subway crimes rocked the outer boroughs just days after Gov. Kathy Hochul added hundreds more National Guard members to the train system — leaving New Yorkers skeptical of their safety both above and below ground.

A Queens grand jury indicted a Kew Gardens Hills man for allegedly shooting two men during an argument over a parking spot.

Alan Rodrigues, 22, of 147-24 79th Ave., was arraigned on Dec. 18 in Queens Supreme Court on a six-count indictment charging him with two counts each of attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Queens families looking for festive and educational holiday fun need look no further than their local parks.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson

The New York City Council passed two transparency-focused bills during its Stated Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, aimed at improving communication around roadway closures and parking space suspensions.

QNS is looking back at our top stories throughout 2024 as we look forward to 2025. In terms of crime, the borough was shaken by several high-profile murders, police shootings and drug gang takedowns, many of which shocked the entire city. Here are some of the top 2024 crime stories in Queens.

The city’s first homicide of the year went down in an Elmhurst karaoke bar

New York City’s first murder in 2024 occurred on New Year’s Day when a Manhattan bouncer stabbed two men outside an Elmhurst karaoke bar near 76th Street and Roosevelt Ave. just before 4 a.m. Torrance Holmes, 35, of Hamilton Heights, was arrested by detectives days later at his home and transported back to Queens to face justice.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

As 2024 turns into 2025, QNS is looking back on its most popular stories from each month of the year.

Dec. 23, 2024 By Athena Dawson

U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, who represents New York’s 5th District, which covers southeast Queens and parts of Nassau County, and U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, who represents Texas’ 17th District, which covers areas including Waco and College Station, have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating financial burdens for first-time homeowners.

Dec. 22, 2024 By Nelson A. King

A man who plays four harmonicas simultaneously, a 7-year-old piano prodigy, and a woman who turns mixed materials into shoe sculptures were just some of the talented constituents who were featured at State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo’s Artist Showcase on Dec. 15 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center (FHJC).

Dec. 22, 2024 By Nelson A. King

A man who plays four harmonicas simultaneously, a 7-year-old piano prodigy, and a woman who turns mixed materials into shoe sculptures were just some of the talented constituents who were featured at State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo’s Artist Showcase on Dec. 15 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center (FHJC).

Dec. 20, 2024 By Emily Davenport and QNS News Team

After decades of helping New Yorkers celebrate life’s biggest moments, Party City is throwing its final party—announcing the closure of all its stores, including its last two locations in Queens.

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst on Thursday, engaging with local residents amid their holiday shopping to discuss the rising cost of living in New York and to promote her proposal to deliver Inflation Reduction checks aimed at easing financial burdens for New Yorkers.

Police from the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills arrested an Ozone Park man on Friday morning looking for allegedly striking an NYPD traffic enforcement agent during an argument in Rego Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Mark Garrido, 29, of 98th Street, is charged with assault and robbery for rushing at the 56-year-old victim, who was on duty and in uniform at 4:20 p.m. in front of a Taco Bell at 95-06 63rd Drive.

Dec. 20, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Council Member Robert Holden sharply criticized the MTA on Wednesday after the transit authority’s board approved a 2025 budget plan that includes fare hikes for public transportation and toll increases beginning next summer.

Hundreds of warehouse workers and drivers walked off the job and joined the picket line outside the massive DBK4 Amazon fulfillment center in Maspeth on Thursday morning as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) launched the largest strike ever against the $2 trillion corporation in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Illinois.

Amazon workers at other facilities across the country say they are prepared to join them to protest unfair labor practices after the IBT set a Dec. 15 deadline for Amazon to begin negotiations on a new agreement. The union was ignored.

Dec. 19, 2024 By cmotherway

Dec. 19, 2024 By Colum Motherway

Dec. 19, 2024 By Barbara Russo Lennon and QNS News Team

Queens commuters frustrated with inadequate bus service can look forward to improvements as the MTA plans to enhance service on several key routes next year. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the upgrades, which will impact 24 bus lines across New York City, include a significant boost for Queens riders.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

Eviction rates at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties have surged under the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, raising concerns about tenant protections, according to a new audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Athena Dawson

Tap-to-pay is here to stay, and the iconic yellow MetroCards will soon be a New York City relic.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Colum Motherway

The Woodhaven Business Improvement District (BID) hosted a stunning Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 6, with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Ozone Park-Woodhaven and Queens Community Board 9.

Dec. 18, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

A Forest Hills homeowners group has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the operators of Forest Hills Stadium due to the “harms caused” by the yearly concert series at the stadium. 

Dec. 18, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

The average rental price in Queens for studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units maintained an upward trend from the previous year in November 2024, according to a report by the real estate firm M.N.S. Real Estate.

Dec. 18, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon and Lloyd Mitchell

The MTA Board approved on Wednesday a budget plan for 2025 that includes public transportation fare hikes and toll increases slated to take effect next summer.

Dec. 18, 2024 By sobrien

Dec. 18, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

A Whitestone mobster was sentenced on Dec. 13 to two-and-a-half years in federal prison for racketeering in connection with operating an illegal gambling business in Lynbrook, Long Island.

Carmelo Polito, 64, a former acting captain and soldier in the Genovese organized crime family, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court on April 5 to operating a gambling parlor out of the Gran Caffé and attempting to extort an individual who owed him money stemming from a separate online sports betting business.