Author: schnepsrestagent

Queens Defenders founder charged with stealing nonprofit funds as second scandal unfolds

queens defenders

Jun. 20, 2025 By Bill Parry The founder of the Queens Defenders and her husband have lawyered up after they were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the non-profit organization. Former Queens Defenders executive director Lori Zeno, 64, surrendered Wednesday at the Brooklyn federal courthouse.…

The best places to catch the summer solstice sunset in Queens

Jun. 19, 2025 By jmilitello June 19, 2025 By Jessica Militello The summer solstice is your golden-hour invitation to pause and soak it all in. Friday, June 20, marks the longest day of the year—and the perfect excuse to savor every last sunlit moment. As daylight stretches into evening, there’s no better way to…

Ride to vote: Lime offers free e-scooter trips during June primary

lime

Jun. 19, 2025 By Athena Dawson Queens voters can ride to the polls for free this June, thanks to Lime’s “Lime to the Polls” initiative. Lime—one of three e-scooter companies participating in the eastern Queens e-scooter share program—is expanding its civic engagement campaign to help residents get to and from polling places during early…

Gonzalez advances landmark legislation on artificial intelligence oversight

gonzalez

Jun. 19, 2025 By Czarinna Andres New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who represents parts of western Queens, successfully passed two major bills designed to regulate the growing use of artificial intelligence in public and private systems. The legislation marks a significant milestone in Gonzalez’s broader “Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence” package and positions…

Jamaica man who attacked Sikh driver in fatal road rage incident gets 10 years: DA

sikh

Jun. 19, 2025 By Bill Parry A Southeast Queens man was sentenced to a decade in prison for a hate crime for punching out a Sikh man following a 2023 fender bender in Kew Gardens. The victim suffered a head injury and died five days later. Gilbert Augustin, 32, of 111th Avenue in Jamaica,…

Mets to celebrate Women’s Night at Citi Field with exclusive giveaway

women's night

Jun. 19, 2025 By Jessica Militello Citi Field will celebrate the contributions of women in sports, culture, and beyond with its annual Women’s Night on Monday, June 23, as the New York Mets take on the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at 41 Seaver Way, with a full evening of…

Queens Greenmarkets return for 2025 with fresh produce and local vendors

greenmarket

Jun. 18, 2025 By Czarinna Andres Queens, your veggies are calling. GrowNYC has officially launched the 2025 season of its Queens Greenmarkets, bringing farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods and more to borough residents straight from local and regional producers. With markets in Flushing, Forest Hills, Sunnyside, Corona, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights, the nonprofit’s Greenmarket…

Krishnan leads push to end city contracts with convicted landscaping company owner

landscaping

Jun. 18, 2025 By Czarinna Andres A coalition of elected officials and labor leaders is calling on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to immediately terminate all contracts with Griffin’s Landscaping, a city contractor whose owner, Glenn Griffin, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for bribery and illegal…

Longtime Astoria lawyer John Ciafone makes another run for Civil Court judge

john ciafone

Jun. 18, 2025 By Ethan Marshall As early voting continues ahead of the June 24 primary election for Queens Civil Court, one candidate vying for one of the four open seats, John Ciafone, is hoping to secure the Democratic nomination. A lifelong Astoria resident and the son of an immigrant, Ciafone brings over 30…

Free Shakespeare in the Park performance coming to Queens Night Market this Saturday

shakespeare in the park

Jun. 18, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Shakespeare in the Park is coming to Queens Night Market this weekend, with a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing” scheduled for Saturday evening. The event, which will take place at Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, is free to the public…