July 7, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Rory Lancman has called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to fire Police Commissioner Dermot Shea for blaming the recent surge in violent crime on criminal justice reforms and measures that aim to combat police brutality. Lancman, who represents the 24th Council District in central Queens, said that… Read more »
July 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Board of Elections will begin counting the tens of thousands of absentee ballots Queens voters mailed in for the June primary election tomorrow. The board received a historic amount of absentee ballots after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order allowing all New York voters to vote via… Read more »
July 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin The NYPD is investigating an anti-Semitic act of vandalism in Forest Hills in which a swastika was carved into the hood of a parked car Thursday. A 61-year-old man discovered a swastika scratched into the hood of his vehicle–and his two passenger side tires punctured– on July 3, after… Read more »
July 6, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Queensboro FC has announced that it has signed a new head coach and that the newly-established team won’t begin playing until 2022– a year later than expected. The first-ever Queens professional soccer franchise announced Monday that Spanish coach Josep Gombau will manage the team. Gombau, whose 24 years of… Read more »
July 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo said he has made no decision as to whether schools will reopen in September — despite Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing Thursday that New York City public schools will do so. The opposing statements reignited their long-standing argument over who controls schools and yet again has… Read more »
July 6, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Congresswoman Grace Meng has announced that $1.6 million in federal funds has been allocated to 16 Jewish facilities in Queens to help with security. Meng said that the federal funds would help improve security at synagogues and educational institutions following an uptick in hate crimes and anti-Semitic incidents. Each… Read more »
July 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin Nail salons, tattoo and piercing parlors, spas and outdoor sports courts reopen today as New York City begins Phase III of the state’s reopening plan. Personal care services can reopen under the third phase but at a limited capacity and employees and customers must wear face coverings. Nail salons,… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A hit-and-run driver who went on a reckless driving spree that killed a 25-year-old man in Middle Village Wednesday – has been charged with murder and a series of other crimes. Ramon Pena, 37, drove a 2006 Isuzu box truck around parts of Queens and Brooklyn — and struck… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin A stretch of Bell Boulevard will close and be converted into an outdoor dining corridor on Friday nights and weekends, beginning July 4, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Member Paul Vallone announced today. The Bayside street will be closed to car traffic and filled with tables and chairs… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City public schools will reopen for the new school year in September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. City schools have been closed since March and instruction was moved online given the coronavirus pandemic. School buildings will reopen for in-person classes on the first day of school…. Read more »