Oct. 17, 2019. By Shane O’Brien and Christian Murray The New York City Council voted in favor of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to close Rikers Island Thursday overcoming fierce opposition from community boards and neighborhood groups. The plan, which will see the infamous prison facility close by 2026 and be replaced by four new… Read more »
Oct. 17, 2019 by Christian Murray Michelin has released its picks for the 2020 Bib Gourmand award, a recognition designated to 133 restaurants this year where diners can eat quality food for a good value. The list includes 17 restaurants located in Queens, spanning several neighborhoods including Long Island City, Astoria, Forest Hills, and Flushing…. Read more »
Oct. 15, 2019 By Shane O’Brien The size of the proposed new jail in Kew Gardens has been reduced yet again as the City Council prepares to vote on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to shut down Rikers Island and replace it with four borough-based jails by 2026. The proposed jail at 182-02 82nd Ave…. Read more »
Oct. 14, 2019. By Shane O’Brien The city has lowered the estimated 2026 jail population yet again and officials say that the lower number could result in smaller borough-based jails. Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced Monday that the city’s jail population is expected to be about 3,300 by 2026…. Read more »
Oct. 11, 2019 By Allie Griffin A 6-year-old boy was assaulted by an emotionally disturbed homeless man right outside his grandfather’s Kew Gardens home yesterday. The boy was standing in the driveway of the home near Metropolitan Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard just before 5 p.m. on Thursday when a 35-year-old homeless man randomly attacked him…. Read more »
Oct. 11, 2019. By Shane O’Brien The City Council, backed by the mayor, took action yesterday to make sure that Rikers Island will be shut permanently. The council is expected to file an application with Dept. of City Planning to remap Rikers Island so that it can no longer be used as a prison after… Read more »
Oct 9, 2019 By Shane O’Brien A number of immigration organizations and some elected officials are holding three days of rallies across Queens and Brooklyn in opposition to the mayor’s borough-based jail plan. The groups–as well as elected officials such as Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer- are calling for the closure of Rikers Island but… Read more »
Oct. 8, 2019 By Allie Griffin The city issued more than $10 million in speed camera violations in Queens alone in the first six weeks after the program’s expansion this summer. During the first six weeks following the program’s July 11 expansion, the city mailed out more than 200,000 tickets to Queens drivers caught speeding… Read more »
Oct. 7, 2019. By Shane O’Brien Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has come out against the Mayor’s borough-based jail plan joining the likes of Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and the advocacy group No New Jails. Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Wednesday to call on the city council to vote against the proposal or to at least delay… Read more »
Oct. 4, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Forest Hills Jewish Center’s ambitious plan to redevelop the site is on hold, as its business partner is no longer part of the deal. The initial plans to build a 10-story mixed use building are now up in the air. However, the Jewish center still plans on redeveloping… Read more »