Sept. 15, 2021 By Allie Griffin Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce a bill in the House of Representatives this week to extend federal unemployment insurance through February, she announced Tuesday. The federal unemployment benefits expired Sept. 6 — leaving millions of Americans without income as they look for work. An estimated 800,000 New York City… Read more »
Sept. 15, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police exchanged several rounds of fire with a man who was holding his wife—an off-duty NYPD officer—hostage in South Ozone Park Tuesday. Cops shot and wounded the irate man who used his wife’s service weapon to threaten her inside their home on 133rd Avenue near 130th Street. The off-duty… Read more »
Sept. 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Catholic school students in Queens and Brooklyn have the option to learn fully online, the Diocese said Monday — the same day public school students returned to school with no remote option at all. Elementary and middle school students at Catholic academies across Queens and Brooklyn can attend school… Read more »
Sept. 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer wants to make a pandemic-era program that allows performers to host ticketed events on city streets a permanent fixture in the city. Van Bramer introduced a bill last week to make the temporary “Open Culture” permit program permanent and year-round. The Council’s Committee on… Read more »
Sept. 13, 2021 By Michael Dorgan An alleged hit-and-run driver who plowed into a dirt bike rider and man on a moped on the Long Island Expressway while drunk early Saturday – killing one of them and injuring another – has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an incident. Jorge Serrano,… Read more »
Sept. 13, 2021 By Allie Griffin A 23-year-old woman is facing hate crime charges after she was arrested Friday for smashing two statues outside a Forest Hills Catholic Church in July. Officers cuffed local resident Jacqueline Nikiena on charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime and aggravated harassment Friday. Nikiena was caught on camera… Read more »
Sept. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin The LaGuardia AirTrain project is likely to be the world’s most expensive transit project per rider in history, according to a new report. The $2.1 billion project — a 1.5 mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road at Willets Point —… Read more »
Sept. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Saturday marks two decades since the collapse of the Twin Towers and the loss of 2,977 people on a day forever etched into New Yorkers’ memories. Many organizations are hosting ceremonies and vigils to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the lives lost that day. Here’s where… Read more »
Sept. 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of Queens officials who have lived in basement apartments themselves said Wednesday that calls to remove such units are not realistic. Critics who want the city to crack down on illegal basement apartments and end their use say the units are unsafe and lead to overcrowding. They… Read more »
Sept. 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin The NYPD released a gruesome video today of a brazen daylight murder that took place in South Ozone Park Monday. The video shows the fatal shooting of a 46-year-old man who was ambushed and shot in the head by a gunman on South Conduit Avenue Monday morning. The footage… Read more »