Feb. 24, 2025 By Colum Motherway Starbucks baristas at the Fresh Pond Road location in Ridgewood filed a petition for a union election on Wednesday, Feb. 19, officially joining a rapidly growing movement of baristas across the country pushing for better workplace protections. The baristas are seeking to unionize in order to advocate for…
Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway The debate over New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program took a new turn on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing plans to end the tolling program. The letter, penned by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cites…
Feb. 19, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden is calling for Comptroller Brad Lander to recuse himself from any discussions surrounding the status of Mayor Eric Adams. The demand follows Lander’s recent actions, which Holden has described as politically motivated and a misuse of city resources. Holden’s statement was released in response…
Feb. 19, 2025 By Bill Parry A Marine Corps veteran from Glendale pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court last week to an indictment charging him with threatening to assault and murder a U.S. District Judge. Kenneth J. Ward, Jr., 59, of Myrtle Avenue, admitted he threatened a federal judge in July during a telephone…
Feb. 19, 2025 By Colum Motherway Transfiguration Church, a historic institution in the heart of the Maspeth community, has been a pillar of faith for over 100 years. Also known as Transfiguration – Saint Stanislaus Kostka, the parish at 64-25 Perry Ave. has witnessed generations of worshippers and plays an essential role in the…
Feb. 17, 2025 By Colum Motherway Queens Community Board 5 members discussed various issues facing their neighborhoods and the urgent needs they hope to include in Mayor Eric Adams’ upcoming budget during their monthly hearing on Feb. 12. While no speakers addressed the Board during the public forum, Staff Member John Maier, on behalf…
Feb. 14, 2025 By Colum Motherway Queens Community Board 5 approved the proposal for the Fresh Pond Road street festival, slated for September, after a heated debate at a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The festival, which has been a cherished tradition in the Ridgewood area for nearly 30 years, has been regularly…
Feb. 13, 2025 By Colum Motherway Several Queens elected officials are voicing their opposition to Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes for electricity and gas, urging the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the increases and address ongoing concerns about utility affordability. The proposal, which could raise rates by up to 14%,…
Feb. 11, 2025 By Czarinna Andres Council Member Robert Holden is marking another successful year of graffiti removal in his district, thanks to a collaborative effort with the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC). In 2024 alone, GRRC cleaned 365 locations across the district, with 105 sites power-washed and 260 repainted, significantly improving the aesthetic…
Feb. 5, 2025 By Colum Motherway A recent controversy has emerged in the race for New York City Council District 30 as one candidate is facing criticism for using campaign contributions to cover the costs of an overseas conference trip. The spending, which was revealed through filings with the New York City Campaign Finance…