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Local Crime Was Up in 2010

While the murder rate in the Police Department’s Precinct 108 remained historically low in 2010, the overall crime rate went up nearly 4%, compared to 2009. There was a significant jump in the number of reported rapes, robberies and felony assaults compared to 2009;…

Councilman Van Bramer Addresses District, Slams Mayor Following Storm

The following letter was written by Jimmy Van Bramer: It is hard to believe that nearly three days after snow started to fall, and two days after it stopped, hundreds if not thousands of streets and roadways have been left untouched and unplowed,…

Tough Year for Sunnyside Businesses

Many sections of the Sunnyside business district took a battering in the past 12 months, as more than 20 neighborhood stores closed. Queens Blvd was particularly hard hit between 42nd and 46thstreets. Here, stores such as Starberry, Flynn’s, Corner 46, Rose Diner,…

Council Members Aim to Clamp Down on City Puppy Mills, Pet Stores

Several New York City council members want the city to take on a bigger role in regulating and investigating puppy mills– which has traditionally fallen under the purview of the state. Queens councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who has introduced a bill calling for greater city authority,…

Bank Robbery at Chase Bank in Sunnyside, Cops Need Help

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance with whereabouts and identity of the following individual wanted in connection with a bank robbery in Sunnyside. The circumstances are as follows:  On Monday, December 20, 2010 at approximately 1100 hours the suspect a M/W did enter the Chase Bank located at 47-11 Queens Boulevard approached the victim/teller armed with a handgun in his waist band and passed a demand note,…

Sunnyside Arch to Shine Again

The lights on the Sunnyside Arch are expected to glow once again. During the first week of January, Sunnyside Shines, the local business improvement group (BID), will be erecting lights which will be permanently affixed   to the arch. The BID will have the ability to light them whenever it chooses and whatever color.…

Woodside Killer Pleads Guilty

A Woodside man who murdered a Sunnyside resident in October 2009—and later ordered the killing of two witnesses to that crime – pleaded guilty to all charges Friday. Gino Florencia, 32, who shot two men, one fatally in front of 45-55 48thStreet on Oct.…

Local Group Celebrates Achievements

The United Forties Civic Association, a group that advocates on behalf of Sunnyside and Woodside residents, held its annual Holiday Party at St. Teresa’s church on Thursday, December 8. The group held a potluck dinner, a raffle and raised funds through a 50-50.…

Santa Popular With Dogs and Kids

Santa’s appearance in Sunnyside ended last weekend, following a three week visit where he was greeted by 400 families and many neighborhood dogs. Sunnyside Shines, the local business improvement group, took over the vacant store at 42-20 Greenpoint Ave. and converted it into a “Santa pic stop.”  The empty store was transformed into a photo studio that featured an electric train set and a host of Santa’s helpers.…

Advocacy Group Holds Protest at Associated

About 50 people from various worker advocacy groups held a rally outside Associated Marketplace on Greenpoint Ave. on Friday alleging that management is not paying overtime or minimum wages. The group targeted four supermarkets on Friday, three in Brooklyn and the Associated in Sunnyside.  …