Aug. 29, 2020 By Allie Griffin The MTA warned of huge service reductions, fare hikes and mass layoffs if the federal government doesn’t step in and provide aid to the cash-strapped agency. The MTA needs $12 billion in federal funding immediately to avoid “draconian” and “unthinkable” measures to alleviate its massive deficit caused by the… Read more »
Aug. 26, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A number of residents have launched an online petition opposing private security guards patrolling the Hunters Point waterfront over the coming weeks. The online petition, which was launched Saturday, seeks to prevent a separate group of residents from rolling out a private security firm to clamp down on anti-social… Read more »
Aug. 26, 2020 Staff Report Construction of a six-story affordable housing complex for low-income seniors and the formerly homeless has recently begun in Astoria. The building, which will include 102 units, is going up on what was a parking lot at 23-11 31st Rd. The building is being developed by Catholic Charities, which manages the… Read more »
Aug. 26, 2020 By Allie Griffin The city began inspecting air ventilation systems at classrooms Tuesday, with less than three weeks before public schools reopen, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced yesterday. Every classroom and space inside a school building will be inspected by a team of independent engineers, joined by the Department of Buildings and… Read more »
Aug. 25, 2020 By Allie Griffin Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney penned a letter to the City University of New York (CUNY) urging the administration to reverse its decision to layoff nearly 3,000 employees. CUNY decided to not renew the contracts of about 2,800 employees — mostly adjunct professors and part time staff members — across its… Read more »
Aug. 25, 2020 By Christian Murray An instructor at a Woodside martial arts studio who raped a 12-year-old student last year has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Hector Quinchi, 37, of Woodside, pleaded guilty in July to having sexual intercourse with a preteen student who took lessons from him at Hugo’s Tae Kwon… Read more »
Aug. 25, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday that schools can apply to the City to hold classes outside in schoolyards, local parks and closed streets to limit the spread of coronavirus. Schools that don’t have usable outdoor space within their campuses, as well as schools in neighborhoods that were hit… Read more »
Aug. 25, 2020 By Christian Murray Three more Queens bars and restaurants had their liquor licenses suspended over the past weekend — including a Woodside strip joint— as the state continues to crack down on establishments that violate coronavirus regulations. The state’s task force led by the State Police and State Liquor Authority (SLA) conducted… Read more »
Aug. 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed $2 billion LaGuardia AirTrain plan Friday and has opened the public comment period. The FAA posted the draft review for the proposed 1.5-mile AirTrain from Willets Point to LaGuardia Airport online and concluded that the… Read more »
Aug. 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a serial 7-train window smasher. There have been more than 70 incidents involving broken subway windows since May, according to MTA and NYPD officials. The damage totals more than $300,000, MTA Chairman… Read more »