Dec. 26, 2019 By Kristen Torres The number of chain stores in operation continues to fall across New York City and the decline in 2019 was greatest in Queens, according to a new report. The Center for an Urban Future released its 2019 State of the Chains report this month and noted that the number… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2019 By Allie Griffin Former gubernatorial candidate and “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon formally endorsed Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer for Queens Borough President today. In a letter to supporters, Van Bramer’s campaign announced he received endorsements from both Nixon and Zephyr Teachout, a former state Attorney General candidate and Fordham… Read more »
Dec. 20, 2019 By Allie Griffin Police are searching for two suspects involved in a recent string of robberies in Woodside. Two men have been grabbing victims from behind and taking off with the victims’ cell phones and wallets over the past two weeks, police said. The pair first robbed a 33-year-old man who was… Read more »
Dec. 19 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced today an additional 20 subway stations — including the 46th Street-Bliss Street station in Sunnyside — which will receive ADA upgrades under the authority’s $51.5 billion 2020-2024 capital plan. The 20 stations are part of 70 in total which will be made fully ADA… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board approved the hiring of 500 additional transit police officers Wednesday, despite opposition from several local lawmakers. The board voted to approve the authority’s $17 billion budget for 2020, which included funding for the additional officers — an expected $249 million over the next… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Kristen Torres Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer has sponsored a commercial rent control bill that aims to protect small businesses from hefty rent hikes. Van Bramer held a press conference in support of the bill outside of the recently-closed Dave’s Bagels, located at 43-20 Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside, on Friday. “Saving… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin A bill sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris to increase the amount in dispute that small claims court can address in New York City was signed into a law by the governor Monday. The law increases the previous jurisdictional limit from $5,000 to $10,000 and only applies to courts… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Kristen Torres A Queens lawmaker held a rally Monday outside the new Amazon distribution center in Woodside, arguing that the e-commerce giant has a history of subjecting its employees to poor work conditions. State Senator Jessica Ramos joined local labor groups on Dec. 16 outside the new facility, which opened in… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin A Woodside soccer coach has been charged with rape and other crimes for sexually abusing four teens — two as young as 13 — and recording some of the abuse on video. Harrison Torres, 23, allegedly raped and sexually abused a teenage girl and teenage boy on separate occasions… Read more »
Dec. 16, 2019 By Kristen Torres A Queens lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban “devocalization” surgeries on household pets — a procedure that leaves cats and dogs unable to communicate. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who represents western Queens, announced the legislation on Dec. 14 while speaking at PetCon NYC — a nationwide conference for animal… Read more »