Jan. 13, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Citi Bike fees increased on Jan. 6 — with more coming on Feb. 3 just as New Yorkers bear the brunt of higher transportation costs this year, including congestion pricing, toll hikes and looming train and bus fare increases. Even so, many New York bicyclists who use Citi…
Jan. 12, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Suburban railways Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) saw a dramatic increase in ridership every day since the launch of congestion pricing on Jan. 5, according to state data. Metrics on the New York State open data portal show that ridership on both commuter lines is…
Jan. 11, 2025 By The Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society The story of John R. Pitkin is one of ambition, determination and resilience. Born the son of a shoemaker, Pitkin left home at the tender age of 12 to carve his own path. He started as a farmhand, earning as little as $5 a…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Bill Parry A 28-year-old man was carrying an enormous amount of cash and wearing a pricey Rolex watch near the Queens Center Mall during the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 29, when he made a couple of errors in judgment that nearly cost him his life. First, he entered…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Ethan Marshall Reported grand larcenies and vehicle thefts declined significantly across both northern and southern Queens during the 28-day period from Dec. 9, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, compared to the same period of time the previous year, according to the NYPD’s latest crime stats. In northern Queens, grand larcenies…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Colum Motherway Queens Community Board 5 (CB 5) held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Christ the King High School in Middle Village. CB 5, which serves the neighborhoods of Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Glendale, had several representatives of elected officials attend the meeting to outline their priorities and…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Bill Parry A Bronx woman was drag racing against other vehicles at a high rate of speed on the Whitestone Expressway when she caused a fatal collision that killed a 62-year-old Uber passenger in 2023. Melissa Rodriguez-Lopez, 29, of Kossuth Avenue in the Van Cortland Park section, pleaded guilty to…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Athena Dawson Queens College will host its annual celebration of the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., marking what has become the signature MLK Day event in Queens and one of the most prominent in New York City. The event will take place in the borough’s…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Athena Dawson One of Queens’ best educators could be the winner of Applebee’s annual Teacher Essay Contest. For the first time, local Doherty-owned Applebee’s franchises are expanding their essay writing contest to the five boroughs and Westchester County, allowing New York City’s educators to be honored by their students. This…
Jan. 10, 2025 By Czarinna Andres Macy’s has announced the closure of 66 stores across the United States, including its Macy’s Backstage location at Queens Place in Elmhurst. The decision is part of the retailer’s ongoing strategy to streamline operations and adapt to shifting consumer preferences, particularly the rapid growth of e-commerce. The Macy’s…