June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia State lawmakers have taken a big step to rid the streets of souped-up vehicles that have been keeping residents awake at night. A bill, called the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution (SLEEP) Act, passed both the Assembly and senate on June 10 and awaits the signature of the… Read more »
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Queens Congressmembers Back Amendment Requiring Public Companies to Disclose Racial and Gender Composition of Their Board
June 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A legislative package that would require public companies to disclose social, environmental and governance metrics to investors passed the U.S. House of Representatives last Wednesday. The Corporate Governance Improvement and Investor Protection Act passed along partisan lines – 215 to 214 – although four Democrats voted in opposition to… Read more »
Man Robs Gas Station on Queens Boulevard, Takes $250 Cash
June 21, 2021 By Christian Murray A man robbed a Long Island City gas station of $250 on Saturday after handing over a note demanding cash. The suspect entered the BP gas station at 31-05 Queens Blvd. at around 8:35 p.m., approached the counter and handed a worker a $1 bill that included a note… Read more »
DOT to Present Proposal for Bike Boulevard on 39th Avenue at Community Board 2 Meeting Wednesday
June 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Department of Transportation (DOT) will present a proposal Wednesday to create a “bike boulevard” along 39th Avenue in Sunnyside. The agency plans to convert 39th Avenue, from 45th Street to Woodside Avenue, to a bike boulevard that would involve making significant changes to the strip. The DOT will… Read more »
Op-Ed: Participatory Budgeting Under New Leadership in District 29
June 21, 2021 Op-Ed By: Heather Dimitriadis Will Participatory Budgeting continue in City Council District 29? Well, that all depends on who you vote for on June 22. Recently the Participatory Budgeting District Committee for City Council District 29 surveyed all 10 candidates vying for that seat in the upcoming primary. For those new to… Read more »
Federal Government Delays Decision on LaGuardia AirTrain Over Community Concerns
June 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin Federal officials have postponed making their final decision on the $2 billion LaGuardia AirTrain project after community groups and legislators expressed concerns over its environmental review. Early construction of the AirTrain — a proposed 1.5 mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the 7 train and Long Island Rail… Read more »
Op-Ed: We Need a Plan So People Won’t Be Left Behind
June 21, 2021 By: Yi (Andy) Chen, Candidate For City Council District 25 The COVID 19 pandemic that broke out last year has been devastating. With Elmhurst and Jackson Heights being the epicenter of the epicenter, we were doubly hit. Too many lives have been lost due to COVID 19, millions of jobs gone, small… Read more »
De Blasio Extends Hotel Stays for Jackson Heights Tenants Left Homeless Following Fire
June 21, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Families who have been provided with temporary hotel accommodation since a fire tore through their Jackson Heights apartment building in April are being given extra time to stay. The hotel stays were set to expire by June 20, but families are now eligible to stay longer if they submit… Read more »
Robert De Niro’s Plans for Film Production Studio in Astoria Gets Community Board Approval
June 21, 2021 By Christina Santucci A development team’s plan to build a large film production studio—backed by actor Robert De Niro—got the approval of Astoria’s Community Board 1 last week. The plans call for a $400 million complex – called Wildflower Studios – to be built at 35-15 19th Ave., between the Steinway &… Read more »
Kathryn Garcia and James Gennaro Cross Endorse
June 21, 2021 By Christina Santucci Queens City Councilmember James Gennaro and former city Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia cross endorsed one another Friday. Garcia is running in the Democratic primary for mayor and Gennaro is seeking re-election to the 24th District Council seat he won in a special election earlier this year. Primary Day is… Read more »