June 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is donating thousands of bags of pet food to Queens-based organizations that will then distribute them to pet owners in need. The ASPCA is partnering with the Queens Borough President’s office to provide more than 2,500 bags of dog… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that employers cannot fire workers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity and Queens elected officials are celebrating the historic decision. The Court ruled that an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A trendy, upmarket bar/restaurant in Dutch Kills has shuttered after a near 7-year-run. Dutch Kills Centraal, located at 38-40 29th St., has closed for good, its owners announced Sunday. Dominic and Jean Stiller, a husband and wife duo, said that the business could not withstand the COVID-19 economic restrictions… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin Woodside community members unveiled a new mural Friday honoring the Filipino neighborhood and the efforts of Filipino healthcare workers and businesses during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The mural reads “Mabuhay,” a Philippine expression that has several meanings, including “cheers”, “welcome” and “may you live.” It was painted… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has launched a new bureau dedicated to combating hate crimes. The announcement comes amid a national discussion on systemic racism following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, as well as a recent uptick in biased attacks against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic…. Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Asha MacKay The owner of CrossFit Sunnyside has dropped the CrossFit name and is rebranding in the wake of its global CEO making a number of insensitive and incendiary remarks following the death of George Floyd. Greg Glassman, the founder of the international CrossFit brand, showed little concern about Floyd’s brutal… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Two men were shot and injured inside the Astoria Houses NYCHA complex Sunday. The victims, who were in the courtyard area at 4-10 27th Ave. at around 5 p.m., were caught completely unaware. They heard gunshots and then suddenly felt pain to their bodies, police said. One victim, a 52-year-old,… Read more »
June 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin A 31-year-old man from Sunnyside was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Long Island Expressway shortly after midnight Monday. Richard Diaz, of 48th Street, was riding his 2014 Yamaha motorcycle westbound on the Long Island Expressway when he lost control and rear-ended a 2013 Porsche Cayenee SUV near… Read more »
June 14, 2020 By Christian Murray Former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, who represented the 30th district in western Queens from 2009-2017, is running to be the next Queens Borough President. We spoke to Crowley last week. The focus of the discussion dealt with police reform, COVID-19, community boards and jobs. Crowley is one of several… Read more »
June 14, 2020 Staff Report A video has gone viral of a woman deliberately coughing on another customer at a bagel shop in Astoria. In the video, a woman comes into New York City Bagel & Coffee House on Broadway–near 30th Street–to pick up an order without a mask on June 6. Another customer complains… Read more »