Author: schnepsrestagent

NYC ISIS recruiter who tried to flee country sentenced to 19 years in prison: Feds

isis recruiter

Apr. 15, 2025 By Bill Parry An ISIS recruiter who was arrested by federal agents at JFK Airport attempting to flee the country in November 2016 was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison last week. Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, 30, of Brooklyn, also known as “Umm Nutella,” was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court…

Senator Addabbo advances animal welfare bills and battery storage safety legislation

Addabbo animal welfare battery storage bill

Apr. 15, 2025 By Colum Motherway Senator Joseph Addabbo has recently taken action on animal welfare protection and public concern by introducing and co-sponsoring several key legislative initiatives.  These efforts aim to improve the lives of animals across the state and respond to growing concerns about the placement and safety of battery energy storage…

CB5 hears calls to make portion of DeKalb Avenue one-way to protect pedestrians and property

dekalb avenue community board 5

Apr. 15, 2025 By Colum Motherway Local residents came out in force at this week’s Community Board 5 public hearing to voice strong support for a proposal that would change a problematic stretch of DeKalb Avenue from a two-way to a one-way southbound street for vehicular traffic.  The change would affect DeKalb Avenue between…

Queens Public Library unveils winning banned books library card by Flushing student

Queens Public Library "Freedom to Read" contest with this design for a new banned book library card.

Apr. 15, 2025 By Bill Parry A Flushing illustrator and undergraduate arts student, Sammi Wu, was named the winner of Queens Public Library’s inaugural Banned Books Library Card Design Contest on April 10. The competition invited entrants from across the borough to vie for a $2,000 cash prize and the chance to have their…

New Yorkers invited to join citywide scavenger hunt supporting street vendors

Support local street vendors by participating in the Street Vendor Scavenger Ques

Apr. 14, 2025 By Athena Dawson A local nonprofit has kicked off a citywide scavenger hunt celebrating New York City’s iconic street vendors — and Queens residents are encouraged to join the fun while supporting a good cause. The Street Vendor Scavenger Quest, sponsored by Metro Plus Health, Turnstile Tours, and Culinary Backstreets., invites…

Council passes tree care legislation to clarify pruning and removal procedures

tree care

Apr. 14, 2025 By Athena Dawson Environmentally focused legislation led by Southeast Queens Council Member Nantasha Williams was recently approved by the New York City Council, aiming to make tree care services more transparent and accessible to residents. On Thursday, April 10, the Council passed Intro. 800 and Intro. 978, two bills sponsored by…

Queens’ first ever cat café makes purr-fect landing at Tangram Mall in Flushing

Grayson, one of the rescue cats

Apr. 14, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin Calling all cat lovers in Queens! Kokoro Cat Café, Queens’ first cat café at Tangram Mall in Flushing, located at 133-33 39th Ave, opened its doors last month on Saturday, Mar. 1, to the delight of feline fans across the borough. Enjoy Japanese-inspired beverages at this whimsical café…

Queens Community Board 5 welcomes new members and discusses local issues during monthly meeting

community board 5

Apr. 14, 2025 By Colum Motherway Queens Community Board 5 (CB5) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 9, bringing together longtime members, newly appointed board representatives, and concerned residents to discuss various pressing local issues.  Topics included cycling safety, rodent infestations, senior services, crime statistics, and a forthcoming park renovation project. The meeting…