June 4, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Three men who spent nearly a quarter century behind bars after being wrongfully convicted for a 1996 double murder can now move on with their lives. George Bell, Gary Johnson and Rohan Bolt, who were released in March when their sentences were vacated due to prosecutorial misconduct, were notified… Read more »
June 2, 2021 By Christian Murray Hate-filled vandals scrawled swastikas and other ugly messages on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park today. The graffiti blanketed the memorial that features the names of 371 service members from Queens who gave up their lives in the Vietnam war. “This is the worst vandalism I have seen… Read more »
June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Manhattan livery car driver was charged in a decades-old cold case for allegedly raping a Queens woman who was a passenger in his car, prosecutors announced Thursday. Danny Stewart, now 58, was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned in Queens Supreme Court after DNA evidence tied him… Read more »
June 1, 2021 By Christina Santucci A 54-year-old real estate agent named Kelly Killian was struck and killed by an e-bike in Astoria Friday night – around the corner from where she lived. Police said they received a 911 call just after 8:30 p.m., and when emergency responders arrived at 31st Street and 21st Avenue,… Read more »
June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin Senior centers in New York City can reopen later this month after more than a year of being shut down, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Indoor congregate activities can reopen on Monday, June 14, de Blasio said, and the centers can offer outdoor activities immediately. “I’ve heard from… Read more »
June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin A new affordable housing lottery has opened for eight units in a recently-constructed building in Woodside—where rental prices start at $1,750 a month. The units are located in a nine-story, 74-unit building at 46-02 70th St. — in a building that fronts Queens Boulevard. The affordable units are for… Read more »
June 1, 2021 By Christina Santucci New Yorkers who are behind on their rent and have suffered financial hardship due to COVID-19 can submit applications for rent relief starting Tuesday, the governor announced. Those eligible and approved by the program can receive funding to cover up to 12 months in past due rent – as… Read more »
May 28, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill that aims to prevent green construction fences from becoming magnets for graffiti was passed by the city council Thursday. The legislation, sponsored by Council Member Bob Holden, requires construction companies to take down the green wooden fences on building sites where work has stopped for two consecutive… Read more »
May 28, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Some of the city’s most beloved and time-worn playground animals are set to be given a new lease of life thanks to an initiative by the NYC Parks Dept. The agency is creating a new “retirement home” in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for a number of concrete animal statues that… Read more »
May 27, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A campaign mailer sent out by Elizabeth Crowley that reads “eviction notice” in large font has sparked outrage among her critics. The mailer, released by her campaign last week, was intended to attack Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for accepting real estate money—but was viewed by many as being… Read more »