Devin Spraggins stood emotionless inside a Queens courtroom Monday as state Supreme Court Justice Judge Kenneth Holder ordered him to serve 39 years to life behind bars after being found guilty of attempting to murder a police officer last year. While police union leaders hailed the sentence as a triumph for justice, Spraggins’ lawyer…
Dec. 2, 2024 By Bill Parry A Queens grand jury indicted a Jamaica woman for first-degree murder and arson for deliberately setting a fire in a detached garage that killed her ex-boyfriend and another woman in a fit of jealous rage on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 2. Aliya Fakhri, 43, was arraigned in…
Dec. 2, 2024 By Athena Dawson Hundreds of Southeast Queens residents attended a day-long basketball tournament in honor of the life and legacy of legendary Campus Magnet basketball coach Charles “Chuck” Granby. As per a tradition started by Granby in 1974, the 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Holiday Classic was held at Campus Magnet High School,…
Dec. 2, 2024 By Colum Motherway NYS Senator James Sanders Jr. praised Gov. Kathy Hochul after she signed two important consumer protection bills he sponsored into law. Sanders believes these bills will enhance transparency and protect New York consumers’ health, safety, and financial security. The first bill, S.8880, addresses a critical issue affecting over-the-counter…
Dec. 2, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Dozens of Queens-based commercial cleaners and security staff held a protest at Gertz Plaza Mall in Jamaica on Tuesday, Nov. 26, decrying contractor L&J Commercial and Residential Services for slashing wages and cutting benefits earlier this month. Organized by 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the…
A firefighter in Queens suffered minor injuries while battling a fire at a vacant building early on Sunday morning. Fire Department sources said the blaze broke out just before 5:05 a.m. on Dec. 1 inside a vacant home at 117-36 Smith St. in South Jamaica. The first responding FDNY units encountered heavy fire engulfing…
Nov. 27, 2024 By Colum Motherway Senator James Sanders Jr. brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and government officials to participate in a business-focused event on Saturday, Nov. 23. The ‘Business Comes to Queens’ event featured a strong panel of business leaders discussing the findings of the recent disparity study and…
Nov. 27, 2024 By Bill Parry A Jamaica man was criminally charged with grand larceny and other related crimes for allegedly stealing nearly a quarter of a million dollars in pandemic relief funds to help workers and small business owners suffering hardship due to COVID-19. Humayun Kabir, 53, of 161st Street, was arraigned in…
Nov. 27, 2024 By Athena Dawson As the City Council’s voting deadline on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity steadily approaches, residents, civic groups, and local elected officials throughout Queens have voiced their stance on the monumental rezoning proposal. The City Council is expected to hold a final vote on Dec. 5 regarding…
Nov. 27, 2024 By Czarinna Andres Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is set to host its annual Winter Wonder event next Saturday, Dec. 7. The beloved holiday celebration runs from noon to 5 p.m. and will offer a festive blend of live music, a tree-lighting ceremony, an outdoor holiday market, a menorah, and selfies with…