Jan. 4, 2024 By Ethan Marshall New events come with the new year. As we enter the first weekend of 2024, there is plenty of things to do across Queens. Whether it is related to art, entertaining performances, or even contributing to the community, there are a lot of activities to keep people occupied in…
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Tag: daily-newsletter
AM Rajkumar proposes new bill to shutter illegal smoke shops across the city and state
Jan. 4, 2024 By Anthony Medina A new bill sponsored by Queens Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar aims to shut down smoke shops that are illegally selling cannabis in New York City. Rajkumar’s bill, called the SMOKEOUT Act (A8428), was introduced in Albany last week, and would grant local municipalities the power to close smoke shops caught illegally selling cannabis. Currently, the industry is primarily policed on a state level and enforcement has been limited. The bill aims to address the public’s concern about the proliferation of illegal smoke shops, which have emerged since cannabis use was legalized in 2021. “My…
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Wealthiest New York residents stay put after pandemic-driven exodus, despite tax increases, study finds
Jan. 4, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The COVID-19 pandemic led to more of the highest-earning residents of New York State who make at least $815,000 a year to leave for other states. However, they are now much less likely to move away than those in the middle class and working class, according to a study…
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AG’s office opens investigation into MTA police-involved fatal shooting near Jamaica LIRR station
Jan. 3, 2024 By Bill Parry
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has launched a probe into the shooting of 52-year-old Basche McDaniel of Manhattan who was killed during an encounter with MTA Police officers a block away from the Jamaica LIRR/AirTrain station on the night of Friday, Dec. 29.
Crunching the Queens crime numbers: large jump in robberies during final month of 2023
Jan. 3, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The number of robberies spiked across Queens over the final month of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD on Monday. During the 28-day period from Dec. 4-31, the number of robberies rose 54.2% in northern Queens, from 118 cases in 2022 to 182 in 2023. The most significant increase was seen in the 110th Precinct, which oversees Corona and Elmhurst. Cases there rose from 18 to 52. In southern Queens, there was a 23.6% increase in robberies over the same period…
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Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz sworn in for second term
Jan. 3, 2024 By Bill Parry Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz was sworn in for a second term Tuesday in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall. The ceremony was attended by 200 staff and justices, and her youngest son, Hunter, held the copy of the Old Testament used for the swearing in. She was sworn in by Supreme Court Administrative Judge Donna-Marie Golia. Katz made history when she first took office four years ago becoming the first woman ever to serve as head prosecutor in Queens and the first new Queens District Attorney in 28 years, following…
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Man drops gun on MTA bus in Queens, bullet flies nearly hitting 10 passengers: NYPD
Dec. 29, 2023 By Bill Parry Police are looking for a man who dropped a firearm on an MTA bus in Jamaica earlier this month that caused a bullet to fly that almost hit several passengers. The suspect was seated on board a Q43 bus in the vicinity of Sutphin Boulevard and Hillside Avenue on…
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COVID-19 cases on the rise in Queens
Dec. 29, 2023 By Ethan Marshall COVID-19 is on the rise throughout the nation and Queens is one of the areas most impacted by the surge. New York City as a whole has seen an increase in cases over the past month, with Queens being the borough that is leading the way. The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Queens has been steadily rising since the middle of November, according to NYC.gov, which is tracking the cases. Cases have increased from 215 on Nov. 21 to 636 on Dec. 21. This rise in cases has occurred even with…
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QNS Weekender: Six things to do in Queens this weekend
Dec. 28, 2023 By Ethan Marshall As we prepare to celebrate the new year, there are still plenty of things to do this weekend in Queens before the year wraps up. From social events to fun classes, there is a lot to look forward to this weekend. Friday, Dec. 29 Youth Art Festival NYC Parks will shine a spotlight on and celebrate the artistic creations of their afterschool youth program participants. There will be several fun activities available, including button making, 3D models, glitter tattoos, alebrije postcards, watercolor paintings and stop motion animation. (Al Oerter Recreation Center, 131-40…
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Citing unfair property tax system, coalition seeks to even the playing field
Dec. 28, 2023 By QNS’s advertising partner As the City’s Finance Commissioner during the Bloomberg Administration, Martha Stark helped bring a new level of transparency to the property tax system. For the first time, owners were notified of the process and information that was used to assess their property taxes. Now, as the co-founder of…
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