Nov. 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin The owner of “Queens’ oldest gay bar” has purchased the Jackson Heights building that the bar is housed in. Eddie Valentine, who owns Friend’s Tavern, recently acquired the building — located at 78-11 Roosevelt Ave. — effectively ensuring the 32-year-old bar’s future for years to come. Vallentine said he… Read more »
Nov. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens elected officials gathered outside a bagel shop Monday to denounce anti-Semitism—two weeks after the store came under attack for flying the Israeli flag Assembly Member David Weprin organized the rally after a man threatened to burn down Bagels & Co. on Union Turnpike unless its employees took down… Read more »
Nov. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A troublesome Auburndale bar where a shooting took place earlier this month has had its liquor license yanked, officials announced Saturday. The New York State Liquor Authority has temporarily suspended the liquor license of Kloud Tequila Grill, located at 192-08 Northern Blvd., which has become a hotspot for crime… Read more »
Nov. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of “anarchists” shattered car windows, tore down American flags and scrawled expletives on property in Middle Village Friday night, local officials and police said. Nearly 50 rioters dressed in all black stormed into the neighborhood around 8:30 p.m. and wreaked havoc following the “not guilty” verdict in… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials largely condemned a jury’s “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Friday. Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and injured a third in Kenosha last year, was found not guilty on all charges including homicide after a jury deliberated for about 26 hours. Rittenhouse, who was… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joined cycling advocates Thursday to call on the governor to sign her bill that would require the MTA to prioritize bicycle access. González-Rojas and State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), who sponsored the bill in the state Senate, gathered with advocates at the foot of the… Read more »
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin A 35-year-old man was stabbed to death Thursday night following a dispute on a Flushing street. Police officers responding to a 911 call at 11:35 p.m. and found Zhen Zhong Wang, of East Flushing, unconscious in front of a home on Union Street near 31st Drive. Wang had a… Read more »
Nov. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills sponsored by Queens legislators Tuesday that aim to protect LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Hochul signed the bills into law during transgender awareness week. The first bill, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos and known as the START Act, strengthens protections for victims of sex and… Read more »
Nov. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Republican candidate Vickie Paladino has won the Council District 19 race after absentee ballots were tallied this week. Paladino, a Whitestone civic leader, narrowly defeated Democrat Tony Avella, who represented the district in the council from 2002 to 2009, once the mailed-in votes were counted. Her campaign confirmed her… Read more »
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Queens borough president has launched a new initiative to educate high schoolers about city government and the importance of civic engagement. The borough president’s office is sending in staff into Queens high schools to teach students about the role city officials and elected leaders play in local government,… Read more »