Category Archives: Broad Channel
The only intra-borough toll in New York State has been partially eliminated for the residents most directly impacted — in the Rockaways and the small hamlet of Broad Channel. Governor Andrew Cuomo included in the New York State 2012- 2013 budget a discount for Rockaway and Broad Channel residents that use the Cross Bay Bridge to go to and from the peninsula and into Broad Channel and the neighboring area of Howard Beach. The discount is only for drivers … Continue reading
The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced the winners of the 22nd Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards. Newtown High School in Elmhurst and the TWA Terminal at JFK International Airport are two of the recipients that will be recognized at an April 25 ceremony at the New York Historical Society. The coveted awards, called the “Preservation Oscars,” are named after dedicated New Yorker Lucy G. Moses. They recognize individual leadership and outstanding preservation work. This work provides jobs, promotes tourism, … Continue reading
Following the late March announcement that Far Rockaway-based Peninsula Hospital will be closing, local legislators are demanding answers from Department of Health (DOH) officials. Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Bob Turner (NY-09) and Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) sent a letter to state DOH Commissioner Nirav Shah calling for a public meeting in the Rockaways to address questions regarding the health department’s decision to close Peninsula Hospital. In the letter, Turner and Ulrich stated that the announcement of the hospital’s … Continue reading
As part of a legislative package pushed through with redistricting early Thursday morning, lawmakers made the first step toward legalizing full table gaming in New York. In the wee hours of March 15, both houses of the state legislature voted to support the constitutional amendment needed to create full-fledged casinos in the state. To be official, the amendment must also be passed by a newly elected legislature and be ratified by voters. The soonest this could happen is in 2013. … Continue reading
It’s official. Congressional and legislative districts both have final lines for the next 10 years despite taking two very different paths to get there. In a decision announced Monday in the Eastern District Court of New York, a judicial panel enacted congressional lines drawn by a magistrate they had appointed to the task. It did so reluctantly, though. The judges said repeatedly in the ruling that the state legislature shirked its responsibility and laid it on the federal government. “In … Continue reading
After the announcement that his congressional district could disappear, Rep. Bob Turner (R-Queens) is doubling down on his political future by announcing a United States Senate run. On Tuesday, March 13, Turner released a statement saying he would challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “I will travel to the Republican State Convention in Rochester later this week and humbly ask for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate,” Turner said in a release. “I will respectfully ask for the Conservative nomination … Continue reading
This week, members of the State Legislature released a second and final draft of proposed redistricting lines that looked remarkably similar to their last draft. State Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) blasted them for being 98 percent the same as the previous draft, which he has called the most gerrymandered in New York’s history. It’s uncertain if Gov. Andrew Cuomo will let the maps stand if they are passed by the Legislature. He threatened to veto the first set of maps. … Continue reading
The race is already starting for a congressional district that doesn’t officially exist yet. In the past week, Rep. Gary Ackerman (D- Queens) and State Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) took their case to the grassroots. Ackerman spoke to possible new constituents at the Forest Hills Civic Association on Tuesday, March 13, and Lancman introduced himself to the Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA) on Thursday, March 8. They are vying for the proposed 6th Congressional District that stretches from Middle … Continue reading
Another fatal accident occurred Saturday morning around 7 a.m., on the strip of Cross Bay Boulevard leading into Broad Channel, just over the Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge. Authorities say that an unidentified 23-year-old-man apparently lost control of the 2005 Nissan Altima he was driving and, after striking a tree, the car smashed into a utility pole. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries which resulted in his immediate death. No one else was hurt in the accident. … Continue reading
After hearing many complaints from residents, a local city councilman has pitched in a large amount of money that will see repairs to areas right outside of people’s homes. Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) announced at a local meeting on Tuesday, March 6th, that, starting on Monday, March 12th, residents in Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach and Woodhaven will get free repairs to the sidewalk and tree pit areas right outside their houses. About 317 spots will be fixed … Continue reading
A Queens grand jury charged a real estate investor and an attorney this week for stealing more than $65,000 in proceeds from a Queens couple after the sale of their house. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office identified the defendants as real estate investor Jose Toral, 28, of Oakdale, Long Island, and attorney Thomas Zacharia, 38, of Staten Island. Brown says the men took unfair advantage of a couple who were in financial distress and forced to sell their home. … Continue reading
Several local hospitals received low marks in safety ratings, according to a recent survey released by Consumer Reports. A nationwide magazine that rates and reviews consumer products and services, Consumer Reports releases a survey with data on over 4,000 hospitals nationwide each year. The survey—which grades hospitals on safety ratings in four areas: hospital infections, readmissions, discharge and medical instructions—collected data on 98 total hospitals in the New York City area and ranked 81 of them. Of the hospitals ranked, … Continue reading
Queen’s 9th Congressional district has been dismantled and doled out in a redistricting map proposed by a special master appointed to draw nonpartisan lines. The Queens portion of the 9th, which previously covered a swath from Rego Park down to the Rockaways, would be absorbed into three neighboring districts. Stretching west from Middle Village, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Glendale through Flushing and east to Bayside, the new 6th District’s largest voting block would be Asian residents. Woodhaven and Cypress Hills would … Continue reading
Nearly two weeks after closing its lab due to a scathing health report from the state, Peninsula Hospital has announced that the lab should be reopening later this month. A statement the hospital released on March 2 declared that the hospital was taking measures to open its medical labs within the next two weeks. Lab operations at the hospital have been suspended at the Rockaway-based hospital since last week, following the state Department of Health (DOH) issuing a report citing … Continue reading
Police are searching for a robbery suspect using notes to rip off banks along Queens Boulevard. Members of the NYPD’s major case squad said a man has robbed or tried to rob three banks in the past month. All three were Chase banks along the boulevard in the 112th or 108th precincts. Police described the suspect as a black male, approximately 30 years old. He is around 170 pounds and 6 feet tall. Police said he has a dark complexion … Continue reading