Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced legislation on Friday, January 24, to add borough representation to the Metropolitan Transit Authority board. The legislation comes after Councilman Costa Constantinides called for MTA board reforms that would give each borough president an appointee to the influential body. Critics believe the current system is overwhelmingly influenced by decision makers who […]

A retirement party was held for Ed Babor (l.) on Friday, January 24, at Manducatis Rustica (46-35 Vernon Blvd. in LIC). Babor worked for Rep. Carolyn Maloney (c.) and is still very involved in various boards and organizations. Also on hand to celebrate Babor was Paul Halvatzis of Amorelli Realty (r.).

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) joined a delegation of New York legislators on a mission to Poland ahead of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a Nazi concentration and death camp. While in the country, the group toured the Warsaw Ghetto, the remains of the Jewish quarter of Krakow, Schindler’s factory, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. The group included […]

The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition proudly announced that it will host its 4th annual Multicultural Celebration on Sunday, February 16 at RIOULT Dance Center (34-01 Steinway Street in Astoria). A multitude of countries will celebrate the music and dance of their cultures in traditional and carnevale costumes, which will showcase the rich diversity that makes up Astoria and Long […]

At a meeting last week of the 108th Precinct Community Council, Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Michael Gibbs addressed a recent spate of residential burglaries within the command. Gibbs said police at the Long Island City station house have identified a suspect in at least nine of the 14 burglaries, and are searching for a second suspect in connection with at […]