JCAL appoints new executives
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The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning named two interim executives to permanent leadership positions within the cultural institution this week.
In-person visits return to Rikers
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As COVID-19 cases continue to drop throughout the state in the city’s jails, Department of Correction officials announced this week that in-person visits have resumed at Rikers Island.
Read MoreQueens resident faces eviction, calls for Good Cause to pass
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Dawn White has lived in her rented Rosedale home with her family for two decades. After an ownership change, she now faces eviction proceedings. A new bill could change that, White and advocates say.
Read MoreHochul pocket vetos judge recertification bill
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Despite unanimous support from lawmakers in the State Senate and Assembly, Governor Kathy Hochul pocket vetoed a bill that would have made the judge recertification process in New York nearly automatic.
Read MoreDe Niro-backed Wildflower Studios gets green light
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A Robert De Niro-backed film production studio in Astoria received the okay from the Department of Buildings last month.
Parks and DOT announce preliminary Queens greenway plan
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The Destination: Greenways! study makes it abundantly clear that this project can increase critical access in Brooklyn and Queens and make greenways safer and more inviting for New Yorkers.”
Read MoreChuraman case continues in Queens court
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Prakash Churaman, now 22 years old, appeared in court for nearly the 95th time since he was arrested in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Taquane Clark in 2014.
Teens charged for shooting off-duty cop in Far Rockaway
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Mayor Eric Adams speaks at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center following the non-fatal shooting of rookie NYPD officer Manuel Soto in Far Rockaway on Feb. 1. Screenshot via NYC mayor’s office/Twitter
By Jacob Kaye
Two Queens teens who allegedly shot an off-duty NYPD officer during an attempted carjacking, and who later fired at two other officers, were charged with attempted murder and other charges in Queens Criminal Court Thursday.
Chad Collie, a 19-year-old from Far Rockaway, and Jayare Robinson, an 18-year-old from Arverne, were arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Laurie Peterson on a 13-count and 11-count indictment, respectively. Collie, who faces 25 years to life in prison, was charged with two counts of attempted murder, assault, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. Robinson was hit with the same charges, minus one of the attempted murder counts, and faces up to 25 years in prison.
Prosecutors say that Collie and Robinson walked up to a car stopped at a traffic light near Beach Channel Drive and Beach 62nd Street around 10 p.m., on Feb. 1.
Collie allegedly knocked on the window of the car, being driven by 22-year-old rookie police officer Manuel Soto, who was on his way to work.
Soto got out of the car and attempted to run away, according to law enforcement. Collie then fired three shots, hitting the police officer once in the shoulder. Soto shot back, missing both of the defendants, who both ran off.
Nearby officers, who were driving in an unmarked car, heard the gunshots and headed toward the scene, prosecutors said.
The officers stopped their car near the intersection of Beach Channel Drive and Beach 59th Street in front of Collie and Robinson and got out of the car, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Collie then allegedly fired one shot in their direction, striking the back of the police car. The Far Rockaway man then tossed his gun, and the duo ran off, cops said. The pair was later arrested.
Police later recovered the gun and found three shell casings near the shooting of the off-duty officer, Katz said.
Soto was taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment and was released Thursday.
“This was a brazen carjacking attempt that all-too-easily could have ended in yet another tragedy for NYPD and all New Yorkers,” Katz said in a statement. “This blatant disregard for human life must be answered with certain justice.”
Soto was the sixth NYPD officer to be shot in New York City this year.
The following morning, city officials and NYPD officers gathered for Wilbert Mora’s funeral. Mora was one of the two officers fatally shot at while responding to a call in Harlem on Jan. 21.
“The conversation we have been having over and over again – the over proliferation of guns, ready to use them on individuals in blue uniforms or blue jeans, they don’t care,” Mayor Eric Adams said following the shooting on Wednesday. “To see something like this happen repeatedly in our city is unacceptable.”
Both Collie and Robinson were remanded and ordered to return to court on Feb. 7.
Biden visits Queens, meets with leaders to address gun violence
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Following the meeting at police headquarters, the president traveled to Long Island City’s P.S. 111
Read MoreNYCHA dismisses over 30,000 eviction cases
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There were 2,500 non-payment cases resolved by the housing authority in Queens, according to NYCHA.
Read MoreSnow buildup on Queens walkways hinders mobility for some
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After the borough saw nearly a foot of snow and as businesses, drivers and residents began to shovel, crosswalk medians across Queens Boulevard were still buried.
Read MoreOrganizers claim legislature ignored public calls for unified redistricting
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A few days after the state legislature released its plans for the reconfiguration of congressional lines throughout New York State, lawmakers released redistricting proposals for the State Senate and Assembly.
Read MoreNew Queens Senate district opens gate for progressive LIC candidate
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Kristen Gonzalez, a 26-year-old Queens native, was the first to announce a bid for State Senate District 17, a new electoral district lawmakers proposed as part of the state’s redistricting process Tuesday.
Read MoreDetainees continue to miss medical appointments, DOC official says
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A Rikers Island official in charge of operations at the jail complex told a Bronx judge last month that detainees have continued to be deprived of medical services despite a recent court order.
Maloney launches plan to ban fossil fuel plants in Queens
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Queens elected officials and advocates braved the cold Monday to announce their next legislative steps to combat New York City’s contributions to the climate crisis next to a neighborhood so affected by air pollution it has been nicknamed “Asthma Alley.”
