Local Politics · Queens County
Queens voters will choose three judges for the Queens County Civil Court bench in the Nov. 3 General Election, with early voting beginning Oct. 24. Five candidates are competing for these seats: Julie Milner, Jasmine Valle-Bueno, and Edmond Wong on the Democratic line, and Thomas Barra and Michael Mossa on the Republican/Conservative lines. The Civil Court handles cases involving property disputes, contract breaches, personal injury suits, and actions by local officials.
Community News · Queens County
Forest Hills Stadium in Queens has reached a settlement with the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, ending years of litigation over noise and crowd issues. The agreement caps concerts at 28 shows per year for seven years, maintains a 10 p.m. curfew, and requires designated attendee routes away from homes. The stadium will make substantial payments to the neighborhood corporation, including a $275,000 upfront fee and per-show contributions. While this deal resolves disputes with the Gardens Corporation, a separate group of residents called "Concerned Citizens" remains dissatisfied and is exploring further legal action.
Transportation
The MTA has started a $1.9 billion project to replace century-old signals and tracks on the A and C subway lines in Brooklyn and Queens. The initiative aims to install modern Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) systems along 42 miles of track serving 350,000 daily riders. This work is funded by state congestion pricing revenue and is intended to increase train frequency and reliability. The first construction phase involves replacing switches and track between 104th Street and 99th Street in Queens.
Crime · Queens County
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the indictment of five individuals, allegedly members of the Trinitarios street gang, for a two-day shooting spree in late August. The incidents, which occurred on August 28 and 29, resulted in injuries to two minors aged 13 and 16 near 103-11 39th Ave. and subsequent retaliatory attacks on an apartment building on 111th Street in Corona. Defendants range in age from 14 to 29 and face charges including attempted murder, conspiracy, and illegal weapon possession. The accused were arraigned between October 2 and October 9, with court dates set for November 17 and November 19.
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Housing & Development · New York, NY
On Oct. 22, the New York City Council passed a scaled-back Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) by a vote of 38-9, resurrecting legislation previously vetoed by former Mayor Eric Adams. Sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Sandy Nurse, the bill gives qualified nonprofits a first opportunity to purchase certain distressed or affordable apartment buildings when owners decide to sell, though its scope was narrowed from roughly 10,000 to about 2,100 buildings. The measure now heads to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has pledged to sign it; it takes effect one year after becoming law.
Education
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced on October 19 that New York City will add 10,000 new seats to its universal 2-K childcare program starting in fall 2027. The expansion, supported by a $1.2 billion state investment, brings the total number of available seats to over 12,000 across 22 school districts. Queens residents will see new capacity in School Districts 24, 28, and 29, while existing capacity increases in District 27. The city plans to release a survey for current providers and request information from new providers to prepare for the rollout.
Local Politics · New York, NY
New York City Council committees held a joint oversight hearing on Wednesday regarding conditions at the Borden Avenue veterans shelter in Long Island City. Testimony highlighted complaints about privacy, persistent leaks, and food quality, alongside allegations that officials were blocked from unannounced inspections. City administrators detailed planned repairs, including a $4.3 million roof replacement, while citing improvements in housing placements and reduced incident rates.
Housing & Development · New York, NY
Residents of Farragut Houses and other Downtown Brooklyn NYCHA developments attended a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) hearing on October 14 to oppose Alloy Development’s proposed 73- and 63-story towers. The project, located at the former Boys & Girls Navy Yard Clubhouse site, promises 1,502 new apartments, including 300 permanently affordable units, a new school, and community spaces. Opponents argue the scale threatens to displace working-class Black residents and demand enforceable protections against construction disruption. Supporters cite potential job training and youth programming benefits, while developers state that increased affordability requirements would jeopardize project funding.
Crime · Queens County
During the Wednesday trial of former Queens City Councilmember Eric Ulrich, a Manhattan judge heard wiretapped phone calls showing Joseph Livreri, who ran an illegal casino at the 89th Street Café in Ozone Park, repeatedly pressured Ulrich to secure him a city government position. Ulrich, accused of accepting over $150,000 in bribes while serving as councilmember and later as Buildings Commissioner under Mayor Adams, expressed frustration on the recordings but eventually obtained Livreri a role as an aide to Councilmember Joann Ariola. Joseph and Anthony Livreri pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy and bribery for paying $4,000 to Ulrich in 2022. Investigators testified they had surveilled meetings at Queens diners for months and found five cell phones on Livreri when he was arrested. The trial is expected to continue through the following month with additional recordings, photos, and payment records.
Housing & Development · Queens County
The New York City Public Design Commission voted to table plans for a portion of the Metropolitan Park proposal at Citi Field, which includes a casino. Over 100 residents protested the $8 billion project at City Hall, citing concerns about flooding and insufficient environmental studies. Despite the commission's action, a spokesperson for Metropolitan Park stated that construction is already underway and design updates are being presented to the agency.
Crime · New York, NY
Twins Alon and Oren Alexander, 39, and their older brother Tal Alexander, 40—luxury real estate agents in New York and Miami—face sentencing on Oct. 27 in Manhattan federal court after being convicted of sex trafficking conspiracy spanning 2008 to 2021. Prosecutors are seeking life sentences and fines up to $1.75 million per brother, while the defense requests 15 years each. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni denied nearly all defense objections at a Monday conference hearing and will hear victim impact statements from women who did not testify during trial. Oren Alexander also faces two pending state rape cases in Miami-Dade court, with a status hearing rescheduled to mid-November.
Education · Queens County
U.S. District Court Judge Frederic Block heard arguments on Oct. 13 from St. John's University attorneys claiming the state Public Employment Relations Board lacks jurisdiction over the Catholic institution in Queens. The dispute began when St. John's withdrew recognition of its American Association of University Professors and Faculty Association union chapters after their contracts expired in June 2025, ending nearly 60 years of union representation at the school. St. John's sued PERB in June, arguing First Amendment protections shield it from mandatory collective bargaining as a religious institution, while the unions filed unfair labor practice charges alleging surveillance and unilateral contract changes. Judge Block will issue his ruling on the university's preliminary injunction request at an undetermined later date.
Community brief · Queens County
Flushing Town Hall will host its annual Diwali Festival with an Indian Wedding theme on Sunday, November 1, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event features interactive workshops, a dance drama by the Srijan Dance Company, and traditional food demonstrations. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for members, while children attend for free.
Community brief · Queens County
The annual Winter Lantern Festival begins Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Queens County Farm Museum in New York City. The event features hundreds of handcrafted Chinese lanterns illuminated by LED lights, along with food vendors and live entertainment. Visitors can attend Thursdays through Sundays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. until Dec. 17, after which the festival runs daily through Jan. 3. Tickets start at $18, with free admission for children under 3;…
Community brief · Queens County
State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. is hosting a job fair on November 6 at Villa Russo in Richmond Hill, Queens. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering attendees the chance to meet representatives from companies across New York State. Job seekers are advised to arrive early, wear business attire, and bring multiple copies of their resumes. Employers interested in participating can contact Anna Sargeant via email or phone.
