Community Corner
🌱 Hate Crimes Bill Becomes Law + 32,000 Fentanyl Pills Seized At JFK
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Queens.
Good morning, Queens! 🦃
- 📜 Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a Queens legislator's bill requiring individuals convicted of hate crimes to attend mandatory counseling in hate crime education and prevention.
- 💊 A drug bust at a Queens Hampton Inn near John F. Kennedy International Airport yielded 32,000 of fentanyl pills worth up to $1 million,
- 🏳️🌈 As the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress, Congressman-elect George Santos hopes he will be able to educate his Republican colleagues, some of whom oppose gay marriage and the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms.
☁️ Times of clouds and ☀️ sunshine. High: 53 Low: 44.
Here are the top stories in Queens today:
1. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday, Nov. 22. signed into law Queens State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky's bill requiring individuals convicted of hate crimes to attend mandatory counseling in hate crime education and prevention. The new legislation, also sponsored by Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, will take effect in 30 days. Amid a state and nationwide surge in hate-related attacks, and as threats continue to target Jewish, LGBTQ+ communities, and people of color, the bill aims to target the basis of hate crimes.
2. A drug bust at a Queens hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport yielded 32,000 of fentanyl pills worth up to $1 million, leading to the arrest of two men from California, prosecutors announced Wednesday. "Deadly fentanyl has caused destruction in far too many neighborhoods across this borough and the State," said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. "This lethal drug has also accounted for 76% of all overdose fatalities in Queens County this year." Roodolph Pierre-Lys, 33, and Uriel Barajas-Valencia, 50, were arrested Monday at the Hampton Inn after officers confronted the men who were seen carrying a brown box into the hotel at about 11:30 a.m. Once opened, the box was found to contain four packages wrapped in cellophane and cloth allegedly carrying blue fentanyl marked "M 30." Both men have been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
3. Congressman-elect George Santos is heading to Washington in January to represent parts of Queens and Nassau County after winning what is believed to be the first general election congressional race between two openly gay candidates. As the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress, Santos hopes he will be able to educate his Republican colleagues, some of whom oppose gay marriage and the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms. "This isn't a matter of cultural or religious issue, it's a matter of freedom, freedom for all," Santos told Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall." "And that means the gay and lesbian community at large, as well." Santos also discussed his attendance at President Donald Trump's speech outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021.
4. More than 3,500 families in Corona and Eastern Elmhurst, predominantly Latino neighborhoods, received turkeys and fresh produce in preparation for their Thanksgiving meals, local officials said. The turkeys were dispersed as part of a series of events from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21 geared toward helping families afford their holiday ingredients. "This is New York City solidarity at its best as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday," said Council Member Franciso Moya, who was in charge of distribution, along with several other groups.
5. The FBI is investigating NYPD Detective Saul Delacruz's account of an off-duty shooting in Queens he was involved in on Nov. 8 — Delacruz has been suspended without pay. Delacruz, an eight-year NYPD veteran, and field intelligence officer, told investigators he was driving home around 2:15 a.m. when he saw someone with what appeared to be a gun just outside Brookville Park. Delacruz then pulled over and got out of his vehicle, at which point the unidentified man opened fire at him, prompting Delacruz to return fire. At this point, federal investigators are trying to determine if Delacruz actually knows the man he shot at. No one was shot during the firefight, and the gunman left his gun at the scene when he fled.
🗞 Hungry for more news? 🍴Snack on these headlines:
- Filipino food gains visibility in NYC, but restaurateurs point to a complicated reality (Gothamist)
- Poll shows bipartisan support for solitary confinement ban (Queens Daily Eagle)
- NYC Man Sentenced for Threatening to Shoot Driver Over Parking Spot: Queens DA (NBC New York)
- Expert talks about mental health in New York City (Spectrum News NY1)
- 2 men plead guilty to raping, trafficking children in Queens (1010 WINS)
🗓 To Do Today in Queens:
- Pop-Up Park Picnic: Couple Date Night (Self-Guided) - Woodside Area (7 a.m.)
- Friends of Maple Grove – November Art Exhibit with Gail Meyers (8:30 a.m.)
- Bayside Historical Society's 22nd Annual Winter Art Show (9 a.m.)
- Hot to Turkey Trot 2M Run/Walk (9:30 a.m.)
- MoMA PS1 Free Admission Thursdays (11 a.m.)
- Creative Expression through Art (3 p.m.)
- Amaze Light Festival (4 p.m.)
- The New York Winter Lantern Festival – Illuminate the Farm (5 p.m.)
- Chess At the Rock (5 p.m.)
🗣 Queens Chatter:
- 🦃 Free Thanksgiving meals for local District 32 families: "Thanks to our partnership with the Migrant Kitchen Initiative, my office is able to provide 100 meals to local District 32 families. Each package contains enough food for a family of four - complete with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and more!" (Councilmember Joann Ariola via Twitter)
- 🔨 Repairs finally made at the Bland Houses: "While it's unacceptable it took six months to make the repairs, I'm happy gas was finally restored at Bland Houses in time for residents to have a home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving. Thanks to my fellow elected officials for joining me last month to push NYCHA to finish the work." (Councilmember Sandra Ung via Twitter)
- 🌎 Celebrating the Theaterama: "This World's Fair Wednesday, we're highlighting the structure that still stands today from the 1964-65 World's Fair, the Theaterama! The Theaterama was part of the New York State Pavilion (which is now the Queens Museum!) at the Fair and featured artwork from 10 artists on its outer wall. 🖼 The most famous work of the group was Andy Warhol's controversial work "13 Most Wanted Men", which was a mural that consisted of 22 mugshots of the 13 most wanted criminals in New York State. The Theaterama is now The Queens Theatre, a thriving performing arts hub." (Queens Museum via Facebook)
- 🌸 The Queens Botanical Garden is a place where cultures meet: "🍂 Some of our trees may be bare, but our hearts are FULL! 💚 Queens Botanical Garden gives thanks to all our visitors near and far. Thank you for making us the place where people, plants, and cultures meet! Tomorrow, Thursday, 11/24, is Thanksgiving. The Garden will be closed for the holiday. Come back starting Friday, 11/25 to resume enjoying FREE admission through March! The Garden is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 8am to 4:30pm." (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)
- 🍁 Happy turkey-day from Queens business training students: "Wishing everyone a wonderful & happy Thanksgiving! Pictured here: our business training students met last week for Friendsgiving at La Cabaña Argentinian Steakhouse. We're thankful that our virtual environment allows for students to create and foster relationships both virtually and in-person." (Queens Economic Development Corporation via Facebook)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!
— Emma Radu Fighera
About me: Emma Radu Fighera is a reporter born and raised in Queens, New York. She studied Literature and Studio Art at Hamilton College, where she helped run the only daily publication on campus, The Daily Bull newsletter. This past spring she earned her M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com
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