Community Corner

🌱 Mayor Questions Renewable Rikers Act + Fatal Illegal Moped Crash

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Queens.

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Good morning, Queens! 😎

It's the first day of September so please join me in saying "rabbit rabbit" to ensure good luck for us all this month!🐰🐇 Never heard of this rabbit business? Click here to find out more.

📰 We also have these stories:

  • Mayor Eric Adams cast doubt on the plan to close Rikers Island in the next five years.
  • A Maspeth man lost control over his illegal moped after hitting a speed bump, resulting in a fatal crash.
  • Protestors support Queens woman who faces eviction after being shut out of federal aid.

🌞 Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 65.

Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. On Monday, Eric Adams suggested that it may be time to reconsider the Renewable Rikers Act, a city law he inherited from former Mayor Bill de Blasio that seeks to shut down Rikers Island in the next five years. The Act, introduced by Queens lawmaker Costa Constantinides, mandates closing the facilities on Rikers, and opening four borough-based jails in their stead, including one in Kew Gardens. Construction on the borough-based jail program is well underway in Queens, and so are plans to demolish the defunct Queens Detention Center.

Queens Daily Eagle


2. After hitting a speedbump, a man in Maspeth lost control over the illegal moped he was riding, and crashed into a utility pole, police and other officials said Wednesday. Jaime Aguilar, 48, was riding a 2022 Fly E-bike Z6, an electric moped designed to look like a motorcycle, when he hit a pole near 53rd Avenue. While the E-Bike's website touts the model as "street legal," it is not, as the two-wheelers can reach speeds of up to 45 mph, 20mph higher than the speed limit on most city streets.

NY Daily News


3. On Wednesday, a group of protestors congregated outside Queens Housing Court in support of Jamaica resident Allilsa Fernandez, who faces eviction after her landlord refused to participate in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Under New York's program, tenants can only receive relief funds directly if their landlord has signed on to their application. Fernandez's landlord refused, and now claims she owes $20,000 in unpaid rent. Along with supporters of Fernandez, there was also a counter-protest group of local landlords present at the court.

QNS


4. A Forest Hills hospital has recently launched a pilot program that uses virtual reality technology to help healthcare workers escape job stresses and address their burn out. The new program at LIJ Forest Hills gives nurses access to an Ocuclus Quest 2 headset on which they can participate in a 30-minute guided meditation session. The hospital is studing the impact of the pilot program, and if successful will roll it more widely.

CBS New York


5. According to a lawsuit filed in civil court this week, a former Queens Council member failed to pay thousands of dollars in fines linked to public funds. The city's Campaign Finance Board says that former District 27 Councilmember I. Daneek Miller owes them more than $10,000 after his successful 2017 re-election campaign. In an interview on Wednesday, Miller told Patch that he misunderstood the funding regulations and plans to pay back the cash. Miller is currently a district leader for the Queens County Democratic Party.

Patch


Hungry for more news? 📰 Snack on these headlines:

  • Woman involved in fatal hit-and-run could face 25-years-to-life if convicted (Queens Patch ; NY Daily News)
  • Howard Beach man pleads guilty to striking cop in face with crowbar (QNS)
  • Health department to spray Queens and Brooklyn for mosquitos (PIX 11)
  • Queens captures three of the month's ten largest commercial loans (The Real Deal)
  • U.S. Open fans love the kosher kings of Queens (The Jerusalem Post)

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🔭 Looking for something to do today in Queens? Look no further:

  • Love & Hiking Date For Couples: Trail of Love (7 a.m.)
  • Farm Community Volunteer Day (9:30 a.m.)
  • Guided Historic House Tour: Louis and Lucille Armstrong Home (11 a.m.)
  • Kids On The Town at the Queens Museum (12 p.m.)
  • Compost Beautification Community Volunteer Day (1 p.m.)
  • R&B Thursdays (5 p.m.)
  • Music Skills: Remix Katy Perry at the Apple Store (5:30 p.m.)
  • Latin Party at Music Box (6 p.m.)
  • Culture Lab LIC Free Outdoor Concert (7 p.m.)

Queens Chatter:

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— Emma Radu Fighera

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com

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