Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Shops at Atlas Park Starbucks Workers In Queens Vote To Unionize

Also check out KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY ARTS DAY 2026 A Day Full of Art, Music JOY & Fun for ALL! on the Queens Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
Thursday September 17th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey hey Queens! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Atlas Park Starbucks baristas back union in overwhelming Queens vote
  • How a five-week burglary spree shook several Queens neighborhoods
  • How much power do Queens party insiders wield over your local courts?

Also on today's calendar: KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY ARTS DAY 2026 A Day Full of Art, Music JOY & Fun for ALL! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 81 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 83, low: 62.
  • Saturday: Pleasant with sunny spells, with a high of 73 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Shops at Atlas Park Starbucks Workers In Queens Vote To Unionize (patch.com) — Queens baristas at the Shops at Atlas Park Starbucks have voted overwhelmingly to unionize, joining a nationwide movement of thousands of Starbucks workers pushing for better pay, staffing, and protections. Employees say they want a stronger voice in scheduling and workplace conditions, and view their 19-1 vote as a step toward securing a binding contract that reflects their needs in the Glendale shopping center store.
   

2. Brooklyn man faces up to life in prison if convicted of multiple Queens burglaries in five-week span: DA (qns.com) — Queens prosecutors say a Brooklyn man is accused of a five-week burglary spree targeting businesses, a school, and a Boys & Girls Club across Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Ridgewood, and South Richmond Hill. He's been remanded without bail on top burglary charges in Queens Supreme Court and could face a potential life sentence if convicted.
   

3. How Surrogate's Court enriches party leaders in Queens (ny1.com) — Powerful Democratic Party lawyers and leaders in Queens are shaping who becomes Surrogate's Court judge and benefiting from lucrative estate work tied to that court. For local families whose estates pass through Queens Surrogate's Court, the story raises questions about political influence, potential conflicts of interest, and how millions in fees are generated from residents' assets each year.
   

4. Rabies Cases Prompt Nationwide Health Advisory: What New Yorkers Should Know (patch.com) — Queens residents are seeing a rise in rabid animals this year, with 27 cases reported across four NYC boroughs, including your own. Health officials stress knowing how to clean wounds, when to seek post-exposure treatment, and how to keep pets vaccinated and away from wildlife so you can prevent this almost-always fatal disease if you're ever bitten or scratched.
   

5. Gonzalez, Moreno introduce legislation seeking to ban sale of illegal, high-speed 'e-motos' (qns.com) — After a deadly crash on the Queensboro Bridge involving a high-speed electric vehicle, state lawmakers have proposed banning sales of illegal "e-motos" to New Yorkers and requiring clear warnings from retailers. Announced at Queens Plaza in Long Island City, the bill targets confusing marketing that can leave Queens riders unknowingly buying machines that are illegal and potentially far more dangerous than standard e-bikes.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Cord Meyer Development Breaks Ground on New Community at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center —Lloyd Singer Read on Patch
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
    Found on September 8, 2026 in Queens, NY 11420 near Near Avenue Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view… (Nextdoor Richmond Hill (123St-Jamaica))
  • ‼️Cat in a Jacket Alert‼️
    A cat in a picture appeared in my front yard on Tuesday 09/15/26 afternoon. She would not let me approach her and she is hiding in the bushes. If… (Nextdoor Old Astoria (West of 21st))
  • Golden Nugget posted a job opening for Server Assistant (Upscale / Fine Dining) in Great Neck. Apply here.
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Elmont. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Queens here.

Ok Queens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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