🌱 NYC VA Hospitals Remain Open + Adams Sues 'Ghost Gun' Manufacturers

Good morning NYC. Tragedy struck the city last evening when a 20-year-old woman was shot and killed on the Upper East Side while pushing a baby in a stroller. Find more details here.

In other headlines, the singer R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison, COVID looks like it's making another comeback, and the city's two VA Hospitals will remain open, despite a federal government plan to close them. Pizza rat's also back, and the last Papaya King might not be around much longer.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 87 Low: 73.

These are the great local businesses who sponsor the New York City Daily. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

• Have you ever wanted a good ol' fashioned handyman to take care of small jobs around the apartment — like painting, carpet shampooing, mold and mildew, flooring, picture hanging, deep cleaning, flat screen install etc.? Lois and Mark of “At Your Service” are a one stop shop based in Yorkville who specialize in small jobs in NYC apartments and townhouses. They’re insured and also work closely with realtors and landlords. Email or call Lois for an estimate: lois@yourserviceman.com or 917-560-2947.

• Looking for opportunities to volunteer or to be more involved in your community in New York City? Check out Humbler.co, a New York-based platform that matches volunteers with nonprofits and local organizations hosting events and volunteering opportunities around the city. Sign up is free, there are no monthly fees, no long-term commitments and with over 90 local orgs currently participating, it’s never been easier to make a difference. Visit Humbler.co and do some good today.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. In a child sex trafficking case R&B legend R Kelly was sentenced to 30 years behind bars on Wednesday. Kelly has faced allegations for the past several decades, but had stayed out of jail until New York prosecutors produced a sprawling case against him. (New York City Patch)
2. A sixth wave of COVID-19 in New York City looks to be on the horizon, with seven-day positivity reaching its highest point yet since January. The 9.94% positive rate reached on Tuesday comes amid a reduction in the total number of tests administered. (NBC New York)
3. Mayor Eric Adams and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that both the city and state would sue a number of "ghost gun" manufacturers in an effort to crack down on the spread of the firearms throughout the city. Ghost guns are often sold to New Yorkers in parts and then reassembled after purchase, without serial numbers or other forms of identification. (New York City Patch)
4. The Manhattan and Brooklyn Veteran Affairs hospitals will remain open, after a months-long battle fought by communities and elected officials opposing the federal government's plans to close them and redirect services to other facilities. (Brooklyn Paper)
5. A Brooklyn judge threw out a lawsuit aiming to stop the contentious Gowanus rezoning, which would allow for residential development in the largely industrial neighborhood. The suit had argued that the city didn't take into account the 'adverse environmental impacts' of the rezoning. (New York City Patch)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks, and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• Help Feed the Hungry in NYC and Help Ukraians at the Society for Ethical Culture (10 a.m.)
• Hudson Square BID Presents: Eden Bareket and the Underground Spiritual Game (12 p.m.)
• Come meet NBA Skills Trainer, Chris Brickley, at the NBA NYC Store on 5th Ave (4 p.m.)
• NYC Is Dead Stand-Up Comedy and Brass Music (8 p.m.)
• The Philadelphia Orchestra Digital Stage Free Streaming Premiere (8 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• A very wet dog and three people were pulled out of the East River near Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria on Wednesday morning–all three refusing medical attention. (Patch)
• A man from East New York, Joel McConney, 36, has been missing since Monday. He was last seen in Downtown Brooklyn. (New York City Patch)
• A Park Slope teen is in stable condition after being shot on Tuesday night at around 11 p.m. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• Say good bye to the last remaining NYC Papaya King on the Upper East Side, which is soon likely to be demolished to make way for new development. (New York City Patch)
• A new show open now at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria showcases over 500 objects and 300 props from the popular TV series “The Walking Dead.” It's open through January 1. (Time Out)
• After a failed attempt in 2019, Staten Islanders are once again taking a stab at succeeding from NYC to form their own independent city. Republican Council Member Joe Borelli is leading the charge. (City & State)
• Pizza rat is back in the subways–and this time he's got family. (New York Post)
• Tickets are on sale now for New York Comic Con, which will take place October 6-9. (NYC: The Official Guide via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Patient Advocacy Services LLC — (Visit website)
• Hach & Rose, LLP — (Visit website)
• Lingerie Making Workshops by Rue du Paradis — (Visit website)
• Pilates Reforming New York — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• July 4th Weekend Kickoff Dance under the Moonlight NYC Cabana Yacht 2022 (July 1)
• July 4th Weekend Dance the Wave NYC Cabana Yacht Cruise 2022 (July 2)
• The Dinner Detective Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Show (July 2)
• 4th of July Hip Hop vs Reggae® Jewel Yacht Party Skyport Marina 2022 (July 2)
• July 4th Weekend NYC Summer Midnight Cruise at Skyport Marina Cabana 2022 (July 2)
• Open House Sunday (July 3)
• Jewel Yacht EDM House meets Hip Hop 3rd of July Crowd Control Sunset Party (July 3)
• "The Pursuit of Happiness" Exhibition Date: June 28 - July 16, 2022 (July 5)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, Fairies and French Frolics (July 8)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, fairies and French Frolics (July 9)
• Midsummer Musings: Of Fauns, Fairies and French Frolics (July 10)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Southampton Private Beach Community Rental - Monthly or Bi-Monthly or Other Variations (Details)
• Best Cocktails and Bar Food in Astoria, Queens (Details)
• Add your announcement

Job listings:

• Bartender (Details)
• Add your job listing

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com