🌱 CityMD Expanding + Ozone Park Teacher Arrested + Ghost Guns

Happy Saturday, Queens! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Becoming windier with showers. High: 62 Low: 44.

Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. A woman is dead after a fire broke out in the Queensbridge North apartment complex at 40-11 12th St. in Astoria on Thursday. The woman was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead. At this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation and an autopsy will determine the woman’s cause of death. (NY Post)
2. CityMD is continuing to expand in Queens with the opening of a new urgent care center in Woodhaven. The new location is open seven days a week and marks CityMD's 18th location in Queens. The company has taken space at 91-07 Jamaica Avenue and is providing services ranging from physical exams, pediatric care, lab tests, and treatment for injuries and illnesses. (Forest Hills Post)
3. A 33-year-old woman who was struck by a school bus in Queens last month died of her injuries on Wednesday. Vivianna Wolpe was hit by the bus while crossing the street at the intersection of South Conduit Ave. and Rockaway Blvd. in Springfield Gardens on Nov. 17. No charges have been filed over the crash, which is still under investigation. (New York Post)
4. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz shared the latest arsenal of ghost guns confiscated by authorities. Twenty-five ghost guns — including semi-automatic pistols, assault weapons, and a semi-automatic shotgun — were recovered with large-capacity magazines and ammunition inside a bedroom at an apartment in Fresh Meadows. Ghost guns, homemade firearms assembled with parts bought online, are a growing contributor to New York City’s gun violence. (CBS New York)
5. A Queens high school teacher was arrested on Thursday for making a vulgar gesture suggesting oral sex at a 17-year-old female student. 35-year-old Stephen Rosa, a teacher at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, allegedly placed his fingers in a “v” shape in front of his mouth and stuck his tongue through them on Wednesday. Rosa was arrested in the 106th Precinct stationhouse. (Yahoo)

From my notebook:

• Queens Borough President Donovan Richards: "Big up to one of our own LL Cool J for being honored with a statue of himself in Corona Park. We are so proud! #QueensRepresent " (Facebook)
• Queens Botanical Garden: "⏱🏃🏻‍♀️ LAST CHANCE! Sign up to make your own wreath to display at home for the holidays tomorrow! There are only a few spots left for tomorrow's Holiday Wreath Making Workshop at 11am!" (Facebook)
• Queens Chamber of Commerce: "Get your finances in order before the end of the year. Learn about how to access the NYS Covid-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant, create a business plan, and file #taxes for your #smallbusiness. Contracting opportunities are also available at John F. Kennedy International Airport - JFK. Register here for next week's events: queenschamber.org/events" (Facebook)
• Queens, New York: "Queens Opera Theatre presents Peter Ekstrom’s musical adaptation of 'The Gift of the Magi' at Astoria PAC four times this weekend. Info: https://bit.ly/3lTzPMn" (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Super Duper Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale (December 11)
• OPEN HOUSE! Just Listed Two Family Townhouse In Forest Hills, NYC (December 12)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 12)
• FOR RENT! Move Right In... 3 Bedroom Tudor Townhouse In Forest Hills NYC (December 13)
• "The Kong Show: Happy Holidaze" a comedy variety show in Astoria (December 13)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Children's Book - "What Would the Parrot Say?" (Details)
• Add your item

Loving the Queens Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.