🌱 Empire State Building Eagles Controversy + 19-Year-Old Sentenced

Hello and happy Tuesday. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in Queens.

But first, today's weather:

Colder with periods of sun. High: 40 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories today in Queens:

1. On Sunday night, the Empire State Building lit up green and white as a tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles, who eliminated the Giants from this year’s playoffs. Some city officials weighed in on the controversy, including Queens Borough President Donavan Richards who tweeted, “Empire state building knows it’s in Manhattan, right? Get your borough under control @MBPMarkLevine.”According to Governor Kathy Hochul, the state has no control over the skyscraper’s lights. (PIX11 New York News)
2. A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for the shooting death of a schoolteacher who was walking their dog in Long Island City in 2020. Ike Ford pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of George Rosa, who was struck by a stray bullet on Jul. 25, 2020, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Though Ford was a minor at the time of the incident, he was sentenced as an adult. (NBC New York)
3. A Queens gunman was arrested for the execution-style NYC slaying of a stage actor which took place about 10 months ago. On Saturday, 29-year-old Jovan Springer was busted in connection with the drug-related shooting that took the life of 26-year-old Peter Panthier in Far Rockaway. According to police, Springer has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon and is being held without bail until his Sunday arraignment. (New York Post)

Today in Queens:

• Lunar New Year 2023 Photo Exhibition, Flushing Town Hall (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking to welcome a new furry friend into your family? If so, there are plenty of animals in the Queens area looking for forever homes. Take a look at all the adorable, adoptable pets at the link and find your new best friend. (Queens Patch)
• On Jan. 30, the MTA approved a $480 million project to demolish the Jamaica Bus Depot and replace it with a new state-of-the-art facility. (QNS)
• Interested in joining NYPD? Registration for the Police Exam ends today, Jan. 31. For more information or to chat with a recruiter, please visit NYPDRECRUIT.COM, or call 212-RECRUIT. (NYPD News)

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Events:

• Berkeley College Master of Business Administration Information Session (January 31)
• Chinese New Year Celebration (February 1)
• Seminar: Fashion Merchandising & Management and Marketing Communications (February 1)
• Vampire Cirque Cabaret Dinner Show (February 11)
• Big Game Sunday at Bourbon Street (February 12)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.