🌱 Queens Mechanic Named Remarkable Woman + Car Thief Gets Away

Hello, neighbors! Miranda Fraraccio here with your Tuesday Queens Daily.

First, today's weather:

A little afternoon rain. High: 53 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories in Queens today:

1. A Queens mechanic was named the winner of PIX11’s Remarkable Woman initiative. Audra Fordin, a business owner, wife, mom of three, and master mechanic, won the contest which highlights remarkable women from the tri-state area who were nominated for their contributions to the nation and local communities. In a message to young girls, Fordin encourages them to join her in making a difference in the automotive industry. (WPIX 11 New York)
2. A 79-year-old man was robbed while trying to help a woman who asked him for some spare change in a Queens restaurant. Shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday, a woman who was described as being about 20- to 30-years-old approached the victim in a restaurant on Junction Boulevard asking for money, and then stole his cash — roughly $80 — as soon as he took it out. The man tried to stop the woman from running off but fell to the ground during the struggle. (NBC New York)
3. A car thief in Queens took a parking lot worker for a ride on the roof during a getaway last week. On Tuesday, a thief walked onto a lot on Crescent Street at around 5:30 p.m. and got into a white 2017 Kia sedan with the license plate UGD782, and started to drive away using the keys that were already in the vehicle. The 49-year-old worker jumped on the hood to try and stop the thief and managed to hang on for a short distance before he fell off, suffering a minor injury to his leg. The thief got away; the employee refused medical attention. (NBC New York)

Today in Queens:

• CreArtBox, At Culture Lab LIC (9:00 AM)
• Immigrant Heritage Month: Coming To America - Music By Immigrant Jazz Composers, At Glen Oaks Branch Library (11:00 AM)
• NYC Speaks: Community Conversations, At East Flushing Branch Library (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• LL Cool J has announced the 'Rock The Bells' festival coming to Queens in August. (HipHop-N-More)
• 500 straphangers were evacuated after a southbound 7 train car struck debris on Sunday. (NY1)
• Check out these adorable pets up for adoption in Queens! (Queens Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.