🌱 Sidewalk Killer Charged + In-Person Queens Pride Festival Returns

Good morning, neighbors! It's Tuesday in Queens and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Periods of sun. High: 68 Low: 56.

Here are the top three stories in Queens today:

1. The city’s plan to rezone a portion of the Rockaway peninsula was recently unanimously passed by the City Planning Commission. The goal of the project is to repurpose unused public vacant lots and turn them into housing, retail, amenities, and open spaces. The city also seeks to simultaneously reduce flood risk and expand coastal ecology. The project seeks to enrich the community and allow for more affordable housing opportunities in the area. (QNS.com)
2. After a 62-year-old Queens woman, GuiYing Ma, passed away due to injuries from a sidewalk attack in February, her killer has been charged with murder and manslaughter. While she was sweeping a sidewalk the day after Thanksgiving last fall, a man hit her in the head with a rock, which landed her in a coma for 88 days, and ultimately caused her to pass away from her injuries on Feb. 22. The motives of the alleged killer, 33-year-old Elisaul Perez, a homeless man who resides in the area, are unknown. If convicted, he will face 25 years-to-life in prison. (NBC New York)
3. In celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, the 30th annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival is expected to have one of its biggest turnouts yet in Jackson Heights. The Festival is one of the city’s most prominent LGBTQ rights celebrations and will take place on Sunday, Jun. 5. After the past two years of virtual events, as a result of the pandemic, this is expected to be one of, if not the largest events in a long time. All New Yorkers are encouraged and invited to celebrate and join in on the fun! (QNS.com)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. Whether you're working from home or streaming your favorite movies, the new Ring Alarm Pro gives you an internet connection you can count on — while simultaneously keeping your home safe and secure.

To learn more about the innovative security system, or to build your own custom system, you can visit Ring here.

Today in Queens:

• Farm Community Volunteer Days At Queens Botanical Garden (9:30 AM)
• Live It Up: Get Healthy, Live Well At Catholic Charities - Far Rockaway Clinic (1:30 PM)
• Pop-Up Gaeltacht At New York Irish Center (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Queens Water Lantern Festival will take place next Friday, Jun. 4. Buy your tickets before this fun event sells out! (It's in Queens)
• The Queens Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a panel on May 26 to discuss how small employers can navigate different issues in their businesses regarding social media, different laws, and benefits. Mark your calendars and register here! (Facebook)
• The Astoria Park Carnival will be coming to town next week, starting Jun. 1! Admission is free, and it's fun for the whole family. (It's in Queens)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Nutrition! Art! Music! Free Workshop for Seniors with Hospital for Special Surgery (May 25)
• The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade (May 30)
• The Learning Experience- Summer Camp Ages 2-10 years old LIMITED Space Available (May 31)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Salon coordinator (Details)
• Farmers Market Sales Associate - Part-Time (Forest Hills, Sunday) (Details)
• Add your job listing

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. 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.