Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Queens Dentist Charged In Alleged Medicaid Fraud Scheme: What To Know

You won't want to miss FREE Community Concert for Kids: Spooky Jam Session on the Queens Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 29th Patch AM
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Hi Queens! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • Fresh Meadows dentist accused of $300K Medicaid fraud faces felony charges
  • Which Queens neighborhoods were hit hardest by this weekend's flooding?
  • Why Argentina's president keeps returning to a quiet Queens gravesite

Also on today's calendar: FREE Community Concert for Kids: Spooky Jam Session and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and warmer, with a high of 71 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Nice with periods of sun, temps: high: 74, low: 63.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and more humid, with a high of 78 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Queens Dentist Charged In Alleged Medicaid Fraud Scheme: What To Know (patch.com) — Queens residents are learning more about a Fresh Meadows dentist accused of stealing over $300,000 from Medicaid by billing for dental work prosecutors say was never done, sometimes while he was overseas. State officials say at least 35 local Medicaid patients were affected, with some later blocked from getting needed treatment because records showed the procedures already completed. The dentist and his practice now face multiple felony charges and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
   

2. Queens' coastal communities flooded again as officials call for action — Queens Daily Eagle (queenseagle.com) — Southeast Queens neighborhoods like Howard Beach, Broad Channel, Far Rockaway and Hollis were hit again by serious coastal and street flooding during a recent nor'easter, leaving some residents with damaged homes and belongings. Local civic leaders and officials, including Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers and Borough President Donovan Richards, are pressing for stronger long-term infrastructure and resilience measures instead of relying on piecemeal fixes or buyout programs.
   

3. Milei Returns to the Ohel on High-Profile UN Trip (anash.org) — Argentine President Javier Milei again visited the Rebbe's Ohel in Queens during his high-profile trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, underscoring the site's growing international visibility. His repeated stops here, both before and after becoming president, highlight Queens' role as a spiritual destination and a point of connection between global leaders and the local Jewish community.
   

4. LISTEN: Can Sunnyside Yards actually get built in Queens? (therealdeal.com) — A new episode of The Real Deal's "Deconstruct" podcast digs into whether the long-discussed Sunnyside Yards megadevelopment in Queens can finally move forward after recent talks between President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Development leader Carlo Scissura says real progress hinges on uniting key players, securing state legislation and funding, and winning over Queens residents who would live with the project's impacts.
   

5. Queens men's 'friendship' spoofed on SNL — Queens Daily Eagle (queenseagle.com) — A high-profile Saturday Night Live sketch just lampooned the budding political partnership between Queens-connected Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump, spotlighting their talks about building 12,000 homes over Sunnyside Yard. The bit poked fun at their supposed Queens roots and Instagram habits, while Mamdani says he's glad the massive Queens housing proposal is getting national attention.
   

📸 Around Queens

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Queens

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • New Program Will Allow New Yorkers To Get Free Tickets To The Met Opera
    The "Opera for All" program will give tickets to New Yorkers who have not previously attended a performance at the Met. What a fantastic offer! And… (Nextdoor Jackson Heights)
  • House Sitter Needed
    Hi neighbors! Looking for a reliable, trustworthy house sitter to care for our home and pets while we're out of town . Responsibilities include: … (Nextdoor Edgemere)

Ok Queens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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