March 31, 2022 By Allie Griffin The city cleared more than 200 homeless encampments across the five boroughs in the past two weeks, sparking criticism from some Queens officials and homeless advocates. From March 18 through March 30, multi-agency teams removed 239 encampments throughout the city in an effort to connect people living on the… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
Sunnyside Community Services Wins National Award for Alzheimer’s Program
March 31, 2022 By Allie Griffin Local nonprofit Sunnyside Community Services has won a national award for its Alzheimer’s program. The organization was awarded the “Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award” by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Inc., and Family Caregiver Alliance last week. The organization’s “Care NYC” program was one of three programs across… Read more »
MTA Releases New Draft Plan for Queens Bus Network, Q60 and Q32 To Stay Largely the Same
March 29, 2022 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled a revised draft bus plan Tuesday that would overhaul the existing bus network in Queens. The 515-page updated plan replaces an original 2019 draft plan that the MTA decided to scrap because it was highly unpopular among borough residents and officials. MTA officials, Queens… Read more »
75 Percent of Asian Seniors in NYC Afraid to Leave Homes Due to Hate Crimes: Survey
March 25, 2022 By Allie Griffin About three-quarters of Asian seniors in New York City are afraid to leave their homes due to the recent spike in anti-Asian violence, according to a report released Thursday. The Asian American Federation (AAF) surveyed 153 Asian seniors as well as 15 community-based organizations across the city and found… Read more »
State Sen. Ramos Calls on City Council to Invest in Mental Health Services as Opposed to Prison System
March 24, 2022 By Allie Griffin State Sen. Jessica Ramos is calling on the city council to invest in mental health services for alleged lawbreakers rather than pumping money into the prison system. Ramos joined a rally on the steps of City Hall Wednesday morning to demand the council add funding to mental health services… Read more »
DOT to Install More Than 50 Citi Bike Stations in Maspeth and Middle Village by Summer
March 23, 2022 By Allie Griffin The Department of Transportation plans to install more than 50 Citi Bike stations in Maspeth and Middle Village beginning this summer. The DOT released a draft plan map last month that provides the location of the bike stations that it anticipates installing throughout the two neighborhoods. The map —… Read more »
Council Member Julie Won and Husband Announce Arrival of Newborn Son
March 22, 2022 By Allie Griffin Council Member Julie Won, who was more than seven months pregnant when she was sworn into office in January, gave birth to her first child earlier this month. Won announced Monday that she and her husband, Eugene Noh, welcomed their son into the world on March 11. The council… Read more »
Three Queens Council Members Join Group Criticizing Cuts in Adams’ Proposed Budget
March 17, 2022 By Allie Griffin Nearly a dozen council members, including three from Queens, along with scores of community-based groups are pushing back against cuts proposed by the mayor in the preliminary budget he introduced last month. The elected officials and groups said Mayor Eric Adams’ $98.5 billion budget cuts funding to important services… Read more »
NRG’s Proposed Astoria Power Plant Slammed as Company Attempts to Revive Plans
March 17, 2022 By Allie Griffin A large energy company that had its plans to build a power plant in Astoria rejected by the state in October has challenged the decision and in doing so has drawn the ire of local officials and activists. NRG Energy is seeking the state’s approval to replace its 50-year-old peaker… Read more »
Hiram Monserrate Makes Another Run for Queens Assembly Seat
March 15, 2022 By Allie Griffin The twice-convicted politician Hiram Monserrate has launched another run for State Assembly. Monserrate announced earlier this month on Facebook that he is running again for State Assembly District 35 — covering Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Corona. “I’m on a mission to make sure our voices are heard,” he shared… Read more »