July 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin The state announced Monday that it has streamlined the application process for its rent relief program that aims to cover New Yorkers’ unpaid rent. The announcement comes one day after U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said the state was too slow in distributing payments from its $2.7 billion rental assistance… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
Rat Complaints in Queens Are Up Nearly 30 Percent This Year: See Neighborhood Data
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin The number of rat complaints has jumped significantly in Queens this year, with complaints in neighborhoods like Woodside and Ridgewood more than double what they were a year ago. There were 1,812 complaints across Queens for the Jan. 1 — June 30 period this year, up more than 27… Read more »
All City Workers Must Get Vaccinated or Be Tested for COVID Weekly: De Blasio
July 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin All 300,000 city workers will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or adhere to weekly testing under a new mandate by mid September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The city will require all municipal workers to be vaccinated by Sept. 13 — the first day of public school —… Read more »
2021 On Track to Have Highest Number of Traffic Deaths During de Blasio Administration: Report
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin 2021 is on track to be the deadliest year in terms of traffic fatalities since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office in 2014, according to a new report. The first half of 2021 saw the greatest number of traffic deaths for the first six months of any year since… Read more »
City to Host Free Concert at Forest Hills Stadium in Celebration of NYC’s Comeback
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin The city will host a free concert at Forest Hills Stadium next month as part of a series of concerts celebrating New York City’s comeback from the pandemic. The concert is one of five — one in each borough — that will be free to the public during “NYC… Read more »
Police Cuff Hit-and-Run Biker Who Crashed Into 4-Year-Old in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police have nabbed the hit-and-run biker who crashed into a four-year-old boy in Flushing Meadows Corona Park Sunday. Officers cuffed 29-year-old Argenis Rivas, of Whitestone, on a series of charges including assault and leaving the scene of an accident Wednesday—after a TikTok video tipped them off. Rivas reportedly posted… Read more »
Classic Car Shows Are Taking Place in Bay Terrace This Summer
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin Car aficionados will have several chances to see some classic cars in person this summer in northeast Queens. Real estate group Cord Meyer Development and Jackie DeLuca & the Queens Classic Car Club kicked off their first car show last week at the Bay Terrace shopping center with around… Read more »
Feds Approve LaGuardia AirTrain Despite Objections From Local Leaders
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the state’s $2 billion plan to build an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport Tuesday. Its approval — which was previously delayed — paves the way for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to begin construction of the 1.5 mile rail line… Read more »
Help Determine the Borders of Queens’ Electoral Districts at Meeting Thursday
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens residents will have a once-in-a-decade chance Thursday to weigh in on how their political districts are shaped. The Independent Redistricting Commission of New York State is hosting a virtual public meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. to seek comments from Queens residents on the redrawing of district borders. The… Read more »
New Play ‘Under Woodside’ Celebrating Everyday Life in Queens to Premiere Next Week
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin A new play celebrating everyday life in Queens will premiere in Sunnyside next week. “Under Woodside” will be performed live at Sunnyside Gardens Park on Friday, July 30 for the first time— followed by more showings throughout the city in August. Playwright and Sunnyside resident Juliann Lavallee crafted “Under… Read more »