March 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Queens food writer and a group of real estate developers have joined forces to launch Astoria Eats, a new website that features a curation of food items from several Astoria eateries. The website offers a selection of menu items from Astoria-based restaurants curated by Joe DiStefano, a food… Read more »
March 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Flushing couple has been indicted on sex trafficking charges for allegedly bringing two women into the country from Korea and forcing them into prostitution, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today. Jung Ja Ornstein, 62, and Eric Ornstein, 49, allegedly arranged the transportation of the two women from… Read more »
March 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin More than 55 state legislators, including 14 from Queens, are calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign amid mounting sexual harassment allegations and the state’s nursing home death scandal. The Democratic lawmakers released a joint statement Thursday demanding Cuomo resign and allow the lieutenant governor to take over for… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City eateries will be permitted to increase indoor dining to 50 percent capacity starting on March 19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. Cuomo upped the capacity from its current level of 35 percent in a joint announcement with Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey. Murphy said New… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police are searching for a man wanted for a string of break-ins and burglaries in Astoria. The suspect broke into five apartment buildings last week and ran off with cash and various items of value, police said. He first broke into an apartment building near 33rd Street and 28th… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens Borough President candidate Jimmy Van Bramer is calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign amid sexual harassment allegations — and now wants his opponents in the BP race to do the same. Van Bramer is asking his fellow borough president candidates to join the growing number of lawmakers… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a plan Tuesday to provide $65 million in relief funds for taxi drivers plagued by the city’s taxi medallion crisis. The plan, however, was quickly criticized by cab drivers and progressive lawmakers–such as State Sen. Jessica Ramos–who say it doesn’t begin to address the… Read more »
March 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers as young as 60 will be eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 starting Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. Cuomo lowered the current vaccine-eligibility age — which is 65 in the state — by five years. He also expanded eligibility to additional categories of essential workers, who… Read more »
March 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City launched an effort last week to vaccinate thousands of homebound seniors for COVID-19. The city is utilizing its supply of the newly-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine to bring the shot directly to seniors inside their homes. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is easier to transport because… Read more »
March 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has added COVID-19 vaccination sites to its live subway map to help eligible New Yorkers plan their route to get the shot. The new feature allows straphangers to easily find the vaccination sites closest to subway stops and plan their trips accordingly. Each vaccination… Read more »