Author: Allie Griffin

Police Release Footage of Drive-By Shooting Near Queensboro Bridge

Jan. 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police released video footage today of a drive-by shooting that took place in Long Island City on New Year’s Eve that left a teenage boy injured. A black BMW was driving along Queens Plaza South when it pulled up alongside a parked car and a gunman fired two shots… Read more »

Car Lane to Become Pedestrian Lane on the Queensboro Bridge

Jan. 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin (Updated) The city will convert a car lane into a pedestrian lane on the Queensboro Bridge after years of pressure from cycling advocates, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last night. De Blasio’s announcement comes after bike advocates and local lawmakers have called on the city for years to repurpose… Read more »

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, Former AOC Challenger, Enters Race for NYC Comptroller

Jan. 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who ran for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional seat last year, announced she is running for public office once again. The Sunnyside resident and former journalist has joined the race to become the next New York City Comptroller, the city’s chief financial officer who oversees the city’s spending. Caruso-Cabrera,… Read more »

Queens COVID-19 Yellow Zone to Remain, Cuomo Says

Jan. 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin The northern Queens COVID-19 zone will remain in place despite Governor Andrew Cuomo lifting similar restrictions on other zones across the state Wednesday. The yellow zone that covers portions of northern and central Queens is among five zones across the state that will remain. The five zones — which… Read more »

Astoria Library Branch On Track for Renovations and ADA Upgrades

Jan. 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides hosted a virtual forum Monday to update residents on renovation plans for the Astoria branch of the Queens Public Library (QPL). The library branch, located at 14-01 Astoria Blvd., will be upgraded next year with accessibility improvements including a new elevator, restrooms and a new… Read more »

Actor Kal Penn Endorses Jimmy Van Bramer for Queens Borough President

Jan. 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer earned an endorsement from Hollywood today. Van Bramer was endorsed by actor Kal Penn, who starred in NBC’s short-lived show “Sunnyside,” for Queens Borough President Tuesday. Penn played a disgraced former council member whose district included Sunnyside — the same neighborhood represented by Van… Read more »

Police Looking for Man Who Robbed Astoria Bank

Jan. 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police are looking for a man who robbed a bank in Astoria last week. The suspect walked into a Citibank, located at 22-16 31st St., at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday and handed a note to a teller demanding cash, police said. The 26-year-old male teller complied and handed over… Read more »

Cuomo Says State Will Begin to Lift Some COVID-19 Restrictions in Coming Days

Jan. 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state will begin to lift some COVID-19 restrictions this week as the state’s coronavirus positivity rate and other benchmarks are decreasing. Cuomo said he will lower restrictions in micro-cluster zones statewide–including a Queens yellow zone that covers portions of northern and central Queens…. Read more »

Western Queens Rental Prices Plummet, Major Drop Over The Past Year

Jan. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin The rental market in Queens has taken a hit over the past year — and western Queens saw a heavy decline. The average rent paid in December to nab a Queens apartment was down 6.23 percent, from December 2019, according to a recent report released by the real estate… Read more »