Dec. 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin Two Queens lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would require New York State to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing at private, religious and other non-public schools. State Sen. Joe Addabbo and Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi sponsored a bill that would require the state to reimburse non-public schools for the cost… Read more »
Dec. 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin and Christian Murray Long Island City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer is contemplating a run for Queens Borough President once again, campaign filings show. Van Bramer has recently filed to run for borough president with the Campaign Finance Board and told Politico last month that he is “seriously considering”… Read more »
Dec. 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin Indoor dining in New York City could close once again if the city’s hospitalization rate continues to rise, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. The governor said if the rate does not stabilize within five days indoor dining would close. The closure could come as early as next Monday, Dec…. Read more »
Dec. 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin More than 21,000 public school and charter school children in Queens had no permanent home last school year, according to a report released Thursday. The children represented about 20 percent of the roughly 111,000 students citywide who were homeless during the 2019-2020 school year, according to a report released… Read more »
Dec. 4, 2020 By Allie Griffin A new Mexican bar and restaurant opened in Astoria Thursday and is offering a free taco and cocktail to patrons to celebrate its grand opening. Tacostoria, located at 36-05 30th Ave., is awarding customers one free taco and their choice of a free glass of sangria or a boozy… Read more »
Dec. 4, 2020 By Allie Griffin There’s still time to apply for an affordable apartment in TF Cornerstone’s new development on the Long Island City waterfront. The city has extended the deadline for the affordable housing lottery that includes 185 affordable units at 52-41 Center Blvd. two weeks — from Nov. 23 to next Wednesday,… Read more »
Dec. 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York will receive its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccination by mid-December, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. New York State is expected to receive 170,000 doses of the vaccine — developed by Pfizer — from the federal government by Dec. 15, Cuomo said. “We expect, if all safety… Read more »
Dec. 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Queens District Attorney’s Office will offer cash to residents who forfeit guns during a gun buy-back event in Astoria Saturday. Residents with firearms are invited to turn them in and remain completely anonymous— no questions asked. The event comes at a time when shootings are up in New… Read more »
Dec. 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin Council Member Donovan Richards will assume the role of Queens Borough President Wednesday, taking the reins from Acting BP Sharon Lee. Richards will vacate his seat on the City Council tomorrow and take over as Borough President. He can officially take office Wednesday since the NYC Board of Elections… Read more »
Nov. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Rockaway Council Member Donovan Richards, who won the Queens Borough President race, has put together a team of diverse leaders and experts to advise him as he prepares to take office. Richards will look to the team members — who total more than 100 people — to shape new… Read more »