Author: michaeldorgan

Hundreds March Through Astoria Wednesday, Demand Christopher Columbus Statue Be Removed

June 18, 2020 By Michael Dorgan More than 400 protesters marched through Astoria Wednesday evening demanding that the Christopher Columbus statue on Astoria Boulevard be removed. The protest, led by local group Justice for George Queens, said that the statue is offensive. The organizers said that Columbus exploited the indigenous populations of the Americas and… Read more »

Richards, a Borough President Candidate, Wants NYPD Removed From School Security

June 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Donovan Richards, a borough president candidate, has called on the city to remove NYPD officers from school security duties. Richards wants the Department of Education to take back the role of school safety following widespread demands for police reform. Donovan, in a joint statement released with Brooklyn… Read more »

Alewife Brew Pub to Shut in LIC, Moving Operation to Sunnyside This Fall

June 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Alewife, the popular Long Island City-based brewpub, is closing down and moving its entire operation to Sunnyside. The brewing company, known for its specialty IPAs and craft beers, will shut down its Long Island City bar and brew house next month and open in Sunnyside in the fall. Alewife… Read more »

Bagel Store Issues an Apology in Response to Viral Video

June 16, 2020 Staff Report The bagel store at the center of a viral video that shows a woman deliberately coughing on another customer has apologized for the incident. New York City Bagel & Coffee House on Broadway–near 30th Street–condemned the woman’s actions in a social media response posted Sunday. “The behavior of the woman… Read more »

Dutch Kills Centraal Shutters Permanently After 7-Year-Run

June 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A trendy, upmarket bar/restaurant in Dutch Kills has shuttered after a near 7-year-run. Dutch Kills Centraal, located at 38-40 29th St., has closed for good, its owners announced Sunday. Dominic and Jean Stiller, a husband and wife duo, said that the business could not withstand the COVID-19 economic restrictions… Read more »

Two Men Shot and Injured Inside Astoria Houses NYCHA Complex Sunday

June 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Two men were shot and injured inside the Astoria Houses NYCHA complex Sunday. The victims, who were in the courtyard area at 4-10 27th Ave. at around 5 p.m., were caught completely unaware. They heard gunshots and then suddenly felt pain to their bodies, police said. One victim, a 52-year-old,… Read more »

Cuomo Signs Police Reform Bills Into Law

June 12, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a package of police reform bills into law Friday that seeks to improve relations between cops and the general public. The legislation, which was hurried through the state legislature earlier this week, will make police disciplinary records public, ban cops from using chokeholds on civilians… Read more »

Virtual Memorial Service to Honor Local COVID-19 Victims

June 12, 2020 By Michael Dorgan More than 100 western Queens residents who have died from COVID-19 will be honored during a virtual memorial service later this month. The event, titled Remembering Locals Lost to COVID-19, will take place via the video-conferencing application Zoom on June 28 at 2 p.m. The service seeks to honor… Read more »

Homeless Have Died at Higher Rates From COVID-19 Than General Public: Report

June 10, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Homeless New Yorkers have been dying at a higher rate from COVID-19 than the general public, according to a new report. Homeless people “living in shelters” died at a 61 percent higher rate from COVID-19 than the city average from March 1 through May 31. For the three-month period,… Read more »