Jan. 7, 2022 By Allie Griffin More than two dozen city and state lawmakers are calling on Mayor Eric Adams to offer a temporary remote learning option for students at the city’s public schools—amid a record-breaking surge of COVID-19 cases. Three Queens legislators, who are parents of young children themselves, are spearheading the call as… Read more »
Jan. 7, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A new hookah lounge has opened in Astoria. Sands of Persia, which its owners tout as being upscale, opened on New Year’s Eve at 25-01 Steinway St. The operators have moved into a 1,850 square foot space that was previously occupied by Matigy, a Hookah lounge that closed in… Read more »
Jan. 6, 2022 By Allie Griffin A Queens-based cookie chain is opening a location in Forest Hills next week. Chip City, which was founded in Astoria, is opening a store at 72-34 Austin St. The grand opening will be on Friday, Jan 14 at 11 a.m. and the first 100 customers will receive a free… Read more »
Jan. 6, 2022 By Michael Dorgan The founder of a Long Island City-based non-profit that provides services to the families of incarcerated women— and the women themselves—has left her leadership position. Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, who established Hour Children in 1992 and was the executive director, has taken a new position as president of the Sisters… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2022 By Christian Murray Jimmy Van Bramer, whose term in the city council ended Friday, started work Monday as a member of the executive team at the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. “The Girl Scouts of Greater New York is thrilled to announce that Jimmy Van Bramer has joined our leadership team as Chief Growth… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2022 By Allie Griffin Gov. Kathy Hochul announced during her “State of the State” address Wednesday an ambitious new project to connect Queens and Brooklyn via a largely unused railway. The project, called the “Interborough Express”, calls for the conversion of an existing 14-mile freight line — running from Jackson Heights to Sunset… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2022 By Michael Dorgan A GoFundMe page has been launched for a Woodside man who was struck by a subway train last month and left with horrific injuries. The fund was established for David Cassidy, 33, who lost both of his legs from below the knees in a devastating accident at the 50th… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2022 By Allie Griffin Southeast Queens Council Member Adrienne Adams was officially sworn in as New York City’s first Black council speaker Wednesday. City council members voted almost unanimously to elect Adams to lead the legislative body. No other member was nominated during the City Council’s first meeting of the year. Adams, who… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2022 By Christian Murray The City Council unanimously approved a developer’s plan last month to rezone a section of 31st Street in Astoria—making way for three large buildings that will collectively bring 278 units along the strip. The city council voted 47 for and zero against the rezoning plan—the final step in the… Read more »
Jan. 4, 2022 By Allie Griffin Council Member Julie Won officially took office representing District 26 Monday and is now offering constituent services remotely. Won said she and her staff will be working remotely for the time being due to the current surge of COVID cases. Once it’s safe, her team will move into her… Read more »