Dec. 28, 2021 By Christian Murray The Queens Public Library announced Monday that it has closed eight of its 61 branches due to staff shortages stemming from COVID-19. The library system said the branches have been closed until further due to staff members testing positive. The branches that have temporarily closed include the following locations:… Read more »
Dec. 27, 2021 By Christian Murray An East Elmhurst animal hoarder who served jail time in 2018 for animal cruelty has been charged once again for keeping animals in poor condition in her home. Elizabeth Grant, 53, of 25-44 82nd St., was arraigned Wednesday after police found dozens of unfed animals living inside her rancid-smelling… Read more »
Dec. 27, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a Queens senator’s bill into law that requires the state to publish a quarterly report about the origins of guns used in crimes — including who purchased them and where. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris, aims to crack down on guns… Read more »
Dec. 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills into law last week that were sponsored by state Senator Michael Gianaris that aim to improve the voting system. One bill requires absentee ballots to be counted by election night, while the other requires the state to increase the number of early voting… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2021 By Michael Dorgan The city’s annual Mulchfest is back for another year, giving residents a chance to dispose of their Christmas trees in an eco-friendly way. Residents can bring their Christmas trees to a select number of city parks to be turned into mulch during the annual Mulchfest. This year’s event will… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin The federal government has opened three COVID-19 testing sites in Queens as officials from all levels of government rush to raise testing capacity amid a surge of cases. The first site run by the CDC opened in Travers Park in Jackson Heights Wednesday. Two more mobile test sites —… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A woman is dead — and two others injured — following a hail of gunfire outside an Astoria bar during the early hours Thursday morning. The shooting took place outside Solletto, located at 23-66 Steinway St., just after 4 a.m. and left a 27-year-old woman dead after being shot… Read more »
Dec. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin CityMD, a popular chain of urgent care clinics, has temporarily closed 13 locations across the city — including three in Queens. The chain, which has been a go-to spot for many to get both rapid and PCR tests for COVID-19 during the pandemic, has temporarily closed select locations in… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials are calling on the mayor to add more COVID-19 testing sites in western Queens — especially sites capable of testing children too young to receive the vaccine. Nine elected officials from Queens held various press conferences Tuesday to demand the city open more COVID-19 testing sites in… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Mayor-Elect Eric Adams announced Monday that he has selected Astoria native Lorraine Grillo to be his first deputy mayor when he takes office Jan. 1. Grillo, who currently serves as “Recovery Czar” under Mayor Bill de Blasio, will be tasked with helping Adams run the day-to-day operations of City… Read more »