Feb. 15, 2021 Op-Ed By Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Long before COVID hit New York City, small businesses were struggling to compete against big box retailers with exorbitant commercial rents on the rise. Before the pandemic, commercial rents had gone up by 22 percent on average. Vacant space had doubled in the decade leading up… Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Michael Dorgan An online job fair is scheduled to take place Thursday to help out-of-work residents find employment as the one-year anniversary of lockdown restrictions grows near. The virtual fair, which is being hosted by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, will kick off via Zoom on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m…. Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Christina Santucci A growing number of City Council candidates vying to get on the ballot in Queens have pledged not to contest the signatures gathered by their opponents– as they collectively look to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. All of the candidates vying for the 22nd Council seat currently held… Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Mandarin duck was found in Corona on Valentine’s Day and brought to the Wild Bird Fund in Manhattan–where rescuers named it Cupid. “Just when we thought it was another humdrum day in February, Cupid arrived,” the rehabilitation center tweeted Sunday — along with a photo of the waterfowl…. Read more »
Feb. 12, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A video has emerged on Twitter of a man allegedly making vile anti-Asian remarks towards a woman in Astoria Tuesday. The video appears to show a man following an Asian woman along the northeast corner of Broadway and 31st Street and repeatedly asking her: “Yo why do Asians eat… Read more »
Feb. 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City pharmacies are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers 65 and older through a federal program that significantly boosts the city’s vaccine effort. More than 250 pharmacies across the five boroughs are now administering the potentially life-saving vaccine, including 188 Walgreens/Duane Reade stores, 75 Rite… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A Long Island City resident who was a personal shopper for comedian Kevin Hart was charged Wednesday for making more than $1 million in unauthorized credit card purchases. Dylan Jason Syer, 29, allegedly used Hart’s card to buy fine art, designer watches and other luxury items without the comedian’s… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Council voted to pass Council Member Costa Constantinides’ ‘Renewable Rikers Act’ Thursday, which moves the city a step closer to reimagining the island without jails. The act is comprised of two bills sponsored by Constantinides. The first bill transfers control of the island from the… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Christian Murray A man robbed an Astoria liquor store Wednesday after threatening to shoot an employee. The suspect entered 34 Avenue Liquors, located at 40-15 34th Avenue, before approaching a 35-year-old female employee and demanding cash. The man indicated that he had a gun in his jacket pocket and threatened to… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Council is considering legislation that would effectively bar Hiram Monserrate and others guilty of corruption from running for local office. The bill disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of certain felonies related to corruption or abuse of public office from being elected to major city… Read more »