July 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The mayor signed a package of police reform bills into law Wednesday that aim to combat police brutality and encourage greater police accountability. The legislation takes aim at police misconduct by banning cops from using chokeholds in all situations as well as making police records more accessible to the… Read more »
July 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin An Astoria teen has launched a gofundme campaign to raise money for his college education after losing both his parents to the coronavirus. Roberto Tobias Jr., a rising senior at Frank McCourt High School in Manhattan, launched the fundraiser two days ago and has already received more than $37,000… Read more »
July 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of coronavirus-related layoffs or pay cuts can apply for a rental relief grant starting tomorrow. The state has launched a “COVID Rent Relief Program” that provides a one-time payment of rental assistance directly to people’s landlord. The… Read more »
July 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The fight to stop a local supermarket from shutting during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have failed. The owners of the Key Food store, located at 22-15 31st St., informed the state last week that they will shutter the store in October and lay off all of its 151… Read more »
July 15, 2020 by Allie Griffin The city planning process that determines whether a piece of land can be rezoned will restart in August, after months of inaction due to the coronavirus. The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is a months-long city review process that determines whether a building is allowed to be constructed… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Police are searching for a man who stole an electric bicycle from an e-bike store in Astoria earlier this month and punched an employee who tried to stop him. Police said the suspect entered Fly E-Bike, located at 33-06 28 Ave., on July 1 at around 12:30 p.m. before… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Allie Griffin The MTA’s congestion pricing plan that will toll cars in busy areas in Manhattan will be delayed “roughly a year” due to a federal hold-up, an agency official announced Monday. MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber said congestion pricing — which will charge drivers a fee to enter Manhattan… Read more »
July 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin Corona and Jackson Heights — neighborhoods hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic — may fare better if a second wave of the deadly virus hits New York City, according to a published report. A large number of residents from these neighborhoods have the antibodies that may protect them from… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A jeweler who ran a failed Ponzi scheme and was left owing investors around $200 million was arrested and charged Tuesday. Gregory Altieri, 53, promised investors that he could generate returns of between 30 percent and 70 percent in a matter of months based on jewelry deals he could… Read more »
July 14, 2020 By Allie Griffin Six apartments in two newly-constructed buildings in Astoria are up for grabs through the city’s affordable housing lottery. All six units are available to households that make 130 percent of the area median income. Three one-bedroom units are open in a building at 23-71 31st St. through the lottery… Read more »