March 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin Public school parents have another opportunity to send their kids back to in-person classes for the remainder of the school year, starting today. The city has opened a second opt-in period to students who enrolled in full remote learning to switch to the hybrid learning model in which students… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
Queens Council Member Ulrich Calls on Schools Chancellor to Loosen School Closure Guidelines
March 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Eric Ulrich is calling on Department of Education to change its protocols on school closures–to prevent school buildings from shutting down and reopening so frequently. Ulrich penned a letter to Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter urging her to reconsider the current DOE policy that requires school buildings… Read more »
Assembly Member Ron Kim Tests Positive for COVID-19
March 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Flushing Assembly Member Ron Kim has contracted COVID-19, he announced Tuesday. Kim said he has a mild case of the virus and will be quarantining for the next 10 days. “Dear friends and colleagues, unfortunately I have tested positive for COVID,” he wrote on Twitter. “I am well and… Read more »
Council Member Constantinides Backs Tiffany Cabán for his Council Seat
March 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides is backing Tiffany Cabán to replace him in the City Council when he leaves office at the end of the year. Constantinides announced his endorsement of the progressive public defender at a press briefing outside the entrance to the Rikers Island bridge in Astoria Monday…. Read more »
New Yorkers 50 and Older Can Get the COVID-19 Vaccine Starting Tuesday
March 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers as young as 50 years old will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning tomorrow morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. Cuomo lowered the current vaccine-eligibility age — which is 60 in New York State — by ten years. He first lowered it from 65 years old… Read more »
Group of Six Steal 49-Year-Old Man’s Phone Onboard 7 Train in Corona
March 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of six people surrounded a 49-year-old man onboard a 7 train last week and stole his iPhone in Corona. Four men and two women gathered around the man on the train just before 1 a.m. on March 14. One of men pushed him into a seat, while… Read more »
Constantinides Backs Incumbent Donovan Richards in Queens Borough President Race
March 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides has endorsed Donovan Richards–the incumbent–in the Queens Borough President race. Constantinides, who unsuccessfully competed for the borough president spot last year, said Richards has performed well since he took office last year–following his victory in the special election. “Since taking office in December, he has… Read more »
Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Site Opens in Corona Saturday
March 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin A pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site will open in Corona tomorrow– just days after local leaders called on the city and state to open more sites. Health providers will administer the vaccine Saturday at Aliento de Vida Church, located at 103-12 Roosevelt Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments… Read more »
East Elmhurst Man Arrested for Criminally Negligent Homicide Following Fatal BQE Crash, A Year Ago
March 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin An East Elmhurst man was arrested Wednesday, nearly a year after he crashed his car into another vehicle in Maspeth, killing a 35-year-old father of two. Galib Dervisevic, 21, was collared on charges of criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving and speeding–for the March 23, 2020 collision that left Staten… Read more »
Queens Candidates Earn a Collective $2 Million in Matching Public Funds
March 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin More than $2 million in public campaign funds was distributed Monday among 33 candidates in Queens who are running to represent various districts in the borough. The candidates, who each received varying amounts, were awarded the money by the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) through the city’s matching funds… Read more »