Author: Allie Griffin

NYC Public Schools to Welcome Back Middle Schoolers Tomorrow

Feb. 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City’s public schools will welcome back middle schoolers for in-person learning tomorrow. Public schools that serve grades six through eight will hold in-person classes beginning Thursday. The schools have been closed since November when COVID-19 cases spiked. “I am very excited that tomorrow our New York City… Read more »

City Launches Online Toolkit to Address Anti-Asian Hate Crime

Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City has launched an online toolkit to address the spate of attacks against Asian Americans in recent months. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday the creation of an online toolkit that aims to provide support to New Yorkers of Asian heritage who are subjected to hate crimes…. Read more »

Weigh in on the Future of 34th Avenue at Upcoming Workshops

Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin The public will have three opportunities over the course of the next week to provide input as to the future of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights. The Department of Transportation (DOT), together with local elected officials, is hosting three virtual workshops for the public to provide feedback on the… Read more »

Astoria Native Lorraine Grillo Appointed as ‘Recovery Czar’

Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has created a new position, “Recovery Czar,” to lead the city’s recovery from the pandemic and accompanying economic crisis. De Blasio appointed Astoria native and CEO of the City’s School Construction Authority (SCA) Lorraine Grillo to fill the position as the senior advisor of the… Read more »

Queens Lawmakers Gather on Steps of Borough Hall to Denounce Spike in Hate Crimes

Feb. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens lawmakers and community leaders joined together on the steps of Borough Hall Monday to denounce a recent string of hate crimes against the Asian American and Jewish communities in the borough. The press conference was organized by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards following three bias incidents in the… Read more »

Deputies Raid Unlicensed Jackson Heights Bar Packed With 300 Partygoers

Feb. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Sherriff deputies busted a crowded underground bar in Jackson Heights early Sunday morning where more than 300 unmasked partygoers were packed into a basement. The officers discovered the unlicensed bar operating out of a basement at Sueño Americano, located at 35-16 Junction Blvd., shortly after midnight, authorities said. The… Read more »

Flushing Community Groups Suing City Council Over Waterfront Development

Feb. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin A coalition of Flushing-based community groups have filed suit against the New York City Council in response to its approval of the controversial Flushing waterfront development project in December. Chhaya Community Development Corporation (Chhaya CDC), MinKwon Center for Community Action and the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce — along… Read more »

New York City’s Vaccine Supply Delayed Due to Snow Storms

Feb. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City is scheduling fewer COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week since a shipment of the life-saving shots has been delayed due to winter storms. Snow storms across the country have delayed the arrival of a vaccine shipment that will replenish the city’s supply, Mayor Bill de Blasio said… Read more »

Queens Candidates Bring in $3.7 Million in Matching Public Funds: CFB

Feb. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin More than $3.7 million in public campaign funds was distributed among 40 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 program…. Read more »