July 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin A leader in the notorious international MS-13 gang has been indicted in federal court for ordering the murder of a member of the rival Latin Kings gang. Marcelo Esquivel, 31, of Jamaica, Queens, is charged with murder in-aid-of racketeering in connection to the July 2, 2012 killing of Daniel… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
Statue of the Virgin Mary in Elmhurst Vandalized; NYPD Investigating as Potential Hate Crime
July 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin A statue of the Virgin Mary in front of a Catholic high school in Elmhurst has been vandalized and the NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. The word “IDOL” was spray painted down the front of the statue at Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, located… Read more »
Mayor Cancels All Large Events in New York City Through End of September
July 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin All large events requiring a city permit are cancelled through the end of September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday. De Blasio defined large events as gatherings larger than one city block, and said they would all be cancelled through Sept. 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This ban… Read more »
Four Catholic Schools in Queens to Close: Diocese
July 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin Four Catholic schools in Queens will not reopen in the fall due to the financial strain spurred by the coronavirus pandemic. Our Lady’s Catholic Academy in South Ozone Park, Our Lady of Grace in Howard Beach, Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Whitestone and St. Mel’s Catholic Academy in Whitestone… Read more »
Local Food Guru Leads Restaurant Tour Through Elmhurst and Jackson Heights to Benefit Charity
July 8, 2020 By Allie Griffin A local food guru will lead a restaurant tour through Elmhurst and Jackson Heights this weekend to benefit a charity launched in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Joe DiStefano, a Queens-based food writer and culinary tour guide, will guide participating foodies in an international cuisine crawl through the… Read more »
NYC Schools to Offer Mix of In-Person and Remote Learning This Fall
July 8, 2020 By Allie Griffin More than one million New York City children will return to the classroom for the new school year this fall — but only part time. The children will not return to the classroom full time, but will be offered a mix of in-person and online learning to ensure proper… Read more »
BOE to Begin Counting Absentee Ballots Wednesday
July 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Board of Elections will begin counting the tens of thousands of absentee ballots Queens voters mailed in for the June primary election tomorrow. The board received a historic amount of absentee ballots after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order allowing all New York voters to vote via… Read more »
City to Open Fire Hydrants on Streets in Sunnyside and South Richmond Hill
July 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin The city will open fire hydrants on two Queens streets to help New Yorkers cool off during summer heat waves. The FDNY and NYCDEP will install spray caps on hydrants on 39th Avenue between Woodside Avenue and Barnett Avenue in Sunnyside and 120th Street between Atlantic Avenue and Liberty… Read more »
Jackson Heights Coalition Wants to See Sidewalk Seating Application Process Simplified Permanently
July 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin A coalition of Jackson Heights restaurant owners and residents want Mayor Bill de Blasio to simplify the permit process for sidewalk seating on a permanent basis. The “37th Avenue Sidewalk Cafe Coalition” created a petition calling on de Blasio and the city council to continue the streamlined application process… Read more »
Gov. Cuomo Says No Decision Made on Schools Reopening in September
July 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo said he has made no decision as to whether schools will reopen in September — despite Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing Thursday that New York City public schools will do so. The opposing statements reignited their long-standing argument over who controls schools and yet again has… Read more »