April 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City plans to “fully reopen” on July 1, more than a year after the pandemic halted life in the city that never sleeps. “It’s time to set a goal for a full reopening in New York City and that goal is July 1,” Mayor Bill de Blasio… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Two men have been indicted on a long list of charges involving the sex trafficking of teenagers at two Queens hotels. Lawrence Winslow and Alan Velvett, both 27, face up to life in prison on two indictments for allegedly raping and trafficking their young victims in February. Winslow and… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio released the city’s executive budget for Fiscal Year 2022 Monday and included millions of dollars in funding for speed cameras, open streets and bike lanes among other items. The $98.6 billion “Recovery Budget” has been padded with federal stimulus money to help New York City… Read more »
April 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Food and fun! That’s the concept behind a new outdoor barbeque restaurant that opened in Astoria earlier this month that features a large games area. Backyard Smokehouse, located at 25-22 Astoria Blvd., opened on April 15 and is serving barbequed meats that are cooked with Korean ingredients. It also… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Ryan Songalia A bill that redefines the definition of rape passed the State Assembly on Tuesday. The legislation, typically referred to as the “Rape is Rape” bill, aims to expand the definition beyond vaginal penetration. Currently, oral and anal sexual assaults are charged as “criminal sexual acts,” not rape. While criminal… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin A slew of state-imposed COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants will be lifted next month. Previous executive orders that Governor Andrew Cuomo imposed on the businesses at the height of the pandemic — such as curfews, the required food with alcohol purchase rule, and the suspension of bar service… Read more »
April 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin Students attending St. John’s University in the fall will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before class begins. The university announced last Wednesday that all students who plan to attend in-person classes next semester will be required to be fully vaccinated. COVID-19 shots are now available to all… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin A bill that would ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores in New York is making headway in the state legislature. The legislation — sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and State Sen. Michael Gianaris — is set to move for a full vote on the… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Two Queens politicians announced Monday that they are endorsing one another in their upcoming primary races. Assemblymember David Weprin, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for NYC Comptroller, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards exchanged cross endorsements. Richards is seeking another term for the office he won last year… Read more »
April 27, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Queens’ first-ever professional soccer franchise has a new home. Queensboro FC announced Tuesday that it will build a new 7,500 seat stadium at York College in Jamaica, where the first team will play its home games in its inaugural 2022 season and beyond. The club said it was entering… Read more »