Nov. 13, 2020 By Christian Murray Mayor Bill De Blasio warned today that New York City schools could close for in-person learning as soon as Monday amid a spike in COVID-19 infections. The mayor told parents to brace themselves for closures during an appearance on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show this morning. He said parents with… Read more »
Nov. 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin Police arrested a 35-year-old woman Thursday for her involvement in what many have called an anti-Muslim hate crime in Rego Park last week. Giselle Dejesus, of Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park, was charged with assault and other crimes after she and an unknown man allegedly beat a Muslim man… Read more »
Nov. 11, 2020 By Allie Griffin Restaurants, bars and gyms across New York State must close by 10 p.m. beginning Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. Cuomo said the new mandates were needed since the COVID-19 infection rate continues to rise across the state. He told reporters that bars and restaurants play an outsized role… Read more »
Nov. 10, 2020 By Christian Murray Two men who allegedly sold air sanitizers falsely claiming that their product killed the COVID-19 virus were busted by the feds today, authorities said. The defendants, Po Shan Wong, 55, and Zhen Wu, 35, allegedly sold air sanitizers that they marketed on behalf of JCD Distribution, a College Point… Read more »
Nov. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mental health experts will be sent out next year instead of police officers in response to 911 calls involving non-violent people experiencing mental illness problems, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. The new plan, which will be piloted in a number of neighborhoods next year, involves dispatching FDNY Emergency Medical… Read more »
Nov. 10, 2020 By Christian Murray Dozens of residents joined Council Member Francisco Moya Sunday to pick up trash and sweep a number of streets in Corona. The cleanup, which was attended by volunteers of all ages, was part of an effort to keep the area clean at a time when garbage has been piling… Read more »
Nov. 10, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Ten apartments in a newly-constructed building in Astoria are up for grabs through the city’s affordable housing lottery. The units, located at 25-22 30th Dr., include studios that will go for $1,600 per month with one-bedroom units renting for $2,049. Applicants have until Nov. 25 to apply and units… Read more »
Nov. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin State Sen. Michael Gianaris introduced a bill Monday that would speed up the counting of absentee ballots in New York State to ensure elections are called quickly. The bill would require local boards of elections across the state to begin tallying absentee ballots on Election Day as opposed to… Read more »
Nov. 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City has “one last chance” to stop a second wave of the coronavirus as new cases continue to surge, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The number of new cases on a seven-day average — as of Saturday — increased to 779 citywide, up from 593 a… Read more »
Nov. 9, 2020 By Christian Murray An annual competition that aims to help startup business owners in Queens flourish—with grants of up to $10,000—kicked off earlier this month. The competition, called StartUp! and spearheaded by the Queens Economic Development Corporation, provides business owners with free instruction, one-on-one consultation with advisers, and thousands in grants. The… Read more »