June 29, 2020 By Christian Murray The city has released a new map that provides the public with a list of restaurants across the five boroughs offering outdoor dining. The Department of Transportation has posted the map online–called “NYC Open Restaurants“—that provides a growing list of the more than 6,200 restaurants now offer outdoor dining…. Read more »
June 27, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Several Queens lawmakers have called on the mayor to redistribute NYPD funds into the Parks Department in order to increase the role of Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers at city parks. The legislators want the NYPD – whose relationship with the public has been strained in recent weeks –… Read more »
June 27, 2020 Staff Report An online service honoring approximately 70 western Queens residents who have died from COVID-19 will take place Sunday. The event, titled Remembering Locals Lost to COVID-19, will take place via the video-conferencing application Zoom on June 28 at 2 p.m. It will last a little over an hour. The service… Read more »
June 26, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The campaign office of State Sen. Mike Gianaris was targeted with graffiti Wednesday night. The front of the Powhattan Democratic Club office, located at 41-05 Newtown Rd. in Astoria, was sprayed-painted with the “anarchy” symbol, a spokesperson for the senator has confirmed. The building was used as Gianaris’ campaign… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Christian Murray The New York City Council passed legislation Thursday that legalizes the operation of most e-bicycles and e-scooters. The legislation is a long time coming but the council had to wait for Albany to pass legislation allowing municipalities to approve their use. That took place earlier this year after much… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Christian Murray A developer plans to demolish at least eight stores on Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside and replace them with a 13-story, 213-unit apartment complex. Woodside 63 Management LLC., which is led by the Astoria-based real estate firm EJ Stevens Group, is looking to develop a 210,000 square foot building on… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Public Library (QPL) has announced that it will reopen some of its local branches on July 13 with restrictions. Seven locations will be open to the public for pickups and returns while nine additional sites will accept returns, President and CEO of Queens Public Library Dennis Walcott… Read more »
June 25, By Christian Murray The police officer who was caught on video placing a man in a chokehold in Far Rockaway Sunday has been arrested and now faces up to 7 years in prison. Police Officer David Afanador, who was suspended by the NYPD hours after the video went viral, has been charged with… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Christian Murray New York City is on track to enter Phase 3 of the four-step reopening plan on Monday, July 6, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today at his daily briefing. The new phase would permit indoor dining at restaurants, as well as the reopening of nails salons, and other personal… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin More Queens streets will be shuttered to traffic as the city introduces another wave of the Open Streets initiative first announced in April. Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled an additional 23 miles today that will be open to pedestrians and cyclists through the course of the pandemic. The shuttered… Read more »