May 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A Queens couple opened the borough’s first Philly Pretzel Factory in Forest Hills last week, following two months of delays due to COVID-19. Corona residents Jose and Nancy Villa opened their Philadelphia-based franchise Friday and are finally serving up the company’s signature hand-twisted pretzels and other popular dishes. The… Read more »
May 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that some sporting events will now be able to take place and elective surgeries are now permitted in more regions across the state. The announcement comes at a time when many COVID-19 indicators like new hospitalizations and deaths continue to trend downward. The governor… Read more »
May 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended New York state’s stay-at-home order for another two weeks. The new PAUSE order–which was signed Thursday night–extends the existing May 15 stay-at-home requirement until May 28 for half of the state’s 10 regions, including New York City. The PAUSE order has been in effect… Read more »
May 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Two Queens lawmakers argue that the World’s borough is being short-changed by City Hall when it comes to small business aid. State Senator Jessica Ramos and Council Member Costa Constantinides have called on the city to create a new strategy to help small businesses in the outer boroughs recover… Read more »
May 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin The city is closing down the field hospital at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. The field hospital, which opened April 10, was established to help ease the overcrowding at Elmhurst Hospital as a time when the number of COVID-19 cases were near their peak. The facility treated 79… Read more »
May 14, 2020 By Christian Murray Ten MS-13 members have been charged with a slew of violent crimes ranging from murder to firearms offences, according to federal investigators. The men, nine from Queens and one from California, are allegedly responsible for three murders that took place in the borough, an attempted murder, fire arms offences… Read more »
May 14, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track toward lifting some restrictions next month as three key indicators continue to move in the right direction, the mayor said. The number of people admitted to hospitals for COVID-19; the number of patients currently in ICUs for the virus; and the percentage of… Read more »
May 14, 2020 By Allie Griffin A new COVID-19 testing center will open in Woodside in about two weeks, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced from City Hall today. The site, at 51-30 Northern Blvd., is one of 10 new testing facilities across the five boroughs that will open the week of May 25, de Blasio… Read more »
May 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A new survey has revealed that low-income families in Queens are facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Public Health Solutions, a nonprofit that conducted the survey between April 17 and April 29, found that the majority of low-income households in Queens are worried about running out of… Read more »
May 14, 2020 By Christian Murray The Queens Chamber of Commerce applauded the city council yesterday for passing legislation that would put a temporary cap on the commission that third-party delivery services are allow to charge restaurants during state emergencies such as COVID-19. The bill restricts commission fees charged by apps at 20 percent during any… Read more »