May 8, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Queens Council Members Robert Holden and Eric Ulrich have called on the mayor to fire Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Steven Banks for failing to properly manage the city’s homeless crisis. The lawmakers, along with fellow city council member Joe Borelli, wrote to Mayor Bill de Blasio Monday demanding… Read more »
May 5, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Woodside on the Move, a non-profit organization that has served western Queens for decades, faces significant budget cuts that threaten much of its programming. Each year the group provides thousands of residents with essential services in areas like housing and immigration, and also offers after-school programming for hundreds of… Read more »
May 7, 2020 By Christian Murray Two Queens legislators are putting on notice publicly-traded companies that have cashed in on the federal stimulus package. Assembly Member Aravella Simotas and State Sen. Jessica Ramos introduced a bill last month in their respective chamber that would prohibit these companies from receiving New York State tax credits should… Read more »
May 7, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Irish Cottage, a popular Irish pub and restaurant that has operated in Forest Hills since 1960, has closed due to the COVID-19 economic shutdown. The family-run traditional Irish bar, located at 108-07 72nd Ave., was run by the McNulty family and was a staple for locals and members… Read more »
May 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the statewide eviction moratorium a further two months today, as more and more New Yorkers are unable to make rent. Cuomo first issued the moratorium — for both residential and commercial renters — on March 20 by an executive order to prevent landlords from evicting… Read more »
May 7, 2020 By Christian Murray The operator of a well-known Long Island City theater company announced Tuesday that he is closing his doors for good. Richard Mazda, who founded the Secret Theatre in Long Island City more than 10 years ago, took to social media Tuesday to notify residents and the arts community that… Read more »
May 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin A stretch of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights will close to traffic–starting tomorrow–as part of the city’s open streets initiative spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly half a mile of 34th Avenue from 69th Street to 77th Street will close to traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m…. Read more »
May 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin City workers convinced 139 homeless New Yorkers sleeping in subway cars and stations last night to take refuge at city shelters. NYPD and MTA officers, along with outreach workers, found 242 homeless people in the subways and stations when trains were closed early this morning from 1 a.m. to… Read more »
May 6, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Queens Taste, the popular annual food-and-networking festival, has been canceled for 2020 due to issues pertaining to COVID-19. The event had already been postponed from May 5 to Oct. 6 but organizers have decided to terminate the gathering for this year. Safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 along with ongoing economic… Read more »
May 6, 2020 By Christian Murray Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he may be forced to cut frontline workers and other municipal employees if the federal government does not provide funding. He said that New York City is in a big financial hole and may lack the funds to pay people such as health… Read more »