Jan. 6, 2021 By Allie Griffin Three COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in Queens next week, the New York City Health Commissioner announced Wednesday. The sites will open on Friday, Jan. 15 and health care workers — along with others who qualify — will be able to receive the vaccine. The sites will be open… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin A 22-year-old man with a history of spewing far-right conspiracy theories online turned himself in to police early Tuesday morning for the bomb hoax at the Queens Place Mall a day before. Louis Shenker called 911 and surrendered to police at around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police said. He is… Read more »
Jan. 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin An 83-year-old woman was violently robbed in Forest Hills on Sunday. The senior was walking along the sidewalk on Queens Boulevard, near 112th Street, when a man jumped out of a dark-colored SUV and ran up to her. He snatched her purse and threw the elderly woman to the… Read more »
Jan. 4, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered the city to close a troublesome Kew Gardens hotel, where a 20-year-old was killed in a triple shooting Friday. De Blasio’s order comes after several months of calls from local elected officials demanding he shutter the Umbrella Hotel, which has become a hotbed… Read more »
Jan. 4, 2020 By Allie Griffin A Queens high school will serve as a “NYC Vaccine Hub” where health care workers can get vaccinated for the coronavirus on Sunday. Health care workers who have not already received the COVID-19 vaccine through their employer can get their first dose of the vaccine at Hillcrest High School… Read more »
Dec. 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin The number of chain stores in Queens dropped by more than 10 percent over the past year, according to a new report. In all, 198 chain stores shut their doors in the borough — an 11 percent drop over the past year, according to the Center for an Urban… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Queens Public Library released its list of the top books checked out by readers this year. During a year of uncertainty, many Queens readers turned to popular titles, the list shows. “Our list suggests that readers in Queens, the epicenter of the pandemic when it first came to… Read more »
Dec. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of coronavirus-related layoffs or pay cuts can now apply for a rental relief grant–once again. Governor Andrew Cuomo opened applications for the “COVID Rent Relief Program,” which provides a one-time payment of rental assistance directly to a… Read more »
Dec. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio wants the nearly 1,000 speed cameras placed throughout the city to be able to ticket drivers going over the limit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. De Blasio called on state lawmakers to allow New York City to run speed cameras around the… Read more »
Dec. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin Members of the Whitestone Republican Club ditched masks and social distancing rules at an indoor holiday party earlier this month, video shows. Party-goers — including Northeast Queens City Council candidate Vickie Palladino — flouted COVID-19 rules when they formed a 15-person conga line at the holiday party on Dec…. Read more »