April 1, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Undocumented immigrants and formerly incarcerated inmates in New York state could soon receive unemployment benefits that they had been ineligible for under earlier federal aid packages. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents a portion of western Queens, has been an outspoken advocated for the proposal known as the Excluded… Read more »
April 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Sanitation Department (DSNY) is bringing back Sunday basket collection using federal COVID-19 relief money to restore the service. The city will deploy more than 100 additional Sanitation trucks per week dedicated to litter basket collection– in addition to Sunday service. The city made significant cuts… Read more »
March 31, 2021 By Ryan Songalia New York has become state number 15 to legalize recreational pot with Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act” into law this morning. The bill cleared both the New York State Senate and Assembly yesterday, and Cuomo pledged last night that he would make it law…. Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting applications for the second year of its Open Streets program that transforms roadways into pedestrian spaces and outdoor dining areas. Local businesses and community groups can apply online to designate a street near them as an Open Street…. Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers as young as age 30 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. All adults in the state — from age 16 and up — will be eligible for the vaccine a week later on April 6. Residents as young as… Read more »
March 29, 2021 By Christina Santucci An off-duty firefighter was arrested and charged with assault in connection to a bar fight that left a 55-year-old man dead in Whitestone early Saturday. Firefighter Justin Deieso, 35, allegedly punched Whitestone resident Devin Deegan during a scuffle at the back of Terrace Inn Bar on Francis Lewis Boulevard,… Read more »
March 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of students from Jackson Heights and Flushing have added new life to a fence in Flushing with colorful illustrations depicting a message of hope after a trying year. Students from P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights and P.S. 22 in Flushing submitted artwork to the “Call and Response:… Read more »
March 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin A MS-13 gang associate from Elmhurst has been indicted for a gruesome murder that took place inside a Flushing park three years ago, federal authorities announced Friday. Oscar Flores-Mejia, 21, was indicted on the charge of murder in-aid-of racketeering at Brooklyn federal court Thursday for the 2018 killing of… Read more »
March 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin Congress Member Grace Meng endorsed community activist Lynn Schulman for the 29th Council District seat Wednesday. Meng said Shulman, who is running for the seat that represents Forest Hills and adjacent neighborhoods, has proved her support for the community through her years of work and activism. “Lynn Schulman has… Read more »
March 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is backing Debra Markell for City Council– the latest high profile political figure to support her candidacy. Markell, who is the district manager for Queens Community Board 2, has garnered the support of several well-known legislators–as she campaigns to represent District 23, a… Read more »