Author: Allie Griffin

Council Member Bob Holden Poised to Win Re-election

June 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Robert Holden is poised to win a second term after beating a spirited challenge from local progressive Juan Ardila. Holden earned more than 55 percent of in-person votes, while Juan Ardila received just over 44 percent in the Democratic primary race, according to unofficial Election Night results…. Read more »

Candidates Who Win City Council Seats Will Serve Two-Year Terms–Not Four

June 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Candidates on the ballot for City Council seats are competing for a two-year term—not the four-year term members normally serve. Council members elected this year will complete a two-year term for the first time in two decades due to a provision in the city charter related to the census…. Read more »

Far Rockaway and Southeast Queens Lag Rest of City in Vaccination Rates

June 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin The sky above the New York Harbor was lit up with a firework display last night marking the milestone that 70 percent of adults across the state have received at least their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, not all neighborhoods across the state have a vaccination rate… Read more »

Nearly 50 City Candidates Demand State to Increase Hospital Capacity in Queens

June 7, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of candidates running for office are demanding the state add more hospitals in Queens. Three current council members and nearly 50 candidates — including mayoral, comptroller and council hopefuls — signed onto a letter last week demanding that New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker expand hospital… Read more »

Livery Cab Driver Charged for 1996 Rape of Queens Woman: DA

June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Manhattan livery car driver was charged in a decades-old cold case for allegedly raping a Queens woman who was a passenger in his car, prosecutors announced Thursday. Danny Stewart, now 58, was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned in Queens Supreme Court after DNA evidence tied him… Read more »

Senior Centers Can Reopen Later This Month: Mayor

June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin Senior centers in New York City can reopen later this month after more than a year of being shut down, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Indoor congregate activities can reopen on Monday, June 14, de Blasio said, and the centers can offer outdoor activities immediately. “I’ve heard from… Read more »

Affordable Housing Lottery Opens in Woodside, Rent Starts at $1,750

June 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin A new affordable housing lottery has opened for eight units in a recently-constructed building in Woodside—where rental prices start at $1,750 a month. The units are located in a nine-story, 74-unit building at 46-02 70th St. — in a building that fronts Queens Boulevard. The affordable units are for… Read more »

City Public Schools Won’t Offer Remote Learning in the Fall: de Blasio

May 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City public schools will reopen in the fall with full in-person learning for all students — and no remote option, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The announcement is a switch from the current school year in which most students either attend a mix of remote and… Read more »

NYPD to Deploy 250 More Officers to Patrol the Subway

May 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin The NYPD will be adding 250 extra cops to patrol the subway system—which will result in the network having the largest police presence in more than 25 years, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The additional cops will bring the total number of officers securing the subways to 3,250,… Read more »

More Queens Library Branches to Open for Browsing, Computer Use Next Week

May 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin A dozen Queens Public Library (QPL) branches throughout the borough will open for in-person browsing and computer use next week. The 12 locations will reopen on Monday, May 24. They will be in addition to the 14 branches that opened for in-person use on Monday, May 10. The branches… Read more »