Nov. 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track to allow noncitizens the right to vote in local elections. City lawmakers will likely pass legislation next month that will give the city’s more than 800,000 green card holders and authorized workers the right to partake in municipal elections. The bill’s prime sponsor… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
Owner of ‘Queens’ Oldest Gay Bar’ Purchases Jackson Heights Building That Houses Bar
Nov. 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin The owner of “Queens’ oldest gay bar” has purchased the Jackson Heights building that the bar is housed in. Eddie Valentine, who owns Friend’s Tavern, recently acquired the building — located at 78-11 Roosevelt Ave. — effectively ensuring the 32-year-old bar’s future for years to come. Vallentine said he… Read more »
‘Anarchists’ Damage Cars, Vandalize Property in Middle Village Amid Protest: Holden
Nov. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of “anarchists” shattered car windows, tore down American flags and scrawled expletives on property in Middle Village Friday night, local officials and police said. Nearly 50 rioters dressed in all black stormed into the neighborhood around 8:30 p.m. and wreaked havoc following the “not guilty” verdict in… Read more »
Several Queens Officials Say Criminal Legal System is Broken Following Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict
Nov. 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials largely condemned a jury’s “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Friday. Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and injured a third in Kenosha last year, was found not guilty on all charges including homicide after a jury deliberated for about 26 hours. Rittenhouse, who was… Read more »
Queens Borough President Launches Civics Initative for Queens High Schools
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Queens borough president has launched a new initiative to educate high schoolers about city government and the importance of civic engagement. The borough president’s office is sending in staff into Queens high schools to teach students about the role city officials and elected leaders play in local government,… Read more »
Queens Pols Call on Queens District Attorney to Drop Charges Against Man Who Claims Innocence in 2014 Murder
Nov. 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A group of Queens politicians and lawmakers are calling on the Queens district attorney to drop all charges against a man who was arrested for murder when he was 15-years-old and is now facing a retrial after his 2018 conviction was overturned last year. The local pols penned a… Read more »
City Completes Goal to Construct 50 Soccer Pitches Throughout the Five Boroughs in Five Years
Nov. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin The city has completed its goal to construct 50 soccer pitches throughout the five boroughs in five years, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. The 50th mini-pitch was recently completed in Manhattan, marking the final soccer field built in the city through a $3 million initiative aimed at expanding… Read more »
Queens District Attorney to Dismiss 60 Cases That Relied on Convicted Detectives’ Police Work
Nov. 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz will dismiss 60 cases Monday that relied on the police work of three NYPD detectives convicted of various crimes—including perjury. Katz will ask the court to vacate the charges against 60 defendants at a virtual hearing before a Queens Supreme Court judge later today…. Read more »
Sunnyside Community Services to Reopen its In-Person Program for Adults With Alzheimer’s
Nov. 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin Sunnyside Community Services is reopening its in-person, day program for adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive impairments Tuesday. The local nonprofit is relaunching the Social Adult Day program in person for the first time since March 2020. The program — which aims to provide a warm, friendly environment… Read more »
Taxi Drivers Reach Agreement With City on New Debt Relief Plan, Ending 15-Day Hunger Strike
Nov. 4, 2021 By Allie Griffin The city, taxi drivers and a medallion loan provider have reached an agreement on a new debt relief plan, ending cabbies’ 15-day hunger strike and providing them relief from crushing debt. The new plan vastly expands the city’s previous debt plan announced in March, which taxi medallion owners had… Read more »