June 27, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Several Queens lawmakers have called on the mayor to redistribute NYPD funds into the Parks Department in order to increase the role of Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers at city parks. The legislators want the NYPD – whose relationship with the public has been strained in recent weeks –… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Christian Murray The New York City Council passed legislation Thursday that legalizes the operation of most e-bicycles and e-scooters. The legislation is a long time coming but the council had to wait for Albany to pass legislation allowing municipalities to approve their use. That took place earlier this year after much… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Public Library (QPL) has announced that it will reopen some of its local branches on July 13 with restrictions. Seven locations will be open to the public for pickups and returns while nine additional sites will accept returns, President and CEO of Queens Public Library Dennis Walcott… Read more »
June 25, By Christian Murray The police officer who was caught on video placing a man in a chokehold in Far Rockaway Sunday has been arrested and now faces up to 7 years in prison. Police Officer David Afanador, who was suspended by the NYPD hours after the video went viral, has been charged with… Read more »
June 25, 2020 By Christian Murray New York City is on track to enter Phase 3 of the four-step reopening plan on Monday, July 6, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today at his daily briefing. The new phase would permit indoor dining at restaurants, as well as the reopening of nails salons, and other personal… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin More Queens streets will be shuttered to traffic as the city introduces another wave of the Open Streets initiative first announced in April. Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled an additional 23 miles today that will be open to pedestrians and cyclists through the course of the pandemic. The shuttered… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Travelers from states with a high rate of COVID-19 infection must quarantine for 14 days upon entering New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today. Cuomo made the announcement with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut via video in a joint press conference Wednesday. “We are announcing today a… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Amazon will not back down when it comes to Queens. Having scrapped plans to build office headquarters in Long Island City last year, the tech giant has confirmed it will open a massive new delivery station in Maspeth. Amazon has signed a lease on 55-15 Grand Avenue and plans… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Christian Murray Rep. Grace Meng has all but won the Democratic primary for the 6th District after fending off a number of challengers last night. Meng had generated 61 percent of the vote, beating rivals Melquiades Gagarin, who had 21 percent, and Sandra Choi, 17 percent, according to the Board of… Read more »
June 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin First-generation American Jenifer Rajkumar appears to have unseated incumbent Michael Miller in the primary race for the State Assembly’s 38th District, which includes the neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and Glendale. Rajkumar, a lawyer and CUNY professor, is ahead of Miller with a 1,324 vote lead… Read more »