July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin The number of rat complaints has jumped significantly in Queens this year, with complaints in neighborhoods like Woodside and Ridgewood more than double what they were a year ago. There were 1,812 complaints across Queens for the Jan. 1 — June 30 period this year, up more than 27… Read more »
Author: Allie Griffin
All City Workers Must Get Vaccinated or Be Tested for COVID Weekly: De Blasio
July 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin All 300,000 city workers will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or adhere to weekly testing under a new mandate by mid September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The city will require all municipal workers to be vaccinated by Sept. 13 — the first day of public school —… Read more »
City to Host Free Concert at Forest Hills Stadium in Celebration of NYC’s Comeback
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin The city will host a free concert at Forest Hills Stadium next month as part of a series of concerts celebrating New York City’s comeback from the pandemic. The concert is one of five — one in each borough — that will be free to the public during “NYC… Read more »
Police Cuff Hit-and-Run Biker Who Crashed Into 4-Year-Old in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
July 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police have nabbed the hit-and-run biker who crashed into a four-year-old boy in Flushing Meadows Corona Park Sunday. Officers cuffed 29-year-old Argenis Rivas, of Whitestone, on a series of charges including assault and leaving the scene of an accident Wednesday—after a TikTok video tipped them off. Rivas reportedly posted… Read more »
Feds Approve LaGuardia AirTrain Despite Objections From Local Leaders
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the state’s $2 billion plan to build an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport Tuesday. Its approval — which was previously delayed — paves the way for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to begin construction of the 1.5 mile rail line… Read more »
Help Determine the Borders of Queens’ Electoral Districts at Meeting Thursday
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens residents will have a once-in-a-decade chance Thursday to weigh in on how their political districts are shaped. The Independent Redistricting Commission of New York State is hosting a virtual public meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. to seek comments from Queens residents on the redrawing of district borders. The… Read more »
New Play ‘Under Woodside’ Celebrating Everyday Life in Queens to Premiere Next Week
July 20, 2021 By Allie Griffin A new play celebrating everyday life in Queens will premiere in Sunnyside next week. “Under Woodside” will be performed live at Sunnyside Gardens Park on Friday, July 30 for the first time— followed by more showings throughout the city in August. Playwright and Sunnyside resident Juliann Lavallee crafted “Under… Read more »
COVID-19 Cases Increasing Across Queens and NYC, Prompts Calls for Another Mask Mandate
July 19, 2021 By Allie Griffin New cases of COVID-19 are on the rise across Queens and citywide as the Delta variant spreads across the boroughs. The average daily number of cases in Queens more than doubled in the past two weeks — it was 122 on July 15, compared to just 57 on July… Read more »
Nearly 30 Couples to Wed in Joint Ceremony at Corona Church Saturday
July 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin Nearly 30 couples will say “I do” in a joint wedding celebration at a Corona parish Saturday. Twenty-eight love birds will be wed at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church during a special “United Weddings” ceremony at noon. The ceremony is meant to be a celebration of love… Read more »
Elizabeth Crowley Concedes in Queens Borough President Race
July 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin Elizabeth Crowley conceded in the Queens borough president race Friday after finishing behind incumbent Borough President Donovan Richards by less than one percentage point. Crowley announced she was conceding after the Board of Elections (BOE) counted the final absentee and affidavit ballots Thursday. “With the BOE opening and counting… Read more »