July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Costa Constantinides missed the city budget vote Tuesday after being hospitalized with COVID-19 complications again. Constantinides suffered breathing difficulties and chest pain at around 8 p.m. last night and checked into Mount Sinai Queens, according to his spokesperson Terence Cullen. Constantinides notified the city council that he… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin The City Council passed the mayor’s executive budget that included deep cuts to the NYPD last night, as protesters cried to “defund the NYPD” outside City Hall. The council passed the $88.1 billion budget with a 32-to-17 vote around midnight, just before the July 1, 2021 fiscal year began…. Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The MTA has rolled out vending machines across select city subway stations that dispense COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE). The new machines offers face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. There are 10 machines in Manhattan and just one machine in both Queens and Brooklyn. The agency wants… Read more »
June 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a municipal budget deal that would cut NYPD funding by $1 billion and redistribute much of it to support youth services and public housing residents. The City Council will vote on the new $88.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021 — which begins July… Read more »
June 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin A group of environmental activists took over a privately-owned site in Sunnyside Saturday to create a community garden. The Western Queens Guerrilla Gardeners — a group of local gardeners, environmental activists and community composters — transformed the vacant lot with new plantings, compost piles and a “Resistance is fertile”… Read more »
June 30, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Mayor Bill de Blasio is looking to reduce funding to the NYPD by up to $1.5 billion in the city’s 2021 fiscal budget. The mayor is calling for a $1 billion cut from the NYPD’s operating budget and another $500 million cut in capital funding. The lost capital funds… Read more »
June 30, 2020 By Christian Murray Macy’s set off its Fourth of July fireworks off two barges in the East River last night providing Long Island City residents with a close-up view. The fireworks illuminated the sky for a five-minute display, providing spectators on both sides of the East River with great views. “It was… Read more »
June 29, 2020 By Christian Murray Macy’s will be setting off fireworks off barges near Long Island City tonight as it kicks off its Fourth of July fireworks show, according to sources. The company is providing short fireworks shows across the five boroughs each night this week that will be part of a 4th of… Read more »
June 29, 2020 By Christian Murray The city’s plan to allow bars and restaurants to reopen their indoor space next week is now being called in question. The sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases in other U.S. states has been linked to indoor dining, causing the mayor and governor to rethink the reopening timeline in New… Read more »
June 29, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A man was punched on an Astoria street 10 days ago and is currently in a coma, police said. The 24-year-old victim was allegedly struck by man in the vicinity of 30th Avenue and 38th Street, on June 19, at around 11:50 p.m., according to the police. The victim’s… Read more »