Author: Allie Griffin

More Than 90 Percent of NYC Restaurants Couldn’t Afford December Rent: Report

Feb. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Restaurant owners are struggling to keep their businesses afloat after relying on outdoor dining alone during the cold winter months. Indoor dining just reopened in the city at 25 percent capacity last Friday, but a new report shows the toll its absence has had on city eateries. More than… Read more »

NYC Neighborhoods Hit Hardest by COVID-19 Have Lower Vaccination Rates

Feb. 17, 2021 By Allie Griffin Some of the neighborhoods that were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City have the lowest vaccination rates for the virus, new ZIP code data shows. Queens neighborhoods like Corona — once called the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the pandemic — and Far Rockaway —… Read more »

City Council Passes Holden’s Bill That Extends Moratorium on Retail Sign Violations

Feb. 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Council voted unanimously Thursday to pass Council Member Robert Holden’s bill that prevents the city from slapping fines on small business owners for signage violations. The bill extends an existing two-year moratorium on penalties and fines related to businesses’ outdoor signage, which had recently expired…. Read more »

New York City Pharmacies Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccine for Older New Yorkers

Feb. 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City pharmacies are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers 65 and older through a federal program that significantly boosts the city’s vaccine effort. More than 250 pharmacies across the five boroughs are now administering the potentially life-saving vaccine, including 188 Walgreens/Duane Reade stores, 75 Rite… Read more »

COVID-19 Vaccine Site Finally Opens at Citi Field

Feb. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin The COVID-19 vaccination site at Citi Field finally opened today. The site is offering 200 appointments a day and is now operating Monday through Saturday. Half of the appointments are being reserved for eligible Queens residents and the remainder for TLC licensed drivers and food service workers. The Citi… Read more »

Taxi Medallion Crisis Puts Queens Council Candidate in Danger of Losing Home

Feb. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Queens resident running for City Council is in danger of losing her family home due to her father’s inability to repay a taxi medallion loan he took out years ago. Felicia Singh, a school teacher running for the Council District 32 seat representing Southeast Queens, said she was… Read more »

NYC Public Middle Schools to Reopen In-Person Instruction Feb. 25

Feb. 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City middle schoolers will be able to return to the classroom later this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. Public schools that serve grades six through eight will reopen for in-person instruction starting Thursday, Feb. 25, de Blasio said. The schools have been closed since November… Read more »

Indoor Dining in New York City Will Resume Friday, Two Days Earlier Than Planned

Feb. 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin Indoor dining in New York City will resume Friday — two days ahead of schedule, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. Cuomo moved its reopening date two days ahead of what was originally planned. He had previously announced that it would resume on Sunday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Restaurants will… Read more »