March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City eateries will be permitted to increase indoor dining to 50 percent capacity starting on March 19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. Cuomo upped the capacity from its current level of 35 percent in a joint announcement with Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey. Murphy said New… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Christina Santucci An estimated 18 percent of adults in Queens have been vaccinated — either partially or fully — against COVID-19 vaccine, a representative from the city Health Department told borough leaders at a virtual meeting Tuesday morning. About nine percent of adults in the borough have received their first dose… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens Borough President candidate Jimmy Van Bramer is calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign amid sexual harassment allegations — and now wants his opponents in the BP race to do the same. Van Bramer is asking his fellow borough president candidates to join the growing number of lawmakers… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a plan Tuesday to provide $65 million in relief funds for taxi drivers plagued by the city’s taxi medallion crisis. The plan, however, was quickly criticized by cab drivers and progressive lawmakers–such as State Sen. Jessica Ramos–who say it doesn’t begin to address the… Read more »
March 10, 2021 By Christina Santucci Bike advocates are inviting the public to ride around western Queens this weekend with nearly a dozen political candidates who are vying to replace Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. The activities will begin with a rally Sunday, March 14 at 11 a.m. at Queensbridge Park, followed by a five-mile ride… Read more »
March 9, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Pablo Calle, the longtime co-owner of Donato’s Italian Restaurant, died Wednesday. He was 69. Pablo was an affable, gregarious character, known for greeting customers into his restaurant, which is situated on the corner of 39th Avenue and 51st Street on the Sunnyside/Woodside border. The Ecuadorian native established the restaurant,… Read more »
March 9, 2021 By Christian Murray The fashion shoe company Steve Madden is threatening to leave Sunnyside if the seven story, 167-unit building development planned by Phipps Houses on Barnett Avenue goes up. Steve Madden, which penned a letter to Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Jan. 14, said that it employs more than 400 people… Read more »
March 9, 2021 Op-Ed By: Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Four years ago, Phipps Houses withdrew their application to build an affordable housing complex in my Sunnyside neighborhood after I had come out against it. It was a project that the community board voted against and which faced significant community opposition. I too was opposed,… Read more »
March 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers as young as 60 will be eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 starting Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. Cuomo lowered the current vaccine-eligibility age — which is 65 in the state — by five years. He also expanded eligibility to additional categories of essential workers, who… Read more »
March 8, 2021 By Michael Dorgan The Long Island City Partnership (LICP) is calling on the local business community to fill out an online survey so that it can determine how it should promote the district and bolster the local economy. The survey, available online, asks business and non-profit leaders located in western Queens to… Read more »