Feb. 15, 2021 Op-Ed By Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Long before COVID hit New York City, small businesses were struggling to compete against big box retailers with exorbitant commercial rents on the rise. Before the pandemic, commercial rents had gone up by 22 percent on average. Vacant space had doubled in the decade leading up… Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Michael Dorgan An online job fair is scheduled to take place Thursday to help out-of-work residents find employment as the one-year anniversary of lockdown restrictions grows near. The virtual fair, which is being hosted by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, will kick off via Zoom on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m…. Read more »
Feb. 15, 2021 By Christina Santucci A growing number of City Council candidates vying to get on the ballot in Queens have pledged not to contest the signatures gathered by their opponents– as they collectively look to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. All of the candidates vying for the 22nd Council seat currently held… Read more »
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 »
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 »
Feb. 11, 2021 Op-Ed By Julie Won When COVID-19 hit and lockdown began, the lives of many New Yorkers moved online. Living rooms were turned into offices, meetings were held via teleconferencing, and children began attending classes on Zoom. For the 1 million New Yorkers without high-speed internet, however, things haven’t been so simple. With… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A Long Island City resident who was a personal shopper for comedian Kevin Hart was charged Wednesday for making more than $1 million in unauthorized credit card purchases. Dylan Jason Syer, 29, allegedly used Hart’s card to buy fine art, designer watches and other luxury items without the comedian’s… Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Christian Murray Police released video footage today of two men wanted for assaulting a 21-year-old woman in Sunnyside last month, police said. The woman, according to police, was walking along Queens Boulevard near 45th Street at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, when she was approached by two unknown men…. Read more »
Feb. 11, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A Long Island City warehouse manager has been busted for trying to sell millions of fake N95 protective masks – at inflated prices – to unsuspecting members of the public and frontline workers. Zhi Zeng, 33, was arrested Tuesday for running a massive counterfeit mask operation out of a… Read more »
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 »