March 17, 2020 By Christian Murray The City has put plans in place to help small businesses ride out the crisis–but many local business groups say the programs do not go far enough. The New York City Department of Business Services is now providing zero interest loans to help small business stay afloat and is… Read more »
March 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin The mayor has asked New Yorkers to stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of coronavirus — except to move their cars for alternate street side parking. Despite declaring a state of emergency, Mayor Bill de Blasio has kept alternate street side parking in effect. At… Read more »
March 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Western Queens residents are coming together with acts of kindness to help those most in need get through the coronavirus pandemic. In Astoria, a young family has taken the positives from a vacation cancellation by setting up a local volunteer group to help the sick, elderly and vulnerable throughout… Read more »
March 17, 2020 By Christian Murray The New York City of Department of Consumer Affairs is clamping down further on price gouging. The agency announced this morning that it is illegal for retailers to sell any personal or household good needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at an inflated price. The rule covers items… Read more »
March 16, 2020 By Christian Murray Stop & Shop, a supermarket chain with several locations throughout Queens and hundreds across the North East, announced today that it is adjusting its hours to accommodate senior citizens. The grocery chain will provide senior citizens with a designated 1 ½ hour period each day– starting Thursday– exclusively for… Read more »
March 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York, New Jersey and Connecticut businesses will shutter as part of a tri-state effort to stem the spread of coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. The number of positive cases of COVID-19 jumped to 950 across New York state, with 463 cases in New York City and 7… Read more »
March 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens Public Library (QPL) announced last night that it is shutting down all its local branches–effective immediately–until further notice, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came after the New York Public Library — which includes libraries in Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx — announced Friday it was shutting… Read more »
March 15, 2020 By Christian Murray Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that public schools will be shut Monday and will not reopen until April 20 at the earliest. The announcement was made during a City Hall press conference Sunday afternoon where he also said the Queens Borough President election will no longer take place… Read more »
March 13, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The fifth annual Queens Marathon has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. The 26.2 mile run around Flushing Meadows Corona Park was scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 26 but has been put back until Nov. 15, although this date is subject to change, organizers Queens Distance Runners… Read more »
March 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens Catholic schools will close next week, amid rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the city. All Catholic academies and parish schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn — which covers both Queens and Brooklyn — will close during the week of March 16 to March 20, the Diocese announced… Read more »