Author: Allie Griffin

Election Results: The Next Queens Council Delegation Takes Shape

Nov. 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens voters have chosen their next city council members. The council members-elects, who will serve two-year terms beginning in January, represent the most diverse class the Queens delegation has seen. For the first time in the city’s history, the City Council will be majority women — with the Queens… Read more »

Members of Forest Hills Jewish Center Agree to Sell Building; Plan to Relocate

Nov. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Forest Hills Jewish Center is in the process of being sold to a developer, according to a news report. Congregants of the center, on Thursday, approved the sale of its 1940s building and plan to relocate the synagogue. The members voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of the sale, the… Read more »

Glendale Library Reopens After Undergoing Renovations and Accessibility Upgrades

Nov. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials celebrated the reopening of the Glendale library in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday after renovations and accessibility upgrades were completed. The Queens Public Library branch, located at 78-60 73rd Pl., underwent a $6.9 million facelift to bring it up to code with the Americans with Disability Act, restore… Read more »

Election Day: The Queens Races to Watch and Where to Vote

Nov. 2, 2021 By Allie Griffin Voters will head to the polls one last day to decide who will be running the city government next year. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, Election Day, following nine days of early voting from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. In total, 36,546 Queens residents… Read more »

2,300 Firefighters Out ‘Sick’ as COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Takes Effect

Nov. 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin More than 2,000 firefighters have called in ‘sick’ as the city’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate took effect Monday. More than half of the 2,300 who didn’t show up for work are believed to be unvaccinated, NBC News reported, and are apparently protesting the city’s vaccine mandate for its public workers…. Read more »

Public Hearing to Take Place Next Week As Rezoning Application for Tower Diner and Ohr Natan Synagogue Sites Moves Forward

Oct. 28, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens Community Board 6 will host a public hearing next Wednesday on a developer’s plan to build a mixed-use tower where a popular diner and synagogue in Rego Park are located. Development company RJ Capital Holdings plans to demolish a number of Queens Boulevard buildings including Tower Diner and… Read more »

State Rejects NRG’s Proposed Power Plant in Astoria

Oct. 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin The state has rejected a controversial proposal put forward by a Houston-based energy company to build a natural gas power plant in Astoria. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation denied permits sought by NRG Energy to revamp its 50-year-old Astoria Generating Station on 20th Avenue by replacing… Read more »

Music Teacher at Astoria Catholic School Fired for Marrying His Longtime Boyfriend

Oct. 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin A beloved music teacher at an Astoria Catholic school was fired from his teaching position earlier this month after the diocese learned he married his longtime boyfriend. Matthew LaBanca was let go from both his teaching position at St. Joseph Catholic Academy and his position as the music director… Read more »

Jamaica Man Indicted on Hate Crime Charges for Random Attacks on Muslims

Oct. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Queens grand jury indicted a Jamaica man on hate crime charges for allegedly attacking Muslim New Yorkers in three separate incidents over the summer. Naved Durrni, 30, was indicted and arraigned Friday on robbery, assault as a hate crime and other charges in Queens Supreme Court. Durrni, of… Read more »