July 21, 2020 By Christian Murray A popular graffiti-removal program has been axed as the city looks to tighten its belt given the budget crisis. The city’s $3 million Graffiti-Free NYC program has been suspended since March as the de Blasio administration finds ways to cut costs as the city looks to close a $9… Read more »
July 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin Con Edison is asking customers in multiple Queens neighborhoods to reduce their energy usage, despite the current heat wave rocking New York City. The company has asked customers in Glendale, Forest Hills, Forest Hills Gardens and Middle Village to keep their air conditioners turned off — if not needed… Read more »
July 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Council Member Robert Holden wants a homeless shelter in Glendale shuttered after one if its residents assaulted and robbed a man down the road from the facility. The resident, Shandell Johnson, was arrested Sunday after he allegedly whacked a 32-year-old man with a metal rod outside the victim’s home… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track to begin Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan Monday — but indoor businesses that were slated to reopen as part of the phase will remain shuttered. Indoor malls, museums, aquariums and other cultural centers will not reopen Monday, despite their initial inclusion… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Borough President’s office is accepting applications for residents to serve on some of the borough’s Community Education Councils. Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee is looking to fill six positions in four districts before the new school year starts. CECs are part of the city’s school governance… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has extended the city’s outdoor dining program through the end of October to help restaurants bounce back from the months-long coronavirus shutdown. The mayor made the announcement while also noting that he has added a number of streets in Queens — and elsewhere — to… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York bars and restaurants can no longer serve customers alcohol if they don’t purchase food, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday. The new rule was one of multiple Cuomo introduced yesterday that aim to crack down on bars and restaurants where social distancing violations have been common. Another new… Read more »
July 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin Throngs of candidates are already coming forward for next year’s primaries, as nearly all the city council seats in Queens will be “open” at the end of next year. Most city council members will be forced to vacate their seats at the end of 2021 due to term limits… Read more »
July 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City will offer free childcare services to the parents of more than 100,000 kids when school reopens in September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The city will provide daycare for the children on days that they attend class remotely — which will be two to three… Read more »
July 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The mayor signed a package of police reform bills into law Wednesday that aim to combat police brutality and encourage greater police accountability. The legislation takes aim at police misconduct by banning cops from using chokeholds in all situations as well as making police records more accessible to the… Read more »