Author: Allie Griffin

Holden Wants Glendale Shelter Shuttered After Resident Arrested for Alleged Robbery

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 »

Astoria Sees Massive Spike in Subletting Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Study

July 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Astoria residents are trying to sublet their apartments and head elsewhere like never before, according to a recent study. The neighborhood saw a whopping 600 percent increase in sublet listings last month when compared to the average for the first four months of the year, according to a Renthop… Read more »

Jessica González-Rojas Wins Jackson Heights Assembly Seat, Incumbent Michael DenDekker Concedes

July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin Progressive newcomer Jessica González-Rojas has won the Democratic primary for the 34th Assembly District seat, with incumbent Michael DenDekker conceding today. Assembly Member DenDekker congratulated González-Rojas for winning the race and wished her the best in representing the district which covers Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and parts of Woodside… Read more »

New York City to Start Phase Four of Reopening Monday, Comes With Restrictions

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 »

New York Bars and Restaurants Can No Longer Serve Alcohol Without Food: Cuomo

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 »

Throngs of Candidates Come Forward for City Council Seats

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 »

Flushing Lawyer Announces Bid for City Council Seat

July 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin A Flushing lawyer and staffer at Congresswoman Grace Meng’s office announced her bid for City Council last week. Sandra Ung, 45, announced that she is running to represent the 20th Council District, which covers downtown Flushing and Murray Hill. The seat is currently held by Council Member Peter Koo,… Read more »

Annual Indie Film Festival Switches to Drive-in Screenings for First Time

July 18, 2020 By Allie Griffin The annual Greenpoint Film Festival will be taking place next month and the organizers will be holding it outdoors for the first time at venues in Brooklyn and Long Island City. The festival, which is in its ninth year, is adopting a drive-in concept. The first screenings will be… Read more »