Author: Czarinna

New York State Plastic Bag Ban Begins March 1

Feb. 26, 2020 By Kristen Torres The state’s plastic bag ban goes into effect March 1 and New Yorkers will have to bring their own reusable bags to most stores or pay five cents for a paper one. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation outlawing the use of single-use plastic bags last year with the… Read more »

Alternate Side Parking Fines Increasing to $65 Citywide Starting Feb. 20

Feb. 19. 2020 By Kristen Torres The city is hiking the fine for alternate side parking violations starting tomorrow, according to the Department of Sanitation. Fines for violators–who fail to move their vehicle to make way for street cleaning–will increase to $65 starting on Feb. 20 in all five boroughs. Currently, drivers who receive tickets… Read more »

State Lawmakers Remain Split on Whether Bail Reform Laws Need Changing

Feb. 19, 2020 By Kristen Torres Lawmakers are split on whether or not to back the state’s six-week-old bail reform law, which has ignited fierce debate among elected officials, the police and criminal justice advocates since it went into effect on Jan. 1. The new law eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent offenses,… Read more »

City Council Passes ‘Reckless Driver” Bill

Feb. 12, 2020 By Kristen Torres The City Council passed landmark legislation Tuesday that would force drivers who rack up tickets for running red lights or speeding to take a traffic safety course– or else risk getting their car impounded by the Sheriff’s Office. Council Member Brad Lander, who represents parts of western Brooklyn, sponsored… Read more »

Greenpoint Elementary School Launches Cooking Program

Feb. 10, 2020 By Megan McGibney A new culinary arts program was launched at a Greenpoint elementary school earlier this month that aims to teach students how to cook. The program is being taught to all 600 students at PS 31 Samuel F. DuPont, from Kindergarten through 5th grade, at its 75 Meserole Avenue location…. Read more »

MTA Launches Ad Campaign to Combat Uptick in Hate Crimes on City Transit

Jan. 27, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a new ad campaign today to combat an uptick in hate crimes on the New York City transit system. The “Hate Has No Place in Our Transportation System” public awareness campaign will promote kindness, respect and solidarity across digital screens in subways, buses… Read more »

Trendy New Salon Opens in Greenpoint

Jan. 18, 2020 By Kristen Torres The owner of a Long Island hair salon has expanded into New York–opening a venue in Greenpoint. The Hair Bar & Make Up Lounge, located at 674 Manhattan Ave., began taking clients on Dec. 19. The owner decided to open in Greenpoint given its hip vibe. “We wanted to… Read more »

Signal Problems Caused Subway Delays Most Mornings in 2019: Report

L train

Jan. 14, 2020 By Kristen Torres Signal problems affected nearly four out of every five weekday morning commutes on city subways last year, according to a new report. The Riders Alliance released its findings on Monday, revealing 78 percent of morning commutes in 2019 were delayed due to signal issues. That number is down from… Read more »