As Governor Andrew Cuomo promised, most COVID restrictions blow away today after New Yorker hit the 70% adult vaccination rate. Worth fireworks? You got ’em. The launched across the state, last night.

By David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

COVID Restrictions Blown Away

Restrictions fell away on capacity, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screenings, and contact tracing information. But they remain optional for retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, personal care services, real estate, child care, movie theaters and other commercial settings.

Masks are still required on public transportation, at pre-K through grade-12 schools, in nursing homes, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools, and health care facilities.

But fireworks…

Yes, Governor Cuomo announced fireworks at 9:15 in ten places around the state, including New York Harbor.

Image from Governor Cuomo’s presentation today.

Rockets also hit the sky not far away in Nyack and Jones Beach.

And that’s not all.

Thirteen landmarks will also light up in New York State colors, blue and gold. Those include the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and Grand Central.

New York’s coming back out as COVID restrictions blow away.

Enjoy.

Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily

• 
  Six-Unit Apartment Building Planned for 10th Street in Astoria
  Plans for a six-unit apartment building in Astoria call for four stories at 35-25 10th St. See proposed dimensions, apartment sizes and permit status.
• 
  Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment report
  RIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
• 
  Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still Disrupted
  The Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
• 
  A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hired
  A different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
• 
  Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputes
  RIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.

Can the Lawsuit Reach the Stacks in Time?

Residents have spent months asking City and State agencies to show why the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant must be demolished. Meetings produced promises. The CAG produced more process.

Theo Gobblevelt Aug 28, 2026

The underlying record remains largely hidden. Now two residents have taken the question somewhere government cannot manage quite as easily: a courtroom.

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