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Simotas Wants Tide Pods Repackaged to Look Less Appealing, Pens letter to Proctor & Gamble CEO and Introduces Legislation

Feb. 7. 2018 By Tara Law Astoria Assembly Member Aravella Simotas sent a letter to Proctor & Gamble, the multinational consumer goods company, calling on it to alter the appearance and packaging of its Tide laundry detergent PODs to discourage people from eating them. The dangers of Tide PODs came to national attention last year… Read more »

Police Arrest Man Wanted for Shooting Bystander After Missing His Target

Feb. 7, 2018 By Tara Law Police have arrested a man wanted for shooting a woman in the stomach after missing his intended target in Queensbridge last month. Snooze Brown, 22, of Middleton, N.Y., was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts each of attempted murder, second degree assault, first degree reckless endangerment and criminal… Read more »

Ditmars Boulevard Subway Station to Undergo 14-Months of Construction

Feb. 6, 2018 By Tara Law The Ditmars Boulevard subway station is about to undergo a 14-month revamp starting this April, the MTA notified Astoria’s elected officials Monday. The station, used by N/W riders, will not be fully closed, although construction materials and equipment will be stored on 31st Street throughout the length of the… Read more »

Opa!, a long-time Greek Restaurant in Astoria, Closes

Feb. 5, 2018 By Tara Law Opa!, a well-known Greek restaurant that had served residents for nearly 50 years, closed permanently last month. Opa, which operated at 28-44 31st St, was known among Greeks for it familial atmosphere, serving favorites from the old country, such as kebabs, spanakopita, souvlaki and gyros. The restaurant’s sky lit… Read more »

Hallets Point Development Has Stalled as City Halts Funding

Feb. 2, 2018 By Tara Law The Housing Development Corporation abruptly pulled $43.5 million in funding for an affordable housing building at Hallets Point, jeopardizing the massive multi-structure project by the Durst Organization on the peninsula. The seven building, 2.4 million square foot development would bring 2,400 rental residences, including 483 affordable units, to Hallets… Read more »

NYPD: 45-Year-Old Woman Struck By Man at 36th Street “R” Station

Feb. 2, 2018 By Christian Murray The police are looking for a man who allegedly struck a 45-year-old woman in the back of the head at the 36th Street/Northern Boulevard “R” train subway station last month. The NYPD released video of the suspect yesterday who allegedly hit the woman at around 6:40 pm Jan. 19… Read more »

Constantinides Plans to Get Funding to Revamp Astoria Pool, Announcement Made at State of the District Speech

Jan. 31, 2018 By Tara Law Astoria Councilmember Costa Constantinides announced an ambitious plan to overhaul the Astoria Park pool during his State of the District speech last night. Constantinides introduced the initiative in front of 120 community members and leaders at P.S. 17 Henry David Thoreau, where he also discussed plans to pass environmental… Read more »

Brown Organics Collections Bins Coming To Astoria in May

Jan. 30, 2018 By Christian Murray The organics collection program by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is coming to several Queens neighborhoods starting in spring. The program will be rolled out in Astoria in May; in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and North Corona in June; and Forest Hills and Rego Park in July…. Read more »