Jan. 30, 2025 By Christian Murray Thomas Ballis, a lifelong Astoria resident, knows the neighborhood like the back of his hand. “I was born and raised in Astoria,” said Ballis, a real estate developer who has built seven residential projects, all in the district. “I know the neighborhood inside out. I know every block. I… Read more »
Aug. 16, 2023 By Michael Dorgan An economic migrant who recently moved into an upscale hotel-turned-shelter located on the boundary line of Astoria and Long Island City says he wants to work hard to give his family a better life while local residents and business owners, who are empathetic to his plight, say the opening… Read more »
March 21, 2023 By Michael Dprgan Sunnyside Shines will kick off its annual Restaurant Week Wednesday with an all-time record of 46 eateries slated to participate in the event. Sunnyside Restaurant Week, now in its eleventh year, is scheduled to take place from March 22 through April 3, and food lovers will get a chance… Read more »
March 16, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Police are looking for a group of teens who beat up a 15-year-old boy with a mop stick and then robbed his sneakers at an Astoria subway station on Sunday, March 12. The five suspects approached the victim while he was on an R train platform inside the Steinway… Read more »
March 15, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A disgraced former Catholic deacon from Maspeth has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for having sex with three teenage boys, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Rogelio Vega, 52, — who previously served as a deacon at Saint Sebastian Church in Woodside — was sentenced in Brooklyn Federal court… Read more »
March 15, 2023 By Michael Dorgan The police are investigating the death of a 61-year-old man who was found dead inside an apartment at the Ravenswood NYCHA complex in Astoria with blood coming out of his mouth on Tuesday, March 14. The man – identified as Nicandro Rodriguez by the New York Daily News —… Read more »
March 13, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A popular ice cream shop near the busy corner of 30th Avenue and 30th Street in Astoria has reopened after a short winter recess. Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream, which has more than 80 shops across the tri-state area, reopened its 3002 30th St. location on Wednesday,… Read more »
March 8, 2023 By Michael Dorgan March is Women’s History Month and the Queens Post and QNS are highlighting organizations such as the Center for the Women of New York (CWNY), which advocates for women’s rights and equality. The CWNY currently has two locations, one at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens, located at 120-55… Read more »
Feb. 13, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A pair of teenage siblings who had been missing from the Ravenswood Houses in Astoria for three days have been found safe, police announced Monday. Darius Almonte, 15, and Marlin Almonte, 17, who are brother and sister, went missing at around 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, after leaving… Read more »
Sept. 30, 2022 By Michael Dorgan An Astoria man has been arrested and charged with murder for the brutal stabbing of an EMS lieutenant in the Ditmars section of the neighborhood Thursday afternoon. Peter Zisopoulos, 34, was arrested by police shortly after he allegedly stabbed 61-year-old Alison Russo-Elling to death at the 20th Avenue and… Read more »