April 16, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Jackson Heights man was sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to an identity theft scam where he stole thousands of dollars from his unsuspecting victim, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday. Asm Sharfuddin, 22, pleaded guilty in Queens court last month to… Read more »
April 16, 2021 By Christian Murray A lucrative state tax break that has benefited a number of high-profile developers has come to an end. State Sen. Mike Gianaris passed legislation that was included in the state budget that scraps a handsome tax break that allows developers who invest in designated “opportunity zones” to defer and… Read more »
April 15, 2021 By Allie Griffin Police are looking for a man involved in at least three robberies at bodegas in northwest Queens this month. The suspect brandished a box cutter in all three incidents and stole a total of nearly $3,000 from the stores. He first hit NY China Market, an Elmhurst bodega/ convenience… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin Former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley officially announced Wednesday that she is running for Queens Borough President once again. Crowley, who was surrounded by well-wishers, made the announcement at an event held on the steps of the Flushing Library Wednesday. “Our borough was facing crises on many fronts even prior… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Rana Abdelhamid became an activist at age 16, when a man on the street tried to snatch the hijab off her head. Today, more than 10 years later the Astoria progressive announced that she is looking to grab a seat in congress. Abdelhamid, 27, is running for New York’s… Read more »
April 14, 2021 Op-Ed By: Evie Hantzopoulos One year ago today, I grabbed a used surgical mask, latex gloves, a precious bottle of hand sanitizer, and my beat up Mazda to make my way to a local Astoria bakery that had been converted to an emergency food distribution site to support people who were ineligible… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Allie Griffin A local nonprofit has launched a bilingual resource guide on the state’s recently passed “Excluded Workers Fund” for undocumented immigrants who have lost work due to the pandemic. Make the Road NY has created a website to help residents who qualify for the fund access accurate and up-to-date information… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia An international food and beverage hall is slated to open in Astoria next month. The World Artisan Market, which will feature eight restaurants, will be located inside a repurposed warehouse at 34-39 31st St. The food hall will house French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish restaurants. The market was expected… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Christian Murray New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this afternoon that he is extending the 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants until midnight. The change will go into effect Monday, April 19. The announcement comes after bar and restaurant owners have been complaining that the 11 p.m. closing hour is… Read more »
April 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Congressman Tom Suozzi, who represents northeast Queens and parts of Long Island, says that he will not back President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan unless it contains a provision that would restore the full deductibility of state and local taxes—known as SALT. The cap, which was instituted as part of… Read more »