Category: Uncategorized

Plans Filed for 116-Room Hotel Blocks From Queensboro Bridge

April 2, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez Permits have been filed for a 116-room hotel in Long Island City. The new hotel would rise to 16 stories, or 179 feet, at 38-59 11th St. The site, currently vacant land, is two blocks from the Queensboro Bridge. The plans call for a hotel spanning over 54,000 square… Read more »

Police Searching For Missing 14-Year-Old From Astoria

April 2, 2018 Staff Report Police are searching for a 14-year-old teen from Astoria who has been missing since Saturday. Eftyhia Galanis, also known as “Effy”, was last seen at her home near 21st Road and 19th Street at 10 p.m. on March 30, according to police. An NYPD spokesperson said there have been no… Read more »

Ample Hills Creamery Opening Astoria Location

March 29, 2018 By Tara Law A Brooklyn-based ice cream shop known for its whimsical flavors is opening a new location in Astoria. Ample Hills Creamery will open at 34-02 30th Ave., according to a sign hanging on a construction fence at the location. Ample Hills ice cream is known for playful mix-ins such as… Read more »

Former NYPD Officer Gets 14 Years for Extorting Astoria Business Owners

March 28, 2018 By Tara Law A former police officer who helped a gangster extort money from two Astoria business owners has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue announced yesterday. Besnik Llakatura, who was an officer at the 120th precinct in Staten Island, helped to extort two small business owners… Read more »

Queens Lawmakers Condemn Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

March 27, 2018 By Tara Law Legislators from across Queens condemned the Commerce Department’s decision to include a question in the 2020 Census about citizenship status for the first time since 1950. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, announced Monday that the upcoming census will ask respondents to identify… Read more »

7-year-old Girl Dies After Pretending to Hang Herself

March 26, 2018 By Tara Law A 7-year-old Astoria girl died two days after she accidentally choked herself while playing with a bathrobe tie, police say. Precise Tucker, who was performing a prank on her mom, tied a belt around her neck and roped the other end around a refrigerator handle while eating a bag… Read more »

NYPD: Man Shot Dead at Queensbridge Houses Saturday

March 26, 2018 By Tara Law A man was shot and killed outside Queensbridge Houses on Saturday, police say. Cops found Sharef Graham, 25, lying unconscious on a walkway near 40-06 Vernon Boulevard with gunshot wounds to his chest and thigh just before 8 p.m., police say. An ambulance rushed Graham, who was a resident… Read more »

Paris Baguette to Open Location in Astoria

March 23, 2018 By Tara Law (Updated March 23) A new Paris Baguette will open near the Ditmars Boulevard subway station in late April or early May. A location of the South Korean-owned French café chain will open at 22-20 31st St, the former location of a Foot Locker. The restaurants serve sandwiches, coffee and… Read more »