April 3, 2018 By Tara Law A new law sponsored by Assemblymember Aravella Simotas (D- Astoria) has passed that will give sexual assault survivors extra time to seek justice. As part of the passage of the state budget, which was finalized early April 1, a new law will require law enforcement agencies to preserve rape… Read more »
April 3, 2018 By Tara Law A small-format Target store will open on 31st Street near the Ditmars Boulevard station in Astoria in 2022. Target announced today that the 47,000 square foot location at 22-11 31st St. will offer will household essentials, including home decor, apparel and accessories, beauty supplies, a CVS Pharmacy, tech goods… Read more »
April 3, By Staff Report Registration has opened for the 3rd annual LIC Post Waterfront 5K, which will take place in June to raise money for the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy. The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m, is for both runners and walkers, and as many as 1,500 attendees are expected… Read more »
April 2, 2018 Staff Report The police have released video footage of a man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting that took place at Queensbridge Houses last month. The suspect is wanted following the death of Sharef Graham, 25, who was shot in a walkway near 40-06 Vernon Boulevard just before 8 p.m. on… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »