Jan. 25, 2021 By Michael Dorgan The owner of a hookah lounge in Astoria was arrested for setting his own restaurant on fire after authorities got their hands on video that captured the incident. Asif Raja, 54, was caught on CCTV footage lighting multiple fires inside Ignited Restaurant and Lounge, located at 30-27 Steinway St.,… Read more »
Jan. 25, 2021 By Michael Dorgan A citywide initiative kicks off Monday to help struggling restaurants generate some much-needed cash in the midst of ongoing coronavirus lockdowns. The initiative, called Restaurant Week To Go, features 45 restaurants in Queens as part of the 570 eateries that are participating. The event runs from Jan. 25 through… Read more »
Jan. 25, 2021 By Christina Santucci An illegal club operating in the basement of a Woodside apartment building was shut down by law enforcement early Sunday. Authorities said they found more than 75 people in the cramped space in violation of pandemic restrictions. Photos released by law enforcement show people packed around a makeshift bar… Read more »
Jan.24, 2021 By Christina Santucci An Astoria convenience and smoke store that sold a $1 million lottery ticket has been seeing a boom in business this weekend from customers hoping the shop will also bring them luck. “I never thought selling the winning ticket would bring so many people in,” said clerk Saadain Shabbir, 18,… Read more »
Jan. 23, 2021 By Christian Murray Romance is back. Romantic Depot, which sells racy lingerie and adult toys, reopened on Queens Boulevard Friday—two years after its former Sunnyside store burned to the ground in a massive fire. The store, now located at 47-02 Queens Blvd, sells a variety of lingerie in a range of sizes… Read more »
Jan. 22, 2021 By Michael Dorgan Lights, camera, action! Former Assembly Member Michael DenDekker is ditching his career in politics and returning to his roots in the entertainment industry. DenDekker, who represented the 34th Assembly District for 12 years, said that he is now working as a film and TV actor and is also writing TV… Read more »
Jan. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin A Catholic deacon from Maspeth was caught trying to engage a 14-year-old boy in a sex act through an undercover sting Tuesday. Rogelio Vega — who serves as a deacon at Saint Sebastian Church in Woodside — allegedly conversed with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old boy for… Read more »
Sept. 22, 2020 By Christian Murray At the end of next year, 11 council members in Queens will be forced to step down due to term limits. Dozens of candidates have already come forward looking to replace them, and will be competing in next June’s Democratic and Republican primaries. We plan to speak to as… Read more »
Jan. 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin Construction workers have broken ground on a two-tower development that will include a new 476-seat school. The large-scale development is going up at 69-02 Queens Blvd. and a school will occupy space in the lower levels of one of the two towers. One tower will be 15 stories, while… Read more »
Jan 21, 2021 By Michael Dorgan The Parks Dept. is holding a virtual outreach meeting next week for residents to discuss the revitalization of the Queensbridge Baby Park in Long Island City. The meeting will take place online on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. It is expected to last about an hour. The Parks Dept. is… Read more »