Author: schnepsrestagent

Council Members Won, Hanif pass bills to protect immigrants from fake lawyers

Jul. 2, 2025 By sobrien July 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The New York City Council has passed legislation introduced by Queens Council Member Julie Won and Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif, aiming to combat immigration legal services fraud, whereby predatory actors exploit the fears of immigrant communities by offering false promises of legal…

Astoria Cook Club brings neighbors together through monthly potluck meetups

Jul. 2, 2025 By jmilitello July 2, 2025 By Jessica Militello Something’s definitely cooking in Astoria, thanks to the monthly potluck meet-ups hosted by Sweet Tones founders Toni Critelli and Mike Mroz, known as the Astoria Cook Club. The potluck meetups, which have been taking place at Our House Astoria, located at 23-71 31st…

Micro units account for over 40% of NYC’s rental supply pipeline: report

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Jul. 2, 2025 By Ethan Marshall New York City ranks among the top major cities in the United States in the number of rental units that are undersized, and nearly half of the units in the pipeline there are planned to be micro units, according to a report by storage space marketplace Storage Cafe.…

Target set to open long-awaited Astoria store on July 20

Jul. 2, 2025 By sobrien July 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Retail giant Target will celebrate its long-awaited Astoria grand opening on July 20 when it opens its doors on 31st Street for the first time. The retailer will open a 41,000 square foot location at 22-11 31st St. on Sunday, July 20, marking…

City Hall backs Venezuelan immigrant living in Elmhurst detained by ICE after court hearing

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Jul. 2, 2025 By Adam Daly City Hall has stepped into an escalating immigration case, filing a legal brief in support of a 20-year-old Venezuelan man and former Queens student who was arrested by federal agents outside a Manhattan courthouse last month. On Monday, the city submitted an amicus brief backing the ongoing petition…

Astoria doctor pleads guilty to raping unconscious women and abusing hospital patients: DA

Jul. 1, 2025 By bparry July 1, 2025 By Bill Parry An Astoria doctor admitted he raped multiple unconscious women at his apartment and sexually abused others at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital where the gastroenterologist was employed. Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, or Broadway, pleaded guilty Monday in Queens Supreme Court to four counts…

9-story housing project with 124 units proposed near Hallets Cove in Astoria

Jul. 1, 2025 By emarshall July 1, 2025 By Ethan Marshall Permits have been filed for the construction of a 9-story residential building with 124 housing units on the vacant lot at 30-11 12th St. in Astoria. The proposed building would be 91 feet tall and yield 94,474 square feet of space. With an…

Fireworks, food and fun: What to do in Queens this July 4

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Jul. 1, 2025 By Jessica Militello July 4th is just around the corner and Queens is ready to light up the night with celebrations across the borough. From high-energy parties with prime views of the fireworks to cozy, laid-back gatherings with friends, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the Fourth of July. Whether…

Astoria man gets 25 years to life for vicious murder of hero EMS Captain Alison Russo

Jun. 30, 2025 By bparry June 30, 2025 By Bill Parry An Astoria man was sentenced on Monday to 25 years to life in prison for the brutal 2022 murder of FDNY EMS Captain Alison Russo during an unprovoked knife attack just around the corner from her stationhouse. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, of 41st Street,…