July 5, 2023 By Bill Parry An explosion stunned lunchtime crowds along Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City Wednesday afternoon. A truck from the city’s Department of Transportation was parked on Vernon near 47th Road when it caught fire and exploded just after 1 p.m. on July 5. The four DOT employees who were working… Read more »
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Sunnyside staple ‘Alpha Donuts’ abruptly closes after nearly 50 years
July 5, 2023 By Michael Dorgan And just like that, it was gone. Having served the Sunnyside community for nearly 50 years, the old-school coffee shop Alpha Donuts closed its doors for good last week leaving patrons shocked and in disbelief. The no-frills diner, located just a few feet from the Sunnyside Arch on Queens… Read more »
LaGuardia Community College lands $4.5 million grant to cultivate next-gen food, agro professionals
July 5, 2023 By Bill Parry The campus of LaGuardia Community College is located in Long Island City, where the only farmland in the vicinity is nearly 15 miles away on the other side of the borough at the Queens County Farm Museum in Little Neck, yet it is still receiving support from the U.S…. Read more »
Sports field near Long Island City waterfront reopens after colorful $1.5 million overhaul
June 30, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A popular sports field near the Long Island City waterfront reopened on Monday, June 26 after getting a flashy $1.5 million makeover. A new high-quality synthetic turf surface and new running track have been installed at the Gantry Plaza State Park Sports Field, located between Center Boulevard and 5th… Read more »
Thousands turnout for Independence Day fireworks at Astoria Park
June 30, 2023 By Julia Moro Attendees were left in awe at the fireworks show over the East River on Thursday, June 29. The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (LDC) Inc. hosted its early Independence Day celebration on the Astoria Park Great Lawn and Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and the pool. The… Read more »
Developers celebrate start of construction of latest residential high-rise in Long Island City
June 29, 2023 By Bill Parry Developers broke ground Monday on the latest residential project in Queens Plaza. New Empire Corp, a leading New York-based development and construction management firm and ODA, marked the start of construction on a 19-story full-service 100-unit condominium building at 24-01 Queens Plaza North designed by the architecture firm ODA…. Read more »
Celebrate Pride: Discover LGBTQ-owned businesses in western Queens
June 29, 2023 By Jessica Militello Pride month is well underway and each year the celebration only seems to get bigger than the last. Western Queens has a ton of reason to celebrate with so many LGBTQ-owned businesses in the area. From delicious restaurants, to bars, and barber shops, here’s a list of places to… Read more »
Incumbents cruise to victory in western Queens Democratic primaries
June 28, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Incumbents Julie Won and Tiffany Cabán look set to retain their western Queens city council seats after scoring wide-margin victories in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The progressives, who were both seeking second terms coming into this election, easily brushed aside their only respective challengers. Won, who faced a serious fight… Read more »
Happening today: Community forum on future of Ravenswood Generating Station in LIC
June 28, 2023 By Bill Parry Western Queens residents can have their say on the future of “Big Allis” during a community forum at the Queensbridge Houses Wednesday afternoon. Rise Light & Power and Attentive Energy One are hosting the June 28 town hall to discuss what lies ahead for the massive Ravenswood Generating Station,… Read more »
Owners of Levante and Enoteca LIC host soft opening for new pizzeria in Long Island City
June 26, 2023 By Michael Dorgan The owners of a successful Italian restaurant and a fine spirits store in Long Island City have opened a pizzeria in the neighborhood after much delay. Stella Hospitality Group, which owns Levante and Enoteca LIC, opened Juliet’s Pizza for a soft opening earlier this month on the corner of… Read more »