🌱 Eric Smith Released + Maggie Hall's Now Open + JFK Disruption

Hey, people of Queens! Miranda Fraraccio here with your Wednesday edition of the Queens Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and not as cold. High: 40 Low: 36.

Here are the top three stories in Queens today:

1. Eric Smith has been released from prison after 27 years behind bars and will live and be supervised in Queens County. Almost 30 years ago, when Smith was 13-years-old, he became nationally known for killing four-year-old Derrick Robie in Savona, NY. He was originally scheduled to be released on Nov. 17, 2021, but his release was delayed for months because Smith hadn’t gotten an approved address, which is a requirement for parolees. (WPIX 11 New York)
2. A soccer coach from Galway caused mayhem on a flight into JFK and is now facing felony charges which could land him up to 20 years in prison if convicted. During a Jan. 7 flight from Dublin, 29-year-old Shane McInerney interfered with a flight crew’s duties and intentionally assaulted and intimidated a member of a Delta flight crew. McInerney was arraigned on Jan. 14 in Brooklyn federal court and released on $20,000 bail — and was also ordered by the judge to seek mental health care. (Bayside Post)
3. After months of delays, a Victorian-themed bar recently opened in Astoria. The new bar, Maggie Hall's, has opened in the space formerly occupied by Casablanca Hair Salon, located at 34-06 30th Ave. Maggie Hall's specializes in cocktails and local craft beers and is owned by the same people who own the popular Astoria bars Judy & Punch and Madam Marie’s. (Queens Post)

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Today in Queens:

• You Be The Judge, At Briarwood Branch Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Marvel at the incredible dance and music during 'Salsa Cabaret' at the Thalia Spanish Theatre from Feb. 4- 27. (Facebook)
• Black history is Queen's history. It is American history. On Feb. 23, join Queens Borough President Donovan Richards to recognize the trailblazers who came before us and those among us today. (Facebook)
• Happy Lunar New Year! The Lunar New Year Lucky Plant Sale is taking place now through Sunday, Feb. 13, or while supplies last, at the Queens Botanical Garden Store. (Facebook)
• Join the Land Use Public Hearing live stream on Feb. 3 at 9:30 am. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.