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444 7-Eleven stores across North America are closing for underperforming, according to the company. Seven & I Holdings, 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company, announced in an earnings report Thursday that the stores are closing because of a dip in sales, particularly cigarette sales, as well as decreased traffic and inflation. A list of which stores will be closing was not released. 7-Eleven has 13,000 stores across the US and Canada, which means the closures would only impact 3% of the company’s portfolio. The convenience store chain has faced six consecutive months of traffic declines, including a 7.3% dip in August. “The North American economy remained robust overall thanks to the consumption of high-income earners, despite a persistently inflationary, elevated interest rate and deteriorating employment environment,” Seven & I Holdings said in an earnings release. “In this context, there was a more prudent approach to consumption, particularly among middle- and low-income earners.” The chain highlighted that cigarette sales, once the largest sales category for convenience stores, have fallen 26% since 2019 and that a shift in sales to other nicotine products has failed to make much of a difference. The company said it will transform its stores to be centered around food, which is now the highest-selling category. Seven & I Holdings strives to be “a world-class retail group centered around its food that leads retail innovation through global growth strategies centered on the 7-Eleven business and proactive utilization of technology,” the company said. In July, the convenience store chain said it would also sell popular international food items, including milk, bread, egg sandwiches and miso ramen, at its U.S. stores.

‘Spell casting’ woman arrested for abuse of a corpse, cooking body parts in a pot

Some SVU trivia... An actor named Brett Cullen guest starred this week as a judge. One of Mariska's first roles was as his younger sister in a few episodes of Falcon Crest. She was a free spirit who drove Jane Wyman's character nuts.

A taste of Transylvania: Twister Cake Bakery serves up delicious Eastern European treats to Queens locals City Parks Foundation holds second annual Senior Fitness Fair, featuring special guest Mr. Met

That's true, though they WERE the first team all season to lose a game to the Chisox by double digits.

Council Member Julie Won has announced plans for the long-delayed “Long Island City Ramps” project, which aims to transform a gritty area under the Queensborough Bridge ramps into 50,000 acres of public land and park space. LIC Ramps aims to address a lack of open space in Court Square by converting two parcels of land underneath the road ramps that lead to the Queensborough Bridge into recreational areas and green space for the local community. The two ramps converge above Jackson Avenue. Proposed rendering for LIC Ramps. Photo: STUDIO V The proposal, which would cost an estimated $7.95 million, includes plans for a 17,000-acre lot on Dutch Kills Street, currently being used by a DOT contractor for roadside parking, and an adjacent 33,000-acre NYPD School Safety parking lot. Unlike the DOT lot, the majority of the NYPD parking lot is not covered by the Queensborough Bridge ramps, providing a large area with plenty of sunlight. The city first committed to the LIC Ramps project in 2018 and has now agreed to move forward with it after six years of delays. Designed by Studio V, the LIC Ramps proposal includes spaces for a playground, dog run, seating, an urban grove and an outdoor ball court. It also includes plans for a flexible art space, bike racks and other public amenities. Rendering for the planned entrance to LIC Ramps. Photo: STUDIO V Design and construction of the open space will amount to $3.1 million of the $7.95 million estimated total of the project, with an additional $2.4 million required for maintenance of the space for a 15-year term. The remaining $2.45 million will go toward the construction of the space’s dog run and playground. American Lions, a joint venture between the Lions Group and Fetner Properties, has provided $5.5 million of the total funding, while Friends of Dutch Kills Open Space has applied for a grant to address the $2.45 million funding gap for the playground and dog run. Additional funding will be raised through donations. Rendering for the planned dog run at LIC Ramps. Photo: STUDIO V Won said the project is long overdue and will help to address the lack of open space in the local community. “After six long years and tireless community advocacy, the LIC Ramps project will finally fill the need for parks and public green space in Court Square,” Won said. “It is vital that our neighbors have walkable, modern, and safe outdoor spaces in their own communities.” Rendering for the planned urban grove at LIC Ramps. Photo: STUDIO V Laura Rothrock, president of Long Island City Partnership, described LIC Ramps as an innovative milestone for the neighborhood. “By transforming underutilized space in Court Square into a vibrant community hub, this project will deliver new recreational and gathering spaces for residents, employees, and visitors alike,” Rothrock said in a statement. Anatole Ashraf, chair of Community Board 2, called on city agencies to work with the local community and ensure that the project comes to fruition. “The LIC Ramps is a vital project in reclaiming our public spaces to serve the LIC community. We’re very close to making it a reality, provided all city agencies work with the community to get it over the finish line,” Ashraf said. The LIC Ramps project is set to be put to Community Board 2 for review during the CB2 meeting on Oct. 10. Rendering for the planned flexible art space at LIC Ramps. Photo: STUDIO V

Severe damage to the roof of Tropicana Field.

Severe damage to the roof of Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton.

Yes. And the storylines around the league, just like with the NBA. I'm still a Yankee fan, but from afar.

EEEEEATSCON brings star-studded feast to Forest Hills this weekend EEEEEATSCON New York, a food festival created by the restaurant review platform The Infatuation, returns to Forest Hills Stadium this weekend for its fifth year. The two-day event on Oct. 12 and 13 will feature over 30 restaurants, including five out-of-town eateries, four collaborations, and special appearances by celebrities and performers. Founded by The Infatuation, a media company known for its restaurant reviews and food guides, EEEEEATSCON combines a traditional food festival with the energy of a music festival. The event highlights exclusive dishes, collaborations between popular chefs, and live entertainment, offering attendees a unique culinary and cultural experience. Among the highlights of this year’s festival is Salt & Straw, an artisanal ice cream shop that recently opened on the Upper West Side. California-based Bodega SF will also make an appearance, offering exclusive dishes such as beef and mushroom skewers. A notable collaboration for this year’s event is between Shake Shack and Thai Diner, a downtown hotspot known for its Southeast Asian cuisine. Together, they will present the Thai Diner Shack, a burger that has generated excitement ahead of the event. Additional collaborations include Community Goods x Apollo Bagels, Potluck Club x Great NY Noodletown, and Cloudy Donut Co. x Sugar Hill Creamery. Sofia Vergara, best known for her role as Gloria in Modern Family, is one of eight speakers set to appear at the event. Former New York Knicks players Amar’e Stoudemire and Latrell Sprewell are scheduled to attend, and the Girls Gotta Eat podcast will host a live show on Sunday. General admission opens at noon each day, with tickets priced at $41.86. VIP packages, including early access and exclusive tastings for Chase customers, are also available. Speakers will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 5:30 p.m., with performances scheduled between presentations.

Yes. Can you fully appreciate how boring I find baseball to be?

Homeowner calls cops after yard taken over by more than 100 raccoons ‘demanding food A homeowner who fed neighborhood raccoons for decades called 911 after coming home to find more than 100 of the fuzzy masked invaders “demanding food” and preventing her from getting inside.

I like the characters more than the scripts so far, but it's watchable.

I'm waiting for $8 from Breyer's because my natural vanilla ice cream wasn't all natural.

80-year-old refuses to evacuate as Milton barrels towards Florida “Everyone says I should go to a shelter for this one, my son says I need to. I haven’t decided yet. I’m not leaving town, this is my home, but I can decide to go to the middle school later if I want to shelter there.” Florida housing market crumbles: Homeowners struggle to sell amid rising insurance costs and storm fears Hurricane Milton path shows Tampa, Florida, could still take direct hit from superstorm A timeline of Robert Saleh’s miserable tenure as Jets head coach Milton reaching max limits leads to calls for a new Category 6 designation for hurricanes one of these things is not like the others; one of these things doesn't belong...

When you enjoy what's being presented. I no longer enjoy watching baseball.

what does that have to do with my lack of enjoyment watching baseball?

Get your hands on MONOPOLY: Queens Edition – Here’s where to buy it locally GET YOUR XMAS SHOPPING STARTED EARLY!!!

Former Texas Rangers hurler Matt Bush has been arrested for allegedly fleeing from Texas police and then attempting to run from the scene of a multi-vehicle crash only to be chased down by bystanders. Bush, 38, was behind the wheel of his 2023 Lincoln Aviator along Pioneer Parkway at around 8:30 p.m. Friday when an Arlington police officer noticed he was driving erratically and tried to pull him over. The former right-handed pitcher, however, sped away from and evaded police, prompting law enforcement to put out a “Be On the Lookout” report for the vehicle. Arlington Police then received a report of a multi-vehicle accident at a nearby intersection and arrived on the scene to find the same Lincoln Aviator that fled from officers minutes earlier. Police said Bush ran a red light at the intersection, hit a 2023 Chevy Silverado, and then crashed into a 2010 GMC Yukon and a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The former pitcher then “fled from that crash on foot without identifying himself or exchanging any information” but was stopped by a group of bystanders who chased him down and held him for authorities. The 41-year-old driver of the Silverado and Bush were then both taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to police. The drivers of the Yukon and Corolla were not injured. While at the hospital, police suspected Bush might be intoxicated. The former No. 1 overall draft pick declined a field sobriety test and refused to speak with investigators about the crash. Investigators then obtained a warrant for a blood sample and sent it to a lab for analysis. Bush was later medically cleared and booked into the Arlington City Jail. The former Texas Ranger pitcher was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, one count of accident involving injury, and one count of evading. His bond was set at $35,000. Bush, a native of San Diego, began his career as a shortstop and was drafted No. 1 overall by the San Diego Padres in 2004, becoming the first high school shortstop drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993. Struggling at shortstop, the Padres converted Bush to a right-handed relief pitcher — a position he stuck with for the rest of his major league career. While in San Diego, Bush had several alcohol-related incidents after he was drafted and moved to the Toronto and Tampa Bay organizations before a March 2012 accident in Charlotte County in Florida. He was accused of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident that seriously injured a 72-year-old man on a motorcycle. Bush went to prison after pleading no contest but was released in 2015 after serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence. Upon his release, the Rangers signed him to a minor league deal in December 2015. He appeared in 180 games for the Rangers and had a 12-7 record and a 3.34 ERA with the team. From 2015 to 2022, the Rangers signed and released him four times, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Bush was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in August 2022 and appeared in 37 games over the 2022-23 seasons. However, the relief pitcher was released by the Brewers in the middle of the 2023 season and re-signed by Texas in July 2023. Bush never pitched in the big leagues after the Rangers re-signed him, and the organization released him at the end of the season.

Herd of 100 life-sized elephants take over this NYC neighborhood in ‘amazing’ art installation The “Great Elephant Migration,” one of the largest outdoor art installations to hit the streets of New York, has placed scores of life-sized wicker elephants throughout New York’s Meatpacking District.

DEAR ABBY: A longtime neighbor and friend has accused me of stealing a ring. I had been providing her with transportation to visit her husband while he was in rehab recovering from a broken leg. I also took her on other errands. One day, she was upset. She told me she had lost a bunched-up handkerchief that held something important, but wouldn’t tell me what it was. Eventually, she said she had a special ring wrapped in there, so we looked through my car several times. My neighbor later came to dinner with my family, and I gave her another ride or two. Then she made a threatening hang-up call. When I went to her house (with a food gift) to address the situation, she didn’t answer the door, although I am fairly certain I heard her inside. After that, I stopped replying to her phone messages asking for more rides and other assistance. I hoped she would find her misplaced item. Today, she knocked on my front door while I was out and gave my 13-year-old daughter an angry message that she wants her ring back. My daughter was very upset, as these are neighbors we have known a long time and were always friendly with. This is extremely distressing, and I am not sure how to respond, or how to resolve this. — INNOCENT IN COLORADO DEAR INNOCENT: Your neighbor may have interpreted your not responding to her messages as a sign of guilt. You can reiterate that you are innocent until the cows come home, because I’m guessing her mind was pretty much made up that you were guilty after she “subtly” accused you of taking the ring. Short of taking a lie detector test to prove your innocence, I doubt there will be anything you can say to convince her. It’s regrettable, but your long friendship with this woman is over. Even if she finds her ring, your relationship will never be the same. A SCREW LOOSE. PUT UP AN ELECTRIFIED FENCE BETWEEN YOUR PROPERTIES AND/OR BLOW THE BITCH AWAY NEXT TIME YOU SEE HER. DEAR ABBY: If you ask a guy out to dinner three times and each time he says he has already eaten, is it OK to stop trying to be a friend? I feel he could have been more honest about eating, and said something like, “Can I just get a soda or coffee? I would love to spend time with you.” Anyway, I stopped talking to him, and then he asked me why I wasn’t still asking. When I told him why, he said he’d told me to take him out on his birthday. You don’t want my company until it is convenient for you? Now I’m confused. I think I will look for a friend somewhere else. — IGNORED IN THE EAST DEAR IGNORED: When someone refuses three invitations, it means he isn’t interested. Do the poor guy (and yourself) a favor — quit trying to script your relationships and look for friendship elsewhere. YOU HAVE A SCREW LOOSE AND IF YOU KEEP CONTACTING THIS UNINTERESTED MAN, HE IS GOING TO PUT UP AN ELECTRIFIED FENCE AROUND HIS PROPERTY AND/OR BLOW YOU AWAY NEXT TIME HE SEES YOU.

Romping raccoons that ran wild in Alice and David Zaslavsky’s $1.2 million Brooklyn home pooped and peed everywhere, chewed through wiring and terrified the couple’s 9-year-old daughter before they were finally banished. And while the flea-bitten critters are now gone, the Zaslavskys are still not out of the woods. Contractors estimate the ninja furballs caused $100,000 worth of damage to the three-bedroom, 1,930-square foot home, and the family’s insurance company won’t cover the necessary month’s worth of repairs. “We have this tiny little clause in our homeowner’s insurance that says they do not clean up wildlife secretions which they deem toxic. Raccoon poo,” an exasperated Alice Zaslavsky told The Post of the AmGuard policy. The problem began more than two years ago after the city slapped a stop-work order on a neighbor two doors down at 194 Minna St. in Kensington. The owner, Majestic Holdings, was allegedly doing work without permits. The company left the house, which had been vacant for over a year, in a state of disrepair, with “numerous holes . . . to the outside,” the Zaslavskys said in court papers. “One night, [the couple] woke up staring into the face of a raccoon hanging down from one of the access panels pushed open by the raccoons,” according to a Brooklyn Supreme Court lawsuit filed in September 2023 and settled a month later. An exterminator found the critters were entering through 194 Minna, creeping through the connected houses and ending up in the Zaslavskys’ two-story home. The raccoons chewed through new HVAC ductwork, new electrical wiring, ate insulation, and defecated on and stained the ceiling, the family said. Living with the constant smell of toxic animal feces and knowing there were wild animals above their heads gave the family PTSD, they said. “It came to a head early one morning in September 2023, when the raccoons came busting through the HVAC access panel in our master bedroom and we decided it was time to take legal action,” Alice Zaslavsky explained. “Three appeals, and more than $30,000 in legal fees later, the final judge ruled the homeowner had to close up any access points,” she said. However, no damages were ponied up and the Zaslavskys ended up paying $1,000 for an exterminator. The exterminator caught five baby raccoons and their mom in the attic crawlspace. “They were . . . released back into the wild on Long Island,” Alice Zaslavsky said. In order to do the future repairs, the Zaslavskys have to temporarily relocate. “We have to pack up the second floor of our house as if we were moving. Everything has to go to storage. We cannot live in the house during that time because of the toxicity,” she said. “We’re left holding a pretty big bag of repairs. We’re still paying off our legal bills from last year,” she lamented. “We can’t do the repairs until insurance agrees to pay. We don’t have $100,000 liquid to foot the bill,” Alice Zaslavsky explained. “We’ve already appealed twice. We will continue to appeal until they do the right thing,” the homeowner said.