BAYSIDE — A Bayside man and a Fresh Meadows man were arrested last Thursday after allegedly stealing a vial of pills from another man’s pocket, the Queens district attorney’s office said. Comment.

FRESH MEADOWS — A car owner got more than he bargained for when a prospective buyer drove off in his minivan, police said. Comment.

Representatives from Ben’s Deli and its Forest Hills−based landlord said they have resumed negotiations to allow the popular eatery to remain at its current Bay Terrace Shopping Center locale after a deal fell through last month. Comment.

The Appellate Division last Thursday issued a stay on any recount of ballots in the battle for state Sen. Frank Padavan’s (R−Bellerose) seat until an appeal hearing is held in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn later this week. Comment.

The commanding officer of the 109th precinct said his officers may face more than the typical challenge of keeping the streets safe in 2009. Comment.

Queens College’s renowned music program is getting a little Spanish flair. Comment.

Amid a statewide wave of belt−tightening, the Queens Botanical Garden announced Tuesday it will close for a two−week period during the holidays due to budget cuts. Comment.

Tenants at Schleicher’s Court in College Point took their battle to court this week, which may have kick−started the repairs they have been waiting to be completed on the stately building that houses their apartments since July. Comment.

The city Parks Department is planning major multi−million−dollar changes in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Borough President Helen Marshall revealed plans last week that show how the park may look 10 years from now. The plans include removing some of the structures built for the 1964 World’s Fair. Comment.

The mother of an Ecuadorian immigrant fatally beaten in a suspected hate crime attack in Brooklyn arrived in the United States a day too late to say goodbye to her son. Comment.

State Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Richmond Hill) was indicted on a federal mail fraud charge last week for allegedly setting up a sham consulting company to take roughly $1 million in illegal payments from entities seeking his influence in Albany, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District in New York announced. Comment.

OAKLAND GARDENS — Police were asking for the public’s help in finding at least one person who they claim broke into a house early Saturday morning. Comment.

The seemingly unending battle for the 11th Senate District marched on this week, with Democrats accusing Republicans of trying not to count every vote in the race between state Sen. Frank Padavan (R−Bellerose) and his challenger, City Councilman James Gennaro (D−Fresh Meadows). Comment.

Three Queens high schools were listed among the top 100 high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report last week, giving the borough one−third of the city schools to appear on the list. Comment.

The city Parks Department will add a tram with several stops at Fort Totten by next spring or summer to make it easier for visitors to get around the northeast Queens park, an agency spokeswoman said. Comment.

A dozen residents forced from their College Point home six months ago accused the city of playing ping−pong with their lives Monday as they seek to have emergency repairs made to their historic house in time for the holidays. Comment.

Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy will now be preserved with a new curriculum promoting social justice in classrooms throughout the state, the late New York senator’s daughter and city leaders announced Tuesday at the high school in Flushing that bears his name. Comment.

Longtime education advocate state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D−Whitestone) was named the new chairwoman of the state Senate Higher Education Committee, incoming Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D−St. Albans) announced Monday. Comment.

City Councilman Tony Avella (D−Bayside) has renewed his fight against InSpa World in College Point, calling for the Korean establishment to be closed down after it received several fire violations from the Fire Department. Comment.

Residents of an apartment building in College Point have been virtually homeless since July. The three−story Victorian home on 123rd Street looks nice enough, but the city found the electrical system posed a hazard and ordered the residents to leave their apartments. Comment.

How on earth is it possible that one month after the general elections the Board of Elections is still counting the votes in the state Senate race between the incumbent Frank Padavan, a Republican, and his challenger City Councilman James Gennaro, a Democrat. Comment.