It was a long time coming. Comment.

A new hotel in the borough, open and doing business for nearly a year, needs to get a special permit quickly to avoid being shut down, thanks to a Department of Buildings (DOB) misstep. Comment.

Crooks targeting crooks Comment.

She hasn’t hacked off a finger or made her microwave explode, but Brooklynite Rachel Coleman may very well be one of the “Worst Cooks in America.” Comment.

Valley National Bancorp, the holding company for Valley National Bank, has received approval from the US Department of the Treasury for its request to redeem the final 100,000 shares of Valley’s Series A Preferred Stock outstanding and held by the Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program. Comment.

It was a long time coming. Comment.

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz is working with Met Council and Madelaine Cleaners to collect winter coats for adult and children to be distributed to the needy. The coats may be brought to either Cymbrowitz’ office at 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road or to Madelaine Cleaners, 1616 Avenue M between East 16th and East 17th streets.After being cleaned, the coats are given to Met Council and distributed to those in need throughout New York City. Comment.

Opponents of Borough President Marty Markowitz’s plan to construct a new $64 million amphitheater inside Asser Levy Seaside Park are preparing for an all-important public hearing on the project sometime soon - possibly this month. Comment.

The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes the second Tuesday of every month at EMS Station 32, 347 Bond Street. Comment.

Taylor Raccuglia and Sam Retas were sitting together in the stands at Bishop Ford last Wednesday afternoon when their Bishop Kearney coach, Rocco Sellitto, came walking toward them, shaking his head. The two teammates were wondering why Banneker, the team they were supposed to face, was warming up for another opponent. Comment.

Emonni Cropper had just put the Brooklyn Collegiate girls basketball team ahead three points with 14 seconds left. Then she hung around the baseline stealthily, picked off the inbounds pass and was fouled going to the basket. The sophomore guard’s two free throws all but sealed victory against Benjamin Banneker. Comment.

Artie LaGreca described it as “Lid on the Basket for Jewel Day.” It is the holidays after all. Comment.

Shayra Brown is sick of hearing about it, but it never fails to rear its head. Every day, the Bishop Ford senior guard says, that someone brings up the Falcons’ loss to St. Francis Prep. It was the Terriers’ first league victory in two seasons and it came on the heels of Ford’s monumental win against powerhouse Christ the King. Comment.

The motivation for winning was evident. South Shore was on the verge of a third loss in five days in what hasn’t been a very happy holiday break. Comment.

Unlike so many other talented city products, Davontay Grace didn’t feel the need to leave the five boroughs when it came time to pick a college. Comment.

It was loud, it was intense and it was R-rated. And no, it wasn’t the latest action flick playing down Flatbush Avenue at the Kings Plaza multiplex. Comment.

Who needs Hawaii? Comment.

Freakin’ freaks — and proud of it — are Dick Zigun (left) Andrea Giaconi and “Xecutioner” Tom Dax as the keister-kickin’ triumvirate from the Coney Island Circus Sideshow takes a breather from eating glass, breathing fire and charming snakes at the Radegast Hall and Biergarten, 113 N. Third Street in Williamsburg. Comment.

Pint-sized patriots at Public School 216 showed their true colors by offering a pomp-filled salute to local war heroes in honor of Veteran’s Day. Comment.