Brooklyn Today December 28: Alien Invasion? ConEd Electrical Emergency Causes Hysteria Across New York City

The Lede

Happy Friday! The BQE rehab saga continues, a East New York gas station sells the winning $298 million Powerball ticket, and we recommend the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brooklyn. Plus, the borough sets a new personal record, Andrew Gounardes will return to his alma mater, and a Hasidic wedding in Williamsburg gets cancelled because of measles. Finally, a mysterious blue light causes mayhem across New York, a new 31-story tower could be coming to Greenpoint, and we share the best cocktail bars in the city.

Imprint

Emma Stone graces the February cover of Vogue U.K.

The Rundown

ALIEN INVASION IN NYC? BRIGHT LIGHT CAUSED BY CONED ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY

Bright lights illuminated New York City on Thursday night, the evening sky turning a fluorescent blue with thundering booms echoing across the city. What alarmed, frightened and amazed many city residents on social media was not an alien invasion (we think), but actually a ConEdison electrical emergency. Reports have linked the supernatural-like event to a transformer explosion in Queens at the Astoria ConEd building. Emergency personnel were in the area of 20th Ave and 31st St. See a photo of the blue light here. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

ARE BROOKLYN OFFICIALS ‘OUTRAGED’ ENOUGH ABOUT THE CITY’S BQE PLAN?

Many Brooklyn Heights residents are distraught over the city’s plan to create a temporary six-lane highway on the landmarked Promenade for the BQE rehab plan. But the two groups fighting the proposal — the Brooklyn Heights Association and A Better Way NYC — differ greatly in their views on how their local representatives are handling the issue. BHA praised local reps, calling their recent statement about actions they are undertaking “an early Christmas present.” But A Better Way says it doesn’t feel the outrage from the representatives. “They have not shown any leadership here. Just a bunch of empty words,” the group said. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2018: HERE’S WHERE TO CELEBRATE IN BROOKLYN

Leave the Times Square Ball Drop for the tourists, and instead stay in Brooklyn and try one — or a few — of our favorite celebrations throughout the borough. From warehouse events and secret loft parties to firework celebrations and club nights, New Year’s Eve 2018 has something to offer for everyone. Here’s a list of six of the Brooklyn Eagle’s top events. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

BROOKLYN GAS STATION SELLS WINNING $298 MILLION POWERBALL TICKET

This New Year is going to be a good one for someone in Brooklyn who holds a winning ticket for the $298 million Powerball jackpot. The New York State Gaming Commission announced that the winning Powerball ticket from Wednesday night’s drawing was sold at a gas station inEast New York. New York Lottery spokesman Brad Maione says it’s the only known ticket to have all the winning numbers: 5-25-38-52-67 and Powerball number 24. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

BOROUGH WILL SET PERSONAL RECORD LOW WITH LESS THAN 100 MURDERS IN 2018:

In a borough with more than 2.6 million residents, Brooklyn is about to set a new personal record with less than 100 murders in 2018. District Attorney Eric Gonzalez made the announcement on Thursday. He pointed out that this is not the only low crime-related number of 2018: the number of misdemeanor defendants held in Rikers on bail has declined over 43 percent compared to 2017, and marijuana possession offenses have been cut approximately 98 percent. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

GOUNARDES TO RETURN TO ALMA MATER FOR OATH OF OFFICE

Andrew Gounardes will officially become the state senator representing Brooklyn’s 22nd Senate District as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, but the soon-to-be lawmaker has another date marked on his busy calendar that’s likely to be just as meaningful to him. Gounardes, a Democrat who defeated longtime Republican state Sen. Marty Golden, will return to his alma mater, Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge, for a special ceremony on Jan. 27, during which he will take the oath of office in front of a crowd that will include family, friends, fellow lawmakers and community leaders. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

HASIDIC WEDDING IN WILLIAMSBURG CANCELED AFTER GROOM CONTRACTS MEASLES

The city Department of Health ordered a Hasidic wedding in Williamsburg that was scheduled for Wednesday to be canceled because the groom came down with measles. The groom is from Antwerp, Belgium, which has a large Hasidic community. It is not known whether the wedding will be rescheduled. There have been 52 cases of measles in Brooklyn, mainly from heavily Hasidic Borough Park and Williamsburg. (Cleveland Jewish News via Brooklyn Eagle)

SWINGIN’ COUPLE STEALS MILLIONS FROM NEW YORK BANKS, DA SAYS

A Brooklyn couple stole millions of dollars from New York banks to buy a cabin to rent out as a swinger’s club and hunting lodge. Johan Iacono, 46, and Shpresa Gjekovic, 32, have been accused by the state Attorney General’s Office of defrauding more than $1.3 million from banks to buy the cabin, which they later rented out on Airbnb. They told guests that the proceeds would go to charity. Iacono and Gjekovic used fake pay stubs, tax returns and forged cashier’s checks to apply for multiple loans in 2016 and 2017, prosecutors said. (Patch via Brooklyn Eagle)

A NEW 31-STORY TOWER COULD BE COMING TO GREENPOINT

Another component of Greenpoint Landing, a 22-acre mega development on the Brooklyn waterfront that is being codeveloped by Brookfield Properties and Park Tower Group, has been announced. Brookfield has pre-filed an application with the city’s Buildings Department to construct a 31-story, approximately 380,000-square-foot residential tower at One Bell Slip. The new building will contain 408 units as well as a fitness center and a pool. (The Real Deal via Brooklyn Eagle)