Photo by Scott Matthews.

Here are some local stories reported in other outlets in the past week.

Was the cicada invasion overhyped? It hasn’t been too bad in Manhattan. Cross your fingers! “The decline in cicadas in New York is likely the result of land use,” Kritsky says. “If trees were removed from areas where cicadas had emerged in the past and they are not within a mile of other cicadas, then the population would not replenish itself. This has resulted in a very sporadic distribution of the cicadas in more urban areas.” (New York magazine)

The Mirabeau condo conversion at 165 West 91st street has launched sales. “Available homes range from a 749-square-foot one-bedroom asking $815,000 to a 2,169-square-foot four-bedroom listed for $3.8 million. There will also be at least one five-bedroom unit, so that $3.8M price tag is probably not the highest the building will see.” (Curbed)

Wilfred Matthews, a maintenance worker at an Upper West Side senior home convicted of killing 95-year-old resident Peter Lisi  in 2011, was sentenced to life in prison. “It is the sentence of this court that you serve the rest of your time on this planet behind bars,” Judge Gregory Carro said, adding there was “overwhelming evidence” of Matthews’ guilt in spite of his continued claim of innocence.” (Daily News)

A homeless woman reported being raped in Riverside Park around 74th street on Thursday by someone claiming to be a cop, then recanted her claim. (NY1)

The community voted to ban decrepit news racks. “Community Board 7’s full board voted almost unanimously Tuesday for the city to immediately remove any newsracks in disrepair.” (DNAinfo)

The Upper East Side Fairway is more expensive than the Upper West Side one. “A can of Crown Prince smoked salmon is $6.99 — 70 cents more than at the Fairway on Broadway and West 75th Street.” As it should be. (NY Post)