The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Special Education PTA and the Community Parent Center will present the third annual Fair for Transitioning Students with Disabilities on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 7 to 9:30p.m. in the Calhoun High School cafeteria. For more information, call Cheryl Gitlitz at (516) 992-1349. To register, e-mail MartineTyson at mmtys@optonline.net. The event will feature a panel presentation for parents and students about life after high school. more

Tzvi Lewisohn, a Calhoun High School senior, loves to win. Basketball, bowling, you name it, Lewisohn is a competitor. But, he is quick to note, more important than winning is sportsmanship. “We always congratulate the other teams,” Lewisohn, a member of Calhoun's Challenger bowling and basketball teams, says with a smile. “We don't want them to think we're out to win; we're just trying to have fun.” Of course, it doesn't hurt that both teams are undefeated for the past two years. They have not lost since the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District started the Challenger basketball league for special-education students with a handful of other Nassau County school districts in 2008. more

State Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. is reminding all Nassau County residents that the deadline to apply for New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) program is Jan. 4, 2010. more

The shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, sparked a national discussion on teen violence. There were calls for more metal detectors and more security guards at schools. Yet, what too few people focused on was the underlying social environment that influenced the incident: The shooters were socially alienated to the point that they thought opening fire on their peers was their only sense of empowerment. more

The Nassau Council Chamber of Commerce, an organization representing more than 40 chambers in Nassau County, announced Tuesday the start of its most comprehensive media and advertising campaign encouraging Nassau residents to shop locally this holiday season. The program, dubbed "It Starts Here... Buy Locally," includes more than 130 radio spots, more than 50 TV spots, and print advertisements. more

Three Mepham High School soccer players were recently awarded All-County and All-Conference honors, including Anthony Ippolito (All-County), Stephen Polimeni (All-Conference) and Anthony Duranona (All-Conference). Joining them at right was James Koester, the boys' varsity soccer coach. more

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, is advising residents to protect themselves while holiday shopping. "Holiday shopping should be fun, not a time when you become a victim," Denenberg said. "By following a few simple precautions, you can protect yourself from thieves and carjackers." more

A recent string of fires at Calhoun High School in North Merrick has prompted an arson investigation, officials say. According to Vincent McManus, division supervisor at the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office, there have been six suspicious fires at the school since Nov. 19, three of which the North Merrick Fire Department responded to. more

A woman at the wheel of an SUV swerved to avoid another vehicle and plowed into the front of Pizzelli's pizza/deli in North Bellmore at 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 3, according to police. "She lost control of the vehicle, looking to avoid another vehicle," Nassau County 1st Precinct officer Michael Bentivegna said at the accident scene. "She must've hit the curb and a sign that was there, and then spun out." more

The Mepham High School varsity cheerleading squad recently placed second at the Universal Cheerleading Regionals. The win earned the team a bid to the UCA Nationals in Orlando, Fla. The team will be conducting fundraising for the trip in the near future. Above are, from top to bottom, Jenna Sidor, Jamie Taratko, Brianne Mulligan, Kayla Donnelly-Smith, Remi Gurdon, Alyssa Barbieri, Nicole Altomare, Breena Sherlock, Lauren Warner, Samantha Sepe, Michelle Cristina, Kristal Sedita, Kathy Tota, Taylor Labate, Stephanie Mojica, Kristen Ferrara, Krista Barbieri, Samantha DeLuca, Nikki Stahurski, Nina Proscia, Erica Schaab, Samantha Maddalena and captains Jahniece Hall and Cali Curry. more