The Hempstead town council and members of the public shined the spotlight on New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and his development team on Tuesday at a marathon hearing to determine the proper zoning for the vast project Wang is proposing at the Nassau Coliseum site. The town council did not reach a decision on the Lighthouse project at the conclusion of an often heated and emotional meeting that lasted nearly 12 hours and included lunch and dinner breaks. While the majority of the large crowd at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse expressed support for the privately funded, $4 billion project, which would refurbish the Coliseum and develop the 150 acres that surround it, there was a vocal contingent of opponents, most of them from neighboring Garden City. more

Each year, drunken drivers cause deadly accidents and claim innocent lives. Their stories often become local and sometimes national lore, cautioning others about the potentially deadly consequences of a crime that some see as socially acceptable. But there is another type of loss that goes with drinking and driving, I recently learned. One that may be considered insensitive or politically incorrect to discuss. Three defense attorneys I interviewed saw the possible loss of one's reputation and even future employment as an unfair fate that befalls many of their clients. I contacted the lawyers after the Nassau County Police Department and the district attorney's office gave me a firsthand look at what a DWI arrest entails. Police simulated my arrest for DWI, including everything from handcuffing me to locking me up. Later, the district attorney's office brought me to District Court, where I took a tour of holding cells, courtrooms and assistant district attorneys' offices. I wrote about the experience for Herald readers. But as I spoke with defense lawyers, expecting to hear mainly about the financial burden of a DWI conviction, I learned that some of the most serious consequences for the convicted are harder to quantify. more

Kevin McDermott gives the word "determination" a new definition. The Chaminade and Duke alumnus, just 22, suffered a life-changing accident in July, and has shown a tremendous strength of will in his efforts to prevail over his severe injury. Many of his friends are taking action to help. more

President Obama is asking Gov. David Paterson, a fellow Democrat, to withdraw from the governor’s race, according to The New York Times. Paterson should consider obliging. As a matter of fact, why bother waiting until 2010? He should consider stepping down now. more

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. According to the to the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, one in every 300 boys and one in every 333 girls will be diagnosed with cancer by age 20. One of the organizations that Merrick resident and cancer survivor Andie Ofsink and her family are seeking to support is Make-A-Wish, which works with children affected by cancer and other life-threatening conditions during their treatment to grant children a wish of their choice to give them additional hope and incentive to make it through often difficult treatments. Andie and her family and friends, along with Studio NV in Merrick, are currently promoting "A Streak of Sunshine for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month." During September, children, as well as adults, can get a golden hair streak for $10 at Studio NV, and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. more

Fall fun is only only days away in Merrick. The 2009 Merrick Festival, sponsored by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, is coming to town the weekend of Oct. 2, complete with rides, games, snacks, and a chance to enjoy all that Merrick has to offer. The festival will be held on Merrick Avenue from Sunrise Highway to Loines Avenue. more

A crash or a death. When caused by a drunk driver, the media is often all over it. But last week I went behind bars at Nassau County Police Headquarters to get an inside look at the less-publicized side of a DWI arrest. more

School is back in session and all around the Merricks, elementary schools have been celebrating in style. On Sept. 17, Old Mill Road School held picnic that seemed more like a party. With everything from a DJ to carnival treats, students at Old Mill Road were treated to an evening of fun, to be followed by a new year of learning and excitement. more

When the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as the "swine flu," dominated headlines in April and May, it appeared to be business as usual at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, says the hospital's lead doctor. Dr. Steven J. Walerstein, senior vice president for medical affairs and the medical director at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, said there was not as much of a rush as was expected. "We were actually surprised we didn't have the surge and influx of patients we thought we were going to have," Walerstein said. However, the NUMC medical staff continues to prepare itself for what experts are projecting to be a rise in H1N1 cases this fall. One report from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology said up to half of the nation's population could potentially contract the H1N1 virus this fall. "It is a concern now," Walerstein said. "The problem is that obviously no one has a crystal ball." more

"Four DWIs [is what] it took before that woman killed my child," said Deena Cohen, president of the Long Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Cohen was speaking before an assembly of about 50 students at Seaford High School, arranged by State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican, and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, a Democrat who is up for re-election. Cohen’s 21-year-old daughter, Jodi, was killed by a drunk driver 20 years ago. "I need you to understand the importance of [not] drinking and driving and drugging and driving," Cohen told the students. "The pain never goes away, ever ... The pain is still here. The 20-year number did something to my head. Jodi is gone almost as long" as she was alive. Tears were welling up in students' eyes as Cohen spoke. more