In response to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's and Department of Health's May report on synthetic turf, Environment and Human Health Inc., a nonprofit group based in North Haven, Conn., issued a rebuttal listing its concerns with the state's findings. Environment and Human Health describes itself as "an organization dedicated to protecting human health from environmental harms through research, education and the promotion of sound public policy." The group comprises "doctors, public health professionals and policy experts committed to the reduction of environmental health risks to individuals." more

Nearly 200 people filled the Merrick Library for the first of two public hearings on Sept. 1 to speak out against a proposed 12 percent rate hike for Aqua New York Water Service. A second hearing was held in the evening at Brookside School and was also well attended, according to reports. The rate hike proposal angered the many residents from Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown and Massapequa who have no alternative water provider and reportedly pay more than neighboring communities in the Town of Hempstead that are part of municipal water districts. more

The New York State Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the attorney who represents the Lawrence School District, reversing the state comptroller's determination that he should be removed from its pension system. Following the Aug. 20 decision, the state must repay the lawyer’s missed pension payments within 30 days and reinstate him in the state retirement system. more

An Oceanside man who was hit by a car while riding a bike on the bike path that runs along the northbound side of the Wantagh Parkway in 2007 is suing New York state for $5 million, his lawyer said. more

A moviemaker from Merrick, Rob Siegel, who wowed audiences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences when he wrote "The Wrestler" last year, premiered his directorial debut, "Big Fan," at the Sundance Film Festival on Aug. 28. more

The state Department of Transportation was scheduled to begin work Tuesday to permanently close a four-mile stretch of the northbound Wantagh Parkway to enhance the safety of cyclists and pedestrians on the nearby bike path that runs from Cedar Creek Park in Seaford to Jones Beach. more

The East Meadow Soccer Club hosted the 31st annual East Meadow Soccer Tournament, sponsored by Covanta Energy, Aug. 29 and 30. Teams came from across the South Shore for this massive undertaking. more

Traditionally, food drives to benefit the hungry are scheduled around Thanksgiving and extended through the December holidays, at most through the turn of the New Year. This year, however, as the economy took a turn for the worse, Assembly Dave McDonough, a Republican representing Bellmore-Merrick, kept his annual food drive going year 'round, the need for food just as compelling this summer and early fall. Since November, hundreds of pounds of food have been collected, but much more needs to be done, the assemblyman said. Donations of canned goods and other non-perishable food items may be dropped off at McDonough's district office at 404 Bedford Ave. in Bellmore. All donations are delivered to local food pantries in the area for distribution to families in need. more

Local residents rallied outside the Merrick Library on Tuesday morning in protest of a 12 percent rate hike proposed by local water utility Aqua NY, which covers the Bellmore-Merrick area. Public hearings were scheduled on the planned hike on Tuesday evening, after press time. more

Richner Communications, Inc., publishers of 27 local publications on Long Island and in the Bronx, including the Herald Community Newspapers, has joined with community newspaper companies from across the U.S. to launch Zip2Save.com, a comprehensive national aggregation site that will feature online preprints, circulars, coupons, deals, travel specials and more. The site will launch on Oct. 1. more