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

As the summer comes to a close, and neighbors spend a few extra hours savoring the warm weather and barbecues, the temptation to have a few drinks with friends can be powerful — but as Nassau County police and a few volunteers helped demonstrate last week, even a little alcohol can make a big difference on the roads. more

It was an exciting day for young baseball fans attending summer camp at Hofstra University when New York Yankees Hitting Coach Kevin Long visited recently. The coach spoke with campers at the Patrick Anderson Baseball Camp, one of nine Sports Academy camps offered by Hofstra. more

Kids got you going buggy during these dog days of summer? Buzz on down to the Long Island Children’s Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for an afternoon devoted to those creatures that roam our planet during Bug Bonanza! This multi-sensory experience will bring those pesky pests out into the open to enthrall kids, and maybe even interest parents. LICM is teaming up with Lynbrook-based Arrow Exterminating, a leading pest control company in the area, to provide a perfect wrap up to the summer that could leave young visitors bug-eyed with excitement. more

Her challenger to be determined in Democratic primary. more

Corrie Wilder, 37, of Bellmore, and Yelena Mogelefsky, 31, of Merrick, became fast friends when they shared a commute on the Long Island Rail Road. Now, six years after they met, the pair no longer … more