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Environmental group forum on Main Road

The North Fork Environmental Council plans to host a forum on development issues along Main Road, including environmental protection and preservation efforts.

The “Save Our Sound Ave/Save Main Road” program is scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at the Hallockville Museum Farm on Sound Avenue in Riverhead.

The forum will focus on Main Road, which is near Sound Avenue,...

Babylon hauler to maintain areas around sumps

Babylon Town Hall is at 200 East Sunrise

Photo credit: Carl Corry

The Town of Babylon’s commercial garbage company has again agreed to maintain the areas surrounding the town’s sumps.

Winters Brothers, of Westbury, has “adopted” the maintenance of the exterior of the town’s 150 sumps. The adoption was recently approved by the town at a board meeting.

The company has been adopting sumps for the past four years, said town spokesman Tim Ruggeri, in an...

Suffolk pet food drive for struggling families

The ExploreLI Street Team enjoyed Spring Dog Days

Photo credit: X-team

Looking to relieve financially struggling pet owners, Suffolk County Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) announced plans last Wednesday to launch a countywide pet food drive.

Anker is inviting local residents, groups and businesses to set up collection boxes to donate cat and dog food to the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Hauppauge, run by the nonprofit group Long Island Cares.

“Pets are part...

Seminar for teens on distracted driving

An exterior view of South Nassau Communities Hospital

Photo credit: Charles Eckert

South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside is hosting a free community forum Wednesday for teens and parents to discuss and prevent distracted driving.

The seminar, titled “One Text or Call Could Wreck it All,” is the hospital’s first community lecture series devoted to the life-threatening, public health problem of distracted driving, organizers said. The event will run from 7 to 8:30...

Talk on reconstruction after mastectomy

Adelphi University will host a forum with medical experts to share the latest medical information about breast reconstruction after undergoing a mastectomy.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Alumni House, on 154 Cambridge Ave. in Garden City. The event is sponsored by the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.

On the panel will be plastic surgeons...

Poll: Should marijuana be legalized in NY?

File photo shows a marijuana plant in Portland,

Photo credit: AP

A cancer-stricken judge in New York has become an unlikely voice supporting the legalization of medical marijuana with the admission that he smokes pot to ease the side effects of his treatments.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Gustin Reichbach, who is being treated for pancreatic cancer, wrote in a New York Times article Thursday that he had been using marijuana provided by friends at "great...

Brother of Iraq vet: 'It's nice to know America's not dead'

Ron Pierce, of Lindenhurst, and Miriam Andujar, of

Photo credit: Erin Geismar

For Brian Dwyer, the turnout at the annual motorcycle ride to honor his brother Joseph becomes more impressive each year.

That’s because as more time passes -- since the start of the Iraq war, his brother’s enlistment in the Army and battle with post-traumatic stress disorder that caused him to take his own life -- Brian Dwyer is even happier to see the faces of people who care.

“It’s...

Hundreds flock to Farmingdale street fair

Brooke Dejuana of Denim Rehab shows off her

Photo credit: Alexi Knock

Paul Benjamin held a white rabbit tightly to his chest as his co-worker Ashley Smith allowed locals to pet a baby chick she held on Main Street in downtown Farmingdale.

“You get to see the joy in all the 5-year-olds’ faces when they see the animals right in the middle of their downtown area,” said Benjamin, 19, of Green Meadows Farm in Queens.

On Sunday, the Farmingdale Fire Department...

Groups raise awareness about animal abuse

Nancy Buckler, of Islip, gives a smooch to

Photo credit: Ursula Moore

When she was just 2 years old, pit bull Jessie was scarred from ear to ear with her dog collar embedded in her neck. She was a bait dog for fighting and used for breeding.

As a dog trainer working in animal shelters, Sayville resident Kathleen Gallina helped Jessie regain her life.

Gallina didn’t want any other dog to experience the same cruelty Jessie did and that is why she created...

Town seeks public input on council districts

The redistricting committee for the Town of North Hempstead will seek public input on possible revisions to the boundaries of the town’s six council districts at a meeting Monday, town officials said.

The committee’s second public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. at town hall, 220 Plandome Rd., Manhasset. The town plans to stream the meeting live online and provide the plans on...

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