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Voters weigh in on school budgets, candidates
Photo credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
SOUTH COUNTRY As voters traipsed in and out of Bellport Middle School Tuesday afternoon, they spoke of the choice of supporting the school budget or reigning in costs.
"I passed it, because it's for the kids," said Danette Washington of Bellport, who has two kids attending district schools.
Kathy DiFranco, also of Bellport, said she supported the budget even without a personal...
Read more »11 places on LI that have banned bamboo
Photo credit: Missouri Botanical Garden
Bans on bamboo across Long Island, like the one passed by the village of Malverne on Wednesday, have gained momentum in the past few years.
Advocates for banning the plant say it is invasive and encroaches on properties, causing damage.
How far back do bamboo bans go?
The Fire Island village of Ocean Beach banned the plant in 1981, according to its village code. It took 27 years...
Read more »West Babylon school board OKs budget
The West Babylon school board Tuesday night adopted a proposed budget of $98,685,625 for next year that makes some personnel cuts but maintains class sizes and school programs such as electives and remedial services.
The proposed tax levy increase of 3.67 percent is at the state-imposed cap and will raise the tax bill on a home assessed at $3,000 by about $207.60 next year, less for homeowners...
Read more »West Babylon High School library being named for ex-senator Owen Johnson
Photo credit: Dave Oxford
The West Babylon school district will name its high school library after former state Sen. Owen Johnson in a ceremony to be held at the school Tuesday night, district Superintendent Anthony Cacciola said.
“He’s synonymous with West Babylon schools,” Cacciola said.
Johnson, 83, was the State Senate’s most senior member when he retired last year after a four-decade career. A Republican,...
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