CENTRAL ISLIP, NY -- The sights and sounds of baseball – including QuackerJack “Go Green” Bobbleheads” for the first 2,000 fans -- will once again fill Citibank Park in Central Islip as the Long Island Ducks open their ninth season this Friday, April 25, against the Newark Bears. Rest of the Story.

FORT SALONGA, NY -- Calling the earlier decision by the Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) “arbitrary and capricious,” New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Pitts last week ordered the BZA to issue a certificate of existing use to Susan Marino and Victor LaBruna for the purpose that their Fort Salonga home has been more widely known, that is, as Angel’s Gate animal hospice.  Rest of the Story.

ISLIP, NY -  It was an eventful day for Islip.TV creator Waldo Cabrera...highlighting the positive aspects of our community though video on the Internet earned him recognition from NY State Senator Caesar Trunzo and from the Islip Town Board.  Senator Trunzo and Islip Town both held “Hispanic Heritage Awards” in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring outstanding individuals in the community.  Rest of the Story.

The Ducks 2007 season ended in the same manner as the previous two campaigns: with a first-round playoff loss.  A two-game sweep at the hands of the Newark Bears quickly ended a nearly five-month journey that featured many positives, from a second-half North Division title and a 72-54 overall record to individual milestones for current and former Ducks.  Rest of the Story.

The Suffolk County Board of Elections (BOE) has officially rejected the designating petitions of Kings Park resident Steve Weber, who had collected some 1,700 signatures in an independent bid for a seat on the Smithtown Town Council.  The filmmaker had hoped to appear on the November ballot as a candidate for the two town board seats at stake.  Rest of the Story.

A new community anti-drug effort community will be launched next week on Wednesday, September 19, at the monthly luncheon meeting of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce with the help of keynote speaker, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.  The luncheon will take place at the VFW Hall on Church Street in Kings Park.  Rest of the Story.

New York State Senator John Flanagan (R,I,C, -Northport) and Smithtown Town Councilman Edward Wehrheim met with the Smithtown Fire Chief's Council to announce the securing of over $80,000 to offset the cost of two projects that the council had set as important priorities.  The two officials worked jointly to obtain the funding.  Rest of the Story.

Rebecca Arthurs is the new Director of Emergency Services for the Suffolk County Chapter of American Red Cross.  As Director, she will oversee the chapter’s preparedness efforts and disaster response operations.  Rest of the Story.

It appears that the run of local filmmaker and independent candidate for the Smithtown Town Council Board candidate Steve Weber may be just a preview.  His finale will come before the November ballot hits the screen.  According to officials at the Suffolk County Board of Elections (BOE), Weber’s nominating petitions are being challenged by both major parties in town.    Rest of the Story.

Henry H. Woo, M.D., a world expert cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeon, has been appointed Director of the newly established Cerebrovascular Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC), announced Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine.  Dr. Woo holds dual appointments in both the Neurosurgery and Radiology Departments at SBUMC.  Rest of the Story.

Ducks Ace Randy Leek Signed by Toronto - From LI to Taiwan to LI to Syracuse - August 24, 2007

The Ducks already know the pitching staff can persevere without Randy Leek.  In May, the Levittown native left the team to pitch in Taiwan.  He returned last month, emerging as the ace on a first-place club.  But the Ducks will now be forced to entering the stretch run without the veteran lefthander after the Blue Jays signed him to a minor league contract.  Leek (pictured at right) was 5-1 with a club-best 2.29 ERA  Rest of the Story.

Ducks August 23 Game Postponed Due to Fog - Doubleheader Friday (8/24) - Tickets Can Be Exchanged - August 23, 2007

Tonight's Long Island Ducks game versus the Camden Riversharks was  postponed in the fourth inning due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader beginning at 6:05 p.m. on Friday, August 24. Fans holding tickets to tonight's game may exchange them at the Citibank Park Box Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any remaining Ducks regular season game.  Rest of the Story.

An Anchor at Third Base - Ducks Sign Former Oriole Jose Leon - August 22, 2007

Jose Offerman’s arrest and subsequent suspension created a void in the lineup and left the Long Island Ducks an infielder short on the roster....[Manager Dave] LaPoint addressed that problem...signing former Oriole Jose Leon (pictured at right) on Tuesday....Rest of the Story.

Lamb Baaaaa-cks Off Ethics Complaint - Writes of ‘Little Confidence’ in Ethics Board or Town Officials - August 23, 2007

Despite earlier talk of “intimidation,” private investigator and entrepreneur James Lamb, more recently of  “FixSmithtown.com” notoriety, has withdrawn his July 28 ethics complaint to focus renewed efforts on gaining Town action to repair curbs – and because of “little confidence” in the Smithtown Ethics Board..  Rest of the Story.

Assemblyman Fitzpatrick Hosts Successful Summer Blood Drive - August 21, 2007

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) teamed with Long Island Blood Services (LIBS) to hold a blood drive on Wednesday, August 15 at which all donors earned a pair of tickets to an upcoming Mets game for their efforts.  The drive was held at the Lake Grove Village Hall on Hawkins Avenue.  Rest of the Story.

Taxpayers Foot Bill For Brownfields - August 20, 2007

Having paid the property taxes for owners of brownfields properties for over a decade, Suffolk County is, for the first time, attempting to sell the tax liens on seven of the more than five dozen such parcels on the county tax rolls. The County has refused to take title to the property despite the fact that the property owners have not paid any property taxes for decades and continue to run businesses while taxpayers pay their bills.  Rest of the Story.

Navarette Comes to Play…Wherever - Despite Lineup Shuffle, Leads Ducks in Runs Scored - August 20, 2007

When a team loses an upper-echelon leadoff hitter, finding a substitute can be a difficult task.  With Jose Offerman suspended indefinitely while he faces assault charges, the Ducks found a suitable in-house replacement: Ray Navarrete (pictured at right)...Rest of the Story.

NYS Announces $59,000 to Improve Winery Websites - Seven LI Vineyards among 60 NYS Wineries to Gain Grants - August 17, 2007

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced nearly $59,000 to create or improve the websites of 60 New York State wineries.  This is the second round of these grants, which are designed to increase the visibility of New York wines via the internet, which in turn will help attract more tourists to New York’s wine regions, and expand the sales of New York wines to customers throughout the country....Rest of the Story.

SBUMC Neonatologist Named One of World's Top Young Innovators - Dr. Shetal Shah Awarded for Device Used to Measure Forces From Trauma or Transport - August 16, 2007

Shetal I. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics at Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC), has been named by Technology Review magazine as one of the top innovators worldwide under the age of 35. The “TR35” award recognizes Dr. Shah’s creation of a device to measure forces imparted on patients during transport or trauma. ..Rest of the Story.

Who Wants the Seventh Inning?  - Seeking Playoffs, Ducks Search for Bullpen Solutions - August 12, 2007

Right-handed relievers Joe Valentine and Danny Graves complement an all-southpaw starting rotation, allowing Ducks manager Dave LaPoint to breathe a little easier if the Ducks bring a lead into the eighth inning.  The only unresolved question remains the seventh inning role, where Ben Grezlovski (at right), Travis Wade, John Riedling, and Mike Crudale are vying to lock up the set-up job...Rest of the Story.

Dramatic Comeback Win for LI Ducks - Bryant Nelson Delivers Game-winning Pinch Hit - August 11, 2007

The records insisted last night’s game between the long island Ducks and the Newark Bears was a match-up of first and second place clubs.  But both bullpens wasted late-inning leads, leading to seven runs in the final two innings combined....Rest of the Story.

Crudale Returns to Ducks - LI Signs Righthander to Bolster Pitching Staff - August 7, 2007

Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signing of righthanded pitcher Mike Crudale. The 30-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Ducks, appearing in an Atlantic League-high and team record 64 games in 2005...Rest of the Story.

Ducks Defensive Letdown - Two Errors in First Lead to 5-2- Loss to York - August 7, 2007

No...heroics bailed out the defense last night, as the Ducks recorded two errors in the first inning for a third straight game, leading to a 5-2 loss to York at Citibank Park.  Overall, the team with the Atlantic League’s best record has put up seven errors over the past two games....Rest of the Story.