The following is a list of top stories, compiled by the editor, which occurred throughout 2006. The stories are in the order of which they appeared in the paper. Full stories can be obtained by logging onto www.antonnews.com and clicking on the Farmingdale Observer archives. Tom Suozzi continued his tenure as Nassau County Executive on Jan. 1, 2006, when he was sworn in for his second term. Amid speculation that Suozzi will eventually announce a run for governor, the Democrat spent New Year's Day at home in Glen Cove addressing the crowd who gathered at the Robert C. Finley Middle School. Near the beginning of the Jan. 3 board meeting at Farmingdale's village hall Peter E. Wass, William E. Reilly and Robert J. Jensen were sworn in as fire police for the Farmingdale Fire Department. Continuing from the previous board meeting was a public hearing on street and sidewalk obstructions. An audit of Nassau County's 8th Police Precinct by Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman has found that, even after previous audits highlighted the problem, too many police officers are still assigned to clerical positions rather than patrol duties. The report also found high levels of overtime, extensive use of obsolete technology and the underutilization of 68 crossing guards. The Village of Farmingdale is pleased to announce that David Smollett has been appointed new village clerk/treasurer. Smollett most recently was the deputy administrator for the Village of Lynbrook. He also served as their deputy village clerk/treasurer during his tenure there. He was previously a senior budget analyst for the New York State Financial Control Board overseeing New York City's finances. His experience includes serving as an Information Technology Security Systems Consultant for AT&T, Control Data and Axent Technology. Dave holds a degree in public administration & finance from Baruch College.

Eric Alexander, the president of the nonprofit company, Vision Long Island, handed out fliers and addressed residents about an upcoming series of "visioning meetings to plan Farmingdale's future."

Alexander first addressed the village board and residents at a June trustees meeting. He made a presentation on smart growth and explained options to revitalize some of the village's more blighted areas. Vision Long Island's solutions involve community participation and working together in groups to create a mix of uses for areas.

The first in a series of visioning meetings was an opening presentation. The second involved walking tours, question-and-answer sessions and table designs. The closing presentation was held on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The State Assembly recently reached an agreement on new, stronger protections from sex offenders. The new law, signed into law by Governor Pataki shortly thereafter, lengthens the amount of time sex offenders remain on the State's Sex Offender Registry.

The legislation now requires Level 2 sex offenders to remain on the registry for life, but they may petition judges for removal from the list after 30 years. In addition, Level 1 offenders will have to register for 20 years, which is twice the time required under the old statute. Level 3, the highest risk sex offenders, will continue to have to register for life.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, Senator Charles Fuschillo came to Farmingdale High School with a very important topic to discuss. Along with Laura Ahearn, the executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, they held a forum for parents to discuss sexual offenders and how to protect the children of this community.

The forum began with a few remarks from Fuschillo who reminded those at the meeting how very important this topic is. After introducing Ahearn they explained some of the new laws and bills that are being worked on. Ahearn explained a bill that would have sexual predators monitored for life rather than the allotted time of their punishment. This "civil commitment" bill has not passed in the Assembly, but Ahearn urged the parents to call for a push on this bill.

Before 2003, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) cleaned up contaminated sites under certain set guidelines and to meet certain standards that they had at the time.

In late 2002 and early 2003, research regarding vapor intrusion, which is the process by which volatile chemicals move from a subsurface source into the indoor air of overlying or adjacent buildings, began to yield more information.

Of the 400+ sites, approximately seven are located within Farmingdale, including Cantor Brothers, Inc., Circuitron Corp. (82 Milbar Blvd.), Fairchild Republic Aircraft Main Plant (Broad Hollow Road), Fairchild Republic Aircraft Old Sump, Liberty Industrial Finishing (55 Motor Parkway), Minmilt Realty (Hygrade Metal Moulding) and National Heatset Printing Co. Grumman Aerospace and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Bethpage were also on the list.

According to the DEC, they will ask the party responsible for contaminating the site to pay for and perform the vapor intrusion evaluation, as well as any site investigations and the installation and long-term operation and monitoring of any mitigation system which would be required. If the responsible party refuses to perform these activities, or if no viable entity remains, the state will take responsibility for them, and will pursue cost recovery as in any Superfund site. This is the same with groundwater contamination.

While unaware of the list's existence, South Farmingdale Water District Superintendent William Bier said he would "most certainly" welcome the testing.

According to Bier the current water quality in South Farmingdale "meets all state and federal standards."

East Farmingdale Water District Superintendent George Veilson said that while they have had problems in the past, the water is also tested quarterly and "everything is fine."

During the past two weeks Vision Long Island and the Village of Farmingdale offered residents two open forums to voice their visions for the future of Farmingdale. The events culminated at Howitt Middle School with an overview of resident's hopes and fears as well as ways to implement their ideas.

Vision Long Island, a non-profit group that helps create smart growth communities, led an opening presentation on Feb. 9 and an interactive walking tour, question and answer session and visual preference surveys on Feb. 11. Supplied with a variety of aerial photos and plenty of magic markers, community members were then given the opportunity to put their ideas on paper. Working together, they drew in trees, ways to make safer streets, farmers' markets and day-laborer sites. After a long period of design, the groups presented their ideas to each other.

It was with great enthusiasm and support, albeit little surprise, that Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi stood before a crowd of more than 1,200 supporters on Saturday morning in front of the Glen Cove house where his grandparents lived to announce that yes, he is declaring his candidacy for governor of New York State.

Suozzi reminded New Yorkers that they pay the highest local taxes in the United States, 72 percent above the national average and stated that the only way to stop New Yorkers from getting shortchanged is "to change the culture of Albany. We must reform our government and fix our broken system," he stated. Suozzi said he has found that every inroad made in improving Nassau County government leads to Albany and that he cannot do his best for Nassau County, or any county in the state, without being in Albany.

Seven residents are sought election to two open trustee positions on the Farmingdale Village Board. Trustees Ted Dorfmeister and Dr. Benjamin Giminaro are not seeking re-election. The trustee term is two years. The village has reduced the number of village justice seats from two to one. Both current village justices - Citizens for Farmingdale candidate James L. Breen and Farmingdale Unity Party candidate Salvatore Nicosia sought re-election to that one seat. The village justice term is four years. Farmingdale Unity Party candidates included Robert P. Callahan and Joann Corrao. Citizens for Farmingdale candidates were Russell Carpenter and Teresa Morrison. Green Leaf Party candidates include Patricia Christiansen and George (Butch) Starkie. The sole Farmingdale Taxpayers Party candidate was Joseph Diurno.

Green Leaf Party candidates George "Butch" Starkie and Patricia Christiansen were elected village trustees in the Farmingdale Village election held March 21. Starkie and Christiansen edged out seven village residents vying for two open positions with 510 and 503 votes, respectively.

Additionally, Farmingdale Unity Party candidate Salvatore Nicosia was re-elected to his village trustee post, defeating his opponent and Village Justice James L. Breen by a margin of 256 votes.

The Farmingdale Union Free School District Board of Education approved a new contract with the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers (FFT) at the March 1 Board of Education meeting. The new contract covers the school years 2005/06 through 2008/09.

The agreement was finalized after almost a year-and-a-half of negotiations. Both the school district and FFT representatives noted that the main priority was to negotiate a fair contract that minimizes the tax burden on residents. The new contract provides teachers with a 2 percent base salary raise in 2005/2006, 2.5 percent in 2006/07, 3 percent in 2007/08 and 3.5 percent in 2008/09. These increases are all below the current United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index of approximately 4 percent. The new settlement also represents the most conservative contract when compared to other teacher agreements recently negotiated in school districts across Long Island.

After announcing the winners of the March 21 village trustee and justice election, the Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees' attention shifted to a lengthy public hearing regarding a site plan approval for The Downtown that would change its use. Owners seek to convert this Main Street building from a venue for touring bands to a "first class catering establishment".

Attention was then shifted a lengthy public hearing regarding a site plan approval for The Downtown that would change its use. Owners seek to convert this Main Street building from a venue for touring bands to a "first class catering establishment".

The board decided to extend the temporary permit and reserve decision until the April 11 board meeting.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, together with members of the Town Board, honored 10 extraordinary recipients at the eighth annual Town of Oyster Bay Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, held at Town Hall March 28. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who either live or work in the Town.

Among the 10 recipients was Farmingdale High School teacher Jo Ann Miltenberg. She is a distinguished math instructor who has been teaching for nearly 30 years, about half of which she has taught in the Farmingdale School District. The U.S. Department of Education recently honored her as New York's recipient of the American Star of Teaching Award, which is presented to only one teacher from each state in the country. Jo Ann was selected over thousands of entries to be honored for her classroom creativity.

On April 11, the Farmingdale School District Board of Education adopted the proposed 2006-07 budget that the community will be asked to consider on Tuesday, May 16. This budget represents an expenditure increase of 4.19 percent with a tax levy increase of 3.5 percent, which is below the increase in the cost of living. The difference in the tax levy increase between this year's proposed budget and a contingent budget is .02 percent. The district must, by law, adopt a contingency budget if a budget is not passed by the community.

The new Farmingdale Village Board presided over a small audience at their April 17 meeting, which focus was the public hearing on the 2006/07 budget.

Before hearing residents on this issue, Mayor George Graf swore in Village Attorney Kevin Walsh. Walsh's predecessor, Gregory Carman, did not seek reappointment this year.

The proposed 2006/07 Village of Farmingdale budget of $5,382,634 in expenditures represents an increase of 0.45 percent over 2005/06. $3,295,349 of the proposed budget needs to be raised by property taxes, representing a 4.27 percent increase over last year's budget. While the village is utilizing a $150,000 surplus toward this year's budget, rising energy, healthcare and retirement costs are the driving force behind the increase.

Taxes per $100 of net assessed value of a home are $17.37, which is a 3.64 percent change over last year.

Election for board of education trustee positions in the Farmingdale School District was held on Tuesday, May 16 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Howitt Middle School. Current Trustees Dr. Philip J. Acinapuro and Robert Guarino, Jr. did not seeking re-election. Incumbent Shari Bardash-Eivers and challengers William Meilink, Rick Morrison and Kathy Lively competed for three open seats on the board. All terms on the Farmingdale Board of Education are for three years. Each year the Farmingdale School District honors alumni who have succeeded in reaching their goals during a ceremony and induction into the district's Wall of Fame. This year on Monday, May 1, four alumni were added to the Wall of Fame and recognized by the Farmingdale School District Board of Education, administration and community. The inductees were George Hincapie, of the class of 1991, Janis Brenner, class of 1972, Armond DeLalio of the class of 1935 and Terri Gresalfi Drossos, class of 1971.

The Farmingdale Community Summit Council Expo & Health Fair, dubbed Farmingdale, A Community of Opportunity, was a culmination of the fourth year of effort and cooperation of the members of the Council.

The Expo & Health Fair allows houses of worship, civic associations, merchants, elected officials and sports groups to showcase their organization to local residents as well as become familiar with each other.

The Farmingdale budget and proposition votes and trustee elections were held on May 16 at Howitt Middle School.

The results were reported by District Clerk Josephine Murray and are as follows: Kathy Lively - 2,697 votes, Shari Bardash-Eivers - 2,188, Rick Morrison - 2,169 votes and William Meilink - 2,075 votes.

The proposed budget adopted by the Farmingdale Board of Education was $127,144,200 for the 2006-07 school year, which represents a 4.19 percent expenditure increase over the previous year's budget of $122,028,214. The proposed tax levy increase over 2006-07 is 3.5 percent. Residents voted in favor of the budget in a 2,699 (yes) to 1,810 (no) vote.

New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker (R-Hicksville, 15th District) along with members of the Nassau County Assembly Republican delegation, held a roundtable discussion May 19 that touched upon what had become an extremely popular issue these days - property tax relief for Long Island residents. The Assembly Republican Steering Committee sponsored the event, which took place at the Farmingdale Public Library and is part of a series of roundtable events being held throughout New York State.

A six-month moratorium on building in the Village of Farmingdale was approved by the board of trustees at their June 5 monthly meeting.

The decision, met by applause from a crowded board room, will halt the issuance of building permits for the construction of new and expanded buildings, demolition permits for buildings, subdivision approvals and variances related to lot area, lot dimensions or setbacks for new buildings in commercial and residential areas.

Proposed changes to commercial and residential structures that do not increase its square footage or parking demands will not be included in the moratorium, which was the first recommendation by the Vision Long Island team after February's week-long visioning process.

How do the Lady Dalers spell relief? M-A-K-S-Y-M. That's #37 Lauren Maksym the freshman goalie. With help from her excellent defense, the Lady Dalers team shut out Northport in the second half to capture the Long Island Class A Girls Lacrosse Title at Stony Brook University last Sunday. On Sunday June 4, the Friends of the Massapequa Preserve and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference conducted a guided hike through the woods alongside the Bethpage State Parkway, also known as the Bethpage State Parkway corridor. The purpose of the hike was to raise awareness about an ongoing campaign to have this area declared a New York State Park or a southern extension of Bethpage State Park.

The Arson/Bomb Squad of the Nassau County Police Department reported details for an arson made in connection with a house fire that occurred on Friday, June 16 at 4:15 p.m. in the Village of Farmingdale.

According to detectives, at approximately 1:40 p.m. on June 16, Village of Farmingdale Code Enforcement Officers affixed a notice of violation to 379 Staples St. for three separate violations. Subsequently, at approximately 4:15 p.m., a fire occurred at the same location, to which the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office and the Arson/Bomb Squad responded. After investigation it was determined that an ignitable liquid had been poured in the living room of the residence and ignited, setting the house on fire.

After the investigation, John Yanoscik, 47, of the same address, was arrested and charged with Arson 3rd Degree in connection with the fire.

In response to the accident that took three lives and left another hospitalized a few weeks ago in Farmingdale, Senator Kemp Hannon (6th Senate District) and local resident Stacey Tranchina are calling for action from the Nassau County Department of Public Works.

Concerned about the number of tragic and deadly accidents that occur at the intersection of Quaker Meeting House Road and Puritan Lane in Farmingdale, they have both requested the department immediately undertake a traffic safety investigation to determine what additional safety measures are required for this location.

On Wednesday, June 28, Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino (R-Massapequa), hosted a compelling Parent Training Seminar at Farmingdale Public Library, called Protecting our Children from Sexual Predators. The meeting room at the library was about half full for the occasion, with concerned parents and members of the community eager to learn more about the increasing epidemic of sexual abuse and Internet predators.

It is no exaggeration to say that when Gerard McCormack passed away on June 27, an irreplaceable man of major contributions left the community.

With his history in management positions, front-line experience, and familiarity with Nassau County's needs, Gerard had a perfect background to serve on the South Farmingdale Water District Board of Commissioners. He was invited to the position in 1987, and dedicated himself to developing, improving and distributing water to residences and businesses in the district until his end.

The trustees then passed Local Law 3 of 2006 at the July 10 meeting. This law is designed to protect the village and its residents from the proliferation of illegally occupied houses in the village.

The local law establishes presumptions which state that if a property has certain characteristics which suggest that it is being occupied by more than one family, then the law will presume that it is being occupied by more than one family. For instance, if a legal one-family home has more than one doorbell, or more than one LIPA meter, the law will presume that the property is being used as a two-family residence. The owner will then have to explain why the property has the characteristics of more than a one-family home. This will hopefully result in an inspection of the house by our building officials, which would determine the true use of the property.

The law also provides for a stiff penalty of $3,500 for an owner who uses his or her property illegally.

On June 12 two fifth-grade boys from Woodward Parkway School said that a group of teenage males approached them in a threatening manner as they were walking home from school.

The boys and their families names are not mentioned due to their age and security reasons.

According to one of the boys' mothers, "a large group of black teens" approached her son and his friend, wielding a "handgun and pulling back its slide." They also allegedly directed profanities toward her son's friend. The boys ran to the friend's mother, who was walking about three blocks ahead of them.

At a recent village board meeting, representatives from Vision Long Island updated residents and the administration with a draft of their Master Plan recommendations.

The Vision Long Island staff then spent three full days creating the basis of a master plan for Farmingdale's future. They showed a PowerPoint presentation and renderings of a potential Main Street, the train station area and the Route 109/Main Street crosswalk.

Their draft priorities included Main Street revitalization, transportation, housing, open space/parks, community facilities, street design, architectural character and overdevelopment.

The Aug. 7 meeting of the Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees began with a discussion on the 2006 Roadway and Drainage Improvements Program and resolution on the Road Construction Bond.

The road improvement project began in 2001 with the previous administration and was halted halfway through completion due to lack of funds.

In 2001 the state created a pavement condition manual, which all department of public works superintendents in Nassau County follow. In a March 21, 2003 recommendation letter, from the village's engineering firm, H2M, the following streets were on a prioritized list to be completed: Quaker Lane, Merokee Place, Cobb Place, Gwynne Lane, Doud Street, Prospect Street, Puritan, Heisser Court, Walter Place, Laurelton Street, Weiden Street, Clinton Street, Iroquois Place, Elsie Lane, West Street, Bernard Street, Circle Drive and Powell Street.

The road bond will be for $2.6 million and will be repaid over 15 years.

The board voted 4-1 in favor of advertising a bid for the 2006 Roadway and Drainage Improvements Program. Trustee Starkie voted against the resolution.

The Farmingdale School District is pleased to announce the appointment of John Lorentz, former assistant superintendent for business, as the new superintendent of schools. Lorentz's appointment took place during a board of education meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8 and became effective immediately. He has worked in the Farmingdale School District for five years.

South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) today announced the appointment of Kurt Ludwig to the position of Water Commissioner.

Ludwig brings 17 years of experience and committed community service to SFWD. His deep knowledge of issues that affect South Farmingdale and North Massapequa, combined with his well-established relationships with key community leaders and government officials, will be a significant attribute to the community as he serves as new commissioner.

A Long Island 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Roosevelt Hall in the Little Theatre on the campus of Farmingdale State University of New York.

Congressman Peter King, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the United States Congress, was the keynote speaker.

Realizing that pain and heartache needed to be quieted and soothed, Robert De Silva and Ken Dolan, retired firefighters, undertook an ambitious mission.

The winds and rain from Tropical Storm Ernesto couldn't keep close to 300 participants from participating in the 2nd Annual Main Street Mile in Farmingdale on Sept. 2. The spirit of all the participants was in no way dampened by the weather as exemplified by this great turnout, which was presented by Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge on Main Street in Farmingdale, who was race co-director. Proceeds from the Main Street Mile support the Companions in Courage Foundation, founded by former New York Islander and Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, who was in attendance and participated in the event.

Eighth Squad Detectives of the Nassau County Police Department are investigating a robbery that occurred in Farmingdale on Friday, Sept. 29 at 9:45 p.m.

Detectives reported that three black, male subjects, all described as in their early 20s, approached a male victim, 17, walking in the woods near a field at Farmingdale High School on Lincoln Street. According to police, one subject displayed a silver handgun and demanded the victim's cell phone. The victim complied and the three subjects then allegedly fled through the woods toward a rear parking lot and fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

Early in the Oct. 16 meeting of the Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees Mayor George Graf continued the hearing on the Prospect Street Calming Project.

The village recently received a $180,000 grant, courtesy of Senator Kemp Hannon, to install state-of-the-art traffic calming efforts. This grant will complement the $2.6 million road bond and is set to commence in the spring of 2007. The road improvement project originally began in 2001 with the previous administration and was halted halfway through completion due to lack of funds.

In addition to repaving Prospect Street, the traffic calming project proposal is comprised of four components - smart crosswalks, speed tables (rumble strips), speed platforms and chokers.

The village board unanimously approved to enter a 15-year franchise agreement with Verizon to provide cable television service. The contract, which maintains a level playing field among existing cable franchises, according to Village Attorney Kevin Walsh, does not give either side a competitive advantage.

Highlighted in the contract was compensation to the village in the amount of a 5 percent franchise fee of gross revenue, a $45,000 community grant and free television service to Village Hall, the Farmingdale Fire Department Headquarters, department of public works building, town water building, Howitt Middle School, Northside Elementary School, LaSalle Regional School, St. Luke's Lutheran Nursery School and the Farmingdale Jewish Center.

In the days following September 11, the Long Island Studies Institute at Hofstra University began collecting materials that reflected the Long Island response to the tragedy.

They collected emails that people sent to their friends and loved ones to let them know they were alive. They collected the emergency responders' gear and newspapers' biographical essays of those who had died and the accounts of those who escaped. Any shred of evidence that portrayed how the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center affected the people of Long Island was compiled into the exhibit, The September 11th Project: Voiceless in the Presence of Realities.

Residents headed for the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7 - Election Day 2006 - to vote for their candidates of choice.

There were no major upsets with all incumbents being re-elected. With Governor George Pataki announcing that he will not run for re-election and current Attorney General Eliot Spitzer running for governor - the two seats were open. Democrats had a major victory in statewide elections with Eliot Spitzer winning the gubernatorial race defeating Republican candidate John Faso and Democrat Andrew Cuomo defeating Republican Jeanine Pirro in the race for attorney general.

Democrat incumbent Hillary Rodham Clinton was re-elected to the United States Senate defeating Republican candidate John Spencer.

In the race for New York State Comptroller, despite his recent controversy, incumbent Democrat Alan Hevesi defeated Republican challenger Christopher Callaghan.

In the races for US Congress, the 3rd Congressional District Republican incumbent Peter King defeated Democrat challenger David Mejias receiving 76,488 votes to 61,228 for Mejias.

In the New York State Senate races, the 6th District, Republican incumbent Kemp Hannon defeated Democratic challenger Casilda Roper-Simpson with Hannon receiving 40,042 votes to Roper-Simpson's 28,661. 8th District Republican incumbent Charles Fuschillo, Jr. defeated his Democratic opponent Adam Small receiving 41,179 votes to 24,809 for Small.

In the New York State Assembly races, Republican incumbent Joseph Saladino defeated Democratic opponent Craig Heller 23,130 votes to 11,584 votes.

In Nassau County, residents overwhelmingly passed proposition 1 by a vote of 116,176 to 34,342. The proposition, which follows a $50-million bond approved in 2004, will add approximately $16 per year to the average county property tax bill for the next 20 years.

Village officials help commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the Village Green. Village Trustees Tom Langon, Village Trustee Patricia A. Christiansen, VFW 516 Commander Doug Makoski, NY National Guard Colonel Neidich Ryder, Retired Command Sergeant Major Robert Bucaria, NY National Guard Deputy Commander Stephen Bucaria, Village of Farmingdale Mayor George Graf, VFW NY Vice Chairman Bob Fullum.

Six years ago, the Friends of Massapequa Preserve was formed to overturn the deterioration that had been occurring in the preserve. Six years later, the preserve is not as neglected and members of this group take pride in what has been accomplished.

Following the speeches from Schary, Murphy and Monteforti, residents had a chance to ask questions, make comments or broach concerns. Compliments were made about the improvements to the preserve. A question was asked about expanding the sidewalks, which will not happen, as the park is a perpetual preserve. Another resident asked about putting restrooms at the soccer fields on Walker Street, which Schary indicated would not happen, as there are concerns that this would lead to trespassing late at night, as there is no one to lock the preserve.

The Farmingdale Lobby Committee recently met to develop their legislative proposals for the 2007-08 State Budget. They have committed to a letter writing campaign, endorsed by the National School Board Association, asking Federal and State legislators to sign a Pledge to America's Schoolchildren ensuring that America's schoolchildren receive the highest quality public education available. This pledge urges members of Congress to improve the No Child Left Behind Act, help school districts meet the needs of disabled students, support readiness programs for kindergarten age students, collaborate with school districts to improve math and science skills, and attract or train qualified teachers. The Farmingdale Lobby Committee hopes that the signing of this pledge will boost student performance and close the achievement gaps nationwide. Pledge signers will be listed on the website www.pledgetoamericasschoolchildren.org.

Mother Christine Peterson-Snyder was welcomed in August as the first woman priest to serve at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Farmingdale.

The Episcopal Church has been ordaining women for about 30 years and has recently elected a female presiding bishop this July.

She said it had not been much of an issue within the St. Thomas congregation and had heard of only one person leaving the church because of her position. In fact, Mother Christine stated that attendance on Sundays has gone up.

Fire destroyed the Allard Field House at Farmingdale State College on Thursday, Dec. 21. The East Farmingdale, South Farmingdale, Farmingdale were among seven area fire departments to respond to the Melville Road campus for a structure fire.

East Farmingdale Chief Anthony Nicholes said one firefighter sustained facial lacerations and was treated and released at a nearby hospital. The fire took over an hour and a half to get under control.