The American Red Cross has announced a series of sweeping changes regarding its Liberty Disaster Fund to increase support for people affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while also making it easier for them to access needed help. The Red Cross established the Liberty Fund shortly after the tragedies on Sept. 11 as a separate, segregated account to fund relief services related to terrorism. FULL STORY

Governor George Pataki joined the newly-appointed Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and a team of New York State officials during a town hall meeting on security issues at Hofstra University last Thursday. The hour-long meeting featured questions from students and Long Island citizens ranging from security of local bridges to how to best protect the area's children. FULL STORY

When the official soccer teams of the New York City Fire and Police Departments get together, the games usually are among the fiercest confrontations in the Long Island Soccer Football League. Friday's special encounter at SUNY-Farmingdale will take on a whole other meaning for the teams' sides. Instead of playing for bragging rights and a higher league standing, they will perform to raise money for the families and victims of the Sept. 11 tragedies at the World Trade Center. FULL STORY

Zara Northover, a senior at Sewanhaka High School, was selected as a state finalist in the 2001 Wendy's High School Heisman Award. More than 12,000 nominees nationwide were narrowed down to a field of 1,020 state finalists. Since 1994, Wendy's International and The National Association of Secondary School Principals honors high school seniors who best exemplify the designation of top scholar-citizen-athlete. FULL STORY