The Hicksville School District is preparing to present local voters with an approximately $70 million 2002-2003 budget plan next month, the superintendent reported this week. Local residents will vote on the plan, which proposes an approximately 8 percent increase in the school portion of property taxes, on May 15. FULL STORY

A fire at the Tropical Showcase Shop #372, West Old Country Road, Hicksville, was kept in check and extinguished by an automatic sprinkler system last week. The incident was discovered at 8:05 a.m. by the pet store owner as he opened for business Monday, April 16. FULL STORY

The seventh grade Our Lady of Mercy Basketball Team, after finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record, recently played their hearts out to the championship game. They played against St. Aidan's at Holy Trinity High School, and victory was O.L.M.s, with a final score of 49-33. FULL STORY

On April 19, the Cantiague Park Senior Men's Golf League held its second bi-monthly tournament. For the second straight tournament, there was a turnout of 26 men. Bob Lasky, who was playing in his first tournament with the club, won the trophy for closest to the pin. There were no birdies but, Mike Dolan, who won the tournament with a net score of 26, had six pars. FULL STORY