The following is a list of top stories, compiled by the editor, which occurred throughout 2005. Full stories can be obtained by logging onto www.antonnews.com and clicking on the Levittown Tribune archives.

Business at the Levittown Board of Education meeting began with Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Robert Davis presenting the board with a report of a possible nine period day at the high schools. Currently, classes run for 47 minutes. However, in order to fit in nine periods per day, classes would be shortened to 42 minutes. Davis said 42 minutes is a typical period in Nassau County. Davis outlined the positive points of this notion, such as offering more electives to students. Davis also spoke about adding such electives as Introduction to Broadcasting, Ethics and Philosophy; Math Research and Digital Media. A nine-period day would allow the high schools to increase the graduation requirement.

Due to the growing amount of graffiti found within the community, the Levittown Council of PTA's Health and Safety Task Force Committee held a seminar on Jan. 5 to discuss gang awareness, intervention and prevention. Poster boards outside the auditorium listed facts about gangs and symbols of specific gangs such as SWP, Netas, and MS-13. Attendees viewed slides of recent gang shootings and deaths while guest speaker Sergio Argueta talked about his own experiences in a gang. Argueta, a former gang member and founder of STRONG Youth, Inc., an organization that provides alternatives to gangs, provided listeners with information on gang paraphernalia and how to recognize if a child is in a gang.

At a press conference on Jan. 18, Nassau County District Attorney (DA) Denis Dillon and Harvey Levinson, chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors, announced plans to utilize the prosecutorial and investigative resources of the DA's office to assist Nassau County's town and city governments in the prosecution of illegal housing. Dillon, in meeting with Levinson on several occasions regarding the seriousness of illegal housing within Nassau County, said he will be offering his assistance and has agreed on a plan to supplement the efforts of town attorneys engaged in detecting and prosecuting illegal housing cases.

The first hour of the Island Trees Board of Education meeting on Jan. 26 concentrated solely on the ongoing controversy surrounding the renaming of the Island Trees Middle School to the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School. According to the district clerk, the board voted unanimously to change the middle school's name at a June 30, 2004 meeting. Notification was published prior to the meeting in the agenda. A story also ran on the front page of the June 11, 2004 edition of the Levittown Tribune. The dedication ceremony was held on Oct. 23, 2004 before homecoming. It wasn't until a Sept. 26, 2004 board meeting that residents began vocalizing their disagreement on the board's decision. Opposition has only grown stronger since then.

Homicide Squad detectives from the Nassau County Police Department responded to check on the welfare of residents at a Sprucewood Drive home in Levittown on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 12:36 p.m. The bodies of John Nielson, 54, and his brother Roland, 59, were transported to the morgue at Nassau University Medical Center, pending a medical examiner's report.

Residents arrived early at the Feb. 16 Island Trees Board of Education meeting. They buzzed amongst themselves about their children, television shows they'd be missing that night and the impending decision regarding the renaming of the Island Trees Middle School to the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School. The board voted 4-2 to revert the June 30, 2004 decision that re-dedicated the Island Trees Middle School to then-retiring Superintendent Richard N. Segerdahl.

On Feb. 13, a letter went out to the parishioners of St. Bernard's Catholic School in Levittown. An announcement was also made at that week's Sunday Mass. St. Bernard's School will close as of June 2005. The school that opened its doors to students in 1962 with an enrollment of 600 children has gradually diminished to 166 students, with even less projected for the 2005-2006 school year.

Senior Mike Gerdes made history for MacArthur basketball with his 15 foot bank shot just before time expired, defeating Valley Stream Central 79-77 to give the Generals their first outright conference championship in program history. Senior Joe Cammarata had a career high 32 points. Senior Andrew Kost scored 21 points and Steve Belmonte finished with 9 points. Mike Gerdes took charge of the offense dishing out 10 assists - the fourth game that Mike has had 10 or more assists in a game. Seniors Vin D'Accordo and Scott Rodgers did a great job of rebounding the basketball late in the game. The Generals earned a bye in the first round and hope to continue their winning ways in the semi-finals.

A letter sent home to each parent in the Levittown School District informed them of disturbing incidents that had been taking place on the grounds of nearby schools. Four female students have reported that they were approached on the grounds outside both MacArthur High School and Abbey Lane Elementary School by a man who indecently exposed himself. On Feb. 1 it was reported that a white male, described as being in his late 20s and wearing a dark blue fleece jacket was spotted on the north side of the football field exposing himself to another female student. He was described as wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt and was seen leaving in a white car.

For the fifth straight year the Generals won the Nassau County Tournament. The Generals ran away with the tournament defeating second place Uniondale by 100 points. MacArthur has become the first team in Nassau County history to win five straight Nassau Tournament and Dual Meet Championships.

A Levittown man was arrested Feb. 28 on charges that he walked onto high school and elementary school property in Levittown three times during the month of February naked from the waist down, a Nassau police report stated. According to police, on the afternoon of Feb. 15, Michael Jerome, 27, allegedly showed up outside Abbey Lane School on Gardiners Avenue, wearing nothing below the waist. Eighth Squad detectives also reported two incidents Feb. 1 and Feb. 14 where Jerome allegedly wandered without pants outside MacArthur High School on Old Jerusalem Road.

Representatives from the LIPA and the New York State Department of Public Service held two informational forums at Island Trees High School on March 10 to discuss plans for a 65-mile electric underwater and underground direct-current line from New Jersey to New Cassel. In addition, plans are also in the works for LIPA to construct a converter substation on Duffy Avenue on the Hicksville/New Cassel border as well as further utilizing a substation located on Newbridge Road in Levittown. The multi-million dollar project is intended to help LIPA upgrade its electrical capacity as well as diversify its sources of power to serve ever-increasing customer demand.

Chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors Harvey Levinson is rumored to be the Democratic candidate for supervisor of the Town of Hempstead against incumbent Republican Kate Murray. Posturing for the position may have already begun as Levinson proposed changes to the Nassau property tax system that are being criticized by Murray.

Firefighters and EMTs from Roslyn out to Montauk gathered outside the East Farmingdale firehouse on March 31 to hear Senator Charles Schumer's tax credit proposal. Anthony Nichols, the 1st Assistant Chief for the East Farmingdale Fire Department introduced Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer's effort, the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts, or SERVE Act, would offer active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations a $1,000 tax credit.

Siblings are not put in the same units in the military for a reason. It's a precaution used to prevent multiple deaths in a family in the event of a battle. However, Jamie Serpenti and Toni Lord, two sisters from Levittown, were unknowingly put in the same unit due to their different last names. And both were lucky to have come home safely in January.

The Levittown School District has proposed a budget for the 2005-2006 school year that calls for a tax increase of only 2.6 percent, the lowest increase in all of Nassau County, and among the lowest increases for district residents in over 20 years. The 2.6 percent tax increase was made possible by the voters' support of the district's multi-year budget planning process in recent years and by an increase in the amount of state aid scheduled for the 2005-2006 school year.

There are three incumbents and one first-time challenger running for three available trustee positions on the Levittown Board of Education. The incumbents are current Board Vice President Diane Shapiro and trustees Kenneth Auer, Sr. and John Garvey. Running for the first time is Levittown resident Dan Bornstein. The positions are for three-year terms. Incumbents Ken Auer Sr., John Garvey and Diane Shapiro were also re-elected and will serve three-year terms.

Election for board of education trustee positions in the Island Trees School District will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from noon-9 p.m. at Michael F. Stokes School. Incumbent Robert Condela is being challenged by Joseph Buda, while Paul Giambona, Sonia Meyer and Kenneth Rochon are running for the seat held by Ronald Tauss, who is not seeking another term. Incumbent Bernadette Bento is being challenged by Patricia Mahon. All terms on the Island Trees Board of Education are for three years. Voters reelected incumbent Robert Condela. Incumbent Bernadette Bento, however, was defeated by challenger Patricia Mahon. Kenneth Rochon won the vote for Ronald Tauss' seat, who is not seeking another term. All terms are for three years.

Members of the Levittown Community Council spent last Saturday morning weeding and planting shrubs and flowers at Yours Ours Mine Community Center's Community Courtyard and Sensory Garden. Working side by side with the Council members were several members of the Levittown Kiwanis Club. Good weather prevailed and the crew of workers succeeded in planting mugo pines, juniper, beach grass and alyssum purchased through a generous donation by Hicks Nurseries in Westbury.

In a special election held May 24, residents of the 15th Assembly District elected Republican/Conservative candidate Robert Walker to fill the seat vacated by Donna Ferrara last month. Walker, a resident of Hicksville, received 1,948 votes (unofficial tally as of press time) while Democratic candidate Kathleen Magin-Arecco of Oyster Bay received 454 votes.

At a podium in front of the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park in her hometown, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced her bid for re-election in November.

The latest in a string of disturbing incidents occurring on or near school grounds in Levittown allegedly involves a man shadowing school buses and saying obscene things to girls. According to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Robert Davis, these particular incidents involved school buses assigned to Wisdom Lane Middle School on Center Lane. Davis said there were two or three sightings of this individual.

Island Trees High School valedictorian Daniel Apgar's reputation preceded him from middle school, and since then, he has never missed a beat. His academics speak for themselves as does his impressive activity sheet. Apgar plans on majoring in engineering at Hofstra University in the fall.

When you hear the name Hallas in the halls of Island Trees High School, you automatically associate it with intelligence, but you also think vibrant. Salutatorian Lindsay Hallas has a personality and smile that can brighten a rainy day. Hallas will attend Cornell University later this year, majoring in bio-chemistry.

Smart, funny, witty, charismatic, polite, outgoing - these are adjectives that only brush the surface when describing Sabbir Liakat. Sabbir is graduating with a weighted Grade Point Average of 101.8300.

Thomas Davis has been named salutatorian of Division Avenue High School's Class of 2005. Throughout his high school career, Tom has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Tom will be attending Princeton University next year where he will surely continue to build upon his record of success.

Eric Lai, the valedictorian of the class of 2005 with an average of 103, is one of those rare students who excel academically in all areas. He is a National Merit Finalist who achieved 1600 on his SAT exam in one sitting in junior year along with scores of 100 on seven Regents examinations and 99 on the other three, and yet, he is also one who was nominated to be homecoming king, generating loud cheers from the crowd of students at the game. He has selected Stanford University where he will study Engineering.

The salutatorian of the class of 2005 is Gregory P. Rosen with an average of 101. Gregory has juggled seven Advanced Placement courses with a plethora of activities in all areas. He has been accepted as one of only 15 students admitted to a prestigious B.A./Law Degree at George Washington University and has not ruled out his one dream-to become president of the US.

Levittown resident Kyle Sabo, 25, a history teacher at a Division Avenue High School was arrested on Wednesday, June 22 and was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual acts and third-degree rape. According to police, at various times and in separate incidents between April 2003 and June 2004, Sabo is accused of engaging in improper sexual activity with two students of the school, a male and a female. A 1998 DAHS graduate, Sabo began working at the school in September 2002 and quickly became involved in a variety of school activities. Sabo pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

Three Bethpage families, say they have had problems with Pathmark Supermarket, located at 3901 Hempstead Tpke. in Bethpage, on the border of Levittown, since its opening on Jan. 23, 2003. According to a community update letter from Hudes in Feb. 2005, Pergament Properties, which owns the Pathmark property, has invested $6,000 in light shields to reduce the lights reflecting into neighbor's yards. Hudes said the business, in hopes of bettering the neighbors, has spent over $300,000 to address the issues that are not even required by government jurisdiction. Seventy thousand dollars was spent on the purchase and installation of sound barriers, while $40,000 was spent on white vinyl fencing lining the neighbors' property, according to the community update.

Sixteen-year-old Lauren Konetsky of Levittown scored as the winner of the Wheelchair Division of the 22nd annual Vytra Long Island Women's 5 Kilometer Run, held on the roads of Farmingdale on Saturday, July 9.

Newlyweds Gregory and Madeline Polcer purchased a handyman special in Wantagh three-and-a-half years ago. With the little money left over after buying the house, they went through fertility treatments in order to have children. Now, with two children, Madeline is widowed after her husband quickly lost a battle against cancer. Gregory was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in late February. A little over 10 weeks later, he died in his wife's arms. Madeline was seven-and-a-half months pregnant at the time. Madeline's sister Linda Genzel went on to say that medical bills are mounting and currently total over $500,000 and that insurance will not cover it.

The Levittown Athletic Club 10 & Under Girls Softball Team went undefeated to win the Metro-New York State Championship on July 22. The team had to wait an extra five days to play the final game due to the weather delaying the loser's bracket in their double elimination tournament held in Staten Island.

The Levittown Board of Education called a special meeting to order on Friday, July 22 to terminate a teacher at Division Avenue High School. The motion was made and unanimously approved by the four board members present at the meeting. Assistant Superintendent of Administration Victor Longaro later confirmed that the employee terminated was Kyle Sabo, a history teacher.

A pair of Division Avenue High School graduates were selected to lead Long Island into the opening ceremonies at the Empire State Games. John Petrofsky, class of 2005 qualified for the wrestling competition, while Gary Shultis Jr. qualified for bowling. Joanne Byrne, DAHS coach and Wisdom Lane teacher also joined Shultis, an All-County bowler. This marked the first time that a high school coach and athlete had qualified for the same games. Byrne holds the record for Empire State Games bowling medals at 25, including two this year. Both bowlers qualified for the all-events match play finals. Shultis finished sixth, while Byrne finished eighth.

On a hot, steamy and humid evening on Tuesday, Aug. 2, and with temperatures reaching the mid-90s, the swimmers from Levittown's Swimming Association (LSA) banded together and held their first ever Swim-A-Thon and swam 50 miles from 4 to 9:15 p.m. in honor of LSA's 50th Anniversary (1955-2005).

A former Nassau County employee was arrested last week for allegedly defrauding taxpayers by at least $12,000. Legislative minority leader Peter Schmitt believes there may be another instance of wrongdoing and called on County Executive Tom Suozzi to place one of his top deputies on a leave of absence. Suozzi's office though, believes Schmitt is just playing politics as the race for county executive begins to heat up. Last week, Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon announced the arrest of Shomwa Shamapande, 32, of Manhattan and charged him with third degree grand larceny as well as six counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.

Levittown's past and present came together on the morning of Aug. 21 with the intent of beautifying the historic community's future. The architectural past was represented by 15 individuals ranging from Levitt Corporation's Chairman and CEO, Alan Levan, to the company's many executives, who arrived at the Levittown Memorial Education Center from Fort Lauderdale, FL to revisit the Levitt Corporation's roots and later ring the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. The company representatives also attended the unveiling of the Town of Hempstead's historic marker at the East Village Green on Jerusalem Avenue that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, at which time numerous GIs bought the first homes in Levittown.

After 15 years, 575 pages and five rewrites Levittown resident Robert Mauro was able to publish his autobiography Sucking Air, Doing Wheelies: Memoirs of a Fifties Polio Survivor this August. Mauro has published several books and artwork including a poem entitled "A Simple Dream for William Levitt" and a short story titled "Levittown, New York: America's and My Hometown." He will also have a month-long art exhibit at the Levittown Public Library in October.

Neptune Regional Transmission System (RTS) LLC recently announced that construction of the Neptune RTS, a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) submarine/underground electric transmission cable was scheduled to begin on or around Sept. 19. The cable, which will extend from Sayreville, NJ to the Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) substation on Newbridge Road, will provide LIPA with access to additional energy sources.

This year's Red Cross Swim-A-Cross theme was "Forever Young." The Red Cross itself honored the late Renata Maimone of Bayville for her years of support to the ARC/Nassau. She was their image of eternal youth and "forever young." They encouraged all of the participants to swim in honor of the person in their life who is "forever young." On Friday, Aug. 19, waiting for the swimmers to return to the beach after being shuttled by bus to a Centre Island dock, was Levittown's Dean Halbohn, looking for his son Christopher Halbohn, 11, who swam in the Red Cross Swim-A-Cross to honor his hero, his grandfather Donald Halbohn, who died on July 6. On July 25 in Brooklyn, Greenpoint Station letter carrier Tom Hynes, a Levittown resident, was on his route delivering mail when he noticed smoke in the air and realized there was a fire at a small apartment building on Jewel Street. Hynes promptly called 911, then rushed to alert the residents and to ensure they were all safely out of the building. His prompt action prevented injuries and possibly the loss of life. From the office of Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Supervisor Kate Murray filed her proposed 2006 budget that she said would freeze all town taxes. Additionally, for the second year in a row, the entire document has been made available on the town's web site, www.TOH.LI. Levittown resident Elizabeth Baquet was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis two years ago. Rather than remain idle while this progressive neurodegenerative disorder continued to affect her extremities, she decided to "join the effort to help find a cure." Relying on a cane in order to walk, Baquet set out to raise awareness about her affliction and funds for the only nonprofit organization involved with the disorder, the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. Her involvement with SPF prompted her to initiate the first TeamWalk Walk-a-Thon ever in New York State. Baquet mustered 100 participants in the event.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Gary Hudes and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin present an official Town of Hempstead Certificate of Recognition to Frank Mormando of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. Mormando, who is the proprietor of North and South Levittown Lanes, was recently honored at the Nassau Council of Chambers' 21st Annual Small Businessperson of the Year legislative breakfast. Award recipients were nominated by their local chambers on the basis of their leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and service to the community. The breakfast was held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

In a moving ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 23, Division Avenue High School dedicated its varsity baseball field to coach Doug Robins. The most winning coach in Division history. Robins, described as a legend, an icon, and a hero, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March of this year. Despite his recent diagnosis Robins still abides by the work ethic he perfected during 38 years as a teacher in the Levittown school system and still comes to work every day as a coach. "Doug is an amazing man and he has taught us a lot about facing adversity with dignity," said Division principal Kathy Valentino. The more than 100 people who attended the ceremony were testament to the fact that a more fitting tribute could not have been paid to Coach Doug Robins.

Eighteen athletes and three coaches were inducted into the Island Trees Athletic Hall of Fame. It was a great evening, which began with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner. About 200 people attended the dinner ceremony. Sixteen athletes from the years 1996-2000 were inducted. Also one athlete from 1970 and one from 1992 were inducted. This exciting event capped off a wonderful homecoming for the Bulldogs. The following is a list of inductees with the year of their graduation: Vincent Carbone, 1997; Helen Cliszis 1970; James DelMonaco, 1999; Tricia DelMonaco, 2000; John DelMonaco, 1996; Michael Dvorznak, 1998; Michael Fisher, 1996; Marie Fusci, 1998; Richard Hosein, 1997; Elaine Koenig, 1998; Anthony Lagnese, 1998; John Lebrecht, 1998; Gregg Madigan, 1992; Karen McClelland, 1996; Anthony Pena, 2000, Jamie Pietrantoni, 2000, Jaime Roche, 1998 and Gregory Salvage, 1999. Three coaches were also inducted: Linda Archibald, Joel Miller and Robert Young.

For the past 40 years, a select group of individuals with extreme dedication to the Levittown community have put in tireless hours transforming the Levittown Public Library into the educational summit it is today. On the afternoon of Oct. 16 the Levittown Public Library Board of Trustees, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County and Senator Kemp Hannon honored Senior Account Clerk Joan Erickson, Board Stenographer Jeanette Klempner, Library Director P.W. Martin and former Library Trustee Dr. Vladimir Rus at the Levittown Public Library.

Democratic Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi was re-elected to his second four-year term, defeating Republican and Independence Party candidate Greg Peterson and Conservative Party candidate Robert Bruno. Denis Dillon, Nassau County District Attorney since 1974, lost his seat to prosecutor Kathleen Rice. Rice ran on the Democratic, Independence and Working Families Party lines. In the race for Nassau County Clerk, current New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell defeated Tricia Ferrell for the seat being vacated by Karen Murphy. O'Connell ran on the Republican, Independence and Conservative Party lines. Democrat Howard Weitzman was re-elected to a second four-year term as Nassau County Comptroller, defeating current Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin. The Democrats held on to their 10-9 majority in the Nassau County Legislature. Incumbent Legislator Dennis Dunne Sr. (R-15th L.D.) defeated challenger, Democrat John Clark. Incumbent Norma Gonsalves (R-13th L.D.) prevailed over challenger, Democrat Patricia Maher.

In a service held each year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council, along with Levittown community members, took a few moments to remember the sacrifices made by veterans and current soldiers in the past and today. The ceremony was held on Veterans Day at the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park. A Levittowner and former veteran himself, Legislator Dennis Dunne Sr., is also president of the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council.

Current Levittown Fire Commissioner Joseph A. Bentivegna is seeking re-election this year and running unopposed. The position is held for a five-year term. This year, Commissioner Donald E. Snyder, a 54-year Wantagh resident, is seeking his ninth term in his bid for re-election of Wantagh Fire Commissioner. Snyder is running unopposed, he is still, however, seeking public support.

For the third year, the Levittown Historical Society sponsored its Most Beautiful Levittown House and Garden Contest. The prize, a gift certificate to Domenicos, was awarded at the Oct. 17 general meeting at the Levittown Library. It went to Joseph and Diane Kessell of Blue Spruce Lane in Levittown.

On the chilly evening of Dec. 5, the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Hempstead, along with Levittown residents gathered at Levittown Veterans Memorial Park in front of the Levittown Library to celebrate the start of the holiday season with the town's annual holiday tree lighting. The approximately 200 people in attendance, including dignitaries Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Assemblyman Dave McDonough and Levittown Fire Commissioner Joseph Bentivegna, were serenaded with Christmas songs. The St. Bernard's Children's Choir, Island Trees High School Chamber Orchestra, Northside Holiday Ensemble, Mickey Lebrecht School of Dance and the Gardiners Avenue Theatre Club all performed on a Hempstead Town Showmobile stage on loan for the evening.