Masonry Repairs Needed At LMEC, Salk School

Rosemary Kallas, James Poccia, Cathy Rust honored for emergency response

According to architects from Lucchesi Engineering, several sections of buildings throughout the Levittown School District are in dire condition, with several millions of dollars needed in repairs ranging from masonry upgrades to roofing replacements.

The company, which has serviced notable clients like the Rockville Centre and Sewanhaka Central High School districts, said the areas in need of immediate attention are the chimney at Summit Lane Elementary School, brickwork cracks at the Levittown Memorial Education Center (LMEC) and masonry upgrades at Salk Middle School, including sections that are currently used as walkways.

MacArthur’s Peru Crew Serves As Ambassadors

Levittown students cross globe for service learning

While many people in Levittown, and across the United States observed Easter and celebrated spring break from school and work, 13 MacArthur High School seniors, including teacher chaperones Dana Fritch, Lynn Spinnato, and Chris Brown, embarked on a service learning/tourism opportunity in Peru. The group, known as the “Peru Crew” landed in Peru’s capital and largest city, Lima, on April 5, spending the day before taking a smaller flight east to Cusco, a popular tourist attraction, home of many of the Incan ruins.

The students agreed, some of the things that caught their attention immediately, aside from exiting a plane directly on the runway, and the change in altitude, were the rickshaws, bicycles, vehicle-right-of-ways, and free-roaming animals. Also a consensus, the view, landing in Lima and Cusco, surrounded by mountains and the landscape in general was awe-inspiring.

Final Resting For 62 Unclaimed Cremains At LINC

Spanish-American War veteran among those honored

On Saturday, May 19 the Long Island National Cemetery (LINC) became the final resting place for the ashes of 62 unclaimed veterans, along with some of the cremains of family members. Dozens of Patriot Riders, police escorts, the Shields Pipe Band, and the Joint Color Guard of Fort Hamilton escorted the hearses containing the remains from their respective funeral homes, to an assembly location off the expressway, and finally to the cemetery.

The procession passed through nearly a dozen “arches of honor,” where American flags fly high between two fire engines with ladders extended, along Wellwood Avenue in East Farmingdale, performed by many of the local fire departments.

Levittown, IT School Districts Budgets Pass; Incumbents Re-Elected

Neighboring school districts also pass

On Tuesday, May 15, Levittown School District residents took to the polls throughout the district, resulting in an approved 2012-13 school budget with the breakdown being 2,545—yes, and 1,386—no.

This year’s budget offered to voters totaled $189,996,581. The district’s budget-to-budget increase is down 4 percent. The district also offered a 1.85 percent tax levy, less than the state’s allowable cap.

Kiwanis President Delivers Supplies To Jamaican School

Inspired by her time at NYD Kiwanis Mid-Winter Conference, Levittown Kiwanis President Ann Torcivia decided to incorporate her business as a travel agent into her Kiwanis work serving the children of the world. After contacting the Discovery Bay Kiwanis Club in Jamaica regarding their effort to support the island nation’s school children, Torcivia asked clients traveling with her to Jamaica to bring school supplies for the needy.

As Torcivia put out the word that she was looking for school supplies, the Bowling Green K-Kids responded by holding a club school supply collection drive. Torcivia also received items from Kiwanians from several clubs in the Long Island South Central Division.

James Walker Memorial Planned For May 18

“James Michael Walker, a devastating loss; I try to say to myself it’s not what could have been so let’s talk about what he was,” is how Phil Walker describes the death of his 26-year-old son.

Walker was struck by a car while crossing a Bay Shore street on Sunday, Oct. 16. He later passed away at Southside Hospital after remaining in critical condition for five days.

Exclusive: More Veterans’ Names Released For Cremains Burial May 19

(Editor’s Note: This is an extended list of the cremains to be interred on Saturday, May 19 at the Long Island National Cemetery. The original exclusive article appeared in the Friday, April 27 edition of the Farmingdale Observer and online at www.antonnews.com.)

On Saturday, May 19, Long Island veteran organizations and funeral homes are set to give proper military burials to more than 50 unclaimed veterans’ cremated remains.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE FIRST OF A THREE-PART SERIES: Just One Pill

Forget dealers—new generation of addicts goes straight for the medicine cabinets

The 10th-grader selected her favorite color. It was a very simple task that she and most young people have probably done countless times before. However, this time, the stakes were never higher. She was not choosing a color for a blouse, a cell phone case or curtains for her bedroom. Instead, she was selecting a pill from a menagerie of narcotics that her peers had brought to a “pharm party” – an alarming and frightening phenomenon that’s been making a comeback among teenagers throughout Long Island.

Nassau GOP Calls Dem’s ‘Quid Pro Quo’ Illegal

Republicans call on DA to investigate Democrat’s demand of independent redistricting for bond approval

Nassau County Attorney John Ciampoli revealed at a press conference on April 26 that he asked District Attorney Kathleen Rice to investigate if all nine Democratic county legislators engaged in criminal activity. He cited the Democrats threat of refusing to vote on bond approvals if a compromise on redistricting is not reached.

The county attorney read a Dec. 15, 2011 correspondence from Democratic Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams, which was also signed by the other eight minority legislators, advising County Executive Ed Mangano that, “we cannot in good conscience consider any borrowing requests for any purpose until we arrive at a satisfactory resolution of legislative redistricting.” The county is looking to borrow up to $140 million, which requires a super majority (13 of 19) vote from the legislature.

Proper Military Burial For More Than 50 Veterans

Booth: Long Island's largest unclaimed

veteran cremain burial service

On Saturday, May 19, Long Island veteran organizations and funeral homes are set to give proper military burials to more than 50 unclaimed veterans’ cremated remains.

The funeral procession will assemble near exit 49 on the Long Island Expressway at 8 a.m. on Armed Forces Day and travel to Long Island National Cemetery at 2040 Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale, led by Patriot Guard and Legion Riders for a 9 a.m. military honors burial service.