The mayor and the village board is scheduled to vote on a budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year at a village meeting on Wednesday at Mineola Village Hall, 155 Washington Avenue. There is scheduled to be a work session at 6 p.m. and then a public meeting at 7:30 p.m., during which the budget will be discussed. The budget is likely to pass by a 3-2 majority with Mayor Jack M. Martins and trustees Larry Werther and Steve Franzini voting to pass the budget. FULL STORY

On May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps Explorer Post 703 is holding a special fundraiser car wash for Connor Rummel, son of ex-chief Kevin Rummel. FULL STORY

Unlike many other spring sports, baseball is especially sensitive to the outdoor elements. As anyone who plays baseball can tell you, hitting a baseball in the cold weather is no fun. Many compare hitting a ball in the cold to getting an electric shock. However, whether or not the weather is cold, teams need to practice and get into shape for the season . While everyone shook their heads in amazement at the weather, Coach Bohringer needed an alternate plan to get his team in baseball shape. With a trip to Fort Lauderdale or Tampa/St Petersburg not in the budget, the gymnasium became the team's second home. Throwing, running, fielding and hitting from live pitching all needed to be moved indoors. With gym time and space at a premium due to competing needs, practices were held later in the afternoon, ending at 8:30 p.m. on some nights. Making do with cramped facilities, the Mustangs cleared out the cobwebs, stretched out their ligaments and muscles, and ready or not, opened their preseason on the road. With a final pre-season record of 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie, the Mustangs sought to catch up on their abbreviated spring training and get ready for the regular season. Here's how they did it: FULL STORY

After opening the season under summer conditions and playing their second game in springlike weather, Astoria Federal Savings played their third game of the year in the bitter cold on Wednesday evening against Sperry Credit Union. FULL STORY