Shortly after midnight on Sunday night, Jan. 23 someone noticed Nobman's Hardware Emporium on the corner of South Street and East Main Street was on fire and called in the alarm. Monday morning, residents heard of the fire as news of the tragedy was broadcast over News 12. Monday afternoon Walter Karppi described what was left of the building: "The outside is standing. The windows are boarded up. You can see into the side and front entrances: it's all black. The tower is leaning over. You can just make it out in the pictures. The roof collapsed into the building and the tower was knocked over at an angle." FULL STORY

New York State has been helping promote tourism by highlighting those points of interest worthy of visitation by both local residents and people outside of the area. They are trying to show what Long Island has to offer through the work of the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area (LINSHA) Planning Commission. At their final public hearing on Feb. 2 the commission will be answering the questions of interest such as: "Isn't there more to Long Island than just strip malls and housing developments? Where can I take my kids this weekend to enjoy more of what I did as a child? Is growth threatening to wipe out all the idyllic spots left to contemplate nature? Can we increase tourist activity in a way that is sensitive to my village and community?" FULL STORY

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Oyster Bay Flotilla 22-05 is offering its "Boating Skills and Seamanship" and "ABC Course" with courses beginning Thursday, Jan. 27 for the BS&S and Saturday, Feb. 5 for the America's Boating Course (ABC). Courses will be conveniently held at The Waterfront Center located on West End Avenue, Oyster Bay. FULL STORY

Nearly 500 toys were donated by participants at the 2004 Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run, held on the roads of Bethpage on Dec. 18. The Greater Long Island Running Club was pleased to once again donate most of them to mercyFirst Children and Family Services, who distributed them to some very receptive children at the annual mercyFirst Holiday Party on Dec. 28. FULL STORY