Senator Carl Marcellino hosted the New York State Senate transportation Committee hearing at Syosset High School on Feb. 8 on the Long Island Rail Road platform gap problems. Investigations into the safety issues and concerns of gaps at all 246 LIRR and Metro-North train stations have been ongoing and this hearing afforded the opportunity to review the status of the investigation and the solutions that will enable the MTA and its constituent agencies to enhance their safety protocols. FULL STORY

On Sunday, Jan. 28, young Daniel Pellerito of Syosset, achieved one of the highest honors in martial arts as he earned his black belt at the latest Tiger Schulmann's Mixed Martial Arts black belt test at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. At six years old and after just two years of training, Pellerito ranks as one of the youngest Tiger Schulmann's students to ever receive black belt certification. FULL STORY

At their January meet, the Sid Jacobson Barracudas' swim team took an early lead against the Thunderbirds of Manhattan and won by taking more first places, with the highest number from the women's 10-and-under category. From the opening 200-yard medley relay through the grueling 200-yard freestyle, this group took home eight first-place ribbons with impressive efforts from Caitlin McCormick, Taylor Brooks, Michaela Mahon, Melanie Rosen, Lexi Singer, Marlee Singer, Marisa Struhl and Ruby Viener. In both the men and women's 200-yard medley relays, the Barracudas easily took first place swimming strong and maintaining the lead. In the men's 11-12 age group, the following had excellent swims: Andrew Brooks on the butterfly and breast strokes; Greg Rosenthal on the backstroke; Owen Seidman on the breast stroke and Jason Stewart on the freestyle. FULL STORY