Ninth-grader Maggie Austen was named the H. Frank Carey volunteer of the year in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards recognize outstanding community service by young Americans. Maggie is now eligible for the NY youth volunteer of the year award given annually to one middle school and one high school student. FULL STORY

The Town of Hempstead recently increased its fines for illegal housing and is prepared to use the Nail and Mail legislation to serve landlords of illegal occupancies with summonses. But is that enough to eradicate the problem of illegal housing? FULL STORY