The Piping Rock Restaurant, a Long Island landmark for over 50 years, was badly damaged in a four-alarm fire that began at approximately 4 a.m. Dec. 8. FULL STORY

Four months after a Republican-led Legislature instituted the 1 percent real-estate-transfer tax to help close the county's budget deficit, the GOP lawmakers acted alone in repealing the unpopular tax. FULL STORY

Carle Place Middle School recently announced the recipients of last year's Outstanding Physical Education Award, namely Elizabeth Brock and Michael Diamond. Brock and Diamond are both ninth grade students. FULL STORY

The Carle Place varsity girls' tennis team finished their season with a respectable 6-4 Conference III B record. Three of the four losses were by one point 3-4, as the Lady Frogs were literally in every match. The team was led by Tri-Captains Denise Caputo, Kate Ascetta and Erin Kane. Under some unusual circumstances, this year's team was coached by Brian Paradine and Stu Raphael. The team was composed of six seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and five freshmen for a total of 21. FULL STORY