New York State Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton last week announced that Congress has approved $1.25 million for the Town of North Hempstead for the New Cassel revitalization project. The funds are listed in the Transportation, Treasury, Independent Agencies and General Government and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies sections of the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which passed Congress late last month. It is expected that the bill will be sent to President George Bush in the coming weeks for his signature. FULL STORY

2004 has been quite a successful year for the Westbury Memorial Public Library. Circulation has nearly doubled since last year, library cards have increased dramatically over 2000's totals and the merge with the Carle Place Public Library Funding District has proved to be an overall benefit for everyone. For Cathleen Towey, such factors have made her nearly four years as the library's director a rewarding and challenging experience, making her decision to take a one-year unpaid leave effective Jan. 1, a difficult one. FULL STORY

For the third consecutive year, the Wheatley School Varsity Cross-Country Team has won the Nassau County Class "C" Championship. Under the leadership of veteran coach Dan Walsh, the team swept through the dual meet season with a record of 11-1, losing only to Oyster Bay. Early in the season, the Wildcats garnered impressive second place finishes in two highly competitive invitational meets. They competed in the Jim Smith Meet, hosted by Suffolk County Coaches at Sunken Meadow and the team also traveled to upstate Brewster to compete in the Bear Classic Meet. FULL STORY

For the third consecutive year, the Wheatley School Varsity Cross-Country Team has won the Nassau County Class "C" Championship. Under the leadership of veteran coach Dan Walsh, the team swept through the dual meet season with a record of 11-1, losing only to Oyster Bay. Early in the season, the Wildcats garnered impressive second place finishes in two highly competitive invitational meets. They competed in the Jim Smith Meet, hosted by Suffolk County Coaches at Sunken Meadow and the team also traveled to upstate Brewster to compete in the Bear Classic Meet. FULL STORY