Several Taco Bell restaurants across Long Island were closed last week after an outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 spread from Delaware to Suffolk over the course of the past week. Last week, six Taco Bell restaurants within the county were asked to voluntarily close down, discard their food and disinfect their premises. They include the Broadway and Roosevelt Field Mall restaurants as well as the East Meadow, Hempstead, Seaford and New Hyde Park locations. FULL STORY

New York State is providing the East Meadow Union Free School District, on a one-time basis, $2,451,839 as a Capital Project Construction Grant. There is no tax impact; however, in order for the district to receive the funds, which are through Excel (Expanding Our Children's Education and Learning) Aid, voter approval is required. The Excel Aid was adopted by the New York State Legislature and approved by Governor George Pataki. FULL STORY

The following is a list of athletic events from Thursday, Dec. 14 through Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Westbury Middle and High School: FULL STORY