Good News: Intel Semifinalists; Film on Patchogue Navy SEAL Opens

Ken Aizawa, Matthew Chun, Chenle (Leo) Hu, Xingan (Ian) Hua, Pretti Kakani, Dohee (Diane) Na, Kaitlyn Shin, and Amy Zu, all seniors at Jericho High School, were named eight of the 300 Semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public. Jericho’s eight students represent the largest number of students from any school on Long Island this year.

Lone Survivor, the film depicting Patchogue Navy SEAL Michael Murphy as part of a four-member SEAL team during the mission that he was killed, is now playing in theaters nationwide Lt. Michael Murphy was shot on June 29, 2005, while on duty. Murphy has been posthumously honored with a warship, numerous awards, a previously released film and even a workout named after him. The film had previously been screened for friends and family of Murphy in Ronkonkoma in December. Actor Taylor Kitsch plays Murphy, and co-stars with Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster.  

The Lindenhurst School District’s custodial, grounds and maintenance workers recently held their fifth annual “Adopt-a-Family” holiday drive. Through Harding Avenue social worker Lisa Botticelli, they secured a local family to help during the holiday season. They bought clothing, toys and gift cards with the donations from the union’s membership. 

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray recently presented a Certificate of Recognition to Alyssa Pallotta of East Meadow in appreciation of her musical performance at the Town of Hempstead's induction ceremony held at the Nathan L. H. Bennett Pavilion in Hempstead.

Calhoun Student Wins USTA Eastern’s Service to People with Disabilities Award

Gillian Cohen, a junior at Calhoun High School,  recently won the USTA Eastern’s Service to People with Disabilities Award, a prestigious tennis honor, in recognition of her dedication and perseverance. 

Merrick Woman Raises $10,000 to Fight Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer survivor Jill Pall of Merrick raised $10,000 for an early detection project to stop women from dying from the disease.

Schreiber Student Named 'Good Citizen'

Port Washington Schreiber High School senior Carolyn Rybecky recently earned a Good Citizen Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution organization. 

A Smithtown High School graduate took the opportunity to use his right of passage into NYPD's brotherhood to bring his girlfriend into the family. Tom Harper, 26 of Nesconset, proposed to his girlfriend, Kristina Marcic, a 26-year-old Sachem High School graduate, on Friday after graduating from New York Police Department's policy academy on Friday. 

Community Pitches In to Help Victims of East Northport Fire

The Northport-East Northport community has embraced the victims of the Jan. 4 fire on Larkfield Road that forced 52 people out of their apartments on one of the coldest days of the year, and left three families homeless. Many local organizations coordinated donations for the victims, while local businesses as drop-off locations for clothes, food, blankets and other essential items. Monetary contributions can be forwarded to the teachers union and checks can be made payable to United Teachers of Northport, with “Larkfield Fire Relief” written on the memo line. Contributions and gift cards can be sent to the United Teachers of Northport, 166 Laurel Rd., East Northport, NY  11731.

Three Students Participate In Music Festival

Austin Hassel, Rourke Feinberg, and Max Hanks recently received congratulations from the Miller Place Union Free School District for their recent participation in the New York All State Music Festival held December 5-8, 2013 in Rochester, New York.

Baby Arrives Right On Time, But in the Back of an Ambulance

Laci Kroger says she's thankful for the Riverhead EMTs who helped bring her daughter into the world during a quick delivery that started roadside.