]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/crime_in_the_village_of_hempst.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/crime_in_the_village_of_hempst.html Hempstead Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:04:00 -0500 By Amanda J. Rhodes
Nassau News Staff Writer

For most shoppers, it's hard to check out at the grocery store and not notice the price increases. In the past six months, everything from bread to bananas and chicken to milk has dramatically risen in price.

Why are prices increasing so quickly and dramatically, and what are Nassau County consumers doing to curb their bill at the check-out counter? Nassau News went out and asked.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/nassau_county_consumers_on_inc_1.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/nassau_county_consumers_on_inc_1.html Business Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:03:13 -0500 By Brett Zoeller
Nassau News Staff Writer

On March 1, the MTA (LIRR) increased fares 3 to 4 percent, straining the wallets of commuters already pressed bu fuel and food inflation. While the fare-increase amount ranges from a few dollars to almost $20, depending on which zone a commuter is in, does it make that much of a difference?

Are commuters just skeptical of any increase the MTA (LIRR) issues because of unclear financial updates the entity often provides? Is it just commuters overacting and lashing out because of other cost increases? Train ridership increased 6 percent last year for a total of about 90 million passengers for the year. Is the MTA (LIRR) trying to widen profit margins, or do high passenger volumes call for more maintenance?

The answer to these questions and the future of LIRR expansion on Long Island lie below.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/lirr_fares_increase.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/lirr_fares_increase.html Transportation Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:04:29 -0500 By Amanda Graber
Nassau News Staff Writer

The declining value of the dollar and the rising costs in food and staples not only affect human care, but animals too. What happens to the furry members of the community when economic hardships hit? Long Island boasts 41 animal shelters who all work to answer this question.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/taking_care_of_hempsteads_anim.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/taking_care_of_hempsteads_anim.html Hempstead Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:59:00 -0500 By Teresa Hansen
Nassau News Staff Writer

The U.S. government says we are in a state of economic emergency. How is this influencing Nassau County consumers' retail spending and are people using their disposable income like before? Nassau News went out and asked.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/how_consumers_feel_about_the_e.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/how_consumers_feel_about_the_e.html Business Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:58:00 -0500 By Tejal Patel
Nassau News Staff Writer

Gas prices all over the United States have been steadily increasing. In Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, the prices for a gallon of regular gas are at their highest ever. However, the love car enthusiasts have for their vehicles apparently surpasses the soaring prices. ]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/the_affect_of_rising_gas_price_1.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/the_affect_of_rising_gas_price_1.html Transportation Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:57:00 -0500 By Amanda Brody
Nassau News Staff Writer

Levittown, the nation’s first suburb, will now become the nation’s first green suburb. A few months ago, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced his plan for a Green Levittown and partnered up with businesses in the area to provide green alternatives to energy, appliances and home improvements. P.C. Richards and Sons offers discounts on Energy Star appliances and the Bethpage Federal Credit Union offers loans to help people make their homes more environmentally friendly. Yet, going green will cost residents money and with a trying economy at stake, it is hard to ask residents to spend money to help the environment, when they can’t even afford to fill up their car’s gas tank. ]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/levittown_goes_green.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/levittown_goes_green.html Environment Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:56:00 -0500 By Julia Gardiner
Nassau News Staff Writer

Environmental sustainability has recently garnered a great deal of media attention -- from movies about global warming to magazine articles and celebrities promoting "going green." However, the degree to which the prominent media attention on the issue affects its importance locally seems to be minimal.

In the Town of Hempstead, where there are 32 miles of waterfront and the largest tract of open space left on Long Island, it is particularly important for residents to be aware of the environmental ramifications of their actions. Initiatives to make the town more environmentally friendly have been the object of debate for more than 30 years. ]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/how_to_go_green_in_the_town_of.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/how_to_go_green_in_the_town_of.html Environment Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:55:00 -0500 By Jessica Wertling
Nassau News Staff Writer

Since the 1970s, Long Island has had many instances of gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) leaking into drinking water as a result of irresponsible practices by gas stations. The chemical has potential to make water taste and smell unpleasant and many scientists speculate that its consumption can cause body aches, cancer, and even death. In February 2008, multiple MTBE spills were discovered in the Town of Hempstead, NY. Although the chemical was banned in 2004 in New York, old spills are still being discovered and there have been instances of illegal use of the chemical by gas stations. ]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/mtbe_water_contamination_in_he.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/mtbe_water_contamination_in_he.html Hempstead Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:54:00 -0500 By Alex Dollin
Nassau News Staff Writer

The proposed redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum and surrounding 77 acres has caused a stir on Long Island, particularly in Nassau County where the issue is closer to home.

Many local residents are opposed to Charles Wang’s Project Lighthouse, as designed and maintained by Rexcorp, which will seek to build new coliseum, housing units, hotels, office buildings, concert venues and a new practice facility for the Islanders. As explained further in this video, a major piece of legislation called a Positive Declaration, has just been put into effect. This declaration, set forth by the town of Hempstead, will force Rexcorp to come up with a solution to every major problem surrounding Project Lighthouse. As reported by Rexcorp, they are working very hard on solving major issues, like the traffic conditions on Hempstead Turnpike, and have been for several years now. Rexcorp anticipates, if all goes according to plan, breaking ground on the project starting in the summer of 2009.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/proposed_redevelopment_of_the.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/proposed_redevelopment_of_the.html Economic Development Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:53:00 -0500 By Kenneth McCarron
Nassau News Staff Writer

Wayne Hall, the mayor of Hempstead Village, tells Nassau News that he intends to have a new redevelopment plan in place by August 2008.

But many of the problems that were in the last plan, which he withdrew last year, still remain. The controversial plan ran into opposition from community activists on the issue of affordable housing. The mayor says a redevelopment plan is needed to rebuild the Village of Hempstead's tax base. But will the community work with Mayor Hall to accomplish this goal, or will it stop another redevelopment plan?

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/hempstead_village_mayor_looks_1.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/hempstead_village_mayor_looks_1.html Hempstead Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:52:00 -0500 By Sean O'Kane
Nassau News Staff Writer

The potential for commercial development in Nassau County has risen recently with proposals like Trump on the Ocean and the Lighthouse Project, but little has been done to see what individual residents of the areas affected think about the proposals.

County residents share more than just mixed feelings, each has his or her own way of justifying their position, leading to a situation that could prove more than just polarizing in the normal sense. Instead of just support or opposition, residents have complex thoughts on whether or not they want commercial development.

Nassau News took to the streets to find out how a sample of people from different towns feel about commercial development near them. The results show that the divide runs deeper than previously thought.

]]> http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/commercial_development_in_nass_1.html http://nassaunews.org/news/2008/04/commercial_development_in_nass_1.html Economic Development Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:51:00 -0500