Nearby: Firefighter Thanks Doctors

Firefighter Thanks Hospital for Saving His Life

The last two months were extremely difficult for Ralph Lettieri Jr. , 26, of East Patchogue, but on Friday he was all smiles, surrounded by his loved ones and colleagues.  He said that he was thankful for being alive and credited Nassau University Medical Center's physicians in saving his life. "It is a great day and I cannot be any happier," Lettieri said. "All the support gave me the motivation to keep moving. I am going home." Lettieri was released from NUMC on Friday after a two-month stay. He suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria, and had his leg amputated at NUMC on Aug. 11. NUMC physicians Louis Riina and Paul Scott performed the procedure.

Northport Schools Consider Tighter Food Rules

A new policy considered for Northport-East Northport Schools would address special management procedures for students with life threatening allergies. The policies, presented at the Monday Board of Education meeting, would include specific measures to control what food can be shared during birthday celebrations and other activities. A wellness policy with related provisions, in place since 2006, is also under review.

Malverne Man Sets Up BadConsumers.com

As a small business owner, Peter Robideau of Malverne has his own blacklist of customers who have failed to pay for services his tech company provided and he's not alone. He's essentially created a platform for these businesses to share their internal "blacklists" to help each other out. By signing up for BadConsumers.com, business owners can report, track and search an every-growing database of customers who have a habit of gouging small businesses, making unreasonable demands, or not paying when they do receive quality service.

School Bans Halloween Costumes

Angry parents reacted sharply Monday to a decision by the Parkville School to ban Halloween costumes this year. At a Board of Education meeting at Great Neck South High School, administrators heard complaints from parents regarding the decision by Parkville Principal Debra Shalom. The decision came down from Shalom after 10 Parkville parents objected to the celebration of Halloween as a "religious holiday," according to concerned Parkville School parent Vince Lentini who spoke out at the meeting.

Avalon Garden City Opens

"Avalon Garden City" officially opened on the site of the former Mitchel Field in E. Garden City. The new development offers three types of housing: apartments, townhouses and single-family homes.