The Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce hosted its 35th annual Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast on Oct. 18, and 36 small-business owners were recognized for the contributions they make to their communities. more

Once upon a time, holiday shopping was an experience. Folks carved out entire Saturdays or Sundays and headed to their local downtowns to browse through the retail shops. The experience was fun and quaint. You had lunch at the local diner. Then along came the malls. more

The race for the New York State Legislature’s 14th Assembly District pits the incumbent, Republican David McDonough, of North Merrick, against Gaspare Tumminello, a Democrat from Merrick, who is deputy chief of staff for the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic minority. Tumminello, a native of Franklin Square, had previously run unsuccessfully for Nassau County legislator in the 8th District in 2009. This year, the Herald asked each of the candidates to fill in a four-question survey about their positions on salient state issues. The 14th Assembly District takes in all or parts of Freeport, Roosevelt, Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Wantagh, North Wantagh, Seaford and Massapequa. more

Martha Verdi, left, part owner and full-time tax assistant at Tax Plus in North Bellmore, was recently named Bellmore’s Small Businesswoman of the Year during the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce 28th annual legislative breakfast last Friday. more