Q. We want to add a floor to our one-story home, and also want a den addition. Will our taxes go up a lot? We know they’ll increase, but we’re concerned they’ll be too high for us to do the addition. more

Thousands of local folks thronged Merrick Avenue last Saturday and Sunday for the annual Fall Fest, sponsored by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. At this year's festival, there was a little something for everyone, from carnival rides to crafts to fire demonstrations to pony rides and a petting zoo. Additionally, there was entertainment at the Town of Hempstead Showmobile throughout the weekend. And in the middle of it all, the Merrick Herald had a booth, staffed by Merrick Herald Accountant Executive Ilene Dixel, Senior Editor Scott Brinton, and reporter Sari Zeidler and Nancy Hiler. more

Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, a Republican from Levittown, is seeking re-election to a third four-year term. He is being challenged by Democrat Matthew Hynes, who is also from Levittown.The … more

George Maragos, CEO of a financial services business, is challenging two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman in the race for Nassau County comptroller. Maragos said that the county’s finances have been poorly managed for the past eight years, and he believes his experience can bring needed change. more

From breaking news updates on 1010 WINS, to traffic reports on Z100, to sports recaps on WCBS 880, to political debates on national television, the alumni of Hofstra University’s radio station can be heard across the metropolitan area and around the country. more

Although the Herald Community Newspapers have had an online presence since 1999, an expanded, more comprehensive Web site has recently been launched to help readers keep in closer touch with their communities. The new LIHerald.com has more news, sports, local business and arts coverage and event listings than ever before. more

Police charged Leonidas Cotsifas, 50, of Bethpage with attempted murder and several other crimes on Thursday afternoon after he allegedly struck a 71-year-old man on the head with a paving stone in his Nassau Street home in Bellmore, critically injuring him. more

Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools all celebrated Homecoming on Saturday, and students had a blast at the pre-game parades and at the big football games, despite all three home teams losing. Calhoun went down to Massapequa, 24-20. Kennedy lost a heartbreaker to Division, 21-20, after being up 20-0 at halftime. And Mepham was overpowered by No. 4 seed Wantagh, 30-7. more

Each year, drunken drivers cause deadly accidents and claim innocent lives. Their stories often become local and sometimes national lore, cautioning others about the potentially deadly consequences of a crime that some see as socially acceptable. But there is another type of loss that goes with drinking and driving, I recently learned. One that may be considered insensitive or politically incorrect to discuss. Three defense attorneys I interviewed saw the possible loss of one's reputation and even future employment as an unfair fate that befalls many of their clients. I contacted the lawyers after the Nassau County Police Department and the district attorney's office gave me a firsthand look at what a DWI arrest entails. Police simulated my arrest for DWI, including everything from handcuffing me to locking me up. Later, the district attorney's office brought me to District Court, where I took a tour of holding cells, courtrooms and assistant district attorneys' offices. I wrote about the experience for Herald readers. But as I spoke with defense lawyers, expecting to hear mainly about the financial burden of a DWI conviction, I learned that some of the most serious consequences for the convicted are harder to quantify. more

More than 300 people united against cancer at Clubhouse Road Park in Merrick on Sept. 26 from 5 to 11 p.m., raising $42,000 for cancer research at the Bellmore/Merrick Relay for Life, said Paul Gruol, director of special events for American Cancer Society Foundation and a Merrick resident. In what Gruol described as "a very touching" event centered around survivorship and commemoration, more than 21 teams walked to raise funds and more than 350 candles were lit, including several spelling out the word "hope.'" Gruol extended special thanks to event chairwoman Hildy Teplitz, her daughter Julie, and state Sen. Charles Fuschillo, without whom he said the event could not have achieved such success. more