Week in Review: Residents Protest Hess, Police Pursuit Ends in Crash

Locals Protest Commack Hess Before Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals
Commack residents came out in force against Hess's efforts to build a new station in what many called the most dangerous intersection of their community.

More than 20 local residents, business owners, community leaders and elected officials spoke out Tuesday night against Hess's request for 17 zoning variances from Town of Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals to build a 12-pump Hess Express on the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road. 

Police Pursuit of Alleged Burglar Ends in Crash
Police pursuit of an allegedly armed burglar ended in a crash on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 53 that snarled Wednesday morning's rush-hour traffic.  

LA Fitness Coming to Commack
Commack residents will soon have another option of where to work out over the upcoming winter months. 

LA Fitness has opened a preview center for its new Commack location, taking over the former Borders in the King Kullen Plaza off Veterans Memorial Highway. Renovations have been underway for months, leaving local residents guessing as to what was coming.

At the age of 49, Anthony Raia, a Commack resident and father of four, died from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressively debilitating disease that affects the muscles in the body. He was diagnosed in 1999 and fought a six year battle. All along, his wife Rosa, was his primary caregiver.

“He was a devoted and loving husband; and a caring and dedicated father to his five young children ranging in age from 4 to 14 years old,” his daughter Christina wrote in a letter recently explaining why she’s involved in the fight against ALS. “He always did his best to ensure that our family had everything we needed and wanted. His diagnosis forever changed our lives.”

Meet the Owner: Education Gives Barbara Ross Salon its Cutting Edge
With more than 30 years experience cutting hair, salon owner Barbara Ross has made a name for herself in the business. However, she knows education on the latest hair trends is key to keeping her cutting edge.