Jon Cooper Joins Business Roundtable Discussion

Jon Cooper, former Suffolk County Legislature majority leader and a resident of Lloyd Harbor, recently joined with several other business leaders from across the country at a closed-door meeting of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee.

Cooper said, "The business roundtable provided an opportunity to discuss strategies to empower the American middle class. All of the business leaders agreed that their successes were largely attributed to policies that provide good benefits and above-minimum wage pay for their employees."

 About 20 senators participated in the roundtable discussion, including Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Mark Begich, Maria Cantwell, Richard Durbin, Chris Coons, Kay Hagan, Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Shaheen.

Street Closings for Sunday's St. Patrick's Parade

Suffolk Police have issued the following advisory for Sunday in Huntington: The 80th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 5K run in Huntington will be held Sunday and the Suffolk County Second Precinct is advising motorists of road closures in Huntington between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Townwide Fund of Huntington St. Patrick’s Day 5K run will start at 12:45 p.m. at Main Street and Prospect Street in Huntington Village. Participants will travel east on Main Street and turn south on New York Avenue to Lowndes Avenue and then back to New York Avenue. The parade will kick off at 2p.m. The parade will travel north on New York Avenue from Church Street to Main Street and will then head west on Main Street to St. Patrick’s Church, located at 400 W. Main Street. No parking will be allowed on New York Avenue or Main Street to allow for a clear and safe route. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

Olympian to Join St. Patrick's Parade

Huntington Station's Matt Mortensen, who recently competed in the Winter Olympics, will join the St. Patrick's Day parade in Huntington on Sunday.

There's no word on whether he'll be required to perform the same heroics as he did during the Olympics, stopping an out of control sled carrying NBC's Al Roker and Matt Lauer as it slid, backyards, down a luge run.

Arts Council Named Finalist

The Huntington Arts Council has been named a finalist in the Pilot Benefits Innovation Award category in The Second Annual Long Island Imagine Awards. Launching in spring 2013, the Huntington Arts Council's SPARKBOOM™ initiative was designed as a collective initiative to create vibrant events and opportunities to foster Long Island's emerging creative talent. Winners will be named at a gala at Crest Hollow Country Club on May 6. More than 120 entries were submitted for consideration in 5 categories, including Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Social Entrepreneurism, Rising Star, and Social Impact. The Huntington Arts Council is one of four finalists in the Innovation category for its SPARKBOOM™ initiative. "Long Island is rich with both creative talent and creative opportunities. The SPARKBOOM™ mission is to connect young emerging artists with the establishments and professionals in creative careers. When that happens, there's a wonderful, mutually beneficial exchange that happens as both sides bring unique perspectives and talents to the table. We're thrilled to be an Imagine Awards Finalist as a result of our efforts." said Diana Cherryholmes, Executive Director of the Huntington Arts Council. Finalists were chosen by Long Island business professionals during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards' Distinguished Judging Panel selected the Imagine Awards winners from among the Finalists during final judging. “Being named a Finalist in The Long Island Imagine Awards is an important achievement,” said Ken Cerini, Founder of the Long Island Imagine Awards. “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition for their innovation, leadership, entrepreneurism, and sustainability. Congratulations to all of the Finalists on their achievement.” Details about Long Island Imagine Awards and the list of finalists in all categories are available at http://www.ceriniandassociates.com/imagine-awards.

Rajdeep Paulus to Speak at Book Revue

Author Rajdeep Paulus to speak and sign her new novel, Seeing Through Stones at the Book Revue.

Her appearance is scheduled March 12 at 7 p.m. 

The sequel to Swiming Through Clouds, the novel is "a powerful reminder that life is a battle you don’t fight alone. Praise for Seeing Through Stones: “Tough and touching, resilient and raw—Rajdeep Paulus has crafted a story of love and abuse with the deft touch of a master," according to the publishing house.

Huntington Raising Village Parking Fees

Huntington Town Board voted Tuesday to tackle the village parking problems by significantly raising fees.

Among the changes approved unanimously was an increase to  $1-per-hour multimeter fee for parking slots on New York Avenue and Main Street, 50-cent per hour meter fees on side streets  and increases on coin meters at the East Northport train station lot.

Free parking for hybrid vehicles has been eliminated.

Man Accused of Fleeing Scene of Crash

Suffolk County Police have arrested a Dix Hills man on charges of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Grand Boulevard on Feb. 24.

First Squad detectives charged William Koster, 31, of 4 Dix Circle, with leaving the scene of an accident on March 2. Koster, whose passenger was seriously injured in the crash, was arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Daniel Garcia and Jani Martinez were passengers in a 2002 Hyundai Sonata that was traveling east on Grand Boulevard when the vehicle struck a Volvo 18-wheel tractor trailer, driven by Christopher Bertovich at 11:43 p.m.

Garcia, 20, and Martinez, 33, were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip. Garcia, of North Babylon, is listed in serious condition and Martinez, of Bay Shore, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Bertovich, 49, of Pennsylvania, was not injured in the crash.   

Police say Koster was the driver of the 2002 Hyundai fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of police.