April 28: Vandalism, Budgets and Middle School Inventors

1. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms today that could produce heavy rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. Highs will be near 67 degrees. 

2. Need a quick recap of the budgets before the May 17 vote? Click here to learn more about Levittown and click here for Island Trees. What school issues do you want to see more coverage on? Comment or email nina.ruggiero@patch.com.

3. Damage was done to multiple Gardenia Lane homes early Tuesday, but no one has been caught for the mischief. If you missed the story, click here to find out what happened.

4. Voters passed the Island Trees Library budget, 80 to 36. Have you met new Director Jessica Koenig yet?

5. Island Trees Memorial Middle School students won first and second place in the Ecybermission Competition, an annual contest sponsored by the United States Army that challenges students from all over New York State to come up with creative inventions. The first place team, “The G-rasers,” created a type of lamination for PVC fencing to prevent graffiti. Thomas Piscopio, Robert LiVoti, Ryan Jaeger, and Mike Smith each won a $1,000 savings bond and are being considered for a national award. The second place team, “The Tooth Brush Squad,” created a brace to hold a tooth brush to assist people with arthritis. David Joyce, Daniel Dmuchowski, Nicholas Piarulli and Stephen Hogan each won a $500 savings bond.