Nearby: Smithtown Considers Radio Station

Here are the biggest headlines from near Oyster Bay this week:

Smithtown Eyes Radio Plan After Storm Snags

Smithtown officials have suggested the town consider starting an AM/FM radio station to improve its communication with residents due to problems after Hurricane Sandy. "Without a doubt, the Town of Smithtown and resources pulled together and did a commendable job for our residents. It was seamless," said John Valentine, Smithtown's director of Public Safety and Emergency Management. But he targeted one area for improvement - the town's communication with residents "Where LIPA failed was lack of communication and information with the public, which brings me to our Achilles' heel - We share this communication issue with LIPA," he said.

Nassau Plans 'Active Shooter' Seminar

With security stepped up and families throughout the nation still on the edge after the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano directed the Nassau County Police Department to host its fourth Active Shooter Seminar on Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. at Adelphi University for all private and public schools, as well as large corporations and hospitals. Click here to read more about this seminar.

Hospital Unveils Remodeled Maternity Unit

Nassau University Medical Center recently unveiled it's newly remodeled maternity department. The family waiting room of the area of the unit was renovated through the philanthropic support of Amy Hagedorn and the Hagedorn Foundation. 

Malverne Schools Face $2 Million Budget Gap

The Malverne School District may have to cut programs and personnel in order to create a budget for 2013-2014 that pays for all mandated services and employee benefits while remaining under the tax cap. At Wednesday's poorly attended budget development forum, school officials revealed preliminary numbers, shared the results of an online survey, and explained the challenges facing the district this year.