Nearby: Offshore Gas Port Draws Concerns

A public hearing for a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) port in coastal waters off Jones Beach is slated for Long Beach next week.

The port is drawing concerns from area civic leaders who are trying to assure that the public gets as much information about the project as possible before any construction commences under the sea.

The proposed LNG facility called ‘Port Ambrose’ is being pitched by Liberty Natural Gas and would be stationed about 19 milessouth off Jones Beach in Wantagh.

Families Win Housing Lottery

Five lucky families, including three from the Five Towns, won the opportunity on Tuesday to become first-time homebuyers at a steal through the Town of Hempstead’s affordable homes lottery.

The homes, on former vacant or blighted lots in Inwood, will be built over the next year and the families will be able to move in by March 2014.

$6.2 Million for Sandy Cleanup

Smithtown Town officials are eagerly waiting the arrival of a $6.2 millioncheck that will help pay off debts from Hurricane Sandy. 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to reimburse the town for 90 percent of the $6.9 million Smithtown officials claim was spent on collecting, removing and disposing debris after Sandy, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's office announced. It does not include rebuilding and restoration funds.

Smaller Wal-Mart to Open

A new 49,395 square foot WalmartMarket in Levittown is nearing completion and should be ready for its grand opening, scheduled for Wednesday. The market is about one-quarter the size of a large format Walmart Store and similar to a typical grocery store. It features a variety of products, including fresh produce, meats and dairy products, deli and frozen foods, bakery items, pet supplies and household supplies, a full pharmacy and more.

Green Energy Company Comes to Wantagh

A national green energy company has opened a new franchise in Wantagh. North Palm Beach, Fla.-based SuperGreen Solutions recently opened a new store on 3443 Merrick Road that celabrated a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on June 27. The store is under the ownership of Brian Metz, who before becoming a SuperGreen Solutions franchisee worked for 22 years on Wall Street as the managing director at the New York Stock Exchange and a head trader at Morgan Stanley.