A standing room only crowd of 300 people gathered to witness the swearing-in of Assemblyman Tom Alfano as he took the oath of office for the 21st Assembly District. Alfano, surrounded by his family, was sworn-in by State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos. Also attending the ceremony were State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and Senators Chuck Fuschillo, Pat McGee, Carl Marcellino, John Flanagan, Kemp Hannon and Olga Mendez. State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Insurance Commissioner Greg Serio, Secretary of State Randy Daniels and Assemblyman Steve Labriola were also on hand for the event. FULL STORY

During a meeting of the Hempstead Town Board held on Jan. 28, Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino formally announced his resignation after serving as a town official in some capacity for over two decades. Following Guardino's resignation announcement in January the Republican Party officially nominated Kate Murray, then town clerk, to fill the position. As expected, Murray was voted in by the town board on Jan. 28, with board members voting 5-1 (there are five Republicans and one Democrat on the board). FULL STORY