Kings Park blaze shuts down Main Street, remains IDed as Shannan Gilbert, High winds prevail & other local news headlines for December 18th, 2011

LongIsland.com

Blazing Apartment in Kings Park Shuts Down Main Street; Remains Found at Beach Identified as Shannan Gilbert; Hundreds in Attendance at Wake Held for Slain NYPD Officer; Surfing Competition Not Returning to LI in 2012; ...

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Blazing Apartment in Kings Park Shuts Down Main Street

In the midst of preparing for their annual Santa parade yesterday afternoon, the Kings Park Fire Department had to but a hold on preparations, to fight a massive fire on Main Street that engulfed an entire apartment, located above Bagel King at about 2:30pm. The fire was so bad that Main Street was cut off to the public, and fire trucks from Smithtown, East Northport, and other surrounding towns came in to assist. An unnamed occupant of the apartment, age 51, was taken to Stony Brook Hospital for treatment of 2nd degree burns, and other minor injuries. No other injuries were reported, Main Street has been reopened for traffic, and the Fire Department’s Annual Parade was able to proceed as scheduled.

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Remains Found at Beach Identified as Shannan Gilbert

After a year of searching, the remains of Shannan Gilbert have been found, and identified. The search for Gilbert sparked the discovery of multiple bodies that police believe are the work of a serial killer, but it was only last week that Gilbert’s purse, identification, and personal effects were found on Oak Beach. Her body was discovered about a quarter of a mile from her belongings, and police believe that her death may have been accidental.

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Hundreds in Attendance at Wake Held for Slain NYPD Officer

This weekend, hundreds of police officers, neighbors, and mourners joined the family of Peter Figoski to share their condolences, and mourn the loss of one of New York’s finest. Figoski, was killed in the line of duty after responding to a call about a break-in, and there has been an outpouring of support from the community since his death. It is expected that thousands will attend his funeral on Monday at Saint Joseph’s Church in Babylon.

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Surfing Competition Not Returning to LI in 2012

After hosting their Quicksilver Pro in Long Beach last summer, Quicksilver has decided against hosting the event on Long Island again this year, and it has been cancelled. Although thousands of spectators came out this year for the event, major portions of it had to be cancelled as Hurricane Irene was steadily approaching Long Island. It has been speculated that the cancellation of major portions of the event this year has contributed to the decision not to hold the even in 2012, but Quicksilver has not commented on why the event was cancelled.

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Despite Heavy Rainfall, Long Island White Wines Prevail

Despite conditions that have been less than ideal, Long Island wine growers are expecting to release white wines to much success this year. Heavy rainfall had put a damper on productions throughout 2011, and there have been concerns over production, but two Long Island vineyards already have 2011 white wines released – and the winemakers are calling it as delicious as ever. There has been a drastic cut in the number of cases produced this year because of severe weather, which rendered many grapes unusable – but the ones that did make it to bottle are superb.

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