5 Patch Headlines Nearby: March 31

The tragic case that wrenched the heart of the Plainview community stands in a legal limbo, and if a single emotion pervades in the death of flower girl Julie Cirella, it is one of profound sadness.

This week, Patch approached the Plainview home where the child was found dead on that terrible July day. The reporter asked to speak to the girl's mother, , who was on the steps. She smiled and waved gently, as if to say "hello."

Sgt. Jerry Lee landed in France on D-Day Plus 1. Two decades later, Spec. John Fackre was a specialist in war-ravaged South Vietnam. 

They are comrades "two wars apart" now, said Fackre, 67, of Williston Park. And, they are are more than that. Lee, 87, is an elder at Grace Community Church in Westbury where Fackre now belongs. These days they pray together and have become friends.

Long Island executive Doug Manditch is not a typical banker.

Over breakfast this past Thursday at Greenway Plaza, he told the Melville-East Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce that he takes his cues from Main Street instead of Wall Street, and reached success because of it. 

"There's no shortcut to the top. I just have to keep winning, and advancing on all levels of the game."

These are the words of Huntington's own , a professional boxer who fights Saturday night against Winston Mathis (7-4-1, 2 KOs) at the Paramount Theater. 

Republic Airport Issues Noise Alert

As part of the planning for a national bicentennial observance of the War of 1812 on April 1 and 2,  will be hosting two F-18 jets from the US Navy's precision demonstration team.

The Blue Angels will touch down at Republic Airport on Sunday and then take off for a familiarization flight over New York Harbor during Monday.