Huntington Restaurateur Opens Farmingdale Site

Some of the news around Long Island this week.

Chichimecas Debuts in Farmingdale

Chichimecas made its debut in Farmingdale Wednesday, offering a Mexican cuisine and attractive decor in the former Estelle's Contemporary Barbecue.

Owners Bradley Pariente and Alejandro Gonzalez said the restaurant will specialize in traditional Mexican cuisine, especially that of the Oaxaca region. "I respect good things, "Gonzalez said. "In my opinion, Oaxaca is the best Mexican cuisine."

Gonzalez and his wife, Maria, also own the Oaxaca and Quetzalcoatl restaurants in Huntington.

Initially, the restaurant will be open six days a week but, Gonzalez said, "When we are ready, we will be open seven days."

Betsey Johnson Store at Tanger to Close

The store at in Deer Park will soon be vacant following the recent announcement that the fashion designer’s company filed for bankruptcy protection and will close most of its 63 stores.

Suit Alleges Anti-Semitic Harassment at Northport High School

Parents of a student filed a lawsuit against the school earlier this week alleging that officials did not do enough to stop anti-Semitic bullying against their son after it was reported.

On Tuesday evening, the Northport BOE officially retained attorney Adam Kleinberg, of Sokoloff Stern to defend Superintendent Marylou McDermott and Northport High School Principal Irene McLaughlin in a civil action suit filed by Manhattan attorney Chaim Book on behalf of East Northport parent Robert Slade and his son.

The complaint alleges "severe, persistent, and violent harassment" that the former ninth grader endured between November 2010 and June 2011, consisting of "some of the most hate-filled, anti-Semitic slurs imaginable."

"We vehemently deny the allegations of the complaint," Kleinberg said on Thursday afternoon. "We intend to litigate this with all the seriousness it deserves. The school officials acted appropriately at the time and will continue to act appropriately."

Maine Maid Inn Gets Landmark Status

The , once home to Valentine Hicks and a hiding place for runaway slaves, has earned a landmark designation that could help preserve it.

The Oyster Bay Town Board voted unanimously Tuesday to grant town landmark status to the currently vacant structure hidden in a corner of Jericho.

What's more, said at least two restaurants are interested in operating the old mansion as a restaurant again.

Syosset Elects High School Student to Board of Education

Syosset made headlines across New York when residents overwhelmingly to the Board of Education Tuesday.

Since Lafazan's , the youngest board member in Syosset history has been on a tiring tour of interviews. And he couldn't be more grateful.

"The amount of support I've received has made me so proud to be a student in Syosset," said Lafazan. "None of this would have been possible without the constant support and help from my family, friends, neighbors,