Nearby: Protesters 'Extremists,' Pet Shop Owner Says

News from around Long Island this week.

Aquebogue Pet Store Owner Blasts Protesters
The owner of the in Aquebogue has come forward to blast the protesters who have been picketing outside his store for months -- and to set the record straight. Kaphan said the demonstrators, members of the Companion Animal Protection Society, who have been gathering on Route 25 outside his store, will soon find themselves Kaphan, who said he attended law school, said there is no definition for "puppy mill" on the books -- just a definition offered by members of the CAPS organizaton. The protesters, Kaphan said, are "extremists. They are like al-Qaeda."

Russell Crowe is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. But to a Coast Guard crew patrolling the waters near Huntington Saturday, he was simply a guy in need. Launching kayaks out of Cold Spring Harbor this Labor Day weekend, the Oscar-winning megastar and a friend needed some minor assistance finding their way home about 10 miles away in Huntington waters hours after sunset. So they flagged down a passing boat at about 10 p.m. "They didn't even know we were Coast Guard until they paddled up to us," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Pritt, who, with two other crew members, helped the 48-year-old actor and his rented kayak aboard a 25-foot response boat — without any star treatment.

Four Commack residents are fighting back against Commack School District for the right to have their legal arguments in defense of the school in the Marion Carll Farm Lawsuit.  Vito J. Cottone, Daniel Fusco, Arthur J. Reilly Sr., and James Tampellini f brought forth by Carll's heirs against Commack School District for possession of the nine-acre historic farm. When school officials tried to prevent them as "mere taxpayers," the residents have chosen to fight on instead of backing down.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced Thursday plans to start a  $34.4 million construction improvement project on the southern area of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway (Route 135). The project is aimed at renewing aging pavement, installing planted medians and providing updated safety improvements on Route 135 between Merrick Road in Seaford and Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage.

The Malverne Village Board of Trustees has started a program for residents who have had home improvements done without acquiring the proper permits. Recently, there have been residents who ran into problems when selling their homes during the closing process, Trustee Michael Bailey explained to the audience of residents and realtors seated at the hearing and others watching at home via Malverne TV. The property record that is on file with the village did not match what's actually going on inside the house and it has resulted in some residents seeing their deals fall through.