Open Space Hearing, FEMA Deadline Extended, Candy Give-Back

1. Out of service traffic lights mean a 4-way stop

Bedford police are urging locals to use caution when driving in intersections without a fully-functioning traffic light. When a light is out, all drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop, according to state law (from what I witnessed at Route 35 and 22 in Bedford, not everyone knows this!) Drive carefully.

2. Open space public hearing precedes town board meeting

As of Monday night, town officials have not cancelled this week's town board meeting, scheduled for Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. A public hearing to debate the open space tax levy is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Whether to continue the 3 percent open space tax has been the subject of debate at and . Check in at town hall tonight or back with Patch on Wednesday for highlights.

3. FEMA deadline extended until Dec. 15

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is extending the registration deadline for anyone who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee this summer, according to Rep. Nan Hayworth, M.D., (NY-19). Residents of New York’s Hudson Valley affected by either storm will now have until December 15, 2011 to file for federal assistance. All residents within the 19th District are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance to assist in recovery from damage caused by Hurricane Irene. Hayworth’s office is available to answer questions and provide guidance in applying for FEMA, SBA and USDA disaster assistance programs, and can be reached at (845) 206-4600.

4. School's out today, and maybe tomorrow - what to do?

Bedford Central and Katonah-Lewisboro are closed today, and K-L will be closed on Wednesday as well. We heard a lot of folks talk about leaving town—if you don't have a hotel room and you are bundling up at home, what are you doing with the kids during the day? Movies? Lunch? Museums? Send some ideas to LisaB@Patch.com and we'll post them later this morning.

5. The Halloween that wasn't

Were you able to get out for trick-or-treating? Do you have bags of unopened candy because your neighborhood cancelled Halloween? As disappointing as it was for local kids, today there's an opportunity to donate your candy to U.S. troops overseas. Katonah Dental is participating in "Operation Gratitude." Kids can donate any unopened Halloween candy in exchange for a toothbrush kit and a chance to enter into a special drawing. If you would like to write a note to the troops the office will send it along with the treats (now there's something to do today).