LI Community Mourns Firefighter Who Died At Fundraiser: Week In Review

LONG ISLAND, NY — Here are the biggest stories that Long Island Patches covered for the week of Aug. 15-19.

Large Turnout For Funeral Of Island Park's Former Fire Captain

Michael Fischer died on Sunday at age 38.

LIRR's New $2.6B Track Debuts, Promising More Trains And Fewer Delays

The first section of the LIRR's Third Track debuted Monday. Here's what that means for riders.

Watch: LI Fisherman Rassles Shark As Woman Records 'Holy S---' Moment

Video obtained by Patch shows a man rassling a shark at Smith Point County Park.

Long Island Detective Arrested, Charged In Racketeering Ring: USAO

Nine men were arrested and charged with operating illegal gambling rings throughout Queens and Long Island, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Dad Of 2 Girls Lost In Fire, Finds Strength In Lives 'Defined By Joy'

Lew Wiener, who has cancer, says his girls taught him how to live. "That night defined a tragic ending— but our lives are defined by joy."

LI Man Pleads Guilty To Targeting Latino Workers In Hate Crime: DA

He lured three men with the promise of work, assaulted them and strangled at least one, Suffolk DA says.

As Nassau Executive Blasts Bail Reform, Data Shows Few Are Re-Arrested

Data from the NCPD shows that 87 percent of people arrested last quarter were released without bail. But few went on to commit more crimes.

Massapequa Falls To Hawaii In Little League World Series

The local team lost 12-0 in a no-hitter against the team from Honolulu.

Also worth a read:

• LI Group Home Worker Spends $30K Of Residents' Money: Prosecutors
• Long Island Home Prices Continue To Hit New Highs
• Nunley's Carousel To Reopen This Week After 2-Year Closure
• WATCH: 'Cowards' Leave More Anti-Semitic Flyers In Nassau County
• Suffolk County U-Turn Crash Leaves 6 Hurt, 1 Critical: Police
• Woman Pleads Guilty For Stealing $94k In Handbags From LI Shop: DA
• Protesters Rally Outside Long Island Starbucks After Union Leader Fired
• LI Man Claims Village Is Blocking Construction Due To Politics: Report
• Annual Cardboard Boat Race Delights In Riverhead: Photos, Video
• Northern Lights: Where In New York Might You See Them?
• Trial Set For Long Island Woman Accused In Vocal Coach's Shoving Death
• LI Man Gets 20 Years To Life For Murdering Deacon In 2017: NCDA
• Gabby Petito Lifetime Movie Trailer Released
• LI Woman Stole More Than $4 Million From NYC Company: Prosecutors
• Drought Crisis: Plea For LI Residents To Alter Lawn Watering Times
• Nassau Could Get Water From NYC, New Study Says
• Severe Drought Now Impacting Long Island's South Shore
• 2 On Bikes 'Rip Down' Pride Flag, Yell Anti-LGBTQ Slurs At LI Home: PD