Football Honors Continue, Bridge Renamed for Figoski Top Week's Stories

Been away for the past week? Missed a few days of your daily fix here on Patch? 

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Catch up on the big headlines from the past week below with the top five headlines that got your neighbors' attention this week.

Bridge Renamed for Fallen West Babylon NYPD Officer

A ceremony was held on November 30 on Sunrise Highway to dedicate the Route 109 overpass to the memory of fallen New York City Police Officer Peter Figoski, a West Babylon father of four.

The newly renamed "NYPD Officer Peter Figoski Memorial Bridge" links the two halves of West Babylon divided by Sunrise Highway, leading to the area nearest to the Suffolk County Police Department First Precinct.

Babylon Football Takes Second Straight Rutgers Trophy

With two Long Island Championships under their belts and 24 straight wins, the Babylon Panthers varsity football team added another piece of hardware to their growing collection: a second straight Rutgers Trophy.

The Rutgers Trophy is annually awarded to the team considered the best by the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association in Suffolk County.

State Audit: Town Officials Violated Municipal Laws

A state audit released by the New York State comptroller's office states Babylon Town officials violated municipal law with loans totaling over $28 million that were used to purchase property in Wyandanch for revitalization.

The audit released by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office states the residential garbage district fund made 17 cash advances between 2008 and 2011 totaling $28 million, none of which were authorized by the Town Board.

Panthers' Carlock Named Top Defensive Player in Suffolk

Add another one to the trophy case – the Babylon Panthers' Jake Carlock took home the award for the top defensive football player in the county at the annual Suffolk County Football Coaches Association dinner.

Carlock, a defensive back who also starred as the Panthers' top wide receiver, punt and kick returner, punter and long snapper, picked off a ton of quarterbacks throughout Division IV this past season, intercepting many passes and taking them the other way for touchdowns.

Crime Rate Remains Low Over Past Month Throughout Town

The Suffolk County Police Department's First Precinct continued its trend of falling crime numbers in recent months in November, according to precinct officials.

Inspector Gerard Gigante, the commanding officer for the precinct which covers most of the Town of Babylon, said burglaries throughout the district continued to stay down at around 18 percent lower than the same time in 2012.