Stories to Look Out for in 2011

Here are some stories you can expect to see on Five Towns Patch in 2011:

Schools in financial straits: The recession has been felt everywhere, and it will continue to impact our daily lives. Schools are no exception. Lawrence School District is deeper in the hole, and laying off 27 teachers. A Hewlett-Woodmere Schools official has said that the district will be forced to make in the future.

Will Peninsula Public Library actually move?: This has been a question asked by many library officials and community members over the past decade, and it will surely continue to be asked in the new year. The library has their best hopes in years with a proposed deal to move to land currently owned by Temple Israel. The next step is for the temple to file a , which has to be approved by the Village of Lawrence. Mayor Martin Oliner had initially about the deal. Once the deal is approved, however, to the library, PPL trustees said.

Problems at the Bay Park Sewage Facility: The county-run facility has been deemed by the Public Works department as . Also, it's been leaking sludge into . This issue doesn't seem to affect Five Towns residents directly, but the Villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst both have deals to move their waste to the facility in the next few years.

25-year-old cold case may finally close: Lewis Slaughter for his role in the murder of Woodmere resident Samuel Quentzel in 1986. The other surviving man involved in the crime, Roger Williams, has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter and may face sentencing in 2011.

Leadership change at School District 15: The end of the school year will see the departure of Dr. John Fitzsimons, superintendent of Lawrence schools. Gary Schall, currently deputy superintendent, will take the top spot.