Retired Firefighter and distinguished author Dennis Smith spoke to a group of City Islanders today at the City Island Branch Library. Smith is the author of 16 books, founder of Firehouse Magazine and a member of the board of Congressional Fire Services Institute, and Tribute Center at Ground Zero.

Mr. Smith spoke about his life as a firefighter and we recommend that anyone who is interested in firefighting should read his books. Smith took questions from the audience, but tactfully sidestepped a controversial question from an audience member about NYC's trouble plagued 911 system.

US MIDWEST DANGER. Millions Face Threatening Tornadoes

OBAMA IN COLOMBIA. Secret Service Agents Sent Home

SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS. Warns Weather Service

TWO BRONX PEDESTRIANS. Critical After Hit and Run

TITANIC ANNIVERSARY. 100 Years Ago Today.

Despite its failure, the launch of a so-called ‘application satellite’ by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is “deplorable,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, and urged the country to not undertake further actions that could increase tension in the region.

Early this morning, DPRK authorities launched the satellite, but, according to media reports, it flew less than two minutes before exploding and crashing into the waters of the Korean peninsula.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced that major renovations are expected to begin early next year at the Pelham Bay Park, Buhre Avenue, Middletown Road, Zerega Avenue, and Castle Hill Avenue IRT 6 Pelham Line train stations.

NORTH KOREA FAILED LAUNCH. Rocket Ship Quickly Broke Apart.

SYRIA CEASE FIRE. UN 6 Point Peace Plan In No Compliance.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DRUG RAID. Police Chief Killed.

NRA MEETING. Mitt Romney Speech.

TAX RETURN FIRM. Filing Fraud?