BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglio.

The tax bill on Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglios Baiting Hollow home increased by 43 percent for 2014 amounting to a $5,200 increase due in part to a $2,300 payment owed on a previously untaxed finished basement and second-floor addition. The bill bump comes months after a contentious Republican primary for her council seat, during which news surfaced that the home improvements lacked proper town approvals.

The $2,300 represented an increased assessment for the current and prior tax years, based on those improvements, which is all the town can collect from Ms. Giglio and her husband, Mike, said Riverhead Assessor Laverne Tennenberg.

Even though the improvements, a second-story addition to the house and a finished basement, went unassessed for several years, the town by law can only go back one year in recouping unpaid taxes. Nevertheless, Ms. Giglio said, she and her husband will voluntarily pay the rest of the back taxes owed on those improvements, a figure Ms. Tennenberg estimated at about $15,000.

It was revealed during last years primary that the Giglios had failed to pay taxes on additions to the property dating back several years. However, because the town is only legally allowed to collect back taxes a year after they were due, the rest will come in the form of a donated gift to the town.

Under the law, she has no obligation to pay that, Ms. Tennenberg said. We can only legally go back one year, on anybody.

But Ms. Giglio says the couple will begin making gifts this year, spreading the payments over several years once the amount owed is pinned down. She said, however, that she believes the total will be lower than $15,000.

I believe elected officials should be held to a higher standard, Ms. Giglio said in an interview Tuesday.

The additions to the home, and the fact that Ms. Giglio hadnt received certificates of occupancy for them or paid property tax on them, came to light last summer during the town election campaign, in which Ms. Giglio ran in both a Republican primary and in the general election to retain her council seat. GOP primary candidate Anthony Coates who ultimately finished third in a field of three candidates had called for her resignation at the time.

That was stuff we hadnt picked up, Ms. Tennenberg said of the oversights.

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Councilwoman Giglio’s past taxes come due, in part

Friday January 17, 2014 9:11 AM UPDATED: Friday January 17, 2014 9:58 AM

Spring is still a few months away but the Wilds is already celebrating a booming baby season.

Two healthy white rhino calves were recently welcomed at the Wilds. A female calf was born on November 21, 2013. The second calf, also a female, was born two weeks ago on January 3, 2014.

The Wilds spokesperson says both mothers and calves are doing fine and will be slowly introduced to the rest of the herd after the weather warms up in the spring.

The birth of these calves are the 19th and 20th rhinos born at the Wilds since 2004.

Southern white rhinos were almost extinct in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Wilds says effective conservation efforts in the 1950s led to the exportation of individual wild white rhinos to zoos in North America and Europe. The current wild population is estimated to be about 20,000 animals.

Calves are born after a gestation of 16 months. White rhinos can grow to be 4,000 pounds and 6 feet tall at their shoulder.

Click here for more information about the Wilds - http://www.thewilds.org.

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The Wilds Welcomes Two Southern White Rhino Calves

January 17, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Sky Blue FC PHILADELPHIA, P.A. (Jan. 17, 2014) - Sky Blue FC made new additions to its roster today, selecting four players in the 2014 National Women's Soccer League College Draft. The team selected forward Maya Hayes from Penn State, defender Hayley Haagsma from Texas Tech, defender Michelle Pao from Pepperdine University, and midfielder/forward Elizabeth Eddy from the University of Southern California.

"We're very happy with how things went for Sky Blue today," said Head Coach Jim Gabarra following the draft's conclusion. "For the most part, things went as expected and I was really happy with the atmosphere and turnout at the draft."

Hayes, who is a native of West Orange, N.J., joins her hometown club after a stellar four-year career at Penn State. As a senior, Hayes tallied 19 goals, including four game-winners, while adding six assists. Following the season, Hayes was named to the All-Big Ten first team, as well as a NSCAA second team All-American. She finished second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation in goals and points with 19 and 44 respectfully. The former Nittany Lion closed out her collegiate career amassing 71 goals and 21 assists.

Hayes is a current member of the U23 National Team pool. She was also a member of the U20 National Team that won the 2012 FIFA U20 World Cup and the 2012 and 2010 CONCACAF U20 Women's Championship. She was also a three-time finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

With the club's second round selection, Sky Blue FC selected Texas Tech senior defender Hayley Haagsma. Haagsma, one of the nation's premier center-backs, helped guide the Red Raiders to an 18-2-3 record during 2013. She earned All-Big 12 Second-Team honors as well being named to Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team. The California native tallied four goals and three assists in her final season in Lubbock.

In the third round, Sky Blue FC selected defender Michelle Pao from Pepperdine University. The California native finished her senior season with seven points (two goals, three assists) while earning All-West Coast Conference First Team honors. She also has the distinction as being the only player in Pepperdine history to garner four First-Team All-Conference honors. In addition, she is also a former NSCAA All-American Second Team honoree.

With Sky Blue FC's final selection, the team took Elizabeth Eddy from USC. The speedy winger tallied 13 points (six goals, one assist) in her senior season for the Trojans. She is also a former U.S. youth national team player.

"We're glad to have added Maya, Hayley, Michelle, and Elizabeth today and we're looking forward to having them in camp," said Gabarra.

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Sky Blue FC Adds Four in NWSL College Draft

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Kevin Reilly

Days after Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly announced he was abandoning the traditional pilot process, the network has picked up two drama projects with an eye toward series commitments.

The network announced Friday that it has added Red Band Society with a "go" on a series prototype and additional backup scripts; and Runner, which has received an off-cycle commitment with an eye toward series production in the summer.

STORY: TV Pilots 2014: The Complete Guide

Red Band Society, which received a script commitment in November,explores with dark humor the daily lives of a group of teenagers living in a hospital who become unlikely friends. The depth of the unexpected friendships allows them to survive the challenges of growing up under such intense circumstances. It's based on the acclaimed Spanish series Polseres Vermelles.

Margaret Nagle(Boardwalk Empire) will pen the script and executive produce the Amblin Television and ABC Studios entry.Y Tu MamaTambien'sSergio Aguerowill executive produce alongside Amblin's Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank.

Runner is based on the Turkish series Son and hails from writer Michael Cooney (Identity), with Peter Horton directing and exec producing the 20th Century Fox entry alongside Ian Sander and Kim Moses. The drama, which is to guns what Traffic was to drugs, centers on the traditionally masculine world of arms dealing through the unexpected lens of a woman. After a simple twist of fate, Lauren Marks learns her husband is not the person she believed him to be.Faced with the harsh reality that her life is forever changed, she goes on a truth-seeking journey that entrenches her in a U.S.-Mexican war over weapons and terrorism.

STORY: Fox's Kevin Reilly Reveals Plans to 'Bypass Pilot Season'

This marks the second Traffic-like project set up this season. NBC's drama pilot Odyssey -- which also hails from Horton -- is described as a Traffic-like thriller that is pulled into an international military conspiracy.

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Fox Picks Up Dramas 'Red Band Society,' 'Runner' With Eye Toward Series Commitments

January 15, 2014 - International League (IL) Indianapolis Indians INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have invited former Indians standouts Matt Hague (1B), Jameson Taillon (RHP), Zack Thornton (RHP) and Carlos Paulino (C) to Major League Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla. All four players saw action with the Tribe last season as they helped guide Indianapolis to its second consecutive International League West Division title.

One of the Indians' all-time greats, Hague receives an invite to big-league camp after leading the International League in hits (153), at-bats (536) and games played (153), while also finishing tied for the league lead with 37 doubles. The two-time Tribe MVP has now led the IL in base knocks in two of the previous three seasons and currently boasts the Indians franchise record for career hits (422) during the Victory Field Era (since 1996). Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the ninth round (264th overall) of the 2008 MLB Draft, Hague enters the 2014 season with a .296 career average (783-for-2642) in 695 Minor League games and a .229 mark (16-for-70 ) in 30 games with the Pirates.

Pirates top pitching prospect Taillon is set for his second straight appearance at big league camp following a promising year in which he excelled at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Taillon, who is rated as Pittsburgh's No. 2 overall prospect by Baseball America, began the year with Altoona and turned in a 4-7 record with a 3.67 ERA (45 ER in 110.1 IP) and 106 strikeouts in 20 games (19 starts). The 22-year-old prospect then made a quick adjustment at the Triple-A level to go 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA (16 ER in 37.0 IP) in six starts with Indianapolis, highlighted by a stretch of four straight quality starts to close out the season. Taillon also ranked second in the IL with 37 strikeouts and fifth in total innings pitched after making his Triple-A debut on Aug. 5.

In his first season with the organization, Thornton went a combined 7-3 with five saves, a 2.63 ERA (22 ER in 75.1 IP) and 90 strikeouts in 42 games (one start) between Hi-A Bradenton, Altoona and Indianapolis. He recorded an overall record of 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA (11 ER in 25.1 IP) during four stints with the Tribe last season, and his 31 punchouts to just four walks ranked as the highest strikeout-to-walk ratio among all Indians pitchers with more than 16.0 innings of work. Following the regular season, Thornton capped off the year with a dominating performance in the prestigious Arizona Fall League in which he posted the second-best WHIP (0.75) among league hurlers while also recording nearly a strikeout per inning (14 SO in 14.2 IP).

The 24-year-old catcher Paulino heads to Spring Training on the heels of his first, brief stint at the Triple-A level last season. Although the backstop appeared in just three games with Indianapolis in 2013, he made a strong impression by going 3-for-5 with an 11th-inning, walk-off single in his Triple-A debut on Aug. 29 at Toledo. Prior to joining the Indians, Paulino spent the majority of the campaign with Double-A Altoona where he gunned down an impressive 36 percent of runners attempting to steal (40-of-110). He also produced a .220 average 71-for-323) in 99 games with the Curve before going 3-for-11 (.273) in three regular-season contests with the Tribe.

With the four additions, the Pirates have now invited 16 non-roster players to their Major League camp, including 2013 Indians players Kyle McPherson (RHP) and Robert Andino (INF).

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Tribe Standouts Invited to MLB Camp

January 15, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL) Sioux Falls Storm The Storm is excited to announce the re-signing of two key defensive players, Roy Polite and Patrick Wells.

Wells, who will be entering his third season with the Storm, played a critical role for the Storm in the 2013 season compiling a total of 83 tackles (63 solo, 20 assisted). He was second in the league with 14 pass break-ups and snagged one interception. The 6'1", 200lb defensive back is a graduate of Ferris State University and also had a stint with the Cleveland Browns. Pat is currently living in Sioux Falls and working as a supervisor/counselor at the Sequel Transition Academy.

Roy Polite (6'0", 190lbs) also proved to be a vital part of the Storm defensive backfield, accumulating 83 total tackles (68 solo, 15 assisted). Polite played his college career at Middle Tennessee State University and is entering his second full season with the Storm.

Storm Owner Todd Tryon stated, "We couldn't ask for a better group of returning DB's. This group really came together for our stretch run in 2013 and we expect even bigger things this year."

Also returning to the Storm defense are defensive backs Kyle Theret and Moses Ellis. Both were additions to the 2013 roster and were important pieces through the championship run. Ellis compiled 9 tackles and a pass break-up, while Theret added 17 tackles and an interception.

In addition to the returning talent, the Storm has signed some new defensive backs to the roster. Martin Manson, Jr. (5'9",180lbs) is a rookie to the IFL. The Southern Connecticut State alum was All-ECAC and an All-American candidate. Michael McMillian (5'11",205lbs) is also new to the indoor game. McMillian played collegiate football for Ashland University. Jonathon Setzer will round out the rookie DB's attending Storm Camp 2014. Setzer was a cornerback for Winston Salem University.

Storm Season kicks off on February 21st at the Sioux Falls Arena. For tickets and information, visit http://www.siouxfallsstorm.com or call 274-6686.

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Storm Defense Returns Veteran Secondary

January 14, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Columbus Crew Just when it seemed the Columbus Crew was de-emphasizing the MLS SuperDraft, it launched themselves back into the middle of the First Round through a deal on Tuesday with the LA Galaxy.

For its second-round pick (23rd overall) and allocation money,Columbus acquired the Galaxy's 14thoverall selection and winger Hector Jimenez. Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said the combination of both was a fortunate coincidence.

"Hector's been a guy that we had been following for a while," Berhalter told MLSsoccer.com by phone Tuesday. "As it turns out, the timing of the deal made a first-round pick available as well."

While the League does not reveal allocation numbers, Berhalter said the amount the club spent "wasn't substantial," and called it a good deal for both teams.

In Jimenez, Berhalter expects a player who will compete for a starting spot and, as has been a theme of his offseason additions, the 25-year-old provides versatility in the Crew attack.

"We're getting a very versatile player, a player who is very technical with good transition speed and likes to combine and can really play the ball in tight spaces," Berhalter said. "He can play on either side, he can play in the middle. ... We're going to look at him in a number of positions."

With the likes of young wingersBen Speas,Ethan Finlay,Justin MeramandBernardo Aoron the Crew roster andDominic Odurolikely cementing a starting role, it would seem the Crew have plenty of outside midfielders. But Berhalter said the acquisition was useful nonetheless.

"In that position, I feel that depth is important," he said. "I also feel that [Jimenez] comes from a good place. He's played with a lot of good players, and he's a high-level player."

With the Galaxy's 14thoverall SuperDraft pick, Berhalter feels the club moved back into the range where they believe they can draft a "contributor slash starter ... a guy who can come in and play some games."

"We felt that at 23 we were kind of outside of that bubble a little bit, and we wanted to get back in it," Berhalter said. "As this deal kind of unraveled, there was a chance for that, and we took it."

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Berhalter: Crew Fortunate to Add Hector Jimenez, "Get Back in" SuperDraft with Trade

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2013 Year In Review: Part Two

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 3:47 PM EST

A car crash that claimed the lives of a Grayling High School senior and the 31-year-old coach of the GHS varsity boys golf team. Camp Grayling's 100th anniversary. The reigning AuSable River Canoe Marathon champions winning the race for a sixth consecutive time. Grayling being selected for the Michigan Main Street program. Mercy Hospital Grayling being named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals. Fracking in Beaver Creek. Just a few of the many local news stories covered by the Crawford County Avalanche this past year.

In sports, during the 2013 calendar year, Grayling High School's wrestling team won a Lake Michigan Conference title and a district championship, the GHS varsity boys basketball team won its third consecutive district title, and the football program won a second consecutive league title. The girls golf team made it to the state finals for a fourth consecutive season.

It was a busy year for Grayling and Crawford County. With 2013 coming to an end, the Crawford County Avalanche presents Part Two (July through December) of its annual Year In Review feature. Part One (January through June) was included in last week's edition of the Crawford County Avalanche.

Story summaries in the Year In Review are listed according to the edition in which the article appeared.

July

The Crawford County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to place a surcharge on all improved property, land which has buildings and utility services, to fund the countywide recycling program. The county recycling committee is seeking to levy a surcharge of $6 per year per household. Beaver Creek Township, Grayling Charter Township, and the City of Grayling will place the surcharge on tax bills of property owners. Frederic Township, Maple Forest Township and South Branch Township will utilize existing funds collected for trash disposal and recycling to pay for their obligations for the program. Lovells Township, which levies a millage to fund its trash transfer station, will run its own recycling program and will transport collected materials to Camp Grayling to be processed. (July 4)

The Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU), a partner of the AuSable River Watershed Committee, was given a two-year Habitat Improvement Account (HIA) grant from Consumer's Energy. The HIA program was established to mitigate damage caused to fish habitats by the hydroelectric turbines for dams located throughout the AuSable, Muskegon and Manistee Rivers. The Mason-Griffith of TU is using the grant to fund a project that will repair over 1,000 fish habitat improvement structures in the AuSable River put in by the Department of Natural Resources in the 1970s. (July 4)

The third edition of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon trading cards was released. The set included 18 different cards. Only 250 sets were available for each edition. The newest set - the 2013 edition - included: John Baker, Tom Cannon, Bernie Fowler, Michael Garon, Rod Halstead, Ryan Halstead, Jim Harwood, Peter Heed, Steve Krantz, Steve Landick, Fred Mills, the Memorial Monument (2008-2012), Josh Sheldon, Amy Solak, Tim Triebold, Dwight Walker, Jon Webb and Ed Wojahn. (July 4)

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2013 Year In Review: Part Two

January 13, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Des Moines Buccaneers Urbandale (IA) The Des Moines Buccaneers are coming off a weekend in which they dropped two games and never led for a single second.

By any form of measurement it's a disappointment, so why is there as much optimism as though that record were flip-flopped? It's because of recent additions, and returns, that have the coaching staff feeling as though the roster is poised for a strong run.

Buccaneer fans caught their first glimpse at the team's Phase II Third Round draft pick Oskar Norlov, and saw a familiar face in Connor Schmidt make his return to Des Moines. Norlov is a highly talented forward from Sweden who had averaged more than a point per game in three years in the Swedish Elite League. Meanwhile, defenseman Schmidt played in 54 games for the Buccaneers in 2011-2012 before spending the last season and a half at Division I Ferris State.

Head coach Jon Rogger is encouraged by what he has seen and the potential down the line.

"I thought that Connor was terrific in both games this weekend. He plays hard and with a lot of energy every shift out. He is tough to play against and makes simple plays. He is definitely an upgrade on our blue line" said Rogger, who had scouted Connor when he was property of the Green Bay Gamblers prior to coming to Des Moines.

Rogger also likes what he has seen thus far from Oskar.

"He has to adjust to the speed and physicality of the USHL but we feel he will be an impact player for us" noted Rogger. He has great hands and sees the ice as well as any of our forwards"

This weekend also marked the return to the line-up of defenseman Alec Rauhauser, who had missed two months and 17 games due to an upper-body injury. The rookie from Bismarck, ND played on Friday before sitting out Saturday as the team eases him back in.

And far from an afterthought, the Buccaneers are hoping that Urbandale native Willem Nong-Lambert will be back in the line-up as early as this weekend. The team's reigning rookie of the year has been limited to only 11 games due to injuries this season but is close to a return.

"Anytime you get your leading scorer from a year ago back into your lineup you will see a difference in our team" said Rogger. "Willem plays a very important role for us as we plan to use him on both the power play and penalty kill. I feel he will continue where he left off and put up points right away."

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Des Moines Bucs Weekly