$1
Friday, March 13, 2026
Vol. 86, No. 11
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
5K Race honors Plainview resident
Jeffrey Cohen has been named honoree of the 2026 Howie Levy 5K. BY GARY SIMEONE Jeffrey Cohen, a Plainview resident, recently received a prestigious honor by being named the honoree of the 2026 Howie Levy 5K. The award recognizes those who have handson involvement helping plan and grow the annual community-wide race. Howie Levy was a former director of the Mid Island JCC who passed away from cancer in 2013. He was an inspirational figure who helped run the Mid Island JCC Daycamp and was director of operations at the center. Cohen, a longtime member
of the JCC, became involved with putting the race together to help honor Levy and to provide the community with a healthy, positive and fun way to celebrate his name. “I’ve been a longtime member of the JCC and my kids have been very active in the community and the events that take place here and part of the day-camp, which is a popular activity in the ,” said Cohen. He said that the 5K race, which started thirteen years ago, has grown in popularity over the years and has seen more runners become involved. “Each year we have about two hundred and fifty to to four
hundred people race who come from all over Long Island and the five boroughs,”’said Cohen. “The race is sponsored by the Roadrunners Club of Long Island and they do a good job of organizing and getting the word out. It is a great event that takes place on a Sunday morning and helps to foster strong community ties.” The Howie Levy 5K takes place on Sunday, May 17, at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. To find out more about the Howie Levy 5K, you can visit the website events.elitefeets. com or google the Howie Levy 5K race.
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Town seeks “Women of Distinction”
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the Town’s 2026 Women of Distinction Program. During Women’s History Month, throughout the month of March, residents are invited to nominate extraordinary women who have made a difference in their communities. Nominations should be submitted by Friday, April 3. “Each year, the Town has the honor of recognizing women who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those around them through our Women of Distinction Program,” said Town Councilwoman Laura Maier. “If you know a special woman who helps make your community a better place to live, we invite you to nominate her to be a 2026 Town of Oyster Bay Woman of Distinction.” Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh added, “We are proud to recognize women in our Town and invite residents to submit nominations of those who make a difference and enrich the lives of others. We look forward to sharing their stories and recognizing their efforts to make our community, families and Town a better place to live, work and raise a family.” Women of Distinction will be recognized at a special awards ceremony hosted by the Town Board in May. Nominations may be submitted for any achievement or honorable cause performed by the nominee. . Honorees must live or work in the Town of Oyster Bay. To submit a nomination for the Women of Distinction Awards Program, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com/women or call (516) 624-6380 for an application.
Fire damages home A fire damaged a home on August Lane in Hicksville on Thursday, March 5, according to the Nassau County Police Department. Police responded to the home at 8:50 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames emanating from the home. The Hicksville Fire Department and
neighboring fire departments responded to extinguish the flames. A female resident suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to a nearby hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Teamwork on display at Lee Ave School PAGE 3 Volunteers needed to plant dune grass PAGE 4