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Friday, September 26, 2025
Vol. 84, No. 39
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
BHS senior named Natl. Merit Semifinalist
Park renamed in honor of murdered IDF soldier Plainview’s Phipps Lane Park was renamed in honor of Captain Omer Neutra during a ceremony on Sunday, September 20. Omer, a former Plainview resident, was a member of the Israel Defense Forces who was murdered during the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas terrorists. Neutra was one of the 1,139 people killed during the attack and lost his life during a battle in the vicinity of Nir Oz, a small kibbutz located near Gaza in Southern Israel that was one of the communities most severely impacted by the Hamas terrorist invasion. His senseless murder sent shockwaves of devastation throughout the world and the Plainview community where he grew up and established deep and lasting familial roots. As of today, Omer Neutra’s body was still being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, further
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Aaryan Rupesh and Bethpage High School principal, Mr. Nicholas Jantz. Photos courtesy of Bethpage UFSD Bethpage High School senior Aaryan Rupesh has earned recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, placing him among the top students in the nation. The National Merit Scholarship Program, now in its 70th year, began in 1955 to honor scholastic achievement and encourage academic excellence. Students qualify for the program by taking the PSAT during their junior year. The highest scorers, which make up less
than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, are named Semifinalists. As a Semifinalist, Aaryan now has the chance to advance to a Finalist standing by completing a detailed scholarship application. The process considers academic records, leadership roles, participation in school and community activities, and a recommendation from a high school official. About 7,500 Finalists will go on to earn Merit Scholarship awards next spring.
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exacerbating the pain and suffering inflicted upon his family members and loved ones as they continue to grieve. “Phipps Lane Park is where Omer played growing up, my own children played Little League baseball and basketball, and countless other families have made their own indelible memories,” Nassau County Legislator Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) said. “It was so uplifting to witness the spirit and sense of community that brought so many people out on this beautiful day in support of the Neutra family, but it was just as heart-wrenching to witness and hear the agony of Omer’s childhood friends along with his amazing parents, Ronen and Orna, and Omer’s brother, Daniel, who expressed their unimaginable loss in such an impactful way.”
Knifepoint robbery in Hicksville
The clerk of a convenience store in Hicksville was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday, September 23, according to Nassau County Police. According to detectives, an unknown male entered Bolla Market located at 620 Old Country Road at 12:32 a.m. and demanded money from an employee while displaying a knife. The man then fled from the scene in a silver colored 4 door sedan with approximately $300
in proceeds. There were no injuries reported. The suspect is described as a male wearing a black ski mask, dark colored long sleeved shirt, blue jeans and red gloves. Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
HMS raises funds to fight child cancer PAGE 4 Musicians selected for All State honors PAGE 2