Friday, May 31, 2024
Vol. 84, No. 22
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
TOB Beach restoration complete for summer
SPRING CONCERT
Students in the East Broadway Elementary School band performed for the school community Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools under the guidance of music teacher Megan Bastos on May 16.
NCPD: Gun used in robbery Nassau County Police arrested a Hicksville man on Sunday, May 26, at 3:40 AM in Hicksville for allegedly robbing a gas station. According the Robbery Squad Detectives, Angel Echeverria, 18, walked into a Mobile Gas Station located at 285 North Broadway and
approached the 56-year-old male cashier. Police say Echeverria displayed a handgun and demanded money. The victim, fearing for his life, complied and gave the robber approximately $900. According to police Echeverria then fled the gas station on foot; no injuries were reported at
scene. Police say they located Echeverria a short time later on Bay Avenue and as they were attempting to place him under arrest one officer sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to police, a loaded black Glock See page 9
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
The Town of Oyster Bay completed a major sand replenishment project at TOBAY Beach just in time for the start of summer. Mother Nature has eroded TOBAY over the last four years, and two million cubic yards of sand were washed away during a recent storm. As a result, the Town launched a sand replenishment initiative to save TOBAY for the 2024 Summer Season, delivering 31,000 tons of sand. However, further action from the Federal Government is necessary to secure a long-term fix. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “The men and women of the Town of Oyster Bay workforce have saved the summer! We’ve literally moved a mountain of sand to fortify the shoreline at TOBAY Beach and ensured residents have a new, clean beach to enjoy. My colleagues on the Town Board and I understand how beloved the beautiful TOBAY Beach is to our residents. That’s why we immediately sprang into action to save our beach and save the summer.” Supervisor Saladino has also requested emergency assistance from United States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Congressman Andrew Garbarino and Governor Kathy Hochul, to begin planning for a long-term solution. Officials in all levels of government are
needed to pressure the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a long-term solution that hardens the shoreline with additional sand, shields the primary nesting areas of protected species known as piping plover, defends the mainland and continues to provide public access to Long Islanders. While winter storms are partially to blame for the problems, Town engineers believe a change in longshore currents contributed to the crisis and that such transformation is the result of dredged materials placed at West Gilgo Beach in the Town of Babylon. Supervisor Saladino stated, “I know the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the expertise to resolve this matter and I implore their immediate assistance. A longterm action plan must be implemented, along with the proper funding to achieve the goals of hardening the shoreline with additional sand, protecting the mainland and continuing to provide the public access our residents expect and deserve. The Town of Oyster Bay suffered enough during Superstorm Sandy and we must resolve this matter now.” The Town has worked to stabilize TOBAY Beach dunes against erosion since 1989. A critical public access point to the shoreline, TOBAY Beach is located in the See page 9
Rotary sets record on Day of Service PAGE 8 Research program has impressive year PAGE 7