Friday, September 16, 2022
Vol. 82, No. 37
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Town plans Foodie Week Water district given more time for water remediation on October 16–23 The Hicksville Water District (HWD) has received a compliance deferral renewal from the New York State Health Department allowing the District additional time to install the necessary infrastructure upgrades to treat for 1,4-dioxane. The deferral was initially granted to the District in 2020, and the deferral process is only available to those water providers throughout the state that have shown significant progress in installing the now required advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment system for the removal of 1,4-dioxane to meet the recently established maximum contaminant levels (MCL). “We have been as aggressive in our
Town officials announce the return of Foodie Week at Butera’s of Woodbury, including Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Councilwoman Laura Maier, Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and Butera’s of Woodbury owners Laurie and Martin Butera. The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that Foodie Week — a unique opportunity for dining establishments to showcase their world-class culinary hotspots — will take place from October 16 to October 23. This week-long event will highlight the finest culinary creations local chefs, bakers, and artisans have to offer. The announce-
ment was made at Butera’s Restaurant of Woodbury, who will participate in Foodie Week. “This unique opportunity offers local dining establishments a chance to showcase their worldclass culinary hotspots, and highlights the finest culinary creations local chefs, bakers and artisans have to offer. It also provides a
fun outing for foodies and families to enjoy the best of the best at local eateries,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Restaurants are vital to our downtowns and crucial to our local economy. Let’s do our part by supporting them at a time when they need it the most.” Consistent with wellSee page 13
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efforts to combat the presence of emerging contaminants in our water,” said HWD Chairman Nicholas Brigandi. “Throughout this treatment process, our water quality has never exceeded the established MCL, remaining safe for our residents despite these challenges. We have successfully installed seven revolutionary new systems over the past few years and we will continue to do so until every affected well in our District is accounted for.” On August 26, 2020, the New York State Health Department (DOH) finalized regulations establishing MCLs for See page 13
Levittown man sentenced to life after murder of 73-year-old A Levittown man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the vicious machete killing of a 73-year-old grandmother during a robbery at her Newbridge Road home in September 2017. According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Benjamin Lopez, 27, was convicted on June 30, 2022, after a jury trial before Judge Fran Ricigliano, of Murder in the First Degree (an A-I felony); Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); two counts of Robbery in the First Degree (a B violent felony); two counts of Burglary in the First Degree (a B violent felony); two counts of Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony); Robbery in the Second
Degree (a C violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony); and Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony). He was sentenced on September 13th, on the third anniversary of the murder, to life in prison without parole. “Benjamin Lopez was after one thing when he broke into a Levittown home five years ago: revenge,” said DA Donnelly. “Lopez, looking to steal a former friend’s money and drugs, took his rage out on Laraine Pizzichemi, hacking her to death with a machete in a fit of ruthless violence. Laraine was still weakened from a fight with pancreatic cancer when she was attacked, and unable to defend See page 13
Levittown kicks off new school year PAGE 6 Division Ave HS dedicates auditorium PAGE 12