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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
VOL. 130 NO. 14
Copiague MS students shine at science fair
It’s cherry blossom time in New York
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2025
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Third rabid raccoon found in Amityville this year Public is asked to take precautions By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Shown, left to right: Commissioner Rich Sica, Chairman of the Board; newly installed Chief Dan Broyles; outgoing Chief Kyle Miller and S.C. Leg. Kevin McCaffrey.
Kyle Miller recognized for his service to CFD; Dan Broyles installed as Chief of Department By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer, and other local officials attended the Copiague Fire Department’s installation ceremony March 1. The officials recognized outgoing Chief Kyle Miller for completing his term in the Chief’s Office. Miller, a 17-year member
of the department, has served in various leadership roles, including 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain of the Copiague Hook Ladder & Rescue Company. In 2021, he received the Suffolk County Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during a house fire with trapped occupants. The ceremony also marked the formal swearing-in of Chief Dan Broyles as the new Chief of Department.
It’s a new chapter for the Sisters of St. Dominic By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, announced the election of a new leadership team to serve the Congregation for a five-year term beginning June 22, 2025. “We are grateful for the gift of the current members of the Council, including the Prioress Sister Margaret McVetty and Councilors Sisters Diane Morgan, Diane Capuano, Judith
Flanagan, Pat Koehler, and Margaret Krajci,” said Lena Pennino-Smith, a spokeswoman for the sisters. The newly elected council includes Sister Margaret McVetty, OP, Prioress; Sister Diane Morgan, OP, Councilor; Sister Diane Capuano, OP, Councilor; Sister Laura Arvin, OP, Councilor and Sister Judith Flanagan, OP, Councilor. The election was held at the conclusion of the General Chapter event that took place CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
A third raccoon found in Amityville has tested positive for rabies, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. The raccoon was tested March 17, and confirmation was received from the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health March 21. There was no known human or pet contact with the animal. This is the third case of locally acquired terrestrial rabies this year. The first two cases were found on January 28 and March 4, both in North Amityville. Before this year, Suffolk County has not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009. Since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 24 bats collected in Suffolk County. Each year, roughly 3-to-6% of the bats sent to the New York State lab from Suffolk County have tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from infected mammals to humans. Left untreated, it can lead to death. Early symptoms include irritability, headache, fever, and sometimes itching at the site of exposure. Within days, the disease progresses to paralysis, spasms of the throat muscles, convulsions, delirium, and death. People can get rabies if they
are exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid animal through a bite. It is also possible, although rare, that people can get rabies if infectious material, such as saliva, from a rabid animal, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound. Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said, “We are very concerned that rabies is spreading along our western border. We are exploring options to curtail further spread, including the deployment of oral rabies vaccine for the raccoon population. We encourage residents to continue to remain vigilant.”
Precautions to take:
New York State and Suffolk County law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. To further protect yourself from possible exposure to rabies, the health department recommends that you: •Keep dogs, cats, and ferrets on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evening. •Avoid contact with any animal other than your own. •Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home. •Do not touch dead or dying animals. Use a shovel, wear rubber gloves and double-bag the carcass, if you need to move CONTINUED ON PAGE 9