________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Community cleanup effort
lIRR strike threat looms
Students debate global issues
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Vol. 28 No. 18
APRIl 30 - MAY 6, 2026
$1.00
Residents cite noise, weak enforcement life,” said Jonathan Ghassemi, another Franklin Square resident. “You know, like, you have Re s i d e n t s o f F r a n k l i n to stop, kind of, your brain Square say that a growing qual- automatically kicks to it.” The issue persists despite ity-of-life and safety issue along the Southern State Parkway the state’s passage of the Sleep has been met with little to no Act in 2021, a law designed to enforcement, despite state leg- crack down on excessive vehicle noise and penalize both islation intended to address it. drivers and inspecFor years, hometion stations that owners near the allow illegal modifiparkway have dealt cations. with traffic noise. “The most frusBut many now say trating thing about the rise of modified it is that they vehicles — producpassed legislation,” ing explosive, gunGhassemi said of shot-like sounds — CAtHERINE owEN his disappointment has transformed a Franklin Square in the lack of b a ck g ro u n d nu i - resident enforcement. “And sance into a daily the intent was that, disruption. “Every three or four min- you know, there would be utes, if I go out in my backyard increased enforcement on the right now, while we’re talking, streets.” Fo r m a n y i n F r a n k l i n we won’t be able to talk over the noise, and it’s so danger- Square, the impact extends ous,” Franklin Square resident beyond inconvenience. ResiCatherine Owens said during a dents say the constant noise interrupts sleep, affects mental phone call with the Herald. Neighbors describe a sharp well-being and raises safety increase in the number vehi- concerns. “We love the neighborhood,” cles with altered mufflers, often heard long before and after Owens said. “We’re very happy they pass. The sounds, they say, here, but it’s gotten to the point that we just can’t continue putare impossible to ignore. “You can’t just, like, ignore ting up with it, you know, we’re it in the background of your Continued on page 11
By HAIlEY FUlMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
Courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District
Sewanhaka honors student, staff achievments Floral Park Memorial High School Principal Alicia Calabrese is pictured with Superintendent Regina Agrusa, board trustee Rosemarie Peltonen, President William Leder and trustee Jaclyn O’Donohue during the April 21 board meeting honoring accomplishments.
Prom giveaway helps students shine without financial burden By HAIlEY FUlMER hfulmer@liherald.com
You’re Our Unity — a nonprofit that focuses on empowering youth and providing resources for self-love and growth within the community — hosted its fifth annual prom giveaway at Sewanhaka High School, offering students free formalwear, styling support and the full prom experience without the financial pressure. The event started as a small community effort in 2022 and has grown into an annual giveaway that draws high school students from across New York for the ultimate prom experience. LeShawn Walker, founder of You’re Our Unity
based in Valley Stream, said the goal has always been to make sure students feel supported and celebrated during an important milestone. “It’s all about giving back,” Walker said. “It’s about serving. It’s about filling a void. It’s about outreach.” Walker said the first event came together with help from her daughter, Jay Ellis, who works in fashion and now plays a central role in styling and organizing the giveaway. Ellis said she’s been involved for about four or five years and sees it as something deeply personal, not just organizational work. “I have just been her support system, in helpContinued on page 10
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want to hear a solution to the problem.