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While the snow means manual labor and stress for some, for others, like young Bennett gateson, the snow provides opportunities for outdoor fun.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Around 20 inches of snow blanketed Freeport during a blizzard that started on Sunday, according to the Village of Freeport, and continued into the following day, forcing public school buildings to close on Monday and Tuesday and a comprehensive snow removal effort that is ongoing.
Mayor Robert Kennedy and the Freeport Emergency Management Office advised residents to stay off the roads and be prepared to plow walkways as snow continued to fall Monday afternoon.
Freeport Public Schools announced: “Due
to inclement weather, all Freeport Schools will be closed on Feb. 23,” including all afternoon and evening activities. The school district also decided to keep buildings closed on Tuesday, but held classes remotely for all schools rather than cancel them outright.
The Roosevelt School District also announced that all in-person instruction would be canceled across all school facilities on Monday, and later announced that schools would remain closed on Tuesday as well.
Schools in both districts re-opened on Wednesday, but all after-school extracurricular activities were canceled for Freeport
Continued on page 10
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
The Youth Council of the Freeport-Roosevelt chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held a Black History Month celebration last Saturday at Choice for All, a social services organization in Roosevelt. Organizers of the fourth annual event focused on honoring local community members who contribute to modern Black history.
Bback to the community and appreciate their contributions.
“We always celebrate legends who passed away 10, 20, 30 years ago,” Douse said. “This time I told them to identify living legends in our community, Roosevelt and Freeport … and they came up with the list, and it was amazing how they did that.”
eing a part of the organization made me realize my potential to do great things in society
for the
ones who
need
The Youth Council is an organization that aims to help young people “learn the importance of giving back to the community” and standing out as leaders, according to Allois Douse, one of the chapter’s adult organizers. This year’s theme was Celebrating Our Living Legends, and Douse tasked the youth members with recognizing Black local legends as an important way to give
it most
ShAWN FloWERS
Freeport-Roosevelt NAACP Youth Council
The honorees were Denton Watson, a Freeport educator and activist who was a part of the original NAACP and served as their national director of public relations; Christine Waters, of Freeport, a retired state academic administrator; Marie Houanche, a Freeport military veteran and nurse practitioner, Frank Abel, a musician from Roosevelt, and Emily Moore, a Roosevelt educator and member of the Roosevelt Board of Education.
Douse expressed pride in the young members and contribuContinued on page 3
Roosevelt High School celebrated the athletic achievements of its Varsity boy’s and girl’s track and field athletes who competed in the Nassau County Class AA Winter Track and Field Championships. The county championships were held at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington on Feb. 4.
The Roosevelt student-athletes showcased their talents against top competitors from across Nassau County while showing exemplary strength and sportsmanship. The track teams as a whole delivered an outstanding championship performance, walking away with seven new personal records, one Roosevelt school record and a New York State number one ranking.
Esmia Thomas led the way for the girl’s team by capturing the county title in the girl’s 55-meter dash with a blazing time of 7.1 seconds. Her performance set a new school record and earned her the top ranking out of all New York state runners.
Tajha Coggins also gave a strong performance in the girl’s 55-meter dash, earning seventh place overall.
Leroy Barrett, of the boy’s team, claimed the championship in the 55-meter dash with a personal record of 6.44 seconds.
In the field events, Nefertari Cameron captured first place in the shot put, while sophomore Mariam Lawal followed closely with an impressive
third-place finish. Joy Frank also placed sixth in the triple jump, adding to the team’s impressive list of accomplishments.
The girl’s 4x200-meter relay team, comprised of Joy Frank, Esmia Thomas, Tajha Coggins and Sophia Lobban, continued their dominance by earning the title of back-to-back county champions. The boy’s 4x200-meter relay team earned a third-place finish. The relay team was comprised of Kyree Robinson, Leroy Barrett, Raniel Barrett and Akenio Wallace.
Overall, the girl’s team finished fourth in the county standings, while the boy’s 4x400-meter relay team earned a fifth-place finish.
Several freshmen made significant contributions during the championship. Tyler Lindo had a personal-best long jump of 19 feet, 2 inches, earning him fifth place overall, and was the only freshman to qualify for the finals. Raniel Barrett also stood out, running a personal best of 6.87 seconds in the 55-meter dash and was the highest-placing freshman in the event.
The Roosevelt district also celebrates with coaches Robert Sweeney, Tywaun Sanford and Rhoderick McGhee for their continued leadership and success ahead of the New York State Qualifiers the following week.
–Andrew Francis
CoNtINueD From Page 1
schools, due to additional morning snowfall.
The National Weather Service had forecasted about 15 to 20 inches of snow with winds up to 30 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. This week’s storm met forecasted predictions and had nearly doubled the impact of the late January snowstorm.
Village officials urged residents to keep their cars off the roads as much as possible so that snow removal vehicles could plow snow from curb to curb without trapping cars. But for some residents, the village’s snow removal efforts left much to be desired.
“We’ve had between 40 and 50 people on duty 24 hours a day since noon Sunday through the present,” said Department of Public Works Assistant Supervisor Benjamin Terzulli on Tuesday afternoon. “Those dozens of workers have put out more than 400 tons of sand and salt to keep the roads safe.”
The Village stated that its sand and salt supply has been nearly depleted, but they expected to receive another delivery of salt later on Tuesday, which Mayor Kennedy said was from a supplier in Staten Island, to meet further snow removal needs in the community.
Terzulli gave a reminder that shoveling one’s driveway or walkway needs to be done safely by residents, especially with the large volume of snow that was in the area. He encourages residents to try to help out other neighbors if they are struggling to shovel or traverse the
and the surrounding areas.
snowy landscape.
On Monday evening, when the snowfall had largely ceased, residents said that plowing services had either been scant or non-existent on their streets since the morning.
“They have to do better,” Freeport resident Asia Wynter. “Going down the middle of the street once isn’t it.”
“For the most part, the roads all suck incredibly,” resident Gary De Jesus said. “Only main roads like Sunrise (Highway) and the parkways are clean and clear. It is a slushy mess on Merrick
Road, and a lot of the side streets are either fully iced out or a dry, crumbled, frozen mess.”
Other residents voiced their displeasure with some village trucks plowing snow directly onto sidewalks or properties, making it difficult for them to do their own proper clean up. Deke Adler was one such disgusted resident who was annoyed with the village’s cleanup efforts, and went to social media to express his frustrations.
“You don’t want people pushing snow into the roads, but it’s perfectly fine
dropping an entire block’s worth of snow in front of a corner house,” he wrote.
Some residents had more favorable outlooks on the storm and the village’s response when compared to January’s snowstorm.
“I think they did a better job than the last storm,” Melanie Donnelly said, who lives on Lexington Avenue. “I have seen the plows going down our street many times today. It is a lot of snow, and I know they have been working very hard since yesterday, and I appreciate their hard work.”
Kennedy and Terzulli wants to assure residents that the Village is constantly re-evaluating its snow procedures so that everything possible is done to keep residents safe and the roads clear.
“We are utilizing every available resource to tackle this storm, and will continue to do so for as long as it takes.”
Across Long Island, the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSEG) Long Island branch, announced that over 15,000 out of their 1.2 million Long Island customers suffered outages due to downed wires and trees from the storm. PSEG stated that they recognize the loss of power creates hardships for many, and “appreciates customers’ patience and understandings as crews work to restore electric service.”
In the event of any weather-related incidents that need special attention, residents may call the Village of Freeport Police Department at (516) 377-0700 or 911 for emergency services.
Freeport High School students and staff members participated in a special celebration of love on “P.S. I Love You Day” on Feb. 13. The event was part of the school community’s ongoing commitment to mental health and well-being, which is annually celebrated on the second Friday of February.
Students and staff proudly wore purple in recognition of the day, turning the hallways into a vibrant, colorful palette. This simple act was intended to encourage students and to reinforce the idea that none of them is ever truly alone. Students were also encouraged to take the initiative to engage in small acts of kindness and connection, which can make a significant impact on someone’s life.
The 2026 theme was “Be the Light,” which emphasizes the need for students and all community members to spread positivity, support one another and recognize the power of compassion in creating a safe and welcoming school environment.
Throughout the day, students engaged in schoolwide activities focused on mental health awareness and uplifting one another emotionally. Students were also taught the importance of reducing the stigmas surrounding mental health.
Some of the activities students participated in as soon as they entered the building in the morning were writing positive and affirming messages for others, sharing bracelets and passing along purple Hershey Kisses candy for P.S. I Love You Day.
By embracing this initiative each year, Freeport High School continues to foster a supportive culture and shine a light on the importance of mental health for all members of its school community.
–Andrew Francis
On Feb. 17, Freeport police officers arrested a subject who, after being stopped for a village ordinance, was found to be illegally possessing a controlled substance. The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On Feb. 18, Freeport police officers arrested a subject who, after investigating a larceny from a local business, was found to have removed property from a location without permission or authority to do so. The defendant was placed under arrest and brought to Freeport Police Headquarters for processing.
On Feb. 18, Freeport police officers secured a report regarding an individual who removed items from a local business without paying or obtaining permission to do so. No arrest was
requested but a report was taken for documentation.
On Feb. 22, Freeport police officers arrested a subject who, after being involved in the investigation of an auto accident, was found to be operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the Freeport Police Headquarters for processing.
On Feb. 17, Freeport police officers secured a report from a local business regarding an individual who misplaced personal property within a rented vehicle. A report was taken, and no arrest was requested.
On Feb. 22, Freeport police officers secured a report for an individual who misplaced personal property while patronizing a local park. A report was taken for documentation, and no arrest was requested.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
Special Victims detectives from the Nassau County Police Department reported the recent arrests of two men for an alleged rape that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Roosevelt.
According to detectives, Oscar Rivera Marquez, 20, and Ever Antonio Iraheta Mira, 29, contacted a female juvenile victim through social media and arranged to meet in person. The victim was persuaded by the men with an offer to use a marijuana vape. Upon meeting the subjects at the Roosevelt Preserve located at Brooklyn Avenue and Frederick Avenue in
Roosevelt, the victim was subjected to inappropriate contact from the two men.
A thorough investigation was conducted, and both subjects were arrested and arraigned. Marquez, who is from Harrisonburg, Virginia, was arraigned on Friday, Feb 20. Mira, from Franklin Square, was arraigned the following day, Feb. 21, at the First District Court of Hempstead. Both defendants have been charged with two counts of rape in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
–Andrew Francis
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
After suffering months of malnourishment and neglect, Athena, an approximately 7-year-old dog, has made a near full physical recovery and is ready to join a permanent loving home.
Athena has had a busy several years of recovery since being dropped off at Bobbi and the Strays, a Freeport nonprofit animal shelter, on July 7, 2022. Athena arrived at the shelter severely malnourished with several sores and scars across her frail body. Fortunately, with treatment at the Howard Beach Animal Clinic and individual training and care from workers at Bobbi and the Strays, Athena is much healthier and ready to be loved in a capable and willing home.
Richard Flynn, the worker at Bobbi and the Strays who initially found Athena in her abused state, shared that despite all she has suffered, the dog still likes human interaction.
“[The abuse] does not seem like it affected her what somebody did to her, because she’s not afraid of people,” said Flynn. “She’s never bitten anybody. She plays a little rough…but she never bit or hurt anybody.”
According to Marie Fisher, a representative at Bobbi and the Strays, Athena’s alleged abuser, Damian Douglas, 44, originally purchased the dog from a breeder in North Carolina with the intention of having her fight other dogs. When Athena refused to cooperate, Douglas allegedly left the dog in a small crate with little food and no room to exercise or relieve itself.
Bobbi and the Strays pressed charges against Douglas, aided by the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Following the arrest of Douglas, Donnelly described Athena’s state as “one of the worst cases of extreme confinement and animal cruelty we’ve ever seen in this county.”
Douglas pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges related to animal cruelty, and according to Fisher, who attended most of the court proceedings, Doug-
las was never forced to serve jail time and only had to pay a fine which “paled in comparison to the tens of thousands Bobbi spent,” referring to Bobbi and the Stray’s owner, Roberta “Bobbi” Giordano, who has invested in the upkeep and preservation of abused or abandoned dogs like Athena.
Giordano and her team are ready for Athena to have her perfect home and be adopted after spending over three years in medical care and at the shelter. For those who are currently not fit or unable to adopt Athena or another dog, there is more you can do.
“Share the dogs, try and get them homes is the most important thing,”
said Virginia Mattney, another Bobbi and the Strays worker, especially the larger dogs who do not get as much attention on social media or get adopted as swiftly as smaller dogs.
Flynn added that the shelter maintains a list of donation needs on its website. Volunteers are also extremely helpful to just spend time with the dogs, says Flynn.
“It’s always great to get them out, because other than that, they’re stuck in these rooms until we get to them. I’m one person, I have ten dogs. If I had a couple of volunteers, guess what? They get out more instead of being stuck in that kennel.”
Since Athena has made a significant recovery from her injuries, Bobbi and the Strays recommend the following conditions for her potential owner and home.
■ Someone active and strong enough to manage walking and holding a bigger dog.
■ A home without any other pets.
■ A home without small children.
■ Owners with patience and care.
Even after receiving medical care, Athena had a very deteriorated physique. Scars still remain from the abuse suffered.
To learn more about adopting Athena and other dogs, or becoming a volunteer, please visit their website, bobbiandthestrays.org, or give them a call at (516) 378-4340.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
certain language, and that’s not looking to get rid of criminals.”
WOn Feb. 21, Freeport residents and Nassau County Democrats assembled at 11a.m. alongside a Dunkin Donuts on Sunrise Highway and Henry Street for a peaceful demonstration calling for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Nassau County. The demonstration was ran in conjunction with Democratic groups in Malverne, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Baldwin, Bellmore and Merrick, which occurred in other locations alongside Sunrise Highway.
e’re looking to ask Blakeman to look to find something that’s very hard to find in his heart, and that’s to show humanity for people.
NoAh BuRRoughS District 18 Representative, New York State Assembly
Nassau County Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé was present at the Freeport protest, and described the current local and national issue of immigration enforcement as “one of the most important issues of our time.”
“I was raised to believe that it is our moral duty to use our voices to stand up for the most vulnerable people in our society,” said Mulé. “By embracing the power found in acts of conscientious, peaceful protest, the people of Minneapolis have shown us the role each of us can have in defending our democracy and restoring decency and civility to our nation.”
Minneapolis, Minnesota had become a national focal point of ICE raids and anti-ICE protests, particularly after the deaths of two civilians, Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by ICE agents in two different incidents earlier this year.
Noah Burroughs, the New York State Representative for Assembly District 18, was also present for the protest. Prior to the demonstration, Burroughs made targeted demands of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to remove ICE for the county, describing ICE as a “racial issue” instead of a political one.
“We’re looking to ask Blakeman to look to find something that’s very hard to find in his heart, and that’s to show humanity for people who came here, just as his ancestors came here,” Burroughs said. “You’re deputizing Nassau County police officers to help ICE, to guide ICE, to detain and deport people who look a certain way, who speak a
Blakeman has been a staunch supporter of ICE in Nassau County, having vowed previously to fight a proposed ban from New York governor Kathy Hochul, on local officers acting as federal immigration agents. ICE currently has a 287(g) agreement with the Nassau County Police Department to be able to deploy local officers to carry out ICE tasks.
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald
As employers across Long Island struggle to fill open positions, State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood on Feb. 17 to spotlight workforce training and emphasize child care access as a critical barrier to employment.
“There are many pathways leading to middle-class, family-sustaining jobs right now, and many of them lead through community college programs,” said Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “An apprenticeship, an industry-recognized certification or license or a two-year degree. Eventually, many of them can also lead to bachelor’s degrees as well, and I appreciate Commissioner Reardon helping to shine a light on these opportunities.”
Reardon toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, met with students and educators and highlighted several workforce development and child care initiatives included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.
Long Island faces ongoing shortages in skilled trades like electrical work, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges offer workforce training in those areas, as well as in
on Feb. 17.
health care. And the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, sponsored by SUNY Farmingdale, offers regional residents tuition-free vocational training.
Officials said the programs help create a pipeline of locally trained workers who can remain in their communities.
Will Testa, owner of Will Testa Remodeling Inc., in Copiague, noted the shortage of workers. “There are not enough people coming in to the workforce who are trained properly,” he said. “The problem is, everyone forces their kids to go to college, which may be good for some, but
it’s not good for everyone, and trade schools are important — it’s the infrastructure of our society.”
What’s important, Testa added, is that this training is designed hard in hand with local employers.
While workforce-training programs are expanding, Reardon said, employment growth also depends on addressing Long Island’s child care shortage.
Reardon, who also co-chairs the state’s Child Care Task Force, said that increasing access to affordable care is essential to strengthening the labor force. The task
force, relaunched in 2023, is developing strategies aimed at universal, high-quality, affordable child care statewide.
“The governor has spoken a lot about this issue, and made it clear that she wants every New Yorker to be able to work at their fullest capacity and desire,” she said. “And that means that we have a responsibility to help them have accessible, affordable child care to do that.”
Child care costs on Long Island are among the highest in the country, second only to Massachusetts. Families typically spend between $15,000 and $24,000 annually per child for full-time, center-based care, according to the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
“When you couple that with the high costs of everything else — housing, food, utilities — child care is a tremendous stress on families,” Reardon noted.
Prachi Shah, owner of Kiddie Academy, in Hicksville, said that care providers also face financial pressures. “We are grateful for Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s visit to the Brentwood Campus and her attention to matters affecting our industry,” Shah said.
The Kiddie Academy of Hicksville and Bethpage are independently owned and operated franchise locations that serve 350 children and employ 75 early-childhood educators. “It is essential to keep this discussion going,” Shah said, “and highlight ways the state can better support providers on Long Island.”
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Police Officer Anthony Cascio has become one of the newest additions to the Freeport Police Department after being sworn in at a promotion ceremony in late January. Being a resident of Freeport, Cascio hopes to be a positive contribution to community development and safety.
It’s just good to be a part of the community.
ANthoNy CASCIo
Freeport Police Officer
Cascio was originally hired in 2020 by the New York City Police Department and served in the 102nd precinct, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Queens. He later joined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department in 2023, where he served for two years before resigning in January 2026 and joining the Freeport force. Having become a resident of Freeport about three years ago, Cascio expressed that he felt inspired to be a part of his own community’s law enforcement.
“I always heard great things about the Freeport Police Department,” said Cascio. “I have a friend here who’s with the Freeport Police Department, and he always told me about how great the department is and how good the leadership is.”
Cascio also added that the close camaraderie among the officers and the community at large is something he looks forward to being more a part of.
“Freeport is very close-knit. You can know people on a face-to-face [basis], and every day you may see the same people. It’s just good to be a part of the community out there and also help out with any needs.”
In his downtime, Cascio said he enjoys being outdoors, particularly during the summer months, and going boating and fishing.
In the past year, the Freeport Police force has increased by about 36 percent.
Cascio expressed that he hopes residents will not be afraid to interact with him when he is on duty and ask any questions they may have.
“Even something that might not pertain to the police. Maybe we’ll have some knowledge of what’s happening in the Village and whatnot, so I’m always available for any questions.” Cascio added, “Don’t be afraid to say hello to us. We love talking to the residents, and I’m going to get to know them as they get to know us.”
Meet
Enjoy
Hear
Snack station for all
tors, who, she said, “run this program from beginning to end.” The young people helped secure hundreds of dollars in donations for the event. Jacob Dixon, the founder and chief executive of Choice for All, was a major contributor in addition to hosting the event.
Youth Council member Shawn Flowers, 19, one of the program’s masters of ceremonies, spoke of the benefits of being involved in the NAACP. “Being a part of the organization made me realize my potential to do great things in society for the ones who need it most,” Flowers said. “The NAACP as a whole is one of the many groups that fought for me and many others like me to be here today. It’s also an incredibly educational group, sharing experiences, events and everything else that paved the way for us to be standing here today.”
In addition to honoring Freeport and Roosevelt Black legends, the event recognized the contributions of others across the country, including Lonnie Johnson, 76, the inventor of the Super Soaker water gun, which is now worth over $70 million, and Stevie Wonder, 75, the legendary musician who was instrumental in making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday and is a longtime advocate of public accessibility. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the giant of the civil rights movement who died on Feb. 17, was also honored for his contributions to social justice and Black progress in the U.S.
Among the hundreds of attendees were Debra Mulé, the Nassau County Legislature’s alternate deputy minority leader, Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy and Board of Education President Sunday Coward.
By Abbey Salvemini
Let the good times roll when the museum opens its doors to Carnival on Saturday.
As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures it touches. Locally, Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a vibrant street festival for its second annual Carnival — a vibrant showcase of creativity and self-expression — through a blend of music, dance, crafts and interactive programming.
Supported by New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the event highlights the museum’s commitment to creating shared cultural experiences for Long Island families.
“As a woman of Caribbean descent, I am proud to sponsor this event at the Long Island Children’s Museum, an institution that plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our young people,” Solages says. “Events like this remind us, and teach the next generation, that diversity is our strength and that honoring our roots can be both joyful and meaningful.”
Hofstra University’s renowned ensemble-in-residence celebrates the legacies of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and longtime violist Lois Martin at its upcoming concert. The program — a diverse selection of works by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, and Steven Gerber — honors both who were instrumental in shaping ACE’s storied history. In a special tribute to Martin, the ensemble performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a masterpiece known for its prominent viola scoring. Drucker, a revered educator and co-founder, is remembered with David Holsinger’s On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. In a testament to her impact, f Drucker’s former students, colleagues, and friends join the ensemble on stage for this moving tribute
• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission: $18, $16 65+
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
While the iconic celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Portau-Prince often steal the spotlight, the museum’s festival dives deeper into the tapestry of the region — from the energetic parades of Barranquilla to the historic traditions of Oruro and Montevideo. They are expressions of heritage and identity, artistic creativity and community spirit that define the joy of marking the changing seasons and the region’s rich tapestry.
Visitors will get a taste of Carnival’s jubilant spirit of throughout the day’s programming.
“We were looking for a festival that embodies the diversity of Long Island,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience shares. “These cultural festivals are invitations to the community.”
Throughout the day, families can expect a lively mix of music, movement and creative experiences, set against the backdrop of upbeat Caribbean rhythms that create a lively, tropical atmosphere.
The Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, a returning favorite, gets everyone moving to the sounds of Samba and salsa music. The lively dancers and energetic drummers once again entertain the crowd and teach kids some of the dance steps, adding an interactive element to their entertainment. Those towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, are also back, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival celebration.
“The performances resemble what Carnival would really be like,” Terzulli enthuses.
No Carnival is complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Here everyone gets into the parade spirit during what she describes as “the fantastic float parade.”
Kids can help decorate miniature floats before pulling them through the parade, accompanied by dancers and stilt walkers. And, of course, there’s a Carnival King and Queen involved — chosen from
and celebrate
those in the “crowd” to reinforce the event’s playful, inclusive spirit.
Little faces, big imaginations! From butterflies to bold designs, creativity takes center stage as kids are transformed into works of art.
The museum’s animal ‘residents” even join in the fun, helping families understand how wildlife has historically inspired Carnival imagery and costume design. New craft offerings this year include maraca-making, ribbon stick design and face painting.
However, the day isn’t just about play — it’s about perspective.
“We want everyone to find an entry point,” Terzulli says.
While the event is undeniably festive, education remains a core focus. Museum staff and performers involve conversations about Carnival’s history and meaning throughout the day, helping visitors understand its cultural roots while enjoying it all. Through partnerships with authentic cultural contributors, the museum ensures the history of the experience remains front and center.
“We make sure that when they are making the crafts, there is an exchange of why they are making it,” Turzelli adds.
Of course, no festival is complete without flavor. Families can pause for a “pit stop” to sample sweet and savory treats inspired by various Latin American and Caribbean nations, providing a literal taste of the regions being celebrated.
At its heart, the aim is for families to leave with more than just memories of a fun day. Carnival also reflects the museum’s broader mission of serving as a community gathering place.
“I hope they walk away with a sense of joy about the holiday. I think it’s a beautiful, multicultural event,” Terzulli adds. “We want LICM to be a space where people come to learn about each other.”
Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors 65+ or students with ID; available at the door. Hofstra University, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave., Hempstead. For information or reservations, call (631) 242-5684 or (516) 586-3433.
“Don’t stop believin’…
Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory.
Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Come enjoy a special celebration of Black culture and history performed by Roosevelt High School students and staff.
• Where: 1 Wagner Ave., Roosevelt
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 345-7200
Parents of Freeport High School students are invited to attend this meeting where school and district affairs will be discussed and families can get their school-related questions answered.
• Where: 50 S. Brookside Ave.
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 867-5300
The Grammy-winning percussionists return to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. For 25 years and counting, the quartet has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). Their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work have made them a trusted partner for composers, allowing the writing of music that expands the style and capacity of brilliant voices of our time.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
Obtain guidance from TOH Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll’s staff at Freeport Memorial Library. Her staff will discuss the process of filing grievances for property assessments and be available to answer any taxrelated questions.
• Where: 144 West Merrick Road
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for
The Bard’s beloved comedy is a magical tale that explores the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and magic. When the mortal worlds of four young lovers and a bungling group of amateur actors collide with a feuding fairy kingdom in a mystical forest on a midsummer eve, romantic misadventures ensue, causing chaos that only a bit of fairy magic can sort out.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 7, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 8, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Drew Mortali on bass, Michael Maenza on drums, and Karlee Bloom on Keys and the Keytar. Each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! From the synth-pop glitz of the early MTV era to the power ballads of stadium rock, the band captures the specific magic that defined a generation. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl. Whether you lived through the ‘80s the first time or are just a fan of the timeless anthems, you’ll want to join in the fun.
young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 3-5
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes acclaimed artist Adam Straus for engaging conversation with noted art critic, writer, and filmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, Straus and Wallach will discuss his artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’screative journey
and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to dress up and celebrate Purim — costumes encouraged and fun guaranteed! Enjoy a performance by Metropolitan Klezmer on the museum stage. The band brings eclectic exuberance to Yiddish musical genres from all over the map. Performing vibrant versions of lesser-known gems from wedding dance, trance, folk, swing and tango styles, as well as soundtrack material from vintage Yiddish films, they re-invent tradition with both irreverence and respect. Sing and dance along with us at this interactive family concert! Also make a grogger, the traditional noisemaker used during the telling of the Purim story at a drop-in program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Each week in this engaging workshop at Long Island Children’s Museum, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week say goodbye to winter by turning paper cups into mini penguins! $4 with museum admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students tackle Shakespeare.
The all-new circus tour is a nonstop celebration of jaw-dropping acts, world-class performances and memory-making moments. Dance, cheer and celebrate from your seat.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: Various, through March 8
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or ringling.com/circus
MAR 7
S.T.O.P. Collection
The Town of Hempstead encourages residents to clean their homes of hazardous materials. Dispose of such toxic items as antifreeze, drain cleans, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and oil-based paints at a S.T.O.P collection event.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 3, East Meadow
• Time: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Contact: Contact: hempsteadny.gov or call (516) 378-4210
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns
Hempstead native Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration, was the latest guest in Hofstra University’s “Signature Speaker” series.
Jean-Pierre, who served in the White House from May 2022 to January 2025, made history as the first Black and first openly LGBTQ person to be press secretary.
She is a graduate of Kellenberg High, in Uniondale, and Columbia University, and her involvement with Hempstead has not diminished: She gave Hempstead High School’s commencement speech in 2022, and was given the keys to the village by Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. in 2024.
“This is very much home for me,” Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 12. “This is not unfamiliar ground.”
Sister members of her honorary sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Hofstra students, community members and students from 18 area high schools attended the event.
Hempstead High senior Zeydi Guerra, 17, said that Jean-Pierre’s speech left her with more motivation to succeed in her own career. “She’s a Hempstead native,” Guerra said. “I feel like if she can make it, I can definitely do something as well.”
Speaking directly to the high school students, JeanPierre encouraged them to be curious, ambitious and passionate. A common thread through her speech, a panel discussion and an interview with student media was urging people to become involved in politics, even though the options may be imperfect.
“Your civic identity doesn’t begin at 18 — it begins when you start paying attention,” she said. “When you
notice what feels fair and what doesn’t, who gets heard and who has to jump higher just to be seen.”
Eleanor McKay, of Hempstead, president of the Long Island Cross County Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, said she attended because she recognizes the importance of Jean-Pierre being a Black woman who held a high-profile government position.
“She talked about seeing someone touch President
Obama’s hair, a young [Black] boy, and realize that from the texture he was here and how real it is that he is just like us,” McKay said. “Sometimes it’s not really appreciated, or we don’t understand the magnitude of representation. It impacts us and the next generation.”
Hofstra University President Susan Poser introduced Camryn Bowden, a senior majoring in political science and journalism, who in turn introduced JeanPierre. Poser spoke so glowingly of Bowden’s resumé that Jean-Pierre said she would be working for Bowden one day.
“I had the opportunity to get her to sign my copy of her book ‘Independent,’” Bowden said. “She wrote in the book, ‘I’ll be watching you on the news someday.’ It was, again, just a surreal experience to hear someone who held such a high position of power in the White House say such sweet things.”
Jean-Pierre’s first book was “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America.” Her most recent, published last October, is “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”
She empathized with young people’s feelings of being disconnected from the two-party system. “The two-party system often feels rigid, outdated and unresponsive,” she said. “It forces false choices and limits imagination. Questioning that system is not a failure of citizenship.”
She expressed disdain for the current administration, saying, “This too shall pass.”
“We have to work as a people to make sure that there is people power in this time, that our voices are heard, that we hold powerful people accountable,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are celebrating 250 years of this country, and that is a young democracy. If we don’t fight for it every day, we will lose it.”
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
February 26, 2026 —
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. FIRST START, LLC, Pltf. vs. TRIDENT EQUITIES LLC, et al, Defts. Index #600121/2023.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Oct. 1, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 9, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a 325 South Main Street, Freeport, NY 11520 a/k/a Section 62, Block 44, Lot 430. Approximate amount of judgment is $370,585.75 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health of safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Sale will be held, “rain or shine.” MERIK
AARON, Referee.
MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY 11791. #102769 158265
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust 2006-NC3, Plaintiff AGAINST
Claudio Garzon; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 7, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 9,2026, at 2:30 PM, premises known as 452 Ray Street, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of York, Section 54 Block 312 Lot 34. Approximate amount of judgment $253,778.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold
subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 608078/2022. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”
Howard Eric Colton, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: January 15, 2026 158261
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-NC2 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC2, -againstSTEVEN TAYLOR A/K/A STEVEN A. TAYLOR, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on December 2, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-NC2 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC2 is the Plaintiff and STEVEN TAYLOR A/K/A STEVEN A. TAYLOR, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 11, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 64 MOUNT JOY AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-399-52. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND
BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 618117/2023. Christine M. Grillo, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158257
LEGAL NOTICE
SURROGATE’S COURTNASSAU COUNTYNEW YORK SUPPLEMENTAL CITATION
File No. 2025-2068 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent. TO: Michael Slass, Pamela Slass, Elizabeth Slass, and to the unknown heirs at law, and the next of kin of Spencer Michlow, deceased, if they be living, and if they be dead, to their Executors, Administrators, Creditors and Lienors, their husbands or wives or successors in interest.
A Petition having been filed by Barbara Selwitz, who is domiciled at 320 Central Park West, New York, New York 10025, praying for a decree that the Last Will and Testament of Spencer Michlow be admitted to Probate and that Letters Testamentary be issued to said Barbara Selwitz. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York on March 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM in the forenoon of that day why a decree should not be made in the Estate of Spencer Michlow, lately domiciled at 335 Arthur Street, Freeport, New York 11520 admitting to probate a Will dated December 23, 2023 as the will of Spencer
Michlow, deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that Letters Testamentary issue to Barbara Selwitz, 320 Central Park West, New York, New York 10025.
NOTICE: THIS SUPPLEMENTAL CITATION IS SERVED UPON YOU AS REQUIRED BY LAW. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR IT WILL BE ASSUMED YOU DO NOT OBJECT TO THE RELIEF RQUESTED. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY APPEAR FOR YOU. Dated, attested and Sealed, January 13, 2026 Hon. David P. Sullivan Judge of the Surrogate’s Court Attorney for Petitioner: William F. Chimeri, Esq., 113 W. Sunrise Hwy., Freeport, New York 11520 516-238-7145 wchimeri@gmail.com 158372
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. SAMINA ASAD, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 19, 2025 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM, premises known as 644 GUY LOMBARDO AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 62, Block: 102, Lot: 222. Approximate amount of judgment is $640,750.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 620490/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney,
or the Referee. PAUL MELI, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158369
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. RICOT PAILLANT, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on January 27, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1395 Circle Drive West, North Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 468-02 a/k/a 46802 and Lot 48. Approximate amount of judgment is $485,221.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602216/2019. Cash will not be accepted.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158485
LEGAL NOTICE
Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Nassau ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #: 610076/2024 U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., As Trustee For LSF10 Master Participation Trust Plaintiff, vs Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos, Ikiesha T. Alshabazz AKA Ikiesha Alshabazz, AKA Ikiesha Al-Shabazz, Aka Ikiesha Al-Shabazz Whittaker Moses Boone, AKA Ikiesha Whittaker As Heir To
The Estate Of Janet D. Whittaker, Shamgod J. Whittaker, Sr. AKA Shamgod J. Whittaker, AKA Shamgod Whittaker As Heir To The Estate Of Janet D. Whittaker, Unknown Heirs Of Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Nex t Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS, New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s).
MORTGAGED
PREMISES: 62 Ann Drive South Freeport, NY 11520 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance,
on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publicatio n, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Ninth day of February, 2026 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated September 24, 2007, executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker (who died a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) to secure the sum of $328,776.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book M 32422, Page 117 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on October 17, 2007. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker on February 21, 2011 and recorded May 6, 2011 in Book M 36015, Page 922 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk. The mortga ge was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed December 6, 2012 and recorded on
January 7, 2013, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 38154, Page 573. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed May 24, 2013 and recorded on September 30, 2013, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 39198, Page 551. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed January 18, 2018 and recorded on February 20, 2018, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 42684, Page 898. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed March 14, 2019 and recorded on March 26, 2019, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 43359, Page 909. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker on August 23, 2019 and recorded October 29, 2019 in Book M 43770, Page 915 in the Office of t he Nassau County Clerk. The mortgage was subsequently modified by a Deferral Agreement on August 8, 2022. The property in question is described as follows: 62 Ann Drive South, Freeport, NY 11520 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or
legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, inclu ding trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS.NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairl y profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the
court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
DATED: February 11, 2026 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221
The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 89113 158427
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
LPP MORTGAGE, INC. F/K/A LPP MORTGAGE LTD., Plaintiff - against - GERARD Y. OLIVIER A/K/A GERARD OLIVIER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 3, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 19th day of March, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as 134 North Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.
(Section: 55., Block: 384., Lot: 39)
Approximate amount of lien $633,213.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 613787/2022. John Boklak, Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212
OLIVIER-79584
Dated: January 19, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 158418
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ADAPTIVE CAPACITY ASSESSMENT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES FOR THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Notice is hereby given that the Purchasing Department of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York will receive sealed proposals for “Adaptive Capacity Assessment and Feasibility Study for Distributed Energy Resources” until 4:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2026, in the Purchasing Department, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520. Specifications may be obtained in the Purchasing Department, Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520 or on the Village website, www.freeportny.gov, from 9:00 A.M. on Monday, March 2, 2026, until 4:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2026. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received and subject to these reservations, shall award the contract to
the highest qualified and responsible vendor. Proposals which in the opinion of the Board are unbalanced shall be rejected.
In submitting a proposal, vendors agree not to withdraw their proposal within forty five (45) days after the date for the opening thereof.
Taylor D’Orta Buyer Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT Issue Date - February 26, 2026 158608
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to §128-5 of the Freeport Village Code, a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport will be held to conduct public hearings on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 5:30 P.M., in the Municipal Building, Board of Trustees Conference Room, 46 North Ocean Avenue, 2nd Floor, Freeport, NY adjacent to the Mayor’s Office.
Pamela Walsh Boening Village Clerk Issue Date: February 26, 2026 158606
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Freeport Housing Authority will be holding a Public Meeting on March 4, 2026 at 5:00PM, at 100 North Main Street, Community Center, Freeport, NY 11520. 158605
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET
SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-OPT3, MORTGAGE-PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT3, -againstTERESA BYRD, AS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATRIX AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL
of the County of Nassau on September 17, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET
SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-OPT3, MORTGAGE-PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT3 is the Plaintiff and TERESA BYRD, AS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATRIX AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL JOHNSON A/K/A JOEL F. JOHNSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 26, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 49 SHONNARD AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-225-465 & 466. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608875/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social
distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158614
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., -againstCRAIG FORLADER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 6, 2026, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. is the Plaintiff and CRAIG FORLADER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 26, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 154 SOUTHSIDE AVE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 62-078-6. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611243/2023. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure
sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158616
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. DARIO CHARLES, et al, Defts. Index #603899/2023.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 1, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 31, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. prem. k/a Section 36, Block M, Lot 20 Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale. MERIK AARON, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #102796 158610
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY ATCF II NEW YORK LLC, Plaintiff against ROBERT STERLING VAILES, et al
Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516,
(516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 14, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 223 Commercial St., Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 55 Block 210 Lot 7. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $5,267.88 plus interest, fees, costs and Attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608202/2024. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee File # 21-4871 158612
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
www.liherald.com
JOHNSON A/K/A JOEL F. JOHNSON, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk
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Q. I have a basement with a bathroom and nothing else except a washer and dryer, back to back, with the sink and toilet on the other side of the wall. Everything else is unfinished, and I bought it this way. I was recently told that I need to have a permit for a finished basement or I have to remove the bathroom. I don’t want either of those options, but I’m being told I will be issued a violation, because the building department sent me a notice about this. I consulted an architect, who started to explain all the rules, but I need a second opinion. What should I do if I just want the bathroom and don’t want to finish everything else?
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A. Sorry to disappoint you, but your building department has interpreted that your bathroom in a basement is leading to habitable use, meaning that the basement is more than just a place to store boxes and other household items. The same is true of basements that have a fireplace or a mattress-and-night-table setup. Even occasional use by a houseguest puts you in the category of a “finished” basement.
What the consultant architect may have told you is that you’ll either have to remove the bathroom, with a permit for the demolition (since your building department knows about the condition) and a separate plumbing permit to have the capping of pipes inspected, or you’ll need a lot of other items, at greater expense. Your spaces will need to meet the ceiling height requirement of 80 inches from floor to finished ceiling, or anything constricting someone from walking around, such as a steam pipe or built soffit. If you don’t have 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches), then the rest of what you do will also be important to evaluate, since your plans and application paperwork will be on hold until the requirement is appealed through a separate codeappeal process, and more paperwork will need to be submitted to the state for a code compliance variance. This means you will have to request to vary or be allowed an exception after evaluation by a review board at the state level.
Either way, a finished basement will require a second means to escape in an emergency. This can be accomplished with a larger window, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor and at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, a minimum of 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width. A window that is only 20 inches by 24 inches would not meet the requirement, however. Those are just minimums for each dimension.
The escape well has to be a minimum of 9 square feet of outside floor area, and must at least have a ladder for climbing up and away. You could also have a door and stairwell, with proper drainage, at even greater expense. There’s more, so wait until next week.
© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Every administration has its ideologues. Every president has advisers who translate impulse into policy. But once in a while, a single figure emerges whose real work is not governance but sabotage — the deliberate narrowing of civic life.
In Donald Trump’s White House, that figure is Stephen Miller.
Miller is often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.
That may be true, but it’s incomplete. Immigration is simply the most visible stage on which Miller operates. The deeper project is broader and more corrosive: a politics designed to make Americans afraid — not only of immigrants, but of one another, and of acting freely in public life.
Miller’s real architecture isn’t just about who gets in. It’s about what kind of country we become.
The through-line is intimidation. The point isn’t merely enforcement but atmosphere: to show that the state can reach into your life suddenly, harshly,
without apology. To make people think twice before speaking, gathering, helping or dissenting. To shrink civic space until citizenship itself begins to feel conditional. In such a climate, obedience becomes the safest form of participation, and democracy begins to feel like a risk.
That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers. The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.
idone profound damage. And once that atmosphere is established, the most vulnerable are always the first to suffer the worst of it.
n a Millershaped America, protest would be treated as menace.
Miller’s defenders characterize him as “tough.” But toughness isn’t the same as callousness. A serious country can enforce laws without turning the machinery of government into an engine of humiliation. Miller’s politics depend on a story: that America is perpetually under siege, that outsiders are threats, that pluralism is weakness, that empathy is naïveté.
tions would be staffed by loyalty, not expertise; protest would be treated as menace; law would be less a shield than a club; and citizenship would be a conditional permit, not a shared inheritance. It’s tempting, and comforting, to say, “The Constitution will save us.” It won’t. Constitutions don’t rescue republics by themselves. They are frameworks, not force fields. They depend on officials who honor them, courts that enforce them, legislators who defend their authority, and citizens who refuse to be intimidated into silence.
It’s not a secret that his fingerprints are on some of the harshest immigration measures of the last decade, including family separation at the southern border — a policy widely condemned because it treats children not as human beings, but as instruments of deterrence. Whatever you believe about border control, using suffering as a message is a show of cruelty, not strength. But the deeper lesson is about power. A government that can make ordinary people afraid — afraid to speak, gather, help or dissent — has already
Civil rights organizations have raised alarms for years about Miller’s proximity to white nationalist rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center took the extraordinary step of listing him in its extremist files. That is not a marginal controversy; it goes to the moral and ideological foundations of the policies he designs. Whether you accept every charge or not, the pattern is difficult to miss: Miller’s governing worldview is built on suspicion — of difference, of openness, of the very idea of a shared civic “we.”
In a Miller-shaped America, the safest posture would be silence; institu-
The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters.
So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.
Miller’s project runs in the other direction. And if it succeeds, no piece of parchment will protect us.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
On Feb. 5, not long after Black History Month began, President Trump’s Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. In response to criticism from Republicans, the video was removed the next day, but with no apology from the president.
That’s the immediate context in which Black History Month takes place, but it’s been an entire year since the last celebration of this month, during which the Trump administration has advanced white supremacy and moved aggressively to undermine America’s longstanding commitment to diversity.
The administration’s support for white supremacy isn’t new. In November 2019, in Trump’s first term, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for the firing of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, stating, “Stephen Miller represents white supremacy, violent extremism, and hate — all ideologies that are antithetical to
the fundamental values that guide our democracy. Allowing him to remain a White House advisor is a betrayal of our national ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.”
Yet in the second Trump administration, Miller has even more power. As Ashley Parker, of the Atlantic, told NPR recently, “He’s incredibly powerful. Steve Bannon and other people jokingly call him the prime minister.”
Miller is perhaps best known, as NPR reports, as “a chief architect of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.”
The Trump government has undermined our country’s commitment to diversity.
That crackdown has generated intense public opposition due to the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens with no criminal records by ICE officers. Because ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it ironically shares the department’s mission to “safeguard the American people.” That irony is not lost on Americans, and the public response to those two deaths has echoed the outcry after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
The irony of the administration continues, as the White House acts to ensure that America’s schools instill, in the words of Executive Order 14190, “a
patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand” — while detaining children through ICE crackdowns at accelerating rates. As MS NOW reports, “Recent independent analysis by the Marshall Project shows that the number of children held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has skyrocketed in Trump’s second term — from an average of about 25 children detained per day during the final 16 months of Biden’s presidency to about 170 children per day under Trump.” On some days, the analysis found, “ICE held 400 children or more.”
What values, exactly, are those detained children learning at the hands of the administration? What values are all children learning as they witness detentions of other children, day care workers and young parents? These are actions of cruelty, not respect for human life and liberty. They are acts of lawlessness, not patriotism.
Now the administration proposes to change the way we vote in America. As The New York Times reports, “President Trump has repeatedly suggested that he wants the Republican-led federal government to ‘nationalize,’ or ‘take over,’
the running of elections.” His allies in Congress are simultaneously advancing legislation — the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA, Act — that would make voting more difficult. These proposals completely ignore the fact that elections in the United States are free and fair.
As the Brennan Center for Justice writes, “In 2025, a new threat to free and fair elections emerged: the federal government. Since day one of his second term, the Trump administration has attempted to rewrite election rules to burden voters and usurp control of election systems, targeted and threatened election officials and others who keep elections free and fair, supported people who undermine election administration, and retreated from the federal government’s role of protecting voters and the electoral process.”
Nationalizing state elections is blatantly unconstitutional, and the legislative actions would make voting more difficult. That is exactly what this White House and its allies want to achieve.
As Black History Month continues, and in the months and years ahead, ERASE Racism will be championing inclusiveness, fairness and justice for all.
Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, a regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.
The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams. From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.
For nine of those 10 seasons, at least one World Series teams was from New York, and for eight years, both teams were. That was a true monopoly of excellence.
The Dodgers teams of my youth included such Hall of Famer players as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. There was nothing better than sitting in the stands at Ebbets Field, watching these stars excel. (Tickets for bleacher seats cost 75 cents!) As mighty as the
Dodgers were, however, the Yankees, led by legendary stars like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, prevailed in five of the teams’ six World Series encounters.
And then, in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley announced the unthinkable: He would move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the following year, and the Giants would go to San Francisco. My childhood had come to a crashing halt. National League baseball would be gone from New York.
JMy final goodbye to the Dodgers would come on Sept. 22, 1957, when I went to their final home day game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn beat the Phillies, 7-3, and Duke Snider hit two home runs, but that was small consolation. Dodgers baseball in New York, and my years of sports innocence, were behind me. National League baseball didn’t return to New York until the Mets arrived in 1962. They were an expansion team, which meant they were composed of players others teams didn’t want. There were some rough, lean years, but to Mets fans, it didn’t matter. They rallied behind the team, and after seven seasons, and many losses, the 1969 Mira-
cle Mets, led by their manager, Dodgers legend Gil Hodges, won the World Series in a never-to-be-forgotten triumph over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles.
ust one example: thousands of area kids looking forward to Little League.
The Mets captured the Series again in 1986, defeating the Red Sox in a memorable seven-game struggle. There have been several good runs since then that fell just short, including a World Series defeat to Kansas City in 2015 and, most recently, a League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers in 2024. Now the Mets face the 2026 season having decided to go forward without their all-time leading home run hitter, Pete Alonso, and star relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, as well as proven veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Their core four are gone. For Mets fans, spring training will be filled with questions and unknown answers.
I know that baseball has changed dramatically since years ago. There are almost twice as many teams now as there were then; players move from team to team, season to season; and teams regularly play inter-league games. As well, the Super Bowl has surpassed the World Series in public attention, and sports such as hockey and bas-
ketball crowd the calendar, playing well into the baseball season.
But still, that sense of anticipation remains. There is something about the fresh spring air and the crack of the bat that brings our attention back to the baseball diamond. The distances from the pitcher’s mound to home plate, and between the bases, remain the same, as do ball and strike counts. And, especially on Long Island, many thousands of kids are looking forward to playing Little League baseball in a new season, when, as always, their parents and grandparents will be in the stands, cheering them on. They’ll create new memories that, in years to come, they’ll pass on to their children and grandchildren.
No matter the rule changes or league realignments, baseball will remain unchanged as an essential component of the American fabric. Almost 75 years ago, the renowned cultural historian Jacques Barzun famously proclaimed, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” That is as true today as it was then, and I believe it will be true for generations to come.
Play ball!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Having spent 23 years of my life in the State Assembly, I keep close contact with members and monitor the progress of significant legislation. I make it a point to call individual members to encourage them to take action on proposals that are good for Long Island. Which is why I was thrilled that Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra was chosen as minority leader earlier this month, in a unanimous vote.
Living as a bipartisan person, I have been supportive of Ra in his many roles as an elected official. During his 10 years in office he has been a proactive legislator, proposing laws focusing affordability, antisemitism, workforce development and controlling state costs. I was especially pleased when he became the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means Committee.
I had the good fortune to chair that
committee for 10-plus years, and have great respect for committee members who pay attention to pending laws and ask questions. Ra has been a diligent member of the committee, and he has kept the majority members on their toes. Ways and Means is the most important committee in the Assembly, and it desperately needs members who keep an eye on the 7,000plus bills that are sent to it each year.
He’s worked hard to become the Assembly’s Republican minority leader.
Ra is the third Assembly member from Long Island in my career who has held the title of minority leader. The late Assembly members Perry B. Duryea and Jack Kingston also held that job. Duryea eventually became the speaker, and holding the minority post was a springboard to the top job. I know for a fact that Ra didn’t get the leadership job without a lot of preparation, forging coalitions to win the support of the minority caucus.
I doubt that even the Republican leaders on Long Island fully understand what it took for Ra to get his new job. Over the years he has taken on all of the
thankless jobs that most members do not covet. He has been involved in reviewing all of the bills that affect the Island, and for a few years he acted as the Republican floor leader, organizing debates on bills advanced by the majority. It’s the job of minority members to craft credible arguments opposing majority legislation.
There’s a separate issue that most of the Albany establishment doesn’t understand. The Assembly’s Republican membership is dominated by upstate legislators. They tend to be anti-downstate, and want all of the key jobs for their delegation. If you talk to an upstate Republican member, don’t be surprised if he or she is anti-Long Island. They are jealous of the attention Long Island gets, and many think negatively about the downstate region in general.
When the previous minority leader, Will Barclay, an upstater, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year, the upstaters immediately began to caucus to support one of their own to
keep the job in their region. At the same time, Ra had to move quickly to win a majority of the conference. That backroom stuff happens in any type of legislative body, and it takes political smarts to pull it off.
Why make a fuss about the election of an assemblyman who’s in the minority party? We’re a very big island, with multiple needs and demands. We need all the voices we can get to speak out for the bi-county area. New York City legislators have a strong voice on a variety of issues, and the Island has to fight for recognition when the dollars are being disbursed and laws are passing that help other areas of the state.
Last year I wrote a column singling out Democratic Assemblywoman Mickey Solages and Ra for their hard work in Albany. I was pleased then and now that Ra has advanced in his party leadership. Solages is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and I’m happy that Ra is now a part of the four-way leadership.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
on Long Island, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, students scroll through a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content, frequently without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.
In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.
A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.
The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.
Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category: “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.
However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should
be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.
The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported receiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.
That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability.
According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.
Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is measurable impact backed by research.
Long Island school districts should take note.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some schools offer journalism electives or student newspapers. Others offer none. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers — with access concentrated in private and selective schools. The same inequities often surface on Long Island,
where opportunities vary widely by district.
The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts, and asking tough follow-up questions.
If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem. It is a larger one — and it is also a business imperative for local news organizations across Long Island. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.
Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.
News organizations on Long Island must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.
The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.
Public education is one of Long Island’s greatest civic strengths. Our public schools aren’t just places of learning; they are pillars of our communities, drivers of local economic stability and pathways of opportunity for families.
Today that foundation is under increasing structural pressure for multiple reasons, a major one being state policies that redirect public-school funding to the forprofit charter school industry.
In recent years, this industry has diverted a half-billion taxpayer dollars, directly impacting our classrooms, teachers and students.
Two-thirds of the school districts on Long Island have been infiltrated in this way, and the number is growing. Make no mistake: Charter schools are privately operated for-profit entities with no public input or accountability.
Across Long Island, we are seeing measurable financial strain. Since I took office in 2019, charter school tuition and transportation costs have steadily increased. In Freeport and Baldwin, substantial funding is already being diverted from the public school districts to support charter schools. Nearly every district in the 21st Assem-
bly District is now facing escalating tuition and transportation expenses tied to charter enrollment. Some of Nassau County’s most financially vulnerable districts, Hempstead, Uniondale and Roosevelt, have been among the hardest hit by charter expansion.
should come with taxpayer-level accountability.
rThese costs will only continue to rise as additional charter schools are rapidly approved in areas like West Hempstead. Even more districts will be forced to absorb these rising costs, regardless of local opposition. Meanwhile, newly approved charter schools in areas such as Brentwood and Central Islip can draw students from across county lines, meaning that public school funding can be redirected from multiple communities at once.
esidents have never voted on whether their tax dollars should fund these schools.
At its core, this is an issue of accountability and representation. Long Island has roughly 120 public school districts, yet their residents never had the opportunity to vote on whether their tax dollars should fund charter schools. Public schools are democratic institutions — their boards are elected and their budgets are approved by voters. Charter schools are not. All schools receiving public funds should meet the same standards: educational accountability, spending transparency, fiscal oversight, certified teachers, meaningful local representation and community approval. Taxpayer dollars
Of further concern is how charter schools are approved. In New York, both the State Education Department and the SUNY Charter Board have authority to approve charter schools. Yet approvals by the Charter Board have moved forward despite strong opposition from local school communities whose residents have legitimate concerns about fiscal and programmatic impact. As the state teachers union has argued in pending litigation, state law requires demonstration of community support and meaningful analysis of financial and educational impact before a charter is approved — standards that must be enforced.
There is also a clear imbalance in financial accountability. Public-school districts operate with strict reserve limits, extensive audits and direct voter oversight, while charter schools can carry significant cash reserves. Any entity receiving public funds, especially in education, must meet consistent standards of transparency, fiscal responsibility and educational quality.
Equity concerns, too, are growing. Most charter models enroll fewer highneeds students, while still siphoning funding from public schools that serve children of all abilities, leaving publicschool districts to fund these escalating
costs. This is not sustainable fiscal policy. The message I hear from local taxpayers is consistent: They are not opposed to school choice, but they do oppose funding structures that weaken public schools without local consent, transparency or oversight. In fact, many families in my district have chosen nonpublic schools, and the state provides targeted support, but taxpayers are not responsible for fully funding those schools’ operating budgets.
Public schools serve students of every background, circumstance and ability. They are anchors of our communities, stabilizers of property values and drivers of workforce development. We must restore balance between charter expansion and public school stability. This isn’t about limiting school choice; it’s about responsible funding. It’s about fairness, accountability and protecting the public schools Long Islanders depend on.
I will continue fighting to ensure that our public schools receive the support, equity and vital funding solutions they require to serve their students. If forprofit charter schools are to exist within our education system, they shouldn’t be able to rely on traditional public revenue streams. The State Education Department and the SUNY Charter Board must explore alternative funding structures for these operators while ensuring the highest standards of oversight and accountability.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
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