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HERALD State releases fiscal report
Tax credit could help businesses
Students learn about farming
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Vol. 25 No. 5
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JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
A guilty plea in E.M. hate crime incident ered on plastic sheeting affixed to the fencing protecting a mural of Israeli citizens who were taken Sebastian Patino Caceres has hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Debbie Habshoosh, whose pleaded guilty to criminal mischief as a hate crime charges, yard backs up to Merrick Avenue, began displaying after officials say he the photos of the hosspray-painted antisetages along her fence mitic phrases on line in the fall of 2023. fences in East MeadHer husband is Israeow and outside of li, she said, and in the the East Meadow six months the flyers Beth-El Jewish Cenhad been posted, they ter in April 2024. hadn’t been touched. Caceres, 23 of East Additional porMeadow, appeared tions of the fence before Judge Robert line, where no murals Schwartz on Jan. 16, had been hung, were according to the Nasalso defaced. sau County District Caceres also Attor ney’s of fice. spray-painted “Free The charges against Palestine” across the him are considered a front cement of the felony, the office said, East Meadow Bethin a news release El Jewish Center, at sent to reporters on ANNE DoNNEllY 1400 Prospect Ave., Jan. 17. District Attorney, officials said. Sometime between He was arrested April 14 and 15, 2024, Nassau County on April 16, 2024 by Caceres spray-paintNassau County ed several antisemitic phrases on police detectives. PVC fencing on the rear yards of The incident sparked a wave private properties along Merrick Avenue, authorities said. The of concern in the East Meadow community, and hours after the graffiti, found on the morning of April 15, included phrases like graffiti was discovered, an emer“Zionism is Nazism” and “F-ck gency news conference was held Israel.” The phrases were discovContinued on page 16
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
I
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Tradition in motion The East Meadow Public Library celebrated Lunar New Year on Jan. 26 with a vibrant Dragon Dance in the community room. The centuries-old tradition, symbolizing strength and good luck in Chinese culture, captivated attendees of all ages with dazzling choreography and colorful costumes. Above, performers of the Dragon Dance in front of a vast audience at the library. Right, Wesley Zheng, 2, and Amelia Zheng, 5, both of Westbury, were dressed in red — a color that represents good fortune — at the vibrant celebration. Story, more photos, Page 3.
t is through education and awareness that we can teach defendants about the gravity of their words and actions.