_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD Also serving Lakeview
Vol. 32 No. 5
Rams battle for conference title
Virtual business wins medal
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JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
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Hochul aims to limit school cellphone use 2026 Executive Budget proposal would make $13.5 million in funding available for schools Gov. Kathy Hochul last week that need to purchase phone unveiled a plan to restrict storage systems. It would also smartphone use in schools require schools to make it possible for parents to statewide. Her procontact their chilposal would ban dren during the day the use of the if needed. devices in kinderStudents would garten through be allowed to use high school classcellphones without rooms for the inter net capabilie n t i r e d ay, a n d ties, as well as any would direct school-provided schools to develop internet devices, in systems for storing their classrooms. them. Exemptions would “ N ew Yo rke r s be allowed when agree that our required by an Indiyoung people sucvidualized Educaceed when they’re tion Program, learning and growwhen managing a ing, not clicking medical condition and scrolling,” or for other acaHochul said in a demic pur poses, statement on Jan. including transla22. “This compre- JEANNE tion. hensive proposal to D’ESpoSITo If the proposal is r e s t r i c t s m a r t - President, adopted, the new p h o n e u s e i n Malverne Board of phone requireschools will ensure Education ments would be in that New York’s place for the 2025-26 statewide standard for distraction-free learning school year. “We’ll have to look at exactly delivers the best results for our what we’re required to do and kids and educators.” The plan, part of Hochul’s Continued on page 9
By MADISoN GUSlER
mgusler@liherald.com
T
Madison Gusler/Herald
Trooper turned himself in Nassau County District Attorney. Anne Donnelly and NYS Police Superintendent Steven James announce Thomas Mascia’s charges at the courthouse. On Oct. 30, the former state troper and West Hempstead resident falsely claimed he was shot on patrol, launching a multistate search for an assailant that never existed. Story, additional photo, Page 2.
Will there be an early spring? Malverne preps for Groundhog Day tradition By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
This year Malverne residents, as well as other interested spectators, have gathered early on the morning of Feb. 2 to watch resident groundhog, Malverne Mel, make his 30th annual prediction of either an early spring or six more weeks of winter weather. The much-anticipated prognostication has been made in all kinds of weather, from bright sunshine to a snowstorm. The annual Groundhog Day celebration, which began in the village in 1996, was the result of a conversation between former Malverne
Mayor Joseph Canzoneri and Barry Manning, editor of the Malver ne Times, which later became the Herald. Canzoneri and Manning were looking for an event that would put Malverne on the map, and came up with the idea of hosting the celebration. “At that time, the only groundhog was Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania,” Canzoneri said. “And so, I said that’s a great idea.” Malverne’s first Groundhog Day celebration was held at Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park, and all the local officials from nearby towns were invited. “We all wore top hats and there were numerContinued on page 16
here’s no way you can say it’s not a distraction, that kids sometimes aren’t listening in class because of whatever is coming through on their phone.