________________ LONG BEACH _______________ PHYLLIS KATZEN
Yay Summer! HERALD L ICE NS ED AS SO CIATE
REA L ESTATE BRO KE R
Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach
City rocks out with PorchFest
Bellsey, Ryan Re-elected
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Vol. 37 No. 21
MAY 21 - 27, 2026
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We’re your local paper There’s no place like Long Beach — but you don’t need us to tell you that. It’s a communi‑ ty defined by pride, connection and a long list of reasons resi‑ dents are happy to call it home. Want to get outside? There’s never a bad time to head to the boardwalk — sunrise, sunset or any chance you get. Enjoy one of the best beaches on Long Island, and then pop into one of dozens of outdoor restaurants, whether you’re look‑ ing to grab a slice of pizza, enjoy fresh sushi, relax with a cocktail, or anything in between. Looking for some‑ thing more active? There’s always an event on the horizon, from winter’s Polar Bear Splash to sum‑ mertime volleyball tournaments to October’s Irish Day celebration. Neighbors find reasons to get together year‑round. For the kids, Long Beach schools are some of the best in the state. With award‑winning programs, dedicated teachers and students who shine in aca‑ demics, the arts and athletics, education is truly at the heart of this community and a source of local pride. This week’s Herald is being mailed to every home in the city, and includes our annual Long Beach Community Guide. Inside you’ll find the places, people, schools, organizations and events that help make this LONG BEACH HERALD
Back on track: LIRR, MTA strike a deal after three days By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY & BRIAN KACHARABA of the Herald
The three‑day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday, after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, offi‑ cials announced at an evening news confer‑ ence. Union and MTA representatives announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that halted service and caused travel disruptions across Long Island and in New York City. “We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sex‑
ton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.” In Long Beach and surrounding commu‑ nities, residents’ commutes to work and per‑ sonal commitments were impacted. Kevin Fernandes, of Long Beach, com‑ mutes to Grand Central Station, where he is a corporate recruiter. On Monday, Fer‑ nandes said, it took him almost 45 minutes longer from Far Rockaway than from the Long Beach Station he normal uses. “It definitely made it a lot harder,” Fer‑ ConTInued on page 4
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Commuters across Long Island were forced to use alternate forms of travel, some of whose closest access points are in Queens. Long Beach service resumed late Tuesday afternoon.
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Aidan Warshavsky/Herald
community such a great place to live, work and raise a family. If you’re not a subscriber to the Herald, we hope this week’s issue persuades you to become one. Each week, in these pages and online, we cover the stories that matter most — from important city government decisions to profiles of notable residents to the everyday moments that bring the community together — and bring you the local news you can’t find anywhere else. To keep quality local journalism strong in Long Beach, subscribe today, at LIHerald. Beach com/subscribe, or bites call (516) 569‑4000, Your go-tos ext. 7. You can also support our work with a one‑time or recurring donation at LIHer‑ ald.com/donate. If you’re already a subscrib‑ er, thank you for your contin‑ ued support. If you’re new to the Herald, welcome — our mission is to cover all the news of your neighborhood, from schools to sports, houses of worship to acts of kindness, and everything in between. If you have any ideas for sto‑ ries, or comments about some‑ thing you’ve read in the Herald, drop me a line at ccolucci@ liherald.com. Enjoy the paper — and thanks for reading! Featuring
Eats & Sweets:
Around L.B.:
The
boardwalk’s
just the beginning Best Of:
Chris Colucci Editor