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THE LEADER IN PROP ERTY TAX REDUCT ION
Sen. Alexis Weik to retire at end of year
New laws for 2026 Page 7
Page 3 VOL. 71 NO. 1
JANUARY 7 - 13, 2026
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Plainedge launches search for new superintendent By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Edeedson Cine Sr., father of Eddy Cine, speaks about his son at vigil with his family at left.
Community mourns Eddy Cine Young man brutally murdered on Christmas Day at CVS store By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Beneath holiday lights still glowing in the Lindenhurst Village Square, several hundred people gathered days before the new year to mourn Edeedson “Eddy” Cine — and to honor a life remembered for quiet kindness. The candlelight vigil on Dec. 29 drew neighbors, local officials and strangers bound by grief after Cine, 23, a resident of West Babylon and North Babylon High School graduate, was fatally stabbed on Christmas Day at the Lindenhurst CVS where he worked. Cine had stepped in to cover a shift for a co-worker. John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, was arrested two days later and charged in the killing. Police said Cine was stabbed during an attempted robbery after he was unable to provide the cash demanded for what he later told police was to pay off some debts. “This should have never happened,” said
Rita Moore of Lindenhurst, who attended the vigil. “There should have been more security on Christmas Day.” The gathering was organized by lifelong Lindenhurst resident Gina Catania-Leto, who knew Cine through brief but memorable interactions at the CVS counter. She partnered with a friend to spread the word on social media and help establish a GoFundMe page for the Cine family. “I saw this young man behind the counter, and you could just tell he was a kind soul,” Catania-Leto said. “He came from a good family.” What began as a modest idea — a few candles in the CVS parking lot — quickly grew into a large community vigil, supported by the Town of Babylon, the Village of Lindenhurst, the Ladies Auxiliary and Studio Trio, which provided hot chocolate and refreshCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Plainedge School District has begun a formal search for its next superintendent of schools following the Sept. 9 resignation of Dr. Edward Salina, who led the district for 14 years. Salina’s exit included a final payout of more than $900,000. That figure covered compensation for 276.5 unused vacation days, 84 unused sick and personal days, and the remaining balance of his salary for the 2025–26 school year, totaling $245,186.39. Board of Education President Joseph Beyrouty declined to elaborate on the terms of the payout, saying only that it reflected what had been negotiated with Salina. To ensure stability in the interim, the board named Carol Muscarella, former principal of John H. West Elementary School, as acting superintendent for the remainder of the school year. “My role — and my goal — is to provide stability and continuity until new leadership is in place,” Muscarella said. Beyrouty praised the transition and noted that some community members had suggested Muscarella be considered for the permanent role. “We’re working really well with her,” he said, adding that Muscarella had expressed no interest in pursuing the position long term. Asked whether Salina’s resig-
Plainedge BOE President Joseph Beyrouty nation surprised the board, Beyrouty did not directly address the question, saying only, “We take things as they come.” The board has hired Woodbury-based District Wise Search Consultants to lead the search process. The firm, which previously assisted Massapequa schools in hiring Superintendent Dr. William Brennan and Assistant Superintendent for Business Ryan Ruf, has also supported searches in Amityville, Herricks, North Babylon, Huntington, West Islip, Great Neck and PlainviewOld Bethpage. District Wise has set a Jan. 9 application deadline. Beyrouty said the district has already received 13 applications and expects interviews to be held in February and March, with a new superintendent to start in July 2026.