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Page 2 VOL. 112 NO. 28
JULY 8-14, 2026
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North Massapequa man charged in murder of sister-in-law
Officials okay tax credit increases for volunteer firefighters By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The New York State Senate and Assembly have approved legislation aimed at strengthening recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers by significantly increasing the state income tax credit available to those unpaid first responders. The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Monica R. Martinez, (4th SD), would raise the existing tax credit from $200 to $800 for eligible individual volunteers and from $400 to $1,600 for married couples filing jointly when both spouses qualify. The measure passed both the Senate and Assembly during the 2025-26 legislative session and is eligible to be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration. If signed into law, the legislation would provide one of the largest increases ever made to New York’s volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker tax credit program. Supporters say the increase is long overdue. The current credit was established in 2007 and has remained unchanged for nearly two decades, reducing its value over time because of inflation. The legislation is intended to provide meaningful recognition for volunteers who dedicate their time to protecting their communities while helping local departments address ongoing CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Courtesy Massapequa Kiwanis
Pictured, are Assemblyman John K. Mikulin, scholarship recipients Ryan Falta and Frank Padavan, Kiwanis Vice President and Scholarship Committee Chairman Jim Taratunio, scholarship recipient Danna Sarmiento Aguilar, Kiwanis President Leonard “Bud” Antonelli, Assemblyman Michael Durso and Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand. Not pictured are scholarship recipients Meghan Walsh, Olivia Guttman and Christian Hardiman, who were unable to attend the ceremony.
Massapequa Kiwanis awards scholarships to six local seniors By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Six students from Massapequa High School, Seaford High School, Plainedge High School and Nassau BOCES GC Tech each received $1,000 scholarships from the Massapequa Kiwanis Club in recognition of their community service and volunteerism. This year’s recipients were Ryan Falta and Frank Padavan, Seaford High School; Danna Sarmiento Aguilar, GC Tech BOCES; Meghan Walsh and Olivia Guttman, Massapequa High School, and Christian Hardiman, Plainedge High School. In addition to the scholarships, each student received a citation from Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy, a Certificate of Merit from Assemblyman Michael Durso and
a Certificate of Achievement from Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. Massapequa School District Executive Assistant for Guidance Paul Weber attended the ceremony and was recognized for assisting with the scholarship application process in the district, along with guidance counselors from the participating schools. The six recipients were selected by the Kiwanis scholarship committee from more than 60 applications submitted this year. “The Massapequa Kiwanis believes that the heart of our community lies in the hands of those who give back,” said Bud Antonelli, President of Massapequa Kiwanis. “This year, we are proud to recognize the incredible volunteer efforts of our graduating students. Through their dedication, CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Massapequa residents have been shaken by a violent case in North Massapequa in which an Oceanside music teacher has been charged with seconddegree murder. Police said he strangled and sexually assaulted his 25-year-old sister-in-law inside a North Oak Street home last week. According to Nassau County police, officers responded at about 8:45 a.m. June 29 to a 911 call requesting an ambulance at 285 N. Oak St. Police said the caller, Joseph Horner, 27, was waiting outside when officers arrived. Inside the first-floor apartment of the two-family home, officers found the woman unconscious. Police said officers and paramedics performed CPR before she was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police said Horner lived in the upstairs apartment with his wife, while the victim lived in the downstairs unit. His wife was not home at the time of the incident and was not involved, according to police. Authorities identified the victim as Victoria Castle, 25, a geology Ph.D. student and research assistant at Stony Brook University. In a social media post about a month earlier, she
wrote, “Wrapping up another year of PCSTEM with a Symposium was another incredibly rewarding moment.” Police and prosecutors said Horner asked Castle to help him move a piano before allegedly placing her in a chokehold until she became unresponsive. Prosecutors also alleged Horner later admitted he had been attracted to Castle for several years. Residents of the close-knit community expressed heartbreak and shock over the killing. “This is not what this area is like,” said Love Constant of Farmingdale, as he spent time with his young son at John Burns Park as news of the case spread. “This area is about families and community.” “This was devastating news,” said a former resident who was visiting family in Massapequa last weekend. “What scares me is to think about how such a cruel person is able to live in the shadows of a community and then do something like this.” “This is an overall lack of humanity, and it is scary to think that someone is capable of things that are so heinous,” said resident Champ Dengenis. Molly Seewald of Copiague, who was at John Burns Park last week, said violent incidents like this happen everywhere. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8