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Town celebrates feds congestion pricing decision south of 60th Street in Manhattan — a 40 percent reduction from the original $15 fee. The Town leaders and local offi- plan had been paused in June cials are celebrating the move after state officials raised conby President Donald Trump cerns about its financial impact a n d t h e Fe d e r a l H i g h w ay on commuters. The revised plan, approved Administration to shut down by the MTA board New York City’s on Nov. 18, took congestion pricing ef fect Jan. 5. In program. During a Feb. 20 response, the Town news conference at of Hempstead filed S a n d H i l l Ro a d a lawsuit against P a r k , To w n o f the MTA and the Hempstead Superstat e in Nass au visor Don Clavin County Supreme called the decision Court on Nov. 21, a “massive win” for arguing they working-class comby p a s s e d p u bl i c muters and Long comment requireIsland as a whole. ments. Backed by “It’s a great vicstrong opposition tory for people just from Long Island’s going to do their leaders, the plan’s jobs,” Clavin said. STEVE RHoADS opponents contend“We’re not talking State senator ed that the changes about the titans of constituted a new industry. We are law requiring furtalking about first responders, ther input. nurses, teachers, people who O n Fe b. 1 9 , t h e T r u m p serve you coffee in the city, administration ordered a halt deliverymen and women. This to the program, and gave New is a great victory for them.” York until March 21 to put a In November, Gov. Kathy stop to it, according to a report Hochul re-launched congestion from the Associated Press. pricing, slapping a $9 daily toll In addition, U.S. Transportaon passenger vehicles traveling
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
T
Courtesy Metro
Following an incident at basketball game between Bellmore-Merrick’s John F. Kennedy High School and Elmont Memorial High School last month, Elmont parents are expressing concern for the treatment of student athletes, accusing students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District of repeated racist behavior.
Bellmore-Merrick responds swiftly to racism claims in district athletics By JoRDAN VAlloNE & RENEE DeloRENZo of the Merrick Heralds
Parents in the Sewanhaka Central High School District are expressing concern for the treatment of student athletes, accusing students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District of repeated racist behavior against Black students from Elmont during sporting events. The Elmont Parent Teacher Student Association recently hosted a meeting at Elmont Memorial High School — which is part of Sewanhaka schools — where it conducted a public forum to discuss the experience of students who were subject to racism from other students and parents during recent games.
Lynette Battle, a Sewanhaka board trustee and former PTSA president, took to the lectern and cited a long list of offenses, ranging from racial slurs to physical attacks, which occurred between 2019 and 2025. Among the incidents were white players calling Black players “monkeys,” taunting them by yelling “bananas,” making gorilla sounds, whispering racist comments during huddles, calling students the n-word and refusing to shake hands with Black players. Amaya Haley, a Black student on Elmont High School’s girls’ basketball team said during a recent game against Bellmore-Merrick’s John F. Kennedy High School, she and a player on Kennedy were fighting for a loose ball. Haley controlled the ball, and her ContinuED on pagE 11
he governor’s decision to squander taxpayer dollars defending a failed congestion pricing scheme is both reckless and out of touch.
ContinuED on pagE 5