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Page 7 VOL. 74 NO. 37
SEPTEMBER 10 - 16, 2026
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Mystery lingers below Wantagh Five men head down a manhole in the dark, mimicking N.Y. City oddity pulling a prank to people exploring the underground system. “I thought it could be teens A group of five people descended into the Wantagh doing a dare or something,” sewer system by way of a man- Wantagh resident Suzanne hole in the early hours of Aug. Pajonas said. Others questioned why the 27, prompting a number of 911 calls and an investigation that group would choose a busy has left residents wondering intersection, where businesses and surrounding streets have what was going on. surveillance camerThe group was seen removing a as. manhole cover on “There were the sidewalk of multiple witnesses Wantagh Avenue, who called 911,” near Jerusalem resident Justin Avenue, shortly Haas said. “Camera after 1 a.m., accordfootage was taken.” ing to Nassau CounHaas said the ty police. Two witcircumstances nesses reported seeraised questions ing the men enter CRISTINA about whether that the sewer before particular section RAPUANO they replaced the of the sewer syscover and disap- Wantagh resident tem could have peared undersome significance, ground. though there was no evidence Police and the Wantagh Fire of what the group was doing Department responded to the underground, or perhaps lookarea and searched the sewer ing for. system. No one was found The Fire Department, meanunderground and authorities while, is emphasizing that reported no damage, according whatever the reason, entering a to police. The reason the group sewer system can be extremely entered the sewer remains dangerous. Kevin Regan, the unclear. department’s public informaThe incident has generated tion officer, said the general plenty of theories among resi- rule is that anyone who does dents, ranging from teenagers CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Courtesy Seaford School District
It was the last first day for Seaford High School’s seniors, who wore their Class of 2027 shirts to school on Sept. 1.
Seaford students return to class By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
For some Seaford students, Sept. 1 marked the beginning of their journey through the school district. For others, it marked the beginning of the end. At Seaford Harbor Elementary School, kindergarten teacher Renee Hauser watched her newest students walk through the doors with bright smiles, new backpacks and the wideeyed curiosity of children experiencing school for the first time. Nearly three decades into her career in education, Hauser said that feeling never gets old. “They walk in with such bright smiles on their faces,” said Hauser, who has spent 30 years in education, including 28 years at Seaford Harbor. “They’re just eager to learn. You can just feel it.” More than 2,100 students across Seaford’s high school, middle school and two elementary schools began a new year Sept. 1, each entering a different stage of their educational
journey. For the district’s youngest students, that meant learning classroom routines, meeting new friends and beginning to discover what school is all about. Hauser starts her mornings with a meeting designed to build that sense of community. Students greet one another, sing a good morning song and pass around a ball containing questions about their favorite foods, colors, pets and families. “They’re just little sponges,” Hauser said. But Hauser’s connection with her students often extends well beyond their first year in her classroom. During her years at Seaford Harbor, she has taught siblings and, eventually, the children of former students. She has watched former students graduate, pursue careers and return to tell her about the impact she had on their lives. One former student became a nurse and cared for Hauser’s mother in the hospital CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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omething is up, and authorities need to figure out what.