______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD Focusing on fire safety in V.S.
Speaking against the TPS ruling
School boards reorganize
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VOL. 37 NO. 28
JuLy 9 - 15, 2026
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V.S. Chamber, Hofstra partner on workshops ations. According to chamber board member Lauri LoQuercio, the The Valley Stream Chamber workshop exceeded expectaof Commerce launched a new tions for its first offering, with educational initiative last strong attendance. “It was not only month with an artipeople in the chamficial intelligence ber, but there were workshop designed also business peoto help local busiple who were not in ness owners better t h e ch a m b e r, a s understand emergwell as just some ing technology and citizens who were apply it to their dayinterested in it,” to-day operations. LoQuercio said. “As Held at the Valalways, the chamley Stream Commuber tries to involve nity Center, at Heneverybody.” drickson Park, on The program was June 9, the event organized by was the first in a LoQuercio and Gleplanned series of nore Anderson, of q u a r t e rl y wo rk Dime Savings Bank, shops that the with Hofstra servchamber is organizing as the educaing in partnership MARIBEL PAdIN tional partner. A.I. with Hofstra Uni- Program manager, expert Mitch Tobol versity’s Entrepre- Hofstra University’s led the two-hour neurship AssisEntrepreneurship session, which comtance Center. Assistance Center bined presentations T he inaugural with hands-on exersession, “Using AI to Accelerate Your Business,” cises and one-on-one guidance introduced attendees to practi- for participants working on cal ways in which artificial their own businesses. Rather than focusing on A.I. intelligence can improve productivity, marketing, customer as a replacement for employees, engagement and business operContinued on page 8
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
O
Juan Alzamora/Herald
Kicking off the celebration with a bang Residents celebrated Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary during the village’s annual Fireworks Spectacular last Friday at Firemen’s Memorial Field. The celebration featured family activities, live entertainment and a fireworks display. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Harry Chapin’s legacy lives on in Valley Stream and across L.I. By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
As Long Island prepares to mark Harry Chapin Day on July 16, the singer-songwriter’s legacy extends far beyond his music. More than four decades after he began an effort to combat hunger by founding Long Island Cares in 1980, the need for food assistance continues to grow, including at the organization’s Valley Stream pantry. The recent increase in demand underscores the continued relevance of Chapin’s mission at a time when nearly 314,000 Long Islanders struggle to access food. While Nassau County is often
viewed as an affluent community, staff members at the Valley Stream pantry said the need for assistance continues to rise among people from all walks of life. Nichole Rojas, program center coordinator for the Valley Stream pantry, oversees the site’s daily operations, including volunteer management and assistance to pantry visitors. The pantry primarily serves Nassau County residents, while maintaining six pantry locations across Long Island — in Valley Stream, Freeport, Bethpage, Huntington Station, Lindenhurst and Hampton Bays. Rojas said she has seen an increase in the Continued on page 7
ur workshops provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence and connections they need to succeed.