IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP? One of Long Island’s Top Audi Presented by
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Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
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VOL. 74 NO. 27
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Meet the man ready for any animal rescue
Country music superstar Tim McGraw returns to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on July 24 as part of his 2026 “Pawn Shop Guitar” tour, his first major headlining tour after recovering from surgery.
of the first to ring. “I just like to see animals safe and in a new home,” For most Long Islanders, Debacker said. “That’s what spotting a goat wandering keeps me going.” Now 33, Debacker began resalong Ocean Parkway near Jones Beach would be enough cuing animals as a teenager to leave them reaching for their after helping stray cats in his phones. For John Debacker, it neighborhood. Word of his willwas simply another ingness to respond day on the job. spread quickly When reports through local comcame in earlier this munities and evenmonth of an abantually across social doned goat near the media, where resibusy roadway, dents, police Debacker answered departments and the call. The rescue fellow rescuers now quickly made headregularly tag him lines, but for the forwhen an emergency mer Seaford resiarises. dent, it was just the “I think my latest chapter in a Courtesy John Debacker name just got out mission that has Local animal rescuer there,” he said. consumed much of “People know they John Debacker has his life: helping anican reach out.” spent 16 years saving mals in distress. There is no such For the past 16 the lives of all kinds thing as a typical years, Debacker has of animals, from day. built a reputation as goats to kittens. Some weeks are one of Long Island’s relatively quiet. go-to volunteer animal rescu- Others are filled with back-toers. Whether it’s a kitten back emergency calls involving trapped in a storm drain, a rac- everything from cats trapped coon tangled in a soccer net, a inside car engines to wildlife turtle stranded along Wantagh caught in fencing or netting. Parkway or a cat clinging to life In fact, while speaking with near Long Island Rail Road the Herald, Debacker had just tracks, his phone is often one
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Courtesy Full Coverage Communications
Tim McGraw returns to Jones Beach
Country star opens up about recovery, family, new tour By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
For Tim McGraw, returning to the stage this summer isn’t just another tour. After a year spent recovering from surgeries and rehabilitation, the country music superstar says every show now carries a deeper appreciation for the career that has defined more than three decades of his life. McGraw will bring that renewed perspective to Long Island on July 24, when he brings his 2026 Pawn Shop Guitar tour to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, one of his favorite venues in the country.
“It’s the first time we’ve done a tour in a while, because I’ve gone through some surgery and some rehab,” McGraw, 59, told the Herald. “I’m ready to go now.” The 33-date North American tour marks his return to the road with new music, including the autobiographical title track, “Pawn Shop Guitar,” and “Song for America,” released in May. But for fans packing the waterfront amphitheater in Wantagh, McGraw promises more than a greatest-hits concert. “The hardest thing about putting any tour together is after 35 years of doing this, you CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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Courtesy of the Herald Community Newspapers