_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD Fireworks display lights the sky
Celebrating the nation’s birthday
Fun happenings at the library
Page 3
Page 10
Page 16
VoL. 73 No. 29
JULy 17 - 23, 2025
$1.00
Timothy Jaccard honored for his advocacy efforts honor Jaccard was unanimous among state senators and Assembly members. “It feels great,” Jaccard said For over two decades, Wantagh resident Timothy Jaccard of receiving the medal. “It’s has provided dignified burials been a hard journey for me.” Jaccard’s journey began in for abandoned infants and support for pregnant women in cri- 1998 while working as a paramedic for the Nassis — a legacy that sau County Police has now ear ned Department. On the him the Liber ty job, he often Medal, the State responded to heartSenate’s highest breaking calls civilian honor. involving infants Jaccard, 75, wh o we re fo u n d received the medal dead in trashcans at a ceremony on and alleys. the front steps of In 1998, Jaccard Wantagh Elemenfounded the Ambutary School, followlance Medical Techi n g Wa n t a g h ’ s nician Children of 149th annual IndeHope Foundation, a pendence Day nonprofit estabparade, with dozlished by members ens witnessing the TimoTHy JACCARd of the Nassau special reco gni - Liberty Medal County Police tion. recipient Department’s The Liberty a m bu l a n c e u n i t . Medal is awarded to those who have demonstrat- The organization’s mission is e d e xc e p t i o n a l , h e ro i c o r to provide dignified burials for abandoned and unclaimed humanitarian achievements. State Sen. Steve Rhoads, infants, save the lives of at-risk whose district includes Want- newborns, and educate the pubagh, Seaford, Levittown, Bell- lic about safe alternatives to more, Merrick and East Mead- infant abandonment. After founding the organizaow, presented Jaccard with the prestigious medal. According tion, Jaccard came to underto Rhoads, the decision to CoNTiNueD oN page 11
By CHARLES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
B
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Town Supervisor Don Clavin announced a new pet adoption initiative at the town animal shelter in Wantagh on July 10, the same day Nassau County officials signed a law strengthening penalties for animal abusers.
Officials crack down on animal abusers in Nassau County By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Nassau County officials are taking a tougher stance against animal abusers with a new law that bans them from owning pets and keeps their names on a public registry for up to 20 years. On July 10, the same day the bill was signed, Town of Hempstead officials gathered in Wantagh to promote a pair of pet adoption initiatives at the municipal animal shelter. County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the bill into law at a news conference at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legisla-
tive Building in Mineola. The measure is cosponsored by County Legislator John Ferretti, a Levittown native who is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor in November as a Republican. Blakeman said that the bill, which took effect immediately, ensures that people with a record of animal abuse in Nassau County will not be allowed to own animals. “If they have an animal and they’re abusive, this takes away their right,” Blakeman said. Joining Blakeman and Ferretti at the signing were County Legislator Rose Walker, CoNTiNueD oN page 12
eing able to have a baby in your arms that’s alive because of the program is really heartwarming.