Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
$1
Friday, January 3, 2020
Vol. 69, No. 1
N E W H Y D E PA R K
!" #
.*/-%$"(*/)-0&"1 $%&'"($%)*"+*,-%"(
HEALTH & WELLNESS
LIBRARIAN UNDER FIRE
GROWING NUMBER OF ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS
PAGES 25-32
PAGE 3
PAGE 6
"2%&3%45"67"8989
LIRR touts projects
PA J A M A PA R T Y
Highlights work in NHP, F.P. BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z More than two dozen Long Island Rail Road projects were completed in 2019 in an effort to modernize the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Station enhancements, bridge construction and grade crossing eliminations were implemented at various locations across the North Shore. Representatives from the MTA and LIRR said they were pleased to see the progression of projects and new technology on Long Island. “The ability for the Long Island Rail Road to improve service for today’s riders while building for the future needs of Long Island is paramount,” LIRR President Phil Eng said in a news release. “These expansion projects coupled with our LIRR Forward initiatives will give us the flexibility we need to provide more robust service and get our customers where they need to go on time.” Six of the construction projContinued on Page 44
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL GANCI
Floral Park Memorial High School’s Leos Club collected 53 pairs of pajamas during a monthlong clothing drive in December. See story on page 13.
Sewanhaka security guard arrested Elmont man charged with sexual assault against 15-year-old female BY R OB E RT PELAEZ A former Sewanhaka High School security guard has been arrested on sexual abuse charges, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Police said Daniel Valenzuela, 22, of Elmont was arrested on Dec. 5. He allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl while he was working at the high school, according to officials. Police said several assaults occurred between June and October, but did not say whether the girl was a student at the school or where the assaults took place. The Sewanhaka Central High School District said Valen-
zuela’s last day on the job was Oct. 1. “This individual had been vetted and cleared through all of the rigorous steps in our hiring process and we are appalled by these disturbing allegations,” Sewanhaka Superintendent James Grossane said in a statement. “We have conducted our own internal investigation on this matter and at this time have found no evidence to suggest any criminal activity took place on school
grounds.” Court records indicate that Valenzuela was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Dec. 6 and charged with a criminal sexual act in the first-degree and criminal sexual act in the third-degree. Officials said Valenzuela’s bail was set at $15,000 bond or $7,500 cash. “Student safety and security is and always will be the district’s top priority,” Grossane said. “As Continued on Page 44
For the latest news visit us at www.theislandnow.com D on’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Theislandnow and Facebook at facebo ok.com/theislandnow