News Features | Herald Community Newspapers

The Bay Park sewage plant in East Rockaway is one of three wastewater treatment facilities that will be maintained and operated by United Water.

Promising to save taxpayers $233 million over the next 20 years, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced a partnership with United Water on Monday to manage and operate the county’s three … more

By Mary Malloy | 7/2/14

Hewlett Harbor village is rebuilding its infrastructure in order to stop the flooding along Pepperidge Road, above. Larger drainage pipes could be installed in the area as part of the process.

Small villages focus on big problems

Hurricane Sandy rebuilding talk often swirls around larger communities, but the smaller Five Towns villages of Hewlett Harbor and Hewlett Neck are also seeking to mitigate the damage caused by flooding. more

By Vanessa Parker | 5/28/14

Lawrence High School was determined to be safe by an industrial hygienist, but mold was found in some classrooms.

Lawrence High School deemed safe

Following an April 10 air test conducted at Lawrence High School by Olmstead Environmental Services of upstate Garrison, the building was deemed safe and concerns raised by teachers about were found to be accurate. more

By Jeff Bessen | 5/14/14

NY Rising committees from around the state presented their project plans in Albany last month. Five Towns Community Reconstruction committee co-chairs Pete Sobol, left, and Bob Block addressed a state panel. Behind them is urban planning expert Frank Fish.

Post-Sandy fixes still needed

Repairing and improving Rockaway Turnpike, a major evacuation route in the event of another disaster like Hurricane Sandy, and storm water mitigation projects are the main focus of Five Towns residents as final community reconstruction plans have been submitted to the state. more

By Vanessa Parker | 5/14/14

Lawrence High School was ruled safe by an industrial hygienist, but mold was found in some classrooms.

Lawrence High School deemed safe

Following an April 10 air test conducted at Lawrence High School by Olmstead Environmental Services of upstate Garrison, the building was deemed safe and concerns raised by teachers about were found to be accurate. more

By Jeff Bessen | 5/8/14

Elevating homes closest to the water are one of the proposed Community Reconstruction Program project. Above, a raised house in Meadowmere Park.

Five Towns project plans presented

As final plans for the state’s NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program have been submitted for approval, Anne Fenton was named the program’s spokeswoman late last month. more

By Vanessa Parker | 5/7/14

To mitigate flooding in the Five Towns, the local NY Rising Committee proposes infrastructure upgrades that include ways to reduce stormwater runoff. Above, Hewlett Harbor Village Hall and four of the planned methods.

Five Towns NY Rising planning continues

The Five Towns NY Rising Community Restoration Program Committee was not one of the eight winners announced in Albany on April 23 of a bonus $3 million to implement their proposed rebuilding projects. more

By Vanessa Parker | 4/30/14

Five Towns NY Rising Committee chairs Pete Sobol, left, and Bob Block listened to a question during the conference in Albany on April 23.

No bonus $3 million for Five Towns

The Five Towns NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program Committee was not one of the eight winners of a bonus $3 million that will be used to implement the post Hurricane Sandy rebuilding projects that have been proposed as winners were announced in Albany Wednesday. more

By Vanessa Parker | 4/23/14

Frank Zerbe’s bulkhead was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, and, 18 months later, he needs funding to rebuild it.

Post-storm struggles continue

Patty Vacchio lost her Inwood home in Hurricane Sandy. While some things have improved, she said, she doesn’t believe that people in her situation are any better off nearly 18 months after the storm. more

By Vanessa Parker | 4/23/14

A team of Herald reporters received second place for Community Service in the Local Media Association’s annual Editorial Contest. Among the winners were, from left, Alexandra Spychalsky, Scott Brinton, Mary Malloy and Alex Costello.

Heralds earn four honors in national contest

A team of six Herald editors and reporters –– Scott Brinton, Jeff Bessen, Alex Costello, Mary Malloy, Anthony Rifilato and Alexandra Spychalsky –– have taken second place for Community … more

4/16/14