Freeport High School evacuated after false threat; police confirm no danger

Freeport High School was evacuated on the morning of September 12 after a potential threat was reported. After a thorough sweep by the Freeport and Nassau County Police Departments the district said,, the threat was deemed not credible, and students returned to class by 10:30 a.m.

Tom Phelan shares stories of Irish boyhood at Garden City event

Tom Phelan, a longtime Freeport resident and author, was scheduled to speak at the Garden City Casino on Sept. 11, 2024, sharing stories from his memoir, "We Were Rich and We Didn’t Know It," which reflects on his childhood in rural Ireland.

Maven Academy Charter School application withdrawn to build more community support

Plans for the Maven Academy Charter School in Freeport have been put on hold after the application was withdrawn to focus on building stronger community support. Head of the school, Craig Mercado, emphasized the importance of broader outreach before reapplying.

Long Island Cares opens new food pantry in Valley Stream to soften demand on Freeport location

Long Island Cares has opened a new food pantry in Valley Stream, aiming to alleviate the growing demand at regional pantries, especially in Freeport. The pantry, which had a soft opening on August 19, will hold its official ribbon-cutting on September 10.

Freeport contractor pleads guilty to wire fraud in Hurricane Sandy repair scheme

Alexander Almaraz, owner of Design Concepts Group LLC in Freeport, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to defraud homeowners seeking repairs after Hurricane Sandy. Almaraz now faces up to 30 years in prison and must pay restitution to his victims.

Columnist

Your lawn may be killing you ­— and many other creatures

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is listed by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen. Pesticides like this one are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s lawns, endangering the Island’s only aquifer while threatening the health of its human residents as well as the birds, bees and household pets that share our biosphere.

Columnist

Seeking post-pandemic healing in the woods

A cold wind, as loud as a trumpet, whipped across the summit of Mount Marcy, New York’s highest peak in the Adirondacks, on Aug. 17. I could see only feet in front of me, because the mountain, at 5,344 feet above sea level, was enveloped by clouds. Then a light rain started to patter across the rocky slab at my feet.

Columnist

Behind the mask: the flaws in Nassau’s new law

Imagine a law introduced to fight hate and bigotry — yet it is so flawed that it inadvertently shields those very perpetrators from justice. That’s precisely what happened on Aug. 5, when the Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority pushed through its so-called Mask Transparency Act — a law that, despite its intentions, opens the door to unintended consequences.

Editorial

After-school’ activities benefit those of all ages

As the new school year begins on Long Island, students are returning not only to classrooms, but also to a vibrant world of extracurricular activities. While we often associate clubs, sports teams and after-school programs with youth development, it’s crucial to recognize that the benefits of such involvement extend far beyond childhood and adolescence.