Community Reacts To Sandy Hook Shooting

Nation mourns for Newtown following

deaths of 20 children, six adults

In the aftermath of the unthinkable, local students, teachers and administrators returned to school on Monday, Dec. 17 following the Connecticut school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that took the lives of 20 children and six adults the previous Friday.  

The Hicksville Public School District Superintendent Maureen Bright, along with the board of education, said that in the face of danger, teachers and administrators at Sandy Hook displayed an altruistic side that many educators are known for throughout the country.

Hicksville Decks The Halls At Tree Lighting

Kennedy Park filled with cheer

during annual holiday celebration

For the 18th year, the Rotary Club of Hicksville–Jericho sponsored the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Kennedy Park in the heart of Hicksville.  

It was a bit damp on Dec. 7; however, the drizzle didn’t dampen the spirit of the large turnout of people that were there. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Hicksville Fire Department made sure of that by graciously donating and serving hot chocolate to keep everyone warm and happy.

Volunteers from the Hicksville Fire Department decorated the large evergreen tree in the middle of Kennedy Park. An additional 22 Christmas trees were donated by Ron Regan, a friend of the Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club. These trees were set up by volunteers from the Hicksville Water Department and decorated by local Hicksville civic groups, businesses, churches and elected officials. Sabrina and Greg from radio station Fresh 102.7 were covering scene.  

From Hicksville To Hebron: Pastor Visits Middle East

Parkway Community Church’s Hank Lay

speaks with Palestinian, Israeli Christians

Though Harold “Hank” Lay missed out on Superstorm Sandy while in the Middle East, the Parkway Community Church pastor observed tumult of a different kind.

Lay, a 10-year pastor at Parkway Community Church, which recently combined with the Levittown Community Church, left the United States on Oct. 23 for Palestine as part of the Christian Peacemaker Teams organization, a group dedicated to spreading nonviolence throughout areas of conflict throughout the world.

Through Nov. 4, Lay and his group visited Jerusalem, Hebron and Bethlehem and spoke to Christians living in Israel and Palestine.

HHS Student Wins Nassau County Diving Championship

Lauren Cecco wins

second straight county title

Lauren Cecco, a senior at Hicksville High School, recently won the Nassau County Diving Championship for the second consecutive year. She qualified for the New York State Championship in Ithaca for the fifth consecutive year, making the finals and finishing in the top-10 each year. Lauren is pictured on the left with coach Joanne Corio. Lauren will be attending the University of Connecticut on a diving scholarship.

Magro Foundation Bringing Hicksville Together

Alumni lacrosse game fundraises more than $6K to support children with cancer

A frigid November day was no match for the warm hearts of all those who took part in the 1st Annual Hicksville Alumni Lacrosse game, which benefited the Hicksville-based Michael Magro Foundation.

The event, which was held on Saturday, Nov. 24 on the turf field at Hicksville High School, raised more than $6,200 for the Magro’s organization dedicated to the support of children with cancer and their families.

The event featured a clinic for the Hicksville High School varsity lacrosse and a second clinic for players of all ages, which was sponsored and run by MDP Lacrosse LLC. According to Terrie Magro, vice president of The Michael Magro Foundation, the clinics were “organized, professionally run and everyone had a great time.”

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Set For December 7

Local organizations contributing to annual family-friendly holiday event

The Hicksville-Jericho Rotary, with the help of the Hicksville Fire Department and the Hicksville Water District, will be holding the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Kennedy Park, Route 106 and Jerusalem Avenue, in Hicksville.

The large Christmas tree located in the center of the park, as well as 20 other trees nearby, will be lit and decorated with help from local business owners, civic associations, service associations and veterans groups. In addition, Fresh 102.7 FM will be on the scene to play some holiday music, while the Hicksville Ladies Auxiliary from the Hicksville Fire Department will be with serving hot chocolate.

Holy Family School A Home Away From Home

Red Cross emergency specialists, volunteers welcomed at Hicksville school

Recently, you had to have seen all the trucks from power companies and the long lines at gas stations, but you may not have noticed some very special heroes in Hicksville.

Since Thursday, Nov. 1, Holy Family School was used as home for Red Cross volunteers, who came from places like Texas, Louisiana, and Michigan, the Carolinas, Florida and even as far as Washington and Alaska. The call for the Red Cross Emergency Specialists went out nationwide and they responded. Often, they are the first ones reporting to disasters. They help local authorities and then set up their own facilities.

HFD Annual Holiday Open House Is Sunday, Dec. 2

Santa, fire engine rides, safety and training among highlights for yearly program

Chief of Department Christopher Moskos announced that the department would once again host a holiday open house at the Strong Street Fire House Station No. 3 on West John Street on Dec. 2 from noon to 3 p.m.

Santa will be on hand to greet visitors. Once again this year, there will be fire engine rides for the children. You can take part in a home escape drill in the department’s fire safety smoke house. Emergency Medical personnel will be on hand to showcase their new squad and how they are providing an essential service to the community.

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Hicksville Man Charged In 2001 Hit-And-Run Murder

Sebastian Barba, 34, allegedly ran over woman, 80, in Westbury

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that a man suspected of being the driver in a 2001 hit-and-run death that killed an 80-year-old woman in Westbury was arraigned on Nov. 13 after he was captured in Panama.

Sebastian Barba, 34, formerly of Hicksville, is charged with second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. Barba faces up to 25 years to life if convicted. He was remanded by Judge Sullivan and was scheduled to return to court on November 14, 2012.