Robbery And Shooting In Massapequa

The Nassau County Police Department is reporting that two Amityville men have been arrested because of an incident that occurred on Clocks Boulevard and Oakley Street. According to detectives, Daron Morris, 33, and Tyron Doe, 25, allegedly were armed with a handgun when they met with a male victim, 22, and demanded money while simultaneously shooting him in the knee.  Furthermore, according to detectives, one of the subjects then allegedly reached into the victim’s pocket and removed cash before both subjects returned to their vehicle and fled the scene.

Sparks Fly In The Debate Arena

Town hall format and Obama’s performance finds president rebounding in the polls

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra University was the site for the second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Hofstra had also hosted a debate between then-Democratic nominee Obama and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain back in 2008, making the school just the second university to host consecutive presidential debates. (St. Louis’ Washington University was the other.)

With Romney scoring what many considered an upset victory over Obama’s decidedly lackluster performance in the first debate, this follow-up was going to be a “deal maker or breaker in this campaign,” according to political pundit Chris Matthews, who spoke at Hofstra the prior week. Shortly after moderator Candy Crowley took the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear both candidates were prepared to come out swinging, making for a lively hour and a half that found roughly 65 million viewers tuning in to the town hall-style debate, according to the Nielsen Ratings.

Candidates Announced For Special Election

Joanne Maglione and Michael Venditto vie to become legislator

The Democratic and Republican parties have announced candidates for the upcoming 12th Legislative District special election. The winner of the election will finish the unexpired term of Legislator Peter Schmitt, who passed away in early October.

The Democrats have nominated Joanne Maglione, although she describes herself as “a lifelong Republican.” Maglione is the former deputy county attorney and is a resident of Massapequa Park.

Altadonna: Massapequa Park Needs Emergency Room Center

Village is working with North Shore-LIJ to build ER center on Sunrise Highway

Progress continues to be made in a plan to bring an emergency room facility to Massapequa Park. Mayor James Altadonna spoke with the Massapequan Observer, and said that the village, along with North Shore-LIJ, is continuing to pursue building an emergency room center on Sunrise Highway near the Long Island Rail Road station.

According to Altadonna, a request for proposal has already been issued. Currently, the village and the hospital system are in the process of trying to secure property where the facility would be constructed. The mayor said that negotiations are currently taking place regarding a number of properties on Sunrise Highway. Altadonna, who served as an EMT in Deer Park, believes that an emergency center is needed in the village so that residents can be treated as quickly as possible when emergencies arise.

Nassau Police Arrest Five At Foot Spa In Mass. Park

The Nassau County Police Department is reporting the arrest of five individuals at Fortune Foot Spa, located at 119 Front Street in Massapequa Park. According to the Nassau County Police Department, Xzan Zhu Chen, 32, Xing Yuhe, 41, Gaili Shi, 35, and Xuxiang Hong, 36, all from Queens and Mei Yun Zheng, 36, from Manhattan were arrested at the foot spa following a covert investigation by detectives from the Nassau County Police Department Narcotics/Vice Squad. The Nassau Police Department further reports that Zheng has been charged with three counts of unauthorized practice and that Chen, Yuhe, Shi and Hong are being charged with unauthorized practice. According to Detective Garcia of the Nassau County Police Department, these charges stem from the accused allegedly giving massages without a license. In addition, the Nassau County Police Department has also charged Hong with prostitution.

Legislator Peter Schmitt Laid To Rest

Family and friends recall a dedicated public official and a loving family man

In the church where Peter Schmitt and his wife Lois were married 38 years ago, family, friends, residents and elected officials gathered to remember the longtime legislator from Massapequa, who died suddenly on Oct. 3. A funeral mass was held on Oct. 8 at St. Rose of Lima Church on Merrick Road, before the longtime Nassau County Legislator was laid to rest at Grace Cemetery, just a few hundred yards east of the church.

“Peter Schmitt will truly be missed, will always be remembered, and will never be replaced,” said Congressman Peter King who spoke at the funeral.

Adcock Protests County Cuts To Youth Programs

Massapequa Deputy Superintendent joins other Long Island school district leaders in calling for Nassau County to restore $8 million in funding.

Massapequa Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock joined other local school district superintendents on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and called on Nassau County to restore youth and family programs that were cut or eliminated from the county budget on July 5. Adcock was joined by representatives from Elmont, Great Neck, Long Beach, Mineola, Uniondale and Westbury as they protested the decision to slash nearly $8 million in program funding that went to counseling, tutoring, crisis intervention, after school programs, and other areas.

These programs were the victim of the ongoing tug-of-war between party lines in the county concerning borrowing and redistricting. Organizations such as YES Community Counseling Center in Massapequa as well others across Nassau County, like the Gateway Youth Outreach in Elmont, and Mineola Youth and Family Services in Mineola, were blindsided when the cut came down three months ago.

Holy Trinity Senior From Massapequa Named Commended Student

Theresa Gaffray of Massapequa, a senior at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. Gaffray placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Plainedge HS Senior Named Commended Student

Plainedge High School senior Andrew Sullivan has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Family Fall And Halloween Festival Held At Burns Park

The Town of Oyster Bay will be holding its 4th Annual Family Fall and Halloween Festival on Saturday Oct. 20, at Burns Park. The Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division sponsor the event. For more information on the festival, call the CAPA Division at 797-7925 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.