Congressional Seats: A New York State of Decline

Another census means more congressional seats lost

New York is losing some of its influence, and that can mean trouble for Long Islanders.

In 1950, when Harry S. Truman was president, New York had 45 congressional seats, the most in the nation. The recent past had seen the four terms of Hyde Park’s Franklin D. Roosevelt, with FDR’s distant cousin, Theodore, serving as president earlier in the century. Further back, the 19th century had seen several New Yorkers as president: Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Chester Arthur, and the popular Grover Cleveland.

Maragos: First Priority is Nassau County

U.S. Senate hopeful addresses ongoing issues at town hall

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto introduced Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos as “hopefully our next U.S. Senator from the State of New York” at Hicksville Community Center’s town hall meeting on March 22.

Venditto lauded Maragos for his work as comptroller since he assumed the post in 2009, but reassured residents that Maragos’ next venture, if elected, may have a greater impact on the county than his current one.

Nobody in Nassau Wants to ‘Get the Boot’

County to come down hard on scofflaws

The “boot” in question is not that nifty, expensive leather fashion item, but rather the immobilizing device that is placed on a car as a result of not paying traffic fines for parking or getting caught going through red lights. And, no doubt, it will cost more than that pricy footware you’ve been eyeing.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced that the Nassau County Boot and Tow Program has begun, as of March 26. This program has been set up to help collect unpaid fines from scofflaws with parking or traffic violations.

Hats for Haiti

Hicksville’s Flexfit offering ‘Hamylo’ cap to benefit rebuilding efforts

Hats here in the United States are often synonymous with statements: team allegiances, sponsorship obligations or setting a trend.

In the case of Flexfit, the company known for their stretchy, one-size-fits-all technology, its new “Hamylo” hat will represent something significantly more charitable.

Car Stolen at Gunpoint, Chase Ensued

Man drove vehicle into police car in school parking lot, cops say

Robbery Squad detectives reported the details of two arrests for a robbery that occurred in Hicksville on Tuesday, March 20 at 11:52 a.m.

According to detectives, Remick Menjivar, 18, of Freeport, approached a male victim, 26, who was in the driveway at his Hicksville residence, produced a handgun and demanded the victim’s keys to his 2006 Infinity. The victim complied and the defendant drove off in the victim’s vehicle, said police. At the time of the robbery, police said the victim observed Edwin Flores, 20, of Hicksville, near his home, standing outside of a 2011 Toyota Corolla and looking around nervously. Both vehicles then fled the scene at the same time, said police.

HHS Student Wins Anti-Smoking Contest

Brian Parisi’s ‘dynamite’ design selected as top concept

Hicksville High School’s Brian Parisi is kicking butts – cigarette butts, that is.

Parisi’s “dynamite” T-shirt concept, a part of the ENT & Allergy’s Great American Smokeout (GASO) and American Cancer Society campaign, recently earned him $1,000 and another $1,000 for his school.

Veterans Honor Next Generation of Heroes

Students awarded for essay contest participation

American pride connected two generations on Monday, March 12, as The William M. Gouse Jr. Post 3211 honored nine students from the Hicksville School District with Voice of Democracy Awards.

The Hicksville School District, specifically the social studies department, (Dr. Rose Borda is the chair) held an essay contest for district students. The Patriots Pen theme was, “Are You Proud of Your Country?” and The Voice of Democracy theme was, “Is There Pride In Serving in Our Military?”

Remembering Purple Heart Veteran Louis Rowehl, 92

Patriot served in the Army, Hicksville and Mt. Sinai Fire Departments

Louis Rowehl, a Hicksville potato farmer, firefighter, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church member and World War II Purple Heart recipient, died on Feb. 24 at 92 years old.

“I had a marvelous relationship with him. I’m impressed I spent time with such a marvelous soul,” said John Graham, a friend of Rowehl’s for 23 years and fellow firefighter in Mt. Sinai.

Local Student Stars In Rebranding Campaign at LIU

Long Island University seeks shorter designations for campuses

Hicksville resident Venkata Sravani Kollu, a medical biology master’s student at LIU Post, is being featured in a series of advertisements as part of Long Island University’s rebranding campaign.

On Jan. 1, Long Island University rebranded itself as LIU. The names of LIU’s six campuses received shorter designations, uniting them under the new LIU brand and extending their reach in an increasingly digital world. The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is now LIU Post and the university’s other five locations are LIU Brooklyn, LIU Brentwood, LIU Riverhead, LIU Hudson at Rockland and LIU Hudson at Westchester.

Runners Fundraise for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

HHS, Holy Trinity grads thank community for support

Four Hicksville runners, with the help of friends, family and the local community, recently raised more than $16,000 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Holy Trinity grad Alexis Tobin and Hicksville High School alums Meagan Doyle, Kerri O’Connor and Keira McCarthy organized several fundraising events in the area before running 13.1 miles at Walt Disney World on Jan. 7 for Team in Training (TNT), a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society program that helps athletes train and raise money for blood cancer.