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Bruce Blakeman

News
New Earthquake Update: Shaking Felt Across Long Island, 'No Major Incidents' New Earthquake Update: Shaking Felt Across Long Island, 'No Major Incidents'
Earthquake Update: Shaking Felt Across Long Island The shaking from a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that hit New York and most of the Northeast was felt throughout Long Island. Earlier report - 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits New York, Northeast Long Islanders were in for a shock when, at 10:23 a.m. on Friday, April 5, many felt the waves of the quake that originated in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in the borough of Lebanon, according to the US Geological Survey. Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine confirmed just before noon that “no major incidents” were recorded in the county following the quake; similarly, Nassau County Executive …

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by Sophie Grieser
Sports
Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban
Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban Caitlyn Jenner, a former Olympian and media personality, paid a visit to Long Island to publicly back a recent executive order banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports. On Monday, March 18, the former Olympian, who came out as a trans woman in 2015, held a press conference alongside Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in support of his polarizing transgender athlete ban. The executive order, which went into effect on Thursday, Feb. 22, prohibits the Nassau County Parks & Recreation Department from issuing permits to female teams that include transgender women, …

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban
Long Island Roller Derby Team, Nyclu Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island’s first flat-track roller derby league, alongside the New York Civil Liberties Union, has filed a lawsuit against a ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports. “We’re ready for the courts to relegate this harmful, transphobic policy to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.” On Monday, March 11, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), partnered with its plaintiff, the Long Island Roller Rebels, announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in response to his February executive order banning transgender women from parti…

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by Sophie Grieser
Sports
'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban 'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban
'Blatantly Illegal': Nyag Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban An executive order on Long Island banning transgender women and girls from participating in sports at public facilities was given five days to be rescinded, according to New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “This executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal.” On Friday, March 1, just over a week after Nassau County Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order prohibiting transgender women (those assigned male at birth) from playing in women’s sports, James — who had quickly condemned the act — officially submitted a cease-and-desist against the order. Original Report:&nbs…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban
NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban Hours after a county executive on Long Island announced an order prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, the New York State Attorney General publicly denounced the motion. On Thursday, Feb. 22, just hours after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed his executive order, Attorney General Letitia James announced that her office would look into the next steps to protect transgender athletes from the ban, which she called “dangerous.” Earlier Report: Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports “This executive order …

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports
Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports Nassau County will ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls sports at local facilities, a move that mirrors similar legislation throughout the country and has sparked outrage among advocates. County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced the executive order, which will go into effect immediately, at a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 22. The order applies only to female competitive sports, not co-ed or male sports. It will prevent transgender women from participating in women’s sports at all county-run facilities. "This is not precluding anybody from participating in s…

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by Sophie Grieser
Politics
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat Fresh polling continues to show a tight race ahead of New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant congressional seat. A Newsday/Siena College poll of likely 3rd District voters released Thursday, Feb. 8, shows Democrat Tom Suozzi narrowly leading Republican Mazi Pilip 48 to 44 percent. Though both candidates have breakeven favorability ratings, voters feel that Suozzi would do a better job on protecting democracy, addressing the issue of abortion, and making Congress work more effectively, said Don Levy, Siena College Research Institute’s director. “Pilip is viewed as better …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Just Dropping By: Police In New Hyde Park Spread Holiday Cheer, Rappel Down Children's Hospital Just Dropping By: Police In New Hyde Park Spread Holiday Cheer, Rappel Down Children's Hospital
Just Dropping By: Police In New Hyde Park Spread Holiday Cheer, Rappel Down Children's Hospital Police officers on Long Island sent holiday wishes in a unique to children at a local hospital who couldn’t visit with family. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Nassau County Police Department Emergency Services Unit headed to Cohen’s Children Medical Center, located at 26901 76th Ave, New Hyde Park, on a mission. Dubbed “Operation Holiday Drop In,” the mission was set to go off without a hitch, and when officers started rappelling down the side of the 40-foot building in holiday hats, it became clear that the mission objective was met – make kids smile. The event is meant to ensure that childre…

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by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Levittown Play Place 4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Levittown Play Place
4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Levittown Play Place After spending weeks in the hospital and undergoing open heart surgery, a 4-year-old Long Island boy is finally back home after he suffered cardiac arrest at a local business. Shane Petruzzelli was playing at Laser Bounce Family Fun Center in Levittown on Friday, April 14, when he suddenly went into ventricular fibrillation, his mother Samantha Wendt said on Facebook. The dangerous heart arrhythmia quickly caused the boy’s heart to stop beating altogether. “I performed CPR on my sweet baby boy,” Wendt said. “I still don’t know how I did it.” Within minutes, officers from the Nassau Coun…

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by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Glen Cove Community Grieves Young EMT, Holds Funeral ‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Glen Cove Community Grieves Young EMT, Holds Funeral
‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Glen Cove Community Grieves Young EMT, Holds Funeral A young EMT from Long Island is continuing to leave an indelible mark on her community, even after her death. Glen Cove resident Susan Giovanniello, a 19-year-old who died suddenly while on duty on Monday, April 3, continues to be remembered not only by friends and family but also by the town in which she served. Earlier Report: ‘Brightest Smile In The Room’: Support Pours In After Glen Cove EMT’S Sudden Passing Giovanniello’s funeral ceremony and entombment were held on the morning of Thursday, April 6. Her dedication to service and untimely death has made an impact on even the most s…

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by Sophie Grieser
Obituaries
‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Valley Stream Woman Who Died At Age 105 ‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Valley Stream Woman Who Died At Age 105
‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Valley Stream Woman Who Died At Age 105 Those looking to extend their stay in this life would do well to embrace the grind, according to a beloved Long Island woman who would know best. Nancy Canfarotta, of Valley Stream, died Monday, Feb. 20 at the age of 105, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not revealed. Born in Manhattan on Aug. 24, 1917, Canfarotta was the oldest of three brothers and one sister. She married husband Charlie Canfarotta in September 1946, with whom she had three children, her memorial said. The family later grew to include five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Relatives describe…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Nassau County Man Decried As 'Dangerous Precedent' Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Nassau County Man Decried As 'Dangerous Precedent'
Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Nassau County Man Decried As 'Dangerous Precedent' Leaders on Long Island are blasting plans to offer a plea deal to a man accused of brutally beating a Jewish man in an antisemitic attack that was caught on video. Joseph Borgen, age 29, of Nassau County, was attacked by several people in Midtown Manhattan in May 2021, according to police. Video posted on Twitter shows several people kicking and throwing things at him. He was also struck repeatedly with crutches and pepper-sprayed. Borgen later told the Times of Israel he was attacked for wearing a yarmulke while walking to a pro-Israel rally. “I was literally just in a fetal position, t…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled Nassau Rep. Santos Defiant Amid Republican Calls To Step Down 'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled Nassau Rep. Santos Defiant Amid Republican Calls To Step Down
'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled Nassau Rep. Santos Defiant Amid Republican Calls To Step Down This story has been updated. Embattled New York Rep. George Santos is refusing to step down despite calls from state Republicans to do so after the newly sworn-in Congressman admitted to lying about key parts of his background on the campaign trail. Speaking at a press conference on Long Island Wednesday, Jan. 11, Nassau County GOP Chair Joseph Cairo demanded the freshman lawmaker’s “immediate resignation,” saying Santos used “deceit, lies, and fabrications” to convince voters to back his campaign. “He disgraced the House of Representatives,” Cairo said. “He has no place in the Nassau Cou…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Very Grateful': Mineola Coaches Honored For Saving HS Basketball Player Who Collapsed On Court 'Very Grateful': Mineola Coaches Honored For Saving HS Basketball Player Who Collapsed On Court
'Very Grateful': Mineola Coaches Honored For Saving HS Basketball Player Who Collapsed On Court Three quick-thinking high school coaches on Long Island are getting the hero's treatment for saving a basketball player’s life after he collapsed on the court. The terrifying ordeal happened Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Chaminade High School in Mineola, school officials said. Seventeen-year-old varsity player PJ Kellachan was heading to the sideline following a drill when he suddenly collapsed and began suffering a seizure. The 17-year-old eventually stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. “I remember being on the court, but then my mind kind of blacks out,” Kellachan told reporters at a…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack
Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack Law enforcement agencies in the Northeast are ramping up security at transportation hubs as police search for a wanted man who injured more than a dozen people in a shooting at a New York City subway station on Tuesday, April 12. A shooter reportedly sporting a gas mask and construction vest opened fire before fleeing the scene in Brooklyn at Sunset Park in the area of 36th Street and 4th Avenue, striking at least 10 people. Original story - 10 Shot, 16 Injured On NYC Subway By Suspect Possibly Wearing Gas Mask, Vest In response, police agencies in the region announced that they were close…

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by Zak Failla
News
Officials Condemn Anti-Semitic Statements Made At Rockville Centre Trustees Meeting Officials Condemn Anti-Semitic Statements Made At Rockville Centre Trustees Meeting
Officials Condemn Anti-Semitic Statements Made At Rockville Centre Trustees Meeting Elected officials on Long Island have expressed outrage over purported anti-Semitic comments that were made at a local board meeting. In Nassau County, the Rockville Board of Trustees was discussing a home in the neighborhood a large menorah in front of it before a local resident spoke out with a provocative declaration. During that discussion, a resident who identified herself as Michelle Zangari responded with what has been determined to be hate speech by many local residents and officials. 
“This is very emotional for anyone who lives through the transformation of the Five Towns, many …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Nassau County Police Alert Public Of Increase In Stolen Vehicles Nassau County Police Alert Public Of Increase In Stolen Vehicles
Nassau County Police Alert Public Of Increase In Stolen Vehicles Authorities on Long Island have alerted the public about an increase in stolen vehicles and thefts of catalytic converters. Nassau County continues to see an increase in these incidents at all times of the day and night when vehicles are left unlocked and the keys are left in the car, according to an announcement from County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Commissioner of Police Patrick Ryder on Saturday, Feb. 5. Police released the following safety tips to prevent these incidents: Always lock your vehicle, even when it’s parked in your driveway. Park in your garage when possible. If n…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
COVID-19: School District In Nassau County Ends Mask Mandate COVID-19: School District In Nassau County Ends Mask Mandate
Covid-19: School District In Nassau County Ends Mask Mandate At least one school district on Long Island will not be adhering to the state's mask mandates for students and staff as the COVID-19 numbers in the region begin to show improvement. The Massapequa Board of Education voted to make it optional for students and staff members to wear a mask on school property when the state-ordered mask mandate ends on Monday, Feb. 21. Earlier story - COVID-19: Long Island School District To File Suit Over Mask Mandate 
“The board has spent more than two years reviewing covid health and safety measures and we believe that our educational community will remain…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Nassau County Order Allowing School Boards To Decide On Masking Draws Backlash COVID-19: Nassau County Order Allowing School Boards To Decide On Masking Draws Backlash
Covid-19: Nassau County Order Allowing School Boards To Decide On Masking Draws Backlash A new order allowing school boards in Nassau County to decide whether students will be required to wear masks has drawn pushback from a state teachers union. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed several executive orders on Thursday, Dec. 6, including the order allowing local school boards to make decisions about masking requirements in the county. I signed three Executive Orders today. #1 gives parents and local school boards the option of whether to require the... Posted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Thursday, January 6, 2022 "Parents have a fundamental right …

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by Nicole Valinote
Politics
GOP Candidate Blakeman Claims Victory In Nassau Supervisor Race Against Incumbent Curran GOP Candidate Blakeman Claims Victory In Nassau Supervisor Race Against Incumbent Curran
GOP Candidate Blakeman Claims Victory In Nassau Supervisor Race Against Incumbent Curran Republican Bruce Blakeman has declared victory in the Nassau County executive’s race, though incumbent Democrat Laura Curran has yet to concede. With nearly 100 percent of the county’s 1,205 precincts counted, Blakeman had a lead over Curran of 135,842 (52.25 percent) versus 124,008 (47,70 percent), though Curran has stated that there are still absentee votes to be tallied. 
“There are many thousands of absentee ballots that still must be counted — with more coming in. This is not over and we must trust the process,” she said. “Every Nassau resident who participated in this election is owe…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Nassau Republicans Decide On County Executive Candidate Nassau Republicans Decide On County Executive Candidate
Nassau Republicans Decide On County Executive Candidate The Nassau County GOP is turning to a familiar face to challenge incumbent Democratic County Executive Laura Curran in November’s election. Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman, a lifelong politician, was tapped by his party to challenge Curran, a Democrat who has been at the helm in Nassau since being sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2018. Blakeman, age 65, of Atlantic Beach, was a private-sector attorney who was first named to the Hempstead Town Council in 1993. He was then named the first presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature three years later in 1996 when the county restruc…

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by Zak Failla