Light Rain 42°
Tag:

Bruce Blakeman

News
Nassau County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues Nassau County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues
Nassau County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues A New York county’s controversial mask ban is already facing legal challenges. Click here for a new, updated story: Mask Ban Arrest: Hicksville 18-Year-Old First Person Charged Under Controversial Law In a class action lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York on Thursday, Aug. 22, Disability Rights of New York argued that Nassau County’s law barring face coverings in public violates federal law and discriminates against people with disabilities. The filing came a little more than a week after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed the “Mask Transparenc…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
News
NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations
NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations It’s now against the law to cover your face in public in this New York county. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the “Mask Transparency Act” into law during a ceremony held Wednesday morning, Aug. 14. It came a little more than a week after the Republican-controlled county legislature passed the act by a vote of 12-0 on Monday, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. Earlier Report: Nassau County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Rise In Covid-19 Cases The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In Covid-19 Cases Lawmakers in a New York county approved a controversial bill criminalizing mask wearing amid a summer bump in COVID-19 cases. On Long Island, the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature passed the “Mask Transparency Act” by a vote of 12-0 on Monday night, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in the county. It also gives private businesses the right to prohibit masks on their premises. It grants exceptions for health or religious reasons, though that distinction will be determ…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
News
Transgender Athlete Ban Signed Into Law On LI; AG, NYCLU Announce Plans To Sue Transgender Athlete Ban Signed Into Law On LI; AG, NYCLU Announce Plans To Sue
Transgender Athlete Ban Signed Into Law On LI; AG, Nyclu Announce Plans To Sue Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) have announced plans to sue Nassau County after a bill preventing transgender women from participating in women’s sports was made official. The Nassau County bill was signed into law on Monday, July 15. Introduced by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — whose February executive order with the same goals prompted backlash and was quickly struck down — the bill requires sports teams to designate whether they are a female, male, or co-ed team and prevents “biological males” from competing on women’s teams at th…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
News
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Passed By Nassau County Lawmakers Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Passed By Nassau County Lawmakers
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Passed By Nassau County Lawmakers The Nassau County Legislature passed a bill that prevents transgender women from competing in women’s sports on Long Island. At a meeting on Monday, June 24, lawmakers voted 12-6 to pass the law. Originally introduced by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office, the bill would require sports teams to designate whether they are a female, male, or co-ed team and is aimed to prevent “biological males” from competing on women’s teams. Earlier Report: Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Nassau County Lawmakers It echoes an executive order Blakeman originally introduce…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why
NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why A New York county is training armed residents who could be deputized during emergencies and natural disasters. With the state's second-largest police force of 2,600 sworn officers, Nassau County posted a notice in March in local newspapers and other news outlets for a team of provisional emergency special deputy sheriffs "for the protection of human life and property during an emergency," said County Executive Bruce Blakeman in coordination with Nassau County Sheriff Anthony LaRocco. In the advertisement, Blakeman said the "special deputies" will have no police powers unless …

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
News
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Long Island Lawmakers Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Long Island Lawmakers
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Long Island Lawmakers A month after the Nassau County Executive’s executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports was struck down in court, a new proposed bill with the same goal has been advanced to the next step. After an at-times heated discussion between lawmakers and public commenters at a Nassau County legislative committee meeting on Monday, June 10, a bill aiming to bar transgender women from women’s sports passed an initial committee vote. Earlier Report: Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports The bill, which was introd…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Politics
NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling
NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling In an age where Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on anything, fresh polling shows New Yorkers on both sides of the aisle still have some common ground on a few hot button issues. Strong bipartisan majorities support safeguarding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and enhancing protections for the LGBTQ community, a Siena College poll released Monday, April 22, showed. Specifically, 80 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of Republicans, and 72 percent of independents favored safeguarding access to IVF for all Americans, the poll found. Related Report: 'Blatantly Illegal…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
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 …

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Sports
Westchester Native, Ex-Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits NY In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban Westchester Native, Ex-Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits NY In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban
Westchester Native, Ex-Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits NY 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, …

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
News
Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban
Long Island Roller Derby Team, Nyclu Sue 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…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Sports
'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Transgender Athlete Ban On Long Island 'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Transgender Athlete Ban On Long Island
'Blatantly Illegal': Nyag Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Transgender Athlete Ban On Long Island 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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
News
Just Dropping By: Police On Long Island Spread Holiday Cheer, Rappel Down Children's Hospital Just Dropping By: Police On Long Island Spread Holiday Cheer, Rappel Down Children's Hospital
Just Dropping By: Police On Long Island 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…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Long Island Play Place 4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Long Island Play Place
4-Year-Old 'Super Shane' Back Home After Heart Stops At Long Island 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…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Long Island Community Grieves Young EMT, Holds Funeral ‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Long Island Community Grieves Young EMT, Holds Funeral
‘Heaven Gained A Beautiful New Angel’: Long Island 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…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Obituaries
‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Long Island Woman Who Died At Age 105 ‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Long Island Woman Who Died At Age 105
‘Hard Work’ Is Secret To Long Life, Says Long Island 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…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
News
Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Long Island Man Decried As 'Dangerous Precedent' Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Long Island Man Decried As 'Dangerous Precedent'
Plea Deal In Beating Of Jewish Long Island 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, tr…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled NY Rep. Santos Defiant Amid Republican Calls To Step Down 'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled NY Rep. Santos Defiant Amid Republican Calls To Step Down
'I Will NOT Resign': Embattled NY 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…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
News
'Very Grateful': LI Coaches Honored For Saving HS Basketball Player Who Collapsed On Court 'Very Grateful': LI Coaches Honored For Saving HS Basketball Player Who Collapsed On Court
'Very Grateful': LI 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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Long Island Authorities Alert Public Of Increase In Stolen Vehicles Long Island Authorities Alert Public Of Increase In Stolen Vehicles
Long Island Authorities 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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

by Zak Failla