Executive Circle Awards Sunrise Mall in Massapequa / Photo courtesy of Urban Edge Amazon to buy part of Sunrise Mall for distribution hub Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions A mural adorns a wall next to the Massapequa High School An image of an Indian adorns the facade of the Big Chief Lewis Building A Big Chief Lewis statue is surrounded by a fence in Massapequa The Big Chief Lewis statue stands in Massapequa A marquee announces “Home of the Chiefs” at the Massapequa High School A marquee outside the Massapequa High School is backdropped by a “Chiefs” mascot mural A person lies on the grass in front of Massapequa High School Adam Drexler wore his Massapequa Chiefs jersey with pride But as the Chickasaw Nation member grew up and learned about his Indigenous roots he came to see the school’s mascot — a stereotypical Native American man wearing a headdress — as problematic “There was no tribe east of the Mississippi that ever wore a headdress — ever,” said Drexler who was adopted and raised by a white Jewish family “How can you argue for a symbol that has no significance or relevance here while at the same time claiming you honor and respect the culture and history of the people this town is named after?” The Chiefs logo is prominently featured on signs adorning school Students in recent years even painted a colorful mural with the logo and team name on a commercial building next to the high school in protest of change to the mascot a statue of a Native American figure wearing a flowing headdress towers over those depicting a buffalo you think of the Chiefs,” said Forrest Bennett New York has been trying to rid schools of Native American mascots going back more than two decades to the administration of Republican Gov and in 2022 gave districts until the end of the school year to commit to replacing them Massapequa was among four school districts on Long Island that filed a federal suit challenging the ban arguing their choice of team names and mascots were protected by the First Amendment Districts could seek exemption from the state mandates if they gained approval from a Native American tribe but state officials say Massapequa instead “stayed silent” for years an affront to our great Indian population,” Trump wrote in a recent social media post Days later he posed with a Massapequa Chiefs sweater in the Oval Office “I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon!” Along the eateries and shops next to Massapequa High students and parents insisted the team name and mascot are meant to honor the Massapequa or Delaware people who inhabited the woodlands of the Northeastern U.S and Canada for thousands of years before being decimated by European colonization “It’s not that we’re trying to do anything disrespectful,” said Christina Zabbatino “Even though it’s not necessarily what they look like here I feel like it still conveys that we are respectful of Native Americans,” Rumberg said “I get that people might be offended by it but I just feel that it’s been here so long that it should stay.” But that dismissive attitude is precisely why stereotypical mascots are offensive director of Native American and Indigenous studies at Stony Brook University “It is as if this image were a shorthand for any and all Indians,” the Cherokee Nation citizen said rather than portray us as distinct peoples.” Indian mascots also contribute to the view that Native peoples are relics of the past and not living communities facing urgent threats today a member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians who works for the New York Indian Council a nonprofit providing health care to Native Americans “That dehumanization isn’t harmless: It directly contributes to why our struggles are ignored or minimized,” the 29-year-old Brooklyn resident said noting that tribal communities endure high rates of poverty lack of clean water and limited education access The cheerful mascot also obscures Massapequa’s grim legacy of violence against Native Americans a member of the Mohawk tribe of upstate New York who has pushed districts across the state for years to change their names and mascots was the site of a massacre in which scores of Native men women and children were killed by Europeans in the 1600s That’s why accuracy of the logo doesn’t matter to them,” Kane said “So the idea that this is some sort of honor to us It’s an absurd proposition to even suggest.” An aerial view of the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa on Wednesday Amazon plans to buy 26.7 acres of the long-struggling Sunrise Mall property in Massapequa where the e-commerce giant wants to open an operations facility  Sunrise Mall site in the Town of Oyster Bay with the intent of opening an operations facility in the future This process is in the early planning stages and additional steps remain," the Seattle-based company said in a statement Thursday afternoon which is a location where Amazon conducts logistics and fulfillment activities Amazon spokeswoman Smitha Rao told Newsday in an email A last-mile site is used to deliver purchases the remaining distance to customers' homes or jobs Amazon's plan advanced Thursday morning after the Nassau County Planning Commission approved an application from the mall's owner to subdivide about 67 acres of the 77-acre mall site into four parcels retail and all things business across Long Island By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy Officials representing Sunrise Mall Holdings said during the planning commission's work session and public hearing Thursday  that Amazon was under contract to buy the land executive vice president and chief operating officer at Urban Edge Properties a real estate investment trust that is the managing member of Sunrise Mall Holdings The subdivision "is merely allowing us to start the clock for a development," said Jeffrey S a Manhattan-based real estate investment trust that is the managing member of Sunrise Mall Holdings A boom in online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in early 2020, fueled the growth of Amazon's warehouse numbers On Long Island, Amazon has eight warehouses, six of which opened in the last five years, and one planned for Route 110 in Melville At each of the facilities are dozens of delivery workers who are employed by independent small businesses that own the delivery vans Between 100 and 150 Amazon employees work as package handlers at each warehouse The mall is currently made up of 22 tax lots following the planning commission's vote Thursday a planner in the Nassau County Department of Public Works Sunrise Mall Holdings plans to retain the largest piece but no decision has been made yet about how it will be used No development is planned for the remaining two parcels which are water well sites that will continue to be owned and operated by Liberty Utilities Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said Thursday that an Amazon facility in Massapequa would benefit the town “We welcome Amazon’s investment in Massapequa This project means economic growth without the strain of a greater population on schools and services — a real win for our community," he said in a statement Several residents who spoke during the public hearing said they opposed an Amazon facility because of potential noise and traffic impacts to nearby neighborhoods with some saying more study was needed before the planning commission approved the subdivision addresses the Nassau County Planning Commission hearing on the subdivision application for the Sunrise Mall property on Thursday "I'm sure when you buy a parcel of land five years ago for $25 million you should have some scenarios of what that parcel will be used for just spend more time publicizing their potential plans," said Gary DiBiase Planning Commissioner Reid Sakowich echoed that sentiment He said he understood that a subdivision approval wouldn't grant an approval to build "I think it's hard for residents of that community to understand that you spent $25 million and you have no idea what you're doing" for the redevelopment which drew applause from about two dozen residents in the audience The Town of Oyster Bay is responsible for approval of redevelopment projects in the jurisdiction Sunrise Mall Holdings plans to demolish the nearly vacant mall including the free-standing former Sears Auto Center according to a letter the partnership's attorney Judy Lynn Simoncic of Uniondale law firm Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP sent to the Town of Oyster Bay Planning and Development Department the letter requested that the department send a zoning compliance letter to the county planning commission as part of the requirements to get the subdivision approved The Nassau County Planning Commission holds a hearing on the subdivision application for the Sunrise Mall property on Thursday Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp At the planning commission meetings in Mineola on Thursday Simoncic said it could be years before a demolition of the mall occurs Sunrise Mall is in Oyster Bay's light industrial district but the mall exists under a special-use permit granted by the town board in the 1970s town spokesman Brian Nevin said in an email "Future retail space will require a special use permit from the town board Or they could modify their existing approvals," he said the 1.2 million-square-foot mall used to be a bustling property it has lost stores over the last decade due to a growing number of online retailers The pandemic exacerbated the challenges faced by shopping malls Sunrise Mall Holdings bought the long-struggling mall from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, a Paris-based company, in 2020 for $29.7 million, a steep discount from the $143 million — not adjusted for inflation — that the property sold for in 2005 When the mall’s 2020 sale was announced, the buyer said it would redevelop the property no development has taken place and the only tenant left is Dick’s Sporting Goods Sunrise Mall Holdings stopped renewing tenant leases in 2022 One of the last two anchors, Macy’s, recently closed did not respond to Newsday's request for comment about its plans for its Sunrise Mall store The retailer has more than 10 years left on its lease who has said that Macy's exit allowed for more flexibility in redeveloping the mall by virtue of being the largest tenant at the mall had the most control over what other things could happen on the property we have some more flexibility,” he told Newsday in January Urban Edge’s partners in Sunrise Mall Holdings are Sagamore Hill Partners a Manhattan-based real estate investment firm affiliated with Woodbury-based Ripco Real Estate New Jersey-based company that is an "established developer of industrial assets." Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Search autocomplete is currently not responding MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Bay Shore man pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a July 2014 crash in which two of his passengers were seriously wounded in a single-car crash on the Wantagh Sta...Read on... MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Hicksville retailer was arrested yesterday for a massive trademark counterfeiting scheme after an investigation by the NCDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Hom...Read on... 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Matthew Whyte was driving nearly 100 miles per hour while impaired by marijuana on the Southern State Parkway in November 2022 when he crashed into another vehicle Anthony Calvo allegedly struck his former Beech Street Taxi coworker in the head Donnelly announced that a Long Beach man w.. Jaden D’Souza was allegedly impaired by cannabis and driving approximately 123 miles per hour when he lost control of his vehicle killing his 21-year-old sister and another 23-year-old woman – Nassau County District Attor.. Samuel Gutierrez Orozco allegedly drove drunk and at a high rate of speed on Peninsula Boulevard in September 2023 lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T... a former employee of the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center allegedly recorded patients in several bathrooms using a hidden camera inside a smoke detector at two facilities; five victims identified Kyle Matthews and Isaiah Gonzalez conspired to and carried out a fatal shooting outside a party venue in August 2023 Donnelly announced that two men were convicted of fatally shooting a man .. Marlon Rabanales Pretzantzin allegedly punched violently shook and dropped his 2-month-old daughter Donnelly announced that an Inwood man was indicte.. allegedly told an older couple they needed a new roof increasing the construction price more than 5000% in five days and providing them with a fraudulent insurance claim approval for the work Joshua Pena pleaded guilty in January to driving while intoxicated on the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and killing 23-year-old Xavier Pena Donnelly announced a Valley Stream man was sentenc.. THE NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT UNIT ACCEPTS CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS ELECTRONICALLY AND BY MAIL A MEMBER OF OUR LEGAL STAFF WILL CONTACT YOU.. OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONOFFICIAL REQUEST FOR COMPLIANCE Read on... Phone: 516-571-3800 Contact Us The Massapequa softball team poses with Mary Kasin after winning a game at Massapequa on Wednesday The memory and legacy of Connor Kasin have continued to be at the forefront of the Massapequa community The Massapequa softball team held its Connor Kasin memorial game on Wednesday at Berner Middle School Raffle entries were sold and a bake sale took place with all proceeds going to the Connor Kasin Memorial Foundation individuals and organizations that lack the financial means to pursue their dreams the support they’ve given our family is unbelievable,” Connor’s mother Mary Kasin said.” They reached out to us wanting to do something and of course we happily agreed.” Kasin was a Massapequa senior and member of the school's ice hockey team He tragically passed away at the age of 17 after collapsing during a charity game on Nov was close friends with Kasin and was the driving force behind the event “I was really close with him over the past two years He always came down to the softball games to support the team,” Tucholski said “I really just wanted this memorial game to be the best day possible.” Pictures of Kasin throughout his lifetime were plastered at various points around the field followed by a speech read by the PA announcer The speech described Connor as an “amazing friend It also mentioned his passion and love for not only ice hockey but also providing kindness and uplifting those around him “There are kids who will see our lights on at midnight and knock on our door just asking if they can stop in and say hi,” Mary Kasin said Massapequa earned a 13-1 victory over Seaford in the ensuing Nassau I matchup Sienna Erker and Sienna Perino each had a hit and three RBIs Tucholski had a hit and scored three runs and Sam Portz had three hits and two RBIs for Massapequa (13-3) “We do a charity game every year and we had some seniors who were close with Connor particularly Maddie Tucholski and they wanted to do this for Connor,” Massapequa coach Christina Castellani said “We’re just grateful to be able to do this and raise money for the foundation.” “It’s wonderful to see everyone still talking about him his name is still everywhere,” Tucholski said “We are continuing to remember him as the amazing person and player that he was.” "I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School. Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population. "Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context, but especially in our schools, where all students should feel welcome and supported. Massapequa defeated Seaford in a Nassau softball matchup on Wednesday Sienna Perino #21 of Massapequa connects for a home run against Rylie Betz #23 of Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sienna Perino #21 of Massapequa celebrates after hitting a home run during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sam Portz #16 of Massapequa celebrates after scoring on a home run by Sienna Perino during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sienna Erker #25 of Massapequa connects for the walk-off hit against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Madison Tucholski #2 of Massapequa scores the game-ending run against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sam Portz #16 of Massapequa slides into third base against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Madison Tucholski #2 of Massapequa celebrates after a single against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sienna Erker #25 of Massapequa runs off the field against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Sienna Perino #21 of Massapequa connects for a homerun against Rylie Betz #23 of Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Shannon McClernon #10 of Seaford throws from her knees against Massapequa during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Madison Tucholski #2 of Massapequa throws for a put out from shortstop against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Alexa O'Mallon #15 of Massapequa winds up for a pitch against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Rylie Betz #23 of Seaford delivers a pitch against Massapequa during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Rylie Betz #23 of Seaford winds up for a pitch against Massapequa during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Alexa O'Mallon #15 of Massapequa winds up to pitch against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Alexa O'Mallon #15 of Massapequa delivers a pitch against Seaford during a Nassau softball game on Wednesday throws out the first pitch prior a Conference I softball game against Seaford at Massapequa high school on Wednesday hugs Madison Tucholski #2 of Massapequa after throwing out the first pitch prior to a Nassau softball game on Wednesday The Massapequa softball team pose with Mary Kasin after winning a Nassau softball game on Wednesday Shashi Goyal and Sanjay Jain of Escube LLC stand outside Manor East Caterers in Massapequa on Saturday the Town of Oyster Bay is considering a developer’s proposal to revitalize and reopen the property as Manor East once more The venue has been vacant since it closed after a foreclosure auction plan to restore the catering hall on Jerusalem Avenue under the Manor East name The former business operated for years without proper approvals To improve the property and relaunch the catering hall the new owners need a special use permit to operate on the premises Trespassers and water intrusion damaged the inside of the building The town required the new owners — who purchased the property in 2021 — to shore up the structure “The community is in support,” Goyal told Newsday in an interview “They want this to come back because they have memories" of the catering hall Manor East is one of a handful of iconic Long Island catering halls to shutter in recent years, including Chateau Briand in Carle Place, the Woodbury Country Club and the Huntington Town House in Huntington Station, Newsday has reported the Manor East property went from being a community hot spot to a community problem “The building was kind of falling apart,” Goyal said Work to fortify the building finished in 2022 owners have been working with neighbors to address concerns — particularly over parking — to advance the project Snipas said during a town board meeting last week that “the catering hall has gone from an active site to a site that has clearly seen better days.” The business weathered a series of financial troubles toward the end of its run. Manor East filed for bankruptcy four times between 2008 and 2012. The sudden closure left customers questioning where to turn as they demanded refunds for pre-booked events, Newsday has reported Members of the Oyster Bay Town Board expressed concern over parking at peak times if the catering hall were to reopen They asked the owners to sign an agreement with a local business to allow the catering hall’s valet to use an adjacent lot for overflow parking Councilwoman Laura Maier said the catering hall had used a nearby lot that is now a 7-Eleven for overflow parking The town requires the catering hall to offer 69 parking spaces and the developers' plans call for 70 “I understand you have the required number of spaces … but when those occasions do occur we don’t want this to become a problem into the neighborhood,” Councilman Steve Labriola said during an April meeting Goyal said the owners made a deal with a nearby dentist's office to allow overflow parking there The new site plan would accommodate around 190 guests The town board left the public comment period open until May 8 The Town of Oyster Bay is considering a developer's plan to reopen the once-popular Manor East catering hall in Massapequa The business on Jerusalem Avenue abruptly shut down in 2013 after its eviction The new owners of the property say they have been working to address parking concerns President Donald Trump said Monday that the Massapequa school district should be allowed to keep its name and logo Trump posted on Truth Social that he has asked U.S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to intervene in defense of the district which has been fighting to retain its Chiefs name and logo after New York State banned Native American mascots and team names in public schools an affront to our great Indian population," Trump said in the Monday post The state Board of Regents banned the use of Native American mascots The ban affected 13 school districts on Long Island including nine that have complied with taking steps to retire their mascots Districts that did not comply risked losing state aid State Department of Education officials said regulations permit districts to keep mascots if they are approved by local tribal leaders Get the latest updates on how education is changing in your district "Massapequa stayed silent during the regulatory process They did not reach out to Indigenous leaders or engage with the Department’s Mascot Advisory Committee to determine whether its Native American team name and mascot would be permissible," state education spokesman JP O'Hare said in a statement "It is ironic that the federal government now seeks to intervene on an issue that is squarely reserved to the States." "If members of the Massapequa board of education are genuinely interested in honoring and respecting Long Island’s Native American past they should talk to the Indigenous people who remain on Long Island," O'Hare said A federal judge dismissed lawsuits last month challenging the mascot ban by four school districts — Massapequa Wyandanch and Wantagh — seeking to keep their team names and mascots Massapequa school board members released a statement Monday night saying: "The Massapequa community has been working hard to preserve our identity and protect local decision-making We are honored that President Trump has recognized our efforts and brought national attention to our cause His support is a powerful affirmation of what we’re fighting for." We’re deeply grateful for the incredible support from our community and the continued backing of local leaders and NAGA (Native American Guardians Association) who have stood with us throughout this fight to preserve our community’s identity and value in honoring Native Americans." said he was not concerned about the federal government's involvement calling it an administrative decision independent of state law and decided by the courts but they will fight as long as they can." Massapequa residents have said the mascot and name "Chiefs" is not racist and is tied to the heritage of the community "The name Chiefs is synonymous with Massapequa and there's a lot of pride in this town," said Kevin Shippos who has coached the Massapequa football team for the past 15 years "We feel very strongly about keeping the name It would be tough to call us anything else." Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has supported Massapequa and other districts in their efforts President Trump for supporting our culture and our identity here in Nassau County with the Massapequa Chiefs and others who praise and honor our Native American history," Blakeman said in a statement The Massapequa Soccer Shop on Tuesday in Massapequa Park The store will close in June due to the owners' retirement whose founders began by selling equipment out of the garage of their nearby home has announced it will close its doors June 30 after more than 52 years in business Calling it a "bittersweet" decision said the decision to close the iconic Massapequa Soccer Shop on Park Boulevard was made simply because she and her brother Mark Bodenstein decided it was time to retire which became one of the biggest brick-and-mortar soccer specialty shops in the country "Like all good athletes you have to know when it’s time," Fishman said Tuesday it’s not like we’re losing our lease or my landlord forced me out Long-known in the Long Island and national soccer community store customers once included some of the biggest names in U.S men’s national team captain Mike Windischmann star midfielders John Harkes and Chris Armas and even famed former New York Cosmos goalie Shep Messing an All-American player from Wheatley High School Fay Bodenstein was the seamstress for the Cosmos sewing their early team jerseys — among them Retired University of Rochester sports information director Dennis O’Donnell a paper located in the storefront above the store’s original brick-and-mortar location on Front Street in Massapequa Park said Tuesday: "Massapequa was one of the pillars of the Long Island soccer community The Soccer Shop was a gathering place for cognoscenti for a wide range of reasons said he wanted to play for the fledgling Massapequa Soccer Club There were few soccer supply stores on Long Island then and so Gene Bodenstein a construction contractor in New York City would buy supplies in Manhattan and lug them home on the Long Island Rail Road Fay Bodenstein decided the couple should sell the goods out of the garage at modest markups of 50 cents or a dollar "People would come by at dinnertime and my mom would make them dinner and they’d get their cleats and would be on their way," Fishman said "My mom came from Belgium after the war [World War II] But my mom was always a people person — and she was a chance-taker Both of the Bodenstein boys — Alan and Mark — played soccer at Massapequa High School where Helen became the first female athletic trainer to travel with the men’s teams who was from Ukraine and was an All-America soccer player at Princeton University when he played in the Maccabiah Games where she was a trainer Beginning as a 13-year-old junior high student Helen helped out at the store and has worked there — first part-time She and brother Mark became co-owners after the deaths of their parents — Fay who like his siblings also worked at the store nobody really knew soccer in America," Fishman said But we survived everybody else in the business — a lot of box stores a lot of soccer stores — and that’s because we were honest and because what we did we did well." Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations The Trump administration is investigating New York’s education department over claims it violated federal civil rights law by requiring schools to retire Native American mascots A legal expert told Gothamist the probe could lead to a lengthy legal battle if the state education department fights back The federal investigation is the latest development in an ongoing standoff between local and federal officials concerning Massapequa, a Long Island school district seeking to keep its "Chiefs" mascot and team name despite a state ban approved by the Board of Regents. Massapequa is one of several school districts that could lose state funding — and see school board members removed — if they do not comply with the policy by this summer. The district, along with Wantagh and Connetquot, sued to block the new rule, but a judge dismissed the case earlier this year. President Donald Trump criticized the mascot ban last week and vowed to intervene. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on Friday announced a new civil rights investigation targeting the state education department and Board of Regents. Legal battles between state and federal officials are not uncommon. But this case is murkier, according to Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of Michigan. “The general rule is when there is such a conflict, federal law wins out,” said Litman. “What is odd or difficult about this case is that it’s not at all clear what federal law or laws the Trump administration thinks New York might be violating by conditioning local schools funding on removing certain mascots.” Federal education officials said they were investigating whether New York violated Title VI, a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color or national origin. “The U.S. Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,” McMahon said in a statement. “While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history, and their deep connection to the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students.” A spokesperson for the state education department told Gothamist on Monday that the federal government had not yet contacted them about the matter. “The U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to interfere with a state law concerning school district mascots is inconsistent with Secretary McMahon’s March 20, 2025 statement that she is 'sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs,'” spokesperson JP O’Hare said. “Massapequa has already filed, and lost, a lawsuit regarding this issue.” Litman said the education department or individual school districts could challenge the federal probe in court. But “we don't know what the outcome of this investigation is going to be — we don’t know to what extent the Trump administration is actually going to try to threaten schools’ federal funds on making one decision or another,” she said. “We don’t know whether New York or a school might sue to challenge the Trump administration’s investigation, so there’s a considerable amount of uncertainty.” The Massapequa Board of Education thanked the Trump administration for its support, saying in a statement that it stood “with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history.” “Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning — they distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect, history, and community values,” Board President Kerry Wachter said. The state Board of Regents' guidance encouraged schools to work directly with Indigenous communities. Harry Wallace, chief of the Unkechaug Indian Nation, a Long Island tribe, said in a statement that research and other evidence shows the use of Native American mascots perpetuates racist symbolism that harms both Native and non-Native people. “But this is not about logic, it's about emotion,” he said of the Massapequa case. “It is ironic that a Town that has a history of killing the local Indigenous population should now claim as a tradition a fake image of those very same people.” Germain Smith, a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation Council of Trustees, echoed that sentiment. “We are not a symbol. We are not history. We exist today,” Smith said. “To some Native children, it is hurtful to see those mascots, and you would not understand that necessarily unless you grew up in a Native community.” Because Mia Farrow got in on the action, here are your early links: RIP New Jersey reporter Matt Arco, the Knicks win, boxing in Times Square sounds challenging and more. Gothamist asked environmentalists to share tips on a more sustainable city life. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. Gothamist is a website about New York City news President Donald Trump holds a Massapequa Chiefs logo shirt in the Oval Office of the White House President Donald Trump has voiced his support for the Massapequa school district in its battle to keep "Chiefs" as the official school mascot Trump posted a photo of himself holding a navy blue-and-gold sweatshirt emblazoned with the words "Massapequa Chiefs," adorned with the mascot — a Native American wearing a feathered headdress The state's Board of Regents banned public schools from using Native American mascots logos and team names in the spring of 2023 Local Native American leaders have said they "perpetuate racist symbolism." The state's decision affected 13 districts across Long Island nine of which have since taken steps to comply with the ruling Wantagh and Wyandanch — all risk the loss of state aid if they don't implement the changes to their branding by June 30 Those districts filed a lawsuit against the ban in 2023 Brodie on the grounds they did not have the capacity to sue the state and lacked sufficient evidence to bolster claims made in those suits Trump's post Monday on his official Instagram account — @realdonaldtrump — was word-for-word the same message he posted last week on his official account on Truth Social "I agree with the people in Massapequa "who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School Trump concluded with: "LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!" State education officials have argued that the Trump administration’s efforts to get involved in the dispute contradict their stated position that education should be returned "back to the states," Newsday has reported The probe by the agency’s civil rights office stems from a complaint filed by the Native American Guardian’s Association a nonprofit that supports “the beautiful artistry of native identifiers in sports and the mainstream,” according to its website The organization says the funding threat constitutes a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act The announced investigation also comes several days after President Donald Trump waded into a local fight over the Massapequa school district’s longtime “Chief” logo arguing it was “ridiculous” and “an affront to our great Indian population” to now force the Long Island district to change it Trump said he had asked his education secretary to “fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue.” The post was included in Friday’s announcement from the Department of Education Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,” said U.S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement McMahon accused New York officials of choosing to “prioritize erasing Native Americans and their deep connection the state” and said “it is not lost on the Department” that the state has singled out Native American history and not mascots tied to other groups (and) the Cowboys” as examples in her statement “We will investigate this matter fully,” she said spokesperson for the New York State Education Department said in an email Friday evening that the agency had not yet been informed of any investigation Department of Education’s attempt to interfere with a state law concerning school district mascots is inconsistent with Secretary McMahon’s March 20 2025 statement that she is ‘sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs,’ ” he said adding how the state had encouraged the district to consult with local Indigenous representatives O’Hare said the state’s Board of Regents in April 2023 adopted regulations “to end the demeaning Indigenous names and mascots in New York’s public schools,” noting that “certain Native American names and images have been shown to perpetuate negative stereotypes that are demonstrably harmful to children.” “Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context where all students should feel welcome and supported,” he said vice president of the North Dakota-based Native American Guardian’s Association said in a statement that “the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students.” president of the Massapequa Board of Education thanked the Trump administration for “standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history.” chief of the state-recognized Unkechaug Indian Nation said in a statement that it was “ironic that a town that has a history of killing the local Indigenous population should now claim as a tradition a fake image of those very same people.” DC - OCTOBER 07: A sign marks the entrance to the U.S Department of Education headquarters building on October 7 David Ake/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/J Department of Education announced Friday it has launched an investigation into the New York State Board of Regents to determine if the threat of withholding funds from schools with sports teams that continue to use Native American imagery and references violates civil rights laws The announcement came after President Donald Trump took to social media on Monday to say the Massapequa school district should be allowed to keep its name and logo The education department’s Office for Civil Rights will assess whether the state is discriminating against Native Americans on the basis of race and national origin — thus violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act — by demanding Massapequa change the name and mascot of the "Chiefs" sports teams or else lose funding The state Board of Regents banned public school sports teams from using Native American mascots logos and team names in the spring of 2023 The guidance impacted 13 districts across Long Island nine of which have since taken steps to comply Massapequa and three other districts — Connetquot Wantagh and Wyandanch — risk losing state aid if they do not retire the use of indigenous iconography and names by June 30 The four holdout districts filed a lawsuit against the mascot ban in 2023. U.S. Chief District Judge Margo K. Brodie dismissed the lawsuits last month on the grounds the districts did not have the capacity to sue the state and lacked sufficient evidence to bolster their claims The removal of references to Native Americans in school sports represents an attempt "to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools," U.S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said Friday in a statement She added that New York is prioritizing "erasing Native Americans" and "their rich history" over "educating our students." "It is not lost on the Department that there are several mascots that refer to indigenous or ethnic groups — the Vikings the Cowboys — and yet New York has specifically singled out Native American heritage," McMahon added The federal education department’s announcement arrived four days after President Trump directly called on McMahon "to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue" in a Truth Social post Members of the Board of Regents could not be reached for comment Friday evening thanked Trump and the education department "for standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history." "Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning — they distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect The board of education president also said she was "grateful" for the advocacy of the Native American Guardian's Association The North Dakota-based nonprofit is composed of Native Americans "who support the beautiful artistry of native identifiers in sports and the mainstream," according to its website The organization asserts "the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students," Frank Blackcloud "Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity and the civil rights of all American Indians," Blackcloud added The state education department had not yet heard about the investigation but he said federal attempts to interfere with New York’s decision contradicts McMahon’s previous statements regarding sending education “back to the states.” Chief of the Unkechaug Indian Nation said in a statement: “All empirical evidence and research has proven that the use of Native American Mascots perpetuate racist symbolism that cause harm to Native and non-Native alike the Wantagh board of education announced a plan to file an appeal against the federal judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit The board members told district parents they "remain committed to this cause" of maintaining the "cherished ‘Warrior’ name." we are also mindful of the approaching deadline of July 1 for school districts to comply," the letter reads "We are actively preparing to ensure that our district does not risk losing New York State school aid or the removal of our school officers as we navigate this complex situation." gets pressured by John Gendels #24 of Wantagh during a Nassau boys lacrosse game at Massapequa on Tuesday By the time halftime arrived in Tuesday’s Power League game Massapequa's boys lacrosse team had put on a powerful show against defending Nassau Class C champion Wantagh “We were playing some of the best lacrosse that we’ve been playing all season,” said junior attackman Tyler Byrnes who posted all three of his goals and his lone assist in the first half “Seeing that score — [we were] not really taking a lot of looks at it until halftime — it was a little eye-opening showing what this team can do really to our full potential.” but standout senior goalie Michael Jannotte delivered 14 of his 22 saves after the intermission and host Massapequa held on for a 10-7 win “We have a young group,” said Kevin Catalano Massapequa’s first-year head coach after eight running the JV It’s just we’ve got to put together four quarters this time of the season.” his team is 6-1 (3-1 in the league) after opening the season with five straight wins Massapequa fell in the A final to Farmingdale “That’s what we’ve been saying ever since that game last season,” Byrnes said “that we want to be back in that stage with a different outcome.” This talented Wantagh team has dropped three straight after opening with three victories “There are a lot of teams [in the Power League] that have a bull’s-eye on their back and we’re one of them,” coach James Polo said “There’s a lot of talk on the outside of what Wantagh is you’ve got to be able to respond and rise to the occasion … The kids are frustrated.” Byrnes provided the 9-1 halftime advantage The UMass commit converted from in close with 3.6 seconds left against Gianni Passaro scored twice in a 22-second span inside the first minute of the fourth and Dylan Martini made it 10-7 with 7:41 remaining But Jannotte got in Wantagh’s way a lot during that second half “[The defense was] pushing toward the alleys and I was seeing the ball very well,” Jannotte said it would be harder to make the saves I’m making.” 2025 at 10:34 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A lawsuit dismissed a challenge to the state's Native American mascot ban in public schools NY — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Massapequa and Wantagh school districts that challenged the state's ban of Native American mascots In her ruling, U.S. Chief Justice Margo Brodie said the districts "lack capacity" to sue the state under the Fourteenth Amendement and other statutes Wantagh Superintendent John McNamara said in the statement that they are "disappointed by the court’s ruling that requires Wantagh to move away from its longstanding Warrior nickname." McNamara said the district is in the process of "reviewing the decision and will explore all available options as we move forward." the state Board of Regents issued guidance banning the use of Native American mascots team names and logos being displayed in public schools Wantagh made an attempt to save its Warriors nickname but New York State Education Department has stated that the district is not permitted to do so Districts that fail to comply by June 30 are in jeopardy of losing state aid Revamping a school's logo is estimated to cost Wantagh more than $650,000 Two Suffolk County high schools (Half Hollow Hills High School East and Comsewogue High School) agreed to a name change for their athletic programs by dropping the Thunderbirds and Warriors Superintendent William Brennan is still exploring what legal avenues they have at their disposal to save the enduring "Chiefs" name "We firmly believe that decisions about our schools should reflect the voices of the people who live here not be dictated by the state," he said in a open letter on the district's website we remain steadfast in our advocacy and will continue to explore all available options We will be consulting with legal counsel in the coming days to determine our next steps." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK defeated Massapequa in a Nassau flag football matchup on Saturday Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK beats Massapequa 26-13 in a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Massapequa quarterback Delaney Donato sweeps to her left during a Nassau flag football game against Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK in Massapequa on Saturday Emma Heaney of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK runs the sidelines to avoid Ella Fleischer of Massapequa during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK quarterback Lara Glasser passes to her receiver during a Nassau flag football game against host Massapequa on Saturday Emma Heaney (14) of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK puts pressure on Massapequa quarterback Delaney Donato during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Lara Glasser of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK makes the reception while being double-teamed by Massapequa during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK quarterback Jadyn Barnhill avoids the pass rush of Ella Fleischer (right) and Roxie Gunning (center) of Massapequa during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Emma Heaney of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK comes up one yard short of a touchdown during a Nassau flag football game against host Massapequa on Saturday Emily Blake of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK slips past Mariah Morisi of Massapequa during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Emma Heaney (14) of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK and Reese Reustle (15) of Massapequa go after the pass during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Plainview-Old Bethpage quarterback Lara Glasser (2) scrambles away from Ella Fleischer of Massapequa during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Gina Bellone of Massapequa cuts in front of Emma Heaney of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK for an interception during a Nassau flag football game in Massapequa on Saturday Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK quarterback Jadyn Barnhill fades back to pass during a Nassau flag football game against host Massapequa on Saturday Rachel Ganz of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK passes on a flea-flicker play during a Nassau flag football game against host Massapequa on Saturday center/right) of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK celebrates her touchdown during a Nassau flag football game against host Massapequa on Saturday 2025 at 2:19 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Andrew Denton was accused of firing illegal weapons and impersonating a police officer Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Wednesday (Courtesy of Nassau County District Attorney's Office)NASSAU COUNTY NY — A Massapequa man was indicted in connection with shootings Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said on Wednesday was accused of firing guns in Massapequa and Wantagh as well as impersonating a police officer during a car stop on Lakeshore Drive Denton was accused of possession of illegal weapons an 0.32 caliber pistol and another 0.45 caliber handgun Denton discharged those weapons on multiple occasions at the Massapequa Preserve were accused of participating in several of the shootings Many of the shootings took place near highly trafficked areas of the parks and preserves Denton followed behind another vehicle on Lakeshore Drive in Massapequa in his white Chevrolet Impala and activated his emergency lights The driver pulled over but refused to put the car in park Denton then sped off onto multiple local streets and eventually onto Sunrise Highway where he drove at a high rate of speed endangering other motorists and pedestrians Denton drove his white Chevrolet Impala to a home on Silverton Avenue in Wantagh and fired multiple rounds from an 0.32 caliber firearm through the passenger side window of his car damaging a car parked in front of the house Denton received a 0.45 caliber pistol from co-defendant Anthony Califano a former New York City Police Department sergeant whose gun permits had been previously revoked The handgun was recovered from Denton's Impala on Oct when Denton was arrested in connection with another pending prosecution On several occasions between May 2023 and September 2023 Denton activated the lights and sirens on his vehicle in and around Massapequa Andrew Denton allegedly engaged in dangerous criminal behavior firing illegal weapons at parks around Massapequa close to pedestrian walking paths and bikeways and masqueraded as a police officer on our county roads," Donnelly said in a news release "Denton already has an active prosecution with my office for allegedly carrying an NYPD shield other police paraphernalia and a loaded .45 caliber handgun in his Chevrolet Impala that was also fitted with lights and sirens This defendant’s alleged impersonation attempts not only violate the public’s trust but insult the thousands of trained law enforcement officers in Nassau County who put their lives on the line to protect our communities and keep the peace If you believe you may have interacted with this defendant purporting to be a member of law enforcement please call my office at 516-571-3707 and report it." on Sunrise Highway and Jackson Avenue in Seaford "If you believe you may have been victimized by Andrew Denton Firearms and Gangs Bureau at 516-571-3707," the DA's Office wrote Neal did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment Denton faces up to 15 years in prison for each of the C violent felony offenses "The hard-working men and woman of the Nassau County Police Department risk their lives every day to take guns off of our streets," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said "Together with our great partners in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office we have taken an extremely dangerous individual who has been terrorizing our communities into custody and he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law and impersonates a police officer has no place amongst the law-abiding residents of Nassau County and we will continue to do whatever it takes to keep him behind bars where he belongs." Andriani was arraigned on March 17 on charges of fourth-degree conspiracy He was released to Pretrial Services with electronic monitoring His next appearance is scheduled for April 4 Andriani faces up to two to four years in prison if convicted Califano was arraigned on March 17 on one count each of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm (a D felony); fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fifth-degree conspiracy Califano faces up to seven years in prison if convicted Yelanchik was arraigned on March 17 on one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of first-degree reckless endangerment; two counts of criminal possession of a firearm; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy; one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and one count of second-degree reckless engagement Yelanchik faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted McGlone was arraigned on March 17 on one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of first-degree reckless endangerment; two counts of criminal possession of a firearm; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy; one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and one count of second-degree reckless engagement Her next appearance is scheduled for April 4 McGlone faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted Drosihn was arraigned on March 17 one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of first-degree reckless endangerment; two counts of criminal possession of a firearm; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy; one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of second-degree reckless engagement; and one count of fifth-degree arson Drosihn faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted "The NCDA thanks the Nassau County Police Department for their partnership in this investigation and prosecution," the office wrote Sean Hannigan of East Islip makes his way to the net during a boys lacrosse game against Massapequa on Thursday Junior long-stick midfielder Grant Weiss stood in the middle of a pack of swarming bodies Suddenly he burst forward and intercepted a pass taking it downfield before dishing it to senior Ryan Parker who then flipped the ball back to senior Jack Kalinowski for the score A simple miscue gets turned into a play that gets spectators on their feet and there were plenty of examples in East Islip’s 13-6 home win on Sal Ciampi Field over Massapequa Thursday at Boomer Esiason Stadium The non-league game between the Nassau and Suffolk powerhouse programs marked the first time Massapequa (6-2) had allowed more than nine goals in a game all season despite the talents of star senior Michael Jannotte (15 saves) in the cage Midfielders Parker and Kalinowski were terrific on both sides of the field providing physical defense and while consistently contorting themselves to fire the perfect shot as each scored three goals Senior midfielder Brayden Black added four points while dictating the pace of the offense “Ryan is the engine that runs this entire school district,” coach Thomas Zummo said Jack is the happy guy and Brayden balances them out in between.” scoring six unanswered goals after Massapequa’s Matthew Pettis opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game responded with five unanswered goals and held at least a two-score lead for the rest of the afternoon Weiss added a goal of his own as a long pole scooping in a terrific feed from sophomore Sean Hannigan “It’s the best feeling in the world,” Weiss said Kalinowski and senior Vincent Fantauzzi all had two caused turnovers while senior defender Brendan McCaffrey and Brandon Rizzuto provided smothering defense all afternoon Senior Drew Walendowski made 13 saves in goal Hannigan led a first-line offense alongside two freshmen as senior captain Ethan Benardos sat due to injury three assists) supplied a wonderful goal through contact with 9:32 remaining in the game falling to the turf as spectators rose to applaud got by my guy and rolled inside,” Hannigan said It’s that toughness that makes East Islip such a tough opponent and it’s the trait that will matter the most come May and June for the reigning Suffolk Class B champions who look to earn a trip upstate “I think there’s not a team on Long Island that’s going to work harder than us put more time in the film room or put more time on the field,” Weiss said Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023 Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that the North Massapequa Fire Department is hosting a recruitment open house on Saturday April 26th for local residents interested in a future in fire service “If you’re looking for a rewarding opportunity to serve your community stop by the North Massapequa Fire Department to learn about becoming a firefighter or fire medic,” said Supervisor Saladino “The men and women of our fire service are heroes in our communities and Long Island’s bravest need our help with finding new recruits.” For those who do not live in North Massapequa, visit www.nassausbravest.com to find a fire department in your community Volunteer benefits also include free college tuition “We’re calling on neighbors to join their ranks so they can continue to provide the best level of protection to their residents,” added Supervisor Saladino “Together with my colleagues in Town government we take great pleasure in recognizing these exemplary individuals who put their lives on the line to protect all of ours.” The state-wide volunteer fire service has 10,000 fewer members today than it did a decade ago statewide fire departments have experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteers for a variety of reasons Volunteer fire departments have continued their efforts to bolster emergency responder numbers to ensure the optimum level of protection for residents The North Massapequa Fire Department Recruitment Open House will be held on Saturday, April 26th, from 10am to 2pm at the North Massapequa Headquarters, located at 1000 N. Broadway in North Massapequa. For more information, visit www.nmfd-660.com. For information on county-wide recruitment efforts, visit www.nassausbravest.com Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center) Councilman Tom Hand (right) and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato (left) unveiled the recent improvements made to the main baseball field at John Burns Park in Massapequa The 90ft baseball field was upgraded with a new turf infield “These important upgrades will enhance the overall playing experience for our little leaguers and others who use this field,” said Supervisor Saladino “Improvements here at Burns Park and at all our Town Parks are achieved in the most cost-effective way while bringing added enjoyment to all who use them.” Artificial turf fields have a general useful life of up to 10 years however they are less expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining natural grass and a dirt surface Turf fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations of games due to inclement weather as the field is able to absorb rain storms in a manner that is not possible on a fully-dirt infield “Replacing the infield with synthetic turf allows for extended play time for athletes and brings a significant upgrade to this beautiful park,” added Councilman Hand “We are pleased to bring these enhancements to the Massapequa community while keeping a watchful eye on our bottom line.” For more information about Town parks, including local programs and events, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/parks This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Trump said "forcing them to change the name is ridiculous and in actuality an affront to our great Indian population." "Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context where all students should feel welcome and supported," State DOE spokesperson J.P "Massapequa stayed silent during the regulatory process They did not reach out to Indigenous leaders or engage with the Department's Mascot Advisory Committee to determine whether its Native American team name and mascot would be permissible," O'Hare said Massapequa decided to pursue litigation challenging the State's regulations Massapequa School Superintendent William Brennan said they were still exploring other legal remedies on the matter the Massapequa School Board issued this statement: "The Massapequa community has been working hard to preserve our identity and protect local decision-making His support is a powerful affirmation of what we’re fighting for We’re deeply grateful for the incredible support from our community and the continued backing of local leaders and NAGA (Native American Guardians Association) First Amendment rights and value in honoring Native Americans." "has become the school's identity," and what could be wrong with using the name The president added that he will ask his Secretary of Education Linda McMahon "to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue." Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was quick to share his pleasure with Trump coming to Massapequa's defense "Thank you President Trump for supporting our culture our history and our identity here in Nassau County with the Massapequa Chiefs Wantagh Warriors and others who praise and honor our Native American history," Blakeman said "If members of the Massapequa board of education are genuinely interested in honoring and respecting Long Island's Native American past they should talk to the Indigenous people who remain on Long Island," O'Hare added 2025 at 10:03 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The route has been adjusted for Massapequa's St NY — Several changes have been made ahead of the inaugural Massapequa Chamber of Commerce St Under advisement from Nassau County police but will proceed south on Broadway from Jerusalem Avenue to Veterans Boulevard as the Nassau County police advised parade officials is that the best arrival time is at 10 a.m Organizers ask that you arrive no later than 10:30 a.m The Showmobile will be located at Pennsylvania Ave If you are planning on marching in the parade, click here to register Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A clash between local pride and cultural sensitivity has erupted in Massapequa reigniting the debate over Indigenous imagery in sports The controversy centers around the Massapequa High School Chiefs whose mascot—a stereotypical Native American figure in a headdress—has drawn criticism a former Chiefs hockey player and member of the Chickasaw Nation a growing awareness of his Indigenous heritage has shifted his perspective leading him to view the mascot as problematic This local conflict has escalated into a federal investigation The Trump administration is examining whether New York State officials are discriminating against Massapequa by threatening to withhold funding The town has defied a state mandate requiring the retirement of Native American mascots and team names “There was no tribe east of the Mississippi that ever wore a headdress — ever,” said Drexler It’s hard to miss the Native American imagery around Massapequa, a coastal hamlet 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Manhattan where roughly 90% of the residents are white New York has been trying to rid schools of Native American mascots going back more than two decades to the administration of Republican Gov but state officials say Massapequa instead “stayed silent" for years The local school board declined to comment this week, instead referring to a Friday statement in which they lauded the investigation by the federal education agency, which President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle in recent weeks has made frequent visits to Long Island in recent years as the suburban region has shifted Republican he visited Massapequa to attend the wake of a New York City police officer The NFL's Chiefs have stuck with their name despite years of protest from some Native American activists the team barred fans from wearing headdresses or face paint referencing Native American culture Meanwhile other professional teams, including football's Washington Redskins ( now Commanders ) and baseball's Cleveland Indians ( now Guardians ) Along the eateries and shops next to Massapequa High, students and parents insisted the team name and mascot are meant to honor the Massapequa, who were part of the broader Lenape, or Delaware people who inhabited the woodlands of the Northeastern U.S shrugged off criticism that the school logo reflects the traditional garb of a Midwest tribe and not the attire worn by the Lenape people eventually forced to move further and further west by colonial settlers and then American government forces as the nation expanded director of Native American and Indigenous Studies at Stony Brook University “It is as if this image were a shorthand for any and all Indians,” said the Cherokee Nation citizen. “And that reduces us to a type, rather than portray us as distinct peoples.” Indian mascots also contribute to the view that Native peoples are relics of the past, and not living communities facing urgent threats today, says Joey Fambrini, a member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians who works for New York Indian Council, a nonprofit providing health care to Native Americans. “That dehumanization isn’t harmless: It directly contributes to why our struggles are ignored or minimized,” the 29-year-old Brooklyn resident said, noting that tribal communities endure high rates of poverty, inadequate housing, lack of clean water and limited education access, among other challenges. The cheerful mascot also obscures Massapequa’s grim legacy of violence against Native Americans, says John Kane, a member of the Mohawk tribe of upstate New York who has pushed districts across the state for years to change their names and mascots. The town, after all, was the site of a massacre in which scores of Native men, women and children were killed by Europeans in the 1600s, he said. “They’re not trying to honor us. That’s why accuracy of the logo doesn’t matter to them,” Kane said. “So the idea that this is some sort of honor to us? I mean, come on. It’s an absurd proposition to even suggest.” A Big Chief Lewis statue is surrounded by a fence in Massapequa, N.Y., Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) govt and politics"},{"score":0.724326,"label":"/education/high school"},{"score":0.665435,"label":"/education/teaching and classroom resources/school supplies"},{"score":0.621542,"label":"/education/homework and study tips"},{"score":0.606729,"label":"/education/school"},{"score":0.564974,"label":"/law Massapequa defeated Wantagh in a Nassau boys lacrosse matchup on Tuesday looks to move the ball upfield during the third quarter of a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game against Wantagh at Massapequa High School on Tuesday gets pressured by John Gendels #24 of Wantagh during a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game at Massapequa High School on Tuesday Byrnes recorded three goals and an assist in Massapequa's 10-7 win Dylan Martini #22 of Wantagh scores a goal off a Massapequa turnover during the third quarter of a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game at Massapequa High School on Tuesday gets pressured by Ryan Kiderman #11 of Massapequa during a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game at Massapequa High School on Tuesday Tyler Byrnes #21 of Massapequa makes a pass during the second quarter of a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game against Wantagh at Massapequa High School on Tuesday He recorded three goals and an assist in Massapequa's 10-7 win gets pressured by Luke Martini #32 of Wantagh during a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game at Massapequa High School on Tuesday and goalie Michael Jannotte #19 celebrate after a Massapequa goal in the first quarter of a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game against Wantagh at Massapequa High School on Tuesday celebrates with teammates after Massapequa's 10-7 win over Wantagh in a Nassau County Power League boys lacrosse game played at Massapequa High School on Tuesday the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate but escaped on Wednesday Massapequa junior lefthander AJ Conza has earned the trust of his teammates and coaches in tense moments “He’s known for these kind of situations,” senior second baseman Vincenzo Della Porta said “I’m trying to throw strikes for my team and get ahead in the count as much as possible,” Conza said all the momentum comes toward me and it basically takes the bat out of the batter's hands.” Said Massapequa coach Tom Sheedy: “We had six sophomores last year with us If he had come up to us this year as a junior That's why we try to bring up some pitchers as sophomores a lot of times 4-1) held a 4-1 lead through three innings which rebounded from back-to-back losses to Oceanside scored four runs in both the fifth and seventh innings “Our past couple games haven't been really us,” Della Porta said “We all knew it's not how we want to play It's not how we're going to play two-run double in the seventh to extend Massapequa’s advantage to 9-4 a sac fly in the fifth and a seventh-inning double Jason Romance had a two-run single with two outs in the fifth to give Massapequa a 5-4 lead Farmingdale had four straight baserunners to start the bottom of the seventh — a walk by Ive Mills and singles by Angel Cartagena who hit a two-run homer in the second inning But May and June is really where we got to make sure that we're playing the right way and that's what we're working on.” moves the ball during the second quarter of a Nassau girls lacrosse game on Tuesday Harper Lambert had practiced this move hundreds The score was tied in the closing minutes and the Manhasset junior knew she was the one capable of changing that “I just saw the left side was open and I had trust in myself that I was going to make it,” Lambert said “I knew my teammates had trust in me that I was going to convert it and I just shot it.” That trust was warranted as Lambert delivered the winning goal off a run from behind the net and shot to the top-right corner to break a tie at 6 as host Manhasset defeated Massapequa in Nassau Conference I girls lacrosse action on Tuesday Lambert scored with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter and the Manhasset defense stunted Massapequa from there “I practice that move a lot,” Lambert said “I had confidence in myself that I was going to convert.” 3-0) rallied from a challenging third quarter when Set saw their 4-2 halftime lead turn into a 5-4 deficit entering the final period But Elim Yang scored back-to-back goals to open the fourth quarter to give Manhasset a 6-5 lead with 8:42 left Natalie Byrns answered with a free-position goal with 6:10 left to tie the score for Massapequa before Lambert’s winning goal 1-2) generated another free position following Lambert’s goal but Ruby Cacioppo made one of her nine saves with four minutes left to preserve the victory “It’s a team play and I know it’s kind of cheesy Yang finished with three goals and one assist and Lambert had two goals “It was a very gritty win and I’m very proud of my team,” Lambert said “We all trusted each other and you could really see that today we would just come together and say we have the next one Alexia Giannakopoulos had a pivotal caused turnover and clear with 3:20 left and Casey Im had a ground ball with 30 seconds left as two defensive plays to help secure the victory “Our defense just stayed after it,” coach Tom Campolettano said You could point to the defensive end of the field but it was 12 people on the field and a group on the sidelines and it was a total team effort.” Owen O'Brien covers high school and college sports for Newsday He's also covered professional teams such as the Mets Jets and Giants since graduating from the University at Buffalo