Steigman & Mackauf secured a $60,033,041.23 unanimous verdict for a 65-year-old electrical mechanic who was left permanently paralyzed following a routine epidural steroid injection the victim underwent a routine lumbar epidural steroid injection procedure performed by Dr Robert Iadevaio at the Pain Institute of Long Island (currently Catholic Health Long Island)  Within minutes of awakening from sedation the plaintiff suffered a massive spinal cord infarction resulting in permanent paraplegia The plaintiffs presented evidence that the findings of a spinal angiogram conducted after the injury was inconsistent with the medication listed in the physician's notes they alleged that a different medication — one not recommended for use and commonly known to cause spinal infarcts if inadvertently injected into an artery leading to the spinal cord— was used suggesting a grievous medical error during the procedure.  The plaintiffs called experts in the field of Interventional Pain Medicine and Interventional Neuroradiology who testified that based upon the spinal imaging and known mechanisms of spinal infarct the physician's procedure note could not have been accurate.  Plaintiffs also called experts in the fields of Neurology Psychiatry and Forensic Economics to present evidence of plaintiff's irreversible and profound damages.  the plaintiff was a 60-year-old electrical mechanic at a local airport and was the primary provider for his wife and their two sons The three-week trial in Nassau County Supreme Court concluded with a unanimous jury verdict awarding more than $60 million to the victim.  Bruce Brady of Dorf Nelson & Zauderer represented the defendants "This was a routine outpatient procedure that should never have led to catastrophic injury," said Ms "The jury's verdict recognizes the irreparable harm caused to the victim and his family and holds the physician accountable for the negligent conduct." Adimey is an award-winning trial attorney with a long history of success in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation she holds an AV rating from "Martindale-Hubbell" and has been named to "Super Lawyers" every year since 2013. She serves on the Medical Malpractice Advisory Committee for New York County Supreme Court and the Board of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association Adimey has secured multiple multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements including two top verdicts in a single year  In addition to her achievements in the courtroom she is the co-author of the authoritative legal guide New York Medical Malpractice 2025 Her contributions to this widely respected publication reflect her deep expertise in case strategy and the complexities of New York medical malpractice law Steigman & Mackauf at 212-943-1090 Steigman & Mackauf is thrilled to announce the release of.. Steigman & Mackauf proudly announce its support for the Grieving Families Act (GFA) Health Care & Hospitals Awards Do not sell or share my personal information: Executive Circle Awards a newly expanded $31.3M emergency department 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 Long Island Jewish Valley Stream's renovated emergency room is designed to treat patients more efficiently to go to the emergency room at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital doctors said he could have lost his right hand was visiting relatives last month when his right palm got pinched in a metal door noticed a blood blister and waited for it to heal couldn’t lift his hammer while on a job building a new highway bridge at Kennedy Airport Philidor sought treatment at the 60-year-old hospital and his timing was right Doctors at LIJ used a new screening process as part of a renovated emergency room that officially opened Monday and is designed to treat patients more efficiently based on need $40 million renovation includes more space for patients and beds as well as new medical equipment used to evaluate severity of injuries or other urgent medical conditions Get the latest stories every week about health and wellness covering topics from medicine and mental health to updates on the coronavirus and new research By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy "I don’t know what would have happened if I waited two or three more hours." Any delay would have likely resulted in amputation "If we waited to go to the operating room it would have been a waste of time and could mean loss of tissue and function," said Dr who treated Philidor in the emergency room "The infection in his hand was so advanced and every minute counted." The renovation expanded the emergency department by about 7,000 square feet and includes 40 beds and a new triage intake room a new front lobby and a new covered ambulance bay Parts of the emergency room project are in their final phases of renovation It is expected to serve 55,000 patients annually The hospital is not a designated trauma center Northwell CEO Michael Dowling said transforming the emergency room has been a priority since Northwell took over Franklin General Hospital in the 1990s when he said the ER was too small and not a priority "The emergency room is a key part of any hospital It's the front door for the facility," Dowling said so they go upstairs or be able to get treated and go home Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV 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 Valley Stream, NY — A TAKE 5 top-prize ticket worth $32,275.50 was sold in Valley Stream for the April 30 evening drawing, according to the New York Lottery The winning ticket was purchased at Keith & Sean Service Station with winning numbers drawn from a field of 1 through 39 The winner has up to one year from the drawing date to claim the prize No details have been released yet regarding the identity of the prizewinner The New York Lottery is North America’s largest and most profitable lottery contributing $3.8 billion in the 2023–2024 fiscal year to public schools throughout New York State Players struggling with gambling addiction are encouraged to seek help by visiting NYProblemGamblingHelp.org or calling 1-877-8-HOPENY © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd Fish and Wildlife Service's Valley Stream office is on a list of federal agencies targeted for closure by DOGE Fish and Wildlife Service office in Valley Stream is on a list of facilities targeted for closure as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to "optimize the federal footprint" nationwide and shrink the size of government 30 on the 9,493-square-foot space used by the agency in an office building at 70 Sunrise Hwy. according to the management company and an Associated Press story citing a March 10 memo from the General Services Administration The move provides no direct financial benefit to the federal government which has paid roughly $345,000 annually for its lease according to the website for the Department of Government Efficiency the agency is led by billionaire Elon Musk whom Trump appointed to search for ways to reduce the federal government It remained unclear Wednesday what lies ahead for the staff and services of the Valley Stream office one of several federal Fish and Wildlife facilities across Long Island "We were a little shocked," said Joseph Scimone chief financial officer at Lighthouse Realty Partners LLC "They didn't give us a reason," Scimone said in a phone interview Wednesday "They didn't ask us anything" except "to say we're terminating the lease." Scimone said the GSA sent a letter a week or two ago giving them six months notice that the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service would be leaving the building The agency has been a tenant for more than 20 years The agency oversees national wildlife refuges conservation projects and other operations at facilities across the country The service did not confirm the closure of the Valley Stream office or say how it would affect employees "We are actively working with GSA to ensure that every facility and asset is utilized effectively and where necessary identifying alternative solutions that strengthen our mission," the agency said in a statement A GSA spokesperson also did not confirm the cancellation of the lease but said in a statement Wednesday to Newsday that it is reviewing "options to optimize the federal footprint and building utilization," and actively "managing lease contracts by leveraging existing contract cancellation rights." The office’s expected closure comes as Musk's group has sought to close nearly 50 Social Security Administration offices and end other federal government real estate leases Government offices across the country are on the website's list including for the Internal Revenue Service Food and Drug Administration and Federal Highway Administration the cutbacks have sparked concerns over the future for federal services of all kinds the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site said it planned to cut hours at President Theodore Roosevelt’s Oyster Bay home and decrease hours at its Old Orchard Museum after the Trump administration let go of roughly 1,000 employees of the National Park Service According to the Fish and Wildlife Service website the agency has several locations on Long Island including the Long Island Ecological Services Field Office in Shirley Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge in Huntington and the Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge in North Sea whose district includes portions of Valley Stream called the announcement of the possible closure "abrupt" and "chaotic." "I’ve relayed my concerns to the Administration over DOGE’s abrupt indication that they will terminate the lease on the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream," Gillen said in a statement to Newsday "Long Islanders deserve more than this chaotic announcement — I’ll continue to closely track how this will impact my constituents as details around this office closing emerge." The GSA spokesperson also said it is "sending letters of intent to customer agencies to inform them GSA is considering lease termination." "Actively managing leases gives GSA the opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies on their evolving and longer-term needs and will often allow us to enhance space utilization and secure better terms for the government — including better pricing," the spokesperson added Fish and Wildlife Service's two suites in Valley Stream "They just sent a letter that they were terminating the lease — period a contact there "didn’t know anything about it," and had "no information to give us." The GSA was paying far below rentable market rates — usually 20% less because the government only pays for usable space and not for shared spaces like elevators or hallways that other nongovernmental clients pay for "I don’t really know why they are vacating," he said politics and crime stories in Nassau County Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University "This defendant took part in a sadistic months-long crime spree terrifying his victims and forcing one of them into prostitution," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement Wednesday regarding defendant Gil Iphael A Valley Stream man on Wednesday was sentenced to 20 years in prison for luring victims for sex and then kidnapping burning another with a curling iron and threatening a third with mutilation previously pleaded guilty for multiple crimes in connection with the three incidents over a two-month period in 2022 "This defendant took part in a sadistic months-long crime spree, terrifying his victims and forcing one of them into prostitution," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement "The woman was held against her will and coerced to have sex with strangers for money who were lured to different locations for sex were beaten and threatened with heinous acts Iphael even warned his victims that if they told anyone Iphael’s attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday Iphael pleaded guilty in February to two counts of second-degree kidnapping two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of second-degree promoting prostitution Follow the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach killings investigation State Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone on Wednesday also sentenced Iphael to 5 years of post-release supervision pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to 13 years in prison when Iphael and Lebron went to pick up a woman with whom Lebron had exchanged sexually charged messages and photos on Instagram The two had also "engaged in prostitution-related conversations," prosecutors said "Iphael and Lebron took the woman to the Quality Inn hotel at 153-95 Rockaway Blvd. where the woman was told that she would either help Iphael and Lebron rob victims lured there by Lebron or she would have to engage in prostitution herself and turn over the money to the defendants," prosecutors said in a news release punched and threatened her" when she refused to prostitute herself "They coerced her to take pictures of herself and used photos on her phone for online prostitution ads," the news release said several clients showed up at the hotel and the victim performed sex acts with the men Iphael and Lebron kept all the money from the clients." when the defendants left her alone in the hotel room Lebron threw bleach in the face of a man in his 50s who had responded to an ad selling sex that featured the woman's picture "Iphael and Lebron restrained the man and continued assaulting him for several hours," the news release said "Iphael reached into a bag and threatened to kill the victim leading the victim to believe that Iphael had a gun The defendants then took the man’s car keys When the victim refused to unlock his phone Lebron burned him with a curling iron until he complied." Iphael and Lebron stole the victim’s car and made multiple ATM withdrawals from his bank account "The defendants broke one of the man’s toes and repeatedly threatened to kill the man’s family if he contacted the police," the news release said who was in his 20s and had answered an online ad for prostitution with a photo of Lebron The defendants also attempted to cut off one of his toes and threatened him with mutilation The pair held a pillow over his face and continued to assault him and also withdrew money from his account at a nearby ATM and stole his wallet "The defendants repeatedly threatened to kill the victim’s family if he reported the crime to police," the news release said Valley Stream is no stranger to good taste—whether it’s shopping As licensed dispensaries grow throughout Nassau County locals aren’t settling for watered-down flower or generic brands and more legit—and that’s exactly why Silly Nice has become a top pick Founded in Harlem by a Black and Veteran owner Valley Stream smokers want results—and this brand brings them Here’s what’s flying off dispensary shelves and why Silly Nice has become a neighborhood favorite Whether you’re rolling a joint or hitting a rig Silly Nice’s Diamond Powder adds unmatched strength to your session this concentrate is made of crystalline THC with no fillers making it one of the most potent and versatile products on dispensary menus Valley Stream smokers who want clear-headed euphoria or are into building their own infused rolls are making this a must-have This 1g ball contains 52.70% THC and delivers a smooth terpene-rich high that’s perfect for rolling Made with craft techniques and tested for quality it’s the kind of product that’s becoming a Valley Stream legend for creating next-level joints This is what happens when top-tier bud meets high-end concentrate Silly Nice’s infused flower features Papaya Wine Valley Stream smokers say this one’s a perfect party joint—or that “treat yourself” eighth after payday and perfect for people who want more than just flower With 52.10% THC and 61.93% total cannabinoids this solventless hash is made with an ice-water extraction method to preserve every terpene and cannabinoid Valley Stream weed fans who like that deep old-school smoke are grabbing this by the gram Vape fans in Valley Stream are skipping weak carts and reaching for Silly Nice 1G 510 thread cartridges These are filled with strain-specific oil and 100% cannabis-derived terpenes offering authentic flavor and strong effect Runtz (81.96% THC) – A hybrid that’s fruity Northern Lights (84.66% THC) – A relaxing indica perfect for ending the day right If you want more without needing a separate battery or casual smokers who want a vape that keeps up Tangerine Cookies (81.24% THC) – Bright citrus for creative energy Pink Starburst (82.46% THC) – Sweet and smooth for a mellow vibe Valley Stream shoppers love these for their discretion It’s not just the potency that sets Silly Nice apart—it’s the purpose and consistency behind it Valley Stream shops carry Silly Nice because: Every batch is lab-tested for purity and strength Silly Nice ranks as a Top 5 Concentrate Brand in NY (HeadSet Data) Ready to try the best weed products Valley Stream has to offer? Use the Silly Nice Dispensary Locator Map to find licensed New York dispensaries that carry the full Silly Nice menu: sillynice.com/locations Call ahead to make sure your favorite product—like the Hash Ball or Diamond Powder—is in stock Budtenders are more than salespeople—they’re the ones keeping you informed If yours put you on to Silly Nice or made a solid rec Input your search keywords and press Enter News 12 New YorkDownload the AppWhere to WatchTaxing Long IslandPower restored in Valley Stream after Christmas Day outagePSEG fixed the issue within an hour.News 12 Staff Scenes from a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game between Floral Park and host Valley Stream North on Tuesday Anthony Caris of Floral Park works the ball around Kai Fields of Valley Stream North during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Kai Fields of Valley Stream North draws a foul on Anthony Caris of Floral Park during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Valley Stream North head coach Michael McVeigh watches his offense during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game against Floral Park on Tuesday Declan Lally of Floral Park looks to start a play during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game against Valley Stream North on Tuesday Anthony Caris of Floral Park gets past Noah Obukwelu of Valley Stream North during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Joseph Prestia of Floral Park works the baseline past Zeke Morris of Valley Stream North during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Declan Lally of Floral Park pokes the ball away from Vincent Rienzie of Valley Stream North during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Anthony Caris of Floral Park drives through the Valley Stream North defenders during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Anthony Caris of Floral Park splits the Valley Stream North defense on his way to a dunk during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Floral Park head coach Sean Boyle paces the sideline during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game against Valley Stream North on Tuesday The Valley Stream North dance team entertains during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game against Folral Park on Tuesday Joseph Prestia of Floral Park charges the basket with Tristan Mitchell of Valley Stream North defending during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Zeke Morris of Valley Stream North keeps a tight defense on Joseph Prestia of Floral Park during a Nassau Conference A-VI boys basketball game on Tuesday Harvey Brody helped establish one of the first distance-learning programs in the state man of faith and an advocate for youth and animals: that is how family and friends remembered Harvey Brody Friends and family alike remembered him as a warm and wise man who valued family and order The noted educator was the president of the Valley Stream Teachers Association in the 1960s taught history at Valley Stream North High School and served as the district’s director of media services His experience in the Valley Stream district led to him playing a key role in establishing one of the first distance-learning programs in New York State in 1989 The program allowed students taking specialized courses in multiple districts to do so together via a live video feed "It was a breakthrough in education at the time," said Deutsch From breaking news to special features and documentaries the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you Brody led with a commitment to his community He served as a volunteer board member and eventually president of Hope For Youth a Long Island nonprofit supporting at-risk children and families Brody was a devout Jewish man and leaves an extensive library on World War II and the Holocaust He was also a movie buff and avid photographer She had four cats and he was allergic to felines He lived a kosher lifestyle while she did not But his kindness and generosity won her over stand-up person in his life," she said "He was just good to everyone; he was a terrific person." The Great Neck resident knew Brody for at least 20 years through a synagogue in North Bellmore they both attended and a group centered on retired men dining out He said Brody was the type of person you would seek out if you needed an adviser or needed a thoughtful response to a question honest and always looking to see how to be fair about things," Korman said "You couldn’t help but like the man." He earned bachelor's and master’s degrees from SUNY Albany and later completed an additional master’s degree from Syracuse University In addition to his widow and Robert Deutsch he was predeceased by his wife Joyce Rothenberg whom he married in 1974 and helped to raise her children 26 at Star of David Memorial Chapels in West Babylon He is interred at Wellwood Cemetery in West Babylon Sophomore guard Tristan Mitchell scored six of his 14 in the final quarter as the first-place Spartans improved to 6-2 in Nassau A-VI on Friday Valley Stream North had done just enough to outlast visiting Plainedge And Friday’s 49-45 win came with a big bonus — a playoff pass to the Nassau Class A Tournament “We clinched today and it’s a great feeling for the kids especially the seniors,” coach Mike McVeigh said “It’s a proud moment as a coach when you see the kids so happy about accomplishing their first goal.” They reached their goal for the fourth straight season improving to 13-3 overall and taking over sole possession of first place in Nassau A-VI at 6-2 The Spartans are a half-game ahead of Floral Park The Spartans’ backcourt was at the forefront Junior point guard Vin Rienzie delivered 18 points and five assists and sophomore shooting guard Tristan Mitchell scored six of his 14 points in the final quarter “It feels good to clinch the playoffs back-to-back years,” Mitchell said They bowed out in the quarterfinals last season “I feel like we can make a run way deeper than last year Plainedge and the postseason weren’t synonymous in boys basketball before former college coach John Mateyko took over 3-5) to their third playoff berth in his four seasons but they will have to take three of their final four to get there “If we can bring the best team in the league down to the end of the game His team led 42-41 before Mitchell drove from the left and drove from the right for consecutive baskets and a three-point edge Alec Anderson put in a rebound to cut it to 45-44 before Mitchell hit a free throw with 1:24 left but they came up empty on their next possession Valley Stream North’s Zeke Morris hit two free throws and Mitchell made one in the final six seconds had climbed out of a 36-27 third-quarter hole behind its press “Our guys just find a way to make the plays when they need to.” Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Edward Burns and Connie Britton during production of the sequel to "The Brothers McMullen" on Marlboro Road in Valley Stream on Tuesday Actor-filmmaker Edward Burns was spotted filming a sequel to his breakout 1995 indie hit The Brothers McMullen—and he brought Emmy-nominated actress Connie Britton along for the ride The pair were seen shooting scenes on Marlboro Road in Valley Stream—Burns’ hometown and the same street where he filmed the original movie 30 years ago—on Tuesday and a film crew were set up outside a home as part of the production For Valley Stream native and fellow filmmaker Anthony Natoli, who shared photos in the “Valley Stream Community” Facebook group “Got invited down to the filming of The Brothers McMullen sequel today on my old street,” Natoli wrote “Ed Burns is such a great guy and I appreciate the opportunity to hang out and see the continuation of the story I grew up on Marlboro Rd and remember him filming the original as a kid.” Natoli credits Burns with inspiring his own creative journey. “It inspired me greatly as a young man to see that it is possible for someone, who went to the same school as me, and grew up just a few doors down, to make something bigger than themselves,” he wrote on his website The Brothers McMullen—a character-driven dramedy about three Irish Catholic brothers grappling with love and family—put Burns on the map when it debuted at Sundance in 1995 and won the Grand Jury Prize Shot on a shoestring budget in Valley Stream In a 2024 interview on NBC’s TODAY Burns confirmed he had just finished writing the screenplay and was aiming to release the sequel in time for the film’s 30th anniversary “It’s hard to believe that that was 30 years ago,” he said Burns has built a prolific career both in front of and behind the camera directing nearly 20 films and starring in Hollywood hits like Saving Private Ryan has become a household name with celebrated roles in Friday Night Lights earning five Emmy nominations along the way No word yet on the release date or official title of the sequel Green Acres Mall in October 2023 in Valley Stream A state Supreme Court justice has dismissed a lawsuit filed by four Valley Stream school districts  challenging five-year tax break extensions at Green Acres Mall and an adjacent shopping center McGrath ruled that the Hempstead Town Industrial Development Agency's extension of the tax breaks and lease agreements last spring was legal McGrath also ruled that the school districts lacked standing to challenge the tax breaks because they are not taxpayers the districts lacked standing to claim that the IDA failed to conduct environmental impact studies before extending the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements "We’re very pleased that the court agreed with our arguments This is a total victory confirming that the IDA has done everything legally in its work to encourage economic development in the Town of Hempstead We hope this ends the long-running controversy involving Green Acres," Fred Parola Valley Stream Central High School District and Valley Stream school districts 30, 24 and 13 filed the lawsuit in August in state Supreme Court in Nassau County against the IDA and the owners of the retail properties, as Newsday previously reported retail and all things business across Long Island John Maier was also a plaintiff as an individual and as the president of the board of education for the Valley Stream Central High School District owns the mall and shopping center through two subsidiaries Valley Stream Green Acres LLC and Green Acres Adjacent LLC both of which were named as defendants in the lawsuit The lawsuit alleged that the IDA board's votes last spring to extend the PILOTs on Green Acres Mall and Green Acres Commons were illegal because of the properties' failure to meet job commitments that were tied to tax breaks initially approved in 2014 and 2015 the mall had 2,537 full-time equivalent jobs which was 237 fewer than Macerich committed to maintain under a 2015 lease agreement which Macerich sought to support a new redevelopment project planned for the mall will save the company an additional $174.1 million over five years the Valley Stream community would be subsidizing the tax breaks without the economic development the incentives were intended to create a partner in Farmingdale law firm Guercio & Guercio LLP Macerich did not respond to a request for comment the IDA approved a 10-year PILOT on the mall — with the option to extend the deal by five years — because Macerich was planning a $79 million renovation of the property The IDA approved another PILOT in 2015 because Macerich was planning the $83.7 million construction of the shopping center The PILOTs called for Macerich to make annual payments to the IDA totaling $141 million for the mall and $14.9 million for the shopping center over 10 years The IDA divvies up the annual payments among the school districts according to annual reports the IDA submitted to the New York State Authorities Budget Office (The latest report available on the budget office's website shows 2023 data.) Macerich announced in January 2024 that it was planning a redevelopment at Green Acres Mall that is expected to cost $100 million to $115 million Macerich asked the IDA to extend the PILOT for the mall by five years and lower the employment commitment from 2,774 to 2,400 full-time equivalent jobs at the property Macerich also requested a PILOT extension for the shopping center and that its employment requirement be lowered from 570 to 496 full-time equivalent jobs The IDA approved Macerich’s request for a PILOT extension and job requirement changes for the mall in April and for the shopping center in May The school districts' lawsuit states that the 2014 and 2015 PILOTs on the mall and shopping center contain a “recapture clause” that stipulates that a default on the agreements including Macerich not meeting job requirements means that the IDA should have required the company to repay the tax dollars it saved or increase the PILOT payments by the same percentage of full-time equivalent jobs that are below the required level for the tax year The school districts asked the court to declare the IDA’s extension of the PILOTs and lease agreements illegal and they were seeking a judgment declaring that the IDA recapture Green Acres’ benefits or force Macerich to pay increased PILOT payments to be distributed among the plaintiffs The IDA and Macerich's subsidiaries argued in their responses to the lawsuit that the PILOTs' terms stated that the agency may recapture tax breaks in cases when the job commitments aren't met when that failure is not reflective of the company's business conditions The lease agreements allow the IDA to make modifications on a case-by-case basis particularly in cases of extraordinary events which was the main reason for adjusting the FTE [full-time equivalent] job requirements can be classified as such an event," the IDA stated in a court filing 2025 at 10:07 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Jonathan Louissaint faces charges in connection with several crimes in Valley Stream on Sunday (Nassau County Police Department)VALLEY STREAM NY — A man was arrested in connection with several incidents unlawfully entered a home on Forest Avenue around 9:15 a.m and punched a 24-year-old man in the face and struck his hand with a metal bar where he struck a 35-year-old man on the hand with a beer can Louissaint left the 7-Eleven and tried to enter multiple occupied vehicles in the area He then got into an unoccupied 2020 Hyundai which was parked and running on Rockaway Parkway eventually crashing into a 2020 Toyota occupied by a 29-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man on New Hyde Park Road near Auburn Street While being placed under arrest at the scene of the crash Louissaint became combative and struck an officer in the face The injured officer was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment The two occupants of the Toyota were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries All other victims declined further medical attention Louissaint was charged with one count of first-degree burglary two counts of second-degree attempted robbery one count of first-degree reckless endangerment two counts of third-degree attempted grand larceny one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief and multiple vehicle traffic law violations He is set to be arraigned on Monday at First District Court in Hempstead Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2024 at 12:47 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}LIJ Valley Stream has received a prestigious surgical distinction NY — Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital has earned a prestigious designation from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) LIJ Valley Stream is the second Northwell Health hospital to receive the status but it is the first community site to receive the recognition skill and safety that is demonstrated in the surgical care we provide for our patients every day We are proud to lead the way in surgical excellence within our community," said Dr Long Island Jewish Valley Stream chair of surgery The ACS Quality Verification Program is aimed at assessing the overall quality of a hospital’s surgical services including essential surgical operations and the hospital's influence across different specialties "This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the highest standards of surgical care and the dedication of our team in ensuring the best outcomes for our patients," Jason Tan men were convicted of fatally shooting one man and injuring three others a jury convicted Isaiah Gonzalez and Kyle Matthews of second-degree murder on Thursday for the death of Deandre Carter Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Gonzalez and Matthews walked toward multiple attendees outside a party on Ocean Avenue in Valley Stream Members of the Crips street gang were reportedly at the party the two men fired at least eight rounds from a pair of .38 caliber pistols according to a news release from Donnelly’s office “shattering his rib cage and piercing his heart and left lung,” according to the release A few weeks after the shooting, Nassau County police Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said Carter, of Brooklyn, had "no listed membership," but was perceived as a Crip for attending the party, Newsday reported at the time Police alleged Gonzalez and Matthews were members of the Bloods street gang were also shot and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening An investigation into the incident uncovered surveillance footage of Gonzales and Matthews driving in a Mercedes-Benz near the party and exiting the vehicle to approach the venue and Gonzalez was arrested two days later in Manhattan Discovered surveillance footage also showed Gonzales and Matthews in the Mercedes-Benz near the Springfield Gardens, Queens, residence of Kenny Greene around 20 minutes before the shooting, according to the release. Greene was arrested and charged with second-degree conspiracy on Sept. 15, 2023, in connection to the party shooting, Newsday reported at the time The trial regarding the shooting began on March 17 a jury found Gonzales and Matthews guilty of second-degree murder second-degree conspiracy and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon before Judge Helene Gugerty at Nassau County Court Greene was acquitted of the second-degree conspiracy charge could not be immediately reached by telephone Thursday evening said in separate telephone conversations Thursday evening they each plan to appeal their clients’ convictions “We appreciate the jury’s time and attention and we respect the verdict,” Michel said “But we will be exploring options for appeal.” Gonzales and Matthews are scheduled for sentencing on May 9 and “face a potential maximum of 65 years to life in prison,” Donnelly’s office said “This case is yet another tragic reminder of the kind of devastation gang violence wreaks in our community,” said Donnelly “These defendants meticulously plotted to murder a member of a rival group in their community a young life was taken in the name of gang warfare We cannot and will not stand for this type of brutality on our streets and my office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to prevent these senseless acts of violence.” The West Nassau Center for Food Assistance & Community Support opened Tuesday in Valley Stream There is a new establishment sitting on a Valley Stream corner that’s unlike most stores in the area While its shelves are stocked with in-demand items the purpose of this place is to give people in need access to food without charge The West Nassau Center for Food Assistance & Community Support hopes to give people dealing with food insecurity the nourishment they need in the face of financial and other pressures that can make buying food elsewhere difficult "Even if you're having financial issues you can come here for support and help," said Assemb who played an instrumental role in opening the food pantry "You're not going to be judged; you're going to be loved." The food pantry is the ninth location for Long Island Cares — The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank and is among a number in the region providing provisions in the face of a growing number of U.S Across the United States, 13.5% of households — or 18 million — faced food insecurity in 2023, the highest portion since 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture said in a report released this month. In homes that have people under the age of 18 roughly 18% of households — or 6.5 million — faced food insecurity in 2023 according to the USDA’s report based on a representative portion of America’s population The report did not detail reasons for the prevalence of food insecurity D.C.-based national coalition of more than 100 organizations including inflation and reductions of government programs such as the expansion of the child tax credit Mitchell believes food banks are one way of dealing with food insecurity But he said it also includes ensuring that domestic nutrition programs include expanding access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)and pushing for greater access to more nutritious food "We have to have a holistic approach to addressing food insecurity," he said "We often say you're not going to food bank your way out of hunger The origins of the Valley Stream food pantry date back to the pandemic Solages and others approached Long Island Cares about giving away food at Valley Stream Presbyterian Church in 2022 the church saw 30 to 40 families arriving at the emergency food center When the food distribution eventually closed Solages asked Long Island Cares for a permanent replacement Solages secured a legislative grant of $200,000 Gregory Meeks also secured a congressional earmark in the amount of $360,000 Obstacles to opening the site included getting zoning and variance issues resolved and overcoming concerns about lines outside the staff said they hope it will service the community with dignity and cultural awareness "We want people to get excited about food again," said Jessica Rosati Long Island Cares’ vice president for programs and community services "It stinks to have to have the heavy [pressure] of How am I going to feed my kids tonight?" The Valley Stream site is open Monday through Friday Tuesdays are only open to military members and veterans Some of the food items are geared to serve a large Caribbean population in the area Long Island Cares staff said they hope the location is also a place where community partners can also counsel people on matters like health insurance or rental assistance 19 and 31 saw more than 40 families come in And officials hope the pantry will grow from there "This is an established location that's going to have regular hours that not only provides the food [but] .. also provides guidance and support for people," Solages said I really think this is a great opportunity for people to get the support that they need." Two teenagers face charges after one pointed a BB gun at other students at a Franklin Square high school on April 2 Officers responded to Valley Stream North High School on Herman Avenue to the 8:25 a.m An investigation found that the 17-year-old had pointed the gun at two students Both teens were placed into custody without incident The 14-year-old is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Family Court on April 16 The 17-year-old is charged with second-degree menacing fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds Neither teen was identified because of their ages Superintendent Wayne Loper and principal Robin Small addressed the incident in a letter to the school community on April 2 noting that the students will be disciplined and that the district takes “situations like this very seriously.” When the administration was made aware of the BB gun the school notified police and it was confiscated by school officials “It is important to note that all students are safe and based on both the district and police investigations of the incident at no point were students at any risk of harm or danger,” they said Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday She previously worked as a reporter for Patch where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals Long Island Cares opens Valley Stream food pantry Vincent Rienzie scores another two points for Valley Stream North during a Nassau Class A boys basketball quarterfinal against host Friends Academy on Thursday Sophomore Tristan Mitchell and junior Vin Rienzie have a palpable bond in the Valley Stream North backcourt “I’ve been playing with him my whole high school [and] middle school career and it’s just fun playing with him every day at practice.” We’re with each other all the time off the court and then on the court it just helps build chemistry I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.” the reigning Long Island Class A boys basketball champion in the Nassau Class A quarterfinals Thursday afternoon Mitchell scored 22 points and made all eight of his fourth-quarter free throws Rienzie scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half and they play so hard and they just care so much,” VSN coach Mike McVeigh said you feel lucky to go to practice and coach these kind of guys.” 3 West Hempstead (14-7) – the 2024 LI Class B champion – in the semifinals at 8 p.m VSN has never played in a county championship being the first ones to do it and hopefully being the first ones to win it.” Sophomore guard Eyan Valadez scored 20 points “Valadez is easily one of the best players in Nassau County,” McVeigh said “He scored 20 points and we hope that we made it as tough as we could but he’s such a good player that we just had to all be ready to guard him Amand] had the responsibility to guard him for as long as possible and he’s just a really tough player to match up with.” who led by as many as 12 in the first half held a 30-23 halftime lead and a 43-38 edge after three quarters Friends opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run but VSN answered with a 7-0 run to take a 52-47 lead – which it never relinquished – with 2:16 left Jaxon Saulter’s layup cut Friends’ deficit to 54-51 with 58 seconds left Mitchell’s two free throws with 32.1 seconds left and Rienzie’s layup nine seconds later made it 58-51 VSN has found its groove despite ending the regular season with four consecutive losses 2025 at 10:30 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A bomb threat was received at the Walmart in Valley Stream NY — Police are investigating a bomb threat at the Walmart in Valley Stream While police are investigating the situation it remains unclear if the threat was credible A cofounder of Friends of Long Island Wrestling Jerry Seckler was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998 For Valley Stream-raised wrestling star and coach Jerry Seckler the interscholastic matches were more than a sport — more but never really practiced" as an adult "So once I asked him what my religion was 'Your religion's wrestling!' ” Jerry Seckler’s faith was rewarded with such accolades as Long Island High School Champion two years running National Prep School Champ the following year induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame he cofounded the nonprofit Friends of Long Island Wrestling which a year ago became the Hall of Fame's New York Downstate chapter the Nassau County Parks and Recreation and the Nassau County Office of Cultural Development for more than a quarter-century through 2001 he owned the Massapequa marine sales enterprise the Boat Store from 1973 to 1989 at one point opening a second store in Huntington "There are four words that describe Jerry: ‘A job well done,’ ” said retired football coach John Anselmo whom Seckler coached in high school football and wrestling who went on to coaching positions including with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills died March 10 at Good Shepherd Hospice at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre "He was a very principled guy," said Michael Seckler "It was always about doing the right thing intense feeling about working hard and being competitive but also giving back." the eldest of three children of decorated U.S Secret Service agent Frank Seckler and homemaker Dorothy Fictenholtz Seckler The family moved to Valley Stream the following decade and he attended Valley Stream Central High School winning two Long Island wrestling championships there before transferring to the now-defunct St where he won the prep school national wrestling title eventually becoming co-captain of the wrestling squad He graduated in 1961 with a degree in health and physical education after marrying nurse Patricia Roberts the previous June Seckler began his coaching career at Freeport High School becoming assistant wrestling coach at Columbia University  in 1966 when he joined what is now the Nassau County Parks he had returned to Columbia to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership Seckler rose to the rank of deputy commissioner before being appointed head of the Nassau County Office of Cultural Development in 1990 he spearheaded such efforts as wrestling clinics and tournaments the bicycle-oriented HeartRide fundraiser for cardiovascular disease research and a program to teach sailboating to disabled people "He was that guy you always trusted and looked to for advice and as a mentor and who was active in your lives," Michael Seckler said Funeral services will be held Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m Donations may be sent to the New York Downstate Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Tyasia Buxton of Valley Stream central wins the 94-pound class at the Nassau girls wrestling championships on Sunday Tyasia Buxton hadn’t wrestled before this season so when she joined Valley Stream Central’s boys wrestling team she never envisioned being in a position to make history I had given up on things in the past and I wanted to learn discipline,” Buxton said you have to know what you want and go after it.” Buxton earned a win over Bethpage’s Addison Moerler by technical fall in 4:56 in the 94-pound final at the inaugural Nassau girls wrestling championships on Feb With her weight class being the first championship match to take place on the day The junior will hold the distinction of being Nassau’s first girls wrestling champion Newsday's weekly newsletter takes you on the field and inside the high school sports scene across Long Island I really haven’t processed it yet,” Buxton said but there’s even more ahead that I want to accomplish.” the journey to this point has always meant more than the results The discipline she hoped would come from wrestling was exemplified as she worked to cut and make weight for the championships then what’s even the point of showing up?” Buxton is the only female athlete on Valley Stream Central’s wrestling team and found it to be tough at first But instead of that being a deterrent to her drive she credits working with the boys for the improvement of her craft “Tyasia doesn’t mind working with the boys,” Valley Stream Central coach Chris Carbajal said she thinks they push her a little harder.” Now Buxton will get the opportunity to add to her accomplishments as she will compete in the state girls wrestling championship on Feb “I want to go up there and show what I can do “I want to take advantage of the opportunity I’ve been given because many girls have worked hard and would love to be in this position.” “This is something we never imagined she’d attempt but we’re so proud of her,” Tyasia’s mother “Even when she started wrestling with the boys there were people who didn’t think she’d make it A white pizza with potatoes and porchetta at Via Cuma in Valley Stream Southwestern Nassau is a hotbed of pizza innovation — King Umberto’s in Elmont Chef Gigi’s Place in Franklin Square and Grotta di Fuoco in Long Beach to name a few — but now there’s a new kid in town Via Cuma opened in Valley Stream in August and with his imported Izzo oven and artisanal dough chef-owner Luca Schiano Di Cola is determined to strut his Neapolitan stuff on the Long Island stage He calls his cooking "contemporary Italian" rather than "authentic Italian," because "people get offended when you start telling them what is authentic and what’s not." Whereas "contemporary Italian" refers to the "food that they are eating right now in Italy." Owner Luca Schiano Di Cola with a Margerita pizza at Via Cuma in Valley Stream what they are eating right now in Italy tends to harken back to traditional foodways "lievito madre," and uses a portion of it to start every batch This results in crunchy-tender crust that is delicious all on its own There are almost a dozen varieties of 12-inch pizzas made not only with Italian San Marzano tomatoes but with imported mozzarella topped with cherry tomatoes and anchovies from Cetara on the Amalfi coast More elaborate specimens include the Capricciosa a white pie topped with cubes of roast potatoes and pork Many of the pies can also be made into a panuozzo a sandwich made with pizza dough wherein the topping becomes the filling Via Cuma has a tight menu of specialties from Campania (the region of which Naples is capital) such as house-cured anchovies with Gaeta olives on a bed of arugula ($15) Italian-style eggplant Parmesan (more of a layered casserole than an eggplant "steak" covered with mozzarella braciole di manzo (beer rolled around pine nuts Paccheri alla Genovese at Via Cuma in Valley Stream there's paccheri alla Genovese (giant rigatoni sauced with an onion-rich beef ragu spaghetti tossed with the tiny Mediterranean clams called vongole veraci ($25) and gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato dumpling with tomato sauce and smoked mozzarella ($20) The room — for it’s no more than a room — is modest but well appointed The dominant visual theme is the Cumean Sybil an ancient oracle best known for her supporting role on Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling but also an inspiration for Schiano Di Cola who is an amateur historian and classics scholar as well as a chef The oracle’s cave can still be visited and you get there from Schiano Di Cola’s hometown by traveling along the Via Cuma Via Cuma, 415 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream, 516-619-0019, viacumaus.com