Joshua Needelman

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | Joshua Needelman

Daniel Neutra stood on a corner in front of the Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview, looking up at the street sign now baring his late brother's name. Omer Neutra, an Israel Defense Forces soldier, was one of about 1,200 killed during Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to rename a portion of Manetto Hill Road "Captain Omer Neutra Way." In front of more than 1,000 people on Sunday morning, elected officials revealed the new street sign.

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | Joshua Needelman |Tara Smith

On a Tuesday in early March — just days after the Ukrainian president's contentious Oval Office visit — two Long Island residents weighed in on the Ukraine-Russian war at separate town hall meetings some 60 miles apart. At North Hempstead Town Hall in Manhasset, Nina Gordon, of Great Neck, wanted to know if board members still stood with Ukraine. At Riverhead Town Hall, resident John McAuliff urged council members to sponsor a resolution affirming support for the country in its war with Russia.

3 weeks ago | newsday.com | Joshua Needelman

Few species of plant generate awe like the cherry blossom. Every spring, after the dank of winter, the blooming trees turn parts of Long Island into seas of pink and white foliage. Long Islanders will be able to spot the flowered trees in several areas across the region starting in April. The trees will play a starring role in Greenport, where there are more than 300 in the village, said Deborah Pittorino, founder of the nonprofit AgroCouncil's annual Cherry Blossom Petal Tour.

4 weeks ago | newsday.com | Joshua Needelman

Williston Park's mayor has barred East Williston's mayor from accessing his village's water facilities, the latest development in a long-running feud between the two communities over water cost and quality. Earlier this month, East Williston Mayor Bonnie Parente asked Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar forpermission to access thefacilities. East Williston has long purchased its water from Williston Park, which recently raised its water rates 33% to help pay for a new filtration system.

1 month ago | newsday.com | Joshua Needelman

The mechanical groan of gas-powered leaf blowers can be ubiquitous during the summer months. In 2019, the Town of North Hempstead banned commercial landscapers from using the devices from mid-June until mid-September. But the policy has proved difficult to enforce, officials said. Town officials are now eyeing a new system for responding to the complaints.