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🎵 Full 2026 Cedarhurst Concert Schedule (Save These Dates!)
All concerts are FREE, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, Andrew J. Parise Park, Cedarhurst:

⚠️ Thursday, July 23, 2026 — Tisha B'Av

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Ongoing — Rock Hall Museum, Lawrence

Ongoing — FREE Senior Enrichment at The Sands, Lido Beach

Coming Up — Nassau County Drone First Responder Program

A heat advisory, rip current risk, and air quality alert are all in effect across Long Island today, according to the National Weather Service. Five Towns residents heading to Long Beach, Atlantic Beach, or any South Shore beach today should be extremely cautious in the water — rip currents are dangerous and can overwhelm even strong swimmers. Stay hydrated, avoid peak sun hours from 11 AM to 4 PM, check on elderly neighbors, and never leave children or pets in parked cars. Nassau County cooling centers are available — call 311 for the nearest location. Read more here Patch

A 13-year-old girl has been reported missing in Elmont, last seen on Monday, according to Nassau County Police. Elmont is just minutes from the Five Towns. If you have any information about this girl's whereabouts, contact Nassau County Police immediately at 516-573-7347 or call 911. Read more here Patch

The Village of Lawrence Board of Trustees has approved several traffic safety initiatives aimed at reducing speeding and improving roadway safety throughout the community, particularly in the Back Lawrence neighborhood. During a recent Board meeting, residents voiced concerns regarding excessive speeding on Causeway, Ocean Avenue, Harborview North, Harborview South, and Narragansett Avenue, citing limited visibility, dangerous roadway curves, and the absence of sidewalks in certain areas. 5townscentral

The Board approved new stop signs at key intersections and will evaluate speed humps in chronic speeding zones — similar to measures on Atlantic Avenue that have already proven effective. Nassau County Police 4th Precinct will also increase targeted enforcement in the area.

Mayor Samuel Nahmias said: "Protecting the safety of our residents is one of our highest priorities. We have heard the concerns raised by our residents and are taking proactive steps to address speeding." Residents can share feedback by calling Village Hall at (516) 239-4600. Read more here

This is a jaw-dropping story straight from Patch. A Hewlett man is facing criminal charges after he was accused of taking more than $2.5 million from Medicaid to finance the purchase of multiple luxury cars and the mortgage on a Long Island mansion. According to Attorney General Letitia James' office, 36-year-old Hewlett resident Nduka Lewis Ekpenyong was indicted on charges of first-degree grand larceny, second-degree healthcare fraud and first-degree scheme to defraud. Patch

Prosecutors said Ekpenyong submitted over 6,000 claims to Medicaid to cover the purchase of PediaSure with Peptides, a nutritional supplement for children — but did not purchase the vast majority of the product he claimed, pocketing over $2.5 million. He purchased just 10 percent of the amount he billed to Medicaid. The cars and the mansion are now subject to civil asset forfeiture. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. Read more here Patch

A major chapter in Five Towns history is coming to a close — and a new one is beginning. The Five Towns Community Center is no longer an entity, as of a meeting of its board of directors on July 3. The center's lease with Nassau County expired that day, and the county has assumed control of the property. Community members never received any official notification of the decision, nor did the staff, the volunteers or the participants in the center's Head Start child care program. Herald Community Newspapers

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced the building will be demolished, and the Nassau County Police Activity League, along with Operation Overwatch, a unit of the county Police Department, will move onto the property where a new facility will be built. The food pantry may relocate to the Inwood Buccaneers Athletic Club in Lawrence. Summer camp children are being bused to Nassau County's Cantiague Park program in Hicksville for free. The community center had been serving the Five Towns area for over 100 years. Read more here Herald Community Newspapers

Federal lawmakers voted Tuesday to advance legislation aimed at establishing permanent daylight saving time nationwide. The measure passed the House of Representatives by a substantial margin and has drawn significant attention across local Orthodox Jewish communities due to its potential impact on early morning Minyanim. Under the proposed Sunshine Protection Act, the twice-yearly ritual of resetting clocks would be eliminated, keeping clocks set one hour forward throughout the winter months. 5townscentral

The core concern for local residents centers on sunrise calculations during the winter months. Moving the clock forward an hour would delay mid-winter sunrises significantly, causing early morning zmanim to shift much later into the day, forcing shuls to restructure morning schedules. Safety advocates also raised concerns regarding children traveling to school during dark morning hours — similar legislation in the 1970s was quickly repealed after parents expressed widespread alarm about students waiting for school buses before sunrise. The bill still faces an uncertain path in the Senate. Read more here 5townscentral

A newly proposed bill would require retailers across New York to offer shoppers a 10% discount whenever they use self-checkout kiosks. Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, a Democrat representing Brooklyn, introduced Assembly Bill A.11501, arguing that self-checkout systems have shifted responsibilities once carried out by paid cashiers directly onto shoppers — and those additional responsibilities deserve financial recognition. Birds Advice

The measure remained in committee when the session ended, but has already generated significant discussion about whether retailers should compensate customers who effectively perform part of an employee's job during checkout. Think about how often you're scanning and bagging your own groceries at Stop & Shop, ShopRite, or Gourmet Glatt — this bill could put real money back in your pocket. Read more here Kiosk Marketplace

The father of a close community member was struck by an SUV at Franklin Avenue and West Broadway in Hewlett last week. He is still in the hospital and has had hours of surgeries. He is still intubated and has suffered traumatic injuries. Besides multiple broken bones, he has already required over 17 units of blood. Shaarei Emunah — The Sephardic Congregation of the Five Towns — held an emergency blood drive for him on Monday. Please keep him in your tefillos for a refuah shleima. Blood donations can be made at any New York Blood Center location — visit nybc.org. Read more here 5 Towns Central

Valley Stream South High School senior Michael Marshall has become an award-winning visual artist, the school district announced. Marshall was recognized for outstanding achievement in visual arts — a proud moment for a Five Towns area student and a reminder of the incredible talent being developed in our local schools. Read more here Patch

A sobering new report this week confirms what many Five Towns residents have quietly observed: New York is losing its wealthiest residents to Florida, Texas, and other lower-tax states at an accelerating pace. High taxes, elevated cost of living, and quality-of-life concerns are driving an exodus of high-net-worth households from the state — with communities like ours directly affected. This trend has real implications for local property tax bases, school funding, and the institutions our community depends on. Read more here

Residential market trends across New York City boroughs have reached record highs — and the spillover effect on Five Towns real estate is real. As Manhattan and Brooklyn prices surge, more buyers are looking to the suburbs, and the Five Towns' combination of strong schools, vibrant Jewish community, and LIRR access to the city makes it one of the most sought-after suburban markets in the region. If you have been thinking about selling your home, the timing has rarely been better. Read more here

A Valley Stream man is facing assault charges after he sprayed a chemical substance at his neighbors' home while the neighbors were having a Fourth of July barbecue Friday night. Nassau County police said 46-year-old Valley Stream resident Nicholas Stolz sprayed the chemical substance at his neighbors' home at 8:14 PM Friday during what was described as a "neighbor dispute." The people at whom the chemicals were sprayed were taken to the hospital for evaluation and are in stable condition. Stolz was arrested and is charged with seven counts of third-degree assault and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Read more here PatchPatch

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📣 Long Island Small Businesses Win $5,000 Grants — Could YOUR Business Apply Next Year?

Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation celebrated 40 Long Island small business grant winners at their 2026 Small Business Summit in Bethpage — 20 from Nassau County and 20 from Suffolk. Each winner received a $5,000 grant through the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program. Five Towns business owners: watch for next year's application cycle opening. It's a real opportunity for local businesses to get a meaningful boost. Source: patch.com

🍽️ Stay Up to Date on Five Towns Kosher Restaurant News:

Why did the self-checkout machine get promoted?

Because it always handled everything by itself! 🛒

Question:
The Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence served the community for over 100 years. But what street was it located on, and what year did Nassau County originally sign its 50-year lease with the center?

Answer:
The Five Towns Community Center was located at 270 Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence. Nassau County signed its original 50-year lease with the center in 1974 — meaning the lease ran from 1974 all the way through its expiration on July 3, 2024. The center has now been replaced by a new Nassau County Police Activity League and Operation Overwatch facility, with a new building to be constructed on the site.

Question:
We are now in the Nine Days leading up to Tisha B'Av. During the Nine Days, Ashkenazic Jews traditionally refrain from eating meat and drinking wine — with one notable exception. What is it?

Answer:
Shabbos! On Shabbos during the Nine Days, the consumption of meat and wine is not only permitted but actually encouraged as part of the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos — the enjoyment of Shabbos. The mourning practices of the Nine Days are suspended for Shabbos, which is always a day of joy. This year, with the 10th of Av falling on Erev Shabbos (Friday), there are additional halachos — see your Rav or 5townscentral.com for details.

A 13-year-old girl was reported missing in Elmont as of Monday, July 14. If you have any information, contact Nassau County Police immediately: 516-573-7347 or 911. Source: patch.com

🚗 LAWRENCE SPEEDING CRACKDOWN UNDERWAY

The Village of Lawrence has launched a formal traffic safety initiative targeting speeding in Back Lawrence. New stop signs and speed humps are coming to Causeway, Ocean Avenue, Harborview North and South, and Narragansett Avenue. Nassau County Police 4th Precinct will be increasing enforcement patrols. Slow down! Contact Village Hall at (516) 239-4600 with feedback. Source: 5townscentral.com

🙏 HEWLETT ACCIDENT VICTIM NEEDS TEFILLOS

A member of our community was critically injured after being struck by an SUV at Franklin Avenue and West Broadway in Hewlett and remains hospitalized in serious condition, having required over 17 units of blood. Please keep him in your tefillos. Blood donations: nybc.org

🚨 About RNSP — Your Community Safety Patrol

The Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol (RNSP) operates 24/7, 365 days a year — completely volunteer-run — protecting the Five Towns and Rockaway communities.

📞 24/7 Hotline: (516) 858-7300
📱 Instagram: @rnsp_patrol
🌐 Website: rnsafetypatrol.org
💛 Donate: rayze.it/rockawaynassausafetypatrol

Nassau County Police Non-Emergency: 888-684-4274 | Crime Stoppers: 1-800-244-TIPS