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This is the Five Towns community story of the week and your readers will be buzzing about it. Woodmere Lanes is transferring ownership to frum local owners and is now closed Friday nights and Saturday day. Additionally, the bowling alley is in the process of making their menu fully kosher, which will be under the Vaad of the Five Towns! 5townscentral

This is a remarkable development — Woodmere Lanes has been a beloved local institution for decades, and its transition to Shabbos-observant, kosher ownership is a reflection of the growing strength and confidence of our Five Towns Orthodox community. The new owners are asking for our support and our brachos as they begin this new chapter. Wishing them much hatzlacha! More details to follow as they become available. Read more here

Federal immigration authorities began a large-scale enforcement operation in New York City on Monday, marking the start of a crackdown that officials say will focus on individuals who were released from local custody despite being the subject of ICE detainers. According to sources, the operation initially launched in Queens and is expected to expand throughout the five boroughs and surrounding metropolitan area beginning Tuesday. 5 Towns Central

ICE is launching operations in New York City, with sources saying a new operation began in Queens and is expected to surge into other areas of the metropolitan area beginning Tuesday. This is directly relevant to Nassau County — Governor Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James on Friday warned Long Island's Nassau County to scrap a cooperation agreement with the federal ICE agency as a state law aimed at limiting help for President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign goes into effect, giving counties until August 25 to revoke the agreement. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has so far stood firmly behind the county's ICE partnership. Five Towns residents should be aware this operation is underway and expanding to Long Island. Read more here The HillHanford Sentinel

This is one of the most alarming stories in New York today. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration has published a searchable database of Big Apple properties that could fall under the state's new pied-à-terre tax, effectively doxxing thousands of wealthy New Yorkers. Citywide, the New York Post counted over 960,000 residences and individuals listed as potentially in line to be hit with the tax, even though just 31,000 homes were supposed to be subjected to the new levy as Mamdani and Hochul initially sold it to the public. Yahoo!

The database includes condominiums and co-ops valued at $1 million or more and one- to three-family homes valued above $5 million. The city cautioned that appearing on the list does not necessarily mean a property will be taxed — owners may qualify for exemptions if the residence is occupied by the owner, a tenant or an immediate family member. Yahoo!

Critics warn the publicly posted list of names and addresses could be dangerous. Council Minority Leader David Carr told the New York Post it's "a reckless and foolish move, especially considering there are potentially thousands of properties on this list that do not qualify as second homes or whose owners will successfully dispute their inclusion." If you own property in New York City or know someone who does, check the database at nyc.gov — and consult an attorney if your property appears. Read more here NEWS BEEP

Additional surveillance footage has surfaced following Sunday's stolen vehicle incident in Hewlett. The vehicle was last spotted around 12:30 PM Sunday, driving recklessly near the intersection of Mill Road and Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett. According to the witness who provided the video, the driver appeared to be wearing a mask. Anyone with additional surveillance footage or information about the vehicle or suspect is urged to contact the Nassau County Police Department and RNSP. 5townscentral

If you have a Ring camera, doorbell cam, or dashcam footage from Sunday afternoon July 26 in the Hewlett area — especially near Mill Road and Peninsula Boulevard — please contact RNSP immediately at (516) 858-7300 or Nassau County Police. Read more here

A disturbing incident unfolded in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 26, right here in Lawrence. Fourth Precinct Officers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle stopped near the intersection of Nassau Expressway and Rock Hall Road with the operator appearing to be asleep. Upon arrival, officers attempted to wake up the operator of a red Hyundai Santa Fe when he became combative and spat at officers. Two officers sustained injuries during the course of the arrest as the defendant was violent and combative while resisting arrest. 5townscentral

Defendant Luis _______, 35, of Bleecker Street, Brooklyn, was found to be intoxicated. Both officers were transported to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. The defendant is charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, DWI, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Harassment, Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Vehicles, and a VTL Infraction. He was arraigned today at First District Court in Hempstead. We wish the injured officers a speedy recovery. Read more here 5townscentral

A shocking and deeply disturbing incident unfolded just across our border in Far Rockaway, Queens on Saturday afternoon. Two people have been identified as 28-year-old Selena Ponce and 56-year-old Clemer Ponce, found dead from gunshot wounds inside a burning home. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Kegan Thomas, has no criminal history and no prior mental health-related interactions with the NYPD. CBS News

Police say Thomas shot and killed two family members before setting his house on fire. His wife called 911, telling police her husband was armed, has a history of mental illness and that he "killed them." When officers arrived, a fiery explosion erupted from the house, and seconds later Thomas emerged with a shotgun, wearing a tactical vest and holding more ammunition. Officers shot Thomas after he refused repeated commands to drop his weapon. He is in critical but stable condition. This horrific event occurred in a neighborhood many Five Towns residents pass through regularly. Our deepest condolences go to the families of the victims. Read more here Spectrum News NY1

The New York City Council has allocated $750,000 to a dedicated hate crimes unit in Brooklyn amid an ongoing and deeply troubling surge in antisemitic incidents across the city. The funding comes as antisemitic incidents continue to be reported at record levels across the New York metro area — including on Long Island and in communities adjacent to the Five Towns. This is a step in the right direction, but the Five Towns community must remain vigilant. If you witness any act of antisemitism or hate, report it immediately to Nassau County Police and the Nassau County Human Rights Commission. Read more here

New York State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov has formally called on the United States Department of Justice to open an investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over what he describes as demonstrated anti-Jewish bias in the administration of city government. The call comes amid ongoing concerns in the Jewish community about Mamdani's stances on Israel and his public dismissal of Jewish community concerns. Five Towns residents — as one of the most concentrated Orthodox Jewish communities in America — are paying very close attention to this situation. Read more here

Wild footage captured by a local resident shows a near-miss lightning strike on a utility pole right here in Woodmere during last week's severe storms. The video, which went viral on the 5TownsCentral social media accounts, shows the bolt striking just feet from homes. As we head into another round of severe storms this Tuesday, it's a good reminder to stay indoors, unplug sensitive electronics, and stay away from windows during lightning storms. Watch here

Nassau County and NYPD responded to an attempted residential break-in in Far Rockaway, resulting in the arrest of a suspect. RNSP coordinated with local police in the investigation. As summer continues and many families travel, this is a timely reminder to make sure your home security systems are active, your locks are changed if needed, and your neighbors are looking out for each other. If anything looks suspicious in your neighborhood, call RNSP at (516) 858-7300 immediately — don't wait. Read more here

In a move that will directly affect families across the region, New York City Mayor Mamdani has announced plans to open city-backed discount grocery stores offering essentials at 30% below market prices. The initiative targets food insecurity in lower-income neighborhoods. While this would primarily apply within the five boroughs, it has implications for the broader conversation about food affordability — an issue that resonates strongly in Nassau County as well, particularly for the many Five Towns families who shop in both Queens and Nassau. Read more here

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has departed for Washington, D.C. to meet with President Trump and attend the state funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 12 at age 71. The visit is expected to include discussions on the Gaza ceasefire deal, the Iran nuclear threat, and U.S.-Israel security cooperation. For our Five Towns community — where Israel is not a political issue but a matter of family, faith, and identity — this visit matters deeply. Read more here

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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

As reported above — Woodmere Lanes is transferring ownership to frum local owners and is now closed Friday nights and Saturday day. The bowling alley is in the process of making their menu fully kosher, which will be under the Vaad of the Five Towns! This is HUGE news for our community. A full-service, Shabbos-observant, kosher bowling alley in the Five Towns is something many families have been dreaming about for years. More details on the kosher certification timeline and new ownership coming soon. Read more here 5townscentral

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

Why did the bowling ball go to shul?

Because it heard the lanes were going kosher! 🎳

Question:
Woodmere Lanes is transitioning to kosher under the Vaad of the Five Towns. What does the Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns & Far Rockaway actually oversee, and roughly how many establishments are currently under its supervision?

Answer:
The Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns & Far Rockaway is one of the most respected kosher certifying agencies in the United States, overseeing the kashrut of restaurants, caterers, bakeries, delis, grocery stores, and food manufacturers across the Five Towns and Far Rockaway communities. It currently certifies over 85 food establishments in the area — making the Five Towns one of the most densely kosher-certified communities in the country. Their list is available at vaadhakashrus.org.

A vehicle was stolen and driven recklessly through Hewlett on Sunday, July 26. The vehicle was last spotted around 12:30 PM near the intersection of Mill Road and Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett. The driver appeared to be wearing a mask. If you have any dashcam, Ring, or surveillance footage from Sunday afternoon July 26 in Hewlett — especially near Mill Road and Peninsula Blvd — contact RNSP at (516) 858-7300 or Nassau County Police immediately. Source: 5townscentral.com 5townscentral

Two Nassau County 4th Precinct officers were injured Sunday morning after a Brooklyn man became violent and combative during a DWI stop at Nassau Expressway and Rock Hall Road in Lawrence. Both officers received treatment and are expected to recover. The suspect was arraigned today at First District Court in Hempstead. Source: 5townscentral.com

Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are forecast for Nassau County beginning Tuesday. Stay off the roads during the storm. Do not attempt to drive through flooded underpasses or streets. Monitor hempsteadny.gov and 1010 WINS for updates. Source: 5townscentral.com

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