West Hempstead Echo

02/01/2025

🎉 As we ring in the New Year, we reflect on a week of mixed emotions.

💔 Tragic news out of New Orleans hits close to home, as one of the victims of this week's terror attack has local roots in Mineola and Huntington.

🚔 Meanwhile, Bruce Blakeman’s new special deputy squad was sworn in, leaving many residents wondering about its purpose and necessity.

🎄 The holiday season brought excitement to Halls Pond, and the Civic Association is gearing up with plans for improvements at the park.

📅 This week, we share some New Year’s predictions, highlight upcoming events, and take a moment to remember Charles Dolan, the visionary founder of Cablevision, who passed away at the age of 98.

Catch all this and more on .

🌟 Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous start to 2025!

New Year's starts off with bad news out of New Orleans, as one of the victims of this week's terror attack has local roots in Mineola and Huntington. In the ...

31/12/2024

The street paving schedule may be very uneven around here, but at least the town of Hempstead is busy filling in the gaps after recent bad weather left some gaping potholes.

29/12/2024

Chabad of West Hempstead lit up UBS Arena with Chanukah joy prior to last night's Islanders game. Rabbi Yossi Lieberman's fourth-night menorah lighting was broadcast into the arena, and free menorahs were distributed to fans, perhaps contributing some good luck to the home team to beat the Penguins 6-3.
Happy Chanukah to all those observing. Tonight is night 5.

24/12/2024

This Week In West Hempstead: Week of December 24th
🎄✨ We’re rolling into the holidays in style! Catch us on Christmas Eve at Riesterer’s Bakery, where stollen and cakes were flying off the shelves faster than Santa’s sleigh. 🍰❄️

With the cold weather hitting town hard, local plumbers are busy tackling frozen pipes. Make sure you know where your house water shutoff is, and take steps to avoid any icy disasters! 🧊🚰

📢 Community updates:
🎅 The West Hempstead Fire Department's Santa ride is happening today!
🕎 The Chanukah ride and menorah lighting are set for the 29th.

Wishing all our viewers a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a healthy, joyful holiday season. ❤️✨

Stay tuned for all this and more on ! 🌟
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/LSKYqwon-wk?si=6dMgROrY81JuERok

We roll into the holidays with a location shoot at Riesterer's on Christmas Eve, where the stollen and cakes were flying off the shelves. The cold weather is...

18/12/2024

🚒 Major Fire in Lakeview. A big thank you to the Lakeview Fire Department and supporting fire companies for their quick action during a recent major fire in Lakeview. 🎓 UPK Update: The UPK rollout is coming into focus after reviewing the recent school board meeting video. 🎅🕎Holiday Cheer: Get ready for the holidays! The Lakeview and West Hempstead Fire Departments are gearing up for their Santa rides. All this and more on 🎄✨

Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/ss9xxr2kzJg?si=EgYuq2x1WCN3Hx8b

Not many drones here, but there was a major fire in Lakeview that brought out the Lakeview FD and many supporting fire companies. Fortunately the residents a...

12/12/2024

A car slamed into a storefront on Hempstead Ave in a multi-car accident. Emergency vehicles are on the scene. Expect delays or road closures by Hempstead Avenue and Roosevelt Blvd. We will update the post as more information becomes available.
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com

11/12/2024

UPK Saga Heats Up
Last night's school board meeting was a contentious one as the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) debate continues to grow. Details are still unfolding, so stay tuned for updates.

💧 In other news, concerns are rising about Long Island’s water table, with reports of chemicals leaching into the groundwater. This issue could have serious implications for the community’s water supply.
🎄 Holiday Cheer in West Hempstead!
Amidst the challenges, holiday spirit is shining bright:
🎶 Middle school students performed beautiful music for local seniors.
🎉 The Chamber of Commerce held a festive holiday party at Allegro.
🚗 The library took families on a fun-filled holiday road trip.
🌟 Residents turned out in droves for the WH Community Support Association’s holiday party and tree lighting at Halls Pond Park—it was a magical evening for all!
Catch all this and more on !

The UPK saga continues to grow as we hear reports of a contentious meeting of the school board last night. More details to follow. There's also some concerni...

11/12/2024

Echo sat down with Elan Kornblum, founder of the Great Kosher Restaurants group and proud new resident of West Hempstead! Elan shared the incredible journey of building this phenomenal resource for kosher consumers—a platform that has grown into an international community connecting restaurants and kosher foodies worldwide. 🌎🍴

We discussed:
🍽️ The growth of the kosher marketplace
📈 Insights into the restaurant industry
🍴 The kosher food scene in West Hempstead and beyond..and so much more!

Check out the Great Kosher Restaurants website here:
👉 https://www.greatkosherrestaurants.com/

And don’t miss the GKR Foodies Facebook group:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VCfec1YPE/


https://youtu.be/tL1w6mKwY1s?si=0Z9JllajN8loeQ3b

Echo sat down with Elan Kornblum, founder of the Great Kosher Restaurants group and recent transplant to West Hempstead. Elan takes us through the founding a...

04/12/2024

🎄 Holiday Fun at Halls Pond! 🎄
Join us this Sunday, December 8th, at 3 PM as the West Hempstead Community Support and Civic Association kicks off the holiday season with 'Holiday at Halls Pond"!
We caught up with association president Maureen Mahoney at Halls Pond, where she gave us an exciting preview of the festivities: 🎨 Crafts 🎶 Entertainment 🍪 Food (including kosher hot chocolate and cookies!) & Tree and Menorah lighting at 4:30 PM
Plus, Maureen shares her vision for 2025, her thoughts on the community, and how YOU can get involved in this vital organization. Don’t miss out—come down to Halls Pond this Sunday and celebrate with neighbors and friends!

Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/vabCUqepLoI?si=FCs2LyyaXLKtt2gN

West Hempstead Community Support and Civic Association president Maureen Mahoney joins us at Halls Pond to preview the upcoming holiday event. Sunday, Decemb...

04/12/2024

🚨 This Week in West Hempstead 🚨
A Garden City South senior was nearly scammed by a Queens man who tried to convince her to buy and hand over a $98,000 gold bar.
🏫 While there’s no update yet on the UPK seat issue, it will be discussed at the December 10th School Board meeting.
🎵 Exciting news in education! The secondary school’s marching band will represent us in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC this spring!
🧘 Tai Chi classes are coming to Echo Park in January, offering a relaxing way to kick off the new year.
🍕 A local debate sparked on social media over the cost of a slice of pizza—opinions are flying!
🎄 With holiday events in full swing, there’s plenty to keep the season festive.
Stay tuned for all this and more on !
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com

A Garden City South senior citizen was nearly the victim of a scam by a Queens man who tried to convince her to purchase and hand over a $98,000 gold bar. Th...

04/12/2024

🚨 Messy Commuter Alert 🚨

Early his morning an oversized camper collided with an overpass on the CIP southbound near the Belt Parkway, causing extensive delays on the CIP, SSP, and The Belt. 🛑 Expect slowdowns through 9am and plan alternate routes if you’re heading that way!
And tonight, delays are expected heading into the city for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 🎄. If you’re attending, mass transit is your best bet!
Stay safe out there, West Hempstead! 🚗

27/11/2024

This Week In West Hempstead: Week Of November 27th
We’ve gotten some more information on the UPK seat issue as we spoke to School Superintendent Dan Rehman. A local restaurant hit the news recently as there are allegations the owner underpaid his workers over a seven month period. In other news, local boy scout troop 613 is close to adding a new Eagle scout, chickens overtake West Hempstead and social media, and the stores are hopping as we get close to Thanksgiving.

We've gotten a little more information on the UPK seat issue as we spoke to School Superintendent Dan Rehman to get some more details. A number of potential ...

21/11/2024

Controversy stirs in education as a proposal to release UPK seats to private schools was voted down. Meanwhile, excitement builds with the upcoming start of the High School basketball season. On a somber note, another pedestrian tragedy occurred on Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale this morning.
In other news, the region finally saw some rain, offering slight relief from drought conditions. And, Heatherwood received disappointing updates about a planned development in the Five Towns. Wrapping up the week, the Historical Society met this week at Riesterer’s sharing valuable insights into the community’s past.
Catch all these updates and more on
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/HbW-eryzG9Y?si=rb-17iDGjQx67FsA

Some controversy may be brewing on the education front as a proposal to release some UPK seats to private schools was voted down. Plenty of other things goin...

14/11/2024

This Week In West Hempstead: Week Of November 13th: The dry weather conditions continue across the region as brush fires are popping up in New York City, Suffolk county and elsewhere. No relief appears to be in sight. A concerning incident took place in Rockville Center as a police officer allegedly accosted a telephone worker and caused damage to his vehicle and used racial slurs. There was also a small explosion at the library during winterizing for the fountain. Lots going on at the schools, Riesterer’s is gearing up for Thanksgiving, and we say goodbye to Memphis, the show’s most excellent dog. All this and more on
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/jh5AIyIzHpk?si=Og9Glhl72i9KNWX_

The dry weather conditions continue across the region as brush fires are popping up in New York City, Suffolk county and elsewhere. No relief appears to be i...

12/11/2024

🔥 Critical Fire Warning Issued for Long Island and NYC 🔥
Dry and windy conditions continue, and the National Weather Service has issued a fire weather warning for parts of New York, including Long Island, NYC, and the lower Hudson Valley.
The warning is in effect through. to 6 p.m. Saturday November 14th. Be cautious and avoid activities that could spark a fire. Stay safe, and let’s all do our part to prevent fires in these dry conditions!

Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com

07/11/2024

Story Update: According to a report from PIX 11 News, a large stash of drugs and cash was discovered in the home of New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia, 27, amid an ongoing investigation into his claim of being shot during a traffic stop on the Southern State Parkway.
Trooper Mascia has been suspended without pay following the discovery, as well as “inconsistencies” in his story, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office. Investigators are continuing to look into the details surrounding the incident.
Stay tuned as more information unfolds.
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com

06/11/2024

In a major national victory, the Republican Party has regained control of both the White House and the Senate, with Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office. The fight for control of the House remains up in the air as votes continue to be counted.
Here at home in New York’s 4th Congressional District, Democrat Laura Gillen has declared victory over Republican incumbent Congressman Anthony D’Esposito in a nail-biting race. Gillen’s grassroots efforts paid off, securing a win in one of the most closely watched contests in the region.

For complete election results go to: www.westhempsteadecho.com

06/11/2024

This Week In West Hempstead: Election Day is here, and all eyes are on the heated race in New York’s 4th Congressional District between Anthony D’Esposito and Laura Gillen. Over in the 19th Assembly District, Ed Ra is running for re-election, though the race has flown under the radar for many.
Meanwhile, the story of State Trooper Thomas Mascia has taken a twist. After reports of being shot during a traffic stop, Mascia has now been suspended without pay as the investigation into the incident continues.
This week’s police blotter also saw some action—a Brooklyn man was arrested in West Hempstead for allegedly resisting arrest and assaulting an officer while trying to access a frozen account at a local bank. In community news, dry weather led to a brush fire at Hempstead Lake State Park, while the Town of Hempstead’s tree planting initiative—$500 per tree—got us talking! And, of course, the annual ragamuffin parade brought out fun costumes and smiles, keeping this century-old tradition alive in West Hempstead.
Catch all these stories and more on ! 🗳️🍂
Visit us at: www.westhempsteadecho.com
https://youtu.be/ZxYTGavKNHs?si=y2GqjFtdn0W1s1Cs

Election day has arrived and we spend some time looking at the local political picture including the hotly contested race between D'Esposito and Gillen for t...