_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD
Also serving Roosevelt
Students join honor society
Griffin sponsors new legislation
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Vol. 91 No. 1
JANUARY 1 - 7, 2026
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New patrol boat added to police arsenal By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Alessandra Laucella/Herald
Admiring the Village of Freeport Police Department’s newest patrol boat are Chief of Police Michael Smith, left; Assistant Chief Donnie Ethier; Deputy Chief Joseph China; and Mayor Robert Kennedy. The 23-footlong, custom-outfitted boat was made possible courtesy of $250,000 in grants from former State Sen. Kevin Thomas.
The Village of Freeport Police Department has significantly upgraded its marine capabilities ahead of the upcoming boating season after receiving a new patrol boat, thanks to $250,000 in state grants. The 23-foot “Life-Proof ” center console vessel replaces the department’s existing 18-foot patrol boat, which has been in service since 2001. Acquired through a grant secured by former State Sen. Kevin Thomas, the new boat was designed specifically to meet the operational needs of the village’s Police Department. The department’s Harbor Unit regularly responds to vessels in distress, boats that have run aground or are taking on water, as well as boating and jet-ski accidents, and no-wake zone enforcement throughout Freeport’s waterways. “Our patrol officers are ready to assist in whatever ConTinuED on PAgE 10
Woodward students help light up village for holidays By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Mayor Robert Kennedy recognized the contributions of students from Woodward Children’s Center at a ceremony on Dec. 17, honoring them with citations for helping bring holiday cheer to Freeport by repairing and setting up Christmas lights throughout the village. As part of Woodward’s vocational program, students Robert Albano, Orlando Brown and James Eick spent several weeks last fall restoring the iconic decorations that illuminated Main Street and surrounding areas during the holiday sea-
son. The effort ensured that the village’s festive displays were ready in time for residents and visitors to enjoy. T h e Wo o dw a r d C e n t e r, founded 65 years ago, serves students from kindergarten through age 21 with special needs, including children with emotional challenges and those on the autism spectrum. The center emphasizes hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for life beyond the classroom. According to Ken Dookram, president of the Chamber of Commerce, the students worked alongside their advisers and chamber members.
I
t was a great learning experience.
GReG INGINo Woodward executive director “Some of the kids at the school and some of their advisers, with some members of the Chamber of Commerce, we maintain the light fixtures,” Dookram said. “If you drive around town, if you see the lights, the snowflakes and the Christmas wreaths that are up on light poles, that’s what they are.”
He added, “The children from Woodward did a great job helping us maintain those fixtures.” The partnership, Dookram said, benefits both the community and the students. “It’s a win-win, where the chamber and the kids at that school, we work together in collaboration to beautify the village in prepa-
ration for the holidays,” he said. “And also for the kids, they get a great experience. We go to the mayor’s office and he thanks them personally as well.” The collaboration be gan when the chamber faced challenges in continuing the longstanding tradition of maintainConTinuED on PAgE 5