Freeport
CoMMuNItY uPDAtE Infections as of Dec. 14
2,699
Infections as of Dec. 7 2,512
HERALD Leader
lighting up for the holidays
Police academy class sworn in
Covid-19 vaccine comes to Nassau
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$1.00
DECEMBER 17- 23, 2020
Vol. 85 No. 51
Covid-19 count keeps rising State, village officials worried about possible second shutdown and trying to change. We’re simultaneously increasing hospital capacity and, frankly, As of Monday, Nassau County changing how hospitals operate. had more than 72,00 positive At the same time, we have to cases of Covid-19, and the Vil- slow the spread by doing what lage of Freeport had nearly we know works — social distanc2,700, according to the state and ing, wearing masks and avoiding county departgatherings.” ments of health. Local officials G ov. A n d r e w agreed that a secCuomo war ned ond shutdown that a second statemust be avoided, as w i d e s h u t d ow n it would decimate was possible if the area’s economy Covid-19 positivity and bring back the rates continued to hardships that rise. On Wednesbusinesses faced day, New York had during the spring. a 5.66 percent posiFreeport Mayor tivity rate, with Robert Kennedy Long Island’s rate said that the vilhovering at 5.7 perlage Police Departcent as a seven-day ment has remained ANDREw CuoMo v i g i l a n t a b o u t average. At a news con- Governor enforcing masks ference on Monday, and social distancCuomo said that if ing through the the positivity rate did not drop holiday season, as Freeport conby January, hospitals across the tinues to be the third-hardest-hit state would be overwhelmed, and community in the county. the death toll from Covid-19 During the initial shutdown would spike again. in March, the village had to fur“At this rate, if nothing hap- lough about 60 percent of its pens, we could have 11,000 people employees, and throughout the in the hospitals and 3,500 spring, it responded to at least deceased,” Cuomo said. “That’s the trajectory we’re looking at Continued on page 4
By RoNNY REYES rreyes@liherald.com
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Christina Daly/Herald
A night out with the missus Santa and Mrs. Claus took a Robalo boat out for a spin as they joined the annual Freeport Holiday Boat Parade on the Nautical Mile last Saturday. Story, Page 3.
County wraps up 2020 roadwork
Merrick Road repairs mark end of resurfacing season By RoNNY REYES rreyes@liherald.com
As Nassau County Department of Public Works employees repaved the section of Merrick Road in front of the Freeport Memorial Library on Dec. 10, County Executive Laura Curran stood nearby to announce that the job marked the completion of the county’s 2020 road resurfacing season. Despite the fiscal constraints
caused by the pandemic, Curran said, the county surpassed its goal of repairing 150 miles of road by the end of 2020, completing 172 miles, the second-highest number in a decade. “The pandemic has not put the brakes on our progress or commitment to restoring the county’s pothole-ridden roads,” Curran said. “ Investments in our infrastructure are investments in our economic recovery, and I am determined not to slide
back to where we used to be and jeopardize the immense progress we’ve made to get our roads in top-notch condition.” County Legislator Debra Mulé, of Freeport, added, “By prioritizing an aggressive roadrepaving prog ram, Nassau County is underscoring its commitment to projects that support economic growth, promote public safety and improve quality of life for residents.” Continued on page 11
t this rate, if nothing happens, we could have 11,000 people in the hospitals and 3,500 deceased.