________________ OYSTER BAY _______________
HERALD What did Santo say in court?
Frolicking in the snow
What’s up with the debates?
Page 4
Page 6
Page 11
VOL. 126 NO. 5
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1, 2024
$1.00
Remembering John Niven Died on Sept. 11, 2001, but was never found By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com
Courtesy Ellen Niven
John Niven, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, adored his toddler son, John Jr. He enjoyed involving him in every part of his life, even washing his car on weekends in Oyster Bay.
Tim Lee was driving when he heard that the remains of his best friend, John Niven, had been identified. A senior vice president at the consulting firm Aon, Niven, 44, had perished on Sept. 11, 2001, in the south tower of the World Trade Center. “I pulled over, had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes,” Lee recounted, his voice wavering. “I kept seeing 911 a lot lately, in my bank statement, in my truck. When I see 911, I always take a moment in my day to think of John. He was a very, very dear friend. Such a special, caring, nice person.” Niven’s remains, like those of over 1,103 other victims — 40 percent of the people who died in New York City that day, according to the chief medical examiner’s office — were never found. Until last month. “They sent two police officers to my door just before Christmas to give me the news,” his widow, Ellen, said. “My heart sank. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Raccoon distemper at all-time high on Long Island By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The raccoon distemper crisis on Long Island has reached alarming levels, prompting a closer examination of the disease’s impact on wildlife and the challenges faced by residents. Insights from wildlife and rescue experts paint a comprehensive picture of the severity of the situation and the urgent need for collective action. John Di Leonardo, executive director of the nonprofit animal rescue organization Humane Long Island, outlined the degenerative nature of rac-
coon distemper. He emphasized the progression of the disease from respiratory symptoms to severe neurological issues, leading affected raccoons to a state of docility and, in the worst cases, a near-vegetative condition. Di Leonardo stressed that once the disease reaches certain stages, treatment becomes ch a l l e n g i n g , a n d h u m a n e euthanasia becomes necessary. “They’ll start doing stereotypical repeated behaviors, like walking in circles or falling over or just not moving at all,” Di Leonardo continued. “Typically when it gets to the stages I’ve described, it’s not even
really treatable anymore.” Di Leonardo addressed the misconception that distemper in raccoons is related to cats. He clarified that distemper is highly contagious among raccoons and does not originate from feline sources. He assured dog owners that distemper is easily preventable through vaccinations. Residents should avoid inhumane practices by not calling trappers or exterminators, he said. Instead, they should contact local wildlife rehabilitators if a raccoon is suspected of having distemper. Leslie Hyder, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator based in East
Meadow, said the disease has been spreading for approximately seven years, becoming a pervasive issue not only in New York but nationwide, and that she “could get in anywhere from one to seven a day that are sick.” “I would say for a good seven years, I’ve seen one to seven cases every day all day,” Hyder
continued. “It’s not just New York either, it’s really everywhere.” She explained that the disease can spread to dogs through direct and indirect contact with infected raccoons, such as from raccoon feces. She added that owners must be especially careful if they’re taking their dogs CONTINUED ON PAGE 2