Bellmore
HERALD Curran: new fines for price gougers
Salons shut down as virus looms
NCPD preps first responders
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Vol. 23 No. 13
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MARCH 26 - APRIl 1, 2020
Calhoun staffer has COVID-19 Testing, athletics canceled because of virus’s spread been reported in the Valley Stream Central High School District and at Lincoln Orens Just as the cancellations of Middle School in the Island virtually every school activity Park School District, and there stopped pouring in, Bellmorewere two cases in the Long Merrick students and faculty Beach School District. received a piece of stinging “Please take care of your news Monday health and your night: A Sanford family,” DeTomH. Calhoun High maso wrote. School staff mem“These are chalber had tested poslenging times, but itive for the corowe will get navirus. through them The case, which together.” was self-reported On March 17, by the unidentified G o v. A n d r e w staff member, was Cuomo ordered announced by Cenall schools to tral High School close until April District Superin1, and the canceltendent John lation of other DeTommaso in a school-related NANCy KAPlAN letter to parents. activities soon folThe staffer first Trustee, Bellmorel owe d . Re g u l a r r e p o r t e d s y m p - Merrick Central High c o u r s e w o rk i s toms on March 19 School District Board still being given and is already to Bellmore-Merr e c o ve r i n g , a c - of Education rick students cording to the letthrough Infinite ter. Campus, an D e To m m a s o n o t e d t h at online student management more COVID-19 cases are likely system. to emerge in the district, as the The indefinite postponenumber of cases increases ment of all athletic activities daily in Nassau County. One case of the virus had already Continued on page 3
By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Leslie Cerverizzo
Students, teachers find rainbow connection Students and parents from the Bellmore School District greeted more than 70 teachers who drove through the neighborhood on March 22 to say hi to the families they missed. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Coming together amid a crisis
Bellmore-Merrick residents lend a helping hand By AlySSA SEIDMAN aseidman@liherald.com
A woman recently stopped by Avli in North Bellmore for a hot meal. She had seen the eatery’s online advertisement offering free meals for pickup from 3 to 5 p.m., and despite the fact that she was a few hours early, the owner, Gianni Torto, served her. “My main concer n with everything going on is that it’s
not just us that’s feeling it — i t ’ s e v e r y b o d y, ” T o r t o explained, “so we’re waiving what we can to be proactive. We’re just looking to help out.” Since March 18, Avli has doled out free g rab-and-go meals at its North Bellmore location, and worked with residents to arrange deliveries to those unable to leave their homes. “Although we would like to think our community will fare well during a crisis
like this,” the advertisement read, “we want to offer this to anyone who needs a meal or just a reason to smile.” The to-go containers include souvlaki chicken, lemon potatoes and Greek salad. But Avli has gone beyond feeding the hungry. Torto said he has “opened up the lines” with his vendors to help supply people with other essentials, such as toilet paper, during the Continued on page 4
t is up to you to be responsible and help us move through this crisis as quickly as possible.