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Community Corner

🌱 Mineola Bank Robber Arrested + Missing Elderly Man Found

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Mineola.

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Joanne Gallo, Neighbor
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(Patch.com)

Happy Thursday, people of Mineola! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Variable clouds; breezy, mild. High: 56, low: 55.

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Here are the top stories in Mineola today:

  1. A man who robbed a Citibank in Mineola on Feb. 12 and the People's United Bank in Garden City on Feb. 14 has been caught. On Tuesday, police arrested Loreto Ferri, 49 of Hempstead, who they said also robbed a Roslyn Savings Bank in Merrick on Feb. 9. In all three cases, Ferri reportedly gave the teller a note demanding money, then ran off with cash. He is charged with first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree robbery. (Garden City Patch)
  2. Nassau County police have found an elderly man who was reported missing in North Hills on Monday at 9:45 p.m. Radames Santoni, 89, had last been seen driving a white 2007 Mercury Marquis on Searingtown Road four hours earlier. (News12 Westchester)
  3. A group of special needs students who graduated from Carle Place High School last June and were unemployed have started a cupcake business, "Special Sweets" inside the Westbury home of their former teacher, Patty Castrogiovanni. She and retired teacher Barbara Giglio asked for state approval and were able to start the nonprofit enterprise. Orders have been flowing in thanks to social media, and the students hope to one day open a "Special Sweets" cupcake cafe. (CBS New York)

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Today in Mineola:

  • HS BOTC Hallway Decorations — Mineola Public Schools. (2:30 p.m.)
  • Movie Series: "Jungle Cruise" (In Person) — Mineola Memorial Library. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Mineola Truck CO.2 - The Workhorse Company: "Earlier this morning, our department was alerted for a mutual aid to the Rockville Centre Fire Department for a ladder to a working building fire. Units on scene had an overturned 12,000-gallon oil tanker on fire which extended to the building. TL168 responded in and was put to work for the master stream operations." (Facebook)
  • Chaminade High School - Mineola: "Nearly 200 freshmen came together last night for an evening of recollection in the AAC hosted by Campus Ministry. Students participated in dodgeball tournaments, trivia games, dinner, and a holy hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and live music." (Facebook)
  • Island Harvest: "#IslandHarvest received $37,500 as a result of the Bank of America employee booster campaign raising a total of $10.6M nationwide — $75K on Long Island — to hunger relief. Bank of America pledged to donate $100 to help fight hunger for each U.S. employee who confirmed with them before the end of January that they received their booster shot. Pictured with Island Harvest CEO & president Randi Shubin Dresner is Marc Perez, president of Bank of America, Long Island." (Facebook)
  • Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence: "Start 2 Stop is an evidence-supported curriculum for adolescents looking to slow, stop, reduce, or reconsider their use of substances. Call today to connect with a LICADD clinician. 516-747-2606 or 631-979-1700 #LICADD #start2stop #adolescents #substanceuse #support #healthydecisions #healthylife" (Facebook)
  • Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW: "Have you ordered your free COVID-19 tests yet? Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a kit of four at-home COVID-19 tests, free of cost! There's a limit of 1 per household. You can fill out the order form here:" (Facebook)


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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Joanne Gallo

About me: Joanne Gallo is a lifelong resident of Long Island and a writer/editor for 30+ years. After earning a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Writing from NYU, Joanne was an on-staff editor for consumer publications, including Features Editor for Soap Opera Weekly, Senior Editor for Energy Times and Executive Editor for The Johns Hopkins White Papers. Raised in the nearby town of Roslyn, Joanne is happy to call Mineola her home for the past 7 years. She loves arts & entertainment, dining, gardening and all the natural beauty that Long Island has to offer.

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