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When Nassau County dominates another "best places to live" list while Jericho Turnpike gets shut down by a tanker spill, pop stars are driving drunk, and police are delivering babies, you realize even paradise has its potholes.

Editors Note - Today's Double Send

Hi readers. You might notice that this is the second, corrected version of today's newsletter. The first one sent prematurely after some of my 'failsafe' systems kicked on at the wrong time and the newsletter got sent while I was still editing it. My backend is now fixed and for those who care, I'll be writing up a little more of how this one-man operation works behind the scenes and why it keeps causing these delays during our startup period. For those who just want the news and don't care about how things work, lets get on with it:

Kensington Just Won the Entire State of New York

Nassau County basically swept the competition in Niche's 2026 Best Places to Live rankings, with Kensington taking the top spot in all of New York State. Seven Nassau communities cracked the state's top 10, and 11 made it into the top 25, according to Greater Long Island.

This isn't just bragging rights — it's validation of what every Nassau resident already knew while writing their property tax check last month. The county's combination of top-rated schools, proximity to the city, and established neighborhoods continues to draw families willing to pay premium prices for premium everything.

Of course, being "the best place to live" comes with a price tag that reflects it. Nassau County's median home price was approximately $487,900-$658,700 according to recent data, and property taxes that can range from around $8,711 to over $11,000 annually for median-priced homes that would make a Manhattanite wince. But when your kid's school district consistently ranks in the state's top tier and your commute to Penn Station is under an hour, apparently that math works for a lot of people.

That Justin Timberlake Body Cam Video Is Finally Here

Nearly two years after Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest in Sag Harbor made headlines, the body camera footage has been released — and it's about what you'd expect from a celebrity traffic stop in the Hamptons.

The video shows Timberlake going through roadside sobriety tests during his late-night encounter with police, complete with the pop star telling officers "my heart's racing." There's also footage of a friend making what the Greater Long Island describes as a "memorable plea" on Timberlake's behalf.

The arrest happened in June 2024 when Timberlake was pulled over after leaving a Sag Harbor restaurant. He eventually pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and paid a fine. For those keeping track of Hamptons celebrity run-ins with local law enforcement, this one ranks somewhere between "awkward" and "could have been worse."

When Labor Can't Wait: Baby Born at Westbury Home

A Westbury woman gave birth at her residence early Monday morning with assistance from Nassau County police officers and medics when her baby couldn't wait for the hospital. Authorities received a call about the 35-year-old woman in labor around 2:30 a.m.

Upon arrival at the residence, they assisted as she delivered a healthy baby girl. Medics cut the umbilical cord and provided additional medical care to the mother before they were both taken to a hospital via ambulance.

The early morning arrival became a memorable moment for the first responders who helped bring new life into the world. While most of Nassau County was sleeping, this little girl decided it was her time to make an entrance.

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Someone's Selling a Literal Castle in Patchogue for $659K

A 132-year-old Queen Anne Victorian just hit the market in Patchogue Village, complete with a turret, wraparound porch, stained glass windows, and — because why not — a chicken coop. The asking price? $659,000, according to Greater Long Island.

Built in 1894, this isn't your typical Suffolk County colonial. We're talking about architectural details they literally don't make anymore: hand-crafted woodwork, original stained glass, and that fairy-tale turret that probably has the best views in the village. The chicken coop is just a bonus for anyone serious about farm-to-table eggs.

For context, the median home price in Suffolk is around $675,000 currently, so you're getting 132 years of character for slightly below the county median. In a market full of cookie-cutter builds, finding something with this much personality — and a functioning chicken coop — is pretty rare.

That Woodbury Road Mess Is Finally Clear

Woodbury Road reopened after an overturned vehicle with fuel spill caused closures between Piquets Lane and Jericho Turnpike, according to recent reports. The closure had traffic backing up for hours on local roads connecting to one of Long Island's busiest east-west routes.

If you take these roads to get anywhere — and let's be honest, who doesn't — you probably felt this one. The vehicle incident happened right in the heart of Nassau County's retail corridor, where traffic already moves like molasses on a good day. Add a fuel spill cleanup to the mix, and you've got the kind of traffic nightmare that makes people seriously consider working from home permanently.

For context: Jericho Turnpike carries heavy daily traffic through this stretch, making it one of the most congested non-highway roads in Nassau County. When connecting roads shut down, the backup doesn't just stay local — it ripples through every side street from Syosset to Plainview as drivers try to find alternate routes that don't really exist.

⚡ Quick Hits

• Philon scores 29 points, Alabama wipes out early deficit to oust Hofstra 90-70 in Midwest Region - The Washington Post. Alabama eliminated Hofstra 90-70 in March Madness, ending the Pride's first tournament run in 25 years. Still, making the dance beats watching it from your couch in Hempstead.
• FIRST robotics competition draws dozens of teams to Hofstra - Newsday. 48 robotics teams competed at Hofstra's FIRST competition last week. These high schoolers are building robots while most of us can barely program our coffee makers.
• Massapequa's Jesse Findling makes 'American Idol' top 30 - MSN. Massapequa's Jesse Findling made American Idol's top 20. One step closer to being the most famous person from Nassau County since Billy Joel.

Elmont Man Arrested for Disrupting Religious Services in Great Neck

Bilal Kayani, a 34-year-old Elmont man, has been arrested for allegedly disrupting multiple religious services in Great Neck on Saturday morning, March 21, according to News12 Long Island. Police report he was driving a black Jeep in the vicinity of numerous houses of worship on Middle Neck Road near Millbrook Court while yelling out the window.

This kind of thing hits different on the North Shore, where Great Neck's religious diversity is one of its defining features. The peninsula is home to synagogues, churches, mosques, and temples representing dozens of faiths — many within walking distance of each other. When someone deliberately disrupts that peace, it's not just about one congregation.

Kayani was charged with two counts of Disruption of a Religious Service and was scheduled to be arraigned on Sunday, March 22 at First District Court in Hempstead. But for a community that prides itself on religious tolerance, having someone intentionally cause chaos during worship services feels like an attack on something bigger than individual buildings.

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Nassau Towns Finally Do Right by Police Families

The Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay adopted new property tax exemptions on March 10, while North Hempstead is currently crafting its own program for spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty. The exemptions provide a 50 percent exemption on the town portion of property taxes for surviving families — something that should have existed decades ago but somehow didn't.

According to News12, the policy covers spouses as long as the property serves as their primary residence. It's modeled after similar programs that already exist for military families, which raises the obvious question: why did it take this long to extend the same courtesy to local police families?

For context, Nassau County property taxes are among the highest in the nation — property tax bills typically range from around $9,127 to over $19,714 annually depending on location and home value. When you're dealing with the sudden loss of a primary income and funeral costs that can run $15,000 or more, that tax bill becomes impossible fast. This exemption won't bring anyone back, but it might let a widow keep the house her kids grew up in.

⚡ Before You Go

• Long Island beach passes: A guide for residents - Newsday. Long Island beach pass guide is out for 2026 season. Time to start the annual ritual of pretending you'll actually use that expensive pass more than twice.
• $50K Powerball ticket sold in Massapequa Park - MSN. Someone in Massapequa Park won $50K on a Powerball ticket in the February 9 drawing. Not enough to afford a house there, but hey, it's a start.
• 75-cent ice cream sandwiches at Massapequa ice cream shop Friday - MSN. A Massapequa ice cream shop sold 75-cent ice cream sandwiches on Friday, March 20. Finally, inflation-proof pricing that won't break the piggy bank.

🗣️ Rumor Mill

We cannot confirm any of this.

• Are those signs between exit 49 and 50 on the lie speed cameras or just signs? There's 2 police signs at the u turn spot in the center of the highway between barriers.. Reddit user spotted mysterious police signs between LIE exits 49-50 and wonders if they're speed cameras. Could be the newest way to fund Suffolk County's budget.
• Manetto hill. Someone on Reddit hopes Uncle Giuseppe's will take over the Amazon Fresh on Manetto Hill Road in Plainview, which closed in September 2025. Because nothing says Long Island like hoping for better Italian groceries.
• What are some local mysteries, scandals, or 'open secrets' of your town?. Reddit thread reveals local mysteries including Northport's rumored underground speakeasies and a swingers neighborhood. Some secrets are better left buried.

If we got something wrong, reply and tell us. If we got it right, also reply. We like hearing from you.