Wantagh-Seaford Year In Review: Stories That Touched A Nerve

WANTAGH, NY — Take a glance back at 2019, and a few events really stand out. Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Republican President Donald Trump. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams for yet another Super Bowl win. New York cracked down on the vaping industry. Numerous big chains shuttered their stores.

But there are some stories — smaller incidents and events — that might've got lost in the shuffle of daily life. We looked back through all the thousands of stories published by Patch in 2019 to find the most-discussed incidents that happened in the Wantagh and Seaford area.

From the ousting of an elementary school teacher to a washed up humpback whale carcass, here are the 2019 stories that seemed to really touch a nerve.

Beloved Wantagh Elementary Teacher Removed; Parents Outraged

One mom started a petition, wrote letters to the superintendent and launched a crowdfunding campaign in support of the teacher.

Humpback Whale Found Dead Off Nassau Shore

Animal conservationists brought a humpback whale carcass to shore after it was spotted less than two miles off shore near Jones Beach.

U.S. Rep. Pete King Weighs In On NYPD's Firing Of Daniel Pantaleo

Five years after the chokehold death of Eric Garner, the NYPD announced that Officer Daniel Pantaleo was fired.

115-Year-Old Wantagh Church Gets Historic Status; No Demolition

The church, built in 1904, appeared to be the second oldest surviving African American religious structure in Nassau County.

Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged Little Pill' Tour To Stop In Wantagh

The seven-time Grammy Award winner plans to play at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater next year.

Revamped Website Helps Loved Ones Remember Wantagh HS Alum

Decades of students and faculty members who have died over the years can be remembered on the new Wantagh High School Memorial website.

Shot Down In Germany, WWII Co-Pilot's Remains Returned To LI

John McTigue, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces, was co-piloting a plane that was shot down near Merseburg, Germany.

Wantagh LIRR Graffiti Just The Latest Headache For MTA, Residents

The MTA in September painted over graffiti on LIRR overpasses. Neighbors said it was just the latest in a slew of problems involving the LIRR.

Hate Crime Counts For Wantagh Man Accused Of Terrorizing Neighbor

An enraged Joseph Magistro threw barbells through his neighbors' windows then threatened them with a shotgun, police said.

Eddie Money, A Long Island Native, Dies At 70

Eddie Money, a pop star known best for "Take Me Home Tonight" and "Two Tickets To Paradise," died in September. He was 70.

'Surreal': News 12's Carol Silva Signs Off For Last Time (VIDEO)

Carol Silva, an award-winning journalist and Long Island native who spent 33 years at News 12, signed off for the last time in December. In her final appearance, a tearful Silva said it was time to embark on her next chapter.

Nassau High-Schooler Dies In Crash While Vacationing In Iceland

A Long Island student died and four of his family members were hurt in a car crash as they vacationed in Iceland. The family were passengers in a vehicle that went off the road and rolled multiple times before landing on its side on the western side of the island.

Nassau Man Opens Home On Thanksgiving So Others Aren't Alone

A Long Island man who knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays opened up his home on Thanksgiving to make sure others don't have to.