Machete Attacker Strikes Plea Deal + Rescued Puppies From Store

Rise and shine Five Towns!

In today's Daily, read about a plea deal the 2017 Massapequa Preserve machete attacker struck and his prison sentence. The owner of a Baldwin pet store that sold sick puppies will appear in court today. If you were wondering what last night's Jones Beach fireworks were celebrating, here's a hint: 70 percent vaccination rate.

First, today's weather will be clear throughout the day, with a high of 76 and a low of 61 degrees.

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Today's top news from the Five Towns:

1. Bridget Murphy reports on a plea bargain struck by a MS-13 gang member who killed Valley Stream's Julio Cesar Gonzalez-Espantzay, 19, with a machete in Massapequa Preserve in 2017. The Hempstead man, Antonio Cullal, 26, pleaded guilty to murder and received a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. (Newsday)

2. Ten sick puppies that were rescued from Baldwin pet store Puppies 4 U in March have been rehomed, but one puppy didn't make it after weeks of care. The pet store owner, Pecardy DeLeon, is scheduled to appear in court today. (News 12 Long Island)

3. To celebrate New York State hitting a 70 percent vaccination rate, leading to most COVID-19 restrictions to end, Jones Beach set off fireworks last night. (Newsday)

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Events in the Five Towns:

• A neighbor is looking for help this morning to deliver food packages to local Holocaust survivors, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., meet at 135 Beach 19th St., Far Rockaway. (Facebook)

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Five Towns Notebook:

• The Hewlett High School Senior Breakfast is tomorrow, 7 to 9:30 a.m., at Lawrence Woodmere Academy. (Facebook)
• If you missed Ogden Elementary School's graduation ceremony, you can watch it here.

That's today's five minute must-know Five Towns recap. Check back to keep updated and informed. If you know of something that should be included in the Five Towns Daily, drop us a note at fivetowns@patch.com!

-Jackie

About me: I am a lifelong Long Islander who has covered local news for over a decade. I'm a busy working mom who loves to share nearby news to inform, educate, inspire or just make your daily life a bit easier.