Washington
Port Washington weekly vigils honor community members arrested by ICE
Bagel shop manager Fernando Mejia was arrested by federal agents just over a year ago in the Port Washington store’s parking lot. Since then, including Monday evening, members of the Port Washington community have kept a weekly vigil to honor Mejia, who they consider one of their own, and bring attention to how his abrupt arrest, and ultimate deportation, left a void in his family, at his workplace and among anyone in town who knew him.
For 52 consecutive Mondays, they have flocked to the Main Street side of the Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station as a tribute to Mejia and their other immigrant neighbors who have been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and never returned home. The weekly 7 p.m. effort, dubbed the “Port Shines a Light in a Sea of Darkness” vigil by organizers, began a few weeks after Mejia’s June 12 arrest and has continued, even after he agreed to self deport and return to family in his native El Salvador.
Vigil co-organizer Jeff Seigel, 68, told the crowd of about 75 people — many toting handwritten protest signs — that Mejia was “doing well, although well is a relative term.”
Mejia is unable come back to Port Washington to see his teenage daughter, who stood in the crowd Monday evening and who Seigel said flies to El Salvador for visits.
Fernando Mejia was arrested by federal agents on June 12, 2025 outside the Port Washington bagel shop he managed. Credit: Courtesy: Lauren Wax
“He came here when he was about 20 years old, and here in the United States is where he became a man,” Seigel, 68, said. “He worked very hard, always. And it is here in the United States where he became a father. … After five months in detention, he could no longer wait to see if the immigration court would rule in his favor.”
Mejia, the former manager of Schmear Bagel & Cafe on Main Street, one block west of where each vigil is held, was one of about 3,000 Long Islanders arrested by federal immigration agents through March 10 as part of President Donald Trump’s ramped-up deportation push since his return to power, Newsday previously reported.
Mejia had just started his car in the bagel shop’s parking lot about 6:30 a.m. on June 12 to make a delivery when federal agents converged and placed him under arrest. Over the months that followed, Mejia bounced from facility-to-facility — first in Manhattan, then in Newark, Louisiana and Miami. He does not have a criminal record, his attorney, Bryan Richard Pu-Folkes, previously told Newsday. Pu-Folkes said at the time Mejia was likely detained due to a January 2006 deportation order from the Executive Office for Immigration Review for unlawful presence in the country.
Pu-Folkes did not immediately return a phone message Monday seeking comment. Mejia could not be immediately reached for comment.
The weekly efforts help community organizers raise awareness and funds for legal fees and even food for immigrants in the community. Another goal, said Stan Lacy, also a vigil organizer, is distributing whistles throughout the community. As Lacy and other members of Port Washington’s Rapid Response Network drive around Port Washington and encounter ICE agents, they blow whistles to alert immigrants of their presence.
After a trio of arrests “a little over a month ago,” ICE’s presence has been “relatively quiet,” he said.
Fellow organizer Stacey Mellus told Newsday the weekly vigils sometimes draw immigrants thankful for the community support, but not so much “when more ICE activity is in the area, when the climate gets a little more hot.”
“I witnessed one of those abductions here, you’re never going to get over something like that,” Mellus, 50, of Port Washington, said. “I’m never going to get over seeing people separated from their families, people yelling ‘don’t take my husband.’ “
4 things to know about the weather:
- Slightly cooler Friday
- Scattered showers & maybe a storm Friday
- Best weather arrives Saturday
- Storm chances increase Sunday
We’re tracking rain chances Friday and Sunday, making Saturday the pick of the weekend.
Clouds increase across Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland on Friday. Afternoon temperatures will top out in the mid- to upper 80s with noticeable humidity.
There’s a chance for some showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Any storm may briefly produce heavy rain, lightning and localized downpours.
The best weather of the weekend arrives Saturday, with plenty of sunshine, seasonable temperatures and mainly dry conditions across the D.C. metro region. It will remain a bit humid.
On Sunday, expect a higher likelihood of showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Some storms could become strong and severe.
Weather radar
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
Friday
Partly to mostly cloudy and slightly cooler
Mostly clouds through the day
Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible during the afternoon
Any storm may bring brief heavy rain and lightning
Wind: Northeast 5 to 10 mph
High temps: 85°-88°
Friday night
Mostly cloudy and mild
A few lingering showers possible early evening
Quieter conditions overnight
Lows: 69°-72°
Saturday
Comfortable summer conditions
Mostly sunny with passing clouds
Still a bit humid but not real muggy for mid-August
Excellent weather for outdoor activities
Wind: Northeast 5 to 10 mph
Highs: 87°-89°
Saturday night
Partly cloudy and pleasant
Increasing clouds late
Small chance of showers toward daybreak
Lows: 70°-72°
Sunday
Warmer and more humid
Mostly cloudy at times
Showers and severe thunderstorms become likely during the afternoon
Potential for locally heavy rain and gusty winds
Wind: Southeast to South 5 to 10 mph
Highs: 87°-89°
Sunday night
Mostly cloudy and muggy
Showers and thunderstorms likely during the evening
Gradually diminishing overnight
Lows: 74°-76°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
Washington
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli’s no-hit bid ends after 6 2/3 innings against Cubs – WTOP News
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Aug.…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli’s no-hit bid against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday was broken up after 6 2/3 innings on Michael Busch’s bloop single to left.
Busch poked a 1-2 fastball the opposite way, and it landed in front of left fielder Daylen Lile. The crowd at Nationals Park then applauded before Cavalli got Alex Bregman to fly out to end the inning.
Busch’s single was only the Cubs’ fifth ball in play outside the infield.
Cavalli was perfect before Dansby Swanson led off the sixth with a walk. He was erased a batter later on Michael Conforto’s double-play grounder.
Cavalli, a 27-year-old right-hander in his first full season in the majors, has struck out eight. His seven innings matches a career high.
Washington leads 6-0. Abimelec Ortiz hit a three-run homer as part of a five-run fifth inning.
Max Scherzer is the last National to throw a no-hitter, doing so on Oct. 3, 2015 against the New York Mets. The Nationals have recorded two other no-hitters since moving to Washington. Jordan Zimmermann threw one on the last day of the 2014 regular season against Miami, and Scherzer did it against Pittsburgh in 2015.
There has been only one no-hitter in the majors this season, a combined effort by Houston’s Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa against Texas on May 25.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Warm and summer-like Thursday
- Limited storm risk through Friday
- Slight cooldown Friday
- Pleasant start to the weekend
Expect sun to mix with some clouds across D.C. and the surrounding Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs Thursday. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the lower 90s with moderate humidity.
Most neighborhoods stay dry Thursday, but showers and/or thunderstorms will develop Friday. Any storm could briefly produce heavy rain and lightning.
Temperatures ease back into the mid- and upper 80s Friday as clouds increase. Humidity remains noticeable.
Saturday looks to be the pick of the next few days with a mix of sun and clouds, nice temperatures, and only a very low risk of a shower.
Weather radar
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
Thursday
Mostly sunny, warm, and somewhat humid
Pleasant start with sunshine dominating
A few fair-weather clouds during the afternoon
Dry for most of the region
Wind: Northwest 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 89°-92°
Thursday night
Partly cloudy and mild
Comfortable overnight conditions
Patchy clouds late
Low Temperature: 71°-75°
Friday
Partly sunny and slightly cooler
Showers and/or thunderstorms possible
Any storm may bring brief downpours
Wind: North to Northeast 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 85°-88°
Friday night
Mostly cloudy and mild
Chance of a few lingering showers early
Turning quieter overnight
Low Temperature: 69°-72°
Saturday
Comfortable summer conditions
Mix of sunshine and passing clouds
Very low chance of an afternoon shower
Great day for outdoor activities
Wind: North 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 86°-89°
Saturday night
Partly cloudy and pleasant
Humidity remains manageable
Quiet weather continues
Low Temperature: 69°-72°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
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