28 Alleged Gang Members Indicted in Major Suffolk County Crackdown
By Raheem Soto
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) announced the indictment of 28 individuals in connection with a wide-ranging investigation targeting two organized street gangs— the “Mak Balla Family” and the “9-Trey Bloods.”
The operation, which included local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, culminated in two indictments totaling nearly 200 charges and marks one of the largest gang takedowns in recent Suffolk County history.
A grand jury returned a 168-count indictment against 22 alleged members and associates of the Mak Balla Family, a Bloods-affiliated gang operating primarily in Coram, Shirley, Bellport, and Mastic Beach. The indictment details four years, from 2021 to 2025, during which the defendants are accused of involvement in 17 shootings, three armed robberies, and over 40 drug transactions.
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Town’s Amnesty Program Saves Homeowners Millions: Boosts Safety Compliance
By Raheem Soto
The results speak for themselves when the government steps aside from red tape long enough to let common sense do its job.
That was the case in Brookhaven Town, where a temporary building permit amnesty program concluded with measurable results and minimal controversy.
The three-month initiative, which ran from January 1 through March 31, allowed homeowners to bring their properties into compliance without facing penalties for overdue or unpermitted work. More than 3,200 residents participated, avoiding over $3.1 million in fines.
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Continued from front cover
28 Alleged Gang Members Indicted in Major Suffolk County Crackdown
Separately, a 23-count indictment was returned against six individuals associated with the 9-Trey Bloods. Prosecutors allege that the defendants, under the direction of an incarcerated gang member, carried out a murder-for-hire plot, coordinated the distribution of firearms, and conspired in multiple shootings between October 2024 and January 2025.
Among the charges are attempted murder, assault, robbery, criminal possession and sale of firearms, narcotics trafficking, and conspiracy to commit murder. Several defendants face sentences of up to 25 years to life if convicted on the top counts.
“This investigation demonstrates the extensive and violent reach of organized street gangs in Suffolk County,” said Tierney. “Our law enforcement partnerships allowed us to methodically identify and remove those responsible for destabilizing neighborhoods through fear, intimidation, and violence.”
The investigation involved over 100 search warrants and extensively used wiretaps, digital surveillance, jail intelligence, and social media analysis. Law enforcement officials say the evidence gathered includes surveillance video of violent incidents, intercepted communications between gang members, and forensic data from seized firearms.
According to the DA’s office, 26 of the 28 indicted individuals have been apprehended. Thirteen Mak Balla Family case defendants were arraigned on May 1, with bail denied for most. The remaining individuals are either in custody in other jurisdictions or awaiting arraignment. All six defendants from the 9-Trey indictment were arrested before the announcement.
At the May 1 press conference, Suffolk County officials displayed over two
dozen illegal firearms allegedly connected to the gangs, including handguns with high-capacity drum magazines. Charts presented by the DA’s office illustrated a significant decline in shootings in Suffolk County, from 280 in 2021 to 90 in 2024. Officials linked this trend to the county’s ongoing effort to dismantle violent criminal networks through long-term investigations.
Tierney formed the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau in 2022 to investigate and prosecute organized gang activity. This case represents the bureau’s largest operation to date.
The Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk Sheriff’s Office, Riverhead Town Police Department, New York State Department of Corrections, and the U.S. Marshals Service were all involved in the investigation and arrests. Officials noted jailhouse intelligence was crucial in identifying gang communications and leadership structure.
Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. (D) stated that monitoring incarcerated gang members contributed key evidence to the case. U.S. Marshal Vincent DeMarco credited inter-agency coordination for the operation’s success, stating that “the toughest gang around is the one that wears a badge.”
The prosecution of the 28 defendants will proceed in Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead. Court dates for the remaining arraignments will be scheduled over the coming weeks.
Tierney emphasized that this takedown is part of an ongoing effort to reduce violent crime and prevent organized gang operations in Suffolk County. “Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks gang violence will be tolerated here,” he said. “You will be found, you will be indicted, and you will be removed from our streets.”
Comptroller Kennedy’s Audit Recovers $1.7 Million in Overpaid Medical Expenses
By Cait Crudden
Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R-Nesconset) has announced the successful recovery of nearly $1.7 million in overpaid medical expenses following the completion of an audit of Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, the former administrator of the County’s self-insured employee medical health plan.
The audit, which focused on medical claims processed during the 2022 calendar year, uncovered widespread billing errors that led to Anthem reimbursing Suffolk County $1,668,138. The audit is the latest in a series of financial reviews spearheaded by the Comptroller’s Office aimed at ensuring fiscal accountability within one of the largest public medical plans in the region.
Covering more than 45,000 individuals including active employees, spouses, dependents, and retirees from both Suffolk County government and Suffolk County Community College; the County’s health plan represents a significant share of local taxpayerfunded healthcare expenses.
“This is yet another example of how rigorous oversight and detailed audits protect taxpayers and ensure that public funds are being spent appropriately,” said Comptroller Kennedy. “Auditing the County’s self-insured employee medical health plan has been a priority of mine since I took office in 2015. These efforts have now returned over $10 million to the people of Suffolk County.”
The audit was conducted by the Segal Group, a leading benefits consulting firm, in partnership with the County’s Labor Management Committee. Together, they reviewed Anthem’s administration of claims from January 1 through December 31, 2022.
Among the most notable findings were copayment mismanagement, duplicate and incorrect claims, benefit limit overpayments, and Medicare coordination failures. Anthem repeatedly undercharged members for required copayments, and in some cases failed to collect any copayments at all. This resulted in the County absorbing higher-than-necessary costs. Several claims
were processed twice or contained pricing errors that inflated the County’s reimbursement responsibility. Services such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physical therapy were reimbursed beyond established plan limits, and there was systemic failure to properly coordinate with Medicare claims led to the largest category of financial errors, significantly overcharging the County for expenses that should have been covered in part by federal benefits.
In light of these recurring errors and ongoing audit results, the County officially terminated its administrative services contract with Anthem on December 31, 2024, ending a 19-year relationship. In January 2025, Suffolk County transitioned to Aetna as the new administrator of the medical and hospital benefits plan.
Audits of the 2023 and 2024 claim years are currently underway, and Comptroller Kennedy expects that additional recoveries will be identified as part of those reviews. “Our audits send a clear message: Suffolk County will not tolerate mismanagement of public funds, especially when it comes to healthcare,” Kennedy added. “Every dollar we recover is a dollar that goes back into supporting essential services for our residents.”
County officials say the move to Aetna is part of a broader effort to modernize the health plan’s administration and improve accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and service delivery for plan members. The transition also includes enhanced performance monitoring and audit protocols to ensure that similar issues do not arise in the future.
With the health of tens of thousands of County employees and retirees at stake, Comptroller Kennedy reaffirmed his office’s commitment to holding vendors accountable and maintaining transparency in public spending. “Vigilance and accountability are not just buzzwords in my office; they are the cornerstone of how we serve Suffolk County. The creed we live by is to identify and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse,” Kennedy concluded.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
By Matt Meduri
May 8, 2025
Two Weeks of Free Golf for Suffolk Veterans
Although Wednesday morning was a bit overcast, sunny days are certainly ahead for Suffolk County, especially for those looking to hit the links.
Appropriately, the county with the secondlargest Veterans population in the country is helping those who served enjoy the summer a bit more: Veterans will be able to receive two free weeks of golf at select County courses.
These courses include Timber Point Golf Course in Great River, West Sayville Golf Course in West Sayville, Indian Island Golf Course in Riverhead, and the Bergen Point Golf Course in West Babylon.
The initiative was sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and co-sponsored by Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), the latter serving as the Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee.
Bergin and Lennon were joined by several Veterans’ advocates and leaders at Timber Point Golf Course in Great River on Wednesday morning to announce the initiative.
“It’s time that we say thank you again, and there’s never enough thank-yous for the sacrifice that our Veterans give to our country for our freedoms,” said Bergin. “So, it’s a nice opportunity for our Veterans to come out and golf. It’s two free weeks, one in May and one in November.”
Lennon, a Marine Corps Veteran himself and current Reservist, was eager to co-sponsor.
“A week during Armed Forces Week, the week of Veterans Day, is the perfect time,” said Lennon. “I know our Veterans are going to go out there and take advantage of this, as well as our service members who are still active-duty.”
Roby Johnson, of the Rusy Bohm American Legion Post #411 (Islip hamlet), is also the Chair of the Town of Islip Veterans Advisory Board. Johnson served in Vietnam from Christmas Day 1966 to Pearl Harbor Day 1967.
“It means a lot to me as a Veteran, and I know as other Veterans, especially
the golfing community of Veterans, they’re really going to appreciate this,” said Johnson. “It shows how much the community, the county, the town, think of our Veterans. Thank you.”
“Recognizing Veterans and the sacrifice that they make leaving behind their families and going and risking their lives for all of us. This is the least that we can do to say thank you in return,” said Bergin.
Timber Point Golf Course is located at 398 Great River Road in Great River.
West Sayville Golf Course is located at 200 Montauk Highway in West Sayville.
Indian Island Golf Course is located at 661 Riverside Drive in Riverhead hamlet.
Bergen Point Golf Course is located at 69 Bergen Avenue in West Babylon.
Huntington Station Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Assaulting Toddler
By Raheem Soto
In a case that underscored both the limits of trust and the role of accountability, a Huntington Station man was recently sentenced to 23 years in prison for the brutal assault of his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter. The child, who had been left in his care while the mother went to work, sustained injuries so severe that emergency surgery was required to save her life.
The defendant’s name has been withheld so as to preserve the privacy of the child.
The incident occurred between February 17 and 19, 2024. During that time, the defendant — 33 years old — was babysitting the toddler. When the mother returned home, she noticed visible bruising. By the next day, the child was vomiting, unresponsive, and unable to stand. The mother brought her to Huntington Hospital, where doctors determined the child’s condition was critical. She was then transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where surgeons identified a significant injury to the small intestine caused by blunt force trauma.
On February 28, 2025, after a jury trial, the defendant was found guilty of Assault in the First Degree (a Class B violent felony), two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. On May 1, 2025, he was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei to 23 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), whose office prosecuted the case, issued a clear statement following the sentencing:
“Suffolk will not tolerate violence against children. I thank the jury for holding the defendant accountable for this vicious beating of a toddler.”
Assistant District Attorneys Katherine Flinchum and Kirsten Reilly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau handled the case. The investigation was led by Detective Christopher Albanese of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section.
What makes this case especially sobering is not just the violence itself but the circumstances that allowed it to happen. There were no strangers involved, no complex criminal plot — just a young child left in the care of someone who should have never been trusted with that responsibility.
Legal systems, by design, respond after the fact. In this instance, the process worked as intended. The evidence was presented, guilt was established beyond a reasonable doubt, and sentencing was handed down accordingly. Justice was delivered. However, that does not mean the problem is solved.
Holbrook Man Sentenced to 53 Years for Major Drug Trafficking Operation
By Raheem Soto
A Suffolk County man has been sentenced to 53 years in state prison after being convicted of operating a large-scale narcotics operation that involved deadly fentanyl, high-grade cocaine, and illegal firearms.
The conviction followed a multi-agency investigation that linked the defendant to two fatal overdoses and a sophisticated drug trafficking network stretching across Suffolk County.
Russell Defreitas, 55, also known as “Merc,” (pictured right) was found guilty on 92 separate counts following a jury trial and was sentenced on April 29, 2025, by Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft. Among the charges were Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, multiple counts of drug possession and sale, weapons violations, perjury, and tampering with physical evidence.
victims in his possession.
During a court proceeding in May 2023, Defreitas testified on his behalf but was later charged with three counts of perjury for providing false statements under oath.
District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) commented on the sentencing, citing the limitations of current state law in addressing overdose deaths:
The investigation began in September 2022, when law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. That incident led members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office East End Drug Task Force to uncover a broader narcotics ring operating in and around Suffolk County. Defreitas, according to prosecutors, was at the center of the operation.
Evidence presented at trial detailed the extent of Defreitas’s involvement. On March 9, 2023, he rented a hotel room where a man and woman later overdosed. Rather than seek medical help, Defreitas instructed his associates not to call 911 and instead returned to remove drugs and paraphernalia from the room. He then went to a nearby Wendy’s to eat. Hours later, an associate called 911, but by then, both individuals were dead.
Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, at another hotel. Search warrants executed that day uncovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging equipment, and multiple hotel room key cards. Investigators also recovered bank cards belonging to overdose
“Today’s sentencing of this major trafficker, while significant, highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation. Chelsey’s Law in New York State would give prosecutors additional tools to hold dealers accountable when their products cause death,” said Tierney, mentioning a bill that he, along with many elected officials and family members, have lobbied for passage in Albany over the last couple years.
“This defendant’s actions directly led to two overdose fatalities, yet our current laws don’t allow us to charge these preventable deaths as the homicides that they are,” he said.
While fentanyl accounts for 67% of overdose deaths nationwide, according to the CDC, New York’s current legal framework does not classify fatal overdoses as homicides under state law. The proposed Chelsey’s Law seeks to change that by allowing prosecutors to pursue homicide charges against dealers whose drugs lead to death.
Defreitas represented himself at trial. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jacob T. Kubetz and Raquel G. Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative support from Detective Investigator William Warren of the East End Task Force.
With fentanyl now present in nearly 8 out of 10 drug-related deaths in Suffolk County, the outcome of this case illustrates both the scale of the problem and the current legal barriers in prosecuting overdose-linked fatalities.
For now, one drug trafficker is off the streets— but the laws surrounding accountability remain under review.
Holbrook Dad Sentenced for Toddler’s Death
By Hank Russell | Long Island Life and Politics
A Holbrook man was sentenced to five to fifteen years in prison for his role in the fatal overdose death of his 14-month-old son.
Wilkens Adonis, age 39, of Holbrook (pictured right), was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, for his role in the fatal overdose of his 14-monthold son, Joseph Adonis.
On January 3, 2024, Suffolk County Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive child at a Holbrook residence. When they arrived, law enforcement found Wilkens Adonis, his girlfriend, and their unresponsive 14-month-old son, Joseph Adonis, in the couple’s bedroom. The toddler was taken via ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
When Suffolk County Homicide Squad detectives responded to the home to investigate, they found narcotics and drug paraphernalia in the bedroom where the child had been found. As a result, members of the Suffolk County Narcotics Section were called to assist with the investigation.
A search warrant of the apartment was executed, and law enforcement found over
one-eighth ounce of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, over one-eighth ounce of cocaine, alprazolam, methadone, drug packaging materials, digital scales, an electronic stun gun, a loaded shotgun, and a rifle — all of which were unsecured and easily accessible to the defendants’ children.
After conducting an autopsy, the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the child’s cause of death was acute mixed drug intoxication by a mixture of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.
On March 17, 2024, Adonis pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas.
On May 7, 2025, Adonis was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison
“The death of 14-month-old Joseph Adonis was as preventable as it was tragic,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R). “Fentanyl should not be in houses where children reside. This should be a wake-up call to our state lawmakers. They need to make common-sense changes to our laws to protect children.”
LaLota Supports Bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act to Combat AI-Generated Exploitation of Minors
By Cait Crudden
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) has joined a growing bipartisan movement in Congress to protect minors from the harmful and growing threat of artificial intelligencegenerated exploitation online. LaLota recently voted in favor of S. 146, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a landmark bill that updates federal laws to address the spread of digitally altered explicit content, especially targeting material that victimizes children and teenagers.
“As a father raising three daughters in an increasingly digital world, I’m alarmed by the rise of AI-generated explicit content and the exploitation of innocent people online,” said LaLota. “The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a critical step to hold bad actors accountable and ensure that social media and web platforms aren’t complicit in the spread of digitally forged, graphic images. This bill updates outdated laws and gives victims—especially minors—the tools they need to fight back. I fully support the TAKE IT DOWN Act and am proud to support its House companion because no one should have their likeness twisted and weaponized against them.”
The TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed with bipartisan support, aims to close major legal gaps in current law by addressing the unique challenges posed by AI and deepfake technology. The legislation strengthens protections for children and teens by criminalizing the non-consensual creation and distribution of explicit content generated using artificial intelligence, even if the imagery is digitally fabricated.
LaLota is also a cosponsor of the House companion bill, H.R. 633, introduced by Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R, FL-27). Both the House and Senate versions of
the bill focus on modernizing the legal framework around online exploitation, giving law enforcement and victims more powerful tools to respond swiftly to abuses and enabling the removal of explicit deepfake content from online platforms.
The legislation is being hailed as a long-overdue update to federal law, which has struggled to keep pace with the rapid advances in generative technologies. While nearly all 50 states have laws that criminalize the non-consensual distribution of sexually explicit images commonly referred
Spanning
to as “revenge porn”, only 20 states have specific laws targeting deepfake non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). Even among those, significant inconsistencies exist in how offenses are classified, prosecuted, and penalized.
Victims, especially minors, often face major hurdles in getting digitally altered images removed from websites, contributing to extended trauma and broader dissemination of harmful content. The TAKE IT DOWN Act addresses this problem directly by mandating that online platforms act swiftly to remove flagged content and by increasing accountability for those who knowingly distribute AIgenerated exploitation.
Over 100 national advocacy and child protection organizations have endorsed the bill, including groups focused on digital safety, civil rights, and technology ethics. They argue that this legislation is a crucial safeguard for young people in an era where realistic digital forgeries can be created and distributed at scale.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act represents one of the strongest federal efforts yet to combat the dark side of emerging AI tools and places the United States on firmer footing to address tech-enabled exploitation. With both Senate and House versions now advancing, lawmakers are optimistic that the measure will soon become law.
For LaLota, the vote reflects not only a policy stance but a deeply personal commitment. As a parent, he has personal skin in the game. If passed into law, the TAKE IT DOWN Act would be one of the most comprehensive federal protections for minors against AI-based exploitation to date.
Conveniently
Port Jefferson Student is a National Merit Finalist
Aoife Hogan Seeking Prestigious Scholarship
Earl L. Vandermeulen High School senior Aoife Hogan has been named a 2025 National Merit Finalist. This prestigious recognition is bestowed on only around 15,000 students nationwide among 1.6 million applicants.
Ms. Hogan’s recognition as a finalist means she is in the running to be one of around 6,870 students to receive a National Merit Scholarship of $2,500 for 2025.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation seeks to identify academically talented students throughout the United States. Factors in the selection process include students’ academic records, PSAT/NMSQT scores, an essay submission, demonstrated leadership and contributions
to school and community activities, and a school official’s written recommendation.
“Aoife has always exhibited incredible dedication to her academics and to the Port Jefferson community,” said Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Principal John Ruggero. “I am thrilled to see her named a finalist—she is truly deserving of the National Merit Scholarship.”
For more information regarding the Port Jefferson School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website at https://www. portjeffschools.org and follow its Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/PortJeffSchools.
Sachem North Shares Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Class of 2025
Sachem High School North proudly announces Sabir Tarique as valedictorian and Tasmiah Tawhid as salutatorian for the Class of 2025. Both students have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership and dedication to service throughout their high school years.
With a weighted GPA of 105.27, Tarique has earned the top academic honor as valedictorian of Sachem North. He has actively participated in Model United Nations and the Math Honor Society, while also volunteering his time with the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery. This fall, Tarique will attend Case Western Reserve University, where he plans to major in mathematics.
Ranked second in her class with a weighted GPA of
105.16, Tawhid has shown remarkable initiative and academic excellence. She has held multiple leadership positions, including secretary and publicity director of the Mentor Club, treasurer of the Work Based Learning Club and secretary of the Economics and Finance Club. Tawhid earned the 2023 Long Island Science Fair Merit Award and first place at the 2024 New York Science and Engineering Fair. She is also a 2024 AP Capstone Diploma recipient. Tawhid will attend Stony Brook University to pursue a pre-medical degree with a concentration in neurology.
Sachem High School North congratulates Tarique and Tawhid on their outstanding accomplishments and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.
Bayport-Blue Point Announces Top of Class of 2025
Bayport-Blue Point High School is proud to announce Shane Duerr and Alexandria Dobson as the Class of 2025’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Throughout his high school career, Shane has exemplified academic excellence and leadership. He has earned high honor roll every quarter and completed 12 AP courses along with two college-level classes. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and the recipient of 17 Excellence in Department awards.
Beyond the classroom, Shane has been an active member of the school and local community. He served as president of the Class Club of 2025, treasurer of the National Honor Society and Wellness Club, secretary of the Reform Club and a founding member of the BBP Science Education Group. As captain of the boys tennis team, he also shares his talents by coaching outside of school. His dedication to service includes tutoring local students and volunteering at events such as BBP’s Community and Cocoa 5K, Literacy Night, Open School Night and organizing a “kindness wall” at James Wilson Young Middle School.
Salutatorian Alexandria Dobson has also demonstrated outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement. She has been on the high honor roll every quarter of her high school career, is an AP Scholar with Distinction and scored a five on four of the six AP exams she has taken through her junior year. With 10 AP classes and multiple dual enrollment
and honors courses completed, Alexandria has consistently challenged herself academically.
Her commitment to community service is equally as impressive. She served as an Inclusive Sports and Fitness Summer Program Mentor for four years, supporting children with disabilities in both athletic and creative pursuits. Additionally, she has volunteered at district events, including field days, reading to elementary students and veteran gift basket-making.
As a four-year varsity field hockey player, Alexandria earned All-County Honorable Mention and the All-Academic Award in her senior year. She also participated in JV lacrosse and was involved in the Class Club of 2025, BBP Connect, National Honor Society and the Science Education Group, where she taught hands-on science lessons to elementary students.
Alexandria has received numerous academic honors, including the Albert Einstein Award for AP Physics I, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for AP English Language and the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in AP U.S. History, among many others. She also earned perfect scores on the NY State Regents exams in chemistry and biology and plans to pursue a career in biology.
The district congratulates Shane and Alexandria on their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success in all their future endeavors.
By Cait Crudden
MastiCon 2025 Brings Pop Culture Magic to the MMS Community Library
The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and fandom this weekend as it hosted the fifth annual MastiCon, a free, familyfriendly celebration of comics, anime, cosplay, retro gaming, and pop culture. Drawing nearly 300 attendees from across Suffolk County and beyond, the beloved event continues to grow in both scale and spirit, bringing the joy and excitement of Comic Con to eastern Long Island.
Held at the library’s main branch, MastiCon 2025 offered a packed schedule and interactive experiences for fans of all ages. This year’s edition expanded to include Artist Alley, Vendors Row, and Author’s Nook, creating a full convention-style layout that showcased local talent, independent creators, and unique pop culture merchandise. Live cosplay contests, guest appearances, retro video games, and themed activities made for an immersive day where creativity and community collided.
“MastiCon is one of the most joyful, creative events we host all year,” said Lonna Castro, Director of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. “It reflects everything a modern library can be — a place where stories come to life, community comes together, and imagination takes center stage.”
Fans arrived in elaborate costumes ranging from anime icons and superheroes to video game characters and fantasy figures. Cosplay competitions for children, teens, and adults brought cheers and applause, as contestants took the stage to show off not just their costumes, but also their passion and craftsmanship. Judged by local cosplay experts and creators, winners walked away with themed prizes and plenty of bragging rights.
One of the most popular areas was Retro Game Central, where attendees played classic console games from the 1980s and 1990s, sparking nostalgia among parents and discovery among younger gamers.
Nearby, Artist Alley featured dozens of illustrators and designers showcasing original art, comics, stickers, and custom commissions.
Meanwhile, Author’s
Nook gave visitors the chance to meet local writers, explore self-published novels, and hear readings from fantasy and sci-fi books.
Vendors Row offered everything from collectible action figures to handmade jewelry, attracting collectors and casual browsers alike. The event also featured live drawing sessions, a character design workshop, and a pop culture trivia challenge.
Library staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly, with themed decorations, photos, and interactive displays. MastiCon’s continued success has not only highlighted the library’s evolving role in the community but also its ability to foster inclusive spaces that celebrate culture, creativity, and curiosity.
As MastiCon 2025 drew to a close, attendees left with armfuls of collectibles, new friendships, and memories of a day where their favorite stories stepped off the page and into real life. With growing attendance and enthusiasm, the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library has made it clear: pop culture belongs in the heart of the community.
Organizers have already begun planning for next year’s MastiCon, promising more guests, bigger contests, and new surprises for what has quickly become one of Long Island’s most anticipated library events.
Photo credit - Tom Casper
& Pieces
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology:
mid 19th Century; derives from the phrasal verb “come up,” which implies appearing before a judge or tribunal.
COMEUPPANCE
noun
Pronounced: /kuh·muh·pns/
Definition: a punishment or fate that someone deserves.
Example: “He finally got his comeuppance for all of his under-handed work.”
Synonyms: retribution, due, recompense
Antonyms: exoneration, acquittal, amnesty
Source: Oxford Languages
WORD
WHEEL
I R T N B L
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
May 8, 1945: V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany signs an unconditional surrender.
May 10, 1775: Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and issues paper currency for the first time.
dialogue with the government ahead of a visit by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Great dust bowl storm sweeps across the American and Canadian prairies
Published by Messenger Papers,
In Honor of Nurses Week
A Final Salute: The LI Nurses Honor Guard’s Lasting Impact
By Madison Warren
This week marks National Nurses Week, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions nurses make to our lives. These dedicated professionals devote their careers to caring for patients, comforting families, and navigating some of the most challenging circumstances with compassion and resilience. Whether you are a nurse, know a nurse, or aspire to become one, it is clear that nurses have faced extraordinary challenges in recent years and are truly deserving of our gratitude and appreciation.
In recognition of this week, The Messenger sat down with Jessica Colon, Founder and President of the Long Island Chapter of the Nurses Honor Guard, to discuss what this time of year means to her and how she believes nurses should be honored throughout and beyond their careers.
Growing up, Jessica’s father worked for the FDNY and saw the recognition those workers received once they passed. Once she got into the career field of becoming a nurse and saw the hardships they had to face, she knew that in a different way, they were heroes too.
The Nurses Honor Guard creates unique and individual ceremonies for each nurse. The memorial ceremony will highlight the nurse’s career, along with a nurse’s prayer and the Nightingale tribute. When someone has graduated to become a nurse, a light is lit, and at this tribute, the light is extinguished, finally releasing them of their nursing duties.
The Nurses Honor Guard is successfully run by nurses who volunteer their extra time to showcase the dedication of their peers. This community of people share the same
“The tributes give us a sense of fulfillment, too,” said Jessica. “During the ceremony, families get emotional, and you’re very moved yourself. It’s not only for the families or the nurses we honor, but it’s also for us. We need to honor each other and ensure that every nurse is remembered in some way.”
In 2023, the Long Island chapter experienced a profound loss with the passing of one of their members. In her memory, the group is preparing to present a scholarship in her name—an act that honors her legacy
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, nurses played a critical role on the frontlines.
Reflecting on that time, Jessica said, “It was hard to get up and go to work every single day, whether we wanted to or not. We’re people too. We were scared, too. But we had to go.”
Moved by the loss of so many nurses during the pandemic, Jessica has since devoted herself to honoring the lives and legacies of nurses. She is currently planning a five-year tribute to commemorate those who passed during that difficult period.
The Nurses Honor Guard is a volunteer-run organization with a heartfelt mission: to recognize and honor nurses either at the end of their lives or after they have passed. Through both living tributes and memorial ceremonies, the Honor Guard ensures that a nurse’s service and dedication are never forgotten.
Jessica Colon has been a nurse for 22 years, and for her, National Nurses Week is a time of both reflection and renewed purpose. “It’s hard to even put into words what this organization means to me,” she shared. “I want it to live on beyond me and my
The Nurses Honor Guard is a national, volunteer-based organization dedicated to honoring the nursing profession. With 22 active chapters across New York State, including the Long Island chapter, it continues to grow and touch lives. If you are a nurse on Long Island interested in joining the Honor Guard or would like to arrange
With sincere gratitude, we thank all nurses for their unwavering dedication and compassionate care. Wishing you a meaningful and happy Nurses Appreciation Week.
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