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Thursday, October 17, 2024 ~ Volume 69 ~ Issue Number 52 ~ $1.00
Charges Unveiled in Public Corruption Case Involving Prostitution Ring Credit - Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri
After a three-year investigation, District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), his department, and the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), have released the findings in a public corruption case that involves a nowformer SCPD officer and an Islip High School teacher. The two, along with other individuals, were allegedly involved in forging a criminal enterprise that perpetuated prostitution in Suffolk County. The investigation was aided by the SCPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. The result is a fifty-eightcount indictment, charging four defendants with a litany of crimes. Tierney described the “criminal enterprise” that operated for approximately five years, from 2019 to 2024, and the alleged perpetrators “unlawfully profited from prostitution.” Frank Saggio is alleged to have been the “head” of the enterprise, who owned the two buildings involved in the investigation. One is located at 6089 Sunrise Highway in Holbrook and the other is located at 30 B Gleam Street in West Babylon. Continued on page 16
Timber Point County Park Receives New Pickleball Courts By Matt Meduri
Timber Point County Park has received four new pickleball courts. Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) cut the ribbon on the new courts alongside Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). Pickleball’s popularity in the country, and especially within the Town of Islip, has skyrocketed in recent years. Players enjoy the accessibility, simplicity, and social aspects of the sport, with the activity also offering health and fitness benefits. First invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, the sport comes from three fathers looking to entertain their bored children during summer. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum are credited with inventing the sport. Pickleball is often compared to tennis, but the sport uses light paddles and plastic balls as opposed to heavy racquets and rubber balls. Serves in pickleball are made underhand and diagonal, while tennis serves are made overhand. Pickleball courts are roughly half the size of tennis courts. With a sport that’s relatively easy to learn and reportedly addicting to play, Timber Point now offers the amenities to the entire community. Timber Point County Park is located at 398 Great River Road in Great River. An aerial view of the new courts (Credit - Suffolk County Executive)
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