Where To Find Us
ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
Page 3
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Thursday, January 1, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 11 ~ $1.00
Where To Find Us
ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
Page 3
THE BEST OF 2025
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Thursday, October 23, 2025 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 1 ~ $1.00 Credit: Matt Meduri
Endorsement Alert:
RAY TIERNEY FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY By The Editorial Board
Where To Find Us
Four years ago, Ray Tierney took the entrenched Democratic incumbent District Attorney Tim Sini, staking a campaign on a beleaguered internal prosecutorial process and questions over how a local D.A. can navigate the current headwinds released by Albany. D.A. Tierney has more than exceeded expectations. The Republican who calls Brookhaven Town home has spared no expense in ensuring that Suffolk County’s prosecutorial arm is working like a well-oiled machine, not only in terms of boilerplate cases, but in terms Page 3 of internal department overhauls, leading groundbreaking investigations, and getting the numbers down in his first term. He’s also unopposed for re-election this year, an indication that he’s lived up to the post and then some, we find. Continued on page 4
Where To Find Us
ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
Page 22
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Best Small Airport in National Survey By Matt Meduri
Four years ago, Ray Tierney (R) mounted a campaign then thought to be unwinnable, but ousted then-District Attorney Tim Sini (DMt. Sinai) by a whopping ten point margin. Unopposed for re-election this ByTierney Matt Meduri year, earned 144,417 votes to earn a second term. It’s no secret localsI that Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is “Four yearstoago, wasLong told the region’s jeweltold when it comes to transit. Iperhaps wouldn’t win,” crown Tierney To outsiders, it became supporters Tuesday night known at the in 2023 as the fifth-best small airportwatch in the country a USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award GOP party inin Patchogue. Survey. “My opponent had more money, Last year, ISP notched noble bronze - third place. more institutional support,a and the This year, however, it goes into uncharted territory as the advantage of incumbency.” second-best small airport in the United States. This marks the fifth nomination Continued on page 4for ISP overall.
to Combat Texas
Gerrymander By Matt Meduri The only prize at the federal level for the 2026 midterm elections is control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans clawed back a thin majority in 2022 and retained their majority in 2024 despite losing one (net) seat. Their majority is further complicated by early resignations and retirements of key moderates in swing districts likely to define the next session of Congress. Republicans currently hold a tenuous 219-seat quorum. Continued on page 4
Smithtown HS West
Continued page 10 GOP Chair Garcia, Suffolk Conservative Chair Torres, D.A. Tierney (Credit - Matt Meduri) (Left toon right) Suffolk ISP Entrance from Vets Highway (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Thursday, February 6, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 12 ~ $1.00
Candidate Spotlight: Sheriff Errol Toulon
*
Credit - Matt Meduri
Confirmed as SCPD Commissioner For the past decade, sixteen-year-old Delilah Gallo, a junior at Smithtown High School West, has competed in the sport of baton twirling. Twirling combines dance, gymnastics and coordination, using a baton to create routines synchronized with music and choreography. “Practicing and performing are my favorite things,” Delilah told us. “I love to show my hard work and talent on the competition floor. I also love sharing my passion of twirling By Matt Meduri with the younger girls that I coach and watch them grow and Last better.” Wednesday, County Executive Ed Romaine become
Smithtown remained reliably Republican on Tuesday night as Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) easily secured a third term. Wehrheim was re-elected with 12,283 votes over Rosemary Griffin’s (D-Kings Park) 6,970 votes. Griffin had suspended her campaign for Supervisor in July, but remained on the ballot as the deadline to remove her name had passed. Smithtown Democrats then touted a write-in campaign for term-limited Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). Trotta had previously told The Messenger he was not actively campaigning in that regard.
Autopsy: Dems Surge USGS to Monitor Public Hearing on in National Elections Town Budget Five Suffolk Rivers Comptroller Kennedy discuss the housing audit last week in Hauppauge (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Page 10
Credit - Nesconset FD Facebook
Page 5
Page 11
School Highlights In The Centerfold Every Week!
Continued on page 10
FULL FULLSTORIES STORIESON: ON:
Don’t Forget To Look For
School Highlights In The Centerfold Every Week!
Suffolk & Nassau Jointly Oppose Even-Year Election Law
Largest Assembly of Vietnam Vets in Suffolk History Nesconset firefighters honored for their life-saving actions
Continued on page 15
FULL FULLSTORIES STORIESON: ON:
Last October, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would align local, odd-numbered year elections with state and federal, even-numbered year elections. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D), the legislation’s stated intention was to increase turnout, save public funds by condensing elections, and ease “voter fatigue.” Shortly thereafter, A New York State Supreme Court judge found the law unconstitutional. After a lengthy appeal process, the State Court of Appeals has ruled that the law is valid. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) held a joint press conference in Farmingdale on Tuesday afternoon to oppose the decision and bring a lawsuit before the Court of Appeals, a symbol of unity between the two neighboring counties along with a cavalcade of elected officials from both sides of Route 110.
The MacArthur Business Alliance (MBA) is a non-profit dedicated to uniting and supporting the businesses, non-profits, professionals, and the broader community surrounding MacArthur Mazzarella Honors Blue Öyster Drummer Wegmans Opens in Airport (ISP - also known as the MacArthur Hub. Eagle Scouts Talks ‘More Cowbell’ Lake Grove Their primary focus is the five-mile radius Page 22 Page 24 around ISP, home to hundreds of businesses andPage 10 thousands of employees, a central hub of the Suffolk economy. Page Last3 Thursday, the MBA hosted its second annual HangarFest, an event of networking, entertainment, and business showcases, primarily for those within the MacArthur Hub. Last Thursday’s event was held at the Liberty Jet Hangar on Schaefer Drive, just west of the commercial flight terminal that was ranked the Thursday, October 30, 2025 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 2 ~ $1.00 third-best small airport in the 2024 USA Today 10Best survey. Supercars and a private jet outside Liberty Jet Hangar (Credit - Matt Meduri) Continued on page 12
Where To Find Us
*All current paying subscribers are eligble.
THIS TUESDAY TH
NOV. 4
Suffolk GOP Holds Debate Continues on
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
An American flag raised in front of the H. Lee Dennison Building. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Inclusive Sports and Fitness Holds Spring Gala By Aiden Lorenzo
Back in September 2024, The Messenger had the great opportunity to cover an end-of-summer fundraiser for Inclusive Sports and Fitness (ISF), that was held at Kingston’s Clam Bar in West Sayville. Now that it’s March 2025 and spring has sprung, we return the spotlight to Inclusive Sports and Fitness and their latest fundraising event, The Spring Gala. Forget Held this time at Land’s End inDon’t Sayville, ISF’s Spring Gala was a way for people to help To their Lookcause, For while also recognizing a few noteworthy people who have contributed to ISF in one way or another. In The Centerfold The event’s primary honoree was Saul Zabell, a local EveryofWeek! attorney who is also a board member ISF and has supported the cause for a long time now.
Where To Find Us
School Highlights
Page 22
Thursday, July 24, 2025 ~ Volume 70 ~ Issue Number 34 ~ $1.00
Continued on page 10
Women for Wehrheim Rally Against Harassment from Trotta Where To Find Us
Where To Find Us
Where To Find Us
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
NOV. NOV. 4 4
Suffolk GOP Suffolk GOP Holds Holds Gilgo Beach and Lake Annual Hangar Annual Hangar the Price of Truth: Ronkonkoma Rally in 2025 Rally in 2025 Justice Meets Forensics on L.I. Home Stretch Home Stretch Gains a Lake Keeper(s) Pages 3, 14, 15
FULL STORIES ON:
LaLota Holds Line on SALT Cap Page 11
Bay Shore Baseball: Moving Up
Smithtown BOE Endorsements
Pages 3
Page 26
Smith Blasts Judicial Line Changes Page 8
West Islip Marina Completed Page 26
By Raheem Soto
By Matt Meduri
For more than a decade, the Gilgo Beach murders have haunted Long Island. A lonely stretch of dunes and scrub pine became a cemetery for women discarded as if their lives held no more weight than driftwood washed ashore. The case, mired in false leads and bureaucratic inertia, became a symbol of delay and neglect. For many, it stood as a damning question: did the system care enough about the victims to ever deliver justice? Now, with a suspect in custody and the courts preparing for trial, Suffolk County finds itself at a crossroads between justice delayed and justice delivered.
At last month’s General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, all eighteen legislators unanimously approved a bill that would require developers and builders to include units earmarked for volunteer Fire and EMS personnel at discounted rates. The bill, sponsored by Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), who is also a member of EMS personnel, was signed by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) at the Brookhaven Fire Department in Brookhaven hamlet on Tuesday morning. Thorne says that handling the housing crisis requires a joint effort between federal, state, and municipal partners.
Continued on page 4
(Seated L-R) FRES Commissioner Sunderman, Executive Romaine, Legislator Thorne as Romaine signs the EMS Housing Bill (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Continued on page 4
By Matt Meduri
Since 2021, New York State has been gradually rolling out the legalization of recreational marijuana. Municipalities were By Matt Meduri given the choice whether to sign onto the program (opt-in), which entails the repealing of local laws prohibiting adultThe 2025 Smithtown Supervisors race is heating up to unexpected - and use retail dispensary and/or on-site consumption licenses unnecessary - levels. Two-term incumbent Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) is running for - if such laws exist - and notify the State Office of Cannabis By Matt Meduri a third four-year term. For the last year, term-limited Suffolk County Legislator Management (OCM). ADVERTISE THIS THIS TUESDAY TUESDAY Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) has railed against the Town government in terms of The Town of Islip has remained opted-out of the program, As debate Suffolkcontinues County careens towardstheyet another development, housing, and building density. Trotta’s rhetoric culminated in his but to swirl among public over whether TH TH decision to primary Wehrheim for the Republican nomination on June 24. Election Day - adult-only and the last, for now, odd-year recreational, dispensaries belong inlocal the Town of But the campaign has reached new heights, as multiple ethics complaints election Statehave - the County’s Islip. The TownYork will still local controlRepublican of regulations and Page 3 Page 3in New Page 22 have been filed against Trotta and his legislative aide, Mike Rosato, over their Committee is operation sparing noofexpense to and get lounges. the vote out manners of the shops intimidating behavior that many have described as harassment and downright with Opting-in less than aisweek to go. decision, and one that proponents a permanent bullying. Email publisher@ argue could lead to a windfall ofContinued revenue for while on the pageTown, 4 messengerpapers.com On Monday evening, Wehrheim held a “Women for Wehrheim” rally at his Kings also gradually pushing out illegal dispensaries that operate Park campaign headquarters to bring forth some of the women who have been (Left to right) P.O. McCaffrey, Co. Exec. Romaine, D.A. Tierney, GOP Chairman Garcia, Brookhaven Clerk LaValle outside the OCM’s guidelines and database. intimidated or otherwise harassed by Legislator Trotta. Thursday, October 30, 2025 ~Thursday, Volume October 71 30, ~2025 Issue ~ Volume Number 71 ~ Issue Number 2 ~ $1.00 2 ~ $1.00 Thursday, September 11, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 43 ~ $1.00 Continued on page 17 Islip Town Hall (Credit - Matt Meduri) Continued on page 12 Women rally for Supervisor Wehrheim at his campaign HQ in Kings Park (Credit - Wehrheim for Supervisor)
Smithtown BOE Candidate Spotlights
Page 23
PART 2
Annual Hangar Cannabis Opt-In Rally in 2025 Home Stretch
FULL STORIES ON:
Renovations Complete for Sayville Girls’ Flag Football Gear Up for 2025 Duck’s 15th Season Page 15
Lawless Legislator:
By Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri
As Suffolk County careens towards yet another As Suffolk County careens towards yet another Election Day - and the last, for now, odd-year local Election Day - and the last, for now, odd-year local election in New York State - the County’s Republican election New York Storyinon page 17State - the County’s Republican Committee is sparing no expense to get the vote out Committee is sparing no expense to get the vote out with less than a week to go. with less than a week to go. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4
(Left to right) P.O. McCaffrey, Co.(Left Exec. to right)Romaine, P.O. McCaffrey, D.A. Co. Exec.Tierney, Romaine, D.A.GOP Tierney,Chairman GOP Chairman Garcia, Garcia, Brookhaven Brookhaven Clerk LaValle Clerk LaValle
D.A. Tierney in Riverhead (Credit - Matt Meduri)
EXCLUSIVE New Bridge at Blydenburgh Lake Lake Murray Secures Know Someone Who Would Enjoy This Paper? County Park: Scan the QR code Infrastructure Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma InSubscribe Memory ofto... Michael Charcon Consider a Gift Subscription subscribe@messengerpapers.com to Papers Inc. Funding FULL STORIES ON:
Messenger
By Matt Meduri While the arduous New York State Executive Budget process is known for its delays, gridlock, and intense debate, productivity can still be delivered. Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) has recently announced his securing of year-over-year increases for infrastructure funding for the Third Senate District. The funding is derived through several road and highway programs that will benefit Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, and the villages of Bellport, Lake Grove, and Patchogue. The increases fetch nearly 10% year-over-year in Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Programs (CHIPS) funding. Continued on page 3
Smithtown Messenger Senator Dean (R-East Patchogue) in Hauppauge, December 2024 (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Page 10
Caracappa Hosts Successful Blood Drive Page 15
Messenger
FULL STORIES ON:
Page 3
Pages 12 & 13
Candidate Spotlight: Manny Troche Page 15
By Madison Warren
Brookhaven Messenger
Smithtown Historical Society’s 70th Year
Town & County Endorsements
Gains a Lake Gains a Lake Islip Keeper(s) Keeper(s) Page 11
A new bridge now connects hikers at Blydenburgh County Park, thanks to the efforts of Boy Scout Troop 125. The Eagle Scout project, led by member Jake Shabronsky, was officially dedicated this past weekend in memory of the troop’s late scout leader, Mr. Charcon. The bridge not only improves accessibility along the park’s hiking trails but also stands as a lasting tribute to Mr. Charcon’s impact on the scouting community. Story on page 17 Charcon passed away, Boy Scout Troop Back in 2022, when Michael 125 was left shaken by the loss of a man who had been so impactful and influential in their lives. Many of the scouts remained in the program as long as they did because of Mr. Charcon’s guidance. He taught them countless life lessons and helped create memories they will carry with them forever. Eagle Scout Jake Shabronsky stands by the beautiful rebuilt bridge. (Credit - Madison Warren) Continued on page 10
FULL STORIES ON:
Garbarino Named Chair Blue Point Park of Homeland Sec. Cmte. Renamed for Veteran
Islip Dems’ Texts Leaked
An autumn scene at Lake Ronkonkoma (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Town IT Coordinator Honored Pages 10
Story on page 17
FULL STORIES ON:
High School East Islip Dems’ Texts Receives New Lights Leaked Page 15
Page 11
FULL STORIES ON:
An autumn An scene autumnat scene Lake at LakeRonkonkoma Ronkonkoma (Credit - Matt (Credit Meduri) - Matt Meduri)
Town & CountyIslip Dems’Candidate Texts TownSpotlight: & County Candidate Spotlight: Endorsements Leaked Endorsements Manny Troche Manny Troche Pages 12 & 13
Page 11
Pages 12 & 13 Page 15
Page 15
Credit: Matt Meduri
FULL STORIES ON: FULL STORIES ON:
Continued on page 4
Credit: Matt Meduri
Romaine Signs Thorne’s EMS Housing Bill Saul Zabell (center) receives an award from ISF (Credit - Aiden Lorenzo)
Exec. Blakeman (left) and Suffolk Co. Exec. Romaine (right) hold up a sample ballot pursuant to NY’s even-year election law (Credit - Matt Meduri)
A map showing the site of the former Grumman park in Calverton (Inset) - Legislator Stark (Credit - Matt Meduri)
By Matt Meduri
Credit: Matt Meduri
While the Vietnam War was wrought with controversy for the twenty years of its duration, it’s been a near-universal opinion, especially nowadays, that the Veterans of that war were unfairly mistreated. Suffolk County and its municipalities have always given Vietnam Veterans the recognition they deserve, but Saturday’s display was historic for two reasons. Not only did it mark the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the war - observed as March 29, 1975, the day the last American troops left Southeast Asia - but it also served as the largest gathering of Vietnam Veterans in the county’s history, with Armed Forces Plaza at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge packed to a capacity that most in attendance have never seen for any ceremony held there. Continued on page 5
MBA Hosts Second Annual ‘HangarFest’
By Matt Meduri
In Memoriam: Donna Fiedler Page 11
When Grumman was the bread and butter of Long Island’s working class, June 19, aircraft. 2025 The ~ Volume 70 is~ credited Issue Number 35 ~ $1.00 theThursday, company produced military Bethpage facility with the construction of the Apollo lunar module, the first crewed spacecraft to operate exclusively in space and, to date, the only crewed vehicle to land anywhere besides Earth. However, when Grumman ceased its Long Island operations in 1996, it left behind an ecological problem for which Suffolk elected officials and environmental leaders are now sounding the alarm. The Bethpage site was initially cleared for what became Bethpage Community Park, only for multiple layers of chemical drums encased in concrete to have been excavated after what many believe to be decades.
Thursday, May 15, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 26 ~ $1.00
By Matt Meduri
Page 9
Continued on page 4
Pages 12 & 13
By Matt Meduri
50th Anniversary of Vietnam War’s End
Page 3
Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and his team have released the findings of their most recent audit: $6.85 million in misappropriated funds between the years 2016 and 2018 at the hands of several homeless shelters across Suffolk. Kennedy explained last Thursday at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge that seventeen operators misappropriated the near-$7 million by diverting the funds for capital improvements not related to services provided to the homeless population and retroactive salary increases. The $6.85 million makes up just a small percentage of the $107.5 million that the contractors had received.
Romaine, Stark Call for Superfund for Grumman in Calverton
Don’t Forget To Look For
Thursday, April 3, 2025 ~ Volume 70 ~ Issue Number 24 ~ $1.00
Carpenter’s Corner
By Matt Sal Formica (R-Commack) (Credit - MattMeduri Meduri)
Continued on page 10
FULL STORIES ON:
Happy New Year From The Messenger Family
A routine drive through town turned into a life-or-death emergency when a local firefighter noticed a person in distress on the side of the road. What followed was a rapid response effort from first responders that saved a life—an effort that has now been officially recognized. The Nesconset Fire Department was recently honored for their life-saving efforts during a cardiac arrest emergency nearly a year earlier. The department received recognition from the Smithtown Chief Council, the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, and the State of New York for their heroic actions last February.
Page 5
Pages 12 & 13
Wins Open Leg. Seat
Thursday, February 27, 2025 ~ Volume 70 ~ Issue Number 13 ~ $1.00
Kennedy Audit Finds $6.8M Fraud in Suffolk Homeless Shelters
Catalina (center) joined by family, his father ‘Jack’ (left, ‘thumbs up’) and County Clerk Puleo (right)
Tierney Unveils ‘Operation Bloodhound’
In The Centerfold Every Week!
By Matt Meduri
Smithtown CSD Holds Robotics Camp
Honored for Heroic, LifeSaving Rescue
Page 3
Page 8
Don’t Forget To Look For
School Highlights
Rebecca Sanin vs. Chad Lupinacci
Supervisor Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (Credit - Wehrheim For Smithtown)
Nesconset Firefighters
Apply Now for Town Summer Jobs
311 Integrated with Public Safety
Page 5
FULL STORIES ON:
By Raheem Soto
Wehrheim Secures Third Term Formica
FULL STORIES ON:
School Highlights
for Team USA Catalina Unanimously (R-Center Moriches) announced Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina as his nomination for the department’s full-time commissioner. Commissioner Robert Waring served in an acting capacity for the last year under the condition he would return to his post as SCPD Police Chief. Catalina then went before the Suffolk County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee for a de facto “job interview,” before his nomination was submitted to the full eighteen-member horseshoe. At Thursday’s general meeting, Catalina was Paving for as the SCPD’s LaLota unanimously confirmed nextDelivers Police Commissioner. Edgewood Avenue for Suffolk ContinuedPage on page Page 3 8 4
This month, Delilah will travel to Italy with her partner, Delaney Higgins, to represent the United States at the Don’t Forget International BatonFor Twirling To Look Federation (IBTF) competition. “I’m looking forward to In TheTeam Centerfold representing USA and Every Week! competing against the best athletes in the world,” she said. This isn’t Delilah’s first major competition. In 2022, she was the youngest member of Team USA at just twelve years old. For the past four years, she has represented the United States in international competitions, traveling to Italy, Sweden and England. This year, Delilah will compete in the categories of Artistic Twirl and Artistic Twirl Pairs with Higgins.
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Tierney, Toulon Ranked Re-Elected L.I.-MacArthur #2
Hochul Teases Redistricting
Governor Hochul at ISP in February (Credit - Matt Meduri)
HERE
Thursday, November 6, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 51 ~ $1.00
Thursday, August 7, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 38 ~ $1.00
Representing
ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
2
Messenger Papers
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
WINTER EVENTS Port Jefferson Festival of Trees December 1-January 2, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Holiday Spectacular On Ice at The Gateway December 10-January 4 Port Jefferson Holiday Window Decorating Contest December 16- January 2
Bayard Cutting Arboretum Winter Yoga Class January 17, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience at The Suffolk January 25, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Bird and Breakfast at Connetquot State Park January 10, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
DRUM TAO – The Best at Staller Center for the Arts January 31, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Comedy Night at the Seaport Diner January 11, 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM
Valentine Craft Fair at Charles B Wang Center February 7, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The 16th Annual 10 Mile Brewery Run in Memory of Ric DiVeglio at The Sandbar January 17, 8:15 AM to 11:15 AM
Hot Cocoa Crush 5K Long Island at Eisenhower Park Field 2 February 21, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Family Owned & Operated Family Owned & Family Owned & Operated Operated for Nearly 125 Years for Nearly 125 Years for Nearly 125 Years Family Owned & Operated
A Family of Funeral Directors for NearlyLegacy 125 Years
A Family of A Family Legacy Legacy of Funeral Funeral Directors Directors Spanning Four Generations A Family Legacy of Funeral Directors Spanning Four Generations Spanning Four Generations Spanning Four Generations Conveniently Located, Modern Facilities Conveniently Located, Modern Facilities and AmenitiesLocated, including Hudson, Conveniently Modern Facilities and AmenitiesGrief including Hudson, our Certified Therapy Dog and Amenities including Hudson, our Certified Grief Therapy Dog our Certified Grief Therapy Dog
Four Generations
of Hope, Guidance Four Four Generations Generations & Compassion of of Hope, Hope, Guidance Guidance & & Compassion Compassion
& Compassion
Let Our Family, Serve Yours.
Let Let Our Our Family, Family, Serve Serve Yours. Yours. CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: LetOUR Our Family, Serve Yours. OUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:
Branch Funeral HomeOUR CONVENIENT Branch FuneralLOCATIONS: Home Branch Funeral Home of
Branch Funeral HomeOUR CONVENIENT Branch FuneralLOCATIONS: Home Branch Commack Funeral Home of of Miller Place of Smithtown Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home Branch Commack Funeral Home of of Miller Place of Smithtown Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home of of Miller Place Commack of Smithtown of Miller Place Commack of Smithtown
BRANCHFH.COM BRANCHFH.COM BRANCHFH.COM
Messenger Papers Papers Inc. Inc. SMITHTOWN | BROOKHAVEN | ISLIP SMITHTOWN | BROOKHAVEN | ISLIP PUBLISHER Raheem Soto EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Meduri
ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Sergio A. Fabbri CONTRIBUTORS PJ Balzer Ashley Pavlakis Madison Warren
(631) 269-6421
OFFICE MANAGER & ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Kim Revere
DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION MANAGER Tim Walz DELIVERY PERSONNEL PJ Balzer Joe Cuminale Call Us
631-265-3500
Contact Us
In Person
558 Portion Rd., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
P.O. Box 925, Smithtown, NY 11787
Display Advertising
Publisher@MessengerPapers.com
PROOFREADER Giavanna Rudilosso
Legal Notices & Classifieds Advertising
SOCIAL MEDIA Madison Warren
Editor@MessengerPapers.com
Legals@MessengerPapers.com
Obituaries News
News@MessengerPapers.com
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER
3
Library News Thursday, January 1, 2026
CENTRAL ISLIP: Beef Kofta Kebabs -
January 5, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
ISLIP:
Jinglebell Bracelets
December 30, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
BAY SHORE
AMVETS Post • Boulton Center Bay Shore Public Library • Leggio’s Deli
EAST ISLIP
American Legion Post • Bayway Arts Center East Islip Gourmet Deli Harry’s Bagel • Italia Fine Food Mister Softee Ice Cream Pat’s Market
ISLIP
American Legion Post • Bagel Boss Bagels & More • Oconee Diner
OAKDALE
The New Idle Hour Deli 50% Cards Store (Wendy’s Shopping Center)
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria – (719 Hawkins Ave) Airport Diner • America First Warehouse AMVETS Post 48 • B&B Bagels B.L.D.’s Restaurant Hero Express • Pond Deli American Legion Post Ronkonkoma Train Station
SAYVILLE
Sayville LIRR Train Station Sayville American Legion Post
WEST ISLIP
B.F.L./S.P.K. Deli • Best Farms Market Higbie Bagels • West Islip Bagels West Islip Community Center West Islip Public Library West Islip LIRR Train Station Tower’s Flower
WEST SAYVILLE
EAST ISLIP:
Adult Pilates - Every Monday and Wednesday, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Overstuffed Pancake Dessert Taco January 2, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Spider Hero & Gwen Story Time - Jan. 3, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
WEST ISLIP:
Gingerbread Sugar Scrub - January 6, 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM Sing and Sign - January 7, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
CONNETQUOT:
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens Wednesday at 5:30 PM
The Chain: Fleetwood Mac Experience January 11, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
BAY SHORE:
Gentle Yoga with Kate - Every Monday, 6:00 PM Winter Mittens - January 21, 4:15 PM
SAYVILLE:
Fingerpaint With Friends January 9, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Winter Wildlife -
January 12, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
BAYPORT:
Soup Storytime - January 13, 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
BRENTWOOD: Yarn Wrapped Snowman - January 2, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
LI Maritime Museum
USPS No. 470440
Official Newspaper for County of Suffolk, Town of Brookhaven, Town of Islip, Inc Village of Lake Grove, Middle Country School, Centereach, Selden, Middle Island, Ronkonkoma Fire Dist, and Farmingville Fire Dist. Periodicals Postage Paid at Ronkonkoma, NY and additional entries. Islip Messenger January 1, 2026 (USPS No. 470440) is published weekly for $35 per year by Messenger Papers Inc., 558 Portion Road, Suite B, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Periodicals postage paid at Ronkonkoma, NY and additional mailing offices.
The Islip Messenger serves Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, Oakdale, Holtsville, West Sayville, Sayville, Holbrook, Patchogue, Bohemia, Islandia and Islip 71 Years of Service to Our Community
This newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertisement beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The opinions expressed in byline articles, letters and columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of Messenger Papers, Inc, its publishers or editors. Pictures submitted for publication remain property of the publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to Islip Messenger, P.O. Box 925, Smithtown, NY 11787
4
Suffolk 250 Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
America 250 Celebration at Sagtikos Manor Originally published August 14, 2025
State, County, and Town officials gather at Sagtikos Manor (Credit - Madison Warren)
By Madison Warren Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) officially launched the county’s role in America 250 last week with a vibrant celebration at the historic Sagtikos Manor in West Bay Shore. The milestone event marked the beginning of Suffolk’s participation in a nationwide, multi-year initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Set against the backdrop of one of Long Island’s most significant historic landmarks, the celebration brought the colonial era to life for hundreds of attendees. The manor’s grounds were filled with the sights and sounds of 18th-century America — reenactors in period dress mingled with guests, live colonial music played in the background, and musket-firing demonstrations echoed across the property. Guests also had the opportunity to sample dishes prepared from Martha Washington’s original recipes, adding a literal taste of history to the experience. For Romaine, the event was not only a kickoff to a year-long commemoration, but also a reminder of the importance of knowing where we come from. “We don’t do enough to remember our roots, where we came from, because when we know where we came from, we’ll have a much better vision of where we are going,” he told the crowd. Local officials from across the county joined him, using the occasion to formally align Suffolk with America 250, the national campaign designed to honor the country’s past while engaging communities in its future. Sagitkos Manor proved to be a significant setting for this celebration. Built in 1697, the estate has witnessed centuries of American history. During the American Revolution, it served as the local headquarters for British forces under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton. Its historic significance deepened further in 1790, when President George Washington spent the night there during his tour of Long Island. Today, the manor stands as a reminder of Suffolk’s direct ties to the nation’s founding era, making it a fitting venue for the county’s America 250 kickoff.
The day’s programming struck a balance between education and entertainment. Reenactors portraying influential historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington delivered stirring speeches that brought the ideals of the Revolution to life. “I want each and every one of you to remember the importance of this anniversary that you are celebrating now and never forget the struggles that we had early on,” the actor portraying Washington told attendees. Music played a key role in setting the tone for the event. A moving rendition of “God Bless America” by Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Megan Adamo drew applause from the crowd. The program concluded with a dramatic cannon blast — a symbolic gesture honoring the Revolutionary era and the fight for independence. This kickoff was just the first step in Suffolk’s plans for the America 250 celebration. Over the next year, the county will host a variety of events, including historical reenactments, educational programs, community festivals, and exhibits. The Suffolk County 250th Anniversary Commemorative Planning Committee — a group of more than 200 members representing diverse communities — will guide these efforts to ensure that residents across the county can participate. Romaine also took a moment to thank those who brought the celebration to life. “Thank you to the committee for the 250th anniversary of our independence, and for all those who have served our history and remind us of the greatness of this nation and the struggles and sacrifices that brought us to this day,” he said. Organizers hope these events will inspire residents to explore Suffolk’s Revolutionary-era sites, learn more about the area’s role in the nation’s founding, and reflect on how America’s history shapes its future. As the county joins communities across the country in honoring this milestone, Suffolk’s commemoration of America 250 promises to be both a tribute to the past and a celebration of the shared values that continue to unite the country.
The Moloney Family
Request Your FREE Planning Tool Kit Online At
Celebrate the memories The love. The laughs. It’s every special moment. When you plan a service with us, we don’t want you to think about just a funeral or cremation. We want to create a priceless memory for your family.
MOLONEYFH.COM/PLANNINGTOOLKIT OR MAIL IN COUPON BELOW
Name
Phone
(631) 450-3913 Serving all of Long Island with locations in: Bohemia, Central Islip, Holbrook, Lake Ronkonkoma, Center Moriches, Port Jefferson Station, and Hauppauge.
Address MAIL TO: 132 RONKONKOMA AVENUE · LAKE RONKONKOMA, NEW YORK 11779 FREE PLANNING TOOL KIT. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO COST OR OBLIGATION.
Visit from the Governor Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Originally published March 13, 2025
Thursday, January 1, 2026
5
Hochul Visits ISP for $150M Airport Investment
Originally published February 13, 2025 By Matt Meduri
Governor Kathy Hochul (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Hochul was introduced by Kevin Law, Executive Vice President and Partner with TRITEC Real Estate, as well as the governor’s pick to serve as chairman of Empire State Development, New York’s primary business-aid agency. Law also served as a co-chair of Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine’s (R-Center Moriches) transition team, along with Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). Law praised the leadership of Supervisor Carpenter and Executive Romaine, as well as that of Governor Hochul. “And I’ve seen work that the governor has initiated and completed,” said Law, discussing Buffalo’s status as the “hottest real estate market” in the state, Central New York’s expected economic booster shot from semiconductor manufacturing, the Capital Region’s status as a national nanotechnology center, increased housing stock in New York City, and her commitments to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Stony Brook Hospital, and the Sunrise Wind Project on the South Fork. “Governor Hochul not only understands our region, she understands the communities, the towns, the villages, and the hamlets within our region. She understands our economy, she’s been a tremendous cheerleader and a supporter of all of our collective efforts,” said Law. A slate of elected officials were present at Wednesday’s announcement, including Supervisor Carpenter, Executive Romaine, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Smithtown Councilman Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown), Islip Town Councilmen John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), Jorge Guadron (D-Central Islip), and Mike McElwee (R-West Islip), Islip Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-West Islip), Brookhaven Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), and several members of the Suffolk County Legislature. Labor leaders were also present, including Terry Alessi-Miceli, President and CEO of HIA-LI; Dorothy Roberts, President of the Long Island Hospitality Association; Marc Herbst, Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors Association; and ISP Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRoseArken. Present also was Chris Coluccio, Co-President of the MacArthur Business Alliance, who conferred to The Messenger ISP’s economic breadth: ten thousand businesses and nonprofits within just a five-mile radius around the airport. “Long Island is one the most unique, diverse places in our entire state in terms of the natural beauty,” said Hochul. “But also, the charming little villages and hamlets that dot the communities and really give them their charm and personality.” Hochul credits her understanding of municipal issues to her fourteen years of experience in local government in Erie County (Buffalo). Regarding transit, Hochul touted the latest LIRR schedule performance; it’s had the best on-time performance in two hundred years, along with increased ridership. “MacArthur Airport has come a long, long way since 1942 and was first built as a military installation. I could not have been prouder when I saw that USA Today named it, not just in the top-ten, but the third-best small airport in America [in 2024],” said Hochul, adding that the airport gives easy access to Long Island’s most valuable assets, such as the Gold Coast, the Hamptons, the wineries, and the farmers’ markets, the last of which she said are “second-to-none.” Under Hochul, the State invested $40 million in ISP. She and the State now intend to build on that investment, in the form of a pedestrian walkway from the Ronkonkoma LIRR Station to the existing terminal. The funding is also allocated for road redesigns, parking facilities, and utility systems. Additionally, the investment paves the way for Suffolk County and Islip Town to unlock fortyeight acres of land for the potential development of a north terminal. The Town Board adopted a study of the plan, and Supervisor Carpenter says it’s the “preferred” location of a new terminal, one that would be directly adjacent to the LIRR Ronkonkoma Station. While no formal plan has been adopted, discussions have included that the north terminal house domestic flights, while the existing south terminal house international flights. Such a plan could also be a part of the proposed Midway Crossing, which contains plans for a convention/conference center and a hotel near the airport. “Land is priceless, especially out here, but you can use that for all the ideas that you have. I’m not here to tell you what to do with this; I’m here to support your vision,” Hochul told local officials. It is the hope of the governor and local officials that the redevelopment of the area not only become a transit hub for out-of-state tourism and intra-state travel, but that the far reaches of Long Island can become more interconnected to a highly reputable airport and New York City. But Hochul offered a compelling background for her vision of revitalization that is shared by local officials.
On Wednesday morning, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) visited Islip MacArthur Airport (ISP) to announce a $150 million State investment to make the airport a transit hub, with improved connectivity to the LIRR Ronkonkoma Station. The funding, along with $50 million from Suffolk County, will also lay the groundwork for the purchase of forty-eight acres of land that could be used for a north terminal, a plan that is still under deliberation by the Town of Islip. The funding comes not only at a time of discussions of a significant overhaul of the airport to improve mass transit connectivity, but also to preserve the economic powerhouse that is ISP and the surrounding areas. “What happens to the community psychology when the jobs leave?” said Hochul, referencing her parents’ emigration from Ireland who took up work in South Dakota and Chicago before eventually settling in the “promised land” of Buffalo, mainly for its steel industry. She compared the job exodus and subsequent hollowing out of Buffalo to when Northrop Grumman left Long Island in 1996 following the companies’ merger. “You lose your sense of identity for a long time. Anything I can do to create jobs, I am there,” said Hochul, adding that, under her tenure, 50,000 new private-sector jobs have been created along with the formation of 47,000 new businesses in 2023 alone. She detailed the list of incentives for municipalities to revitalize, such as access to a $650 million discretionary fund for downtown revitalizations and wastewater infrastructure. Hochul also touted her plan to return a $3 billion surplus to New Yorkers via inflation rebate checks in the amount of $500 to joint filers making $300,000 or less annually, and $300 to single filers earning $150,000 or less. “How are we losing out on the most beautiful place in the world to live because we didn’t have the ambition, the courage to build housing?” Hochul also spoke highly of her friend and colleague in Executive Romaine. “Ed Romaine has made sure I feel welcome [in Suffolk County]. It makes a difference in where we’re [the State] going to help. This is not about scoring political points; it’s about working for the people,” said Hochul. “Elected officials have a special obligation that once they take office, to work together for the common good. I appreciate the government’s investment in Suffolk County,” said Romaine. “We want to create good-paying jobs that help make our community proud. We want to thank you for your visit. I look forward to working with you.” “With this investment, we are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth, bringing in the kind of high-quality jobs and creating new opportunities for our young professionals to make sure that they stay here,” remarked Supervisor Carpenter. “I thank the governor for her investment in the infrastructure surrounding the Ronkonkoma Station and the Long Island Metro Area,” Councilman Lorenzo, whose district contains ISP, told The Messenger. “We believe this investment goes hand-in-hand with the County and the Town’s continued investment to provide for the economic development of his important area of Islip. I look forward to working closely with the State, County, and the Town Board to properly develop this area for the future and ensure that we have the proper infrastructure surrounding it.” “The LIRR is the largest commuter railroad in the nation, the longest, the oldest, and the most invested, and the most used, and with a 95 or 98% on-time rate; you can’t beat that. But it’s up to us to make sure we have the amenities, the upgrades, and the extensions necessary to make that [increased use and connectivity] happen,” Hochul told local media after the press conference. Hochul also commented that she thinks it’s a “good idea” to have a connection between two terminals, should the north terminal be constructed at a later date. She called the area an “economic engine” that has been aided especially with JetBlue’s recently-added routes to and from ISP. Off-topic questions were allowed, to which Hochul responded that she is monitoring the avian flu epidemic that forced the culling of almost 100,000 ducks at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue last month, adding that animals can eventually be reintroduced, but only after the site has been sanitized. “We have to be proactive and not wait until we’re in a crisis situation,” said Hochul. The Messenger asked Governor Hochul about the status of her conversations with President Donald Trump (R-FL) regarding congestion pricing. Trump has suggested he could cut the program through the Federal Department of Transportation, but Hochul’s demands are that the federal government pony up the estimated $15 billion in lost revenue. “No updates at the time, but this is really important to Long Islanders,” Hochul told The Messenger. “It is an old system; I want to make it better.” Hochul added that while she has numerous friends who have remarked on the shorter ride times into the city due to the congestion pricing, she “doesn’t measure success by anecdotes.” “I’m going to convey to the President at the right time that this is actually better than people anticipated in terms of reducing commuter traffic in, quality of life in that region, and businesses are not affected. People are actually moving around quicker. Cab drivers are saying they can have more fares because they’re able to move people and drop them off more quickly. Bus lateness is down 20%.” “He [Trump] knows New York City. He understands what congestion can do to paralyze and cause illnesses,” said Hochul. “So, a lot of people are saying, ‘if you’re willing to pay this price, you get that precious time back in the days.’”
6
Best Editorial Thursday, January 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
New York’s Even-Year Election Law is Partisan Damage Control and Ideological Suffocation
Originally published May 15, 2025 Last year, Albany Democrats and Governor Kathy Hochul (D) passed a law that would align local elections conducted in the odd-numbered years to coincide with even-year elections. The stated logic in the move was to increase turnout, especially among minority voters, limit voter fatigue, and streamline the overall election process. The odd-numbered election years are often dedicated to local elections, those that include county executive, town supervisors, county legislatures, town boards, village boards, highway superintendents, tax receivers, and clerks, most of whom were on the ballot in Suffolk County two years ago. The even-numbered years are when presidential and midterm elections are held. Almost always nationalized, sometimes to a fault, these elections are notorious for denying capable candidates of an elected office simply because of down-ballot energy. In October, a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled the law was unconstitutional. After a lengthy appeal process, the State Court of Appeals has ruled that it is, in fact, constitutional. The elected officials from Suffolk and Nassau counties are doing the right thing in continuing their fervent opposition to this law. We’ve argued before that this is nothing more than partisan damage control and ideological suffocation. We still hold those beliefs, along with the serious issues this could entail. First, the size of the ballot is laughable at best. It took three people to hold up the unrolled ballot from side to side. Imagine not only being handed that monstrosity when you hit the polls in November, but also being expected to give each candidate your own personal research time to make an informed decision. Second, the nebulous concept of “voter fatigue.” A big argument in favor of this initiative is that voters are simply tired of having to go to the polls year after year, something that Suffolk’s own Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) stated to us when the law was passed last year. We find it interesting that the party of “protecting democracy” is pushing so hard to let the voters have a year off. The reality is, whether you as a voter are tired or not, voting is your civic duty and responsibility. It is incumbent upon the electorate to make their own informed decisions and to do their own research. Shifting elections to even-numbered years isn’t giving the voters time off; it’s giving them less time to respond with their approval or disapproval at the ballot box. We also understand Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg’s (D-West Babylon) point in increasing turnout, especially among minority voters. While he is correct that turnout normally plummets in local years compared to even years, we don’t think this initiative will achieve what he hopes. Instead of more people, minority voters or otherwise, simply going to the polls, it will likely be more voters in general wrapped up in nationalized elections and greeted with a logistical headache with a massive ballot. We would compare this to simply shoving our belongings haphazardly into a closet, shutting the doors, and saying the room is clean. It might solve the problem at face value, but under the hood, more serious issues remain. Yes, voters would probably turn out more, but would their votes be delivered with all the information delivered to them in separate vacuums? It can be a lot to research each candidate as is, but one person can only take so much, especially when their eyes are on the presidential race or a marquee statewide race, while their local issues languish behind. Keeping local elections separate allows the best chance for information vacuums to remain in place. We would even estimate that if this law sticks, we would probably see ballot drop-off towards the local end. It’s possible that many would just vote in the federal races and leave the others blank. We’ve seen this happen in the last presidential race; some voters just opted for a White House pick and had no opinion on local officeholders. The will of the voter is confined to the voter only; how and for whom they vote is their prerogative. But for this bill’s objective, we don’t think this is really a “fix.” We’ve seen interesting electoral patterns where an elected official of a party isn’t on the ballot, but their colleagues of the same party who are on
the ballot often get punished. We believe this was an element of New York’s tectonic shift to the right in the 2024 presidential election - the 10.5% rightward swing was the largest shift in the nation. The dysfunction from Manhattan and Albany, we believe, contributed much to former Vice President Kamala Harris’ (D-CA) historic underperformance in November. Mayor Eric Adams (D) and Governor Hochul weren’t on the ballot, but Harris was. However, the most insulting aspect of the “voter fatigue” argument, and the law overall, is that voters will have significantly reduced power in local years. New York might be an emerging battleground, but it’s still a blue state fundamentally. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will be as contentious as Pennsylvania, for instance, but it likely means Democrats will have to start investing in defense in a state that was typically a write-off for them. Albany Democrats are banking on top-down electoral energy to dilute the local waters to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, especially when it comes to preserving their Senate majority. And that’s where this idea should have been DOA. Local elections are sacrosanct for a reason; the politics of Washington, Albany, and Manhattan should not have any electoral infusion to Suffolk’s - or Nassau’s - electoral independence. Republicans and Democrats in Suffolk are different from those of the national level, or even the state level to some extent. Voters should be able to see the idiosyncrasies for themselves, not be overwhelmed with a deluge of dozens of names on a ballot, while the presidential and gubernatorial races suck the oxygen out of the room. The most insulting aspect of this bill is that New York City is, somehow and, of course - off the hook. A new border has been drawn around NYC and the rest of the state, wherein Big Apple voters will still be afforded the same courtesy of an unmitigated local ballot. Moreover, to Legislator Richberg’s point, wouldn’t increased minority turnout be especially effective in New York City, where much of the state’s minority population is located? It sounds like Albany is doing a disservice to the minority voters who rightly should participate in elections every year by not extending this courtesy to the state’s biggest basket of minority votes. If Albany wasn’t governing with only NYC in mind before, they certainly are now. The idea has been so widely panned that even Newsday’s editorial board encouraged Hochul to reject the bill - she didn’t. Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) was the only Democrat in Hauppauge to join the Republican-led lawsuit against it. Good on all who can recognize a bad idea when they see one. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) are and have been correct: Long Island is regularly short-changed by Albany despite being an economic powerhouse without which the state could not pay its bills. One would think some courtesy would be extended to one of your biggest financers, but even the rural communities and counties are being short-changed in both dollars and ideology. The reality is that Albany Democrats, instead of governing in a way to stem the nation-leading outmigration and fix the problems that imperiled Hochul in 2022, Harris in 2024, and will likely imperil Hochul further in 2026, they chose to shuffle the deck and bury the lede to obfuscate just how much New York is changing and how unpopular Democratic policies are. Our proposition: communicate with voters that local government has a much more immediate effect on their lives than other forms of government. Sure, it’s not an easy “fix” by signing a law, but it’s the most realistic campaign to increase turnout. Problems with your local roads, crime, and property tax bill are adjudicated through your local representatives, law enforcement, and school boards. The president, by and large, has nothing to do with those aspects of local life. This is perhaps one of the worst ideas to come out of Albany in recent years, and those who have backed it either don’t or won’t realize how shortchanged their own constituents will be if this law remains on the books. We can only hope that this will be the final tap of gunpowder that backfires against the Democrats in 2026.
Best Op-Ed Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Originally published March 13, 2025
Our First Responders Stepped Up — Now Our Government Must Do the Same
7
By Congressman Nick LaLota The extraordinary dedication of Long Island’s First Responders was on full display during the recent brush fires that tore through parts of Brookhaven and Southampton Towns. Their swift and selfless response not only protected lives and property but earned national attention — and deservedly so. Even leaders at the highest levels of government have recognized their bravery. This past Sunday, I was in Westhampton Beach meeting with First Responders and State, County, and Town officials. I saw firsthand the relentless work of more than ninety fire departments from across Long Island — men and women who fought through the night and into the next day to contain the blaze. Once again, these heroes put their lives on the line for our communities, and we owe them our deepest gratitude and unwavering support. But gratitude alone is not enough. Their heroic response demands equally strong action from all levels of government. While initial estimates suggest that total uninsured public damage may fall short of the $37.5 million threshold needed for federal disaster aid, that shouldn’t stop Washington from acting. We need to strengthen prevention policies now to stop future fires before they start. In Congress, I recently helped pass the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which includes my provision to combat Long Island’s devastating Southern Pine Beetle infestation — a key driver of the dead, dry vegetation that makes these fires worse. My provision requires targeted federal action to reduce these fire risks, but this can’t be the end of the fight. The Senate should pass this important legislation without further delay.
Albany can’t sit idly by either. I’m calling on Governor Hochul to provide more resources for controlled burns and back policies — like those in the Fix Our Forests Act — to speed up the removal of dangerous wildfire fuel. The time for mere talking is over. Suffolk County’s communities, forests, and drinking water need action now. These fires are a wake-up call. The Pine Barrens Preserve, which sits atop a federally recognized drinking water source, has been ravaged by the Southern Pine Beetle for years. Governor Hochul has acknowledged this growing threat — now she must follow through. With large sections of untouched but parched forest still at risk, we can’t afford to wait for another fire to strike. I’ll continue working in Congress to deliver resources and solutions, but this must be a team effort — free of politics — to protect Long Island’s environment and safety. Our First Responders deserve nothing less. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) is a lifelong Long Islander in his second term representing Suffolk County in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Opioid Epidemic: A Generation in Mourning By Carole Trottere At this point, there can’t be a person left on Long Island who hasn’t heard about the opioid/fentanyl crisis—an epidemic that has claimed the lives of thousands of Long Islanders since it began more than twenty years ago and over a million Americans nationwide. One of those statistics is my son. Alex was 30 years old when he died on April 8, 2018. To date, fatalities from the fentanyl crisis surpass the combined death toll of both World Wars and the Vietnam War. So, when I hear that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports a nearly 24% national decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths—from 114,000 lives lost the previous year to 87,000 between October 2023 and September 2024—I don’t think, “Great news!” Instead, I think about the parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of those 87,000 souls who will never come home again. The Weight of Collective Grief The fentanyl epidemic has left Long Island—and the nation—dotted with the walking wounded. These are the people left behind: the ones grieving a loss almost too heavy to bear. A recent poll shows that 1 in 4 Americans knows someone who has died from an opioid or fentanyl-related death. Chances are, you do too—a neighbor’s child, a former classmate, a coworker, a friend. There is a collective grief spreading across this country, a grief that demands recognition, compassion, and action. A Generation Under Siege My heart breaks for young people, many of them my son’s contemporaries, who have lost dozens of friends to this crisis. How do you process such relentless loss? For those who have struggled with addiction themselves, or are still using, grief is even more complicated. The stigma around drug use often silences them, making it harder to seek support. Not since the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s has a generation been so devastatingly hit by death among their peers. And then, there are the grieving parents.
The Stigma of Grief We know what people whisper about us. We feel the judgment. We see the assumptions—“They must have been bad parents.” When I assist the Suffolk County Police with Narcan training, I often hear parents say: “I don’t need that. My kids are good kids.” Ouch. That stigma—the one that tells people, “this can’t happen to me”—has fueled two decades of government inaction. It has kept some school districts from providing life-saving education, afraid of the label: “a school where kids do drugs.” The Reality Here’s the truth: Many fentanyl poisoning victims had no history of drug use. They were young people who made one impulsive mistake—taking what they thought was a prescription pill at a party, buying something from a dealer on Snapchat. A counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl ended their lives in an instant. No second chances. No do-overs. A Call to Action It’s time to move beyond stigma. It’s time to acknowledge our collective grief and demand real action—services that support families, education that saves lives, and policies that address the crisis head-on. If you are a grieving parent who has lost a loved one to fentanyl, you are not alone. Organizations like the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) and GRASP offer grief support groups where you can find solidarity and healing. And if you know someone who has suffered a loss, be kind. Offer compassion. Offer a hug. They are carrying more than you can imagine.
8
Law and Order Thursday, January 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
28 Alleged Gang Members Indicted in Major Suffolk County Crackdown Originally published May 8, 2025 By Raheem Soto
Suffolk District Attorney Tierney (Credit - Matt Meduri)
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 murderfor-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
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.
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.”
Biggest State News
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
9 Suffolk & Nassau Jointly Oppose Even-Year Election Law Thursday, January 1, 2026
Originally published May 15, 2025
By Matt Meduri
Exec. Blakeman (left) and Suffolk Co. Exec. Romaine (right) hold up a sample ballot pursuant to NY’s even-year election law (Credit - Matt Meduri) “We have had enough of the State government trying to run our beautiful Island from Albany,” said Blakeman. “For over 100 years, our local elections were on odd years because there are issues that are important to the towns, villages, counties, and cities that are separate from state and federal issues. Our state officials are trying to drown us out and put our issues down the ballot, so that people won’t have an opportunity to have a fair debate.” Blakeman invoked an election of Senator Jack Martins (R-Great Neck) as an example of ballot drop-off, a phenomenon in which voters will only vote in top-of-the-ticket races - such as presidential, gubernatorial, or other statewide races - and leave the local races towards the end of the ballot blank. “The ballot drop-off from president to State Senate was 60%. What do you think it’s going to be with our local elected officials and our candidates who want to talk about local issues and not get drowned out by the state and national media?” said Blakeman. “It’s about state control with one-party rule. This isn’t Beijing, Moscow, Caracas, or Havana. This is the United States of America, and our issues are entitled to get a full hearing from the electorate and for people to know who their elected officials and candidates are for local government.” Blakeman (pictured right) drew parallels between previous State attempts at overriding local control, including Hochul’s widely-panned affordable housing plan in 2022, the recent State defunding of Nassau University Medical Center, that serves Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn, “making vulnerable those who we provide a safety net,” according to Blakeman. In 2021, the hospital received $180 million in State funding, but received no funding this year, a move that Blakeman says is the State trying to “take over” the hospital. “Between Nassau and Suffolk counties, we send up over $13 billion more to Albany than we get back. We can’t even get funding for a hospital or our infrastructure. Everything goes to New York City, nothing goes to us,” said Blakeman. “We love New York City, many of our people work there, but we have a voice too and we have needs as well.” Blakeman was joined by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino (R-Massapequa), North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena (R-Manhasset), seven Nassau County Legislators, and a host of town elected officials from across the county. Executive Romaine then took the podium, joined by many of Suffolk’s elected leaders. From the County level, he was joined by Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Legislators Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), and Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters). From the Village of Lindenhurst, Mayor Michael Lavorata and Deputy Mayor RJ Renna (R) - who is running for Suffolk County Legislature this year - were in attendance. From the Town of Brookhaven, officials consisted of Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) (pictured right), Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden), Clerk Kevin LaValle (R-Selden), and Tax Receiver Lou Marcoccia (R-East Setauket). From the Town of Islip, Councilman Mike McElwee (R-West Islip) and Tax Receiver Andy Wittman (R-Sayville) attended and were joined by 2025 council candidate DawnMarie Kuhn (R-Bohemia) Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard (R-Aquebogue) and Riverhead Town Councilman Bob Kern (R-Riverhead) were also in attendance, completing a comprehensive slate of officials from all parts of Suffolk. Romaine described local government as “the government that is closest to the people,” adding that the Nassau County ballot that required three sets of hands to fully unfold and display will look even longer in Suffolk.
Last October, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would align local, odd-numbered year elections with state and federal, even-numbered year elections. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D), the legislation’s stated intention was to increase turnout, save public funds by condensing elections, and ease “voter fatigue.” Shortly thereafter, A New York State Supreme Court judge found the law unconstitutional. After a lengthy appeal process, the State Court of Appeals has ruled that the law is valid. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) held a joint press conference in Farmingdale on Tuesday afternoon to oppose the decision and bring a lawsuit before the Court of Appeals, a symbol of unity between the two neighboring counties along with a cavalcade of elected officials from both sides of Route 110. “Our local towns, particularly our East End towns, have trustees, as well as council members. Imagine going in and having fifty names or more on a ballot and you have to figure out who’s who. It’s not the way the government was meant to work.” “We have term limits in most of our towns and in our county. This [law] changes those term limits,” said Romaine. “Those term limits were approved by referendum of the people of Suffolk County. The State now wants to waive that away.” A major logistical issue pointed out by the elected officials, and one that would negate the cost-saving intention of the bill, is the shortened terms. All incumbent local officials would see their terms decreased by one year, and all who run in 2025 will have to run again in 2026 to match the terms with the even years going forward. “Does this law affect everyone in the state? Absolutely not! Guess who’s exempt? New York City!” said Romaine. “More than half of our state legislators come from the city. This is not an agenda that the locals want.” Romaine exemplified the disconnect between the state and Long Island, with no dollars from the Environmental Bond Act - for which Romaine declared his support - nor federal monies from former President Joe Biden’s (D-DE) $1.1 trillion infrastructure initiative, another bill Romaine supported. Since the infrastructure money is doled out by the state, Long Island has continued to be short-changed by Albany, according to Romaine. “Long Island is one of the drivers of this state’s economy. This state lost more people than any other state in the U.S. Maybe our policies need to change, and this is one policy that definitely needs to change,” closed Romaine. Oyster Bay Supervisor Saladino spoke on behalf of the localities within Nassau County. “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore! This is outrageous, unethical, and it has to stop,” said Saladino (pictured right). “Albany is trying to ride shotgun over our elections, confuse the voters, and throw a smokescreen out while they give us less and less. Our residents deserve more and more.” Brookhaven Supervisor Panico spoke on behalf of the Suffolk municipality delegation. “We live in a duplicitous state; there’s no other way to say it,” said Panico. “Almost every facet of New York State government is duplicitous. You don’t have to go too far back in time to understand what unfolded with congestion pricing for the purposes of the election, then to only reappear after the election.” Panico said that on his way into Farmingdale, he should have stopped on Ocean Parkway and issued a proclamation posthumously to Bob Matherson, “who knew this day was coming and many people would say was a visionary because he understood where New York State government was going.” Matherson is known for hanging banners along the parkways that read, “Move out of New York State before it’s too late.” “If you don’t think that is happening because of the policies being enacted you are kidding yourselves,” said Panico. “We are losing clout in Washington, and if you are a Democrat watching this and if you think you need to toe the party line, Democrats predominantly from the Boroughs bear no resemblance to you ideologically,” he said, adding that some Democrats joined the press conference in righteous opposition. “The struggle on Long Island is no longer Republican versus Democrat; it is those with an urban agenda who contrast and fight against those with a suburban agenda,” closed Panico, raising the alarms of an increasingly controlling State government. “If we lose [the appeal], there will be a backlash, and the voters will punish the governor and the legislators who pushed this through,” said Blakeman, adding that he’s “gotten along fine” with local Democrats because they shared a local vision. “I think that common sense Democrats and the vast majority of Independent voters are going to see this for what it is: a blatant political act on the part of State government to control everything.”
10
Islip Matters Thursday, January 1, 2026
An Ongoing Debate for Connetquot: Thunderbirds or T-birds?
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Originally published September 4, 2025 By Madison Warren Last week, right before the Labor Day weekend kicked off, the Connetquot School Board meeting was held at Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School to discuss the ongoing consideration of their mascot name being shortened from “Thunderbirds” to “T-birds.” A controversial topic within the district, parents, alumni, staff members, local Native American tribe members, and even some students attended the meeting, hoping to move closer to a resolution. A mascot that has been a part of Connetquot’s identity for decades, the “Thunderbirds” originated from Native American mythology and has symbolized a powerful spirit bird. To some of the community, it has long represented strength and pride, but its cultural roots have also placed it at the center of the ongoing debate about Native-themed mascots. This topic of discussion began in 2022, when the New York State Education Department (NYSED) issued a mandate across all districts requiring schools to eliminate Indigenous-related mascots or any other symbols that represent the school. Connetquot, as one of the districts subject to the state mandate, has been under review for some time, and no final verdict has been reached yet. While some community members argue that the mascot is not directly tied to Native American descendants, others view it as culturally inappropriate. In response, the district proposed shortening the name to “T-Bird” as a compromise. At the most recent meeting, the board opened the floor to the community members who wished to share their views. Before the session, a district-wide survey was conducted, with 60% of respondents favoring continued efforts to retain the original “Thunderbirds” name rather than accept a change. Several speakers voiced strong support for keeping the original “Thunderbirds” name, pointing to its deep tradition and sense of school pride. Others raised concerns about the financial impact of a rebranding. If the mascot were changed, the district would need to replace a wide range of items, including scorers’ tables, cheer equipment, wall pads, scoreboards, sports uniforms, banners, and signage. The estimated cost of these replacements totals $323,470.42, an amount already factored into the 2025–2026 school budget. In June of this year, the Connetquot School District was granted additional time to comply with the state’s mandate. The extension was partly due to the district’s efforts over the past five years, during which it had already invested nearly $161,000 in replacing equipment and materials that did not carry the Thunderbird name. The district has already spent close to $175,000 since 2020 in phasing out the classic names, logos, merchandise, and branding. One speaker, Bernadette Johnson, spoke with the majority of people at that board room who want to keep the original name and said, “I don’t even know why this is a discussion. Why the government is making this change to me is totally wrong. We have always been the Thunderbirds, and I feel like we should always stay the Thunderbirds.” But there was a percentage of people there who felt the opposite of Johnson. One speaker said, “My two kids have gone to Connetquot, who never said Thunderbirds. It was always T-birds. So, as far as that is, it is up to the board to make this decision, so I hope they make the right one.” The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has been actively involved in the mascot debate since it began in 2022, alongside other members of the Native American community who have spoken out on the issue. Two speakers from the Unkechogue land, Lisa and Emily, said, “Now, the Thunderbird, meaning for Native Americans, traditionally represents supernatural power, strength, and protection, and what you have as the imagery is actually a caricature. It is racist. And I find it rich that a community,
Credit - Madison Warren
predominantly white community, is telling people of color and indigenous people what is racist and what is not racist.” Some members of the community believe the Connetquot Board of Education has been negotiating a settlement with the state behind closed doors. Rather than pursuing its public lawsuit to preserve the “Thunderbirds” name, critics allege the board has been quietly exploring a compromise to rebrand on its own terms. This perception has sparked outrage among residents, who argue that such actions lack transparency and undermine public trust. Former school board president Jaclyn Napolitano-Furno spoke at the meeting, stating that the board has been involved in corruption. “Everything I am about to say is verifiable.” Jaclyn said, “What this community needs is transparency and accountability. The people have already spoken in June, when an overwhelming 60.66% of residents voted to continue litigation, to keep the Thunderbird name. Yet from the very beginning, the board has made it clear they do not want the public to decide. They are only now trying to backtrack through this, and it’s damage control at its very best. This is corruption and deception.” Emails obtained by The Messenger showed then-President NapolitanoFurno’s dissatisfaction with the board’s discussion of the issue with legal counsel outside of a public forum. She repeatedly stressed that the decision should be brought to the public. Critics now say that last week’s board meeting was hastily organized ahead of the Labor Day weekend to cover the board’s base, in hopes that a majority of the attendants would agree with the district to settle the case with the state. However, much of the audience was on the side of retaining the classic mascot and imagery. While the board can still vote to settle, it would now be in the face of a meeting that saw significant comments in favor of continuing litigation. The board may face issues with the state if they fail to comply in some way. One of the board members stated, “If we don’t accept the settlement, the state could say we are not participating in good faith and then they would reject their agreement and would very likely revoke the extension.” The Messenger also obtained a draft settlement, missing only the signature of the board required to settle the case. The case persists alongside the higher-profile debate over the Massapequa Chiefs. As the Connetquot community awaits a final verdict, the debate over the Thunderbird mascot continues to highlight the tension between tradition, cultural sensitivity, financial responsibility, and government authority. This has created a divide within the community, but they all share the same passion for wanting the best for their school. While many residents remain steadfast in their desire to preserve a name they see as central to the district’s identity, state regulations place the board in a difficult position that could carry costly consequences if ignored. Whether the outcome is to keep “Thunderbirds,” settle on “T-Birds,” or rebrand entirely, the decision will leave a lasting mark on the district — not only on its banners and scoreboards, but on the trust between the board and the community it serves.
Blueline News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Confirmed as SCPD Commissioner
Credit - Matt Meduri
Catalina Unanimously
11
Originally published February 6, 2025 By Matt Meduri Last Wednesday, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) announced Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina as his nomination for the department’s full-time commissioner. Commissioner Robert Waring served in an acting capacity for the last year under the condition he would return to his post as SCPD Police Chief. Catalina then went before the Suffolk County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee for a de facto “job interview,” before his nomination was submitted to the full eighteen-member horseshoe. At Thursday’s general meeting, Catalina was Catalina (center) joined by family, his father ‘Jack’ (left, ‘thumbs up’) and County Clerk Puleo (right) unanimously confirmed as the SCPD’s next Police Commissioner. Joined by friends, family, and a host of law enforcement leaders and Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Steve personnel, Catalina laid out his résumé for the edification of the full Flotteron (R-Brightwars) echoed these sentiments. Legislature. “I’ve already been working with you for over five years. Besides your resume, Catalina started his law enforcement career in 1992 as a police officer in you always stood out; quiet strength and intelligence,” said Flotteron. “I think South Jamaica with the NYPD. After six years at that post, he was promoted we’re very fortunate to have you here in this county, which is one of the to the rank of sergeant. He then moved to northern Queens, working in an safest counties in the country, and let’s even make it safer.” area covering Jackson Heights and Corona. He was then invited to interview “Congratulations in advance. We’re very excited that you are choosing to for the Queens Gang Squad in 1999, the time at which the area was first serve,” said Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station). encountering members of the deadly gang MS-13. Following a unanimous vote, Catalina approached the horseshoe for the Catalina also played a role in the search-and-rescue efforts following the oath of office. Joined by his wife, daughters, and father, John “Jack” Catalina, September 11 Attacks, where he spent nearly a month in the morgue helping Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) offered a touching identify remains from the tragedy. sentiment. He was then promoted to lieutenant and put back in Queens, followed by “Your mother would be very proud of you,” said Richberg, alluding to the a promotion to captain two years later. He then ran the Gang Squad for the recent passing of Catalina’s mother just weeks before his nomination and entire borough of Queens. confirmation. “In order to move up in rank, they [the NYPD] like you to run precincts Catalina was then administered the oath of office by Suffolk County Clerk in Harlem,” said Catalina, which he credits with his deep understanding of Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), along with Executive Romaine’s signing of the community policing. resolution, making his position as Commissioner official. “Harlem is a community that cares deeply about itself. I met a lot of great Catalina told reporters afterward that he “studied” and “admired” his community partners there and it really got me to understand the value of various mentors throughout his decades in law enforcement. community policing at that level,” said Catalina. Catalina remarked that one of his and his team’s crowning achievements After five years in Harlem, Catalina then ran the Forty-Fourth Precinct in was the effective solving of the catalytic converter crime spree, which he says the Bronx, a jurisdiction of about 100,000 residents. He then ran city-wide came down to just several individuals responsible for thousands of thefts gang enforcement thereafter. across the Tri-State area. He also reiterated his previously-shared statements “We developed the strategies and techniques to go after gangs on a larger on violent crime. level and we were very, very successful in continuing to drive down violent “One violent crime is one violent crime too many. It’s a tremendous crime at that point and got into historic lows,” said Catalina, adding that responsibility, but it’s a responsibility that I welcome and am in favor of,” he and his team got the violent crime rate down to the low-300s, from a Catalina told reporters. staggering 2,000-plus when he started in New York City since 1992. Catalina also shared that his last six years within Suffolk law enforcement He then served as the Operations Commander for Manhattan North, has helped him in understanding the various communities and the different running twelve precincts and helping facilitate safety for events like the New needs they have. He credits much of his community relationship-building York City Marathon and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. to Deputy Commissioner Belinda Alvarez-Groneman, alongside whom he Afterward, Catalina served in the Operational and Analytical Section of the served as a co-deputy until his confirmation on Tuesday. Intelligence Bureau, the core of NYC’s covert counter-terrorism operations. “It’s super important to have those relationships so we can have honest It was after a year in that post that Catalina was approached by friend and conversations about what might have occurred and how to fix it,” said colleague Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) to work in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office. Catalina. Catalina said it was a “tough decision” to leave his job and tenure in the Catalina told The Messenger that one of his top priorities remains the city, but said that he is “certainly glad” he made the move. He worked with opioid epidemic and safer roadways, particularly with the disruptive and Toulon as an under-sheriff and worked closely with the intelligence side of potentially-deadly drag races and sideshows perpetrated deliberately by outcorrections, particularly data mining. of-towners who treat Suffolk’s more rural attributes as a personal vehicular “It was always a lifelong dream of mine to be a South County Police Officer, playground. Some instances have severely delayed first responders and have so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” said Catalina, calling Toulon a “mentor blocked off parking lots and shopping centers from regular traffic. and friend.” “Roadways are still too dangerous in Suffolk County and that’s something No Legislators had questions for Catalina, but instead, remarks and praise we’re certainly going to consider,” Catalina told The Messenger. “I think that’s and optimism for Suffolk’s safety going forward. bad for law enforcement, it’s bad for the people of Suffolk County, and, quite “Thank you for accepting the position. We’re happy to have you on board,” frankly, it makes us look impotent and the public hates to see it and we hate said Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden). to see it.”
Legislative Progress
12 Romaine Signs Thorne’s EMS Housing Bill
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Originally published July 24, 2025 By Matt Meduri At last month’s General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, all eighteen legislators unanimously approved a bill that would require developers and builders to include units earmarked for volunteer Fire and EMS personnel at discounted rates. The bill, sponsored by Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), who is also a member of EMS personnel, was signed by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) at the Brookhaven Fire Department in Brookhaven hamlet on Tuesday morning. Thorne says that handling the housing crisis requires a joint effort between federal, state, and municipal partners. The bill requires any new affordable housing developments that receive County subsidies for “workforce housing” must set aside at least five units, or 10%, of the property’s total housing stock, whichever is less, for volunteer fire and EMS personnel. The move comes at a time when Suffolk’s median single-family home price recently eclipsed
$700,000 for the first time. “As our population grows, the need for housing grows, but the need for EMS and fire grows exponentially. This is one step in making sure that the local firefighter is local and can get to their firehouse and respond to the emergencies that we have every day,” said Thorne, adding that the some 11,000 volunteers answer over 600 calls per day. “We will always make sure they have the resources necessary and the location and the housing necessary to continue to save the taxpayers of this county billions of dollars with their volunteer service,” added Thorne. Executive Romaine believes the bill will help alleviate some housing concerns and keep EMS personnel close to their stations to better serve their communities. He also addressed some concerns about the plan; however, he says that creating “too many categories for affordable housing” isn’t the issue in play here. “We are helping our firefighters and EMS workers, and we are committed to provide more affordable housing, whatever it takes,” said Romaine, adding he hopes the state and federal governments will follow the lead. The bill will help volunteers who stock the 109 volunteer fire departments across Suffolk County, as well as over twenty EMS units. “This [bill] only starts the beginning of our efforts,” said Romaine.
(Seated left to right) FRES Commissioner Sunderman, Executive Romaine, Legislator Thorne as Romaine signs the EMS Housing Bill (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) Commissioner Rudy Sunderman shared that Suffolk’s 11,000 volunteers make up a decent percentage of the statewide total - approximately 80,000. “Legislation that will offer financial support for volunteer personnel, such as this affordable housing bill and other incentives, such as property tax relief, is critical to aid in development and increase our recruitment and retention efforts,” said Sunderman. Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) President Eugene Perry, of Patchogue, commended the Legislature for shepherding the bill to Romaine’ desk. “I travel this state and speak to many different fire organizations, and one thing that comes up all the time is affordability in their area,” said Perry. “It’s very difficult for a young person to be able to afford to stay in their community and be able to volunteer. I’m going to bring this to our FASNY legislative committee to see if there’s a way we can do this statewide.” Perry adds that FASNY’s economic impact study conducted last year shows that the volunteer fire service saves the state $6.4 billion in salaries and benefits. He says that a career fire service in Suffolk County would raise taxes “anywhere from 6 to 100%.” Brookhaven [hamlet] Fire Department Commissioner Peter DiPinto echoed claims of recruitment and retention improvement due to this bill. Romaine promptly signed the legislation. Thorne was joined by Suffolk County Legislators Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), as well as Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), himself a member of the Nesconset Fire Department for nearly fifty years. Representatives for Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), and Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) were also present. “We have a residency requirement [for applicants to benefit from the bill],” Thorne told The Messenger. “It’s wildly important to do that because we cannot build up one department by stripping another. The development must be in the district where you’ve already been a fire or EMS worker.” The requirement’s necessity not only keeps personnel close to their home stations for quick call responses, but also prevents personnel from finding affordable units in other neighborhoods, especially those where housing affordability might be much different from their home fire or EMS company. While the bill applies to rentable units, Thorne says that applying personnel will also be qualified for other housing programs the County offers. This bill would likely complement other workforce housing bills recently signed into law as well as the first-time homebuyer assistance program, one of which was earmarked for fire and EMS personnel by Legislator Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) in autumn 2023.
Legislative Progress Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
13
LaLota, Vets Demand V.A. Treat Vietnam-Related Cancer
Originally published June 19, 2025
Congressman LaLota (center) joined by Veterans in Rocky Point (Credit - Matt Meduri)
By Matt Meduri Although the Vietnam War ended fifty years ago, the physical, mental, and Wiggins underwent operation in 2017 to remove two cysts from his bile duct. emotional complications still remain for those who served. The disease is also known to persist for decades, sometimes upwards of fifty The latest point of umbrage comes from the Veterans Affairs’ (V.A.) lack of years. Time is of the essence with bile duct cancer, as once it spreads to the liver, treatment for Vietnam Veterans diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile death is essentially a foregone conclusion. duct cancer. Studies have alleged that the cancer is a product of parasitic worms “Of course, they say that Vietnam Veterans are alcoholics and drug addicts, ingested through raw or undercooked freshwater fish, while other research so that’s why their liver went bad,” said Wiggins, taking issue with the politics of points to water quality and scarcity in Southeast Asia being the culprit. solving the issue, but achieving no results. He called out Senator Chuck Schumer Studies have shown that the cancer is about 30% more prevalent among (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Veterans who served in Vietnam than Cove). those who did not, enough of a statistic to “There are 134,000 Veterans on Long create a clear link between that particular Island. If you [elected officials] push this war and this particular cancer. bill through, you’re a hero. But it’s denied However, the V.A. has not officially over and over again,” said Wiggins, praising established the connection. LaLota (pictured left) for pushing it through On Wednesday afternoon, Congressthe House. man Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), joined Wiggins also says that the doctor who by Vietnam Veterans, Brookhaven Town owns the rights to the test is in Seoul, South Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Korea, and he will not relinquish the rights. Point), and a representative for Suffolk “I’m 77. The longer they wait, the more County Legislator Nick Caracappa Veterans will die and the less money they (C-Selden) at the VFW Post #6249 in Rocky have to give out,” said Wiggins. “It’s the way Point to shed light on the subject. the government works.” “It’s only right that we do right by our Wiggins was drafted in 1968, recalling nation’s Veterans who signed their names how he was told that upon his return to the on a dotted line saying they would risk States, he’d “get everything.” anything up to their own lives to ensure “We got nothing, and there’s no reason the defense of our great nation. The very for this,” said Wiggins. “We’re not asking least we can do is to ensure that our for a giveaway. We’re just asking for what (Left to right) Congressman LaLota, Gerald Wiggins, veterans get the health care they need we deserve,” he said, adding a large-scale Councilwoman Bonner (Credit - Matt Meduri) when they come home,” said LaLota. protest in Washington might be warranted “I wish that the V.A. just took it upon although he himself is not a “protest person.” themselves to ensure that our Veterans, Wiggins continues to be screened every and especially our Vietnam Veterans, got the care that they earned - not as an six months at Sloan Kettering. entitlement or a giveaway.” “We’ve advocated towards the Senate multiple times, both last session and this LaLota has been on the trail in Washington to ensure legislative success on session,” LaLota told The Messenger. “Sometimes, it takes multiple Congresses to this matter. His bill passed the U.S. House twice, only to die in the U.S. Senate. get things onto the Senate’s radar. I’m going to continue to advocate towards New The bill would put language into V.A. Appropriations Bills - LaLota is a member of York to United States Senators, but also the rest of the Senators throughout the the Appropriations Committee - to put the V.A. on the path to ultimately deliver country who have Veterans like ours who had that service in Vietnam decades ago, coverage. He credited one Veteran in particular with that success. but yet are still suffering from this ailment. There should be a holistic approach Vietnam Veteran Gerald Wiggins (pictured left) is positive for the cancer and that we take towards the legislative push and my office is doing just that.” has received treatments for it at Sloan Kettering, a world-renowned cancer “A lot of the caretakers, in my view, locally here, do have a passion to actually treatment center in New York City. LaLota credits Wiggins with bringing the issue care for the Veterans,” said LaLota, clarifying that the incredulity should be to his attention. directed at V.A. bureaucrats. “We fought for two years with the Northport V.A.; they refuse to test us. We LaLota adds that the V.A. could have accomplished this “years ago with the had a big meeting with them; they laughed at us,” said Wiggins, adding that the stroke of a pen”, merely to “honor” the connection between Vietnam and bile V.A. would be “shocked” if one of the fifty Vietnam Veterans came back positive duct cancer. for bile duct cancer. “We’ll take whatever way we can get it - executive action within the V.A., an Twelve of the fifty came back positive. Appropriations bill, a standalone bill,” said LaLota.
14
The Gilgo Beach Case Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Gilgo Beach and the Price of Truth: Justice Meets Forensics on L.I. Originally published August 21, 2025 By Raheem Soto For more than a decade, the Gilgo Beach murders have haunted Long Island. A lonely stretch of dunes and scrub pine became a cemetery for women discarded as if their lives held no more weight than driftwood washed ashore. The case, mired in false leads and bureaucratic inertia, became a symbol of delay and neglect. For many, it stood as a damning question: did the system care enough about the victims to ever deliver justice? Now, with a suspect in custody and the courts preparing for trial, Suffolk County finds itself at a crossroads between justice delayed and justice delivered. The Man on Trial At the center is Rex Heuermann, a 61-yearold Manhattan architect accused of murdering seven women whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway between 1993 and 2011. He has pleaded not guilty. His fate will be determined in court. But the trial is bigger than one man. It is a referendum on how law, science, and society respond when the vulnerable fall prey to the violent. The DNA Revolution The true breakthrough is not only in the charges but in the science. Suffolk County Judge Timothy Mazzei has allowed prosecutors to use cutting-edge forensic methods—whole genome sequencing and nuclear DNA analysis—on decades-old, rootless hair fragments. It is the first time such techniques have been admitted in a New York courtroom. Traditional DNA testing requires intact roots; these samples had none. Without this technology, the case might have remained forever obscured, as hazy as the fog rolling off the Atlantic. Prosecutors say the science now links Heuermann to six of the seven victims. Defense attorneys object, pointing to licensing disputes and jurisdictional technicalities. A hearing on September 23 will decide how much of this evidence survives. But the implications reach far beyond Suffolk: if accepted, New York could join the ranks of states where advanced DNA is legitimate courtroom proof, a precedent that may unlock hundreds of cold cases nationwide.
Their lives were cut short, their dignity often diminished by the circumstances of their disappearance. But their humanity—not the evidence bags or trial transcripts— must remain the anchor of this story. Without it, justice becomes sterile, stripped of the very reason it matters. The Broader Lesson There are two trials unfolding. One asks: did Rex Heuermann commit these crimes, and can the state prove it? The other asks: can our system adapt to new science while upholding fairness? Fingerprinting was once controversial. Blood typing was once untested. Today, they are routine. Whole genome sequencing may soon join them. But there is a deeper reckoning. For years, the Gilgo case languished in part because the victims were poor, vulnerable, and stigmatized. Only when prestige science entered the scene did the system accelerate. That fact should unsettle us all. When violence touches the powerful, armies mobilize. When it touches the powerless, the response too often withers until evidence becomes impossible to ignore. What Comes Next On September 23, Judge Mazzei will rule on the defense challenges and decide whether the seven charges will be tried together. The trial itself may not begin until 2026, by which time the very technology in question may already be standard. But the larger verdict cannot wait. Gilgo Beach is more than a crime scene. It is a mirror. It reflects a culture that too easily discounts the worth of the marginalized, and a bureaucracy that hesitates when urgency is most needed. For too long, the facts were ignored. Now, science has dragged them into the light. Whether truth can prevail—and justice can follow—will test not only the courts, but the conscience of Long Island itself. Photo by Matt Meduri
A Grisly Discovery at Jones Beach Even as the courts weigh science, the ground itself continues to yield grim reminders. This month, workers near the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach unearthed a cache buried beneath two feet of sand: purses, rayon skirts, torn shirts, and a glove stained with blood. The symbolism was stark. Jones Beach, built by Robert Moses as a shrine to leisure, now revealed artifacts of violence. Detectives noted burlap fencing near the site—eerily similar to the burlap sacks that once shrouded the victims along Ocean Parkway. Whether these items tie directly to Heuermann or not, they deepen the case’s shadow and remind Long Islanders that the scope of this tragedy may stretch well beyond Gilgo Beach. Who the Victims Were Too often, the women lost to Gilgo are reduced to labels: “the Gilgo Four,” “sex workers,” “missing women.” But each had a name, a family, a life. • Melissa Barthelemy, 24, disappeared in 2009. • Megan Waterman, 22, vanished in 2010. • Amber Costello, 27, went missing that same year. • Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, last seen in 2007. • Jessica Taylor, 20, murdered in 2003. • Valerie Mack, 24, disappeared in 2000, identified years later. • Karen Vergata, 34, missing since 1996, identified in 2023.
Melissa Cann, sister of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, speaks of her sister.
Around Town Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Sachem East Varsity Cheerleading: A Pyramid of Success
Originally published March 6, 2025 By Ashley Pavlakis
15
Credit - Sachem Central School District
Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? The Arrows! The Sachem East varsity cheerleading team capped off another successful season with a Suffolk County Championship. The Arrows will look to defend their title as they head to states this week in Binghamton. The Sachem East Arrows are a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in Class A. The squad is led by twin sisters Victoria and Brianna Aghabekian. Victoria was named Suffolk County coach of the year by Newsday in 2024. “My sister [Victoria] is the head coach and I’m the assistant coach. She’s been the head coach for five years, and I’ve been the assistant for four. We’re actually alumni, we graduated from Sachem East, cheered on the team for four years, graduated in 2011, we were captains. So, it’s like a full circle with going back and coaching now,” said B. Aghabekian. This group of cheerleaders are no strangers to success, as they’ve won the Suffolk County Championship three out of the last four years, and they won the state and regional championship last year. Greatness? Dynasty in the making? Whatever you would like to call it, the Arrows have their traditional and game-day routines down pat. “It’s doing the reps several times over and over again until us and the girls feel confident in their skills where there’s no question in mind about how our performances will go,” said B. Aghabekian.
The team has eleven seniors set to graduate this spring. For most of their high school cheer careers, they found success on the mat. Some athletes are lucky to win a title once, but to win multiple times at different levels of competition is unique. “They are the heart of the team, to be honest with you a couple of them I’ve coached every single year since I’ve been the coach so I don’t know how to coach a team without some of them, next year will definitely be different. They’re a great group of kids, it’s beyond a sport, they become a family. They spend most of their time with each other whether they’re at practice, all-star gyms, or tumbling classes,” said B. Aghabekian. Sachem East earned three first-place finishes this winter season which helped them to secure the first place ranking. In addition, they also earned their first ever win at the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) Regionals. The competition typically is held at Disney and most teams usually have their sights set on making it to the most magical place on earth. “We competed in the large varsity division this year which was one of the hardest divisions at the competition. We had an amazing performance for both routines, unfortunately, the competition was very hard to make it through the final rounds,” said B. Aghabekian of their second-place finish at the UCA’s. In the sport of cheerleading, a team competes together as a unit. Sachem East embodies the concept wholeheartedly. “You have to love it to be there, you can’t force anyone to be there to be successful. You have to wanna be better. And they all do it for each other,” B. Aghabekian told The Messenger.
The Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation Scholarship Originally published June 12, 2025 By Aiden Lorenzo In September of 2021, the hamlet of Blue Point was rocked by the sudden and tragic passing of fourteen-year-old Christopher Coluccio. This, as well as the tragic deaths of other young teens in Blue Point, as well as in Lake Ronkonkoma and Patchogue, led Christopher’s father, Chris, Sr., to start a non-proft organization in memory of his son. The Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation was started as a way to not only celebrate the spirit of Christopher, but to also educate the community on mental health, support those who struggle with mental health, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and help parents open dialogues with their children regarding mental health, depression, and suicide. One way that the foundation has done this is through awarding scholarships to graduating seniors in Sufolk County. Tuesday night at St. Lawrence’s Bethany Center in Sayville, twenty-nine students from all over Sufolk County were awarded the Christopher A. Coluccio Mental Health Scholarship and four students were awarded with the Under the Radar Scholarship. Many of the students who were awarded come from many diferent schools and towns, including Bayport-Blue Point, Sayville, Connetquot, Brentwood, Babylon, and even the likes of Sachem, Ward Melville, Comsewogue, Center Moriches, and Hampton Bays. Additionally, the “Force for Good” scholarship was awarded to Bayport-Blue Point resident Lily Carrabis, and the Anthony Marino scholarship was awarded to Michael Walsh, a Sayvilleborn senior at St. Anthony’s High School. The event saw not only the awarding of scholarships by the Coluccio family, but it also saw live music from Airlea Deutscher. It also featured words from Christopher’s siblings, Isabella and Nico, and Chris Coluccio, Sr.’s
(Credit - Aiden Lorenzo)
longtime friend and Town of Islip Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), who is a noted supporter of the foundation due to his long friendship with the Coluccio family. When asked about the impact that the foundation has had on the community, as well as on Sufolk County in general, Coluccio said, “I am amazed at what we have accomplished in the last four years! With the help of our community and some wonderful people, we’ve been able to change so many ways about how schools and our community tackle mental health and the services used to
support those who struggle with it. It has been an amazing journey and in a way, while the loss of Christopher is one of the worst things to happen to me in my life, it has also been something that has really helped us change our community and hopefully the world for the better.” Those close with the Coluccio family and have seen the rise of both the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation and increased awareness of mental health in schools and on Long Island in general can say that the Coluccio Family have done a brilliant job in spreading awareness.
16
Environmental News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Originally published October 30, 2025
Lake Ronkonkoma Gains a Lake Keeper(s) By Matt Meduri In August 2023, Suffolk County officials launched an initiative for a “Lake Keeper” of Lake Ronkonkoma - a limnologist to study the Lake’s ecological and hydrological components, remediate its quality, and maintain the standard going forward. Lake Ronkonkoma, the largest freshwater body on Long Island, is also the largest kettlehole in the Northeastern U.S. The lake also has shorelines in Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip. In decades past, Lake Ronkonkoma was not only known as a summer getaway, but also a swimming location for the families of Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma, Nesconset, Lake Grove, Holbrook, and surrounding communities. While still a cultural touchstone, the Lake’s quality has declined severely over the years, prompting the County to gather stakeholders, resources, and experts to return it to its heyday. Spearheaded by Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) in conjunction with Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), Lake Ronkonkoma has now gained not a sole Lake Keeper, but a panel of professionals who will fulfill the duties outlined two years ago. Moreover, the keeper(s) will be required to fund their own salaries through grants. The plan also includes a Lake Steward Program, a Water Quality Monitoring project, and a “State of the Lake” Report. Officials and civic leaders gathered at the lake’s shore on Wednesday afternoon to announce the progress. “This is not an overnight project,” said Kennedy, stating that the first study was done in 1986, followed by the Clean Lake Study Update conducted by the Town of Brookhaven and Nelson, Pope, and Voorhis in 2008, and the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Group’s “State of the Lake” and comprehensive plan in 2019. The most recent study was the Lake Ronkonkoma Water Management Plan in 2023. “We need scientists to come in and review these studies. It will take at least ten years to fix this lake, and now that we have managers and researchers, we hope that we will get this in proper order and then fight for funding,” said Kennedy, who has been working on this initiative for four years. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am.”
An autumn scene at Lake Ronkonkoma (Credit - Matt Meduri) Legislator Bergin spoke of the history of the beloved Lake Ronkonkoma. “So many people have grown up swimming in this lake and watched their children enjoy the lake, but unfortunately the water quality has diminished so severely that there are days in the summer when we have to close Lake Ronkonkoma to swimmers,” said Bergin (pictured left). “A Lake Keeper is the first step to progress that is so desperately needed for this community. This is a gem and we need to save it.” Suffolk County Plan-ning Commissioner Sarah Lansdale (pictured left) called the initia-tive the “very best of collaboration.” She thanked the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for their support and funding of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. “Dr. Chris Gobler and his team over at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. They will be hosting and managing the Lake Keeper program,” said Lansdale. “They’re going to bring their worldclass scientific expertise, their passion for clean water, and their dedication to protecting this lake for generations to come.” Lansdale expressed her thanks to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) for his “vision and leader-ship” of environmental stewardship. Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) (pictured above left) said that his family has deep roots in the Lake, and as a child, he swam in the Lake. “We’ve seen the deterioration of this Lake over many, many years,” said Piccirillo. “We hope to see this Lake come back to what it was years ago. A representative for Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) discussed the “extensive nitrogen pollution” that Lake Ronkonkoma has faced over the years, which has contributed to the loss of marine life and recreational activities. “This will be a two-year grant,” said Kennedy. (pictured right) “Four times a year, we will do an assessment to see if the Lake is getting better.” Stakeholders present included Rick Ammirati, President of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Hyms, past president of the Greater Ronkonkoma Chamber of
Commerce; Evelyn Vollgraff and Matt Balkam of the Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement Group; representatives of the Long Island Humane Society; Ellyn Okvist, of the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association; and representatives for Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) and Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville). The challenges of finding seasoned experts
in limnology, the study of biological, chemical, and physical aspects of bodies of fresh water, have been a major choke point in remediating the Lake. But the years of community collaboration have paid off in forming a body to conduct the research and administer the changes in hopes of restoring Lake Ronkonkoma to its former glory.
PERSONAL ATTENTION AND DIGNIFIED SERVICE... OUR CONTINUING TRADITION
~ Home for Funerals & Cremations ~ Kerry J. Maher
Lic. Manager & Director
~ In Honoring Their Legacy ~ Deacon Kenneth J. Maher, Aelysche Marie Maher & Kenneth J. Maher, Jr.
Serving All Surrounding Communities Proud to Serve Our Veterans, Law Enforcement and Fire Service Our State-of-the Art Building Offers: Ample Easy Access Parking Spacious Chapels
Reception/Gathering Room Children’s Room
829 Middle Country Road, Route 25, St. James, NY 11780
631-584-5200
Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1961 P R E P L A N N I N G F U N ER A L A R R A N G EM EN T S AVA I L A B LE
Law and Order Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
17
Tierney Brings 109-Count Indictment in Drug Trafficking Ring
Originally published April 17, 2025
By Matt Meduri In a bombshell report, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) has announced a massive indictment against twenty-one defendants charged with narcotics trafficking with members of a violent criminal organization involved. On Friday, Tierney outlined the results of a long-term investigation in the large-scale narcotics trafficking within Suffolk County, which includes over 2.5 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl. Larell Campbell, 32, of Copiague, and Carolyn Tolin, 46, of Centereach, were charged with Operating as Major Traffickers. Tolin allegedly operated a narcotics business, not just within the county, but across the nation through the Dark Web right from her Centereach home. She allegedly shipped narcotics, including the deadly synthetic opioid ‘Overdose Cards’ found at a Centereach residence involved in a nationwide narcotics rings fentanyl, through the United States Postal Service (USPS) and UPS to customers (Credit - Office of Suffolk County District Attorney) around the country. She allegedly received payments in cryptocurrency. “This case is notable because of the online dark web sale of deadly drugs all “Winning the battle against illicit drugs is a top priority for the over the United States,” said Tierney in a statement. “We are asking for the public’s Postal Service and the Inspection Service,” said USPIS New York Division Acting help. We believe that these deadly drugs were sent all over the country. If you have Inspector in Charge Ed Gallashaw. “Postal Inspectors protect postal employees and seen this warning flyer that was shipped out with these drugs, please contact the the American public by leading the effort to eliminate drugs and contraband in District Attorney’s office via our webpage. We want to track down each of these the U.S. mail. This goal is achieved by prohibiting mail containing illegal items and deadly shipments and get them off the streets to prevent overdose deaths.” dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations on and off the dark web. I would also The investigation included over one hundred search warrants into vehicles, cell like to thank our partners with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Fentanyl phones, residences, computers, and other digital devices and data sources. It also Task Force in sharing this mission and protecting our communities from illegal and consisted of thousands of hours of physical, video, and electronic surveillance. deadly narcotics.” Larell Campbell is charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker for his Twenty of the twenty-one defendants have been arrested and twelve have been possession of over $75,000 worth of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin from June to arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz. Arraignment is December 2024. Her operation was mostly run by his immediate family members, pending for several defendants, while eight of the indicted defendants are charged including brothers Donail, Raheem, and Malachi Campbell, his mother Monica, with bail-eligible offenses. Of the bail-eligible defendants, eight remain in custody, girlfriend Diamond, and sister-in-law Tersherra Green. The family allegedly while thirteen are not bail-eligible under New York State Law. Neither a prosecutor worked to transport products to customers, supplied payments, and engaged in can request bail, nor can a judge set bail. transactions, all to the behest of Larell Campbell. Carlos Torres, 42, of Bay Shore, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a A December 2024 search warrant of several residences and vehicles recovered Controlled Substance in the First Degree. He faces up to twenty-five years to life in about two kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of heroin mixed with fentanyl, and a prison if convicted. He is being held on a $1 million cash bond, a $2 million bond, or separate 250 grams of fentanyl. a $10 million partially secured bond. His arraignment is set for April 15. Carolyn Tollin was also charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker for her possession and sale of over $75,000 worth of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin from Conspiracy in the Second Degree - 8.75-to-25-Year Sentence September 2024 to March 2025. She allegedly ran her business through her Dark The following defendants have been charged with the aforementioned crime Web vendor site MamaKnowsBrown, which was run out of her garage in Centereach. and face the same sentence if convicted on the top count: Apart from direct sales of the narcotics, Tolin also gave customers the option of Marc Felice, 25, of Bay Shore; ordering additional fentanyl and cocaine from what Tolin referred to as the “Tip Jar”. bail-eligible, held on bond; She would allegedly offer customers multiple shipping options and the opportunities Anthony Muniz, 33, of Amarillo, Texas; to give feedback and reviews of the products. non-bail-eligible; Tolin allegedly shipped more than 1,000 orders to forty different states since Diamond Pernell, 24, of Amityville; September 2024 via the USPS and UPS. She also allegedly utilized Uber to deliver non-bail-eligible; products within Suffolk. She received over $93,000 in untraceable cryptocurrency Berine Francois-Torres, 33, of Wyandanch; payments for two-and-a-half months until her arrest last month. non-bail-eligible; Interestingly, Tolin would also allegedly include overdose warning cards Donail Campbell, 33, of Ronkonkoma; (pictured right) to customers with details of potency and dangers of the narcotics bail-eligible, held on bond; within. The cards also cautioned customers to have naloxone, or NARCAN, on deck, Tersherra Green, 35, of Smithtown; and through the cards, Tolin also advised customers to not ingest the products non-bail-eligible; alone. She also stipulated that the products were intended for experienced, longRaheem Campbell, 30, of Wheatley Heights; term customers only. non-bail-eligible; Tolin’s Centereach home and garage were searched by the Suffolk County Malachi Campbell, 22, of Amityville; Sheriff’s Department on March 14, in which hundreds of grams of narcotics were non-bail-eligible; recovered. The garage also contained multiple computers, cell phones, packages Malik McClinton, 35, of Amityville; held on bond; being prepared for shipment, and a stockpile of the overdose cards, as well as Messiah Floyd-Gordon, 24, of West Hempstead; envelopes, packaging, and shipping materials, Xylazine test strips, and a digital non-bail-eligible; scale. Gerard Pico, 62, of Bay Shore; non-bail eligible; “Today’s indictments are a testament to the collaboration of our law enforcement Taahziah Brown, 28, of Sayville; partners. Thank you to the Fentanyl Taskforce for putting these narcotics traffickers in custody awaiting arraignment; and gang members out of business across our communities,” said Sheriff Errol Kayla Brown, 26, of Dix Hills; non-bail-eligible; Toulon, Jr. (D). “Fentanyl has taken a devastating toll on residents of our county, and Lucy Torres, 41, of Oakdale; non-bail-eligible; we will continue to do everything we can to get this deadly weapon off our streets Christopher Eisenhut, 44, of Selden; and these bad actors behind bars where they belong.” non-bail-eligible; “The success of the SCDA Fentanyl Task Force is evident with the takedown of Christina Sarelakos, 39, of Selden; this major narcotics operation that was spreading poison across the country and non-bail-eligible; and undoubtedly these arrests are saving lives,” said SCPD Commissioner Kevin Catalina. Monica Jones, 49, of Commack; non-bail-eligible. “We remain committed and will continue to allot the necessary resources to target dangerous traffickers like Larell Cambell and Carolyn Tolin who peddle dangerous Conspiracy in the Second Degree - 25-to-Life Sentence narcotics for their own financial gain.” Justin Stroman, 37, of Hempstead; held on bond
18
Progress Thursday, January 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
L.I.-MacArthur Ranked #2 Best Small Airport in National Survey Originally published October 23, 2025 By Matt Meduri It’s no secret to locals that Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is perhaps the region’s crown jewel when it comes to transit. To outsiders, it became known in 2023 as the fifth-best small airport in the country in a USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award Survey. Last year, ISP notched a noble bronze - third place. This year, however, it goes into uncharted territory as the second-best small airport in the United States. This marks the fifth nomination for ISP overall. “Long Island MacArthur Airport continues to rise in the list of the best small airports,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) in a statement. “This year, we secured the number-two spot, our best showing to date. The outpouring of support for Long Island’s hometown airport and more air service is being recognized by travelers, and we are so grateful!” ISP has been undergoing some serious upgrades over the last couple years, including upgrades to perimeter security, explosive- and substance-sniffing pooches, courtesy of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), the growing relationship with the relatively new lowcost carrier Breeze, and a courting of six carriers: Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Avelo, Cape Air, and Southwest. In the winter, the airport became the recipient of a $150 million grant from New York State for infrastructure upgrades, which kicked off with a visit from Governor Kathy Hochul (D) herself. ISP was defeated for the top slot by Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), which serves Grand Rapids, Michigan, and took the silver in last year’s contest. “We send our congratulations to Gerald Ford Airport. Long Island showed great determination and creativity on social media with customers near and far sharing stories and support,” said ISP Commissioner Rob Schenider in a statement. “We also appreciate the support of so many local residents who voted each day and also to community groups like the Long Island Ducks,
MacArthur Business Alliance, Discover Long Island, and HIA-LI who helped us get the word out.” Just behind ISP is Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), which serves Providence and was the fourth-place runner up to Islip last year. Fourth to tenth place are as follows: Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Piedmont Triad Intl. Airport (GSO) - Greensboro, North Carolina; Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester Intl. Airport (ROC) - Rochester, New York; Huntsville Intl. Airport (HSV) Huntsville, Alabama; Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) - Wichita, Kansas; Pensacola Intl. Airport (PNS) - Pensacola, Florida; and Fresno Yosemite Intl. Airport (FAT) - Fresno, California. Myrtle Beach has fallen slightly from grace, having won first place last year and winning fourth this year. Runners-up in last year’s list who were absent from this year’s were Patrick Leahy Burlington Intl. Airport (BTV) - Burlington, Vermont; and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) Manchester, New Hampshire. Newcomers to this year’s list consist of Pensacola and Fresno. Greensboro shot up from tenth to fifth, Rochester bumped up from seventh to sixth, Providence moved from fourth to third, and Huntsville moved up from ninth to seventh, while Wichita dropped from sixth to eighth. “This best-ever effort energizes our community as we continue to work hard with air carriers to bring more destinations and travel options from Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville) in a statement. “It also encourages us to continue reaching out to visitors in other areas to showcase Long Island and welcome tourism to our area.” With two placement gains in the last two years, perhaps there’s only one more year to go until our very own MacArthur takes the gold…
County Puts Forward Safety Measures on E-Bikes and Hotel Trafficking Concerns Originally published December 4, 2025 By Madison Warren
This past week, public hearings closed on several key pieces of legislation before the Suffolk County Legislature: I.R. 1835, which would establish additional regulations on the use of electric scooters and electric-assist bicycles; I.R. 1836, aimed at increasing restrictions and penalties for the unlawful operation of motorized scooters; and I.R. 1838, which seeks to strengthen recordkeeping requirements, raise penalties, and prohibit hourly rates at hotels and motels. Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), a co-sponsor on all three measures, highlighted the urgent need for more decisive county-level action— particularly regarding human trafficking, which he has repeatedly described as one of the most severe and rapidly growing public safety threats facing Suffolk County. That concern is the driving force behind I.R. 1838. According to Lennon, the Northeast has become a “red-hot” region for trafficking, with Suffolk County accounting for a significant share of statewide cases. One of the key issues he raised is the continued availability of hourly room rates at local hotels and motels—a loophole frequently exploited by traffickers. He referenced reports of minors being cycled in and out of rooms for “a few hours at a time over several days,” a pattern he says law enforcement has been observing for years. “This is not just a Brentwood issue or a Coram issue,” he told The Messenger. “It’s happening everywhere, including high-end hotels. From one-star to five-star properties, trafficking is occurring across the spectrum.” Lennon expressed a determination to close this gap and protect vulnerable individuals across Long Island. I.R. 1838 aims to eliminate hourly rentals, tighten documentation requirements, and give law enforcement clearer tools to identify suspicious activity—particularly in establishments known to operate with minimal oversight.
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) also voiced strong support for the measure, describing Lennon’s efforts as essential to strengthening public protection across the county. “I am proud of the efforts Legislator Lennon has taken to advance resources and protections available to all residents throughout this County, and this resolution is further evidence of his desire to serve and protect,” McCaffrey stated. “From a Marine to a Legislator, he has always put others first. I hope this is the catalyst for continued efforts to embolden Suffolk County’s resources in the fight against human trafficking.” In addition to trafficking concerns, Lennon has been outspoken about the increasing dangers surrounding e-bikes and motorized scooters—issues directly addressed in I.R. 1835 and I.R. 1836. Across his district, he has observed riders operating without helmets, weaving through traffic, and using modified e-bikes capable of reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Their near-silent operation, he noted, leaves drivers with little warning and poses a significant risk on busy roads. “We’re getting constant calls. They’re taking up the road, and you can’t hear them coming. It’s a real issue.” Although New York State law requires riders to be at least 16 years old, Lennon believes many families are unaware of the regulations. To address this, he distributed informational packets to local school districts outlining all current laws and safety guidelines. “I don’t think parents know the law because the information isn’t out there,” Lennon explained, noting that proper education must accompany enforcement. His most significant concern, he stressed, is that without action, serious injury or fatality is inevitable. Presiding Officer McCaffrey echoed the urgency surrounding the unsafe operation of e-bikes and scooters throughout Suffolk County.
“Not only can I not go anywhere without seeing an e-bike or a scooter, but I also can’t go to any community event without people saying, ‘What can we do about these kids on e-bikes and scooters?’” said McCaffrey. “With several newsworthy incidents of our youth being injured in accidents involving e-bikes and other motorized devices, we had to act to deter this behavior and give our public safety community the tools necessary to make our residents safer.” Under the proposed legislation, motorized scooters, electric scooters, and electric-assist bicycles would be prohibited on sidewalks, off-road County property, and any roadway with a posted speed limit above 30 mph. The bills also solidify helmet requirements for all riders and passengers and restrict use by anyone under 16 on public roads or property. The resolutions adopt the enforcement language from Suffolk’s “street takeover” law, which bans reckless behaviors such as zig-zag riding, trick stunts, operating under the influence, and fleeing police. Penalties would increase substantially, from $500 to $5,000 for repeated offenses. In severe cases, officers would have the authority to impound the bike or scooter. Parents or guardians of offenders under 18 would be held responsible for fines. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and multiple law enforcement agencies have already expressed support, with a final vote expected later this month. These bills reflect a continued effort to keep our communities safe and reduce preventable dangers across Suffolk County. With the support and dedication of leaders such as Legislator Chad Lennon, Officer Kevin McCaffrey, and other local officials, residents can be confident that meaningful steps are being taken to protect Suffolk’s towns and the people who call them home.
AMAC Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Overview - AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Top International Travel Destinations 2026 By D.J. Wilson | AMAC Among the greatest pleasures in life is international travel. Philosopher St. Augustine explained, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Similarly, Irish author Oscar Wilde (perhaps paraphrased) encouraged people to “Travel far, travel often, and travel without regret.” These quotes remind us of the value of seeing the world to gain fulfillment. Here’s why you should travel far and wide! Say “Yes!” to international travel While domestic travel is undeniably delightful, going to foreign countries offers opportunities to broaden our horizons and experience diverse cultures. “Boy, those French,” shares actor and comedian Steve Martin, “They have a different word for everything.” The wisdom of others, even with a dash of humor intertwined, encourages us to bravely move beyond our doorsteps to learn new things and explore the world. Here are four highly visitable international travel destinations bound to wow you in 2026. 1. Vancouver, Canada: This major coastal city in British Columbia, Canada, should top international travelers’ bucket lists, and here’s why. Located on the southwestern corner of the mainland and nestled between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the beloved city is known for its stunning outdoor scenery and activities. Surrounded on three sides by water, Vancouver proudly serves as a vibrant major port city. It is also the largest city in BC, bountiful in high-tech industries and continually ranking high amongst the most livable cities of the world. Vancouver boasts a friendly atmosphere that’s rich in arts and science, with the Vancouver Art Gallery standing as a focal point containing an impressive collection of indigenous and contemporary art. The region also boasts a mild oceanic climate and a linguistically diverse legacy, with 52 percent of the population speaking a first language other than English. Travelers to this port city will enjoy spectacular views atop Vancouver Lookout, where visitors ride a glass elevator 553 feet up to gain new perspective of the surroundings. Let 360-degree views give you appreciation of the region and increase the spirit of exploration. Other top sights to see include Granville Island, a peninsula featuring a shopping, gallery, and dining district in the Fairview neighborhood of Vancouver. Also Explore Stanley Park, a large and serene natural space located in the heart of the downtown that features walking and biking trails. Adventurers will enjoy walking the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a roughly 450-ft. long bridge suspended 230-ft. in the air, taking a seaplane tour over Vancouver, or going Whale watching to spot minke, orca, gray and humpback whales. The Sea to Sky Gondola Squamish is just a short trip from Vancouver and transports visitors to amazing heights surrounded by majestic mountains and dramatic coastline. Tip, the best time to visit is from March to May and September to November when weather is mild and prices are more affordable. 2. Prague, Czech Republic: If Prague isn’t on your international travel bucket list, it should be! This spectacular city is in the heart of Central Europe on the Vltava River. Prague is both the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Though it’s considered a modernday city, it is also steeped in rich architecture and history. In fact, when people think of Prague, fairy-tale castles and cathedrals dripping with Old-World charm often come to mind. Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and serving as the official residence of the President and the historic seat of Czech power since the 9th century, is a sprawling collection of buildings, complete with courtyards, gardens, royal residences and several churches. This includes the notable St. Vitus Cathedral, a cherished Gothic masterpiece that houses royal tombs and treasures. Also important is St. George’s Basilica, a Romanesque church and the oldest preserved religious structure within the walls, dating to the 10th century. Prague’s famed astronomical clock is located on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall Tower in Prague’s beloved Old Town Square. Installed in 1410 and featuring animated figures, tourists and residents alike delight in watching the hourly show of the Apostles and exploring the Old Town Hall with lovely views from the tower. Though Prague is delightful year-round, the best time to visit is in the spring (April up to June) and autumn (September and October) when the weather is favorable and there are fewer tourists as compared to the peak of summer. 3. Bergen, Norway: This picturesque city, located on the west coast of Norway, is bound to delight visitors from near and far. Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and fjords, the Nordic city is a must-see destination in 2026. Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city and a major cruise port for exploring dramatic fjords of the region. The historic wharf area of Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved medieval wooden buildings, narrow alleyways, and historical significance as a major trading port. The old wharf reflects the importance of the area as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Though damaged by several fires and rebuilt, the devastating 1702 fire “shaped the city’s urban fabric permanently.” Per UNESCO, “Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape and these contain sufficient elements to demonstrate how this colony of bachelor German merchants lived and worked, and illustrate the use
of space in the district.” Visitors to the region can enjoy the lively area featuring cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants, and museums featuring merchant history, uniquely uniting the past and the present. A visit to Bergen is particularly enjoyable between May and September when the weather is mild, daylight hours are longer, and flowers bloom. 4. Porto, Portugal: Porto, located in Portugal’s northwest on the Douro River as it nears the Atlantic Ocean, is the country’s secondlargest city. If the name Porto sounds familiar, there’s a good reason why. The city is world renowned for its port wine production, with cellars located across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Though there are some hills, Porto is also beloved for its walkable historic riverside Ribeira district that features narrow, cobblestone streets, medieval merchant houses, and a fascinating mix of architecture to include baroque churches like São Francisco Church with its lavish and gilded interior. Other notable attractions include the historic Roman Catholic Porto Cathedral, the deck-arched Dom Luís I Bridge, the ornate Art
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us nouveau Café Majestic, the historic Neo-Gothic historic bookstore Livraria Lello, and the delightful gardens of Palacio de Cristal, a 19th-century glass and iron conservatory that was built as a greenhouse for the Philippine Exhibition in 1887. Today, it is frequently used by the Reina Sofía Museum showcasing temporary art. Travelers who enjoy warm and sunny weather will delight in a visit to Porto anytime from May to September. Top international travel destinations 2026 Domestic travel is wonderful no doubt. But international travel offers the added exhilaration of experiencing new languages, foods, and cultures. These four spectacular cities topped our international travel destination recommendations for 2026 for many reasons. Commonly, they each possess unique history, charm, and beauty. Adding to their appeal are their warm and welcoming atmospheres, unique architecture and visitable sites, favorable activities, art and culture, modern amenities and more. Plus, travelers have access to iconic landmarks and natural wonders that are unparalleled in the world.
WHERE BROADWAY MEETS MAIN STREET
O N
S T A G E
U P
N E X T
Featuring the Music of Whitney Houston
MAR 12–APR 26 C H I L D R E N’S
MAY 14–JUNE 28 T H E A T E R Rogers & Hammerstein’s
Jan 24–Mar 1
19
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
Mar 21–Apr 26 Youth Edition
6
WORD
8
Week 5
4
2 8
Expert
4 adjective 2 5 Pronounced: /aa·spi·shuhs/ 9 1
7 4
Definition: conducive to success; favorable.
7
2
8 7 3 4
9
6
4
3
4 9
2
6 1
1
2 7
5
2 6
7
5 1
See bottom of page for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
Master
This Week in History 12/09/2025
9 7
8 5
4 5 2
1 3
January 1, 1892:
9
W Y
Download the original Sudoku.com mobile application and play thousands of Sudoku puzzles anytime, anywhere! 12/09/2025
A
5 2 4 6 5 7 8 9 1 3
E
LA Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win, the longest winning streak in major professional sports. 7 8 3 1 9 4 2 6 5
2 R N 8 7 6
Ellis Island opens as a U.S. immigration inspection station, becomes the gateway to the US for more than 12 million people.
January 7, 1972:
1 9 5 2 6 3 7 8 4
6 3
6 2 8 3 4 7 1 5 9
1 2
New York Stock Exchange opens first permanent Download theits original Sudoku.com headquarters at mobile application thousands of 10-12 and Broad play St, near Wall Street in Sudoku puzzlesNew anytime, York City. anywhere!
9 5 4 8 1 6 3 7 2
WORD WHEEL
January 4, 1865:
8
3 7 1 9 2 5 8 4 6
4 6 1
V
3 5 3 9 8
5
7
1 3 7 4
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
SUDOKU
6
8
9 3 6
9
Example: “The fulfilled goals and renewed energy made the New Year seem auspicious.”
Etymology: Middle English: late 16th century: from auspice (meaning Antonyms: a divine or prophetic token) + -ous. unlikely, bleak, discouraging. Synonyms: Source: Oxford Languages favorable, promising, optimistic
5
2
Thursday, January 1, 2026
8 3 7 4 5 9 6 2 1
OF THE
1
AUSPICIOUS
Hard
9
5
5 Bits & Pieces
6 3
5 9 3
5 1 9 6 8 2 4 3 7
20
2
Master
1 8 5 7 6 3 4 2 9
3 7 4 9 2 8 5 6 1
4 9 6 1 5 7 8 3 2
7 5 3 2 8 4 1 9 6
2 1 8 3 9 6 7 4 5
5 3 1 6 7 2 9 8 4
6 4 9 8 3 1 2 5 7
January 5, 1940: FCC hears the first transmission of FM radio with clear, static-free signal.
9 6 2 4 1 5 3 7 8
8 2 7 5 4 9 6 1 3
5 8 9 7 3 4 6 1 2
7 4 6 2 1 9 3 5 8
1 2 3 6 8 5 7 4 9
4 7 2 5 6 8 1 9 3
9 5 1 3 4 2 8 6 7
6 3 8 1 9 7 5 2 4
3 9 4 8 5 1 2 7 6
8 1 7 9 2 6 4 3 5
2 6 5 4 7 3 9 8 1
Expert
Hard
5 3 1 4 9 8 6 2 7 8 2 7 3 6 1 5 9 4
1 8 5 4 2 6 7 9 3 7 3 6 8 9 5 4 2 1
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
January 2, 1906:
Willis Carrier receives a US patent for the world’s first air conditioner.
January 6, 1979:
4 6 2 7 3 1 5 9 8
9
Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day.
January 3, 1521:
Martin Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Roman Catholic Church for failing to recant parts of his NinetyFive Theses, which started the Protestant Reformation.
Source: Onthisday.com.
Messenger Perspectives Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Originally published April 24, 2025
21
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Finding a Friend on the Road of Discouragement By PJ Balzer These weren’t two well-known people. They weren’t part of the hyper-spiritual inner circle. One of them was named Cleopas and the other remains nameless to us until this very day. The Bible never mentioned that person’s name, while Cleopas is only mentioned once in the entire Bible. But Jesus loved them and cared immensely about how downcast they were feeling. Despite them not having a big name or being a spiritual giant, a faith-filled mover and shaker, He cares for the lowly, unseen and nameless as well. As they were journeying away from Jerusalem, walking on the lonely road to Emmaus, the two persons were recorded walking and talking together, talking specifically about what everyone else in the region was talking about: the main and current event that just took place, the execution and burial of Jesus. They had also recently heard that He was resurrected from the dead and was walking around town. They were too disappointed to believe it for themselves though. The Bible insinuates that they reasoned with one another while sounding really discouraged. They initially thought and definitely had hoped that things would have worked out differently. They most likely witnessed many of His miracles and wonders. They saw His power on visible display and the way He was able to answer prayer. They probably figured, “This is it; it’s only up from here. We will never want, suffer, or experience loss ever again. God is here, walking amongst us, to eliminate all oppression, depression, tragedy, and everything else we’ve had to suffer through.” But suddenly, the One that they had hoped in was also taken captive and taken away. Everything they had hoped for and possibly planned for was in a dark tomb. They found themselves walking the lonely road of discouragement, the road that each one of us has or will walk at different points in life. A person who they thought was a stranger walked up behind them. He asked them what they were talking about and sounded so discouraged over, as if He didn’t already know. But He’s a gentle friend that’s willing to walk and talk with us. He’s willing to entertain our heartbreak and our loss of faith. He’s known to meet an individual along the journey while we’re at the depths of our discouragement. He walks and keeps walking, because He knows that healing a heart is an ongoing process and not a one-time event. Their eyes were opened as they realized it was Jesus walking up behind them. Furthermore, He was also willing to continue until sundown on the lonely road with these two seemingly unknown people He answered their honest and transparent questions. He encouraged them; He explained what had happened according to His divine purposes that they couldn’t initially understand. The resurrected Christ didn’t harshly condemn them; He encouraged their hearts as they shared a meal together. His presence and voice helped them to continue on the journey. When I was much younger, someone older told me, “As life goes on, you’ll find out who their true friends are when you’re at the very bottom. You’ll have dozens of friends when everything seems to be going well, when you’re fun to hang out with and have money to throw around. But wait to see who is sitting next to your hospital bed, who stands with you as you’re on the unemployment line, who comes to visit you regularly if you’re ever incarcerated, who is still looking to be your friend when you’re feeling lost and in a deep depression, when you’re broke, have nothing to offer in return, and find yourself in need. You’ll unfortunately be able to count your friends on only one hand then.” While he wasn’t totally wrong, I can also say that those times have revealed a friend I’ve found that has been willing to walk every step of every lonely road with me. Jesus has been there at the very top and the very bottom too, situations that I thought would pummel me have ended up working out for a greater purpose that I couldn’t see at the time. There’s been healing, provision, encouragement, and a heart change along the narrow way. He’s been a friend I’ve found along the road of discouragement.
Lord, I pray for everyone today who opened this newspaper to this very page who has been discouraged, those who have been feeling alone, friendless, confused, hopeless, and swimming in the depths of depression. I pray that you would touch their minds and hearts with a hope that only you can provide. I pray for your comfort to surround them and for your word to encourage their hearts. Thank you, God, for being a friend that’s nearer to us then even our own breath. We look to you today for help, hope and a personal resurrection of our own hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Originally from Thursday, May 1, 2025
Port Jefferson Girls’ Lacrosse
Hits Two Milestones in 2025 By Ashley Pavlakis
The 2024-2025 Port Jefferson Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Team (Credit - Instagram @pjgirlsvarsitylax)
The Port Jefferson varsity girls’ lacrosse team is back and working their way back up the standings. The Royals got an early start to celebrating milestones this season as two of their players notched honorable feats. The Royals are members of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in DIV II. The varsity program was established in 2015. They’re led by 5th-year head coach Macayla Raupp and assistant coach Logan Hoffman. They’re off to a slower start, having a losing record of 3-7-0. High school athletic milestones always call for celebrations as they are some of the best moments of one’s young adult life. The Royals have two milestones to celebrate this season as Anna Matva notched her 100th career goal and Emma Batter recorded her 600th career save. Senior goaltender, Emma Batter recorded her 600th career save in their matchup versus Center Moriches, 11 saves brought her to the feat. Batter is a multisport athlete, participating in basketball and volleyball for the Royals when she’s not mining the net. Batter has committed to Mercy College and will compete for the Mavericks at the Division II level. Senior midfielder/attacker, Anna Matvya scored her 100th career goal in their matchup versus Southampton. One goal? Nice. Three goals and four assists? Amazing! Matvya scored a hat-trick in the team’s 16-1 win. A seven- point game was
certainly one for the record books. Matvya is a dual sport athlete, playing point guard for the basketball team in addition to being a team captain. The Royals are working their way to find balance on the scoresheet. Currently, their record is a bit lopsided in terms of scoring. Of their three wins, they outscored their opponents 38 to 14. On the other hand, they’ve also been subjected to the onslaught of goals, giving up 107 goals in their seven losses. As stated previously, lacrosse is unique. It’s one of the sports that is typically on the higher-scoring side of things. It’s not uncommon to see double-digit scoring, but one can hope they’re just able to score more goals than the other team. Lacrosse differs in various ways between the girls and boys games. For starters, the girls stick is made with a shallow pocket, so cradling the ball is much harder. Girls lacrosse is much less physical than the boys and they rely more on strategy and skill to get the job done. One advantage on the girls’ side is that they get 12 players on the field rather than 10, giving them more options to get the ball to the net. With six games left to go in the regular season, the Port Jefferson Royals are putting in the work to get back on the winning side of the standings. They’ll have to face six league opponents in West Babylon, Hampton Bays, John Glenn, Comsewogue, Hauppauge, and Eastport-South Manor, all of which sit on the bottom half of the DIV II standings. This stretch will be important for the Royals as they look to gain some ground in the standings.
23
First Annual Coach Darrell Sumpter Game Originally published December 11, 2025
By PJ Balzer On the evening of Thursday, December 4, the William Floyd School District alongside the boys’ varsity basketball team implemented their first ever Darrell Sumpter Memorial Game. It was an evening of remembrance, reflection, and generosity and was topped off with a win. “Coach D” passed away suddenly and tragically a year ago in a car accident on Sunrise Highway. He was someone who left a deep impact and lasting love in and for his own community. A year later, we are still talking about him and finding ways to honor his legacy. Prior to the non-league matchup against Sachem North, a statement was read as the usually noisy gym sat completely silent. A well-written piece spoke of Coach D’s accomplishments and the heart behind everything he did. He lived for something bigger than himself and that was obvious in everything he did. He lived for the community, the team, and the individual kids that walked into the gym. Darrell ran the youth basketball programs, open gym nights, and started the basketball team’s Booster Club which helped countless kids with items they needed to play the game effectively. It also helped their families and their future endeavors, as needed. This evening honored his life and legacy well. His spouse and children were present selling T-shirts to help fund the Darrell Sumpter Scholarship Fund. A few handfuls of alumni were in attendance, some who played under Assistant Coach Darrell and others who went to school with him. The Colonials concluded an emotional evening together as a community with a convincing win over Sachem North by a score of 63-51. On a much more personal note, I knew Coach D and have watched his devotion to these kids and the community over the years. His car was always full of kids who didn’t have a ride to get to the gym or to practice. His home and his personal pockets were open to kids who found themselves in need. He was even known to help kids who weren’t necessarily basketball players but simply neighbors lacking. A little under a year prior to his untimely passing at age 51, I felt the personal urge to write an individual story on Coach Darrell. Not necessarily on the team or it’s much success at the time but on him and everything he’s done for this community. Of course, he pushed off and deflected
any praise he was to receive towards other people and his players. Even that speaks volumes of the type of man that he was. Not surprisingly, “The Muscle Behind the Hustle” ended up being my most read and shared story on social media, twice in a year span, both while he was with us and after he was gone. A day after his passing, one of the teachers in the William Floyd School District made a board with the story’s name and his commonly used motivational quotes for his players, many of which were in her class at the time. I’m glad that I followed my heart’s prompting and took the time to write that story on just him and him alone. He deserved it and he’s undoubtedly missed. “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” - It’s a Wonderful Life
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
2026 To our readers and advertisers, Thank you for your support and readership throughout this year. We look forward to a better and brighter New Year and hope the same for you and your families. From all of us at The Messenger Papers, we wish you a Happy New Year !