San Francisco liberal Kamala Harris doubled down on her radical progressive bona fides by selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential candidate.
He is someone who makes AOC look conservative.
There’s no need for the GOP side of the aisle to attack Harris based on what race she identifies as, her laugh, or lack of experience as a CEO.
If voters decide to take a hard look at the policies promoted by Walz and his left wing record as Minnesota Governor, then Donald J. Trump will win the race for the White House in an Electoral College landslide.
Here’s the Walz “record” that the mainstream media will either ignore, gloss over, or twist to his political benefit:
• As Governor he led the charge to place menstrual products in boys bathrooms across schools in Minnesota. Let that one sink in: menstrual products in the little boys
bathroom. Most rational parents will reject this guy outright on that one.
• His first act as the Chief Executive Officer of Minnesota in 2019 was to force DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices in hiring across the government. His administration didn’t even abide by his own DEI guidelines, as only 14.3% of his appointees were a racial or ethnic minority. Rules for thee but not for me.
• Walz’s very first proposed budget included $2 billion in spending increases and $1.2 billion in tax increases.
• When angry mobs burnt down Minneapolis businesses and attacked police, Governor Walz sat on his hands and was roundly criticized for not sending in the National Guard to protect law enforcement and property. He followed that up by promoting “defund the police” type reforms.
• This one is shocking: back in 1989 Walz taught a Chinese
Beach Tips to Stay Safe
ByRobertChartuk
While idyllic days at the beach are one of Long Island’s main summer attractions, there are many hazards to consider. These won’t ruin your day if you’re prepared.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put together a list of beach dangers and the safety tips you need to know to keep your outings safe.
Riptides:
Two Left Wing Peas in a Radical Progressive Pod
Communist Party approved course in China, calling it “one of the best things he ever did.” He arrived and taught right after the violent and deadly Tiananmen Square massacre.
• Walz wasted $5 million in COVID funds building a morgue that housed zero dead bodies. None.
• And the final nail in the Harris-Walz radical progressive coffin? As Governor of Minnesota he strongly supported the rights of illegal immigrants over hard working taxpayers, giving illegals free healthcare, driver’s licenses, and even tuition, all on the taxpayer’s dime.
Folks, the future of our Constitutional Republic hangs in the balance.
Do your homework this November. I firmly believe the team of President Trump and JD Vance will put America First, secure the border, get the economy back on sound fiscal footing, and make the world a safer place.
These currents account for more than 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. They are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore that quickly pull swimmers out to sea. Rip currents typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. The best way to stay safe is to recognize the danger of rip currents. If caught in one, don't fight it! Swim parallel to the shore and swim
A Harris-Walz Presidency and Vice Presidency would be Joe Biden’s second term.
Become an educated voter. Ask yourself after reading the Walz record: will America be better off with him being one heartbeat away from the Oval Office?
Harris and Walz are two left wing, liberal extremists in a radical progressive pod.
As for me, I know American cannot afford these two turning our great nation into San Francisco.
sharks can become trapped by low tide, and near steep dropoffs where sharks' prey gather. To reduce your risk, don’t swim too far from shore, stay in groups, avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight, don't go in the water if you are bleeding from a wound, leave shiny jewelry at home, and avoid brightly colored swimwear.
Jellyfish:
back to land at an angle. Always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards.
Sharks:
Shark attacks, though rare, are most likely to occur near shore, typically inshore of a sandbar or between sandbars, where
Most jellyfish sting, but not all have harmful venom. Of the 2,000 species of jellyfish, only about 70 seriously harm or may occasionally kill people. When on the beach, take note of jellyfish warning signs. Be careful around jellies washed up on the sand, as some still sting if their tentacles are wet. Tentacles
torn off a jellyfish can sting, too. If you are stung, don't rinse with water, which could release more poison. Lifeguards usually give first aid for stings. See a doctor if you have an allergic reaction.
Waves:
A shorebreak is an ocean condition when waves break directly on the shore. Both small and high waves can be equally as unpredictable and dangerous and typically form when there is a rapid transition from deep to shallow water. The power of a shorebreak can cause injuries to extremities and the cervical spine. Spinal cord injuries most often occur when diving headfirst into the water or being tumbled by the force of the waves.
Continued on page 6
Photo Credit: X
Vice President Harris with Running Mate Tim Walz
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByRobertChartuk
Multi-Million Methadone Hole in County Budget
Suffolk is looking at a $17 million hole in its budget, having failed under a previous administration to file for federal reimbursement for its methadone maintenance program.
“It’s another casualty of the hack,” said County Comptroller John Kennedy, referring to the cyberattack that shut down government operations for months when Steve Bellone was county executive. “The software they were using was either compromised, or it
was so outdated that they just gave up and never submitted the claims.” He estimated the missing funds to be between $12 and $17 million.
“The county provided the services; we have all the paperwork showing we are owed the money,” Bellone's successor, Ed Romaine, noted. “They made no effort to get the money back and totally missed the boat.” The county executive said he discussed a deadline extension with Senator Chuck Schumer’s office and will brief Suffolk’s
Congressional delegation on the issue.
“People don’t want to see waste in government,” Romaine continued. “There was no transition with my predecessor. We had to discover this on our own.”
When reached by the South Shore Press, Bellone questioned the comptroller’s estimate, saying the methadone program costs about $7.5 million per year, with the state reimbursing about 50%. He declined to comment further.
When properly used under the direction of a licensed medical practitioner, methadone is an effective medication for treating individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD), according to the American Addiction Centers. “Used in treating opioid addiction for nearly 50 years, methadone is one of two opioid agonist medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for OUD treatment,” the organization said. “Studies indicate that when used as a part of a comprehensive OUD treatment plan, methadone is associated with numerous benefits, including reduced cravings, significantly higher rates of treatment retention, and lower rates
of illicit opioid use.
The nation is suffering a deadly fentanyl epidemic as opioid users are resorting to black market drugs, many laced with the deadly poison. Illicit drugs coming over the southern border, particularly fentanyl sourced from China, have become a key issue in the race for the White House, with former President Donald Trump accusing the Biden-Harris administration of doing little to stop them.
“The prior administration was genuinely clueless as far as how to operate the basic, fundamental elements of governance,” Comptroller Kennedy charged. “Cyber hack or no cyber hack, they should have applied for the methadone clinic reimbursements,” he said, adding that he is “working with the Romaine administration on new software to make sure nothing like this ever slips through the cracks again.”
William Floyd Students Shine at National Competition
ByStefanMychajliw
Two William Floyd High School rising seniors and teammates in the YMCA Changemakers Project competition – Alice Chen and Mathew Reis – were recently selected as one of three nationwide team winners at the YMCA Changemakers Summit.
YMCA Changemakers is completely youth-led and designed for students across the nation to propose projects that address critical needs on a local level. As a result of their project being selected among the top three, Alice and Mathew will receive a $5,000 grant to implement their project within our local community.
Alice and Mathew’s winning project, “Gorgeous Gardens: Long Island Nitrogen Pollution,” focuses on addressing nitrogen pollution caused by stormwater runoff, resulting in ecological dead zones,
algal blooms, and ozone depletion.
According to the proposal, “Gorgeous Gardens will implement rain gardens in local public areas, reducing runoff, mitigating flooding and lowering nitrogen levels by 40%. These cost-effective, low-maintenance gardens will also filter pollutants, support pollinators and inspire community engagement and environmental awareness.” Alice and Mathew have been in contact with Long Island YMCA leaders to discuss next steps and future implementation of their project.
Fellow rising seniors Hiba Farooq and Kaitlyn Corn also competed in this prestigious competition, which featured just 40 teams consisting of 80 students total (two per team) from 22 states representing the YMCA through schools, communities and programs. In addition to solving critical needs or issues in local communities,
also had the opportunity to explore Washington, DC.
The Changemakers Summit is informed by the YMCA’s
During the conference, students
Changemaker Strategy, which aims to prepare young people to be active contributors and stakeholders in decision-making within their communities. The Changemaker Strategy is guided by three principles: beliefs and values, meaningful experiences, and intentional settings.
“Through initiatives like YMCA Changemakers, the Y empowers young people to address today's challenges and shape the future of their communities,” said Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of Y-USA. “I am inspired by the finalists and every student who embraced this opportunity. Their dedication, ingenuity and civic mindedness give me great hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
Waging War on Ticks in Brookhaven
ByStefanMychajliw
Ticks in and around Brookhaven, beware.
Recently released predators are on the prowl to stop the miserable mites from biting people and spreading disease.
Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilman Michael Loguercio were on hand for the annual northern bobwhite quail release at the Town of Brookhaven’s Longwood Estate in Ridge.
The bird release is a program sponsored by the Town and the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery
to help control the
Changemakers is designed to help students learn from one another’s ideas, as well as develop and enhance their leadership skills.
Photo Credit: Rehab Guide
Photo Credit: Maric Health
(CEED)
tick population, especially the deer tick, which is a carrier of Lyme disease.
The Town worked with CEED
to raise the birds for release into the wild. Once abundant on Long Island, northern bobwhite quail is released annually in Brookhaven.
Photo Credit: Town of Brookhaven
Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilman Michael Loguercio; and CEED Wildlife Biologist, Program and Site Director, Eric Powers; with volunteers.
Photo Credit: WFSD
Photo Credit: WFSD
William Floyd High School rising seniors Alice Chen and Mathew Reis presented their project proposal at the YMCA Changemakers Summit.
L to R: Kayla Payne, Specialist on Health Partnerships and Policy at YMCA of the USA; students Alice Chen and Mathew Reis; and Ebone’ “E” Mitchell, Director for Strategy and Quality Practices for Teens at YMCA of the USA.
ByRobertChartuk
Long Islanders Not Too Keen on the Biden Economy
With the White House painting a rosy picture of the Biden administration’s fiscal record, the South Shore Press hit the streets to find out how the people feel about current economic conditions.
“We’re on the front line of this slow economy with customers cutting back on discretionary spending. Everyone is in buckle-down mode, not doing decks or building pools; home sales have lost velocity. People aren’t going on vacation anymore; they’re wondering if they will ever be able to retire.”—Dennis Layton,
Professional Land Surveyor, East Moriches.
“Inflation and the slow economy are having a bad effect on my business. Between vehicles and running my equipment, the gas prices are killing me. People are holding back to see what the next administration will do. Joe Biden is why the economy tanked. People had no confidence in the leadership of this country.” Joseph Raffloer, Arborist at I Trees, Manorville.
“We’re paying more for everything; it’s horrible. There are things you just can’t do without:
food, fuel, electricity—and the prices are skyrocketing. The
Officer Honored for Offshore Save
ByRobertChartuk
Even on a day off, fishing with friends 80 miles out in the Atlantic, Police Officer Bill Parmenter was prepared to save a life.
The former Coast Guardsman and trained paramedic heard a radio call from another boat about a man who had suffered severe lacerations. He had his own medical kit and, upon arriving at the scene, applied two tourniquets and stopped the bleeding.
For his actions, Parmenter was honored at the Suffolk Legislature and is the first to be named “Cop of the Month” under a new program. With official proclamations of appreciation in hand, the 2nd Precinct Officer from Northport posed for photos with his family and Suffolk lawmakers. The former Coast Guard member, 35, was part of a new class of officers graduating from the Suffolk Police Academy in May.
"Officer Parmenter embodies what it means to be a Suffolk County Police officer,” said Lou Civello, Suffolk PBA President. “Always prepared to act even while off duty on Long Island's tumultuous waters, his dedication saved this man's life. We are very proud of his heroic actions."
After stabilizing the victim, who suffered cuts to both legs from hooks while fighting a large fish, Parmenter called for a Coast Guard helicopter, which transported him to MacArthur Airport for a trip to Stony Brook Hospital. A Suffolk Police Aviation unit served as a backup while the Coast Guard chopper made its way from Cape Cod.
Parmenter stayed with the victim’s boat for a while, calming his wife and friends and helping to clean up. He’s since been in touch with his fellow angler and has an open invitation to go fishing with him.
imbecile in the White House took a good economy and ruined it with policies that are against the American people. Bidenomics have been a disaster.”—Steve Falletta, Retiree, Eastport.
“The economy has been turned upside down over the last few years. The people on fixed incomes are getting less for more. We have learned what it means to tighten our belt; how to prioritize what we really need and what we have to live without.”—Jill Falletta, Retiree, Eastport.
“It’s an Economic Hurricane.
Interest rates are crazy; the price of everything has gone up—it’s outrageous. We worked for years so we could retire, and now we can’t do the things we had always planned to do. We have to cut back on everything. It’s a shame what they’ve done to our country.”— Stan Kid, Retired Police Officer, Eastport.
“It’s like we were first married and didn’t have much. I don’t see a future for the younger generations. How can they afford a house with interest rates and prices so high? How can they afford a family?”— Marianne Kid, Retiree, Eastport.
Local and State Lawmakers Honor Eagle Scout
ByStefanMychajliw
Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner and New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio were guests at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Boy Scouts.
Honored by the Brookhaven and NYS lawmaker were:
Julian Gunnell. His Eagle project was to provide a bike rack for Heritage Park in Mount Sinai. He purchased the bike rack through his fundraising efforts and then led a group to install the bike rack at the park.
Alexander Polyansky. His Eagle Scout project was to build and paint 50 bluebird houses for the DEC office in Ridge. These replaced older versions of the houses. This will help the DEC conserve the bluebird, New York’s state bird.
Lucas Skubliskas. He created medical information sheets that included information that would be important for first responders and hospitals to have if a person was incapacitated when an ambulance has been called.
These sheets are being placed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Rocky Point and mailed out to all Mount Sinai residents
L to R: Julian
Alexander
Superintendent Dr.
in the annual fundraiser flyer sent by the Mount Sinai Fire Department. It will also be placed in other churches and the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai. Wooden holders were also created to hold the pamphlets that individuals can take and complete.
“I commend these fine young men for the work that they’ve done to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Their leadership qualities, hard work and dedication to the community set a great example for their peers to follow,” said Councilwoman Bonner.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Suffolk Police Officer Bill Parameter was honored by the county for coming to the aid of a fisherman 80 miles out in the Atlantic.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Steve Falletta
Jill Falletta
Dennis Layton
Marianne Kid
Stan Kid
Joseph Raffloer
Photo Credit: Town of Brookhaven
Gunnell,
Polyansky and Lucas Skubliskas from Troop 1776, and Mount Sinai School District
Christine Criscione.
ByRobertChartuk
Local Businesses Get Leg up for Water Authority Contracts
Preference for Suffolk Water Authority contracts will now go to local small businesses under a new directive from the board of directors.
If they meet the standards for value and are less than 5% higher than out-of-town vendors, local businesses will be awarded contracts for goods and professional services, the authority announced. The new policy does not apply to construction contracts.
“We are all about supporting the Suffolk County economy, and this measure will do just that,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz. We contract out for more than $115 million in goods and services each year. We’ve found that, in many instances, smaller businesses based right here in Suffolk County are more responsive and get things delivered to us quickly. So, we are not only supporting the local economy, but we are getting a better value for our customers.”
To qualify for the local business preference, the enterprise must have at least one employee who works from a physical location within Suffolk County and
primarily does business in the county. This ensures that large national companies with offices in Suffolk do not qualify under the policy, Lefkowitz noted. The operation must also have less than 15 total employees to qualify as a small business.
SCWA says it contracts for a wide-ranging array of services, including everything from water storage tank rehabilitation to bill printing to IT infrastructure.
Contracts that exceed a certain threshold must go through a public procurement process that follows state law for municipal contracting. Vendors can bid on contracts and compete with others to provide services.
Generally, SCWA must choose the bid with the lowest cost. However, officials said the authority can consider several other factors when selecting a bid, such as vendor experience, responsibility, quality of product, and whether the business is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Under the new policy, the fact that a bid is from a small local business is added to the list of considerations.
“This is all about getting the best value for our customers,” stated Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Szabo. “Giving a preference to local businesses is going to benefit Suffolk County. This policy brings us in line with local municipalities such as the Town of Brookhaven, which has had a local business preference policy for years.”
The Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation serving about 1.2 million Suffolk residents, Szabo pointed out.
EdCOPS Act of 2024 Aims to Beef up Local Police Force Ranks
ByDeborahWilliams
Are you considering becoming a police officer? Now may be the time to do it as Congress seeks to increase incentives to help police forces across New York State and the nation fill their dwindling ranks.
Senators Mark Kelly (DAZ) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Educational and Career Opportunities for Public Safety (EdCOPS) Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to support local law enforcement recruitment and retention efforts. Rep. Mike Lawler (RNY) from Rockland County and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) cosponsored the Act in the House of Representatives.
EdCOPS Act of 2024 “amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide education assistance to public safety officers, and for other purposes.”
Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Lou Civello said, "We face a national crisis recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers. The Bipartisan EdCOPS Act is an important step in addressing
this critical issue. The EdCOPS Act is an investment in the next generation of our nation's police officers and will help ensure we have highly trained and welleducated people protecting us."
Law enforcement agencies across the country face a historic crisis in hiring and keeping qualified candidates. The EdCOPS Act hopes to address this by providing education benefits to public safety officers and their dependents.
“As crime rates rise and law enforcement agencies experience staffing shortages, Congress must ensure that states have the resources they need to attract and retain highquality police officers. This bill would do just that by investing in the men and women in blue
who keep our communities safe,” said Hawley.
A 2023 Police Executive Research study shows that police agencies are losing officers faster than they can hire new ones. The study reports that agencies saw 50% more resignations from officers in 2022 than in 2019, and total sworn officer staffing has dropped nearly 5% over the past three years.
Under this bill, a public safety officer who has served for eight years and commits to serving four more for a single employer is eligible to receive financial assistance to attend a program of higher education. An eligible public safety officer can also transfer their unused education benefits to their dependent.
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“Law enforcement agencies across the country serving urban, rural, big, and small communities are struggling to retain qualified officers. Education benefits have proven not only to increase officer loyalty towards their department but also improve officer performance and allow for greater promotion within the department. Under the EdCOPS Act, officers can choose to use the education assistance for themselves or their children, creating opportunities that benefit their families,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations.
Supporters of the bill include the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Nogales Police Department, Tucson Police Department, Flagstaff Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Arizona (CLEAA).
South Shore Press, LLC. is a proud member of the following community organizations: The Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Rocky Point Sound Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Mastic/Shirley Chamber of Commerce, The Moriches Chamber of Commerce, The Bellport Chamber of Commerce, The Manorville Chamber of Commerce, The Medford Chamber of Commerce and The New York Press Association.
Serving the Communities of The Village of Bellport, Brookhaven, Center Moriches, Centereach, Coram, East Moriches, East Patchogue, Eastport, East Shoreham, Farmingville, Gordon Heights, Lake Ronkonkoma, Manorville, Medford, Mastic, The Village of Mastic Beach, Middle Island, Miller Place, Moriches, Mount Sinai, North Bellport, The Village of Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, The Village of Port Jefferson, Ridge, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Selden, Shirley, Shoreham, Smith Point, Sound Beach, Speonk, Terryville, Wading River, & Yaphank.
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Suffolk County Police
Electricity Costs Going up Like Everything Else Under Bidenflation
ByRobertChartuk
Just like everything else as “Bidenflation” grips the nation, the price of electricity is going up on Long Island, with the average ratepayer looking at a $20 per month hike.
The increase is planned by the Public Service Enterprise Group, or PSEG, the company contracted by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to run the public utility. Aside from price drops in April and July, electric rates have gone up for the last seven months.
The charges are related to the cost of the natural gas the utility uses to power its generators. National Grid, Long Island’s gas supplier, is also
looking to raise rates, with a $31 per month increase on the horizon. Soaring fuel costs, including the record prices motorists are paying at the pump, are the result of President Joe Biden’s war on fossil fuels, a battle Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to continue if she makes it to the Oval Office. The Democrat Green New Deal looks to drastically curb the use of gas and oil and push Americans into electric vehicles in an effort to change the Earth’s climate.
In determining the monthly electric costs for PSEG customers in Nassau and Suffolk, the provider adjusts bills based on the previous month’s fuel costs. Those on balanced billing pay the same
amount each month but could be hit with a surcharge to make up for any accumulated costs.
Long Island ratepayers have been handcuffed to exorbitant electric bills for decades as they continue to pay for the $23.5 billion Shoreham nuclear plant debacle and other utility mismanagement. LIPA, which is responsible for the region’s energy grid, was created to shutter the nuclear plant and take over the investor-owned Long Island Lighting Company.
Electric rates are expected to go even higher as customers start to pay for the massive Sunrise Wind energy project. The publicly traded company had refused to divulge the cost of the turbine effort, though state regulators have said the cost will be between $1 and $2 per mfor the average ratepayer. Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul approved an increase in the amount Sunrise Wind can charge for its power.
Bidenflation sprung from “Bidenomics,” the White House term for the president’s fiscal policies. Biden’s failed strategy, including massive government spending, borrowing of trillions of dollars, and targeting the gas and oil industry, has created crippling inflation, high interest rates, and the loss of consumer confidence.
Continued from page 2
Lightning:
Since 2006, an average of 33 people have been killed annually by lightning in the United States. There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. When thunder roars, go indoors! The safest places during lightning activity are substantial buildings and hardtopped vehicles. Rain shelters, small sheds, and open vehicles are not safe. Wait 30 minutes after the last thundercrack before returning to the beach.
Heat and Sunburn:
Too much heat and sun can spoil a vacation. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, causing more deaths than floods, lightning, tornados, and hurricanes combined. Heat disorder symptoms include sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Spending the
day at the beach can lead to any of these disorders, but the most visible is sunburn, which can take up to 24 hours before the full damage is visible. Seek medical help right away if a burn is severe, especially if it is accompanied by a headache, chills, or fever.
Marine Debris:
Our oceans are filled with items that do not belong there. Huge amounts of consumer plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, vessels, and other lost or discarded items enter the marine environment every day, making marine debris one of the most widespread pollution problems. This debris, or litter, often ends up on our beaches, damaging habitats, harming wildlife, and making it unsafe for beachgoers to walk along the shoreline and swim in the water. For more information, go to www.NOAA.gov.
Photo Credit: PSEG
Surveillance Video Key to Convicting Killer of Young Mother
ByStefanMychajliw
A Centereach man can spend up to four decades in prison for killing an East Patchogue mother.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that 32-year-old Anthony Santiesteban was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, after a jury found him guilty in June of Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges.
Santiesteban stood accused of fatally gunning down 33-year-old Martina Thompson in October of 2022.
“This defendant deliberately took the life of Martina Thompson, whose children will now have to live without their mother,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Murder does not just end one
life, it devastates families, friends, and entire communities. While no punishment can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, this sentence ensures the defendant will face severe consequences for this grievous act and will no longer pose a danger to the public.”
Police and prosecutors presented a mountain of evidence that pointed to Santiesteban as being the triggerman. The most compelling evidence for the jury: surveillance video that put the defendant at the murder scene with the victim.
First, video surveillance spotted the convicted killer and the young mother talking next to Santiesteban’s Jeep Cherokee in a parking lot in Coram in the early morning hours of October 29th, 2022.
The convicted, cold-blooded killer was then seen on video following the victim into a fenced area at the rear of the parking lot. Immediately afterwards, at approximately 1:03 a.m., a gunshot is heard on the video recording, and Santiesteban was captured walking out of the fenced area with a semiautomatic handgun in his hand. Santiesteban then entered his Jeep and took off.
Approximately 22 minutes later, the police found the victim with a gunshot wound to her face, lying in a pool of blood. She was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue where she was pronounced dead.
A few days later, police searched Santiesteban’s bedroom pursuant to a search warrant and recovered a loaded and defaced 9mm handgun. Ballistics testing confirmed the bullet casing found next to the victim’s body came from the gun found in the bedroom.
On June 24, 2024, Santiesteban was convicted of the following charges after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr.:
* One count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony.
* Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies.
* One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the
Sunrise Wind Cost Yet to Be Seen
Third Degree, a Class D violent felony.
Justice Senft then sentenced Santiesteban to 40 years to life in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mallek of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Luis Cabrera and Thomas Henry of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
VFW Post Hosts Members Barbecue
ByStefanMychajliw
New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo spent time with those who defended freedom here at home and around the world at the VFW Post 4927 in Port Jefferson Station.
The group of patriots who served our great nation invited Palumbo to attend their “Members Barbecue.”
“Suffolk County is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the nation and it is my honor to represent so many men and women who have served our nation from World War II to the present. Thank you for your service and all your efforts at improving and strengthening our communities,” said Senator Palumbo.
ByRobertChartuk
Call us skeptical. While we support the concept of harvesting the wind to create clean energy and cheer the efforts of local officials, environmentalists, and trade organizations to make Long Island a national front-runner for alternative power, we are extremely concerned about the cost.
Sunrise Wind announced that construction has begun on its massive effort to build up to 84 turbines 30 miles off Montauk Point. Stakeholders gathered with great fanfare at a groundbreaking ceremony to tout the project's benefits: renewable energy, job creation, and a $700 million economic shot in the arm for the region. But the one thing Ørsted, the company running the operation, refused to disclose was the cost. They did confirm that outside of federal tax breaks, Long Island's captive ratepayers will bear the entirety of the enormous effort.
State officials said at the ceremony that the 924-megawatt project will add only about two
dollars a month to the average electric bill. We don’t believe it. Last week, the South Shore Press reported the final tally of the Shoreham Nuclear Plant fiasco–$26 billion–so excuse our pessimism. Like the dreaded Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO), Ørsted, based in Denmark, is a publicly traded corporation with stockholders who expect to profit from this undisclosed investment.
Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul, an aggressive advocate of green energy, approved a rate increase for Sunrise Wind. Further signaling the high cost of reaping the wind, Ørsted’s former partner in the project, New England-based Eversource, reported a $1.6 billion loss for its offshore wind operations for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Sunrise Wind comes with significant benefits for its local hosts, Brookhaven Town and Suffolk County, which will get $170 million in impact fees for hosting the cable coming ashore at Smith Point. Ørsted is also spending lavishly in other areas, including the construction of a
$37 million headquarters in East Setauket, a $5 million Research and Development Partnership with Stony Brook University, a $10 million National Wind Training Center in Brentwood, and a new Service Operations Vessel, the 262-foot Eco Edison, to be docked at Port Jefferson.
Adding dramatically to the cost of Sunrise Wind is the requirement that its turbines be built more than 120 miles away, necessitating a $400 million transmission cable. This was a concession by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, another federal agency we don’t trust, to shipping, fishing, and other interests who don’t want to see giant windmills off the Long Island coast.
New York’s headlong plunge into green energy must also be examined. Like solar, wind is considered an intermittent source. What happens when the wind isn’t blowing? With fires shutting down a battery storage facility on the East End and some municipalities taking a pause in allowing new ones, how will the wind power be stored? And
what is New York’s investment in 24-hour sources, such as the Caithness natural gas facility in Yaphank? New York sits on a Saudi Arabia supply of clean-burning natural gas, yet Gov. Hochul and her green allies won’t let it be used. Will their policy change when Long Island suffers power outages and the price of energy debilitates our economic future?
As the Sunrise Ceremony was taking place, news broke that beaches in New England had to be closed due to debris from a failed wind turbine washing ashore. The entire Vineyard Wind
system was shut down pending an investigation, leaving us to wonder what impact this incident will have on the industry.
Assuming every aspect of Sunrise Wind is carried off flawlessly over the 25-year lifespan of the project, it remains to be seen how much it will cost Long Islanders to be at the forefront of wind energy. If construction issues, inflation, mechanical failure, high decommissioning costs, or God knows what else besets this project, we hope we’re not on the cusp of another Shoreham-like energy debacle.
Photo Credit: Suffolk County DA
Convicted Killer Anthony Santiesteban
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
The defunct Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.
Photo Credit: Facebook VFW Post 4927 Members Barbecue
Fun and Fitness Bring Students Together at the Bayport-Blue Point School District
ByStefanMychajliw
Students in and around the Bayport-Blue Point School District have used athletics and team-building skills to learn
incredibly important life lessons outside the classroom.
During the summer months, the District has been hosting ISF, Inc., or Inclusive Sports
and Fitness for students in the Bayport-Blue Point School District and beyond.
ISF offers a summer program affording individuals with different abilities an alternative and safe environment to learn skills needed to encourage lifelong physical fitness.
The ISF program provides an engaging space for schoolaged athletes four days a week for six weeks. Athletes are paired with peer mentors who offer encouragement and socialization. Mentors range from middle school-aged students to high school and even occupational therapy graduate students. This year, the program boasts around 170 volunteers.
Throughout a typical day in the program, athletes and mentors partake in fitness
Yearlong Learning in Center Moriches
ByStefanMychajliw
Despite school being out for the summer, the halls of Clayton Huey Elementary School are bustling with students. In collaboration with SCOPE Education Services, the building is hosting two programs for Center Moriches children.
The summer enrichment program provides students with hands-on learning experiences during the summer months, whereas the ENL (English as a New Language) program supports academic skills with fun, engaging activities.
Both programs focus on several different subject areas,
providing opportunities for students to participate in arts and crafts, science experiments, cooking labs, and outdoor recreation. The activities complement what students learn while they’re in the classroom throughout the academic year.
exercises, such as walking or running on the track, playing sports and doing yoga as well as social group activities, such as
crafts. Many athletes move on to participate in organized sports after the program ends.
Students Sharpen STEM Skills in Robot Battle
By:StefanMychajliw
summer camp recently took part in a VEX and LEGO Robotics competition at Accompsett Middle School.
Eighth and ninth graders designed robots from scratch and participated in games where their robots competed against one another.
“If I can get people to get involved with robotics and love it as much as I do, that’s all I could ask for,” said Smithtown High School East senior Abigail Brennan, who helped lead this summer activity for the first time at SCOPE.
Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX Robotics solutions encourage creativity, teamwork, leadership, passion and problem-solving among groups. Younger campers designed LEGO robots to complete obstacle courses.
Photo Credit: Bayport-Blue Point School District
Photo Credit: Bayport-Blue Point School District
Smithtown Central School District students attending Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education (SCOPE)
Photo Credit: Smithtown CSD
Photo Credit: Smithtown CSD
Smithtown SCOPE campers took part in a VEX Robotics LEGO competition at Accompsett Middle School.
Smithtown SCOPE campers took part in a VEX Robotics LEGO competition at Accompsett Middle School.
Photo Credit: Center Moriches School District
ByDeborahWilliams
New York Slavery Reparations Committee to Have First Meeting
Should New York State use taxpayer dollars to pay African Americans in the Empire State as part of "reparations" for the sins of slavery?
It's a controversial issue that legislators are considering right now.
Earlier this year, Governor Kathy Hochul established the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies.
New York is the only state that created a reparations group other than California. This Committee is about to have its first meeting and the law states they must develop a slate of recommendations within one year.
The Commission will track what the Governor calls New York's “legacy of enslavement” and racial discrimination and they will craft a blueprint to address ongoing harms. They are to “address ongoing injustices in wealth, housing, education, employment, and mass incarceration.”
The committee is “tasked with examining the legacy of slavery and its lingering negative effects on people currently living in the State of New York,” to issue a set of recommendations for appropriate action to address these “longstanding inequities.”
Slavery ended in New York very early starting with the Gradual Emancipation Law passed in 1799 that did not free existing slaves but emancipated children of enslaved mothers going forward. In 1817, another law passed emancipating enslaved people from before the 1799 law.
“This commission acknowledges the horrific injustice of slavery and will be tasked with examining the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the impact these forces continue to have in the present day,” Hochul said when she signed the bill.
The many opponents of reparations point to the fact that no one alive in the United States
is a slave or owned a slave and there hasn’t been for very long time. They make the argument that there is an inherent unfairness for people now to be held accountable for wrongs that happened over 150 years ago.
The price tag for reparations is also something that is likely out of reach even if it was accepted as something that needs to be done. California’s Reparations Committee called for an apology from the state and recommendations for $5 million payments to qualifying people to “eliminate the racial wealth gap.” California is in the same cashstrapped state as New York and it is unlikely either state will have funds of this magnitude to make reparations. It is estimated that the California plan would cost $800 billion and California was
Dark Energy Future for New York
ByRobertChartuk
Without a “monumental shift” in the way New York produces power, the state will not keep up with its growing need for energy, according to the president of National Grid Ventures, an international provider.
“Already, a recent state report acknowledged New York will miss the target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030,” said Will Hazelip in a recent opinion piece that noted Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to push the goalpost out to 2033.
“In striving to meet Albany's deadlines, we owe it to every Long Islander to be prepared if we don’t have enough renewable generation, battery storage or transmission to keep lights on and houses cool,” Hazelip said.
“New York’s energy demand is increasing rapidly,” he went on. “Eventually, it will outpace the state’s available power. While there is a sincere effort by the
state and private partners such as National Grid Ventures to bring enough renewable power online to close this gap, the task requires a monumental shift in the way New York produces power.”
According to Hazelip, National Grid Ventures' existing power plants have served Long Island residents for more than 50 years and produce more than 50% of the Long Island Power Authority's total energy on the highest-demand days. “Before we retire these facilities, we must ensure there’s enough power supply,” he warned.
Critics have panned the decision by Hochul and Albany’s Progressive Democrats to push for wind and solar generation without investing in continuous use plants that generate power 24/7. Supplying enough energy to fuel the economy, not to mention the transition to all electric cars and trucks, is not possible under the current plan, experts say.
never a slave slate.
New York is in terrible financial shape and can't fund the things it already has on the table, let alone add billions in reparations to the budget.
New York City Mayor Adams said, “We never really dealt with or reckoned with slavery, and there are some institutions that wealth is directly connected to slavery. It’s not like it’s a mystery,” he said. “There are institutions that are in place right now that their foundation came from free slave labor, and so we have to reckon with that.”
The Commission members are:
• Jennifer Jones Austin is the CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, an anti-poverty policy and advocacy nonprofit.
“Unfortunately, almost all of this green energy infrastructure still needs to be built,” Hazelip pointed out. “And that still won't be enough to meet 100% of forecast demand. Reaching that 70% target means more than doubling the state's renewable generation over the next six years.” Since the State Legislature passed the Climate Leadership
• Timothy R. Hogues serves as the Commissioner for the Department of Civil Service and President of the Civil Service Commission.
• Linda Brown-Robinson is the Immediate Past President of the Syracuse Onondaga NAACP.
• Darrick Hamilton, Ph.D., is the Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy and the founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School.
• Linda Tarrant-Reid is an author, historian, freelance journalist, photographer, and community activist.
• Dr. Seanelle Hawkins serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Rochester, an affiliate of the National Urban League.
• Dr. Ron Daniels is the Founder and President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), a progressive, African-centered, actionoriented Resource Center dedicated to empowering people of African descent.
• Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq., is the Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College.
• Rev. Dr. Deborah D. Jenkins is Founding Pastor of Faith @Work Christian Church, Coop City
and Community Protection Act in 2019, New York has added just one 130-megawatt offshore wind project, 2.9 gigawatts of distributed solar, and 300 megawatts of battery storage, not nearly enough to satisfy the needs of the Empire State.
“Despite the challenges, there is a path to get that done,”
Hazelip said. “First, we must boost funding for tax incentives, subsidies, and clean energy research so developers can invest in new technologies, like integrating renewable energy into existing generation sites. Second, we need more successful — and faster — contracting and construction of offshore wind, transmission infrastructure, and battery energy storage projects. Finally, we need to make sure renewable energy can meet reliability needs before we retire existing facilities, to keep lights on when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.”
The National Grid President concluded: “A safety net is necessary. It’s far more beneficial to keep fossil units available for days of exceptionally high energy usage and severe weather.
"Collectively, we have a lot more ground to cover — and quickly, so policymakers don’t have to move the goalposts again.”
Photo Credit: Adobe AI
Photo Credit: National Grid
NYS is considering paying reparations.
Will Hazelip, National Grid President
ByDeborahWilliams
Hochul to Spend $100 Million on New York's Green New Deal projects
Governor Kathy Hochul plans to spend $100 million for phase one of a massive NY Green New Deal Project to cut the carbon footprint of Albany’s Empire Plaza.
The “decarbonization” of the Empire State Plaza, as outlined in the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan is a multiphase project led by the Office of General Services and New York Power Authority as part of Hochul’s effort to advance her “Climate and Environmental Justice Goals”.
“Thanks to the $100M investment OGS is primed with our partners to cut the carbon footprint at the Empire State Plaza by 20%,” state Office of
General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said on X.
The second phase is expected to reduce carbon emissions at Empire Plaza by an additional 30% with no price tag revealed at this point. The total cost of this Green New Deal project is unknown.
The Empire State Energy Infrastructure Master Plan outlines a phased approach to reduce the state and local environmental impacts of Empire Plaza’s operations.
This funding will pay for the electrification of the existing steam-driven chillers, implementation of energy efficiency improvements, and installation of a new heat recovery chiller. These phase one
Assembly Task Force Tackles Trafficking
ByRobertChartuk
The state assembly’s Task Force on Human Trafficking, a growing concern on Long Island, reviewed the problem during a meeting at Stony Brook University.
“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, so we must do everything in our power to rid this scourge from the earth,” said Assemblyman Ed Flood, who co-hosted the meeting.
The task force was created to investigate the troubling instances of sexual abuse, labor trafficking, and exploitation of both children and adults and what can be done to help the many victims throughout
improvements will result in a reduction of approximately 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the Empire State Plaza.
“New York State is leading by example in our efforts to reduce emissions, making significant investments to decarbonize our agency buildings and
operations,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration remains committed to leading the fight against climate change and we’re aligning our investments to build a cleaner, greener New York.”
Previous energy efficiency work at the Empire State Plaza
has included the electrification of one of the Plaza’s five steamdriven chillers, the installation of energy-efficient LED indoor and outdoor lighting systems, and the ongoing replacement of existing emergency generators at the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant with efficient, low-emission, and low-noise units.
Hochul’s statement on this project did not address any savings to the taxpayer or whether the grid could handle the added burden of the electrification in this phase of the project on top of the other electric mandates being handed down by Albany. As with many of the Green New Deal projects, the upfront costs are massive, but the savings and benefits down the line for taxpayers are less clear if any exists at all.
New York Earns Dubious Distinction on Financial Distress
ByDeborahWilliams
WalletHub compared all 50 states across nine key metrics to take the temperature of "financial distress.”
New York State didn’t do well.
This financial stress test ranked New York State as the 10th most stressed in the country.
“Measuring the share of residents in financial distress is a good way to take the pulse of a state and see whether people are generally thriving or having trouble making ends meet. When you combine data about people delaying payments with other metrics like bankruptcy filings and credit score changes, it paints a good picture of the overall economic trends of a state,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst.
County is $164,027. Roughly, 166,000 people are living below the poverty level in a population of 1.53 million in the county.
On the panel were some of Flood’s assembly minority conference members, as well as Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, Laura Ahearn from the Crime Victims Center, and a representative from Sheriff Errol Toulon’s office.
“Human trafficking has grown into a $150 billion global trade, and it’s not just children. Economically desperate adults owe their lives to the coyotes who got them here and find themselves in prostitution, massage parlors, and other indentured work,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, a Task Force member.
New York ranks 10th worst in credit score, 29th worst in number of people with accounts in distress, and 13th highest in increased bankruptcies since last year. New Yorkers also ranked high in Internet searches for terms such as "debt", ranking 1st, and "loans", ranking 9th highest.
Suffolk County was not part of the WalletHub study on its own. Still, data about the general financial situation of the county is available from the US Census and The Long Island Community Foundation. The poverty rate on Long Island generally is 5.9% with an average of 5.41% in Nassau County and 6.5% in Suffolk County.
The average income in Suffolk
The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island reports that the "living under the poverty line" statistic does not tell the whole story. They report that there are additional households on Long Island with incomes above the national poverty level that still fall below the budget calculated to be able to afford basic needs.
Data from People’s World Organization reports that the poorest towns on Long Island are Riverside, Northampton, Calverton, Greenport, Aquebogue, Moriches, Central Islip, and Mastic Beach. Some of these "poorest" towns are adjacent to the richest ones making the contrast even more stark.
The states ranking worse than New York are Michigan, Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, Rhode
Island, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi
New York City ranked 3rd and Buffalo 67th of 100 cities with the most individuals in financial distress.
To determine the states where people are in the most financial distress, WalletHub compared the 50 states across nine key metrics in six overall categories: 1) Credit Score, 2) People with Accounts in Distress, 3) Average Number of Accounts in Distress, 4) Change in Number of Bankruptcy Filings - March 2024 vs. March 2023, 5) “Debt” Search Interest Index and 6) “Loans” Search Interest Index. WalletHub defines an account in distress as one that either is in forbearance or has its payments deferred.
WalletHub analyzed data information from its data, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Transunion, and Google Trends.
the state.
Photo Credit: X
Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.
Photo Credit: Assembly Task Force
Photo Credit: kledo.com
Financial Distress Diagram
ByDeborahWilliams
DOW Drops off a Cliff on Disappointing July Jobs Report
The July jobs report offered nothing but bad news with just 114,000 jobs added when the US Department of Labor (DOL) expected 175,000. And, the US jobless rate ticked up to 4.5% - the highest since October 2021.
The poor July report follows a big downward revision for June, that added 179,000 jobs, compared to a previously reported increase of 206,000. That's a revision downward of 27,000 jobs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DOW) plunged as much as 1,000 points in early trading and closed 611 points down (1.5%) as Friday ended. The S&P 500 Index dropped 1.8% on day end and the Nasdaq was down 2.4% driven largely by poor earnings reports from Amazon, Tesla, Intel, and other tech stocks.
Lee Zeldon reposted Heather Long from X, “Wow. 4.3% unemployment in July. (A big jump up from 3.5% in July 2023). The July jobs report has triggered the "Sahm Rule" indicating we could be in the early stages of a recession. It's possible this time
is different. But this is a big warning sign that the job market (and possibly broader economy) is really slowing fast.”
Everyday working Americans already know the tough economic situation we are in. Every trip to the supermarket and insurance bill that comes in the mail takes a bigger and bigger chunk of each paycheck. Since mid-2020 food prices are up 19% and the cost of taking your family out to dinner is up 24%. Homeowner’s insurance is up over 11% and auto insurance has risen even faster. Auto insurance in NY is up on average 14.2% - second only to Michigan.
Bankrate estimates the national average cost of full coverage car insurance in 2024 increased 26% - six times faster than overall inflation. Insurance, food, and housing are where the rubber meets the road for America’s families.
Jacob King remarked on X, “Over $2.9 trillion has been wiped out from major indices and stocks this morning due to growing fears of a global recession. This is the worst day for stocks since March 16, 2020, during the COVID-19
pandemic fears.”
John Fredericks said on his radio show, “CRUSHING JOBS REPORT ENDS DEMOCRATS’ HARRIS HONEYMOON. The devastating July jobs report is bringing people back to the reality of the Biden-Harris economy and how the only people benefiting from it are illegal immigrants coming over the wide open southern border."
What does this mean for the economy and any Federal Reserve action on interest rates? Is a recession inevitable?
Many say any soft landing for the economy is further out of reach now previously than hoped. The Kobeissi Letter says we are likely headed toward a recession.
“BREAKING: The 10-Year Note Yield crashes over 15 basis points after a much weaker than
expected July jobs report. The 10-year note yield yield is now down 55 BASIS POINTS in ONE WEEK. For the first time since March 2020, bond markets are pricing in a potential recession,” says The Kobeissi Letter on X. Economic analysts say the labor report fell short on practically every single metric they look at. Fears of a rapidly slowing economy are at the front of everyone’s mind. The slowdown was in part planned by the Fed to slow inflation, but many think that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell waited too long to cut interest rates and we are in for a rough landing for the US economy. The Fed is widely believed to be considering a cut in September, but will it be too late to forestall a recession? Is an economic stall about to hit us – and hard?
Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management, said, “The Fed is seizing defeat from the jaws of victory. Economic momentum has slowed so much that a rate cut in September will be too little too late.”
American Flags Should Be 'Born in the USA' Says Congress
ByDeborahWilliams
In a rare bipartisan congressional effort, Congress passed the “All-American Flag Act” requiring American flags purchased by the government to be entirely Made in America. The Act passed unanimously through the US Senate and House of Representatives.
The Act requires that all the materials in governmentpurchased American flags and all of the manufacturing be done right here in America. Existing rules require only that half of the materials be from the United States and none of the manufacturing.
“The American flag serves as a symbol of our identity, resolve, and values as one people. To honor its significance, the federal government should only
use flags entirely manufactured in the United States,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement.
The most recent data available shows that the value of US imports of American flags was $4 million and exports just $781,000. The majority of that $4 million went to China.
In 2017, approximately 10 million American flags were imported, with 99.5% of them coming from China. Those figures include all American flags imported into the country and not just those purchased by the federal government.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said that the label on some flags that say “Made in America” can be a little tricky. Not all of the materials and labor are required to be
from America for a flag to be able to bear that label – just “all or virtually all” according to the FTC.
If you are in the market for an American flag today and want to be sure every part of it is sourced and made by American labor, look for the Flag Manufacturers Association of America label. Their website says, “Every step
of the manufacturing process for (our) flags has been completed using domestic materials in US facilities with US labor.”
In a sign that Congress is on track with this effort, the Chinese attacked this bill immediately. Patrick Zheng, a Chinese journalist said on X, “The hysteria among American politicians has reached absurd
levels with the passage of the All-American Flag Act. By using the highly nationalistic symbol of the American flag to push a political agenda, they aim to showcase a commitment to reducing dependence on Chinese manufacturing and bringing production back to the U.S. However, this approach defies the logic of globalization.”
Assembly Task Force Tackles...
Continued from page 10
“Witnessing such a diverse group of experts, law enforcement, and community leaders come together fills me with great hope and optimism for tackling this heavy-hitting and ongoing issue our society faces,” Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said. “I am truly happy we were able to address this critical issue, provide comprehensive support to affected parties, and most importantly, begin to implement effective strategies to combat human trafficking as a whole.”
“The ability of bad actors to bring unaccounted-for children into this country must be stopped,” stated Assemblyman DeStefano. “Current policies encourage mass migration
into the United States, and the numbers are staggering. The border patrol is stretched thin, and the cartels that control the border on the Mexican side know precisely where the holes are. They can bring people, children, and illicit drugs such as fentanyl into our country practically at will.”
The rule requiring DNA testing of people coming over the border was eliminated, so it is difficult to determine who is accompanying these children, DeStefano noted. “Worst yet, we don’t know where they are being taken or by whom. Our government cannot possibly track these children to ensure their safety and well-being once they arrive here.”
According to the U.S.
Department of Justice, as with many crimes of exploitation and abuse, human traffickers often prey upon members of marginalized communities and other vulnerable individuals. These include unaccompanied children; persons who do not have lawful immigration status in the United States; those in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems; runaway and homeless youth; black people and other people of color; American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other indigenous peoples of North America; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals; migrant laborers; persons with disabilities; and individuals with substance use disorder.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate
American Flag
Photo Credit: pixabay.com
Photo Credit: Bureau of Labor Statistics
ByRobertChartuk
Letters From the Deep State: Another Chapter Exposed
Another chapter in the "Letters of the Deep State" saga was written to give President Biden a shove out the door as he contemplated his reelection after his disastrous debate with Donald Trump. The letter asking the Democrat Party to forestall a virtual convention planned to nominate the ailing president, signed by 20 Washington insiders, joins the letter denying the existence of Hunter Biden’s “laptop from hell” and the epistle from the nation’s economic “experts” touting Biden’s record on inflation over his rival’s.
“There is no legal justification for this extraordinary and unprecedented action, which would effectively accelerate the nomination process by nearly a month,” read the letter from a bevy of Capitol Hill Democrats looking to dump Biden. The signatories called the voice vote plan to nominate the president a “terrible idea that would have a chilling effect on party process, stifling debate and prematurely shutting down any possible change in the Democratic ticket.”
Circulated on the Hill by Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, the letter went on: “Regardless of whether President Biden remains our nominee, Democratic unity and enthusiasm will be critical between now and November 5.” The co-signers “respectfully but emphatically” requested that
the virtual roll call planned to coronate Biden be canceled.
The issue became a moot point when Biden announced through another dubious letter on Sunday that he was quitting the race.
The note, apparently written by someone other than Biden, was signed by autopen and quickly raised concerns that he shouldn't be running the country if he’s unable to run for reelection.
The Washington establishment quickly coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s under fire for being part of Biden’s inner circle that knew
of his declining mental state but failed to be square with the public.
Biden’s election in 2020 was bolstered by a letter signed by 51 intelligence insiders stating that his son’s laptop, which contained reams of evidence that the family was taking bribes and cashing in on the lifelong politician’s influence, was a “Russian information operation.” Biden infamously cited the letter in his debate against Trump, saying the laptop was “a bunch of garbage” and denying he had anything to do with Hunter’s
Iran Close to Building Bomb
business activities. The laptop’s providence was proved when Hunter’s lawyers filed legal motions to regain possession of it.
The intelligence apparatus went into overdrive to block public knowledge of the laptop, even going as far as pressuring Facebook and other social media platforms to censor the New York Post report of its contents. Had the laptop’s damning information been widely disseminated—Hunter’s admission that he had to give the “Big Guy” half of his international
business earnings and photos of Biden meeting with his foreign partners—at least 19% of the American public said they would not have voted for him.
Drafted and circulated by Michael Morell, a former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the letter was initiated by Antony Blinken, a former deputy national security advisor and current secretary of state. It was signed by a who’s who of deep state actors, including Jim Clapper, a former director of National Intelligence, Mike Hayden, a former CIA director, and John Brennan, another former CIA head.
As inflation began to crush American consumers, society’s upper crust again showed its political colors when 16 of them wrote that another four years of Biden would be better for their wallets than Trump back in charge. “Many Americans are concerned about inflation, which has come down remarkably fast,” was the first fib by the Nobel Prize-winning economists. “There is rightly a worry that Donald Trump will reignite this inflation with his fiscally irresponsible budgets.”
Like the past letters from Biden’s less-than-truthful acolytes, the latest attempt to bamboozle the public was hardly believed by those longing for Trump's economic success as they dig deeper at the pump and the grocery store.
ByRobertChartuk
Iran is dangerously close to having enough material to build a nuclear bomb, according to a top Biden administration official, as the prospect of using diplomacy to stop the rogue nation from assembling a weapon has dimmed.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that Iran’s “breakout time,” the amount of time needed to produce enough atomic material for a nuclear bomb, will occur this month.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, Blinken’s assessment is the shortest breakout time U.S. officials have ever referenced as Iran forges ahead with its nuclear weapons program.
“Where we are now is not in a good place,” Blinken said, blaming the predicament on former President Donald Trump. “Iran, because the nuclear agreement was thrown out,
instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that,” he said last month. “They haven’t produced a weapon itself, but that’s something, of course, that we track very, very carefully.”
On the campaign trail to replace Biden, Trump criticizes the president for giving the rogue nation billions in frozen assets both during his administration and when he was vice president under Barack Obama, who infamously sent Iran $1.7 billion in cash on oversized pallets. As president, Trump said he cut off Iran’s ability to sell oil and the country was “broke” and “willing to make a deal.” He blames the Democrat leaders for opening the oil spigot back up and providing the resources Iran uses to sponsor terrorism and build weapons.
Iran has declared the United States “Big Satan” and Israel “Little Satan,” and it is feared that it will use a nuclear device on its enemies if it is able to obtain one. Former President Trump has expressed doubt that Biden’s expected replacement on the Democrat ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris, has the ability to stand up to the leaders of Iran and force them to the table.
Biden’s diplomatic efforts to derail Iran’s atomic aspirations collapsed in 2022 when U.S. officials accused its leaders of making “unreasonable” demands on the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nationsbased nuclear watchdog. The agency was looking to inspect unexplained traces of uranium found at the country’s nuclear facilities. Since then, the Biden
administration maintained that a nuclear deal with Iran was “not on the agenda.”
The election of a new Iranian president has not brightened prospects for an agreement. “We have no expectations that this election will lead to a fundamental change in Iran’s direction or its policies,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. “At the end of the day, it’s not the president that has the ultimate say over the future of Iran’s policy; it is the supreme leader, and of course, we have seen the direction that he has chosen to take Iran in. Obviously, if the new president had the authority to make steps to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, to stop funding terrorism, to stop destabilizing activities in the region, those would be steps that we would welcome. But needless to say, we don’t have any expectations that that’s what’s likely to ensue.”
Photo Credit: AIER.org
Photo Credit:
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
Since 2002, the 3256 Foundation has held one of the most unique 9/11/01 remembrance golf outings that is played on Long Island. The members of this charitable organization were related to the late Emergency Services Unit Police Officer Michael S. Curtin. On 9/11/01, he was killed trying to help his fellow police officers and citizens survive the earliest terrorist attack on Lower Manhattan. For over two decades, this golf outing has been one of the most patriotic, as many participants play on a yearly basis at Cherry Creek Golf Course in Riverhead, and they wear the 3256 Golf Outing shirts and hats.
Two months before the 9/11/01 anniversary, these citizens are armed with smiles and patriotism to honor the police and military bravery of Curtin. Twenty-three years ago, it was a beautiful day, as Curtin wanted to finish his workday and return home to celebrate his wife Helga’s birthday. Instead, it became one of the worst days in American history, as this country was under attack. As terrorist hijackers carried out coordinated attacks on Manhattan, Washington DC and Flight 93 over Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the city ordered all rescue workers toward the World Trade Center. Curtin was at a command post in the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed.
After this building was attacked, civilians tried to exit this building, Curtin refused to vacate his post. He stayed in this deadly situation until all his officers from Truck 2 left this perilous situation. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower crashed to the ground, killing Curtin and thirteen other Emergency Services and Bomb Squad officers.
Curtin was in the rubble of the North Tower, but it was not until March 6, 2002, when his remains were found. Out of the ultimate respect for his services to the department and in the United States Marine Corps during the First Gulf War, Curtin’s remains were not moved until his wife Helga and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly were sent to this spot. There was an army of rescue workers who remained silent and saluted Curtin. As the flag was placed over his body, traffic was halted, and he was driven up the FDR Drive. The police and military continued to salute him, as Curtin was accompanied by his wife. Several years later, President George W. Bush(R), posthumously awarded public safety and rescue officers the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor, who were lost from this terrorism.
As a young man, Curtin grew up playing baseball, was a member of his fire department and worked
BY REV. FREDERICK MILLER, PH.D.
As veterans coming from military service, you have faced anxiety and fear and with the help of your peers overcame them. Now as civilians, you are facing a whole series of different anxieties and fears alone, but there is help out there.
Accept the fact that chronic negative emotions, such as anxiety and fear, can be dangerous to your mental, spiritual and physical health. You must guard your heart and mind against irrational worries, anxieties, and fears. If you believe that you have no control over your anxieties and fears, you’re wrong. It may take training, education, practice, and, in some cases, medication. But if you sincerely desire to gain better control over these negative emotions, you can do it.
Michael Curtin and the 3256 Foundation
at the statuary in Rocky Point. In the marines, he was one of the first Americans into Kuwait City during Desert Storm. After the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing, Curtin noticed the remains of a marine and helped tunnel through the debris to recover this military guard that was killed from this domestic terrorism. Always at the helm of leadership to his community, the city, and the nation, Curtin was an American hero who left us too soon. At the 3256 Foundation Golf Outing, his Emergency Services Unit superior Owen McCaffery addressed the history and character of Curtin to a packed crowd of 265 golfers who were silent when hearing about this local iconic figure. While these golfers were pleased to be on the course during a beautiful day,
on a yearly basis, they never lose focus on the patriotic magnitude of Curtin’s efforts to help protect others.
For years, the 3256 Foundation has donated funds to aid citizens that are facing hard times, sickness, and patriotic endeavors. At the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 Suffolk County World War II & Military History Museum, “Curtin’s Corner” was dedicated in the name of Michael through his devoted abilities to fight for this country and to be with his fellow rescue workers during the earliest encounters of 9/11/01. The 3256 Foundation has not only honored the legacy of Curtin but has made the golf function into a family matter. Younger generations of
the Curtin, Finnican, and Lukasz families were all present to see the outstanding work and success of this outing, a huge raffle, the happy hour, and a delicious dinner. They represent the future generation of family members that understand the vital need to support worthy causes. As there were many participants who already spoke about the upcoming outing for next July, these people looked forward to being together, to play golf, raise money, and recall the legacy of Curtin. May this country never forget the almost 3,000 people who were lost some 23 years ago from the actions of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda against this nation and may we always show appreciation to the wonderful actions of the 3256 Foundation.
Dealing with Anxiety and Fear
or anxious feelings. So if you’re consuming large amounts of caffeine or high-energy drinks, the chemicals in those substances may be contributing to your emotional distress.
If you’re constantly depriving yourself of much needed sleep, you may be harming your overall health while manufacturing needless stress and anxiety. Most adults need about eight hours of sleep each night. If you’ve acquired the habit of staying up late, and robbing yourself of sleep, it’s time to establish a new habit of turning off your devices and going to bed.
Don’t keep everything bottled up inside. Talk to people you can trust and express your feelings. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to family or friends about your problem, seek out a fellow veteran.
establish as much physical and psychological distance as you can by establishing clear boundaries between yourself and the difficult person.
Other people’s outbursts can add to your fears and anxieties. To prevent this from happening,
Anxiety and irrational fear can be triggered by chemical
substances. High-caffeine drinks, when consumed in sufficient quantities, can make you feel anxious, even when you have little or nothing to feel anxious about. Additionally, many medications have side effects that can cause fearful
If you’re too anxious or worried to fall asleep or to stay asleep, talk with your physician about your sleeping patterns, your situation, your habits, and your emotional state. You need a good night’s sleep to think clearly and realistically about your life.
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
It is usually better for your heirs to inherit real estate at your death rather than to receive it as a gift from you during your life. This is because it is tax efficient for the property to pass at death due to the “stepped up basis” for capital gains tax purposes.
The cost basis of a property is the amount you purchased it for or, if you inherited from someone else, the value at the date of death when it transferred to you. When property is sold, there is a tax on the difference between the cost basis and the sale price - this is called a capital gains tax. When you sell your primary residence, a portion of this gain is excluded, $250,000 per individual or $500,000 for a couple. The cost of capital improvements to the home while you owned it are also
excluded from the gain. Upon your death, any gain is wiped out and the new cost basis is the value of the property at your date of death. If your son sells it right after your death, there will be no capital gain… no tax.
Let’s use a simple example to explain tax basis in property: You bought your house 50 years ago for $200,000 and now the fair market value of the house is worth $1,000,000. If you and your spouse sell during your lifetime, you will pay capital gains tax on $300,000 of gain (the difference between purchase and sale, less the $500,000 primary residence exclusion for the couple). If you gift your house to your son while you are alive, your son will inherit your same basis in the property, i.e., $200,000. Thus, if your son decides to sell the house at any time, he will have to pay
Gifting vs. Inheriting
over 30% in Federal and New York State capital gains tax on the $800,000 increase in value; this could be over $260,000 paid out of the proceeds.
However, if you pass away owning your home, the property
tax liability.
While it may be tempting to gift your house now, there are tax consequences in doing so. Leaving your house to pass to your son after death may be the better option here, especially if you plan on living there for the rest of your life. While taxes are just one piece of the puzzle, your planning with the house, perhaps your largest asset, deserves the time and considerations of an estate planning and elder law attorney who can guide you to the best decision for you and your son.
gets the step up in basis to the fair market value as of your date of death. If you leave the house to your son, he’ll inherit the property with the stepped up basis. If he sells it now, he will completely avoid capital gains
Britt Burner, Esq, is an attorney at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., focusing her practice on Elder Law and Estate Planning. Burner Prudenti Law serves clients from Manhattan to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, New York City and East Hampton.
Photo Credit: Kostyantine Pankin | Dreamstime.com
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK COUNTRYWIDE HOME
LOANS, INC., Plaintiff AGAINST NATALIYA BABINSKY, ET AL.,
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 26, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on August 14, 2024 at 10:00AM, premises known as 121 Richmond Avenue, Medford, NY 11763. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York, District 0200, Section 868.00, Block 01.00, Lot 018.001. Approximate amount of judgment $411,773.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011846/2008. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Louis C. England, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-000324 81385
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. KENNETH LYONS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 11, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on August 15, 2024 at 9:30 a.m., premises known as 34 Woodberry Road, Patchogue, NY 11772. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of
Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 984.10, Block 05.00 and Lot 005.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $334,522.10 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617406/2016. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.
Paul R. Feuer, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 190209-2
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff - against - STANLEY DABROWSKI, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 12, 2023. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on the 14th day of August, 2024 at 9:30 AM. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York.
Premises known as 3 Bower Court, Lake Grove, NY 11755.
Approximate amount of lien $80,723.51 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 617257/2018. Donna England, Esq., Referee.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800)
280-2832
Dated: June 14, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change.
US Bank National Association as Trustee for CMALT REMIC Series
2005-A1 - REMIC PassThrough Certificates Series 2005-A1, Plaintiff
AGAINST
Nelson Medina, et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated May 7, 2024 and entered on May 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on August 21, 2024 at 1:30 PM premises known as 17 Nadworny Lane, Stony Brook, NY 11790. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 247.00, BLOCK: 04.00, LOT: 009.003, District 0200. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,162,518.57 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 616581/2018.
The aforementioned auction will be conducted in
accordance with the District and Suffolk County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Elyse Nicole Grasso, Referee
FRENKEL LAMBERT
WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE OF CIM TRUST 2020-R6, Plaintiff, vs. KIMBERLY LIBBY, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 23, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on August 27, 2024 at 12:30 p.m., premises known as 28 Dressel Drive, Mastic, NY 11950. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 823.00, Block 04.00 and Lot 028.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $392,963.83 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604247/2023. Referee does not accept cash, only bank or certified checks made payable to Michael T. Clancy, Esq., as referee. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.
Michael T. Clancy, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 222277-1
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2019-4, Plaintiff AGAINST
Christine Nestor, Individually and as Administratrix of the Estate of Patrick Nestor, Jr., et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated June 4, 2024 and entered on June 6, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on August 28, 2024 at 9:30 AM premises known as 47 Hunter Lane, Centereach, NY 11720. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 421.00, BLOCK: 04.00, LOT: 027.000; District 0200. Approximate amount of judgment is $312,599.62 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 607797/2023.
The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and Suffolk County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Donna England, Referee
FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. GUERLINE JEAN LOUIS-THERMITUS A/K/A GUERLINE THERMITUS A/K/A G. JEAN LOUIS-
THERMITUS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Discharging Senior Mortgage duly entered on April 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 70 Margin Drive West, Shirley, NY 11967. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 974.60, Block 05.00 and Lot 004.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $294,170.92 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612814/2022. Cash will not be accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.
Edward G. Heilig, Esq., Referee
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff
SUPREME COURT: SUFFOLK COUNTY. FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-2, Pltf. vs. RONALD KOCSI JR, et al, Defts. Index #205792/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered June 27, 2024, I will sell at public auction at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on September 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. premises k/a 464 Carnation Drive, Shirley, NY 11967 a/k/a District 0200, Section 615.00, Block 05.00,
Lot 017.00. Approximate amount of judgment is $253,630.60 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
STEVEN LOSQUADRO, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY 11791. #101629
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/12/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 9/10/2024 at 10:00AM, premises known as 42 Sterling Ave, Patchogue, New York 11772, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town Of Brookhaven, County Of Suffolk, State Of New York.
District 0200 Section 951.00 Block 06.00 Lot 005.000 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien
is $713,931.57 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 624041/2018
Daniel James Murphy, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/23/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 9/9/2024 at 11:00am, premises known as 30 Balsam Drive, Medford, New York 11763, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town Of Brookhaven, County Of Suffolk And State Of New York.
District 0200 Section 870.00 Block 03.00 Lot 030.002
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $318,054.88 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index #
604459/2015
Thomas Joseph Demayo, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
If you or your organization are interested in participating in the Suffolk County Space Leasing Program please send your contact information and/or inquires by regular mail or e-mail directed to: Attn Geoffrey Mascaro, Esq. Director of Asset Management Division of Community Response Suffolk County Dept of Public Works 335 Yaphank Avenue Yaphank, NY 11980-9608 Email: assetmanagement@ suffolkcountyny.gov
This Public Notice is issued in accordance with the provisions of Suffolk County Administrative Code §A222(D).
L15991-8/7/2024
The County of Suffolk, a Municipal Corporation of the State of New York, due to its ongoing need for new space and in anticipation of the expiration of existing leases, is hereby soliciting leasing offers from Owner/ Landlords of Commercial and Industrial properties as well as from Qualified Licensed New York State Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons of Commercial and Industrial properties. Please note that this is only a solicitation and no offer or contract for the leasing of any real property interest is made hereunder.
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BETTOR ANGLE
BY TOM BARTON
The NFL season is here, well sort of. Last week, we had our first NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans. The Bears won the Hall of Fame Game 21-17 over the Texans. It seems pretty cut and dry doesn't it? But, for sports bettors and sports books, it was a nightmare of a game.
While we all should be talking about the performance of Brett Rypien, who filled in as starting QB for this early preseason matchup, where he threw three touchdown passes, that all meant very little to some bettors across the country who were left confused and angry.
The game was called early because of lightning and heavy rain. The game was stopped with 3:31 left in the third quarter and after a 36-minute rain delay and then subsequently called off. This left bettors who were not familiar with the house rules upset and angry at the results.
In most cases, sports books deem a full game to be 55 minutes of play for the game to be graded
correctly. That means that anyone who took the Bears + 2 1/2 or on the moneyline at +135 would not be cashing their tickets, instead the game was voided and graded as if the game wasn't played. Chicago ticket holders might be able to console themselves and figure that anything could happen in the 4th quarter and while not cashing the ticket stings, it's not something to get angry about.
That can not be said for most over bettors. The game total went over well before the rain came and over bettors were counting their money, but they, just like Bears backers, received a void bet and only got their money back.
This is rare and it does not come into play often, but it's a stark reminder to everyone to make sure you read and recognize the house rules before placing a bet.
Jeffrey Benson, Circa Sportsbook operations manager, wrote on X, "Game was called due to weather. Given it didn’t go 55 mins per our House Rules;It will be a refund on full game ml, side, and total
The Over That Never Happened
plus the same for 2h. Don’t shoot the messenger, I don’t control the weather." And then followed that up with "I didn’t have arguing football House Rules on Aug 1 on my bingo card, but here we are,"as
he was inundated with comments and arguments about cashing over tickets.
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a recreational bettor, read the
Forget Applauds - The Yankees Have Jazz Hands
ByTomBarton
The New York Yankees were falling in the standings and the fans of the Bronx Bombers were once again feeling the dread of a team with many holes. The saving grace was that New York had their eyes set on the trade deadline and what GM Brian Cashman could do to correct the flaws in this team.
The pinstripe faithful know that time is wasting for this team to do something big. Aaron Judge and Gerritt Cole are both getting older and Juan Soto might leave if New York falters this year. That meant Cashman had to make some big moves and sacrificing the minor league system might be in order.
Cashman was active at the deadline bringing in some bullpen help in Mark Leiter Jr., grabbing Enyel De Los Santos, Kelly Austin, and his big splash was grabbing Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins. Jahmani Jones, JD Davis, Caleb Ferguson, Agustin Ramirez, Jared Serna, Jack Neely, Ben Cowles, and Abrahan Ramirez are gone, and none hurt the Yankees chances this season.
The concerns over Jazz were valid. Where will he play? Will his personality fit in? And can he stay healthy? Jazz quieted some of that right off the bat, not only with 4 home runs right away, but his willingness to move positions and play third base, which he had
never done in the majors, speaks volumes.
Chisholm solved two of his biggest question marks with that move. Playing third opens up options for manager Aaron Boone and shows what kind of teammate Jazz might be. The concerns over his personality
were overblown, as a selfish player would never make that move. So, while the green belt, backwards hat, and over the top antics might be frowned upon by the yelling at clouds generation, the fact this star player walked into a new clubhouse and showed them he will do anything to win
Lucky #7 for Rocky Point
ByTomBarton
Rocky Point High School has done it again. The Eagles have been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association as a Scholar-Athlete School of Excellence Award winner. This will now mark the 7th straight year that the Eagles have earned that honor.
Rocky Point is one of only 24 Section XI schools to earn the honor for its 25 varsity teams in the 2023-24 school year.
The award honors Rocky Point for having all its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To qualify, every varsity team must have 75% or more of its student-athletes earn an average of 90 or higher.
house rules and understand them before this season begins, there are some unique things that can come up, and you want to make sure you are prepared for it.
has to win over even the biggest cynic.
Brian Cashman may not have done enough at the deadline to satisfy Yankees fans, but his big splash move has already shown dividends and answered many of the questions.
The certificate and award will be presented to Athletic Director Jonathon Rufa by the
Photo Credit: @BN_Bears | X Devin Hester
Photo Credit: @Yankees | X
executive director of NYSPHSAA at the organization’s annual workshop in the fall.
Photo Credit: Rocky Point Schools | Facebook
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
SPORTS Imane Khelif of Algeria Wins Olympic Medal in Women's Boxing
ByTomBarton
When Imane Khelif of Algeria defeated Angela Carini of Italy in this year's Paris Olympics, it was met with outrage and controversy. The controversy didn't come because of a bad referee decision or scoring issue, and the outrage certainly wasn't because of some boxingrelated decision. People were stunned when they turned on their televisions to watch a man beating a woman in full view of millions of Olympic viewers.
Carini quit the match 46 seconds into the fight, afterwards stating that she had never been hit so hard in the face. Well, that is for good reason as she was boxing a man. Carini was in tears and could barely contain herself as her Olympic dreams came to a screeching halt.
Khelif’s participation in Olympic women’s boxing is a travesty. There are possible situations where you can feel sympathy for Khelif because he was born with a rare condition, but at the end of the day, even in this woke world we live in, he
should never have been able to box against a woman.
This is not just a solo opinion as both Khelif and another fighter, Lin Yuting of Taiwan, failed to meet gender eligibility tests at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi last year because they had male chromosomes. The president of the World Boxing Championships, István Kovács, said that he warned the Olympic Committee about several male boxers in the women's category, but nothing was done. Since that decision and following the
Caruso to Connecticut
ByTomBarton
Former
JT
has transferred from Miami University to the University of Connecticut.
Caruso, who was a 2023 graduate from Mount Sinai, played for the Hurricanes last season and has now decided to come closer to home and play for the Huskies. The lefthander has a long delivery and his motion reminds scouts of a young Randy Johnson. Caruso's fastball can get into the low 90's and he has an explosive curveball.
The 6'2", 185 pounder finished his freshman season with a 1-1 record over 6.2 innings pitched. He had some control issues with Miami and will rely on the UConn
outrage, the International Boxing Association has also come out and argued that he has no place fighting against women, they had previously banned Khelif, and went as far announcing that it is going to award prize money to Angela Carini.
IBA president Umar Kremlev inferred that this is a simple case that Khelif has "XY chromosomes." And he called the Olympics Thomas Bach "evil" for what he was doing to women's sport.
This is not an issue on the woke agenda about misgendering
coaching staff to be able to harness his pure stuff, while limiting his free passes.
While at Mount Sinai, Caruso was a five-year letterman and was the team
captain in final two seasons. He took home three all-county honors, was selected as the team MVP twice, and led Mount Sinai to the Long Island championship in 2021.
or confusing a different sex where only the person who is identifying can be hurt. Carini was not only hurt physically, in a disgusting display to the world that the woke agenda has gone too far, but she has been so hurt emotionally that she had to give an apology. Days after the beating, Khelif secured an Olympic medal after a 5-0 match against Hungary's Anna Luca Hámori. Guaranteeing a biological man will wear an Olympic medal around his neck for dominating a woman's sport.
Years ago, South Park showed a muscle-bound macho man beating a woman in a boxing match as an example of how the left will take things too far, and it was called ridiculous. Even back in the Andy Kaufamn years, the idea that a man would physically beat a woman to compete in sports was so far-fetched that
it was unbelievable. But we no longer have to imagine the lunacy of a world that watched a woman work her whole life for one Olympic moment, only to be beaten by a man in the ring and then told to apologize for it afterwards. I only wonder where the woman's rights groups are protesting and demanding a change for this sort of behavior? Not one Democrat voted to protect women's sports in the latest vote on the floor, and, in fact, have tried to capitalize on the subject, calling out Donald Trump for supporting women's rights.
If we allow this to continue, how much further down the rabbit hole will we fall as a society and now as the world watches and even some applaud what is happening? We need to stop this abomination.
SWR Gets Honored
ByTomBarton
Shoreham-Wading River High School was named a School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Shoreham-Wading River has been selected. The school was among the 19 selections from Section XI high schools and one of only 39 on Long Island to achieve the honor.
The distinction is given
to schools with 100% of its varsity teams qualifying for and receiving the ScholarAthlete team award during their respective sports seasons.
NYSPHSAA’s School of Distinction Award highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics as well as athletics. The school district congratulates its 25 athletic varsity team members for their hard work in achieving this honor.
Photo Credit: @Riley_Gaines_ | X
Photo Credit: Shoreham-Wading River Central School District | Facebook
Mount Sinai pitcher
Caruso
JT Caruso
Photo Credit: @caruso_jt | X
Imane Khelif
SPORTS Stony Brook's Women's Basketball Alumni India Pagan Playing in Paris
ByTomBarton
Stony Brook's women's basketball alumni India Pagan is representing Puerto Rico in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Pagan played in the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. She made Connecticut history as the first New London native to compete in the Games but also Puerto Rican history as a member of the firstever women's basketball team to qualify and compete at the Summer Olympics. With that, she also became the first Seawolves women's basketball player, and third
Stony Brook student-athlete ever, to compete in the Olympic Games.
"It's truly an indescribable feeling, I'm not sure if it has set in yet, but I know once I get into the Olympic Village and I'm a part of the Opening Ceremony the tears will instantly flow. This time around it's extra special to me because the last Olympics was during COVID so there were many restrictions. No fans were allowed, as athletes we couldn't attend any other sporting events, we had to take around two COVID tests a day and had many other restrictions."
She expressed admiration for Stony Brook and how it helped her get to where she is today saying, "My collegiate career at SBU also helped me get to where I am today, and I am forever grateful to all those who were a part of my growth on
and off the court throughout those five years on Long Island. Sending a million thanks for the consistent love and support from my Seawolf family," said Pagan.
With the Wolves, Pagan became the 18th player in program history to reach 1,000 points. She earned Second-team All-America East honors, was selected to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team and she ended her senior season with the highest career field goal percentage in program history.
Moynihan Takes Home First Place
ByTomBarton
Sayville's Olivia Moynihan
received the National Football Foundation Quarterback Challenge first overall nod this past week. The National Football Foundation Girls QB Quarterback Challenge is now in it's second year and Moynihan stands on top after a fantastic season.
Moynihan was a two-time all-Long Island selection and led Sayville to the Long Island championship this season. She then was named Suffolk County Player of the Year and 2024 Best Offensive Player. Her stats jump off the page as she threw for 2,230 total yards and 38 touchdowns. She completed 64% of her passes and also was a dual threat with
just under 900 yards rushing to go along with 13 TDs on the ground.
Moynihan isn't just a dual threat on the football field as she also plays multiple sports. As she enters her senior season, she will also be the varsity soccer goalie and is committed to play soccer at the University of New Hampshire.
American Legion Authur H, Clune Post 1533
Photo Credit: @StonyBrookWBB | X
Photo Credit: @liv_moynihan6 | X Olivia Moynihan
India Pagan
ByTomBarton
Bellport Basketball Well Represented
Former Bellport standout
Arella Guirantes is now representing Puerto Rico in the Olympics. The 26-yearold is playing for the 2024 Puerto Rican National Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.
As a star for Bellport, she had 2,251 total points, a record for the Bellport program, which includes the boys and girls teams.
She was such a prolific scorer, she once scored 58 points in a game against Kings Park and won Suffolk’s player of the year for girls basketball. As a senior, she averaged 35 points per game, 17 rebounds per game and scored 40 points or more five different times, she also did that five times as a junior.
After graduating from Bellport in 2018, she went on to
play for Texas Tech and Rutgers where she was once again a star. Guirantes led Rutgers to a 58-24 record and they dominated the Big 10 slate of games as well. She was named First Team All-Big Ten twice and was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.
Her career continued at the pro level when Guirantes became the 22nd pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, selected by the LA Sparks in the second round. In her rookie season, Guirantes played in 25 of LA’s 32 games, before moving on to the Seattle Storm for the 2023 season where she appeared in nine games.
Guirantes then played overseas in the EuroLeague Italy for Beretta Famila Schio. She led the team with 15 points per game and ranked top three in rebounds and assists.
Qualifying Tournament in February, Guirantes led Team Puerto Rico in points, rebounds and assists over the three games.
Bradley Still Collecting Awards
ByTomBarton
Even though Jackie Bradley Jr. is no longer a Long Island Duck, he continues to receive awards for what he did as a member of the team. This past week, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced that Bradley has been named the league’s Co-Player of the Month, along with Luis Castro of the Staten Island FerryHawks.
“Jackie was incredible at the plate and in the field during the month of July,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “He is tremendously deserving of this honor from the Atlantic league.”
Bradley Jr. played in only 16 games in July and led the team in batting average, with an eyepopping .500 average. He also
led the team in hits, home runs, total bases, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
Bradley Jr. had his contract purchased by the New York Mets organization on July 23, becoming the ninth member of the 2024 Ducks to have his contract purchased by a Major League or foreign organization. When the Mets selected him, he was in the middle of a historic 28-game hitting streak and had reached base safely in 35 consecutive games.
Bradley Jr. joins Frank Schwindel among Ducks players to receive Atlantic League monthly honors in 2024. Schwindel was named the league’s Player of the Month for May.
“Being on the Puerto Rican National Team has been such a blessing,” Guirantes said. “To be put in touch with where my grandfather was born and raised is really special to me. That I get to represent such a beautiful island, and represent my grandfather, and all of the sacrifices he made to give us a better life, is incredible. Being on this team is so special. To represent what is home away from home for me and feel the pride that comes with putting on my Olympic jersey means so much more than playing a game.”
Guirantes's mother, Demetria, played at Stony Brook and her father, Robert, used to help coach the varsity and junior varsity boys teams at Bellport before taking over his daughter’s training.
Guirantes is eligible for the national team under FIBA guidelines because her grandfather was born in Puerto Rico. In the FIBA Olympic
