Jail Time for Admitted Drug Dealer Whose Fentanyl Concoction Killed a Man
Photo Credit: Suffolk County
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BY STEFAN MYCHAJLIW
The South Shore Press front page story on an admitted drug dealer who avoided jail time by being sentenced to a treatment facility, justifiably raised the ire of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Instead of spending eight years behind bars for selling a deadly concoction of fentanyl-tramadol that led to three overdoses, one of them fatal, drug pusher Omar Aitcheson will go to a rehab program. If he keeps his nose clean, pardon the cocaine pun, he gets his felony conviction wiped clean and doesn’t spend a day behind bars.
My heart broke reading the victim impact letter from the victim’s sister, whose brother most certainly did not deserve to die.
The defendant most certainly
deserved prison time, and Mr. Tierney’s outrage as a prosecutor is completely justifiable.
Sadly, soft-on-crime laws and policies that coddle criminals, keep violent offenders out of prison, and make our communities less safe, is part of the proud platform of Democrats here in the People’s Republic of New York and across the country.
Look no further than Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
When angry mobs and violent protestors burnt Minneapolis to the ground and attacked law enforcement, Walz refused to call in the National Guard to protect people, property, and the police.
BY GEORGE SANTOS
‘Tis the season—not the festive one, but the season of presidential political campaigns. This is the time when information overload bombards us from every direction, making it hard to distinguish what’s real from what’s not.
Campaign strategies have evolved, with social media becoming an indispensable tool in the last decade. It’s no surprise, considering that more Americans have shifted from print news to digital platforms and social media for their news. In this rapidly changing environment, where real and fake news often blur together, campaigns have capitalized on the fast-moving nature of the internet.
Just over a week ago, the internet nearly came to a standstill due to the unprecedented event
of President Trump engaging in a conversation on X (formerly Twitter) with Elon Musk. This marked a significant moment, as it was the former president’s return to the platform that banned him in 2021 following the January 6th protests after the 2020 election.
Since then, President Trump has primarily used his own platform, Truth Social. The remarkable aspect of this event was that millions of users attempted to tune in, causing a delay that essentially “broke the internet.” After a 30-minute delay and some adjustments to the technology, the conversation between the two moguls finally commenced, lasting over two hours. This event signaled a major shift in social media campaigning.
On the flip side, this week we
Reject Soft-On-Crime Politicians
police,” pro-criminal record.
Two months before she was asked by Joe Biden to join his presidential ticket in the summer of 2020, then United States Senator Harris promoted the bail fund to spring those criminals from prison.
“If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” wrote Harris on Twitter on June 1st, 2020.
One of those bad actors Kamala Harris helped get out of jail went on to kill someone.
Let that sink in: Walz didn’t lift a finger to bring in the National Guard to stop rioters from destroying a city, burning down buildings, and attacking police.
also observed Vice President Harris’s campaign defending its use of fabricated headlines in Google ads.
One campaign aide even appeared on television, stating, “It’s incumbent upon the people to do their due diligence and read the fine print that says the article is a paid advertisement.” In the chaotic world of digital-era political campaigns, it’s baffling why a presidential campaign would resort to such deceptive tactics, especially during a time of political instability.
Some have even compared these tactics to the propaganda methods used by communists during World War II in Europe. If I were advising Vice President Harris’s campaign, I would tread lightly with this strategy, especially given President Trump’s penchant for labeling
his opponents and the media as “fake news.”
Such tactics could give him ample ammunition to paint the Vice President as a manipulative “communist.” While the internet
can be a powerful asset, it requires careful navigation and the alignment of top-notch talent to manage its day-to-day operations effectively.
Harris then doubled down on her radical progressive “defund the
Photo Credit: X
Photo Credit: Juri Tichonow | Dreamstime.com
The Minnesota Bail Fund Promoted by Harris is still active
ByStefanMychajliw
DA Blasts Judge Who Let Drug Dealer Avoid Jail Time
Suffolk County District
Attorney Ray Tierney blasted a Suffolk County Court judge for letting a drug dealer who sold a fatal concoction of narcotics that led to three overdoses, one of them fatal, enter a treatment program rather than prison.
Instead of sentencing admitted drug dealer Omar Aitcheson to eight years behind bars that Tierney recommended, Suffolk County Court Judge Honorable Philip Goglas sentenced the 31-year-old North Amityville man to a “Judicial Diversion Program (JDP).”
This allows Aitcheson, who pled guilty to multiple felonies, to avoid hard time in jail.
If the drug dealer successfully completes the drug treatment program after eighteen months, followed by one year of probation, Aitcheson will be able to withdraw his guilty plea and have his felony charges dismissed.
“In this case, we requested that the Judge not place a drug dealer who caused a fatal overdose into a diversion program where he will ultimately receive a misdemeanor. Placing a drug dealer who provided poison leading to a fatal overdose into Judicial Diversion is dangerous to the community and a travesty of justice,” said District Attorney Tierney.
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on October 8, 2023, Aitcheson sold a fentanyl-tramadol mixture
marketed as cocaine to three men in Suffolk County.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. Ingesting just two milligrams can be lethal.
Tramadol is a strong opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain with side effects that can slow or stop breathing.
Believing that they had purchased cocaine, the three men snorted the substance that Aitcheson sold them, and all three immediately experienced symptoms of an opioid overdose. Two of the victims survived while 32-year-old Igor Piaskowski was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital.
The overdoses prompted law enforcement to commence an investigation into the supplier of the deadly mixture.
While the police investigation was pending, Aitcheson continued to sell narcotics, even after he sold the fentanyl-tramadol mixture to the three victims. In October 2023, Aitcheson sold cocaine to undercover detectives on two separate dates. Aitcheson was arrested on October 24, 2023, for the overdose sale as well as the undercover purchases.
On August 13, 2024, Aitcheson pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Philip Goglas to three counts of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies, and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies.
Judge Goglas then promised Aitcheson admittance into the Court’s Judicial Diversion Program (JDP).
If he fails and does not complete the program, Aitcheson will be sent to prison for three years, followed by two years of post-release supervision, which is still five years fewer than the eight-year sentence originally offered by prosecutors.
“The defendant sold what was represented to be cocaine to three unsuspecting victims. All three victims overdosed and one victim, Igor Piaskowski, died because the substance they ingested contained not cocaine, but rather a lethal mixture of Fentanyl and Tramadol. The criminal justice system has failed Mr. Piaskowski, his family, and the more than one hundred thousand victims who die from opioid overdoses each year,” added Tierney.
The District Attorney’s Office, which had recommended Aitcheson serve eight years in prison followed by two years of post-release supervision, vehemently opposed Aitcheson’s admission into the diversion program and requested a hearing on the merits of Aitcheson’s eligibility and appropriateness for the program.
The Court held a hearing to determine his eligibility and appropriateness for JDP.
The District Attorney’s Office argued Aitcheson was a drug dealer who not only caused the overdose of three individuals with one resulting in death by selling a fentanyl-tramadol mixture as
cocaine, but he also continued selling drugs after these incidents.
The District Attorney’s Office also pointed out at the hearing, and at the time of his admission into JDP, that Aitcheson was not suffering from a substance use disorder at the time he sold the fatal dose, nor was he driven to commit his crimes due to a substance use disorder.
Aitcheson himself admitted to the Court that he had not taken any narcotics since September 2023, a month prior to the sale resulting in the overdoses.
Passed by the New York State legislature in 2009, JDP addresses defendants’ drug or alcohol dependency by providing treatment instead of incarceration.
To be eligible for the program, the defendant must be suffering from substance abuse during the commission of a crime for which they are charged, and it must be demonstrated that the defendant
does not pose a safety risk to the community.
It is within the discretion of the Court to admit or deny a defendant admission to a JDP even if they qualify for the program.
A letter written by the sister of the victim who died as a result of Aitcheson’s drug sale was presented by the District Attorney’s Office to the court for consideration.
In that letter, the victim’s sister likewise opposed the defendant’s admission into the diversion program and opined that a quote used by the defendant to describe himself on social media spoke “volumes” about his “greed and lack of regard for human life.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Felice of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective John DeNobrega of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.
Sister Pens Passionate Plea for Drug Dealer to Get Prison Time
BySandraPiaskowska
The South Shore Press is publishing the full letter written by Sandra Piaskowska that was presented to Suffolk County Judge Hon. Philip Goglas. Piaskowska’s brother Igor Piaskowski died of a fatal overdose. The family made a passionate plea for the drug dealer who sold the fatal concoction, Omar Aitcheson, to be sentenced to eight years in prison.
Instead, Judge Goglas sentenced Omar Aitcheson to a drug treatment program that allows him to avoid prison time and have his felony record wiped clean. This is Piaskowska’s full statement:
I, Sandra Piaskowska, write this statement as a sister of the late Igor Piaskowski, who passed away in the early hours of October 8 2023 having ingested the drugs supplied by the Defendant, Omar Aitcheson. I would like this statement to be read in an open court and considered by the Honourable Judge at the sentencing hearing.
The lives of Igor’s family members have been turned upside down following his sudden passing. Nine months on, we are still struggling to come to terms with what happened to him. Igor was a loving and caring son, brother, and uncle.
My now 2 year old daughter only met him once in July 2023 as my family and I live in the UK. As a result of my brother’s unexpected passing we have had to teach my daughter about death and life after death at such a tender age. It has been heartbreaking. My heart aches every time my daughter says “ Igor is gone” or “Igor is in Heaven.”
My parents cannot even bring themselves to choose a tombstone for my brother’s grave. His clothes and other belongings remain in boxes, unpacked, as they were shipped from the USA to Poland, where my family is from. No parent should ever have to bury their child.
The above are just a few brief examples of the pain and suffering caused by the Defendant’s
reckless, inconsiderate and frankly destructive actions.
On October 7 2023 my dad who lived with my brother was celebrating his birthday. Few days prior it was Igor’s names day, a Polish Chistian celebration to honor the chosen saint. Igor was therefore celebrating with my dad and a few of his friends by having drinks at home on the evening of
October 7 2023.
Unfortunately my brother was a troubled soul. He never truly got over a break up and was suffering from depression. In September 2023 he started mixing with the wrong local crowd, including a felon who introduced him to cocaine.
On the night of October 7 my brother met up with the said felon
“friend” and a work colleague outside the work colleague’s house. They all took what they thought was cocaine, supplied by the Defendant. I understand from the Police that all three have started to experience overdose symptoms. Unfortunately, my brother did not survive.
My brother did not deserve to die in such a manner, at the age of 32. He had a whole life ahead of him. He always cared about other people’s needs and always put those ahead of his. He was also very hard working. He worked for a construction company and specialized in bathroom renovations. He frequently worked at the homes of police officers who always praised him for his work and kind personality. During the week leading up to his death my brother was working at the Catholic Church in Copiague. He helped install paintings at the newly built chapel. My brother was a good, kind person. His mistake was taking what he thought was cocaine.
Continued on page 4
Photo Credit: Facebook
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney
Photo Credit: Open Art AI
Igor Piaskowski died of a fatal overdose.
ByDeborahWilliams
Suffolk County Judicial Diversion Program Badly Misused by Judge
Suffolk County, like many counties in New York and across the country, has a Judicial Diversion Program (JDP) meant for nonviolent felony offenders facing charges and who also abuse alcohol and drugs. Instead of jail or probation, JDP will help them enter and stay in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
It is widely believed that JDP programs offering counseling can help and often deter first offenders from committing a second offense. And if drugs/ alcohol are a factor, getting the offender clean can go a long way toward reducing recidivism. JDPs can be successful if enough treatment programs and counselors are available and they can save counties and states money by incarcerating fewer people. While the defendant is in treatment, the judge will closely monitor progress.
This process can work sometimes and it is appropriate, sometimes. However, recently in Suffolk County, an admitted
drug dealer sold tainted narcotics that caused three men to overdose – one fatally. The defendant admitted to selling a fentanyl-tramadol mixture marketed as cocaine to three men in Suffolk County.
This horrific story has been covered at length on the pages of South Shore Press, including a published letter from the sister of the man who was killed by the fentanyl overdose.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney asked for a sentence of eight years for these crimes. Still, Suffolk County Court Judge Honorable Philip Goglas instead offered the admitted drug dealer, whose drugs killed a man, diversion to the JDP program rather than a prison sentence. He sold the drugs that nearly killed two people and did kill one person and he was essentially let go with no jail sentence.
“This is yet another example of how New York’s lax drug laws elevate the criminal and further victimize New
Yorkers and their families,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano (R,C—Medford). “I join District Attorney Ray Tierney and the many others who plead for changes that will hold these criminals accountable. The elected officials who remain silent after these three residents, and countless others, were killed, should not have a sound night’s sleep until they do something about it. These deaths are directly attributable to their inaction. “
Heavy Rain Hammers North Shore
ByRobertChartuk
Suffolk’s North Shore got hammered by what officials called a “once in a hundredyear” deluge that caused massive flooding from nearly 10 inches of rain overnight on Monday. The Grist Mill Pond in Stony Brook broke through its banks and completely drained, while flood waters washed out a large section of Harbor Road.
County Executive Ed Romaine called a state of emergency, estimating more than $25 million in damages with about 100 homes affected. Romaine’s declaration will clear the way for state and federal disaster relief.
Town Supervisor Dan Panico posted on Facebook what he
described as “catastrophic” flooding, as a river of water took out Harbor Road. “This is an environmental and economic disaster,” he said, noting that the last time the area experienced flooding of this magnitude was in 1910.
Mudslides up to nine feet high were reported in Rocky Point and Sound Beach, and some residents had to be rescued off rooftops. Officials said a house fell into a sinkhole on Thompson Hay Path in East Setauket, and another house in Terryville fell into a sump. A fallen tree crushed a home on Main Street in Stony Brook. Roadway catch basins and residential cesspools were overtaken, while the heavy rain flooded parking lots across
the area.
Stony Brook resident Parker Hough said fish were flopping on the ground when the water from the Grist Mill Pond receded. He removed furniture floating near his boat in Stony Brook Harbor, along with clothing and shoes.
“One boat went down in the marina, but we saved a few by pumping them out,” Hough said.
“The flood left behind a strangelooking foam.”
Panico said it will take months and millions of dollars to repair the damage.
If the drug dealer completes the drug treatment program after eighteen months, followed by one-year probation, he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea and have his felony charges dismissed.
The outrage and irony here is that the admitted drug dealer was not a drug user himself at the time he sold the deadly mixture to these three men. And, the dealer continued to sell drugs after this incident.
Sending him to JDP not only won’t help him since he is not a user, but it takes a valuable spot in the program from someone who might actually benefit from it and set their life on a better course. And more importantly, this criminal will not be punished one bit while the loved ones of the man who was killed will suffer every day going forward.
New York Conservative Party Chairman, Jerry Kassar, said, “I have no idea what went on with that judge, and I can't think of any extenuating circumstances which would make it appropriate to put a drug pimp that was involved with murders in a diversion program.”
Kassar added, “The drug laws in New York clearly aren't working, and nobody's stepping up on the Democratic side to make any changes at all. Once again, it seems to be much more of an attitude that the criminals are the victims, as opposed to attention being paid to the real victims.”
Sister Pens Passionate Plea...
Continued from page 3
However, I am certain he would not have taken it, had he known it contained fentanyl. He would not have risked his life in such a way. He would not have died if the drug contained only cocaine.
My brother deserves justice. This should not be in the form of Judicial Diversion Program. Whilst I am not an expert, I have read about the aims of the program and it appears aimed at the nonviolent offenders who abuse alcohol or drugs. The Defendant did not make a mistake under the influence of drugs or alcohol when selling fentanyl in this case.
This was a conscious decision
and is a lifestyle choice for him. It is apparent from his Public Instagram profile that he glorifies drug taking, drug dealing and handling of weapons. He is a wannabe rapper who finds the lifestyle of a drug dealer to be fitting of the image he wishes to portray to the public.
Does this type of person deserve a “slap on the wrist” having caused such a tremendous loss to me and my family due to his selfish, reckless and deadly actions? He deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law in order to have sufficient time to change his ways, reflect and be punished for his actions which were ultimately
motivated by greed and lack of regard for human life.
The following quote in his Instagram bio speaks volumes: “I am the punishment of God... If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
This demonstrates his delusion about his role in the society as he sees himself as some sort of God’s punisher. He does not deserve the JDP. My brother and my family deserve justice and the JDP being applied in this instance is not justice.
Kind regards Sandra Piaskowska
Photo Credit: X
Judicial Diversion Programs - Justice or Not?
Photo Credit: Supervisor Dan Panico
Photo Credit: Sarah Chartuk
Floodwater takes out Harbor Road in Stony Brook.
Flooding in Mt. Sinai.
LOCAL National Night Out a Huge Success
ByRobertChartuk
The grounds of William Floyd High School were buzzing as hundreds of families, friends, and neighbors came to enjoy National Night Out. They got to meet their local elected officials and members of law enforcement who protect them, and, most importantly, they got to know each other a little better.
Dozens of Moriches Bay Area shops and services set up
booths to share a ton of food and information. The Suffolk Police Department was there with the U.S. Army, civic associations, clubs, and firefighters from Mastic Beach, alongside County Executive Ed Romaine, District Attorney Ray Tierney, Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Senator Dean Murray, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Legislator Jim Mazzarella, and Councilwoman Jane Bonner, to name a few.
“A big salute to the many community organizations for participating,” said Legislator Mazzarella. “From our first responders to the scouts and civics, volunteerism in our community is strong and was on full display as it creates the sense of place we all desire. The best way to effectuate positive change is through participation. Please consider joining one of the great organizations or clubs,” the Legislator asked.
National Night Out started in the western suburbs of Philadelphia and has been held every year since 1984. The tradition began with neighbors turning on their porch lights and joining together in front of their homes. Millions now participate in communities across America, as evidenced at William Floyd and the Smith Haven Mall last week.
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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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ByRobertChartuk
Vietnam Era Veterans Get Permanent Monument in Hauppauge
They didn’t get a hero’s welcome when they returned home and became a catalyst for better veteran care for generations to come. Now, thanks to the devoted efforts of many volunteers and local officials, those who served during the Vietnam era have a permanent monument in Hauppauge.
First created in 1966, the memorial honoring 284 men and one woman veteran from Hauppauge has become a centerpiece at Blydenburgh County Park, just off Veterans Memorial Parkway. It was unveiled on August 13 during a ceremony with soldiers, local officials, and volunteers who never gave up on their mission to honor those who served.
“What a pleasure it is to see this,” said Kevin O’Hare, an Army vet who has seen the monument through two moves before it found its permanent home. “It honors everyone who served during that era, not just those who went to Vietnam.” According to O’Hare, the
Suffolk
previous display had been ravaged by time and termites. “Dedicated volunteers and donations made this beautiful monument possible,”
O’Hare said, quipping that the its predecessor had been painted battleship gray at the request of a
County
volunteer who was in the Navy.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony was Leslie Kennedy, the area’s representative on the county legislature. “My first memory of Vietnam was watching a parade with my family when l was six years
old, and I asked my dad why some of the people were dressed differently than the others,” she recalled. “He said he would explain it to me later, and when the soldiers came by to clap and cheer as loud as l could, that’s what my brother and l did.”
Kennedy, who has served on the Legislature’s Veterans Committee since its inception, said her father explained that the veterans weren’t treated very well when they came home. “I thought that was horrible,” she said. “I’m very thankful for their service and do all I can to take care of their monuments.”
”It’s an honor to ensure that all of our veterans get the recognition they deserve. This shows that we really appreciate them,” Legislator Nick Caracappa told the crowd. The chairman of the Veterans Committee added, “You have appreciation and respect here at home.”
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, a Vietnam combat veteran, was part of the effort to locate the memorial at Blydenburgh.
“We will be able to admire this monument for generations to come and have a place where children can learn about the veterans,” the supervisor said, noting that Smithtown has the highest concentration of vets in Suffolk while the county has the second highest number in the nation.
County Executive Ed Romaine also spoke at the ceremony, telling the 50 or so veterans in attendance, “We are all here to say one thing: We will always remember your service, we will always honor your service, and we will always thank you for your service.”
Also in attendance were Congressman Nick LaLota, a Navy vet; state Senator Mario Mattera; Assembly Members Mike Fitzpatrick, Ed Flood, and Jodi Giglio; County Comptroller John Kennedy; and Legislators Nick Caracappa, Tom Donnelly, Dominick Thorne, and Rob Trotta. Chad Lennon, a veteran serving in the Suffolk Legislature, sent a representative.
Left Out to Sea When US Coast Guard Leaves East Moriches Coast Guard Station
ByDeborahWilliams
The East Moriches United States Coast Guard Station was closed during a consolidation of stations. When that happened, nine local volunteer fire departments and one ambulance service teamed up to form a coalition picking up the slack to ensure water rescue in the region didn’t miss a beat.
Shinnecock and Fire Island Coast Guard stations remain active, but they are too far away to provide emergency response needed in the area in any consistent way.
“We knew over the last few years they were scaling down. The advance notice gave us time to get our group together, do an equipment inventory, plan for purchasing anything new, and train together,” Biondi said.
The East Moriches Coast Guard station closed largely due to a lack of manpower. The Guard has been scaling back across the board over the past few years as they face a shortage of recruits.
Bill Biondi, Commissioner of the Mastic Beach Fire Department says, “We understand what is going on
Mastic Beach, Mastic, Center Moriches, East Moriches, Eastport, Westhampton Beach, Brookhaven, Bellport, Hagerman, and South Country Ambulance have all joined together forming Marine Response Teams providing a seamless water rescue response on top of the everyday fire and emergency response they already offer on land.
in the world today. They are so short-staffed that commanders are washing floors and doing dishes. It was only a matter of time before the Guard started pulling away from units that are not as active.”
Rear Admiral Russell Dash reported that the Guard is short 4,800 members, nearly 10% of its workforce, and said, “recruiting challenges are one of the more immediate crises facing the services.”
The Guard’s manpower shortage is expected to get worse and it is already impacting their ability to respond to major disasters.
“We are losing our surge force,” he said. “If we had to respond to a hurricane or oil spill or crisis on the southwest border like we have in the past, then you would see some real problems with regard to our ability to maintain our regular missions,”
Thomas said.
That’s where local and volunteer fire departments stepped in to save the day and did so with already stretched resources of staff and equipment themselves.
Biondi said there are no hard feelings between the departments and the Coast Guard. Biondi says, “All services are struggling with cuts, mandates, and low enrollment, even the fire service. We are here to support the Coast Guard and help out any way we can.”
The Marine Response Teams also work with Suffolk County Police Department Marine Unit.
Biondi stressed that all of the cooperating departments immediately got on board and began working on their plans.
Local fire departments were advised about the reduced Coast Guard staffing and started planning.
The new ‘Marine Incident Response Teams’ signed Mutual Aid Agreements this year codifying their cooperative efforts into a solid plan to provide emergency water rescue response to the area. They have a variety of watercraft and a dive team as part of the effort.
Two cooperative teams have formed based on shoreline geography and all nine chiefs signed the agreements and meet regularly for planning and incident review. Mastic Beach, Bellport Fire, Brookhaven, and Hagerman Fire Departments, along with South Country Ambulance Company formed one team.
The mission of this Water Rescue Response Team is to deliver rapid water response to fire, rescue, and other marine incidents occurring along the south shore waterways, spanning from the west side of Smith Point Bridge in Mastic Beach to Swan River in East Patchogue, This encompasses all rivers, creeks, as well as the Atlantic Ocean west of the Fire Island National Seashore building, to Watch Hill.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
The participants in the memorial unveiling.
Photo Credit: Bill Biondi
LOCAL
ByStefanMychajliw
Yaphank Historical Society Celebrates 50 Years
State and local leaders recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Yaphank Historical Society.
New York State Senator Dean Murray presented an official NYS Resolution, that passed overwhelmingly earlier this year in the Senate, to the Yaphank Historical Society recognizing its golden anniversary at the Swezey-Avey House in Yaphank.
The Yaphank Historical Society was founded in 1974 by a group of concerned and
dedicated taxpayers who saw a need to preserve the hamlet’s rich heritage.
The Society currently maintains and manages four historic houses, three of which are on the National Register of Historic Places, and provides ongoing stewardship for several small historic burial grounds and the Carmans River Nature Trail and Sanctuary. The Society looks to the future to continue restoration and preservation opportunities within the historic district.
“Thank you to the Historical Society for all you have done to protect the rich history of Yaphank’s past to continue to enrich its future,” said Senator Murray, 3rd Senate District.
Also on hand for the 50th anniversary celebration was Town of Brookhaven Clerk Kevin LaValle.
From their website: yaphankhistorical.org:
Known for its sawmills and gristmills Yaphank was established in 1726 on the banks of the Carmans River. Though the mills are long gone many of the period homes from the 18th and 19th centuries remain, illustrating the history of the hamlet and those who lived there. The Yaphank Historical Society was founded in 1974 because a group of concerned and dedicated residents saw a need to preserve this rich heritage.
Under the leadership of our first President, Eugene T. Dooley, one of the first priorities for the early Society was to establish official designation for the Yaphank Historic District, both on the NY State Register and by the Town of Brookhaven. Once accomplished, preservation efforts began. Currently, the Society maintains and manages four historic houses, three
Suffolk County Left Out to Sea...
Continued from page 6
The second team consists of Mastic Beach, Center Moriches, Eastport, Mastic, East Moriches, and Westhampton Beach Fire Departments. They provide emergency water response to south shore waterways between Smith Point Bridge in Mastic Beach to Quantuck Bay in Westhampton Beach. This includes the Moriches Inlet, all rivers, creeks, and coves, as well as the Atlantic Ocean from the Westhampton / Quogue Fire District line west to the Fire Island National Seashore building.
The Guard does not offer any financial support to the locally operated Marine Incident Teams. When the teams asked about any funding, they were told HomeLand Security doesn't recognize them. That may be something that gets worked out in the future, but for right now, all of the new equipment and training is self-funded by the volunteer fire departments. All of their funding comes from the taxpayers of the local fire districts.
For now, the fire assessment people see on their tax bill remains steady. Biondi’s department did have to spend $300,000 for a boat and equip it with GPS, two motors, and electronics. They bought a
surplus boat from the Coast Guard and fitted it out with modern technology. All nine departments have their own boats, so this is no small expense for local volunteer fire departments to purchase and maintain.
They have responded to a lot of different kinds of emergencies in the 9-10 communities they serve.
Last year, they had 26 water rescue calls. They also work cooperatively with local paid towing services that can lend a hand if someone’s boat stalls.
Biondi says their teams are fast, “We get there quick – average time to respond 5-8 minutes.”
They have responded to Jet Skis and boats that run aground. And
of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Designated as a Brookhaven Town Historic Landmark, the Swezey-Avey House serves as our Headquarters, housing our extensive archive and library collections, as well as special exhibits.
The Society also provides ongoing stewardship for several small historic burying grounds and the Carmans River Nature Trail & Sanctuary, all within the Historic District.
We encourage and promote an interest in history by hosting a full annual schedule of programs and special activities. Our
extensive archives and library collections are open to the public for study and research and we offer docent-guided tours of our historic houses during our scheduled summer Sunday afternoon house tours, or by appointment. We also maintain a working relationship with the Longwood Schools and local scouting groups.
As the Society looks to the future, we see many restoration and preservation opportunities within the Historic District and it is our hope that the Yaphank Historic District will become a true destination for those interested in the history of Brookhaven Town.
Reject Soft-On-Crime Politicians...
Continued from page 2
Those bad actors who were arrested for these violent, criminal acts, were subsequently sprung from prison by none other than Kamala Harris.
Shockingly, Harris’s tweet is still up and the link to the Minnesota bail fund is still active. People can still donate.
last year, there were a of couple incidents west of the bridge where the ocean broke through to the bay during nor’easter storms. When the jet skis ran aground, the rescue teams took hovercraft out, rescued the girl waiting on a sand bar that had a broken leg, and transferred her to an ambulance on land.
They have responded to overturned boats in Moriches Inlet rescuing occupants and have even responded to an accident where a bridge worker fell off a boat near a bridge he was working on. The boat was running in circles with no worker to be found. The dive team was put to work to find him. Unfortunately with no life vest and 34-degree water, the man did not survive.
Here in the Empire State, left-wing lawmakers passed “no bail” reform that ties the hands of police, prosecutors, and even judges. Under the law that went into effect in January 2020, some criminals accused of felonies walk right out of court like a revolving door of violence on our streets and within our communities.
The shocking result (tongue planted firmly in cheek)? Crime increased in communities outside of New York City (all suburbs and upstate), with 66% of those released without bail got caught committing another crime. Half of those criminals committed a felony.
Whether it is here in Suffolk County, across New York, in Minnesota, or across the country, it is time for law-abiding taxpayers
to smarten up and choose elected leaders who will crack down on crime, put criminals behind bars where they belong, fully fund police, and fight to keep our communities safe.
When the electorate sends softon-crime radical progressives to Albany, the Minnesota governor’s mansion, or the White House, the predictable results will be unsafe streets, a rise in violent crime, and communities where no one wants to visit, let alone live.
There are statewide elections for the NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, all congressional districts, some U.S. Senate seats, and of course the president of the United States.
Use your noggin and common sense.
Vote for public servants who will keep you and your family safe, who will provide police and prosecutors the proper tools to protect us.
You most certainly don’t want to become the victim of a violent crime at the hands of a violent thug who should have been behind bars but was out on the street thanks to soft-on-crime politicians.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Photo Credit: Facebook
Photo Credit: File Photo
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Hollywood Comes to the South Shore
"The Lady of the Lake: The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma" premiered before a sold-out crowd at Sayville Theater on Sunday, August 4.
“It was a filmmaker’s dream,” writer-director and Ronkonkomaraised Maria Capp reflects.
The creative team on hand and the community members serving as their inaugural audience came together to celebrate the release of Native American folklore translated to the silver screen for modern eyes.
The film stars Seth Gilliam "The Walking Dead, The Wire" and Nia Sioux "Dance Moms" as a father-and-daughter duo seeking answers and requiem in the face of total despair. Tragedy struck their family in the form of Nia’s older brother Brian’s death by drowning a year prior.
Now, the Schultz family and their friends must head-on confront the perhaps not-so-alleged spirit of Princess Ronkonkoma— Romeo and Juliet-reimagined as the 1600s-originated,-- and thoroughly backdropped Tahoma (Taylor Red Fox) within the film. She has long been purported to haunt the lake by taking the life of any man who ventures into her domain—the fatal consequence of her own love, and life, being taken from her prematurely.
In preproduction, Capp conducted extensive research, casting and crewing to prioritize culturally consulted and considered Native American authenticity. This brought her as far as SAGAFTRA’s Zoom seminars about the “Inclusivity of Native American Actors and Stories,” and as close by as the Ronkonkoma Historical Society, the Heritage Association, the Town of Brookhaven’s highly informative Main Office displays, and the Shinnecock Reservation.
The result: a body of work cosigned by the local native community, thereby quelling Capp’s early concerns that stemmed from the little resistance she garnered upon first alerting the community of the production’s intentions—to demystify the myth—a few years back.
"Lady of the Lake" checks off many genre boxes, but not that one. “This is not a horror movie,” Capp empathically stipulated in an interview with The South Shore Press. “It’s a drama, it’s a coming of age—with folklore and a supernatural thrill weaved into it.”
At the August 4 Q & A, Capp elaborated: “This is a story about loss and grief. [Tahoma] was just so sorrowful, it’s not like she was vengeful and evil. Her sorrow was just very overwhelming. And that transcended into the contemporary story, of grief and loss for the parents, the Schultz family and the surviving sibling, Jamie… so for me, there is a very
profound relationship between loss, and families, and energy— what that looks like, feels like, and smells like.”
Fox also spoke of energy when opening up about her creative process with The South Shore Press. To get into character for a film she likened to a “Deja Vu episode” upon first reading the script, Fox, like with all other roles, practiced “meditation and silence,” instead of listening to music.
“[My process] is to get grounded with the energy I’m trying to get across for the screen, because as we know energy cannot be created or destroyed,” said Fox. “So, I’m taking the energy from around me, and projecting it into the project.”
“The whole town is abuzz,” Ronkonkonkoma’s state representative for the past seven years, Sachem School District (’08) and St. Joseph’s College (’12) grad-turned-Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) shared in an Instagram video live from Sayville Theater on August 4, a day ahead of his 34th birthday. The noted supporter of the local arts scene was one of the more familiar faces in attendance for "The Lady of the Lake’s" lively launch.
The former educator—who is currently up for reelection in New York’s Fifth District this November—further encapsulated the airborne energy that day, and the virtue of artistic enthusiasm in general, by speaking with cast and crew, participating in the “Q” portion of the “Q & A,” and providing his additional thoughts and impressions to the media.
“I want to thank Maria Capp for her captivating retelling of the legend of Lake Ronkonkoma,” Assemblyman Smith told The South Shore Press. “I was delighted to join our community in enjoying this cinematic adventure. I was excited to see local talent and a local production on the big screen and I strongly encourage everyone who enjoys suspense to see this movie!”
a decade ago. At the time, eventual lead Gilliam was starring on two of television’s most popular shows— AMC’s "The Walking Dead" and CW 11’s "Teen Wolf." Raffaela cites the latter program as integral in the development of "Lady of the Lake’s" teenaged characters, who must juggle conventional angst with this loaded heap of supernatural ridiculousness that’s unfortunately begun to lurk far from the shadows.
In comparing an indie effort like "The Lady of the Lake" to some of these bigger-budgeted projects that also meld “Man v. Man” and “Man v. the Maccabe,” Gilliam believes “there is a little more patience involved, because there are fewer people on hand to troubleshoot and problem-solve.”
annual screenings between August and Halloween every year. This means its established actors, like Gilliam, and greenest-behind-theears up-and-comers on the call sheet alike can equally help put Ronkonkoma on the “Movie Map” year in and year out.
“Pretty much, mostly at school I’m rubbing it in my friends’ faces— sometimes they talk about their sports, and I say, but I do theater, and I’m in a movie, so…” Jackson Gill, 9, of Islip, quipped while plugging both his second screen credit and his current turn in Argyle Theatre at Babylon’s "Bye Bye Birdie" stage production.
Helming from the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, the film’s foremost star power, Seth Gilliam as grieving Ronkonkoma Fire Chief Adam Schultz, notes that firefighters on the home front are “New York’s bravest for a reason.” Gilliam expressed to The South Shore Press: “It takes, quite frankly, a great deal of love for your fellow man, to race into a building to ensure people’s safety.”
Capp extends a hearty salute to the “beautiful and generous” Ronkonkoma Fire Department for their behind-the-scenes efforts in helping provide all the elements the production required to adhere to safety mandates for riskier scenes. She also commends her own cinematographer (Elle Schneider) and first assistant director (Shannan Leigh Reeve) for” “jumping into the water” to help procure complicated shots in short order and with sheer brilliance and simplicity.
“Hire people—surround yourself with people—that know their job better than you,” Capp advises.
Gilliam was intrigued by the idea of partaking in a family-based project—but did not learn until principal photography during the summer of 2022 in Lake Ronkonkoma and Yaphank just how much of Capp’s actual family would have been involved. “That was a bonus,” he chuckled.
Capp’s children Steven and Raffaela, who star as Erwin and Becca, respectively, believe their mother has produced her best work yet with "The Lady of the Lake." “It shows progression over time, and like with anything else, that practice makes perfect,” said Steven, adding that watching someone as deservedly highprofile as Gilliam work only made everyone else better at what they do.
Raffaela recounts Maria first proposed "The Lady of the Lake" as a project worth pursuing about
“Aside from the crew being smaller [on Lady of the Lake], the passion was just as high as it was for The Walking Dead,” said Gilliam. “You’re leaning into that as an actor, that’s your support system. That’s your safety net.”
Per the turnout and overall success of August 4th’s screening, Sayville Theater invited the film back for an additional 3 p.m. screening on Sunday, August 25. A ticket can be purchased via eventbrite.com.
“The audience was so warm and responsive and receptive. They loved the relationship between Seth Gilliam’s and Nia Sioux’s characters. They loved how the family was struggling and then overcame. Everyone was so touched by the native american ceremony at the end — it was sacred,” said Capp.
“Ronkonkoma Pride is loud and clear,” she adds. “People loved seeing Ronkonkoma on the screen, and I took time to show Ronkonkoma on screen.”
“It was quite exciting to see where I grew up on film,” said Deana Boles, 38, a mother of three who has lived in—technically, on— Lake Ronkonkoma her entire life.
“The Lake really seemed like its own character in this interesting story about the waves of grief, something I think all audiences can identify with in one way or another. I hope this is just the first of many. I can’t wait to see the next movie that shoots here!”
Vision Films, Inc., announced itself "Lady of the Lake’s" acquisition partner soon thereafter on August 13. In linking up with Cappricielli Productions’ latest feature foray, the distributor takes on the 90-day, North American Transactional VOD release—which commences on August 27.
After “On Demand” comes availability on streaming—with a select New York City, Long Island, and Los Angeles theatrical run also planned through November to coincide with Native American Heritage Month.
After that? Capp intends to hold
The unsurprising SpongeBob aficionado was just one of many sons of friends, or friends of friends, who found their way into the fold. The close-knit collective fondly recalls having a “feel-good frenzy” for a set; a workplace environment defined by well-welcomed good vibes, as they helped each star feel anything but dizzy on the comedown from shooting intense scenes.
“Everybody was being kind, having a good attitude, and being professional, and were most of all ready to work. Maria has the ability to bring people together. When she dials in and says we have to focus, then it’s time to focus,” said Emery Kelly, who plays Rocky.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to be a part of it, be in my hometown, get to spend time with my family while working, it’s not something a lot of people in the entertainment industry get to do: shoot at grandpa’s house, be on the lake with the family. It was like a family function, with the cameras rolling.”
“I didn’t think a small town like Ronkonkoma on Long Island would be able to have a project like this, and it makes me very happy that it gets to see the light of day,” Kelly added. “There are so many small towns that have stories that deserve to be told. This is just one of them.”
On Saturday, August 17, at 6 p.m. ET, audiences can join the cast and crew of "The Lady of the Lake: The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma" for a live, interactive screening of the film on CYA.Live.
Moderated by actor Gunnar Sizemore, attendees can chat in real time with Seth Gilliam, Taylor Red Fox, Steven Capp and additional stars that could not attend the Sayville Premiere like Larry Saperstein, Sharlize True, Del Zamora, and more. Writerdirector Maria Capp will also be on the virtual panel.
“It’s a movie everyone can [connect with]—if you think about it, when you see something happen that you’ve been through, happen to someone else, you’re going to think of it,” Kelly concludes. “Cherish the memories you have with the people that leave. They’re not here forever.”
Photo Credit: The Lady of the Lake Locally shot movie debuts in Sayville.
Upcoming Events at Westhampton Free Library
ByStefanMychajliw
Decorate back-to-school supplies
The Westhampton Free Library invites tweens and teens (grades 6-12) to bring notebooks and folders to the library to decorate for back to school on Friday, Sept. 6, at 3:30 p.m.
Karate with Studio Moodo
The Westhampton Free Library invites children (grades K-3) to take an introductory martial arts lesson with Master John Kim from Studio Moodo that touches on self-defense, target training, meditation and mutual respect. Lessons will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1:15 p.m.; and Sundays, Oct. 13 and 27, at 1 p.m.
Technology for caregivers
As part of its Library Discussion series, the
Westhampton Free Library will host a talk on technology that can make a caregiver’s job easier, with tools and tech for everything from tracking medication to monitoring safety, on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 12 p.m. For more information and to register, call 631-288-3335 or visit www.westhamptonlibrary. net.
For more information on these three events and to register, call 631-288-3335 or visit www. westhamptonlibrary.net.
Lunch for seniors
In partnership with the Town of Southampton Senior Services, the Westhampton Free Library hosts lunch for seniors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m. Enjoy friendly conversation and a nutritious lunch. For more information and to register, call Lara at the Hampton Bays Center at 631728-1235.
New Board Takes the Helm
ByStefanMychajliw
A new board has been sworn in for the Sound Beach Civic Association: Patty Blasberg, Joan Russo, Charlotte Karpf-Fritts, Bea Ruberto, and Vera Ronning.
Town of Brookhaven Clerk Kevin LaValle presided over the swearing in ceremony, which took place at the Sound Beach Fire Department.
“During the meeting, I was pleased to participate and discuss the workings of the Town Clerk's office, how the office can help our residents with their needs, and how I am in the process of
improving our services to be more accessible to our residents. Also, had an interesting conversation
on various other issues going on in the community,” said LaValle.
Police Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash
ByStefanMychajliw
Suffolk County Police
Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a motorcyclist
in Medford. Hasani Martin-Rathan was driving a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on North Ocean Avenue when he crashed into a southbound 2018
Ford van that was attempting to turn left onto Cedar Avenue.
The 27-year-old driver of the motorcycle, of Brentwood, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.
The driver of the Ford, 24-year-old Angel BravoJimenez, of Medford, was not injured.
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Fifth Squad at 631.854.8542.
ByStefanMychajliw
Brookhaven Town Supervisor
Dan Panico has announced that the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau will hold its annual “Brookhaven’s Got Talent Student Art Show” on Thursday, October 17 at Brookhaven Town Hall.
The theme for this year’s art show is “Living Your Best Life Drug Free.”
Presented together with Red Ribbon Week 2024 and the Youth Advisory Board, the Brookhaven Youth Bureau is seeking photographs, paintings or drawings from students from seventh through twelfth grades. Log on to www.brookhavenny. gov/arts for more information or to apply and submit your artwork for consideration.
Submissions must include parent/guardian consent and be received by September 30, 2024.
All artwork will remain on display for the entire month of October 2024 in the second floor galleria at Town Hall.
For more information and about the annual “Brookhaven’s Got Talent Student Art Show” and other programs offered by the Town of Brookhaven Youth Advisory Board, please call 631-451-8011 or visit www. brookhavenny.gov.
Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year.
During Red Ribbon Week, youth and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning
more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Towering Truck for Fording Floods
ByRobertChartuk
High water rescues in the floodprone areas of Mastic Beach will get a lift thanks to a new Army surplus truck acquired by the fire department.
The rescue vehicle, purchased from the Terryville Fire District for $6,000, can ford through more than four feet of water, a capability emergency volunteers were in dire need of in the spring when two major nor’easters flooded the Mastic Peninsula. The vehicle joins a second one in the department fleet obtained from the Town of Brookhaven geared
to rescue people and pets during storms.
“We hope we don’t have any more nor’easters or hurricanes like Superstorm Sandy, but if we do, these rescue vehicles will be a great help,” said Bill Biondi, department commissioner. “The new truck can get us into areas of four feet of water, maybe a little higher. If we get more flooding than that, we’re all in big trouble.”
According to the commissioner, using the relatively inexpensive surplus truck is “much better than sending in a million-dollar fire truck.”
Photo Credit: Adobe AI
Photo Credit: Adobe AI
Photo Credit: Google
Intersection of North Ocean and Cedar Avenues
Photo Credit: Facebook
From L to R: Patty Blasberg, Joan Russo, Charlotte KarpfFritts, Bea Ruberto, and Vera Ronning
LOCAL
Suffolk Police Coalition Chooses Trump
ByRobertChartuk
A coalition of every police organization in Suffolk County has formed to endorse Donald Trump for president, the first such group of law enforcement officials in the state to endorse Donald Trump in his bid to retake the White House.
“There are two very different visions for our country: the radical left view, which wants to defund the police and protect the criminals, and the rest of us, who put law-abiding citizens first,” said Suffolk PBA President Lou Civello in announcing the group’s endorsement. “We lock them up, and they set them free. This will change with President Donald Trump back in office.”
Appearing at a state Conservative convention in Jericho where the party also endorsed Trump, Civello was joined by representatives of the county’s
Superior Officers Association, Detectives Association, Probation Officers Association, Detective Investigators PBA, Deputy Sheriffs PBA, Correction Officers PBA, and the Suffolk County Police Conference to formally back Trump.
The coalition represents more than 9,000 law enforcement officers in Suffolk, a group that has been active in turning out votes for their candidates, which included former Rep. Lee Zeldin, the congressman who narrowly lost to Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022 on a pro-law enforcement plank. “We raise our right hand to protect our communities,” Civello said. “We’re not going to let anyone silence us.”
Surrounded by dozens of members of local law enforcement, Civello presented a certificate of appreciation to Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who was there to accept the endorsement on behalf of
President Trump. “There are more representatives of the police in this room than I’ve ever been in,” Jordan said. “These are good people fighting for our country.”
Civello told the crowd to boos that Progressive Democrats in Albany are responsible for freeing 42 cop killers. He planned their elimination of cash bail, noting that the current state law didn’t allow a judge to hold four suspects for disposing of body parts in Suffolk communities. “That’s how insane our laws have become under the Democrats,” the PBA leader said, vowing, “We won’t
cede our home to radicals who want to see it destroyed. We need to rescue our country from four more years of leftist rule.”
Civello ticked off key issues they see eye to eye on with Trump, including the open border disaster and the fentanyl epidemic. “You can’t go to New York City anymore without worrying about your family getting killed,” he said. “You get off the subway, and it smells like urine and marijuana. It’s like something out of the apocalypse.”
The police organizations appreciated Trump coming
to Brentwood to address the scourge of MS-13 and other gangs that have wreaked havoc on Suffolk, especially in Hispanic communities. The former president frequently mentions the gang-related murders of two school girls with machetes rather than bullets, saying they were used because they inflict more pain. “A gang member put a gun to the head of a two-year-old and took his toys home to his girlfriend’s kids,” Civello said. “With Donald Trump, at least we’ll have a fighting chance to change things around.”
The Race for Digital Dominance...
Continued from page 2
In recent months, there’s been a noticeable fatigue with digital forms of communication, particularly email and text message fundraising, from both sides of the political spectrum. I, myself, receive an average of 20 emails and 15 text messages per day soliciting donations for political candidates across the nation.
It’s an exhausting task to sift through them all. While digital platforms have revolutionized political campaigning, they also present significant challenges that could undermine the very democratic process these campaigns aim to support.
The saturation of information, the blurred lines
Facelift for Historic Church
ByRobertChartuk
A facelift is underway for the Presbyterian Church of the Moriches, a historic Main Street landmark dating back to 1839. The towering edifice, with its iconic steeple and porte cochere to keep parishioners dry when dropped off in horse-drawn carriages, occupies the site of a church Union Meeting House first built in 1809.
The white building and its dark green highlights are getting a cleaning, window work, and a fresh coat of paint from Paul Mercandetti and crew with Paul’s Painting and Powerwashing of East Islip. Painting the church’s skyscraping steeple is not part of the current effort due to budgetary constraints, said Bill Phillips, the church’s property management chairman. To help fund a makeover of the famous spire, go to www.pcusacm. org/page/give.
According to “A History of the Presbyterian Church of the Moriches,” by longtime congregant Winifred Thomason, the Presbytery of Long Island formally established a parish extending from
Quogue to South Haven in 1748 served by circuit-riding preachers educated at Yale, Dartmouth, and Princeton. Not yet having a central location, parishioners conducted worship services at their homes.
The freedom to practice their religion was a key reason these early settlers came to the New World.
In 1755, the Parish of the Moriches was formally organized, with Rev. Abner Reeve serving as its first pastor. A decade later, the Rev. David "Priest" Rose took over the duties and soon cemented himself in the history of early America. He was one of the signers of a statement to approve the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, among the first documents from the colonies making their case for freedom from England.
“When the British won the Battle of Long Island in 1776, their response to the local churches was harsh and oppressive,” Thomason wrote. “Pastor Rose fled to Connecticut with his family for the duration of the Revolutionary War. He was highly regarded as a soldier during the war. At the war's end, he continued as our pastor and added
to his pastoral duties by becoming one of the leaders in rehabilitating and rebuilding the southern section of Brookhaven Town. Several other men of our parish also served the patriots' cause for freedom.”
According to Thomason, the church building was enlarged in 1861 with the addition of two side aisles, one on the east and the other on the west. In 1886, it was reconstructed into its present form, which was lengthened to 69 feet to include the front vestibule with the steeple above it, a prayer meeting room (the present church parlor), and a Sunday school room.
A bell originally used in the 1839 building was incorporated into the new belfry. A Sunday school was attached in 1931, and a kitchen and small basement were added to the growing church. In 1994, a new Sunday school wing was built by the parishioners.
Entering the church, one is struck by the beauty of the vast array of golden pipes representing the grand organ purchased from the Estey Organ Company in 1908. Refurbished in 1979, the organ is a “beautiful and prominent feature of
between news and propaganda, and the ethical gray areas in digital strategies have left many voters confused and disillusioned. This digital fatigue is palpable, with many feeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of political messaging, whether through social media, emails, or text messages.
As we move deeper into this campaign season, it’s clear that the internet, once seen as a tool for democratizing information, has become a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it offers unprecedented reach and engagement, allowing candidates to connect directly with voters. On the other hand, it risks deepening divisions, spreading
misinformation, and contributing to voter apathy.
The key moving forward will be finding a balance—leveraging the power of digital media while maintaining integrity and transparency. Voters are becoming more savvy and skeptical, and campaigns that fail to recognize this may find their digital strategies backfiring.
As we continue to witness these unfolding dynamics, one thing is certain: the way we engage with politics online will continue to evolve, and with it, the very nature of political discourse in America. Whether this evolution will lead to a more informed electorate or further complicate our political landscape remains to be seen. But for now, as the digital age collides with the traditional structures of campaigning, we can only brace ourselves for what’s to come.
our sanctuary,” Thomason said. “The world is vastly different from what it was in our beginnings, two hundred and fifty years ago,” the church wrote upon celebrating its sestercentennial. “Yet, our aim remains the same: to serve the Lord with gladness. We heartily welcome all visitors, both those who would like to explore the beauty of our church and those who would like
to experience the warmth of our congregation, whose tradition stretches back 250 years. May the beauty of our edifice, the heritage of our tradition, and the friendliness of our congregation resound in praise to Jesus, our Lord and Savior.” Services are held each Sunday with the Rev. Antionette Walrond presiding.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Suffolk PBA Lou Civello announces the endorsement of Donald Trump.
Painter Paul Mercandetti goes over the work with his crew.
LOCAL
ByRobertChartuk
Caitlyn's Vision is to Help Others
Her vision threatened at a young age by a debilitating disease, Caitlyn Michiels committed herself to making sure others can see. In just a few short years, her foundation, Caitlyn’s Vision, has provided nearly 11,000 pairs of glasses to those in need and set the standard for eye health awareness across the state.
Fans and supporters rallied around her recently for the Caitlyn's Vision 4th Annual Gala Dinner and Auction, raising thousands of dollars for the cause. The funds will go towards educational material, scholarships for students entering the Optometry field, and helping pay medical bills for patients who do not have insurance.
Receiving the group’s Green Heart Award was Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, an ardent advocate of Caitlyn's activities. “Caitlyn is a young woman who rose above adversity and devoted herself to helping others,” DeStefano said of the Mastic youth. “Her unwavering commitment to providing eyeglasses for those in need and spreading eye health awareness makes her an inspiration to us all.”
At Caitlyn’s behest, the Assemblyman sponsored legislation declaring August as “Children's Eye Health and Safety Month” in the State of New York. Suffolk County has enacted Caitlyn’s Law, which directs the Department of Health to distribute information on eye health.
Caitlyn was nine years old when she woke up with a burning sensation in her eyes and learned she had Bilateral Anterior Uveitis. Instead of letting this rare condition slow her down, she went to work to ensure other children with vision challenges were cared for.
“I know l speak for all of us when l say we are proud of this
Community Turns Out for K of C Event
ByRobertChartuk
The Third Annual Knights of Columbus barbecue in Mastic was a hit with the community as many turned out to enjoy local history presentations and mingle with local officials. The event puts the James V. Kavanaugh Council on track to earn a Star Council Award from the Supreme Council for community service, according to Grand Knight Frank DeNatale.
Joining the Knights were County Executive Ed Romaine, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Legislator Jim Mazzarella, and District Court Judge Ed Hennessey, all Brother Knights, in addition to Frank Fugarino, president of the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association. Mastic Peninsula
Historical Society members manned a local history booth while volunteers representing the 30th Virginia Regiment reenacted Civil War scenes with rifle volleys and artifacts. Fellow Knights from the Patchogue K of C and the Queen of All Hearts Council in Center Moriches were also there, along with Knights 3rd District Deputy William Fontaine.
Anyone interested in becoming a Knight should call 631-2814473. They are located at 176 Madison Street in Mastic, which is available for parties and other events. To raise funds for food drives, scholarships, and other community activities, the Knights host bingo at the Farmingville Bingo Hall on Thursdays and Saturdays.
brave, energetic young lady who dedicated herself to a highly successful effort to take care of others,” DeStefano concluded.
“Let’s help her every way we can. I urge everyone to turn in their used glasses or make a donation.” The Assemblyman’s office in Medford
hosts a drop-off box, which can also be found throughout Suffolk.
For more information, head to www.caitlynsvision.org or email caitlynsvision@gmail.com if you know of someone who needs assistance.
Photo Credit: Lynn Zigrosser/Office of Assemblyman DeStefano
Photo Credit: Lynn Zigrosser/Office of Assemblyman DeStefano
A scene from Caitlyn's Vision 4th Annual Gala Dinner and Auction.
A scene from Caitlyn's Vision 4th Annual Gala Dinner and Auction.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
LOCAL
ByRobertChartuk
Patchogue’s Record Stop Turns 50
If you were digging on the Jackson Five, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, or any other popular artist back in the early 1970s, chances are you copped your albums from the Record Stop, a Suffolk fixture celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“It was a time when buying music was an experience,” said Jeff Berg, whose father, Bruce, started the outlet before there were tapes, CDs, or digital downloads. “People collect albums, enjoy the liner notes, and appreciate the warmth and rich sound of vinyl records. They like to handle them, flip them over, listen to the full album,” he said, noting that the difference between vinyl and digital music is “quite apparent.”
The miracle of recorded sound found its start in 1896 with Thomas Edison, the “Wizard of Menlo Park” in New Jersey, who figured out how to transfer musical vibrations onto wax cylinders that could be played on a phonograph. He found that platters were better than cylinders, and soon, windup machines with large horns were the rage. Turntables have come a long way since the days of the Victrola, incorporating diamond-tipped needles and strobe lights to set an LP’s exact 33 1/3 revolutions per minute, but the mechanics have stayed the same.
Back in the early 70's, before Record Stop, Bruce Berg was selling 8-track cassettes out of the trunk of his car when he decided to open the first Record Stop in Ronkonkoma.
He witnessed the transition from vinyl to tapes to compact discs to digital players. His son worked in the store, and when he was in college, he scanned all of the shop’s CDs onto his laptop and sold them online. “It was an instant success,” Jeff says, explaining his entry into the business world. They opened a warehouse in Shirley and soon after closed the store in Ronkonkoma as CD sales were slowing and vinyl was starting to surface again.
In 2017, he was looking for a permanent home and bought the first place his realtor showed him, the well-trafficked Record Stop on Railroad Avenue in Patchogue. Here, you can snatch up both new and used LPs, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, turntables, and music accessories.
“Vinyl has made a comeback,” Jeff exclaimed, noting that many artists are making sure their new releases are pressed into records. Classics in almost every genre are being reissued on vinyl, and sales are hot, with his operation moving about a million units per year. The phenomenon hasn’t escaped popstar Taylor Swift, whose records make up about 10% of Berg’s sales.
He attributes a big part of the store’s success to his staff, audiophiles with a knowledge base in all areas of music. “As a collective, they have a great deal of experience,” he said of his crew, some of whom have been with him for over 20
years.
About 75% of the Record Stop’s clients are repeat customers. “This has been my local place for music for 15 years,” said Rob Festa of Ronkonkoma. “They have a great selection, a knowledgeable and friendly staff, reasonable prices,” the heavy metal fan said as he picked up some works by Mercyful Fate and In Flames. “I want to have physical copies of my music, not just online streams. You need to support the artists you like,” Festa said while thumbing through offerings from Styx, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. Serving as a wholesaler to other stores, Berg has recently expanded his operations with a warehouse
New York Conservatives Back Trump STATE
ByRobertChartuk
Donald Trump nailed down the endorsement of the New York Conservatives at a convention over the weekend, sending one of his top supporters, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, to accept on his behalf.
“President Trump is committed to our Conservative values of ending inflation, tightening the Southern border, supporting our police, stopping the crime wave, and keeping the government from intruding into our lives,” said Party Chairman Jerry Kassar of Brooklyn.
Speaking before Conservative Party leaders from across the state at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, Kassar noted that Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s November
opponent, is a “dangerous California Liberal who directly opposes every one of our Conservative values.”
There is a “silent Conservative majority in this country,” Kassar noted. “We are no longer going to be silent.”
Other Conservative mainstays the team of Harris and Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz oppose are a strong national defense, personal liberty, protection of privacy, and less government spending and taxes, according to Kassar. “These are what the Conservative Party is all about.”
“This election is a moment of magnitude, of importance, of great significance to our country,”
Congressman Jordan told the crowd. “We can look at the four years of Donald Trump and the
three years seven-and-a-half months of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and see no comparison. They’ve failed miserably on the basics: the economy, inflation, crime, immigration, defunding the police, Ukraine, Israel, weaponization of government, men in women’s sports, and Chinese spy balloons flying over our country. It really is, as Gov. Sarah Sanders put it, normal vs. crazy.”
Jordan, who attended the Convention with his wife, Polly, went on to say that he “learned a long time ago that the good things in life just don’t happen. You have to step into the fight, take the risk. Donald Trump is fighting the good fight for our country.”
The high-ranking Republican singled out the elections of Reps. Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, and Anthony D’Esposito as critical in wresting the speaker’s gavel from Nancy Pelosi in 2022 and pointed out the importance of New York’s congressional delegation to the GOP maintaining power in the House. He also credited former Congressman Lee Zeldin for energizing Republican voters in his close race against Kathy Hochul and is looking for Trump to ramp up GOP and Conservative votes as well.
If Trump takes New York, the Republicans will seat 25 delegates in the Electoral College, while the Conservatives will have three.
in Bohemia and another shop in Charleston, SC, where his family also works with artists to take their music to the public. The Record Stop buys collections, with vintage Blue Note Jazz and underground punk among the most desirable, as well as first pressings of rock and pop classics. Check them out at www.recordstopny.com or www. record-stop.com.
It’s hard to forget the joy of a needle dropping down on a record and hearing the crackles and pops before its deep sounds fill the air. There’s no other experience in recorded music that compares, and that’s why people keep coming back to the Record Stop.
“The Democrats will spend a lot of money trying to beat us, but we will win because we have great candidates who are on the right side of the issues,” said Trump Delegate Ralph Lorigo, the Erie County Conservative chairman. “Senator J.D. Vance was an excellent choice as President Trump’s running mate, and he exposes Tim Walz as the far Left, out-of-touch Liberal that he is.” Another Trump delegate, Suffolk Conservative Chairman Mike Torres, also attended.
Also appearing at the convention were representatives of every law enforcement agency in Suffolk County, announcing that they were the first in the state as a police group to endorse Trump. “President Trump stands shoulder to shoulder in our fight against crime,” said
Lou
“He’s called for the death penalty for cop killers. That’s real leadership.” (Read more about the endorsement in this week’s South Shore Press.)
Congressmen D’Esposito and Andrew Garbarino, as well as U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Sapraicone, who is going up against Kirsten Gillibrand, took the stage to accept the Conservative nod. Former state Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, the challenger to Rep. Tom Suozzi was also endorsed in his bid to return the seat formerly held by George Santos to the Republicans.
“Having the state Conservatives come to Long Island to make their endorsements was a great idea,” said Suffolk County Clerk Vince Puleo, a party member. “There are many Conservative voters here.”
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk Record Stop owner Jeff Berg, right, checks out a Neil Young with employee Mike Houlihan.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk Wall-to-wall music at the Record Stop in Patchogue.
Suffolk PBA President
Civello.
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Photo Credit: Robert Chartuk
Supporters of President Trump and the New York Conservative ticket.
Nassau officials including County Executive Bruce Blakeman and GOP Chairman Joe Cairo with Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.
New York State Troopers Are Looking for Recruits
ByDeborahWilliams
Are you thinking of a career in law enforcement? The New York State Police are now accepting applications for the Trooper Entrance Examination. Testing for candidates is now open and will continue on a rolling basis until August 2025.
The state allocated $66 million to fund additional State Police academy classes to increase the number of New York State Troopers.
During academy training, compensation is up to $59,612. After one year of service, the minimum compensation increases to $98,300. Troopers receive paid vacation, sick and personal time; health, dental and optical insurance coverage; and excellent retirement benefits.
“Public safety is my top priority, and we will continue to make record investments in law enforcement so that New York
State is best prepared to protect New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing $66 million in additional academy classes, we hope to increase the number of potential New York State Troopers serving our great state. I encourage those interested in a rewarding career to apply now.”
“We’re looking for people from all walks of life,” Major Miklos Szoczei said, highlighting the numerous career paths within the State Police, including roles in criminal investigation, commercial vehicles, and public information.
The application process includes a series of exams and assessments, culminating in six months of training at the police academy. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, aged 20 to 34, with a high school diploma and some college credits. Troopers also have minimum physical fitness requirements in the categories of
sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run.
The post-high school education requirements are: 60 college credit hours from an accredited college or university; 30 college credits and an honorable discharge from the
military after two years of active military service; or 30 college credits and have successfully completed a Basic Course for Police Officers certified by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC).
Candidates can learn about
the qualifications to become a New York State Trooper and sign up to take the exam at www.joinstatepolice.ny.gov. Once candidates apply, they can sign up to take the computerized exam at a Pearson VUE testing center at a location and time that is convenient for them.
Civil Service Test Fees Waived until the End of 2025
ByDeborahWilliams
If you were thinking about taking one or more Civil Service Exams, and the cost of the filing fees added up to more than you could afford, there is no reason to worry about that any longer. With all fees waived until December 2025, you can try for several positions and not empty your wallet.
There are a number of Civil Service Exams coming up right here in Suffolk County between now and the end of the year and even more in 2025. Everything from Correction Officer ($125 fee) to Evidence Control Clerk ($40) to Payroll Supervisor ($40) and many more positions are open with all the normal fees waived completely. Filing dates are coming up and exam dates are set soon after, so don’t miss your chance.
The removal of the fees for all State exams was one of several actions included in the FY 2024 Budget to help modernize
Starving Seniors Forced to Eat Ramen Noodles to Survive
New York’s public workforce and streamline government operations. Civil service exams will also now be offered on an ongoing basis at 12 stateoperated testing centers to be established across the state and expanding the state's existing 55-b hiring program to increase job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
“As our state continues to grapple with an affordability crisis, civil service exam fees place yet another burden on New Yorkers – particularly
the passionate New Yorkers seeking meaningful careers in state service,” Governor Hochul said. “By waiving these fees, my administration is standing by its commitment to modernizing New York’s workforce and lowering barriers to ensure that our civil servants reflect the rich diversity of our state.”
You can e-File for a whole host of Civil Service Exams in Suffolk County by going to www. suffolkcountyny.gov and look for the tabs for "Open Jobs" and "E-filing."
ByMichaelSperrazza
You know the Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris economy is in such bad shape that Fake News CNN runs stories on how struggling and starving senior citizens are so broke they can only survive on ramen noodles.
Their crisis: inflation forces the costs of gas and groceries to soar while Social Security benefits remain the same.
“I’m down to eating ramen for lunch, which I never ate in my life until recently,” retired Graphic Designer Janet Albrecht told CNN.
Keep in mind, seniors and all Americans will suffer if Harris gets her way and implements her Bernie Sanders-inspired “Medicare for All” plan that will have big government bureaucrats pick and choose what health care coverage you receive.
Yes, you read that right, the Democratic presidential nominee co-sponsored the Socialist Sanders Medicare for All bill in both 2017 and 2019.
This will destroy the quality of healthcare coverage for the elderly.
Harris seems intent on doubling down on her disdain for seniors by fighting for failed fiscal policies that led to record-high inflation, which crushed the pocketbooks of the elderly.
The inflation tracker of the Senate Joint Economic Committee reported that inflation and higher prices of goods cost each American family an extra $11,400 per year.
Do the math on senior Janet Albrecht who I mentioned before. Her monthly Social Security is $1,163. Multiply that by 12 months of the year and her annual Social Security benefits are $13,956.
So just the additional higher costs for necessities like gas and groceries eats up a significant amount of the entire Social Security benefits seniors receive.
Those in their golden years cannot afford this one-two punch
of pain that will cause seniors to suffer physically and financially if San Francisco liberal Kamala Harris is elected commander in chief.
On the flip side, President Trump proudly proclaimed a policy that would put more money back into the hands of seniors
concerning his Social Security policy. The former and soon-tobe president used eight words and all caps to the relief of the elderly across America:
"SENIORS SHOULD NOT PAY TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY!"
There you go. I’ve just boiled down the 2024 presidential
election in the simplest of terms that even a Harris-Walz voter can understand.
Kamala Harris wants government-run health care that will radically destroy coverage while at the same time crippling the finances of all families with out-of-control inflation.
Donald Trump will let you keep your hard-earned money and keep it away from politicians and bureaucrats.
Kamala Harris represents four more years of a disastrous Joe Biden presidency.
Donald Trump is the political outsider we need to get the economy back on track, reduce taxes, cut government spending, and strengthen your 401k.
Choose wisely America, especially you seniors forced to eat ramen noodles just to survive.
Michael Sperrazza is a conservative social media influencer. He can be found at @MikeASperrazza
Photo Credit: brainotony.com
Taking the Civil Service Exam
Photo Credit: X
New York State Trooper Exam Open for Applicants
Photo Credit: Mike Sperrazza Conservative Influencer Mike Sperrazza
ByRobertChartuk
Walz Wilts Under National Spotlight
As a relatively obscure figure from Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz has been able to fly below the political radar. Now, as the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the Oval Office, he finds himself in the glare of the national spotlight, and the picture emerging is not so pleasant.
The Democrat’s 24-year career in the Army National Guard served him well during his ascension to power, but it came back to haunt him when he was tapped by Harris.
Shortly after his rollout as the number two man, Walz was ambushed by charges of stolen valor and abandoning his Army unit before its deployment to Iraq. His reputation was strafed by none other than his former commanding officer.
“I do not regret that Tim Walz retired early from the Minnesota Army National Guard, did not complete the Sergeants Major Academy, broke his enlistment contract, or did not successfully complete any assignment as a Sergeant Major,” said Lieutenant Commander John Kolb, the head of Walz’s battalion. “Unwittingly, he got out of the way for better leadership.”
Addressing Walz’s
contention that he rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, Kolb stated: “He did not earn the rank or successfully complete any assignment as an E9. It is an affront to the Noncommissioned Officer Corps that he continues to glom onto the title. I can sit in the cockpit of an airplane, it does not make me a pilot. Similarly, when the demands of service and leadership at the highest level got real, he chose another path.”
According to the Lieutenant Commander, Walz's departure cleared the way for a new Sergeant Major to lead the unit in Iraq. “Thomas Behrends was the right leader at the right time,” Kolb said. “He sacrificed to answer the call, leaving his family, business and farmingpartner brother to train, lead and care for soldiers. He earned the privilege of being called Command Sergeant Major. Like a great leader, he ran toward and not away from the guns.”
Walz immediately drew fire from his opponent on the Trump presidential ticket, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. In expressing his views on gun control, the governor referenced assault weapons as if he had used them in combat, leading Vance, who served as a Marine in Iraq, to call him out
for stolen valor. “I criticized his retirement decision and, most importantly, l criticized his lying about his own record,” Vance said in a recent interview. “This is a guy who was captured on video saying, ‘l carried a gun in war.’ He never went to war. I’m not criticizing his service; I’m criticizing him for lying about his service for political gain. I do think it’s scandalous behavior.”
Another rap on Walz has been
Stolen Valor Charges Haunt Walz
Personally, l think it’s a disgrace. There’s no reason to justify it, no excuses. He’ll never get my vote.”
I think it’s terrible that he’s allowed to misrepresent his service. A thousand times he could have corrected the record, but he didn’t.”
Kenneth
candidate intensified, a new nickname for Walz emerged, “Tampon Tim,” based on his directive to provide feminine hygiene products in the boy’s bathrooms of Minnesota elementary schools. He also forced COVID patients into nursing homes, joining former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a policy linked to the deaths of thousands of senior citizens. Walz clamped down hard on Minnesotans during the pandemic shutdowns and went as far as setting up hotlines so people could turn in neighbors who weren’t wearing masks or obeying social distancing rules.
his response to the Black Lives Matter riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul that caused $500 million in damages and a number of deaths. His refusal to accept President Trump’s assistance to quell the riots precipitated one of the most destructive civil disturbances in U.S. history. Later, he joined Harris in posting bail for those arrested for destroying the Twin Cities.
As scrutiny of the veep
Seen as even further Left of his California running mate, Walz signed a 2023 state law prohibiting the enforcement of out-of-state warrants for parents or guardians who take children to Minnesota for gender-transition care, a practice currently restricted or banned in 25 states. Walz’s law goes even further by giving state courts “temporary emergency jurisdiction” over parents if a minor is denied access to gender-changing procedures.
Walz’s record does not sit well with Long Island veterans who vowed not to vote for him. See their comments in this week’s South Shore Press Man on the Street.
of Stolen valor and resigning from service just prior to his
I feel the same way as any other veteran. Words can’t even describe it. He abandoned his guys. Stolen valor is stolen valor no matter who does it.”
Gary Glick of Merrick, Army
It’s typical of the Democrats.”
Philip Barczak of Kings Park, American Legion Post 944
If he raised his hand and served, l have to honor him for that. It’s hard to verify what actually happened, so I’ll just honor him for the time he served.”
Fred DiFabio of Medford, Air Force
If the allegations are factual, at the very least, he should say I’m sorry. Gaining notoriety and accolades for stolen valor is not right. It’s a reason not to vote for him.”
William Coderre of Smithtown, Army
Photo Credit: Minnesota Governor’s Office
Democrat Vice Presidential Candiidate Tim Walz
By:RobertChartuk
The Democrat candidate for
vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the choice of Kamala Harris to face off with her against
former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, has found himself in hot water over allegations
unit being deployed to Iraq. The South Shore
Press hit the street to see how veterans feel about the veep pick.
Donald Smith of Ronkonkoma, Marines
Dolan, Chaplain, Past Suffolk County Commander
ByDeborahWilliams
84% of American Voters say Illegal Immigration Is Bad for America
In a year when the economy, crime, and illegal immigration are top of mind for voters, there is no doubt what the overwhelming majority of voters feel about illegal immigration.
Eighty-four percent (84%) of voters say that illegal immigration is bad for the United States in a recent Napolitan News Service survey of registered voters.
The number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has doubled under the Biden-Harris administration from roughly 10.2 million to 20 million – and that number does not include the "got-aways." If that number of illegals were all in one state, the state would be as big as the entire State of New York.
Americans are fully aware of the benefits of legal immigration and support immigrants coming to our country the right way. Eightythree percent say legal immigration is good for the country. This number has remained stable for decades. Voters make a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration.
“Overall, these numbers reflect the fact that voters see America as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws,” according to RMG Research president Scott Rasmussen. “Voters understand why most immigrants want to bring their families to the land of opportunity. But they are angry at the federal government for allowing and encouraging illegal immigration.
The Hill estimates that if Biden or Harris were to win again in November, and they keep their current policies at the border in place, the number of illegal aliens in the country would balloon to 15-20 million more, to 40 million, by the time the next presidential term ends in 2029. That amounts to adding a whole second State of California in population in just eight years.
Voters expressed that their biggest concerns about illegal immigration are that it allows in criminals and terrorists; it is a burden on the economy and healthcare; it allows in dangerous people; and it allows in drugs and dealers.
The opposition to illegal immigration cuts across all
demographics. “It's hard to get New Yorkers to agree on anything but 85% of New Yorkers surveyed think that the illegal entrant crisis is a serious problem for the state, 88% NYC | 87% Suburbs | 82% Upstate 85% White | 84% Black | 89% Latino 89% Male | 84% Female,” said Reza Chowdhury.
Recent data showed that in just two months New York City spent $300 million on illegal immigrants in the areas of Housing ($112 million), food ($23 million), social services ($137 million), and administration ($29 million). In all of FY23, New York City alone spent $4.88 billion on illegal immigrants. As of May of this year, estimates across the whole of America are between $151 billion-400 billion and counting.
“Astonishingly, 73% of Democrats, 89% of Republicans, and 80% of adults overall believe that the government is doing a "very" or "somewhat" bad job of dealing with illegal immigration. Notably, there has been an 11% surge in dissatisfaction among Democrats compared to a similar Pew survey conducted less than eight months
To
you perspective
Social Security Administration Makes $1.1 Billion in Bad Payments
ByDeborahWilliams
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found the Social Security Administration wrote checks for a jaw-dropping $1.1 billion in improper payments for FY2024 and has a “record-breaking backlog” of 5.2 million cases.
At a time when the Social Security Trust Fund is already under severe financial stress, this is no time to have $1.1 billion in bad payments.
In Suffolk County, 18,041 people receive Social Security for a total of $11,263,000 in payments, according to the 2022 data from the Social Security Administration.
When Social Security made its first payment in 1940, there were 23 workers for every recipient. Life expectancy for men on average was just 61 years old for white men, 51 for black men, and women, 65 years.
In 2002, there were just 3.25 workers per recipient, and by 2030, this is estimated to be just two
workers for each Social Security recipient. Not only are there fewer workers per recipient now, meaning less money being paid into the system, people are living longer, putting greater stress on an already stressed system. The average lifespan for women in the U.S. is now 80.5 years for white women, 76.1 for black women, 75.3 for white men, and 69 for black men.
With the stresses of fewer workers paying in and people living substantially longer, the federal government needs to clamp down on not just fraud, but their own mistakes in processing and overpayment.
“Under the Biden/Harris Administration, the Social Security Administration made over a billion dollars in improper payments to beneficiaries, according to the SSA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). Then the SSA had the audacity to blame the mistake on a lack of funding,” says citizen Viola Leigh.
Continued on page 16
Feds Roll out 'Time is Money' Initiative to Make 'Unsubscribing' Easier
ByDeborahWilliams
Are you tired of opening your email inbox and finding it filled with dozens, even hundreds, of junk emails from retailers and scammers? Are you frustrated with unwanted memberships and automatic payment services you can’t seem to stop? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making it easier to "unsubscribe" with a new ‘Time is Money’ initiative.
The Time is Money initiative is a slate of rules the FCC says will make it easier to get refunds, cancel subscriptions, and talk to a human if you have a complaint or billing issues. FCC says they will put out rulemaking that says that the companies must make it as easy to cancel a subscription, as it is to get a subscription.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which started rulemaking in March 2023 to enforce "click to cancel" policies, is also an important player in this initiative.
“The administration is cracking down on all the ways that companies, through paperwork, hold times and general aggravation waste people’s money and waste people’s time and really hold onto their money,” Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy adviser, told reporters Friday in advance of the announcement.
The Chamber of Commerce, which represents many different companies across many different sectors, objects to these proposals.
Sean Heather from the Chamber said this is "an attempt to micromanage businesses' pricing structures, often undermining businesses' ability to give consumers options at different price points."
Many companies have pushed back on the proposals, saying that the government, specifically Democrats, are trying to overregulate industry. Former President Donald Trump has on his platform trying to take the regulatory burdens away from companies. It is a delicate balance between overregulation and consumer protection. With more regulation, bigger expense often follows and those expenses are passed on to the average consumer.
The Initiative also wants to stop the customer service “doom loop” where you get stuck in neverending "press 6 for more options" messages and never get to speak to a live person. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is developing rules that will require a caller to get a human on the phone with the push of a single button. Similar rules for phone, broadband, cable companies, and health insurance companies are being developed.
The Department of Labor and Health and Human Services are also pushing health insurance companies and group health plans to improve customer interactions. They want it to be easier for a customer to file a claim rather than having to fill out paper forms and fax them in or even take time off work to come in person.
ago, said KanekoaThe Great on X.
give
on the growing problem of illegal immigration, Pew Research reports
that in 1990, there were just 3.5 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. That rose to 12.2 million in 2005 declining gradually after that to 10.2 million in 2019.
Photo Credit: Pew Research
Views on Illegal Immigration
Photo Credit: Government Accounting Office
Photo Credit: X
Unsubscribing is going to be easier.
Improper Social Security Payments
ByDeborahWilliams
New Department of Transportation Rule Requires a Quick Refund for Delayed or Canceled Flights
Have you ever had your flight canceled at the last minute, leaving you stranded at the airport? Have you and your kids been trying to get away on vacation only to spend hours and hours stuck at the airport because your flight was delayed? Have you rented a car in desperation to get home because there was no hope of your flight taking off in any reasonable time frame?
There are times when the government does something helpful, and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has done just that. DOT issued a new rule that addresses refunds for canceled or significantly delayed or changed flights.
The new DOT rule aims to simplify passenger refunds by requiring airlines to
automatically issue them for significantly delayed or canceled flights, baggage issues, and undelivered services.
Airlines must be prepared to meet the requirements of the new DOT rule by Oct. 28, 2024. Upgraded Points studied how this new rule will affect passengers and airlines across the country. They estimate the new rule will add up to $5 billion in refunds nationwide with $168 million at JFK airport, $134 million at LaGuardia, and $201 million at Newark, NJ, airport.
The old rule left some questions, and plenty of argument, as to what “substantial” delay meant. Of course, airlines and passengers often had different points of view of what a "significant" delay was. The new rule takes the arguments away and clearly defines "substantial" and
"significant" delays.
The rule defines a “significantly changed or delayed flight” as “a flight to include, at a minimum, a flight where the passenger arrives at the passenger’s destination airport 3 or more hours after the originally scheduled arrival time for a domestic flight and 6 or more hours after the originally scheduled arrival time for an international flight.”
Additionally, domestic air carriers and foreign air carriers must issue refunds not later than 7 business days after the earliest date of the refund request for tickets purchased with a credit card and 20 days for tickets purchased with cash or another form of payment.
Unless passengers explicitly opt for alternative compensation, airlines will no longer be allowed to issue refunds in the form of travel vouchers or credits — both of which often have expiration dates.
Upgraded Points says, “Airlines may need to adjust operations and raise ticket prices to manage the increased cost of automatic refunds. However, these changes come at a time when significantly changed or canceled flights have declined below pre-pandemic levels, which may help airlines adapt to the new DOT rules with less economic disruption. Even so, data suggests major carriers could face billions in refunds, with even budget airlines feeling the burden.”
Social Security Administration...
Continued from page 15
When the government does find a mistake, the average processing time for cases related to improper payments is an unacceptable 698 days. No one in the private sector gets 698 days to fix a payment or billing mistake. The longer this timeline is the longer anyone underpaid has to wait for proper payment and the longer the government has to wait for anyone overpaid to pay back what they owe.
And, for those overpaid who didn’t know there was a mistake, there is the psychological and financial stress of figuring out how to pay anything back when you
are already on a fixed income.
“Here's one reason Social Security will run out of money! Overpayments, which will probably never be repaid. They blame it on not having enough staff. Is there ONE agency that doesn't waste money?” says UpNorth MN on X.
Mismanagement of taxpayer funds abounds across the entire U.S. government. Fourteen agencies reported a total estimated improper payments amount of $236 billion with Medicare and Medicaid making up the largest share. According to the Office of Federal Financial Management, improper payments occur
"when the funds go to the wrong recipient, the recipient receives the incorrect amount of funds, or the recipient improperly uses the funds."
Agencies reported that about $175 billion (over 74%) of this total was the result of overpayments. About $186 billion (approximately 79%) was concentrated in five program areas. The $236 billion total does not include several programs that agencies have determined are susceptible to significant improper payments. The government-wide estimate of improper payments is substantially higher than reported.
Photo Credit: UpGraded Points.com
Photo Credit: UpGraded Points.com
Dollar Amounts by Airline
Photo Credit: UpGraded
by Airport
Refunds by Airline
Photo Credit: UpGraded Points.com
and Cancellations by Year
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
This has been a dangerous time in foreign affairs that has the United States anxiously watching the ongoing fighting in the Ukraine, in the Middle East, and the Chinese against Taiwan. Within the news, Ukraine has penetrated into Russian territory and has taken one hundred soldiers’ prisoner. For two years, President Vladimir Putin has unleashed a war that has destroyed parts of the Ukraine, seen their nuclear energy plants targeted by the Russian military, attacked civilian populations, and the United States provide billions of dollars of aid to this nation. For the first time since the German “Operation Barbarossa” invasion in 1941, the Russians are unable to deter this smaller army that has confused and embarrassed Putin. Ukrainian soldiers have pushed into the Kursk region, and they are threatening valuable gas pipelines that sell oil to the Europeans and railroad lines that are bringing materials to Russian soldiers fighting on the front lines. And they are operating in the open against the nuisance of enemy drones, as Ukrainian soldiers over the last ten days are changing the face of this war and stretching out a tired enemy force.
This assault began on August 6th by 10,000 hardened Ukrainian soldiers that were eager to bring the war to the Russian people and make them feel the sting of fighting. President Volodymyr Zelensky had to endure the in-fighting between the Republicans and Democrats over the most recent financial and military aid congressional bill. The Ukrainians are reveling in this reversal of fortune against Putin who has ordered reserves from battlefield areas and redeployed them back toward their own territory and must oppose the onslaught of drones that has attacked Russian airfields. Zelensky is determined to regain his territory and not to make peace with Russia until all these lands are liberated. Putin has more equipped forces, but he is shocked over his country’s weakness to halt this enemy's weeklong enemy incursion. Outside of establishing a commission to address this incursion, the Russian government is dumbfounded in how to handle this movement that has not yet been pushed back.
The Ukrainian government claims to have taken seventy-four towns and four hundred square miles of Russian territory. This was a top secret incursion that has caught the world off guard
and is rooting for the Ukrainians to keep bringing this war to the interior of Putin’s Russia. The United States has given weaponry but previously stated that its military equipment was not to be used inside of Russian territory. There’s the fear that Putin would escalate the war, but at this juncture, he looks vulnerable in front of his own people that already lost over 60,000 dead to this war with some 230,000 casualties. Zelensky proved to the western nations that have complained over the financial and military support that his country can successfully hit the Russian homeland. He has also presented to the Russian citizens that territory that is near the Ukraine is not safe and that his military will take risks to hurt Putin’s regime.
In the Middle East, Israel and Iran have reached a boiling point that has been simmering over the last several decades. These two military powers constantly
Foreign Policy Issues in the Ukraine, the Middle East, and Taiwan
against the well-trained military and secret services of Israel.
On July 31st, the Israeli Mossad showed Iran their ability to strike against adversaries who are strongly guarded by its security. This operation saw a bomb planted two months before it was detonated against Ismail Haniyeh, a key leader of Hamas that was assassinated in Tehran. The Iranians are startled over this operation, as this figure was protected by the powerful Revolutionary Guard. Using their capable intelligence service, the Israelis had the ability to plant this device in a compound that was supposed to be constantly protected. Haniyeh was expected to see a presidential inauguration that also killed bodyguards. While American and Western European officials were briefed, this was a secret operation that has now gained open threats of retaliation by Hamas and Iran. Right now, the United States has moved additional naval and air
oppose each other for prominence in this region, as Israel is a nuclear power that is not willing to allow the Iranians to gain this powerful weapon. Whereas Israel has defeated its neighbors since its statehood in 1948, Iran has established “proxies” in this area that has supported aggressor forces in Iraq, Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen. The fighting in Gaza since the Palestinian attack into Israel on October 7th has produced terrible losses between both sides of soldiers and civilians. These two countries previously utilized covert operations against each other, but now they have resorted to direct assaults. As they have not been powerful, they are dangerous through the ability of escalation to create more instability in this volatile region and possible warfare. For the last several years, Iran has maneuvered to present themselves as the main military power in this region, but like the Russians, they could show their own military ineptness
of China, as the Philippines regularly contest their island and sea claims of authority. Australia has signed an important nuclear submarine deal between the United States and England and attempts are made to strengthen the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The South Koreans do not support the Chinese willingness to aid the North Koreans and the Japanese fear of Chinese economic and military dominance in this region.
presence to support Israel and to deter possible Iranian aggression.
Across Asia there are the present threats of the Chinese to militarily overrun this free nation and annex Taiwan by the Communists on the mainland. The Chinese continually make their presence felt, as they fly into Taiwanese air space and display naval strength around this island. Asian and Pacific countries are alarmed by the aggressiveness
The Chinese government has stated that Taiwan will be attacked and occupied by their forces. Although China has emerged as a superpower, they do not hold the same military experience as the United States faced during the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. Chinese power must be respected with an armed forces of two million members, but they fought the Korean War some seventy years ago and engaged in a brief border war against Vietnam in 1979. There are some sparks of fighting between the Chinese and Indians over the Himalayan Mountain 2,100 mile border dispute.
China would have to engage a motivated military force within a mountainous terrain that will slow down advances and make them costly. Like the Russian armed forces, there are no certainties of total victory, especially when the Chinese have not conducted any major
military operations. Taiwan is the twenty-fourth largest military in the world with about 1.6 million members of its armed forces that are mostly reservists. But they have pledged to defend against any invasion, and last January, the Taiwanese government initiated one year of military conscription to protect this country. The Chinese must handle the American naval presence, military advisors training the Taiwanese, financial aid, and observe the immense trade between both nations. To demonstrate American resolve, our navy has ordered its warships through the “International Waters” of the Taiwanese Strait that rests between these two nations that angered the Chinese. While the Chinese closely monitor Taiwanese shipping and will likely blockade this island during a war, there is an American naval presence that will not leave these waters. America recognizes the “One China” policy that was established under President Richard Nixon, but it would be disastrous to American foreign policy commitments to openly allow the Communists to conquer this nation.
As the fighting in the Ukraine is vastly different from the expected assault on the Taiwanese island, China certainly realizes that if they try to take a free nation, that like in Russia, powerful western countries and its corporations will quickly pull its businesses out of this Communist nation. China is economically motivated to surpass the United States, but a major assault on Taiwan will have an adverse economic impact on their nation. It will perhaps force nations to produce their own goods and the Chinese do not have the experience to sustain losses, fight a long war, and to handle military surprises. They should look at the Ukrainian resistance from the last two years and the daring leadership of Zelensky to order his own forces to disrupt, scare, and bring the war to the Russian people.
Photo Credit: Wael Alreweie | Dreamstime.com
Photo Credit: Aa5176 | Dreamstime.com
Photo Credit: Pavel Kusmartsev | Dreamstime.com
Map of Middle East Through Magnifying Glass on a World Map
China's Force Against Taiwan.
The confrontation between Israel and Iran
BY REV. FREDERICK MILLER, PH.D.
One of the top benefits of military service is the possibility of a free education.
This is commonly referred to as the GI Bill, dating back to 1944 when it first became law, providing education benefits to service members returning from World War II. It was updated after 9/11 and today is known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The bill provides up to 36 months of benefits to pay for education for veterans, service members, survivors, and dependents. It can be used to cover the following:
You can use your Post9/11 GI Bill for many things, including:
* College degrees, such as associate, bachelor, or higher vocational training
* Training, including noncollege programs
* On-the-job/apprenticeship programs
* Licensing and certification reimbursement
* National testing programs, such as SAT, CLEP, AP, etc.
* Flight training
* Correspondence training
* Work-study
* Tuition assistance top-up
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full tuition and fees at school, provide you with a monthly housing allowance while you are going to school, and give you up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. If you live in a remote location, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will even provide you with a one time relocation allowance to move closer to your school.
If you have found the school that is right for you, but tuition and fees are more
GI Bill 9/11—Using Your Education Benefit
than the maximum covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there is the Yellow Ribbon Program that can help. This program
is a special arrangement made between schools and the VA to provide additional funds. The school provides
a scholarship or grant, and the VA matches the dollar amount. Often the additional funding covers the remaining tuition and fees. Sometimes it doesn’t, leaving the student to pay the difference.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used for flight training to get qualified for the following:
* Rotary-wing
* Boeing 747-400
* Dual-engine
* Flight engineer
You must possess a valid private pilot certificate and meet the medical requirements necessary for a commercial pilot certificate. If more information is needed, then call the VA for help. It can also be used for on-the-job training and apprenticeships.
VA Hospital in Northport at 631.261.4400. Photo Credit: Adobe AI
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Medicare covers “up to” 100 days if you have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and have days of “Skilled Nursing Facility” (SNF) coverage left in your benefit period, also known as a “spell of illness.” For those that qualify, the first 20 days are fully paid for by Medicare Part A, and days 21-100 are primarily paid for by Medicare but are subject to a patient responsibility of a daily co-pay amount of $204 per day (in 2024). Medicare will not cover beyond this point.
Medicare Part A SNF coverage is generally available to qualified individuals who meet the following requirements: (1) admission to the facility is within 30 days of the date of hospital discharge; (2) the prior hospitalization was for at least three consecutive days,
excluding the day of discharge; (3) the resident requires daily skilled nursing or rehabilitation services that can only be provided in a SNF; (4) the resident is admitted to the facility to receive treatment for the same condition(s) for which he was treated in the hospital; (5) a medical professional certifies that the resident requires daily skilled nursing care.
Coverage for rehabilitation under Medicare Part A is intended to be short-term. As mentioned, the first 20 days in the rehab facility are covered in full by Medicare. Some Medigap/Supplemental coinsurance policies will cover all or part of the $204 daily co-pay for days 21-100. But patients do not always qualify for the full 100 days of rehabilitation. After admittance to a facility, the patient is evaluated periodically.
Once the facility determines that the patient no longer needs skilled care, coverage under the Medicare program ends. Furthermore, Medicare does not cover custodial care, only skilled care.
In circumstances where the patient does not fall into the category of needing rehabilitative or skilled care,
but the family cannot bring their loved one home safely, Medicare does not pay for time to set up a discharge plan. Once Medicare terminates coverage, the patient needs to return to the community or start privately paying for care.
A patient can qualify for a new 100-day benefit period only after being out of a hospital or
skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. It is a myth that Medicare pays for long-term care in a nursing home. The only government program that pays for long-term care in a skilled nursing facility is the Chronic Medicaid program, which has its own rules for eligibility.
Navigating the various payment sources for rehabilitation and beyond can be complicated. Be sure to understand the coverage you have and seek the guidance of competent professionals to advise on additional coverage.
Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.
Photo Credit: One Photo | Dreamstime.com
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Suffolk
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
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
YEN LOPEZ A/K/A YEN R. LOPEZ A/K/A YEN S. LOPEZ A/K/A YENNIFER
LOPEZ A/K/A YENNIFER R. LOPEZ A/K/A
YENNIFER S. LOPEZ, ET AL.
Defendant(s)
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 Dated: 7/15/24 File Number: 272-0299ny SH
COREY LEMAY A/K/A COREY M. LEMAY, ET AL, Defendant(s)
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 Dated: 7/15/24 File Number: 15-311761 SH
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 20194, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff AGAINST BRUCE R. CADOVIUS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 30, 2024, I, the undersigned
Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 17, 2024 at 10:30AM, premises known as 10 Gillette Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Patchogue, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0204 Section 005.00 Block 01.00 Lot 029.000. Approximate amount of judgment $465,912.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614001/2023. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK BROOKHAVEN. NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff against JAY DEVERS A/K/A JAY D. DEVERS, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated June 14, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on September 12, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in Blue Point, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, known and designated as District 0200
Section 979.20 Block 03.00 Lot 001.000.
*Referee does not accept cash only bank checks or certified checks payable to Michael T. Clancy as referee*.
Said premises known as 52 EATONDALE AVENUE, BLUE POINT, NY 11715
Approximate amount of lien $190,249.69 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 607584/2023. MICHAEL T. CLANCY, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 39220
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF SUFFOLK COUNTY AS LIMITED ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARIE FERLAND A/K/A MARIA J. FERLAND, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 3, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 12, 2024 at 12:30 p.m., premises known as 10 Windsor Place, Shirley, NY 11967. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at St. George Manor near Mastic in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 879.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 029.003. Approximate amount of judgment is $629,439.14 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #017774/2013. Referee does not accept cash, only bank or certified checks made payable to Michael Clancy, Esq., as referee. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at
the foreclosure sale.
Michael Clancy, Esq., Referee
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff
Mark Baisch, Managing Member, Marbai Profit Sharing Plan Trust, 122 Prince Road, Rocky Point, NY 11778, has made application to the Brookhaven Town Board acting as the Planning Board for approval of a site plan for proposed construction of 74 senior apartments with recreational facilities, office/garage building and associated site improvements, involving variance(s). This proposal is known as Oak Run, located at N/E/C Middle Country Road (NYS Route 25) and Birchwood Park Drive, N/S Middle Country Road, approx. 2300’ W/O Middle Island Road, Middle Island, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York and described as follows:
NORTH: Now or Formerly BIRCHWOOD AT SPRING LAKE HOME OWNERS
ASSOC INC; Eric Drive; Spring Lake Drive;
WEST: Now or Formerly BIRCHWOOD AT SPRING LAKE HOME OWNERS
ASSOC INC; Birchwood Park Drive;
SOUTH: Now or Formerly SRVG REALTY LLC; Middle Country Road (NYS Route 25);
EAST: Now or Formerly 601 MIDDLE COUNTRY ROAD REALTY GROUP INC; HSN BROADCASTING OF NJ INC %TELEFUTURA 500 FRANK BURR; Spring Lake Drive.
Notice is hereby given that the Brookhaven Town Board acting as the Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Town Hall 2nd floor auditorium, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, New York on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 3:00 P.M., when adjacent property owners and/or others interested in any way in the proposal may appear before the Board to be heard.
A more detailed diagram of the subject property shall be made available virtually at https://www. brookhavenny.gov/1159/ Meetings
At said public hearing, any persons interested shall be given the opportunity to be heard. Anyone interested in submitting written comments to the Board may also do so via email at emccallion@brookhavenny. gov.
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Banc of America Funding Corporation 2007-3, Plaintiff AGAINST
Michael Devito, Stacey Devito, et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated July 15, 2019 and entered on August 5, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on September 24, 2024 at 9:30 AM premises known as 461 Avondale Drive, Shirley, NY 11967-1201. 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: 616.00, BLOCK: 04.00, LOT: 007.000, Dist 0200. Approximate amount of judgment is $518,916.58 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 063052/2013.
The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and Suffolk County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Allan B. Mendelsohn, Referee
FRENKEL LAMBERT
WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that acquisitions have been proposed and contracts prepared under the New Suffolk County ¼% Drinking Water Protection Program-Conservation
Easement-PayGo as follows:
SITE
Sylvester Manor
Educational Farm
TAX MAP NO.
0700-007.00-07.00-016.000
0700-008.00-01.00-005.010 p/o
OWNER
Sylvester Manor
Educational Farm, Inc.
Copies of the proposed contracts can be seen at the office of the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management, H. Lee Dennison Building, 2nd Floor, Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York. The undersigned will hold a final public hearing of these acquisitions, pursuant to Section 247 of the N.Y.S. General Municipal Law, at the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management on the 29th day of August, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., at which time all interested persons will be heard.
Michael Brown Acquisition Unit Supervisor
Dated: August 14, 2024 Hauppauge, N.Y.
L16011-8/21/2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Please be advised that a meeting of the Suffolk County Landbank Corporation's Audit & Finance Committee will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting will be held at the Suffolk County Department of Economic
Development and Planning, H. Lee Dennison Building 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, 11788, in the 2nd Floor Arthur Kunz Memorial Planning Library Conference Room.
The Landbank has resumed the ability for the public to provide comment at the public portion of the meeting. Public comment may also be emailed to matthew. kapell@suffolkcountyny.gov and received no later than Thursday, August 15, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. The Minutes and Recordings of the Landbank Board Meetings will be posted on the Suffolk County Landbank website.
Should you have any questions regarding this public notice, please contact:
Matthew Kapell Suffolk County Dept. of Economic Development and Planning 631-853-6330
Corporation's Board of Directors will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:15 a.m.
The meeting will be held at the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, H. Lee Dennison Bldg., 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, in the 2nd Floor Arthur Kunz Memorial Library Conference Room.
The Landbank has resumed the ability for the public to provide comment at the public portion of the meeting. Public comment may also be emailed to matthew.kapell@ suffolkcountyny.gov, and received no later than Thursday, August 15, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. The Minutes and Recordings of the Landbank Board Meetings will be posted on the Suffolk County Landbank website.
CANCELED CANCELED
"Language Access Services are available for free to LimitedEnglish Proficient individuals. Requests for telephonic interpretation services or other special needs must be communicated in writing or be telephone to the EDP Language Access Designee at least three business days prior to the meeting. Contact: Jeffrey Kryjak, Department of Economic Development and Planning, H. Lee Dennison Bldg., 11th Floor, 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Phone: (631) 853-5192, email: jeffrey. kryjak@suffolkcountyny.gov
L16012-8/21/2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Please be advised that a meeting of the Suffolk County Landbank
Should you have any questions regarding this public notice, please contact: Matthew Kapell Suffolk County Dept. of Economic Development and Planning (631) 853-6330
"Language Access Services are available for free to LimitedEnglish Proficient individuals. Requests for telephonic interpretation services or other special needs must be communicated in writing or be telephone to the EDP Language Access Designee at least three business days prior to the meeting. Contact: Jeffrey Kryjak, Department of Economic Development and Planning, H. Lee Dennison Bldg., 2nd Floor, 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Phone: (631) 853-5192, email: jeffrey. kryjak@suffolkcountyny.gov
L16013-8/21/2024
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BETTOR ANGLE TM
BY TOM BARTON
With college football upon us, now is the time of year where many people begin to take a look at future plays and they want to get those good odds on who will win the National Championship. Year after year the natty and Heisman winner get a massive amount of tickets and money pouring in on them from bettors trying to cash in on a futures play. This year, however, there is a wrinkle.
The NCAA will now move to a 12-team playoff and that causes a disruption in the betting strategy. More variables and more unknowns are bad for bettors, especially when it's a vote that will determine not only who gets in but also seeding. The same can be said for the Heisman trophy and its voting. With that said, it's safer to stick with known commodities.
Things like what team will make the playoffs are tempting, but team total wins are always a safer bet but a lesser payout. Here are the top future plays for this season:
UMass Minutemen Under 4
wins:
I have seen this number at 3 1/2 in places and I still like it, just not as much as this number, so this is a good spot to shop around.
The Minutemen are dreadful and that should be the same this year. They have not won more than 3 games since 2019, and they play this season without a true conference yet again. UMass has to run the ball to be effective and can only do that well when leading, which doesn't happen often. This offensive line was bad last season, but they simply had to play from behind too much for it to improve its blocking. The defense was the main culprit though. They allowed more than 38 points per game and have 6 games on the schedule they will have no chance to be in. Their winnable games are against Central Connecticut, Wagner, at Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, at Northern Illinois, and UConn. No one can bank on this team winning road games with that defense, which leaves just four potential wins. At worst, it's a push and they are
The Jets Take a Stand
ByTomBarton
The New York Jets have taken a stand against newly acquired Haason Reddick. Last week, Reddick, who is holding out for a new contract, requested a trade from the Jets, a team he has yet to play a snap for.
Reddick has requested the trade after failing to report to camp and being upset that there
already preseason underdogs against UConn.
Nevada Wolf Pack Over 2 wins:
The Pack have won just 2 games in back-to-back years, but the new coaching staff will end that this season. The new coaching staff is defensive-minded and have some key D line guys to work with right away and the linebackers are the best unit of this entire team. Giving a D-minded head coach and staff with the best position on the field will mean that they will play to that strength. Slow the game down, play a lot of low-scoring games, which could lead to some fluke wins on top of everything else. The offensive line was the main issue last season returning just 37 snaps, but this season they boosted that through the portal and it should help what was a totally inept offense. A more experienced crew who will get a solid schedule in a middling conference will help, but they also get Georgia Southern and Eastern Washington at home early in the year, both of those games
College Football Future Plays
they are already favored by, before heading into their conference schedule where they can pull out a win or two.
Boston College Eagles Over 4 1/2 wins:
I fully believe in Bill O'Brien as a head coach. Here's the thing: I might be on this play even without the coaching change. Thomas Castellanos was fun to watch last
season and the dual threat QB should improve one more step here. Last year, they almost beat Florida State and while the schedule is slightly tougher, they showed me all I needed to see. O'Brien and Castellanos should be good for 6 or 7 wins, easily beating this number. The Eagles have an outside shot at having a massive improvement, but once they see a bowl game in sight, it should motivate them even more.
has not been any movement on a new contract with him and the Jets. New York, however, has decided to take a stand against his request.
"We have informed Haason that we will not trade him, that he is expected to be here with his teammates, and that he will continue to be fined per the CBA if he does not report," Jets general
manager Joe Douglas said. "Since the trade discussions back in March we have been clear, direct and consistent with our position. Our focus will remain on the guys we have here as we prepare for the regular season."
Reddick would earn more than 14 million dollars this season, in the final year of his contract. The Jets were able to trade for him in part because of his unhappiness with the Philadelphia Eagles and
their stance on giving him a new contract. The Jets believed they could work things out, so they sent a conditional 2026 thirdround pick for the 29-year-old.
Reddick has star potential in this dominating defense. He has two two Pro Bowls under his belt and more than 50 over the last four seasons, but there is a reason the Eagles allowed him to walk away. Reddick is now on his 4th team and New York
is starting to see why the Eagles were soured on him and his contract situation.
This seems like a last-ditch effort by Reddick to "force" a contract discussion, but Douglas isn't one to be pushed around. It seems as though Douglas and the Jets are willing to let him sit out rather than extend him a new contract or adhere to his trade request.
The Longwood Game Day Experience
ByTomBarton
The Longwood Lions football team are getting young athletes and fans to become a part of the fun this summer.
Longwood held their annual Game Day Experience, where they invited 170 future studentathletes to participate in the activities. The Varsity Football Youth Clinic were able to see where the football team plays and got to meet the athletes. In addition, they were able to tour the weight room, locker room, and film room.
The highlight of the day had to be when the kids were able to hear their name being
announced as they ran onto the field. It's only a matter of years for some of these students
before they hear that for real when they suit up for the varsity team.
Photo Credit: @nyjets | X Joe Douglas GM
Photo Credit: Longwood Central School District | X Longwood Game Day Experience
SPORTS Aaron Judge Hits HR #300, How
ByTomBarton
This past week, Aaron Judge set the record as the fastest player to ever hit 300 home runs. Judge got to the magic number of just 955 games, which beat the previous record held by Ralph Kiner, who needed 1,087 games. Judge became just the 162nd player to reach 300, but the question remains how will history judge the captain?
When we begin to talk about greatness, the discussion veers into a different category for the greats of the greats. With Aaron Judge, he has cemented himself into that sort of conversation. When baseball historians begin questioning a man's Hall of Fame resume while he is still playing and just 32 years old, we are now in the territory of the greats of the game. But, how great is Judge, and more so how will he be perceived?
Aaron Judge didn't get the early call up like Ken Griffey Jr. or Juan Soto, who were called up to the majors at just 19 years old, he wasn't even called up in his early 20's. Judge became part of the Yankees at age 24 years old and didn't log more than 27
at bats in a season until he was 25 years old. That will hold him back in some areas of long-term statistics. His injury history, missing 50 or more games in 4 of his 7 seasons, will also hold back his counting stats. But one thing is for sure and that is when he is on the field, he has been one of the best, but could he be the best?
It's likely that Judge won't chase the all-time home run record because of his age. He would need to average more than 50 home runs for the next eight years, but 500 home runs is doable. Judge needs 200 home runs to get to that magical number. Assuming he plays until he is 40 years old, he would only need to average just over 24 home runs per year. It goes deeper still as home runs aren't the only measure of greatness. Judge looks like he is well on his way to a second MVP award, to go along with his Rookie of the Year. Awards and accolades are great, but it's the comparison to the people he is playing against right now that should define Aaron Judge. One can argue that this is the hardest generation to be an offensive player in since the dead-ball era.
Golfing for Scholarships
The annual event has now raised more than $620,000 in student scholarships for William Floyd students since its inception. It was held at the beautiful Bellport Country
Many More Are Coming?
Batting averages are down, home runs suppressed and offense as a whole has to deal with pitching matchups never before seen. What Judge is doing is almost unthinkable. He has a shot at the Tripe Crown this year and likely will lead in most important offensive categories.
When we talk about the greatest players that many of us have watched, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Arod, Griffey and, of course, Barry Bonds come to mind right away. (Yes, Gwynn and Ichiro were great pure hitters but not the Judge type for this conversation).
Consider the facts that Aaron Judge in just 9 seasons and under 1,000 games played has led the league in home runs, runs and RBI more than Barry Bonds did in his 22 seasons and just under 3,000 games. Miguel Cabrera also never led the league as many times in those three categories. Similar can be said about Albert Pujols who played 22 seasons and had over 3,000 games played, he also trails Judge in the amount of times he led the league in home runs and RBIs, while Griffey is behind in runs and RBIs as well, and Arod only led the league in RBIs twice.
When Judge hit #300, it was met with a lot of fanfare as it should have been but not nearly enough. Despite the "late" start into MLB, we are watching potentially the greatest player we have seen in the past 50 years. There should be no doubt that the center fielder is the best player of this generation, it's now time to compare him to other generational greats. The Hall of Fame should already be locked up, now it's just a matter of where he will stand among the greats of the greats.
Club. The all-day event started with breakfast followed by tee off, lunch on the turn, and then a dinner.
During the day, there were competitions and more sponsorship chances for different types of successes on the course. In the past, there has been as much as a $15,000 prize for a hole in one and hundreds of dollars in prizes for things like closest to the pin, longest drive and various other fun activities.
In addition, this year there were a bunch of prizes that included surfboards, corn hole sets, kayaks, bicycles and much more.
St. Joe's Gets a New Head Coach
ByTomBarton
St. Joseph's University, New York, has a new Long Island men's lacrosse head coach. Matt Knote will take over as the head coach of the Golden Eagles this season.
Director of Athletics
Melody Cope appointed Knote following an impressive collegiate career at the University of MassachusettsAmherst, where he served as captain of the men's lacrosse team in both 2023 and 2024. While there, he became a two-time All-American while being recognized as one of the top players in the country and was named the 2024 Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of the Year.
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt to St. Joseph's," stated Cope. "His lacrosse background coupled with
his passion for the game make him the perfect fit for our men's lacrosse program. We look forward to seeing his impact on our studentathletes and the team's future."
Knote signed on to play professionally for the Denver Outlaws in the Premier Lacrosse League after he was with UMass and has coaching experience. Knote
coaches with the PLL Play program, where he provides instruction to leagues and camps nationwide.
"I'm honored to begin my collegiate coaching career at St. Joseph's," said Knote. "I'm excited to lead this team and help our student-athletes reach their full potential on and off the field."
Photo Credit:@MLBNetwork | X
ByTomBarton
Century 21 Cor-Ace Realty hosted the 26th annual William Floyd Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament.
William Floyd School District Golf Tournament
William Floyd School District Golf Tournament
Photo Credit: William Floyd School District | X
Photo Credit: William Floyd School District | X
Photo Credit: @SJLIAthletics | X
ByTomBarton
The Seawolves Men's and Women's Teams Get Preseason Nods
Both the Stony Brook men's and women's soccer teams were handed preseason recognition this week ahead of their regular season opening games.
Men's forward Jonas Bickus was named to the Preseason All-CAA team while defender Bas Beckhoven was recognized as an Honorable Mention. Beckhoven led the team to a third place finish last season.
Overall as a team, the Seawolves were voted to finish sixth in the 2024 CAA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, but they can get much higher behind the reigning Coach of the Year, Ryan Anatol, as he enters his 14th season with the program.
Bickus, who was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Forwards Watch List this offseason. He is a two-time All-CAA honoree and America East Rookie of the Year, Bickus led Stony Brook last season with 17 points on eight goals and one assist while ranking fifth in the CAA in goals, sixth in shots (34) and seventh in points. He finished in the top 50 in all Division I men's soccer with .53 goals per game.
Beckhoven earned all-conference last season and the team captain has appeared in every game, making all 17 starts and totaling 1,473 minutes on the pitch.
On the women's side, both forward Reilly Rich and midfielder Linn Beck earned preseason all-
conference recognition. Like the men's squad, the Seawolves were selected to finish sixth in the 2024 CAA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll.
Rich earns preseason All-CAA recognition for the first time in her Stony Brook career as she enters her third season with the program. Last season, she led the Seawolves with six goals scored and 12 total points. She was responsible for two gamewinning goals, good for third best in the league and finished with the eighth-most goals in the conference.
Beck finished tied with Rich for the team-lead in points in 2023, finishing with 12 points on four goals and four assists. Her four assists were also tied for a team-high
Logan O'Hoppe a Wanted Man
ByTomBarton
Reports have come out that the Chicago Cubs made an aggressive pursuit at the trade deadline to get Logan O'Hoppe. The local Suffolk catcher, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels has been excellent and would have filled a big need in Chicago.
The Cubs need the help behind the plate. On the season, Cubs catchers are batting under .200 collectively with a just over .300 on base percentage. Simply terrible
numbers for a team that was hoping to compete for the division this season. You might pause and argue that catchers are a defense first position and you can live with a bad bat in the lineup, but that argument falls apart when you look at the numbers and see that they are bad defensively as well, ranking in the bottom 10 in both runs saved and fielding run value in the league. To put it in simpler terms, only the White Sox, who are on a historic losing pace, are worse behind the plate this season.
That left the Cubs looking at catcher and who better than Logan O'Hoppe? O'Hoppe has been one of the Angels best players, so it's not doubtful that the Cubs were “repeatedly and firmly rebuffed,” according to the Athletic.
O'Hoppe is just 24 years old, he ranks inside the top 5 at the position
ago while
for a number of offensive categories and his power looks like he can develop into a 30 home run threat, without sacrificing the batting average and on base numbers. He also grades out above average defensively, which is usually the last thing to come around for young backstops.
Longwood Wins It All
ByTomBarton
The Longwood girls' JV summer soccer team has won the Town of Brookhaven Championship.
The Lions were the #2 ranked seed and went on to win the Brookhaven Summer Soccer championship. PatchogueMedford was the #1 ranked team, with Centereach and Rocky Point finishing #3 and 4.
Angelina Wong was the summer scoring leader with 9 goals from Patchogue-Medford. While in the varsity bracket Gianna DaCunha, from EastportSouth Manor led the scoring with
William Floyd Serves Up a Winner
ByTomBarton
The William Floyd High School National Honor Society hosted “Sets for Tourette’s,” a volleyball tournament to benefit the Tourette Association of America.
Under the direction of advisors Salvatore Alfredson and Rebecca Penney, the event, organized by Class of 2024 alumnus Gabriel Holfester, raised $1,300, which will go toward the Tourette Association of America. The organization's mission is to provide help and hope to those affected by Tourette's syndrome, tic disorders and associated conditions through awareness, research and support.
Thirty-two teams participated
Logan O'Hoppe may not be moving, but the aggressive pursuit of the youngster makes sense and the Angels should expect much more of that. Not only is O'Hoppe turning into one of the best Los Angeles players, but there is a path for him to be one of the best players in the game.
and the
lacrosse volleyball team won the tournament. The participating teams raised $1,000 in advance of
the tournament and another $300 at the door from spectators for this great cause.
a season
her four goals scored were tied for the second most on the squad.
The Stony Brook women began play last week against Colgate and the men's team begin their season on the road at LIU on August 22.
