The delivery of the hard copy of this week’s edition of the South Shore Press falls on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.
As you are well aware, we post news stories around the clock on our website SouthShorePress. com, on Twitter @SSPNewsroom, and our Facebook page, @ TheShouthShorePress.
But the weekly edition that might be in your hands right now was delivered on September 11th.
I turn 51 years old this November, so it’s hard to fathom that the horrific attacks on America took place 23 years ago today.
Many innocent souls from Suffolk County died or were injured when despicable scum weaponized planes to kill more
As Congress prepares to reconvene this week, the specter of yet another Continuing Resolution (CR) looms large over Capitol Hill. This frequent reliance on CRs is emblematic of a deeper, systemic issue in the U.S. government: legislative dysfunction and congressional gridlock. Continuing Resolutions, once considered emergency stopgap measures to keep the government funded in the absence of a formal budget, have now become the rule rather than the exception. Their repeated use signals not only the inability of lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duties but also a significant departure from the norms of governance.
A CR is essentially a temporary measure, designed to avoid a government shutdown when Congress is unable to pass a budget. However, instead of being the exception in times of crisis, CRs have become a default tool to mask
than 3,000 people in New York City, the Pentagon, and Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania.
It’s also hard to believe that the average age of this year’s college graduates were born after the worst and deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
They have no direct memory of the horror, the loss of life, and the sheer shock of the Twin Towers collapsing in a matter of seconds.
It is only known to them if we stress the importance to “never forget” what happened on 9/11.
It is up to us who remember that fateful day to ensure the memories of those that died are never forgotten, and that we maintain a vigilant spirit and desire to defend our great nation and rid the world
the failure of Congress to agree on and pass the twelve appropriations bills required to fund the federal government. This chronic reliance undermines long-term planning, disrupts government operations, and casts doubt on the ability of Congress to perform its most fundamental task: appropriating funds for the proper functioning of the nation.
A Broken Promise: The Pledge to Return to Regular Order
When I was elected to Congress in 2022, Republican leadership made a commitment to return to regular order—meaning the timely passage of twelve individual spending bills through a transparent and deliberative process. This was not just an aspiration, but a recognition that Congress had strayed from its constitutional responsibility. Regular order allows for greater accountability, ensuring
Honor Those Who Died on 9/11
of terrorist filth who want to wipe America and Israel off the map.
fathers, sons, and daughters know how much they meant to them.
I don’t have a heartwarming, loving, “feel-good” story about one last phone call to someone who lost their life on 9/11. Quite the opposite, unfortunately. It’s a regret I’ll have for the rest of my life.
The stories of those on planes who knew they were going to die and frantically calling loved ones to tell them one last time they love them is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, under terrible circumstances.
that each component of the federal budget receives the attention it deserves through hearings, debates, and amendments. The promise to restore this legislative order was intended to bring stability back to a process that had become increasingly chaotic and politically fraught.
Unfortunately, that promise has not been fulfilled. Despite initial assurances, we remain locked in the same cycle of dysfunction that has plagued Congress for years. The failure to return to regular order is not just a matter of procedural neglect; it represents a breach of trust between elected officials and the American people. Moreover, it is a failure that has had tangible political consequences.
The Fall of Speaker McCarthy: A Lesson in Accountability
The inability to deliver on this commitment to regular order was
They knew they would be dead in a matter of minutes. Yet they had deep, enduring, passionate love in their hearts to make one last phone call to let wives, husbands, mothers,
My home parish was run by the Franciscan Friars, the same order of FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge. He is considered the very first casualty on 9/11. Fr. Mychal’s lifeless body being pulled from the North Tower was captured in an iconic photo that is now known around the world. Like a true hero, Fr. Mychal rushed into the burning buildings while all others were frantically running for their lives in the opposite direction.
a significant factor in the political downfall of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. His tenure was marked by mounting frustration within his own party, especially among conservative lawmakers like Representative Matt Gaetz, who viewed McCarthy’s leadership as emblematic of the broader failures in Congress.
McCarthy’s ousting reflects the growing impatience with leaders who make lofty promises but fail to enact meaningful reforms. In McCarthy’s case, his failure to prioritize and deliver on critical spending bills signaled a lack of direction and resolve, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Credit: Shannon Stapleton
Credit: Adobe AI
Fr. Mychal Judge is considered the first casualty on 9/11
BY GEORGE SANTOS
ByRobertChartuk
Residents Rally to Push for Nick's Law
They gathered around his truck—family, friends, elected officials—to remember him and advocate for a new law, Nick's Law, that would have levied harsher penalties for the person who ran him over and fled the scene.
On a Saturday morning, they turned out, parents of other hitand-run victims, to plead with state leaders to stop blocking the bills by local legislators, the representatives of suburbia where the streets are killing fields, that would perhaps save others.
Officials from every local office—town, county, and state—were there—even District
Sponsored by Senator Dean Murray and Assemblyman
Doug Smith, the law named for the Farmingville resident will elevate such crimes to vehicular
Attorney Ray Tierney, who is fighting an ongoing battle with Albany to change the laws to help make Suffolk safer.
“He had so much to live for; he did not deserve this horrible death,” said Terry Puzio, Nick’s mother. “We need to change the laws to stop this from happening again.”
Nick Puzio was 25 years old when he was hit by two vehicles going through a pedestrian crosswalk in Patchogue. Both drivers fled the scene because they were drunk, it was suggested and were later caught. One received a six-month sentence and the other 60 days.
death. “How many more people have to die?” Murray wondered out loud. “How many more family, friends, and loved ones have to grieve the loss of their loved ones before lawmakers in Albany take action?”
“Traffic on Long Island roads is very heavy, and unfortunately, there are some irresponsible drivers out there,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano.
“Nick’s Law will send a message that if you drive recklessly and
“This new law will effectively reduce the extent of acquittals and the lessening of sentences in our legal system,” the sponsors say, stressing that drivers should be less inclined to run from an accident scene if they’re facing up to 25 years in jail.
"We have to get this done," Ruthann Arnum appealed to the crowd. Her 23-year-old son, Dean, was mowed down by two drivers just after Christmas in 2022. One stayed at the scene while the other fled. That driver got 90 days. "The driver pulled over and checked her bumper and then hid for six days," Ruthann recounted. "What's wrong with these people?" she asked, referring to the legislators blocking Nick's Law. "The detectives who arrested her said they had to let her go. We have to stop this."
A third grieving family attended the rally for the new law. “The driver calculated the penalty and left the scene,” said Janine Hlavaty, whose son, Christopher, a Hagerman volunteer fireman, was cut down in June. “The repercussions for leaving must be greater than stopping.”
The statistics are troubling, Senator Murray pointed out. Since last year, in the Town of Brookhaven alone, there have been 29 cases of drivers fleeing the scene of accidents that resulted in serious injury or
“This is a common-sense bill,” Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico summed up. “The town board and the county legislature would have passed this in no time. The state government, however, seems to be more concerned with keeping people
put everyone else at risk, there will be consequences.” According to the state reps, the law is part of a larger effort to convince people to slow down and drive safely. “We’re all on the same roads together, along with our families, friends, and neighbors, so let’s take it easy when we get behind the wheel,” DeStefano urged.
out of jail than keeping them in. We who live in the suburbs have to deal with this every day.”
Also attending the event at the Farmingville Fire Department were Senator Tony Palumbo, Suffolk Legislators Nick Caracappa and Dominick Thorne, Town Councilman Neil Manzella, and Sal Russo, a fire district commissioner. In conjunction with the rally, Senator Murray organized a blood drive, pointing out that donated blood was used in an effort to save Nick Puzio's life.
“This bill is another in an unfortunate list of common sense amendments to our laws that will make us safer,” said District Attorney Tierney, who has battled the state’s New York City-based leadership over a number of crime bills. “I’m thankful that we live in a county where the citizens are deeply committed to public safety.”
manslaughter, a Class B felony.
Terry Puzio speaks in favor of Nick’s Law, named for her son, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver.
Supporters of Nick’s Law gather around his truck.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
State Senator Dean Murray organized the rally to support Nick’s Law, his bill to increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Co-sponsor of Nick’s Law, Assemblyman Doug Smith, discusses the bill with Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, left, and the families of those killed by hit-and-run drivers.
Suffolk Legislator Nick Caracappa, left, with Santo Puzio, father of Nick Puzio.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Supporters of Nick’s Law all wearing matching shirts to honor him and others killed by reckless drivers.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
UPCOMING: ALS Awareness Golf Outing in Honor of Late Lake Ronkonkoma Native
The Fourth Annual Danielle Kirrane Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at Dyker Golf Course in Brooklyn—with “shotgun” tee-off set to kick off at 8 a.m.
One-hundred percent of proceeds will go to ALS United of Greater NY, first responders in need through esteemed charities like the Gary Sinise Foundation, and additional terminal illness-based causes. All donations can be made to the Danielle Kirrane Foundation.
Kirrane, a Lake Ronkonkoma native and St. Anthony’s High School Class of 2000 graduate, passed away on February 23, 2021, after her four-year illness at only 38 years old. Danielle is survived by husband Tommy, a New York City firefighter; daughter Anna, who just celebrated her 10th birthday a couple of weeks ago; and a vast network of extended family and friends whose support has now carried on to others dealt similar blows.
By all accounts, Danielle–so devout in her duties and love as a mother, that she made sure to pack
in as many wonderful memories with Anna as possible in their brief, but nevertheless impactful time together—fought exactly like she lived: ferociously. In fact, “Live Like a Lion” serves as the event’s official slogan.
What started as a minor limp for Kirrane gradually deteriorated until all limb usage was lost. Infinite rounds of medical evaluations and remedies were consulted and tried. Though wheelchaired at the end, Kirrane still had the entirety of her mental faculties–which included her sharp wit, ability to turn a punchline out of a gut-punch, and most of all, the ability to leave nothing unsaid to the ones she loved most—when she died at home and in her sleep amidst stem cell trials.
In conjunction with his FDNY brethren and contacts originally made on his and Danielle’s search for answers while seeking renewals of health and peace of mind for the latter, Tommy and company know the tall order, the bleak odds going in: no one seems to beat this thing.
Yet, this has ceased to prevent a single person involved with this particular 501(c) non-profit from giving it their all, year in and year
out, as the organization grows in reach every year; for that’s how Danielle operated every day of her life.
“We are so humbled by the overwhelming support that we have received over the past three years,” Tommy Kirrane told The South Shore Press. “Danielle lived every day fighting her diagnosis, fighting to live, and we are honored to continue the fight by supporting those who have to face their fate. We encourage everyone to join us in this fight. Please know that no donation amount is too small when it comes to helping someone else.”
Little was known about ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) when it was christened “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” after the legendary New York Yankee first baseman came down with the fatal affliction. “The Iron Horse’s” shocking self-removal from the lineup came after he played in every inning for nearly a decade-and-ahalf. His 2,130 games-played streak served as an MLB record until Cal Ripken, Jr. surpassed him in 1995.
Gehrig’s voluntary muscle movement control was rendered strangely no more. Such motor neuron attacks, and rapid diminishing of bodily strength overall, are among the gravest symptoms one can expect when diagnosed with ALS.
Thanks to what the Yankee captain demonstrated with iconic fervor in his chilling, “Today, I consider myself, the luckiest man, on the face of the Earth,” retirement speech on July 4, 1939, the terminally ill community in general can emphatically concur: there is nobility in fighting. That even in death, there is living, and there sure
is meaning.
“To me, the golf outing is not about golf. It’s about raising awareness for the disease that took my sister from me,” said Danielle’s younger brother and one of the event’s organizers, Anthony DeLisio, aged 29. A lifelong Yankee fan who currently amateur-competes in the Long Island Stan Musial Men’s Baseball League, DeLisio notes that the hallowed Gehrig lore—which registered less like fact, and more like a Hollywood fairytale as a kid— holds even greater weight in his heart now.
While most would turn to the ball field for a total escape from the uncontrollable circumstances that befall them in the real world, DeLisio pursues one of his primary competitive leisure activities of choice—he’ll be amongst those out on the links on Wednesday—with a heightened gratefulness for what he has, and for who is no longer with us that he plays for doubly these days.
“We have raised tens of thousands of dollars every year,” he adds, “and will continue to do so in the hope that our efforts stop this disease from affecting another family.”
Last year, a major beneficiary was Greg “Mickey” Hansen (photographed alongside Tommy and Anna Kirrane above). Having rushed to the aid of many on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on 9/11 before he was even a firefighter, The Staten Island resident received a $5,000 check at the 2023 memorial outing to help with health and homecare amidst his ALS plight. Hansen, his wife and their two young children received a mortgage-free home, modified to accommodate his wheelchair, shortly thereafter through “Tunnel 2 Towers,” according to Silive.com.
On the ball field, in a burning building, in all fights at large and on the homefront, some even too close to home for comfort, if a battle in isolation seems lost, a greater victory in the big-picture war just may be in the works. Therefore, those who fight—both the departed, and those who remain—ought to not be considered to have fought for naught. No, they fought so those who must fight next get to fight a little less; until one day, maybe burdens such as this one can be lifted off all chests, altogether.
Babylon Beautification Society President on Annual Craft Fair: 'It's 50 Years So It's Special'
ByDonnaRolando
The Village of Babylon is celebrating a 50-year milestone on Sunday, Sept. 8, with its Annual Craft Fair at Argyle Park. The event runs from 8 to 5 p.m. at the park, 244 West Main St.
“It’s 50 years so it’s special,” said Frank Petruzzo, president of the Babylon Beautification Society, which sponsors the event. “It’s a big milestone for us. The fair back 50 years ago was very small as was the Beautification Society. But it’s grown now into one of Long Island’s largest craft fairs. We have tens of thousands of people come into our village every year.”
Visitors hail from all over, even out of state, he said.
Although the following Sunday, Sept. 15, is the rain date, he’s optimistic about this weekend, saying: “The forecast so far looks good.” With sunny skies, he said,
the event could draw at least 25,000.
The big attraction, of course, is the over 300 crafts vendors offering everything from home décor to jewelry and the opportunity to meet the talented artists behind them. So popular is this event for artists that Petruzzo said there is a waiting list for vendors to participate in the fair.
Besides crafts, the fair welcomes 30 specialty food vendors to satisfy hunger that day with bratwurst, hamburgers, pretzels and more, or perhaps send you home with artisanal cheese, honey, hot sauces and baked goods.
Although the fair opens at 8 a.m., the food, wine and beer will be served around 11 a.m. and the live music kicks off noon at the gazebo. For the kids, there are activities just across the canal at Bayman Park, such as a bounce house, face painting, temporary tattoos and fairy hair.
This year, a brief ceremony will be held to mark the 50th anniversary during which the village will be presented with a bronze plaque to be installed at the gazebo, he said.
In a press release, Village of Babylon Mayor Mary Adams said, “Fifty years of the fair in our beloved village is a true milestone. We honor the extraordinary contributions and steadfast dedication of our community members and volunteers who make this event possible year after year.”
While entry is free for the public, this is a big fundraiser for the Babylon Beautification Society, which, founded in 1971, draws revenue from vendors to fuel a number of projects, including planting the trees for which the village is known.
According to Petruzzo, “This is our largest fundraiser, and with the money we pay for beautification
projects. Over the years it’s included the village gazebo, by the train station we have a welcome sign, and we have two statues that we put in over the years.”
One statue recognizes those who did clamming on Great South Bay in years past, while the other depicts Robert Moses, an urban planner and powerful figure in New York
State history.
"The primary thing that we fund every year are hanging baskets, flower planters and trees. We are recognized as a tree city by the Arbor Day Foundation,” he said.
For further details, visit the Babylon Beautification Society website.
Credit: Danielle Kirane Foundation
Credit: Danielle Kirane Foundation
Visit: DanielleKiraneFoundation.com for details
Visit: DanielleKiraneFoundation.com for details
Babylon Craft Fair
LOCAL Ultramarathoner Wai Law Raises Over $20K With a Grueling 200-Mile Run
BySouthShorePressStaff
Wai Law achieved two significant milestones over the Labor Day weekend by running 200 miles in just under 55 hours and raising more than $20,000 for charity. Law, an accountant and ultramarathon runner from Bethpage, NY, completed 50 fourmile loops in Levittown during his fourth and most ambitious charity run. The event aimed to raise funds and awareness for the Thomas Hartman Center for Parkinson’s Research and Agape Meals for Kids.
The Hartman Center focuses on understanding the causes and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as part of the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University. Agape Meals for Kids addresses childhood hunger and food insecurity faced by children on Long Island.
Supported by local runners throughout his journey, Law took brief rests after each loop but
ran continuously day and night to achieve his goal. In previous years, he has undertaken other extensive runs for charitable causes. In 2021, Law ran across New York State from Buffalo to New York City, raising over $40,000—$22,555 for Parkinson’s disease research at Stony Brook and $17,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2022, he circled Long Island's perimeter, raising nearly $20,000 for Parkinson’s research and the Adolescent Medicine Fund for Excellence.
Law's recent goal was to raise $20,000; as of September 3rd, he surpassed this figure by almost $1,000 with donations from 110 people. The “Run 4 Miles” campaign will continue through October 6th; supporters can still make contributions via the campaign web page.
Law was inspired to run for Parkinson’s research after his close friend Dennis Almodovar lost his father to the disease in
2017. He noted that Parkinson’s “not only affects the patient but also their families,” adding that it is "something you rarely hear about."
Established in 2013 within Stony Brook University's Department of Neurobiology and Behavior through a gift from the Thomas Hartman Foundation matched by the Simons Foundation, the Hartman Center awards grants annually to support innovative research
projects aimed at advancing understanding of Parkinson’s disease.
Alfredo Fontanini, professor and chair of Stony Brook's Department of Neurobiology and Behavior stated that working with Law is “an incredibly meaningful relationship for us at the Hartman Center." He added: "It’s a sincere friendship; it’s a partnership. Two hundred miles in 48 hours — it’s a lot. I am incredibly appreciative.”
Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce
Credit: GGHC
Minority Business Growth Program Launched
ByStefanMychajliw
The Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its Minority Business Growth
Program, a strategic initiative aimed at empowering minorityowned businesses in the Gordon Heights community. This groundbreaking program is a
UPCOMING: ALS...
Continued from page 4
Fittingly enough, top-flight New York sports memorabilia will line the tables of the main pavilion where all golfing foursomes (closed) registered will meet the rest for a barbecue luncheon ($85 per person, open for all) at 1 p.m. This includes, but is not limited to: a David Cone-signed perfect game photo, a Don Larsen-signed perfect game ball, a Lawrence Taylor-signed Giants jersey, and a Mike Piazza-signed baseball.
Jimmy Choo perfume, Skin Fusion spa and Bark Box pet baskets, an Invicta watch, and Long Island Ducks tickets are amongst some additional prizes on the day. Sponsors include Project Glimmer, Tito’s Vodka, and A Kind of Magic—“your place for providing travel and Disney adventure packages.”
A 3-hour open bar will lead into and through the “50/50” drawings ($10) and additional
raffle calls. Last year’s 50/50 winner took home $5,000.
One of the top-selling donors in New York State since it started, the Danielle Kirrane Foundation typically brings in about $40,000.
Last year? A whopping $70,000.
They will seek to surpass this total come next week, but they cannot do it alone. They need your help.
More information on how to get involved can be found at daniellekiranefoundation.com, on Facebook (Danielle Kirrane Foundation) and on Instagram (@daniellekirranefoundation).
"The foundation isn’t limited to ALS, although that’s where it’s focused,” Deana Boles, 38, Danielle’s sister and social media coordinator of the forthcoming festivities, reiterates. “Donations are, and can be made to anybody battling a terminal illness.”
key priority under the dynamic leadership of Edna White, the President of the Chamber.
The Minority Business Growth Program is designed to equip minority entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, ensuring their success in today’s competitive market. By addressing the unique challenges faced by minority business owners, the Chamber aims to drive economic growth and foster a more inclusive local business environment.
“Our mission is to create equitable opportunities for all business owners in Gordon Heights, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented,” stated Edna White, President of the Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce. “This program goes beyond business success; it’s about empowering our community and building a stronger, more resilient local economy.”
Key components of the program include:
- Tailored Business Workshops: Focused sessions on topics such as capital access, digital marketing, financial management, and business expansion, specifically crafted for minority entrepreneurs.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Pairing minority business owners with seasoned mentors to provide guidance and support in overcoming business challenges.
- Networking Opportunities: Regular events to connect minority entrepreneurs with potential investors, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
- Grant and Funding Assistance: Resources to help minority businesses secure grants, loans, and other financial support.
Inspired by successful models like the Columbia Minority Business Accelerator Program, this initiative is poised to make a substantial impact on the Gordon Heights economy.
The Chamber invites all minority business owners to participate in this transformative opportunity. Applications open on September 16, 2024, where they plan to unveil new departments within the Chamber, such as the Hispanic Division, Young Entrepreneurs opportunities, arts department and offerings for economic growth through housing and land ownership and more details are available at https://gghcoc.squarespace.com/.
The Congressional Crisis...
Continued from page 2
McCarthy’s ousting also underscores a deeper ideological divide within the Republican Party. While some members are content with the status quo
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of governing by CRs, others are pushing for a return to more transparent, accountable governance. This tension has exposed the fault lines within the GOP and raised questions about the party’s ability to govern.
Robert Chartuk, Deborah Williams, Howard Roark, Barbara LaMonica, Stefan Mychajliw, Tom Barton, Nancy Burner, Fredrick Miller, Rich Acritelli, Chase Millwater, Donna Ronaldo Proofreader Kaitlyn Bankson
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Credit: Stony Brook University Wai Law
ByStefanMychajliw
Register Now For ASFP's 7th Annual East End Long Island Walk
The Long Island Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP LI), a leading suicide research and prevention organization in the U.S., invites you to join us for the annual East End Long Island Walk on Sunday, September 22nd at the Smith Point County Park in Shirley, NY. This is one of hundreds of events that AFSP sponsors each year.
This is the 7th year that AFSP Long Island is holding its annual East End Long Island Walk to raise funds to support suicide awareness and prevention. The Community Walks, held in hundreds of communities across the country, are the core of the
Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause and a platform to create a culture that’s smart about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side by side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost.
The walk takes place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Smith Point County Park, Shirley, NY
Registration and check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
Fun, family activities will be set up until noon. You can walk the trail at your leisure, but be sure to check out the activities and resource
booths before you begin your walk. The walk route loops around from the parking lot onto the boardwalk. We loop around several times to complete a three mile walk; however, you can stop at any time to make it shorter.
The walk takes place rain or shine. Smith Point County Park is a dog-friendly venue, and the walk route will accommodate both strollers and wheelchairs. Event participants will not be charged for parking at the Park.
There is no fee to register for the walk, and no minimum fundraising requirement, but if you raise $150, you will receive an official walk t-shirt.
Sign up to participate in the walk here: http://afsp.org/ longislandwalkeast
Honor Those Who Died on 9/11...
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Fr. Mychal was a spiritual mentor to the man I consider my “real father,” the man who raised me, Fr. Ronald Pecci. Fr. Ron was my parish priest who took me under his wing and taught me how to be a man: personally, professionally, and spiritually.
The Franciscans were a godsend and escape from the horrors of our home that was a denizen of dysfunction and terrible abuse. So much so that Fr. Ron would often bring me to multiple trips to New York City every year where he would visit his family in the Bronx.
For years on end, we stayed at the Saint Francis Friary on West 31st Street, close to Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. It was also Fr. Mychal’s home.
He was kind, loving, and welcoming every time I visited. His friary to this poor kid was like staying in the Ritz-Carlton. I remember the kitchen/small cafeteria area where food was basically available 24/7. It later reminded me of my college dorm mess hall.
We all stayed in touch over the years, so much so that Fr. Mychal
scored me prime seats to a Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Rangers game at the Garden prior to 9/11. You have to remember, online ticket exchanges and StubHub didn’t exist back then. If you left someone tickets, they were “actual tickets” at "Will Call" and you had to pick them up. None of these fancy bar codes and electronic tickets on your phone. So when I ventured to "Will Call" at MSG right before opening faceoff, my tickets weren’t there. Sure, I was aggravated. I’m nuts about missing the beginning of a hockey or football game. The ticket reps at MSG suggested I call Fr. Mychal.
Cell phones still weren’t prevalent back then, so I left Fr. Mychal a voicemail on his friary phone that my tickets weren’t there. I was most definitely a frustrated crabass on the phone, not in the least thankful or thankful for him getting me tickets. I was pretty pissy.
It would be my last voicemail or communication with Fr. Mychal.
I regret my tone with him on that voicemail message to this very day. I always will. None of us had a clue that terrorists
would be responsible for his death just months later.
What we can do moving forward on the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on America is always leave a loving message for those we care about. Not a text message. Not a DM. An actual phone call. The human lesson of that day is that life is short. We
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never, ever know if today is “the day” we take our last breath. Second, we as Americans have a duty and responsibility to keep the memories of those who perished alive, whether it is attending 9/11 memorial events or simply sharing conversations with younger adults about “where you were that day the
information about AFSP and the Long Island chapter’s activities by visiting https://afsp.org/chapter/ new-york-long-island.
planes hit the Twin Towers.” Let us all gather today to pray for those who were killed, to pray for our great nation, and to show love and kindness to those in our lives that we love and cherish.
If we do that, then we truly honor those who knew that phone call to their loved one would be their last.
Healthier U Offers Virtual Session for 'Couch to 5K' Program
BySouthShorePressStaff
Healthier U’s 2024 “Couch to 5K” program is offering an information session for those interested in beginning a running routine. The virtual session will be held on Zoom on Friday, September 6, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required, and a Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
The Couch to 5K program aims to assist individuals of all fitness levels in preparing for a 5K run or walk. Participants will have the opportunity to test their progress at the second
annual Wolfie Dash 5K on Sunday, October 27, during Homecoming Weekend at Stony Brook University. The event includes a campus-wide 5K run and a one-mile kids fun run and is open to all members of the university community.
“I am nervous about running — I turned 50 this year so my metabolism, body…everything is different,” said SBU employee Jeanmarie Ricciardi. “I’ve never been a runner, but I have always wanted to be. Even if this jump starts some sort of exercise routine for me, it will be worth it.”
The “Couch to 5K” running program was founded by Josh Clark over two decades ago with the goal of encouraging hesitant individuals to start running. It has since gained global popularity with millions adopting it as part of their regular exercise routines.
No prior running experience is necessary; participants only need the willingness to take the first step toward achieving their goals.
For more information, visit the Couch to 5K website or email healthieru@stonybrook. edu.
Credit: ASFP
Walk takes place on September 22nd, 2024.
BySouthShorePressStaff
On September 3, 2024, John S. Hobart Elementary School featured an event showcasing AmTrykes adaptive tricycles. Attendees included Ravi Seeram, assistant director of special education at William Floyd School District; Dr. Stacey Scalise, assistant superintendent for elementary instruction; Debbie Metz, president of AMBUCS LI and the Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusion program; Kyle Meier, vice president of Kyle Sports for Special Needs; and James Westcott, principal of John S. Hobart Elementary School.
The initiative aims to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to experience riding a bicycle. This effort is a collaboration between Debbie Metz's organizations—AMBUCS LI and the Mastic Sports Club’s Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusion program—and the William Floyd School District.
Recently, the district acquired 10 AmTrykes, adaptive therapeutic tricycles designed for those unable to ride traditional bicycles. These
Adaptive Tricycles Enhance Mobility Options in the William Floyd School District
tricycles are now part of the district’s Special Education Extended School Year program.
“During our summer program, students had the opportunity to try the various bike models as well as use them during occupational and physical therapy,” said Ravi Seeram.
“The smiles and laughter from our children were electric. Our goal is to explore more opportunities for participation and fun for all of our students.”
Adaptive bikes have been shown to improve coordination, motor skills, strength, and selfesteem while enhancing student participation and engagement. They can be customized based on individual needs.
Following the conclusion of the Extended School Year program, the AmTrykes have been distributed across various school buildings for use in occupational and physical therapy sessions as well as physical
WFHS Junior Selected for Prestigious Juilliard Pre-College Program
ByStefanMychajliw
Jackson Seifert, a junior and student-musician at William Floyd High School, recently auditioned for and was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard Pre-College program, a comprehensive conservatorystyle music program for students who exhibit the talent, potential, and ambition to pursue serious music study at the college level. Jackson primarily plays bass and tenor trombone.
He is also proficient in the trumpet, bass trumpet, and euphonium.
At the Juilliard Pre-College program, Jackson will have the opportunity to work with world-
class musicians – many of whom are on the Juilliard College faculty – to develop technical proficiency while fostering creativity and intellectual curiosity.
The program runs every Saturday from September through May at the Juilliard in New York City. Jackson will be studying privately with Weston Sprott, dean and director of the preparatory division at The Juilliard School, and a trombonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Jackson’s classes will include music theory, ear training, and music history while playing in a brass ensemble and with the precollege symphony orchestra.
Jackson is well prepared for this tremendous opportunity as he submitted three All-State auditions in May for the bass trombone, tenor trombone, and bass jazz solo and received perfect scores on all three.
Additionally, Jackson won a scholarship at the beginning of the summer and had the honor of playing a trombone solo with the Northport Community Band as part of their “Families and Flags on the Fourth” on Independence Day.
In addition to his love of music and excelling in his academics, Jackson is also a pitcher for the William Floyd varsity baseball team.
test out AmTrykes.
AMBUCS is a nonprofit organization focused on creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities through projects, like fitting and donating AmTryke therapeutic tricycles. The Long Island Chapter provides these bikes across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The AmTryke Project enhances quality of life by enabling safe bike riding through customized adaptations, such as frame size adjustments, seat selection, headrests, lateral support, foot cups, handgrip placement, and pedal size.
education classes during the academic year.
Debbie Metz has played a significant role in advocating for students with disabilities within and beyond the William Floyd School District. Alongside her grandson Kyle Meier, she created an inclusive sports program that serves children with special needs aged three to 21. Additionally, AMBUCS LI periodically hosts bike-a-thon fundraisers, allowing children to
AMBUCS partners with local businesses to host Bike Days where individuals can be evaluated and fitted for their bikes.
MSC Kyle Sports for Special Needs is an inclusive sports program that supports children with disabilities aged three to 21 by offering opportunities in socialization and sports training tailored to each child’s level of participation.
William Floyd High School Underclass Pictures Scheduled for Mid-September
BySouthShorePressStaff
Lifetouch will be taking William Floyd High School
underclass portraits on September 11, 12, and 13. Visit www. mylifetouch.com and enter your Picture Day ID: EVT9C4TGW.
Credit: www.wfsd.k12.ny.us/
Credit: WFHS
Jackson Seifert
ByStefanMychajliw
Students aren’t the only ones gearing up for a new school year.
Administrators, staff, and teachers in the Smithtown Central School District prepared for opening day with a series of workshops and meetings to hit the ground running for the year ahead.
Smithtown Central School
District Superintendent Mark Secaur congratulated teachers, administrators and staff for their hard work and dedication during the district’s Superintendent’s Conference Day, held at Smithtown High School West.
“I am beyond proud of the work
Hitting the Ground Running in the Smithtown Central School District
for
we’ve done and will do in the months and years ahead,” Secaur told faculty and staff.
Secaur encouraged everyone to
and staff
“Believe in yourself and believe in your students.”
Board of Education President, Michael Catalanotto, a graduate of the Smithtown Central School District, told the crowd, “You have a special gift, a gift to really impact and change lives…this board of education appreciates that.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Smithtown CSD technology integration specialist, Tim Needles, who discussed the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence.
Needles urged the educators to value the connection they have with their students and “be mindful of the impact you have as an educator.”
Eastport-South Manor CSD Welcomes New Teachers
Eastport-South
ByStefanMychajliw
Eastport-South Manor
Central School District
welcomed new teachers during a summer orientation, held at thedistrict’s central office.
After a welcome from Superintendent of Schools
Joseph A. Steimel, district's administrators discussed elementary and secondary curriculum and instruction, positive behavior interventions and supports, and took time to set up their classrooms. The orientation culminated with a school bus tour of the district.
The district welcomes:
Haka Asllani – English as a new language – Eastport Elementary School
Christopher Battista – FLES –
Dayton Avenue School
Amity Baum-Tuccillo –physics – Jr.-Sr. High School
Katherine Dodenhoff – special education social studies – Jr.-Sr. High School
Holly Fazio – music/orchestra – Eastport Elementary School
Taylor Groeger – special education elementary – Tuttle Avenue School
Erich Grosse – social studies –Jr.-Sr. High School
Tina King – elementary –South Street School
Jennifer Kuchenbrod – social studies – Jr.-Sr. High School
Kerri Lacey - English as a new language – Dayton Avenue School
Jill Micheels – English as a
new language – Dayton Avenue School
Victoria Reid – elementary teacher/leave replacement –Tuttle Avenue School
Ryan Richer – physical education leave replacement –Jr.-Sr. High School
Emily Siegel – English language Arts – Jr.-Sr. High School
Lauren Wozny – elementary –Eastport Elementary School
Julia Wynne – special education leave replacement –Dayton Avenue School
Breaking Open the Books at Bayport-Blue Point
ByStefanMychajliw
On September 4th, 2024, the Bayport-Blue Point School District welcomed students back for the new 2024-25 school year.
Hallways were once again filled with students and staff at Academy Street Elementary, Blue Point Elementary, Sylvan Avenue Elementary, James
Wilson Young Middle School, and Bayport-Blue Point High School.
Building staff and administrators greeted students as they entered their buildings, wearing matching white and blue T-shirts with the district’s slogan, “You belong here, we believe in you, anything is possible.”
Smithtown Central School District administrators, faculty
gathered
Superintendent’s Conference Day on Wednesday, September 4.
Smithtown Central School District administrators, faculty and staff gathered for Superintendent’s Conference Day on Wednesday, September 4.
Smithtown Central School District administrators, faculty and staff gathered for Superintendent’s Conference Day on Wednesday, September 4.
Credit: Smithtown Central School District
Credit: Smithtown Central School District
Credit: Smithtown Central School District
Credit: Eastport-South Manor Central School District
Manor Central School District new teachers attended an orientation on Aug. 29 at central office.
Credit: Bayport-Blue Point School District
Credit: Bayport-Blue Point School District Classes resumed September 4th. Classes resumed September 4th.
Back to Class in the Smithtown School District
ESM Students Poised for a Positive and Productive School Year
Eastport-South
with backpacks and extra supplies in tow, disembarked from their buses and cars, ready
to start the 2024-2025 school year.
Excitement resonated at the school entranceways and hallways as students reconnected with peers, found their classrooms and met their teachers.
Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Steimel reported a smooth opening. “I am very confident that the 2024-2025 school year will be a positive and productive year for the ESM school community. I am also excited about the new programs the district has implemented and the
Plenty of Smiles and Enthusiasm in the Center Moriches School District
students across the South Country Central School District started the 2024-2025 school year on September 3rd, 2024.
Credit: SCSD
ByStefanMychajliw Students, administrators, and staff returned to classrooms across the Smithtown Central School District on Thursday, September 6th, 2024.
Credit: Smithtown School District
ByStefanMychajliw
Manor Central School District students,
construction projects that have been completed, which will positively benefit and strengthen our programs.”
Credit: Eastport-South Manor Central School District
Credit: Eastport-South Manor Central School District
First Day of Class Within the ESM School District
First Day of Class Within the ESM School District
ByStefanMychajliw Center Moriches students kicked off the new school year on September 3rd, 2024. The students were greeted warmly by faculty and staff at Clayton Huey Elementary, Center Moriches Middle School, and Center Moriches High School as they found their classroom, became reacquainted with peers, and were introduced to new friends.
Credit: CMSD
First day of classes was September 3rd, 2024.
Suffolk County Community College Completes Innovative Summer Camps on Wind Energy
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County Community College has announced the successful completion of its recent Summer High School Offshore Wind Turbines course, aimed at introducing high school students to the growing field of wind energy. The college conducted two separate summer sessions, providing a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience.
The first camp was exclusively for participants from the South Huntington School District. The second camp included students from both the South Huntington School District and the New York State STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) grant program.
This initiative is funded by a grant from the Offshore Wind Training Institute, administered by SUNY Farmingdale and Stony Brook University. The grant is titled “Strengthening the Wind Energy Education Pipeline (SWEEP).”
The offshore wind turbines course is part of Suffolk County Community College’s broader efforts to prepare students for
Credit: sunysuffolk.edu
careers in renewable energy. This funding also allowed the college to expand its welding and composites training programs. Students have completed both courses successfully, with most passing the American Welding Society (AWS) certification exam.
As part of their training, all students in these programs participated in career exploration workshops featuring guest speakers from organizations such as the National Offshore Wind Training Center, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and Community Offshore Wind. These workshops provided valuable industry insights and potential career paths. Several students have already interviewed with labor unions for pre-apprenticeship opportunities.
Additional cohorts will participate in these programs throughout 2024 and 2025. A 60hour composites course leading to national certification by CertTEC is scheduled for Spring 2025. The college has also developed offshore wind career exploration modules in
collaboration with the Institute for Workforce Advancement to engage underrepresented populations and post-high school students.
To date, three workshops have been held, with twelve more planned throughout the remainder of this grant project. Portable simulations will be used at career fairs, libraries, and community venues to enhance engagement.
About Suffolk County Community College:
Research/Work reported in this press release was supported by SUNY System Administration under SUNY Offshore Wind Training Institute.
STEP is funded by New York State Education Department Project #0516-24-0041 Office of Access Equity & Community Engagement Services & Office of Postsecondary Access Support & Success.
Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling approximately 21,000 students across its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead. It offers Associate degrees in Arts (A.A.), Science (A.S.), Applied Science (A.A.S.), as well as various certificate programs. Known for affordable tuition rates, a respected Honors program, workforce training initiatives, extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer options—Suffolk remains a top choice for Long Island students.
Suffolk County Community College Announces Annual Faculty Art Exhibition
BySouthShorePressStaff
The Sagtikos Art Gallery, located in the Sagtikos Arts and Science Building, Room 150 on the Michael J. Grant Campus of Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, will host the Annual Faculty Art Exhibition from September 16 through October 4, 2024.
This exhibition showcases the achievements of Suffolk County Community College’s faculty. It will commence with an opening reception on Monday, September 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., where light refreshments will be served. The gallery hours are Monday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and admission is free. For additional information, interested parties can call (631) 8516380.
Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college within the State University of New York (SUNY) system,
Credit: sunysuffolk.edu/news
William Donovan; “Five Point Here”; 2024; oil on panel; 24 x 20 inches is a sample of the work that will be on display at Suffolk County Community College’s Annual Faculty Art Exhibition on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood from September 16 through October 4, 2024.
enrolling approximately 21,000 students across its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead. The college offers Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, along with various certificate programs. Known for its affordable tuition, respected Honors program,
workforce training programs, extensive extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer programs, Suffolk is a popular choice for Long Island students.
For more information about Suffolk County Community College, visit sunysuffolk.edu.
Suffolk County Student Receives Prestigious Coca-Cola Scholarship
BySouthShorePressStaff
Freda Asiedu, a student at Suffolk County Community College from Brentwood, NY, is among the 210 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program supports new PTK members by helping to defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are selected based on their scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Out of nearly 1,500 applications received, Freda Asiedu has been distinguished as a recipient.
A total of $210,000 will be awarded through this year's Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program, with the Coca-Cola
Scholars Foundation providing $200,000 in funding. An additional $25,000 is allocated for veterans or active members of the United States military, and the remaining funds come from donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, which also supports Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships for international students.
Ms. Asiedu moved from Ghana to the United States in 2022. She is a Liberal Arts General Studies major and an Honors Program student at the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood. She plans to pursue a career in nursing and currently serves as the campus PTK president. In her first semester in this role, she successfully inducted new members into the chapter and led a team through the initial stages of the Honors in Action research project. The team is focusing their study on "The Power of Stories" and
Credit: sunysuffolk.edu
Freda Asiedu has been honored as a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar
aims to apply for a grant for their research project in the fall semester. In addition to her contributions to PTK, Ms. Asiedu remains dedicated to her academic pursuits. During the fall 2023 semester,
she undertook an honors biology course as an independent study, working closely with her professor on a paper titled “The Spatial Abundance of Mollusks Species Through the Tidal Profile at Sunken Meadow State Park Beach.”
She presented her findings at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference and at the campus STEM Day event.
“We are incredibly proud of Freda for receiving this prestigious honor,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “Her dedication to leadership, academic excellence, and community service truly reflects the core values we at Suffolk uphold. Her accomplishments highlight the exceptional quality of our students and the positive impact they have on both our college and the wider community.”
About Phi Theta Kappa:
Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society recognizing academic achievement among students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The Society includes more than 4.3 million members across nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries with approximately 240,000 active members nationwide.
About Suffolk County Community College:
Suffolk County Community College is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and enrolls around 21,000 students across its three campuses located in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead. It offers Associate degrees (A.A., A.S., A.A.S.), along with various certificate programs.
Suffolk County Community College recently completed its Summer High School Offshore Wind Turbines course, designed to introduce high school students to the burgeoning field of wind energy.
ByBethSquire
Sixty years ago, a grassroots movement worked to preserve Fire Island, one of New York’s most treasured natural landscapes. Today, the movement’s legacy lives on as Stony Brook University Libraries has received a historic donation chronicling the battle that led to the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), a United States National Seashore that protects a 26-mile section of Fire Island.
This collection, gifted by the Barbash family, tells the story of the Citizens’ Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, a group of passionate community activists who stopped a highway from being built through Fire Island and secured its future as a national park.
The timing of this donation coincides with the 60th anniversary of the legislation that established FINS as a unit of the National Park Service on September 11, 1964. The collection includes committee meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with influential
Stony Brook Receives Historic Collection Documenting Fight for Fire Island Preservation
political figures, such as New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall.
“We’re thrilled to bring the papers of the Citizens’ Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore into our collection,” said Jamie Saragossi, associate dean of content services at Stony Brook University Libraries. “As we mark the 60th anniversary of FINS, it’s crucial that we preserve and share these documents, which capture the passion and perseverance that protected Fire Island’s natural beauty for generations to come.”
These historic items will be housed in the University Libraries’ Special Collections, where they will join a curated selection of rare books, maps, and archival materials. To ensure that this history reaches a wide audience, the collection will be digitized and made freely available online.
“The papers are more than just documents — they’re a testament to the power of community action,” said Kristen J. Nyitray, director of
special collections and university archives at Stony Brook. “They capture the voices and visions of those who dared to challenge the status quo and protect Long Island’s natural environment. We’re honored to add this collection to our archives where it will inspire and educate future generations.”
Formed in 1962, the Citizens’ Committee group of 14 volunteer citizens — led by Maurice Barbash, a homebuilder and environmental activist; and Irving Like, an
environmental lawyer — worked to promote creating the National Seashore. Their efforts culminated in President Lyndon B. Johnson signing legislation formally establishing FINS safeguarding Fire Island from constructing a highway.
Cathy Barbash reflected on her family’s decision to donate their collection: “We’re honored that Stony Brook University has accepted these papers. They document strategic organized actions by dedicated citizens who
came together for common good. This collection also offers valuable insights into mid-century America’s political maneuvering shaping campaign success.”
In addition to committee papers, digital files from “Protecting Ribbon Sand: Creation Fire Island National Seashore” exhibition curated Susan Cathy Barbash FINS’ 50th anniversary included.
When asked why family chose Stony Brook University, Cathy Barbash stated: “Stony Brook Fire Island National Seashore integral Suffolk County fitting materials preserved close history made Plus Irving Like's papers already housed Stony Brook special collections made sense keep related collections together ease research.”
Susan Barbash added: “Fight against Robert Moses plan build highway down Fire Island epic battle While children during time memories father role struggle vivid This collection ensures story hardfought victory preserved future generations.”
Stony Brook University Launches Expanded Artificial Intelligence Innovation Institute
BySouthShorePressStaff
Stony Brook University is launching the AI Innovation Institute (AI3), an expansion of its Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation, established in 2018. The new institute will report directly to the provost and aims to enhance the university's leadership in AI research and application.
Provost and Executive Vice President Carl Lejuez announced the launch on September 5 via email to the university community. Last spring, over 30 faculty, staff, and administrators were led by the Office of the Provost to explore how to expand Stony Brook’s strengths in AI research. The recommendation was to establish AI3, aligning with recent investments by New York State and SUNY through initiatives like Empire AI, SUNY STRIVE for AI, and the SUNY IBM Alliance.
“As a university-wide enterprise, the AI Innovation Institute (AI3) is intended to accelerate, coordinate and organize AI innovation and education across Stony Brook,” Lejuez stated. “The institute will serve to empower the entire university community and beyond, catalyzing core AI research, curriculum innovation, and societal change in the everevolving landscape of knowledge work.”
A national search will be conducted to find the inaugural director of AI3. The search will be co-chaired by Steve Skiena,
distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Institute for AIdriven Discovery and Innovation, along with Robert Harrison, professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and director of the Institute for Advanced Computational Science (IACS). The committee includes members from diverse departments across Stony Brook as well as a representative from Brookhaven National Laboratory. National search firm Opus Partners will support this process.
Skiena will also serve as interim director until a permanent leader is appointed. “As interim director, Dr. Skiena will focus on efforts that will establish a basic framework for the institute’s operations so the inaugural director will be able to begin immediately with implementing vision and strategy to elevate the institute,” Lejuez explained. Skiena's initial tasks include hiring staff support for AI3
and overseeing internal funding for projects developed by faculty/ staff teams.
An upcoming announcement will detail an AI Seed Grant opportunity designed to support collaborative projects across three tracks: Collaboratory Research in AI, Technical Support for
Discipline-Centric Research, and Seed Grants for AI Education and Service. This grant aims to fund innovative projects integrating AI into research and education.
Additionally, an AI Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the New
Computer Science Room 120 and via Zoom. Led by Skiena, this event will cover major campus AI initiatives, including details about the new Seed Grant program and Stony Brook’s involvement in New York State’s Empire AI program. The session will allow time for questions regarding Stony Brook's future in AI.
Stony Brook University Hosts Fourth Annual Community Service Day
BySouthShorePressStaff
On August 24, nearly 350 incoming first-year and transfer students participated in Stony Brook University’s fourth annual Community Service Day. This event, organized by the Career Center and the Center for Service Learning and Community Service, is part of Welcome Week and aims to help students connect while contributing to both the university and its surrounding community.
Stony Brook Interim President Richard McCormick addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of engagement and service. “The best scholars are engaged, empathetic, and eager to repay their debts to those who nurture them,” he said. “By stepping up to serve right at the beginning of your time at Stony Brook, you’re already carving out your place in our large and diverse academic community. As a public
university, our mission is not only to teach and conduct research but also to serve. Today, you’re participating actively and directly in that mission.”
Participants took part in 14 different service projects across Stony Brook's three campuses (West, East, and Southampton) as well as in the surrounding community. These projects
were designed to foster a sense of community and encourage a commitment to volunteering.
Beth Squire remarked on the students' dedication: "Stony Brook’s newest Seawolves proved they’re not just here to learn — they’re committed to serving Stony Brook and the local community."
Credit: Stony Brook University
Credit: Stony Brook University Students joined with Alternative Spring Break Outreach to clean up West Meadow Beach. Photo by Rachael Eyler
Credit: Stony Brook University Carl Lejuez
BySouthShorePressStaff
Stony Brook University is hosting its annual “Heat & Heat” fire safety demonstrations this fall. In recognition of Fire Safety Season, Fire and Emergency Services, Campus Residences, and the Auxiliary Services Association are inviting campus community members to witness the power of fire and understand the importance of quick action in emergencies.
“For our campus residents, unattended cooking is one of the main causes of fire alarms in residence halls,” noted Scott Gershowitz, program manager and deputy fire chief. “The Heat & Heat events are important to all community members and demonstrate how quickly a fire can spread and the importance of quick evacuation.”
The “Heat & Heat” events will take place outside campus
Stony Brook University Hosts Annual "Heat & Heat" for Fire Safety Season
communities, showing residents a simulated fire in a mock residence hall and a stovetop cooking demonstration to highlight how rapidly a fire can spread. Attendees will get hands-on experience with fire extinguishers and receive tips on what to do during a fire to act swiftly and safely.
The events are scheduled at 8 p.m. in various communities:
- September 10: Roth/Tabler
- September 18: H, Mendelsohn, Toll
- September 26: Roosevelt
- September 30: West/ Schomburg
- October 22: Chapin
Students who attend an entire event will receive a food truck voucher. Nonresidents or faculty and staff may also attend by emailing Scott Gershowitz at scott.
gershowitz@stonybrook.edu to RSVP.
On October 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Department of Environmental Health & Safety will host the annual Fire Safety Expo on the SAC Plaza with fire safety
tips and giveaways. On October 28, further education on fire prevention will be provided during CommUniversity Day, where the university’s newly branded fire engine will be displayed.
John Gallo, director of fire safety
and fire chief said, “Safeguarding our campus community from fire and life safety hazards through our educational efforts is one of our greatest responsibilities. I am grateful for our continuing partnerships with Student Affairs and ASA that contribute to making our fire prevention programs successful each year. Keeping our students safe is our highest priority.”
“As we recognize Campus Fire Safety month this September, we ask community members to always treat fire alarms as if they were actual emergencies,” said Gershowitz. “Don’t delay your evacuation. If an alarm is ignored, temperatures can quickly exceed 1,000 degrees.”
Community members are encouraged to attend one of Fire & Emergency Services’ safety events this fall to learn preventative actions that can save lives.
Stony Brook Recognized Again for High School Physics Teacher Preparation
BySouthShorePressStaff
For the seventh time in nine years, Stony Brook University has been recognized by the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) as a member of the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) 5+ Club for its work in graduating nine physics teachers in the 2022-2023 academic year.
This achievement was accomplished through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, part of the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Physics and Astronomy, administered by the Institute for STEM Education and the School of Professional Development.
“In this science and technologydriven modern society, early physics education is increasingly important. In recent years, the
Department of Physics and Astronomy has been a national leader in producing well-qualified high school teachers through its MAT program, now directed by Professor Angela Kelly,” said Chang Kee Jung, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “We have received the 5+ Club recognition seven out of the past nine years, and in Academic Year 2022-23, we graduated nine new physics teachers, which is a historic record for our MAT program. As the chair of the department I challenge the program to become a member of the 10+ Club, which is yet to be established. We are very close to achieving this goal and I am very proud of our MAT program.”
“The SBU Department of Physics has a long history of excellence in physics teacher preparation, which grew under the stewardship of Dr. Robert McCarthy for many
years,” said Angela Kelly, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Institute for STEM Education and director of the MAT Program. “We plan on redoubling our recruitment efforts to reach the Chair’s goal of 10 physics teachers per year to serve secondary students
on Long Island and beyond.”
According to APS and AAPT, graduating more than five physics teachers in an academic year places SBU in the 99th percentile among U.S. colleges and universities. With a shortage of qualified physics teachers in the United States, SBU’s
MAT program serves as a driver in addressing this shortage. The MAT program was previously identified as a thriving physics teacher education program in PhysTEC's 2018 study of eight exemplary programs nationwide.
Korean Institute Honors Professor Taejin Kim With James M. Lee Memorial Award
BySouthShorePressStaff
The United States Chapter of the Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers (KIChE) has selected Stony Brook University Professor Taejin Kim as the recipient of the 2024 James M. Lee Memorial Award. Professor Kim, a member of the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will be honored for his exceptional leadership and contributions to chemical engineering.
The James M. Lee Memorial Award commemorates the founding president of the KIChE U.S. chapter by recognizing outstanding Korean and Korean-American scientists in chemical engineering. "We are immensely proud of Professor Taejin Kim for being selected as the recipient of the 2024 James M. Lee Memorial Award," said Dilip Gersappe, chair of the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. "This award is a testament to Professor Kim’s exceptional leadership and
groundbreaking contributions in the field of chemical engineering."
Professor Kim's research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis in environmental and energy fields, exploring catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation. His work aims to advance scientific knowledge with significant real-world applications.
Founded in 2002, the KIChE U.S. chapter promotes interactions
among Korean chemical engineers in the U.S., fostering international collaboration between engineers in both countries. The organization is dedicated to advancing chemical engineering technology.
Kim joined Stony Brook University in 2013 and received the KIChE Service Recognition Award in 2023. He will accept his award and present his research at the 2024 KIChE Annual Meeting in October.
Credit: Stony Brook University
Credit: Stony Brook University
Stony Brook Fire Safety Team Members
Muxi Liu (Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Physics), Dr. Gillian Winters (Lecturer, MAT Program in Physics), and Daniel Treu (MAT Graduate)
Credit: Taejin Kim | Stony Brook University
Pictured (left to right): Amol Pophali, Jinwon Choi, Michal Luchowski, Taejin Kim, Mohammed Sifat, Krishnakumari Pamula, Leah Landron and Hyeonji Park.
BySouthShorePressStaff
Hector Romero Garcia ’26, the URECA researcher of the month for September, is a biochemistry major who joined Christopher Clarke’s Lipid Cancer Laboratory this past summer as a participant in the SUNY SOAR summer program. The Clarke research lab at the Stony Brook Cancer Center investigates alterations in sphingolipid metabolism involved in cancer development, progression, and response to cancer therapies.
From his first day, Garcia became immersed in performing cell culture assays and analysis. He found himself at home in the research laboratory environment and concluded the program by presenting a poster titled “Testing Efficacy of Novel DES1 Inhibitors on Anchorage-Independent Survival of Breast Cancer Cells” at the Summer Research Symposium. Following the summer program, he was invited to continue his research in the Clarke Lab as a new Fall ’24 transfer student to Stony Brook University.
The SOAR program, now in its second year, results from a SUNY Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund award
Biochemistry Major Hector Romero Garcia Recognized for Cancer Research Efforts
Biochemistry Major Hector Romero Garcia
to Stony Brook. It seeks to expand opportunities for undergraduates with financial need and/or firstgeneration college students who may not otherwise have access to research experiences. This summer, SOAR welcomed 33 undergraduates, including 26 SBU and seven non-SBU SUNY students. The 2024 Summer Symposium hosted by URECA and the Center for Inclusive Education featured 105 research posters from students participating in summer undergraduate research programs across campus.
When asked how handson research has enhanced his education, Garcia replied, “When you’re in a classroom, you just focus on getting the right answer or getting a hundred on a test. But once you’re in the lab, that’s when you get to use all the critical thinking skills that you have learned for the past 10 years of your life and you actually get to apply your knowledge.”
Garcia aims to pursue a career in medicine with a possible focus on pediatric oncology. He is a graduate of Bay Shore High School and completed a year at
Wang Center Presents Fall Program Celebrating Asian Culture
BySouthShorePressStaff
The programs offered at the Charles B. Wang Center this fall are designed to provide unique experiences that highlight the beauty of Asian cultural heritage. They will educate and entertain while providing a glimpse into the vibrant traditions and innovative artistry that define Asian cultures.
“I am thrilled to present our upcoming season of cultural programs. This fall, we have curated a diverse array of exhibitions, workshops, films, lectures, and performances that celebrate the richness of Asian traditions and contemporary creativity,” said Jinyoung A. Jin, director of Asian art and culture at the Wang Center.
Upcoming activities this fall include: the serene art of Japanese flower arranging, the intricate craft of bonsai, and enlightening lectures that explore both traditional and modern Asian art and culture. A selection of captivating films and delightful shadow puppet shows also promise to inspire.
Suffolk Community College before matriculating to Stony Brook. Additionally, Garcia volunteers at Bay Shore Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance.
Stony Brook Cancer Center to Host Informational Event on Cancer Care
BySouthShorePressStaff
The Stony Brook Cancer Center will host the "Cancer Wise Café," a day dedicated to education and empowerment, on Saturday, September 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Charles B. Wang Center.
The program will feature presentations by Cancer Center experts discussing the latest advances in screening, prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment
of various types of cancer. Attendees will also learn about clinical trials and how research positively impacts all aspects of cancer care.
A free lunch will be provided, along with educational displays and resource tables from community organizations. Registration is available online at the Cancer Center website. For any inquiries, email COE@ stonybrookmedicine.edu.
An extraordinary talent featured this season is Indonesian artist Mulyana, whose work will be showcased in the Skylight Gallery. The opening reception for “Yarnscapes: Mulyana’s Environmental Tapestries” will be held on Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m., with his stunning works on display through December 10. His imaginative creations highlight the beauty of everyday materials as they invite viewers to see the natural world from a new perspective. Mulyana will also give a lecture titled “Yarn Reimagined: Artistic Crochet Using Excess Yarn” on Wednesday, October 23, at 2 p.m. in Lecture Hall 1.
For more information and a complete listing of fall events, please visit the Wang Center website.
Credit: Stony Brook University
Credit: Stony Brook University
Credit: Stony Brook University
Credit: Stony Brook University Events for Stony Brook Cancer Center
BySouthShorePressStaff
Arie Kaufman, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science, has been honored with the SC24 Test of Time Award (TOTA) for supercomputing for his seminal 2004 paper, “GPU Cluster for High Performance Computing.”
Two decades ago, Kaufman, along with postdoc Suzanne YoakumStover and PhD students Zhe Fan and Feng Qiu, revolutionized highperformance computing (HPC) with their groundbreaking research on GPU clusters. This pioneering work laid the foundation for the extensive use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in clusters and supercomputers today, earning this prestigious accolade.
Arie Kaufman Receives 2024 Test of Time Award
“This distinguished recognition not only honors the exceptional quality and lasting impact of our research but also reflects the dedication and innovation of our faculty,” said Samir Das, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science. “It highlights the innovative and influential work that continues to shape the future of computing and underscores our department’s commitment to advancing the field of computer science. Congratulations to everyone involved for this remarkable achievement and for setting such a high standard in our field.”
Kaufman — who is also chief scientist at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) — and his
students previously advocated for leveraging a single GPU — originally designed for graphics rendering — for general computations; their 2004 paper was the first to explore and validate the potential of GPU clusters for large-scale, high-performance computations. Today, GPUs are integral to clusters and supercomputers, driving advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).
“This TOTA award represents a major recognition for the powerhouse of the Center for Visual Computing (CVC) in developing visionary and disruptive technologies,” said Kaufman, who has directed CVC for nearly three decades and led the SC04 paper research. “The paper is one of my two most cited papers and was a
Christopher Bishop Receives Senior Berwick Prize From London Mathematical Society
Credit:Credit: Stony Brook University
John Griffin
BySouthShorePressStaff
State University of New York Distinguished Professor Christopher Bishop has been awarded the 2024 Senior Berwick Prize by the London Mathematical Society (LMS).
Bishop, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Mathematics, received the prize for his papers “Models for the Eremenko–Lyubich Class,” published in the Journal of the London Mathematical Society in 2015, and “Models for the Speiser Class,” published in the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society in 2017. LMS announced its 2024 prize winners at the end of June.
The Berwick Prize and Senior Berwick Prize are awarded by LMS in alternating years to honor William Edward Hodgson Berwick. The prizes recognize “an outstanding piece of mathematical research…published by the Society” within eight years before the award year.
“I was gratified and delighted to hear that I had been awarded the Senior Berwick prize by the London Mathematical Society,” Bishop said. “This is a highly regarded award and the list of previous winners includes numerous mathematical luminaries, so to be included among such names is a tremendous honor that was quite unexpected, but
much appreciated.”
“Professor Bishop’s groundbreaking work creating the technique of conformal folding and applying it to open questions in transcendental dynamical systems is an important milestone, opening new methods of investigation in this branch of mathematics,” said Scott Sutherland, professor and chair in the Department of Mathematics. “It is a great pleasure to see the London Mathematical Society acknowledge its importance with this welldeserved prize.”
Bishop is recognized internationally as an expert in complex analysis, hyperbolic geometry, and computational geometry. His work has been described as "breakthrough" and "revolutionary." Over his threedecade career, he has addressed significant problems, developed new concepts, and advanced mathematics.
With more than 90 publications to his name, including works in top journals like Annals of Mathematics, Inventiones Mathematicae, and Acta Mathematica, Bishop's contributions have been substantial. He has consistently received support from U.S. National Science Foundation grants for over 30 years. Among his accolades are a Sloan Fellowship; an invitation to speak at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 2018, becoming a Fellow of the American
Mathematics Society in 2019, and being named a Simons Fellow in Mathematics.
In its official citation for Bishop's award, LMS stated: “The papers constitute a breakthrough in understanding two fundamental classes of transcendental entire
SCIENCE
functions: The Speiser class S...and [the] Eremenko–Lyubich class B.”
The citation added that Bishop’s work provides a "black box" standard now extensively used by other researchers.
Founded in 1865, LMS is one of the oldest mathematical societies globally and served as a model for other organizations, like the American Mathematical Society. It remains pivotal for advancing mathematics both within Britain and internationally through its prestigious publications.
New Catalyst Approach Boosts Efficiency in CO2 Reduction
BySouthShorePressStaff
One of the most promising strategies being investigated to mitigate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) is the process of electrochemical reduction. In this approach, electrical energy is used to convert recaptured CO2 into usable products and fuels, such as methanol and ethanol. However, a challenge has been finding a catalyst that is efficient and fast enough for practical use.
Motivated by this goal, a group of researchers led by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified an approach that can improve the speed of catalysis by a factor of 800. The work, a collaboration between Brookhaven, Yale University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is published in the August 27, 2024, online edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. It was supported as part of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE), an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the DOE Office of Science. Brookhaven Lab is one of the CHASE partner institutions.
“There are many materials that are able to catalyze carbon dioxide reduction, but you often need to apply a large amount of energy to the system, which is an economic constraint against large-scale
deployment,” said Brookhaven chemist Gerald Manbeck, one of the scientists involved in the work.
“The catalyst we studied requires far less energy and displays excellent performance. It may inspire the design of better future catalysts.”
Manbeck and his research group — which included Brookhaven chemists Laura Rotundo, Shahbaz Ahmad (now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester in the U.K.), Chiara Cappuccino, David Grills, and Mehmed Ertem — started with an existing catalyst based on rhenium.
A rhenium atom forms the catalytic center supported by organic fragments composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen.
The group created three new versions by strategically “decorating” it with positively charged molecules or cations at varying distances from the rhenium metal center.
The group found that this spacing significantly impacts effectiveness.
At a key distance, catalytic activity increased by about 800 times without requiring much additional electrical energy. Computational chemistry revealed that cations stabilize later parts of the reaction and unlock a low-energy pathway not typically observed for rheniumbased molecular catalysts. This discovery was achieved using computational resources from Brookhaven’s Center for Functional
Nanomaterials and Scientific Data and Computing Center.
“This basic catalytic framework is well known in the research community,” said Rotundo, lead author on the paper. “While there have been many efforts to tailor its catalytic properties, our findings highlight substantial rate increases through subtle geometric changes in its organic scaffold.”
Researchers used several methods, including cyclic voltammetry—an electrochemical technique measuring energy characteristics—and infrared spectroelectrochemistry providing structural change information during reactions. To execute these techniques effectively, they utilized novel apparatus developed by some team members described in last year’s publication.
Future plans involve integrating light absorbers based on semiconductors, like silicon into their catalytic system to see if they can partially drive reactions with captured light energy reducing direct electrical needs aligning with CHASE's mission: developing photoelectrodes capturing sunlight converting CO2/water into liquid fuels.
Other collaborating researchers include Adam Pearce, Hannah Nedzbala, James Mayer (Yale University); Samuel Bottum, James Cahoon (UNC Chapel Hill).
result of a decade of passion for GPUs.”
Read the complete story on the Department of Computer Science website.
Credit: sc24.supercomputing.org/ Test of Time Award
BySouthShorePressStaff
Steve Farrell, a research associate at the Inner-Shell Spectroscopy (ISS) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), has been selected as one of 2024’s Distinguished Goldhaber Fellows. These prestigious threeyear fellowships are awarded to exceptional candidates who have demonstrated their expertise and talent as well as their drive to pursue independent research. At the end of their appointment, fellows are encouraged to apply for scientific staff positions at the Laboratory. Farrell aims to focus on projects related to clean, affordable energy leveraging his background in chemistry and materials science.
“I came in the door with a lot of ideas, and the mentors and collaborators I worked with here at Brookhaven helped me streamline and craft them into a good, cohesive project built around so many of my hopes and dreams,” Farrell said. “I work on a lot of cool projects here, but I was able to better tune my vision to what could be helpful in the long run: humanity-centered projects in the scope of DOE’s mission—like affordable energy
Brookhaven Scientist Awarded Goldhaber Fellowship for Clean Energy Research
security—and clean energy.”
Farrell specializes in catalysis, which involves altering a chemical reaction's speed using a substance that is not consumed in the process. He is particularly interested in net-zero-carbon approaches, such as reusing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide or methane for critical chemical processes requiring catalysis.
“I’m focused on the materials aspect of catalysis and getting a better understanding of how catalysts work,” said Farrell.
“For centuries, people have used catalysis to produce chemicals and often had no idea how the process worked... We want to understand how these catalysts work at the atomic level... Now, we’re seeing that we can achieve a lot of these reactions at much lower temperatures.”
Farrell’s Goldhaber Distinguished Fellowship research proposal focuses on "developing vital carbon-neutral pathways to clean energy via the conversion of natural gas to value-added chemicals." His
work will utilize Brookhaven Lab’s Chemistry Division resources and synchrotron X-ray techniques at NSLS-II. New high-pressure catalysis tools available only at ISS beamline allow real-time observation of high-pressure reactions.
Performing impactful research has honed Farrell's skills as a scientific communicator. Explaining his work clearly is something he practices with friends and family who are interested in clean energy science.
“I have friends and family who are really excited about the latest in clean energy science... A big step in learning to communicate specialized research...is to have them repeat what you’ve said back to you,” said Farrell.
As a native New Yorker familiar with Brookhaven Lab since childhood, Farrell's interest in science was sparked by an elementary school field trip. His passion for engineering led him from Drexel University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering back to New York University for his doctorate in materials chemistry.
“The team at ISS, led by Eli Stavitski, has been great... They let me know what is practical and possible... The Chemistry Division at Brookhaven Lab has also been instrumental... It has been an amazing opportunity,” Farrell said.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office is dedicated to addressing some pressing challenges through basic research in physical sciences.
DOE Announces RENEW Initiative Support for Five Pathway Summer Schools
BySouthShorePressStaff
As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative, Brookhaven Lab and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility will collaborate on an immersive summer school designed to provide college freshmen and recent high school graduates with working knowledge and skills for “big data” and artificial intelligence/ machine learning.
The summer school will utilize a hybrid model, reflecting how modern-day science is performed, while leveraging the unique strengths and capabilities of each lab. Big data applications will include those developed for the future Electron-Ion Collider — a collaborative project between the two laboratories — and additional laboratoryspecific topics.
A total of 165 students will spend next summer learning, networking, and conducting scientific research at seven of the nation’s national laboratories via funding from the Department
of Energy’s (DOE) Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative.
All of the students are in high school, are recent high school graduates, or early undergraduate students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They will be participating in the RENEW Pathways Summer School (PSS) program. The PSS program, sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) at the Office of Science, works to diversify the STEM talent pool via hands-on learning opportunities and inclusive mentorship at DOE national laboratories and user facilities.
“A diverse workforce now and into the future is absolutely essential if we are going to solve the huge scientific challenges we are facing,” said Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the DOE Office of Science. “These pathway summer schools are a wonderful and innovative way to bring talented young individuals into our nation’s scientific powerhouses, our
national laboratories. The goal is that they will see the many different opportunities available and avenues to pursue a career in science.”
In particular, new awards will go to the following labs:
- Argonne National Laboratory: A Taste of Technical Roles: A Community College Pathway Summer School
- Brookhaven National Laboratory and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility: Big Data Science and Applications Summer School at Brookhaven and Jefferson Labs
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship
- Los Alamos National
Laboratory: BEAM: Bridging Education in Optics and Applied STEM
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory: NRELSLAC Pathway Summer School: Exploring Chemistry, Transforming Communities
Credit: bnl.gov
Credit: bnl.gov/
Conquering Cleaner Catalysis
BySouthShorePressStaff
Brookhaven National Lab Announces Winners of 2024 Joanna Fowler Award
The Chemistry Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and Brookhaven Women in Science (BWIS) have announced Paris Watson of Johns Hopkins University, Michele Myong of Brookhaven Lab, and Edelmy Marin Bernardez of Stony Brook University as the recipients of the 2024 Joanna Fowler Award in the Chemical and Biochemical Sciences. Each recipient will receive an award of $3,500, funded by BWIS and Brookhaven Lab’s Chemistry Division, Energy & Photon Sciences Directorate, and Human Resources.
The Joanna Fowler Award recognizes outstanding earlycareer women scientists who have advanced chemical or biochemical sciences through research conducted at or in collaboration with Brookhaven Lab. The award annually honors one or more young women scientists for work conducted during their graduate studies or postdoctoral research involving collaboration with Brookhaven scientists.
Joanna S. Fowler was
a prominent member of Brookhaven Lab’s Chemistry, Medical, and Biology Departments from 1969 to 2014. She led the Radiotracer Chemistry, Instrumentation, and Biological Imaging Program and was instrumental in developing radiotracers for biomedical imaging. Her work included pioneering noninvasive brain imaging techniques to study addiction mechanisms and developing fluorine-18-labeled 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) for positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Paris Watson is a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Victoria University of Wellington and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. Watson has extensive experience using macromolecular crystallography beamlines at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). During her Ph.D., she focused on studying protein-inhibitor complexes to understand histone deacetylase 6 inhibition.
Watson is dedicated to
mentorship and served as president of Women+ in Chemistry during her Ph.D., where she also chaired the biannual Women in STEM at Penn Symposium. She has mentored undergraduate students and participated in outreach programs for younger students.
Michele Myong is a postdoctoral researcher at Brookhaven Lab's Electron- and Photo-Induced Processes group within the Chemistry Division. She earned her B.A. in chemistry from Columbia University and her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Northwestern University. Myong's research involves studying solar energy conversion using picosecond pulse radiolysis to improve organic photovoltaics.
Myong mentors students through programs, such as Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) and Project SHORT, advocating for mental health resources for women in graduate school.
Edelmy Marin Bernardez is a chemistry Ph.D. candidate at Stony Brook University (SBU), co-advised by Esther Takeuchi,
Kenneth Takeuchi, and Amy Marschilok. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on advancing energy storage devices through collaborations with institutions, including Brookhaven Lab.
Marin Bernardez has received several fellowships, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship since 2022 and the Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship since 2020. She mentors participants in SBU's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.
The Chemistry Division and BWIS expressed gratitude
to the Fowler Award Review Committee members from Brookhaven Lab: Angela Kim (NASA Space Radiation Laboratory), Aleida Perez (Office of Educational Programs), Elspeth McSweeney (Energy & Photon Sciences), Esther Tsai (Center for Functional Nanomaterials), Ira Waluyo (NSLS-II), Jantana Blanford (Biology Department), Ping Liu (Chemistry Division), and Rebecca Trojanowski (Interdisciplinary Science Department).
BWIS supports women's advancement in science through funding from Brookhaven Science Associates.
Credit:
Paris Watson, Michele Myong, and Edelmy Marin Bernardez
Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Grand Larceny Involving Mother's Pension
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County District Attorney
Raymond A. Tierney and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that Moses K. Johnson, 63, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for stealing more than $56,000 of his mother’s public pension payments following her death in April 2021.
“The defendant’s actions were not only illegal but morally reprehensible, stealing from his own deceased mother’s pension funds,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This case highlights the importance of our ongoing collaboration with the State Comptroller’s Office in rooting out
fraud and abuse. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of our pension systems and bring those who attempt to defraud them to justice.”
“Mr. Johnson callously exploited his mother’s death to line his own pockets,” said State Comptroller DiNapoli. “I thank Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney for his partnership in bringing him to justice. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies across the state and country to protect the New York State pension system from fraud.”
Moses’ arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney and the Office of the New York State
Comptroller.
According to court documents and Johnson’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, after
Johnson’s mother died on April 16, 2021, he failed to notify the bank or the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) of her death and instead continued to collect and spend her pension payments.
Between April 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, Johnson collected a total of 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411. The stolen funds were traced from Johnson’s mother’s bank account into his bank account, from which he then spent the money.
Johnson previously worked for the Town of Huntington for over 30 years and worked in the recycling center until his retirement in 2017.
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Kerri Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, has been indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges. The indictment follows a multivehicle crash allegedly caused by Bedrick while impaired by methamphetamine, resulting in the death of her nine-year-old son.
“The charges returned by the grand jury reflect the severe nature of the alleged offenses. The loss of life in this incident, particularly that of a young child, is heartbreaking,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We are committed to seeking justice not only for the child but also for those whose lives were affected and disrupted by this heinous act.”
According to court documents and the investigation, on August 22, 2024, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a Suffolk County deputy sheriff observed Bedrick driving westbound at high speed in a 2022
On October 11, 2023, Johnson was arrested by investigators from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
On September 3, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Justice Pilewski ordered Moses to pay restitution amounting to $56,411. He is due back in court on December 10, 2024.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amanda Scheier of the Public Corruption Bureau.
As a member of the state retirement system, Johnson was aware of the pension process and knew his mother’s payments should have been terminated with her death.
Former Facility Manager Sentenced for Stealing from Autistic Residents
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County District Attorney
Raymond A. Tierney announced that Desiree Etheridge, 50, the former facility manager at Eden II in Saint James, has been sentenced to one to three years in prison.
Etheridge pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree for stealing funds from the ATM cards of six residents with autism spectrum disorder.
“This defendant exploited her position in order to steal money from residents’ bank accounts, leaving them financially devastated,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Prison is appropriate for
any such calculated abuse of power against some of our most vulnerable members of the community.”
Court documents and Etheridge’s admissions during her guilty plea allocution revealed that from November 2018 to June 2021, she stole funds while working as a residential manager at Eden II.
Etheridge had control and access to the six residents’ bank accounts and debit cards, withdrawing money intended for their petty cash envelopes. The thefts intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic when Etheridge depleted the residents’ bank accounts.
Etheridge was arrested on
August 12, 2022, after voluntarily surrendering to law enforcement. She pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.
On August 29, 2024, Justice Horowitz sentenced Etheridge to one to three years in prison. She was represented by Jason Russo, Esq. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Milito of the Financial Crimes Bureau and investigated by Detective James Castaldo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad.
Murder After Wrong-Way Crash Kills Her
Mitsubishi Eclipse on the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway.
The deputy sheriff made a U-turn and attempted to stop Bedrick’s car as she continued driving toward oncoming traffic. Despite his efforts, Bedrick allegedly accelerated
around his vehicle. The deputy followed her at a safe distance for over five miles as she reportedly reached speeds of about 100 miles per hour. Multiple vehicles had to swerve to avoid collisions with her car.
Shortly afterward, just east of Exit 42N, Bedrick struck multiple vehicles before colliding head-on with a Mercedes GLS SUV. The impact caused significant damage to both cars and scattered debris across the roadway.
When law enforcement approached Bedrick’s vehicle, they found an unconscious nine-yearold child in the backseat who was later pronounced deceased at South Shore Hospital despite lifesaving efforts. Two other motorists involved sustained non-lifethreatening injuries.
Multiple pills were recovered from Bedrick's vehicle in an unmarked prescription bottle. She was taken to the hospital where it was determined she was impaired by drugs and subsequently arrested. Her driving history revealed 56 suspensions on eight separate dates.
On September 4, 2024, Bedrick was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz on several charges
including:
- Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
- One count each of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree
- Various counts including Assault in multiple degrees and Reckless Endangerment
Justice Horowitz ordered that Bedrick be remanded without bail and suspended her license during case proceedings.
Bedrick is scheduled to return to court on October 22, 2024. If convicted on top charges, she faces up to 25 years to life imprisonment. She is represented by Scott Zerner, Esq.
Assistant District Attorney James McCormack from the Vehicular Crime Bureau is prosecuting this case with Investigator Kevin Doyle from New York State Police conducting investigations.
Credit: Suffolk County DA Office
Credit: Bedrick | Facebook
Moses K. Johnson
Desiree Etheridge
Kerri Bedrick and her son
Credit: Suffolk County DA Office
Former President Pleads Guilty to Stealing $70K from Dix Hills Soccer Club
BySouthShorePressStaff
Matthew Dickson, 44, of Dix Hills and the former vice president and president of the Dix Hills Soccer Club, pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny for embezzling over $70,000 from the club in 2022. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney made the announcement on September 6, 2024.
“This defendant executed a scheme to line his own pockets with funds that were intended to benefit children,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Today’s guilty plea not only holds him accountable for his betrayal of trust but is also an important step towards making his victims feel whole again as my office required the defendant pay back the full amount of money to the soccer club.”
“Justice has been served for the members of our club and community,” said Dix Hills Soccer Club president Martin Targett. “We are pleased our procedures allowed us to identify the wrongdoing, and we are grateful for the professionalism
and collaboration with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.”
According to court documents and Dickson’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, between April and November 2022, Dickson was responsible for paying bills associated with the Dix Hills Soccer Club. During this period, he held positions first as vice president and then as president of the soccer club.
Instead of paying expenses, Dickson wrote checks to himself and his corporation from the soccer club’s account without board permission. Further investigation revealed that he collected payments from club members through his personal Venmo account for soccer-related events but never deposited these into the club’s bank account.
Additionally, he failed to reimburse expenses charged on the soccer club’s credit card.
On September 6, 2024, Dickson pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Prior to his plea, prosecutors required Dickson to pay $76,237 in restitution to the
soccer club and write an apology letter to its board of directors.
Additional conditions include serving three years of probation and completing over 400 hours of community service.
St. James Man Indicted for Murder of Ex-Wife and Her Boyfriend
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County District
Attorney Raymond A. Tierney
announced that Daniel Coppola, 50, of St. James, has been indicted on four counts of Murder in the First Degree. Coppola is accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife, Kelly Coppola, 50, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman Jr., 53, at their home in St. James.
"The defendant allegedly drove to his ex-wife’s home and fatally shot his ex-wife and her boyfriend in cold blood," said District Attorney Tierney. "Our office takes all allegations of domestic violence seriously and we are committed to bringing justice to Kelly Coppola, Kenneth Pohlman and their loved ones. While we cannot bring Kenneth and Kelly back, we can hold this defendant responsible for his alleged actions."
According to the investigation, late on August 28, 2024, Coppola sent text messages to an uninvolved witness at a residence on Brasswood Road in St. James to allegedly draw the witness out of the home. When the witness went outside, Coppola allegedly asked where Pohlman's bedroom was located.
Shortly afterward, Coppola left the witness sitting in his 2021 Toyota Tundra vehicle while he walked up to the entrance of the home. Once there, he allegedly fired a black semiautomatic handgun at the keypad and front door before forcibly entering the
residence.
Coppola then allegedly fatally shot Pohlman and Kelly Coppola in the upstairs hallway before fleeing with the uninvolved witness in his vehicle. He took the witness back to his home on Harbor Road in St. James, approximately three miles from the scene. Once back at Coppola's home, the witness observed him place a black handgun on his desk while making suicidal threats. The witness subsequently hid the handgun from Coppola and called 911.
When police officers arrived at Coppola's home, they placed him
into custody for his own safety. The witness directed officers to the hidden, black semiautomatic handgun. Further investigation led Suffolk Police to Brasswood Road where they found visible damage to the front door that had been forced open and discovered both victims deceased from gunshot wounds. Investigators also found one of Coppola's sandals underneath Pohlman's body.
On September 6, 2024, Coppola was arraigned on four counts of Murder in the First Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr.
Brentwood Man Indicted for Fleeing Fatal Crash Involving Motorcyclist
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Manuel Gomez, 46, of Brentwood, has been indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting and other related charges. Gomez is accused of operating a motor vehicle while his driving privileges in New York State were suspended and subsequently leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of Andres Eloy Khammach La Cruz, 31, also from Brentwood.
"The individual charged allegedly was operating a vehicle while their New York State driving privileges were suspended. A 31-year-old motorcyclist lost his life in this tragic event, and we intend to seek
justice for him and his loved ones," said District Attorney Tierney. "As this is an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can provide at this time."
The investigation revealed that on July 29, 2024, at approximately 7:22 p.m., Gomez was allegedly driving a 2008 Ford Explorer southbound on Wicks Road in Brentwood with two passengers inside. As Gomez
attempted to make a left-hand turn from Wicks Road onto Bradley Street, a northbound motorcycle operated by La Cruz collided with the rear of the Ford Explorer.
Following the collision, Gomez reportedly pulled over and he and his passengers exited the vehicle. All three individuals allegedly left the crash location on foot before police arrived and without checking on La Cruz's well-being. La Cruz was later pronounced dead at South Shore University Hospital.
At the time of the crash, Gomez’s privilege to drive in New York was suspended.
On September 3, 2024, Gomez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for the following charges:
- Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony
- Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, an Unclassified misdemeanor
Justice Collins ordered Gomez held on $80,000 cash bail or $160,000 bond or $800,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is set for September 20, 2024. Stephen LaMagna, Esq., represents Gomez. Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau is prosecuting this case with investigative assistance from Detective Valentin Rosado of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
Credit: File Photo
Credit: Coppola Family photos
Daniel Coppola of St. James, accused of killing his ex-wife, Kelly Coppola and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman Jr., in their St. James home on August 28th.
Matthew Dickson
NYC Employee Arrested for Submitting Forged Doctor Notes
BySouthShorePressStaff
Alan Anderson, 55, of Oakdale, an employee of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), was arrested for allegedly possessing and submitting 12 forged doctor notes to his employer in an effort to avoid appearing for work. This arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Department of Investigation.
“Local government has no function more important than helping to safeguard the welfare of children, and my office remains committed to seeing that those working at agencies entrusted with that duty actually carry it out,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “I want to thank the New York City Department of Investigation for their hard work and cooperation in this case.”
“This New York City employee forged doctors’ notes that excused him from working in person at his assigned site in Manhattan, as alleged in the criminal complaint. The charged conduct reflects a lack of integrity that is unacceptable for a city employee,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “I thank the City Administration for Children’s Services for reporting this matter to DOI and the Suffolk
Bay
County District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this case.”
According to the investigation, between February 13, 2024, and May 7, 2024, Anderson allegedly possessed and submitted 12 fraudulent doctor notes to ACS to avoid commuting on his scheduled in-person office dates.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Anderson was scheduled to work at the physical office location on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All dates on which Anderson allegedly submitted doctor notes were either a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.
On August 29, 2024, Anderson was arrested by investigators from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He was then arraigned before District Court Judge Evan Tanenbaum on charges including:
- Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
- Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony;
- Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony; and
- Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
Consumer Sues Pixi, Inc., Cosmetics for Deceptive Claims Regarding Collagen
BySouthShorePressStaff
A recent class action lawsuit has been filed against a prominent cosmetics company, alleging deceptive marketing practices regarding its "Collagen" product line. The complaint, filed by Brian Kelly in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 12, 2024, accuses Pixi, Inc., of misleading consumers by falsely advertising that their products contain collagen.
According to the lawsuit, Pixi, Inc., formulates, manufactures, advertises, and sells various cosmetic products under the guise of containing collagen throughout the United States. These products include items such as "Botanical Collagen & Retinol Serum," "Botanical Collagen LipGloss," and "Botanical Collagen Tonic." However, the plaintiff alleges that these products do not contain actual collagen but instead use an imitation derived from Acacia seyal gum extract—a synthetic
extract from the bark and stems of the Acacia seyal tree.
The plaintiff claims that this misrepresentation is systematically misleading and has caused consumers to believe they are purchasing a sought-after ingredient known for its antiaging benefits. Kelly asserts that he purchased these products multiple times within the applicable statute of limitations, with his most recent purchase occurring in March 2024. He relied on Pixi's representations when choosing their products over others that did not make similar claims.
According to the complaint, “Plaintiff Kelly saw Defendant’s representations prior to and at the time of his purchases and understood them as a representation and warranty that the Products contained the sought-after and beneficial animal protein-based collagen.”
The lawsuit further highlights that genuine collagen is an animal protein found primarily
in connective tissues, such as skin, bones, and cartilage— substances not present in plants.
The plaintiff argues that Pixi's use of Acacia seyal gum extract instead of real collagen represents a significant cost-saving measure for the company while deceiving consumers into paying a premium price.
Kelly is seeking several forms of relief from the court. He requests compensatory damages for himself and all other similarly situated individuals who were misled by Pixi's false advertising. Additionally, he seeks statutory damages, punitive damages, restitution, equitable monetary relief, prejudgment interest on all amounts awarded, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, and costs of suit.
Representing Brian Kelly in this case are attorneys Adrian Gucovschi and Benjamin Rozenshteyn from Gucovschi Rozenshteyn, PLLC. The case has been assigned Civil Action No. 1:24-cv-05635.
Shore Man Sentenced for Stabbing Former Girlfriend
During Argument
BySouthShorePressStaff
Jorge Guevara, 49, of Bay Shore, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. This follows a jury's June conviction for Attempted Assault in the First Degree and other charges related to an incident where he stabbed his former girlfriend in the neck with scissors.
“This case represents a horrific act of domestic violence that will leave lasting scars on all involved. We cannot begin to fathom the terror those children experienced, or the betrayal and pain the victim suffered at the hands of someone who should have been her protector,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “Our community will not stand for such brutality. This office remains steadfast in our commitment to pursuing justice for victims of domestic violence and working to break the cycle of abuse. We hope this outcome aids the family as they begin their journey of healing and recovery.”
The trial revealed that on March 28, 2023, Guevara threatened his girlfriend with a knife during an argument after she returned home from work. Following a struggle over the knife, Guevara grabbed scissors from a nearby desk and repeatedly stabbed her in the neck
and shoulder while three minor children were present.
Guevara prevented both his girlfriend and the children from calling 911 until a neighbor heard their screams and intervened. The neighbor attempted to call police but was initially thwarted by Guevara; she eventually escaped through a bedroom window to make the call. The victim was taken to South Shore University Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery for a deep laceration on her neck.
On June 19, 2024, Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski presided over Guevara’s trial, which resulted in convictions for one count of Attempted Assault
in the First Degree (a Class C violent felony), four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A misdemeanors), and one count of Menacing in the Second Degree (a Class A misdemeanor).
On September 4, 2024, Justice Pilewski sentenced Guevara to his prison term with post-release supervision. He was represented by the Legal Aid Society.
Assistant District Attorneys Tara
Laterza and James Scahill from the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau prosecuted this case, with Detective Robert White from Suffolk County Police Department's Third Precinct Squad leading the investigation.
Uniondale Union Free School District
Accused of Racial Discrimination
BySouthShorePressStaff
A middle school student's mother has filed a lawsuit against a school district, alleging racial discrimination and harassment by a teacher. The complaint was filed by Krystal Moses, on behalf of her daughter J.M., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 26, 2024, naming the Uniondale Union Free School District and several individuals as defendants.
According to the complaint, J.M., an African-American student at Lawrence Road Middle School (LRMS), experienced persistent racially charged comments and hostile behavior from her sixthgrade teacher, Irene Gilbert, during the 2022-2023 school year. The lawsuit details numerous incidents where Ms. Gilbert allegedly made derogatory remarks about
J.M.'s appearance and unfairly singled her out for punishment. According to court documents, in one incident, Ms. Gilbert publicly scolded J.M. for another student's actions and belittled her in front of classmates.
The complaint states that the situation escalated when Ms. Gilbert reportedly told her class that she did not focus on Black History Month because there should be months dedicated to "white history" and "blue history."
This prompted J.M.'s father to meet with school officials on April 18, 2023, to discuss the racially charged environment. Despite assurances from Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil that an investigation would be conducted, no effective action was taken to address the hostile environment.
The plaintiffs claim that
after this meeting, Ms. Gilbert retaliated against J.M., causing further emotional distress and anxiety about attending school. The complaint alleges that the school's administration failed to provide adequate oversight or take necessary steps to prevent such behavior, despite being aware of Ms. Gilbert's history of similar conduct.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and other harms suffered by J.M., punitive damages against individual defendants, attorney's fees, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing the plaintiffs is Gregory Paul Mouton, Jr., Esq., from the Law Office of Gregory P. Mouton, Jr., LLC. The case has been assigned Case ID 24-CV5932.
Credit:
Suffolk County DA Office
Jorge Guevara
New Yorker's Wallets to Get Even Lighter as DoubleDigit Health Insurance Rate Hikes Approved by Hochul
Credit: bestcare.com
Health Insurance premiums on the rise again.
ByDeborahWilliams
New York has some of the highest health insurance rates in the country and they are about to get higher. Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration signed off on the rate increases. According to the State Department of Financial Services, rates will go up 12.7% for individual plans and 8.4% for small group policies.
The increases in any one year are a financial hit on their own, but when you add this year’s rates to previous years’ rate increases, New York’s families are paying much more – more than they can afford. From 2019-2023, rates for individual plans went up 31.4% while small group rates went up 30.6% over the same period.
“Our rates have doubled since last year,” noted Anne Marie Monahan of Center Moriches, who said she is on the state Obamacare plan. “The deductible is $13,000. Once you factor that in, the policies are just way too expensive.”
Ms. Monahan is not alone in thinking the policies are too expensive. In the inflationary economy, the country is in now with food, utility, gas, taxes, and interest rates up higher than ever, an average 6% yearly increase in health insurance premiums is more than average families can withstand. Wages are not keeping up with the higher costs of everyday needs.
Depending on which plan you have, your rates could remain flat or go up as much as 35.6 percent.
Health insurance companies requested even higher increases than were approved. The state says they kept insurer profit margins to 1% in 2025 “in light of ongoing inflationary pressures harming consumers.” State officials attribute the increase to a rise in medical costs, including hospital stays and prescription drugs.
The NY Dept. of Financial Services says, “The rising cost of medical care, including in-patient hospital stays as well as rapid increases in drug prices, continues to be the main driver of health insurance premium increases.”
New York taxes everything, even health insurance, and taxes on health insurance adds more than $1,000 to the cost of coverage for the average family. The New York Health Plan Association, representing health insurance companies, says rising prescription drug costs, including prices on 820 brand-named medications that went up this year are a big driver of increased costs.
“New York’s health care costs are among the highest in the country, and several bills that lawmakers approved this session – including restrictions on plans’ ability to contain prescription drug costs, limitations on cost sharing, and new mandated benefits – will further increase costs for consumers, employers, and labor unions,”
New York Health Plan Association
President and CEO Eric Linzer said in a prepared statement.
In New York, health insurance
companies must submit their rate increase requests to the State Department of Financial Services. The request is reviewed, along with the insurer's underlying calculations to ensure the increase is justified and not judged to be excessive.
Policyholders must be notified and can submit official comments on the rate increase request without their identifying information
being revealed. The Department of Financial Services’ website lists every health insurer in New York State and anyone can review the rate increase application for their insurer.
Energy Summit Takes Nuclear Path
ByRobertChartuk
The answer to New York’s future electrical power needs, according to state officials gathered at a recent Energy Summit: Nuclear.
With state law mandating a switch from fossil fuels to allelectric for everything from home heating to school buses, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is confronting the realization that wind and solar just won’t cut it when it comes to driving the economy and meeting the basic needs of the citizenry. Characterizing nuclear fission as a green energy source, they’re looking to nuclear fission to carry the day.
“About 75 percent of the discussion was nuclear,” said Senator Mario Mattera, who attended the Syracuse summit as a ranking member of the Energy and Communications Committee. “They’re eyeballing it as a way to continue our energy future. But in the meantime, they're pushing allelectric, and we just don't have the infrastructure for it. Forcing us to go that route so quickly will be a complete disaster.”
Discussing the administration’s green energy plans, Hochul’s chief energy operative, Doreen Harris, stated: “The summit also tracks with the recent White House Summit on Domestic Nuclear Deployment held in May that highlighted progress being made across the public and private sectors on how to maintain the use of existing nuclear facilities, deploy new nuclear technologies,
streamline the process for responsibly siting new reactors, and build robust supply chains and workforce.”
According to Harris, the President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), technology options under consideration range from long-duration energy storage technologies to grid-forming inverters and small modular nuclear reactors. She made it clear that the state’s ambitious green energy goals rely on federal dollars and the state “successfully leveraging future funding opportunities to continue our progress.”
The White House agreed, saying in a statement: “Alongside renewable power sources like wind and solar, a new generation of nuclear reactors is now capturing the attention of a wide range of stakeholders for nuclear energy’s ability to produce clean, reliable energy and meet the needs of a fast-growing economy, driven by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and manufacturing boom.”
Long Islanders are naturally gun-shy about nuclear power, having lived through the Shoreham debacle, which cost an estimated $23.5 billion and never produced a single kilowatt for the ratepayers who are still footing the bill decades later.
“Not only will they be incredibly expensive, but where are you going to put the nuclear plants?”
Albany Falls Flat in Plans to Combat Inflation
ByRobertChartuk
The affordability crisis should be near the top of the list for New York’s leadership, yet responsible state spending, the high cost of living, and managing inflation have been ignored. That’s the assessment of the legislature’s Republicans, who are pushing a strategy to give residents a break.
To the chagrin of New York pocketbooks, their “Inflation Relief & Consumer Assistance Plan” has been brushed off by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democrats who control the state Senate and Assembly.
”Affordability has been our calling card, and it will continue
to be a priority until some real progress is made,” Assembly GOP reps said in a statement.
“Since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been in office, the costs for basic goods and services in the U.S. has been unbearable for many families,” the legislators said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices are up nearly 25% compared to 2019. Beverages, cereal, bakery products, meat, eggs, poultry, and fish have all seen increases of 20% or more.
“Inflation is a complicated economic consideration, and while it is not traditionally associated with state-level
policymaking, we worked hard to craft legislation to make it more affordable to live in New York,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “Our plan would immediately suspend state sales tax charges for two years on items like gasoline, personal care products, housekeeping and cleaning supplies as well as some food purchases. Unfortunately, that proposal was rejected by the Assembly Majority Conference and has stalled.”
The plan also includes several bills to help make child care more affordable, costs that have been especially burdensome to families across the state in recent years, and they impact
those least able to afford unexpected increases the most.
The legislation would save the average family more than $2,300 a year in childcare costs and includes calling on the federal government to reinstate the Enhanced Federal Child Tax Credit.
Bills stalled by the Democrats also include measures to:
• Establish a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment.
• Increase the aggregate funds available for the child care tax credit.
• Increase the applicable percentage of the child tax credit
Senator Mattera wondered. “No one in this state will want it,” he said, noting that the Andrew Cuomo administration closed the Indian Point nuclear facility in Westchester. “This is really dysfunctional government at its worst.”
As a more realistic option, Mattera recommended that the state take advantage of its massive supply of natural gas. “It burns clean, we have a lot of it, the plants can be built quickly, and it’s infinitely less expensive than what they’re trying to do,” he said. “Instead of shutting down our existing plants, which would leave us vulnerable to blackouts and brownouts, l propose a carbon capture scrubber on every stack to eliminate emissions.”
Mattera said he discussed carbon capture systems with the state energy officials at the summit, which included NYSERDA Board Chairman Richard Kauffman, Department of Public Service CEO Rory Christian, and Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “They didn’t want to hear it.”
New York currently has four nuclear facilities in operation: The Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in Ontario, the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Scriba, and the Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, also in Scriba. All four of the stations are on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and provide what’s known as “baseload” energy, power that’s available all of the time, unlike solar or wind, which are intermittent sources.
allowed in the Empire State Child Tax Credit to 45%.
• Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit.
“Perhaps the most frustrating part of this equation is the lack of urgency to address cost-ofliving concerns plaguing New Yorkers,” said the Assembly’s GOP leader, Will Barclay. “Many are struggling to make ends meet, and there has been little economic relief to help offset increasing costs. We clearly cannot sustain this level of economic uncertainty, and we hope to see a much greater emphasis on fixing this problem in these critical upcoming months.”
ByDeborahWilliams
Top Hochul Aide Busted: Accused of Being a Chinese Spy
A former aide to Governor Kathy Hochul was arrested and accused of using her access and influence to benefit the Chinese Communist Government and the Communist Party. She enriched herself and her husband with mansions in Long Island and Hawaii, luxury cars, and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Communist government official’s personal chef.
Federal Prosecutors in Brooklyn unsealed a 64-page indictment against Linda Su charging her with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy.
Sun is alleged to have acted on behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and the Chinese Communist Party (the “CCP”). She never registered as a foreign agent with the Attorney General, and according to the indictment “in fact actively concealed that she took actions at the order, request, or direction of PRC government and the CCP representatives.”
Chris Hu, Sun’s husband, was also
charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of means of identification.
“Sun wielded her position of influence among executives to covertly promote PRC and CCP agendas, directly threatening our country’s national security,” said FBI Acting Assistant Director Curtis.
Sun is a former high-level aide to Gov. Hochul. She was hired as Hochul's Deputy Chief of Staff in September 2021. Sun was hired by New York State 14 years ago and has worked in a variety of positions under Cuomo and Hochul.
She also served as Chief of Staff for former Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Queens) and worked on Meng’s successful congressional campaign. She was also campaign manager for Austin Cheng who ran for congress in NY’s third district last year.
Inevitable questions will now arise as to whether the Communist Chinese government is making inroads to infiltrate the highest levels of our government through the United State Congress.
Hochul fired Sun in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct. Hochul’s spokesperson said, "The office immediately reported
Investigation Called to Assess Chinese Spy Damage, Root Out Any Other State Infiltrators
ByRobertChartuk
Stunned by the infiltration of a Chinese spy in the governor’s office, officials from across New York have called for an investigation to assess the damage caused by the spy’s activities and root out any other infiltrators.
"That the Chinese Communist Party infiltrated the highest levels of state government is surreal, completely unacceptable, and deeply unsettling,” said state Senator Jacob Ashby, the ranking member of the committee overseeing homeland security. “I'm urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in calling for a bipartisan commission to find out how this happened, how we can prevent future catastrophic security failures, and assist federal authorities in unmasking any other unregistered operatives of foreign governments to ensure they are
her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process.”
“As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our Office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
New York Government by New
York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar said, “This is no one-day news story: A spy for the Chinese Communist Party has been captured after working for years at some of the highest levels of New York State government. The situation demands an immediate and exhaustive federal and state investigation to determine just how much damage this spy network has done.”
“The story doesn’t begin here. Last year we learned that the Chinese Communist Party was establishing ‘police precincts’ in New York and elsewhere to track and harass antiCommunist Americans, Chinese expatriates, citizens of the democratic Republic of China (ROC) living in the U.S., and others,” Kassar added. “Now we learn that a former Deputy Chief of Staff to two New York State governors was an agent for the Chinese Communist Party the whole time she served. The situation is intolerable.”
Sun is alleged to have used her position and influence within NYS government to block representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level New York State officers as far back as 2016. She also changed high-level New York State officers’ messaging regarding
issues of importance to the PRC and the CCP; attempted to facilitate a trip to the PRC by a high-level New York State politician, and arranged meetings for visiting delegations from the PRC government with New York State government officials.
Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS CI New York said, “Sun and her husband then laundered millions of dollars for the foreign country and used the monetary benefits of this scheme to buy luxury vehicles and million dollars properties here in New York.”
Sun and Hu laundered the monetary proceeds of this scheme to purchase, among other items, real estate property in Manhasset, New York, currently valued at $4.1 million, a condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii, currently valued at $2.1 million, and various luxury automobiles, including a 2024 Ferrari, and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a PRC government official’s personal chef that were delivered to the residence of Sun’s parents.
Sun’s husband, Hu, also laundered unlawful proceeds through bank accounts opened in the name of a close relative but that were actually for Hu’s exclusive use. To open these accounts, Hu unlawfully used an image of the relative’s driver’s license.
This Week’s Man on the Street Topic: The Chinese Spy
ByRobertChartuk
With China making moves across the globe to supplant the U.S. as the world’s superpower,
brought to swift justice.”
Linda Sun, 41, a former deputy chief of staff in the administration of Andrew Cuomo and chief of staff under Gov. Kathy Hochul, was arrested by federal authorities on numerous charges, including conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, visa and wire fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering. She lived a lavish lifestyle in Manhasset with her husband, Chris Hu, 40, who was also charged.
“As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.
infiltration of the government by Communist spies is of growing concern. The South Shore Press Man on the Street asked residents
What is it with the Democrats and Communist spies? You had them working with Senator Feinstein and Congressman Swalwell in California, and now we had one in the governor’s office. This is not a good situation for our country.”
Steve Woronick, Center Moriches
You would think they’d do a better job vetting these people. To have a Chinese spy working in the governor’s office doesn’t make sense.”
Richard Harkin, Center Moriches
what they thought about the Red China spy who was a high-level aide in the administrations of Gov. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo.
With all that’s happening in the world with China, they should be more careful with who they’re hiring. You would expect government employees to be loyal to our country, especially at this high level.”
I wonder who dropped the ball on this. Nobody noticed what was going on? The taxpayers deserve better than this; our country deserves better than this.”
Credit: File Photo Linda Sun
Suzanne Jewell, Manorville
Tim Monahan, Center Moriches
Credit: X
FBI Raids Aide to Governor
BySouthShorePressStaff
City of New York Accused of Fraudulent Medallion Price Inflation Scheme
The City of New York faces serious allegations of fraud and collusion with a new lawsuit accusing it of artificially inflating taxi medallion prices to maximize profits. The complaint was filed by Richard Chipman and other plaintiffs in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 21, 2024.
The plaintiffs, including various taxi companies and individual owners, accuse the City of New York & its Taxi and Limousine
Commission (TLC) of engaging in a scheme to inflate medallion prices through fraudulent means during auctions held between 2013 and 2014. They allege that this misconduct has caused significant financial harm to medallion owners, many of whom are now facing bankruptcy or severe financial distress.
According to the complaint, the fraudulent scheme involved several key components: setting artificially high minimum bid prices for medallions at TLC
auctions, allowing collusive bidding among participants to further drive up prices, manipulating average monthly sales data to present inflated values, concealing an internal report warning about the overvaluation of medallions, and launching misleading advertising campaigns touting medallions as solid investments. The plaintiffs argue that these actions were driven by greed and resulted in substantial revenue for the city while leaving medallion owners financially devastated.
Visually Impaired Plaintiff Sues Hospitality Company Over Website Accessibility Issues
BySouthShorePressStaff
A visually impaired man has filed a class action lawsuit against a prominent hospitality company, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users. Victor Andrews filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 16, 2024, against Grupo Gitano, LLC.
According to the complaint, Andrews, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access digital content, claims that Grupo Gitano's website, Gitano.com, is riddled with accessibility barriers. These barriers prevent him and other visually impaired individuals from independently navigating the site to learn about services, such as luxury dining, event
hosting, beach villas and suites accommodations. The plaintiff argues that this exclusion violates their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and various New York state laws.
The lawsuit details numerous issues encountered by Andrews while attempting to use Gitano. com. These include inaccurate landmark structures, lack of accurate heading hierarchy, ambiguous interactive elements, and an inaccessible navigation menu. For instance, Andrews was unable to complete a reservation process due to these obstacles. "Unless Defendant remedies the numerous access barriers on its website," the complaint states, "Plaintiff and Class members will continue to be unable to independently navigate, browse and use Gitano.com."
Andrews asserts that Grupo Gitano's failure to make its website accessible constitutes discrimination under both federal and state laws. He points out that readily available technologies could easily make websites accessible but alleges that Grupo Gitano has chosen not to implement them. The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring Grupo Gitano to modify its policies and practices so that its website becomes fully accessible. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced similar discrimination.
The case is being handled by Asher Cohen PLLC with Asher Cohen serving as the attorney for the plaintiff. The case ID is 1:24cv-5726.
JPMorgan Chase Bank Sues Construction Company Over Misappropriated Real Estate Funds
BySouthShorePressStaff
In a compelling case of alleged financial misconduct, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. has filed a lawsuit against GDV Builders Corp., Rock the Gasper Equities, LLC, and Gasper D. Vitale. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 15, 2024.
The plaintiff, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), acting as an assignee to Delphine M. Thomas, accuses GDV Builders Corp., Rock the Gasper Equities, LLC, and Gasper D. Vitale (collectively referred to as "Defendants") of wrongfully taking and retaining $682,816.44. According to the
complaint, in January 2022, Thomas initiated a wire transfer from her PNC Bank account intending to deposit these funds into her Fidelity Investments
One significant piece of evidence cited in the complaint is an internal report by TLC policy analyst Gary Roth from 2010. The "Roth Report" warned that medallion prices had become irrationally high compared to their actual value and predicted a potential market collapse. Despite this warning, the city continued its practices without disclosing these
risks to prospective buyers.
Former Councilman Ritchie Torres is quoted in the complaint stating that "the central culprit of the medallion crisis is the Taxi and Limousine Commission," which prioritized revenue generation over regulatory responsibilities. The lawsuit also references findings from New York State Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into similar allegations against the city.
The plaintiffs seek various forms of relief from the court, including compensatory damages for their financial losses, punitive damages to deter future misconduct, and injunctive relief to prevent further fraudulent activities by the defendants.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Jon L. Norinsberg, Cohen & Fitch LLP, and Burns Charest LLP. Case ID 1:24-cv-05839.
Investigation Called to Assess Chinese Spy...
Continued from page 22
“The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our Office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
The federal indictment included a list of efforts Sun made on behalf of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, including blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level state officers; changing the messaging of officials on issues of importance to the PRC and the CCP; obtaining official proclamations for PRC government representatives without proper authorization; attempting to facilitate a trip to the PRC by a high-level politician; and arranging meetings for visiting delegations from the PRC government with state government officials.
According to Senator Ashby, “Everything from hiring practices to security protocols to the governor's administrative chain of command must be examined. This is a critical national security issue, one that our oath of office binds us to treat with urgency and purpose.”
Senator Dean Murray agreed: “We need to find out exactly what happened and how much damage was done,” he said, adding that the investigation should also look at the possibility of other spies in state government. “It’s well known that China is buying up land near power plants, military installations, and farms. To what extent is that happening in New York? Are these strategic moves against our country? We have to find out what’s going on here.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the fourth highest ranking member
of Congress, stated: “Failed Far Left Democrat Kathy Hochul allowed Communist Chinese spy Linda Sun unfettered access to the highest levels of New York State government. From allowing Chinese police stations, to maintaining a sister city partnership between NYC and Beijing, this is another example of New York Democrats facilitating the influence campaign of Communist China. I am calling for a complete investigation into Kathy Hochul and her administration so that hardworking New York taxpayers receive the transparency we deserve.”
“The administration is not doing a good job at all with the vetting process. People are coming into this country, and they have no idea who they are, especially with the illegal migrants,” said Senator Mario Mattera. “They don’t even have a handle on who’s working in the governor’s office.”
“The fact that an individual representing one of the most repressive nations in the world could rise to a high-ranking position in our state’s government should alarm all New Yorkers and serve as a warning to officials from both parties,” state Senator Daniel Stec stressed. “Failure to address this places the safety of millions of New Yorkers at risk.”
“We are requesting that the appropriate state legislative committees and the attorney general look into all of the federal allegations to determine how much of an impact this had on state government,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “It’s incredible how deep they were able to infiltrate the executive office. We must ensure that no other spies are working against us in state government.”
Jon Norinsberg
retirement account via Chase. However, due to an error in the wire instructions, the funds were mistakenly deposited into GDV Builders'
File Photo
ByRobertChartuk
Immigration Bill Would Standardize U.S. Invasion
The immigration bill Kamala Harris said she would sign on day one if she became president would be a disaster for America, many say, by continuing the flood of migrants and giving them rights above and beyond those of U.S. citizens.
The new set of immigration laws was tied to legislation providing more than $100 billion in additional aid to Israel and Ukraine.
Tabled over the objections of the Republicans, the bill included the following:
Make “Catch and Release” the official U.S. policy. This would require border agents to release anyone caught trying to enter illegally. This policy runs counter to former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” stance, which prohibited immigrants without proper visas from crossing the southern border.
Automatically provide work permits to anyone entering the country, regardless of legal status. This would be a huge hit to the low-middle-income working class, critics say, by forcing them to
compete with illegal immigrants willing to work for lower wages.
Provide free legal counsel to immigrants as they sort out their asylum claims and fight deportation. Under the Biden-Harris Catch and Release policy, those illegally crossing the border were given future court dates. The adjudication of these cases has been backed up for years and will continue even longer as the taxpayers foot the bill.
The legislation would also allow 5,000 illegal immigrants to enter the U.S. each day. This would dramatically add to the estimated 15-20 million foreigners who have entered the country illegally under the Biden-Harris administration so far. It was estimated that under a Harris presidency, if she continues her current policies, nearly 100 million aliens would enter the United States.
The plan would grant citizenship to those already in the country, allowing them to vote, obtain driver's licenses, and avail themselves of taxpayer-funded services. Trump argues that switching the nation to a government medical system
and providing free healthcare to immigrants, as Harris has advocated, would bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid.
Under the bill, billions in federal taxpayer dollars would be directed to sanctuary states and cities to pay for immigrant services. In New York, for example, the mayor estimated that taking care of the 170,000 immigrants currently in the city’s shelter system will cost $12 billion. Gov. Kathy Hochul has devoted $2 billion in this year’s state budget to immigrant services, with millions more in programs dedicated to them.
Veterans groups and homeless advocates deride the sanctuary policies, arguing that services for them are being cut in favor of the aliens. Trump raises the issue on the campaign trail, pointing out that veterans are sleeping under bridges while illegal immigrants are put up in luxury hotels.
The 370-page bill, known as the Border Act of 2024, was negotiated in private by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kyrsten Sinema
(I-Ariz.). It was dead on arrival in the House and faced opposition from many Senate Republicans. Because it allocated funds to fund a border wall, it was held up as a way to solve the immigration crisis. Both the 5,000-per-day illegal immigration quota and funds dedicated to border security, as well as the sanctuary allocations, however, can be changed by the president at any time, according to the 370-page bill’s fine print.
Flooding America with millions of migrants is part of a long-range Democrat strategy to change the country’s “demographic destiny” to cultivate new voters and create new classes of citizens dependent on government services—regardless of the impact on the citizenry. The nation, already $35.2 trillion in debt, is nearing a critical mass where there won’t be enough taxpayers to pay the country’s bills and support those not working.
GOP Looks to Budget Hardball to Stop Illegal Immigrant Voting
ByRobertChartuk
A battle is brewing on Capitol Hill as the Republicans attempt to use the budget process to foil the Democrat plan to allow illegal immigrants to vote in the upcoming election. They’re willing to support bills to continue funding the government at current levels as long as the voting rules in the SAVE Act are included.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act would require proof of citizenship from those registering to vote, as well as identification at the polls. “Federal law currently prohibits states from being able to check citizenship when they register voters,” said Texas Rep. Chip Roy, the bill’s sponsor. “The SAVE Act would fix it.“
According to the congressman, “President Trump is correct. He wants to attach it to a funding bill in September. We just now need all Republicans to get behind it and jam it down the throats
of Democrats who are more interested in perpetuating their scheme of pulling in voters for Democrats than standing up for citizen-only voting.”
The gamesmanship comes as the federal government will run out of money September 30 and could shut down if a spending deal is not reached. Roy’s deal would keep the money flowing until a new president takes office, but it must include the SAFE Act.
Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who opposes the SAFE Act, are in a heated battle for the Oval Office, with illegal immigration playing a central role in the contest. Looking to take advantage of amnesty, free healthcare, and other political plums promised by Harris, the immigrants are seen as dependable votes for the Democrats. Trump, on the other hand, wants to conduct a mass deportation of the aliens let in under the Biden administration.
“Democrats say, ‘But, Chip, it's
not a problem. It's already against the law for noncitizens to vote in federal elections,’” Roy said. “That is technically true, but what they don't go on to tell you is that federal law has been interpreted by courts to restrict the ability of states to take the documentary proof of citizenship.”
Voter registration rules in blue states, such as New York, encourage immigrants to vote, making enrollment forms available when government services such as welfare and health coverage are requested. Applicants need only to check a box declaring they are a citizen to register.
Getting the names of potential voters onto the election rolls is central to Democrat plans to flood the election with paper ballots,
which then can be harvested with the names of the registered aliens attached, fair election advocates charge. Proving citizenship and presenting ID will limit voter fraud, they say.
“Contrary to Vice President Kamala Harris’ assertion that Voter ID laws are designed to disenfranchise voters, these laws are about safeguarding the sanctity of our votes and ensuring that every legitimate ballot is counted fairly and accurately,” said Long Island Congressman Nick LaLota, who served for seven years as a commissioner with the Suffolk Board of Elections. “In our pursuit of a more secure and transparent electoral process, let us remember that ensuring every vote is valid and every voter’s identity is confirmed is not just
a matter of policy but a matter of preserving the trust and integrity of our democracy.”
Republicans have acquiesced to Democrat spending packages since the beginning of the Biden administration, funding the government through a series of continuing resolutions rather than budget bills that go through a committee process. Although the GOP holds the edge in the House, they have continued to approve budget packages favored by the Democrats. Attaching the SAVE Act to the continuing resolution and taking the impasse all the way to a government shutdown puts the issue front and center, but many Republicans are hesitant to take such a stand, especially with their reelections looming.
JPMorgan Chase Bank Sues...
Continued from page 23
Upon receiving these funds unexpectedly, the Defendants allegedly did not notify anyone but instead used them to purchase real property located at 55 Skunk Lane in Cutchogue, New York, in April 2022. Despite demands from Chase for the return of these funds, Defendants have refused to comply or provide any justification for their actions.
The Plaintiff asserts that Defendants knew they had no right to these funds and yet chose to retain and use them unlawfully. This action has led Chase to seek a judgment ordering the immediate
return of the misappropriated funds along with other reliefs, including punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
The complaint details multiple causes of action, including conversion—where Defendants are accused of wrongfully converting Thomas's funds for their own use; unjust enrichment—where it is claimed that Defendants were unjustly enriched by retaining money they had no right to; money had and received—asserting that Defendants benefited from funds mistakenly transferred into their account; payment by mistake— highlighting that Defendants only received these funds due to an error;
attachment under CPLR § 6201— seeking an order attaching the Skunk Lane property purchased with the misappropriated funds; and preliminary and permanent injunction—requesting an injunction preventing Defendants from disposing of or encumbering this property pending resolution of this case.
Chase is represented by attorneys Timothy E. Di Domenico from Greenberg Traurig, LLP's New York office and Paul Ferak, along with Jonathan Claydon from Greenberg Traurig, LLP's Chicago office.
Case ID: 1:24-cv-05718.
Credit: Stock Photo
Credit: File Photo
Vice President Kamala Harris
BySouthShorePressStaff
Lawsuit: Delta Air Lines Accused of Discrimination Against Jewish Employee
A Delta Air Lines employee has filed a lawsuit alleging systemic discrimination and retaliation based on their Jewish and Israeli background. The complaint, filed by Sasi Sheva in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 19, 2024, accuses Delta Air Lines, Inc., of violating federal and New York City human rights laws.
Sasi Sheva, a flight attendant with Delta for two and a half years, claims that the airline has consistently discriminated against Jewish, Hebrew-speaking, and Israeli employees. According to the lawsuit, Sheva faced numerous instances of discriminatory treatment, including being denied meal breaks to accommodate his vegetarian diet due to religious beliefs and being served inappropriate food despite
clear dietary restrictions noted in his employee profile.
"Despite Plaintiff's employee profile clearly stating he is Hebrewspeaking, Jewish and vegetarian, he was provided with a ham sandwich," the complaint states.
The lawsuit also details how Delta allegedly mishandled Sheva's requests for religious accommodations. For instance, when Sheva requested time off for Yom Kippur well in advance, Delta subjected him to an intrusive verification process requiring documentation from a religious leader. Despite complying with these demands, his request was ultimately denied on grounds that it would disrupt Delta’s seniority system. "Delta’s response was not only non-accommodating but... devoid of any attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution," the
BySouthShorePressStaff
A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against a major home improvement retailer, alleging widespread wage theft and retaliatory termination. The complaint was filed by Anthony Muia in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 23, 2024, against Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.
Muia's lawsuit accuses Home Depot of violating multiple labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), New York Labor Law (NYLL), and the New York Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA). According to the filing, Home Depot engaged in "willful and unlawful employment policies" that resulted in employees not being paid for regular and overtime hours worked. Muia claims that during his tenure as a sales specialist at Home Depot's Staten Island location, he was routinely scheduled to work more than forty hours per week but was compensated for fewer hours than he actually worked. For instance, during one pay period in February 2023, Muia worked 41 hours but was only paid for 32.25 hours. In another pay period in February 2024, he worked 42 hours
Sheva also reports suffering workplace injuries due to negligence by Delta contractors and facing retaliation when seeking medical treatment. After reporting an injury from a vehicle accident caused by a Delta contractor in July 2022 and another injury from tripping over a seat belt on an aircraft in September 2023, Sheva claims he was harassed by administrators for scheduling necessary treatments during work hours. "Plaintiff followed Delta’s established protocols but was nevertheless harassed by Ms. Jacqueline Robinson and Ms. Mallory Rongier," according to the filing.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages to deter future misconduct by Delta Air Lines. The lawsuit outlines multiple causes of action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), including discrimination based on religion/ national origin and retaliation for engaging in protected activities.
but was compensated for just over 33 hours.
The complaint further alleges that when Muia reported his overtime hours to his supervisor, he was instructed to "cut" those hours from his timesheet, effectively erasing them. This practice allegedly violated both federal and state labor laws requiring payment of minimum and overtime wages. Additionally, Muia claims that Home Depot issued inaccurate wage statements that masked the number of actual hours worked by employees, thereby preventing them from discovering their underpayment.
In addition to wage theft allegations, Muia raises individual claims of whistleblower retaliation under NYLL § 740. He asserts that his employment was terminated after he reported safety issues and improper storage practices at his store. Specifically, Muia had informed his supervisor about an unsafe pallet stored using Saran Wrap that posed a risk due to its compromised condition. Despite these concerns being legitimate safety issues, Muia alleges that management dismissed them and subsequently terminated his complaint alleges.
jury trial for this case identified as 1:24-cv-05778.
Former Employee Accuses Home Depot of Wage Theft in Lawsuit
employment.
Muia is seeking various forms of relief from the court on behalf of himself and other similarly situated employees. These include unpaid wages and overtime compensation, liquidated damages equal to the sum of unpaid wages under NYLL and WTPA provisions, prejudgment interest at 9% per annum as stipulated by NYLL, post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs, as well as any other relief deemed necessary by the court.
The case is being handled by attorneys Alex Rissmiller of Rissmiller PLLC and Matthew L. Berman of Valli Kane & Vagnini, LLP. The case ID is 1:24-cv-05912JRC.
Consumer Files Class Action Against Synchrony Bank Over Medical Loans
BySouthShorePressStaff
A lawsuit has been filed against a major financial institution for allegedly exploiting vulnerable consumers with high-interest loans during critical medical and veterinary emergencies. The complaint, filed by S.G. on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on August 19, 2024, targeting Synchrony Bank.
The plaintiff alleges that Synchrony Bank's CareCredit product imposes exorbitant interest rates on loans provided to consumers at their most vulnerable moments—when they are seeking urgent medical or veterinary care. These loans reportedly carry interest rates as high as 32.99% annually, with penalties pushing rates up to 39.99% for late payments. This is significantly above the legal limits set by New York’s state usury laws, which cap interest rates at 16% annually and consider anything above 25% to be criminally usurious.
S.G., a resident of Washington, D.C., recounted his own
experience in March 2021 when he was forced to take out a CareCredit loan to pay over $2,000 for emergency veterinary treatment for his cat, Pumpkin. He describes being under duress and feeling like he had no other option but to accept the loan terms presented by Synchrony Bank at the emergency veterinary center in Connecticut. Additionally, between 2021 and 2023, S.G. used CareCredit for various medical expenses, such as optometrist visits and chiropractic care due to financial constraints.
The complaint quotes former Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray's remarks from December
2013 about the importance of transparency and fairness in financial products offered during healthcare transactions. "It is particularly important that a credit card company offering personal lines of credit to pay for health care is doing everything to the letter of the law—that they are treating people fairly, with dignity, and with the utmost transparency," he said.
Plaintiff S.G. seeks actual and treble damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits into a constructive trust, injunctive relief, declaratory judgment stating that Defendant’s lending practices violate usury laws and that any arbitration clauses in agreements made by Plaintiff and Class members are void for public policy reasons. The lawsuit also demands pre- and post-judgment interest, along with reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees.
Attorneys representing S.G. include Javier L. Merino from DannLaw; Jennifer Czeisler, Edward Ciolko, Arturo Pena from Sterlington, PLLC; Adam Pollock and Anna Menkova from Pollock Cohen LLP. Case No. 2:24-cv5788.
Representing Sasi Sheva are attorneys Steven A. Feldman from the Law Office of Steven A. Feldman & Associates, PLLC, and the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Inc., who have demanded a
Alex Rissmiller
Credit: LinkedIn
Steven A. Feldman
Javier Merino
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.”
— Joint Chief of Staff General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell
It has been some 23 years since the 9/11/01 attacks on Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville Pennsylvania. On a day with brilliant sunshine, as Americans were putting their children on school buses, it developed into one of the worst moments in our nation's history. The government quickly realized that America was at war against Osama bin Laden and his terrorist organization of AlQaeda.
A new generation of citizens have emerged, and while they did not witness these attacks, they grew up with the heightened security apparatus of Homeland Security. These younger Americans watched the growth of domestic protective actions to guard multiple transportation systems, sporting events, and government buildings. Many younger citizens who recently graduated from college were not old enough to see 9/11/01, but some remember watching the news about the death of bin Laden by SEAL Team Six on May 2nd, 2011. Within the streets of New York City and Washington D.C., those Americans who grew up under the shadow of this assault were overjoyed when learning about the death of bin
Nationwide deaths, including those of the military and veterans, that are related to the black market fentanyl is rising. Many victims got hooked on pain pills following medical procedures. Since 2000, more than a million people in the United States have died from drug overdoses, the majority of which were opioids. The crisis has also become a major U.S. foreign policy issue, with most supply coming from China and Mexico.
While China is the leading manufacturer of fentanyl, most of the fentanyl smuggled into the United States is through Mexico. The smugglers send it across in vehicles or with pedestrians, who travel with easily concealable amounts of drugs due to its high potency.
A 2.6 pound package contains more than fifty thousand lethal doses. Drug cartels now mix fentanyl into almost every drug sold on the street. They greatly benefit from this thriving market.
Laden. On the same night, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies game was briefly halted from the reaction of the fans who cheered the death of a tyrant who killed almost 3,000 people on this date.
It seemed like yesterday that our planes were grounded, Americans ran over the Brooklyn Bridge for safety, and President George W. Bush spoke to the country to reassure the fears of our people. For months, our citizens watched on television the rescue efforts in New York City, the aircraft that attacked the Pentagon, and in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, through the loss of “Flight 93.” Today, Americans recall how people from different backgrounds immediately bonded together. Yellow flags were wrapped around trees and porches and Walmart quickly sold out of American flags as over 88,000 were purchased on 9-12-01. Traveling over the George Washington Bridge, there was a huge flag that was flown that was seen for miles. Powerful lights were illuminated over lower Manhattan to honor the fallen towers and the lost people and rescue workers after the destruction of the World Trade Center. For months, there were the sounds and sights of bagpipes, hearses, and tears, as our people from this part of Long Island continued to relive the hardships of one of the “longest continued days” in our history.
People across this nation sent
9/11/01 and Our American Generations
food and money to help the recovery workers that spent countless hours sifting through the ruble to find the survivors and the remains. Fire and Emergency Medical Services companies that ranged from California descended on New York City to provide support. Shea Stadium was a staging area that was assisted by the New York Mets and when baseball returned to America the Mets and Braves, two rivals, hugged each other. The New York Yankees of Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Scott Broscious visited fire departments and provided a morale booster for these heroes who were working around the clock. Former New York Yankee and Fire Patrol worker St. James
resident Frank Tepedino threw out the first pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the playoffs. This fire fighter worked at Ground Zero and he connected baseball to the resiliency of the American people as this former professional baseball player represented rescue workers.
At New York Giants and Jets games, huge flags were displayed on the field, and fans who watched the smoke from the destruction of the World Trade Center, wore patriotic shirts and hats. Years later, this patriotism is still demonstrated through the Tunnels to Towers Run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel into Lower Manhattan. This race has been a constant reminder of the need to never forget
this day and the sacrifices of our people to help others at this difficult moment. Hearing music like Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” and Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried,” this is a function that residents should participate in at least once to ensure that this date is never forgotten.
Right away, the American people answered the call to defend this country, as they entered the armed forces in large numbers. Our soldiers quickly deposed the totalitarian regime of Saddam Hussein and toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan. Although Americans watched in horror the regaining of power by the Taliban in 2021, our military for almost 20 years fought for the Afghani’s to gain enhanced rights, greater education, and modernization. Almost 250,000 Americans served during the War on Terror in active duty and the reserves to protect our citizens at home and abroad. As the Russians are struggling to fight the Ukrainians and the Chinese have threatened Taiwan, America has senior military officers who are experienced, and they represent the future military chain of command. The Chinese are the largest and yet the most unproven adversary of the United States, as they should never doubt the resolve of our military that has grown to meet numerous challenges during and after 9/11/01.
The Plague of Drugs Flowing Freely Across a Wide-Open Border
In the early 1990s, after the first Gulf War conflict, the U.S. witnessed sustained, year-overyear increases in overdose deaths, culminating most recently in over 100,000 lives lost during a single 12-month period ending in April 2021.
In the early years of this era, doctors were increasingly prescribing prescription opioids as a long-term treatment for patients with chronic pain, including many military veterans. Through pharmaceutical industry marketing efforts and the claims of several empirically limited early research observations, opioid pain medications were established as a relatively safe and nonaddictive “gold standard” treatment for noncancer pain.
“Operation Enduring Freedom” more soldiers were surviving battlefield injuries and dealing with service-related injuries through the use of opioid-based pain medications. Major innovations in
battlefield medicine and protective equipment resulted in a higher survival rate for critically injured soldiers, injuries that would have been fatal in previous conflicts. Chronic pain has been widespread among recent generations of veterans: 48% of Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation “New Dawn” veterans of the second Gulf War entering the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Another significant barrier and potential risk factor for overdose among veterans is a fundamental lack of access to healthcare services and low rates of utilization of the VA in particular. Fewer than 50% of veterans used at least one VA benefit (such as the GI Bill or GI mortgage). Only 6.1 million of the total 20.3 million veteran population (30%) have used VA healthcare. This is concerning on several fronts.
Much of the scientific knowledge about health risks comes from VA studies, which represent less than
half of all military veterans at most. Veterans who do not have VA access, or choose not to use VA benefits also include many of those most historically disadvantaged and at greatest risk of opioid-related harm. This includes members of racial and ethnic minorities and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Other than honorable” discharges for active duty personnel with alcohol or substance use issues have excluded significant numbers of veterans from VA care.
Changes since 2017 in Public Health Law 115-141 have resulted in more service connection for veterans with mental health concerns.
BY REV. FREDERICK MILLER, PH.D.
VETERANS WAY
Drugs originating in Communist China flow freely across the border
Credit: Open Art A1
Credit: Erwin Straehley | Dreamstime
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
If you are a parent of a young child, you have probably heard that you should have a will. But do you know why? There are two main reasons a parent of a minor child needs a Last Will and Testament. The first is to create a testamentary trust to hold assets distributable to the child who cannot legally inherit assets as a minor. The second is to name a guardian in the event both parents pass away before the child reaches the age of eighteen.
So, what happens if you die without a will? This is referred to as dying “intestate.” If you die intestate, to the extent that you have assets in your sole name, they will be distributed according to the state’s intestate succession statute. In New York, the spouse inherits the first
$50,000 of your assets and the balance is distributed 50% to the spouse and 50% to the child(ren). This scenario is usually not practical for a married couple since most people want the surviving spouse to inherit everything, with children inheriting only upon the death of both parents.
Even if you do not mind that 50% of the assets go to the children, the default scenario is incredibly inefficient. If assets are intended to go to the benefit of a minor, and a testamentary trust is not set up for the child’s benefit, then a guardian of the property must be appointed by the court to handle the finances.
Even if a family member or friend is eventually appointed, the court still appoints a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the child. This is expensive, intrusive and ongoing. An
Why Every Parent Needs a Will
annual budget is required and any deviations must be approved by the court. Furthermore, the assets remain in an account that is held jointly with the court and can only be accessed by court order. Additionally, the child will be able to take possession of all remaining assets at either 18
Fabiobalbi | Dreamstime
or 21 years of age – a time when the child may be too emotionally immature or inexperienced with finances to handle this sum of money.
Beyond the finances, there is the consideration of physical custody or guardianship of the minor child. If both parents
pass away without a will that nominates a guardian, someone must petition the court to be appointed. This someone could be anyone, not necessarily the individual(s) you would choose to raise your child in your absence. This could lead to different family members or friends asserting control, with a judge ultimately deciding who will take on this responsibility.
The simple solution to make this awful situation smoother for those you leave behind is to prepare a Will. That way you can choose who will raise your child, who will handle your child’s inheritance and under what circumstances your child will inherit. With your children back at school, take the time to secure their future.
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Melissa Doris, Esq. & Britt Burner, Esq.
Credit:
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Suffolk
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.
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered
December 20, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 30, 2024 at 9:30
AM. Premises known as 105 Carlton Drive East, Shirley, New York 11967. District 0200 Sec 615.00 Block 02.00 Lot
013.000. 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. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $494,834.06 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 609334/2015. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing.
Pamela J. Greene, Esq., Referee File # 2154-000927
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2022-1,
Plaintiff, vs.
JEFFREY ALBRECHT
A/K/A JEFFREY M. ALBRECHT, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF BRETTON WOODS CONDOMINIUM VIII; UNIFUND CCR LLC; CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC & PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JENNA NAB,
"JOHN DOE #2" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last eleven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint,
Defendants.
To the above named Defendants
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of
service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $156,000.00 and interest, recorded on September 26, 2013, in Liber M00022400 at Page 199, of the Public Records of SUFFOLK County, New York., covering premises known as 910 SKYLINE DRIVE, CORAM, NY 11727. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
SUFFOLK County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE
YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.
Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ABFC 2007WMC1 TRUST ASSET BACKED FUNDING CORPORATION ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-WMC1, -against-
RENEE SCHIEFERSTEIN A/K/A RENEE CARRICK AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR A. SCHIEFERSTEIN, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on September 27, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ABFC 2007WMC1 TRUST ASSET BACKED FUNDING CORPORATION ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-WMC1 is the Plaintiff and RENEE SCHIEFERSTEIN A/K/A RENEE CARRICK AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR A. SCHIEFERSTEIN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN
HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on October 4, 2024 at 12:00PM, premises known as 59 BROADWAY, SHIRLEY, NY 11967; and the following tax map identification: 0200-907.0007.00-002.000.
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
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617683/2016. Giuseppe T. Rosini, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
L16020-9/4/2024,9/11/2024, 9/18/2024&9/25/2024
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE ASSETS TRUST 2007-2, MORTGAGE-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-2, Plaintiff, AGAINST ORLANDO PEREZ, et al. Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on January 12, 2023.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on October 2, 2024 at 12:00
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES •
PM premises known as 30 Beacon Street, Shirley, NY 11967.
Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Suffolk County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.
All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Shirley in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State
of New York. District 0200 Section 967.00, Block 05.00 and Lot 022.000.
Approximate amount of judgment $370,001.79 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #619107/2017.
Brooke J. Breen, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747
L16021-9/4/2024,9/11/2024, 9/18/2024&9/25/2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
Pursuant to Suffolk County Local Law 13-1976, Section 12 notice is given that The County will sell surplus Suffolk Count real property at Public Auction on November 20th, 2024 Starting at 9:30 a.m.
Mandatory Pre-Auction Online Registration September 20th thru November 13th, 2024 http://www.suffolk. ny.realforeclose.com
In addition, the County will
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
EDWARD P. ROMAINE SUFFOLK
COUNTY
EXECUTIVE
also sell certain property pursuant to Section 215, New York State County Law said Auction will be held online at http://www.suffolk. ny.realforeclose.com
Brochures listing the properties to be Offered for sale will also be available at all local Town Halls, as well as both County Centers in Riverhead and Hauppauge offices free of charge. Brochures will be available and may be downloaded through the
County website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/ auction
Brochures will be available approximately two months prior to the auction date.
Department of Economic Development and Planning Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management
H. Lee Dennison Building -2nd Floor 100 Veterans Memorial Highway Hauppauge, New York 11788
L16023-09/11/2024
MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM
Middle Island Fire District, in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, at a meeting thereof, held on the 5th day of September, 2024, duly adopted, subject to permissive referendum, a Resolution, an abstract of which is as follows: For the purchase of one (1) Pierce Engine, with necessary and related equipment, not to exceed $1,149,000.00 from the Fire Apparatus Equipment Reserve Fund (FAE).
Dated: Middle Island, New York
September 6, 2024
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK
Department of Economic Development and Planning
Sarah Lansdale – Commissioner
SUFFOLK COUNTY FARMLAND COMMITTEE
JOSEPH SANZANO CHAIRPERSON
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Suffolk County Farmland Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the Suffolk County Farmland Committee will be held on September 19, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Kermit W. Graf Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 1 st Floor Conference Room, Suite 100, 423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead, N.Y. The Suffolk County Farmland Committee meets to consider agricultural development and special event permit requests on preserved Suffolk County farmland and to make recommendations for farmland preservation acquisitions to the Suffolk County legislature.
Pursuant to the Citizens Public Participation Act , all citizens are invited to submit testimony, either orally or in writing at the meeting. Written comments can be submitted by email prior to the meeting to Planning@suffolkcountyny.gov or to the address below to the attention of:
Sarah Lansdale, Commissioner Department of Economic Development & Planning
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788
Suffolk County Farmland Committee-Chair
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Middle Island Fire District, in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, at a meeting thereof, held on the 5th day of September, 2024, duly adopted, subject to permissive referendum, a Resolution, an abstract of which is as follows: For the purchase of Safety Improvements/Repairs to Brush Trucks 5-15-3 and 5-15-12, with necessary and related equipment, not to exceed $27,530.00 from the Fire Apparatus Equipment Reserve Fund (FAE).
Dated: Middle Island, New York
September 6, 2024
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK
Chrissy Rosenfeld, District Secretary
L16024-09/11/2024
MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the
Chrissy Rosenfeld, District Secretary
L16025-09/11/2024
MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Middle Island Fire District, in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, at a meeting thereof, held on the 5th day of September, 2024, duly adopted, subject to permissive referendum, a Resolution, an abstract of which is as follows:
For the purchase of LED lighting, with necessary and related equipment, not to exceed $15,000.00 from the Property Improvement Capital Reserve Fund (PAI).
Dated: Middle Island, New York
September 6, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK
Chrissy Rosenfeld, District Secretary
L16026-09/11/2024
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THE BETTOR ANGLE TM
BY TOM BARTON
As week two of the NFL creeps in, most sports bettors are still fixated on week one to their detriment. In this league that happens throughout the year anyway, the public will always be looking back at what they just watched, but after week one, it has traditionally become even more of a problem.
Week one can certainly give some insight, but we also have to remember there is a ramp up and try not to get caught up in our freshest memory. Just last season on the first Monday Night football game, the Jets beat the Bills, despite Aaron Rodgers going down. The Texans were beat down as CJ Stroud and the offense failed to produce even one touchdown while the Browns and Falcons looked like world beaters with easy division wins. We also saw 12 of the 16 games go under the total and plenty of the public believed the NFL would be a defense first league from here on out.
We now know most of what we saw meant little in week one last season, so what should we look at for
week two?
The Ravens host the Raiders as the biggest favorite on the board and for good reason. The Ravens have extra time to prepare for this game and were angry leaving Arrowhead. The Raiders were gashed for 135 yards by ex-Raven JK Dobbins and now have to defend against Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson's running. Add to that that Minshew is now 1-15 straight up as an underdog in his last 15 career starts.
Speaking of the Chargers, they get to play the lowly Panthers, who had the worst outing of week one. Carolina was simply awful and now face a team that wants to bully teams. Expect the Chargers to keep running. The Patriots were the biggest upset of the weekend knocking out plenty of people in survivor leagues, but was that an aberration or was that what we should expect from New England? Seattle travels across the country to test them but keep in mind their starting RB is injured and his status is unknown. The Patriots
will be home dogs here and are facing another beat up team.
If the Panthers didn't have the ugliest showing last week, then the Giants certainly did. Since signing his four year $160 million contract, Daniel Jones has now thrown more TD passes to the opposing team than to his own receivers. The G-Men face the Commanders and their rebuilt defense but also have to contend with dual threat Jayden Daniels under center. There is a reason they are divisional underdogs, even against a rookie QB.
The Browns produced just 54 yards of offense in the first half last week while the Jaguars defense held down the potent Miami offense until the half. If you believe that this is the start of a trend, you can get some alluring odds on the Jaguars in the first half. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are back at home, well rested, and coming off of a nice prime time win. The Bengals have made KC their measuring stick since Joe Burrow entered the league, but they were
embarrassed last week. If Chase and Higgins are banged up again this line will continue to rise, but Cincy has traditionally played Mahomes tight. With that said, the Bengals also have 12 rookies on their team, the most in the league, so going into KC is more daunting this time around.
The Bears and Texans battle on Sunday night, and while Chicago
came away with a victory, they did so without an offensive touchdown. The Bears offense gained under 150 total yards and #1 pick Caleb Williams 55.7 passer rating is the 11th worst debut ever. But, a quick glimpse of worse performances shows us Eli Manning, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway, Matthew Stafford and Troy Aikman on the list, so a quick turnaround is not out of the question.
Three WFHS Students Named Among Top 100 Football Players
BySouthShorePressStaff
Three student-athletes from William Floyd High School have been named among the top 100 football players for the upcoming fall season. Seniors Geo Alvarez, Derek Amato, and Aaron Fisher are recognized for their outstanding performances and are expected to make significant contributions in their final high school season.
Geo Alvarez, a senior wide receiver, caught 22 passes for 560 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during his junior year. "He is one of the fastest receivers in New York State," according to Head Coach Paul Longo.
Derek Amato, another senior who plays both offensive and
Credit: https://www.wfsd.k12.ny.us/
defensive lineman positions, is noted for being a rare four-year starter for the Colonials. Coach Longo highlighted his exceptional skills as a run blocker and his improved performance on defense over the last season.
Aaron Fisher, also a senior offensive and defensive lineman, has been described as one of the best defensive linemen on Long Island. Fisher recorded 12 sacks last season and has been a four-year starter for the team.
The William Floyd Colonials will begin their regular season on Saturday, September 14 at home against Longwood in the annual Parkway Power Bowl. The Colonials currently lead the series with a record of 10-2.
A New Coach and New Season Brings the Wolves a Quick Win
ByTomBarton
You can write Billy Cosh's name in the record books as the new Stony Brook football coach notched his first win this Saturday.
Cosh, and his team, walked into LaValle Stadium with something to prove and they made a very loud statement. The Seawolves beat Stonehill 37-10. Stony Brook was off to the races from the first play and never looked back. They led the game 17-0 after the first quarter and 23-0 heading into the half.
Long Island native Sebastian Regis scored his first career touchdown with a scoop and score in the 3rd quarter. After a great pass rush got to Stonehill, Regis jumped on the bouncing
loose football and took it to the house for more than 60 yards.
Roland Dempster looked unstoppable in the backfield with three touchdowns on the ground as Stony Brook imposed their will
all day and put forward one of the best efforts in a long time.
Next up for the Seawolves will be a road trip to Fordham this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Bayport-Blue Point Starts The Season The Right Way
ByTomBarton
Bayport-Blue Point began their season on the right note this week as the defending Suffolk County Small School Champions have started the new year 2-0.
Bayport-Blue Point defeated the defending Large School Champions Hills East 5-2 on the road.
Emilia Romano led the team by winner her singles match and then Lily Castka won at second singles and Jordana Heller won in the third singles position.
Danielle Oleksiak and Leah Richardt had a second doubles win while they received a third doubles victory from Leila Rogers and Ella Little.
Caleb Williams
SPORTS Kamala Harris's Ad Causes a Stir
ByTomBarton
Despite what Kamala Harris and her team might have led you to believe, the real team, the Philadelphia Eagles, have made it very clear that Kamala is not associated with them.
That embarrassing news came from the Eagles this week after posted ads all over the city depicted Harris wearing an Eagles jersey and helmet and under the picture it read: "Official Candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles."
The Eagles quickly denounced the ads saying, "We are aware counterfeit political ads are being circulated and are working with our advertising partner to have them removed." But for many Philly residents that wasn't enough. Residents at bus stops where the ad was shown covered the picture with printed pages of the Eagles statement saying they were not a part of the ad.
Center Moriches Win #1
ByTomBarton
New head coach Mike Russo received the game ball after his very first win at Center Moriches this week.
Russo took over the program from long-time head coach Chris O’Brien, who retired after last season. O'Brien had won over 300 games at the school in his career and he left some big shoes to fill.
These SEPTA bus shelters, that the ad was hanging up at, are owned by the city, so it will be interesting to find out who authorized these phony Kamala advertisements.
Russo was on the staff as an assistant and knows the team very well and has been received by his students quickly.
Shoreham-Wading River Adds a Hall of Famer
ByTomBarton
This past week, the ShorehamWading River School District Staff Alumni Hall of Fame inducted new members to the hall.
Among the inductees was Bob Vlahakis. Coach Vlahakis is well known in the lacrosse world, and for many, this is a longtime coming for the honor. He coached numerous sports at Shoreham-Wading River for 30 years, including soccer and basketball. But his work coaching girls lacrosse is his most known accomplishments.
His lacrosse program won four New York State championships and numerous regional titles. After retiring from teaching in 2005, he continued coaching at SWR until 2010. Coach Vlahakis didn't walk away from lacrosse for long as he went on to coach women’s lacrosse at St. Joseph’s University. Like the rest of his resume, he once again brought a winner to the school by leading them to NCAA tournaments. Lacrosse is so much in his blood that Vlahakis still will work with Shoreham's women’s lacrosse program.
Vlahakis was a teacher first and foremost as he taught English and social studies at the middle school from 1975 to 2005. He often taught with his wife, Susan, who handled math and science.
Nesaquake Middle School Student Is a Champion on Ice
ByStefanMychajliw
Audrey Spampinato, an eighth grade student at Nesaquake Middle School, won first place in freestyle figure skating this past July at the 2024 State Games of America in San Diego, California.
Her journey to San Diego began earlier this year when her Synchronized Figure Skating
team placed at the Empire State Games in Lake Placid in February, securing her eligibility to compete in the State Games of America. Audrey’s stellar performance not only earned her the top spot but also qualifies her for the 2026 State Games of America, where she’ll aim to repeat as a national champion.
Two WFHS StudentAthletes Named Among Top 30 Girls' Tennis Players
for the fall 2024 season.
The Colonials are led by Dave Pia, a two-time USTA “Coach of the Year” and 13-time “Coach of the Year.” Last season, they secured their third consecutive
league championship and reached the final four in the playoffs for the third consecutive year. This marks nine times out of twelve years that they have achieved this feat, including winning a county title in 2014. The team has started their current season with two decisive victories (7-0) over Comsewogue and East Islip.
Three Times a Charm for Fredette
Lee
went to Paris and is taking home yet another medal.
The East Moriches native played a pivotal role in securing the silver medal at the paralympics. Fredette led his wheelchair rugby team to a victory and now has three silver medals to his name.
Fredette is no stranger to winning. He has participated in two World Championships in 2018, and 2022 bringing home a silver and bronze medal and now has participated in three paralympics. His three-peat
began in 2016 when he won silver at Rio de Janeiro, then in 2020 in Tokyo, he took home a mixed silver and this season, he topped off the hat trick in Paris.
Fredette's story of courage and perseverance is truly remarkable. He was paralyzed from the chest down when he fell headfirst from his dirt bike as a freshman in college. His mother and him watched the documentary “Murderball,” when he was in recovery and that inspired him to start playing wheelchair rugby, and the rest they say is history. That history is now a mantle full of trophies.
Credit: @TeamUSA
The Silver Medal Winning Paralympic Rugby Team
BySouthShorePressStaff
Lydia Van Cott and Anabel Van Cott have been named among the top 30 girls' tennis players
Lydia Van Cott (left) and Anabel Van Cott (right) were named top 30 tennis players by Newsday for the fall 2024 season.
ByTomBarton
Fredette
The Eagles Statement
Credit: @svsnewsagency | X
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook
Credit: Shoreham-Wading River Central School District | Facebook
Credit: Smithtown CSD
Coach Russo and His Team
Coach Vlahakis
Nesaquake Middle School student Audrey Spampinato
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Varsity Division 4 schedule
Away Team / Home Team
Bayport-Blue Point @ Miller Place
Contest Location
Miller Place High School
Elwood/J Glenn @ Babylon Babylon High School
Mt Sinai @ Southampton Southampton High School
Wyandanch @ Center Moriches
Center Moriches High School
Port Jefferson @ Gpt/Shld/Matt Greenport High School
Hampton Bays @ Shoreham WR
Elwood/J Glenn @ Shoreham WR
Shoreham Wading River High School
Shoreham Wading River High School
Hampton Bays @ Gpt/Shld/Matt Greenport High School
Center Moriches @ Bayport-Blue Point Bayport Blue Point High School
Babylon @ Port Jefferson Port Jefferson High School
Miller Place @ Mt Sinai Mount Sinai High School
Southampton @ Wyandanch Wyandanch Memorial High School
Bayport-Blue Point @ Shoreham WR Shoreham Wading River High School
Babylon @ Mt Sinai Mount Sinai High School
Wyandanch @ Hampton Bays
Gpt/Shld/Matt @ Southampton
Hampton Bays High School
Southampton High School
Center Moriches @ Elwood/J Glenn Elwood John Glenn High School
Miller Place @ Port Jefferson Port Jefferson High School
Elwood/J Glenn @ Bayport-Blue Point Bayport Blue Point High School
Miller Place @ Babylon
Shoreham WR @ Wyandanch
Babylon High School
Wyandanch Memorial High School
Gpt/Shld/Matt @ Mt Sinai Mount Sinai High School
Hampton Bays @ Center Moriches Center Moriches High School
Port Jefferson @ Southampton Southampton High School
Gpt/Shld/Matt @ Babylon Babylon High School
Southampton @ Miller Place Miller Place High School
Bayport-Blue Point @ Wyandanch
Elwood/J Glenn @ Hampton Bays
Shoreham WR @ Center Moriches
Mt Sinai @ Port Jefferson
Wyandanch Memorial High School
Hampton Bays High School
Center Moriches High School
Port Jefferson High School
Babylon @ Bayport-Blue Point Bayport Blue Point High School
Center Moriches @ Gpt/Shld/Matt
Southampton @ Hampton Bays
Mt Sinai @ Elwood/J Glenn
Shoreham WR @ Miller Place
Port Jefferson @ Wyandanch
Bayport-Blue Point @ Port Jefferson
Babylon @ Center Moriches
Hampton Bays @ Mt Sinai
Wyandanch @ Gpt/Shld/Matt
Miller Place @ Elwood/J Glenn
Southampton @ Shoreham WR
Mt Sinai @ Bayport-Blue Point
Shoreham WR @ Babylon
Gpt/Shld/Matt @ Miller Place
Center Moriches @ Southampton
Port Jefferson @ Hampton Bays
Wyandanch @ Elwood/J Glenn
Greenport High School
Hampton Bays High School
Elwood John Glenn High School
Miller Place High School
Wyandanch Memorial High School
Port Jefferson High School
Center Moriches High School
Mount Sinai High School
Greenport High School
Elwood John Glenn High School
Shoreham Wading River High School
Bayport Blue Point High School
Babylon High School
Miller Place High School
Southampton High School
Hampton Bays High School
Elwood John Glenn High School
ByTomBarton Shoreham-Wading River
Head Coach: Aden Smith
The Cats came up just short losing Bayport-Blue Point 49-14 in the championships last season. They had an impressive 8 win season but just fell one game short. This year, they lost 17 seniors but Coach Smith says he "is looking forward to finding the new faces who are going to step up and uphold the tradition of Shoreham-Wading River football." Jacob Carberry and Keegan Sellner will shore up the defensive line and, they, also have a good and deep secondary, so the defense should be their calling card this year. On the offensive side of the ball, the duo of Mike and Sean Casey will lead them, who are both starters and both seniors. They came up just short last year and this season will look strong once again if coach Smith's message of "next man up" is taken to heart by the young team.
Miller Place
Head Coach: Adam St. Nicholas
Shane Kiernan certainly looks the part of a dynamic gunslinger. Standing at 6'1" 190 pounds, he has the size and athleticism to take Miller Place to the playoffs. His inexperience might show up early on, but he impressed as a sophomore making first team all-division. He threw for over 1,000 yards and added 10 passing touchdowns in just nine games. He has already gotten looks from Stony Brook and LIU. Kiernan isn't the only talent Miller Place has this season as he will be protected up front by a senior-laden offensive line. Coach St. Nicholas said that he "wants to see the team blend together" and added that they have 20 seniors coming back, which will be a big reason they succeed. Defensively Miller Place will have to take the next step if they want to make a deep playoff run, but the talent is there. If they can navigate through the early portion of the schedule, this is a team that can make some late season noise.
Mount Sinai
Head Coach: Vinnie Ammirato
After a .500 season last year coach Ammirato sees bigger things for this squad. They bring back 6 players on offense and defense and coach Ammirato is excited about the JV kids coming up and contributing right away. The JV team went
Suffolk County Football Preview Division 4
undefeated and they "have some big, strong lineman that will jump right in and play for us next to the skill kids we have back." Senior QB John Pramataris has shown upside, and has had some QB competition this season, which the coach thinks is a blessing and, lacrosse star Ryan Filippi has all the talent in the world and speed to spare on the outside. The offense should buzz again this year as they have three different backs that can break it at any time. Ammirato has nearly three decades of experience behind him and when we spoke with other coaches you can tell they have confidence that he will get the most out of his defensive unit. Don't be surprised to see Mount Sinai look very good this season.
Center Moriches
Head Coach: Matt Millheiser
Seeing a first year head coach lead his team to the best regular season record in school history might be a surprise to some but not those that know about coach Millheiser. Millheiser won three straight Long Island championships with Shoreham-Wading River before leaving in 2018. This season, he will look to add to that with his new team. Assistant coach Jared Solero said, "we are trying to get that first playoff win in the program and I think we have the tools to do it."
Center Moriches will be a ground and pound offense this year, after losing three key seniors on offense, but they are led by two seniors on the front line in Austin Faller and Colin Casey. Center Moriches returns the entire offensive line from last year's team. Millheiser is an old-school coach who has the ability to change with the times and has shown that through the years. This season, the formula looks like he will go back to old-school
football roots and rely on a dynamic rushing attack and strong defense. Millheiser even uses the fullback to his offensive advantage and they have a chance to be a real force in this division.
Port Jefferson
Head Coach: Joshua Shields
Coach Josh Shields earned his first win two seasons ago, has been to the playoffs every year he's been at the helm and now as he enters his third year this looks like the most talented team he's had yet. They are certainly talented, but also very young with just four seniors on the squad. Coach Shields will rely on defense this season with a dynamic one-two punch at linebacker in Owen Whiffen and team standout and captain Brandon Verruto. The 6'1" 200 pounder also will be carrying the ball for this run first offense. Shields has his seniors on the offensive line, so running behind them will be a key. Shields mentioned his running game with two sophomore running backs, Keegan Henry and Neko Davis, will be the focal point. He said, "we are hoping the offense will revolve around those guys." Port Jeff is dangerous this season and they will look to wear teams down and win physical battles as they try to win their first ever playoff game.
Bayport-Blue Point
Head Coach: Mike Zafonte
The Phantoms are the clear kings of this division and, their titles are beginning to add up. Coach Zafonte has made Bayport-Blue Point an absolute powerhouse and everyone is chasing their success. The Phantoms are 23-0 the past two seasons with back-to-back Long Island championships and now four in school history. It's getting to the point where we don't even worry
about who they might have lost because the faith in the program recently has been that strong. Their two pillars of success are easily seen on the offensive line with Dylan Spano and Ryan Bachmore, add Patrick Ahern to that mix on defense and the core of this team is still intact. Last season in the championship game, the offensive line just steamrolled ShorehamWading River. The Bayport-Blue Point blueprint has been if you win on the inside and it will translate to success and the same design is set for this year's group. They have to be the odds on favorites.
John Glenn
Head Coach: Dave Shanahan
As coach Shanahan reaches his 30th season, he feels like this is one of his best teams yet. Glenn felt that they left a lot of the table last year after an impressive regular season and are chomping at the bit to get back out there. Many of the players will be returning from that one loss regular season squad and that sort of success is expected to continue. Cole Madden will lead the way as the senior QB was very impressive last season limiting mistakes throwing 13 TDs to just 2 picks. He's joined in the backfield by KaRahn King and has a defense that might be the best in the division led by senior linebacker Dave Rafiq.
Babylon
Head Coach: Rick Punzone
A heartbreaking loss in the playoffs last year stings and they lost some key pieces, but after two decades on the sidelines, coach Rick Punzone knows how to retool quickly. Aidan Winter will be leading the way as the signal caller and he has some big senior offensive lineman to protect him.
Wyandanch
Head Coach: Dawhite Hines
Waynadanch had a tough season last year, but coach Hines believes this group of kids will take a huge step up. Hines made it a point to express how good his seniors are and Franklin Ortega leads that group on the line. Derrick Henry will be under center and while he will get time to throw, it's stopping the other teams offenses that will make this team a playoff team or fall short again.
Greenport/Southold/ Mattituck
Head Coach: Tim McArdle
Greenport/Southold/Mattituck players don't just play both ways, they play all three ways. That was explained by coach McArdle as he expressed the toughness and commitment of his roster. Not only did this team have a short bench last season but injuries hit them hard. Now with a healthy roster and some experience coming back on the offensive line in the form of Matt and Kenny McGunnigle along with Brady Woods, things are looking up.
Hampton Bays
Head Coach: Sean Gil
Coach Sean Gil is trying to revitalize this program after two seasons of not having a varsity team. He has a solid core to work with and despite not having a team, his upbeat manner is easy to become infectious. Gil brought a number of players to media day and while there are only a few seniors, there is plenty of promise with sophomore Michael Single and Brayden Talmage.
Southampton
Head Coach: Franklin Trent
Just getting on the field was a major win for Southampton last season. They fielded their first varsity football team since 2019. Coach Trent said that it was the JV's team and success they had that pushed the decision through, and now this season, those same students will be at the core of this team. Nicholas Beeker will be leading the charge at QB and he has familiar faces behind him on the offense. Cameron Gratton and Tyrese Reddick will look to spread the field as this team hopes the 5-2 JV teams success carries over into this varsity season.
Credit: Tom Barton
Credit: Tom Barton
Date Time
9/13/2024 7:00 pm
9/14/2024 2:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:00 pm
9/14/2024 2:00 pm
9/14/2024 6:00 pm
Varsity Division 3 schedule
Away Team / Home Team
Contest Location
Easthampton/BH/Pier @ Comsewogue Comsewogue High School
Sayville @ Harborfields
Westhampton @ H H Hills West
Hauppauge @ Amityville
Harborfields High School
H H HILLS WEST HS
Amityville Memorial High School
Kings Park @ Islip Islip High School
Eastport/S Manor @ Rocky Point
9/20/2024 6:00 pm Islip @ Sayville
9/20/2024 6:00 pm
9/20/2024 7:00 pm
9/20/2024 6:00 pm
9/20/2024 6:30 pm
9/21/2024 2:00 pm
9/27/2024 7:00 pm
9/27/2024 6:00 pm
9/27/2024 6:00 pm
9/28/2024 2:00 pm
9/28/2024 1:30 pm
9/28/2024 1:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:30 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:00 pm
H H Hills West @ Eastport/S Manor
Rocky Point High School
160 Greeley Avenue
Eastport South Manor High School
Westhampton @ Comsewogue Comsewogue High School
Harborfields @ Hauppauge Hauppauge High School
Amityville @ Kings Park
Easthampton/BH/Pier @ Rocky Point
Sayville @ Comsewogue
H H Hills West @ Hauppauge
Islip @ Westhampton
Harborfields @ Eastport/S Manor
Kings Park @ Easthampton/BH/Pier
Rocky Point @ Amityville
Kings Park High School
Rocky Point High School
Comsewogue High School
Hauppauge High School
Westhampton Beach High School
Eastport South Manor High School
East Hampton High School
Amityville Memorial High School
Westhampton @ Sayville 160 Greeley Avenue
Harborfields @ H H Hills West H H HILLS WEST HS
Comsewogue @ Kings Park Kings Park High School
Rocky Point @ Hauppauge
Hauppauge High School
Easthampton/BH/Pier @ Islip Islip High School
Eastport/S Manor @ Amityville
10/10/2024 6:30 pm Sayville @ Kings Park
10/10/2024 3:00 pm
10/10/2024 3:00 pm
10/10/2024 6:30 pm
10/10/2024 6:00 pm
10/10/2024 6:00 pm
10/18/2024 6:00 pm
10/18/2024 6:00 pm
10/19/2024 2:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:30 pm
10/19/2024 1:00 pm
10/25/2024 6:30 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/26/2024 3:00 pm
10/26/2024 6:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
11/02/2024 2:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
Amityville Memorial High School
Kings Park High School
Rocky Point @ H H Hills West H H HILLS WEST HS
Westhampton @ Easthampton/BH/Pier
Amityville @ Harborfields
Comsewogue @ Islip
Hauppauge @ Eastport/S Manor
Hauppauge @ Westhampton
Islip @ Rocky Point
H H Hills West @ Sayville
Comsewogue @ Harborfields
Eastport/S Manor @ Kings Park
Amityville @ Easthampton/BH/Pier
Sayville @ Eastport/S Manor
H H Hills West @ Islip
Harborfields @ Westhampton
Easthampton/BH/Pier @ Hauppauge
Amityville @ Comsewogue
Kings Park @ Rocky Point
Hauppauge @ Sayville
Kings Park @ Westhampton
Comsewogue @ H H Hills West
Rocky Point @ Harborfields
Islip @ Amityville
East Hampton High School
Harborfields High School
Islip High School
Eastport South Manor High School
Westhampton Beach High School
Rocky Point High School
Sayville High School
Harborfields High School
Kings Park High School
East Hampton High School
Eastport South Manor High School
Islip High School
Westhampton Beach High School
Hauppauge High School
Comsewogue High School
Rocky Point High School
160 Greeley Avenue
Westhampton Beach High School
H H HILLS WEST HS
Harborfields High School
Amityville Memorial High School
Eastport/S Manor @ Easthampton/BH/Pier East Hampton High School
ByTomBarton
Rocky Point
Head Coach: Anthony DiLorenzo
The Eagles lost some real talent at QB and linebacker, but their rushing attack has the potential to keep them in a lot of games this season. Thomas Doran will lead the backfield and the 6' 188 pound not only has speed with a 4.8 40 yard dash, but he is a menace to take down as well. Doran will also be in the middle of the action on defense as he will fill the middle linebacker hole. The running game will have to be the focal point because we aren't sure what to expect from sophomore Peyton Reisinger at QB. He will be thrown into the fire, but if he can elevate his play behind the rushing attack, Rocky Point could flirt with a playoff bid. Coach DiLorenzo was adamant that his program is not only about winning but his "vision is to develop character, while developing athletic excellence." He spoke on the three pillars of Rocky Point: Effort, Energy, and Love. This Rocky Point team can turn some heads this season.
Comsewogue
Head Coach: Sean Tremblay
This is a running team in it's purest form, and they have the pieces to be an almost unstoppable rushing attack. Shane Grant returns after he missed time last season with an injury and there has been buzz about him being one of the best backs in the county. He has to carry this offense that has some upside in the passing game but should be on Grant's shoulders. Tremblay earned All-Suffolk County status as a fullback and linebacker for the Warriors when he went to school there and many see the same sort of upside in Grant. Trembaly called Grant "one of the better players in the county," but he did make a point to tell the media they "have to stay away from the injury bug" this year. Tremblay also expects a big year from Doug Annicelli at wideout and dback and James Ward who will be a force in the middle at 245 pounds.
Eastport-South Manor
Head Coach: Guy Buckley
Guy Buckley will man the sideles for the first time this season.He takes over a program that has been steadily improving year after year and he has the pieces in place to continue that upward trajectory. This team has added a win in each of the past 3 seasons and Buckley has set the goal to add one more and get to four this year. “We want to improve on last year,” Buckley said and added that he wants to "try for .500 this season, that's our goal." That might be a tough uphill climb though as the first-year coach watched 26 players graduate last season. He will need receiver Cole Klein and running backs Joey Hershey and Philip Samuel III to step up as underclassmen. But he does return junior quarterback Max Ferraro. To help, Ferraro Buckley will implement the same offense as last season.
Suffolk County Football Preview
Half Hollow Hills West
Head Coach: Gerald Filardi
Joseph Filardi will be under center this season for Half Hollow Hills, but he has already signed up to play for the Syracuse Orange next year. The lacrosse and football standout will be back to leading a high-flying offense that had the best scoring average in the league. Filardi can't do it alone though as we have a duo of talented receivers back in Brooks and Anthony Raio. Raio and Filardi are not only a one-two punch on the gridiron but also with a lacrosse stick in hand and that comradery will take this offense a long way this season. Filardi echo's many of the coaches when he said this is the most competitive division in Suffolk and told everyone to embrace this year.
Westhampton
Head Coach: Bryan Schaumloffel
Coach Schaumloffel told us how inexperienced this team is but also made it a point to say how excited he was to see this group on the field. Brody Schaffer will play an integral role and he has some bulk up front protecting him in David Salazar. Schaumloffel will have a dangerous team if they can gel quickly and get out of the gates against the early season schedule. He spoke
about being leaders in the school and how these young athletes are looked up to. Westhampton is not just developing a winning team, but they are making leaders in the school.
Sayville
Head Coach: Reade Sands
Sayville lost out on the Division three crown last season, but they are back to being on many people's short lists to take the crown this year. Kyle Messina has a chance to cement his name as the best player in the county and, he will once again lead this offense on the ground. Sayville is used to winning and Messina should help continue that.
Harborfields
Head Coach: Rocco Colucci
There are high expectations for Harborfields, which hasn't always been the case. Jack Weiss returns under center and, he has a stout and experienced line in front of him. Coach Colucci said that the team's top 6 players have been not only playing together but also playing the same positions for six years now.
Hauppauge
Head Coach: Chris Diesso
Coach Diesso enters his second season and he brings with him a prolific offense. It will be fun to
watch this team go up and down the field again this season, but the question will be how much defense can they muster up.
Islip
Head Coach: Jamie Lynch
Islip is back in Division three after spending one season in Division four. The coach told us how devastating it was to lose five starters in the first few games last year and that derailed what he believed would have been a very good team. Now, he returns his starting QB and Colin Haug is returning from a tough ACL tear that could mean he is out for most of the season. If they can get past the injury bug, it's not hard to see this team as a playoff contender.
King's Park
Head Coach: Mark O’Brien
Coach O'Brien enters his 30th year as the head coach of King's Park and, he told us that he believed that was the longest tenure. Certainly in the division but in all of Suffolk county. Being a head coach for 30 years, he has seen a lot of turnover, and this year, he will have to navigate around even more. As he looks over his team, he sees just eight seniors on the team, after graduating 25 of them, but was quick to point out how good the JV squad was and their impact will be
felt right away. Nick Paliotta and Nick Vicinanza are the only starters returning and the coach said he will ask them to do a lot this season. The experience might not be on the field, but it certainly is on the sidelines and the Kingsmen will see if that is enough to make a playoff push.
East Hampton
Head Coach: Joe McKee
Coach McKee will be back on the sidelines and not just for his 10th season as head coach but he is ok after a close call late last year forced him to miss the final game. McKee was struck by a car while walking to buy flowers for the team's seniors for Senior Day and spent game day in the hospital. This year, he returns with a solid running back duo and we are all glad to see him back on the sidelines.
Amityville
Head Coach: Jason Epps
Coach Epps told a room full of his opposing coaches and reporters to not take his team lightly this season. Injuries ravaged this team last season, so much so they had to forfeit a game, but Epps replaced his coaching staff and brought back a slew of starters. As he said, "don't assume we are just a W for you." It's hard not to believe his impassioned speech.
Credit: Tom Barton
Credit: landtekgroup.com
Credit: @Kylemessina4 | X
Date Time
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:00 pm
9/14/2024 2:00 pm
9/14/2024 6:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:00 pm
9/20/2024 6:00 pm
9/20/2024 6:30 pm
9/21/2024 1:00 pm
Varsity Division 2 schedule
Away Team / Home Team
Contest Location
West Islip @ East Islip East Islip Middle School
Smithtown East @ Centereach Centereach High School
Newfield @ Copiague Copiague High School
H H Hills East @ North Babylon North Babylon High School
Huntington @ Northport
Northport High School
West Babylon @ Smithtown West Smithtown West High School
Bellport @ Deer Park Deer Park High School
Northport @ West Islip West Islip High School
Deer Park @ Smithtown West Smithtown West High School
Bellport @ North Babylon North Babylon High School
9/21/2024 2:00 pm East Islip @ Centereach
9/21/2024 1:30 pm
9/21/2024 1:30 pm
9/21/2024 2:00 pm
9/27/2024 3:00 pm
9/27/2024 7:00 pm
9/28/2024 1:30 pm
9/28/2024 1:00 pm
9/28/2024 2:00 pm
9/28/2024 2:00 pm
9/28/2024 2:30 pm
10/05/2024 2:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:30 pm
10/05/2024 2:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 2:00 pm
Centereach High School
West Babylon @ H H Hills East H H HILLS EAST HS
Newfield @ Huntington Huntington High School
Copiague @ Smithtown East Smithtown East High School
Deer Park @ H H Hills East
Smithtown East @ Newfield
H H HILLS EAST HS
Newfield High School
North Babylon @ Huntington Huntington High School
Smithtown West @ East Islip East Islip Middle School
Centereach @ West Islip West Islip High School
Northport @ Bellport Bellport High School
Copiague @ West Babylon West Babylon Junior High School
North Babylon @ Northport Northport High School
H H Hills East @ East Islip East Islip Middle School
West Islip @ West Babylon West Babylon Junior High School
Copiague @ Bellport Bellport High School
Centereach @ Smithtown West Smithtown West High School
Huntington @ Smithtown East
10/05/2024 2:00 pm Deer Park @ Newfield
10/09/2024 6:00 pm
10/09/2024 6:00 pm
10/10/2024 3:30 pm
10/11/2024 3:00 pm
10/11/2024 3:00 pm
10/11/2024 2:00 pm
10/11/2024 3:30 pm
10/18/2024 3:30 pm
10/18/2024 6:00 pm
10/18/2024 6:30 pm
10/19/2024 2:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:30 pm
10/19/2024 2:00 pm
10/19/2024 2:00 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:30 pm
10/26/2024 2:00 pm
10/26/2024 2:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:30 pm
10/26/2024 5:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/02/2024 2:00 pm
11/02/2024 2:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:30 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
Smithtown East High School
Newfield High School
Smithtown West @ Copiague Copiague High School
Smithtown East @ Deer Park Deer Park High School
H H Hills East @ Northport Northport High School
North Babylon @ West Islip West Islip High School
East Islip @ West Babylon West Babylon Junior High School
Bellport @ Huntington Huntington High School
Newfield @ Centereach Centereach High School
Bellport @ H H Hills East
West Islip @ Newfield
H H HILLS EAST HS
Newfield High School
Centereach @ West Babylon West Babylon Junior High School
East Islip @ North Babylon North Babylon High School
Deer Park @ Northport
Northport High School
Huntington @ Copiague Copiague High School
Smithtown West @ Smithtown East
Northport @ East Islip
Smithtown East High School
East Islip Middle School
West Babylon @ North Babylon North Babylon High School
West Islip @ H H Hills East
Smithtown East @ Bellport
Centereach @ Copiague
H H HILLS EAST HS
Bellport High School
Copiague High School
Huntington @ Deer Park Deer Park High School
Newfield @ Smithtown West
Smithtown West @ West Islip
Copiague @ Deer Park
North Babylon @ Centereach
East Islip @ Bellport
H H Hills East @ Huntington
Northport @ Smithtown East
West Babylon @ Newfield
Smithtown West High School
West Islip High School
Deer Park High School
Centereach High School
Bellport High School
Huntington High School
Smithtown East High School
Newfield High School
ByTomBarton
Half Hollow Hills East
Head Coach: Alex Marcelin
They return 19 of 22 starters, but they will be losing their all everything and captain QB Jordan Heyman as well as choosing a new nickname. Losing Heyman, who was third in the county in TD passes, will be a big blow, but they bring back a rushing attack that will give teams fits. Daniel White will be the focal point and he rushed 158 times for 1,542 yards and 12 TDs last season. Will this offense transition to a pure rushing attack and lean on White or will the summer QB competition be able to take the load off of his shoulders? Listening to coach Marcelin who speaks about being "physical and disciplined," we get the sense that they will be more of a running team. In either case, coach expects this team to be "an offensive powerhouse and now we have the defense also." Their success in the run game could determine if this team is merely good or championship level.
Bellport
Head Coach: Jamie Fabian
The "Junk Yard Dogs" have a long-storied history with six Long Island and twelve Suffolk County Championships. They now have one of the best players on the island leading them with their eyes set on yet another. Trey'von Holland is a superstar and already has scouts raving about the possibilities for the senior. While they have starters coming back on both sides of the ball, their defense should control how this season goes for them. Bedell, Frankie, a Bucknell commit, Cipp,and Turner are just a few names you can expect to light up the box score but all eyes will be on how much Holland can disrupt the game plans of opposing coaches.
Centereach
Head Coach: Adam Barrett
In a Division where many of the teams are a run-oriented, defense and slow style of play attack, Centereach might find success bucking that trend. Expect to see them go to the air early and often behind TJ Doyle. The 6'1" 180 pounder lit it up as a junior in only 8 full games he passed for 1,132 passing yards and 8 passing touchdowns. The dual threat also rushed for 77 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. He returns with Elija Admas to throw to an experienced offensive line led by Aidan Katz.
Newfield
Head Coach: Nick Adler
Suffolk County Football Preview
Nick Adler took over the program in 2019, and he says that last year was one of the hardest.
Adler stated that the team met with "some serious adversity" but was impressed with the fight of his team. "Everytime something bad happened, the fight never stopped," said Adler. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however as the record certainly doesn't indicate what Adler called his team's best strength and that is the character of the team. They are bringing back 15 starters, a lot of upperclassmen and plenty of skilled position players. Their defense looks to be much improved.
David Spooner is their tough guy leader who will man the middle at linebacker and fullback. The young line will be a key to this team, and if they can grow up quickly, this season could be a surprise playoff contender. If you like the throwback style, this is the team that you'll want to watch with fullback, tight end (Mastres) and solid defense being the backbone of the team.
Smithtown East
Head Coach: Dave Benardo
Coach Dave Bernardo improved by one game from the previous season, but it's easy to understand why he, and the Smithtown faithful, see bigger things on the horizon. There is a new offensive mindset with the OC and that is to throw the ball more than the old wishbone style. Coach Benardo has grown up with the kids as he was their JV coach and now varsity. Bernardo made headlines when he opened practice right after midnight to start the energy and tradition of being the first team in camp. If Bernardo's enthusiasm carries into his team, this could be a dangerous squad in a hurry.
Smithtown West
Head Coach: Craig Perrino
This will look like an almost total rebuild from day one. There isn't a team that lost more starters in Suffolk than coach Perrino. Smithtown West will have success
defensively up front with two senior defensive lineman manning the middle in Gavin German and Leo Zabbia, but the secondary will tell the tale of their season. Offensively, they will go to the ground game after losing their signal caller and will try to grind out wins the oldfashioned way behind three capable running backs.
North Babylon
Head Coach: John Rowland
The defending Division two champions are back and loaded with their superstar RB Jawara Keahey. The Bulldogs won 26-14 over West Islip in the Suffolk Division II championship behind the legs of Keahey and his 24 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
East Islip
Head Coach: Sal J. Ciampi
The division three champions now move up to Division two and coach Ciampi wants to add another title to his historic reign. Thomas Costarelli will add that senior leadership under center.
West Islip
Head Coach: Steve Mileti
Coach Mileti has made this team a perennial playoff contender and this season is no different as he returns a very good secondary, and should be stout on the ground.
Northport
Head Coach: Pat Campbell
Coach Campbell and this team
have missed the playoffs just once in the past decade plus. On paper, it looks like they are set up for another playoff bid as they will lean heavily on a lot of returning seniors who play a pivotal role.
West Babylon
Head Coach: Kevin Delaney
Behind a dynamic offense, this team set a record for points scored last season and their star QB Elijah Outlaw returns after placing inside the top 8 in the county in passing yards and TDs.
Huntington
Head Coach: Ron Wilson
Wilson will begin his second season by bringing back a ton of weapons on offense. The offense will dictate how the season goes as it can be explosive, but the defense will have to step up after they lost some pieces.
Deer Park
Head Coach: Dan Bowker
Bowker enters his second year with a very young team, but he returns his starting QB, Aaron Smith, who passed for 16 TDs last season.
Copiague
Head Coach: Kenneth Rittenhouse
This team has been run by the same coach since 2013, but they have not won a game in more than 3 seasons. If they start 0-4 this year, they'll lose 40 games in a row.
Credit: @Treyvon58 | X
Credit: landtekgroup.com
Credit: Tom Barton
Credit: coach Perrino
Credit: Newfield JV Football 2024 | Facebook
Credit: Tom Barton
Credit: coach Perrino
Date Time
9/13/2024 7:00 pm
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/13/2024 6:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:00 pm
9/14/2024 2:00 pm
9/14/2024 1:30 pm
9/20/2024 6:00 pm
9/20/2024 7:00 pm
9/20/2024 6:00 pm
9/21/2024 1:00 pm
9/21/2024 1:30 pm
9/21/2024 2:00 pm
9/21/2024 1:00 pm
9/27/2024 6:00 pm
9/27/2024 7:00 pm
9/28/2024 1:30 pm
Varsity Division 1 schedule
Away Team / Home Team
Ward Melville @ Sachem North
Contest Location
Sachem High School North
Commack HS @ Sachem East Sachem East High School
Patchogue-Medford @ Connetquot Connetquot High School
Riverhead @ Central Islip
Longwood @ William Floyd
Central Islip High School
Lincoln Avenue Sports Complex
Walt Whitman @ Bay Shore Bay Shore High School
Lindenhurst @ Brentwood Brentwood High School
Walt Whitman @ Longwood Longwood High School
Sachem East @ Ward Melville Ward Melville High School
Central Islip @ Patchogue-Medford Patchogue Medford High School
Lindenhurst @ William Floyd Lincoln Avenue Sports Complex
Sachem North @ Connetquot Connetquot High School
Riverhead @ Commack HS Commack High School
Brentwood @ Bay Shore Bay Shore High School
Sachem East @ Lindenhurst
Central Islip @ Walt Whitman
William Floyd @ Commack HS
9/28/2024 1:00 pm Bay Shore @ Sachem North
9/28/2024 1:00 pm
9/28/2024 2:00 pm
9/28/2024 1:30 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:00 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:30 pm
10/05/2024 6:00 pm
10/05/2024 1:30 pm
10/10/2024 6:30 pm
10/10/2024 6:00 pm
10/10/2024 3:30 pm
10/10/2024 6:00 pm
10/10/2024 6:00 pm
10/11/2024 3:30 pm
10/11/2024 3:30 pm
10/18/2024 6:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:30 pm
10/19/2024 2:00 pm
10/19/2024 6:00 pm
10/19/2024 1:30 pm
10/19/2024 2:30 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/25/2024 6:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:00 pm
10/26/2024 3:00 pm
10/26/2024 1:30 pm
10/26/2024 2:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/01/2024 7:00 pm
11/01/2024 6:00 pm
11/02/2024 1:30 pm
11/02/2024 1:30 pm
11/02/2024 1:00 pm
Brentwood @ Longwood
Lindenhurst Middle School
Walt Whitman High School
Commack High School
Sachem High School North
Longwood High School
Connetquot @ Ward Melville Ward Melville High School
Ward Melville @ Walt Whitman Walt Whitman High School
Central Islip @ Lindenhurst
Lindenhurst Middle School
Connetquot @ Bay Shore Bay Shore High School
Commack HS @ Patchogue-Medford
Brentwood @ Riverhead
Sachem North @ Walt Whitman
Longwood @ Sachem East
Lindenhurst @ Commack HS
Riverhead @ Connetquot
Bay Shore @ Central Islip
William Floyd @ Ward Melville
Patchogue-Medford @ Brentwood
Lindenhurst @ Longwood
Sachem North @ William Floyd
Ward Melville @ Riverhead
Brentwood @ Sachem East
Connetquot @ Walt Whitman
Commack HS @ Central Islip
Bay Shore @ Patchogue-Medford
Ward Melville @ Longwood
Connetquot @ Central Islip
Walt Whitman @ William Floyd
Sachem East @ Sachem North
Patchogue Medford High School
Pulaski Sports Complex
Walt Whitman High School
Sachem East High School
Commack High School
Connetquot High School
Central Islip High School
Ward Melville High School
Brentwood High School
Longwood High School
Lincoln Avenue Sports Complex
Pulaski Sports Complex
Sachem East High School
Walt Whitman High School
Central Islip High School
Patchogue Medford High School
Longwood High School
Central Islip High School
Lincoln Avenue Sports Complex
Sachem High School North
Patchogue-Medford @ Lindenhurst Lindenhurst Middle School
Commack HS @ Brentwood
Riverhead @ Bay Shore
William Floyd @ Connetquot
Brentwood High School
Bay Shore High School
Connetquot High School
Sachem North @ Lindenhurst Lindenhurst Middle School
Bay Shore @ Ward Melville
Ward Melville High School
Sachem East @ Patchogue-Medford Patchogue Medford High School
Longwood @ Commack HS
Walt Whitman @ Riverhead
Central Islip @ Brentwood
Commack High School
Pulaski Sports Complex
Brentwood High School
SPORTS Suffolk County Football Preview
ByTomBarton William Floyd
Head Coach: Paul Longo
Coach Longo returns for his 30th season as head coach and he said, "I love it and I'll do it until I can't walk." The Colonials have won five Long Island championships but missed out on a sixth last season when they dropped that game to Massapequa 35-7. Despite that loss, coach Longo continues to show why this is one of the premiere programs on the island. The Colonials’ have represented Suffolk in the Long island Championship game a record 14 times. They lost some key pieces and 19 seniors, but Longo knows how to retool quickly. This season, they return star quarterback A.J. Cannet. In that game, Cannet passed for 201 yards and a TD and he will have his #1 receiver Geo Alvarez back. Alvarez went for 155 yards and a TD, showing off his deep ball speed. Defensively, Josh Jordan leads the way as a big play corner. Along with Alvarez, Derek Amato and Aaron Fisher are dubbed as some of the best players not only in this division but on the entire island.
Patchogue-Medford
Head Coach: Thomas Piccirillo
Pat-Med had a rough inaugural season under their new head coach, but things are looking up as they return the bulk of their starting offense including most of their offensive line. This will be year two with a new coach and that leap is expected by many. This is not the same team as last year's 0-8 squad and they want to make an early statement.
Longwood
Head Coach: Sean Kluber
Longwood has high hopes this season as they are returning a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Coach Kluber said, "this is the largest roster we have ever had at Longwood High School. We are holding 67 kids. We have 40 seniors and are bringing back 8 starters on each side of the ball." There will be a new face under center but only new to the position as Ryan Mandaro was on the team's defense last year. Speaking to coach Kluber and the team, you get the sense that they are looking at big things this season behind their senior leadership, which is felt across all levels. He also was quick to point out that his entire coaching staff went to Longwood, so there this season, there is an added sense of pride in the community.
Ward Melville
Head Coach: Chris Boltrek
Entering their 58th year as a program head coach, Boltrek has an impressive track record after a decade leading this team, but this team still wants more. They failed short of their goal to be county champions last season and are bringing back a slew of seniors to help get them that goal this time around. This team has been a perennial playoff contender and this season will be no different, but getting the juniors and inexperienced players to thrive will be the difference between the playoffs and a championship. Last season, they had the best offensive line in Suffolk and that emphasis on the big bodies up front will be at the forefront again this season. On paper, they are as dangerous as any team in this division and bring back some key playmakers who have another year under their belt.
Sachem East
Head Coach: Ray Pickersgill
If the old saying that offensive and defensive lines win championships, then Sachem East should be feeling
very good about the new season. They return nearly every starter on both sides of the line for this year's squad. Not only are they experienced, but they were talked about by coaches as having some of the best talent in the division. Coach Pickersgill immediately mentioned his team's biggest strength was the offensive line, who won the lineman's challenge this season. They will go into this season with a new defensive coordinator and the approach is to "think differently this year." If Vurchio can get time in the pocket, he can pick apart a defense, which he showed last year ranking inside the top 10 in completions, yards and touchdown passes. Pickersgill mentioned a "brutal" schedule, but if this team can navigate through it, it will be well prepared for the postseason.
Sachem North
Head Coach: Dave Caputo
Sachem North split with William Floyd last season, but they lost the Suffolk County championship game to Floyd 26-9. This season, the formula is the same. Run the ball early and often behind a dynamic offensive line and a potentially game breaking RB. Last year's loss showed everyone this team can beat anyone in the division and now they have their sights set on a Suffolk title.
Connetquot
Head Coach: Mike Konsevitch Jr.
hearts broken on the final day of the season last year, this team is using that as fuel. They return a good senior class that will remember that sting and their schedule in the early season lines up nicely to get some experience for their younger core.
Commack
Head Coach: Joe Reggio
The Cougars have to replace a ton of talent, but we have watched this before with coach Reggio. This team rarely misses the playoffs only failing to do so 3 times in the past decade, and while they have to retool quickly, there is already some talk about their young team making waves right away.
Walt Whitman
Head Coach: Robin Rosa
Coach Rosa enters his 15th season with a team looking to get over .500 this season. Last year, the schedule was brutal as they opened up with two games on the road and closed with 3 straight away from home. This season where they play won't matter if they can't score more points. In all of their losses, they put up 21 or less points.
Lindenhurst
Head Coach: Mark Frole
Coach Frole will be making his coaching debut for Lindenhurst as the 14th coach in the school's history. The former assistant coach knows this team well and brings excitement to the program. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me and my
family,” Frole said. “It feels great to coach my hometown team.” Frole takes over for Lombardo who led the Bulldogs to Long Island championships twice but had to step down because of health concerns.
Bay Shore
Head Coach: Andrew Nevitt
Nevitt will try to navigate through his second year with a twoheaded QB combination this season. He has some speed on the outside and some offensive talent that can elevate the two signal callers.
Brentwood
Head Coach: Rich DeJesus
Coach DeJesus expects to have some key contributions from juniors this season and mixing that with his returning seniors makes for an interesting team to keep an eye on for a playoff bid.
Riverhead
Head Coach: Ed Grassman
After winning just two games last year, this Riverhead team lost even more talent. Grassman does have some senior leaders to lean on as they will have to make up for the lost talent with their growth and development.
Central Islip
Head Coach: Eric Unverzagt
C.I. won just one game last season and while some teams get a knock for being young, Islip will benefit from the youth and enthusiasm this season.
