The year was 1991. I was about to enter my freshman year at Syracuse University, and I remember the sticker shock of my annual tuition, including room, board, and meals: close to $18,000.
For me, it was worth every single penny. I had my heart set on being an investigative reporter and broadcast journalist, so I would gladly pay every single cent to attend the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
It was a wise investment at the time on my part, because of the prestige of Newhouse, the highly specialized field I was going to study, and the numerous connections I would have from the long list of esteemed graduates.
The cost of going to my beloved Syracuse University has skyrocketed
since the last time I walked on the Quad as a student in 1995.
Right now, tuition, room, board, meals, and if you toss in health insurance, will set families back approximately $91,034.
I had to check that number again and again and again after temporarily suffering sticker shock. Multiply that by four, and assuming increases over the next three academic years, and a fouryear degree could cost you almost $400,000.
I cannot imagine how a college student and their families can afford to pay that back. Those on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum get tons of financial aid, while extremely wealthy families can afford to pay out of pocket.
That leaves a massive middleclass vacuum of students and
SANTOS UNCENSORED
BY GEORGE SANTOS
Tariffs—though often misunderstood by many Americans—have recently come to the forefront of political and economic discussions. Last week, President Donald Trump introduced his reciprocal tariff plan, a bold strategy aimed at addressing long-standing trade imbalances between the United States and the rest of the world. The announcement reverberated through global markets and sparked strong reactions from both America’s allies and its adversaries. For many, it marked the beginning of a new era—an era where nations can no longer take advantage of the United States without facing repercussions.
Critics of U.S. trade policy have long argued that America has been at a disadvantage in international commerce. They contend that other nations have used unfair trade practices, such as dumping
goods at artificially low prices (a tactic known as "dumping") or placing tariffs on American exports while enjoying open access to U.S. markets. For years, this system has left the U.S. with a trade deficit, meaning the country imports more goods than it exports. President Trump has made it his mission to confront these imbalances head-on, ensuring that America no longer finds itself at a disadvantage in the global marketplace.
Trump’s tariff plan is built on the idea of fairness and reciprocity—a concept that demands equal treatment in international trade.
The core of the plan is simple: If another country imposes tariffs on American goods, the U.S. will respond by imposing tariffs of its own on their products. This strategy, according to the Trump administration, is not only a way to level the playing field but also a tool to pressure other
Parents: Encourage Kids to Pursue Building Trades
families that go deep into debt to earn a four-year-degree from a private university.
It doesn’t have to be this way. There is another path. One where you’re guaranteed a full-time job, zero debt, and the chance to earn six figures right out of the gate.
It’s called the Building Trades.
A press release from the Plumbing Contractors of Long Island caught my eye when it hit my South Shore Press email inbox.
They’re promoting a September class, a "Plumbing Institute," where young men and women are given a full-time job and training where you’re a certified plumber in about two years. No debt, with the chance of earning six figures in the Building Trades.
I don’t know how parents push
their kids with a clear conscience to attend an Ivy League School, receive a useless gender studies degree, or take their Sanskrit diploma and get a job pouring specialty drinks at your local coffee shop, all the while going into a massive debt that you can never, ever pay back.
Parents, educators, and guidance counselors should now encourage students to pursue a path in the Building Trades.
Trump Tariffs to Tackle Trade Disparity
nations into negotiating better trade agreements. By instituting tariffs in response to tariffs, the president hopes to encourage foreign governments to ease trade restrictions on U.S. products and adopt fairer trade practices.
The central goal of this initiative is to protect American jobs, industries, and consumers. President Trump has framed his tariff approach as a way to bolster the American economy by safeguarding domestic industries from unfair foreign competition. Proponents argue that these measures will help revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and ensure that American workers aren’t undercut by cheap imports or foreign government policies that disadvantage American goods.
However, the plan has not been without controversy. Critics warn that retaliatory tariffs could lead
to higher prices for consumers, especially if trade wars erupt between the U.S. and its trading partners. The possibility of tariffs escalating into full-scale trade wars raises concerns about the potential for harm to both domestic businesses and consumers. Economists have also pointed out that while the goal of protecting American industries is valid, the tariff strategy could backfire if other countries retaliate with their own tariffs, ultimately hurting U.S. exports and jobs in industries that rely on international trade.
Despite these concerns levied by the same usual suspects, as a President Trump supporter, I argue that this approach is necessary to secure fairer trade deals and put American interests first. I firmly believe that the U.S. has long been exploited by other countries taking advantage of unbalanced trade agreements, and that tariffs are a
tool to ensure that we as a country get better deals on international trade. By focusing on America’s economic strength, the president seeks to change the status quo and make sure that trade agreements benefit the U.S. economy in the long run.
In essence, President Trump’s tariff strategy signals a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy. It marks a break from past approaches that prioritized global cooperation and free trade, in favor of a more protectionist stance that seeks to prioritize U.S. economic interests and fairness in the global marketplace. As this new trade strategy unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see if it leads to a more balanced international trade system—or if it triggers a wave of economic uncertainty and geopolitical tension.
Syracuse University Tuition
Credit: Syracuse University
ByStefanMychajliw
Parents Protest at William Floyd High School
Multiple groups, including “Moms for Liberty, Suffolk Chapter” and “Show Me Your Face” protested the William Floyd School District after concerned parents claimed a biological boy is a member of the Girls’ Varsity Track Team.
The protest coincided with an Executive Session meeting being held by the William Floyd School District Board of Education. While those meetings take place behind closed doors, parents still protested outside.
“Boys do not belong in women’s sports, boys do not belong in women’s bathrooms, boys do not belong in women’s locker rooms. This is also a violation of President Trump’s Executive Order. The country voted the way it did knowing President Trump was going to ban men in women’s sports. This is what the people voted for. This is what we want,” said Shannon Van, Founder of the
group “Show Me Your Face” and the Patriots Podcast.
President Trump issued an Executive Order on February 5th, 2025 titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
It moves to ban federal funding to any school district that allows boys to participate in girls’ sports.
President Trump’s Executive Order states: “All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall review grants to educational programs and, where appropriate, rescind funding to programs that fail to comply with the policy established in this order.”
Multiple parents and one member of the William Floyd High School Varsity Girls’ Track Team told the South Shore Press that a biological boy who identifies as a girl is a member of the girls’ team.
The biological boy, who the South Shore Press is not
Supervisor Panico
identifying, has practiced according to concerned parents and one track team member, but at this point in the season did not appear during the WFHS Girl’s track meet on Tuesday, April 1st against Middle Country.
The next William Floyd High School Girls’ Varsity track meet is scheduled for Monday, April 7th at Patchogue-Medford.
“The issue isn't that someone wants to identify as trans or a girl, that's a mental health issue. The issue is that the boy who is identifying as a female is simply a boy. Biologically, he is a male and has an advantage over girls. We need to protect girls and women in sports. They deserve an even playing field,” said Brianna Richardson, the Moms for Liberty Suffolk Chapter Chair.
While the most recent William Floyd School District Board of Education meeting was behind closed doors due to it being a previously scheduled Executive
Celebrates
Session, its next scheduled meeting is open to the public.
According to the District calendar, the next publicly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, when a budget is scheduled to be adopted.
The groups that protested this week said they plan on making their voices heard to the school district during that April 22nd Board of Education meeting.
“Boys are stronger, they're faster, they're bigger. Having a boy on the girls’ team puts them in harm's way,” added Van.
“Someone who identifies as a female, could identify for that day just to get into a bathroom or a locker room. It’s scary. There's no security guards in bathrooms or locker rooms. Girls are uncomfortable, and it's not okay,” concluded Richardson.
Habitat for Humanity “Wall
Raising” for New Home in Bellport
BySouthShorePressStaff
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Alison Karppi, Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, joined Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk to celebrate a “Wall Raising” on Davidson Avenue in Bellport, marking the start of construction on a new home for the Rahman family.
A "Wall Raising" is a symbolic event where the walls of a Habitat for Humanity home are lifted into place, signifying the beginning of the construction phase.
Also in attendance were Habitat for Humanity Executive Director and CEO Diane Manders and Habitat for Humanity Chairman Kevin O’Connor.
The property and an adjacent buildable lot were donated to Habitat for Humanity by the Town of Brookhaven during former Supervisor Ed Romaine’s
tenure. He currently serves as the Suffolk County Executive.
Supervisor Panico said, “I was honored to take part in this special day with Habitat for Humanity and the Rahman family. Long Island is facing a serious housing shortage, and projects like this help hardworking families achieve the dream of homeownership. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers, the Rahman’s will soon have a beautiful place to call home.”
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976, dedicated to building simple, decent, and affordable housing.
The Suffolk County chapter works with thousands of volunteers to construct and renovate homes, providing opportunities for families to achieve homeownership and build stronger communities.
UPDATE: Foul Play Not Suspected in Happy Cat Sanctuary Fire
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
"He kept taking cats out until he went back in... and he didn’t come out."
"We lost the best man on the face of the planet."
"We’re just going to need everybody’s support now to continue his dream.”
The fire that claimed the lives of 200 cats and their beloved caretaker first broke out on March 31st at about 7:30 a.m. on Dourland Road in Medford.
By that afternoon, Strong Island Animal Rescue colleagues of Happy Cat Sanctuary's Christopher Arsenault—who devoted two decades to sheltering stray felines–fought back tears as they confirmed his loss.
Arsenault, 65, who repeatedly ran back into the fray until he could no longer, saved about 100 cats from succumbing to the fiery flames.
A GoFundMe started in his honor has raised $687,600, as of Friday; this is 97% of its revised goal of $710,000—up from an initial $9,000—in just four days; a testament to Arsenault's influence on the community.
Brookhaven Town Fire marshals and local law enforcement have no evidence of suspicion.
repeatedly went back into the up-in-flames property to save as many cats as he could, according to friends and eyewitnesses.
The cause of the blaze is officially indeterminate, per Brookhaven Chief Fire Marshal Christopher Mehrman. He says neighbors did not cite any outward indication of an explosion.
Some theories in circulation are still being checked out. "We can’t rule out the use of propane space heaters in the house," said Mehrman.
Two-hundred cats were still on the premises as rescue efforts continued on Friday. Thirty were recovered since Monday, and were subsequently treated for burn wounds and other ailments.
Medically cleared cats will be available for adoption in the weeks to come.
Visitation services for Arsenault will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at Fairchild Sons Funeral Chapel in Manhasset. A memorial service for a later date is in the works.
“We knew Chris and are saddened by his passing. He will be missed by so many people," Paws Unite People wrote on Facebook.
‘There really are no words for this kind of tragedy. Just… please keep praying. And when you’re done—pray again.”
William Floyd High School
Habitat for Humanity “Wall Raising” for New Home in Bellport
Credit: Charles Clampett
Credit: Town of Brookhaven
Arsenault
Credit: GoFundMe
LOCAL Muslim Cemetery on Hold for East Moriches
ByRobertChartuk
Responding to community concerns, Brookhaven officials have called for a more in-depth environmental evaluation of the cemetery proposed for the old Spadaro Airport property in East Moriches. A traffic study has also been requested of the applicants, Long Island Community Cemetery, for the area surrounding the 29acre parcel bordered by Montauk Highway and County Road 58.
An April 10 hearing on the plan to create up to 15,000 graves has been postponed, and a new date has yet to be announced. “The town has decided that a more in-depth environmental evaluation must
be conducted prior to proceeding,” said Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, who represents the area on the town board.
According to a principal of the nonprofit, Ghulam Sarwar, the facility will maintain a low profile with gravesites not marked by upright monuments or mausoleums. “We will remove all of the dilapidated buildings and landscape the property. It will be beautiful,” Sarwar said.
Operated by Bart Spadaro for decades, the one-lane airstrip was taken over by his daughter, Susan, after he died in 2013. She gradually phased out aviation services before selling the property to the
Parents: Encourage..
Continued from page 2
Continued on page 4 It also doesn’t have to be a “this or that” exclusive choice between the Building Trades and earning a four-year-degree. The two are not mutually exclusive. I would encourage my sons and daughter to earn an undergraduate degree in finance or accounting, and learn a trade, then they can open their own electrical, plumbing, or construction company.
community cemetery group.
“Spadaro airport is, in fact, in need of a revitalization. Its potential for tax-generating and communitybuilding projects is immense,” said a resident who started a Change. org petition against the proposal. “Imagine my shock when I heard of the plan to convert it into a cemetery, stripping the town of any benefits it could reap from this valuable property.”
According to the petition, which has nearly 700 signatures, “Research shows that strategically planned open spaces can have several benefits for a community, such as improving the mental and physical health of its residents and even boosting the local economy (American Planning Association, 2017). Converting Spadaro airport into a cemetery would deny our community of these benefits.”
“The proposed cemetery would be serving the needs of noncommunity members from the entire NY Metro area, as the proponents argue that there is no other cemetery in the entire region,” noted a petition signer. “So local residents would bear the burden of traffic, potential environmental
impact (Little
My wife and I most certainly are not going to force our children into a “one or the other” type choice.
But we will most definitely do our part by presenting multiple career options to our kids that include careers in the Building Trades.
I would encourage other parents to do the same.
The Associated Builders and Contractors advocacy group states that 70-percent of all construction companies struggle to find work.
Creek is nearby, not to mention potential groundwater impact), and probable litter from the influx of visitors. There is no benefit to the community, and the quality of life in the locality would plummet, making this neighborhood and surrounding communities just another wasteland thanks to abysmal planning and lack of responsible stewardship for future generations. The site should be acquired by Brookhaven or Suffolk County for preservation.”
Another asked: “In East Moriches, we do not have a Muslim population; therefore, why would we have a Muslim cemetery? This does not add value to the community.”
“Residents used to planes flying overhead will have a more quiet neighbor,” said Waheed Siddiqui, a project supporter.
Seatuck
Supporters of the Muslim cemetery in East Moriches.
The former Spadaro Airport property.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury recently informed the SCDA they are due to receive approximately $13 million, per a long-awaited federal funding readmission.
Local congressmen such as Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota were instrumental in this effort, providing key assists for Tierney’s runaway goal shot.
“Restoring Suffolk County’s access to Equitable Sharing funding is a matter of public safety. These resources are critical to ensuring our law enforcement agencies have what they need to fight crime, prosecute major cases, and do their jobs effectively,” said Congressman Garbarino.
The Sayville native was proud to work alongside DA
Readmission Season: DA's Office to Regain Federable Equitable Sharing Program Funding
Tierney “to help resolve this issue and secure the tools our prosecutors and investigators need to protect the people of Suffolk County.”
Tierney–who is campaigning for reelection this November—learned upon taking office in 2022 that in Sept. 2020, the DA’s Office was suspended from Equitable Sharing Funding.
On. Sept 11th of that year, then-DA Timothy D. Sini received a subpoena as part of a federal investigation into
money laundering operations by his own administration and disgraced former DA Thomas Spota's.
Fast-forward to February 28th, 2025: The DOJ officially closed its investigation, opening up a clear lane for Tierney’s team to no longer be beleaguered by limitations levied thanks to the faulty leadership of his since-fallen predecessors.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office applied for readmission to the Equitable
Sharing Programs overseen by the DOJ and the Treasury Department, respectively.
“For the past four years, the people of Suffolk County have not been receiving this significant law enforcement funding due to the investigation of prior Suffolk DA administrations,” said DA Tierney. “This funding will be used for the Gilgo Homicide prosecution, as well as fighting deadly fentanyl, human trafficking, gang activity, illegal firearms and all manner of criminal activity.”
Congressman LaLota weighed in on the multipronged moment of vindication as well, calling the SCDA’s federal funding reinstatement a “win for Suffolk County and law and order.”
“Accountability in government is essential to maintaining the trust and safety of our communities,” he said.
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Kevin LaValle was a guest speaker at the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic monthly meeting held at the Sachem Public Library.
LaValle talked about the inner workings of the Town Clerk's office and how it can help Brookhaven taxpayers.
The Brookhaven Clerk also spoke about service improvements by the Town Clerk’s office and engaged with civic members.
"Thank you to the Lake
BySouthShorePressStaff
Brookhaven Highway
Superintendent Daniel Losquadro announced the launch of a new website designed to gather community feedback for a Vision Zero Action Plan. The goal is to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Town-owned roads by 2045.
The Town of Brookhaven is in the process of developing an action plan that follows the Safe System Approach, as supported by the Federal Highway Administration. The plan will emphasize safer roads, speeds, people, vehicles, and improved post-crash care.
Ronkonkoma Civic members for inviting me to their monthly meeting. I enjoy speaking to residents about the services that the Town Clerk's office provides and the various projects we are currently working on to improve those services,” said LaValle.
The Town Clerk’s office is located at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill in Farmingville.
For more information, office hours and services, call 631-451-9101 or go to www. BrookhavenNY.gov.
Brookhaven has been analyzing crash data, speeds, traffic volumes, infrastructure, field observations, and demographics on Townowned roads. This research aims to pinpoint locations needing roadway safety improvements. The findings will result in a strategic plan setting out longterm goals and actionable steps.
Superintendent Losquadro stated, “I would like to encourage residents to visit the project website at www. BrookhavenVisionZero.com to engage via the interactive map and community questionnaire,” adding that the map allows for comments and suggestions at
He
Kaitlyn Bankson
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ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Local Irish Americans Honored by Suffolk County Legislature
A week and change after St. Patrick’s Day, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and the Suffolk County Legislature honored residents with Irish heritage in the Third Annual Irish American Heritage Celebration.
Deputy Presiding Officer Steven J. Flotteron organized the midday event, which took place at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Wednesday, March 26.
Flotteron brought forward the bill the legislature unanimously passed in 2019 to establish March as Irish American Heritage Month. Approximately 300,000 Suffolk County citizens claim Irish ancestry.
The National Anthems of both Ireland and the United States were
sung that day, in addition to musical performances by the Suffolk County Policy Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, and the Hibernian Festival.
Said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey: “As a proud member of the Irish American community, I was pleased to honor Patricia Rattigan, the daughter of Irish American parents, with grandparents who immigrated from Ireland-County Clare, County Derry and County Donegal.
Rattigan has been a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernerians for more than 50 years.
She served on both the Suffolk County and New York State Board for a decade, eventually rising to the rank of elected president of the former.
"Congratulations to all of the honorees, especially my honoree for LD 11 John Wahlberg who is so loved and respected in our community," Deputy Presiding Officer Flotteron wrote.
After her tenure, she also served on the Suffolk County 1917 Committee—wherein she raised for the Central Islip-located monument and collaborated with the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition to the tune
of $30,000 donations secured. She also sits at the leadership helm of the “Then and Now Club.”
“At Division Two in Babylon, Patricia has served as President
and has chaired numerous events and committees, including the creation of an Outreach Dance to raise money for nine parish food pantries,” McCaffrey adds.
“The Dance has raised more than $200,000. Patricia has also been part of the Celtic Degree Team for 25 years, coordinating the initiation of new members and giving them an overview of how Ancient Ireland and its history is relevant to the present.”
Additional honorees included John Cuddy, Theresa Belkin, Thomas McKenna, Daniel Stapleton, William Paquette, Brian T. Egan, Michael Coyne, Harry Brown, Leslie Lanigan, John J. Wahlberg, Dr. Donald G. Lynch, Susan Benjes, Michael J. Gilmartin, Peigi Fabian and MarryAnne Barry Granato.
Calling All Prospective Plumbers: Instant Job and Free Training
ByStefanMychajliw
If you’re in high school and looking for a career that could snag you a $100,000-plus annual salary and not be saddled with astronomical debt, a Long Islandbased group promoting the building trades might be a strong option for you.
The Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island (PCALI) is hosting a Plumbing Institute in September, and are looking for candidates for the free program. It doesn’t cost you a dime. It’s free, paid for by PCALI.
You get a full-time job right out of the gate. When you complete the program, you’re a certified plumber.
To apply, call 631-759-5592 or email institute@pcali.org.
In the meantime, The South Shore Press sat down with Joe Enea from PCALI to learn more about September’s Plumbing Institute. The full video can be seen in our Video Vault at SouthShorePress. com.
South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw: Can you tell us what exactly that is?
Joe Enea, Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island: There is a lack of quality-trained plumbers in
the field. Schools were not pushing the trades as much as they needed to be. That problem is catching up with us today. We're trying to recruit from high schools to fill the gaps.
South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw: And so the Plumbing Institute, this school that's going to be in September of this year, what would it entail if someone signs up?
Enea: If you sign up for our school and you get selected to the school, immediately you would be given a full-time job and you would work with one of our contracting firms. And then you'd also be trained in the evenings by our professionals to learn the trade of plumbing.
Mychajliw: You get a job right away just by going to the institute?
Enea: Correct, you get a job right away if you are selected. This is something that would have no cost to the selected students. You'd get a job out of it, you’d be trained, and you’d become a professional plumber.
Mychajliw: So when it comes to the building trade of plumbing, how long would it take to go through the training to say, okay, you're a fulltime plumber?
Enea: This program will cover
about 400 hours worth of plumbing. And that would take about two years to get through, going a few times per week. They are working during the day and they would go a few nights, maybe a Saturday as well here and there to cover 400
hours of training.
Mychajliw: I find it amazing that schools and parents aren't promoting the building trades more and instead are telling their kids, okay, go to some Ivy League school for 400-grand over four years. And by the way, you're going to get a Sanskrit degree. And you'll be lucky to work at Starbucks and you're saddled with $400,000 in debt. Do you feel as though that mentality is what has led to a shortage in the building trades like plumbing?
Continued on page 16
Sheriff Toulon
Honors Student Ambassador Program Grads at Central
Islip HS
Continued on page 6
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
The South Shore Press was on the scene for yet another Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Ambassador Program graduation on Wednesday, April 2nd, this time at Central Islip High School.
The program's mission is to stress public safety, promote trust for local law enforcement, and to warn adolescents against falling susceptible to the slippery-slope rotten influences society often throws their way.
Two students received $500 scholarships from Suffolk Credit Union at the libraryheld ceremony: Keilyn Mieses Mariano and Cristal Hernandez.
Criminal Justice teacher Gregory Alpers holds much reverence for some of his students who spend their free time being fast-tracked on the real estate paralegal track at Islandia law firms, volunteering at the local ambulance and fire department and so forth.
He and his fellow Central Islip educators are proud to say and see many of the student ambassadors don't just listen to the sheriff's teachings; they heed his accredited call to action with real-world application as well.
According to Alpers, the Student Ambassadorship Program is the revival of a similar experiment that fizzled a few years prior because it required students to miss too many classes.
Now, the sheriff and company slide perfectly into the classroom coursework without a single C.I. Buccaneer missing a beat.
“A lot of them have an interest,” Alpers told The South Shore Press. “If you want to have a career in criminal justice, you have to know how it all works.”
Enter: The sheriff, who spoke to student-participants in the same
manner he did with PatchogueMedford student ambassadors back in February.
“I hope it was productive and that you got something out of it,” Toulon said. “Whether it was just one class, or one word, or one thing of encouragement."
"Never give up on yourselves. Whatever you want to do, do it. Don’t let any negative forces around you drag you down. Don’t hang out with people who may not be where you want to be. Don’t be afraid to help people. And just remember: we’re your friends.”
Photo Illustration
Credit: Meta AI
Credit: Steve Flotteron-Facebook | The Ancient Order of Hibernarians
Sheriff Toulon shakes hands with Cristal Hernandez, thankful for the message of gratitude she delivered his way on behalf of the entire class.
Credit: Central Islip School District
ByDeborahWilliams
Suffolk County Police Department Gets Slapped Hard on Another Second Amendment Case
The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) received another blow against its pistol permit policies for violations of Suffolk County residents’ Second Amendment rights.
Judge Joanna Seybert just ruled against SCPD in Brett Milau’s Second Amendment case where Suffolk County used an unconstitutional policy to deny him a pistol permit.
SCPD has operated for some time under a policy where they seize firearms and revoke permits of lawful permit holders if anyone in the household is firearms disqualified.
The South Shore Press recently covered the LaMarco case where the SCPD entered into an agreement (consent decree) rather than suffer an embarrassing loss in court. SCPD agreed to reinstate the LaMarco’s permits, return their firearms, pay damages and costs, and to never use the unconstitutional SCPD policy against any other Suffolk County
resident again. However, this case only carved out a portion of the SCPD policy.
Amy Bellantoni, Bellantoni Law Firm, a Second Amendment specialist was the attorney on both the LaMarco and Milau Cases.
“In the mental health arena this is a huge win overall because it says you cannot take any negative action against an individual based on the disqualification of someone they live with,” said Ballantoni.
Milau is an across-the-board victory declaring the entire SCPD policy of using a disqualified third party as a lever to keep another person from lawfully having a permit and firearm unconstitutional.
In the LaMarco case, a mental health transport call was the issue.
In the Milau case, Bellantoni argues that “in 2017 and continuing to the present day Suffolk County violated his Second Amendment rights by refusing to issue him a pistol license based on his cohabitation with his son, who was prohibited from
possessing firearms” for nonmental health reasons.
The Milau case challenged the constitutionality of a Suffolk County policy refusing pistol licenses to individuals who live with anyone statutorily prohibited from possessing firearms. To get a decision in their favor, Suffolk County had to “demonstrate that” the challenged policy “is constitutional in some of its applications.”
Suffolk County did not convince the court that their practices were consistent with the Second Amendment and summary judgment against them was granted to Milau. Financial damages will also be paid by Suffolk County.
Judge Seybert adopted the report and recommendation of United States Magistrate Steven Locke in its entirety with regard to First, Second, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment claims against the Suffolk County defendants.
When asked why Suffolk County didn’t move toward a settlement
agreement in this case like they did in the LaMarco case, especially after the magistrate judge's report was issued, Bellantoni said, “I think that they just didn't want to enter into anything that completely obliterated their policy.”
Bellantoni said that Suffolk County, “Could appeal to the Second Circuit, but if you have now two judges that have said that their policy violates the Constitution in multiple ways, I don't really see any
possible argument that the County would have to go forward with an appeal.”
The defendants in the Milau case are: Suffolk County, County Commissioner Timothy Sini, Sgt William Walsh, Police Officer John Molinari of the Pistol Licensing Bureau, Captain William Scrima, and John Doe, Commanding Officer of the Suffolk County Property Section.
What's New at ESM Elementary Schools? Good Deeds and Greater History Appreciation
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
South Street School students of the Eastport-South Manor Central School District displayed kindness through a pair of noble collections last month.
They rallied blankets and towels for the animals at Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center in Huntington, and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation in Hampton Bays. This helped teach them the virtue of philanthropy, and good deed doing in general.
The students also collected cereal boxes for the school’s fifth annual Cereal Drive and Domino Drop Event: a whopping 718 boxes worth.
Faculty members lined up these boxes at the event. Principal Jackson knocked over the first box, which caused an exciting domino effect throughout the school’s
halls as students reacted with glee. Afterward, the cereal was donated to the "Helping Makes U Happy" organization.
Over at Tuttle Avenue School, first and second-grade ambassadors also recently partook in a mass collection: They sourced 4,000 books for the “Book Fairies” organizations. Teacher Elise Allen and teacher aide Lynda Malatak supervised the event.
These efforts are instrumental in the mission to increase access to books, and literacy in general, amongst the youth across the Greater Long Island community.
During the book drive, the student ambassadors conducted the book counts themselves. They talked to each class about the importance of the collection.
The original goal—1,000—was shattered, also instilling in the kids that doing the bare minimum in life
should not be the bar they set for themselves. They should look to go above and beyond in all endeavors.
Select students of South Street, along with groups over at Dayton Avenue and Eastport Elementary, recently experienced an in-house field trip with the New York State Historical Society as well.
Society teachers Dita Carhart, Terri Daley and Leah Charles first introduced students to the notion that researchers analyze artifacts to ascertain and contextualize their significance within overall history. They then provided firsthand demonstrations of such before guiding students in how to follow suit.
The students were then able to examine toys and objects to determine how they were made and used. These objects included old cell phones, a fire rattle and a corn doll. Says Edouard: The goal of the program was to show students how they can learn from the past."
Community Keeps Pattersquash Clean
ByRobertChartuk
Pattersquash Creek is a vital waterway that winds through Mastic Beach as it makes its way to Narrow Bay. It is very important to the community, and they make sure it’s kept clean.
A group led by Creek Defender Walter Meshenberg did a clean sweep last week with members of the Pattersquash Civic Association and the Mastic Beach Conservancy.
“These individuals deserve our heartfelt gratitude—not just for recognizing the issues our environment faces, but for stepping up and being part of the solution,” said Legislator Jim Mazzarella, who joined the effort. “Their time, energy, and care make a real difference.”
Working under the auspices of Save the Great South Bay, Meshenberg is on the front line of the region’s water crisis. The creeks he patrols are under the constant threat of pollution and habitat destruction. Draining from the densely populated
and low-lying peninsula, the local creeks–Johns Neck, Lawrence, Pattersquash, Sheepen, Sheepshead, and Uncuthogue–are vital components of the region’s ecosystem.
Monitoring the water quality of these backwaters and maintaining their health has become a passion for Meshenberg, a Marine Corps veteran and volunteer ambulance driver dedicated to protecting the area’s natural resources.
“Hats off to Creek Defender
Walt Meshenberg and the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association for spearheading this morning’s successful creek cleanup,” Mazzarella said. “Thanks to their leadership and the dedication of our incredible community volunteers, several hours were spent clearing trash and debris from the area surrounding our beautiful Pattersquash Creek in Mastic Beach. Together, we continue to build a cleaner, stronger, and more connected community.”
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Credit: Eastport-South Manor Central School District
Suffolk County loses a big 2A case.
(T) Students collected 4,000 books for “Book Fairies.” (B)
Principal J.M. Jackson cheered on at the annual Cereal Drive. (R) South Street’s Amelia Vaughan holds a corn doll.
Members of the Pattersquash cleanup crew.
Credit: Office of Legislator Mazzarella
Centereach Welcomes LI's First Bonchon Korean
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Want to revolutionize your cultural palette with a taste of something new without leaving the comfortable confines of your neck of the woods?
Then look no further.
Bonchon of Centereach—the hottest new Korean Fried Chicken joint on the block—was swarmed during its grand opening on Wednesday, March 26th.
Owner Russell Golam was reportedly inspired to open the restaurant by his son and managing partner Eitan’s military service in South Korea.
The father-son Golam duo greeted customers and handed out menus themselves on day one— keeping the business in the family
while making patrons feel equally right at home.
This marks Long Island’s firstever Bonchon location. The chain with its roots in Busan, South Korea, is quite popular nationwide, having first taken its talents westward with a Fort Lee, New Jersey, restaurant in 2006.
Now, there are 150 Bonchons in the United States alone.
The Centereach spot sits at 141 Centereach Mall in the Walmart shopping center. Their hours are as follows: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Another Bonchon is reportedly heading Nassau’s way as soon as the summer at the Samanea Mall
exterior of
in Westbury.
Bonchon’s menu flaunts four signature sauces: soy garlic, Korean BBQ, spicy, and yangnyeom. They
are known for serving eight wings and four drumsticks together for the price of $24.98; customers can order theirs with any one of the
April Rules: David Fincher—Not Tarantino—May
Hollywood' Sequel
Credit: Wall.alphacoders.com
Brad Pitt's Cliff Booth, per reports.
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Cinephiles can (potentially) rejoice, as “the big three” have confirmed the unfortunately April Fool’s Day-set smoke surrounding some good-old tinsel town trade fireworks.
Quentin Tarantino’s longrumored “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” follow-up may see the light of day yet—and with a Red Apple-branded twist, of course.
Widely accepted as a moviemaking unicorn amongst his peers, the 2-time Academy Award winner for the “Pulp Fiction” (1994) and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) screenplays has few true contemporaries.
Enter: David Fincher—a fellow elite-class filmmaker for the past three decades strong, and directoronly visionary behind such classics as 1995’s “Se7en,” 1999’s “Fight Club,” and 2014’s “Gone Girl,” among others.
The Hollywood Reporter, which credits The Playlist for cracking the case first, wrote that Tarantino and Fincher’s mutual friend and collaborator, Brad Pitt, introduced the former’s abandoned script to the latter.
Pitt won a supporting Oscar as Cliff Booth, the badass ‘Hollywood’
stuntman and “gofer” to Leonardo DiCaprio’s past-his-TV-cowboyprime Rick Dalton. The pair try to reclaim their careers and lives while the pre-notoriety Manson family looms at every 1969 LA corner.
Tarantino first expanded upon Booth’s “cool guy with perhaps something mega to hide” lore in his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” 2021 novelization, and next in his shelved directorial contemplation that reportedly moved Pitt beyond expectation.
This is not to be confused with “The Movie Critic,” which Tarantino also teased as his next, tenth, and final effort before growing permanently displeased with his self-perceived fully baked, maybe even too baked, burst of creativity.
The canceled project was to follow a debauchery-driven film cynic penning raucous takedowns with vintage Howard Stern eccentricity for a 1970s porno magazine.
Falling out of love with this particular labor as his last dance, Tarantino quickly became obsessed with a refusal to let Cliff Booth acid trip off into that fairytale-madegood night via ambulance ride.
He ultimately went back to a different drawing board—not for
four sauces, or elect for a creative mixture instead.
What separates Bonchon from the bunch: their next-level “crunch.” In terms of thick batter, there is nobody better.
In addition to chicken, Bonchon also carries Korean hallmarks like bibimbap, bulgogi beef, tteokbokki rice cakes, and Korean corn dogs.
“I'm really happy to see the explosion of interest in Korean food, and this hybrid KoreanAmerican food,” Michelingrade chef Anthony Bourdain said in 2016. The late great culinary artist was a known fan and recommender of Bonchon delights.
And you can be too soon enough.
once expecting someone of Fincher’s caliber would come packing his own designs for Tarantino’s foremost ambitions.
This go-around, Pitt would lead, should the Netflix—where Fincher is under overall contract—acquisition of Tarantino-owned characters and a Sony-owned property go through. Reports circulating suggest that if all goes according to plan, Fincher and Pitt will shoot as early as late summer.
exclusively adapts scripts penned by others.
Tarantino once famously told Charlie Rose that, though he believes David Fincher’s founding of Facebook frenzy “The Social Network” to be the best film of the 2010s, he and Fincher can’t be considered in the same category. Tarantino is most often a writer-director, whereas Fincher
Much to the chagrin of the impatient sector of his fan base, Tarantino has expressed his desire to retire after “No. 10.” However, he has also played fast and loose with guidelines he's devised in the past— go figure, the ultimate rule-breaker breaking his own rules.
Continued on page 14
No Joke: A Family Camped Out at Midnight
for Selden Chick-fil-A's Grand Open
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
A lede we wouldn’t soon wish to bury.
Alongside excited residents galore, The South Shore Press was on the scene at the College Plaza in Selden during the early hours of Tuesday, April 1st, to bask in the glory of a Chick-fil-A biscuit at 6:30 in the morning.
The highly anticipated grand opening unleashed Long Island’s eleventh Chick-fil-A restaurant, and the second helmed from the original Long Island franchising owner.
Having brought the island’s inaugural free-standing Chickfil-A to Port Jefferson a decade ago, Stan Abrahamsen told us live from the Selden store’s drive-thru that they “probably had a turnout of about 30-40 people waiting outside to come in” at the start of business.
This included a family—two little girls and their mom. “The mom was like, ‘Seriously, we’re going to go?’ And they said, ‘Yeah, that’s where we’re going.’ So they all got a bunch of free meals,”
of the first drive-thru
for their
Abrahamsen fondly recalled.
Abrahamsen, who used to own McDonald’s up the road in Centereach as well, is “so thrilled to be a part of this community again.” He said it used to be their policy to issue a card that could redeem a year’s worth of free sandwiches to the first 100 customers.
“Now, after COVID, what we do is give those cards back to the community,” he added, noting that the principals of the town’s two high schools have been given 50 of those cards and can give
them out as they see fit.
The first Chick-fil-A opened in Georgia in 1946. Due to the brand’s popularity and religiousbased lack of a Sunday presence, drive-thru lines would especially tend to grow rather congested. To combat such woes, the customer service-committed company implemented an orderly double drive-thru solution that many other fast food chains have come to follow.
Chick-fil-A’s Selden base is located at 949 Middle Country Road.
Credit: Michael J. Reistetter
It's yet known if Leonardo Dicaprio would return in the "deriviative" follow-up that primarily focuses on
An
the Centereach Mall shopping center-located Bonchon shortly after its grand opening.
(L) Some
customers at Selden Chickfil-A prepare
breakfast fix. (R) Thanks Jared!
Credit: Michael J. Reistetter
ByDeborahWilliams
Your Volunteer Fire Company Needs You!
RecruitNY weekend is coming soon to a firehouse near you.
Volunteer fire companies across the state need you to serve. Hundreds of departments across the State will open their doors during RecruitNY weekend.
On April 26-27, 2025, fire departments will open their doors for RecruitNY. Volunteer fire organizations have added thousands of members through the years thanks in part to the RecruitNY initiative.
Volunteer fire departments across New York State have been faced with decreased membership and increased call volume. Departments need to bolster their ranks so they can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for the
residents in their service area.
New York State is one of the states with the highest number of civilian fire deaths. Even with 80,000 volunteer firefighters, the number of firefighters has declined over the years. Recruiting new firefighters is critical to the safety of our communities.
RecruitNY weekend raises public awareness about the need for volunteers and highlights the rewards of being a member of a volunteer fire department. You can find out if it is a good fit for you.
“FASNY is proud to be continuing its tradition of opening doors to educate the public, and showcase the importance and value of volunteer firefighting in the community,” Gene Perry, president of the Firefighters
Suffolk Police: 15-Year-
Old Stabs Grandmother to Death
BySouthShorePressStaff
Suffolk County Police arrested a 15-year-old boy who they claim stabbed his mother and fatally stabbed his grandmother in Selden.
Law enforcement said that after being stabbed by her son, Vanessa Chendemi ran out of her house, located at 802 Old Town Road, at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Monday, April 7th.
A passing motorist stopped to offer assistance, Chendemi got into the vehicle, and then called 911 to report the incident, according to Suffolk County Police.
When officers arrived at the scene they found Concetta Chendemi,
56, inside the residence with stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.
Vanessa Chendemi, 36, was rushed to the hospital in stable condition.
Cops claimed the 15-year-old fled the scene after the stabbing.
Officers canvassing the area arrested the boy at Dare Road and Buckskin Lane in Selden at 11:22 p.m.
Homicide Squad detectives charged the boy, whose name is being withheld due to his age, with second-degree murder and attempted murder.
Association of the State of New York, said in a statement. “Our hope is to inspire and encourage open house attendees to become part of a rewarding and honorable community service as a volunteer firefighter. I’ve seen every day the impact that our current volunteers have on their communities, as they selflessly serve. This impact can only continue to be felt if people sign up to join our ranks.”
Throughout the day, the fire company near you will conduct tours of the station and apparatus, allow visitors to try on gear, demonstrate firefighting activities, provide information, and address questions on becoming a member. These activities will give you a taste of what it means to be in the fire service. Volunteer firefighters will also be on hand to discuss
the requirements and rewards of joining. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, including families with children.
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is committed to assisting New York’s 1,700-plus volunteer departments connect with their communities and have sufficient members to protect them properly. Established in 2011, RecruitNY is organized by FASNY.
Suffolk County Volunteer Fire Departments already signed up are:
• Centereach Fire Dept.
• Eastport Fire Dept.
• Farmingville Fire Dept.
• Great River Fire Dept.
• Gordon Heights Fire Dept.
• Greenport Fire Dept.
• Holbrook Fire Dept.
• Mastic Fire Dept.
• Mattituck Fire Dept.
• North Amityville Fire
• North Lindenhurst Fire Dept.
• North Patchogue Fire Dept.
• Selden Fire Dept.
• Smithtown Fire Dept.
• St. James Fire Dept.
Stony Brook Fire Dept.
• West Babylon Fire Dept.
• West Islip Fire Dept.
• West Sayville Fire Dept.
You can check for volunteer fire departments participating as they are added and for dates and time
Three Reckless Drivers Cited in Mt. Sinai Car Meet
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
The Suffolk County Police Department announced they cited three drivers for vehicular recklessness on Thursday, April 3rd at around 10:45 p.m.
In conjunction with Brookhaven Town Public Safety Officers, Sixth Precinct officers responded to community complaints. These brought them to the scene—a Harbor Beach Road parking lot in Cedar Beach—where a congregation of cars was detected.
The cars were doing “burnouts” with their vehicles while clearly in the midst of coordinating a street race.
Multiple drivers fled upon seeing the police presence.
The trio of drivers—Dezarae Manzanares, 19, of Rocky Point; Anthony Rojas, 18, of Coram; and an unnamed male minor, 17—who failed to get away were issued a total of 23 summonses, including “Trespass and Loitering.”
The individuals are due in Brookhaven Town Court on April 17, and are also scheduled to appear the following week at the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency on April 23rd.
By Way of Insanity: Dix Hills Patricide Committer Pleads 'Not Guilty' After Chilling Admission
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Christopher Miller, 43, fired five bullets—including a fatal “blast” to the head—at his father John “Jack” Miller, 75, a retired Suffolk County Police detective, during an explosive argument in their Dix Hills home on Wednesday, March 19.
A most heinous alleged act of patricide, Miller actually confirmed himself to be the culprit shortly thereafter in conversation with the reporting officers.
The incident took place at around 7:25 a.m., according to police statements. Christopher had previously been hospitalized on Monday, March 17, following a crash that subsequently brought about a violent encounter with the motorist of the other vehicle involved.
Jack picked Christopher up from
the hospital mere hours after filing a missing person report. Soon thereafter, Christopher flew off the handle and into a bout of rage, and quickly reached the point of no return—pointing a shotgun at his father five times and pulling the trigger.
After the slaying, Christopher fled to hide out in a neighbor's shed. Once detected, he tried to escape, but a cop tackled him to submission.
A pool of blood at the Miller residence awaited the responding officers who brought Christopher back home.
Ahead of Christopher’s not guilty plea “for reasons of insanity,” prosecutors revealed that when he confessed to the brutal act, the younger Miller told cops he delivered one final blast to his father’s head to “finish him off.”
Judge Eric Sachs is presiding over the case. Miller requested a new lawyer, seemingly unsatisfied with the attorney appointed to represent him, Dan Russo.
In addition to his 24 years of service on the police force before retiring in 1995, Jack Miller was also a former chief at the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company.
“Today we lost a true hero that dedicated his life to service both in his career and volunteer service,” Aaron Ron wrote on Facebook. "Just the other day at the firehouse we were discussing how you were tasked with the unfortunate burden of doing hundreds upon hundreds of flag arches for funerals over the years and never imagined having to have one for you. Rest In Peace Chief.”
The West Babylon Volunteer Fire Department also memorialized Jack
Miller in a social media post: “His resume, knowledge, and demeanor allowed him to become a role model for many first responders throughout the Town of Babylon.”
No motive has been provided thus far. Christopher—who had recently moved back in with Jack while going through a divorce—is currently being held without bail.
The recently-formed Suffolk County Police Street Takeover Task Force issuing traffic law citations to a pair of vehicles caught recklessly speeding in Medford on Jan. 26th.
Credit: SCPD
Credit: Facebook: Jon Dowding | Aaron Ron
(L) The police presence outside the Millers' Dix Hills residence | (R) The late former detective and fire chief Jack Miller is remembered for years of service, in uniform and out.
ByRobertChartuk
South
South Shore Press is Around the World: Dispatch From New Zealand
Shore Press reporter
Robert Chartuk is halfway around the world, having crossed the Equator to file this report:
Dispatch, Anawhata, New Zealand—He was known as a recluse, retreating to a faraway place after winning fame as the first to conquer the world’s highest mountain.
I am on the road to Sir Edmund Hillary’s retreat at Anawhata in the Waitākere mountain range. The one-lane path snakes for an hour through the desolate rainforest, perfect if your desire is to withdraw from the world. I take in the view that drew him to this spectacular place: harsh rock formations softened by a lush valley rolling down to the blue Tasman Sea. Fine sand beaches, tinged black from lava rock, stretch for miles and not a trace of human existence can be seen.
Growing up in Auckland as an unassuming beekeeper, Hillary was drawn to Anawhata’s remote and wild landscape, which perfectly suited his love of adventure and the outdoors. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II, serving as a navigator. A
severe burn injury cut his military career short, and he returned home, throwing himself into mountaineering and developing the skills that would later make him a legend by being the first to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
His taste for exploration was ignited at 16 when he went on a school trip to Mt. Ruapehu, an active volcano in the country’s North Island. It was here that he first saw snow. By the time the war ended, Hillary had become a dedicated mountaineer. He spent the postwar years refining his technique, practicing rock climbing and ice-pick work. In 1951, he made his first trip to the Himalayas, setting the stage for his most famous achievement.
Hillary was part of an expedition sponsored by the British Government and the Royal Geographical Society. The 1953 British Mount Everest expedition was led by Colonel John Hunt, who carefully selected climbers for different roles. Hillary’s exceptional endurance and technical ability earned him a key place on the team, but there was no guarantee he would be among those chosen for the final summit push.
After a previous climbing pair
turned back from exhaustion, Hunt selected Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay for the next attempt. On May 29, 1953, they became the first confirmed climbers to stand atop Mount Everest. National Geographic Magazine later described their brief but triumphant moment:
“The men shook hands, as Hillary later wrote, ‘in good Anglo-Saxon fashion,’ but then Tenzing clasped his partner in his arms and pounded him on the back. The pair spent only 15 minutes on top. ‘Inevitably, my thoughts turned to Mallory and
Man on the Street: Kiwis Talk Trump
ByRobertChartuk
The Trump presidency is quite upsetting. Every day, there’s another disaster in the news. New Zealand retirement accounts are going down because of his tariffs. He’s friends with Putin, and he reminds me of Stalin, spinning his words, deceiving people.”
We’re not happy that he was elected. Everything he does is bad news. His policies are very bad for the world.”
Irvine,’ Hillary wrote, referring to the two British climbers who had vanished high on Everest’s Northeast Ridge 29 years earlier.
‘With little hope, I looked around for some sign that they had reached the summit but could see nothing.’”
Descending the mountain, the first climber they encountered was fellow New Zealander George Lowe. Hillary greeted him with what would become one of the most famous lines in mountaineering history: “Well, George, we knocked the bastard off!”
I’ve given up on watching TV news and reading the papers because they are so biased against Trump. A lot of New Zealanders believe in the conspiracy theories that they hear and just criticize him. I would like to see what they would do instead.”
Darrin Cox, Tepua
Trump is a businessman; he gets things done. He’s doing the right thing for the people of his country. This is what we need here in New Zealand; we need more Patriots. Taxes here are ridiculous. We need someone like Trump.”
Eric Corner, Waipu
Throughout his life, Hillary portrayed himself as an ordinary man who had greatness thrust upon him. He did not anticipate the acclaim that would follow his historic ascent. He was knighted and appointed New Zealand’s high commissioner to India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. He won numerous honors over the years and appears on his country’s five-dollar banknote. A treacherous part of Everest, Hillary’s Step, is named for him.
Yet it was not accolades but his lifelong dedication to the Sherpa people that defined his legacy. Through the Himalayan Trust, he helped build schools, hospitals, and airfields in Nepal, work that continued until he died in 2008. To mark the 50th anniversary of his Everest climb, he was made an honorary citizen of Nepal—an honor he cherished as much as any knighthood.
Even as he traveled the world, Hillary remained drawn to New Zealand’s untamed landscapes, particularly Anawhata. Here, he found solace away from public life. His retreat was not just an escape but a return—to the kind of wilderness that had shaped him long before Everest made him a legend.
He has brought mistrust to the world. We don’t trust anything that comes out of his mouth. The arrogance of this man is abhorrent, and his press secretary is an arrogant tosser. He just gives the finger to the justice system. I have nothing but respect for the American people I’ve met, but I’m horrified that this man has broken the law and is allowing Elon Musk to run amok.”
The world has trouble with his tariffs. He’s pushing the markets down. His policies will have a negative effect on everyone.”
South Shore Press Reporter Robert Chartuk in New Zealand
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Linda Kerr, Karekare
Marion Neale, Auckland
The South Shore Press Man on the Street is in New Zealand and asked the Kiwis what they think about President Trump:
Simon Neale, Auckland
Jane Woodard, Piha
Hope for the Taxpayers with New Transit Administrator
ByRobertChartuk
There will be a new administrator at the Federal Transit Administration and it could bode well for the cashstrapped taxpayers bristling against the funding demands of the MTA.
That’s the hope of state Senator Dean Murray, who has reached out to the Trump administration to propose an idea to Marc Molinaro, the former congressman nominated for the transit position.
“The feds can’t just cut checks to this bloated agency without them showing progress out cutting on the waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Murray, who called for a full forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s books.
“What they need is a DEAN, a Department of Economic Accountability Now,” the Senator quipped. “They can no longer expect the taxpayers to keep shelling out billions without any accountability.”
A former GOP candidate against Republican Kathy Hochul for governor, Molinaro was a Congressman representing New York’s Southern Tier. As administrator of the FTA, a division of the Department of Transportation, he’ll oversee funding for transit systems across the country and ensure they operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with federal regulations.
“One way or the other, the MTA has to prove that they are cleaning up their act, or they don't get any money. It's that simple,” Murray said. He’s reached out to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to make his case that any federal funding for the MTA should be tied to budget cuts and a full forensic audit. “They lost almost $4 billion from toll and fare evasion because they didn't do a damn thing to stop it. Those are the facts,” the senator stated, adding that he is adamantly against an MTA payroll tax or congestion pricing to fund the agency.
Hochul, who’s been to the White House to lobby Trump for bailout money, has been leading the charge to levy tolls congestion on motorists coming into Manhattan, an MTA cash grab the president is blocking. The agency is on track to spend $19.9 billion this year, with a budget-busting $68.4 billion capital plan on tap. Its chairman and CEO, Janno Leiber, has indicated the agency is facing a $33 billion budget deficit. He has not recommended any specific plans to address the shortfall and has suggested that determining funding sources is up to the state legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul.
“The MTA has looked at Long Island as a cash cow for far too long,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “Now that there’s a new administration in Washington, we expect requests for taxpayer dollars to be tied to accountability. A federal audit of the MTA books should be done before they take another dime out of our pockets.”
Molinaro has appeared before congressional committees considering his appointment. “If confirmed, I will advance President Trump’s bold America First agenda for rebuilding our infrastructure,” he said. “I will seek to meet Secretary Duffy’s high standards for leadership innovation and accountability.”
Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon Are Getting Their Day in Court
ByDeborahWilliams
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is embroiled in two lawsuits resulting from its raid on the home of Mark Longo and the killing of his pets.
Continued on page 12
In what was a tragic example of government overreach, DEC conducted a raid in November 2024 on Longo’s house confiscating his pets, Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon. DEC then killed Peanut and Fred.
Longo, Peanut, and Fred became Internet sensations on social media for their antics and fun costumes.
DEC also confiscated Albert the Alligator from a different home in May 2024 from his 30-year home in Hamburg, N.Y., for similar administrative government overreach reasons. A lawsuit is also pending on Albert’s case.
Longo and his attorney Nora Marino announced their plans to sue DEC in an interview over the weekend on "Fox News Live."
Longo wants answers as to why his pets were seized, killed, and dissected by DEC.
Longo was emotional in talking about the incident saying, “I was trying not to cry, but the answers to the questions as to why Peanut and Fred were killed need to be answered.”
“This is about government flexing their muscles and doing something because they can. It's an abuse of power and it's governmental overreach,” said attorney Marino.
Marino maintains her client’s constitutional rights have been “trampled” saying, “The only way to get justice here is with this lawsuit.”
Marino added, “I've seen this more often than I would have liked to in my career - governmental overreach and governmental bullying and intimidation. Really, you're going to send 10 cars and eight armed men to this house and engage in a five-hour raid for a squirrel and a raccoon. It's ridiculous, it's unnecessary."
“This was a paperwork issue that we were dealing with through the DEC. We took the exam and applied for the wildlife rehabbers license through the DEC,” said Longo. “They knew I was doing the proper steps to get the paperwork. I just truly believe that they saw what I was doing to get these animals registered and they thought, let's go in and take them and kill them before you can get everything done.”
Judicial Watch also announced that they have filed suit against
Hochul Aims to Make Canceling Subscriptions and Memberships Easier
ByDeborahWilliams
Earlier this year Governor Kathy Hochul announced she is negotiating with subscription service companies to make subscriptions and memberships much easier to cancel and more transparent. She is hoping the changes will be approved in this year’s budget.
How many subscriptions or memberships does your family have? A quick poll of The South Shore Press newsroom shows seven is about right. Many subscriptions and membership services are renewed automatically so you may not even realize the initial term was over and a new term kicked
in. Take a look and see what your paying for.
If you look at your credit card auto-pay, you might find you are paying for things you forgot you had and rarely or never use. Statista found that 85% of households had at least one paid subscription that was not used even once each month. Netflix is at the top of the list of unused services.
Subscription services are a part of daily life but canceling them is often needlessly complicated. Hochul already signed legislation requiring businesses to notify consumers of upcoming renewals and provide clear instructions on how to cancel subscriptions.
Different timelines in number of days apply to when a cancellation must occur after requested.
To further protect consumers, Hochul proposed additional legislation she says, “Will ensure cancellation processes are simple, transparent, and fair, ensuring that it is just as easy to cancel a subscription as it was to sign up. These actions will reinforce New York’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and preventing predatory practices.”
Hochul’s representative said in a statement, "Governor Hochul has signed significant consumer protections into law that are helping to crack down on
telemarketers, fight back against Pharmacy Benefit Managers, allow New Yorkers to easily cancel gym memberships and end medical debt,"—"The Governor's Executive Budget proposed strong consumer protections, and we are in the process of working with the Legislature on a budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers."
Hochul’s proposal doesn’t apply to any company regulated by the Federal Communications Commission such as Internet, TV, radio, or phone service. Experts say this would likely make the law much less effective.
Concerned Democrats say leaving these companies out makes
New York State for records relating to the seizure, testing and euthanizing on the controversial killing of "Peanut the Squirrel" and "Fred the Raccoon."
“The heartless killing of ‘Peanut the Squirrel’ by New York State bureaucrats shocked America,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “And now these same bureaucrats don’t want to turn over one document about Peanut’s death and their abusive raid on Peanut’s home. Judicial Watch’s lawsuit aims to get to the bottom of this abuse of government power.”
The suit is based on DEC’s “refusal to disclose the records requested by” Judicial Watch and seeks to compel the state to release the requested records according to the state’s Freedom of Information Law. DEC failed to provide information and continued to stall from the time of the initial request on November 6,2024, all the way through until February 11 2025, when DEC denied the appeal to get the information without adequate reason.
the legislation essentially toothless since so many people use these services.
“Without deleting that provision, consumers are not much better off than they were before,” said Norman Silber, a consumer law expert at Hofstra University’s law school.
Without a change in the proposed law, popular services such as Verizon, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Music wouldn’t be forced to make it easier for customers to cancel, or to give more notice before billing them.
The budget is already several days late and negotiations continue.
Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon are getting their Day in Court
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Marc Molinaro
Credit: Official Photo
'These Things Can Kill You" Says New York Democrat STATE
ByDeborahWilliams
New York’s left wing, Democrat legislature is back on the antigas stove crusade. Bills have been introduced in the New York Assembly and Senate to label gas stoves as a dangerous health risk.
Democrat legislators say this is just a simple safety and awareness precaution, but past efforts show a larger effort is likely underway. If gas stoves can be labeled as dangerous or as a safety hazard, that is one step closer toward a total ban of gas stoves in your kitchen.
The bills S1280/A0073, called the "Healthy Homes Right To Know Act" require the display of warning labels on all gas stoves sold, displayed for sale, or offered for sale at retail to a consumer in New York.
Both bills are strictly partisan and only have Democrat support. Not surprisingly, radical environmental groups also support the legislation. New York joins blue states California and Illinois in wanting to implement hazard labels on the commonly used kitchen appliance. Forty percent of the country uses gas stoves for cooking and 70% of New York City.
Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), one of the bill’s sponsors, says, “These things can kill you. We thought that it would be important to at least require printed information that explains to you the risks of gas stoves and the risks of having an exhaust pipe in your kitchen.”
New York has been gunning for
gas appliances as part of the N.Y. Green New Deal. They already passed a ban on new gas lines and appliances in some new buildings
beginning in 2026. Up next is snooping into existing households and looking to force homeowners to fully electrify their homes too.
Hochul Strengthens Tracking of Legal Firearms and Ammunition Purchases
ByDeborahWilliams
Governor Kathy Hochul signed three laws this week in what Democrat lawmakers call ‘gun violence prevention’ efforts.
One the bills signed was a technical modification (chapter amendment) to a law passed last year, that will go into effect in May 2025, that tracks legal purchases of firearms and ammunition made on a credit card.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) and Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn) sponsored S.745/A.439, legislation that requires credit and debit card issuers to use the 4-digit merchant category code (MCC) capturing information on legal buyers of firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories.
Hochul said this would give law enforcement information on who may be stockpiling ammunition. Compliance would be required by May 2025, and would be enforceable by the attorney general.
Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said this is “totally a violation of all aspects of personal freedoms and another way to harass lawful gun owner's. What about competitors who buy in bulk
because they shoot thousands of rounds per year?"
Credit card processors will assign a unique tracking code to gun and ammunition purchases. These sales are currently coded as "sporting goods" or "other." Cash sales of the same items will not be tracked. A logical question raised by opposition is - Why track legal buyers? Aren’t criminals more likely to buy in cash rather than use a credit card that can so easily be tracked?
When asked if she plans to introduce legislation to track cash purchases, Solages said, “I'm not seeking to do anything like that.”
Solages said, “The intent of the law was not to create a database of gun owners because at the end of the day, this is America. People have the right to have arms. All we want to do is stop the wrong people from having guns.”
Law-abiding firearm and ammunitions owners wonder how New York is going to ensure both the security of the information that's being stored about what people are buying, and how will it ensure that the privacy of gun purchases will be maintained. Also, what sort of behaviors or firearm or ammunition volume would trigger state action?
Hochul responded to these questions in the bill-signing ceremony saying, “This is not a harassment technique. We are trying to just make sure that we have the early warning signs when someone could be amassing an arsenal to do harm to others.”
Assemblywoman Solages said in an interview with South Shore Press that the government will not be keeping transaction data, but rather credit card companies will be using their algorithms to identify unusual purchase patterns. They would then contact law
enforcement for additional action as appropriate.
Solages said, “We didn’t set a transaction threshold is in the bill. We are leaving it to the sophisticated algorithms of the financial institutions to flag something unusual. I have full faith in the credit card institutions. If they falsely accuse someone, they can be held liable.” Questions remain about relying on the judgment of a credit card company to decide who is buying the “wrong” amount of ammunition.
Labeling existing gas stoves as dangerous health hazards is a part of that effort.
Experts in the field say the Democrat proposal doesn’t hold much weight on the merits. Gas stoves are not the health hazard that partisan politicians want us to believe.
“The studies generating headlines about natural gas stoves being a public health hazard are riddled with flaws,” said Tom Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research. “Rather than fueling unnecessary fear, New York politicians should respect individuals' rights to make decisions about their own lives — not just because it's politically advantageous, but because treating others with dignity means not infantilizing them."
Kyle Figueroa, managing director of Greenlight Firearms Training took issue with tracking and recording purchases based the duty to conceal in New York. He said, “It's concealed carry state. No one should know you carry a gun. It's supposed to be private. When you add tracking legal purchases related to your firearm permit you're exposing people in a way. This information should be private.” Greenlight is based in Westchester and also serving Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess and Putnam counties.
Hochul Moves Forward on NY Green New Deal With EV Car Mandate
ByDeborahWilliams
New York isn’t letting up on its New Green Deal initiatives. A plan to force all New Yorkers to drive electric cars is still in effect and moving forward sooner than many think is affordable, practical, or sustainable.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Advance Clean Cars II mandate requires that 100% of new vehicles on dealer lots be fossil fuel emission free (electric) by the year 2035. The mandate’s requirements begin to kick in this year. By the end of this 2025, when 2026 models begin to appear, 35% of new vehicles on the lot must be electric.
The EV mandate is graduated and requires dealers to stock 68% EV vehicles by 2030, and 100% of sales must be electric by 2035. This includes all passenger cars, SUVs and pickup truck sales.
Tom Williams, General Manager of Riverhead Ford in Riverhead, N.Y. said, “I like electric cars. I drive one myself, but this mandate is unrealistic in its expectations. Our grid
in the United States right now cannot handle the volume of electrification that some people want to see. We have to be practical.”
There is also expense and operational issues around charging.
“If you put a level two charger at your house, which is where 85% of the people will charge, that's no problem, you're programming a car to charge at night when the grid demand is lower,” said Williams. “But here at the dealership because of all these mandates, we're required to have level three charges available for the customers. Because we're a commercial business, I'm currently spending about $8,000 a month in electric so that people can buy about $700 or $800 worth of electricity from me. Where's the fairness in this?”
Most, if not all, auto dealers want to see this mandate repealed ASAP. Not only does it force people to buy and drive cars they might not want there are issues such as affordability and sustainability.
And then there is demand–dealerships say anywhere from 6-10% of their sales are EVs now. It just isn’t realistic to think that in a year demand will grow to 35%. What will the dealerships do with the EV cars they can’t sell?
This mandate will drive people to purchase used cars making used cars more expensive. Others will go to neighboring states without mandates and buy new cars there -driving New York dealerships out of business.
Besides mandates dictating the market and taking away consumer choice, it is well-known that the electric grid in New York is simply not prepared for an electric demand to meet the EV car sales requirements. Further, the charging infrastructure just doesn’t exist in the way needed to support this much EV demand.
“The deadlines don’t match the reality,” said Jack Weidinger, chairman of the Greater Automobile Dealers Association of N.Y., who owns a Cadillac dealership in Great Neck.
Tracking of gun and ammunition tracking to be required.
State wants to label gas stoves as dangerous.
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Credit: Grok/Twitter
ByRobertChartuk
Made in America Is the Focus of Trump's New Truth Social Investment Vehicles
Before Donald Trump left the White House after his first term as president, he was declared persona non grata by the mainstream media. He was erased from most social media platforms, and News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch directed the staff at Fox to make him a “nonperson.”
History will show that the 45th president soldiered on, even starting his own media platform, Truth Social, to get his messages across. Under the direction of former California Rep. Devin Nunes, a key figure in exposing the Deep State that tried to bring down the now 47th president, Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (TMTG) has been a juggernaut in the business world.
Its latest venture is a partnership with Crypto.com, America’s premier crypto trading platform, to launch a series of exchangetraded funds or ETFs, which will allow investors to buy shares in a number of different assets in a single product.
TMTG said the funds are expected to comprise digital assets as well as securities with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy. They will be made available through the broker-dealer Foris Capital US, while Crypto.com will support the backend technology, provide custody, and supply the cryptocurrencies for the ETFs. They are anticipated to include a unique basket of cryptocurrencies incorporating Bitcoin, Cronos, and other crypto assets.
Planned to launch later this year subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approval, the funds are expected to be widely available internationally including in the United States, Europe, and Asia, across existing platforms and brokerages.
“We’re excited to join Crypto. com, along with our partner Yorkville America, to launch America First investment products supporting innovative crypto ventures, great American companies, and cutting-edge technologies,” said Nunes, the CEO of Trump Media. “We aim to create inventive funds incorporating firms that concentrate on rapid growth, technological innovation, and strengthening the U.S. economy, unencumbered by woke nonsense and political posturing. Investors
will finally have options that adhere to their principles and that support superior U.S. companies precisely focused on their core businesses.”
The ETFs are planned to launch alongside a slate of Truth. Fi separately managed accounts (SMAs). The ETFs and SMAs, both of which TMTG is planning to invest in via its own cash reserves, are part of a TMTG financial services and FinTech strategy using up to $250 million to be custodied by Charles Schwab.
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com has more than 140 million customers worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security, and privacy. Its trademarked motto is “Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet.”
President Trump has been an advocate of cryptocurrency, recently signing an executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile.
“The mission of TMTG is to end Big Tech's assault on free speech by opening up the Internet and giving people their voices back,” the company explained. “Truth Social was established as a safe harbor for free expression amid increasingly harsh censorship by Big Tech corporations.” They also operate Truth+, a TV streaming platform focusing on family-friendly live TV channels and on-demand content. TMTG is also launching Truth.Fi, a financial services and FinTech brand incorporating America First investment vehicles.
"A Good Soldier in Trump's Army" - Stefanik Steps Aside from UN Nomination
ByDeborahWilliams
Congresswoman Elisa Stefanik (R-North Country) was due to have her day in Congress for her confirmation hearing to become the United Nations ambassador for the United States. But, President Trump this week asked her to take one for the team and step aside.
President Trump and Republican leaders are keeping their eye on a thin margin in the House. And, with Governor Hochul potentially going to fiddle with the dates of the special election when Stefanik is confirmed, leaving the seat vacant for longer than acceptable, Trump does not want to take any chances. Enacting his agenda requires keeping both the House and the Senate.
Trump took several Republican members into his
administration leaving other seats open for special elections besides Stefanik’s seat.
It is "essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress," said Trump on Truth Social. "We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning. I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress.
"I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else
running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations," Trump continued.
Stefanik said in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, “I have been proud to be a team player. The president knows that. He and I had multiple conversations today, and we are committed to delivering results
on behalf of the American people. And as always, I'm committed to delivering results on behalf of my constituents.
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar said, “First of all, I think it's a loss, a major loss to the United States that she's not going to be at the United Nations. I think she was perfect for the UN. I am not alone in feeling very, very disappointed. I wish this had not occurred.
“I do not think we would have lost the seat. I feel confident we would have held the seat, so I'm disappointed that this request was made. I'm proud of Congresswoman Stefanik, who shows such loyalty and support for the president and his agenda. She is a good soldier in Trump's army,” Kassar said. “I was really looking forward to celebrating her advancement next Wednesday.”
April Rules: David Fincher...
Continued from page 9
Tarantino considers the split “Kill Bill” volumes as one bloody affair, just as they were shot, to make his 10-and-out mission stand tall. Per this logic, 1993’s “True Romance,” which he wrote, is thereby disqualified—despite it obviously being a (somewhat) semi-autobiographical, madcap runaway adventure-fantasy with Christian Slater in the role of a young QT.
With a “Once Upon a Time” return, Tarantino can kick three vintage hits out of the 50s diner jukebox for the price of one. He can (1) hold his last directorial work until his toddler children are old enough to appreciate on-set memories, as he recently professed; (2) put an empathic bow on a historically fictional world our historically frictional one is not yet ready to bid farewell to; and (3) reward eager beavers with six-years overdue big-screen QT prose, in doing so.
If he is going for the symmetrical career arc here, re: “True Romance” being unleashed
between his first two directorial efforts (“Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction”), and the hypothetical “Twice Upon a Time” aiming to release between his final two, then expect the dogs to be completely off the reservoir by the time his last iconic swan has sung.
As enticing as this all may seem, and one can certainly dream, you can’t really have Cliff Booth without his partner-incrime-prevention, Rick Dalton. It remains to be seen whether Leo—who is in talks to shoot an Evil Knievel biopic with Damien Chazelle this summer— will return in The Continuing Misadventures of Cliff Booth, where the journey is somewhere in that movie magic middle ground between laid-back and Banalaland.
The endgame destination, if they take this route? A best-savedfor-last reunion with a buddy who was always more than a brother, and a little less than a wife.
Primarily adept in the serious crime genre (“Zodiac,” “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”), it is
important to note twofold: (1) Fincher’s last film, “Mank,” which tracks the mayhem making of “Citizen Kane,” was as much of an “inside baseball” lens unto Old 1940s Hollywood as “Once Upon a Time” is dialed into the late 60s emergence of New Hollywood culture.
And (2) Fincher’s last film with Pitt before their “World War Z 2” pursuits perished in early preproduction was “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” This is undoubtedly his most Robert Zemeckian/“Forrest Gumpian” work to date.
The same can be said for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” as applied to Tarantino’s filmography. Ergo: Fincher just may be the perfect man for the job.
Though, to be frank, Rick and Cliff didn't just witness or make history.
They up and changed it. Here’s hoping they get to once more sooner rather than later— and that they bring bagels for the ride.
Stefanik pulls out of the UN Ambassador nomination.
Credit: Rep. Stefanik's Facebook Page
What Is a Woman?
ByDeborahWilliams
Women’s History Month just ended. Is the United States any closer to knowing what a woman is?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued new guidance that couldn’t have been imagined just a few years ago. HHS issued a policy that recognizes two sexes, and defines sex as a person's "immutable biological classification."
The government of the United States, via HHS, declared that females are people "of the sex characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing eggs (ova)," and males are people "of the sex characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing sperm."
Somehow there is confusion about what a woman is at the highest levels, but President Donald Trump is clear-minded on the issue.
During a recent press event at the White House, President Trump was asked for his definition of a
April
"woman," and why it’s important to have two genders.
"Well, it's sort of easy to answer for me, because a woman is somebody that can have a baby, under certain circumstances," Trump said. "She has a quality - A woman is a person who is much smarter than a man, I've always found. A woman is a person that doesn't give a man even a chance of success."
Trump continued, "A woman is a person that, in many cases, has been treated very badly. Because I think what happens with this crazy issue of men being able to play in women's sport is just ridiculous, and very unfair to women, and very demeaning to women."
Others are confused, or portray confusion, on the question: What is a woman?
During her confirmation hearing to become a Supreme Court judge, Ketanji Brown Jackson infamously said when asked by Sen. Marsha Blackburn what a woman was, “I am not a biologist.”
The confusion is not just in the
halls of justice or politics. The ideology has leaked into schools and sports fields as well.
In American schools and
universities, males are widely not just allowed, but encouraged to compete against women in sports taking scholarships and awards away from female athletes. The case
of male swimmer Leah Thomas is well-known. He went from being 462nd as a male swimmer to #1 as a trans-woman (aka female) swimmer. This is directly against the intent of Title IX that is meant to protect women and girls in sports and women’s spaces.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans biologically male transgender women from competing against biological women.
Some states and athletic bodies have changed their tune and complied with the executive order, and basic common sense and reality of biology, and some have not.
This issue is also being fought close to home here in Suffolk County. William Floyd High School has a male athlete on the female track team. Police escorts are in place and protests happening as parents seek to protect their girl athletes.
The South Shore Press is closely following this story and providing updates as they happen on the ground.
Fool's Is No Joke This Year – The 'Application of Ignorance' Is Real
ByDeborahWilliams
April Fool’s is no joke this year –New York really is letting everyone out of prison–well, not everyone, but plenty of people.
The New York Department of Corrections (DOCC) announced in a memo this week plans to release droves of prisoners due to a staff shortage at New York’s prisons.
DOCC Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III set an April 4 deadline for superintendents to submit the first list of possible prisoners to be released. Martuscello said he expected a "large number" of inmates to qualify.
“They brought upon themselves a self-fulfilling prophecy due to their application of ignorance. I do not understand how the Governor could have possibly thought this would not be the result of firing 2000 Correction Officers. Getting out of prison early for no other reason, other than you don't have
sufficient numbers of staff is extraordinarily inappropriate,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.
"In view of the current staffing crisis, and in order to have the appropriate balance between the safety and well-being of those working and residing in DOCCS Correctional Facilities and public safety, it is appropriate that I, as Commissioner, exercise my authority... to move individuals from the Department's general confinement facilities, into Residential Treatment," Commissioner Martuscello wrote.
Kassar said, “It’s hard to overstate how badly Governor Hochul and her progressive colleagues in Albany have screwed up New York’s criminal justice system. They turned the greatest crimefighting state in America into a national laughing-stock in a single generation. Progressivism at its finest.”
New York’s leftist legislature and governor’s, pro-criminal agenda is having high times. First, they passed bail reform that puts many accused, violent offenders back on the streets giving judges little power to hold people during trial who may pose harm to the community. Second, they passed discovery laws that make it incredibly difficult to bring violent domestic abusers to trial. Third, they create an impossible mental and physical environment for Corrections Officers forcing them into a work action. Then, firing 2000 of them for the "crime"
of advocating for better and safer working conditions.
Kassar said, “We often speak of the slippery slope. This one was greased pretty well.”
Not to be deterred by all of that "success" on behalf of criminals, New York goes one step further and begins releasing prisoners early. Why, you say? Because of the selfcreated condition that led to work actions and corrections officers being fired.
“New Yorkers who thought Governor Kathy Hochul was
kidding about releasing convicted prisoners early because of staff shortages — or because it’s April Fool’s Day — will be shocked to learn that it’s true after all. The Governor is actually planning to release convicted felons back into our communities because there aren't enough officers to guard them,” said Kassar.
Certain prisoners with up to 110 days left in their sentence will be released. Prisoners convicted of class B-E violent felonies, sex offenses, and some other crimes will not be eligible for early release.
DOGE Report: How Much Is a Week a Month Worth to You?
ByDeborahWilliams
How does $95,000 a week sound? A pretty good gig if you can get it and some contractor did – or got essentially the equivalent to that exorbitant rate at taxpayer expense.
Last week DOGE uncovered that the Veterans administration (VA) was paying $380,000 every month to an outside contractor to make minor changes to the VA website. That contract was not renewed. One VA staffer working about 10 hours a week is now doing this work.
"Good work by @ DeptVetAffairs," DOGE said in a post on X. "VA was previously paying ~$380,000/month for minor website modifications. That contract has not been renewed, and the same work is now being executed by 1 internal
VA software engineer spending ~10 hours/week."
State to release prisoners due to self-created staff shortage.
DOGE saves the VA millions.
What is a woman?
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Credit: Grok/Twitter
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
“We are told that the American soldier does not know what he is fighting for. Now, at least, he will know what he is fighting against.”
These were the words of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower after he visited the first German concentration camp to be liberated by his forces. Eighty years ago this week, the Western Allies aggressively drove eastward toward Central Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. At this moment the Third Reich was crumbling, as German citizens in this area continually witnessed the advance of Allied forces into their home territory. German prisoners of war were barely guarded as they marched westward next to the columns of American armor and infantry that quickly moved eastward. After the 1941 invasion of “Operation Barbarossa,” the Nazis devastated the western part of the Soviet Union and killed 27 million people that included 3.5 prisoners of war. Many of the German soldiers in the West feared being captured by the Soviet military sought vengeance towards the massive atrocities that Hitler’s forces committed against this nation.
As American soldiers experienced the fighting in Germany, they believed that the enemy population resembled the middle class of the United States. Some American soldiers identified with the work ethic and the cleanliness of their homes and towns. Eisenhower feared that his soldiers began to wonder why they were fighting this war against the Germans, and he observed that American soldiers thought too much of an enemy who fought to retain the power of this tyrannical regime that created massive inhumanity.
Most American soldiers and their officers were unaware of the extermination camps that
were liberated in Poland by Soviet soldiers. Early in the war, reports were sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill about the major killings that were carried out in the German eastern controlled territories. On July 23rd, 1944, Majdanek in Poland was the first of the extermination centers that were captured about eight months before the Allies entered concentration camps in Central Europe. There were 360,000 Jews, prisoners of war, and other people killed in the gas chambers, mass shootings, gas vans, and from the outbreak of typhus.
About six months later, the Soviet military forces reached Kraków and their officers learned about another large unknown facility that was near their troops. As the Soviets moved toward Auschwitz, the German SS pushed thousands of prisoners out of this camp on a death march through terribly cold weather. These combat soldiers immediately helped 9,000 inmates who were too sick to move. A Soviet soldier later told the Times of Israel, “I remember their faces, especially their eyes which betrayed their ordeal.” A ten year old survivor recalled the presence of these soldiers what gave “hugs, cookies, and chocolate….We were not only starved for food, but we were starved for human kindness.”
On April 4th, 1945, the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Division liberated Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Hardened soldiers who experienced the suffering and the death of the war were not prepared to witness Hitler’s Final Solution. American service members were sickened at the view of corpses stacked like “cord wood,” survivors clinging to life, the outbreak of typhus, and an order by the Gestapo and SS to kill the remaining prisoners. While death camps were already
The End of the War in Europe and the Final Solution
freed by the Soviets, virtually no information was presented to the American soldiers to prepare them for these horrific moments that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
A week later, Eisenhower, General’s Omar N. Bradley, and George S. Patton saw the true nature of the reports of German atrocities. Eisenhower was an avid writer and reader of military history, he fully understood that people in the future would doubt the existence of these camps and ordered parts of his armies to witness the actions that were committed by Nazi regime. Later, many soldiers rarely spoke about this powerful experience, and they had nightmares over the war and the memories of the Holocaust. Eisenhower reported these accounts to General George C. Marshall:
“...the most interesting— although horrible—sight that I encountered during the trip was a visit to a German internment camp near Gotha. The things I saw beggar description. While I was touring the camp I encountered three men who had been inmates and by one ruse or another had made their escape. I interviewed them through an interpreter. The visual evidence and the verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty and bestiality were so overpowering as to leave me a bit sick…..’”
Next to Eisenhower, Bradley was speechless, Patton vomited on the side of a building, and American soldiers tried to care for survivors with medicine, food, and water. The nearby German residents were ordered into the camps to bury the dead bodies and to see the genocide that was carried out by their government. After seeing Ohrdruf, the local town mayor and his wife hung themselves after being ordered into this concentration camp. Patton, a major fighting general during the war observed, “You’ll never believe how bastardly these Krauts can be, until you’ve seen this pesthole yourself.”
Dr. Bernie Furshpan is the Vice Chair of the Nassau County Holocaust Museum spoke about the importance of the 80th
Anniversary of the end of World War II and he believed, “I am deeply moved by the stories of the American troops who liberated the concentration and death camps of World War II. These brave soldiers were not prepared for the horrors they would encounter, the emaciated survivors, the mass graves, the unspeakable cruelty. And yet, in the face of such darkness, they responded with humanity, compassion, and a fierce resolve to bring justice and healing. Their courage not only ended a reign of terror but bore witness to truth the world must never forget." And this was only the beginning, as there were numerous camps that were spread in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Next week, there will be a second story on the end of the war in Europe.
Calling All Prospective Plumbers...
Continued from page 6
Enea: Absolutely. I've been in the public education system for the last 27 years and I was guilty of that. We pushed all of our students to go to college. You can be really, really successful going through this path (plumbing) as well.
Mychajliw: You can make a
boatload of money as a plumber now because there is a shortage. It's tough to find folks in any of the building trades. And Joe, isn't one of the huge selling points the fact that a young man or a woman has, for the most part, zero debt and they're learning a trade, correct?
Enea: We can assure you, you
DOGE Report: How Much Is a Week a Month...
Continued from page 15
This money doesn’t grow on trees, or even from the government printing presses, it comes out of the pockets of regular, working Americans.
The VA along with other federal agencies works with DOGE to rout out waste and abuse while streamlining departments funds back toward essential services.
VA Secretary Doug Collins also recently announced the dismissal of over 1,000 staffers enabling redirection of over $98 million per year in resources back to health
care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.
The old saying that "Light is the best disinfectant" perfectly describes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE is the light. DOGE is not personal. DOGE isn’t against anyone. DOGE is for the American taxpayer and all the people who rely on benefits and services from the federal government.
Many of the things DOGE has been uncovering are process-type things such as the retirement system that is kept in paper folders
in an underground mine, ancient and inefficient computer systems, lack of specifics defining who payments are being made too, and not updating who is dead or alive in the Social Security system.
There have been lists and lists of incredulous grants and programs that most regular Americans can’t imagine is something that exists let alone funded by their hard-earned tax dollar.
DOGE also brought other questionable uses of taxpayer funds to light and changes or cancellations were made to the
Department of Labor totaling $237 million saved.
These grants included $10 million for "gender equity in the Mexican workplace," $12.2 million for "worker empowerment in South America" and $6.25 million for "improving respect for workers' rights in agricultural supply chains" in the countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cancelled 113 grants totaling $4.7 billion.
won't have debt when you get out.
Mychajliw: What would you say Joe to those folks who are thinking about it who are kind of on the fence?
Enea: I would say that they should definitely give it a look. It may not be for everybody, but it may be for you. So you need to check it out.
The DOGE website reports that it has saved Americans $140 billion as of early April.
DOGE makes clear that cuts in federal agencies are not personal. No one is saying the people are bad or even that all the services are bad. Some services that people like are being cut, but just like in the budgets of taxpayer households, prioritization of spending has to be weighed against revenue. Much of what is being cut is waste, fraud, and abuse and some are simply things that can no longer be afforded considering the debt and deficit of the United States.
Credit: Vladiczech | Dreamstime.com
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Utilizing a Pooled Income Trust (“Pooled Trust”) in conjunction with Community Medicaid is a great option for those who need assistance with activities of daily living, wish to continue living in their home, and depend on their monthly income to pay household bills.
Community Medicaid, also known as Medicaid home care, determines an individual’s eligibility based on monthly income and amount of assets in his or her individual name. A single person’s monthly income cannot exceed $1,800 per month (plus an additional $20 for being aged, blind or disabled) and his or her total assets cannot exceed $32,396. For those who are married, assets may be transferred into a spouse’s name to meet the asset limit. If an individual’s monthly
income exceeds $1,820, the additional income can be held in a Pooled Trust. The money that accumulates in the Pooled Trust can be used to pay for household bills. It is important to note that while any unused income will accumulate from month to month, any funds remaining at the time of the Medicaid applicant’s death will be paid to Medicaid. If an individual on Community Medicaid does not establish a Pooled Trust, then income above $1,820 will be contributed to Medicaid on a monthly basis and will not be used for household expenses.
A Pooled Trust allows a Medicaid applicant to send a check to the Pooled Trust fund on a monthly basis for that amount which exceeds the allowable income limit. An applicant submits household bills equal to the amount sent to the trust fund. The trust
Pooled Income Trusts and Community Medicaid
deducts a small monthly fee for servicing these payments and then, on behalf of the applicant, pays those household bills. This process allows the applicant to continue relying on his or her monthly income to pay bills, and at the same time, reduce
income to the amount which is permitted under the Medicaid rules.
Many spouses rely on one another’s monthly income to keep their household intact after they retire. Individuals and couples alike who are
homeowners often work for decades to pay off their mortgage and secure a house of their own. Medicaid Homecare together with a Pooled Trust allows Medicaid applicant’s the opportunity to live out the rest of their lives in the home they worked so hard to create. If you or someone you love needs some help with daily activities, research and consultation with an elder law attorney can help determine if this program is feasible.
Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Erin Cullen is a graduate of the Maurice A. Dean School of Law at Hofstra University. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.
BY TARA D’AMATO
The Community Library has two great video streaming services you can access with your library card. Watch free movies at home, on the go on your tablet or laptop, or stream to your smart TV. Instead of paying cable TV fees or Amazon Prime, make the most of your library membership and save some money by streaming. Visit www.communitylibrary.org and select Books, Movies, Music from the top menu to get started. Don’t have home Internet? Borrow a MiFi device from the library to access free Internet service from home. Please note, there may be a waitlist for this device.
HOOPLA
Hoopla lets you borrow digital music, movies, including children’s movies, documentaries, comics and graphic novels for children, teens, and adults to stream in your web browser or to enjoy offline on your device. With hundreds of thousands of titles
to choose from, and more being added daily, Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Instead of having holds and wait periods, you can borrow titles anytime you want. Any title you borrow can be viewed across any device you’re signed into.
Hoopla supports Amazon Alexa devices, too. Play borrowed audiobooks and music albums directly on your Amazon Echo, Dot, Spot, and Show devices. Just search for “hoopla digital” in the Amazon Skills marketplace.
To use Hoopla on your device, you must download the app first. Find the Hoopla app in the Apple Google Play store and use your library barcode to sign in.
KANOPY
Kanopy is a videostreaming platform dedicated to thoughtful and thoughtprovoking films. With an ideal platform for showcasing independent films that fuel lifelong learning, Kanopy
is on a mission “to ensure that everyone has access to enriching films that bridge cultural boundaries, spark discussion, and expand worldviews.” You can choose from thousands of Hollywood classics, mainstream hits, arthouse releases and foreign films to watch with the service. Watch up to 10 critically acclaimed movies, inspiring documentaries, and awardwinning foreign films each month. While it’s not the spot to go for the most current Hollywood blockbusters, it fills in our video library with content like award winners, classic and indie films, and foreign content. Kanopy also recently teamed up with HBO Documentaries, the hot indie studio A24 and the prestigious Criterion Collection to offer content.
Simply add your MasticsMoriches-Shirley Community Library card number and PIN or password after selecting Kanopy from the library’s webpage.
Assistant Library Director
Kostanti A Kruk, Owner Matthew Kruk, Licensed Funeral Director
Your Library. Your Community. A Modest Investment That Makes a Big Impact.
Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library 2025 Budget Message
As your local public library, we understand the financial pressures families are facing — from rising utility bills to the increasing costs of groceries, housing, and gas. That’s why we’ve taken great care in crafting a 2025 budget that is both fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of our growing community.
If voters approve our proposed budget, the annual library tax levy for the average home (assessed at $1,995) will increase from about $710 to an estimated $745. That’s a difference of just $35 a year — or roughly $2.90 per month. For far less than the cost of a movie ticket, you’re helping ensure that our library continues to deliver the high-quality services, programs, and resources that make a real difference in people’s lives. (And with your library card, you can stream nearly 50,000 movies for free on Kanopy — no ticket required!)
While the proposed budget includes a 4.4% operating budget increase — which exceeds the state’s 2% tax cap — the actual impact on taxpayers remains minimal, while the benefits are significant.
Why the Increase?
Inflation’s Impact: Even as inflation is beginning to level off, the accumulated effects of the last few years have driven up costs for books, digital content, programming materials, energy, and other essentials.
Minimum Wage Mandate: The state’s increase in the minimum wage reflects an important value — fair compensation — but it also comes with no additional funding. Our library employs many entry-level staff members at minimum wage, and we must adjust to continue operating effectively.
Keeping Good People: We invest time and resources in training our staff — but without competitive pay, too many are leaving for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. Modest salary increases, especially for entry-level librarians and security guards, will help us attract and retain the skilled, compassionate staff who make our library feel like home.
We’ve always worked hard to stretch every dollar. But continuing to meet the needs of our community — especially with our new and improved facilities — requires thoughtful investment. This proposed increase ensures that we can maintain safe, vibrant, and inclusive spaces that serve residents of all ages and backgrounds.
It’s a Small Step with a Big Payoff.
Libraries are more than buildings. They’re the heart of a community — offering free access to knowledge, lifelong learning, job readiness, early literacy, arts and culture, and more.
Your support keeps it all going.
For questions or to learn more about this year’s budget proposal, please visit www.communitylibrary.org or contact Library Director Lonna Theiling at (631) 399-1511.
Thank you for supporting your Community Library.
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLKBABYLON.
CASIO REALTY, LLC, Plaintiff -againstSTEVEMAR REALTY, INC., et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 13, 2024 and entered on November 21, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps of the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY on April 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Amityville, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of South Ketcham Avenue, (Clinton Avenue) distant 225 feet Southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of said South Ketcham, with the Southerly side of Riverside Avenue, which point is also the Southeasterly corner of land now or formerly of Toomey, and from said point of beginning; RUNNING THENCE South 8 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds West along the Westerly side of South Ketcham Avenue 188.91 feet to land now or formerly of DeQuillfeldt; THENCE South 66 degrees 56 minutes 00 seconds West along the last mentioned land, 292.90 feet to Narraskatuck River; THENCE along the Narraskatuck River, the following (5) courses and distances: 1. North 7 degrees 10 minutes 40 seconds East, 59.38 feet; 2. North 26 degrees 30 minutes 40 seconds East, 121.48 feet; 3. North 16 degrees 42 minutes 00 seconds West, 96.10 feet; 4. North 89 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds East, 20.59 feet; 5. North 8 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds East, 50.69 feet to land now or formerly of Pearl Grey Fishing Station, Inc., formerly of Toomey; THENCE along the last mentioned land, the following (3) courses and distances: 1. South 81 degrees 50 minutes 00 seconds East, 100 feet; 2. North 8 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds East, 25 feet; 3. South 81 degrees 50 minutes 00 seconds East, 133.32 feet to the Westerly side of South Ketcham
Avenue at the point or place of BEGINNING. District: 0101 Section: 011.00 Block: 01.00 Lots: 025.000, 026.000, 028.000, 029.000. Said premises known as 255265 SOUTH KETCHAM AVENUE, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701
Approximate amount of lien $776,340.52 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 614694/2020. MICHAEL J. CORCORAN, ESQ., Referee
The Law Offices of Kyle M. Halperin, PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 27 East 21st Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10010 {* SOUTH SHO4*}
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUFFOLK COUNTY US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff against
THE UNKNOWN HEIRSAT LAW, NEXT-OFKIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECENDENT ANTHONY BISCARDI, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN, et al Defendant(s)
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 November 29, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 21, 2025 at 9:00
AM. Premises known as 159 HAWTHORNE STREET, MASTIC, NY 11950. District 0200 Sec 908.00 Block 04.00 Lot 027.000. 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 $322,721.14 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 615688/2022. 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.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST EDDIE ROMAN, CARMEN ROSADO, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 26, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 22, 2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 254 Auborn Avenue, Shirley, NY 11967. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Township of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York, District 0200, Section 746.00, Block 03.00, Lot 005.000. Approximate amount of judgment $238,215.88 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603642/2018. Harvey B. Besunder, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-006778 83604
L16207 - 03/19/2025, 03/26/2025, 04/02/2025 &
04/09/2025
SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Suffolk County. U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF BKPLEG HOLDING TRUST, Plaintiff, -against- ELENA IVANOVA, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD SAMMIS A/K/A RONALD P. SAMMIS A/K/A RON SAMMIS; TAYLOR SAMMIS, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD SAMMIS A/K/A RONALD P. SAMMIS A/K/A RON SAMMIS; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD SAMMIS A/K/A RONALD P. SAMMIS A/K/A RON SAMMIS; STATE OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT); CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC & PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; "JOHN DOE" AND "JANE DOE" said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 612102/2024. Mortgaged Premises: 23 Lafayette Avenue Mastic, NY 11950 District: 0200 Section: 824.00 Block: 07.00 Lot: 029.000 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff's attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner 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 hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on Mortgage to secure $105,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office on May 25, 2007, in Book M00021541, Page 431, covering the premises known as 23 Lafayette Avenue, Mastic, NY 11950.
The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Suffolk County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located. 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 your mortgage company will not stop this 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. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, Against
YEN LOPEZ A/K/A YEN
R. LOPEZ A/K/A YEN S.
LOPEZ A/K/A YENNIFER
LOPEZ A/K/A YENNIFER
R. LOPEZ A/K/A
YENNIFER S. LOPEZ, ET AL.,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/12/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 4/23/2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 42 Sterling Ave, Patchogue, New York 11772, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York.
District 0200 Section 951.00 Block 06.00 Lot 005.000
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $713,931.57 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 624041/2018
Daniel James Murphy, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 2/27/2025 File Number: 272-0299ny CA
Supreme Court County of Suffolk US Bank National Association as Trustee for CMALT REMIC Series 2005-A1 - REMIC PassThrough Certificates Series 2005-A1, Plaintiff AGAINST
Nelson Medina, et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated May 7, 2024 and entered on May 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on April 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 17 Nadworny Lane, Stony Brook, NY 11790. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 247.00, BLOCK: 04.00, LOT: 009.003, District 0200. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,162,518.57 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 616581/2018.
Elyse Nicole Grasso, Referee
FRENKEL LAMBERT
WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 26, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 29, 2025 at 9:30AM, premises known as 1184 Waverly Avenue, Holtsville, NY 11742-1122. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of NY, District 0200 Section 653.00 Block 03.00 Lot 045.000. Approximate amount of judgment $647,043.19 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 031309/2013.
Amanda M. Baron-Frank, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: March 5, 2025 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. FRANCIS K. O'BRIEN, Defendant.
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 1, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 42 Annandale Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 329.00, Block 07.00 and Lot 006.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $567,698.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #606899/2016. Cash will not be accepted.
Mark Peterson, Esq., Referee
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST INC. ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-AMC1, Plaintiff - against - THOMAS SULFARO, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 28, 2025.
I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on the 23rd day of April, 2025 at 12:30 PM. 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 known as 60 Manor Drive, Shirley, (Town of Brookhaven) NY 11967.
(DSBL#: 0200-983.20-05.00039.000)
Approximate amount of lien $872,286.62 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 609048/2023. Jonathan A. Baum, Esq., Referee.
The deposit must be paid by certified check or bank check made payable to the Referee. Cash will not be accepted.
Davidson Fink LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: March 11, 2025
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change.
HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2005-4, RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-4, Plaintiff, AGAINST VANESSA L. SULLIVAN AKA VANESSA SULLIVAN, et al. Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on November 25, 2024.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM premises known as 50 Astor Drive, 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 in the Township of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. District 0200 Section 587.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 028.002-028.004.
Approximate amount of judgment $296,096.54 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #609710/2019.
Samantha Segal, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747
Notice of formation of JPGathans LLC, Articles of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/13/2025. Office
location: County of Suffolk. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 8823 Calypso Court, Naples FL 34112. Purpose: Any lawful act.
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 20194, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff AGAINST GEORGE ATHANASATOS; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 6, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on April 23, 2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 6 Bullard Street, Mastic, NY 11950. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200 Section 881.00 Block 08.00 Lot 031.000. Approximate amount of judgment $398,541.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #626455/2023. Ian Thomas Fitzgerald, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 SPSNY818 84897
Notice of Formation of SJC WOODLAND, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on MARCH 18, 2025. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to SJC WOODLAND, LLC,
343 DAYTON AVENUE, MANORVILLE, NY 11949, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Sharon Klune a/k/a Sharon L. Klune; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 2, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Front steps of Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on May 1, 2025 at 9:30AM, premises known as 4 Laurel Crescent a/k/a Laurel Cresent, Manorville, NY 11949. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in Manorville, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of NY, District 0200 Section 510.00 Block 05.00 Lot 029.031. Approximate amount of judgment $635,637.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 207406/2022.
Jacob Turner, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: February 17, 2025 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
SUPREME COURT: SUFFOLK COUNTY. FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-2,
Pltf. vs. RONALD KOCSI
JR, et al, Defts. Index #205792/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered June 27, 2024, I will sell at public auction at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on May 5, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. premises k/a 464 Carnation Drive, Shirley, NY 11967 a/k/a District 0200, Section 615.00, Block 05.00, Lot 017.00. Approximate amount of judgment is $253,630.60 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. STEVEN LOSQUADRO, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY 11791. #102176
SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST JOSEPH DUFFY, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 19, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on May 13, 2025 at 10:30AM, premises known as 231 Elm Road West, Mastic Beach, NY 11951 District: 0200
Section: 982.00 Block: 10.00 Lot: 043.000 FKA District: 0209 Section: 029.00 Block: 02.00 Lot: 043.000 and Cranberry Drive, Mastic Beach, NY 11951 District: 0200 Section: 982.00 Block: 10.00 Lot: 042.000 FKA District: 0209 Section: 029.00 Block: 02.00 Lot: 042.000. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Mastic Beach, Village of Mastic Beach, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate amount of judgment
$127,662.27 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #623369/2018. Annette Eaderesto, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 XPNMN101 84654
Manorville's Brookfield Cemetery Corp. will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM at the Manorville Historical Society, 50 North Street, Manorville. All interested persons are invited to attend.
L16231 - 04/09/2025, 04/16/2025&04/23/2025
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-M2, Plaintiff, Against
WILLIAM CIARAMELLI A/K/A WILLIAM N. CIARAMELLI, WILLIAM S. CIARAMELLI A/K/A WILLIAM CIARAMELLI,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/28/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 5/12/2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 143 North Summit Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772, and described as follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Patchogue, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York.
District 0204 Section 008.00
Block 01.00 Lot 034.004
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $549,912.25 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 602562/2020
Billie Jean Miller, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573
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The blue and green confetti is done falling, we have watched endless Gator chomps, and after what will be remembered as an all #1's NCAA Tournament it's time to turn the page and take a glance at next season.
It's never too early to start looking at future plays, but in the new NIL-driven college landscape it is getting harder and harder to find value in the early stages following the championship game. A lot has been written about how this year's, and let's be honest last season's, tournament has shown the disparity between the big programs and their overflowing money and the mid-majors. Some have even called the new landscape the death of the midmajors and while that is sad, that should not deter bettors from shying away from finding some value.
The odds for next year's tournament read like a who's who
BY TOM BARTON
of blue-blood college basketball royalty. Indianapolis will be hosting the 2026 Final Four inside Lucas Oil Stadium and that is fitting because this looks like a race to the top.
At the top of that racing chart are the Duke Blue Devils with the shortest odds at 10-to-1. Jon Scheyer is back and now he's hungry after having his season slip away in the final seconds. He will return with the #2 overall recruiting class led by the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden as freshman on everyone's watch list.
The runner-up Houston Cougars had an experienced team, which means many will leave, but Sampson has shown he will be here time and time again. The question is how many runs in him will the 70-year-old have left? I was hoping I could get some value on Louisville who have been really active in the portal, but they come in with
An Early Look To the 2026 Brackets
15-to-1 odds. Not exactly a value team. Pat Kelsey has brought on transfers Ryan Conwell, Isaac McKneely, and Adrian Wooley and maybe more to come.
Kansas is right behind them at 16-to-1 followed by Purdue. Matt Painter's team looks very dangerous in a winnable Big 10
but remember that conference hasn't won it all since 2000. The Jayhawks had a rough season and now has three early NCAA tournament exists, but Bill Self is still there, and people love to bet the Hawks.
BYU is not a blue-blood but boy are they fun to watch and now
they bring on the #1 prospect in the country to a loaded offense that just made a deep run with a good coach. I wish I was getting better odds than 18-to-1, but this is an intriguing team. Speaking of intriguing we all loved what Coach Cal did with the Razorbacks late in the season and even in a loaded SEC that kind of coaching is alluring for a nearly 20-1 payout.
Speaking of the SEC Bruce Pearl is back, the Gators might repeat, Alabama can run with anyone and all of them hover around the 20-1 mark in another really deep SEC. Kentucky isn't far behind them either
As for St. John's they are about 25-1 to cut down the nets and it's hard to count them out but the Big East could be very dangerous this season. Creighton has already landed a 7-foot transfer and UConn with Dan Hurley at 19-to-1 might actually be one of the underrated bets to make.
ByTomBarton
Two storied baseball programs in Suffolk reached milestones this week.
Connetquot Baseball reached 950 program wins, while Miller Place Baseball won their 600th game for the school.
Connetquot won its 950th game and are led by Manager Rob Burger. Burger watched as Dylan Wilkinson held Lindenhurst scoreless in his 5 innings, while striking out seven in a brilliant performance for the victory.
As a program they have won six county and captured the State Championship in 1989 and 1995. Many of the 950 wins came under Manager Bob Ambrosini. He began coaching at Connetquot in 1982 and won more than 600
Miller Place and Connetquot Reach Historic Wins
games. He was the winningest coach in Suffolk County baseball history when he retired. He was named league coach of the year 17 times and Suffolk County Coach of the Year three times.
Miller Place also had a bulk of their wins because of a legendary coach. Last year Miller Place High School recognized their former manager by renaming the varsity baseball field in his honor. Don Pranzo launched the district’s first athletic program in 1969 and was the first coach of the varsity baseball team for 20 years. He coached the team starting in the early 1970s through 1989 and again from 2003 through 2006. With Pranzo at the helm the team won seven league titles, two county championships, one Long Island championship, and finished second in the state in 1985. He
was also named coach of the year seven times.
This year's head coach Joe
Hockey History Is Made on Long Island
ByTomBarton
Hockey history was made Sunday afternoon in Elmont when the sports world watched one of the greatest records get broken.
Alex Ovechkin stands alone as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer after he scored number 895 against the Islanders. The hockey world has been on Ovechkin watch since the beginning of the season, but doubts were there that the nearly 40-year-old had enough left in the tank to secure the record this year. Ovechkin has showed no signs of slowing down at all and he overtook Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals after scoring in the second period.
Ovechkin got the historymaking goal on a wrist shot past goalie Ilya Sorokin and later asked Sorokin for his stick as a piece of hockey history. Sorokin is a fellow Russian and that was not lost on Ovechkin who said “It’s kind of an historical moment, Russian score against Russian and setting the record, so it’s pretty cool. He's such a great kid and my kids love him.
So, it’s a tremendous moment, it’s a tremendous day for hockey and that’s cool.”
Wayne Gretzky also understood how much a part of history this moment was and was at UBS Arena. The Great One had said previously that when he broke the record Gordie Howe was present and he would travel with Ovechkin to make sure he was there for his record breaker. Ovechkin's 895th goal came in his 1,487th game. In a weird twist of fate Gretzky's 894th had come in his 1,487th and also against the Islanders, on March 29, 1999.
Ovechkin has seemingly done it all in the sport since entering the NHL as the #1 pick in the 2004 NHL draft. Ovechkin was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players of all time in 2017, and now the debate will rage just how high on the all-time list his name will be.
Not only is he now the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer but he also is one of two players in league history to score 700 career goals before 35 years old, joining Gretzky. Only Ovechkin, the
Great One and Gordie Howe have 800 career goals, and he is one of six players in league history with 700 career goals and 700 career assists.
The 2018 Stanley Cup winner is #1 in league history with the most empty-net goals, the most
power-play goals, and the most shots on goal ever. In his Stanley Cup season, he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given to the league's Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he is a threetime Hart Memorial Trophy winner, given to the MVP of
the regular season. Ovechkin is a 13-time NHL All-Star Game selection, he led the league in scoring nine times, led the league in points once, and won Rookie of the Year. He's been a standout since entering the league and now he stands atop the list alone.
The 25th Anniversary Team Adds Two More Members
ByTomBarton
The Ducks keep filling up their 25th Anniversary team and have added two more members this past week.
Former catcher Hector Sanchez has been chosen as the 21st member of the franchise’s 25th Anniversary Team.
Sanchez was with the Ducks for some of three different seasons in 2019, 2021, and again in 2023. While with the Flock he batted .260 with 27 home runs, 130 RBIs, 90 runs, 167 hits, 34 doubles, one triple, 52 walks, a .315 on-base percentage and a .757 OPS.
Sanchez wasn't just a regular season standout as he was a part of 16 playoffs games and had 14 hits, five RBIs, four runs, and six walks. He was an important piece of the 2019 Atlantic League championship and the 2021 North Division champs. He was named an Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star in 2021 as well.
He was highly regarded for his defense behind the plate and his numbers there show that. He committed just seven
errors in 135 games at catcher, and he was selected to the Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team in 2021.
He will be joined on the Anniversary team by pitcher Mike Loree.
Loree was with the Ducks in 2011 and 2012. He finished his Ducks career with a 1912 record with a 3.33 ERA, one complete game and 220 strikeouts in 227 innings.
When you say the name Mike Loree to Ducks fans, they remember him for the best season, possibly ever, by a player in franchise history.
In 2011 he won the pitching Triple Crown with the Atlantic
League. He led the league in wins with 14, ERA with a tiny 1.98 and strikeouts with 131. That season he also had one of the best single game performances in Ducks history when he set a franchise singlegame record with 14 strikeouts on September 15, 2011, at Southern Maryland.
In 2011 he earned an Atlantic League All-Star Game selection and was named a First Team Post-Season AllStar. In the 2011 playoffs, he went 2-0 with a 1.11 ERA in three starts, including a 10-strikeout performance in Game One of the Atlantic League Championship Series vs. York.
Miller Place Baseball
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook
Mancini watched his team secure win #600 by beating their rival Mount Sinai 8-4. Shane Kiernan
got the win, and Nick Frusco went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored in the historic win.
Alex Ovechkin
Credit: @NHL | X
Credit: Michael Polak
Mike Loree
Rain or Shine Its Opening Day!
ByTomBarton
Opening Day always has a special feel to it but if you are a little leaguer, it somehow feels that much more special. The rain this weekend did not deter the little ball players from taking the field and getting dirty, or in this case muddy.
While many events were canceled because of rain and the threat of even more to come, the North Shore Little League ran business as usual on this very special Opening Day. The league held its parade around the field at 8 a.m. Saturday morning and then proceeded to get in as many games as they could throughout the day.
The morning games went off without a hitch, while some of the early afternoon games were played in the drizzle, but the fields held up because of the excellent groundskeeping. Some late afternoon games did get washed out, but the day was filled with excitement that would not be deterred by the impending gray clouds.
Jane Bonner was one of the special guests who braved the cold morning to celebrate with the ballplayers for the parade and she was all smiles on the field. Bonner later wrote about the event: "Several events across Council District 2 were unfortunately cancelled due
to the gloomy forecast—but North Shore Little League pulled off a fantastic Opening Day just before the rain rolled in! It was great to see old friends and the young athletes full of energy and excitement for
another season on the field. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this day (and every season) so special for our kids and community. Your hard work, dedication, and spirit shine brighter than the clouds!
Here’s to a great season ahead."
The North Shore Fields complex is located in Miller Place and hosts both baseball and softball games for boys and girls aged 6 through 16.
Coach Migliozzi Wins #450
ByTomBarton
Half Hollow Hills West Baseball
Coach Tom Migliozzi has reached a milestone with his 450th career victory.
The head baseball coach at Half Hollow Hills West for 30 years, Tom Migliozzi, is the winningest active baseball coach in Suffolk County.
Migliozzi has a long and storied career as a player and now coach. He is a Deer Park football and baseball product and was AllLong Island in both sports as a senior in 1986-87. Coach Migs finished third in Hansen Award race and second in Yastrzemski Award during his playing career in high school. He then went on to St. John’s University where he was Big East Player of the Year in 1991 and still ranks third all-time
The Dragons Add a Suffolk Coach to the Staff
ByTomBarton
The New York Dragons are assembling their coaching staff and have named an original Dragon to the staff. Sean Tremblay has been chosen as an assistant coach.
Tremblay is a Long Island native who was the first player ever signed by the original New York Dragons and played for them in 2001 and 2002. Tremblay is the first assistant coach to be named to the staff of Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Gerald Filardi.“I’m very excited,” said Tremblay. “It’s a full circle moment for me. My seven seasons in the Arena Football League were some of the best in my life.”
“I’m excited about Sean joining the staff,” said Filardi. “He brings a ton of coaching experience as well as arena football experience and he is an original Dragon.”
Tremblay not only played for the Dragons, but he is also a Suffolk County coaching staple like Filardi. Tremblay has been the head coach at his alma mater Comsewogue High School since 2013. During his first season with the Warriors, Tremblay was named the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week. He was promoted to head coach in 2013 after spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach.
Tremblay and Filardi certainly know each other very well as Tremblay’s team has played against Filardi’s Half Hollow Hills West team since 2019. With this hire it further emphasizes General Manager Peter Schwartz's vision that the team be made up of coaches and players from Long Island in pursuit of becoming a true Long Island team. Speaking about the strength of talent on the Island
in Red Storm history with 23 victories as a starting pitcher.
As a coach Migliozzi’s teams have won more than a dozen league titles and has won it all with a New York State championship. He also coached football as assistant at Half Hollow Hills where he led his teams to three Suffolk titles, two Long Island championships, and two Rutgers
Trophies.
Section XI posted about the coach: "This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about his leadership, passion, and commitment to the team.
Congratulations to Coach and Hills West Baseball. These milestones are a blessing and valued in our Section XI schools."
Ward Melville's Athletic Trainer Wins Alumni Award
By
Tremblay said “As a head varsity coach, I have seen Long Island scouted and recruited much more than years past. People are starting to realize the level of athletes that we have here on Long Island.”
The Dragons will be hosting open tryouts on April 8th and 19th at U.S. Academy of Soccer in Farmingdale. Registration is underway at www. nydragonsfootball.com.
Ward Melville's Athletic Trainer and Science Teacher Claudine Weiner recently was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award from Stony Brook University.
Three Village social media site wrote of the award winner: "Mrs. Weiner has been an outstanding and dedicated athletic trainer and science teacher at Ward Melville for many years. Thank you, Mrs. Weiner, for all that you do in the science classroom and on our
athletic fields!! Congratulations and thank you for all your efforts and dedication to our district and the athletic training profession!"
Weiner is not only a teacher and athletic trainer, but she also gives her time to Ward Melville's career fairs and developed a sports medicine elective for the school in 2001.
She also organized a day where close to 100 students participate in simulations at Stony Brook University showcasing the roles and responsibilities of athletic trainers.
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook Coach Tom Migliozzi
North Shore Little Leaguers
Credit: NSLL
Sean Tremblay
Credit: @NYDragonsFB | X
TomBarton
Credit: Three Village Athletics | Facebook Claudine Weiner
SPORTS Nolan's Legacy Lives On
ByTomBarton
Sometimes a practice or in this case a scrimmage means more than you think. A prime example of that came this week for the Longwood JV Baseball program.
During a junior varsity baseball scrimmage the game was secondary to the meaning behind it. The Longwood team had a tribute to their departed friend and teammate Nolan Horn.
Longwood social media said of the event: "Recently, we mourned the loss of one of our beloved students, Nolan Horn, yet his legacy continues to bring our community together."
They continued: "Following the scrimmage the Lions JV team
and Miller Place gathered at home plate, each player wearing bracelets inscribed with Lov3forNolan and #NolanNation. Two of Nolan’s summer teammates held his jersey as both teams stood in solidarity— honoring his memory, his spirit, and the lasting impact he left on all who knew him."
Nolan Horn passed away at the age of 15 years old after his battle with cancer over the winter. In December 2022 Nolan was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. According to their GoFundMe page he "traveled across the country multiple times for treatment, undergone 3 separate brain surgeries, 2 rounds of radiation, chemotherapy, participated in 2 clinical trials, and has had to endure
over a dozen MRIs, hundreds of needle pokes, extensive physical and occupational therapy, and countless doctor’s appointments.
"Despite these hardships, Nolan continues to inspire us all with his resilience, strength, and smile."
That inspiration continues even
after his death as his teammates celebrated his life and will never forget the courageous young man.
If you would like to help, they still have their GoFundMe page active: www.gofundme.com/f/thehorn-family-in-their-journey-tofight-brain-cancer.
After his passing Superintendent Lance Lohman took to Facebook and said that "Nolan was a true shining light in our schools and community," he said, adding that his "love for family, friends, baseball, golf, and Longwood" was "evident in everything he did."
The Longest-Tenured Coach Gets A Deserving Day
ByTomBarton
Before the scrimmage between Port Jefferson and Amityville Coach Desi’s family and Port Jeff alumni were invited onto the field, and former coaches spoke about the lasting impact Coach Desi had on his players and fellow coaches.
Coach Desiderio is the longesttenured high school baseball coach in Suffolk County’s history, having coached at Port Jefferson for 37 years. He has coached his teams to over 400 wins, including 10 league championships and 20 playoff appearances.
Coach Desi was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall
of Fame in 1997. He was also a professor of business management at Suffolk County Community College for over 40 years and was a business teacher and coach for the Port Jefferson School District from 1958 to 1995.
The ceremony culminated with Coach Desi’s son, Ronny,
Fantasy Baseball - Post-Hype Sleepers at 1B
ByTomBarton
Traditionally first base has been a big contributor for fantasy players. The first-base position is usually littered with big power producers and 30 homer, 100 RBI seasons were the norm for a while. But recently first base has started to become a concern position.
The steady veterans are still there, but they are aging. The days of counting on Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman and the like aren't quite over, but their days of being elite options seem numbered. Fantasy mangers then had to make tough decisions after the lite stars to sacrifice batting average for power and take players like Rhys Hoskins or Jake Burger or perhaps sacrifice power in the vein of Luis Arraez or Jake Cronenworth.
There is suddenly hope though with some post-hype sleepers that shouldn't be on anyone's waiver wire, but they are on more than 50% of most leagues. These are players you should grab immediately in all leagues and enjoy the ride.
Ben Rice is the first must-grab
player. The Yankee who came up as a catcher, plays mostly DH, still has 1B eligibility in most leagues. When Aaron Boone was asked about Rice batting first this week, he responded by saying that "Rice just rakes" and that means something. The outside metrics point to excellent bat speed, launch angle, and all of the baseball savant extras that you want, but the reason Rice gets such a boost is because his manager has that faith in him. Not just to write his name in the lineup, but to place him atop the Yankees explosive batting order. Rice rakes yes, but he also has
Credit: @Tigers | X always gotten on base, and that is big when you have guys like Judge batting behind you. Rice will continue to get starts
at DH while Stanton is injured, and there are no signs to say Giancarlo is close to returning. He also will spell Goldschmidt at times at first and he still worked out as a catcher in camp so the guy that rakes and gets on base, also has multiple position eligibility.
Spencer Trokelson is the other 1B to grab right now in all leagues. Tork was the #1 pick and with those lofty expectations followed. Torkelson has a 30 homer, close to 100 RBI season in the bigs already but he struggled so much that there was some thought that he would spend the year in the minors. Torkelson has been very open about his issues with athletic anxiety and this spring he looked like a
throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Coach's legacy didn't stop just at Port Jefferson as he was also involved with the Miracle League of Long Island and helped bring the first softball team to Suffolk County for autistic and handicapped children.
completely different player. That play has carried over and the Tigers believe in their once franchise asset. They have batted him right in the middle of the order and put him back at 1B showing him the confidence they have in not only his bat, but his fielding as well. Torkelson is someone who you couldn't pry away from owners just a couple of short years ago, now he's free on waivers and is a must-grab. He is also still 25 years old, so while he might never amount to a MVP type of player, I'd rather have him than a Hoskins type of 1B. If the early going is any indication Tork will be that 30+ HR, 100+ RBI middle-of-theorder bat that the Tigers, and every fantasy team needs.
Nolan Horn
Credit: AccessBaseball
This weekend the Suffolk County Baseball Coaches Association honored legendary Coach Al Desiderio.
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook Coach Desi Day
