As another Labor Day has passed and in the history books, it is the sign that summer is over and fall begins. I’m not too happy about that. My wife loves the leaves changing colors and flowing from one season to the next. I’ll take 80to-85 degrees and sun 12 months of the year. As the NFL season and new school year begins, here are some random post-Labor Day thoughts for this week’s “From the Newsroom” column.
* Speaking of Labor, I thought about the first two jobs I ever had. I’m turning 52 this year, and have been working for pay for 38 of those trips around the sun. My first job was in the summer at a campground my parents stayed at from May through Labor Day. I was paid two bucks an hour to clean up cigarette butts all over the playground areas, and then manage paddle boat rentals. Is that even a thing now, adults smoking and leaving a massive amount of cigarette butts around an area where kids congregate and play?
Once back home from the
summer campground gig, I got hired at a local deli/meat market in my neighborhood for the same pay: $2 cash per hour. That “job” was absolutely bananas for a 14-yearold kid. At this neighborhood grocer, they cut and sliced their own beef and meat. My job was to take apart the huge circular saws with massive blades, take the entire machine apart, then clean meat and bone off the saws and metal parts. The machine itself was way bigger than my tiny, freshman year in high school frame.
When I was done taking apart and cleaning saws and meat cutting machines, I then had to scrape and clean the cutting boards, then break down and tie up all the cardboard boxes to be recycled.
Did I mention I was a freshman in high school and getting paid off the books? Not sure how the Department of Labor would look upon a grocery store that hired kids to take apart massive machines, clean them, put them back together again, and then clean up around the
SANTOS UNCENSORED
BY GEORGE SANTOS
It seems that last week’s column struck a nerve, and that's good.
Sometimes the truth needs to sting before it sparks change.
This week at FCI Fairton, we actually witnessed a small, rare glimmer of progress.
For starters, after what felt like an eternity, the dormitory finally received a fully operational temporary air-conditioning unit.
And get this: it actually blows cold air inside the building, rather than outside into the Jersey humidity.
I know, it sounds like basic common sense, but around here, even the bare minimum feels like a luxury. So yes, a small victory, and believe me, I’ll take it.
But let’s talk about the real story. One of the few bright spots at Fairton is the safety team. They genuinely do a commendable job.
The correctional officers who walk the beat day in and day out go above and beyond to keep this place running smoothly, and for that, they deserve recognition.
This past week, they even toured the dorm alongside an administrator, checking over safety protocols and removing items deemed hazardous. It was responsible, proactive, and exactly what they’re supposed to do.
Now, here’s where things took a turn from professional to downright childish. As this walkthrough was happening, the
Post Labor Day Thoughts
store.
I loved that job. Great bosses. Treated me well. And I had extra cash to buy new clothes for school. I felt like a million bucks. Loved every minute of it.
* Speaking of Labor, former Congressman and current South Shore Press columnist George Santos is laboriously writing a weekly column about life behind bars. God Bless George. When we post his column on the Twitter
machine, our “X” account @ SSPNewsroom explodes with traffic. His first article received 250,000 views on Twitter. Comments are mostly positive. I find George’s columns absolutely fascinating. Love him, hate him, feel indifferent to his plight, you gotta admit this behind the scenes look into life behind bars is found nowhere else and incredibly eye opening.
* Opening game of the NFL kicks off this week, with my beloved Buffalo Bills attempting to pick up their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. Technically the Bills won two AFL Championships in the 1960’s, but no one “counts” those as being in the Super Bowl era. “One before I die.” That’s the mantra for every long suffering Bills fan. Just one Super Bowl before I die. I was in high school during Super Bowl XXV for the infamous “Wide Right” miss where kicker Scott Norwood missed a field goal in the closing seconds to seal a NY Giants win. Broke my heart.
Santos Behind Bars: Week 5
administrator in tow a man whose job, let’s remember, is to lead by example, decided to spend the better part of the tour making sarcastic quips about installing marble floors and a jacuzzi in the bathrooms.
His point? That inmates only “complain” and will never be satisfied.
Imagine that: a federal corrections administrator, on the taxpayer’s dime, resorting to snide mockery rather than accountability.
It was less leadership and more temper tantrums. Let me be clear. I am not a troublemaker.
I’m a get-along-to-go-along kind of person.
for weakness.
I value politeness, kindness, and compassion. But don’t
Labor Day 2025
mistake my civility
I call a spade a spade, and if that makes some people uncomfortable, so be it.
Continued on page 3
File Photo
Credit: George Santos
ByDeborahWilliams
Coco the Cat Was Shot–Twice!
Coco the Cat was minding his own business walking around in his Mastic Beach yard when a cowardly man shot him, and then, shot him again.
The alleged culprit was just arrested about two weeks after the incident that left both of Coco’s back legs paralyzed. John Lettieri, 53, of Mastic is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal mischief
Coco’s owners made a statement on Facebook saying, “The police have made an arrest!!!! The person believed to have shot him has been located and is in jail!!! We are so beyond thankful to the detectives who worked our case. They have been wonderful. Coco is still making extremely slow progress in moving his hind legs, but he is moving a bit on his own!!! He is mostly just sunbathing and enjoying being home.”
“If an individual is capable
of doing this to another living creature, in this case a cat, there’s no telling what they can do — we would allege they would be capable of just about anything,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said while visiting Coco.
The arrest report indicates that the victim was a stranger although the owner of Coco does live in the same neighborhood as Lettieri. No motive has yet been reported.
Tierney added, “Clearly this was not an accident. For whatever reason, this poor animal was targeted. We advocated with our legislature to make victims of animal abuse compensated through the crime victims compensation fund. That hasn’t happened.”
The criminal complaint obtained from the DA’s office states that at 4:15 a.m. Lettieri was in a black Ford F-350 pickup truck when “with no justifiable purpose” intentionally shot Coco the cat.
Home surveillance video shows the defendant stopping at the “incident
location (157 Monroe Drive) and firing an initial shot at the cat then reversing and repositioning before firing a second shot” at Coco.
The severity of the injuries to Coco are also described in the report, “Coco sustained a penetrating projectile injury that was lodged in his thoracic vertebra causing spinal fragmentation” and paralysis in both back limbs.
The arrest report indicates that there was an “oral admission” by Lettieri when police came to arrest him. He said, “I know what this is about. It’s about the cat. It’s crazy. I have an attorney so we can talk about it.”
Coco's owner, Melissa Violam says they are trying everything they can for Coco and are ordering a wheelchair for him.
District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office continues to gather evidence and asks that anyone with information or video contact the DA’s office at 631-852-3185.
Despite Public Perception, Weather Forecasts Are Highly Accurate,
Experts Say
ByRobertChartuk
Many Long Islanders rely on weather forecasts to plan their daily lives, yet a common belief persists that meteorologists are “wrong half the time.” According to Scott Mandia, professor of Physical Sciences at Suffolk County Community College, that perception is more myth than reality.
Mandia said one of his online weather students recently repeated the familiar complaint. “Many people think the same because they only remember the few times the forecast was wrong,” Mandia explained. “But in reality, forecasts in the United States — especially in the 0-72 hour range — are generally very accurate.”
The National Weather Service, which operates a forecast office in Upton on the grounds of Brookhaven National Laboratory, plays a central role in delivering that accuracy. The office is responsible for monitoring
conditions across Long Island and issuing forecasts and warnings when severe weather threatens.
Forecasting has improved dramatically over the past few decades due to advances in technology, Mandia noted. Among the key factors:
• Improved data collection: A vast network of satellites, weather balloons, radar, and ground-based sensors provides meteorologists with an unprecedented flow of real-time data.
• More powerful computer models: Advances in computational power allow highresolution models to simulate the atmosphere with far greater detail than in the past.
• Integration of artificial intelligence: AI and machine learning are now being used to refine forecasts, improving speed and precision.
• Human expertise: Even with cutting-edge models,
Mandia stressed, the judgment of experienced meteorologists remains crucial in interpreting data and accounting for local variations.
The result is measurable accuracy. Forecasts within the 0-24-hour period — often called “nowcasts” — are highly reliable, with temperature predictions typically within 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit. Accuracy remains strong into the second and third days, with five-day forecasts approaching 90% reliability.
That said, forecasting has its limits. “It’s much easier to predict temperature than the exact location of an afternoon thunderstorm,” Mandia said. Localized phenomena such as pop-up storms or rapidly shifting conditions in mountainous areas remain challenging.
Geography also plays a role. Regions with complex terrain or volatile weather patterns, like the Great Plains, tend to be more difficult to forecast than coastal zones such as Long Island, where
weather systems are generally more stable.
Mandia said that while people often focus on the occasional blown forecast, the overall accuracy of modern weather prediction is “far beyond what the public gives it credit for.
“Within the first three days, forecasts are extraordinarily reliable,” he said. “That’s a huge improvement from just a generation ago, and it continues to get better.”
Santos Behind Bars: Week 5
The truth is this: with the kind of resources the Bureau of Prisons receives, there is absolutely no excuse for the sheer incompetence and lack of self-accountability on display at Fairton.
Public servants are entrusted with titles and responsibilities not for prestige or power trips, but to perform actual duties to uphold regulations, maintain order, and ensure basic human dignity, even within prison walls.
Yet here at Fairton, the culture is the exact opposite. It’s a regime built on intimidation and neglect.
If it weren’t so tragic, it would almost be comical. Take, for instance, the infamous black mold situation. You’ll recall that it was first spotted weeks ago.
The response? Cover it up and move on. Out of sight, out of mind.
Never mind that it’s a genuine
health hazard. Never mind that it lingers, festering above the ceiling tiles, while administrators parade around calling their half-hearted inspections “safety checks.”
For six straight weeks, I’ve pointed it out. For six consecutive weeks, no action has been taken.
Their approach reminds me of someone sweeping dirt under a rug and then boasting about how clean the room looks. It’s absurd.
Frankly, I wouldn’t trust some of these administrators to run a fast-food restaurant, let alone a federal correctional facility.
At least a fast-food chain demands discipline, professionalism, and accountability. Here, those qualities are in critically short supply.
And let me say something directly: this is prison. It’s not meant to be comfortable. Nobody here is asking for luxury. But there is a world of difference
between comfort and dignity, and the latter is not optional. It’s mandatory.
Dignity is the bedrock of justice. It’s what separates a civilized society from a punitive circus.
Yet at Fairton, dignity seems to be the first casualty of mismanagement. As for the administrator’s beloved marble floors? Personally, I find marble to be cheap, gaudy, and tacky. But that’s beside the point.
The real issue is that while leadership mocks, minimizes, and deflects, the actual problems remain unaddressed. That, my friends, is the heart of the matter.
So until next week, I’ll continue to share these dispatches from what I can only describe as my own personal hell here at FCI Fairton in South Jersey. If nothing else, you can count on me to keep shining a light where others would rather keep the shadows.
District Attorney Ray Tierney visiting Coco the Cat
Credit: District Attorney Ray Tierney's Office
National Weather Service Forecast Office
Credit: National Weather Service
ByRobertChartuk
Natural Pest Control at Historic Manor of St. George
A natural pest control program at the historic Manor of St. George has dramatically decreased the tick and mosquito population on the 127acre Mastic estate.
The effort was bolstered this week by the release of 150 more pheasants, which are flourishing among the Manor’s fields and woodland. The birds, along with a native turkey population and peacocks, have been cleaning out the ticks, while overhead, bats and purple martins, nesting in unique houses provided for them, take care of the mosquitoes.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine was on hand for the release, calling the program a model of environmental stewardship.
“This is about working with nature, not against it,” Romaine said. “These birds provide a natural way to reduce ticks and mosquitoes, which carry serious diseases, without resorting to pesticides that harm our environment. At a time when we need to protect our waterways and open space, the Manor is showing us what true conservation looks like.”
John Scott Prudenti, a
representative of the Manor’s trust, emphasized the health benefits of the effort. “With the concerns surrounding Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses, as well as West Nile from mosquitoes, we’re grateful for the job these birds are doing,” Prudenti said. “They’re thriving here, living entirely off the land, and proving that natural forms of insect control are highly effective.”
The pheasants came by way of the Reynolds Farm in upstate Ithaca and require no supplemental food, Prudenti noted. They bolster a population of 150 birds released last year.
By not using harmful insecticides at the waterfront property, the Manor also boasts a significant dragonfly population, which is deadly to mosquitoes and other flying pests such as flies. “Anyone who’s been down to our local beaches knows about greenflies, blackflies, and other biting pests. We get rid of them naturally here at the Manor,” caretaker Bob DeVito pointed out.
The Manor of St. George is one of Long Island’s historic gems, having played a role in the founding of America. Built by one
of Brookhaven Town’s earliest settlers, Col. William "Tangier" Smith, the estate became Fort St. George after the British captured it during the Revolutionary War. A militia headed by Col. Benjamin Tallmadge took it back in 1780 and, during his return to Connecticut, stopped off in Coram to famously burn a huge supply of hay stored for the British Cavalry.
Two canons from the War of 1812 still peering from the property toward Bellport Bay highlight the Manor’s military importance. During World War I, it served as a center for recreational activities for Army soldiers stationed at Camp Upton in Yaphank and those assigned to an airfield located south of the Manor house.
“Now patrolling the area are a legion of birds and dragonflies,” said Prudenti, who is working with local organizations to reduce the area’s feral cat population through spay and neutering efforts. “The birds do have natural enemies such as foxes, hawks, and owls, but we want to cut down on the other factors that threaten this beneficial population.”
The Manor grounds and its local history museum, open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through
New Jersey Contractor Bilks Suffolk County Workers
ByDeborahWilliams
Geraldo DeAlmeida, owner of R&L Concrete, Inc., plead guilty and will pay back $99,671 he illegally withheld from his employees on a project for Longwood Central School District.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Geraldo DeAlmeida, 57, of South River, New Jersey, and his corporation, R&L Concrete, Inc., pleaded guilty to Willful Failure to Pay the Prevailing Wage and Supplement, and a related charge, for failing to pay the proper prevailing wage rate and supplemental benefits to its employees, resulting in approximately $99,671 in underpayments.
“This conviction reaffirms my commitment to protecting workers’ rights by combatting wage theft,” said District Attorney Tierney. “It speaks to our dedication to the fight against anyone who would fraudulently and illegally fail to pay employees for their honest labor in Suffolk County.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions
during his guilty plea allocution, between November 25, 2019, and April 10, 2020, DeAlmeida's company, R&L Concrete, Inc., was a subcontractor at a public works project in the construction of the administrative building at Longwood Central School District.
The public works contract required DeAlmeida, through R&L Concrete, Inc., to properly list and classify his employees on certified payrolls and to pay them the statutory prevailing wage rate and supplemental benefits. Instead, DeAlmeida willfully misclassified his employees on the certified payrolls to classifications that paid a lower wage rate.
In addition to failing to pay the required prevailing wage rate and benefits, multiple employees who were entitled to a wage rate that varied between $68 and $198 per hour were only paid between $22 to $25 per hour. The investigation also found that DeAlmeida completely omitted one employee working at the project from the certified payrolls, in violation of the New York State Labor Laws.
R&L Concrete, Inc., pleaded guilty to one count of Willful Failure to Pay the Prevailing Wage and Supplement, a Class E felony. DeAlmeida also pleaded guilty to Willful Failure to Pay the Prevailing Wage and Supplement, a Class A misdemeanor. As DeAlmeida and the corporation will pay $99,671 back to five employees. Based on the
felony conviction, R&L Concrete, Inc. is banned by the New York State Department of Labor from working on any additional public works projects in New York State for five years.
DeAlmeida and the corporation were both represented by Shulamis Peltz, Esq. This case was
prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adriana Noyola of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Department of Labor.
They'll Be Working on the Roads
ByRobertChartuk
Overnight work continues this week on the Sunrise Highway between routes 101 and 112, according to an advisory from the state DOT. Crews will close the westbound roadway weeknights from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. for approximately four weeks, weather permitting, to facilitate concrete pavement repairs.
Motorists will be detoured onto northbound Sills Road to westbound East Woodside Avenue (County Route 99) to southbound State Route 112 for access to westbound Sunrise Highway. Electronic message signs near the work zone will advise motorists of additional traveler information.
“Crews are removing deteriorated sections of concrete pavement and pouring new high early-strength concrete, which sets quicker and allows work to advance more efficiently,” said DOT spokesman Steven Canzoneri.
Diamond grinding—a
technique that uses sharp blades to cut shallow, linear grooves into the concrete—is also being utilized to smooth the surface, which enhances the conditions and reduces noise, he said. The $12-million project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Motorists are reminded to slow down, move over, and stay alert when driving through work zones for their safety and the
safety of the highway workers.
“We’ll have to suffer through the Closures for a little while, but the long-term result will be a smoother highway,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, whose district includes the area.
“The road was in terrible shape, and it’s getting fixed. Thanks go out to the DOT for getting this done. The motorists, who pay an arm and a leg in taxes and fees, deserve it.”
Sunday, attract thousands of visitors each year. It will be
closed for the year in November and reopen in May.
County Executive Ed Romaine mingles with the pheasants, a natural form of insect control, at the Manor of St. George in Mastic.
New Jersey contractor guilty of wage thefts from Suffolk County employees.
Credit: Office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney
Credit: Manor of St. George
Credit: Robert Chartuk
A busted up Sunrise Highway in East Patchogue is getting repaired by the state DOT.
ByRobertChartuk
Zeldin Details Mission to 'Right the Wrongs' at the EPA
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin says he is on a mission to “right the wrongs of the previous administration,” reshaping the agency’s role in American life while reversing what he describes as waste, abuse, and suffocating regulation.
In his first 100 days, Zeldin reports, the Trump administration’s EPA has canceled more than $22 billion in grants, closed down programs tied to political allies of the Biden and Obama years, and shifted the agency’s focus toward clean air and water while rejecting what he calls the “false choice” between environmental protection and economic growth.
“We do not have to choose between the two, and the American public demands it,” Zeldin said on Pod-Force One with Miranda Devine. “We inherited an agency that was choosing to suffocate the economy and regulate industries out of existence. Our mandate is to protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time,” according to the former congressman and state senator from Shirley.
Zeldin paints a picture of an EPA adrift under President Biden, where even the basics of oversight had withered. When he arrived in January, he said, attendance at EPA headquarters—five buildings covering two city blocks— rarely topped 30% on any day of the week. Mondays and Fridays saw just 5 to 8% of the staff present.
“COVID-19 remote work rules ended long ago,” said Zeldin, a William Floyd High School graduate. “We needed accountability, oversight, and collaboration. To walk into a massive building and see it nearly empty was unacceptable.”
The agency has since begun consolidating its real estate footprint, shuttering underused space and even closing the EPA Museum, which Zeldin noted drew almost no visitors. “We’ve put so many wheels back on the bus in the first 100 days,” he said.
The centerpiece of Zeldin’s early agenda has been dismantling what he calls a $20 billion “climate slush fund,” money allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act and routed by EPA to outside
financial institutions and nonprofit groups. According to Zeldin, the program's design intentionally limited EPA oversight, creating opportunities for waste, conflicts of interest, and what he called “self-dealing.”
“When we overturned a rock, we always found something underneath,” Zeldin said. “Former Obama and Biden officials, Democratic donors, pass-through entities with no experience—billions of dollars were flowing with little accountability.”
One example, Zeldin said, was Power Forward Communities, a nonprofit with ties to Democratic activist Stacey Abrams. It received $2 billion despite, according to internal Biden-era reviewers, not knowing how to create a budget. Top salaries, including $800,000 for the group’s CEO, raised red flags even before spending began.
Another, Appalachian Community Capital, was awarded $500 million in 2023 but had spent only a fraction. The group’s plan to finance 600 zero-emission vehicles and 700 charging stations at eye-popping per-unit costs was flagged as wildly inflated.
“It was Biden EPA officials themselves—career staff, not Trump appointees—who wrote in their reviews that the numbers made no sense,” Zeldin said.
The administrator noted that litigation is underway to recover the money, with a 120day closeout period now in progress. “We found the gold bars they threw off the Titanic, and we’re bringing them back on board,” Zeldin said.
Much of Zeldin’s battle has been fought in the public arena, where he often clashes with major news outlets skeptical of his claims of abuse. A recent exchange with a New York
out a press release listing 100 environmental actions already taken,” Zeldin said. “That’s the core mission: tangible improvements that protect people’s health and environment.”
Climate change, while not ignored, no longer dominates the agenda. Zeldin said the Biden and Obama EPAs were “obsessed” with climate policy at the expense of practical protections. “They insisted it was impossible to protect the environment without destroying the economy. We reject that premise entirely.”
Times reporter became heated when she asserted there was “no evidence” of waste. Zeldin challenged her on whether she had read a federal judgment on the program. “Turned out she hadn’t,” he recalled.
“The American public is fed up with the BS,” Zeldin said bluntly. “They want people in government to fight for them, not gaslight them into thinking billions of dollars lit on fire is normal. If the facts are on our side, why should we apologize for acting?”
The administrator also took aim at the concept of “environmental justice,” a major focus of the Biden EPA. While Zeldin agrees that disadvantaged communities often bear disproportionate environmental burdens, he argues that funds were too often diverted to activist groups rather than remediation projects.
“In some cases, grants were spent training activists to train more activists,” he said. “Instead of cleaning up pollution, the money created an endless cycle of advocacy. That’s not environmental justice.”
He pointed to a $50 million grant to the Climate Justice Alliance, which links its mission to support for a “free Palestine.” “Ask the average American if that’s how they want climate money spent, and the answer is obvious,” Zeldin said.
Under Zeldin, the EPA is returning to what he calls the “first pillar of power” in President Trump’s comeback: clean air, land, and water for all Americans. He highlighted early actions, including wildfire response in California, water quality standards in Pennsylvania, and removal of contaminated soil from polluted sites.
“On the 100th day of this administration, we put
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Zeldin tied EPA policy to the broader Trump agenda of making America the “AI capital of the world.” Artificial intelligence, he argued, requires enormous amounts of reliable energy—a need that can’t be met by intermittent sources like wind and solar.
“You can’t suffocate baseload power—coal, gas, nuclear— and then pretend wind is a substitute,” he said. “President Trump wants to build new pipelines, expand natural gas, and strengthen nuclear power. We need to keep industries thriving while maintaining environmental protections.”
Zeldin, retired as a lieutenant colonel after a 22-year Army career, said he sees his role as similar to military service under changing administrations.
“Sometimes your candidate wins, sometimes they don’t. But you follow lawful orders and execute the mission. That’s what most of the career staff here understand, too.”
For Zeldin, the fight is personal and political. He embraces the description of himself as one of the “warriors” of the Trump administration, taking on entrenched bureaucrats, political opponents, and biased journalists.
“We canceled more than $22 billion in wasteful grants in 100 days,” he said. “Whether it’s $10,000 or $10 billion, every dollar matters. We’re fighting for taxpayers as if each dollar were our own.”
As Zeldin tells it, the battle lines are clear: an EPA that balances environmental protection with economic growth, recovers squandered billions, and prioritizes clean air and water over ideology.
“President Trump is the president,” he said. “The American public spoke, and we are here to deliver.”
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LOCAL
ByRobertChartuk
Mastic Beach Redevelopment Draws Praise, Concerns over Traffic and Crime
The Brookhaven Town Board held a packed public hearing Thursday on a sweeping plan to redevelop 40 acres in the heart of the Mastic Beach Business District. While the proposal from the Beechwood Organization drew broad praise as a long-overdue chance to revitalize the struggling community, many residents voiced familiar concerns: What will it mean for traffic on the already congested peninsula?
The project would cover 143 parcels, much of it along Neighborhood Road, replacing long-blighted properties with a modern mix of housing, retail, and civic space. Beechwood’s plan calls for 133,000 square feet of restaurant and retail use, 550 apartments, 78 townhouses, 940 parking garage spaces, 676 off-street parking spots, 612 on-street slots, and 15,850 square feet of community facilities.
Supervisor Dan Panico, who grew up in Mastic Beach and has championed the redevelopment since his time as a councilman, framed the hearing as part of an extensive environmental review process. “We’re looking at the maximum potential use of the property,” he said. “Those numbers can come down as the plan evolves with community input. This is about writing a new chapter in the history of Mastic Beach.”
According to Beechwood’s planning team at Nelson Pope Voorhis, the project is designed to deliver a walkable downtown village feel. Planner Taylor Green assured residents that buildings would not exceed 50 feet in height— no higher than the Mastic Beach Ambulance Company headquarters, which will remain, along with the MMS Community Library annex. Most structures, Green said, would be closer to 30 feet, about the size of a two-story home.
Panico emphasized that design features, including underground utilities and modern drainage systems, will make the new development more resilient in the low-lying community. Parking garages would be tucked behind building facades, invisible from the street. “This isn’t about sprawling asphalt lots—it’s about a functional, attractive downtown,” he said.
The plan also envisions reconfiguring traffic flow, including removing some existing signals and installing new ones. Despite those assurances, traffic concerns dominated the hearing. The peninsula’s residents live with a limited road network, with bottlenecks at William Floyd Parkway and the Long Island Rail Road crossings.
An NPV traffic engineer presented findings that the project, combined with planned roadway and signal improvements, would not create “significant adverse traffic impacts.” Most intersections, they reported, would function with
acceptable delays, while a few— including Mastic Road and William Floyd Parkway—would see added congestion that could be alleviated with better signal timing.
Still, not everyone was convinced. Joe May, an 80-year resident and founder of the Manor Park Civic Association, flatly opposed the project. “This won’t just affect six blocks of Neighborhood Road—it will impact six square miles of the hamlet,” he said.
Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, who represents the TriHamlet area, said her office has heard mostly favorable feedback, but with a familiar refrain: “The number one concern is traffic.”
Even so, she said she supported the project “100 percent.”
Panico noted that long-term traffic relief depends on opening more at-grade crossings over the LIRR tracks, an idea the MTA has resisted unless bridges or underpasses are built—something the town considers impossible. Widening Mastic Road, he added, would push the street right up to residents’ front doors.
Several speakers linked the project’s success to tackling qualityof-life issues that have plagued Mastic Beach for decades. Resident Joseph Ferrer supported the redevelopment, but urged the town to address crime immediately, citing issues with drug use, prostitution, loitering, and vagrancy tied to poorly maintained rental housing. “This is a low-income area with too many subsidized rentals catering to substance abusers,” he said. “We need enforcement now, not after the buildings go up.”
Panico responded that cannabis shops would not be permitted as part of the retail mix, since they are only allowed in light industrial areas. As for what businesses will eventually occupy the space, he said market demand will decide, though restaurants and serviceoriented shops are expected. He also referenced a pending Suffolk County bill that would allow the Department of Social Services to cut off payments to landlords who lack permits or fail housing code inspections. “Success begets success,” he said. “This is our last chance. If this fails, we won’t see progress in Mastic Beach for the foreseeable future.”
Former Mastic Beach Mayor Maura Sperry echoed support for redevelopment but warned that residents remain wary of crime. “For 18 years, I fought for Mastic Beach to live up to its potential. I’ve never seen it this bad,” she said.
The Mastic Beach Conservancy president described being fearful on local trails and recounted how her car was slapped by youths blocking the road. “Who in their right mind would buy property here with this going on?” She urged the town to sue the state over its promoting sober homes in the community.
Other officials pointed to
revitalization efforts in Patchogue and Rockaway as models. Councilman Neil Foley, whose district includes Patchogue, said its downtown renewal helped reduce crime and attract businesses. “If you build it, they will come,” he said. As an executive with the New York Blood Center, Foley added that health providers are eyeing Mastic Beach, which lacks adequate local care.
The project also drew support from civic and business leaders. Natasha Williams, vice chair of government affairs with the Long Island Board of Realtors, called the plan “a place for families to grow, for seniors to downsize, for young people to stay here.”
While much of the focus was on new construction, longtime residents asked the town not to forget the area’s heritage. Former mayor Robert Miller, also a past commander of the Arthur Clune American Legion, requested that the redevelopment preserve the memorial cannon at the community’s entrance, along with the long-standing flagpole and lighthouse. He also stressed
the importance of Beechwood’s commitment to building a sewer system for the project and surrounding neighborhoods, which will be served by a new treatment plant on the former Links golf course.
For Panico, the project represents a generational opportunity. Demolition of existing structures could begin next year, and redevelopment will proceed in
phases, starting on the eastern end of the district at Doris Drive.
“This will write a new chapter in the history of Mastic Beach,” he told the audience. “We either seize this opportunity, or we risk staying where we are.”
The Town Board will continue accepting written comments on the proposal through September 29 before taking further steps in the review process.
Paving Season Continues! ThirtyThree-Road Sound Beach Project Completed
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
And another one.
Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro has kept busy this summer, with one massive paving project rolled out after the next.
Together with Councilwoman Jane Bonner, the town leaders announced that Sound Beach has officially joined its neighbors in earning yet another smoothstreeted upgrade after a 28-roadway overhaul in 2024.
“Last year, we paved 28 Sound Beach roadways west of Echo Avenue and, this year, we returned to pave a substantial number of roads east of Echo Avenue, between Sound Beach Boulevard and Echo,” Superintendent Losquadro said.
This 33-road resurfacing cost $830,524, according to the Town of Brookhaven.
“That’s more than 60 roadways
in that area resurfaced in the past two years,” Losquadro added. “We are moving through Sound Beach – and across the Town –improving infrastructure and enhancing safety.”
As part of the latest paving project, drains were repaired and damaged concrete aprons were replaced across Sound Beach.
“Investing in our local roads is essential to maintaining the quality of life and safety for Sound Beach residents,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “This comprehensive paving project not only improves daily commutes but also strengthens our community’s infrastructure for years to come.”
Post Labor Day Thoughts
Continued from page 2
* On the political front, I wonder if New York Governor Kathy Hochul is going to endorse Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor? The Buffalo born Governor is keeping that answer a well kept secret for now. She can’t stay quiet on the subject much longer. We are now less than nine weeks to go before Election Day, and Hochul has been “mums the word” on whether or not she is endorsing the guy now known as “Commie Mamdani.”
Until we meet again next week, get ready for more riveting George Santos columns and a slew of pumpkin spice products hitting store shelves across the South Shore.
Credit: Town of Brookhaven Superintendent Losquadro and Councilwoman Bonner at the intersection of Syosset Road and Long Beach Drive in Sound Beach.
Bonnie McManus of Shirley takes a picture of the Beechwood designs at the hearing.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByRobertChartuk
Lennon Leads Long Island Sound Kayak Challenge to Confront Veteran Suicide Crisis
Suffolk Legislator Chad Lennon, the only veteran on the 18-member county legislature, joined 28 fellow servicemen and women this week in a 22-mile kayak from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Port Jefferson, a symbolic journey to call attention to the epidemic of veteran suicides. The crossing, which has become an annual tradition for Lennon, tested the endurance of the participants but also underscored the theme of resilience. “This year seemed easier until we ran into a storm,” Lennon said. “However, we
weathered the storm together and came in as one team just as we come together to support our veterans. I am proud to stand with all my fellow veterans, and together we will overcome the epidemic of veteran suicides. I challenge everyone to make 22 calls this month to check on your buddies.”
The “22” is not random. A 2012 Veterans Administration report estimated that 22 veterans die by suicide each day. The VA’s latest data shows that veterans are 57% more likely to take their own lives compared with their civilian peers, with post-9/11 veterans at
particularly high risk. Mental health struggles, post-traumatic stress, and the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life all contribute to the crisis.
Suffolk County has one of the largest veteran populations in New York State, with more than 90,000 men and women who served in the armed forces. As a Marine Corps reservist who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Lennon has made it his mission in public office to ensure those veterans receive the care and respect they deserve.
Since taking office, Lennon has spearheaded initiatives to expand mental health services, improve housing access, and strengthen job training for veterans returning to the workforce. He has also supported partnerships with nonprofits that provide counseling, peer support, and crisis intervention.
“Our county is home to more veterans than anywhere else in New York,” Lennon said. “That means we also carry a greater responsibility to make sure no veteran is left behind. Whether it’s through programs we fund, partnerships we build, or simply checking in on a friend, every effort matters.”
At the conclusion of the kayak trip, which ended at Port Jefferson Harbor, families, supporters, and
community leaders greeted the veterans with cheers. But Lennon stressed that the real finish line lies in reducing the staggering toll of suicide among those who served.
“We can all do something,” he said. “It doesn’t take much to pick up the phone and check in on someone who might be struggling. Those small acts of connection can save lives.”
If You Need Help
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 to connect directly with counselors trained to help veterans.
ByDeborahWilliams
The Town of Brookhaven Women’s Services Division will present its first of back-to-back sessions of the free Career EDGE Job Readiness series on September 9th and 10th.
This free program is designed to help unemployed and underemployed women gain professional skills, accelerate their job search, and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment.
The Career EDGE Job Readiness classes will be held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 2025, at Sachem Library located at 150 Holbrook Road in Holbrook, NY, and Wednesdays, September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 2025, at Mastic Moriches Shirley Library located at 407 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, NY.
Women interested in participating can register online at BrookhavenNY.gov/CareerEdge. You must select a desired location.
The Dress for Success Career EDGE job Readiness program is a seminar series for women seeking employment. It provides the opportunity to work with a great network of professional women, businesspeople and expert speakers and is designed to meet the needs of women in our area who are ready to make a move and get the right job.
Sponsored by the Town of Brookhaven, this program is presented by Dress for Success Brookhaven and there is no cost to participants.
The free Career EDGE Job Readiness Series is a unique program for women who are unemployed or underemployed. In just five weeks, each participant will:
• Increase your knowledge and confidence on securing a job
• Create your personal brand
and marketing strategy
• Learn how to find and apply for the job that’s right for you
• Build a focused resume and prepare to ace your interview
• Receive one-on-one career coaching
• Northport VA Medical Center: Offers mental health, primary care, and crisis support for veterans. Call 631-261-4400.
• PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Project: A Suffolk-based program where veterans help veterans through peer-to-peer counseling and group support. Call 631-853-8345.
Help is always available, Lennon stressed. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out today.
• Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency: Assists with benefits, counseling, and referrals. Call 631-853-8387.
Brookhaven 'Dress for Success' Hosting Free Career EDGE Job Readiness Series
• Receive a Dress for Success professional suiting experience
• Explore networking tools, including LinkedIn
• Participate in a sisterhood of women to share your journey Please contact Dress for Success Brookhaven to learn more about the Career EDGE Job Readiness series. E-mail Brookhaven@ dressforsuccess.org or leave a detailed message at 631-451-9127. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Altice Backtracks on Channel Move After Brookhaven Pushback
ByRobertChartuk
Brookhaven residents looking to find out what’s happening in their team won’t have to scroll all the way to Channel 1310 anymore.
After a week of criticism from Supervisor Dan Panico and other Long Island officials, cable provider Altice USA announced it will restore government access channels to their original locations in mid-September.
Altice had shifted Brookhaven’s long-standing Channel 18 to 1310 last week, placing Town Board meetings and local programming “in the stratosphere next to nightly infomercials,” Panico quipped. The supervisor blasted the move as prioritizing profits over public service, warning that residents would have trouble finding critical broadcasts, including emergency updates.
Credit: Altice USA
The Altice headquarters in Long Island City.
The backlash came swiftly, with town and village leaders across Suffolk and Nassau complaining they were blindsided by the realignment. On Thursday, after The South Shore Press highlighted the controversy, Altice relented, telling the state Public Service Commission it would return channels to their old slots.
“After careful consideration of this input, while Optimum continues to believe the changes would have provided benefits to customers, the company has decided to return channels to their prior positions,” Altice vice president Chris Bresnan said.
Brookhaven Dress for Success program is coming up.
Credit: Town of Brookhaven
The kayakers who crossed the sound to bring attention to the veterans suicide crisis.
Legislator Chad Lennon, right, leads the 22-mile kayak challenge.
Credit: Rich Acritelli
Credit: Leah Fitzpatrick
LOCAL
ByRobertChartuk
Ron DeCesare Unveils Stunning Fantasy-Inspired Art at Center Moriches Library
Visitors to the Center Moriches Library this month will be treated to a dazzling display of artwork by local resident Ron DeCesare, whose new exhibit blends the natural world with the fantastical in ways that are both mesmerizing and thoughtprovoking.
DeCesare, a retired chiropractor and longtime art hobbyist, has been creating since childhood. “I have always loved art and have been drawing and painting since the fifth grade,” he said. “I first began with both wild and domesticated animals, but over the years I’ve explored just about every medium and style you can imagine.”
That sense of exploration has guided DeCesare’s artistic journey. Today, his work has evolved into what he describes as a phantasmagorical/fantasy style, often incorporating surreal blends of humans, animals, and abstract patterns. He works primarily in pastels, acrylics, and colored pencil—sometimes layering all three to achieve distinctive textures and depth.
One of the striking pieces on display features a woman’s face seamlessly fused with the image of a leopard. The painting’s haunting orangegold eyes, intricate fur-like
patterns, and bold interplay of light and shadow evoke themes of transformation, power, and hidden identity. It’s a perfect example of DeCesare’s ability to merge realism with dreamlike imagination, transporting viewers into a world where boundaries between human and animal dissolve.
Although DeCesare has been an artist for decades, he has never sold a single piece, instead giving away many of his works as gifts. “I hope people enjoy viewing my work, and I’m always interested to learn what they find most appealing,” he said.
The exhibit offers a rare chance to see his pieces together in one space. Each painting invites viewers to linger, discovering
new details and interpretations with every glance.
Ron DeCesare’s art exhibit
will be on display throughout the month at the Center Moriches Library at 235 Main Street.
Admission is free during regular library hours.
The Parking Lot Was Their Palette, Seniors Transform Spots Into Personal Canvases at Eastport-South Manor
ByRobertChartuk
The start of the school year comes with more than new classes and fresh schedules at EastportSouth Manor High School, as students took to the parking lot to mark a cherished tradition: painting their parking spaces with personal designs that reflect their interests, creativity, and school spirit.
Equipped with rollers,
paintbrushes, stencils, and buckets of paint, students arrived early to bring their ideas to life. This vibrant event—held annually and affectionately dubbed “Paint Day”— is more than a visual spectacle. The small fee seniors pay for a designated spot helps fund senior activities such as the prom and ensures the next class can participate in the tradition.
This year was especially heartwarming as familiar faces, from enthusiastic siblings to proud parents, joined in. Those family members added energy and support, cheering on the artists, sharing stories, and making the day a true community affair.
One senior described the experience as a creative rite of passage—painting their spot allowed them to claim a piece of the school, inject personality into the everyday, and celebrate the years
behind them. Dozens of vibrant squares now decorate the lot, each one telling its own tale, with themes ranging from school spirit and pop culture to personal artwork and inside jokes.
As the school year ramps up, the painted parking spaces stand as colorful reminders of the class of 2025’s unity, creativity, and the family and community bonds that helped start their senior year on a colorful note.
"Friends of the Forest:" Pastel pencils on Clairefontaine pastelmat.
"Hybrid Conscience:" Acrylic on wood.
"Dove Lady Blue:" Pastels on Clairefontaine pastelmat.
"Leopard Lady:" Pastels on Clairefontaine pastelmat.
"Leaf Lion:" Acrylic paint on Fabriano watercolor paper, varnished.
"Eve’s Contemplation:" Pastels on Clairefontaine pastelmat.
Dad Rob Lodestro helps out his daughter, Sophia, as Lilly Calandra looks on.
Taylor Murtha, left, gets a hand (and a roller) from her sister, Kate.
Painting a parking spot are Sophie Barnes, left, and Jay Palace.
Putting down the pink are dad Frank, mom Lauri Ann, and Violet Rooney.
Credit: Ron DeCesare
Credit: Robert Chartuk
Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByDeborahWilliams
Brookhaven Town to Host 16th Annual Women's Services Conference
The Town of Brookhaven’s Department of General Services, Division of Women’s Services, will hold its 16th Annual Conference on Saturday, October 4.
“The mission of the Women’s Conference is to create a space where women can learn, connect and be empowered by one another,” said Supervisor Daniel J. Panico. “We want every participant to leave feeling confident and inspired about the next chapter in their lives.”
This year’s theme is "Ageless and Unstoppable: Rethink,
Reshape, Refocus." The conference incorporates a day filled with enriching workshops and activities tailored to support women embracing life’s next phase and refocusing their lives at every stage.
The event will take place in the second-floor auditorium of Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Do not miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded women, gain valuable tools and leave feeling ready to embrace life’s next chapter!
Conference highlights include:
• Keynote Speaker: Comedian Maria Walsh
• The Sandwich Generation – Navigating the Next Chapter – Your Kids and Your Parents Presented by Anne-Marie Conner, Owner of Angel Home Care, Inc.
• Decluttering and Organizing Presented by Vinnie Giacalone, Founder of The Organized Guy
• Get Up and Move! Presented by Johnathan Arroyo, Professional Boxer
Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. Space is limited, and
the registration is open from now through October 1.
Tickets are $10 and are nonrefundable. To register,
visit our online registration page. For more information, contact Sharon Boyd, Director of Women’s Services, at 631-4516146.
Why Was Grandpa a Cowboy Fan? Gripping New Netflix Doc May Hold the Answer
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
My Scranton-born, Brooklynraised and Long Island-settled-forthe-count late grandfather would often clear out entire rooms with his curious Dallas Cowboys fandom.
Being the one who routinely remained by his den-couchside as all others fled, there was never a scenario wherein I would not essentially skip-generation inherit a rooting interest in an NFL team that hasn’t won a Super Bowl in thirty years come February.
In fact, they actually have not won since 11 days before I was born; make of that what you will.
Though not for a lack of trying, we were never quite able to pinpoint when Grandpa came to champion ‘dem Cowboys. From what I witnessed firsthand, he was big on Tony Romo, but not so much on current quarterback Dak Prescott.
In any event, after barreling through Netflix’s eight-part “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” I have deduced that an undying allegiance to his sameaged, and, as my brother would humorously classify it, psychotic stubbornness brethren in Jerry Jones, is what had my Grandpa all the way in on the Dallas train since jump street.
And who could blame him? From The Way Brothers, not those of the chemically romantic persuasion, rather the directorial duo behind earlier acclaimed sports docs such as “The Battered Bastards of Baseball” and “Untold: Crimes and Punishments,” this is a sprawling portrait of a real estate and oilman turned New York Yankeessurpassing brand-expander.
So what if it was cut together with his stamp of approval? When you win three Super Bowls in four years within the first decade of owning a team with two head coaches not named Tom Landry, you forever shake the ambitious allegations and earn the right to have your glory story told from whatever framework you desire to tussle in—so long as warts are on display.
Make no mistake about it, the Way’s cut far deeper than “Scissor Gate” here. Tackled head-on with thorough recall: The compelling tales of the three playmakers that made up the "90s Cowboys" holy “Triplets” triumvirate—The Good (Troy Aikman); The Great (Emmitt Smith); and the Grandmaster of Second Chance City (Michael Irvin)—and everyone in between.
With some Prime Time (Deion
Sanders) and 2Cool2Toast (Jimmy Johnson) thrown in there for posterity, we earn more than a passing look at the turbo-charged dysfunction run amok behind the scenes of the most prestigious of mainstages.
Even a high-profile New England Patriots stan and vengeance champagne imbiber like Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy found himself Dallas Cowboycheerleading, sans iconic outfit, after binging the docuseries.
“Just finished the Cowboys doc on Netflix. It was excellent,” he posted on Facebook.
“El Presidente”—AKA el padre de la Señorita Duranzos—indicated that disappointment in the stillongoing Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft rivalry informs his impressions of Apple TV+’s “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” which is largely considered lesser docu-fare.
“Also, the frequent FOX guest and NY Post subject added, “I think I love Jerry Jones.”
Much like the ‘90s Chicago Bullsbased “The Last Dance” and the Derek Jeter-devoted “The Captain,” “America’s Team” proves that playground pettiness and pro sports egomania are why most of the alltime dynasties forged thus far did not last even longer.
Sweetly, and not sourly culminating in Jimmy Johnson’s overdue admission into the Cowboys’ “Ring of Honor” gives one hope that Jones’s baseball counter-partner in crime, George Steinbrenner, will see his sins posthumously absolved enough to earn MLB HOF induction.
“The Boss” changed the game more than he strained it; seriously, unless you’re Dave Winfield, can you give it a rest already? He utilized his and the franchise he helmed's reascension-fueled good faith tour to champion revenue-sharing, the
regional TV network boom and the ever-globalization not just of his Bronx Bombers, but of America’s pastime.
As for America’s team, their last full-fledged, true field-length run was palpable enough to turn around a nation’s collective knack for associating its locale with the tragic loss of JFK in 1963.
In Jerry’s World of victory-
petrified, empire-begetting marketing spectacle (and repeat, hopefully! He’s not buying green bananas, and gray’s are starting to arrive for this poor schlub…), football fields aren’t just venues. They are mass entertainment cathedrals where fellow OG defiants like Nike and Pepsi reign supreme.
Need I go on?
Trader Joe's Coming to Islandia
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
The popular grocery chain, which operates nearly 500 stores nationwide across 43 states and Washington, D.C., recently purchased a 66-acre site in Islandia for a whopping $118.5 million, according to Long Island Business News.
Marking the eighth Trader Joe’s to set up shop across Long Island’s two counties, Islandia’s forthcoming location will join Commack and Lake Grove on the Suffolk front. Garden City, Hewlett, Merrick, Oceanside and Plainview represent the Trader Joe’s stores operating out of
This latest expansion for the distribution hub empire–a 921,000-square-foot facility—will include obligatory cold and freezer storage buildings.
These will be 756,032 and 159,000 square feet, respectively, with the latter featuring an option to expand to 159,000 square feet, per a Suffolk County Planning Commission report.
Axonic Capital, Taconic Capital Advisors, Onyx Equities and Paul Amoruso of the Jericho-based Oxford and Simpson make up the Islandia site’s ownership group.
Brookhaven women's conference is coming up.
Credit: Town of Brookhaven
Nassau.
Credit: Netflix
The Gambler (Jerry Jones) and his Cowboys (The Triplets + Prime). All eight episodes now streaming on Netflix.
ByDeborahWilliams
With the new school year about to get underway, the Patchogue-Medford Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education are laying down the law on how to engage with the District, and with one another, on social media.
While the District has always permitted comments, the Facebook page is not intended to serve as a forum for discourse or to engage the community about District issues or policies. Public meetings are the place for formal comment and Q&A.
The District said that during the last school year they saw a disturbing and disappointing
increase in “disruptive and derogatory comments” posted on the District’s social media pages. “This page is not meant to allow hurtful and disruptive comments and personal attacks directed at specific students or District staff.”
Marc A. Negrin, president of Patchogue-Medford School District Board of Education wrote to the community atlarge saying, “In response to this development, the District has developed an official commenting policy that will serve as the guideline for future commenting by visitors to our pages.
“The District closely monitors comments and reserves the right
to remove comments that are beyond the scope of the forum and which are disruptive to the operations of the District,” Negrin wrote. “We will also use a standard word filter that will block disruptive statements including those considered derogatory, inflammatory, punitive, vulgar, discriminatory, racist, antisemitic, or which discriminate, or bully based on race, religion, heritage, ethnic group, sexuality, or gender identity.”
This policy will be effective immediately and visible on each social media page. If comments of a harmful and disruptive nature continue, additional measures may be taken to limit
commenting on the District's social media pages.
The Patchogue-Medford School District Board of Education members are: Marc
Esketamine Program Offers New Option for TreatmentResistant Depression
ByDeborahWilliams
Individuals suffering from depression that haven’t responded to other treatments may be eligible for an esketamine program at Northwell’s Mather Hospital.
SPRAVATO™ (esketamine) is a nasal spray medication specifically designed for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is administered under medical supervision at the Infusion Center on the Mather Hospital campus. Esketamine can provide relief when other antidepressant therapies have been unsuccessful.
CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with a special focus on how nearly 400,000 adults in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., responded to a question about whether they had ever been diagnosed
with a depressive disorder by a doctor, nurse or other health professional.
In New York, 16.8% of adults reported being diagnosed with depression. The report showed that about 14% of adults in Nassau County and 16% in Suffolk reported that they had been diagnosed at some point in their life.
"Esketamine is a new psychiatric medication that targets depression through a novel pathway of NMDA antagonism (substances that inhibit the function of NMDA receptors),” said psychiatrist George Lasker, MD, PhD. “It works differently than oral antidepressants which typically target serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine. It is fastacting, and our treatments significantly reduce depressive
symptoms in a short period of time. Esketamine can be lifechanging for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms."
You may be a candidate for esketamine if:
• You have depression that hasn’t improved with other treatments.
• You are currently under the care of a psychiatrist.
• Your psychiatrist refers you to our program.
• You meet the criteria for treatment following a prescreening evaluation.
The initial phase of the program involves twice-weekly treatments for four weeks, followed by a maintenance phase of weekly or biweekly treatments adjusted to your individual needs. Each session lasts approximately two hours, allowing ample time for administration and monitoring. Each person is closely monitored by an experienced medical team throughout each treatment session.
Learn more about Mather Hospital’s esketamine program at https://www.matherhospital. org/behavorial-health/ esketamine-therapy/.
A. Negrin, President, Diana Andrade, Vice President Thomas P. Donofrio, Kelli Anne Jennings, Jennifer A. Krieger, Francis I. Salazar, Bernadette M. Smith, Donna Jones, Ed.D.
Mather Hospital offers new treatment for depression.
Patchogue-Medford School District creates social media rules of engagement.
Credit: Mather Hospital
Credit: Patchogue-Medford School District
LOCAL
ByDeborahWilliams
Brookhaven to Host Annual Senior Picnic
Every summer the Town of Brookhaven Senior Citizens Division hosts its annual Senior Picnic and this year is no exception. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with your community and enjoy a day of festivities in the beautiful surroundings of Brookhaven's own historic, Longwood Estate.
This two-day event is this Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4. Your free ticket/registration is good for one of these days.
Over 2,000 senior citizens attend this event, including those from more than twenty community senior groups. You must be a Brookhaven resident and 60 years of age and over to attend. See the flyer for all of the details.
You will enjoy a fun day filled with cold drinks, hot food, dancing, and engaging conversations with elected officials who are eager to hear your thoughts on issues that matter to you. This event promises to be a wonderful
opportunity to mingle with fellow residents and make your voices heard in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Date and Time
September 3 and 4, 2025
Rain Date September 5, 2025
11:30 am to 4:00 pm Location
Longwood Estate
205 Longwood Road, Ridge, NY 11961
Additional Details
Limited Seating- Tickets are
available for one day only. To reserve a ticket, please call Dona Marchese at 631-451-9084.
Activities
Guests are treated to cold drinks, hot food, dancing, and more. Elected Officials meet and talk with our senior residents about issues that concern them during this lunch.
Listed on the National Register of historic places, the Longwood Estate is a Town of Brookhaven treasure. This land was the domain of the pre-eminent Smith family until 1968. In 1974, with development nipping at its flanks, the property was acquired by the town. The house is located at the corner of Smith Road and Longwood Road in Ridge.
The Smith Point Tunnel Mural Project is Officially Underway!
ByDeborahWilliams
Legislator James F. Mazzarella (R-3rd District) highlighted the Smith Point Park Tunnel mural project.
“Thanks to the Suffolk County Parks Department and the incredible artists at Splashes of Hope, the tunnels at Smith Point Park are being transformed with stunning aquatic-themed murals, Mazzarella said. “For so many of us, these tunnels hold childhood memories of running through and hearing our voices echo. Now, they’ll become an even more beautiful gateway to our oceanfront and a source of pride for our community for generations to come.”
While still a work in progress, the murals will be completed during the offseason so the artists can finish without disrupting beach access.
Splashes of Hope gave the project a shout out on their nationwide social media saying, “This week we kicked off our onsite Smith Point Tunnel project at Smith Point County Park. The final mural will appears as if
you’re walking through an under the sea aquarium.”
Updates on the project will be posted throughout September.
Mazzarella offered “a huge thank you to Splashes of Hope for partnering with us to bring this vision to life. We can’t wait to share the finished masterpiece with all of you!”
Splashes of Hope is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to brightening the world with ART. They have a variety of programs that include public spaces, social service agencies, and hospitals.
Longwood Estate will host the Town of Brookhaven senior picnic.
Smith Point Tunnel mural project is underway.
Smith Point Tunnel mural project is underway.
Smith Point Tunnel mural project is underway.
Credit: Town of Brookhaven
Credit: Legislator James F. Mazzarella
ByRobertChartuk
Heroics in the Floodwaters: Chris Lyons and the Start of Cops Helping Cops
Twenty years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina roared ashore in Louisiana, leaving behind a humanitarian catastrophe that claimed more than 1,800 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. Amid the chaos and suffering, stories of courage and resilience emerged—few more remarkable than that of Chris Lyons, a Long Islander whose split-second decision-making and unyielding drive to save lives turned him into an unlikely leader in one of America’s darkest hours.
Lyons, now 56 and living in Middle Island, wasn’t a firefighter or police officer by trade, but by 2005, he had already earned a reputation as a “large-scale disaster specialist.” His background included deployments at the Pine Barrens wildfire in 1995, the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, and even the recovery of the Space Shuttle Columbia. When Katrina struck New Orleans, Lyons got a call from colleagues in emergency management who recognized his talent for organizing chaos.
What he didn’t know until he arrived in Louisiana was that he would be placed in charge.
“I thought I was there to pitch in wherever I was needed,” Lyons recalled. “But General Myles Deering from the Army National Guard looks me straight in the eye and says, ‘You’re in charge.’ That was the moment it hit me—we had to lead teams of soldiers and rescuers
through a disaster zone where every decision could mean life or death.”
Lyons and his partner, Dave Fowler, a Michigan lawman and boatsman, quickly assembled search-and-rescue crews. Armed with little more than maps, radios, and their instincts, they navigated submerged streets where homes were half underwater and the stench of decay hung in the air.
It was during one of these missions that Lyons’s team made a discovery that would become national news.
“We noticed that some houses were marked with ‘X’s—the sign they’d been searched—but the waterline told us nobody could have gotten inside,” Lyons said. “I told the team, we need to go back. Somebody could still be alive in there.”
Hours later, his hunch proved tragically correct. The crew heard faint cries and found a woman named Martina trapped inside her home. She had survived 10 days by drinking the foul floodwater. “She was buck naked, weak, and on the edge of death,” Lyons remembered. “We wrapped her in a red muumuu we found in a neighboring apartment and cut her balcony open to get her down to the boats.”
Martina was airlifted to safety in a dramatic rescue captured by NBC’s "Dateline," whose chief reporter, Steve Handelsman, had quietly embedded with Lyons’s crew. “That story paid for my grandchildren’s college,” Handelsman later told him, acknowledging the magnitude of
the scoop.
For Lyons, the impact was more personal. Weeks later, by sheer coincidence, he ran into one of Martina’s caretakers in Tennessee— and through an improbable chain of events was reconnected with the very woman he had rescued. “When I heard her voice on the phone, I knew instantly,” Lyons said. “You don’t forget a voice like that. We all broke down in tears when we saw her again.”
The experience cemented in Lyons a new mission: not just rescuing victims in the moment, but helping first responders themselves
recover. “What we saw when we went back was heartbreaking,” he explained. “New Orleans police had lost their homes, their cars had bullet holes and doughnuts for tires, and their uniforms were dirty. Some were living under the I-10 bridge with their families.”
Recognizing that the rescuers needed rescuing, Lyons and Fowler formed Cops Helping Cops, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers and their families after disasters. The group began by delivering basic supplies— soap, sanitizer, food—and went on to rebuild 22 homes for police
families devastated by Katrina.
Since then, Cops Helping Cops has grown into a nationwide network. The group has worked with Walmart, Penske, and Home Depot to mobilize relief, including providing N95 masks and supplies to correction officers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve also partnered with federal agencies and appeared in national media, with John Walsh of "America’s Most Wanted" producing a public service announcement on their behalf.
“People see the uniform and assume first responders are taken care of,” Lyons said. “But in Katrina, cops were sleeping on cots in moldridden homes. In COVID, they were handed see-through masks. Our job is to make sure the people who protect us don’t get forgotten.”
Two decades later, the memories of Katrina remain vivid for Lyons— the sights, the smells, and most of all, the faces of those who were saved. “That rescue of Martina wasn’t luck,” he reflected. “It was about refusing to accept that someone might be gone just because a mark on a building said so. You trust your instincts, you go back, and sometimes you find life where nobody else bothered to look.”
As the nation pauses to remember Hurricane Katrina 20 years later, the legacy of Chris Lyons endures—not just in the lives he helped pull from the water, but in the organization that rose from the floodwaters, making sure those who serve are never left behind.
Suffolk County Police Foundation Announces Major Fundraiser
ByRobertChartuk
The Suffolk County Police Foundation will host its 2nd Annual End of Summer Soiree on September 30 at the Watermill Inn in Smithtown. Sponsored by New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, the fundraiser supports the Foundation’s growing slate of programs for Suffolk County police officers and the communities they serve.
“This is about building a stronger tomorrow together,” said foundation President Louis Tutone, a retired 32-year Suffolk police officer. “Support for our officers, our Explorer program, and outreach to our communities has never been more vital. With the generosity of our donors, we’re turning that vision into reality.”
Formed in 2022 by co-founders Mike VanDenburg and Lisa Tuozzolo, the Foundation has quickly established itself as a key partner for law enforcement support initiatives: Tuozzolo, the widow of NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016, has dedicated her life to honoring her husband’s sacrifice while uplifting police officers across the country. VanDenburg, who also co-founded
the Promise of Hope Foundation, brings a long history of mobilizing aid for families in crisis, from Long Island to Uvalde, Texas.
In just a short time, the Foundation has:
• Introduced its first therapy dog, Hamilton, to assist officers and community members with mental health and wellness.
• Donated five TruNarc narcotics analyzers to Suffolk police, a $150,000 investment.
• Co-hosted National Night Out at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood.
• Provided scholarships and registration support to more than 150 participants in the Police Explorers program.
• Awarded leadership honors to graduating academy recruits.
• Helped restore a vintage Suffolk police cruiser for the Historical Society.
Looking ahead, the Foundation has set its sights on a major longterm project—constructing a new $10-million indoor range and “training village” for Suffolk law enforcement, to be developed as a public-private partnership with
Suffolk County.
For Tutone, the upcoming soiree is more than a night out—it’s a chance to unite the community to support a shared mission. “Every initiative we take on has one purpose: supporting the men and women who protect Suffolk County and strengthening the trust between police and the public,” he said. For more information on the event, contact him at ltutone@ suffolkcountypolicefoundation.org.
“We have been very fortunate to have had very generous donors join our Board and share our vision for the Foundation,” Tutone noted. Organizations represented on the board include: Northwell Health, NY Cancer & Blood Specialists, MDASR LLP, Milburn Flooring, RENU Contractors, Fellow Health Partners, Moloney Family Funeral Homes, Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, The John C. Dunphy Private Foundation, Bulovas Restorations, Blue Line Wealth Management, Loss Prevention and Communication Systems, PICO Manufacturing and Park East Construction. “We have several meetings scheduled with some high profile firms and organizations and are very excited about our future plans,” said Tutone.
Credit: Chris Lyons
Credit: Suffolk County Police Foundation
Chris Lyons, left, with the woman he rescued during Hurricane Katrina, Martina Dialulu, and Osceola County UnderSheriff David Fowler.
Suffolk County Police Foundation Summer Soirée.
LOCAL
Sentenced in Absentia: Salvadoran Hit-and-Runner Fled Brentwood Crash Site, Country
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Juan Morales Guerra was sentenced to 1-4 years in prison last week.
The El Salvador national was found guilty in absentia back in March of "Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, Resulting in Serious Personal Injury."
Evidence presented at trial established that on May 23rd, 2022, he crashed his Acura MDX in Brentwood at approximately 9:50 p.m., leaving a pedestrian he struck helpless and with permanent brain damage.
DA Tierney did not hold back. “This is yet another tragic example of how so-called ‘bail reform’ has eroded public safety and accountability,” he said.
The victim was transported to South Shore University Hospital, where he underwent an emergency craniotomy.
Law enforcement found Morales Guerra’s vehicle parked in front of his home on June 8th. When brought into custody for an interview with the police, he confirmed himself as the driver of the vehicle on the night in question, and recalled “hitting someone or something with his car” before driving away.
He was promptly placed under arrest and formally arraigned on September 13th.
Though they had their man, due to ire-inducing bail language in New York State, the District Attorney’s Office was forced to stand idly by as Morales Guerra was released under a non-bail-eligible technicality.
Sobriety Checkpoint
The admitted offender subsequently fled the coop.
“Despite the serious nature of the charges and potential for substantial incarceration, the court was compelled by New York law to release this defendant back onto the streets without any form of security,” Tierney noted.
“Unsurprisingly, the defendant soon thereafter hopped a flight to El
Salvador in order to evade justice.”
Considerably complicating the prosecution’s timeline, Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski was ultimately able to issue a bench warrant for Morales Guerra after he failed to appear in court on May 10th, 2023.
Two years later, justice for the pedestrian is finally taking shape.
“While my office was able to proceed through trial and sentencing in his absence,” Tierney added, “it is a sad state that our legislators have enabled him to flee.”
“We remain actively engaged with our federal partners, and we will not rest until he is returned to Suffolk County to serve his sentence.”
Enough Is Enough: Teenage E-Biker Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
The Suffolk County Police Department announced on Wednesday, August 27th that its Fourth Squad detectives were investigating a hit-and-run crash that took place the previous night.
Teenaged electric bicyclist Travis Wertovich was riding in Lake Ronkonkoma on Tuesday, August 26th when he was struck at approximately 8:30 p.m.
He was traveling northbound on Hawkins Avenue when a 2012 white Ford Fusion heading south crashed into him as he was making a left onto School Street.
The Ford subsequently fled the scene, failing to provide any assistance to the 13-yearold Ronkonkoma resident. The driver is still at large.
was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for substantial—but not lifethreatening—injuries.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina and detectives implore anyone who may hold information pertaining to the whereabouts of the perpetrator contact the Fourth Squad hotline at (631) 8548452 or Crime Stoppers (800-220TIPS).
Never Fails: Six People Arrested in Patchogue
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
In collaboration with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police, the Suffolk County Police Department arrested six drunken drivers from Friday night, August 29th into Saturday morning, August 30th.
Between 11 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., police officers from Suffolk’s esteemed Highway Patrol Bureau Selective Alcohol Fatality Enforcement Team conducted a joint sobriety checkpoint
operation. It took place at Waverly Plaza, located at 371 North Service Road.
Volunteers from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and STOP DWI also assisted, delivering educational information to all motorists passing through.
This checkpoint was a calculated, holiday weekendtimed effort wherein local law enforcement sought to continue their crackdown on alcohol- and
drug-impaired driving.
Of the 406 vehicles that went through the Patchogue checkpoint, the following six were charged with Driving While Intoxicated: Marquis Vales, 26, of West Babylon; Richard Campo,
62, of Bay Shore; Barbara Rentz, 49, of Deer Park; Chacon Marin, 25, of Bay Shore; and Jermaine Gerald, 45, of Medford.
Gerald was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon.
Meanwhile, Cheryl Edwards, 37, of Ronkonkoma, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
All the aforementioned offenders were promptly arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 30th.
Six Fire Departments Respond to Structure Fire
ByDeborahWilliams
The Mastic Beach Fire Department was called to a large structure fire on Lafayette Drive off Elm Road. Six fire departments and two ambulance companies responded as part of the mutual aid system.
First Assistant Chief Sharp was the first fire unit to arrive on scene, transmitted the working fire, and activated the mutual aid preplan. The next engine unit on scene and their crew put two handlines into operation initiating a transitional fire attack that was then quickly switched to an interior fire attack.
Mastic Beach Engine 3 soon followed, securing a positive water source
Beach Fire Department said in a statement, “Our
Morales Guerra, found guilty in absentia back in Marhc, was sentenced to 1 1/3-4 years in prison last week.
A Suffolk County police officer speaks with a driver during a Summer 2024 sobriety checkpoint.
Credit: SCDA
Credit: Instagram: @scpdhq
Wertovich
The driver was making a left turn onto School Street when he struck the 13-year-old e-biker riding northbound on Hawkins Ave.
Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Suffolk Fire Photos via Mastic Beach Fire Department Mastic Beach fire calls out multiple fire trucks and ambulances.
Man Dies After Jumping from Fire Island Lighthouse
ByRobertChartuk
Suffolk County police and the National Park Service are investigating the death of a man who jumped to his death from the Fire Island Lighthouse Friday afternoon.
Police said a 911 caller reported the incident at approximately 1:45 p.m., prompting a response from Suffolk’s Marine Bureau and park rangers. The man, who leapt from the lighthouse’s observation
deck, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been confirmed, and detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 631-8526392.
The Fire Island Lighthouse, one of Long Island’s most recognizable landmarks, has stood at Robert Moses Field #5 since 1858. The 168-foot tower replaced an earlier 1826 structure and was restored in the 1980s after decades of
neglect. Today it serves as both a navigational aid and a museum, attracting thousands of visitors each year who climb its 192 steps
for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Great South Bay. Friday’s tragedy briefly closed the
tower to the public as investigators secured the scene. Officials said the lighthouse will reopen as the investigation continues.
Suffolk County to Get over $4.7 Million for Youth Employment Program
ByDeborahWilliams
Over $4.7 million is coming to Suffolk County to provide year-round job opportunities and valuable training to at-risk youth. Approximately 2,500 low-income and at-risk youth across the state will benefit from the program.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced $40.6 million for the Youth Employment Program, which aims to help reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing yearround employment and training opportunities to at-risk youth in parts of the state, outside of New York City.
Long Island as a whole is receiving $8,092,119. Nassau will receive $3,318,893 with Suffolk County receiving
$4,773,226.
Launched in 2024, the program plays an important role in New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, which operates in the 21 counties that receive GIVE funding, as provided by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
From September 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,000 youth participated in the first full year of the Youth Employment Program, working in school districts, libraries, restaurants, camps/child care programs and various community organizations.
Continued on page 17
Skilled Auto Body Technicians Needed! All
Positions!
Credit: NYS GIVE Program NYS GIVE Program provides funding for youth employment.
Credit: Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society
The Fire Island Lighthouse
ByRobertChartuk
Coast Guard Makes Record $473 Million Drug Seizure Under Trump's Operation Pacific Viper
In what officials are calling the largest drug off-load in U.S. Coast Guard history, crews in Florida on Saturday unloaded 76,140 pounds of cocaine and marijuana seized during a series of operations in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean. The recordbreaking haul—worth an estimated $473 million—underscores the Trump administration’s intensifying crackdown on foreign cartels through its new counternarcotics initiative, Operation Pacific Viper.
The shipment included 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana, intercepted during 19 separate smuggling operations. Crews detained 34 suspected traffickers and removed what authorities estimate to be 23 million lethal doses of cocaine— enough to fatally overdose the entire population of Florida.
“This is a stark warning to drug cartels,” said Rear Adm. Adam Chamie, commander of Coast Guard District Seven. “The potential 23 million lethal doses seized represent
the very real threat these cartels pose to our communities. The size of this shipment shows just how big the problem is, and how critical it is that we fight it at its source.”
The interdictions were anything but routine. Coast Guard cutters, tactical teams, a helicopter squadron, and even the Navy’s USS Cole were deployed in sweeping operations that also involved a Royal Netherlands Navy ship. Eleven high-speed “go-fast” vessels were stopped, often after multiday pursuits on the open sea. Among the largest hauls were 8,800 pounds of cocaine seized near the Galápagos Islands in June and another 9,160 pounds near Socorro Island, Mexico, in July.
Officials hailed the bust as a milestone in President Trump’s broader strategy to combat the flow of drugs into the United States. Homeland Security called it a “historic partnership” that brings overwhelming naval and Coast Guard power to international waters, where 80% of successful drug interdictions occur. By pushing operations far offshore,
the administration is attempting to choke supply lines before they can ever reach American neighborhoods.
“Cartels have long used maritime routes to flood our country with narcotics,” said Captain John McWhite of the cutter Hamilton, whose crew was central to the operation. “This mission proved that when we bring the full weight of U.S. and allied forces to bear, we can stop them in their tracks.”
The Justice Department and DEA credited the operation to a Trump directive calling for increased U.S. military involvement in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Officials emphasized that the administration’s approach reflects a shift in strategy: rather than waiting for shipments to near U.S. shores, interdictions are now focused on aggressive forward deployment in cartel hot zones.
For a nation still reeling from the opioid crisis and a rising toll of drug overdoses, the historic offload is being cast as both a victory and a warning. The size of the
The mission and mindset of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) marches forward with President Trump implementing a massive spending rescission package called a ‘pocket rescission’.
“The Trump Administration is committed to getting America’s fiscal house in order by cutting government spending that is woke, weaponized, and wasteful. Now, for the first time in 50 years, the President is using his authority under the Impoundment Control Act to deploy a pocket rescission, cancelling $5 billion in foreign aid and international organization funding that violates the President’s America First priorities,” said the White House.
The Economic Policy Innovation Center describes a pocket rescission as “when the President unilaterally cancels appropriations within 45 days of the end of the fiscal year, by proposing a rescission to Congress under the ICA and then withholding those funds until they expire, regardless of Congressional action.”
There is some disagreement between federal agencies as to the legality of pocket rescissions. The Office of Government Accountability believes pocket rescissions are illegal in that they violate the ICA. The Office of Budget Management says, “The text of the ICA places no limit on how late in the fiscal year a President may propose funds for rescission or withhold funds pending
Congressional consideration of a rescission proposal.”
The argument over the legality of the President’s action will no doubt continue. Congress could put the debate to an end by simply passing a second rescission package.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT THE RESCINDED ACCOUNTS FUND
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Development Assistance (DA) – $3.2 billion
The DA account was established to fund programs that work to end poverty in the developing world. However, according the White House, the account has come to bankroll initiatives that are antithetical to American values and represented the worst of USAID’s woke excesses.
“This account has been used to fund radical, leftist priorities,
including climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), LGBTQ activities, and other projects like baking and beauty therapy in Zimbabwe that are of no value to American taxpayers and American foreign policy interests,” the White House said.
• $400 million per year for
global climate grift projects like:
• $24.6 million to build climate resilience in Honduras.
• $38.6 million for biodiversity and low-emissions development in West Africa.
• $60,000 for listening tours on local development in Timor-Leste.
• $13.4 million for civic engagement in Zimbabwe.
USAID and Department of State (State) – Democracy Fund –$322 million
This account funds the “democracy promotion activities” of the Department of State and USAID. In practice, so-called democracy promotion activities undermine American values, weaken the perception of America abroad, and interfere with the sovereignty of other countries— including our allies.
• $2.7 million to advance
“inclusive democracy” in South Africa through the Democracy Works Foundation, which has published articles such as “The Problem with Whiteness,” and “The Problem with White People.”
• $4 million for the New Alliance for Global Equality to advance “global LGBTQI+ awareness.”
• $3.9 million to promote “democracy” for LGBTQI+ populations in the Western Balkans.
State – Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) – $393 million
This account provides payments for the U.S. share of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping assessments. UN peacekeeping without specific, measurable, and time-bound goals simply does not work. Through America First diplomacy, the President has ended more wars in 8 months than the UN has in 80 years.
Six Fire Departments Respond...
Continued from page 14
Mutual aid was provided by the Mastic Fire Department, Brookhaven Fire Department, Center Moriches Fire Department, Manorville Fire Department, Bellport Fire Department, Yaphank Fire Department, Mastic Beach Ambulance Company, Mastic Ambulance, Shirley Ambulance, as well as staff from Suffolk
County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. Units operated on scene for nearly two hours until being released from the scene which was turned over to the Brookhaven Town Fire Marshal's Office who is investigating the cause of the incident.
Firefighters were on scene for about an hour and a half. No firefighters were injured. There
is a civilian report that one civilian was injured and taken to the hospital.
The region's volunteer fire companies can always use more help. If you are interested in joining the Mastic Beach Fire Department, call or text (631) 637-4173 or e-mail mbfdrecruitment@gmail.com for more information on joining our team.
seizure highlights the scale of the threat facing the United States, while also sending a message that the Trump administration
is willing to mobilize military and law enforcement resources at unprecedented levels to stop it.
DOGE Report: Trumps puts forward an historic rescission package.
U.S. Coast Guard shows off record drug seizures under Operation Pacific Viper.
Credit: Grok/Twitter
Credit: White House photo
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
HISTORY LESSONS Opposing Military PTSD through the Water Strength of 22 Across
“The 22 PTSD Awareness Challenge is one of the great events that recognizes the extent of the veteran’s suicide epidemic while also bringing veterans from all generations together. This event demonstrates the strength of the veteran’s community to always look out for each other.”
- 6th District Suffolk County Legislature and Marine Corps Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Chad Lennon
Through every major American war, the impact of veteran suicide has always been a major concern within the Armed Forces. Americans from all parts of life and every corner of this nation have served in uniform to protect and preserve the freedoms of this great nation. But the growth of post-traumatic stress disorder has led to an estimated toll of 22 veterans a day, who take their own lives because of their serious combat experiences in the military. The Global War on Terror veterans recall an enemy that committed massive atrocities against their citizens, utilized improvised explosive devices, and spent numerous tours under these adverse conditions. When the United States was spread thinly during this war, many of these Armed Forces members lacked the proper fighting weaponry and equipment to carry out intense military campaigns in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
As Americans will recall the 24th anniversary of 9/11/01 and the nearly 3000 people who were killed by terrorism, there has been a tremendous strain felt within the military community.
Since October 7th, 2001, when American forces hit the Taliban in Afghanistan, this nation has continually defended this country and our allies against the growth of terrorism. There were nearly 3 million Americans in the military to protect this nation at home and abroad, with many citizens battling the scars of fighting the Global War on Terror. It has
higher than civilians. Like the Vietnam veterans who faced the negative stigma over the loss of this war, there are many Afghani veterans who have been “stung” by the disastrous fall of this country against the Taliban. After almost two decades of fighting “Operation Enduring Freedom,” they were forced to watch this treacherous government that supported terrorism regain its authority over this war-torn nation.
Whereas there are many veterans who have been out of uniform for years, they are currently working, raising
been estimated that the veteran’s suicide rate for men and women who served in combat is vastly
Suffolk County to Get over
$4.7M...
Continued from page 15
The 2025-2026 Youth Employment Program will operate from September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. To be eligible for the program, youth must be between the ages of 14 and 20 and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level, which varies by household size and, for example, is $53,300 for a family of three.
“Public safety and investing in our young people’s future are top priorities of my administration, and I’ll never stop fighting to make our communities safer and protect our most vulnerable,” Governor Hochul said. “The Youth Employment Program is a key part of our comprehensive approach to drive down gun violence in communities across New York State, while providing at-risk youth with the year-round job and training opportunities they need and deserve to thrive in the workforce and build successful futures.”
Paid employment is an
integral component of the Youth Employment Program. Research shows that vulnerable, unemployed youth can face struggles later in life, including poverty, dependence on public assistance programs and criminal justice involvement. In addition, youth exposed to trauma and violence may suffer long-term harmful effects later in life, including barriers to successful employment and financial stability.
Youth Employment Program providers are encouraged to collaborate with local law enforcement and other local organizations serving at-risk youth and must collaborate with local SNUG Street Outreach programs if such programs are available in their district. The SNUG Street Outreach program uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting the transmission and treating individuals, families and communities affected by the violence.
the needs of the members of the Armed Forces who have fallen into difficult times, the elderly, and the caregivers who provide much needed help.
families, maintaining homes, and on a regular basis, they cope with the horrors of warfare during the earliest part of their adult years. Over the years, the government has increased the funding for vital military healthcare, benefits, housing, and insurance programs. President Donald J. Trump called for the better treatment of our Armed Forces and openly stated that America, “should treat veterans like the heroes they are.”
This is a constant responsibility that must be accepted by current and future government leaders to meet the evolving needs of veterans who battle mental health, substance abuse, and the constant reminders of warfare.
Since 9/11/01, the transition back to civilian life has been hard for veterans who have faced isolation, poor housing, lack of employment, and struggles to gain suitable medical and psychological care. There has been some progress through the Pact Act that has helped veterans who were inflicted with exposure to burn pits and Agent Orange. The Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act has streamlined veteran’s services, made programs easier to access, find employment for veterans, and to quickly process claims. While there are many glaring issues, these efforts have reinforced
Wading River resident Frank Lombardi, a former Army Ranger captain who served in Panama, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and bases across this nation, is one of the key founders of the 22 PTSD Awareness Challenge (also known as 22 Across) was carried out on August 29th. Under the glistening sun off Port Jefferson Harbor, as over 400 residents watched near the Port Jefferson Village Center, 11 kayaking vessels received joyous roars, as they made their way across Long Island Sound from Bridgeport, Connecticut. These 22 kayakers were transported by the Port Jefferson Ferry to Bridgeport where they began this journey at 10:30 a.m. For over six hours, they rowed across the sound, and armed with big smiles, they carried out this mighty task to oppose the wide-scale problems of military PTSD. There has been a tremendous interest in joining this “nautical” veteran’s program that kayaks with different groups of people have been alternated over the years. This was a logistical achievement where the kayakers were fed before they departed in the ferry, coordinated this trip with the Coast Guard, the harbor master, and while they were at sea, these participants were delivered sandwiches. Reaching the shore, they received smiles, handshakes, and cheers for putting forth a tremendous effort to assault the “scrouge” of PTSD. These patriotic kayakers saw 30 vendors, Veterans of Foreign Wars & American Legion organizations, politicians, and charitable groups.
Lombardi credits the assistance of his good friend Chris Levi, a severely wounded combat veteran, who since he was hurt in Iraq, endured almost continual surgeries. He appreciates the
comradery of Alex Rohman and his Port Jefferson company Time Capital, who has financially supported the growth of this endeavor that has grown over the last nine years. It is their goal to enhance this special veteran’s awareness program that spans the Long Island Sound to strengthen the government counseling, economic, and political programs to assault heightened PTSD, anxiety, stress, and depression that is felt amongst combat veterans. Lombardi stressed that while the average number of veterans committing suicide daily is 32 that amounts to 8,300 veterans a year, the figures are higher. There are many active duty, reserves, and national guard, members of the military are not figured into these staggering deaths. And these estimates, do not account for the number of veterans who have survived from trying to kill themselves. This committee is determined to raise funds, awareness, and energy toward combating this ongoing crisis that has seen more deaths amongst War on Terror veterans compared to the PTSD-related military deaths from 1945-2001. Retired VFW Post 6249 Commander Joseph A. Cognitore has witnessed the growth of this veteran’s action, and he believes, “Lombardi and his group has taken to the ‘water’ to utilize this unique method to bring attention to this terrible crisis that has severely hit our War on Terror veterans.” Lombardi appreciated the support of IGHL and Kinexion that helped with the logistics, the set up, and providing of the food and refreshments. Next year, this organization is already motivated to increase this program, they will gain the assistance of Chad Lennon and Matt Franco to ease the parking pressures in Port Jefferson, expand the vendors, and to keep fighting for the expanded services for veterans who courageously defended the United States.
ASK NANCY
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Legal Cleanup Before Heading off to College
I am a recent high school graduate heading to college. Are there any legal documents I should be signing?
Yes, you should consider signing a Health Care Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney. These two estate planning documents are essential for anyone over the age of 18. Once you are legally an adult, there is no other person, including your parents, with the legal authority to make health care decisions or manage money for you. This is the case even though parents may be helping pay your tuition, you may still be covered under their health insurance plans, and are claimed as a dependent on their tax returns. That means if a young adult is in an accident and becomes disabled, even temporarily, a parent might need court intervention and approval through a guardianship proceeding to act on his or her behalf.
Identifying and legally
authorizing someone to act for you if you cannot act for yourself is a smart step to take as you embark on this new adventure away from home. Having a Health Care Proxy authorizes an agent of your choosing to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated and cannot make them for yourself. The agent will also have access to your medical records during any time that you are incapacitated.
The Durable Power of Attorney appoints a trusted family member, friend or adviser as an agent to act, if need be, in a variety of financial and legal matters. The power of attorney is effective after you sign it but cannot be used by the agent until after the agent signs. This means you can appoint someone and then hold onto the document, only releasing it to the agent if they need to use it to act on your behalf.
In many cases, the parent will be the most obvious person to be put in charge of both medical and legal matters. However, if relationships are strained, another trusted adult can be named. For example, this could be an aunt, uncle or older sibling.
A successor, or backup, should be named in case the agent is unable or unwilling to serve.
Beyond the fear of becoming incapacitated, the Durable Power of Attorney can also be useful in a variety of situations. If you are studying away from
home or plan to study abroad outside of the country, you may need a trusted person to sign legal documents for you, such as a lease for an apartment for an upcoming semester, or otherwise represent you. In case of an emergency, having a power of attorney makes it easier to contact the local embassy or wire money.
When heading off to college, you want to consider having a lawyer prepare these documents, meet with you and explain the significance.
Britt Burner, Esq. is the Managing Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.
BY TARA D’AMATO
Assistant Library Director
Come join us for some fun new music events for adults at the library. Whether you already play an instrument and want to jam, are interested in learning, or just want to sing at an open mic-we have something for you at the
Electric Jam Session
Thursday,September4, 6:30–8:00p.m.
Held at our Main Building. Registration begins Monday, August 25.
Whether you're a pro or just starting out, come on down with your instrument and join the jam!
Songs will include: "All
Along the Watchtower" (C minor), "Sunshine of Your Love" (D minor), "Time" (F# minor), "Whole Lotta Love" (E minor), "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (E major), and more!
Held at our Moriches Branch. Registration begins Monday, August 25. Have you always wanted to learn how to play the guitar? Join musician and instructor
Please bring your own acoustic guitar.
Open Mic Night
Thursday,September25, 6:00–8:30p.m.
Held at our Main Building. Registration begins Thursday, August 28.
The mic is all yours! Sing some songs, read some poems, tell some jokes, or come to just listen. Performers will have a 15-minute performance slot.
Microphones and a keyboard will be provided. Registration for performers will begin at 5:45 p.m. Open to all.
Will Conger and learn the fundamentals of guitar in this 6-lesson series.
Credit: BrunoWeltmann | Dreamstime.com
• Pre-registration is $30 (in-person and virtual run)
Race Day registration is $35 (cash)
• Get your name on your bib by 8/15/25
• Mailed registrations must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 4th, 2025
• Entry fees are non-refundable
• Sanctioned by USATF Timing by elitefeats
• Free performance T-shirts for first 400 registrants
• Awards will be presented to top 3 male and female overall and top 3 male and female in each age group
• Call (631) 399-1511 x2002 for more information
• Parking fee in effect after 8:30 a.m.
• Long Island Expressway to Exit 68 South. Stay on William Floyd Parkway for approximately 7.5 miles. Parkway ends at Smith Point Park.
(Please Print)
WAIVER
I know that running a road race is potentially a hazardous activity. I should not enter unless I am medically able and properly trained. I assume all risks associated with this event including, but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather, including heat/humidity, dehydration, traffic & road conditions, all such risks being known & appreciated by me. Having read this waiver & knowing these facts & in consideration of your accepting my entry, I, for myself & anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the County of Suffolk, Town of Brookhaven, Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, Community Family Literacy Project Inc., all trustees, all sponsors, Race Directors, their agents, volunteers, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event. I grant permission to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings, & any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
(if under 18, signature of parent or legal guardian)
Please
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF AND WITH RESPECT TO AJAX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2016-C, MORTGAGE-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2016-C, Plaintiff, vs. RICHARD FRANCA, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 26, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., premises known as 232 Vita Drive, Shirley, NY 11967. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Township of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 644.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 021.001. Approximate amount of judgment is $235,844.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610834/2018.
Frank Maffei, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 180758-1
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK SPLITRAIL PLACE ASSOCIATES, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST
PROPERTY OPTIONS NY LLC, JASON A. ROMANIELLO, TOWN SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, VAULT CAPITAL LLC, NEXTSTONE CAPITAL LLC, INDEPENDENT FUNDING GROUP LLC, and JOHN DOE and JANE
DOE, the last two names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises,
Defendant(s)
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 1, 2024 and duly entered August 15, 2024, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau wherein SPLITRAIL PLACE ASSOCIATES, LLC is the Plaintiff and PROPERTY OPTIONS NY LLC, JASON A. ROMANIELLO, TOWN SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, VAULT CAPITAL LLC, NEXTSTONE CAPITAL LLC, INDEPENDENT FUNDING GROUP LLC, and JOHN DOE and JANE DOE, the last two names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY11738 on September 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM, the premises known as 87 Lynbrook Drive, Mastic Beach, NY 11951, Block 13.00 Lot 046.00.
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 AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Approximate amount of judgment $187,512.56 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #619398/2023. The aforementioned auction will
be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Annette Eaderesto, Esq., Referee
Paykin Law, P.C. 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Floor 20 New York, NY 10111
Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #: 613196/2024 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES
2007-3 Plaintiff, vs JOSEPH EDISON REPP AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH W. REPP AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF BLYTHE ANN REPP, ERICA EASOW AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH W. REPP AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF BLYTHE ANN REPP, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOSEPH W. REPP IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF
THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE IRS, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE JOHN DOE (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s).
MORTGAGED PREMISES: 417 Old Montauk Highway Eastport, NY 11941 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Suffolk. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Joseph W. Repp Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Susan Betsy Heckman Torres of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST William Giangrande; Wendy Giangrande a/k/a Wendy R. Giangrande; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 21, 2022, amended December 18, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on September 30, 2025, at 10:30AM, premises known as 119 Holbrook Road, Holbrook, NY 11741. 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 727.00 Block 05.00 Lot 010.000. Approximate amount of judgment $734,335.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 064294/2013.
Annette Eaderesto, 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
Notice of formation of The Wellness Studio LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on 7/22/2025. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail
Eighth day of August, 2025 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk, in the City of Riverhead. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Joseph W. Repp and Blythe Ann Repp dated the March 29, 2007, to secure the sum of $247,775.00 and recorded at Book M00021508, Page 110 in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk on April 3, 2007. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed April 16, 2009 and recorded on May 5, 2009, in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk at Book M00021813, Page 251. The mortgage was subsequently modified on December 24, 2011. The mortgage was subsequently modified on January 26, 2017. The mortgage was subsequently modified by a Deferral Agreement on November 4, 2022. The mortgage was subsequently modified by a Deferral Agreement on March 10, 2023. The mortgage was subsequently modified by a Deferral Agreement on April 29, 2023. The property in question is described as follows: 417 Old Montauk Highway, Eastport, NY 11941 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. DATED: August 11, 2025 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 86963
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
a copy of any process served against the LLC to The Wellness Studio, LLC at 28 Hollywood Drive, Shirley, NY, 11967. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Suffolk County ELIZON MASTER PARTICIPATION
TRUST I, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS OWNER TRUSTEE, Plaintiff -againstUNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES LEWIS HUGHES, JR. A/K/A
JAMES L. HUGHES, JR.;
RUTH HUGHES, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES LEWIS HUGHES, JR. A/K/A JAMES L. HUGHES, JR.; JAMES HUGHES, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES LEWIS HUGHES, JR. A/K/A
JAMES L. HUGHES, JR.; ANNA WEBER-HUGHES
A/K/A ANNA HUGHES, AS GUARDIAN OF UNNAMED MINOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES LEWIS HUGHES, JR. A/K/A JAMES L. HUGHES, JR.; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.; GMAC MORTGAGE, LLC
D/B/A DITECH; CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; SYSCO LONG ISLAND LLC; DAN J. SCHULMAN; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; SLATE ADVANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT)
O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; DAVID J. WEISSBERG, MD, PC; "JOHN DOE" AND "JANE DOE" said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of the premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants. Index No. 610488/2025. Mortgaged Premises: 29 St. Joseph Avenue Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 District: 0200
Section: 761.00 Block: 05.00 Lot: 040.000 To The Above Named Defendant(s): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. If you fail to appear or to answer within the aforementioned time frame, 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 a mortgage to secure $261,200.00 and interest, recorded in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office on September 12, 2006, in Liber Book M00021380, at Page 871, covering the premises known as 29 St. Joseph Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. 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 the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, New York 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2019-4, Plaintiff
AGAINST
Estate of Patrick Nestor, Jr., et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated June 4, 2024 and entered on June 6, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on October 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM premises known as 47 Hunter Lane, Centereach, NY 11720. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 421.00, BLOCK: 04.00, LOT: 027.000; District 0200. Approximate amount of judgment is $312,599.62 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 607797/2023.
The following Self Storage unit contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by StorQuest Self Storage
2021 Lakeland Avenue , Ronkonkoma NY 11779 (631) 954-2026 to satisfy a lien on 09/10/2025 at approx. 12PM at www. storagetreasures.com: Michael A Scott-1153, Distefano Rosario -1180, Denzell Gardner-2053 ,Harry Church -2107, Thomas Denis-2137, Colleen Montavalo -2187, Jade Mason-2196 , Savanna Steinvach-3271
L16332-09/03/2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE:
The following Self Storage unit contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by StorQuest Self Storage 10 Frowein rd. , Center Moriches, NY 11934 (631)503-1116 to satisfy a lien on 9/9/2025 at approx. 12PM at www.storagetreasures. com:
Steve Lupski- 2-116D
L16333-09/03/2025
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, et al
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 Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 10/7/2025 at 2:00PM, 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
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST JOSE A. LOPEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 13, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on October 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM, premises known as 3 Park Avenue, Medford, NY 11763. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200 Section 867-00 Block 01.00 Lot 040.000. Approximate amount of judgment $648,132.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613544/2023. Thomas McNally, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-004335 87095
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 OF KIN, 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 DECEDENT PAULA HIGGINS, 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 February 13, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on October 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Premises known as 17 Nelson Pl, Mastic, NY 11950. District 0200 Sec 823.00 Block 09.00 Lot 028.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situated, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, at Mastic, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $237,380.82 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 604561/2024. 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.
TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT:
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the CENTER MORICHES
FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York, on the 11th Day of August 2025, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law.
An extract of the resolution is as follows:
THE CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT SHALL EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCED ONE HUNDRED SIXTY - FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($165,000.00) FROM THE SECTION 6(G) GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW BUILDING AND PROPERTY
IMPROVEMENT CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE PROJECT TO UPGRADE THE PUBLIC WATER CONNECTION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUATERS AND ASSOCIATED WORK
This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days
unless, in the meanwhile, a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.
Dated: August 11, 2025
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN
SCHLOSBERG Secretary L16337-09/03/2025
THE CLASSIFIEDS
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The Fantasy Baseball Experience - The Tale of Two Cards
BY TOM BARTON
Week one in the NFL is here and for sports bettors it's like Christmas in September.
It's a new year and a new chance to make some money, but early season pitfalls often doom bettors. On the flip side getting off to a hot start in week one can set the tone for a very profitable season ahead. Week one is unlike any other week for sports bettors because there is a distinctive advantage for a keen professional. Most casual public wagers come in with little to no knowledge of changes in the coordinators, game flow differences, even personnel that have been inserted into a team. The public relies upon what they watched last year as much as anything else, and that can give us a big edge in the set lines by the books.
For example, knowing that last year was a massive outlier for the sportsbooks is something that we should be very cognizant of. Favorites ruled the day
finishing the season winning 71 of their games. That's the thirdbest regular season since 1980. Favorites now cashed on the money line for two years running, the first time that has happened in the past 20 seasons.
Then there are strictly week-one trends that stick out.
Jim Harbaugh is 5-0 against the spread in week one’s as an NFL head coach, while Dan Campbell is 4-0 ATS in week one.
Rookie QBs making their first start on the road for week one have been a cash cow to bet against.
I'm looking at you Cam Ward. Since 1970 rookie QBs are 8-21 straight up in this spot and #1 overall selected QBs are just 5-22-1 straight up.
When the Super Bowl team gets blown out the year before they struggle in week one. This applies to the Chiefs. The losing team that loses by more than two TDs have lost seven straight openers.
ByTomBarton
The St. Louis Cardinals have made themselves a reputation of developing tremendous young talent and always being in contention. Their franchise has been dubbed as one of the most consistent and from a fantasy perspective there were always stars littered around the ball club.
This season however, that all has changed. The Cardinals have been playing in front of near empty stadiums, almost unthinkable in St. Louis, and their young talent has been iffy at best.
There are two names to keep
and eye on though and you can probably scoop them off of waivers and hope for a late surge.
The first name is Thomas Saggese. He is a multi positional player which helps every fantasy team and he is young enough to buy into his new hot streak. Saggese may only be batting .254 on the season but he has batted over .270 for the past month. He now is playing every day and that has also led to 12 runs scored. He will chip in a few steals and RBIs along the way as well. Putting him on your team and using him as his three position fill in's can bring you closer to a title.
The other name is more of
a dynasty asset and someone everyone has given up on in Jordan Walker. Walker was a guy who had a .800 OPS in the minors and somehow he has lost all of his pitch recognition. The Cardinals have been very patient with the youngster but there are rumors that he will start next season in Memphis if this continues.
Walker is still young, still has immense power, and we have watched former Cardinals batters explode after some time in a new place. Walker isn't going to help much now but this is his floor and you can buy the dip for next season.
The NFL Kicks Off This Week
Then there is the good with the Miami Dolphins and a record of 8-3 in week one since 2013. But the flip side of that is the Chicago Bears are just 3-7 their last 10 opening days, but they have won two of their last three openers.
None of that comes close to the Colts who have been an ATM machine to bet against in week one. The Colts are an unthinkable 0-10-1 their last 11 opening day games.
Last year teams playing at home went 11-5 straight up and nine of those teams scored 26 or more points, while 14 teams were kept to 20 points or less. The year prior, home teams went just 7-9 and scoring was down. Twenty teams failed to score more than 21 points that season and just seven teams scored more than 30 points.
Trends and past results don't always make for a successful bet, but it's good to know that with week one's volatility there are some numbers we can grasp onto.
Thomas Saggese
Credit: Cardinals.com
The Yankees Schedule Takes a Toll on Fans' Emotions
ByTomBarton
The New York Yankees this season seem to have been playing with fans emotions from one series to the next. It's like a yo-yo with doom and gloom, followed by blue skies and rainbows, but as a fan it's hard not to get caught up in the up and down.
The Yankees were at their lowest when they opened up August by being swept by the Marlins for the first time in team history. That started a stretch of losing five games in a row and fans watching them drop in the standings like a rock. But if you looked ahead at the
schedule most knew that it wouldn't last.
The Bombers started to bomb away and piled up seven wins in eight games while scoring six or more runs in six of those wins. Fans started to get excited as the Yanks were then in front of the Red Sox and had a chance to pull within a few games for the division. The Red Sox were up next, and New York barely avoided a Bronx nightmare by salvaging the last of a four-game set.
Now they are in the midst of playing two last-place teams in Washington and the White Sox
before heading into September where they begin by playing three first-place teams in the Astros, Jays, and Tigers, followed by the Sox in Fenway.
That brutal stretch could
determine the season, but much like the whole season in a capsule don't get too down if they struggle there because the end of 2025 brings 13 games that could have them with full momentum heading into the
playoffs. Beginning with a threegame road trip to Minnesota they then play Baltimore for four, the White Sox and Orioles end the season with six straight in the Bronx.
Continued on page 29
MLB Keeps Baseball in New York for 9-11 Anniversary
ByTomBarton
The Major League Baseball schedule makers got one right in a big way. The MLB schedule for 2026 was released this week and while many fan bases are skimming through the schedule to see how the schedule makers hurt their team with travel or road trips and the like, the schedule makers made sure to get the most important date right.
The Yankees will take on the Mets on September 11th. On the 25th anniversary of the horrific attacks both teams will remain in New York to play against one another.
The games will take place in the Bronx and 9/11 will be the first game of the three-game series.
The Yankees and Mets also played on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, that game was at Citi Field on Sept. 11, 2021. Fans have had an outcry for years to make the interleague matchup a yearly event on the anniversary every year, but so far it seems baseball is fine with them meeting every five years.
The last time they
The two rivals will also play a three-game set at Citi
mid-May.
Jazz Chisholm
Credit: @Yankees | X
play on the historic date the Yankees won 8-7 backed by a power surge by Aaron Judge who called the event "very emotional."
Field in
Credit: @BaseballQuotes1 | X Yankees and Mets Players, 2021
SPORTS Tex Runs for Congress
ByTomBarton
Former New York Yankee Mark Teixeira has launched his campaign for Texas’s 21st Congressional District this week.
Tex became one of the first Republicans to declare for the Central Texas district since the incumbent, Rep. Chip Roy, announced he would give up the seat to run for attorney general.
The former slugging first baseman took to social media to make the announcement saying, “As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional,” Teixeira said in a statement. “It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Teixeira vowed to increase border security and cut government spending. The 2009 World Series champ shows his support for Governor Abbott and President Donald Trump and donated the maximum political donation to Roy’s 2021 campaign.
Roy and Trump won 21st District in 2024 easily.
Tex received some immediate support on social media from explayer, and Texan, Jonathan Lucroy who went to X to say, "Here we go Tex. Get It!"
Not long after his announcement he wrote: "Blow away by the incredible response to our campaign launch."
It wasn't all positive though as others noted how if he wins the Democrats will have no chance in the congressional baseball game.
Johnny Mac Pro-Am Brings in Big Money
ByTomBarton
This past week the Johnny Mac Tennis Project Annual ProAm was held at Sportime in Amagansett.
The event raised more than a half a million dollars, which will go toward the organization's mission to remove economic, racial, and social barriers to success through tennis by providing access to the sport.
Since its founding in 2012, the Johnny Mac Tennis Project Annual Pro-Am has made it a goal to expand the sport of tennis and get new people playing. They have introduced tennis to over 16,000 New York youngsters, many from underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods.
The cause brought out some big names on the Island. In addition to John and Patrick McEnroe, tennis legends Marion Bartoli, James Blake, Bob & Mike Bryan, Mats Wilander, Mary Joe Fernandez, Tommy Haas and Milos Raonic
participated. Professional and amateur athletes competed across eight dynamic flights: one Legends Flight, six Advancing Flights, and one Non-Advancing Flight.
“Each summer, we look forward to hosting the JMTP Pro Am at Sportime Amagansett,” said Claude Okin, President and CEO of SPORTIME Clubs. “This event has grown tremendously over the
past decade, and we are incredibly proud of SPORTIME’s essential partnership with the Johnny Mac Tennis Project toward our shared mission of providing opportunities to kids across NYC through tennis. The Pro Am brings together our members, the broader community, and tennis legends in support of something that really matters. We are honored to play a role in making it all happen.”
The Marvelous Mr. McLean: Rookie Makes Mets History, Wins First Three MLB Starts
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
How about that?
In a franchise that has developed the likes of Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and Cy Young Award winners Dwight Gooden and Jacob deGrom, it’s one Nolan McLean who stands alone as the first New York Mets starting pitcher to break into the league with three wins in a row.
The wins could not have been more welcome, either. Mere two victories away from clinching a World Series berth last season, 2025 has by and large been more sulk
Credit: Jordan Godfree/SNY/Facebook
than celebration in Flushing. Not even edging out their rival Yankees in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, thereby supercharging their starting nine in the process, could mask the sheer fact: The Mets have been ace-less for quite some time.
In 2015, the last time the Mets won the National League pennant, they held more starters in their rotation with certified “appointment viewing” status than they didn’t possess: “deGrom day" domination, Matt “The Dark Knight” Harvey, Nasty Noah and so
forth.
David Peterson has put together an all-star campaign; there is value in the type of reliability the southpaw has delivered, of course. But move the needle, he nor Sean Manea has not.
Kodai Senga has been shaky on providing length, and another Yankee-clipped free agent signing in Clay Holmes has seemingly reached a wall in his return to starting. Before turning out 6.1 innings in his last outing, he had not completed 6 since June 7.
With no “studs” in the staple, it was high time for the Mets to pull the trigger on a top prospect midseason.
To stay afloat in the threeheaded, wild-card race, and perhaps even make a divisional push was the mission, with a 2023 thirdround draft pick out of Oklahoma State University instantaneously winning favor with hearts, minds and the entirety of the city that
never sleeps becoming a subsequent byproduct.
Five and a third innings to debut against a solid contender in Seattle? Ok. Seven innings pitched against the down-trending Atlanta? Respectable. But his sweepsolidifying performance against the first-place Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night? An A1 crash course in piloting a one-man, tourde-force takedown.
“He’s a stud, man,” Mets thirdbaseman Mark Vientos confirmed in response to the right-handed hurler’s eight scoreless frames postgame, a 6-0 victory for New York.
“It’s so fun to be a part of what he does on a day-to-day basis,” he added.
“Day-to-day basis” is of note; though starting pitchers only take the ball every fourth or fifth day, the intangibility of what routinely strong offerings can bring to the air surrounding a clubhouse in dire need of breathing room as the
The Yankees Schedule
Continued from page 28
schedule tightens—is as palpable as it is priceless.
Moreover, what exactly Nolan has done: already supplanted the most famous “McLean” in impeccably short order as the most Google’d figure bearing said surname.
Does the mid-90s fastball, high 70s breaking ball and overall corner-painting artist actually hold serendipitous staying power, or Mark Fidrychian fleetingness that will have him too singing “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie?”
In any event, for now, McLean has everyone and their mothers, and the local New York sports media they ritualistically listen to, deep in the throes of this debate.
Is he a one-hit wonder? Or is he the real deal incarnate who can stand to help his team win the last game of the season for the first since “Crocodile Dundee” was the number-one film at the domestic box office?
Crikey; only time will tell.
There are plenty of reasons for fans to be down on this Yankee team. When we peel back the record the Bombers are just 2-8 against the Blue Jays and they have the same miserable 2-8 record against the Red Sox. With that said this team is currently a wildcard team, they have tapped into some young pitching with Cam Schlittler, Warren and Gil's return and they still lead all of baseball in home runs and the American League in RBIs.
This will be a tough month to endure the yo-yo emotions if you're a Yankees fan but just remember those last two weeks there should be plenty to cheer about.
Mark Teixeira
In his first three MLB starts, McLean is 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.
Credit: @teixeiramark25 | X
Credit: Long Island Tennis Magazine | Facebook Pro players with fans.
ByTomBarton
2025 New York Jets Preview
Out with the old and in with the new is the theme of this 2025 version of the New York Jets.
Gang Green parted ways with their old QB Aaron Rodgers, who they pushed all their chips in on, and they will have a new head coach on the sidelines as well.
New York needed to turn the page and begin a new culture, and they began that change right at the top. Aaron Glenn comes in with a totally different approach and one that has already resonated with his players. Glenn is a former Jet who understands the uphill climb to relevancy, but he also comes in as a sought-after defensive coordinator.
Glenn's Lions defense was feared and disciplined and that same approach is what he plans to bring with the Jets. From mandatory
church meetings to a no-nonsense training camp players have looked different in their approach.
There will be a new face under center as well as the Jets picked up former first-round pick Justin Fields. Fields was a winner with the Bears but was jettisoned by Chicago when they obtained the first overall pick. Fields is as much of a dual-threat QB as we have ever watched in the league, and he adds a dimension to this offense that will give them an extra threat to think about. Fields has rushed for more than 2,500 yards in his career and the last time he played 15 games he rushed for 1,143 yards.
This offense looks to be a rushheavy mentality. With Fields, Breece Hall and the exciting Braelon Allen they certainly have the talent to push a defense. The air game still has Garrett Wilson, but with Fields
and not much behind him the Jets will win and lose based off of their run game.
Defensively the best thing to happen to this team was bringing in Glenn. Last season the defense regressed in a big way and finished 20th overall in team defense, the year prior they were one of the best in the league, so optimists will say that Glenn can turn things around. Their injury issue in the secondary will be tough to overcome but they have some talent up front that has not been fully tapped into yet.
The Jets aren't expected to be a big threat in the East but with Glenn and Fields on board you can see the team is in good hands. Whether or not that shows up in the wins and losses column will depend on the secondary and downfield-passing attacks.
2025 New York Giants Preview
ByTomBarton
The New York Giants have made wholesale changes and when we look at the 2025 installation of this Giants team it
should look vastly different than we have watched.
The coaching staff and front office remain unchanged, but the Giants will have a new feel about
this squad. The Daniel Jones era is over, and many Big Blue fans will replay with "thankfully" after that sentence. In comes Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart.
Wilson will take the first crack at the starting gig, and he looked good in his brief preseason action. Wilson looks to have regained his moon ball, and he did lead the Steelers to a winning record last season but make no mistake if the Giants falter this will be Dart's team.
The changes behind center seem like a massive improvement, but they will be playing behind the same bad offensive line. Andrew Thomas can't stay on the field, and the interior of this line has come back with poor blocking grades for a while now. Keeping this line healthy and giving the QBs some protection will be paramount to the team's success.
Otherwise on offense there are some play makers. Nabers was banged up all summer, but we saw the flashes of excellence when he was in there. Catching passes from a better and more experienced play caller will only help.
Nabers had one of the best rookie seasons ever and he had the best season by a Giants receiver ever. He broke the Giants’ record for receptions with 109 and added 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
There is a need for a definitive WR two on this team, but Nabers alone makes the offense dangerous. Behind him Tracy was a revelation and the GMen drafted Scattabo to be a onetwo punch. If Tracy, the former receiver, can keep growing in his game his speed and Nabers's bigplay ability will have defenses on their heels.
Speaking of defenses, this is
where it gets exciting for Giants fans. The defensive front might be the best in the NFL. They made a conscious effort to dominate the line last season and get after the QB and did exactly that. Trading for Brian Burns and adding him to Keyvon and Dexter Lawrence was already a recipe for disaster for opposing QBs. They then added who most evaluators believed was the best player in the draft in pass rush specialist Abdul Carter and now they expect to be living in the backfield.
The Giants are not completely fixed and have some major holes, but there is upside with this team. Daboll and company seem to have one more chance to save their jobs and with the talent they have a wild-card run isn't out of the question. The league's toughest schedule might prove to be too big of a mountain to climb, but the future certainly has some stars on the horizon.
Jets Fans and Helmet
Credit: Grok
Giants Fans
Credit: Grok
SPORTS Laube Makes Las Vegas's 53
ByTomBarton
This week the Raiders had some tough roster cuts, but when all was said and done Long Islander Dylan Laube will be a part of their 53-man roster.
Las Vegas had some major shakeups, especially on the offensive side of the ball in the offseason. They hired a new coach and staff, have made Geno Smith their new franchise QB and took a star running back in the first round. Those moves, along with the shakeups as an organization, had many wondering what the roster would ultimately look like.
Long Islander Dylan Laube will be a part of the new staff's plans though as he is officially a part of the Raiders for the 2025 season. The second year back from Westhampton was a standout on the Island and carried that to the next level at New Hampshire.
While Laube was a standout runner in high school, it was his versatility that pro scouts liked most. Laube finished his career at Westhampton Beach High School with 120 career touchdowns, including a Long Island-record 47 TDs as a senior. That effort led the team to their first Long Island championship.
He was named the Hansen Award winner as best player in Suffolk in his senior year.
In high school he showed that versatility that the Raiders liked so much about him as he rushed for 6,495 yards and 101 touchdowns but he also had 64 receptions for 1,234 yards and 14 touchdowns. It didn't end there as he was a special team's standout with five more touchdowns off kickoff returns.
That same pass catching and special teams' ability shined while he was in college and that ability had Raiders beat writers citing the reason why he was so valuable and had to be a part
Aschettino Chooses Her Next Stop
ByTomBarton
Rocky Point's own Taylor
Aschettino has chosen her next stop in her career.
Aschettino announced that she has committed to Division III Western Connecticut State University. She took to Instagram to make the announcement saying, "I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and softball career at Western Connecticut State University. I’d like to thank my family and coaches who have helped me along the way and supported me through this process. I’d also like to thank Coach Stone and the Western Connecticut staff for giving me this opportunity. GO WOLVES !!!!"
The 18-year-old will play for longtime head coach, Heather Stone. West Conn competes in the Little East Conference where they have seen success under Coach Stone. The Wolves have made five NCAA appearances over the last 20 years with LEC titles in 2013 and 2016. Over those 20 years, Coach Stone has eclipsed 400 wins and is always competing for an LEC title and a chance to advance to NCAA regional play.
Director of Softball Operations and 18U Gold Head Coach Jamie Apicella commented on Aschettino’s commitment
announcement:
"Taylor came to us just about a year ago looking for a change of scenery and new challenge. Surrounded by some of the best talent on Long Island, Taylor hit the ground running. She was like a sponge learning from her coaches and learning from her peers. Eager to take her game to the next level, she was all in and committed to fitting in right away. Taylor is her hardest critic. Always chasing perfection and wanting to do her best. That trait has fit right in with her peers at Beast and her players gained a respect for her almost immediately as well as the coaching staff. Taylor's is an infielder for our Gold Team. Mostly a second baseman but has also played a little third base. Taylor takes great angles at second base, has a strong throwing arm and excellent range and athleticism. Footwork and glove work continue to improve and is one of our players that's not afraid to leave her feet to keep the ball in the infield. In regard to her offense, this area has improved immensely since arriving to Beast. Taylor has committed to working on her swing and continues to gain more confidence. Had a strong HS season at the plate followed by a very productive summer season with some big hits in pressure situations. Arguably our most improved player over last year's seasons. We are excited to see
familiar with the
to play a pivotal
what the upcoming months bring. Taylor is also an excellent student and is going to pursue a degree in
Smithtown West's Stars Choose Their Next Destination
ByTomBarton
The college football season might be just getting started and the NFL is just days away from getting underway but high school commitment season is fully underway and doesn't take any time off.
This week Smithtown West baseball saw two of their finest chose their next playing destination and where they will continue their academic and athletic careers.
Nick Zins sat down with Coach Terp from Ithaca and has decided to stay in New York and play for the Bombers. He wrote on social media that he "received an offer to play football for Ithaca College."
The 5'11" 180-pound senior was named to the All-Region and All-Division teams while serving as his teams MVP and was their leader wearing the C as the captain. The linebacker is also a wresting standout where
he was named to the All-County team twice and showed that same leadership as a two-time captain.
Nicholas DeVito has also made his decision and has received an offer to play football for Cortland University. DeVito said that he visited the campus and had a good conversation with head coach Tom Blumenauer and has decided to become a Dragon after the season.
year.
Expectations are high for West this year and with Zins and De Vito on the field the expectations are warranted.
of Las Vegas. Many who are
Raiders expect Laube
special
teams' role and could be a great compliment in the receiving game.
De Vito looked very good at the QB challenge this season and he will be under center once again for Smithtown West. The QB led the Bulls to an 8-2 record, and a playoff win as a junior last
Credit: @nick_zins40 | X Nick Zins
Taylor Aschettino
Credit: taylor.aschettino | Instagram
Health Sciences at West Conn."
Aschettino batted .388 this
season for Rocky Point with 16 runs scored and 11 RBIs.
