Where To Find Us
ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
Page 3
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Thursday, January 15, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 13 ~ $1.00
Kennedy Secures $650K in State Grants for Lake Ronkonkoma Clean Up By Madison Warren The Suffolk County Department of Economic Planning and Development has secured $650,000 in State grant funding for cleanup and restoration efforts at Lake Ronkonkoma, with significant help from Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset). A longtime advocate for protecting Lake Ronkonkoma, Kennedy played a key role in securing County funding to support environmental improvements at the lake. For the past few decades, many Long Island residents have been disappointed with what has become of one of Long Island’s gems, Lake Ronkonkoma. The lake has faced numerous issues, and many residents are frustrated by declining water quality, persistent algae blooms, eroding shorelines, and years of environmental neglect that have altered Lake Ronkonkoma’s once-pristine condition. Continued on page 18
An autumn scene at Lake Ronkonkoma, October 2025 (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Smith Announces Re-Election Run By Matt Meduri
The 2026 midterm cycle is already underway, and the Republican delegation to the Assembly just landed one of its heavyweight overperformers. Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) last week announced his run for a fifth full term this year. Smith was first elected in an April 2018 special election, where he defeated Deborah Slinkosky (D-Holbrook) with over 63% of the vote. The Fifth Assembly District is split between the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip, containing the communities of Lake Grove and parts of Bohemia, Centereach, Farmingville, Holbrook, Holtsville, Islandia, Lake Ronkonkoma, North Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, and Selden. The bluecollar, working-class district nestled in the heart of Suffolk County was once prime Democratic territory, with the last Democrat to represent this seat being Ginny Fields (D-Oakdale) in 2008. She was re-elected with over 63% of the vote. Continued on page 10
Assemblyman and Chairman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) (Credit - Matt Meduri)
FULL STORIES ON:
The FRES Files: Year in Review Page 4
Hochul’s State of the State Address Page 5
Bergin’s Brief Page 10