Smithtown Messenger Archive Apr. 2, 2026

D.A. Tierney Brings Indictments Against Riverhead-Based Gang

By Matt Meduri

On Friday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) announced the 57-count indictment against 18 alleged members and associates of a Riverhead-based gang, which refers to itself as the “48 Gang.”

Charges include a 2021 murder of a Mastic Beach woman and a 2023 murder of a Riverhead man, while a Mount Vernon Police Detective is charged with Conspiracy to Possess Weapons for allegedly providing firearms to gang members in 2021 and 2022.

The multi-year investigation was conducted by the Suffolk D.A.’s office, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Town Police of Riverhead and Southampton, the FBI, Nassau County P.D., and the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Continued on page 5

Islip, Smithtown, and Babylon Celebrate 2026 Law Enforcement Academy Graduates

By Madison Warren

This week, the Towns of Islip, Smithtown, and Babylon celebrated the graduation of their 2026 Law Enforcement Academy recruits. The graduating class, made up of 17 park rangers, fire marshals, and security guards, spent the past 14 weeks dedicating their time and energy to rigorous training in preparation to serve and protect their communities.

Hosted by Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip), the ceremony was attended by members of the town board, Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Prudenti, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon), Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), Babylon Public Safety Commissioner Gerard Gigante, Lieutenant Craig Cain, instructors from the law enforcement academy, as well as community members, and the recruits’ friends and family.

Continued on page 10

SPRING EVENTS

Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience at The Suffolk Riverhead

April 3, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Easter Weekend In The Shed, West Sayville

April 3, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Saturday Fright Fever: Murder Mystery at Windows On The Lake Lake Ronkonkoma

April 4, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Easter Festival at Smithtown Historical Society, Smithtown

April 4, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Opera Night, Long Island at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington

April 10, 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM

Parsons Dance Company at Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook

April 11, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

2026 Trout Unlimited Fly Casting Clinic at Connetquot

River State Park, Oakdale

April 11, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Comedy Night at the Seaport Diner

Port Jefferson Station

April 12, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Selden Spring Craft Fair at Newfield High School, Selden

April 18, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Kiwanis Rocks! Car Show at Mamma Santina Pizzeria

April 19, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Wardenclyffe Science Pub at Blue Point Brewery, Patchogue

April 22, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Books and Bites at Fire Island Vines Bay Shore

April 24, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

(631) 269-6421

HAUPPAUGE:

Paper Wreath -

- April 22, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Teen Game Night - Mario Kart- April 24, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

COMMACK:

Thursday Movie of the Week - Ghostlight - April 24, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

NESCONSET:

Adult Writers Group- April 7, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Garden in a Jar - Silly Cress Heads- April 11, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM

KINGS PARK:

DIY Clothespin People- April 10, 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

Cricut Crafts - Spring Stencil Art- April 15, 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM

SACHEM:

Weather Wonders Storycraft - - April 16, 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Book Time with a Dog (Grades 1-5) - April 16, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

SMITHTOWN:

Create & Celebrate - Autism Awareness Month- April 8, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Ducks’ ‘Heroes of the Game’ Program Continues In 2026

The Long Island Ducks, in partnership with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), and the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, announced the return of the Heroes of the Game program for the 2026 season to honor local veterans and activeduty personnel.

Up to two “Heroes of the Game” will be selected during all home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Each will be honored with an in-game tribute for their selfless and courageous service. In addition, each hero will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the game for their friends and family.

“The Long Island Ducks are incredibly proud to participate in the Heroes of the Game program as a way to honor and recognize the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country,” said Ducks President Michael Pfaff. “Their sacrifices, along with those of their families, are the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy every day. It is our privilege to welcome them to the ballpark and show our deepest appreciation.”

“Heroes of the Game gives fans of all ages the chance to thank our veterans who made countless sacrifices for our country,” said Romaine. “This year will be special as we celebrate our nation’s semi quincentennial milestone through our Suffolk 250 initiative all year long, where we will recognize our region’s illustrious history and favorite pastimes. We are honored to celebrate Suffolk 250 with more than 100 veterans throughout this season.”

“The Heroes of the Game is one of the many ways we honor and remember our veterans and their families in Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County Legislator and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Chad Lennon. “We are home to the largest population of veterans in New York State, and this program is a great way to combine America’s pastime with our local heroes.”

Since 2015, Suffolk County Government and the Long Island Ducks have proudly honored approximately 1,000 local veterans and military personnel. Suffolk County is home to

nearly 100,000 veterans, the largest amount in New York State.

Veterans and active-duty personnel can register to be recognized as one of the “Heroes of the Game” at suffolkcountyny.gov/heroes, by contacting HeroesGame@suffolkcounty ny.gov, calling 631-853-VETS.

The Ducks open the 2026 regular season on Tuesday, April 21, against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35p.m.

The Long Island Ducks are entering their 26th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. They are the alltime leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for five consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 721 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

Tierney Brings Indictments Against Riverhead-Based Gang

The organization is alleged to have operated primarily in the Town of Riverhead, specifically at the areas around Oakland Drive - known as the “4 Block” - the Doctors Path Apartments, and the River Pointe Apartments on East Main Street.

The gang is alleged to have affiliated with widely-recognized gangs, such as the Bloodhound Brims and the Mak Balla Family, with those associations allegedly influencing the 48 Gang’s operation in Riverhead. The conspiracy is alleged to have seen multiple organizations share firearms for the commission of shooting and robberies.

The five-month grand jury presentation resulted in the charges of two murders, eight armed robberies, five additional shootings, and the possession of 13 illegal weapons.

A massive twist in the case, however, comes with Kyren Braunskill, 34, of Mount Vernon, who faces the top count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony. He is alleged to have helped the gang sell and possess illegal firearms from January 2021 through December 2022, during which time he was a 911 operator for the NYPD. In December 2022, he became a police officer in Mount Vernon, where is currently a Detective. If convicted, Braunskill faced up to one-and-one-third to four years in prison.

Eight defendants are charged in long-term conspiracy to commit murder, while eleven defendants are charged in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies. It is also alleged that the defendants used violence “as a means of establishing geographical dominance over the Riverhead area and funded their criminal activity through armed robberies, firearms sales, narcotics sales, and financial frauds,” according to a statement from the D.A.’s office.

Defendants Jacob Moore, 24, Justin Dicks, 24, both of Riverhead, are charged with Second Degree Murder for the shooting of a Mastic Beach man in October 2021. They allegedly intended to rob Marcel Arrington, 18, at gunpoint on Bayview Avenue. It also alleged that Moore and Dicks contacted Arrington under the guise of purchasing marijuana. It is further alleged that Dicks shot Arrington once in the chest before stealing the marijuana and absconding with Moore.

Defendants Elias Lugo, 20, of Riverhead, Acorey Hobbs, 20, of Southampton, and Omarion Francis, 21, of Coram, face charges of Attempted Muder in the Second Degree for the alleged shooting of rival gang members in Bellport. On the evening of September 26, 2022, the three defendants allegedly traveled to Taylor Avenue, armed with multiple firearms, where they exited their vehicle and fired multiple shots from three weapons at a group of rival gang members in front of a residence. No one was injured.

Nickomas Allen, 38, of Riverhead, is charged with Second Degree Murder, and is currently in federal custody in Pennsylvania on an unrelated charge. He is set to be transported to Suffolk County for his arraignment. Allen is alleged to have gotten into a physical alteration with a 47-year-old Mastic man, James Ayers, in the parking lot at 821 East Main Street in Riverhead. Ayers is alleged to have punched Allen in the head in the presence of several witnesses, before leaving the lot. Allen allegedly went into an apartment at the complex to retrieve a firearm, followed Ayers down Main Street, sparked a verbal dispute, and shot Ayers in the head. Allen fled the scene, while Ayers died from his injuries days later at South Shore University Hospital.

Several more defendants are alleged to have robbed two 7-11 convenience stores at gunpoint in less than one hour on September 26, 2023. One store on Caleb’s Path in Central Islip was robbed of $600 from the register, where a 69-year-old cashier was working, before fleeing to a North Bellmore 7-11, where they obtained about $1000 in chas from the register.

The group is also alleged to have held up the El Quetzal Deli in Flanders on September 23, 2024. Approximately $6000 in cash was stolen while defendants allegedly brandished firearms.

A search warrant of Demario Weston’s, 23, Farmingville apartment was executed in January 2025. Police found a loaded handgun, believed to be the same firearm used in the Flanders robbery, as well fentanyl, cocaine, digital scales, and cash. Weston is charged with Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, for which the top sentence is 25 years imprisonment. In his apartment was

co-defendant Tiana MacDonald, 24, of Farmingville, and her young child.

“This indictment is yet another example of my office’s steadfast commitment to eliminating gang violence in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney (pictured left) in a statement. “Once again, working with all our local and federal partners throughout Long Island, we were able to secure this consequential indictment and help bring justice to victims of gang violence throughout Suffolk County. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, gangs and illegal weapons have no place in Suffolk County, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that any gang member, or anyone aiding

gang members, operating in Suffolk County, will be brought to justice.” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina echoed these sentiments in a statement.

“There is no place for gang violence in our communities, and we will not stand on the sidelines while individuals bring fear to our neighborhoods through their violent actions,” said Catalina (pictured left) “Working alongside the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will not relent in our pursuit of those responsible. Whether it takes months or years, we will continue to investigate, solve these crimes, and bring justice to the victims and their families.”

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Support School Theatre

Do you want a great, affordable, and local night out that will not only impress you beyond belief but also directly benefit your community?

Go see a play at your local high school or middle school.

We’ve had the immense privilege of being able to cover these shows. It’s easily when we love our jobs as local journalists best, not only because we get to see a great show while on the clock, but we see firsthand just how much talent resides in our municipalities and the symbiotic relationship between school district and community.

This year, we saw Alice in Wonderland at Nesaquake Elementary School in St. James, Les Miserables at Centereach High School, and Mamma Mia! at Smithtown High School West.

In other years, we’ve seen Newfield High School’s production of Hairspray, Centereach’s productions of Newsies and Rent, and Hauppauge’s Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid

To say we were blown away each time would be an understatement.

Professional-Level Talent

Take our advice: go see a play in your local school district. Even if you aren’t in any way attached to the school district, you’re still paying taxes for the district - often 70% of your property tax bill goes to the school district. For as much agita as school district policy might bring, and as many even propose to waive school property taxes from those who don’t utilize them, the least you can do for yourself is take advantage of such a privilege as witnessing the pure, unadulterated talent right in your own backyard.

The students don’t just take theatre seriously; it’s their passion. From the pit orchestra, to the leads, to the stagehands, to the set designers, everything is clearly a labor of love. They work to display raw emotion, become vocal aces, master complex choreography, and put their creative prowess to the ultimate test of their fledgling careers - and it all unmistakably shows. Even the comedic timing required to perform many roles - Donna in Mamma Mia!, Gloria in Rent, and Thenardier in Les Mis, for example - are incorporated into the students’ routines.

You don’t have to take a train into the city to see a Broadway classic or a stage adaptation of a blockbuster that will keep the tunes in your head for days.

If you saw this past week’s Centereach production of Les Mis, we know we aren’t the only ones who were blown away in every stretch of the imagination.

Getting to Know Your Community

We drive past dozens of schools a day, especially in our neck of the woods in central Suffolk with several within just miles of each other. But yet, many people in the community don’t know just what kind of talent sits behind those doors from 8:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Not only will you get to see what the next generation of your hamlet or village can offer, but you see the adults behind it. The decades-served theatre directors, such as Brian Hough in Middle Country, or the recent alumni returning to follow in their footsteps, such as Sophia DiStefano in Smithtown, are just as integral as the children. These are not only

the people shaping a cast of the next generation’s Broadway thespians and large-scale artists, these are your neighbors.

And even if all the students don’t desire a career in the arts, these mentors still help these kids find an outlet, achieve success on a long-term project, and reinforce the concept of commitment. They deserve just as much recognition and praise as the exceptional virtuosos on stage.

A Symbiotic Relationship

If you see a show at a local school district, you’re likely not driving very far on a weekend, paying a modest door fee of around $10 or $15 - with very reasonably priced concessions and merchandise offered as well - and possibly patronizing a local restaurant afterward. That’s all for a memorable night out, donating to your local school district, and supporting the hard work meant not just for the parents, but for the community at large.

In turn, the district finds more funds to continue and grow the theatre budget, allowing kids to hone their schools, cooperate on perhaps the most important project of their high school careers, and possibly find a lifelong career or a lifelong creative outlet.

The benefits are just too good for anyone to turn down, we think.

Learn your community, be impressed beyond your wildest conceptions, support your local movers and shakers, and most importantly, enjoy the show.

Brookhaven’s Fight Sees a Denouement?

The Town of Brookhaven announced this week that they have struck a tentative deal with Verizon to bring connectivity - and with it, competition - to the Town of Brookhaven.

Connecting Brookhaven is no small feat; it’s the largest municipality in the entire state by total area. That, among other hiccups, is what kept Verizon from investing for so long.

But both Republican and Democratic administrations in Farmingville haven’t given up, and in the age of high-speed connectivity, mind-blowing technology, and chronic online-ness, providers are running out of excuses.

The win, however, isn’t for the Town per se, but the ratepayers. If this deal goes through, no longer will Optimum/Altice have the monopoly in most parts of the sprawling township. Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) rightly assessed that former monopolistic enterprises saw no incentive to improve the quality of their product or the accompanying customer service, simply because there was no one else on the market.

Hopefully, that will change in the coming months. We urge all Brookhaven residents to make their opinions known at the Town’s public hearing at 5:30p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at Town Hall (1 Independence Hill, Farmingville).

Redemption Knows No Bounds

Jesus Christ’s mission was simple: “God sent his Son into the world not to condemn it, but to save the world through Him,” reads the Gospel of John 3:17.

Yet to many, that’s too complex a theology to digest.

This Sunday is Easter Sunday, recognized by billions across the world as perhaps the single-most important day in history, the day Jesus defeated death, offered eternal salvation regardless of one’s wretched past - which we all possess

- and the covenant was fulfilled.

We urge you to flip to Page 21 for PJ Balzer’s weekly column, Messenger Perspectives, as he gives a more in-depth look at the circumstances of Jesus’ brutal sacrifice, one to which he marched willingly - not for Himself, but for us.

Redemption knows no bounds. It’s there in the text, but is it in your heart?

When Did We Stop Valuing Biomedical Research?

By Eric Brengel, M.S.

When I tell even my most conservative friends and family about my work—researching the neuropathology of concussions and investigating novel therapeutics—I am often met with kind words about the timeliness and necessity of this work. These platitudes land increasingly hollow to my ears, however, as I know it is the policies of the administration they still ardently support that are making today a harder time to be a biomedical research scientist in America than ever before.

I would like to shed light on this dissonance because it is not your words of affirmation, but rather your civic engagement that is needed to keep the lights on in our labs as we work towards the next breakthroughs in biomedical science.

The focus of this piece will be the changes made to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), not because it is the only science agency that has been handicapped by this administration (far from it), but because it is the one whose damage I am most qualified to speak on. The NIH is the single largest funding agency for biomedical research in the world.

Not just the country, the world.

This has historically allowed us to attract the top scientists from around the world, retain our homegrown talents, and spin off academic-industry collaborations here in the U.S., driving innovation and creating a massive return on investment.

Having worked in neuroscience labs across institutions, I have lived this reality. Almost every lab doing meaningful, impactful research is or has been funded by an NIH grant, and is constantly in preparation for the next one, because they are extremely competitive and difficult to obtain. The administration sought to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse— without a doubt, an important endeavor. But rather than hiring a team of professional auditors, they chose to consult DOGE, a hastily assembled team of tech sector amateurs with little to no experience in the fields they were tasked with reforming.

The results befit the process.

The damage that ensued was twofold, as entire grants were withheld, and many that were awarded came with suffocating restrictions on overhead funding. In 2025, over 5,000 existing grants were cancelled or suspended and 25% fewer new grants were offered, both unprecedented moves. This wrecking ball approach led to abrupt cancellations of lifesaving clinical trials, mass layoffs, and the gatekeeping of entire research programs from ever getting off the ground. The effects of even a temporary shutdown of this scale are disastrous, but the part that’s less obvious and more sinister is the reduction of overhead funding, which has been capped at less than half of the previously long-standing rate for our nation’s most productive institutions.

Overhead is a catch-all term for expenses not directly related to research. On the surface, this seems like a perfect target: we gave you this money to conduct research, so you should use it for research costs—lab equipment, chemical reagents, and subject compensation. You don’t need a fancy coffee maker; buy your own coffee. You don’t need to go to that exotic conference; book a vacation. You don’t need to staff a middleman to stand in between your lab and the NIH; that’s bureaucratic bloat.

The reality is, without these overhead costs, it’s not possible to do the research.

Sure, we can give up our coffee makers. But we do need paper, and pens, and HVAC maintenance, just like any other office space. If we don’t have adequate space to conduct

our research, we can’t conduct our research.

Second, how do we disseminate our findings? How do we ensure that our discoveries land in the right hands to scale them and apply them to real-world interventions? Like any other field, it takes networking, and one of the biggest ways that happens is at conferences. The seminars, presentations, panels, discussions, exhibitions, coffee chats, and chance encounters that occur at these meetings all serve to foster education, collaboration, and innovation.

To share a personal example, take the Society for Neuroscience Conference. This is the largest meeting of neuroscience researchers in the world, and it’s held annually in the U.S. It is typically attended by upwards of 30,000 researchers, but this past November’s meeting didn’t even crack 20,000 in-person attendees, representing one of the largest single-year attendance drops in the fifty-plus-year history of the conference.

The reduced scale was palpable. That’s 10,000 people who should have been there but weren’t because they didn’t have travel funding in their overhead budgets, didn’t have a grant to conduct research on, or were concerned about traveling to the U.S. from abroad. To estimate cautiously, that’s hundreds of collaborations that would have otherwise been forged that now aren’t happening, and this is only from the example of one conference in one subfield of biomedical research.

Third, the middleman. Applying for an NIH grant is a massive undertaking. It takes months of full-time preparation and negotiation, and every institution, large or small, needs grant administrators to help researchers navigate the process so that the researchers can focus on the science. On the NIH side, I know a scientific program officer who informed me that I can expect her response time for any query to triple because her workload has tripled. Amid mass layoffs at the NIH, she was kept because her job has an obvious, direct tie to scientific output, but her office administrators and web developers were not so lucky.

Now, instead of focusing on the science, she has to do all of their jobs on top of advising and evaluating increasingly competitive grant applications. Lastly, withholding this money has led to hiring freezes that affect the entirety of the developmental pipeline: fewer lab manager and research technician positions, which are common steppingstones to Ph.D. candidacy; reduced Ph.D. class sizes and, in some cases, outright elimination of programs; fewer postdoctoral fellows, the research equivalent of a medical residency; and fewer faculty positions, leading to less research productivity and fewer, more expensive seats in classrooms.

Suddenly, the U.S. is no longer the unquestioned place to be for the world’s top scientists, and that’s a scary reality. Fortunately, Congress and federal courts have pushed back against the administration’s proposal, which would amount to a 40% cut to the NIH budget, but damage has already been done and the threat persists.

Please, if you support biomedical research, encourage your representatives to keep up the fight and support candidates who will commit to the maintenance and growth of the NIH.

Eric Brengel, M.S., is a Doctoral Researcher at the Center for Translational Neuroimaging at Northeastern University. He graduated from Smithtown High School West, Class of 2017.

Letter to the Editor Optics Matter…

Dear Editor,

This past weekend I stumbled upon a CSPAN hearing that having vaguely remember hearing the details tuned in.

Boy, was I in for a treat. Pretty amazing the goings on of our government. Just when we think nothing is getting done in Congress there was this. Current Congresswoman Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) was before the House ethics committee on charges of numerous violations of House Rules and ethics standards. The ethics panel of four Republicans and four Democrats found McCormick had committee 25 ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws.

Setting the scene was the committee up on the dais, Congresswoman McCormick at a table with her lawyer to her left. Next to the lawyer, shoulder-to-shoulder, were the Ethics Committee investigative attorneys comprised of two women. As the hearing went on, I could not believe they were seated so close. That must have been tense. Her lawyer was slick, but not that slick. He desperately explained this felt rushed. Her first lawyer advised her not to cooperate with the Committee investigation and refuse to respond to the Committee subpoena, which held up the investigation for over a year. He sputtered that he had only been her lawyer for three weeks, “Let’s call witnesses, we challenge these charges,” etc. Desperate for a delay, he was trying to put off the inevitable. She is guilty.

It was hard to watch the agonizing look on the faces of the Democrats as they gingerly questioned the Committee findings. The very competent female lawyers stated clearly that Congresswoman McCormick knew what she was doing was wrong and they facts

support the 25 violations she or her campaign committed with her full knowledge. The presentation summed up their findings, for the Ethics Committee could easily conclude she was guilty. It was like watching a masterclass of legal TV drama. Perry Mason would have been proud.

To see the Democratic Ethics Committee members tiptoe around the guilty unethical fellow member of Congress sitting before them was priceless. Rules are the same for all of them. She broke them and therefore must be found guilty. To save face, they had to vote alongside their Republican committee members and find her guilty of violating ethical standards.

Of course, they did not want to find her guilt knowing full well that could lead to her expulsion from Congress, making their team down a member.

By the way, she is currently running for a fourth term to Congress. Elections matter, ever more so than in this case. The voters of Florida chose her. Now they may lose her. Her expulsion would tarnish the reputation of Democrats everywhere. What else do the pundits say? Optics matter?

This is a bad look Democrats. Very bad. I think the next blue wave we will be seeing anytime soon will be at the beach.

Sincerely,

Jamie Hanja Lake Grove

Theater & the Arts

The Engeman’s

‘The

Bodyguard’

is a Must-See Megahit!

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

The John W. Engeman Theater’s electrifying production of the musical “The Bodyguard” earned a well-deserved standing ovation Saturday night. The audience remained spellbound from the showstopping opening number, “Queen of the Night,” to the knockout encore extravaganza, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” There’s so much to love about this show, from the pitch-perfect vocals and dazzling costumes to the highenergy choreography, precision-perfect direction, and superb acting.

“The Bodyguard, The Musical” is based on the successful 1992 Warner Brothers film, with a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, and features Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. This jukebox musical, with a book by Alexander Dinelaris, focuses on the Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron. A diva accustomed to getting her way, Rachel is less than happy about her glamorous lifestyle being restricted by strict security measures. However, what began as a tense professional relationship between Frank and Rachel developed into a complex yet passionate romantic connection.

Erica Burkett possesses the “it factor,” that elusive, magnetic star quality needed to step into Whitney Houston’s rhinestone-studded stilettos. Burkett, a powerhouse singer with impressive dance moves to match, has the theatrical skills necessary to convincingly portray the internationally acclaimed pop star, Rachel Marron. Marron is a complex character: outwardly confident and strong, but privately vulnerable and insecure.

Among the show’s many highlights were Burkett’s unforgettable performances of “The Greatest Love of All,” “One Moment in Time,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

the two female leads look divalicious! Engeman veteran Jonathan Corbrda gave a spot-on comedic performance as Sy Spector, Rachel’s calculating publicist, earning some of the biggest laughs of the evening.

A special shoutout to the talented young actor Eldridge Taylor, Jr., for his outstanding performance as Rachel’s dedicated son, Fletcher. Taylor delivered an angelic rendition of the soulful, gospel ballad, “Jesus Loves Me.”

Other standout performances were given by Shabazz Green as Rachel’s hardworking, loyal manager, Bill Devaney, Semih Bal as Tony Scibelli, Rachel’s longtime head of security, Ben McHugh as Ray Court, a CIA agent with extensive knowledge about stalkers, and Naja Nicole and Kendall Stewart as

Blake Burgess commanded the stage with his charismatic portrayal of Frank Farmer, Rachel’s conscientious bodyguard, who is the living embodiment of stoicism, integrity, and discipline. Burgess and Burkett have dynamic onstage chemistry, clearly demonstrated in the key scene at the karaoke bar where Frank playfully, if not somewhat reluctantly, sang his late mother’s favorite song, “I Will Always Love You.” After Frank’s less-than-stellar performance, Rachel surprised both the bar audience and Frank with her heartfelt version of “I Have Nothing.”

Sharaé Moultrie brilliantly portrayed

Katie Mollison -( John W. Engeman Theatre)

the Backup Vocalists.

A big round of applause goes out to The Engeman’s talented creative team. Under Hunter Foster’s expert direction, the entire production was flawless. Krystyna Resavy’s precise choreography, Kyle Dixon’s stunning, multi-level set, along with Laura Shubert’s outstanding sound design, John Burkland’s dramatic lighting design, and the excellent band led by Brian Sweeney, all contributed to making this one of the best musicals I have ever seen!

This production featured a Broadwaycaliber ensemble, including Bridget Bailey, Jake Bartley, Madeline Benoit, Gabriel Bommarito, Zeth Dixon, Zoie Lee, Juan Romero Muñoz, Bryn Purvis, and Henrique Sobrinho, and Amare Tavarez. Swings for the production are Faith Jordan Candino and Preston Karp.

Don’t miss this concert-infused theatrical experience! “The Bodyguard” runs through April 26, 2026. To purchase tickets, call 631-261-2900, go online at engemantheater.com, or visit the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press.

Nicki Marron, Rachel’s resentful older sister, a talented performer overshadowed by her famous sibling. Moultrie’s captivating rendition of the beloved ballad “Saving All My Love for You” was one of those unforgettable onstage moments that linger long after you leave the theater. Burkett and Moultrie, two superstars, delivered a breathtakingly beautiful duet to the emotionally charged pop ballad, “Run to You.”

A round of applause goes out to Costume Designer Dustin Cross for his stunning creations, especially Rachel’s and Nicki’s to-die-for gowns, which made

Thursday, April 2, 2026

National, State, and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

The war in Iran circles the one-month post, as the American soldier death toll reaches 15, with 332 wounded. At least seventeen U.S. sites in the Middle East are damaged, with an equivalent loss of $800 million, according to the BBC. For Israel, 5 military casualties have been reported, along with 24 civilians, 5,768 injured, and 92 military personnel injured.

Iran claims responsibility for the damage or destruction of at least 12 U.S. radar systems and satellite terminals. Iran has sustained 2,076 casualties and 26,500 injured. Internal Iranian sources say that Hezbollah has sustained 400 casualties.

Per the U.S. and Israel, Iran has suffered 6,000 military casualties and have claimed responsibility for the damage or destruction of nearly 200 ballistic missile launchers and 140 naval vessels. They also say that Hezbollah has seen close to 900 fighters killed.

The resulting global economic disruption has been characterized by the International Energy Agency as the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,” reads their March 2026 report. Oil has topped out around $102 per barrel, while Brent Crude is trading around $115 per barrel. The AAA gas price average finds the national price at the pump to be $3.98. The westernmost states, Illinois, Alaska, and Hawaii see a maximum of $5.86 per gallon, while the Great Plains and parts of the Deep South see the lowest at $3.59.

New York ended this week with an average of $3.91 to $4.19. Central Suffolk’s prices rest more on the lower bound, with AAA rating Suffolk at $3.86 to $3.90. New York City, Westchester, Rockland, and the North Country are seeing higher prices around $4.32 per gallon. Besides Nassau, the cheapest prices are in the far western tier of Upstate New York.

The latest developments consist of President Donald Trump (R-FL) stating a desire to “take the oil” in Iran in a Financial Times interview, while Iran has attacked a power and desalination plant in Kuwait. The rest of the Gulf States continue to intercept drones and missiles.

Trump also said that if Iran plans to impose tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. would “close that up in two minutes.” He also said he’s maintained “strong communications” with allies Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Ire continues to grow as Washington continues to flirt with the idea of boots on the ground, despite pressing for a deal, as Hezbollah, a Lebanese terrorist group, claims an attack on villages in northern Israel.

In domestic political news, the House GOP just lost another institution in Congressman Sam Graves (R, MO-06).

First elected in 2001, Graves has risen through the ranks to Chair the House

Small Business Committee (2011-2015) and the House Transportation Committee (2023-present). Graves’ departure makes him the thirty-sixth Republican to not seek re-election this cycle, topping the GOP’s thirty-four retirees ahead of the 2018 midterms. For reference, the prior record for GOP retirements in one cycle was twenty-seven, set in 1958.

The development makes some Republicans worried about their chances this November, as the departure of highprofile lawmakers ahead of a midterm election is often taken as a bad omen.

Between both parties, fifty-seven members are not running for re-election. Plenty are running for other positions, but many are retiring outright, giving 2026 the second-most retirements in a single cycle in history, behind only 1992.

Republicans are still reeling from a bruising trio of special elections that not only complicate their environment ahead of 2026, but call into question the long-term strength of a “red Florida” going forward.

Last Tuesday, Democrats flipped State Senate District 14 seat to grow their caucus to 12. In 2024, the seat backed their Republican by a 55%-45% margin. In the special election, Brian Nathan (D) defeated Josie Tomkow (R) 50.3%-49.8% - almost an eleven-point swing in the Tampa-area seat.

Republicans caught a slight break in State House District 51, where Hilary Holley (R) defeated Edwin Perez (D) 54.2%-45.8%. While the nine-point win was comfortable, it paled to the 14-point win scored by Holley’s GOP predecessor in 2024.

But the worst part of the night for Republicans came in State House District 87, where Democrats scored perhaps the most consequential special election flip of the 2025-2026 cycle thus far.

This district runs north-south from Juno Beach to Hypoluxo and takes in West Palm Beach. Not only did the district deliver a 19-point win for the GOP candidate in 2024, it also includes Trump’s home of Mar-A-Lago.

Last Tuesday, Emily Gregory (D) won the seat by just over two points.

The devastating result now begs the question whether the GOP’s newfound stronghold of Greater Miami was more of a fluke than an emerging political trend.

The primary calendar slows until late spring, with the Mississippi runoffs scheduled for April 7, and Indiana and Ohio will host their primaries on May 5. Ohio is playing host to critical gubernatorial and Senate contests this year.

Meanwhile, Former Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was confirmed on March 24 as the ninth Secretary of Homeland Security, following Kristi Noem’s (R-SD) termination from Trump’s Cabinetthe first such occurrence in the second Trump presidency. He was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote. He received crossover support from Senators John

Fetterman (D-PA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), while Senator Rand Paul (RKY) was the lone Republican to vote against Mullin.

Paul cited his concerns for Mullin’s temperament, “anger issues,” and previous personal attacks.

Senator Heinrich, a Democrat, considers Mullin a “friend” with whom he shares a “very honest and constructive working relationship.”

The coterminous six-week shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) became the longest partial government shutdown in history on Sunday.

The DHS, the fourth-largest federal agency, includes 9.4% of the total federal workforce at about 200,000 strong. Both parties have failed to pass funding for FY2026 before the mid-February deadline. Overtime now consists of standoffs over immigration policy and restrictions on federal agents.

Airport security queue lines have reached hours-long delays, particularly in New York, Baltimore, and Houston, according to The Guardian. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis said that nearly 3,500 TSA employees, 12% of the total workforce, have called out.

More than 500 have quit due to being unable to afford necessities while furloughed.

State

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) has new wind in his sails after an internal poll shows him trailing Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) by just nine points in this year’s gubernatorial contest.

Hochul has held consistent and large leads in the official polling from the Siena College, recently taking a twentypoint lead in their March survey.

The poll shows Hochul capturing 52% of the vote to Blakeman’s 43%.

The nine-point margin is only about three points more than in 2022, when then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) almost upset Hochul in what turned out to be a marquee race of that midterm cycle.

Conservative pollster McLaughlin & Associates in a memo called the results “ominous” for Hochul, adding that the results “provide a path to victory for Bruce Blakeman.”

Politico New York was the first outlet to report on the results, which was then shared to City & State and The New York Post

Local

The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has approved their $346

million budget for FY2027 at its March 26 board meeting.

The SCWA said that expenses, such as the cost of carbon required for water treatment, have increased operational costs. The SCWA limited the rate increase to 2.81%, lower than the 2.99% increase implemented last fiscal year, as well as the forecasted inflation rate for 2027. This year’s rate adjustments adds $16.62 per year, or $1.39 per month, to the average ratepayer’s bill. The new average annual bill is $607, compared to $1,871 for Liberty New York Water customers next door in Nassau County.

Capital projects consume about 36% of the budget, with $48.3 million directed to Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment systems for “forever chemicals” and “emerging contaminants.” $43.4 million is directed for distribution system improvements and the extensions and replacements of water mains. The SCWA is targeting mains with frequent breaks with “newer, more durable material.”

Finally, $3.9 million is directed to replace old water meters that are in their early failure stages. The budget also funds “pilot programs to test the next generation of water meters.” The new devices “transmit data through cellular networks, eliminating the need for meter readers to travel the service territory collecting meter data.” Customers will also be provided with hour-by-hour updates on their water usage, allowing “leaks to be detected quickly and to get advanced metrics to allow them to conserve water.”

The meters are not yet being rolled out to customers. The pilot program funded in this budget will promulgate that step.

“We developed this budget with fiscal responsibility in mind while funding our core infrastructure needs,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz in a statement. “We are advancing our treatment capabilities and securing our water system for the future without placing an undue financial burden on our ratepayers.”

SCWA Board Member Elizabeth Mercado said that the increases follow upgrades that “impact system reliability.”

“Replacing older wells, upgrading water mains, and installing new meters are concrete investments in the future of our water infrastructure,” said Mercado in a statement. The SCWA added that the older wells are “more prone to failure” and “proactively replacing them ensures that the SCWA can meet surging demand without a risk of well failure.”

The new rates take effect on June 1.

Continued from front cover

Smithtown Matters

Islip, Smithtown, and Babylon Celebrate 2026 Law Enforcement Academy Graduates

Carpenter said that although this marks the eighth graduating class from the Town of Islip, the program has continued to grow each year, both in size and in resources, noting that it was built from the ground up. She explained that recruits received comprehensive training in areas including law, ethics, communication, and defensive tactics, as well as de-escalation techniques, NARCAN administration, CPR, and First Aid. Through this training and the guidance of their instructors, the candidates are well-prepared to represent and serve their respective towns.

“We are proud of all our cadets and officers who completed this training, becoming better equipped to serve our residents and the public, and we look on with pride as we watch the academy continue to grow as one of the go-to training facilities in the area,” Carpenter noted.

The commanding officer of the Town of Islip Park Rangers and director of the Law Enforcement Academy, Lieutenant Cain, said the past 14 weeks were not easy for the recruits. One of his main goals throughout the program was to emphasize policing principles, and he noted that the growth he witnessed over the past few months was significant.

Mentally and physically, the recruits were challenged week after week, and over time, he saw them grow together as a family, something he described as amazing to watch. He added that Taser and OC (pepper) spray training were among the most difficult moments the recruits faced, as they all had to experience the administration themselves,

but they pushed through those challenges together.

He also noted the strong bond formed within the class, sharing that in the final days leading up to the exam, recruits were helping one another study and even spending time together off-duty. Seeing that level of support and camaraderie, he said, made all of the hard work worth it.

Smithtown Park Ranger recruit Chelsy McCann told The Messenger, “It was such a great experience working alongside recruits from other towns. Even though we all came from different towns, we all had the same goal in mind, and that brought us together pretty quickly. We went through a lot as a group, and you definitely build a bond.”

McCann added that the academy pushed her out of her comfort zone but ultimately taught her the power of resilience, showing her that even when something feels difficult, she is more than capable of overcoming it.

The recruits spent countless hours both in and out of training to complete the course. They were expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, beginning with the morning lineup, where shined boots and pressed uniforms were required, something they had to prepare for before even arriving each day. Some recruits said they spent hours perfecting the shine on their boots to meet their instructors’ expectations. The attention to detail not only reinforced discipline but also instilled a sense of pride and accountability that they will carry with them into their careers.

Islip recruit, Robert DeRosa, said the experience was

both challenging and transformative. He shared that the most difficult part of the academy was the mental aspect, describing the uncertainty of each day and the pressure that came with it.

As he begins his career, he said his goal is to be both professional and approachable, emphasizing the importance of leading by example within the community.

I want to be an Islip Park Ranger who means what he says and says what he means,” he told The Messenger, “Even outside the department walls, I want to lead the community by example.”

Other recruits, like Islip Park Ranger recruit Tyler Sawicki, spoke about the responsibility that comes with the role.

“I hope to be an officer that others in my department view as a strength rather than a liability,” Sawicki said. “I want to know my job well enough to bring certainty and relief in situations where backup may be needed.”

As the ceremony came to a close, it was clear that the future of local law enforcement is in capable hands. Recruits like McCann, Sawicki, and DeRosa have demonstrated the hard work, resilience, and dedication required to serve their communities. Their strength, mindset, and commitment to growth reflect not only what they have accomplished over the past 14 weeks, but also the kind of officers they are becoming. With a positive outlook and a strong sense of responsibility, they represent a new generation ready to protect and serve, ensuring that their towns remain safe and well cared for.

Smithtown Animal Control Saves Lives, Highlights Need for Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)

What began as a heartbreaking discovery on Brooksite Drive quickly became a race against time—and a powerful example of how community action can save lives.

Earlier this week, a mother cat was found deceased on Brooksite Drive—her newborn kittens missing and exposed to the elements. With overnight temperatures plunging below freezing for two consecutive nights, the window to find them was rapidly closing. Without immediate intervention, their chances of survival were critically low.

Smithtown Animal Shelter’s Animal Control team, Monica, Cherie, and Denise, immediately mobilized. Partnering with dedicated volunteers and supported by an attentive community, a coordinated search effort began. Flyers were distributed, doors were knocked, and social media alerts called on residents to remain vigilant, listening and looking for any signs of the missing kittens.

A breakthrough came through a resident who regularly feeds cats in the area. After officers conducted an initial search of the resident’s property without success, they shared a simple but critical tool: playing kitten meow sounds to help draw out a hidden litter.

Shortly after the team departed, the resident tried it herself—and heard faint cries.

She immediately contacted Animal Control. Officers responded without delay, using the same soft meow sounds to guide their search. Following the barely audible cries, they located the kittens hidden deep within a foam couch cushion. Tragically, one kitten had fallen from the warmth of the cushion onto the cold ground and did not survive. But three others were found

alive - fragile, but fighting.

The surviving kittens are now safe at the Smithtown Animal Shelter, where they will receive round-the-clock care, including bottle feeding, until they are strong enough to be placed for adoption.

“This rescue is a powerful reminder of just how special our community truly is—people come together when help is needed, regardless of species,” said Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park) in a statement. “We are incredibly fortunate to have some of the most compassionate and dedicated Animal Control Officers anywhere, and a community filled with residents who genuinely care about the wellbeing of animals. From our officers to the neighbors who stepped up and took action, this was a true team effort. While we mourn the loss of the mother cat and one kitten, we are grateful that three lives were saved because people chose to act. It’s also an important reminder that situations like this

are preventable—Trap-Neuter-Return programs play a critical role in reducing suffering and protecting vulnerable animals in our community.”

Beyond the rescue itself, Town officials emphasize an important takeaway: situations like this are preventable.

The life of a feral cat is often harsh and unpredictable— especially during the winter months. Without intervention, unspayed and unneutered cats continue to reproduce, leading to more vulnerable litters exposed to the elements, disease, and danger.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs offer a humane and effective solution. By safely trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered, and returning them to their environment, TNR helps stabilize populations, reduce suffering, and prevent future tragedies like the one on Brooksite Drive. The Smithtown Animal Shelter also provides care for kittens born outdoors, offering socialization and a pathway to adoption. While kittens may appear endearing and well cared for when fed outside, life outdoors is often unpredictable and dangerous—especially for young animals who are vulnerable to the elements, illness, and injury.

The Town of Smithtown encourages residents to learn more about TNR efforts and how they can support local initiatives—whether by volunteering, spreading awareness, or helping to identify and report colonies in need of assistance.

The rescued kittens will be available for adoption once they are healthy and ready. For now, they are safe—because a community came together when it mattered most.

Debate Looms Over Lake Ronkonkoma Fireworks

By Matt Meduri

For the towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip, Lake Ronkonkoma isn’t just a cultural touchstone, it’s a generational gem that put Suffolk County on the map well over a century ago.

Throughout the years, it’s been the site of celebrations, community gatherings, and local heritage. Perhaps the most well-known tradition in the area is that of gathering along the banks of the Lake to take in the fireworks display that nearby residents put on every Independence Day.

Debate now stirs over a proposed fireworks show for Memorial Day weekend. The initiative is spearheaded by Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), who, in a press release in February, said she is working with County and Town officials to revive the classic show.

Bergin has secured $20,000 through the Suffolk County Omnibus Grant Program, as well as $5,000 from the Town of Brookhaven. She has requested that the towns of Smithtown and Islip each kick in $5,000. The fireworks display is set to launch from the Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park on Saturday, May 23, with live music and a synchronized fireworks show simulcasted by JVC Broadcasting. Additionally, charter buses are set to transport spectators from the Ronkonkoma LIRR Train Station to the Lake.

the vote, they couldn’t understand that when they all voted ‘no,’ it didn’t stick.”

Bergin added that two permits are awaited for the show. The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is “about ready” to issue the permit, according to Bergin, but the fireworks barge would need to be moved

However, the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board has taken umbrage with the initiative. They claim that the Lake will be further polluted with the remnants from the fireworks, running counterintuitive to years of remediation, and that the show will disturb nearby bald eagle nests - a violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d).

“The Advisory Board decided under the champion of Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), that they take a vote and decide whether or not they wanted the fireworks show or not,” Bergin told The Messenger. “It’s an advisory board; they don’t have any voting power. When they took

“They would need really good cause to deny the permit, which I don’t think that they have,” said Bergin.

The event is also receiving criticism for its place on Memorial Day Weekend, a typical solemn holiday not celebrated with such grandeur.

slightly to the northeast away from the nest.

“We agreed to that. It wasn’t a problem. I feel that the DEC will issue the permit. We’ll find out in a few days,” said Bergin.

The other permit is for the bandshell and typical festival amenities. Each of the area’s civic associations were not able to use their funds. Bergin said she didn’t want the unused funds to go to the South Shore or other locations that are typically treated to similar spectaculars.

“Many people have been calling my office to bring back the fireworks show. What better way to do it than to pool all the money, donate it to the Michael Murphy Foundation, who then will use that money to pay for the fireworks show?” said Bergin.

The other wrinkle in the plan is that the Lake bottom itself is owned by the Town of Islip, requiring an additional permit.

“This Fourth of July is the 250th anniversary of our nation. Grucci Fireworks doesn’t have any more room in their schedule to do another show on the Fourth. So many activities on the 250th to compete with it,” said Bergin. “When I spoke to Michael Murphy’s dad, Dan, he said he was not insulted by the idea. He actually loved the idea, and the foundation can collect donations at the event.”

Legislator Kennedy, however, has made the cleanup of the Lake one of her top priorities since first being seated on the horseshoe in 2015.

“I am deeply concerned about the quality of the Lake. We’ve been working for close to twenty-five years to remediate it,” said Kennedy. The Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board, along with Humane Long Island, have not only displayed concern for the bald eagle’s nests, with reports of additional eagles choosing the kettle hole as a nesting spot, but also the chemicals from the fireworks polluting the Lake.

“It’s mostly just paper and cardboard that will be left over,” said Bergin of the remnants of the fireworks. Those who disagree reference the Table of Standard Fireworks Chemicals, which lists nearly eighty compounds for fuels, oxidizers, and colorants. They cite perchlorates and heavy metals specifically as toxins to the water.

“When I was a little girl, I grew up in Ronkonkomawalking distance from the Lake. We would go as a family to the fireworks show with our lawn chairs, and it was a spectacular memory that I thought would be nice to bring back,” said Bergin. “We’re going to do it this year; I’m hoping it will be a tremendous success. If people aren’t thrilled by it, then we won’t do it again.”

Kassay Sponsors Whale Awareness Act

By Matt Meduri

In valuing marine life, Long Island has consistently led the charge, as it lays claim to the Atlantic Ocean, the Great South Bay, the Peconic Bay, the Long Island Sound, and numerous tributaries and bodies of water that populate the landscape.

For Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson), ensuring that public awareness of the fragility and splendor of marine life remains salient, as well as treating nature with the delicate touch it deserves are part of her concern in Albany this year.

The Whale Awareness Act (A.8515A) would require the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to “establish recommendations and educational materials for reduction of marine mammal interactions.”

“Thanks to the Clean Air and Water Act of the 1970s, whales are returning to places they haven’t been in over a century,” Kassay told The Messenger

“People are seeing whales around Manhattan Island and even up the Hudson River.”

The bill aims to educate voters through literature that will be given to them when they register for the required boater safety course. Everyone captaining a boat is required to take the course. The Whale Awareness Act’s provisions would increase captains’ education avoiding causing harm to marine mammals.

“We’ve seen videos of folks unintentionally harming mammals by not cutting the motor of their boat. The course will teach basics, like if it’s safe to cut off your motor, if it puts you or your other passengers in harm,” said Kassay. “A lot of people don’t know that it’s not lawful to approach marine mammals within a certain distance. There’s protections around marine mammals for their safety and yours as well. It’s a simple, common sense bill.”

Kassay, also a seasoned

environmentalist, dispelled claims that offshore wind plants are correlated to more whales washing up on shores.

“It seems to be correlated with the increased number of whales. There are a larger number of whales out in our waters because of the Clean Air and Water acts from decades ago. There are more whales, period,” said Kassay, adding that she’s “shared” those concerns of offshore wind at the onset of these projects to ensure there was no adverse impact on marine life.

“[A washed up whale] is never pleasant to see, but it seems to be that we’re seeing that more because of something that we could all celebrate [more whales in the region],” said Kassay.

The bill passed the Assembly in February in a 124-0 vote with 18 absences.

It passed the Senate on March 5 in a 59-0 vote with 4 absences. It heads to Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D-Hamburg) desk for signature or veto.

Around Town

Smithtown Artist Featured at Apple Bank Exhibition April 1 – May 27, 2026

Smithtown Township Arts Council (STAC) is pleased to announce that the works of Smithtown artist Aldo Arena will be on view at Apple Bank, 91 Route 111, Smithtown April 1 through May 27. The exhibition, part of STAC’s Outreach Gallery Program, can be viewed during regular banking hours.

Aldo Arena is a retired Northrop Grumman engineer, having retired as a Senior Technical Fellow after a 42year career in Bethpage. Since his retirement, Aldo has established an engineering consulting company which has provided consulting services to the US Navy to this day.

“The spare time afforded me by retirement has made it possible to

explore my love of painting and 18 years ago I started oil painting with the help of night classes offered by the town of Smithtown. What I find most fascinating is that when you allow yourself to advance in your skills you become surprised at what you can accomplish as an artist. While I have a long way to go and have no illusions of counting myself among established artists, I look with anticipation at what tomorrow may bring.” STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities.

Smithtown Township Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported in part by Town of Smithtown and public and private donations.

Smithtown Pet of the Week: Adopt Jelly Bean!

Meet the Smithtown Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week, Jelly Bean, affectionately known as JB, a handsome black Domestic Short Hair, with a heart full of love and a personality that shines brightest when he is the center of attention. This affectionate 9-year-old senior boy is looking for a calm, loving home where he can be someone’s one and only.

JB was originally adopted from the shelter eight years ago, but sadly found himself back on his own when his family brought home puppies he did not adjust to. He was later found living in a local colony, seeking comfort, safety, and the affection he had once known. Despite all he has been through, JB remains an incredibly sweet, attention-seeking love bug who simply wants to be near his people, soaking up pets and enjoying all the catnip he can get.

Because of his complicated medical needs, JB requires daily medication and a dedicated adopter or forever foster willing to give him the extra care he deserves. While it is unclear whether JB has months or years ahead of him, what is certain is that he has so much love left to give. He would do best as the only pet in the home and would be most comfortable with older children.

To learn more about Jelly Bean’s medical needs and how you can give this special boy the love and comfort he deserves, please contact the Smithtown Animal Shelter 631-360-7575.

If you are interested in meeting Jelly Bean, please fill out an application to schedule a time to properly interact with your prospective soul mate in a domestic setting.

For more information regarding our rescue animals available for adoption, visit: TownofSmithtownAnimalShelter.com

Foster Opportunity

If you have no other pets or young children at home, and are looking for a way to serve your community, please consider signing up to be a foster. Foster parents provide temporary care for cats, kittens, and dogs in their own homes. Some animals need as little as two weeks of care, while others may need care for extended periods of time.

Download the Foster Application at: https:// www.smithtownny.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/4325/Foster-Application

Thinking About Adoption?

The Smithtown Animal Shelter’s primary concern is finding the perfect home for each animal that finds his/her way to us. The Animal Control Officers and Kennel Attendants at the Smithtown Animal Shelter will go out of their way to ensure both the rescued and rescuer are made for one another. Residents who have other pets can arrange to bring your fourlegged family member to the shelter or set up an at home meet & greet to see how your prospective family member does with other family, pets and the household itself. Please allow yourself an hour minimum to meet with your potential new family member.

Visitor Hours at the Smithtown Animal Shelter are currently Monday - Saturday 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings: by appointment only).

To inquire about the Pet of the Week or to meet your potential soulmate, please call the Smithtown Animal Shelter at 631-360-7575.

Accompsett Students’ Artwork Showcased in Museum

Accompsett Middle School eighth graders Sienna Brady and Gracie Fischer have been selected to showcase their artwork in the annual Colors of Long Island Student Art Exhibition at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook.

Sienna’s piece, inspired by her childhood favorite film “Coraline,” features intricate color blending and acrylic modeling paste to create a beautifully textured, tactile work of art that truly brings her vision to life.

Gracie’s vibrant portrait of her rescue dog, Skittles, cleverly incorporates playful 3D elements inspired by her pup’s sweet name, resulting in a heartwarming and imaginative composition.

In addition to having their artwork on display, both students received four museum passes for unlimited visits during the show and a raffle entry for a chance to win one of three special prizes.

Smithtown

CSD Announces Merit Scholarship Finalists

The Smithtown Central School District has announced a total of seven Merit Scholarship Finalists.

Smithtown High School West students Jacob Bergman and Ishaanth Reddy Guduru, and Smithtown High School East students Madeline McCullough, Shaayan Alam, Prateek Chilakamarthy, Saquib Syed, Arnav Jain have been named finalists for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship, placing them among the top high school scholars in the country.

The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic competition that distributes more than 6,900 scholarships worth a combined total of nearly $26 million. National Merit Scholars are selected based upon a student’s skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college.

“We are incredibly proud of our National Merit Finalists at High School East,” Smithtown High School East Principal Paul McNeil exclaimed. “These five students represent the very best of what happens when you combine an exceptional work ethic with a rigorous academic schedule.”

“The High School West community is beyond proud to celebrate Jacob and Ishaanth for being named National Merit Finalists,” Smithtown High School West Principal William Holl added. “This prestigious honor puts them among the top tier of students in the country, but beyond the test scores and accolades, we know them as individuals with exceptional character who have made an immensely positive impact on our school.

Qualifications for the 2026 National Merit Program include maintaining an outstanding academic record throughout high school and taking the preliminary SAT (PSAT) as a junior, which serves as an initial screening of the more than 1.3 million students who enter.

Hauppauge H.S. DECA - NYS Career Development Conference

Members of the Hauppauge chapter of New York DECA joined 3,454 high school business, finance, hospitality, marketing students, advisers and chaperones at the annual association career development conference in Rochester.

Congratulations to the following students who received recognition of individual ability and achievement at the association level: Annabel Adamo (Community Giving Project Event), Irina Bellassai and Allyson Winiarz (Community Awareness Project Event) and Samvath Karanam (Entrepreneurship Series Event).

These students will advance to international level competition at the DECA International Career Development Conference that will be held April 25-28 in Atlanta.

Notably, both Annabel Adamo and Irina Bellassai were inducted into the NY DECA Honor Society during the opening ceremonies.

Additional Hauppauge students who attended and competed at the conference included: Yashvi Shah, Naisha Mundra and Samyutha Karanam (Franchise Business Plan); Rebecca Millman and Mia Scarfo (Business Operations

Research Event); and Ziqi Kim (Accounting Individual Series Event).

DECA’s competitive events are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards in the career clusters of marketing, business management and administration, finance, and hospitality and tourism. They directly contribute to every student being college and career-ready when they graduate from high school. Business professionals from across NY State evaluated the members’ performance in the format of role-plays, case studies and prepared presentations.

“The State Career Conference is about more than competition—it’s about growth, leadership and courage,” said Hauppauge chapter adviser Frank Hufnagel. “I’m incredibly proud of my DECA students for demonstrating all three while representing our school with professionalism and heart. Success isn’t measured only in medals, but in the confidence and determination it takes to step forward and compete. Seeing my students embrace this experience reminds me what education is truly about, and I hope they carry what they learned here with them in everything they pursue.”

The Necessary Standard for American Education

Political Jargon

By Matt Meduri

This week, we’re breaking from the normal format of this column to address questions of our most important demographic: our readers.

We’ve received questions on the usage of some of our terms not only in this column, but throughout the paper. We appreciate the feedback and allow us to clarify ourselves for future reference.

Any questions you have, suggestions for future topics in Civics 101, news should be covering around town, and letters to the editor you’d like published can be sent to editor@messengerpapers.com.

Since we pride ourselves on election coverage and we’re watching the 2026 primary season heat up, we’ll take the time to review these terms.

Competition

No election cycle is complete without competition, and just as sports has its own jargon, politics has a specific brand as well.

Jump Ball: As requested by Ms. Jamie Hanja, of Lake Grove, a jump ball is a basketball scenario where a referee tosses the ball to two opponents, who both have an equal shot at taking possession for their team. In politics, it’s used to describe a contest that can go either way and both parties have roughly equal odds of winning.

Dark Horse: As requested by Mr. Jack Ahearn, of Smithtown, a dark horse candidate is one who has virtually no name recognition who then transcends obscurity to mount a win. Usually used in terms of a broader field of candidates, it tends to accompany the candidate’s credentials and experience compared to the field, as well as the candidate’s name recognition, impact, and relative obscurity.

President Jimmy Carter (D-GA) is perhaps the most notable dark horse presidential candidate. He had virtually no national name recognition when he declared his candidacy, but his victory in the crucial Iowa Caucuses gifted his eventually victorious campaign its momentum.

Some even saw Donald Trump (R-NY) as a dark horse candidate in the early stages of the 2016 Republican Primaries. Other candidates might receive press billing as a “dark horse,” but might still not rise to the top.

To tie it up locally, in 2021, then-Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue) was gearing up for a sixth and final term on the horseshoe. He had represented the Seventh DistrictGreater Patchogue, Greater Bellport, Medford, Gordon Heights - since 2011. That district had been blue for virtually its entire existence since the Legislature was formed in the 1970s.

In 2019, Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) made his first run for public office against Calarco, which he would lose in a landslide. But in 2021, Thorne rode the local and national red waves to a come-from-behind victory that unseated the leader of the Legislature and one of Suffolk’s top Democrats by a convincing margin. He’s since been re-elected twice.

Upset: A win that defies conventional political wisdom, polling, environment, and one that virtually no one saw coming. Dark horse candidates tend to stage upsets, with the textbook definition being Trump’s 2016 win.

Single-Issue Voter: These voters only head to the ballot box if one issue is on the line. Some common

This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.

motivators for single-issue voters, as of late, are abortion, gun control, fundraising sources, and immigration.

Low-Information Voter: These voters are generally uninformed on a number of policies and events, typically relying on cues such as ad campaigns, candidate appearance and personality, and associations with nonpolitical additives. Not meant to be pejorative, it’s more of a reflection of the busy American Dreamer who has no time to consume news media, and the broader and growing apathy and fantasy sports-like bravado of American politics.

Battleground: A state or district that is traditionally competitive and is typically expected in the broader field of play at the start of a campaign. These aren’t necessarily make-or-break states/districts, but they’re usually afforded attention by both parties. The battleground map tends to be more fluid as the campaign goes on.

Swing State/Seat: The true make-or-break state/ districts that determine winners, losers, and majorities. Competition here can often have a watch set to them, and victory is sometimes next to impossible without crucial wins. Pennsylvania has been the prime swing state for the last three elections.

Locally, the First District of the Suffolk County Legislature is a prime swing district as of late. Held by the moderate Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue) from the early 2010s to his retirement in 2023, the First District was flipped in the 2023 red wave by Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead). The territory that spans Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, and parts of Brookhaven and Southampton towns would flip back with Greg Doroski (D-Mattituck) in 2025.

The Results

Margin (of Victory): As requested by Michael, of Nesconset, the difference between the victor’s percentage of the vote and the loser’s percentage of the vote. The difference is interpreted in “points.”

Candidate A wins with 55% of the vote to Candidate B’s 45%. Therefore, Candidate A wins by ten points.

Plurality: In the first-past-the-post model of voting - one in which the candidate with the most votes wins - the victor wins the most votes but under 50% of total ballots cast.

Majority: In the aforementioned system, the winner not only wins the most votes but wins most of those cast. A majority is constituted as at least 50% of the total plus one vote.

Ticket Splitting: Voters choose one party for one office and one for the other. In 2024, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin split their tickets for Trump and a Democratic Senator. On the local level, voters split their tickets in the Fourth Assembly District that same year. The district contains the Three Village region and parts of Middle Country and Longwood. While it went for Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) by a narrow margin, the district backed Trump in the concurrent presidential election.

Down Ballot Voting: The opposite of split-ticket voting, voters back one party “down” the entire “ballot” for each position available.

Bastion: A state, district, or region that is a stronghold for one party. If Suffolk were a country, Smithtown would be regarded as a red bastion, while East Hampton would serve as the Democratic equivalent.

Other bastions for the GOP are Brookhaven’s eastern North Shore, the Tri-Hamlet Peninsula, and eastern Islip, and for the Democrats, Babylon, the South Fork, the tip of the North Fork, Three Village, and Brentwood.

Mixed Bag: A constituency with varying, sometimes unexpected stints of partisan control. Some states prefer one party for governors but have a different political tone for Senate and presidential contests. Suffolk’s honorary mixed bag is undoubtedly Shelter Island. Solidly blue at federal and state levels, the powerhouse of a local GOP controls the Supervisor’s and Highway Superintendent’s offices and one seat on the Town Council. Democrats control the other three Council seats, and in 2025, captured the Town Clerk’s seat. Tax Receiver Annmarie Seddio is a registered Democrat, but was cross-endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties in 2023.

Safe/Solid: Relating to states and seats in an election, one that is not competitive and reliably backs one party by big margins. Often used as “safely Republican” or “solidly Democratic.”

Leaning: Often used as “blue/red-leaning,” a constituency that is competitive but where one party tends to collect most of the victories or one that has a noticeable preference in terms of ideological and partisan support.

Toss Up: Interchangeable with “jump ball.”

The Autopsy

Razor-Thin (Margin): As requested by Tim, of Kings Park, a race decided by an extraordinarily close margin. The Messenger recognizes races won by a margin of less than one percentage point as “razor-thin” - literally decided by a fraction of a point.

Coattails: An electoral environment where the head of the ticket galvanizes enough voters to vote the party line and sweep other nominees lower on the ticket into office. This is a large part of the calculus with presidential nominees, but it transcends to local ballots. In 2023, Ed Romaine’s (R-Center Moriches) 15-point landslide in the Suffolk County Executive race is argued to have helped Republicans capture a supermajority in the County Legislature for the first time in decades.

Reverse Coattails: An environment in which state and local candidates galvanize more voters to vote the party line, helping the leader of the ticket in their respective state or district. A local elected who can regularly overperform and collect more votes than others of his/her party in a region can sometimes generate reverse coattails. One such overperformer is Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville). He received more votes than every individual candidate for either Suffolk or Nassau’s Legislature races in 2023, save for those running unopposed.

Bellwether: A state/district/region that tends to back the winner of an overall contest or is otherwise a predictor of political trends to come. Special elections are seen as bellwethers for an upcoming national year, while some counties tend to back the winner of a presidential election routinely. Effectively, the campaigns deem these localities as “necessary” to winning the election. Erie County, Pennsylvania, is considered the archetypal bellwether county. Until the 2010s, Ohio and Missouri were seen as the nation’s foremost bellwether states, with both backing the general winners nearly every time since the 1900s.

Recently, Governor Hochul (D) made headlines by basically begging affluent New Yorkers who moved to other states to come back to pay for her “progressive” and costly programs – including her sanctuary state policies that protect those in our nation illegally. These are the very same residents who she TOLD to “head down to Florida” back in 2022 due to their having a different ideological view and that is the very essence of ironic.

It is also an acknowledgement of what so many families and businesses already know: people have left and are actively leaving our state.

But here is the reality: it is senseless to ask people to return while continuing and expanding the very policies that pushed them out in the first place.

For years, I, along with my colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference like Senators Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), and Alexis Weik (R-Sayville), have been sounding the alarm on New York’s energy policies, particularly the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). We have said from the beginning that while we all support a cleaner energy future, it must be done in a way that is affordable, reliable, and realistic.

Instead, what we have received are mandates without a plan and hardworking New Yorkers are paying the price.

Since the CLCPA was passed by Albany Democrats, utility costs have surged, placing an enormous burden on families, small businesses, and the hardworking men and women of labor who keep this state running. We are now seeing the consequences of policies that were rushed through without a full cost-benefit analysis, without full transparency, and without a clear path to success.

And now, even the Governor is beginning to acknowledge what we have been saying for years. Her recent proposals to delay timelines and change how emissions are calculated are a clear admission that New York is not on track to meet these unrealistic mandates. But let’s be honest; shifting timelines and accounting methods does nothing to lower utility bills today. It does nothing to help the families who are struggling right now to keep the lights on.

New Yorkers don’t need excuses. They need relief. They need leadership that is willing to step back, reassess, and correct course before more damage is done.

If the Governor really wants people to come back to New York, or even stay here, then we must start addressing the affordability crisis head-on.

I have called for a full repeal of the unfunded and unreasonable mandates of the CLCPA. That way our utility companies, our businesses, our builders and our residents can have certainty moving forward.

Short of that, as the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, I joined with fellow members of the Committee to urge Governor Hochul to at least reconvene the Climate Action Council to work together with experts and policy makers to finally set a realistic path forward.

The reality is that New York State’s electric grid is NOT ready for the current demands being placed on it.

A commonsense plan that includes all sources of energy, protects jobs and supports innovation. One that includes reliable and diverse energy sources like Thermal

Smithtown Recreation Department Announces Spring Bus Trip to Broadway

The Town of Smithtown Recreation Department invites residents to experience the magic of Broadway with a fun and convenient Spring Broadway Bus Trip on Saturday, May 2, featuring 2:00p.m. matinee performances of three popular Broadway productions. Enjoy a day in New York City with friends and neighbors while taking in the excitement, music, and energy of some of Broadway’s most talked-about shows.

“Broadway offers an unforgettable cultural experience, and this trip makes it easy and convenient for our residents to enjoy a day in New York City with friends and neighbors while seeing some of the most talked-about shows on stage today,” said Angela Hardina, Department of Recreation, in a statement.

Participants will travel together to New York City for an afternoon at the theatre, with convenient transportation provided.

All prices include the theatre ticket and round-trip bus transportation.

Available Show Options

• Juliet & Juliet – $208 per person (Hosted)

• Death Becomes Her – $207 per person

• Just In Time – $222 per person

The bus will depart at 8:30a.m. from the back of Village Commons Shopping Center, 18–80 East Main Street in Smithtown and will return to the same location following the performances. Riders will be dropped off close to the Theatre District, making it easy to access their selected theatre and enjoy time in the city before the shows begin.

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. Registration Link: https://bit. ly/47g9hMM

For additional information, contact the Town of Smithtown Recreation Department at (631) 360-7644.

Energy Networks (TENs), steam condensate, sewage heat recovery, and green hydrogen instead of an overreliance on current energy sources.

In the interim, New York State must continue to make sure that Long Islanders have the access to clean natural gas they need to power their homes. We need to make sure the NESE Pipeline is operational as soon as possible.

New York State can protect our environment while also protecting our workers, our families, and our businesses. These are not mutually exclusive goals and Albany must commit to making that their number one energy priority. Because right now, too many people are making tough decisions….whether to stay in New York, whether to keep their business open, whether they can

afford to heat their homes.

That is not the New York we should be fighting for. I’ve said it for years, and I will continue to say it:

We need a realistic plan — not a ideological ban!

Until we do that, asking New Yorkers to come back is not a solution – it is contradiction.

And I will continue to fight every day to make sure New York becomes a state families can afford to stay, to work, and to build their future.

And that starts with commonsense and respect for those who live here.

Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) has represented the Second District in the New York State Senate since 2021. The Second District contains the entire Townships of Huntington and Smithtown.

Long Island Life & Politics

Thursday, April 2, 2026

When Will the State Budget Pass?

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life & Politics

April 1 has arrived and, once again, the state budget has not passed on time, and some GOP members of the Assembly are furious.

Rather than pass the budget — which could go up to $260 billion — a budget extender was passed. This allows the state to be funded for the week. In the meantime, state legislators are calling for the deadline to be extended to April 7 so they can work some of the more contentious parts of the budget such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a proposal to “tax the rich” and whether the state should work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to News 12, the state has not submitted an on-time budget in seven years.

“We obviously still have a lot of work to do,” Senate Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) told The New York Times. “Any time there is a significant amount of policy in the budget, things do seem to take longer. So, we really haven’t started on the money part yet.”

Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) said the passage of the budget extender “epitomizes the dysfunction that surfaces whenever Albany Democrats are forced to complete the most important part of their job. While New Yorkers are demanding relief from cost-of-living pressure, high taxes and runaway spending, Democrats delivered an extender rather than an answer.”

Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport) added, “An extender means more uncertainty for families, small businesses and local governments who are trying to plan ahead but still don’t have a clear picture of what’s coming out of Albany. … For Long Island, these delays are more than procedural; they have real consequences. From school funding and local aid to infrastructure investments and public safety resources, our communities are left in limbo while negotiations drag on.”

In a statement, the Citizens Budget Commission’s (CBC) president, Andrew S. Rein, said, “Deciding how New Yorkers’ money is spent is one of elected leaders’ most important responsibilities. We are disappointed that missing this deadline has become the norm.”

The CBC also offered a list of recommendations to Albany when negotiating the budget. These include holding the line on spending and taxes, offsetting additional spending with savings elsewhere, rejecting “costly, unnecessary” enhancements to the Tier 6 pension system and bolstering and protecting reserves.

“A good budget would curb ballooning spending growth, focus on affordability and program quality, and hold the line on New York’s nation-leading taxes,” Rein said. “This would increase New York’s ability to attract and retain residents of all incomes and businesses that create jobs and put the State on the path to fiscal stability.”

Ra said “it’s anyone’s guess” as to how long the budget negotiations will “drag on,” adding, “To date, there’s been little reason to believe a deal is imminent. Let’s hope in the immediate future New Yorkers receive a budget that shows a commitment to fiscal discipline and improving affordability—not another week of kick-the-can politics from the governor and Albany Democrats.”

Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the governor’s office.

“Governor Hochul is committed to passing a budget that delivers real relief for New Yorkers,” said spokesperson Gordon Tepper. “She will continue negotiating in good faith with legislative leaders to enact a budget that makes New York safer and more affordable for working families.”

This article originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.

Official: Bill Would Offer ‘Largest Tax Cut in State History’

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life & Politics

A Nassau County State Senator is looking to push through a bill that he says will offer residents “the largest tax cut in state history.”

Senator Steven Rhoads (R-Bellmore) recently introduced The Taxpayer Rescue Act, which he says will put money back in the pockets of hardworking families. It is part of the Senate Republicans’ “Keep What You Earned” legislative package. The legislation calls for eliminating the state personal income tax on the first $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married filing jointly and lowering the tax rate to 4% for single filers up to $250,000 and $500,000 for married filing jointly.

This proposal would also provide a personal income tax cut for all New Yorkers. Any single filer making $50,000 or less and couples making $100,000 or less would no longer pay any state income tax. This would result in $37 billion in tax relief to New York residents over its 10-year implementation without having to cut funding from vital state programs, as its cost would be absorbed through the natural growth of the economy.

During a press conference, Rhoads pointed out that the state has increased spending by $89 billion since 2019, eclipsing the amount it collects in personal income taxes. “Had they simply exercised fiscal discipline, you wouldn’t need a state personal income tax at all, and the result of doing that is predictable,” he said.

As a result, “we continue to hemorrhage talent, we hemorrhage economic activity and we hemorrhage productivity as citizens flee to states with lower tax burdens and more opportunities for their families,” Rhoads said, citing a City Journal report that more than 1 million residents have fled the state since 2020.

“New Yorkers are rejecting big taxes, big spending, big bureaucracy with their feet and New York is the worst for it,” Rhoads added.

Among the local co-sponsors are Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Malverne) and Alexis Weik (R-Sayville). Last week, Rhoads requested a notice of committee consideration for the bill. (It is currently sitting with the Budget and Revenue Committee.)

“New York has the highest personal income tax burden in the nation, and Albany’s lack of fiscal discipline, over-regulation, and poor policy choices have made the American Dream unaffordable for families across our state,” Rhoads said. “Onetime gimmicks like $200-$400 ‘inflation rebate checks’ do nothing to fix the problem. Our Keep What You’ve Earned legislative package flips the script. My bill delivers the largest personal income tax cut in New York history.”

This article originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.

Community Spotlight

Non-Profit Honors PBA President and Local L.E. Legend

By Matt Meduri

The Guardians of Our Dependents (GOOD) is a non-profit created to honor the life and legacy of Officer Dnaiel Colondona. Their purpose is to support the families, primarily children, of fallen law enforcement professionals to ensure that the stability, support, and love that are often provided by parents do not fade with one’s passing.

GOOD held their Fifth Annual Cigar and Whiskey Night at the Elk’s Lodge in Smithtown on Monday evening, sponsored by the philanthropic firm Miller & Caggiano, LLP.

Each year, two honorees are selected by the foundation. This year’s nominees were incumbent Suffolk Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Lou Civello and law enforcement legend, Anthony Senft, Sr.

2026 Humanitarian Award - Lou Civello

Before his tenure began as PBA President, Civello started his law enforcement career with the NYPD in 2000. A scion of a law enforcement dynasty, he transferred to Suffolk in 2001, where he would log twenty years as a Fifth Precinct patrol officer.

After he was elected a union delegate in 2006, Civello would help establish the PBA’s Political Awareness Committee. In 2019, he would run unopposed for the PBA’s Second Vice President before his 2024 ascension to president.

“Everyone who wears a uniform knows that when they go to work, they may never return home,” Civello told a packed-house crowd that included a bipartisan slate of elected County officials. “That’s why when we go to work and we form these relationships, we’re not just coworkers to one another. We’re not even just friends; we are a family.”

Civello stated that when a family member is lost, greater law enforcement “coalesce[s]” around them.

“We become that support system,” said Civello, adding that the PBA, GOOD, and similar organizations don’t nickel-and-dime as far as on-duty/off-duty technicalities or causes of an officer’s death.

“Fadi Rafeh was working long hours guarding a prisoner, who was sick with the flu. He gets sick with the flu, and feeling unwell, he takes a nap. He never wakes uptwo young boys,” said Civello. “Not in the line of duty, according to New York State.”

He also invoked the name of Officer Patricia Espinoza, a Nassau County police officer who was killed last month by a drunk driver in Smithtown.

“She was going to work and the very reckless street thugs who she was protecting the rest of the public from took her life,” said Civello. “Not in the line of duty. That’s not counting the stress and what this job does to you - the heart attacks, the cancer, the suicides.”

“In many ways, those families and children were forgotten about, but GOOD knows failure is not an option,” said Civello. “As long as I am PBA president, we will continue to support the mission of the GOOD Foundation.”

2026 Man of the Year - Anthony Senft

“Anthony Senft is known as the ‘real deal’ for a reason,” Joe Cardinale, a former NYPD officer and 2026 New York State Assembly candidate told The Messenger

Senft is a retired NYPD Detective. After being seriously injured while dismantling a bomb near police headquarters on New Year’s Eve in 1982, he founded the NYPD Police Self Support Group to ensure that no officer faces recovery alone. He also served as an adoptive father to Danny Colondona, Jr., when Colondona lost his father at the age of 14.

“This [Suffolk] is one of the greatest police departments in the country - no doubt,” said Senft.

The husband of the late Officer Espinoza was also recognized and presented with a $2500 check and toys for his children.

“It’s amazing the support I’m getting not just from my police department [Nassau], but also from Suffolk, and the community,” said Espinoza’s widower, whose daughter is just three years old.

LIMEHOF Honors Founders and Leaders as New Inductees

By Madison Warren

This weekend, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook celebrated its newest inductees: Ernie Canadeo, Kevin O’Callaghan, Norm Prusslin, and Jim Faith, all of whom have played key roles in supporting the organization and preserving Long Island’s rich music and entertainment history.

Norm Prusslin has been a longtime faculty member and administrator at Stony Brook University and has dedicated much of his career to music education, media literacy, and cultural preservation. His leadership has helped establish LIMEHOF’s educational mission and build strong connections with schools, universities, and the local music community. Prusslin was inducted by Albert Bouchard, who was also inducted at one point.

Jim Faith, a respected concert promoter and producer, has also been a driving force behind the organization’s success. Known for producing the Great South Bay Music Festival, one of the region’s premier live music events, his passion for live music has helped solidify LIMEHOF as a central place for celebrating Long Island’s musical legacy. His continued involvement is key to the organization’s programming and outreach efforts. Faith was inducted by Alan Inkles, Staller Center Director. recognized was Ernie Canadeo, chairman of the board, whose leadership has been vital to the organization’s growth. Beginning his career at RCA Records before founding the EGC Group, Long Island’s leading marketing agency, Canadeo has long been a prominent figure in the region’s business and arts communities. He was instrumental in securing LIMEHOF’s permanent home and continues to guide its expansion and long-term vision. Canadeo was inducted by Richie Cannata, another inductee, because of his musical and production talents.

director, whose work has helped define the Hall of Fame’s look and feel. An acclaimed artist, designer, and educator at the School of Visual Arts, O’Callaghan is responsible for the immersive exhibit design and visual storytelling that shape the visitor experience. His contributions to the field of design were recognized in 2012 when he was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame. O’Callaghan was inducted by 10 members of his current School of Visual Arts class, who all sent video clips congratulating him, as well as by two of his good friends, musician Dee Snider and comedian and actor Ray Romano.

LIMEHOF is known for honoring some of the most influential figures in music and entertainment. This marked the first time the organization inducted members of its own leadership into the Hall of Fame. In addition to their roles within the organization, each inductee has had a distinguished career in the music industry, with deep ties to Long Island’s music scene. Inductees include Billy Joel, Stephen Schwartz, and Mariah Carey, among many others. They were also recognized for their contributions to building LIMEHOF into one of Long Island and New York’s premier cultural institutions and a growing destination for visitors.

As the ceremony came to a close, the event served as a reminder of the lasting impact these individuals have had not only on the music industry but on preserving Long Island’s cultural identity. Through their dedication and vision, LIMEHOF continues to grow as a place where history, creativity, and community come together. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located in Stony Brook, where it remains a destination for visitors looking to experience and celebrate the region’s rich musical and entertainment legacy.

Rounding out the honorees was Kevin O’Callaghan, the organization’s creative

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook and can be reached at 631-689-5888.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Loyola Student’s Murder Exposes Cruelty of Democrats’ Anti-ICE Extremism

By Matt Lamb | Outside Contributor for AMAC

Yet another innocent American is dead at the hands of a violent criminal illegal alien – this time an 18-year-old freshman at Chicago’s Loyola University named Sheridan Gorman. But despite the growing pile of victims nationwide, Democrats are only doubling down on their opposition to immigration enforcement.

On the morning of March 19, Gorman and a few friends were walking in the quiet Rogers Park neighborhood near a Lake Michigan beach when she spotted and pointed out a masked figure. Then, 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, “displayed a gun and fired a shot at the group of students running away,” according to NBC News. “The bullet hit Gorman in the back and exited through her neck.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.

As the Chicago Sun-Times later reported, MedinaMedina entered the United States illegally under the Biden administration in 2023. Shockingly, despite requesting to be deported back to Colombia, Biden border officials in Texas “bused him to Chicago” – where he stayed in a migrant shelter at taxpayer expense. That same year, he was charged with shoplifting. He skipped the court hearing, and a warrant was issued for his arrest – but because of soft-on-crime Democrat policies in Illinois, he remained free.

Medina-Medina is originally from Venezuela but came to the United States from Colombia, where he suffered major head trauma from an injury sustained during a robbery. That injury left Medina-Medina unable to read or write, and he had to relearn how to walk and talk.

In other words, a mentally handicapped individual with a history of violent crime crossed the border illegally and then requested to be deported back to his country of origin. Instead, Democrat officials transported him all the way to Chicago, where he immediately committed another crime, but “sanctuary” policies protected him from deportation. Three years later, he murdered Sheridan Gorman in a random, senseless act of violence.

Those basic facts should be enough to shame every open borders advocate and anti-ICE agitator into admitting the deadly consequences of their policies – along with reminding decent Americans why Democrats’ “compassion” toward illegal aliens is in fact cruelty toward law-abiding Americans. At the very least, Gorman’s murder should be a reminder of why the Trump administration’s efforts to deport criminal illegal aliens are so important.

But this tragedy has apparently had no effect whatsoever on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and other Prairie State Democrats.

It took Pritzker five days to respond to the murder – and when he did, he shamefully attempted to shift blame to the Trump administration. Pritzker has previously stated that ICE – which very well could have deported Medina-Medina years ago were it not for Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city – “should absolutely be abolished.” He further slandered the ICE agents working to get criminals like Medina-Medina off the streets as Trump’s “secret police.”

“What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to a ‘senseless tragedy,’ nor can it be explained in general terms about public safety,” Gorman’s family responded, ripping into both Johnson and Pritzker. “Our daughter is not a policy debate. She is a life that was taken, and that demands accountability.”

Johnson, a former teachers’ union organizer who supports defunding the police, has previously asked city cops to track ICE and report agents to Cook County for prosecution. “ICE must be abolished,” Johnson said after the death of anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Even after Gorman’s death, Johnson stated, “I want to take this moment to reiterate that Chicago does not want ICE on our streets, in our airports, nor in our city. Chicago believes in abolishing ICE.” In a moment of incredible tonedeafness, Johnson also said that Gorman’s murder would not be slowing down the city’s work to welcome any illegal alien who wants to take up residence there.

“This tragedy is not going to deter us from our work,” the mayor said. “In fact, it’s going to challenge us all to double down on our efforts to ensure that we are protecting every single individual across neighborhoods.” That apparently does not include protecting innocent college students from being killed by illegal aliens.

But undoubtedly the most shocking – and revealing –comment came from Democrat Alderwoman Maria Hadden, who told Fox32’s Chicago Live that Gorman “might have startled this person at the end of the pier unintentionally.” Perhaps no comment in recent memory so perfectly captures the cruel and callous nature of Democrats’ twisted ideology. Medina-Medina, lying in wait in the dark, murdered Gorman in cold blood, but Hadden disgustingly blamed Gorman for “startling” her murderer. (Hadden later walked back her remarks following widespread outcry.)

For the American public, Gorman’s murder – and the Democrat response to it – should be a wake-up call.

Overview - AMACThe Association of Mature American Citizens

The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.

AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us

Opportunistic liberal politicians like Pritzker and Johnson have seized on sensationalist media coverage of ICE operations as a wedge issue to divide the public on immigration enforcement. They hope that by competing with one another for who can be the most radical antiTrump “resistance” figure in the country, they can advance their own political careers.

But that cynical opportunism has tragic consequences. Sheridan Gorman is dead today because Democrat partisans actively, intentionally, and repeatedly refused to enforce the law. At every opportunity, they prioritized the freedom of a criminal illegal alien over the safety of law-abiding citizens like Gorman. That should be the headline Americans remember from this tragedy.

20 Bits & Pieces

WORD OF THE

Week

Etymology:

late 18th Century, as a derivative of egotist, combining the Latin ego (“I”) with -t (likely from -otism patterns like idiotisme) and the suffix -ical

EGOTISTICAL

adjective

Pronounced: /eh·guh·ti·sti·kl/

Definition: excessively conceited or absorbed in oneself; selfcentered

Example:

“The egotistical manager was a sanity drain on the entire office.”

Synonyms: narcissistic, vain, arrogant

Antonyms: altruistic, modest, humble

Source: Oxford Languages

SUDOKU

See left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)

This Week in History

April 5, 1722: Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen is the first European to discover Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, in the southeastern Pacific Ocean.

April 8, 1971: First legal off-track betting system begins (OTB-New York).

April 3, 1973: First mobile phone call is made in downtown Manhattan by Motorola employee Martin Cooper to Bell Labs headquarters in New Jersey.

April 6, 2025:

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin becomes the greatest scorer in NHL history passing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal in a 4-1 loss to the NY Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont.

April 7, 1927: First longdistance television transmission: an image of Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover is sent from Washington, D.C., to NYC by AT&T.

April 2, 1792:

See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.

April 4, 1968: Civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Source: Onthisday.com.

The Coinage Act is passed, establishing the U.S. Mint and authorizing the $10 Eagle, $5 Half-Eagle, $2.50 Quarter-Eagle gold coins, and the silver dollar, half dollar, quarter, dime, and half-dime.

By PJ Balzer

This week we are celebrating what Christians traditionally know as “Holy Week” - Palm Sunday right until Resurrection Sunday (Easter) with all of the tradition and days of remembrance in between.

In the past decade I’ve personally and slowly gravitated away from celebrating the traditional days of this week. I’ve felt deeply to replace being busy with traditional celebration, with a week of deeper reflection, reflecting on what this week means practically in my life and journey today and for 2026.

But I do think it’s a wonderful thing that the name, journey, and Cross of Jesus Christ is being publicly spoken about and commemorated. I’m thankful that we hear the name of Jesus often this week, whether it’s on a national news station or our social media news feed. If we publicly talk about other religions and their celebrations. It’s only fair that we talk about this one as well.

The week being commemorated begins with Jesus returning into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Jerusalem was a place He was both familiar with and knew was where they would first celebrate Him before putting Him to death.

Talk about a drastic turn of events and shift of popularity from one Sunday to the following. Regardless, He willingly went back into Jerusalem though. He knew it was all a part of the plan and had to happen.

The people willingly celebrated Him and hailed Him as their King. Most of them hailed Him because they loved the miracles, the food He multiplied, the power He showed through His public ministry. They waved palm branches and threw their coats at His feet as an act of worship. When He drove past the fanfare, He went into the place where most of the religious activity and traditions were taking place. He flipped the tables over in anger of religion visibly becoming a big business inside a consecrated place. This place was supposed to be a place where suffering people could come to pray and find help.

As the week rolled on, so did the outward daggers to His heart. But again, He knew about each one because it was all a part of the plan - a plan that He accepted to fulfill a much greater purpose.

A few days later, He had His last dinner on Earth with who He felt would be His closest friends and followers. He knew this was His last dinner; they didn’t. These were friends that would all leave Him in the coming days and hours, when He needed them the most. After washing their feet and serving them

It Was All a Part of the Plan

food, one of His friends finally showed their true colors and the reason he was around in the first place. He left the dinner abruptly to finish conspiring against Jesus to have Him arrested, falsely accused, and taken through a trial that wasn’t true. His “friend” had, behind the scenes, received a little extra money to move this process and mock trial along. Betrayal would be a vast understatement because this trial would lead to public execution.

The trial went on into the late hours of the night. Jesus was perfectly innocent yet found guilty. False accusers seemed to come from everywhere while His friends were all nowhere to be found. Maybe they didn’t want to be so closely associated with someone who the public’s opinion had turned on? Maybe this wasn’t exactly the kind of King they thought they initially wanted? Maybe they liked the power and miracles, not so much the denial of self and narrow path of servanthood?

Whatever the reason was, many of the same people who hailed him at the start of the week were shouting “crucify Him” by the end of it.

As He hung on the cross and his lungs filled up with blood, between His gasps for air He also said a few prayers. He prayed for His friends that were nowhere to be

found. He prayed for the Roman soldiers that had been charged to scourge Him probably beyond recognition. He prayed for the other “death row” criminals on the crosses on His right and left. He prayed for the religious hierarchy who had set up the false trial and physically abused Him during it. With some of His famous last words, “Father forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.”

It was all a part of the plan - the bitter with the sweet, the suffering followed by a world-changing victory. Jesus knew that His resurrection had to be preceded by much suffering.

The point is, we can rest assured that even though we may not like or understand what’s happening in our lives at the moment, when we look to Him, He will assure our hearts that it’s all a part of a much greater plan.

And one day soon, we’ll fully understand.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

Bereavement Support Groups

Will be offered at St. John Nepomucene and are open to people of any faith

Loss of Spouse

General Loss

Loss of an Adult Child

Thursday, March 5th – April 30th at 7PM

(Note: there will be no meeting April 2nd as it is Holy Thursday)

The General Support Group & Loss of a Spouse Group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss at least three months prior, which would be December 5, 2025.

The Loss of Adult Child Group has no wait requirement.

Each group meets weekly for 90 minutes followed by refreshments and hospitality. There is no cost but a commitment to attend each meeting throughout the program is required. All groups are offered in a closed and confidential setting with highly trained f acilitators and are limited to 12 people.

Pre-registration is required. Please call 631-589-0540, ext. 250 for more information or to reserve your seat for the group you would like to attend.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Long Island Native James Hagens Hits the Pro Ranks

By Ashley Pavlakis

Long Island-born hockey players are just built differently.

James Hagens has signed an ATO with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. Hagens will be the twenty-sixth player from Long Island to play in the NHL.

James Hagens, a Hauppauge native, was drafted by the Boston Bruins seventh overall in the NHL draft last summer. Uniquely, Hagens is the highest-ranked Long Island-born player drafted in the NHL.

Next highest? His future teammate, Charlie McAvoy, a native of Long Beach, who was drafted fourteenth overall in 2016 by the Boston Bruins.

“I love it. There’s the saying, ‘nothing is given, everything is earned.’ It’s just knowing that you have to earn a spot wherever you go. It’s going out there, it’s working your hardest, it’s trying to show everything you’ve worked for. Hopefully it pays off,” said Hagens in a press release for the Bruins.

What has Hagens been up to since his name was called by Adam Sandler at the 2025 draft? Hagens was shipping up to Boston regardless, as he played college hockey for the Boston College (BC) Eagles. Hagens, a sophomore at BC, had a solid year as he opted to return to college instead of immediately entering the professional ranks.

Another year spent at the Division I level boded well for Hagens, as he registered 23G-24A-47PTS, only took 12 penalties, and six of his 23 goals were game-winners. His offense led the Eagles in scoring, led Hockey East in scoring, and was ranked 10th in the NCAA in scoring. To make things better, Hagens is a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award. The Hobey is comparable to the Heisman of college football, for reference.

BC’s season came to an end in a 4-3 loss to the UConn Huskies in the Hockey East championship semifinal game. In his final game repping the Eagles, Hagens recorded two assists. His collegiate career stat line finished with 71GP34G-50A-84PTS.

With that, a decision had to be made: stay at BC and develop for another year, or sign a professional contract and get started? Hagens chose the latter.

On March 24, 2026, Hagens signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Boston Bruins. He didn’t have to travel far at all and made his professional debut the very next day.

“It was fun. It was really exciting being out there for my first pro practice. It’s definitely something I’ll never forget. It’s been really exciting, just waiting to see what the next chapter looks like, and now being able to be here, I couldn’t be more excited,” said Hagens in a release.

Of course, Hagens heard from Charlie McAvoy upon the signing getting announced.

“He [McAvoy] sent a really nice text; him being a Long Island guy is something that was really cool,” Hagens said.

On March 28, 2026, James Hagens scored his first professional goal. The goal came against the Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. Seems fitting, right? The goal came off a beautiful pass to Hagens in the right faceoff dot, who then one-timed it past Hogberg for the eventual game-winner.

Congratulations, James, on the start of your professional hockey career! Long Island is proud to have another player go pro!

Hauppauge Girls Varsity Lacrosse Soaring and Scoring in 2026

By Ashley Pavlakis

LAX season is upon us, and the Eagles are ready to go. The Hauppauge girls’ varsity lacrosse team began the 2026 season last week and is already off to a hot start.

The Hauppauge Eagles girls’ varsity lacrosse team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in Division II. The girls are led by head coach Megan Gersbeck.

Historically, the Eagles won the Class B championship during the 2011 season. During that period, they went on an undefeated regular season run, finishing 17-0-0 to secure the title. The last time the Eagles made an appearance in the Suffolk County final was in 2015, when they were defeated by Eastport-South Manor. After a bit of a dry spell, it’s safe to say the girls are on the hunt for a title this season.

The Eagles currently boast a 3-1-0 record, which puts them atop Division II. The team has outscored its opponents 45 to 27 through four games played. They kept their opponents to single-digit goals as well. The Eagles have split the first four games between home and on the road, as well as division versus nondivision opponents.

Hauppauge has a strong roster made up of 22 players. Of the 22, they have four seniors set to graduate this spring. Attacker Natalie Beccarelli, goaltender Abigail DeSantis (RIT), attacker Addison Drake, and defender Elizabeth Sussman (Coastal Carolina) make up the veteran core. The Eagles will host their senior night on May 15 versus Port Jefferson at

By PJ Balzer

4:30p.m.

Notably, the Eagles have three eighth graders on the team in Brooke Irwin, Lilanna Hughes, and Kenzie Daley.

The lone seventh grader for the Eagles this season is Alaina Meenan. Coaches are typically hesitant to bring a middle schooler up to varsity because they’re young. If they’re brought up, it’s because they’ve got the skills and can make an impact for the team.

Sophomore attacker, Autumn Foster, is currently tied for 12th in the Section XI standings with 8g-6a-14pts. Foster has scored two hat-tricks for her team so far this season. Chloe Coughlin isn’t far behind her, notching 9g-2a-11pts. Peyton Kulesa is another double-digit scorer for the Eagles with 7g-3a-10pts.

Abigail DeSantis is a Captain for the Eagles in her fifth and final season, repping the blue and white. The goaltender notched a milestone in the 16-7 win versus Bellport, recording her 400th career save to maintain her status as the all-time career saves leader in program history. The senior broke the record last season, surpassing the previous record of 338. Last season, DeSantis was named MVP and received All-County honors.

It’s still early on in the season, but things are looking good for the Hauppauge Eagles on the field in 2026. Offense is firing, goaltending is taken care of with DeSantis in net, and the defense is doing what they need to do.

The Eagles look to keep the momentum going as they have a busy April schedule with eight games ahead.

Big Season Loading for Beresford

Center Moriches native Vaughn Beresford is on his way to a huge senior campaign on the mound. Vaughn, who pitches for the Smithtown Christian Knights was recently spotlighted as one of Newsday’s top 100 baseball players to watch this season.

Suffolk County has a rich history of talent on the baseball mound. Steven Matz, Marcus and Jayden Stroman, Jaden Grose, Josh Knoth and Evan Kay are just a few from the past. But don’t leave Vaughn Beresford out of that conversation or off of that list for his senior campaign. Vaughn has been working and waiting for this specific moment.

Berefsord is known to have a full command of the zone with a weaponry and variety of ways to get the ball where he wants it. He can both force batters to try to hit his fastball or put movement on the ball that freezes them. He’s also a player who’s known to be coachable and a team leader simultaneously. He’s had extremely impressive outings with not only the Knights, but also with his Long Island Select baseball team that travels the

country. Some games, his “stuff” from the mound is nearly untouchable and he has stats to prove it. His favorite pitches to throw are his infamous splitter and slider.

Vaughn’s junior year was extremely impressive. Suffolk County baseball fans are gearing up for more excitement this year, his senior year. Berefsord now has over 100 career strike outs and holds the school record for most strike outs in a single game at Smithtown Christian. He was also recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 25 pitchers in New York State. His best season to date came with a 2.06 ERA, 50 strike outs, and over forty innings pitched. His record was 5-0 - and this pitcher can also hit. In the regional playoff game, Beresford went 4 for 4, helping his team from the plate as well.

Vaughn is an exceptional young man in every way that has a bright future just ahead. When asked what his goals were for this season Beresford said, “To strive for excellence no matter the circumstance or outcome.”

Nesaquake ‘Gets Mad’ with Alice in Wonderland Jr.

By Madison Warren

Nesaquake Middle School put on a spectacular performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. this past weekend, capturing the story’s whimsy and magical elements while delivering an entertaining, lively show.

The production was led by director Rachel Greenblatt, who spent the past several months working closely with students in preparation for this weekend’s performances. From the detailed set design to the vibrant costumes, the play was colorful, exciting, and entertaining from start to finish.

The cast was full of talented middle schoolers. The acting, singing, and dancing were all top-notch, making it hard to believe this was simply a school production and not a professional performance. Every actor played their role exceptionally well, and their dedication and hard work were evident throughout the show.

The play was filled with standout performances, and what stood out most was how nearly every student had an important role. The spotlight was shared across the entire cast, allowing each performer a moment to shine.

The story follows Alice on her journey through Wonderland, where she meets characters like the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, with narration by the Cheshire Cats, each leading her through whimsical and sometimes confusing adventures. Along the way, Alice learns to navigate this unpredictable world and discovers more about herself before finding her way back home.

In the starring role, Angelina Costa brought Alice to life with a captivating

presence, perfectly embodying the character’s curiosity, innocence, and sense of adventure. Supporting her was Aliana Falcone as the White Rabbit, who kept the play’s energy alive with humor and charm, bringing laughs throughout the performance. The Mad Hatter, portrayed by Abby Shea, delivered a lively, eccentric performance, capturing the character’s whimsical, unpredictable nature.

Leona Perdue shone as the Queen of Hearts, bringing powerful energy with just the right touch of intimidation to the stage.

The Cheshire Cats, played by Khloe Nicole Sargent, Avery Murphy, and Ava Noto, added a mischievous charm, captivating the audience with their playful and mysterious presence.

Avery Murphy, who played Cheshire Cat 2, shared with The Messenger that one of

her favorite parts of the production was learning from and being supported by the eighth graders. She said working with everyone at her school has been a great experience. While Avery has been acting outside of school for some time, making the stage familiar to her, she noted that being part of this production was especially exciting and fun because of the strong sense of teamwork among the cast, calling it one of her favorite experiences so far.

She also expressed gratitude to her teachers and directors, saying they are people she will never forget for their support, kindness, and guidance over the past few months.

In the end, Alice in Wonderland, Jr. was not just a performance, but a showcase of the hard work, passion, and heart these students and crew poured into every moment on stage. From the first scene to the final bow, the cast left a lasting impression, reminding the audience just how special theater can be.