Smithtown Messenger Archive Jan. 22, 2026

Sheriff Toulon Sworn in for Third Term

By Matt Meduri

Last Friday, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) was sworn in for a third four-year term.

First elected in 2017, Toulon narrowly defeated Lawrence Zacarese (R-Kings Park) in a down-to-the-wire race that saw Toulon win by just over 2,000 votes out of nearly 300,000 ballots cast.

In the good Republican year of 2021, Toulon defeated William Amato (R) by a solid eleven-point margin, even as the red wave saw Ray Tierney (R) sweep then-District Attorney Tim Sini (D-Mt. Sinai) out of office.

In November 2025, Toulon was unopposed for the general election. Having secured the Conservative line as well, Toulon won a third term with over 165,000 votes.

Continued on page 4

Smithtown Unveils 2026 Capital Program

By Matt Meduri

The Town of Smithtown continues in earnest its mission to revitalize the Town’s assets, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Officials at Town Hall have unveiled their 2026 Capital Program, calling it a “transformative year for parks, public facilities, infrastructure, and community spaces.”

For Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), who got his start nearly four decades ago in the Town Parks Department, one core mission of his since he became Supervisor in 2018 was to overhaul the Town’s parks. Wehrheim campaigned for and won a third term in 2025 with nearly 80% of the Town’s parks revitalized.

Continued on page 10

WINTER EVENTS

Fearless:

The Taylor Swift Experience at The Suffolk

January 25

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

DRUM TAO – The Best at Staller Center for the Arts

January 31

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Sachem East Drama Club Raffle Event at Sachem East High School Auditorium

January 31

2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Sweet and Treats Expo at Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore

January 31

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Sunday Funday: Shadows & Surprises at Sweetbriar Nature Center, Smithtown

February 1, 1:00 PM

Be My Valentine: Seashell Relief Sculpture with Anna Chan at Gallery North

February 6

6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Valentine Craft Fair at Charles B Wang Center

February 7

10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

The Tragedy of Hamlet at Staller Center for the Arts Stony Brook

February 13 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner Show “Till Death Do Us Part” at Fire Island Vines

February 14

6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Falling In Love With Wildlife at Sweetbriar Nature Center, Smithtown

February 15, 1:00 PM

Hot Cocoa Crush 5K LI at Eisenhower Park Field 2

February 21 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Long Island Pet Show 2026 at Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena, Brentwood

February 28- March 1 Times may vary

(631) 269-6421

WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER

COMMACK

Bagel Chalet

Bagel Toasterie (Mayfair Shopping Center)

Candlelight Diner

HAUPPAUGE

Hauppauge Palace • Shop Rite (Smithtown Bypass)

KINGS PARK

3 Sons Deli • Bagel City Company Kings Park Card Shop

Kings Park Manor • Linda’s Pizza

LIRR Kings Park Train Station Park Bakery • Raleigh Poultry Farm

LAKE GROVE

Lake Grove Village Hall

RONKONKOMA

718 Slice Pizzeria (719 Hawkins Ave)

SMITHTOWN

American Legion

Hot Bagels • LIRR Smithtown Train Station

Maureen’s Kitchen • Millennium Diner

Smithtown Bagels

Smithtown Seniors Center

Smithtown Town Hall Stop & Shop • Sweetwaters

ST. JAMES

50% Cards Store (Lake Avenue)

7 Eleven (356 Lake Avenue) Lake Ave Deli

LIRR St. James Train Station

HAUPPAUGE:

Snow Sensory -

- February 8, 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM

Winter Festival- February 21, 12:00 PM

COMMACK:

Balance & Core (Zoom)

- January 23, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Teen Donut Snowman - February 13, 6:30 PM

NESCONSET:

Be My Valentine- February 5, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM

KINGS PARK:

Cricut Crafts - Winter Stencil Art- January 28, 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM

Hello Love Wood Sign- February 4, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

SACHEM:

Winter Animal Craft Kit (Age 2-Grade 5)- January 23, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Twinkling Stars- February 10, 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Suffolk Matters

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Sheriff Toulon Sworn in for Third Term

Dr. Toulon told The Messenger then, “I am deeply grateful to the residents of Suffolk County for their continued trust and support in the work I’ve done as Sheriff. I look forward to serving four more years and continuing the initiatives I’ve started, like rehabilitation programs, leveraging intelligence to protect our communities, and expanding efforts to support our youth. Together with our law enforcement partners, I will continue to work to strengthen the safety, security, and future of Suffolk County.”

Local officials, law enforcement, and even New York Attorney General Letitia James (D-Clinton Hill) gathered at the Van Nostrand Theatre at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk Community College to witness Toulon take the oath of office.

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) discussed his father’s and grandfather’s service as police officers, saying it has guided his perspective on legislating in Washington. LaLota added that Congress had just passed a $1.2 million appropriation for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department for vehicles for the deputy sheriffs and corrections officers.

“We understand our mission, ” said LaLota. “Elected officials on both sides of the aisle have a perspective that we need to ensure that Suffolk County remains a safe and prosperous county. I know that our partnership is very focused on that.”

LaLota added that the recent congressional funding is a testament to how Toulon has run his department for the last eight years.

Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18), who represents West Point, invoked President Theodore Roosevelt’s (R-NY) “man in the arena” speech, likening the qualities to Sheriff Toulon and adding that Suffolk is “fortunate” to have such a public servant.

“For decades, Sheriff Toulon has chosen the arena,” said Ryan. “He has never stood on the sidelines. He has taken on difficult assignments, accepted enormous responsibility, and led during many moments where true leadership mattered.”

Brookhaven Deputy Town Supervisor and Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point) called Toulon a “friend and mentor,” also citing his professorship, three-time cancer survivor status, and a hockey player - “a tough guy in a good way.”

“If you ever want to be humbled, never, ever ask Errol to see his résumé. It’s about forty pages long,” said Foley. He added that since Suffolk, a county of 1.6 million and larger than eleven states, it takes significant leadership to run it. “Suffolk County is the safest county on Long Island,” said Foley.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) hailed Toulon as a “leader who has done so much for law enforcement” in Suffolk and a “partner who works with everyone,” including the County Legislature, the County Comptroller, and the District Attorney.

“He is someone who advances the Sheriff’s agenda because there is great respect for the professionalism he’s demonstrated,” said Romaine. “He’s come a long way since he first entered Rikers Island, following his father’s footsteps. He knows what law enforcement is about and has brought that knowledge to this office. We are lucky in Suffolk to have a sheriff of his caliber.”

Toulon took the podium to deliver his third inaugural speech, but not before being sworn into office by his father, Errol Toulon, Sr., and accompanied by his wife Tina. He cited his father’s “love, support, and guidance” for shaping his

character, and his wife’s support as his “rock.”

The three-term Sheriff with a career spanning over five decades said that he would “not take this privilege lightly.”

“I will not let the residents of Suffolk County down,” said Toulon. “When I began my tenure in 2018, I had one clear mission: to make the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office the best in the country - not just the best in law enforcement, but the best in what government can and should be.”

Toulon added that he is “proud” of what has been built, but the work is far from over. He invoked the saying of the plaque resting above the exit in the Yaphank facility, “I want to get to the kids before they get to me.”

“Throughout my tenure as Sheriff, I have visited one or two schools every week, from Amityville to Montauk, North Shore to South Shore, talking to students about the challenges they face every day - their fears, pressures, frustrations, and dreams,” said Toulon. He added that that commitment was expanded upon with the recent launching of the Sheriff’s Student Ambassador program, with programs already underway in the Central Islip and Patchogue-Medford school districts. The spring will see the program expanded to Wyandanch.

“This program helps us understand their world and to empower them to shape the future of Suffolk County,” said Toulon, acknowledging such ambassadors in the audience.

Toulon remarked that eight years ago, he pledged to make the office a national model for rehabilitation and re-entry, adding that his father’s service on Rikers Island was described as rehabilitating men and women in jail. His father’s view on the role of law enforcement has been an integral part of his career.

responsibility and accountability.”

Toulon also mentioned the trades and skills courses offered to inmates, such as HVAC, electricity, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, and small engine repair. Photography, crossfit, yoga, and memoir writing are also staples, and Toulon said the crossfit program fetches “great results,” as ex-cons who leave the Sheriff’s custody “continue their classes that are a pillar of their sobriety and a community to fall back on.”

Appropriate programming is also available for women, seniors, and Veterans who find themselves in custody of the Sheriff as well.

“85% of the men and women in our jails are returning back to our communities. While they are with us, we have an opportunity to assist them in becoming the best that they can be so they can be productive members of our county,” said Toulon of rehabilitation as a concept and a practice. “But how do we expect to succeed if we don’t give them the tools to make that happen?”

In 2020, the Sheriff’s office launched the Sheriff’s Transition and Reentry Team (START) Resource Center in 2020, a program that “works with the incarcerated being released to ensure a warm hand-off into the community.”

“START provides everything from IDs and clothing, to housing, job training, and substance abuse and mental health treatment,” said Toulon. “START participants have achieved remarkable success, many securing jobs, promotions, and even leadership roles.”

Indeed, the program has become a national model. While national and state recidivism rates hover around 40%, participants of the START program in Suffolk see a recidivism rate of below 20%.

Sheriff Toulon’s tenure has seen another first-inthe-nation program, the Sheriff’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative. Launched in 2018, it’s the first in-custody human trafficking unit of its kind in the nation. The unit identifies victims in custody, connects them with the services they need, and supports the work of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), the District Attorney, and the FBI - including those on the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force.

In 2023, Toulon took the practice of intelligence sharing to the next level with the launch of the Corrections Intelligence Center, an “archetype of intelligence sharing between jails and prisons which now has nearly 200 partners both nationally and internationally.”

“This center allows us to share info on gangs, contraband, trafficking, criminal networks, and emerging threats,” said Toulon. “We are ensuring Suffolk County remains safe and prepared.”

Toulon highlighted increased training and investments, including the expanded Domestic Violence Unit, increased transparency at “every level,” and the fostering of a culture of mental health and peer support within the rank-and-file.

“I believe that jail can be a turning point and a moment to intervene and to help someone become more than just a statistic,” said Toulon. “Inside the jails in Riverhead and Yaphank, we’ve built programs that uniquely work to guide incarcerated individuals to success. We bring in parents who have lost loved ones to substance abuse to act as a credible messenger to get through to those in our custody and help guide them to recovery. We have dog rescue training and parenting classes to teach

“We did all this - every program, every innovation - without increasing our operating budget by one, single cent,” said Toulon. “If we can save one life and prevent even one tragedy, it will have ripple effects across Suffolk County.”

“Above all, I am grateful for the chance to serve this County, for the trust you have put in me - not once, not twice, but three times. I promise, I will not let you down,”said Toulon. “It’s because of you and everyone here, this is the best damn Sheriff’s office in the United States of America.” Continued from front cover

Preliminary Gubernatorial Forecast - States Likeliest to Flip

By Matt Meduri

Thirty-six states and three territories will hold gubernatorial contests in 2026 - along with the District of Columbia’s mayoral race.

Of those thirty-six states, fifteen feature term-limited incumbents. The states are evenly split - eighteen are governed by Republicans, eighteen by Democrats. The GOP is defending two states that voted for Kamala Harris (DCA) in 2024, Vermont and New Hampshire. On the other hand, Democrats are defending five governorships in states won by Donald Trump (R-FL) - Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The key to looking at gubernatorial races is that no state is truly “off the table” for either party. While environment, state political leanings, and history all make for elements typical of any statewide campaign, gubernatorial races are the last frontier of split-ticket voting and results that are opposite from its typical partisan preferences.

question. Kemp was re-elected in 2022 by a close yet decisive 7.5-point margin, while Trump flipped the state by just about two points.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an Independent. Duggan was a Democrat until 2024 and was the mayor of the state’s largest city from 2014 to 2026. Given his prior registration and appeal in Democrats’ largest basket of votes in the Wolverine State, Duggan proves a serious liability to Democrats looking to hold this seat.

Nevada - Tilts R

Joe Lombardo (R-NV) ousted a Democratic governor in 2022, making for the only GOP flip of that cycle. The former Clark County (Las Vegas) Sheriff brings significant name recognition in Nevada’s largest city. The sharp shift of Latino voters to the GOP in the Southwest makes for a conceivably higher floor, while Democrats continue to bear responsibility of beleaguering the state’s recovery after COVID-19 - not a welcome platform for Nevada’s dependence on the service industry.

The Messenger identifies five states as Toss Ups, with another eighteen rated at varying levels of competition. Only the staunchest conservative or liberal states we rate as Safe for either party, as well as a few states featuring key incumbents who appear poised to cruise to victory as of press time.

For this forecast, we’re looking at the seats we think are the likeliest to flip this year.

Arizona - Toss Up

Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) won a razor-thin race to flip this open seat blue in 2022, defeating firebrand conservative Kari Lake (R-AZ) by just 17,000 votes out of almost 2.5 million ballots cast. Maricopa County (Phoenix), once a traditionally Republican anchor of a traditionally Republican state, has made Arizona race to the center of the competitive table at every level.

Hobbs became the first Democrat to be elected governor of Arizona since 2006, and while the Copper State remains healthily competitive, the key here will be to see how the state parties get along.

In 2022, Republicans blew winnable races in Arizona due to a fractured base after Trump’s 2020 loss. However, as of late, the state Democrats have been internally feuding. While Hobbs doesn’t appear to have serious primary opposition, rifts within the rank-and-file electorate could swing a race that went down to the wire four years ago.

Trump’s margin in Arizona, 5.5%, not only surpassed margins expected by pundits and pollsters, but was the greatest margin of his of the seven swing states in 2024.

Presidential results are not necessarily transferable to gubernatorial results, however. Hobbs has maintained netpositive approval ratings. Governors with those ratings are usually very difficult to defeat for re-election, even if they’re just treading water.

But Hobbs also has a deck of more credible Republican opponents, including Phoenix-area Congressman Andy Biggs (R, AZ-05) and David Schewikert (R, AZ-01). Their abilities to overperform in their suburban districts might give them the upper-hand in a close contest.

Georgia - Toss Up

The Peach State has an open seat this year. Governor Brian Kemp (R), hailed by many in his state as more of a moderate Republican, is term-limited. The massive growth in the Atlanta metro area is proving to be a problem for Republicans statewide, and that problem might continue into the 2030s if the trends continue.

That leaves the current state of the race an open

Three statewide Republicans are vying for the nomination: Attorney General Chris Carr, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Raffensperger made headlines in 2020 for defying Trump’s requests to look into the vote count in that year’s presidential race.

Democrats have Geoff Duncan, the former Lieutenant Governor who became a Democrat in 2025, and Mike Thurmond, former DeKalb County CEO, as their top recruits. DeKalb County is one of the most populous counties in the state, and its suburban Atlanta situation should make for a high floor for Thurmond.

Kansas - Leans R (Flip)

Since the late 1950s, Kansas has been alternating between both parties, typically in a “two on, two off” fashion, wherein voters elect two terms of one party for governor, followed by two terms of the other party. Many states operate on this basis, making for Democrats’ win in the Sunflower State in 2018 not a terrible shock.

Owing to the aforementioned “treading water” approval ratings, Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS) narrowly clinched a second term in 2022. Now, the seat is open, and Kansas, owing not only to its clockwork-like voting record, but also its intrinsic Republican lean, is the GOP’s best bet for a pickup this year. Such a flip would also secure a GOP trifecta in Topeka.

Democrats have a couple of state senators running, but if Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D, KS-03) decides to run for governor, she could give the GOP a real run for their money. However, it seems she’s posturing to run for U.S. Senate, depending on if the GOP-led state legislature gerrymanders her Kansas City-based district.

Former Governor Jeff Colyer (R-KS), who lost the GOP primary in 2018, is eying a comeback. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R) is also running, as well as Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

Michigan - Toss Up

Like Kansas, Michigan has been a “two on, two off” state since the 1970s. The seat is open and Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), who flipped the seat blue in 2018, leaves office with a significant national profile that could likely culminate in a presidential run in 2028. Whitmer was spared a competitive race due to GOP infighting in 2022, but Detroit-area Congressman John James (R, MI-10) is one of the GOP’s top candidates.

Democrats have Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) as the likely frontrunner, but the real curveball is former

Lombardo is generating a serious primary challenge, and Democrats have Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County (Reno) Commissioner Chair Alexis Hill as top candidates. Former Governor Steve Sisolak (D), whom Lombardo defeated in 2022, is eyeing a comeback.

New Mexico - Toss Up

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) flipped this state blue in 2018 by a landslide. In 2022, her margin was about halved in a race more competitive than initially believed. Now, she is term-limited, and New Mexico has been a “two on, two off” state since the 1980s.

Lujan Grisham has middling approval ratings and has faced scrutiny for high crime in the Land of Enchantment’s urban areas and the security of the Southern border. Time will tell if the GOP can play in this state, as Latino voters might be souring on Trump in key battlegrounds.

Former Interior Secretary [under Joe Biden] Deb Haaland (D) appears the top Democratic candidate, while incumbent Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull (R) and State Senator Steve Lanier seem to be the most equipped GOP candidates.

Wisconsin - Toss Up

Another “two on, two off” state since the 1980s, Wisconsin will probably be one of the most competitive gubernatorial races this cycle.

Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) is opting not to run for a third term. Elected in 2018, he ousted then-Governor Scott Walker (R-WI), who in 2012 famously became the first American governor to survive a recall election.

Evers was elected by close margins in both 2018 and 2022, and Wisconsin has been decided by less than a percentage point in the last three presidential elections. The GOP continues to have a stronghold on the state legislature, while liberals are the majority on the State Supreme Court. Wisconsin is also one of just three states to have a split U.S. Senate delegation - one Senator of one party, and the other Senator of another.

Wisconsin’s thirst for balance will be center-stage in this year’s race, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D) and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez (D) are arguably the most equipped Democrats running. The GOP has Congressman Tom Tiffany (R, WI-07) as their top recruit, although former Governor Tommy Thompson (R) is eying a comeback. Thompson served as governor from 1987 to 2001. He is the longest-served governor in state history and is the only governor to have been elected four times.

Suffolk in Good Hands with Sheriff Toulon

Law enforcement has gotten the short end of the stick over the last decade or so. While bad actors deserve every ounce of criticism and consequences they receive, the reality is that most law enforcement professionals are normal people - public servants looking to keep the peace and maintain order.

Look no further than the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) officers who on Christmas Day jumped into a frozen pond to save a boy who had fallen through the ice. No hesitation, no prerequisites - just the call of duty.

And the two officers and the sergeant were incredibly modest, to boot“all in a day’s work.”

That is the mantra employed by most law enforcement professionals, and at the helm of corrections and rehabilitation is a seasoned professional with the right ideas that strike a balance between enforcing the law and treating convicts not like cattle, but like humans in need of help.

Dr. Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. (D) has indispensable in not only carrying out the day to day of a County Sheriff, but making Suffolk a national leader in that regard - turning a practice into an art. Quiet and articulate, the steady-as-hegoes Toulon makes presiding over his facilities in a consequential county like Suffolk in today’s tumultuous and unpredictable day and age seem like a walk in the park.

Oftentimes, the largest disparity seen in the criminal justice system is recidivism - the rate at which offenders re-offend. Across the country and in New York State, recidivism tends to hover around 40% - nearly half of all convicts will be back in jail shortly after their immediate sentence ends.

But in Suffolk, Toulon and company have whittled down the recidivism rate to around 20%, a stark contrast that makes Suffolk stand out as a county clearly on the right track. And as the largest suburban county in the nation, Toulon does Suffolk justice in making us a national leader.

The START program has been one of the key components of those figures. The program not only gives inmates valuable life skills, but an opportunity for employment in the trades - HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, carpentry, electrical, etc. High-paying jobs, often with union support, that might otherwise be closed off to someone with a criminal record. Moreover, the program also coaches inmates on life skills, such as memoir writing and personal fitness. Inmates aren’t just in the custody of the County Sheriff; they’re there to be legitimately rehabilitated, is Toulon’s logic.

And sound logic it is. The whiplash caused by public discourse, mainstream

media sensationalism, and ubiquitous, out-of-touch online opinions has made for a damning red line: lock them up and throw away the key, or coddle criminals too much because they’re just a “product of their past or environment.”

Not only can two things be true at the same time, but there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all solution to criminal justice. Furthermore, the “product of the environment” offenders, should they re-offend, aren’t helping themselves by not adhering to the programs offered by the Sheriff’s office. That element will always be present in any society, but law enforcement can’t be castigated for not trying.

Toulon is also managing the County Sheriff’s office extraordinarily well in perhaps one of the most difficult eras for criminal justice reform in New York. Toulon, despite being a Democrat, was one of the first local leaders to call out the disastrous bail reform legislation passed by the Democratic trifecta in 2019, signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-Sutton Place), who had sworn Toulon into office in 2018, no less.

Toulon calls it as he sees it and his expertise needs no introduction. A true maverick, we, especially as a more conservative publication, appreciate the nuance he brings to the table and does things the way he knows how to do them. That, we find, is true leadership.

On top of that, Toulon ensures that Suffolk is up to speed on the latest threats and has established international connections to not only share intelligence, but pick up on what other jurisdictions are doing. Information can’t be siloed, especially when the stakes couldn’t be higher in a state where lawmakers actively handcuff law enforcement, and Toulon knows how to get ahead of the curve.

And if it’s worth saying, Toulon was handily re-elected in 2021, surviving a red wave that swept Republicans into control of the County Legislature for the first time in nearly two decades, as well as Ray Tierney (R) into the District Attorney’s office. Moreover, Toulon was unopposed for re-election in 2025. All this, we think, is a true testament to his leadership and his ability to simply put politics behind his sworn duties.

We have no qualms with Toulon at the helm of the Sheriff’s office, and in cooperation with other leaders like D.A. Tierney, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), and others, we look forward to another four years of with him as Sheriff.

Another Day, Another $260 Billion…

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) this week unveiled her massive $260 billion Executive Budget for FY2026.

Not only did Hochul appear out-of-touch and desperate to please all ends of the political spectrum - a near-impossible task today - but her spending package is the largest in state history.

Where does all of this money come from, and how does Hochul expect to foot the bill when the state continues to hemorrhage population and while Hochul, as well as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), are pledging to fund ambitious social programs that will cost New Yorkers an arm and a leg that they already don’t have?

Even Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Williamsbridge), not a shy progressive, expressed reservations on how to fulfill the price tags. However, we expect him to fall in line come negotiations.

This is now Hochul’s fifth budget fight and her last before the 2026 election. Each year, the Legislature blew past the deadline, requiring more stopgaps to continue funding essential parts of the State government until a deal can be struck.

The problem is, Hochul gave away her bargaining power and her executive firmness in 2023, when Legislature Democrats signed themselves pay raises making them the most well-compensated state legislators in the country. Not only did Hochul sign it right before Christmas that year, she asked for nothing in return.

Surprise, surprise, the progressives who hold the Legislature hostage did not want to come to the table on repealing the most harmful aspects of bail reform that year. Hochul, to her credit, held up the fight, but eventually had to cave amidst the two-month long government shutdown.

A similar showdown ensued in 2024 when Hochul pitched a plan to reform State aid to school districts. While we understand the need for balancing the scales, especially as many school districts continue to shrink, it was a fight that

didn’t need picking, especially when it was essentially a foregone conclusion that both sides of the aisle would rally in lockstep to protest it.

Hochul isn’t used to getting her way. It’s not that politics is about getting one’s way, but when you’re an executive, that element can’t be written off. It’s not about strong-arming and bullying; it’s about firmness and negotiating power. Hochul has neither.

We still fault her for her continuation of the sanctuary state and city policies that have exacerbated resources and promulgated a price tag of upwards of $5 billion over the last few years. While we fundamentally agree with adding police funding, Hochul wants to spend $77 million on increased NYPD subway patrols.

That’s fine, although that’s $77 million that could be spent elsewhere if Hochul had better leveraged her authority to roll back poor criminal justice reform that’s plagued the state for the better part of a decade now. New York City will do what New York City does, and they get what they vote for, but this is an issue that could have been solved in Albany a few years ago.

Then again, Hochul can’t be too at fault for the progressives’ pathologically altruistic dogma, creating an “unstoppable force meets and immovable object” scenario - although Hochul has proven that she is, indeed, movable.

Finally, Hochul and company continually fault shifting federal policy and funding as the main culprit. While it certainly does change the math, New York, an economic powerhouse and essentially the gateway to the U.S. for most of the world, shouldn’t be in the disrepair that it’s in. We’re not arguing it’s not a complicated state to govern, but it’s not exactly short on a tax base and economic opportunities. Hochul trying to stand up to President Trump (R-FL) also doesn’t accomplish anything, and her latest flip-flop on “no tax on tips” doesn’t play well for her long-term credibility.

We had figured that the budget couldn’t balloon any more than it has, but yet again, Albany never fails to not disappoint…

Dear Editor,

Letter to the Editor: The Trump Trifecta

A year ago, American voters placed their trust in Republicans by delivering unified leadership in Washington: the Trump Trifecta of the House, the Senate, and the White House.

One year later, the results are clear, measurable, and working in America’s favor.

With Congress and the President moving in the same direction, Washington changed course. After years of invited chaos at the Southern border, when an estimated 20 million illegal aliens were allowed to enter the country, the Trump Trifecta restored enforcement. We have now seen eight consecutive months of no releases at the border, bringing order back to a system that had failed communities, and overwhelmed local resources.

That renewed focus on enforcement has also made communities safer. Where cartels once operated with near impunity and flooded our streets with fentanyl and other deadly drugs, the Trump Trifecta has taken them head-on by interdicting narcotics before they reach our shores and prioritizing public safety over open-border ideology.

The economic turnaround is just as striking. Reckless spending previously drove inflation to a 40-year high, peaking near 9% and crushing middle-class families. Under the Trump Trifecta’s disciplined approach, which includes cutting spending, restoring energy production, and promoting growth, inflation has fallen to roughly 2.7%, giving families long-overdue relief at the grocery store and the gas pump.

Interest rates tell the same story. Under the prior administration’s runaway spending and borrowing, the average 30-year mortgage rate surged to a 23year high of about 7.8%, putting homeownership out of reach for countless families. Today, with inflation cooling and confidence returning, mortgage rates have come down to roughly 6%, offering renewed hope to first-time buyers and middle-class homeowners.

Housing policy has shifted as well. After years of red tape that slowed construction and drove prices higher, the Trump Trifecta has slashed burdensome regulations and worked hand in hand to pass legislation that lowers the cost of home construction, helping stabilize the housing market

and expand supply.

Energy policy has also been reset. Costly regulations once added an estimated $1.8 trillion to American energy costs. Today, domestic production is being unleashed, gas prices have fallen to four-year lows, and new lease sales are projected to generate $12 billion in revenue, strengthening energy security while lowering costs for families and commuters.

Here on Long Island, where affordability, safety, and opportunity matter every day, these results are not abstract. They are being felt in household budgets, local businesses, and community confidence. The quadrupling of the SALT deduction, combined with new incentives for seniors, families, and workers, is expected to help the average Long Island family pay $2,860 less this year, according to Newsday

There is more work to do, but the lesson of the past year is unmistakable: when Washington is unified, disciplined, and focused on commonsense conservative results, America wins. The progress delivered by the Trump Trifecta is real, and it is worth protecting.

Sincerely,

Nick LaLota

Member of Congress, NY-01

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) has represented NY-01 since 2023. NY-01 includes the entire towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton, and Southold, as well as the northern half of Brookhaven and most of Huntington.

The First District office is located at 515 Hauppauge Road, Suite 3B, in Hauppauge, and can be reached at (631) 289-1097. Mobile office hours are held on Thursdays from 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at VFW Post 6249 at 109 King Road in Rocky Point.

Safety in Our School Cafeterias

By Senator Alexis Weik

In recent years, stories of everyday heroes have been shared on the news for saving a child’s life after choking. Cases have happened all over Long Island from Elmont to East Setauket, yet New York does not currently require cafeteria monitors to be certified in First Aid, CPR, and the Heimlich.

My new bill, S.6127A, “Stella’s Law” corrects this oversight. This Act is named in honor of Stella Tsimis, a teacher’s aide working for Connetquot school district, who, in February 2023, saved the life of a seven-year-old boy in the school cafeteria by performing the Heimlich maneuver on him while he was choking.

Stella received the New York State Liberty Medal for saving the child’s life that day. The Liberty Medal is the highest civilian honor someone can receive from New York State and is only awarded for extraordinary, heroic and lifesaving acts.

Stella’s actions on that day highlighted the need for all adult cafeteria monitors present in school cafeterias to be trained in and hold current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver to help ensure the safety of the children in the cafeteria. Requiring the display of the “First Aid for Choking” poster in all school eating areas further supports this goal by providing clear, life-saving instructions that can be followed in an emergency.

Many rescuers have learned the Heimlich maneuver from school health classes, workplace training, or even posters but it is important for teachers, monitors and staff to be able to successfully intervene in an emergency.

Stella’s Law will ensure having trained personnel and informative posters showing the Heimlich maneuver when students are at greatest risk of choking. The instructional posters are to make sure students are not fearful or afraid if a choking emergency occurs because they are educated and understand that this is a life-saving technique and that everything will be okay.

There are many resources available in your community. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association hold classes to be prepared for such emergencies, in fact, we are hosting our first CPR-Heimlich maneuver training in conjunction with the West Babylon Fire Department on Saturday, January 24 from 12:00p.m. to 2:00p.m.

In 2024, a Patchogue-Medford math teacher, Chris Schiefer, came to the rescue of one of his students. Schiefer noticed the student choking on a gumball and quickly went into action by performing the Heimlich maneuver, helping to dislodge the gumball. After ensuring the student saw the nurse to confirm he was all right, Schiefer turned this into a learning opportunity by teaching his students about the Heimlich maneuver and pointing out a chart on the wall demonstrating how to handle a choking incident.

This was a great effort made by a responsible educator, but we should have in place standard training and step-by-step signage for school staff to be frontline administrators of these life-saving techniques.

Please contact your local school district, state Senator or Assemblyperson and encourage them to support Stella’s Law for safer schools.

Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) has represented the Eighth District in the New York State Senate since 2023, after being redistricted from the Third District, which she represented from 2021 to 2022. Within the Town of Islip, the Eighth District includes Bayport, Bohemia, Fair Harbor, Great River, Islip Terrace, Lonelyville, North Great River, Oak Beach, Oakdale, Saltaire, Sayville, and West Sayville, as well as parts of Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Captree-Oak BeachGilgo, East Islip, Holbrook, Holtsville, Islip hamlet, Ronkonkoma, West Bay Shore, and West Islip.

The district also contains parts of the towns of Babylon and Oyster Bay.

Senator Weik is the Ranking Member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions; and Women’s Issues; and serves on the Committees on Education; Local Government; Social Service; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs.

The Eighth District office is located at 1 Corporate Drive, Suite GL-005, in Bohemia and can be reached at 631-665-2311.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Fourteen County Judges Take Oath of Office During Annual Robing Ceremony

On Friday, January 2, 2026, fourteen judges in Suffolk County were sworn into office after their elections this Fall in a special robing ceremony at the Touro Law Center in Central Islip.

Hosted by the Suffolk County Bar Association, the morning’s affair featured a special celebration for each judge who is joining or re-joining the bench in the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, or District Court. The law school’s packed, two-tier auditorium was filled with supporters of the fourteen jurists, including relatives and friends, attorneys, local dignitaries, and even statewide leaders of New York’s Unified Court System.

To begin the ceremony, more than 60 of Suffolk’s judges—all donning their traditional black robes— marched in procession into the auditorium to welcome their new colleagues, and they were privileged to be joined in their ranks by Hon. Norman St. George, New York’s First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, and Hon. Debra J. Young, New York’s Statewide Coordinating Judge for Problem-Solving Courts. The morning’s ceremony involved a series of speeches of praise and congratulations for the fourteen judges, who were each sponsored and introduced by family members or colleagues. Suffolk’s District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew A. Crecca presided over the ceremony. “

I know I say this every year, but I truly believe it—our bench here in Suffolk County is really special. The dedication and camaraderie among our judges are unmatched, and that is why I always get excited to welcome new members to our fantastic team of judges,” Crecca said during opening remarks.

Throughout the morning, Administrative Judge Crecca and Supreme Court Justice Hon. John J. Leo, President of the Suffolk County Bar Association, together welcomed the fourteen judges and presented each of them with their new black robes or ceremonial gavels for those re-elected.

In attendance included U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who was on hand to sponsor the robing new Family Court Judge Hon. James P. O’Connor, and George J. Tsunis, former U.S. Ambassador to Greece, who sponsored new Supreme Court Justice Hon. Mark Cuthbertson. Other distinguished jurists on hand were Hon. Llinet Rosado, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division for the First Department, and Hon. Lourdes Ventura and Suffolk’s own Hon. William Ford, both Associate Justices of the Appellate Division for the Second Department. Also present were the District Executive for the Suffolk Courts, Lorie-Ann Bitetti, and representatives from the offices of County Executive Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), District Attorney Raymond Tierney (R), Public Defender Laurette Mulry, and Sheriff Dr. Errol Toulon (D), as well as many prominent attorneys and retired judges.

Prior to their swearing-in, the celebrated jurists heard inspiring words from First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George.

“To our newly-elected justices, welcome to the judiciary. As you begin this new chapter, remember that every decision you make is critically important and will have a profound impact on the lives of others. To those re-elected judges, welcome back—we need you,” he said to the honorary group. “The goal for you all is the effective, efficient, and appropriate administration of justice without fear or favor and without passion or prejudice. We stand ready to support you and assist you—whether through guidance, resources, or collaboration—so that you may serve with competence, fairness, and excellence. We look forward to your success, and congratulations to you and your families.”

The annual judicial swearing-in and robing ceremony has transitioned into a timeless tradition within the local legal community. The event demonstrates the robust collaboration between the Suffolk Courts and the Suffolk County Bar Association and it has become well-known for drawing large crowds in attendance.

“This ceremony could not be possible without the ongoing sponsorship of the Suffolk Bar Association,” said Administrative Judge Crecca. “This is but one of many examples of their longstanding partnership with the courts, and we deeply appreciate their support and all that they do for Suffolk’s judiciary and legal community.” Justice John Leo also addressed the audience as President of the Bar Association. “It is the sincere hope of the Suffolk Bar Association that the judges being sworn-in today will realize their dreams and aspirations while bringing excellence, honor, and distinction to the bench and the legal system and the judiciary as a whole.”

On Friday morning, the following judges were sworn into office: Supreme Court

Hon. Bronwyn M. Black-Kelly, of Huntington, was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court;

Hon. Carl J. Copertino, of Deer Park, was elected a Justice of

Evening with Jeffrey Wands to Benefit

This Week Today

Thursday, January 22, 2026

National, State, and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

The U.S. continues to monitor the ongoing protests across Iran. Beginning late last month, the demonstrations erupted against the Islamic Republican government amid a worsening economic crisis. The protests have been the largest of its kind since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Iranian government is under heavy scrutiny for its massacre of dissidents. Anywhere from 3,000 to 20,000 protestors have been killed. However, The Sunday Times reported over the weekend that Iranian doctors estimate that 16,500 to 18,000 people have been killed, with over 300,000 injured.

Iranian authorities also imposed a nearcomplete Internet shutdown, not only restricting external communication, but the validations of the accounts. Human rights activists allege that the blackout is an attempt by the government to cover up the massacres.

President Donald Trump (R-FL) imposed new sanctions on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R-SC) said in a statement, “The United States stands firmly behind the Iranian people in their call for freedom and justice. At the direction of President Trump, the Treasury Department is sanctioning key Iranian leaders involved in the brutal crackdown against the Iranian people. Treasury will use every tool to target those behind the regime’s tyrannical oppression of human rights.”

The EU has called for a suspension of the U.S. trade agreement reached last year.

Trump continues to state that the U.S. acquisition of Greenland is tantamount to Western control of the Arctic Circle, a noman’s-land that is rapidly evolving into a prime battleground for global control.

“We agree with the US that we need to do more since the Arctic is no longer a low tension area,” Rasmussen said in a statement. “That’s exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies.”

European leaders are panning Trump’s actions, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying in a statement, “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong.”

Trump is also set to pardon former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced (R). Garced succeeded to the post of governor in 2019, following the resignation of thenGovernor Ricardo Roselló during the Telegramgate scandal, in which Roselló and members of his cabinet traded vulgar messages and a plan to use the media to target political opponents in a Telegram group chat.

Garced, then a Democrat, ran as a New Progressive, but failed to secure the nomination in 2020.

“Invoke the 25th Amendment,” Markey wrote on social media. Leaked texts between Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have surfaced, in which Trump says he is more emboldened to acquire Greenland after being passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars Plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” Trump wrote.

State

Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 Executive Budget is now out, precipitating a potential showdown in Albany as legislators have until the end of March to strike agreements.

Trump said last week that he would impose a 25% tax on imports to the U.S. from countries that do business with Iran. With an economic crisis being the center of instability across Iran, with inflation running above 40%, the tariffs are expected to reduce Iran’s access to foreign goods and further drive up prices. Trump is also threatening tariffs against the European Union (EU) as he seeks to acquire Greenland from Denmark. Trump is imposing a 10% tariff on “any and all goods” from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The tariffs will start on February 1, increasing to 25% on June 1 until and unless a deal is struck.

“We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the tariffs threats a “surprise” after a “constructive meeting” with Vice President J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R-FL).

In 2022, Garced was arrested by the FBI on corruption charges stemming from a bribery case during her failed 2020 campaign. In 2025, she pled guilty to a campaign finance violation, making her the first former Puerto Rico governor in history to plead guilty to a crime. White House officials say the pardon is warranted since there is no evidence of “a quid pro quo deal.”

In domestic political news, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked to remove President Trump from office over leaked texts about the U.S. acquisition of Greenland.

The 25th Amendment outlines presidential succession and disability. It establishes the procedure for the vice president to assume the office of the presidency if the president dies, resigns, or is removed. Section 4 of the amendment allows for the president to be removed against his/her will. Section 4 has never been invoked in that manner. This would only materialize if the vice president and the majority of the Cabinet agree the president is unable to carry out the duties of the office. The president can dispute this, allowing both chambers of Congress to vote on whether he/she should return to office within twenty-one days. That vote would require two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.

The $260 billion spending plan, the largest in state history, includes a $157.4 billion operating budget, $21.8 billion of capital expenditures, and $80.8 billion of federal funding. Hochul is also proposing another $39.3 billion on school aid, $40.4 billion on State agencies and employees, and $38.4 billion for its slice of Medicaid.

Gothamist reports that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Williamsbridge) called the budget a “good opening,” but that time would be needed to figure out how to fund the proposal. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), according to Gothamist, says that Hochul and the Senate Democratic Conference are “rowing in the same direction,” with raising taxes remaining on the table.

State officials remarked that more spending is possible due to sustained consumer spending and an optimistic year for Wall Street. $3.7 billion in additional revenue is expected before the fiscal year ends on March 31. Another $7.4 billion is expected for the next fiscal year.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach), who is running for governor, criticized the plan and her State of the State Address last week, saying on social media, “Kathy Hochul promised affordability. Instead, New York got $81 billion in new spending, a $4.2 billion shortfall this year, and a $26.8 billion deficit ahead. That is not progress. That is mismanagement. It costs you dearly in higher taxes.”

Local

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) recently announced that Suffolk County’s Veterans Emergency Home Heating Assistance Commission is now accepting applications.

The commission has $100,000 in its war chest for 2026. The commission is composed for prominent Veterans’ organizations members who determine eligibility of recipients. Each application is reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.

“With all the pressures facing our local Veterans, staying warm at night should not be one of their concerns,” said Romaine in a statement. “Nobody should go without heat, especially with temperatures below freezing in the coming weeks. Through this program, we will continue to assist our heroes.”

Recipient criteria include a completed application, a DD Form 214 with Character of Discharge Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions, household income (W-2, Disability Rating, Social Security etc.), proof of heating expenses (oil, electricity, gas), or boiler/plumbing estimates, and a narrative letter describing the need for assistance.

“Suffolk County serves the largest population of Veterans in New York State. Our office has identified there is a need for Veterans, especially those on a fixed income, with assistance paying the high cost of heating their homes,” said Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency Director Marcelle Leis in a statement. “These heroes that served our country in times of peace and during war deserve the help that the Suffolk County Legislature has provided through the Veterans Emergency Home Heating Assistance Program.”

To apply and for more information, contact the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency at 631-853-8387 or email keith.o’reilly@suffolkcoutnyny.gov. Alternatively, the application can be accessed by scanning this QR Code: [QR Code - https://www. suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/4/docs/ Suffolk%20County%20Veterans%20 Home%20Heating%20Application%20 2026.pdf]

Smithtown Matters

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Smithtown Unveils 2026 Capital Program

The Capital Program goes further. According to a statement from the Town, the program will outline “major upgrades to parks, historic assets, public buildings, recreation facilities, and core municipal infrastructure across the community.” The aim here is to “enhance quality of life for all residents of all ages, strengthen community services, and reinvest in the facilities that define Smithtown’s character and daily operations,” the statement continued.

“Every year, we work to reinvest responsibly in the places where our families learn, play, gather, and access the essential services they rely on,” said Supervisor Wehrheim in a statement. “The 2026 Capital Budget is not just a list of projects. It’s a thoughtful, long-term commitment to preserving Smithtown’s heritage, caring for our natural spaces, expanding recreational opportunities, and ensuring our public buildings remain safe, modern, and welcoming.”

Wehrheim added that each of the projects, regardless of their size and scope, serve a purpose.

“They support our seniors, revitalize our parks, protect our historic treasures, expand recreation, safeguard our assets, and ensure our municipal buildings continue to serve residents efficiently. Smithtown’s future is built through steady, thoughtful investments like these.”

Parks and Recreation

Sweetbriar Nature Center, located at 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown hamlet, will see “long-needed” exterior restorations. The Town says it will “safeguard the historic environmental education facility while strengthening its ability to serve families, students, and wildlife programming for generations to come.”

Recreation facilities across Town are also part of the Capital Program, with new pickleball and tennis courts teased for the Armory in Nesconset. Modern sports lighting at the football field is also on the docket, allowing for later hours of usage and enhanced safety.

The Eugene Cannataro Senior Center, located at 420 Middle Country Road in St. James, will see a “complete renovation” of the auditorium, including a “top-to-bottom transformation featuring new stage walls, windows, flooring, ceilings, curtains, and lighting upgrades.” The goal is for the auditorium to better serve as a public venue for performances, community events, lectures, and even fitness programs.

Burr Winkle Park, located at 58 Harvest Lane in Commack, is slated for a “state-of-theart” transformation, with a new turf baseball field, modern fencing, dugouts, expanded pads, and ADA-accessible restrooms and walkways. Cy Donnelly Park, located in Kings Park, will continue the construction and redesign of its parking lot, with the goal to reduce congestion and improve year-round accessibility, according to the Town.

Hoyt Farm, located at 200 New Highway in Commack, will also see a “sweeping infrastructure” overhaul, with “longstanding drainage and stormwater issues” at the forefront. The lot is set to be entirely reconstructed and repaved, the driveway widened, and a safer pedestrian walkway is to be installed near the bocce courts.

The Smithtown Pool Complex will also see its aging kiddie pool replaced by a “vibrant, modern water park featuring interactive spray elements and expanded water play zones,” in a move to “revitalize” the summer experience for young families

The Town awaits the spring to formally cut the ribbon on Phase One of Survivors Park at Valmont Village Park, located at 44 Marie Crescent in Commack. The “healing-inspired” space was created in partnership with the Commack Community Alliance, St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital, and other local stakeholders. The park’s “signature, pink-ribbon walkway, new landscaping, and redesigned entryways create a meaningful tribute to breast cancer awareness while offering a tranquil retreat that wraps thoughtfully around the playground,” according to the Town statement.

All-abilities playgrounds have taken the County by storm, with the first County park to see one being Gardiner County Park in West Bay Shore in late summer 2025. The Town of

Smithtown Pet of the Week:

Smithtown is pursuing grant funding to construct multiple parks across the Town’s hamlets.

“With grant efforts underway, the vision includes sensory play features, ADA-inclusive equipment, communication boards, and fully accessible surfacing designed so that children of all abilities can play together safely and joyfully,” said the Town.

Town Hall Overhauls

The Capital Program also includes provisions to renovate, modernize, and expedite Town services. The Clerk’s and Comptroller’s offices will receive interior renovations and modern workstations to “improve customer service functions and support more efficient daily operations,” according to the Town. The Assessor’s office will see upgrades to “improve workflow and public interaction.”

For Town Hall proper, exterior refreshments, façade improvements, and protective treatments will not only give the seat of town government a professional face lift, but protective features to enhance the longevity of the upgrades and the structure itself.

Infrastructure

Earmarked in the Capital Program as well is the continuation of construction on the new Public Safety Headquarters. The goal is for HQ to consolidate the Park Rangers, Public Safety, and emergency-support operations in a “modern, efficient facility designed to enhance service and improve public safety coordination.”

For year-round maintenance of parks, the Town is forging ahead with a “dedicated” equipment storage facility for the Parks Department, with the Town saying it will “protect heavy machinery and improve operational efficiency.”

Parkour is a striking brown-and-white tabby estimated to be about two years old. This handsome boy is a big hunk of love with boundless energy and a hilarious personality. His playful antics will keep you smiling, while his affectionate nature guarantees plenty of snuggles.

Parkour was found as a stray in a local park, where he bravely fended for himself for months. Despite his rough start, he is incredibly sweet, friendly, and eager to make friends with people. He loves being the center of attention and thrives on human companionship.

Parkour is young, healthy, and would thrive in a home with children and possibly dogs. He prefers to be the only cat in the household, but with his big personality and endless affection, he’s truly all the cat you’ll ever need.

If you are interested in meeting Parkour, please fill out an application to schedule 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

Currently, there are a variety of male and female cats and kittens available to adopt or foster. If you are looking for a fun loving, yarn tossing ball of

love, stop by the Kitten Nursery or the Cat Condos at the Smithtown Animal Shelter and find a perfect soulmate or two!

All of the felines at the Shelter are current on vaccines and have received a full workup (blood work, Feline HIV & Leukemia tested, physical exam etc.) by a board-certified Veterinarian. 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.

How to Start a Business in Your Community — and Actually Build Something That Lasts

By Don Lewis

Starting a business isn’t just about turning an idea into money. It’s about rooting something real into the soil of your community — something that might pay someone’s rent, feed a neighbor’s family, or create a job for the high school kid who needs their first shot.

And yet, most how-to guides feel like they’re designed for VC-backed tech bros, not everyday people with dreams and grit. So, let’s fix that. Let’s walk through what it really looks like to build a business in your town — from scratch, with clarity — and without wasting time on the wrong steps.

Writing a Business Plan

You don’t need a 30-page binder with colorcoded tabs. You need a sharp outline that answers real-world questions: What are you selling? Who’s going to pay for it? How much will it cost to run? Where does the money come from and where does it go? Writing it out forces you to confront the fuzzy parts in your head — and you want to confront those before they confront your bank account. Keep it simple but honest. Think about what would convince a skeptical friend to believe in this thing.

Choose a Business Structure

Your business structure is more than paperwork — it determines your personal risk, how taxes are handled, and how serious your venture looks to the outside world. For many new business owners, choosing to form an LLC offers a strong mix of liability protection, tax advantages, and flexibility. It separates your personal assets from the business and gives you a clean foundation to scale. The best part? You don’t need a lawyer charging you $300/hour. You can set up a New York LLC with ZenBusiness, an online business formation service.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

You might be selling muffins, but if you’re doing it out of your home kitchen without a permit, you’re also (accidentally) breaking the law. Every town, city, and state has its own rules — licenses, permits, zoning codes, signage laws, health regulations. Skipping these steps can shut you down before you start. Do yourself a favor: spend a few hours learning state and federal laws. It’s less glamorous than building a logo, but one hundred times more important.

Financial Planning & Forecasting

Yes, you need to track your money. But more than that, you need to build a plan for what’s coming. How much will it take to open your doors? How long before your business pays you back? What happens if your biggest client disappears? Creating a budget forces you to think like a builder, not just a dreamer. You need to build a financial plan that accounts for worst-

case months, delayed invoices, and hidden costs — because every real business has those.

Document Management

Lost receipts. Crumpled contracts. A business license buried in a drawer you forgot existed. Don’t do this to yourself. From the beginning, keep all your documents organized, backed up, and easy to find. Digitizing your paperwork — from EIN letters to vendor invoices — protects you from disaster and makes taxes infinitely less painful. It’s smart to use PDFs rather than rely on messy Word files or screenshots. If you need to modify a document, online tools let you convert a PDF to various file types.

Marketing & Customer Acquisition

Most people won’t stumble across your business by accident. You’ll need to deliberately boost local visibility — and that means showing up where people are already paying attention. That could be Facebook groups, community boards, chamber

newsletters, or farmers’ markets. Skip the onesize-fits-all marketing templates. Your town has its own rhythms, inside jokes, and trusted voices. Learn them. Use them. And talk like a human, not a billboard.

Hiring & Employee Management

Once you bring on your first team member — even part-time — everything changes. You’re no longer just responsible for your own paycheck; you’re impacting someone else’s life. That means you need a system for onboarding, payroll, schedules, and accountability. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to think about roles, communication, and boundaries. Set expectations early, clearly, and in writing. It’s not about being a boss — it’s about being dependable.

Team Culture & Leadership Mindset

Your business will eventually reflect your habits, for better or worse. If you work with integrity, communicate openly, and admit mistakes, your team will mirror that. But if you cut corners, dodge hard conversations, or constantly react instead of lead — they’ll learn that too. Culture isn’t a company retreat. It’s how you show up every day, especially when things go sideways. Shape a strong leadership culture rooted in trust, clarity, and shared purpose.

Starting a business in your community doesn’t require perfection — but it does demand intention. You’re not just selling a product. You’re creating something that will take up space in the world, affect people’s lives, and shape how you spend your time for years to come. Every decision you make in these early days matters more than you think.

Kings Park H.S. Recognized on College Board’s 2025 AP School Honor Roll

The Kings Park Central School District is proud to announce that Kings Park High School has earned a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll for the 2024–25 school year, receiving Silver-level recognition for its strong commitment to academic rigor, college readiness, and student success.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools nationwide that have demonstrated outstanding efforts to welcome more students into Advanced Placement (AP) courses while providing the support needed for students to succeed. This recognition reflects Kings Park High School’s dedication to expanding access to college-level coursework and

fostering a strong college-going culture for all students.

According to the College Board, research consistently shows that students who participate in AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. Students who earn college credit through AP coursework often accelerate their path to graduation while gaining confidence for future academic success. Even for students who do not earn college credit, AP coursework provides valuable early exposure to college-level expectations and contributes meaningfully to a culture of high academic standards.

Earning a place on the AP School Honor Roll requires a schoolwide commitment, involving the collective efforts of teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and families. The district extends its sincere appreciation to all Kings Park High School educators and staff for their dedication to instructional excellence, student support, and expanded academic opportunities.

This achievement underscores the Kings Park Central School District’s continued focus on college and career readiness and its commitment to ensuring that all students are prepared to succeed beyond graduation.

Smithtown High School West Senior Receives

Girl Scouts’ Highest Honor

Alexandra Dedonato, a senior at Smithtown High School West and a member of Girl Scout Troop 2479, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest honor in Girl Scouts—by leading a project that has made a meaningful impact at High School West and in the community.

Alexandra organized a community clothing drive that collected more than 100 pieces of professional attire and volunteered over 100 hours of service to help expand the reach of the Brookhaven-based organization Dress for Success through her “Career Corner” initiative.

“It was nice to help women and hopefully help them get jobs and reenter the workforce,” Alexandra said.

Her project partnered with Dress for Success to help women and students access professional clothing and resources needed for interviews, competitions and career opportunities. Alexandra also collaborated with High School West

DECA adviser Mrs. Stephanie Torlentino to create a new “Career Closet” at High School West, giving students free access to professional clothing for interviews, mock trials and other important events.

Through leadership, dedication and teamwork, Alexandra’s Gold Award project empowers students and women to feel confident, prepared, and ready for future success.

Alexandra will be honored at an awards dinner this coming spring.

Hauppauge’s IB Diploma Alumni Reflect on Experiences, Offer Guidance

Graduates of Hauppauge High School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme from the Classes of 2016 through 2025 returned to campus to participate in a thoughtful alumni panel. During the discussion, alumni reflected on their time in the IB program and explained how it helped shape their academic paths and career development.

Panelists spoke about the academic rigor and personal growth they experienced as IB students, noting the importance of skills such as research, organization and time management. Current IB students or those interested in joining the program had the opportunity to engage directly with the alumni, asking questions like how the program prepared them for college and what advice they would give to students navigating their junior and senior years.

The panel facilitated meaningful connections between current students and graduates while underscoring the lasting impact and value of the IB Diploma Programme.

Smithtown HS East Hosts E-Bike Safety Presentation

Smithtown High School East is taking proactive steps to educate students and families about e-bike safety.

During the past several months, High School East students have been researching the growing concerns surrounding e-bikes, including the risks they pose to both riders and pedestrians.

As part of this learning initiative, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital representative Jamie Ryan, along with David Regina, Suffolk County Police Deputy Police of Patrol, and Suffolk County Special Assistant District Attorney, Maureen McCormick, visited the school on January 14 to share expert insight on injury prevention and real-world safety concerns related to e-bike use.

The presentation reinforced the importance of responsible riding and helmet use, highlighting sobering statistics: more than 20,000 people are injured annually while riding electric bicycles, with approximately 3,000 requiring hospitalization. Notably, 97% of injured e-bike riders were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident.

The visit also aligned with recent communication from Principal McNeil, who reminded families that riding an e-bike on school property is strictly prohibited unless the bike is walked.

High School East students, under the guidance of High School East teacher, June Tener, played a key role in leading the presentation and sharing their Civic Leadership class research with peers.

Civics 101

The Necessary Standard for American Education

The Treasury Department

By Matt Meduri

In continuing our series on the federal departments, we’ll pick up with the second department to have been formed, the Treasury Department.

History and Origin

The first conversation of a federal treasury originated with how the Thirteen Colonies would finance the Revolutionary War. Since Congress had no power of taxation, paper money was issued with later coin redemption - all in faith of American independence. Just days after the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first stage of the war, the Continental Congress issued $2 million in bills in June 1775. During the Second Continental Congress, a committee of five was established to oversee a de facto treasury, primarily with the goal of not growing the national debt in the face of a weak economic connection between the colonies.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the United States, now a sovereign nation, was able to secure loans from other countries.

1789 marked the First Congress, where the federal management of finances was permanently instituted. The Department of Treasury was named, as well as its secretary, the head of the department; a comptroller; an auditor, a treasurer, a register, and an assistant secretary.

The first de facto Treasurer of the U.S. was Michael Hillegas, who earned the title on May 14, 1777. However, the Treasury was reorganized three times between 1778 and 1781 and the $241.5 million of paper Continental Dollars devalued quickly. This led to the phrase “not worth a Continental,” as angry Americans protested the virtually worthless currency.

In 1781, Robert Morris was named the Superintendent of Finance. Nicknamed “the Financier,” Morris created the Bank of North America, established national credit between the U.S. and Europe, issued his own notes, and managed wartime supply chains. Morris’ vast mercantile network and personal wealth also helped secure decisive victories for the Continental Army during the Revolution. All of what Morris did eventually led to his own bankruptcy later in life.

But Morris’ work was so revolutionary in and of itself that it effectively laid the groundwork for the modern Treasury. Morris declined George Washington’s offer to be the first official Secretary of the Treasury. Instead, he suggested a fellow Founding Father.

Alexander Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789. His first task: resolving the nation’s $75 million post-war debt. Hamilton leaned on federal assumption of debts of states who could not pay them back. Hamilton expanded federal taxation and tariffs and imposed an excise tax on whiskey - the latter led to the famed Whiskey Rebellions.

Hamilton created the First Bank of the United States, created the first official tax system, established customs, and established the U.S. Mint. Hamilton’s plan for the federal government to assume state debts paid off, as creditors were then bound to the government and foreign investment became more attractive. Moreover, the austerity and firmness of the fledgling nation helped assert its dominance overseas, garnering respect and recognition from other nations for the country as a whole.

One of Hamilton’s key achievements is also that of

creating the Revenue Cutter Service to enforce customs. That service is now known as the Coast Guard.

Hamilton can be seen on the obverse of any U.S. $10 bill, with the Treasury on the reverse.

Oversight

The functions of the Treasury include producing all U.S. currency and coinage; collecting taxes and duties paid to the U.S.; managing federal finances and government debt, including the U.S. public debt; supervising national banks; investigating tax evaders; enforcing federal tax laws; and advising on domestic and international fiscal policy.

According to the Treasury Department’s website, the department is the “executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. The Department is responsible for a wide range of activities such as advising the President on economic and financial issues, encouraging sustainable economic growth, and fostering improved governance in financial institutions.”

Their website also says that the department aims to “encourage global economic growth, raise standards of living, and to the extent possible, predict and prevent economic and financial crises.”

Economic sanctions are also a prerogative of the Treasury, namely against foreign threats to the U.S.

The Treasury also serves alongside the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in estimating the spending levels for the Executive Branch, the Joint Committee on Taxation for estimates on congressional revenues, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for estimates on congressional spending.

In 2024, the Treasury Department clocked a $16.5 billion budget, with $12 billion earmarked for the IRS.

The Treasury Department is checked by and reports to several congressional committees, primarily the House Financial Services Committee, the House Oversight Committee, and the Senate Banking Committee.

Bureaus

The Treasury Department has several bureaus that oversee various aspects of taxation and regulation.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau (TTB): responsible for administering and enforcing laws on the production, use, and distribution of alcohol and tobacco; also collects excise taxes on firearms and ammunition.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP): designs and manufactures U.S. currency and securities.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): supports investigative efforts and global cooperation against domestic and international and financial crimes.

Bureau of the Fiscal Service: promotes financial integrity of the federal government through accounting, collections, payments, shared services, and financing.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): determines, assesses, and collects internal U.S. revenue; the largest of the Treasury’s bureaus.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): charters and supervises national banks.

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.

U.S. Mint: designs and manufactures domestic, foreign, and bullion coins and distributes coins to Federal Reserve Banks; also maintains physical custody and protection of U.S. silver and gold.

Inspector General: conducts independent audits to help the Treasury’s efficiency, effectiveness, and prevention of fraud.

Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund: expands availability of credit, investment capital, and services in financially distressed communities.

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA): recommends policy to promote effectiveness of internal revenue laws and to detect abuse and fraud within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The Treasury Today

The requested FY2026 budget for the Treasury clocked in at about $12.4 billion, a 29% decrease from the enacted FY2025 budget. While the IRS saw a $3.6 billion (31%) increase in funding for taxpayer services, enforcement services shrank by $3.6 billion (34%) and technology and operations shrank by $2.6 billion (37%).

As of late 2024, the Treasury has over 100,000 employees, with 98% of that staff working within its bureaus. The IRS is by far the most employed bureau, with 2022 data showing over 81,000 employees. In second place is the Bureau of the Fiscal Service boasting just 3,500 employees. While the figures fluctuate, the IRS’ numbers are consistently the largest of the bureaus.

The 79th and current Secretary of the Treasury is Scott Bessent (R-SC) (pictured right). An alumnus of Yale, Bessent made his billions as a hedge fund manager betting against foreign currencies. He also ran the London office of the Soros Management Fund (SFM), a privately held American hedge fund founded by George Soros in 1970. Bessent was an economic advisor and fundraiser for Donald Trump’s (R-FL) 2024 campaign.

Bessent was confirmed as secretary by the U.S. Senate in a 68-29 vote. He is the first openly gay person to head the department.

Bessent identifies the U.S. economy as a “barbell economy,” one with powerful raw material sectors, but one with a weakened middle class. His three-point plan for the president is modeled in the form of “Abenomics,” economic policies implemented by the late Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. The plan includes lower deficits, monetary easing, and fiscal stimulus. He has supported continuing Social Security, expanding nuclear power, the Big Beautiful Bill, the creation of Trump Accounts, and reducing government economic intervention. Bessent has opposed raising the federal minimum wage, the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency, and the U.S. Senate filibuster.

Smithtown Youth Bureau Presents Altruistic Youth Award

By Madison Warren

The Smithtown Youth Bureau has an opportunity this spring recognize the generosity and community spirit of an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to serving their community through the Altruistic Youth Award.

The award is open to students in grades 7-12 who demonstrate outstanding character and altruism. Candidates may be nominated by members of the community who have observed a student go above and beyond through acts of kindness, leadership, and a positive impact within the Smithtown community. Nominations may be submitted by school staff, community members, librarians, or other individuals familiar with the student’s contributions; however, family members may not nominate their own relatives.

Those selected as candidates for the award will be invited to attend a breakfast ceremony alongside community members and local officials, where one individual will ultimately be selected to receive the award. Regardless of the final outcome, being nominated is meaningful recognition in itself and reflects the positive impact each of these students has had on the community.

In addition to presenting this award, the Smithtown Youth Bureau remains active throughout the year, continuing to make a positive and lasting impact on the Smithtown community. Each month, participating students meet to discuss and plan meaningful ways to give back to their town. Their efforts include visiting local nursing homes, organizing

fundraisers and donation drives, helping the younger children in the town, hosting leadership classes, and volunteering at community events, all aimed at supporting and uplifting those around them. One of their big upcoming events is hosting a talent show at the nursing home, Whisper Woods of Smithtown, called “Spotlight in the Woods,” offering residents and patients a fun, entertaining afternoon with performances and snacks.

The Smithtown Youth Bureau board is composed of approximately 20 young members, ages 13 to 21, each serving in different leadership roles within the organization, including chair and vice chair. Together, these students are committed to being positive representatives of the Town of Smithtown and to making a meaningful impact through their service and involvement. Anyone who wishes to serve on the board can simply submit an application for review by the existing board.

Through initiatives such as the Altruistic Youth Award and its ongoing volunteer efforts, the Smithtown Youth Bureau continues to empower young people to lead with compassion, responsibility, and civic pride. By recognizing students who put others first and encouraging year-round youth involvement, the bureau is helping shape the next generation of leaders while strengthening the Smithtown community as a whole.

The deadline for applications for nominees is January 31, and the award will be presented on April 18 at the Senior Center. To nominate someone, you can scan the QR code on the flyer.

By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.

The 250th offers historical organizations the opportunity to enhance the impact and relevance they have in their community by creating cooperation with other organizations for a brilliant result and understanding.

We have started the 2026 Celebration for Lake Ronkonkoma on time! It is important to the historical and civic-minded groups in the village to give the public as much information as possible so plans can be made, perhaps volunteers will join and dates can be penciled in in order to attend the events you find interesting.

January 22, 2026

Making History at 250

It certainly is the time to give back to our community, with the Earth Day event from the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization and the Military Tribute Banner hanging. Working together will allow us to sincerely enjoy the year, meet new people, and see Lake Ronkonkoma for what it really holds. Two new books are in the works: Killed in Action –The Lake Ronkonkoma Heroes by George Cristino and The Old Burial Ground by Ellyn Okvist. The public will be enlightened with the history of both.

The Lake Ronkonkoma Guide for the Semiquincentennial

This schedule will be updated continually as needed. Please feel free to join any of the programs as a participant or an attendee. And watch for additions as added.

January 6, 2026: The Culper Spy Ring, Part 2 of 5 will be held for all currently registered students. Disappearing ink and discussions with George Washington will be held. This is a curriculum-designed program that will serve ages 6-12, 13-19, and interested adults. Interested in the next program? Let us know. Experts teach it! Part 3-5 to be announced from the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association email: thelakeheritage@aol.com

April 19-24, 2026: Military Tribute Banners washed and categorized for hanging. Make an appointment when convenient for you during the week, a few hours or more will help. Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Assoc. email: thelakeheritage@aol.com

April 25, 2026: Military Tribute Banners will be hung with help from all. Lake Ronkonkoma Veterans Association 9am to complete on the streets of Lake Ronkonkoma. Supplies/tools need to be announced. Email: thelakeheritage@aol.com

Same date, same time: Earth Day celebration - clean, attend to plantings, remove unwanted growth; a complete makeover for the village. Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization - 9:00a.m. on the streets of Lake Ronkonkoma. Supplies/tools need to be announced. Email: information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org

May 1-June 14, 2026: Memorial Day Field of Flags- personalize a flag for the 2026 Field of Flags. AMVETS #48, stop by or order on the website https://www.amvetspost48. org/fieldofflags

May 24, 2026: Annual Street Fair-join your community for another afternoon of fun in the streets! 11am-6pm- Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce email: info@ ronkonkomachamber.com

May 25, 2026: Annual Memorial Day Parade 10:00a.m. starts at the American Legion to Raynor Park 10:00a.m.; William Merrit Hallock American Legion #155 – (631) 565-9822

Early June 2026: By popular request, Ellyn Okvist will hold another American Flag Learning Clinic. This is a curriculum program. Date to be announced.

June 14, 2026, Theme: Servicemen’s Recognition Day Parade- The Village of Lake Ronkonkoma invites all to participate in the Celebration of our Great Country as it turns 250 Years with a Parade! Sunday June 14, 2026, 10:00a.m. Lineup begins at 9:00a.m. and full details of routes will be given. Killed in Action Memorial Ceremony 11:00a.m. Festival all day and possibly fireworks. We depend on funds for the fireworks show, so see our committee to donate! Meet a group of original residents who will be here for the festivities.

July 1, 2026: Flag demonstration for poles and proper presentation - Boy Scout Troop #272

July 2026: Eagle Watch Park on Ronkonkoma Lake will hold an introduction and informative program for the community. Boy Scouts of our area, date to be announced.

July 2026: Have you seen our Eagles? A program that will show and tell by photographers who have been sharing their professional work with the Eagles that have claimed our lake their home! Date and Location to be announced.

Ongoing Events: Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Commission presents a video collaboration bringing our 1700s landmarks, gone or current, to the public. Release date to be announced.

Lake progress: The Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board led by Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) has arranged for a public meeting, to explain the progress and plans for the future. Involved professionals will be on hand to answer questions. Date to be announced.

AI in Schools Around the World and on Long Island

Why the AI Race Might Be Won or Lost in the Classroom

By Mollie Barnett

The race for AI dominance is not being decided primarily in Silicon Valley boardrooms or semiconductor fabrication plants. It is playing out in kindergarten classrooms in Dubai, first-grade lessons in Beijing, and primary schools across Singapore.

Meanwhile, on Long Island, districts are forming task forces, debating ethical guardrails, and deciding whether to block ChatGPT.

While the West focuses on computing power, model capability, and chip export controls, several nations across Asia and the Middle East have identified the real strategic advantage in AI. It is not superior hardware or elite engineers. It is educating the population, starting with children.

This is not about letting students outsource thinking to AI tools. It is about teaching them how these systems work, where they fail, how they influence decisions, and how to use them critically and creatively. In short, it is about AI literacy.

The New Global Classroom

In September 2025, China announced and began nationwide implementation of mandatory AI education for all primary and secondary students, starting at age six, with a minimum of eight hours per year. This was not a pilot or an elective. It was a national policy decision.

China is not alone, and it was not the earliest mover.

In the 2025–2026 school year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) required AI as a core subject across all public schools beginning in kindergarten, starting at age four.

Singapore rolled out “AI for Fun” modules for students as young as seven, emphasizing handson exploration rather than theory. Students work with generative AI, natural language processing, computer vision, and AI-enabled robotics while learning how to evaluate outputs critically and understand limitations.

In these countries, AI education is cumulative. Concepts are introduced early through play and exploration, then deepen year after year through secondary school. By the time students graduate, AI is not a novelty. It is a familiar toolset they understand, question, and build with.

On Long Island, many districts are still debating whether AI belongs in the classroom at all.

What They Are Teaching

These programs are practical, ageappropriate, and designed to build AI-native generations.

China’s curriculum progresses deliberately:

• Ages 6–11: Hands-on basics such as how voice assistants work, simple chatbot interactions, pattern recognition games, and foundational safety rules

• Ages 12–14: How AI learns from data, how to recognize incorrect or fabricated outputs, and why models make mistakes

• Ages 15–18: Building simple AI tools, collaborating with AI systems, and examining real-world economic and social impacts

Singapore’s approach emphasizes tinkering and experimentation:

• Generative AI basics and safe prompting for creative work

• Computer vision integrated with robotics to show how machines perceive and navigate environments

• Prototype building paired with discussions of technical and ethical limits

The UAE’s K–12 curriculum spans seven core areas adjusted by grade level:

• What AI is and how it differs from human intelligence

• How AI learns from data and recognizes patterns

• Safe and effective use of AI software

• Ethics and responsibility, including bias, privacy, and fairness, which comprise roughly a quarter of the curriculum

• Real-world applications across industries

• Hands-on projects where students build simple AI solutions

• Understanding AI regulations and community impact

These are not enrichment programs or afterschool clubs. They are mandatory subjects, embedded in the standard timetable, supported by trained teachers and structured lesson plans.

Long Island’s Reality Check

Long Island has pockets of progress, but no coordinated strategy.

North Shore Central School District presented a systemwide digital fluency and AI strategy to its Board in January 2026 and formed an AI task force that includes teachers, administrators, and a student representative. Lindenhurst issued a public position statement supporting responsible AI integration for personalized learning. Eastern Suffolk BOCES offers professional development sessions on AI tools. Adelphi University runs summer programs introducing artificial intelligence to children ages seven to nine for families who can afford them.

What Long Island does not have is a mandatory, systematic K–12 AI curriculum. There is no early elementary integration, no universal teacher training, and no shared standard ensuring that every student develops foundational AI literacy.

Instead, the emphasis is overwhelmingly on risk. Cheating. Cognitive harm. Privacy violations. Equity gaps.

New York State’s Empire AI Student Challenge is a positive step, encouraging K–12 students to solve problems using AI. But it is voluntary, project-based, and reaches only a small portion of students. At the same time, proposed legislation such as Assembly Bill A9190 would restrict AI use in classrooms below high school, except for

diagnostics or special education interventions. We are not just starting late. In some cases, we are moving backward.

The Western Caution Trap

This lag is not accidental. It reflects a distinctly Western approach to emerging technology that is both protective and ideological.

Teachers’ unions and education advocacy groups emphasize guardrails, data privacy, bias mitigation, and preserving human-centered learning. A January 2026 Brookings report warned that the risks of AI to children’s cognitive and emotional development may outweigh benefits in many contexts. Across education circles, AI is often framed primarily as a shortcut that undermines learning rather than as a system students must understand.

The phrase “keep the human in the loop” appears constantly. It is a valid principle for highstakes decisions. Applied broadly across K–12 education, however, it discourages the kind of hands-on engagement that builds true fluency.

Europe faces similar constraints. GDPR and the EU AI Act classify much educational AI as high risk, creating regulatory friction around student data and model use. Spain leads Europe in AI education readiness, yet even there the focus is largely on guidelines and teacher training rather than mandatory early exposure.

These concerns are not wrong. Ethics, equity, and privacy matter. The strategic error lies in treating AI primarily as something to be restricted and managed rather than as a foundational capability every child must understand.

DeepSeek and the Education Advantage

The emergence of DeepSeek illustrates this point.

In 2026, the Chinese AI company released models that matched top Western systems at a fraction of the cost, often one-sixth to onequarter the price, without access to restricted U.S. chips. DeepSeek demonstrates that China does not need to match American computing power to compete.

What China does have is a workforce educated from early childhood in AI basics, data thinking, ethics, and hands-on use. When affordable, capable models become widely available, that workforce can deploy them immediately across classrooms, startups, government, and industry.

Education creates a compounding advantage. Early literacy enables faster adoption. Faster adoption drives innovation. Innovation strengthens the talent pipeline. The cycle accelerates.

American students, by contrast, often encounter AI only through consumer apps, optional challenges, or cautious high school pilots. We are training users of tools built elsewhere, not creators, evaluators, or strategic directors of AI systems.

Time Compression and the Cost of Delay

AI advances on compressed timelines. Capabilities double while costs fall. Breakthroughs arrive in months rather than years. In this environment, education gaps compound quickly:

• Early exposure builds long-term fluency. A child introduced to AI concepts at age four or six accumulates a decade of structured practice by graduation.

• Late starts are costly. Beginning serious AI education in middle or high school leaves students years behind global peers.

• Prepared nations win economically. Workforces that understand AI adopt it faster, capture productivity gains sooner, and attract investment.

• Innovation follows fluency. When entire generations understand AI, startups multiply and adoption spreads across every industry.

Analysts at Brookings, McKinsey, and workforce research groups warn of an emerging AI divide. Delayed literacy risks becoming a structural disadvantage, leading to brain drain, talent migration, and a shift from global leader to fast follower.

What This Means for Long Island

This is not abstract.

Long Island’s economy depends on a skilled workforce in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and professional services, all sectors already being reshaped by AI.

When students graduate without understanding how AI systems work, where they fail, how to evaluate outputs, or how to build with them, they enter a labor market where those skills are increasingly foundational.

Local initiatives matter. Task forces matter. Professional development matters. But they are not enough. They are fragmented, optional, and too late to create the cumulative advantage our students need.

The Bottom Line

The choice is not whether children will grow up with AI. That is already decided.

The choice is whether they grow up fluent, critical, and capable, or dependent on systems they do not understand.

The AI race will be won by the countries that teach first graders how these tools think, fail, and shape the world around them.

It is time to stop asking whether kindergarteners are ready for AI and start asking whether we are ready to teach them.

Mollie Barnett, AI Native Strategist, and Founder of State and Signal, LLC, Article was research and drafted with the assistance of various AI copilots.

18 Theater & the Arts

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Theatre Three’s ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’ Gets a Standing Ovation

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is a superbly crafted, humorous, and heartfelt coming-ofage story. This award-winning play was first presented at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on December 10, 1982, and later debuted on Broadway on March 27, 1983, at the Alvin Theatre, which was renamed the Neil Simon Theatre in his honor.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs” reveals the artistic genius of Simon, a man in complete command of his craft. His keen sense of humor, deep understanding of human nature, and uncanny ability to capture the heart and soul of humanity are among the reasons his plays have entertained and will continue to entertain millions of theatergoers around the globe.

Set at the tail end of the Great Depression, this is the first play in Simon’s semi-autobiographical trilogy, which follows the life of Eugene Morris Jerome from his adolescent days in the 1930s. The trilogy continues with “Biloxi Blues,” which explores his army training during World War II, and “Broadway Bound,” which centers on his career as a comedy writer.

The action of this two-act dramedy unfolds over the course of a whirlwind week in September 1937. This relatable story about a struggling, lower-middle-class Jewish family is told through the insightful eyes of Eugene Jerome, a 15-year-old Brooklyn boy. Kiernan Urso delivered a charismatic and memorable performance as the protagonist and narrator Eugene, a role first brought to life by Matthew Broderick in the original Broadway production, for which Broderick earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

In many ways, Eugene is a typical, awkward American adolescent, obsessed with baseball, girls, and the allure and illusion of sex. However, when Eugene breaks the fourth wall to address the audience directly, it becomes clear that this observant young man, who documents his life experiences and private thoughts in a journal, is more perceptive, astute, and introspective than the average “Joe Schmo.”

Eugene’s hardworking, principled older brother, Stanley, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Anthony Shapiro, is quick to act without considering the consequences, which often lands him

in hot water. Shapiro and Urso stole the show with their banter, bickering, and onstage antics, underscoring that, despite their differences, Eugene and Stanley share an enduring, unbreakable brotherly bond. One of the funniest scenes you will ever see on any stage is Stanley teaching Eugene his hilarious version of the facts of life.

Jack Jerome is the head of this loving household, pushed to the limit by the constant fear of financial ruin. Angelo DiBiase commanded the stage as a caring, work-weary father, overwrought with responsibility and trepidation about his own future and that of his family. In addition to these everyday worries, Jack is plagued by fear of Hitler’s rise in Europe and its impact on his Polish-Jewish relatives. DiBiase, a seasoned actor with laser-focused facial expressions and evocative body

language, added layers of meaning to Simon’s carefully structured script and cleverly written dialogue.

Theatre Three veteran, Linda May, aced the role of the formidable Kate Jerome, the sharp-tongued yet fiercely protective matriarch of the Jerome family. During the play’s quieter moments, when Jack and Kate exhibit tender, supportive, and loving affection for each other, May and DiBiase’s onstage chemistry was palpable.

The Jerome household is even more cramped and chaotic because Kate’s grief-stricken, widowed sister, Blanche Morton, and her two daughters live with them. Suzie Dunn gave a noteworthy performance as Blanche, a woman who has always been dependent on others, but comes to realize she must learn to be more self-reliant.

Emilia Guzzetta delivered a nuanced performance as Nora, Blanche’s headstrong, sometimes defiant older daughter, whose dreams of becoming a Broadway dancer are thwarted by her mother’s well-intentioned efforts to keep her in school. Erin Risolo, a talented young actor, was well cast as Laurie, Blanche’s intelligent yet manipulative younger daughter. Laurie has been pampered and coddled by her mother because of a slight heart condition and uses this malady to avoid helping others and doing household chores.

Theatre Three’s awe-inspiring creative team brought their A-game to

this show. A special shoutout goes to Colleen Rebecca Britt for her precisionperfect direction. Tim Haggerty’s outstanding sound design, Steven Uihlein’s innovative lighting design, Randall Parsons’ award-worthy set design depicting the Jerome’s modest two-story home, and Jason Allyn’s authentic 1930s costumes all came together to make this humorous and heartwarming production unforgettable.

Although the themes of sibling rivalry and strained household relationships are examined throughout the play, ultimately, the most important takeaway from “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is this: The world doesn’t survive without family. This must-see show runs through February 8, 2026. For tickets, call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Mayor Mamdani’s Nightmare Start

By Shane Harris | Editor in Chief of AMAC Newsline

When New York City’s 8.5 million residents elected a self-professed socialist to be their next leader, conservatives across the country warned that his tenure would be a disaster. But the first week of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s term has been even worse than most predicted.

Like a true Marxist, one of Mamdani’s first acts was erecting a monument to himself. The 34-yearold Ugandan-born immigrant was officially sworn in as the Big Apple’s 111th (or 112th, depending on how you’re counting) mayor just after midnight on January 1. Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of the city, took his oath of office on a Quran, which will now be kept on display at the main branch of the New York Public Library alongside a photo of his swearing-in and the slogans “The People’s Qur’an” and “Making history at City Hall.”

Clearly, the new mayor wants everyone to understand just how important he is.

Mamdani’s inaugural address, which sounded like a ChatGPT rewrite of the Communist Manifesto, was even more ghastly. “I was elected as a Democratic Socialist and I will govern as a Democratic Socialist,” he declared, promising to start an “era of big government” and to govern “expansively and audaciously.”

By far the most controversial line was his pledge to “replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” Perhaps nothing else he has said so completely captures just how dangerous, ignorant, and deeply un-American Mamdani and his political ideology are. Rugged individualism is the beating heart of the American spirit. It fueled the first settlers to forge a new nation from wilderness, spurred on the Founding Fathers to craft a cradle of liberty from tyranny, and has sustained every generation of American patriots since.

The record of collectivism, meanwhile, is one of scarcity, pain, and despair. According to the best estimates, “collectivism” (also known as communism) killed 100 million people in the 20th century alone. That Mayor Mamdani doesn’t know this – or perhaps just doesn’t care – should be terrifying.

Lest any listener still have doubts about what Mamdani’s socialist dystopia will look like, the new mayor also pointed to South Africa as a model of his governing philosophy – specifically encouraging New Yorkers to view every problem through the lens of racial injustice. Never mind the fact that South Africa is rapidly descending into chaos and violence as white farmers are killed en masse. Mamdani wants us all to know that he wants America’s largest city to look just like Johannesburg, and that antiwhite discrimination is his guiding light.

For anyone unconvinced of that fact, just look at the record of Catherine Almonte Da Costa, Mamdani’s first Director of Appointments – the individual charged with placing candidates in senior leadership positions throughout the city government. In 2016, Da Costa wrote, “It’s important that white people feel defeated.”

Da Costa lasted just one day in the job before she was forced to resign over antisemitic posts, including one that complained about “moneyhungry Jews.” But Mamdani has continued to support Cea Weaver, his executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, in spite of her own troubling social media history.

Along with calling for treating private property as a “collective good,” Weaver stated her desire to “impoverish the *white* middle class” and described homeownership as “a weapon of white supremacy.” In another social media missive from 2018, she wrote: “There is no such thing as ‘good gentrifier,’ only people who are actively working on projects to dismantle white supremacy and capitalism and people who aren’t.”

Weaver has also called on people to seize private property and elect communist lawmakers. Yet in true champagne socialist fashion, Weaver’s mother, who is white, owns a $1.4 million home in Nashville, and Weaver burst into tears when a reporter asked her about it.

Of Mamdani’s other appointees who aren’t somewhere to the political left of Joseph Stalin, most are hopelessly unqualified. Perhaps the most glaring example of this is Mamdani’s choice of Lillian Bonsignore as the next fire department commissioner.

In announcing Bonsignore, Mamdani gushed about the fact that she would be the second woman

- 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.

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and the first openly gay individual to lead the department, but was strangely silent on the details of her experience as a firefighter – probably because she has none. Bonsignore most recently served as EMS chief for three years before retiring in 2022. She has never been a firefighter.

The appointment outraged many longtime firefighters, as Mamdani passed over more senior and qualified choices.

“It’s so stupid,” one told The New York Post. “EMTs have no idea what firemen do. They have no idea how to fight a fire.”

Stupid as it may be, it’s likely only a sign of things to come for New York City. No decent American wants to see his fellow citizens suffer. But elections have consequences, and Mayor Mamdani is showing just how dire they can be.

WORD OF THE Week

Etymology: from Greek prosēlytos (προσήλυτος), meaning “stranger,” “newcomer,” or “one who has come over”; English, 1670s, adding the Greekderived -ize suffix (meaning “to do” or “to make”) to the noun proselyte

Source: Oxford Languages

PROSELYTIZE

verb

Pronounced: /praa·suh·luh·tize/

Definition: (sense 1) advocate or promote (a belief or course of action); (sense 2) convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.

Example: “The officials chose to promulgate the issue of fraud to get ahead of the curve.”

Synonyms: promote, endorse, champion

Antonyms: dissuade, reject, disallow

January 24, 1848: James Marshall finds gold in Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California.

January 27, 1894:

First college basketball game, University of Chicago beats Chicago YMCA 19-11.

January 23, 1978:

January 22, 1973:

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court legalizes most abortions (Roe v. Wade). Authoring the majority opinion, Harry Blackmun states that the criminalization of abortion does not have “roots in the English common-law tradition.”

Sweden becomes the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, due to their harmful effect on the earth’s ozone layer.

January 28, 1813: Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is published by Thomas Egerton in the United Kingdom.

Source: Onthisday.com.

January 25, 1961:

First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by President John F. Kennedy (D-MA).

January 26, 1980:

175,000 pay to hear Frank Sinatra sing in Rio de Janeiro.

By Aarmani Emile

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an extraordinary leader who spent his entire life fighting for civil rights and equality through a peaceful movement that changed the face of the United States of America for the rest of its history. His methods of bringing change into society involved peaceful demonstrations, loving others, and doing the right thing in a nonviolent way. At 14, I believe the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are relevant to our world.

Dr. King’s Legacy Lives On

Dr. King’s nonviolent movement caused a stir in America that led to the recognition of the significant issues of segregation and racism that were prevalent in America during the 1960s. People of color at that time suffered due to discrimination on the basis of their skin alone. Dr. King led nonviolent marches and protests, including the famous March on Washington, where he delivered a stirring ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. These marches proved successful, as they allowed the world to witness the facts without the vitriol that could repel people. These marches allowed many people who are not even affected by the issue of racism to understand the mistake that was happening in the world and take a stand for its correction.

Today, we are dealing with the same issues in society and facing problems like violence, hatred, and segregation. The values of nonviolence that Dr. King has given us in life are as important as ever. For example, if we look around and see conflicts in our schools and society between us and others, the value of nonviolence encourages us to communicate and resolve issues through dialogue rather than fighting or bullying. It’s all about treating each other with respect and dignity, even if we don’t like or disagree with each other. Dr. King’s

By PJ Balzer

value of love and understanding gives us a lot to learn from.

Furthermore, the truth is that these days, social media can communicate its message in ways never before possible, but it can also promote negativity and anger. One of the principles we can adapt from Dr. King in how we communicate through these social networks is that we can promote unity and raise awareness of people in need of help through our online communication. Just think about how our communities could improve if we did so.

Moreover, the importance of unity was made possible by Dr. King’s movement. Various individuals, regardless of their background, came forward to support civil rights, and the result was the ability to bring about change. It is important to learn from this and, collectively, stand for the cause in today’s time, whether it is to end climate change, provide mental health care, or achieve equality in every way, regardless of race, gender, or ideology.

In conclusion, the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s non-violent movement on the struggle for civil rights cannot be overstated. His ideologies of love, understanding, and nonviolent demonstrations are takeaways we can use in our day-to-day lives. It is absolutely within our power to make a difference for the best by opting for non-violence and understanding in the face of anger and discrimination. It is up to the next generation to carry forward Dr. King’s dream of making the world a decent place for all, where everyone is treated with respect.

Holding Hands with the Opposition

I spent part of this past weekend watching the NFL football playoffs. I was personally hoping for the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears to advance to the next round, but unfortunately both teams were sent home this weekend.

I haven’t been able to catch the Texans play all year, so I was looking forward to doing so this weekend. They faced off with the New England Patriots who have certainly had their own glory days in years past and may just be heading back up to the top. I was particularly interested in watching C.J. Stroud play on the big stage. The Ohio State University graduate and 24-year-old Texans star quarterback is also a young man who is unashamedly outspoken about his Christian faith. In a refreshing, gentle and non-obnoxious way.

Stroud played a horrible game this weekend. He threw four interceptions in the first half alone and didn’t pull his game together in the second half either. There were a few substantial injuries on his offensive line which left the young quarterback without the protection and throwing time he was used to having. It was beautiful to see the young man take full ownership of having an off game and subpar performance when his team needed it most - not pointing fingers outwardly or blaming the other players or coaching staff. Personal accountability and internal reflection are a nearly extinct trait today.

As the final whistle blew and the game was decided strongly in the Patriots’ favor. Both teams stopped everything, gathered together and took a knee to pray together. Two teams who just battled it out on the football field, many players with their own and their opponents’ blood still

drying up on their jersey, kneeling together in the snow to give thanks for the opportunity to play a sport they love at such a high level and giving thanks for no life-altering injuries during the game. Giving thanks for their coaches, for each other, and their opponents, clearly not using prayer as a good luck charm to defeat the other side or gain a personal victory.

With a good portion of the country watching them do so, the two teams become one for a moment and they didn’t rush through their time of prayer together. This scene was a reflection of a light that was meant to shine increasingly bright.

In a time when the Christian faith is being propagated to defeat the “other side” and beat back our enemies, the Texans and Patriots made a choice to stop everything to hold hands with the opponents to pray. The Christian faith was founded on a message of love, healing, selflessness, and redeeming the hearts and souls of lost humans, whoever they may be, and not using our weapons to “cut the ears off” of the opposition. (Luke 22:47-51)

Personally, I spent most of my life being an enemy of God’s and opposed to the message of the Cross - living to lie, cheat, take, and manipulate, using every person I met for my own advantage, regardless of how hard I had to step on their face to do so. Yet still, in the darkest and most desperate time of my life’s journey, the One who I was formerly an enemy of came to rescue me, saving me from myself. Jesus gave His own life to ransom His enemy, when He had every right to just incinerate me.

I love seeing faith in the public square being

represented in a way that speaks to the onlookers of the character of God. I personally pray that we see more of it because it’s beautiful, wholesome, and healing, holding hands to pray with an opponent.

Bellport Varsity Boys Basketball is Rising Up

By Ashley Pavlakis

The Clippers are stringing together wins on the court this season at Bellport High School. The boys’ varsity basketball team is currently in the top five of the League IV standings, putting in the hard work each game.

The Bellport boys’ basketball team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League III. The team is led by first-year head coach Rich Brown. Brown was an assistant before taking over at the helm. He’s joined on the sideline by assistant coaches Rob Powell, Darren Yancey, and Jarell White.

This season, the Clippers have a record of 8-5-0. Not bad, it’s still a winning record. The Clippers are a mixed bag; some of their wins are completely dominant, some are really close games. Opposingly, their losses are similar in that regard. All five losses came against league opponents. Of their eight wins, five were against league opponents, and three were against nonleague opponents.

“We just want to focus and pay attention to detail and be better every day in practice. It’s a long season and our league is the strongest league in Suffolk in my opinion so we need to be

prepared every day,” Brown told The Messenger. Elie Malcom is a player to watch out for this season as the senior guard is consistently putting up numbers on the court. Malcom’s highest point total came against West Babylon and Smithtown West, where he put up 20 points. Malcom is producing on and off the court, most recently being inducted into the National Honor Society for Bellport. He’s a dual sport athlete, competing in basketball and football.

At guard, junior Amari Trent is a huge asset for the Clippers. Trent is a consistent 15-plus point player for Bellport. His game high this season was 30 points, which he put up against Greenport earlier this month. Trent is strong at the freethrow line, converting 33 times this season.

The lone freshman on the squad this season is Carmelo Flippen, who plays guard. Flippen has played in every game so far this season, putting up points in each ranging from three to seventeen. Freshmen, and sometimes even eighth graders, are becoming more common at the varsity level. Flippen has proven he can play with upperclassmen and make a difference for the Clippers.

“We actually only returned one starter from

last season, so our team does not have a lot of veterans and experience. We are continuing to grow each day and hope to continue to improve,” said Brown.

The Clippers will see six seniors graduate this spring in Chad Gambles, Josiah Johnson, Elie Malcom, Nazir Reid-Turner, Jake Rubin, and Jordan Simon. Before they walk the stage in June, they’ll be honored for their contributions to the varsity basketball team when they celebrate senior night on February 3.

The Clippers’ schedule has them playing each opponent at least twice. For some, they’ll look to redeem themselves and pick up a win. The teams they’re still looking to beat are Smithtown East and Deer Park. They’ll face the Bulls at home and the Falcons on the road. For others, they’ll look to take the season series and go 2-0.

There are seven games remaining in the regular season, a mix of playing at home and on the road. The Clippers will look to win when it matters most as the season is winding down and playoffs are looming in the distance.

“The mindset is to take each day as it comes. One day at a time, one practice at a time and one game at a time,” said Brown.

Longwood Varsity Boys & Girls Bowling Teams Are Rolling in Hot

By Ashley Pavlakis

The Longwood Lions are owning the lanes at the bowling alley this season. Both the boys’ and girls’ varsity bowling teams are hot as we head into the final stretch of the regular season.

Longwood bowling is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League I (girls) and League IV (boys). The Lady Lions are coached by David Huey, and the boys’ team is coached by Doug Dwyer. Dwyer is in his 23rd year coaching at Longwood. The Lions take up residency at Coram County Lanes, their home for the varsity bowling season.

Both teams are in the [strike] zone this season as they’re undefeated so far with a few games remaining in the regular season. The girls boast an 8-0-0 record atop League I with three games left to go, whereas the boys have a 10-0-0 record sitting in first place in League IV with five games left to go. Uniquely, both teams are one-of-two teams remaining in Suffolk County to hold a perfect record. Longwood boys are undefeated, along with East Islip; the girls are undefeated, along with Smithtown.

“Moving forward, my guys are anticipating making a run at another County Title at the Section XI Championships in Feb. at Babylon,” Longwood boys bowling coach Douglas Dwyer told The Messenger. In 2023, the girls and boys bowling teams captured the Suffolk County championship title for their respective leagues. This feat was the first time in school history that both teams won in the same season. The Lady Lions went back-to-back, as they won the title in both 2022 and 2023. The girls’ team is also a two-time New York State runner-up at the championship level.

Tyler Uss has a knack for hitting the pins,

consistently putting up quality numbers to help his team win matches. This season, he was named to the Suffolk County All-Star team, becoming the second bowler in school history to get the nod. Uss was also named to Newsday’s Top Bowlers for the 2025-26 season.

The Lady Lions saw two of their bowlers named to Newsday’s Top Bowlers list in Kaylee Dwyer and Jossalyn Liverpool. Leading League I in terms of average, Longwood has five bowlers. Kaylee Dwyer 209, Lexie Cohen 190, Jossalyn Liverpool 186, Avery Frank 175, and Alexis DiBella 170 average.

The girls’ team is tied in League I with Comsewogue with 290 points, but they have the edge with winning all of their games while Comsewogue has lost once.

The boys compete in League IV and have five players who have recorded high series scores. T.J Hines 738, Michael Mirabile 708, James Dunn 704, Justin Muller 662, and Dylan Silvia 660. Bowling isn’t the most popular varsity sport, but those who choose to pursue it have found their own in that space. Strikes, spares, or turkeys, it’s all part of the fun every time they step up to the lane.

By PJ Balzer

Sachem North is throwing it down on the mat this year, posting an undefeated record so far in the 2025-26 varsity wrestling season.

The Sachem North Arrows Varsity Wrestling is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League II. The Arrows are led by 8th-year head coach Anthony Marino. He spent two years as an assistant before taking over at the helm. Prior to coaching, Marino graduated from Sachem North, bringing a sense of familiarity as he stepped into the role.

Floyd Grabs First League Title in Decades

Sachem North currently boasts a 14-0-0 record this season. An undefeated record in wrestling is a culmination of hard work and dedication to craft. The Arrows’ head coach spoke about the work ethic his team possesses.

“The guys have worked super, super hard this season. Almost my entire starting lineup has been working in the offseason as well,” said Sachem North Head Coach Anthony Marino. “So, a lot of guys just committed to getting better throughout the year. They’re a great group of kids that really like being around each other, which makes the team chemistry so much better. We just work on constantly trying to build that camaraderie as well as reinforcing important skills in the room, technique-wise.”

Sachem North has proved to be a tough

opponent on the mat this season. What they’re doing is just one of the reasons why they’ve been so successful.

“We don’t stop wrestling. Whistle to whistle, our kids are nonstop moving and looking to put points on the board, and just a relentless pace and very good conditioning,” Marino told The Messenger

Every team has a few athletes who stand out; the Arrows are no different. Their four guys are an integral part of the team and their success on and off the mat. The Arrows have a 44-man roster, compiled of a mix of veterans and underclassmen.

“We have Jack Cusumano, Josh Thomas, Valdey Pierre, and Thomas Vecchio; those are four of our best wrestlers. They’re all ranked in the State right now,” said Marino. “All four of those guys have

shown exemplary dedication and work ethic in the room; they are constantly trying to improve themselves every day and practice. Whether we are going through kind of like a slower day or a faster pace day. They’re going in there to get 1% better every day, and it shows. A lot of them have wrestled for a long time now, and every year, they just get a little bit better and a little bit more tenacious. So, they do a great job of leading by example, and then also leading vocally on the mat since three of them, Jack, Valdey, and Tommy are all captains, and Josh is a junior, but also acts as the leader in the room.”

This season, the Arrows celebrated Josh Thomas’ 100th career win. Jack Cusumano, Thomas Vecchio, and Valdey Pierre were recognized by Newsday as Top 50 Wrestlers on Long Island. The Arrows competed in the Joe Davidson Wrestling Tournament and took home first place overall, 11 of their wrestlers finished in the top five in their weight class. They also competed in the Sprig Gardner tournament, taking home the first-place prize.

Exciting things are happening for the Sachem North Arrows. One thing’s for sure; they’re going to give 110% effort every time they step on the mat.

A long basketball season has a way of revealing the truth one possession at a time. But every so often, Suffolk County delivers a week where the scoreboards don’t just report results — they announce intentions.

Smithtown West did that loudest, rolling past Deer Park 89-55 in a win that carried more than points. Bay Shore followed with a 77-36 dismantling of Riverhead, the kind of margin that tells you the game was decided long before the fourth quarter ever arrived.

But this week wasn’t only about runaway trains.

William Floyd’s 61-49 win over Central Islip had the fingerprints of January basketball all over it — physical defense, methodical possessions, and the quiet pressure of every trip down the floor meaning something. Kings Park, meanwhile, put up a statement number of its

own, knocking off Miller Place 90-62, and Mount Sinai handled Rocky Point 68-43 with the sort of balance that wins in February.

Commack stayed on script with a convincing 76-48 win over Lindenhurst, and Amityville topped Wyandanch 75-59 in a matchup that carried the familiar energy of two programs that don’t believe in backing down.

For the teams living in tighter margins, Walt Whitman edged Sachem East 44-41 in a grind, and Knox outlasted Kellenberg 50-43 — the kind of low-scoring struggle where every basket feels earned, not given.

As the calendar turns and playoff positioning begins to matter, the separation will grow. And in Suffolk, the teams that defend, rebound, and value possessions are the ones that will still be playing when winter gets serious.