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Thursday, January 29, 2026 ~ Volume 138 ~ Issue Number 11 ~ $1.00
D.A. Tierney Sworn in for Second Term By Matt Meduri Last Thursday, January 22, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) was sworn in to begin a second, four-year term. Tierney made his maiden voyage in politics in 2021, unseating then-D.A. Tim Sini (D-Mt. Sinai) in the red wave that also allowed Republicans to take control of the Suffolk County Legislature for the first time in nearly fifteen years. Tierney unseated the one-term Sini by a whopping eleven points - 55.46%-44.54%. Within the first two years of his term, Tierney accomplished the near-unthinkable: promulgating a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders, a serial killing spree that rocked Long Island from 1993 to 2011. To date, suspect Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, has been charged with seven murders in the spree, including the original “Gilgo Four.” Continued on page 4 D.A. Tierney (right) sworn into office, joined by wife Erica (Credit - Matt Meduri)
LaLota, Trump Approve $3M+ for Smithtown Projects By Matt Meduri The latest round of congressional appropriations has procured over $11 million in community projects for NY-01, with over $3 million earmarked for key projects across the Town of Smithtown. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) announced the successful negotiations that were signed into law by President Donald Trump (R-FL). “Having worked in and around Suffolk County government for tenplus years before heading to Congress, I’ve been able to develop solid relationships with leaders like Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park),” LaLota told The Messenger, adding that Town staff have been working collaboratively to identify needs to enhance quality of life and affordability. “As a former village [Amityville] official, I have a keen appreciation for earning grant money. Doing so helps reduce budgetary and tax burdens, so I’m always eager to lean into getting money for municipalities,” said LaLota. The Congressman also added an exclusive angle on the negotiating process when it comes to these appropriations. Continued on page 10
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) (Credit - Matt Meduri)
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