Happy Birthday America!
Thursday, July 3, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 33 ~ $1.00
Raheem Soto Takes the Helm at The Messenger
By Messenger Papers Staff
Raheem Soto stepped into a new role this week as Publisher of The Messenger, marking a first in the paper’s long history. He’s the first minority to hold the title since The Messenger began printing more than 140 years ago. Soto began writing for The Messenger in January 2025 and quickly became a recognizable byline. But his work in local journalism goes back much further. Before joining the paper, he wore many hats at The Brookhaven News and The South Shore Press—writing, editing, and handling layout and graphics across multiple sections. “I absolutely believe that Raheem is the right person to take the paper to the next level,” said former publisher Diane Caudullo, who officially passed the torch on Monday. “He understands how the business works—print, digital, advertising—and he really knows the communities we serve.” Soto has lived in Suffolk County for thirty-five years, with the last twenty spent on the East End. Over the years, he’s covered town boards, school budgets, public safety, and elections—often bringing attention to underrepresented voices and overlooked details. Continued on page 5
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FLAG DAY FLAG DAY Credit - Madison Warren
Mt. Pleasant Elementary Recognizes Excellence with Honorary Awards By Madison Warren
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Smithtown celebrated this week one of its most dedicated staff members. Rob O’Connor, the school’s head custodian, was honored by the PTA with the 2025 Honorary Lifetime Award in recognition of his twenty-one years of service to the district and eight years at the school. Rob O’Connor was surprised with this award on June 26th by school principal Joseph Ierano, PTA president Carissa Mitchell, and his wife, as he thought was an ordinary “staff meeting.”. He received this award because of his exceptional dedication and contributions to the school community. In announcing the award, Ierano spoke about Rob’s unwavering support and the countless ways he helps the school each day, saying, “So this person is someone who we call on hundreds of times a day to take care of us, to take care of all our needs, and that the PTA also relies heavily on all the events that they have to do for our student and teachers, all for good reason, but this year’s Honorary Life Award from the PTA goes to Mr. Rob O’Connor.”
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FULL STORIES ON:
SCPD Ramps Up DWI Enforcement Pages 4
Mattera Weighs In on Nuclear Power Pages 8
Town Breaks Ground On Toner Park Page 10