______________
AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD
We Make Your Custom ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa Dreams C
ASD asking state for election recount Page 2 VOL. 112 NO. 21
Student completing internship at TOB Page 3
JUNE 10 - 16, 2026
ome True.
395 Merrick Road, Amity ville 631-264-0626
snugharborjewelry.com Follow us @snugharborjewelryinc
$1.00
SCAN HERE TO VISIT OUR SITE
State lawmakers look to pass transparency act Measure would require release of surveillance tapes in timely manner By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Joe O’Shea and Paul Cannella of the West Babylon Lions Club greeted fair goers May 16.
Italian festival fills Town Hall lawn By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
There was food. There was music. There was fun. And there was plenty of all three at the Town of Babylon’s annual Italian Food Festival, held last month at Town Hall. The event drew hundreds of residents and visitors to the Great Lawn at Town Hall for a celebration of Italian culture featuring food, live entertainment, family activities and community spirit. Local vendors served everything from bomboloni and pizza to zeppoles, sausage, braciole, meatballs and Italian ice. Guests also enjoyed performances by Angelo Venuto, Maria Venuto, Carmelo Raccuglia and DJ Domenick, as well as a Kids Zone and a classic Cadillac display. The festival was hosted by Councilman Anthony Manetta and Town Clerk Gerry Compitello in partnership with the Constantino Brumidi Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. Attendees were also encouraged to donate pasta and sauce to support Manetta’s 8th Annual Pasta & Sauce Food Drive, which ben-
efits local families in need. “This event is a wonderful way to celebrate our Italian heritage while bringing the community together for a great cause,” Manetta said. Among those enjoying the festivities were sisters Lyla and Francesca Verdicchio, daughters of Helga and Joe Verdicchio of Deer Park. The family spent the day at the festival, with the girls sporting colorful face paint. For Mary Fish, John DiBiase, Maralyn Curley, Mario Pusateri and Vincenzo Fattorusso, the festival provided an opportunity to gather with friends for an afternoon of “divertimento,” the Italian word for fun. “We are having a great time,” Fish said as the group sat on a bench near the bandstand, listening to music and tapping their feet. Michael Gentile, a member of the LaFamiglia Cadillac Club, displayed his Cadillac, which attracted the attention of festivalgoers. Antoinette and Mario Tallarico of Deer Park enjoyed dancing on the lawn as music filled the air. “We come every year,” Antoinette Tallarico said. “It is a beautiful event.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
New York State lawmakers are calling for passage of a law that would require businesses to release security footage to police investigating a crime within 24 hours of their request. The proposed measure, called the Edeedson “Joshy” Cine, Jr. Transparency Act, is in the name of 23-year-old Josh Cine who was stabbed to death during a robbery at the CVS pharmacy on Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst on Christmas Day, 2025. Suffolk County Police investigators negotiated with CVS officials for the tapes for 18 hours before the company agreed to release them. “In the immediate aftermath of a violent crime, an investigator’s focus needs to be on identifying a suspect rather than negotiating to secure footage of the incident,” said New York State Sen. Monica R. Martinez (D-4th) referring to the delay. The difficulty police had in getting the tapes pointed to the lack of any clear and decisive legislation that requires that businesses release the tapes, said Martinez who called the press conference. Currently private companies are
Edeedson “Joshy” Cine Jr., who was killed during a robbery on Christmas Day 2025 not required to hand over surveillance footage without a warrant or subpoena, and there are no repercussions for delays or a failure to comply. New York State Assemblyman Kwani O’Pharrow (D-11th) who attended the conference and sponsored the measure in the Assembly, said it has received wideCONTINUED ON PAGE 9