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Friday, July 13, 2018
Vol. 93, No. 28
LIVING 50 PLUS
ASHKENASE NOW LONGEST SERVING
KAPLAN, PHILLIPS CLASH ON ABORTION
PAGES 31-42
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House fire kills 7 of 15 cats in historic home
G.N. residence built in 1925 once home to John L. Miller, former superintendent BY JA N E LL E C L AUS E N
PHOTO COURTESY OF OVER THE EDGE PHOTOGRAPHY
A firefighter from Vigilant Fire Company holds one of survivors from the house fire.
Seven of the 15 cats residing in the historic John L. Miller home in Great Neck died in a fire that drew at least 50 firefighters on Tuesday evening, with no human injuries reported but the house no longer habitable. Scott MacDonald, the second assistant fire chief of the Vigilant Fire Company, said the fire broke out on the first floor around 6:34 p.m. and it was reported that someone could be trapped inside. “We responded to 4 Warwick [Road] for a report of a house fire,” MacDonald said later that night.
“Upon arrival there was smoke pumping everywhere out of the house.” MacDonald entered the house with his water cannon to contain the flames, which had started to creep onto the second floor, with Vigilant Fire Chief Joshua Charry. It was during that search they found out that the owner was away – but not her cats. “We finished the search and didn’t find any people, but we did find several cats,” Charry said. Charry said that according to neighbors and friends of the owner, there were likely 15 cats in the house. Continued on Page 71
G.N. surgeon faces sex abuse charges BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN
or!charges of sexual misconduct on Tuesday. Dr. Dwight De Risi, 70, a A Great Neck surgical on- breast surgeon in private praccologist and professor was ar- tice at Long Island Breast Care raigned! on two misdemean- in Great Neck and a clinical assistant professor at the Donald
and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, had been arrested on June 21. He now faces charges of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree, according to court records, which allegedly took place at his practice. Miriam Sholder, a spokeswoman for Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, said no
further information could be shared “due to the nature of the charges.” Nassau District Court Judge William Hohouser released De Risi after he promised in writing to return to court for all proceedings and issued a stayaway order of protection, which was signed on behalf of the unnamed victim. Joseph Conway, De Risi’s Mineola-based defense attorney,
described his client as a “wellknown and highly respected breast cancer surgeon” who has served over 30,000 patients for four decades facing “unfounded” and “completely frivolous” charges. “Today’s charges, brought after zero investigation, are unfounded and completely frivolous,” Conway said in an emailed statement. “We will Continued on Page 48
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