The People’s Newspaper - Covering All of Suffolk County
42ND YEAR • ISSUE 2
JANUARY 14, 2026
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Local author Lori Vollkommer signs a copy of her new book for Tova Keblish at Gavin’s Treasures in Center Moriches.
Credit: Robert Chartuk
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Town Clerk Takes Oath First Responders Connect Getting Maniacs At Meet the Paws Event Story on For Second Term Off the Streets Story on Credit: Suffolk FRES
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Credit: Town Clerk’s Office
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
From the
NEWSROOM BY ROBERT CHARTUK After writing news stories for 45 years, some refer to me as the Dean of Suffolk reporters. The undisputed King of Long Island journalists, however, is Karl Grossman, whose weekly column returns to the South Shore Press on Page 12. I remember covering a meeting of the Suffolk Legislature as a 21-year-old cub reporter, sitting next to Karl, who was already a legend. We were following the Shoreham nuclear plant debacle, which later became the subject of his acclaimed book, Power Crazy: Is LILCO Turning Shoreham Into America’s Chernobyl? This was at the start of a journey under the tutelage of a master that continues to this day. The atomic fiasco was not the first controversial issue the King had sunk his teeth into.
Back when Robert Moses was the region’s ultimate power broker, Karl went up against him over plans to extend Ocean Parkway across Fire Island to William Floyd Parkway. The proposal would have marred what would become the Fire Island National Seashore, an ecological gem along the barrier island. Karl’s coverage galvanized opposition to the highway, earning him the enmity of one of the most powerful figures of the day. This was not the first time Grossman tangled with Moses. The master planner also loomed large when the World’s Fair came to Queens in the early 1960s. In building out the region’s transportation network, Moses displaced numerous communities, particularly black and minority neighborhoods.
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The King is Back in the South Shore Press When displaced residents came to the fair to protest his heavy hand, Moses called in Pinkerton agents, who beat them with batons. Karl’s coverage of the incident led to a call to his publisher—and his firing. Karl quickly landed back on his feet, securing a job with another paper and continuing a stellar career that endures to this day. That experience and insight remain vital assets as, this week, Karl turns his attention to the race for New York governor. He landed an interview with Gov. Hochul’s lieutenant, Angelo DelGato, who, incredibly, is challenging her for the Democrat nomination. Stay tuned next week for his take on this palace intrigue—and much more—as he returns with his weekly thoughts.
Grossman’s coverage kept a highway off the seashore.
Robert Chartuk
The Quiet Winter Gathering of Long Island’s Starlings By Robert Chartuk On cold winter days, starlings gather by the hundreds, turning Long Island fields and grasslands into communal resting grounds. They are quiet now, feeding and conserving energy, but these same birds are best known for one of nature’s most astonishing spectacles. Starlings are famous for their aerial displays, called murmurations. At dusk, massive flocks rise into the sky and begin to move as one, twisting, folding, and reshaping themselves in perfect harmony. The birds surge and contract like a single living organism, forming undulating black waves that ripple against the evening light. People stop what they’re doing to watch, often in disbelief, as instinct and split-second reactions create patterns more fluid than anything choreographed by human design. Scientists explain the behavior as a defense against predators, but the experience feels far
Jenny Latham/BirdFact
Starlings are laying low for now on an East Moriches lawn, but soon they will take flight in an amazing murmuration.
more mystical than mechanical. The European starling is not native to North America. It was introduced
intentionally in the early 1890s, when a small group was released in New York City by admirers of William
Shakespeare who wanted every bird mentioned in his plays to live in the United States. From those few dozen birds, starlings spread rapidly across the continent, thriving in cities, farmland, and coastal regions alike. Long Island, with its mix of open fields, marshes, and relatively mild winters, has become a reliable overwintering area. For centuries, starlings have carried a rich burden of folklore and superstition. In parts of Europe, they were seen as messengers or omens, their sudden appearances believed to signal change ahead. Some cultures viewed murmurations as warnings of storms or upheaval; others saw them as signs of good fortune and unity. Their dark, speckled feathers and uncanny coordination lent them a reputation as clever, watchful birds. As they settle in through the winter months, starlings remain a reminder that even the most common birds can carry wonder, history, and a touch of mystery wherever they gather.
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Local author Lori Vollkommer signs a copy of her new book for Tova Keblish at Gavin’s Treasures in Center Moriches.
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Town Clerk Takes Oath First Responders Connect Getting Maniacs At Meet the Paws Event Story on for Second Term Off the Streets Story on Credit: Suffolk FRES
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EDITORIAL By South Shore Press With the election for New York governor taking place this year, attention is beginning to focus on just how far the Empire State has fallen. We now top nearly every bad list there is: highest taxes, soaring utility costs, crushing insurance premiums, rising crime, mass out-migration, poor business outlook—you name it. Florida, which has more residents thanks to people fleeing New York, spends less than half of what we do—and it doesn’t even have a state income tax. That enormous gap boils down to a simple truth: the danger of one-party rule. When those in power control every lever of government, they can spend whatever they want, and the
OP-ED By Reverend Bill Minson As this year unfolds toward the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the impact of that day continues to shape lives, families, and our nation. I begin this season of remembrance with gratitude, thanking God for giving me life and sustaining it over these decades so I can continue to be of service to families who still carry the weight of that morning. The tragedy of 9/11 did not end when the smoke cleared. We have lost more people since then to 9/11-related illnesses than we lost on that day itself. For many families, the attack remains an ongoing wound. In the earliest days after the towers fell, I worked in family assistance centers with people whose lives had been shattered in an instant. I remember the quiet courage it took for families to submit DNA, hoping for answers no
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The Redistribution Racket results speak for themselves. In such an entrenched system, taxpayers are forced to fork over their hard-earned money so politicians can redistribute it at will. That money is then used to buy votes—pure and simple. The numbers tell the story. Florida’s annual budget is $117.4 billion, while New York’s is $254.4 billion, a staggering $137 billion difference. Florida’s population of 23.3 million people is roughly 3.5 million larger than New York’s, so what are we getting for our money? Minnesota offers a clear illustration of how the redistribution model works. The self-described “sanctuary state” welcomes in thousands of immigrants and showers them with taxpayer dollars. Those beneficiaries, in turn, vote to keep the politicians in power—wash,
rinse, repeat. When watchdogs finally pulled back the curtain, they uncovered fraud running into the billions. In New York, taxpayers were stunned when the Biden administration opened the borders and revealed the perks provided to the migrants: hotel rooms, cash payments, health care, transportation, legal aid, cell phones, not to mention education and emergency services. Former Mayor Eric Adams had it right when he said the scam would “destroy” the city. Chat GPT Lord knows how much of this From those who earn it to those who don’t. is happening in the “Vampire State,” but the evidence shows something truly rotten. We have don’t. The promise alone was this system against a challenger been a sanctuary state for years, enough to get him elected by calling for change. Let’s hope and the mayor of the nation’s those who want the payout. there are still enough people largest city has openly promised This year’s gubernatorial left who make the money to to take money from those who race pits an incumbent who has outnumber those who want to earn it and give it to those who spent her entire career inside take it.
Faith, Loss, and Healing 25 Years After 9/11 one ever wants to need. More than 1,000 victims from the World Trade Center have still never been identified. I know personally what it means to lose someone you love without the ability to see them, to say goodbye, or to confirm what your heart already knows. That absence leaves a profound psychological and spiritual burden that most people are fortunate never to experience. So much about life changed after September 11. For those of us who remember the world before, it can feel like another lifetime. For younger generations, it is all they have ever known. Yet even amid loss, I witnessed something extraordinary: young men and women stepping forward to serve in the armed forces, standing up for this country when it was wounded and vulnerable. That response speaks to the deepest substance of America, and it is a debt we can never fully repay. My mission since those days
Dear Editor: With the Legislature back in session, residents of this state truly hope lawmakers actually do something productive rather than simply spend more of our money. Under one-party Democrat rule, things have gotten way out of hand. Led by Gov. Hochul, Democrats spend as if there is a never-ending supply of taxpayer dollars. How can the government in Florida—which has 3.5 million more residents and no state income tax—spend $137 billion less each year than New York? The answer is fraud. These extra billions are doled out to countless special interests and programs that do nothing to improve the quality of life for the rest of us. We just keep paying—the highest taxes and fees in the
Rev. Minson
Reverend Minson with 9/11 widows Monica Iken and Judy Hardacre.
has been rooted in one word: purpose. I have learned that healing happens most powerfully when people are connected to one another. That belief gave rise to the “WE REMEMBER WALKS,” where
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nation—while someone else gets the money. This has to stop. What we are seeing in Minnesota—a corrupt system where an estimated $10 billion has been stolen from taxpayers—has nothing on New York. If we are paying $137 billion
families walk together carrying photographs of those they lost. Often there are no speeches. Sometimes there are no words at all. In that silence, I have witnessed what I can only describe as pro-
more per year than a state larger than ours, where do you think that money is going? Uncovering the fraud and abuse, by God knows who, in New York would be the accomplishment of a lifetime—if we can get Democrats and Gov. Hochul to take their hands out of the till. Until then, New York will continue to lead the nation in out-migration, with people voting with their feet because they are fed up with the state’s tax-and-spend politicians. For those of us left to pick up the tab, Election Day rolls around in November. Do what you gotta do. —Desiree Glock, Centereach
found internal healing—people standing beside someone who truly understands their pain. I have seen that same healing after tragedies in Washington, Shanksville, Oklahoma City, Parkland, and Las Vegas. It is a gift from God that cannot be fully explained, only witnessed. As we move toward this 25th anniversary, we will once again hold “WE REMEMBER WALKS” and continue outreach to families across the country. At the same time, I am determined to confront another crisis that steals life from our communities: suicide. I am tired of suicide killing us. We must defeat it at every turn. In the end, my promise remains the same. As long as I am here, I am available. If anything good can come from September 11, let it be this: that love outlasts terror, connection outlasts despair, and even from tragedy, healing can still walk among us.
Dear Editor: Thank you for your coverage of EJ’s PJs and our efforts to help keep people warm. What started as a small operation on my front porch has grown into an organization that distributes thousands of warm pajamas to people who truly need them. It is amazing to see the smiling faces of children and their families as they pick out a pair that is just right for them. Credit goes to our many sponsors and contributors, as well as the dedicated volunteers who help make EJ’s PJs such a success. Long Islanders have generous and warm hearts, and thanks to them, that warmth spreads each winter through a plush pair of PJs to anyone in need. —Patricia Poggi, President, EJ’s PJs
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
Flood Mitigation Project Completed in Center Moriches
By Robert Chartuk Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro has announced the Town’s completion of a $316,000 comprehensive stormwater and flood-mitigation project in Center Moriches. Designed to support the natural infiltration of stormwater runoff and improve water quality in Old Neck Creek and the Forge River, the project enables stormwater infiltration at the end of Old Neck Road. In 2018, the Town of Brookhaven received a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities Grant, which funded the development of a study assessing local conditions at the Town’s most vulnerable road ends. The assessment identified areas in greatest need of mitigation to improve resiliency and protect water quality along Brookhaven’s South Shore, Losquadro explained. Infrastructure was evaluated for vulnerability to sea-level rise, chronic flooding, and opportunities to reduce stormwater runoff impacts. Old Neck Road was one of 15 road segments identified in the Town of Brookhaven’s Climate Smart South Shore Communities Plan as vulnerable and in need of mitigation. Before the project’s completion, Old Neck Road was prone to flooding during extreme storm surges, acting as a conduit that allowed stormwater runoff to flow directly into Old Neck Creek. The road end abuts a sandy shoreline at
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Road leading to Old Neck Creek.
the creek’s mouth, with a marina to the north and residential properties to the south. Project improvements included removing a portion of the existing roadbed and replacing it with a bioretention area planted with native vegetation. A drainage swale was also installed along the road shoulder. Together, these features allow stormwater to infiltrate naturally, reducing runoff while improving water quality in the river system. The project was completed under
budget at $316,000. Fifty percent of the cost is eligible for reimbursement through Suffolk County’s Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program grant. “In recent years, South Shore communities have been greatly impacted by large-scale storm events, resulting in significant damage to public assets,” Losquadro said. “My office will continue to actively pursue funding opportunities to facilitate important drainage projects such as this one.”
By Staff Report
Vehicle impounded by Street Takeover Task Force
A 17-year-old male from Centereach was also arrested January 2 and charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and reckless driving. Police said the teen fled from officers in a 2013 Hyundai Genesis from a Selden parking lot at 401 Independence Plaza on November 28. The vehicle was impounded. A relative, Gerardo Benitez, 26, of Centereach, later reported the Hyundai stolen and was charged with falsely reporting an incident. “The Street Takeover Task Force has
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News Director Robert Chartuk
Street Takeover Task Force Nets Four Arrests The Suffolk County Police Department’s Street Takeover Task Force has made four arrests tied to illegal car meets and dangerous driving incidents investigated in 2025, officials announced this week. The arrests stem from three separate cases in which motorists allegedly engaged in reckless behavior that posed risks to other drivers, pedestrians and police officers. David Alvarado Zelaya, 26, of Wyandanch, was arrested January 3 and charged with unlawful speed contests, sideshows and races. Police said Zelaya was observed performing a burnout in a 2020 Dodge Charger on December 28 in a parking lot at 437 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley. His vehicle, which had multiple equipment violations, was impounded. Daniel Velasquez Chavez, 24, of North Bay Shore, was arrested January 2 following a December 7 incident in Brentwood. He was charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, and unlawful speed contests, sideshows and races. Police said officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop when Velasquez Chavez allegedly performed a burnout and fled at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner. His vehicle was impounded.
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Suffolk Police
made Suffolk County safer by taking dangerous drivers off the roads,” County Executive Ed Romaine said, noting the unit has disrupted nearly 100 street takeovers. Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said illegal car meets put lives at risk and remain a quality-of-life issue. Since November 2024, the task force has broken up 92 street takeovers, issued 8,656 summonses, made 65 arrests and impounded 103 vehicles. Tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Photographers & Reporters Robert Chartuk, Howard Roark, Stefan Mychajliw, Tom Barton, Nancy Burner, Rich Acritelli, Tara D’Amato, Donna Rolando Sales Manager Fred Towle First Copy Free. Each Additional Copy is 75¢ $9.00 Monthly Subscription $100.00 One Year Subscription (Print, Digital & Newsletter) $150.00 One Year Premium Subscription (ALL ACCESS - Print, Digital, Exclusive Digital & Newsletter) Copyright© 2025 South Shore Press, LLC. All rights reserved. Material appearing herein may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. Copying part or all of the editorial or graphic arts in any machinereadable form, making multiple printouts thereof or other uses of the work product contained herein is expressly prohibited and is inconsistent with all applicable copyright laws. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. All property rights to any advertisements produced for the advertisers by South Shore Press, Inc. using art work and/or typography furnished or arranged by South Shore Press, LLC. shall be the property of South Shore Press, LLC. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced or assigned without the express written consent of South Shore Press, LLC. South Shore Press, LLC. assumes no financial responsibility for errors beyond the cost of the actual space occupied by the error. Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 431, Shirley, N.Y. 11967. South Shore Press, LLC. is a proud member of the following community organizations: The Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Rocky Point Sound Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Mastic/Shirley Chamber of Commerce, The Moriches Chamber of Commerce, The Bellport Chamber of Commerce, The Manorville Chamber of Commerce, The Medford Chamber of Commerce and The New York Press Association.
Serving the Communities of The Village of Bellport, Brookhaven, Center Moriches, Centereach, Coram, East Moriches, East Patchogue, Eastport, East Shoreham, Farmingville, Gordon Heights, Lake Ronkonkoma, Manorville, Medford, Mastic, The Village of Mastic Beach, Middle Island, Miller Place, Moriches, Mount Sinai, North Bellport, The Village of Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, The Village of Port Jefferson, Ridge, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Selden, Shirley, Shoreham, Smith Point, Sound Beach, Speonk, Terryville, Wading River, & Yaphank.
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
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Sky-High Electric Bills Blamed on Hochul Deal
LOCAL
By Robert Chartuk Long Island families are paying soaring electric bills because of what Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called a politically driven backroom deal approved under Gov. Kathy Hochul A recently approved five-year, $493 million contract extension allowing PSEG Long Island to continue operating the region’s electric grid has punished ratepayers while rewarding politically connected interests, charged Blakeman, who is running against Hochul for the state’s highest office. The deal was approved even as the State Inspector General and an internal ethics review are investigating whether favoritism or misconduct tainted the bidding
process, he noted. A committee of experts at the Long Island Power Authority reportedly recommended awarding the contract to a different company. That recommendation was ignored when LIPA’s board voted to scrap the competitive process and extend PSEG’s contract. “Your electricity rates are out of control, and you can thank Kathy Hochul,” Blakeman said. “Instead of delivering the best service at the lowest possible rates, her board appointees handed a massive contract to a politically connected company.” The governor appoints five of LIPA’s nine board members, including the chair. Four of the six members who voted to cancel competitive bidding were Hochul appointees. Two committee
members have alleged they were pressured by a state-appointed official to lower evaluation scores for a competing bidder, according to Blakeman. The county executive also pointed to PSEG’s performance record, noting customer satisfaction rankings fell from 10th to 12th place among 18 large Eastern utilities in 2025, with reports showing several performance benchmarks were not met. Campaign finance records indicate PSEG and affiliated political action committees have donated more than $165,000 to New York political causes since 2000. The largest contribution from an affiliated super PAC went to Hochul’s 2022 campaign. “Albany insiders get richer while Long Island families get
Politics drive Long Island’s sky high electric rates.
stuck with higher bills,” Blakeman said. “This is corruption
Chat GPT
plain and simple, and it has to stop.”
Business Group Welcomes New Leaders By Mark Grossman HIA-LI, a powerful force for Long Island business and regional economic development, has welcomed five new leaders to its Board of Directors. “This new group of board members reflects the depth and diversity of talent across our region,” said Terri Alessi-Miceli, HIA-LI president and CEO. Meet the new directors: Babak D. Beheshti, Ph.D., of Bethpage, is dean and professor of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences at New York Institute of Technology, based in Old Westbury. With more than three decades of experience in engineering education and academic leadership, Dr. Beheshti has been instrumental in expanding NYIT’s academic offerings,
HIA-LI
New HIA-LI directors, clockwise from upper left: Babak D. Beheshti, Ph.D.; Katherine M. Fritz; Timothy M. Foley; Robert McBride; and Dawn Cagliano.
including programs in artificial intelligence, civil engineering, and doctoral-level studies. Dawn Cagliano, of Brookhav-
en Hamlet, is president of IVCi, headquartered in Hauppauge. Since joining the company in 2006, Cagliano has advanced
through multiple leadership roles, culminating in her appointment as president in 2024— the first woman to hold that position in the company’s history. She also serves on the board of the National Systems Contractors Association Education Foundation. Timothy M. Foley, of Mineola, is Long Island business banking market executive for Bank of America, based in Melville. He holds degrees from Long Island University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University, and is actively engaged in the community through leadership roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Mineola Lions Club. Katherine M. Fritz, of Brookhaven Hamlet, is president and chief executive officer of Long Island Cares, Inc.—The
Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank, based in Hauppauge. With more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, development, and communications, Fritz has dedicated her career to strengthening mission-driven organizations. As president and CEO, she is leading Long Island Cares through its next chapter, focused on collaboration, equity, and long-term solutions to food insecurity across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Robert McBride, of Northport, is founder and chief executive officer of McBride Consulting & Business Development Group, based in Babylon. A seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist, McBride has worked across a broad range of industries, including energy, construction, transportation, real estate, and health care.
Local Artist Proposes Visual Dialogue With Grosz at the Heckscher By Robert Chartuk Meryl Dee Feuer, a Long Island–based artist known for her bold symbolic paintings and emerging pickleball-themed work, has applied to have several of her paintings displayed alongside Eclipse of the Sun by George Grosz at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington. Painted in 1926, Eclipse of the Sun is one of Grosz’s most searing critiques of political power, depicting a society ruled by greed, militarism, and corruption. Grosz, a leading figure of Germany’s New Objectivity movement, used sharp symbolism and distortion to expose the moral failures of his time. Feuer’s application proposes a contemporary dialogue between her abstract, symbol-driven
paintings and Grosz’s historic work, particularly in the context of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. She Feuer describes Grosz not as a stylistic influence but as an ethical one, citing his belief that painting can function as witness and challenge authority. Her works feature reimagined stars, stripes, dots, suns, and fractured horizons. Rather than literal imagery, Feuer uses repetition and spatial tension to suggest systems, instability, and renewal. She describes independence as “an unfinished experiment,” reflected through compositions that feel ordered at first glance but reveal imbalance and questioning beneath the surface. The Heckscher Museum of Art, founded in 1920, is one of Long Is-
land’s premier cultural institutions, known for pairing historic works with contemporary voices and for exhibitions that explore social, political, and artistic change. Beyond this application, Feuer has gained growing attention as what collectors describe as the world’s first “pickleball artist.” Drawing inspiration from the sport’s geometry and movement, she has created a distinct body of work centered on the pickleball itself, transforming the familiar yellow ball into a symbolic, often surreal form. Art collector and author Dr. Harvey Manes has praised her for elevating a recreational sport into a personal visual language. Feuer, who works from her Westhampton Beach studio, says she sees no separation between
Artist Meryl Dee Feurer with one of her works.
play, movement, and serious artmaking. Whether her work ultimately hangs beside Grosz or not, her application positions her
Robert Chartuk
paintings as part of an ongoing conversation about democracy, creativity, and the responsibility of art to remain alert.
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SANTOS UNCENSORED BY GEORGE SANTOS
I write these words not as a spectator of history, but as someone who has lived at the edge of consequence—where rhetoric becomes reality and cowardice disguises itself as compassion. In 2026, the world is watching two very different crowds raise their voices. One stands in the streets of Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan with nothing but their bodies between tyranny and tomorrow. The other blocks intersections in Kew Garden Hills while a mayor smiles nervously and offers appeasement as if weakness were a virtue. These are not parallel movements. They are moral opposites. In Iran, men and women are fighting an ancient evil wearing a modern mask. They are fighting clerics who stole a nation and wrapped repression in scripture. They are fighting a system that murders girls for showing hair and jails sons for speaking truth. These Iranians are not confused. They know exactly who their enemy is: the ayatollahs, the Revolutionary Guard, the ideology that worships death and calls it piety. When these people march, they do not ask for comfort. They ask for freedom. And they know the price. Contrast that with New York City, where the mayor, Zohran Mamdani, chooses appeasement over principle. In Kew Garden Hills—a Jewish neighborhood that knows the weight of history and the
cost of silence—pro-Hamas protestors chant, “Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here,” alongside slogans soaked in blood and ignorance. They do not risk their lives. They risk traffic delays. They do not face firing squads. They face police escorts. And instead of drawing a firm line, the mayor bends. He appeases. He indulges. He treats extremism as a misunderstood grievance. This is where leadership either rises or collapses. In Iran, leadership is being born in the streets—by women cutting their hair, by students tearing down portraits, by workers striking despite the threat of execution. In New York, leadership is being buried under platitudes and press releases. The mayor tells us that dialogue is needed, that feelings must be respected, that tensions must be managed. What he really means is that he would rather not offend the loudest radicals in the room. Let me be clear. There is nothing progressive about chanting for an organization that kidnaps children, rapes women, and hides behind civilians. There is nothing courageous about intimidating Jewish families in their own neighborhoods while City Hall looks the other way. And there is nothing compassionate about equating genocidal ideology with legitimate protest. That is not balance. That is surrender.
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
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Courage in Tehran, Cowardice in New York The Iranian revolutionaries of 2026 understand something our political class in America seems desperate to forget. Evil does not negotiate in good faith. Tyranny does not soften when you offer it understanding. The ayatollahs stayed in power for decades because too many Western leaders chose engagement over confrontation and nuance over truth. Now the Iranian people are paying the bill in blood. Yet they still stand. That is courage. What do we call it when a mayor appeases pro-Hamas protestors in a city built by immigrants who fled pogroms, camps, and dictatorships? We call it moral bankruptcy. We call it a failure to distinguish between protest and intimidation. We call it leadership that has lost its spine. I have been accused of many things in my life—some fair, some absurd—but no one can accuse me of not recognizing the moment when clarity is required. This is one of those moments. Either you stand with people who fight for freedom, or you coddle those who cheer for terror. You cannot do both. History will not allow it. The Iranian students tearing down regime banners are not asking for our permission. They are asking whether the free world still believes in itself. In Kew Garden Hills, Jewish parents walk their children
past police barricades while chants glorify violence against their relatives overseas. And the mayor tells them to remain calm. He tells them this is the price of democracy. That is a lie. Democracy does not require tolerating calls for terrorism and jihad. Democracy requires defending minorities when mobs gather. The contrast could not be sharper. In Iran, the people chant “death to the dictator,” knowing the dictator might answer with bullets. In New York, the protestors chant slogans they barely understand, knowing City Hall will protect them. One movement risks everything to end theocracy. The other exploits freedom to excuse fanaticism. I know the political incentives at play. I know the donor classes, the activist pressures, the fear of being labeled intolerant. But leadership is not about avoiding labels. It is about choosing sides when the choice is uncomfortable. Zohran Mamdani chose the easy path. He chose appeasement dressed up as inclusivity. And in doing so, he betrayed the very values New York claims to represent. Iranian women burning hijabs are not asking for safe spaces. They are creating liberated ones. Iranian men facing tanks with empty hands are not asking for mediation. They are demanding the end of a regime. These are the people
who deserve our solidarity— not the protestors who turn American streets into theaters of hate while pretending it is justice. The lesson of 2026 is brutal and simple. Freedom fighters look nothing like appeasers. Courage does not wear a mayoral sash and issue vague statements. Courage bleeds. Courage sacrifices. Courage names the enemy. New York once understood this. After September 11, 2001, this city did not equivocate about terror. It did not host dialogues with extremists. It stood firm. Somewhere along the way, our leaders forgot. Or worse, they remembered and chose differently. The Iranian revolution will be written in history books whether it succeeds or is crushed. The question is how America will be written alongside it—as a beacon that spoke clearly, or as a decadent society too afraid to offend radicals in its own backyard. Zohran Mamdani will say he was keeping the peace. History will say he kept his job while others lost their lives. The Iranian people will say they stood when it mattered. And they will be right. There are moments when politics ends and morality begins. This is one of them. Stand with those who fight tyranny—or step aside and let history judge you for appeasing it.
Brookhaven Clerk LaValle Takes Oath for Second Term By Robert Chartuk Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle was officially sworn in for a second term, reaffirming his commitment to modernizing services and expanding public access to town government. The oath of office was administered by Judge Timothy P. Mazzei, a former Town Board member, during a ceremony attended by Supervisor Daniel Panico and council members Jonathan Kornreich, Jane Bonner, Neil Manzella, Michael Loguercio, Neil Foley, and Karen Dunne Kesnig. LaValle was also joined by his family, including his parents, Richard and Judith LaValle, and his fiancée, Erin McTiernan. Judith LaValle and McTiernan held the family Bible during the ceremony, a treasured volume dating back to the 1800s that has
been passed down through generations of the LaValle family. In his remarks, LaValle thanked Town Board members for their continued support and praised the Town Clerk’s Office staff for their dedication and hard work on behalf of town residents. He also acknowledged the role of his family, saying their encouragement has been a constant source of strength. During his first term, LaValle led several modernization initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and convenience for residents. These efforts included enabling online renewals for Parking Permits for Persons with Disabilities and launching online boat slip renewal applications. As the Town’s keeper of records, he emphasized digitization, overseeing the scanning and secure stor-
age of hundreds of thousands of documents. His term also saw the completion of the $4 million Regional Records Center, along with the transition of Town Board rezoning applications to a fully online platform and the addition of QR codes to land-use signs for easier public access to project information. Looking ahead, LaValle outlined ambitious goals for his second term, including moving all Town Clerk forms online and expanding regional partnerships through the Records Center. “The goal is to modernize our township in the clerk’s office,” LaValle said. “By the end of this year, a majority, if not all, of our applications and certificates will be online so residents can submit them from the convenience of their home.” The Town Clerk’s Office is
Town Clerk’s Office
Town Clerk Kevin LaValle is sworn in for a second term by Judge Timothy Mazzei as his family and Brookhaven Town Board look on.
located at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill in Farmingville. For more information, office hours, and
services, call 631-451-9101 or visit www.BrookhavenNY. gov.
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
LOCAL
By Robert Chartuk As the New York State Legislature convenes in Albany for the opening of the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers committed to a renewed push to address what they describe as the state’s most pressing challenges: affordability, crime, energy costs, and continued population loss. Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano said the new session offers an opportunity to confront problems he says have been ignored for years. “I am committed, as a member of the Republican Conference, to solving the long-standing problems that get ignored by the majority year after year,” DeStefano said. Affordability remains at the center of that effort. DeStefano pointed to New York’s $254.4 billion state budget, which is $137 billion larger than Florida’s, despite Florida having 3.5 million more residents and no state income tax. He said Long Island residents are being unfairly burdened to support state spending priorities that do not benefit them. “Long Island
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Lawmakers Return to Albany Amid Rising Costs, Crime Concerns should not be a cash cow,” he said, arguing that taxes and regulations are driving residents and businesses out of the state. Public safety is another major focus for Assembly Republicans this session. DeStefano blamed cashless bail and other criminal justice reforms for what he described as a persistent crime wave. “Criminals get arrested time after time, and judges don’t have the power to hold them, allowing offenders to go right back out and commit more crimes,” he said, pledging continued efforts to roll back those policies. Energy policy and rising utility costs are also expected to dominate debate in 2026. DeStefano sharply criticized the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), saying it has driven up costs for families, schools, and municipalities. “If you want to skyrocket energy prices and shackle an economy, the CLCPA is exactly how you do it,” he said, calling for a more pragmatic energy strategy that includes using the state’s plentiful supply of natural
gas. Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay echoed those concerns, saying affordability has become a political talking point without meaningful action. “Life here remains, quite simply, unaffordable, and there is little evidence meaningful steps are being taken to do anything about it,” Barclay said. He cited rising state spending, above-average electricity costs, and New York’s low national ranking for affordability as evidence the current approach is failing. “The mass exodus of New Yorkers to other parts of the country is the clearest sign that we need to move this state in a new direction,” Senator Dean Murray pointed out. “Seven straight years of total Democrat control has made New York completely unaffordable and a place where people no longer want to live. This is why we must pass and implement our plan to reverse course and Save New York.” Reaction to the session opening also came from community and advocacy groups. Walter J.
The state legislature is in session.
Mejia, president and founder of New York Republican Latinos, said voters are increasingly frustrated with unmet promises. “We need a New York that we can call home,” Mejia said, urging the election of leaders who address housing costs, taxes,
Robert Chartuk
education, and healthcare. With affordability, crime, and economic pressures shaping the debate, lawmakers from both parties are preparing for a contentious 2026 session that could have lasting implications for New York’s future.
Skilled Auto Body Technicians Needed! All Positions!
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LOCAL
By Michael Reistetter Actor John Turturro—known for Do the Right Thing, Miller’s Crossing, Mr. Deeds, and Severance, to name a few—spoke with The South Shore Press ahead of the Southampton Playhouse’s 20th-anniversary screening of his third feature directorial effort, Romance & Cigarettes. A screwball love letter to his parents, ’tis the irreverent tale of Nick Murder (peak–The Sopranos James Gandolfini) shaking up his household and suburban neighborhood at large when news of his affair with Tula (Kate Winslet) spreads via a barrage of elaborate musical numbers. The filmmaker sent his grandest praise the late Gandolfini’s
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
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Romance & Cigarettes Recap — Interview With John Turturro way. “He just had this everyman quality,” Turturro said. “He was such a wonderful actor, a very delicate actor.” Humble as he was, Turturro did signal pride in the end result of several key scenes. This includes a moment taken straight from his own parents’ shared special language, in which a terminal Nick asks his wife, Kitty (Susan Sarandon), to scare him every once in a while to remind him he’s alive—resulting in melancholy-subverting hijinks played to literal, knife-wielding whimsy. “I was like, ‘What’s going on here? Wow, that’s something that’s rare,’” Turturro said. “And something that’s worth sharing.” During the post-screening Q&A, Turturro revealed it
took two years to acquire all the music rights—and why he rarely wavered, considering his soundtrack selections paramount. “Music is a form of emotional transportation,” he said. “It’s a form of prayer. It’s a form of articulation. It’s a form of fantasy. It’s a form of dreaming—and I think that’s the potency of the film.” On the wisdom he’d impart to fellow creatives, Turturro advised: “Be relaxed, and do things simply.” “Be in the sequence. Everyone has their own personality,” he said. “Sometimes you need to be relaxed in order to go places. Me? I just try to listen, work with other people, and stay in the scene.”
Jess Dalene/Southampton Playhouse
Cousins John and Aida Turturro pictured at the special 20th anniversary screening of “Romance & Cigarettes” in Southampton.
“When I see this movie,” Turturro concluded, “the audacity of it—I’m impressed.” Southampton Playhouse
Artistic Director Eric Kohn hit it perfectly on the nose in reply. “I think it’s safe to say that we are, too.”
Broken to Unbreakable: Vollkommer’s Incredible Comeback By Robert Chartuk Lori Vollkommer’s life has been shaped by moments that would have ended many dreams. Instead, they became the foundation for something extraordinary. As a teenager, Vollkommer trained at the Eastern Gymnastics Center and represented Sayville High School. With aspirations of competing in college—and maybe even the Olympics—that trajectory was shattered when she fell from the uneven bars and broke her back. Unaware of the severity of her injury, she finished the meet before the pain made the truth undeniable. With that fall, her gymnastics career—and the future she envisioned—came to an abrupt end. Life moved on. Vollkommer stayed close to home, built a family, and helped run the construction business she and her husband, her high school sweetheart, created together in Center Moriches. Gymnastics became a quiet ache, one so emotional that for years she couldn’t even watch the sport on television. Decades later, fate intervened again. As an adult, Vollkommer slipped and injured her back a second time, just as her middle son, a wrestler, broke his own back. While driving him to rehabilitation appointments, she sought treatment herself elsewhere, only to be misdiagnosed. When her pain failed to improve but her son’s did, she pursued a second opinion and learned she had spondylolisthesis, a condition involving fractures in the vertebrae that
never heal properly. Coincidentally, her husband, two of her children, and Vollkommer herself all share the condition. Rehabilitation became a long, patient process. For years, she rebuilt her core strength to compensate for what her spine could no longer do. During that time, her chiropractor and physical therapist kept offering the same unexpected encouragement: she could still do gymnastics—carefully. Finding a place willing to accept an adult gymnast wasn’t easy. Then a friend mentioned a gym in Ronkonkoma. Vollkommer sat in the parking lot, paralyzed by fear—of judgment, of injury, of reopening old wounds. She called her family, who knew how much this meant to her, and they talked her through it. The moment she stepped onto the floor, something remarkable happened. At 49, her muscle memory returned. Skills she hadn’t practiced in decades came back naturally. Confidence followed curiosity, and curiosity reignited a fire she thought had gone out forever. Around the same time, the 2016 Olympics were on television. Vollkommer found herself watching again, inspired by athletes such as Simone Biles and 44-year-old Uzbekistani gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who was competing in her seventh Olympic Games. Vollkommer wasn’t chasing the Olympics, but the message was clear: age didn’t have to be a barrier. She visited Gym Nation in Riverhead, where her children once trained. After a single private lesson, the owner told her plainly: she could compete.
Lori Vollkommer
Lori Vollkommer’s new book.
Twelve weeks later, after a 33year absence from the sport she loved, Vollkommer entered her first meet. She fell during her routine and missed a qualifying score, but emotionally she felt victorious. She was back. Unfortunately, setbacks quickly followed. Just days before her next competition, she tore her ACL and required surgery. Championship dreams were put on hold. Instead, she set a new goal: return to gymnastics by her 50th birthday—half the typical recovery timeline. She succeeded. This time, her oldest son— now a math teacher at Center Moriches High School, where he once attended—became part of the journey, while continuing to train athletes on the side. With smarter training focused on strength and injury prevention, Vollkommer not only returned; she excelled. In 2018, at age 50, she competed in the World Championships and won four gold med-
Lori Vollkommer with her four gold medals.
als, capturing the top spot on every event. Her competitive journey expanded across the United States and internationally, including events in Bermuda, Germany, and London. But adversity never stopped knocking. More injuries, another ACL surgery, a serious car accident, and even a freak kitchen injury sidelined her repeatedly. Each time, the physical pain was matched by emotional strain. Eventually, while recovering and unable to train, Vollkommer reached a breaking point. Depression set in. Then clarity followed. She realized her story wasn’t just about gymnastics— it was about resilience. That realization became the catalyst
Lori Vollkommer
for her book, Broken to Unbreakable. Encouraged by many to share her story, Vollkommer committed to writing an honest account of fear, setbacks, perseverance, and faith. Through the process, she turned pain into purpose. Today, Lori Vollkommer’s story stands as a reminder that being unbreakable isn’t about avoiding hardship. It’s about choosing to rise— again and again—with courage, support, and the belief that the best chapters of life don’t have an expiration date. You’re never too old, and it’s never too late. Check out her book on Amazon.
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INTERFACE Toy Drive Reaches Families Across Brookhaven
LOCAL
By Staff Report Families received gifts this season through Brookhaven’s Annual Youth Bureau INTERFACE Holiday Toy Drive, which brightened the holidays for 7,375 children across the town. The annual toy drive reflects a broad community effort involving residents, local businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers who collect, organize, and distribute toys and gifts
in the weeks leading up to the holidays. Supervisor Dan Panico praised the collaboration that made the program possible. “It’s always incredible to see how this toy drive makes the holidays brighter for families throughout Brookhaven,” he said. “I thank our residents, local businesses, and Youth Bureau staff for coming together to create this holiday magic.” The INTERFACE Holiday Toy Drive is one of Brookha-
ven’s largest seasonal outreach initiatives and is coordinated through the town’s Youth Bureau. Volunteers play a key role in sorting thousands of donated items and ensuring families receive gifts in time for the holidays. INTERFACE is a partnership between individuals, good corporate neighbors, and the town, united in a common effort to assist less fortunate residents. The program provides goods and services to families
in need while also addressing broader social challenges in the community. Approximately 100 corporations, nonprofit agencies, and community and fraternal organizations participate in INTERFACE programs throughout the year. Residents seeking more information about INTERFACE initiatives can visit the Youth Bureau’s Community Programs page or call 631-451-8026.
Town of Brookhaven Brookhaven toy drive brightens holidays for thousands.
Brookhaven Youth Bureau Announces Winter Coat Drive By Staff Report
Brookhaven’s winter coat drive is on.
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Coming off the huge success of its holiday toy drive, the Town of Brookhaven is once again mobilizing residents to help neighbors in need, this time through its annual winter coat drive. Supervisor Dan Panico announced that Brookhaven’s Youth Bureau INTERFACE Coat Drive will run from January 9 through February 6, collecting new and gently used coats to support individuals and families facing the winter cold.
“Each donation to this drive gives the gift of warmth to those in need,” Panico said. “The continued success of this program reflects the generosity and compassion of our residents.” Donations may be dropped off at several locations, including Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville, the Highway Department in Coram, the Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center in Blue Point, the New Village Recreation Center in Centereach, the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai, the Brookhaven Town Vehicle Control Building in
Patchogue, the Brookhaven Town Parks and Recreation Department in Centereach, and the Village of Lake Grove Hall and Recreation Building. Approximately 100 corporations, not-for-profit agencies, and fraternal organizations participate in INTERFACE, making it one of the Town’s most wide-reaching community support initiatives. Residents seeking more information about the coat drive or the INTERFACE program can contact the Youth Bureau at 631-4518026 or visit brookhavenny.gov.
Connetquot Schools Compete in Hour of Code By Staff report This year, Ronkonkoma and Oakdale-Bohemia middle schools in the Connetquot Central School District participated in the global Hour of Code initiative, an event designed to engage millions of students in computer science through coding activities to inspire interest in the field. The event, held during Computer Science Education Week, was led by math/computer science teachers Jennifer
LaRose and Patrick Brady under the guidance of K-12 Director of Mathematics and Computer Science, Louise Burger. Students from both schools competed in coding challenges on the OYOclass platform, completing maze code playlists. The competition was fierce with students earning limited-time badges in OYO and prizes, including Slurpees and Big Gulps donated by local 7-11 stores. Ronkonkoma Middle School
emerged as the winner with the highest number of badges earned. All participants will receive a sticker for each badge earned during the event. Administrators and teachers are proud to see the middle school computer science program thriving and the excitement exhibited from their students. Photo caption: Ronkonkoma Middle School students received certificates in recognition of earning the highest number of badges during the Hour of Code event.
Connetquot Central School District Ronkonkoma Middle School students received certificates in recognition of earning the highest number of badges during the Hour of Code event.
First Responders Connect With Residents at Meet the Paws Event By Staff Report
Suffolk FRES Suffolk County’s working and therapy dogs with their handlers.
Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services took part in a successful “Meet the Paws: Coffee with a Cop” community event held yesterday afternoon at a Starbucks location in Selden, bringing together residents, first responders, and several of Suffolk County’s working and therapy dogs for an engaging and educational gathering. The event offered community members an opportunity to meet Facility Dog Niko and Accelerant Detection K-9 Jimmy of Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and
Emergency Services, along with their handlers. The dogs greeted residents, posed for photos, and helped demonstrate the important roles K-9 teams play in public safety, investigations, and community support. They were joined by fellow K-9 partners from other county agencies, including Hamilton of the Suffolk County Police Department, Tillman of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and Luna of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman praised the collaboration among the three county
government entities, noting that joint efforts like “Meet the Paws” help strengthen public trust while educating residents about the services provided by each department. He said he looks forward to continued interdepartmental community outreach events across Suffolk County. Throughout the afternoon, residents were encouraged to ask questions, learn more about department operations, and connect informally with the first responders and K-9 teams who serve the county every day, reinforcing the value of community-focused policing and emergency services.
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HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI “Maduro and his representatives have continued their violent repression in an attempt to maintain power and have ignored the Venezuelan people’s calls … for democratic accountability.”—United States Treasury Department This was an extremely eventful week, as President Donald J. Trump ordered the capture of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro on January 4. Through a combination of Special Forces operators and the coordination of air, land, and sea assets, Maduro was arrested, charged, and is expected to be tried on “narco-terrorism” charges. “Operation Absolute Resolve” was launched thirty-seven years after “Operation Just Cause,” the mission to overthrow Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, who was convicted of politically supporting massive drug trafficking operations. From bases in the United States, the Caribbean Sea, and aboard aircraft carriers, military planners secretly worked on what was described as a precisely executed mission to apprehend Maduro. Since August, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) closely monitored the movements of Maduro, his family, and key allies. The CIA also reportedly had a mole within the government who provided critical information on Maduro’s daily schedule, helping pinpoint his exact location on the night of the operation. The mission involved elite U.S. special operations troops that rehearsed the raid using a full-scale replica of Maduro’s compound. Before the ground assault, U.S. aircraft conducted strikes on Venezuelan defenses and air bases to clear the way, and cyber and intelligence operations helped maintain tactical surprise. During the pre-dawn assault the special forces breached the
Maduro in U.S. custody.
compound under fire, intercepted Maduro before he could reach a safe room, and took him and his wife into custody. The operation involved extensive coordination across air, ground, and intelligence elements and was executed with the element of surprise to minimize American casualties. Once captured, Maduro was transported first to a U.S. Navy ship and then flown to the United States to face federal charges in a New York courtroom. In 2020, the U.S. Department of State placed a $15 million bounty on Maduro’s arrest, which was increased to $25 million by 2025. Now being held in a New York City jail, many Americans remain unfamiliar with this socialist leader’s alleged involvement in facilitating large-scale drug trafficking operations that enriched his family and inner circle. This former “de facto but illegitimate” ruler was born into a poor fam-
FOG OF WAR AND HUMANITY
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The Background of Nicolas Maduro
White House
ily in 1962, with some accounts claiming that Maduro was born in Colombia. He lived with three siblings in a two-bedroom apartment in southern Caracas, while his father was active in a local labor union. Leaving school early, Maduro was an average student whose family gravitated toward leftist ideology. He later worked as a bus driver before shifting toward more radical politics and was sent by the Socialist League to Cuba for revolutionary training through the Union of Young Communists. Despite Venezuela’s immense oil reserves, the country faced crushing debt in the late 1980s that crippled its economy. The government owed $33 billion in foreign debt and was forced to accept an International Monetary Fund bailout, which further worsened conditions. Rising prices fueled unrest, and as Hugo Chávez emerged as a dominant figure, he launched a failed coup in 1992
with Maduro’s assistance. Major riots erupted in Caracas over fuel prices and economic reforms. The government responded with extreme force, officially killing 275 people, though socialist opposition groups estimated the toll closer to 3,000. Chávez’s Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement-200 gained momentum, inspired by Simón Bolívar’s vision of a unified South America resistant to outside “imperial” powers. Chávez became president in 1999, rewrote the constitution to consolidate authority, and saw Maduro rise within socialist organizations. Maduro rejected unfavorable election results and never embraced democratic norms. In 2002, a failed coup targeted the Chávez regime, followed by a massive oil workers’ strike in 2004. Chávez expanded social programs in education, health care, food, and housing. While these initiatives reduced poverty, Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy—accounting for 90 percent of exports—could not sustain the spending. Despite holding an estimated 303 billion barrels of oil, more than Saudi Arabia, mismanagement led to declining production. Subsidized oil was sent to Cuba, China, and neighboring countries, while underinvestment in refining reduced output. Chávez’s vision of solving social problems through government intervention achieved short-term gains but ultimately led to economic collapse. By 2012, Chávez had undergone multiple cancer surgeries and appointed Maduro as vice president and successor. After Chávez’s death in 2013, Maduro narrowly won a contested election. A hardened socialist, Maduro viewed the United States as a direct threat, expelled diplomats, and accused Washington of sabotage. As the
economy collapsed, Maduro ordered massive currency printing, triggering hyperinflation. Over the past thirteen years, Venezuela’s GDP fell by nearly 80 percent, while inflation surged by an estimated 65,000 percent. The United Nations estimates that 7.9 million Venezuelans have been displaced across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Roughly 2,000 people leave the country daily, with nearly three million living in Colombia. Many fled due to violence, food shortages, lack of medicine, failing infrastructure, and the rise of criminal gangs. Under President Joseph Biden, Americans witnessed the spread of Venezuelan gangs such as Tren de Aragua, including reports of gang members occupying apartment buildings in Colorado. The gang was also linked to the killing of two New York City police officers and a Venezuelan law enforcement official in Florida. Maduro claimed victory in widely disputed elections in 2018 and 2024, while opposition leaders asserted that Edmundo González Urrutia was the rightful president. Since 2019, more than fifty countries have refused to recognize Maduro’s legitimacy. Both the Chávez and Maduro regimes aligned with major drug cartels that allegedly trafficked tons of cocaine into the United States and conducted money laundering operations. Maduro also reportedly supplied weapons to Colombia’s FARC, a designated terrorist organization. These actions led the Southern District of New York in 2020 to charge Maduro with narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking conspiracies, and weapons distribution. The future trial of Maduro, and Venezuela’s potential redevelopment, are expected to draw significant global attention.
From Long Island to Iraq, A Veteran’s Story
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
The Fog of War and Humanity continues its deeply personal exploration of military service and its lasting human impact as host Richard Acritelli sits down with longtime friend and fellow veteran Timothy Gene Molnar. A lifelong East Islip resident, Molnar traces his journey from a sports-filled childhood on Long Island through music and discipline, and ultimately into military service at the close of the Cold War. A multi-sport athlete and dedicated saxophonist, Molnar described music as “therapy,” a refuge that later led him into the Army band before his path shifted back
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
to heavy vehicle operations. Graduating high school in 1991, Molnar joined the Army Reserve amid family upheaval and uncertainty about college. Basic training at Fort Leonard Wood introduced him to soldiers from across the country and instilled a sense of discipline, teamwork, and independence that stayed with him throughout his career. Early assignments included South Korea, where he conducted field exercises near the DMZ, a surreal experience for an 18-year-old seeing North Korea through binoculars. Following years as a citizen-soldier and civilian truck driver, Mol-
nar’s life changed on September 11, 2001. While delivering beer in Rockville Centre, he watched the attacks unfold on television and saw smoke rising from Manhattan. The loss was personal, including a neighbor who died at the World Trade Center. Soon after, Molnar was reassigned from the band back to heavy vehicle operations and cross-leveled to a new unit near Fort Drum. Deployment followed. After training through the winter, Molnar deployed through Kuwait and into Iraq, where his first day in country ended in a serious vehicle rollover and medevac. Within
days, he was back on convoys, navigating a war that was still being figured out in real time, with minimal armor and constant threats from IEDs, RPGs, and small-arms fire. Molnar spoke candidly about the lasting toll of combat, the difficulty of returning home, and years spent battling anger, alcohol, and hypervigilance. He credited ongoing counseling through the Northport VA with helping him regain balance and urged other veterans not to give up on seeking help. Through Molnar’s voice, the episode underscores a central truth
Fog of War
Richard Acritelli interviews his friend Tim Molnar.
of the series: service does not end when the uniform comes off, and neither does the responsibility to care for those who served. Check out his interview with Rich Acritelli at hmtcli.org/podcasts.
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
SUFFOLK CLOSEUP
BY KARL GROSSMAN The big political contest in 2026 in New York State—and Suffolk County—will be the race for governor. Suddenly, it has become a three-way contest, with Elise Stefanik of upstate Schuylerville, a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and, when first elected at 30, the youngest woman ever elected to the House, dropping out. When Stefanik announced on November 7 that she was running for governor, she seemed to have a lock on the Republican nomination. She received the immediate endorsement of 56 of the state’s 62 GOP county chairs, 31 members of the state Assembly, 12 state senators, and, pivotally, state Republican Chairman Edward Cox. Days before, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, after a strong re-election win, said he was considering a run for governor this year. He had just defeated Democrat Seth Koslow, a Nassau County legislator from Merrick, by more than 36,000 votes. Four years earlier, Blakeman won over Democratic incumbent Laura Curran by 2,150 votes. Of being a candidate for governor, Blakeman said: “We’re looking at it very seriously. I’ve been on the phone all morning with political leaders and community leaders, and most importantly, business leaders who are very concerned about what’s going on in New York City,” referring to the candidacy of Zohran Mamdani. Blakeman, of Atlantic Beach, subsequently announced he was running. A Republican primary seemed inevitable. The campaign organization of Stefanik, known
The race for New York Governor.
for a sharp tongue, began blasting Blakeman. One statement issued by the Stefanik campaign declared that she led Blakeman by 70 percent in a “hypothetical” GOP primary, including “beating him soundly on Long Island,” that she had made “the most effective attacks on the worst governor in America, Kathy Hochul,” and that Blakeman had previously donated to and supported “corrupt Far Left Democrats.” But then, on December 19, Stefanik announced she was suspending her campaign for governor and would not run for re-election to the House this year either. Chris Churchill, a columnist at the Times Union newspaper of Albany, wrote: “Elise Stefanik shocked much of New York’s political world by announcing…that she was suspending her gubernatorial
UNDERCOVER NEW YORK BY KATHRYN NOCERINO Three members of the West 47th Street jewelry community allegedly came to blows this past week: “TraxNYC” owner and the Akay Brothers. These people deal in celebrity-style bling. I often wonder whatever happened to “Boris the Jeweler,” the man who used to craft those biggity-huge pieces for the hiphop community. He also made grills, I believe. I now remember that my paternal grandfather (The Holy Terror) was proud of his grill. His teeth had all been replaced— or at the very least resurfaced—
with gold. They lacked the requisite hip-hop enhancement of diamond studs, but T.H.T. was definitely a man ahead of his time. I was crossing East 40th Street one day after doing research at the 42nd Street Library when I saw a white luxury convertible with Mike Tyson in it. He was grinning widely, accepting the public’s compliments, absolutely radiating friendliness. Mike had quite a grill. One issue of The New York Times Magazine devoted itself to hip-hop bling. I read it over
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Examining the Race For New York Governor
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campaign and, perhaps even more surprisingly, declining to run again for Congress.” Churchill reported that “Stefanik told me that the challenge of unseating Gov. Kathy Hochul was always going to be difficult, but the task had become nearly impossible when…Blakeman announced his candidacy…setting up a primary that many in the GOP had hoped to avoid.” Further, he quoted Stefanik as saying: “After a great deal of reflection and discussions with my family, it’s just not the right political time.” She and her husband have a fouryear-old son. “These are precious years in a child’s life, and they go by quickly, and you don’t get these years back,” she said. “These are some of the most formative years. So, this is a decision that we are very confident and comfortable with as
a family.” Churchill also quoted Stefanik saying: “I fundamentally believe that you’re not supposed to be in these positions for decades and decades. I’ve seen some of my colleagues who are, and that’s not what the model is supposed to be.” But is this what her dropping out was really about? Annie Karni, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times, wrote a piece reporting that “Stefanik was willing to be the team player with the stiff upper lip. But everyone has their limits.” Karni cited a series of public humiliations delivered by President Trump—his withdrawal of her nomination to serve as U.N. ambassador; his Oval Office praise of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, during which he undercut her; and his refusal to endorse her in the Republican primary for governor. “Now, at war with [House] Speaker Mike Johnson, privately livid at Mr. Trump and deeply frustrated with her job in Congress,” Karni wrote, “it is not clear whether Ms. Stefanik even has any interest in finishing her term, although people close to her said she planned to stay until the end of her term.” Karni continued: “Her tumble from grace crystallized the limits of MAGA loyalty and the risks of building a political identity around Mr. Trump, who can turbocharge or torpedo a career—sometimes both.” Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, the situation is also dramatic and relatively unusual. Governor Kathy Hochul of Buffalo announced in 2024
that she was running for re-election. The first female governor in New York State history, Hochul says she is preparing to “fight like hell” to win another four-year term. However, campaigning against Hochul in a Democratic primary is her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado. Relations between the two are greatly strained, and Delgado has been highly critical of Hochul. Hochul herself ascended to the governorship in 2021 when Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. In 2022, she ran for governor against Republican Lee Zeldin of Shirley, now administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Trump administration. Delgado is also a former member of the House of Representatives. His campaign website says he “has a vision” for “a New York that can fight back with vigilance against threats from the Trump administration.” Newsday reported last month on a Siena Research Institute poll—taken just before Stefanik dropped out—showing Hochul with a double-digit lead over Blakeman, 50 percent to 25 percent, with 21 percent undecided. Against Stefanik, Hochul led 49 percent to 30 percent, with 20 percent undecided. As for Delgado, the poll found that 17 percent of voters had a favorable opinion, 15 percent an unfavorable opinion, and 68 percent either did not know him or had no opinion. More next week, including my interview with Delgado.
Grills, Gold, and the Lost Art of Bling and over. All of the pieces shared two characteristics: (1) they were enormous, and (2) they were made of gold and precious stones. When I stayed at an arts colony outside Chicago, I met a neon sculptor named Evadene I. Judge. She worked as a cab driver for a while and wrote a memoir called From Here to O’Hare. One of her passengers was Mr. T (a former nightclub bouncer born Lawrence Tureaud who later starred in The A-Team and Rocky). Along with my paternal grandfather, he was
a bling pioneer, going around weighted down by a multitude of necklaces and hoop earrings. Mr. T once said, “I believe in the Golden Rule. The gold rules!” At the height of his career, he bought a mansion and grounds in Lake Forest, Illinois (a.k.a. “Tree City USA”). He suffered from allergies and had his contractor cut down virtually all the trees on his property. The town called this event “The Lake Forest Chainsaw Massacre.” Where are these people when we really need them?
Hip-hop bling.
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www.communitylibrary.org
SEAL WALK AT CUPSOGUE BEACH Bundle up, grab your binoculars and meet us at Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton Beach. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society scientists will guide us in an interactive, educational seal survey. Please note: This program is weather dependent, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, the path is not stroller friendly, and Cupsogue Beach does not have bathroom accessibility.
Saturday, January 17 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Meet Library Staff in the Parking Lot of Cupsogue Beach County Park 975 Dune Road Westhampton, NY 11978
Register Today!
Call 631-399-1511 ext. 2024
Photographs may be taken at any of the library’s programs. These photos may be used in library publicity, including but not limited to the library newsletter and web page. If you do not want photos taken of you or your child(ren), be sure to inform the library staff member overseeing the program before the program begins. All photographs are the property of the library. If you will be joining us for a meeting or program, please let us know in advance if you need an accommodation that will make the event accessible to you.
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The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
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What Do I Need to Know About Electronic Wills in New York?
ASK NANCY
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Q: I’ve read
that New York recently introduced a law allowing wills to be executed electronically. What do I need to know?
A:
In December 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul enacted the New York Electronic Wills Act, landmark legislation that establishes a legal framework for wills to be executed, witnessed, and filed electronically. The law is intended to improve accessibility to estate planning and simplify the process of creating a valid will. However, there are several critical points New Yorkers
should understand before relying on this new option. First and foremost, the law has a delayed effective date. The Electronic Wills Act does not take effect until 545 days after enactment, meaning it will not be fully operative until mid-2027. Any electronic will executed before the effective date will not comply with the statute and will be treated as invalid. New Yorkers considering electronic wills should be aware that the framework is not yet available and should plan accordingly. Once effective, the law sets out detailed requirements for a valid electronic will. The will must exist as an electronic record that is readable as text at the time it is signed. It must be maintained in a digital format that is accessible and legible, and it must contain “audit trail data” showing how the document was created, signed, and maintained. The testator must affix their own electronic signature to the will, or direct another person to sign on their behalf
while in the testator’s physical presence. In addition, at least two witnesses must sign the electronic will, either in the physical or electronic presence of the testator, within thirty (30) days of witnessing the testator’s signature or acknowledgment. The statute also mandates specific cautionary language, in a prescribed format, advising the testator of these validity requirements. Most importantly, the electronic will must be filed with the New York State Unified Court System within thirty (30) days after execution. This filing deadline is strict. Failure to timely file renders the electronic will invalid—an obligation that does not apply to traditional paper wills. Electronic wills represent a significant shift in New York estate planning and may offer valuable accessibility benefits. However, because of their technical and procedural requirements, careful planning is essential. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney is strongly
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New York Electronic Wills Act aids estate planning.
recommended to determine whether an electronic will is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Frank Oswald, Esq. is an associate attorney at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., focusing on trusts and estates. Britt Burn-
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er, Esq. is the firm’s managing partner, concentrating her practice on estate planning and elder law. The firm serves clients throughout New York City and Long Island, with offices in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan, and East Hampton.
LIBRARY LIVING BY TARA D’AMATO
Assistant Library Director
Library of Things Now Available to Borrow LIBRARY OF THINGS is a collection of useful objects to borrow. The Library is offering these items for loan to provide access to items that may only be used occasionally, and to enhance quality of life for the community. Adult cardholders can reserve and check out up to TWO items from this collection at a time. In order to borrow any items from the library, your MMSCL card must be up-to-date and in good standing. Patrons with long-overdue items and/or replacement fees on their cards will not be able to borrow items until they have cleared their record. Items can be reserved up to 60 days in advance either online or by calling 631-399-1511 x2024 Some new things you can now borrow: • OBD2 Car code reader – it features built-in OBD2 DTC lookup library, which help you to determine the cause of the engine light, read code, erase code, view freeze frame, I/M ready, vehicle information, data flow, real-time curve, get vehicle
speed information, calculate load value, engine coolant temperature, and get engine speed. • Wi-Fi hotspots are devices which broadcast internet access over Wi-Fi connections using a 4G LTE network. Use your Alcatel Linkzone Mobile Hotspot as hotspot for up to 15 devices via Wi-Fi, plus one device via a USB connection. • A birding adventure backpack filled with everything you need to find and identify local birds. Donated by the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society. Includes 2 pairs of binoculars and regional bird ID guides. • Lawn Sign Kits – Happy Birthday and Congratulations lawn sign letters with stakes. • Karaoke Machine – complete with PA system, 2 microphones, power adapter and cable • Indoor air quality monitor The AirKnight 10-in-1 indoor air quality monitor contains high quality sensors that detect the most threatening air pollutants (CO2 (carbon dioxide), PM2.5 & PM10 (particulate matter), TVOC compounds.
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Eat Real Food America: Federal Dietary Guidelines Changed
STATE
By Robert Chartuk In a major overhaul of national nutrition policy, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced updated 2025–2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, urging Americans to replace processed foods with whole, nutrient-dense options. “These Guidelines return us to the basics,” Kennedy said at a White House briefing, outlining the framework for the new federal recommendations. “American households must prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods— protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains— and dramatically reduce highly processed foods. This is how we
Make America Healthy Again.” Kennedy framed the shift as a response to what the Trump Administration calls a national health emergency, pointing to chronic disease rates in the U.S. that officials say are linked to current eating patterns. He directly tied the guidelines to broader health goals, stating, “My message is clear: eat real food.” Secretary Rollins emphasized that the guidelines are designed not only to improve health outcomes but to reinforce support for American farmers and producers. “Thanks to the bold leadership of President Trump, this edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first as we
move towards a healthier nation,” Rollins said, highlighting the role of agricultural interests in the new recommendations. Rollins explained that the updated guidelines align federal nutrition policy with what the administration calls common-sense dietary advice—pushing protein at every meal, recommending full-fat dairy without added sugars, and urging Americans to limit highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates. “We are finally realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies that grow and produce real food,” she stressed. The new guidance—required every five years—will influence federal programs ranging from school meals and military food
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Make America Healthy Again.
service to nutrition advice for older Americans, infants and pregnant women. Poor diet, Kennedy noted, is the root cause of obesity in the U.S., which accounts for $400
billion in medical spending each year. “That means 40 cents of every dollar that taxpayers pay in this country is going to treat diseases that could be averted through good food,” he said.
Brutal Slide for Purchasing Power of American Workers By Robert Chartuk American workers have lost an estimated 77% of their purchasing power over the past 27 years as measured against gold, according to new research from InvestorsObserver, underscoring how rising asset prices have steadily outpaced wages for families across the country. The analysis shows that in 1998, the average American income could buy about 91 ounces of gold. By October 2025, that same income purchased just 21 ounces. In New York, a single parent’s earnings once equated to roughly 40 ounces of gold; today, they barely reach about 20. “Gold-adjusted wages reveal
American purchasing power tanks.
how deeply working families have been hollowed out,” said Sam Bourgi, senior analyst at InvestorsObserver. “Each
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crisis accelerates a transfer of purchasing power away from labor and toward assets that households simply can’t afford
to hold.” The findings come as gold prices surged to over $4,500 an ounce following renewed geopolitical tensions tied to Venezuela, where instability and U.S. action against Nicolás Maduro triggered a rapid flight to safe-haven assets. Gold jumped more than 2% in hours, while oil and equities wavered. Another InvestorsObserver study examined how assets perform during global conflicts. Across crises from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait to recent Middle East tensions, gold averaged 9% gains within 12 months. By contrast, the U.S. dollar posted small but consistent declines, leaving wage earners exposed. State-level data highlight the
strain. Over the past year alone, gold-buying power fell 20% nationwide. Pennsylvania workers dropped from 24 ounces to 18, for example, North Carolina from about 25 to 18, and Florida from 26 to just 19. “This isn’t abstract economics,” Bourgi said. “It shows up at kitchen tables where parents cut back, postpone college savings, and work longer hours just to stand still.” The studies conclude that while central banks and large institutions accumulate gold and other hedges, working families shoulder the risk. Their labor supports economic stability, even as the value of that work buys less protection with each passing shock.
U.S. Moves to Exit Dozens of Global Organizations By Robert Chartuk The United States is taking steps to withdraw from dozens of international organizations, conventions, and treaties after a high-level review concluded that continued participation does not align with America’s interests. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum directing the federal government to exit 66 international bodies, asserting they are “contrary to the interests of the United States” and ordering executive agencies to implement the withdrawals as quickly as permitted by law. “I have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to these organi-
zations,” the president stated. The action follows a review ordered earlier this year that required the Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to examine all international organizations, conventions, and treaties receiving U.S. funding or support. After reviewing the findings and consulting with Cabinet officials, the administration concluded that continued involvement in many of the groups no longer serves national priorities. The list includes both United Nations and non-UN organizations spanning climate policy, energy, migration, development, and governance. On the United Nations side, Trump plans to cease partic-
ipation and funding for entities including the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Population Fund, and UN Energy, according to the memorandum. Withdrawal is defined as ending U.S. participation and financial support to the extent allowed under existing law. Among the non-UN bodies targeted are the International Solar Alliance, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Global Forum on Migration and Development, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, all of which focus on global coordination in energy, environmental, and migration policy. Administration officials argue that many of the organizations promote policies or agendas that
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U.S. leaves dozens of global compacts deemed not in the best interest of America.
undermine U.S. sovereignty, impose financial obligations on taxpayers, or advance priorities inconsistent with domestic economic interests. They say the withdrawals will allow the federal government to redirect resources toward domestic needs. The memorandum notes that
the review process remains ongoing and authorizes the Secretary of State to provide additional guidance as agencies carry out the directive. It also specifies that the action creates no new legal rights and must be implemented consistent with existing law and available appropriations.
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Page 17
HOME IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS Main Library
Learn how to protect your home through smart, budget-friendly improvements
YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR
YOUR HOME'S INTERIOR
Saturday, January 17, 2026 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Saturday, February 21, 2026 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Learn the fundamentals of what supports your house and how cracks in various locations can be a sign for concern
Discover the types of materials that comprise the interior of your home and the importance of maintaining them
Registration Begins 12/30 Call 631-399-1511 ext. 2024 Photographs may be taken at any of the library’s programs. These photos may be used in library publicity, including but not limited to the library newsletter and web page. If you do not want photos taken of you or your child(ren), be sure to inform the library staff member overseeing the program before the program begins. All photographs are the property of the library. If you will be joining us for a meeting or program, please let us know in advance if you need an accommodation that will make the event accessible to you.
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Northwell Brings Pancreas Transplant Patients to Long Island
NATION
By Robert Chartuk Long Island patients with advanced diabetes will soon gain access to life-saving pancreas transplants as Northwell Health launches the region’s first adult pancreas transplant program. The initiative, based at the Northwell Transplant Institute at North Shore University Hospital, received final approval from the State Department of Health following a recent on-site review. The decision clears the way for Northwell to begin accepting pancreas transplant patients from across Long Island, the greater New York region, and southern Connecticut. While more than 120 pancreas transplant programs operate nationwide, North
Shore University Hospital is among only 59 adult centers in the country that offer heart, kidney, liver, lung, and pancreas transplants within a single coordinated program. Hospital officials say that integrated structure improves outcomes by allowing multidisciplinary teams to manage complex cases under one roof. “Adding pancreas transplantation has long been a goal,” said Nabil Dagher, MD, senior vice president and director of the Northwell Transplant Institute. “It allows us to better serve patients with kidney disease and diabetes using a highly coordinated, expert approach.” According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, more than 120,000 Americans
are currently awaiting an organ transplant, including over 800 in need of a pancreas and roughly 2,500 seeking combined kidney-pancreas transplants. Demand continues to outpace supply despite tens of thousands of procedures performed nationwide each year. The new program will be led by Niraj Desai, MD, director of Northwell’s Center for Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, who joined the system in 2024 after leading similar programs at Johns Hopkins. He said the goal is to expand access and reach patients who previously had to travel far from home for care. A pancreas transplant can restore natural blood-sugar control for patients with severe Type 1 diabetes and select
Northwell Health
Northwell Health
Type 2 cases, often eliminating the need for insulin and significantly improving quality of life.
Hospital leaders say the program represents a major step forward for transplant care on Long Island.
PSEG Shares Tips to Lower Winter Energy Bills By Staff Report
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Off-peak savings when it comes to your electric bill.
PSEG Long Island is marking National Cut Your Energy Costs Day by offering customers practical, low-cost tips designed to help reduce household energy bills during the winter heating season. “Cut Your Energy Costs Day is a great time to revisit the simple ways that you can make your energy more affordable, while also helping the environment,” said Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at PSEG Long Island. He noted the utility provides free tools that allow customers to assess their home’s energy use and identify
opportunities for savings. Among those tools is PSEG Long Island’s Home Energy Assessment, a comprehensive evaluation of a home’s heating, cooling, insulation, and overall efficiency. The free assessment can help determine eligibility for rebates, incentives, and low-interest financing for energy-saving upgrades. The utility also emphasized everyday steps that all customers can take immediately to lower energy costs, especially during colder months. Recommended actions include: • Seal windows and doorframes with weather stripping or caulk,
and cover window air conditioners to prevent drafts • Use ceiling fans set to rotate clockwise on low speed to push warm air downward • Lower thermostats by one degree, or more during daytime and overnight hours, to reduce heating costs • Install a programmable or smart thermostat, which ENERGY STAR® estimates can save about $100 annually • Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lighting, which uses significantly less electricity and lasts longer • Run dishwashers, dryers, and other high-energy applianc-
es outside the peak hours of 3 p.m-7 p.m. for Time-of-Day rate customers • Charge electric vehicles during off-peak hours when rates are lower • Consider installing a high-efficiency air source heat pump, with rebates available Additional savings ideas, rebate details, and efficiency programs are available through PSEG Long Island’s website. Customers are also encouraged to explore the utility’s “66 Ways to Save” guide and share their favorite tips on social media using the hashtag #CutYourEnergyCostsDay and tagging @PSEGLI.
Small Firms Struggle to Fill Jobs as Labor Shortages Persist By Staff Report Small businesses across New York continue to face a tight and uneven labor market, according to the December jobs report from the National Federation of Independent Business, with hiring challenges persisting even as compensation pressures increase. The report found that 33 percent of small business owners nationwide reported job openings they could not fill in December, a figure that remained unchanged from November and well above the historical average of 24 percent. In New York, the situation mirrors the national trend, particularly for skilled positions, which remain the hardest to staff. Twenty-eight percent of small business owners reported openings for skilled workers, while 10 percent said they were
seeking unskilled labor. Although overall hiring activity cooled slightly, more than half of owners—53 percent—said they were hiring or attempting to hire in December. Among those trying to fill positions, the lack of qualified applicants remains a major obstacle. Forty-eight percent of owners reported few or no qualified candidates, with nearly a quarter saying they could not find any suitable applicants at all. “Main Street businesses are ready to hire, but many small firms still can’t fill available positions,” said NFIB Assistant State Director Molly Dillman. She noted that the tight labor market continues to make it difficult for New York businesses to meet customer demand and maintain service levels. Looking ahead, hiring plans appear to be slowing. A net 17
percent of owners said they plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down slightly from November. At the same time, compensation pressures are clearly rising. A seasonally adjusted net 31 percent of owners reported raising pay in December, a five-point jump from the prior month, while 24 percent expect to raise compensation again in the near term. Labor quality remains the top concern for many owners, cited by 19 percent as their single most important problem. Labor costs also increased as a concern, underscoring the financial strain facing small firms already operating with tight margins. The report paints a mixed picture for New York’s small business economy: steady demand for workers, limited supply of qualified applicants, and rising wages that may challenge future growth and expansion plans.
Small business owners struggle to find qualified workers.
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LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF THE LB-CABANA SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES ROACH, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 16, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on February 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., premises known as 113 Camille Lane, East Patchogue, NY 11772. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 898.00, Block 07.00 and Lot 007.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $653,766.69 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608882/ 2023. Annette Eaderesto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 222773-1 L16426 - 1/07/2026, 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, & 1/28/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF SUFFOLK The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-25, Plaintiff, Against James P. Walsh; Stephanie M. Walsh; John F. O'Neill, his successors or assigns, as Commissioner of Social Services of Suffolk County, Social Services District; People of the State of New York; Peter Meyer; Commissioner of Taxation and Finance; John T. Mather Memorial Hospital; Glenn Hesselbach and Debra Hesselbach; Jaime Correia as Executor of the Estate of Florence Van Brussel; Equable Ascent Financial, LLC; Penny Whyard; Capital One Bank USA, NA; Springleaf Home Equity, Inc. f/k/a American Gen. Home Equity, Inc.; Colonial Woods Condominium; Midland Funding LLC; Continued Care of LI, Inc.; Southside Hospital; Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC; Claire Gangi; Peconic Bay Medical Center; Autovest, L.L.C.; Clerk of the Suffolk
County District Court; Clerk of the Suffolk County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency; Commissioners of the State Insurance Fund; Contemporary Dental Associates; Commissioner of Taxation and Finance; Internal Revenue Service; Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 06/16/2021, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 2/5/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 27 Pineway Avenue, Mastic Beach, NY 11951, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. District 0200 Section 970.00 Block 02.00 Lot 012.000 And 013.000. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $469,411.27 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 604429/2019 Billie Jean Miller, Esq., Referee. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Dated: 11/25/2025 File Number: 35262 MB L16427 - 1/07/2026, 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, & 1/28/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUFFOLK COUNTY HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff against ABRAHAM L. TURPIN A/K/A ABRAHAM TURPIN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 20, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on January 23, 2026 at 12:30 PM. Premises known as 105 Carlton Drive East, Shirley, New York 11967. District 0200 Sec 615.00 Block 02.00 Lot 013.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $494,834.06 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment
Index No 609334/2015. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Pamela J. Greene, Esq., Referee File # 2154000927 L16424 - 12/24/2025, 12/31/ 2025, 1/07/2026, & 1/14/2026
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF THE SOWER COLLECTION LLC The Sower Collection LLC filed Articles of Organization with the New York Secretary of State on November 1, 2025. Office location: Suffolk County. The Secretary of State has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process to: 23 Bernard Place, Centereach, NY 11720. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. L16420- 12/17/2025, 12/24/ 2025, 12/31/2025, 1/07/2026, 1/ 14/2026, & 1/21/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company. Name: SMH Consulting Firm, LLC. The Articles of Organization filing date with the Secretary of State (SSNY) was August 1, 2025. Office Location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 24 Lake Terrace Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. L16433- 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, 1/28/2026, 2/04/2026, 2/11/ 2026, & 2/18/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT FOR 2026 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Middle Island Fire District in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, will hold its regular monthly meetings for calendar year 2026 on the first Thursday and third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. commencing
February 21, 2026. However, in June and August, 2026, only one meeting will be held on the first Thursday of those months. In addition, the July, 2026 Board meeting will only be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026. All regular monthly meetings will take place at the District Office Building of the Middle Island Fire District, 195 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York. Dated: Middle Island, New York January 8, 2026 By Order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Middle Island Fire District Chrissy Rosenfeld, District Secretary L16434 - 1/14/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, SBJK HOMES, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL AGNELLO, IF LIVING, AND IF ANY BE DEAD, HIS RESPECTIVE HEIRS-ATLAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN, ANNETTE M. AGNELLO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL AGNELLO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 1, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on February 10, 2026 at 11:30 a.m., premises known as 39 Moriches Island Road a/k/ a 39 Eastview Avenue, East Moriches, NY 11940. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Moriches, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 890.00, Block 05.00 and Lot 043.001. Approximate amount of judgment is $233,784.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 604912/ 2017. Cash or third-party checks will not be accepted, only bank or certified checks made out to me as referee. Giuseppe Rosini, Esq., Referee Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff L16409 - 1/07/2026, 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, & 1/28/2026
PUBLIC NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, -against - THOMAS PERKINS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on March 20, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and THOMAS PERKINS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on January 23, 2026 at 12:00PM, premises known as 9 DREAMLAND STREET, MASTIC, NY 11950; and the following tax map identification: 0200-786.00-02.00-029.003. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610707/ 2023. Ian Sack, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. L16413 - 12/24/2025, 12/31/ 2025, 1/07/2026, & 1/14/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST 2005-1,-againstAMPARO LARA A/K/A LARA AMPARO A/K/A AMPARO G. LARA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
EMAIL LEGAL NOTICES TO LEGALS@SOUTHSHOREPRESS.COM
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pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County pursuant Final Judgment of of Suffolktoona October 11, 2018, Foreclosure entered inBANK the wherein DEUTSCHE Office of theTRUST Clerk ofCOMPANY, the County NATIONAL of on October 11, 2018, ASSuffolk INDENTURE TRUSTEE wherein DEUTSCHE BANK FOR AMERICAN HOME NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, MORTGAGE INVESTMENT AS INDENTURE TRUST 2005-1 isTRUSTEE the Plaintiff FOR AMERICAN HOME and AMPARO LARA A/K/A MORTGAGE INVESTMENT LARA AMPARO A/K/A TRUST 2005-1 is theET Plaintiff AMPARO G. LARA, AL. are and AMPARO LARA A/K/A the Defendant(s). I, the LARA AMPARO A/K/A will sell at undersigned Referee, AMPARO G. LARA, public auction at theET AL. are the Defendant(s).TOWN I, the HALL, 1 BROOKHAVEN undersigned Referee, will sell at INDEPENDENCE HILL, public auction at the FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 January 22, 2026 at 10:30AM, INDEPENDENCE HILL, premises known as 130 FARMINGVILLE, NY SHIRLEY, 11738, on AUBORN AVENUE, January 22,and 2026 10:30AM, NY 11967; theatfollowing tax premises known as 0200-783.00 130 map identification: AUBORN AVENUE, -04.00-024.000. ALLSHIRLEY, THAT NY 11967; PLOT, and thePIECE following CERTAIN OR tax map identification: PARCEL OF LAND,0200-783.00 WITH THE -04.00-024.000. ALL THAT BUILDINGS AND CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR IMPROVEMENTS THEREON PARCEL OFSITUATE, LAND, WITH THE ERECTED, LYING BUILDINGS AND BEINGAND AT SOUTH IMPROVEMENTS THEREONOF HAVEN IN THE TOWNSHIP ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING BROOKHAVEN COUNTY OF AND BEINGAND AT SOUTH SUFFOLK STATE OF HAVEN IN THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW YORK. Premises will be BROOKHAVEN COUNTY of OFfiled sold subject to provisions SUFFOLK AND STATE OF Judgment Index No.: 612930/ NEW will -be 2017.YORK. Daniel Premises Panico, Esq. sold subject to provisions of filed Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Judgment Index & No.: 612930/ Schneid, Crane Partners, 2017. Panico, Esq. PLLC,Daniel 900 Merchants Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Concourse, Suite 310, Schneid, & Partners, Westbury,Crane New York 11590, PLLC, 900for Merchants Attorneys Plaintiff. All Concourse, foreclosure Suite sales 310, will be Westbury, York 11590, conductedNew in accordance with Attorneys for Plaintiff.including, All Covid-19 guidelines foreclosure sales be but not limited to, will social conducted accordance with distancing in and mask wearing. Covid-19 guidelines including, *LOCATION OF SALE but not limited social DAY SUBJECT TO to, CHANGE distancing and mask wearing. OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH *LOCATION OF SALE COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY L16412 - 12/24/2025, 12/31/ OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2025, 1/07/2026,DIRECTIVES. & 1/14/2026 COURT/CLERK L16412 -PUBLIC 12/24/2025, 12/31/ NOTICE 2025, 1/07/2026, & 1/14/2026 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK NOTICE OF SALE TRUST NATIONAL SUPREME COURT COUNTY ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS OF SUFFOLK, U.S. BANK INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT TRUST SOLELYNATIONAL AS TRUSTEE OF ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS SPARTAN FUNDING I TRUST, INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT Plaintiff, vs. SALEH UDDIN & SOLELY AS LLC, TRUSTEE OF KAYES ALI ET AL., SPARTAN FUNDING I TRUST, Defendant(s). Plaintiff, UDDIN Pursuantvs. to SALEH a Judgment of & KAYES ALI LLC, ET AL., Foreclosure and Sale duly Defendant(s). entered on April 25, 2025, I, the Pursuant to aReferee Judgment undersigned willofsell at Foreclosure and public auction at Sale the duly entered on April 25,Hall, 2025, Brookhaven Town 1 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at Independence Hill, Farmingville, public auction at the NY 11738 on February 17, 2026 Brookhaven Hall, known 1 at 9:00 a.m.,Town premises Independence Hill, Farmingville, as 43 Cherry Street, Selden, NY NY 11738 17, 2026 11784. All on thatFebruary certain plot, at 9:00ora.m., premises piece parcel of land,known with the as 43 Cherry Selden, NY buildings andStreet, improvements 11784. that certain plot, thereonAll erected, situate, lying piece or parcel of land,inwith and being at Selden, the the buildings and improvements Town of Brookhaven, County of thereon erected, Suffolk and Statesituate, of Newlying York, Block 01.00 Lot 011.000. and being atand Selden, the District 0200, Sectionin519.00, Approximate amount of Town of Brookhaven, County of judgment is State $617,018.03 Suffolk and of New plus York, interest 0200, and costs. Premises District Section 519.00,will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 628889/ 2023. Richard J. Kaufman, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File
Block 01.00 and Lot 011.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $617,018.03 plus Block 01.00 LotPremises 011.000. will interest and and costs. Approximate amount of be sold subject to provisions of judgment is $617,018.03 plus filed Judgment Index # 628889/ interest 2023. and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions Richard J. Kaufman, Esq., of filed Judgment Index # 628889/ Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 2023. 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New Richard J. Kaufman, Esq., York, New York 10004, Referee Friedman Vartolo Attorneys for Plaintiff. FirmLLP, File 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New No.: 230174-2 York, New York 10004, L16432 - 1/14/2026, Attorneys for Plaintiff.1/21/2026, Firm File 1/28/2026, & 2/04/2026 No.: 230174-2 L16432 - 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, 1/28/2026, & 2/04/2026 PUBLIC NOTICE SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS–SUPREME PUBLIC NOTICE COURT OF THE STATE OF SUPPLEMENTAL NEW YORK, COUNTY OF SUMMONS–SUPREME SUFFOLK– U.S. BANK TRUST COURT OF ASSOCIATION, THE STATE OF NATIONAL NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL SUFFOLK– U.S. SOLELY BANK TRUST CAPACITY BUT AS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, OWNER TRUSTEE FOR NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL VRMTG ASSET TRUST, CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS Plaintiff, -against PATRICIA OWNER TRUSTEERALPH FOR R. LINDA WALTERS, VRMTG ASSET TRUST, DOWLING, JOHN NICHOLAS Plaintiff, -against PATRICIA DOWLING, MICHAEL P. LINDA WALTERS, R. DOWLING, LEYLARALPH P. DOWLING, JOHNRICHARD NICHOLAS DOWLING AND R. DOWLING, DOWLING, MICHAEL AS HEIRSP.AND DOWLING, LEYLA DISTRIBUTEES OFP.THE DOWLING AND RICHARD R. DECEDENT AGNES DOWLING, HEIRS AND DOWLING; AS THE UNKNOWN DISTRIBUTEES THE HEIRS-AT-LAW, OF NEXT-OF-KIN, DECEDENT AGNES DISTRIBUTEES, DOWLING; THE UNKNOWN EXECUTORS, HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXT-OF-KIN, ADMINISTRATORS, DISTRIBUTEES, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, EXECUTORS, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, ADMINISTRATORS, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, AND GENERALLY ALL LIENORS, AND PERSONSCREDITORS AND PARTIES SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST HAVING OR CLAIMING, AND GENERALLY ALL UNDER, BY OR THROUGH PERSONS AND PARTIES THE DECEDENT AGNES HAVING ORBY CLAIMING, DOWLING, PURCHASE, UNDER, BY OR LIEN THROUGH INHERITANCE, OR THE DECEDENT AGNES OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, DOWLING, BY PURCHASE, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND INHERITANCE, LIEN OR TO THE PREMISES OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, DESCRIBED IN THE TITLE OR INTEREST AND COMPLAINT HEREIN;INNEW TO THESTATE PREMISES YORK DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED INAND THEFINANCE; OF TAXATION COMPLAINT THE UNITEDHEREIN; STATES NEW OF YORK STATE DEPARTMENT AMERICA (EASTERN OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; DISTRICT); CAVALRY SPV I THE STATES OF LLC UNITED AS ASSIGNEE FOR AMERICA CITIBANK(EASTERN NA; DEPARTMENT DISTRICT); CAVALRY SPV I OF TREASURY - INTERNAL LLC AS ASSIGNEE FOR REVENUE SERVICE; CITIBANK NA; DEPARTMENT HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL; OF TREASURY - INTERNAL MIDLAND FUNDING LLC; REVENUE SERVICE; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL; NEW YORK; SUFFOLK MIDLAND FUNDING LLC; COUNTY CLERK; ROBERT PEOPLE OF FRANCES THE STATE OF RIZZOTTO; NEW YORK;JOAN SUFFOLK RIZZOTTO; KOABEL; COUNTY CLERK; ROBERT TOWN SUPERVISOR TOWN RIZZOTTO; FRANCES OF HUNTINGTON; RIZZOTTO; JOAN KOABEL; BROOKHAVEN MEMORIAL TOWN SUPERVISOR HOSPITAL, TOWN OFTOWN OF HUNTINGTON; BROOKHAVEN; BRIDGE BROOKHAVEN MEMORIAL CAPITAL SOLUTIONS; AC HOSPITAL, TOWN OF FRANK ELECTRICAL SUPPLY; BROOKHAVEN; BRIDGE & ROSS PAYROLL; VIFRAN CAPITAL SOLUTIONS; AC #1" ASSOCIATES; "JOHN DOE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY; FRANK through "JOHN DOE #10" &inclusive, ROSS PAYROLL; the namesVIFRAN of the ten fictitious, names unknown ASSOCIATES; "JOHN DOE #1" last namereal Defendants being to the Plaintiff, parties through "JOHNthe DOE #10" intended being persons or ten inclusive, the names of the corporations having anbeing interest last name Defendants in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants Index No. 624403/2025 Plaintiff Designates Suffolk County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject
Visit us on the web at www.southshorepress.com to the Plaintiff, the parties THE CLASSIFIEDS intended being persons or fictitious, real names unknown
1/28/2026, & 2/04/2026
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fictitious, real having names an unknown corporations interest to Plaintiff,or the partiesin in,the or tenants persons intended being possession of, persons portions or of the corporations having an interest mortgaged premises described in, or tenants or persons in in the Complaint, Defendants possession of, portions ofPlaintiff the Index No. 624403/2025 mortgaged described Designatespremises Suffolk County as in the Complaint, the Place of Trial.Defendants The Basis of Index 624403/2025 VenueNo. is that the subjectPlaintiff Designates as premises is Suffolk situatedCounty in Suffolk the PlaceToofthe Trial. The named Basis of County. above Venue is that the subject Defendants– YOU ARE premises situated in Suffolk HEREBY is SUMMONED to County. above named answer To thethe Complaint in this Defendants– action and to YOU serveARE a copy of HEREBY SUMMONED to your Answer or, if the Complaint answer the Complaint is not served with this in this action and totoserve of of Summons, serveaacopy Notice your Answer or, if the Appearance upon theComplaint Plaintiff's is not served with this (20) days attorney within twenty Summons, to serve a Notice of after the service of this Appearance upon the of Plaintiff's Summons, exclusive the date attorney within twenty (20)(30) days of service or within thirty after service of thisis daysthe after the service Summons, of theisdate complete if exclusive this Summons not of service ordelivered within thirty (30) personally to you days service is York. If withinafter the the State of New complete this Summons is not you fail toifso appear or answer, personally delivered to you judgment will be taken against within Statefor of the Newrelief York. If you bythe default you fail to soinappear or answer, demanded the Complaint. judgment will be taken against That this Supplemental you by default for the relief Summons is being filed demanded the Complaint. pursuant toinan order of the court That Supplemental datedthis December 16, 2025. Summons is being NOTICE-YOU AREfiled IN DANGER pursuant to anYOUR order HOME of the court OF LOSING – If dated 16,to 2025. you doDecember not respond this NOTICE-YOU IN DANGER summons and ARE complaint by OF LOSING YOUR HOME – Ifon serving a copy of the answer you do not respond to this the attorney for the mortgage summons and complaint company who filed this by serving a copy of the answer on foreclosure proceeding against the forthe theanswer mortgage youattorney and filing with company filed this the court,who a default judgment foreclosure proceeding against may be entered and you can you theSpeak answertowith loseand yourfiling home. an the court,or a go default judgment attorney to the court where may entered and you your be case is pending for can further lose your home. Speak to an information on how to answer attorney or go to the court where the summons and protect your your caseSending is pending for further property. a payment to information oncompany how to answer the mortgage will not the and protect your stopsummons the foreclosure action. YOU property. Sending aBY payment to MUST RESPOND the mortgage company SERVING A COPY OF will THEnot stop the foreclosure action. YOU ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY MUST RESPOND BY (U.S. FOR THE PLAINTIFF SERVING A COPY OF THE BANK TRUST NATIONAL ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS FOR THE PLAINTIFF (U.S. INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT BANK TRUST NATIONAL SOLELY AS OWNER ASSOCIATION, IN ITS TRUSTEE FOR NOT VRMTG INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT ASSET TRUST) AND FILING SOLELY AS OWNER THE ANSWER WITH THE TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG COURT. The foregoing ASSET TRUST) AND FILING summons is served upon you by THE ANSWER WITHtoTHE publication pursuant an order COURT. The foregoing of the Honorable Betsy summons served uponDated: you by Heckman is Torres, J.S.C. publication an order December pursuant 16, 2025 to Filed: of the Honorable Betsy December 18, 2025. The object Heckman Torres, Dated: of this action is toJ.S.C. foreclose a December 16, 2025 Filed: mortgage and covering the December 18, 2025. The object premises known as 2917 Falcon of this action is to foreclose a Avenue, Medford, NY 11763. mortgage and covering Dated: October 7, 2025the Filed: premises known 2917 Falcon October 7, 2025 as Knuckles & Avenue, Medford, NY 11763. Manfro, LLP, Attorneys for Dated: 7, 2025 Plaintiff,October By: Richard F. Filed: October 7, 2025 Knuckles & Komosinski, Esq., Of Counsel, Manfro, LLP, Attorneys 120 White Plains Road,for Suite Plaintiff, By: Richard 215, Tarrytown, NewF.York Komosinski, Esq., Of345-3020 Counsel, 10591 Phone: (914) 1/28/2026, & 2/04/2026 120 White Plains Road, Suite L16425 - 1/14/2026, 1/21/2026, 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591 Phone: (914) 345-3020
1/28/2026, & 2/04/2026
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Page 23
THE FANTASY BASEBALL EXPERIENCE
Don’t Expect Bregman to Pay Off By Tom Barton This week, one of the bigger names in the free agency cycle signed with the Chicago Cubs, and fantasy managers everywhere sighed. Usually, anyone heading to Wrigley Field is viewed as a positive, but for Alex Bregman, more information has emerged suggesting this move could spell trouble for his fantasy outlook. Bregman is a right-handed pull hitter who previously played in two of the more favorable home parks for that profile in Houston and Boston. Both parks feature short left-field dimensions that reward pulled fly balls and help inflate power numbers. Those advantages disappear in Chicago. Wrigley Field’s left-field wall actually angles outward as it approaches the foul line, a unique characteristic that works against pullheavy right-handed hitters. As a result, balls that may have cleared the fence elsewhere
are more likely to die on the warning track. Add in the reality of Chicago’s weather, and the concerns grow. While the Windy City reputation suggests wind-aided homers, recent seasons have shown the wind often blows in rather than out, further suppressing power. For an aging slugger, that combination could lead to a noticeable dip in home run production. None of this means fantasy managers should rush to sell Bregman at a discount. His plate discipline, run production, and overall consistency still provide value. However, his draft stock should take a clear hit, and expectations need to be adjusted accordingly. Another ripple effect of the signing is the impact on Matt Shaw’s outlook. Shaw was projected to be the Cubs’ starting third baseman after earning Gold Glove honors at the position. With Bregman now in town, his role becomes less
@CubsZone | X
Alex Bregman
defined. The Cubs will find at-bats for the young infielder, but the uncertainty lowers his
fantasy appeal as well. For real-life baseball, Chicago’s signing of Bregman is
a strong move. For fantasy players, though, it is a difficult pill to swallow indeed.
BETTING WITH BARTON BY TOM BARTON
Futures Bettors Will Be Smiling The College Football Championship is set, and it pits two of the more unlikely teams against each other. Indiana may have the largest living alumni base in the country, with more than 800,000 graduates, but few expected the Hoosiers to reach this stage. They feature zero five-star recruits and have instead relied on depth, discipline, and consistency while dominating all season long. On the other side stands Miami. The Hurricanes are a recognizable brand, yet they have not won a national title in 24 years and have been doubted at nearly every turn this season. Still, Miami navigated a challenging path and now finds itself one win away
from ending a long championship drought. These two programs will meet with a trophy on the line, and the winner will send its fan base into complete hysteria. Sportsbooks believe Indiana holds a clear edge. Following a recent blowout victory, the betting odds continued to climb, pushing the Hoosiers to an eight-point favorite over Miami. That number is notable considering the game will be played on the Hurricanes’ home field at Hard Rock Stadium. Indiana originally opened as a five-and-a-half-point favorite on the look-ahead line, but that quickly proved too low. The spread moved in anticipation of strong Indiana
money, which is significant because Miami is traditionally the public team that attracts casual bettors. For many observers, however, the on-field performance of the Hoosiers has been too convincing to ignore. Regardless of the outcome, futures bettors are already celebrating. Indiana entered the season as a 150-to-1 long shot to win the national championship, while Miami opened at 40-to-1 and attracted substantial action. Since 2014, only two teams with preseason title odds of 40-to-1 or longer have reached the championship game, making this matchup special for fans and futures bettors alike everywhere now.
Natty Trophy
@2026Miamihc | X
Page 24
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
SPORTS
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Ducks Hit Home Runs for Hunger
By Tom Barton The Long Island Ducks have done it again as their long balls have given back to the community. The Ducks joined representatives from Fairfield Properties and three local food banks and nonprofit organizations over the holiday to celebrate a successful “Home Runs for Hunger” program during the Ducks’ 2025 season. The initiative once again highlighted the strong commitment both organizations have to supporting the Long Island community. Throughout the baseball season, Fairfield Properties pledged to make a donation to local food banks every time the Ducks hit a home run. The partnership turned on-field success into meaningful community impact,
helping address food insecurity across the region. By the end of the 2025 season, the Ducks had totaled 125 home runs, resulting in a $13,500 donation from Fairfield Properties to support hunger relief efforts. “Fairfield Properties is honored to partner with the Long Island Ducks on this impactful community initiative,” said Gary Broxmeyer and Michael Broxmeyer, co-managing partners of Fairfield Properties. “Addressing food insecurity remains a critical need across Long Island, and we’re proud to assist these dedicated organizations in their mission to fight hunger.” Three local organizations were selected by Fairfield Properties to benefit from the program: the Interfaith Nutrition Network, Long Island
Cares, and Island Harvest. Each organization plays a vital role in providing food and resources to individuals and families in need throughout Long Island. Gary and Michael Broxmeyer were joined by Fairfield Properties Chief Financial Officer Ralph Cusano and members of the Ducks organization, including team mascot QuackerJack, to commemorate the program’s success. Representatives from each beneficiary organization were also in attendance, including Dana N. Lopez, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Interfaith Nutrition Network; Kaylin Wasilchuk, Corporate Philanthropy Manager for Long Island Cares; and Amanda Chirco, Director of Development at Island Harvest. The “Home Runs for Hunger”
Michael Polak
QuackerJack with recipients.
initiative once again demonstrated how sports partnerships can make a lasting difference off the field. By combining athletic achievement with charitable giving, the Ducks and Fairfield
Properties continue to help combat hunger while strengthening their connection to the Long Island community they proudly serve.
Seawolves Lax Debut at No. 16 By Tom Barton
Stony Brook Athletics
SB Lax team
The Stony Brook women’s lacrosse program earned its first national ranking of the year, checking in at No. 16 in the USA Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20, as released by USA Lacrosse Magazine. The ranking reflects the program’s continued rise and sustained success on the national stage. The Seawolves concluded the 2025 season ranked No. 16 in USA Lacrosse Magazine’s final poll after posting a 16-5 overall record. Stony Brook made its 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship and continued to establish itself as one
of the premier programs outside the traditional power conferences. The Seawolves captured their third straight CAA Championship with a victory over Drexel and advanced to the NCAA Second Round after defeating No. 17 Loyola Maryland. Their postseason run came to an end against eventual finalist No. 2 Boston College. Stony Brook turned heads throughout the 2025 campaign by earning wins over three nationally ranked opponents, including Denver (No. 24), Drexel (No. 21), and Loyola Maryland (No. 17). Those victories helped solidify the Seawolves’ reputation as a dangerous matchup for any opponent. The 2026 schedule presents
another major challenge, as Stony Brook will face six teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Top 20. Those opponents include Northwestern (No. 2), Princeton (No. 6), Johns Hopkins (No. 12), along with Denver, Drexel, and UAlbany, all of whom are receiving votes. Stony Brook opens the 2026 campaign at home against UAlbany on February 15. In total, the Seawolves will play nine home games at LaValle Stadium, giving fans plenty of opportunities to watch one of the nation’s top programs compete as it looks to build on last season’s success and make another deep postseason run.
Gianna Paul Going Pro With Kansas City Current By Tom Barton Former Walt Whitman standout Gianna Paul has signed a three-year contract with the Kansas City Current, marking the next chapter of an outstanding soccer career. The forward, a University of Alabama product, will be with Kansas City through the 2028 season, with a team option for 2029, and is set to join the club ahead of its upcoming preseason training. Paul concluded her collegiate career in Tuscaloosa as one of the most accomplished players in program history. She finished as Alabama’s all-time leader with 40 goals, 94 points, 279 shots, and 115 shots on target over four seasons from 2022 to 2025. At the end of the 2025 season, she ranked fifth nationally among active Division I players in career goals and eighth in career points. Paul started 69 of her 90 career matches and logged more than 6,000 minutes on the field.
As a senior, Paul led the Crimson Tide with 12 goals and 31 points, breaking a 20-year-old school record for career goals. She also paced the team with 12 goals and 25 points in 2024 and recorded eight goals and 17 points in 2023. Her eight goals as a freshman in 2022 tied for 10th nationally among first-year players. Paul totaled nine game-winning goals during her career, including a league-leading five in 2023. Her accolades were numerous. Paul was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022, earned All-SEC First Team honors three straight seasons, and became the first fivetime All-SEC honoree in school history. She was also a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American. A Huntington Station, New York native, Paul helped lead Alabama to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program’s first-ever College Cup berth in 2022.
Gianna Paul
rolltide.com
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SPORTS
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
Page 25
Hills West Wins Alexander Aurrichio Memorial Tournament
By Tom Barton This past week, the Hills West Basketball Booster Club sponsored the 2025 Alexander Aurrichio Memorial Holiday Tournament at Half Hollow Hills High School West. The tournament featured the host varsity team along with North Babylon, Southampton, and John Jay of Brooklyn, bringing together strong programs for a competitive holiday showcase. Hills West successfully defended its home court, defeating Southampton 72–56 in the championship game to capture the tournament title. The event honored the legacy of Alexander Aurrichio, a member of the Class of 2008 who left a lasting impact on the
Hills West basketball program. Aurrichio was a three-year varsity player and served as captain of the school’s first-ever Suffolk County championship team. He played a key role in leading the Colts to a school-record 23-game winning streak and the program’s first county title. In recognition of his contributions, his No. 25 jersey was retired in 2021 by longtime head coach Bill Mitaritonna. Tragically, Aurrichio lost his life in a bicycle accident while living in Australia in May of 2020. Alexander is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in Hills West history and is fondly remembered for his leadership, toughness, and relentless competitive spir-
it. Following his high school career, he went on to attend Columbia University, where he competed in both soccer and baseball before later pursuing a career in the Australian Football League. In addition to the championship celebration, several individual honors were awarded. Senior captain Vince Corso received the Alexander Aurrichio Award, presented annually to the team’s hardest worker. Fellow senior captains Jack Vafeas and Ethan Saintjean were also recognized for their outstanding performances and were named to the all-tournament team, helping make the event a fitting tribute to a Hills West legend.
Half Hollow Hills Central School District | Facebook
Hills West Team in memorial jerseys.
Sachem Alum Named Sportswriter of the Year By Tom Barton Sachem alum Rich Cimini has been named New York State Sportswriter of the Year for the third time by the National Sports Media Association, further cementing his status as one of the most respected voices in sports journalism. This year, Cimini shares the prestigious honor with Steve Serby of the New York Post. Cimini previously earned the award in 2020 and 2023. The recognition is especially meaningful, as it is nominated and voted on by fellow sports media professionals, underscoring the esteem he
Rich Cimini
has earned from his peers throughout a long and accomplished career.
Sachem Alumni Association | Facebook
A graduate of Sachem High School’s Class of 1981, Cimini’s journalism journey began
close to home. He wrote for The Sachem Harbinger and gained early broadcasting experience on WSHR, honing his craft while covering local sports. One of his first major beats was Sachem football, where he chronicled the success of legendary coach Fred Fusaro, laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong career in sports reporting. Today, Cimini covers the New York Jets for ESPN and has been on the Jets beat since 1989, making him the longest-tenured beat writer in team history. His longevity has seen him report on decades of Jets football, from rare highs to prolonged
rebuilding periods, always delivering sharp analysis, institutional knowledge, and a consistent voice that fans have come to trust. Beyond his professional achievements, Cimini has remained connected to his roots. He is an inductee of both the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame and the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, honors that reflect not only his journalistic excellence but also his lasting ties to the Long Island community that helped launch his career. Cimini’s latest honor is a testament to dedication, credibility, and a career built on telling the story the right way, year after year.
Sachem North Wins Team Championship By Tom Barton Sachem North made the most of its home mat advantage, capturing the team championship at the Joe Davidson Memorial Tournament with an impressive showing from top to bottom. The Arrows finished first with 426.5 points, pulling away from a competitive field that featured many of Suffolk County’s top wrestling programs. Sayville placed second with 323.5 points, followed by Sachem East (281), Brentwood (236.5), and Kellenberg (235). Rounding out the field were Oceanside, William Floyd, MacArthur, Bayport-Blue Point, Eastport South Manor, Center Moriches, and Deer Park, making for a deep and
challenging tournament field throughout the two-day event. Held annually in honor of Sachem alum and former coach Joe Davidson. The tournament once again delivered a full slate of high-level championship bouts, physical matches, and dramatic finishes that kept the home crowd engaged from start to finish. Sachem North was fueled by several strong performances in the finals, highlighted by Jack Cusumano (138), who pinned Sayville’s Brett Lennihan in 3:16, and Jake Fischer (150), who earned a decisive 12-7 victory over Brentwood’s Nathanael Bouquet. Thomas Vecchio (175) added valuable bonus points with a technical fall over Kellenberg’s Brendan Barkley,
while Valdey Pierre (285) closed out the night with an 8-2 decision against Oceanside’s Joshua Moshkovich. Sachem East also shined on the championship stage, led by Sano Restrepo (103), who secured a quick pin in 1:42, and Jon Schroff (165), who edged Kellenberg’s Colin Regan in a tightly contested 1-0 decision. With depth across the lineup and key bonus-point wins in the finals, Sachem North separated itself over the course of the tournament to secure the team title in front of a supportive home crowd. Early-season success from both Sachem North and Sachem East suggests both programs are positioning themselves for strong runs as January and February approach.
Sachem Wrestling Team
sachem.edu
Page 26
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
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Ward Melville Wins Smithtown Tournament
SPORTS
By Tom Barton Last week, the Ward Melville wrestling team captured the Smithtown Invitational, further establishing an excellent start to the season. The Patriots delivered a strong overall performance and crowned multiple individual champions across several weight classes, showcasing both depth and high-end talent throughout the lineup. Leading the way was Hunter Phillips, who not only claimed a championship in his weight class but also earned the tournament’s Most Pins award. Phillips, currently ranked second in Suffolk County at 101 pounds, continued to validate his status as one of the county’s top young wrestlers with another dominant showing. He was joined atop the podium by
teammates Jaden Baron, Lorenzo Gamez, Logan Schaefer, and Adam Culloton, each of whom captured individual titles and played key roles in Ward Melville’s team success. While Ward Melville celebrated its tournament victory, Connetquot also turned in an impressive performance. The Thunderbirds won the team competition based on total points and produced six individual champions. Zachary Carlson and Nicholas Theodoulou led the way for Connetquot, anchoring a balanced effort that highlighted the program’s strength across multiple weight classes. Smithtown East’s Matthew McDermott earned one of the tournament’s top individual honors, being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. McDermott secured the award after
defeating William Floyd’s Jack Meyer in a highly competitive matchup that drew attention from spectators and coaches alike. His performance stood out for both technique and intensity, capping a strong showing for Smithtown East at the event. The Smithtown Invitational once again proved to be a showcase of Suffolk County’s wrestling talent, featuring elite competitors and high-level matches throughout the day. For Ward Melville, the victory adds another highlight to an already impressive season and sets the tone for continued success moving forward. With multiple champions, rising stars, and strong leadership throughout the roster, the Patriots appear poised to remain a force in county competition as the season progresses.
Three Village Athletics | Facebook
Ward Melville wrestling team
Vales Explodes for 42 Points By Tom Barton Brian Vales continues to pour on the offense this season, and he delivered another incredible performance for Mount Sinai this past week. Vales led the Mustangs to a convincing 70–51 victory over Wyandanch, showcasing his scoring touch and all-around dominance. The standout guard finished the night with 42 points and 13 rebounds, powering Mount Sinai to its eighth win of the season and improving the team’s record to 8–2. With that effort, Vales now sits third in Suffolk County in scoring average, pouring in
Brian Vales
more than 22 points per game. He has also moved into first place countywide in total field
brianvales_ | Instagram
goals made, reaching 72 on the season, a testament to both his efficiency and consistency.
Night after night, opposing defenses have struggled to slow him down, and he continues to elevate his game as the season progresses. Vales was not alone in the offensive effort. Andrew McNeely contributed a strong all-around performance with 19 points and five assists, helping to keep the offense flowing and creating opportunities for his teammates. Hunter Seale added valuable support as well, pulling down five rebounds and dishing out four assists to complement the scoring attack. While the offensive fireworks once again grabbed the headlines, Mount Sinai’s defense also played a key role in the win. The Mustangs applied
steady pressure throughout the game, limiting Wyandanch’s scoring opportunities and forcing difficult shots. As a result, Mount Sinai has now held four of its last five opponents to fewer than 60 points, highlighting a balanced approach that combines scoring punch with disciplined defense. Mount Sinai will look to build on this momentum when it hosts Hampton Bays in its next matchup. Following that contest, the Mustangs will hit the road for a challenging stretch, traveling to face Sayville and Amityville next week as they continue their push through the heart of the season.
Eagles Swimmer Headed to Division I By Tom Barton This past season was a banner year for Rocky Point swimmer Andraya Giagios, as she established herself as one of the top competitors in New York State. Giagios swims for the Sachem Swim Club and has recently made a verbal commitment to Stonehill College, where she will continue both her athletic and academic career at the Division I level. The Sachem Swim Club praised her achievement, saying, “Years of hard work and dedication have led to this moment, and the SSC family couldn’t be more proud of you.” That dedication was evident throughout a remarkable senior season that featured consistent high-level
performances against elite competition. Giagios capped off her outstanding year by earning All-State honors in the 100-yard butterfly, a testament to her speed, technique, and competitive drive. At the Section XI Championships, she finished second in the 100-yard butterfly with an impressive time of 57.23 seconds. That performance earned her a spot at the New York State Girls Swimming Championships, where she competed against the best swimmers in the state and finished 12th overall in her signature event. Her success reflects not only individual talent, but also years of commitment to training, discipline, and improvement. Competing year-round with
the Sachem Swim Club, Giagios has developed into a polished swimmer capable of excelling on some of the biggest stages in the sport. Her progression has made her a standout at Rocky Point and a role model for younger athletes in the program. Rocky Point High School recognized her accomplishments in a congratulatory post, stating, “An outstanding accomplishment for an exceptional athlete. Proud of you, Andraya.” As she prepares to take the next step in her swimming journey at Stonehill College, Giagios leaves behind a legacy of excellence and determination that will be remembered throughout the Rocky Point swimming community.
Andraya Giagios
RP Athletics | Facebook
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Page 27
The South Shore Press • January 14, 2026
The Rotunda Legacy: A Family Standard of Excellence
SPORTS
By Tom Barton Center Moriches sports has a long and storied history, but few families have left a mark quite like the Rotundas. Mike and Jennifer Rotunda have four children, and all of them have excelled in Center Moriches athletics, particularly on the soccer field. Through years of dedication, leadership, and competitive excellence, the Rotunda name has become synonymous with success in the school’s athletic community. The family legacy began with Nick Rotunda, the oldest sibling, who set the standard. Nick played four years of varsity soccer at Center Moriches, earning All-Conference honors twice and establishing himself as one of the program’s standout performers. His success at the high school level paved the way for his younger siblings and carried over to the collegiate ranks. Nick now competes at Canisius University, where he is a sophomore and continues to represent the Rotunda name with pride. This past year, however, truly cemented the family’s place in school history. Twins Zack and Gia Rotunda, along with their younger brother Alex, achieved a remarkable collection of accolades, including All-Conference, All-County, All-State, Ex-
ceptional Senior, and League MVP honors. The Rotunda home now resembles a Hall of Fame for Center Moriches athletics, with achievements that reflect both individual excellence and a shared family commitment to success. Twin seniors Zack and Gia have been pillars of the soccer program for years. Zack, a commanding presence at center back, earned a reputation as the defensive anchor of the Red Devils. Often described as “the calm in the chaos,” he was known for his composure, intelligent reads, and unwavering consistency. His leadership and reliability were rewarded with All-Conference and Exceptional Senior honors. Zack’s high school career culminated fittingly with an invitation to the 2025 Exceptional Senior All-Star Game, where he competed among the region’s elite and helped lead his squad to victory. On the girls’ side, Gia Rotunda matched that excellence with grit and determination. A five-year varsity player and two-year captain, she consistently took on the toughest defensive matchups while still finding ways to create opportunities for her teammates. Her leadership extended beyond soccer, as she also serves as a two-year captain and point guard for the varsity basketball team. Gia’s outstanding season earned
Jennifer Rotunda
The Rotunda Siblings
her All-County and All-State honors, placing her among the elite players in New York. She will continue her soccer career at Saint Michael’s College, competing at the NCAA Division II level. While Zack and Gia conclude their high school careers, the Rotunda legacy continues through their younger brother Alex. A sophomore with tremendous
potential, Alex has already delivered one of the most impressive seasons in the program’s recent history. In just his second varsity season, he earned All-Conference, All-County, League MVP, and All-State honors. A versatile player who excelled in both the midfield and attacking roles, Alex also stands out as a multi-sport athlete, playing varsity lacrosse and serving as
the junior varsity point guard in basketball. Beyond their accomplishments, the Rotundas are admired for their leadership, work ethic, and impact on the community. Together, they have elevated Center Moriches soccer and left behind a lasting blueprint for success that will inspire future generations.
McGuire Wins Offensive Player of the Year By Tom Barton At a recent awards dinner, senior captain of the Eastport South Manor varsity field hockey team, Molly McGuire, was selected as the Suffolk County Division II Offensive Player of the Year. McGuire also earned All-State honors, further cementing her status as one of the county’s elite players. Throughout the season, she proved to be one of Suffolk County’s most dangerous offensive threats, consistently creating scoring chances and producing at a high level. McGuire finished her final high school season with 20 goals and 14 assists, numbers that reflect both her scoring ability and her vision on
the field. Her combination of speed, skill, and instincts made her a constant challenge for opposing defenses. The Eastport South Manor website praised her offensive impact, stating, “Her attack skills at the right wing position were tough to defend, and she was a threat with her fast offensive movement toward the goal.” That assessment rang true game after game, as McGuire routinely forced teams to adjust their defensive schemes to account for her presence. Beyond her individual accolades, McGuire played a crucial role in the sustained success of the Eastport South Manor field hockey program. She was an integral part of two county championship teams during her high school
career, providing leadership, experience, and production when it mattered most. As a senior captain, she set the tone both on and off the field, serving as a role model for her teammates through her work ethic and competitive drive. McGuire’s athletic journey will continue at the collegiate level, as she has decided to attend SUNY Cortland. While her high school career was highlighted by her success in field hockey, she will transition to women’s lacrosse at Cortland, showcasing her versatility and athleticism. As she moves on to the next chapter, McGuire leaves behind a legacy of excellence and leadership at Eastport South Manor that will not soon be forgotten.
Molly McGuire
Eastport-South Manor Central School District
Sports
JANUARY 14, 2026
SUFFOLK SPORTS Teams, Scores, Photos, News, Columns and More
THE ROTUNDA LEGACY
The Rotunda Siblings Make Center Moriches Proud PAGE 27
Credit: Jennifer Rotunda
SPORTS
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McGuire Wins Offensive Ward Melville Wins Vales Explodes for Player of the Year 42 Points Story on Smithtown Tournament Story on Credit: ESMC School District
pg. 27
Credit: Three Village School District
pg. 26
Credit: brianvales_ | Instagram
Story on pg. 26