The South Shore Press 2/25

Ratepayers Will Take Hit Under Hochul Deal

From the NEWSROOM

BY ROBERT CHARTUK

After the groundbreaking ceremony for Sunrise Wind, I zeroed in on one of the VIPs from Ørsted, the Danish company building the massive Long Island turbine project, to ask him how much it’s going to cost. Before he could answer, a PR flunky whisked him away, telling me to go ask the state.

As construction proceeded, nailing down a cost estimate was as elusive as getting a watt out of a turbine when the wind’s not blowing. Gov. Hochul and the politicians who caused electric rates to skyrocket under their Green New Deal said the multibillion-dollar Sunrise albatross would only add a few dollars to our monthly bills. Nobody believed them.

Now the truth comes out. The state is finally admitting that the cost to ratepayers will be more than five times what they initially reported. And even that number,

deemed by state spin doctors as “levelized” over the course of the project’s 25-year lifespan, is suspect, given the rash of hidden costs and surcharges that will be extracted from Long Island residents. There will be renewable energy credits, renewable certificates, capacity charges, offshore wind subsidies, and other lulus that nobody in Albany likes to talk about when it comes to financing their wind energy dreams.

I had the occasion to ask the former head of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the federal agency that decides where offshore wind farms can go, why the Sunrise turbines are located 123 miles from where their transmission lines make landfall. The answer was convoluted and unsatisfactory. The fact is, the bureaucrats in Washington didn’t want them within sight of Long

Sunrise Wind Costs Balloon: Is Anyone Surprised?

Islanders, who would have thought an array of 84 towers three times the height of the Statue of Liberty to be unsightly. This game of hide the turbines tacked an additional $400 million onto the project, if you even believe that number.

The calculators at the State Energy Office, Public Service Commission, Energy Research and Development Authority, and Department of Public Service, et al., can spin all they want, but the cost to ratepayers of the Sunrise white elephant can be easily calculated. Current estimates put the construction cost at $7 billion for a generating system expected to service 600,000 homes. That’s $11,666 per ratepayer. Amortized over 25 years, the monthly bill would be $38, far above the couple of dollars promised.

That’s just to build it. How much will it cost to operate the

behemoth system miles out to sea? What about maintenance, repairs, decommissioning costs, carrying charges, hosting fees promised to local governments, and a profit for Ørsted investors?

Sunrise Wind Costs Surge

New York sits atop a Saudi Arabia-sized supply of clean-burning natural gas. Wouldn’t it be easier and much less expensive to use that to supply our energy?

By Robert Chartuk

New state data show the projected monthly cost impact of two major offshore wind projects has climbed to nearly five times higher than originally estimated, intensifying debate over rising electric bills across New York.

The Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, advanced under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration, now carry price tags that critics say exceed $14 billion in long-term commitments. The contracts include 25-year subsidy agreements designed to guarantee developers fixed pricing under the state’s Offshore Renewable Energy Credit structure.

Under the OREC system, ratepayers must make up the difference when market electricity prices fall below guaranteed strike

prices, reported to be as high as $155 per megawatt-hour. Critics argue that the structure exposes customers to significant longterm costs, particularly during

periods of market volatility.

Nassau County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman sharply criticized the governor’s energy

agenda, tying it directly to monthly utility bills.

“This is Kathy Hochul’s energy agenda — and you’re paying for it every single month,” Blakeman said. “She approved massive, longterm offshore wind contracts that have ballooned to more than $14 billion, and now you are paying some of the highest electricity bills in the nation.”

Blakeman pointed to what he described as layered surcharges and mandates embedded in customer bills.

“Offshore wind surcharges. Renewable mandates. Capacity charges. Hidden credits. It all lands on your electric bill,” he said. “Hochul owns this affordability crisis.”

Hochul has defended offshore wind as essential to meeting climate goals and transitioning to

cleaner energy sources, including nuclear power, even as construction costs and financing pressures have increased nationwide. The Trump administration last month paused Sunrise Wind and other offshore projects, citing costs and security issues.

Blakeman pledged that, if elected governor, he would review and renegotiate existing energy contracts and expand domestic energy production.

“I will cut your energy bills in half,” he said. “We will unleash affordable natural gas, invest in reliable power, and end the reckless policies that are making New York unaffordable.”

Energy affordability is expected to remain a central issue in the 2026 election as utility rates continue to climb statewide.

COVERING ALL OF SUFFOLK

We hope you enjoy your complementary copy of the South Shore Press —our way of welcoming new readers to truly local journalism. In this edition, you’ll see what sets us apart:

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By The South Shore Press

Albany’s Tax-and-Spend Addiction Is Bleeding New York Dry

Here we go again. Another budget season, another warning from Gov. Kathy Hochul that New York needs “more revenue”—political code for reaching deeper into the pockets of the very taxpayers already financing one of the most expensive state governments in America.

Let’s be blunt: New York doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending addiction.

For years, the one-party machine run by the Democratic Party has governed as if the tax base is infinite and the consequences optional. Billion-dollar programs roll

out with press conferences and slogans, but when the bills pile up, Albany’s solution is always the same: squeeze homeowners, punish businesses, and hope more of the middle class doesn’t pack up for Florida before the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, ordinary New Yorkers watch their property taxes climb, their transportation system falter, their streets feel less safe, and their grocery bills soar. Yet somehow, the state keeps finding massive funding streams for expanding migrant services, emergency housing, and benefit programs for people who aren’t even citizens, while longtime residents are told to accept higher

taxes “for the greater good.”

That’s not compassion. That’s mismanagement.

The alternative isn’t mysterious. Leaders aligned with the Republican Party have long pushed the boring but necessary fixes Albany refuses to touch: cap spending, audit bloated agencies, eliminate duplicative programs, and stop treating taxpayers like an ATM machine.

New York should be the economic engine of America, not a cautionary tale in fiscal denial. Until Albany is forced to govern without reflexively raising taxes, the exodus will continue, and the people left behind will keep paying more for less.

Accountability Now or Instability Later

By Michael A. Flynn

The United States is entering a historic crossroads. At home, trust in institutions is collapsing. Abroad, the world is becoming more unstable and more dangerous. Together, these forces are converging into a single test that will arrive with the next midterm elections. The biggest threat our nation faces isn’t overseas; it is right here at home. This is not just another election cycle. In the current geopolitical environment with wars, energy shocks, sovereign debt concerns, cyber threats, censorship regimes, and economic realignments, the United States cannot afford a domestic crisis

of legitimacy. Yet that is exactly what is building.

The world is moving quickly toward a more fragmented order. Rival powers are forming new blocs and alternative financial systems. Energy routes and shipping lanes are contested. Cyber attacks on infrastructure are no longer rare events; they are normal background noise. Information warfare is constant and often invisible. In that kind of world, a nation needs internal cohesion and predictable institutions.

Instead, many Americans believe they see one set of rules for political insiders and another set for ordinary citizens. They see selective enforcement of the law, selective prosecution, and selective media outrage. When intelligence abuses go unpunished, financial crimes

are brushed aside, corporate and government collusion is ignored, and years of lies about major scandals are quietly rewritten, they draw a logical conclusion: the system protects itself.

If this perception is not confronted with visible accountability, it will not simply vanish. It will explode at the ballot box, in public discourse, and in the way people relate to the government itself.

If there is no clear sign of accountability before the midterms, voter participation will split into two extremes. Some citizens will stay home in disgust, convinced that voting does not matter because the same people remain in charge regardless of the result. Others

will become more energized and more radical, looking for any candidate who promises to disrupt the system. The center becomes hollow.

Elections keep happening, but they no longer settle disputes. They become episodes in a continuing war over who controls the machinery of power.

The trajectory can change if there is visible, credible movement toward real accountability before the midterms. The choice is still in front of us: Accountability now or instability later.

Michael T. Flynn is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as a national security advisor during President Trump’s first term.

Dear Editor:

Hats off to the emergency crews, salters, sanders, plowers, blowers, shovelers, and everyone else who battled the record-setting blizzard that hit Long Island. By the next day, the main roads were open and life started to get back to normal.

Thanks to the emergency order by County Executive Ed Romaine, people

stayed off the roads and the crews had room to work. There were few reports of accidents or other tragedies, and it looks like we got through this one okay.

PSEG also did a great job, as outages were limited. I guess their tree trimming and other preparations paid off, since this could have been a lot worse. The trains were put on hold, but not for long, as the Long Island Rail Road got everything going again pretty well. The Suffolk Water Authority was on top of things, with no major issues there, and the various highway departments were out in force, along with contractors, despite being tapped out from the previous storms.

If you’re not plowed out yet and things are a little bumpy, have some patience. This was a record storm, on top of a pretty gnarly winter so far, and let’s face it, we’re not used to having this kind of weather.

—Bryan Allen, Shirley

By Robert Chartuk

Ice Harvesting: A Frozen Piece of History

After an awfully cold winter that put the area in a deep freeze, it’s a fine time to revisit an era when frigid temperatures were not a nuisance but a livelihood. At the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, the Ice Harvesting Exhibit brings that frozen past vividly to life, reminding visitors that before electric refrigeration, winter itself powered a thriving industry on Long Island.

Inside a weathered wooden building overlooking the Old Ice Pond, the story of the frozen trade unfolds. A mural recreates the scene in 1913 when men in heavy coats guided horses across a sheet of glassy ice. Snow has already been cleared with V-shaped plows and scrapers, leveling the surface for cutting. Before a single block could be harvested, the ice had to reach at least five inches in thickness. Workers tested it with an auger and measuring rod, knowing that men and horse teams would soon stand atop it.

Once cleared and measured, the ice field was marked into a checkerboard. An iron point etched guidelines, sometimes aligned with a surveyor’s theodolite. Then came the horsedrawn ice plow, its coarse teeth carving deep grooves. A swinging guide resting in the previous cut kept the grid straight. A second horse-drawn saw cut deeper—nearly two-thirds of the way through—while long hand saws finished the work. By the end, the frozen pond resembled a vast, neatly scored mosaic.

Harvesting began by opening a channel of water to float the blocks toward shore. Men used breaking bars and long-handled chisels to free individual cakes of ice, typically 22 by 32 inches. Sheets of ice were pushed with pike poles toward a remarkable machine: an “undershot” conveyor powered by a 20-horsepower steam engine housed in the very building where the museum now stands. The concrete footing for that engine remains on the floor, a silent testament to the roar and rhythm that once filled

the space.

Moving at 100 feet per minute, the elevator chain could carry 400 to 500 tons of ice per hour into the storage house. One man fed blocks onto the chain while 15 to 20 others stacked them inside. As the pile rose, the conveyor had to be lifted manually to continue building upward.

Storage was an art in itself. Blocks were layered with sawdust or hay for insulation. The Quogue Ice Company’s storage house foundation—64 by 78 feet—still outlines the site near today’s wildlife complex. Painted white to reflect heat and carefully drained, a properly filled house could preserve ice for two or three years. Companies often stored one-third more than

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The Quogue Ice Company emerged in response to the growing population of summer visitors in the late 19th century. After federal regulations in 1914 prohibited damming of Quantuck Creek, operations shifted north of the railroad tracks to Fairy Dell, where the Old Ice Pond was dredged to a depth of five to seven feet.

But the industry’s success carried seeds of decline. Industrial pollution threatened natural ice supplies, and mechanical refrigeration advanced rapidly. By the 1920s, household refrigerators were becoming commonplace. In 1925, the Quogue Ice Company ceased production.

Today, the quiet pond and preserved machinery recall an era when winter was harvest season and ice—clear, hard, and glittering—was Long Island’s cold currency.

Photographers & Reporters

Robert Chartuk, Howard Roark, Stefan Mychajliw, Tom Barton, Nancy Burner, Rich Acritelli, Tara D’Amato, Donna Rolando, Karl Grossman, Kathryn Nocerino, Charles Clampet

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LOCAL

By South Shore Press Staff

An opportunity is open to students this summer to explore artificial intelligence and self-driving robotics through a one-week immersive program hosted at Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology.

Sunrise Technology Inc., in partnership with CEWIT, is offering a premium High School Summer Program designed to introduce students to cutting-edge developments in AI and autonomous systems. The program will be held at CEWIT’s campus at 1500 Stony Brook Road.

Students will learn directly from Sunrise Technology engineers who have hands-on

AI, Robotics Summer Program At Stony Brook

experience designing, testing, and implementing advanced systems. The lead instructor is Professor Dantong Yu, an experienced educator and researcher in machine learning.

Participants will work with a patent-pending RC car platform derived from a U.S. Department of Energy SBIR-funded research project. The curriculum moves from foundational AI concepts to real-world applications, allowing students to see how intelligent systems perceive their environment, make decisions, and act.

Two in-person sessions are scheduled for July 6–10 and July 20–24, 2026, running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. A virtual session is also planned. The program is offered as a day

camp; housing and transportation are not provided.

Tuition is $1,500, with a $200 deposit that is fully refundable until April 1. Families who register and pay in full by April 1 can take advantage of an early-bird rate of $1,400, receiving a $100 discount and priority session selection. Organizers note that class sizes are small and demand is expected to be strong.

For high school students interested in artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technology, the program offers a chance to gain hands-on experience and learn from university-level experts close to home.

More information and registration details are available at sunriseaitech.com/high-schoolprogram/.

Asian Jade Society to Honor Community Leaders

By Sylvia King-Cohen

The Suffolk County Asian Jade Society will honor several individuals for their support of law enforcement and community engagement at its Lunar New Year Banquet on March 5, 2026, at The Hamlet Golf and Country Club.

Among those being recognized is attorney Gregory Caggiano, Esq., founding partner of Miller & Caggiano, LLP, which maintains offices in Bohemia and Garden City.

Other honorees include New York State Senator Monica R. Martinez; Suffolk County Legislator James Mazzarella; President of the Suffolk County Superior Officers Association James M. Gruenfelder; and the late Dr. Ahmed Elkoulily. Asian Jade is the oldest and larg-

est Asian American law enforcement organization on Long Island.

“Our goal is to connect law

enforcement with Asian Americans,” said Thomas Joy, the organization’s vice president and co-founder. “The Asian community spans from the Turkish Bosphorus to Hawaii. It’s a broad and diverse umbrella, and we aim to build bridges within that community.”

The annual event celebrates the Lunar New Year, which in 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse.

“We couldn’t do our job without the help of the public and those who support our organization,” Joy said. “We’re grateful for the individuals who contribute to the causes we champion.”

Joy said Mr. Caggiano and his firm have consistently supported both injured officers and community initiatives backed by the organization.

Each honoree has assisted the organization’s membership and the broader community in meaningful ways.

Martinez was instrumental in advancing legislation that reduces property taxes by 50 percent for surviving spouses of officers killed in the line of duty. Mazzarella, a longtime union member and leader, has been a strong supporter of law enforcement in Suffolk County. Gruenfelder has played a key role in negotiating compensation, retirement, and benefits for police officers. Elkoulily, who died in 2025, is being honored posthumously for his longstanding commitment to supporting officers on Long Island and in Queens.

Patchogue Listen Up! Spring Carnival Music & Arts Festival

By Donna Rolando

ListenUp! Long Island is hosting its Spring Carnival Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, March 7, in Patchogue with live and music in an interactive setting.

Now entering its third year, the festival has been known to attract as many as 700 attendees. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the carnival runs until midnight, at Stereo Garden, located at 9 Railroad Ave.

“We feature original musicians that are Long Island based but also we have national act talents,” said ListenUp! Co-Founder and President Shay Motion. Headliners include All Fires, a post-punk electronic band, and pop star Jules Walcott, with over one million TikTok

followers. They will join 10 local performers and one emcee/ musician to keep the live music running all night.

“We make the event like an immersive indoor amusement park experience where they can see all the amenities available, such as live painters,” Motion said. “Our artists exhibit features an estimated 17 artists, and we also feature local businesses. So we have local business sponsors and vendors that help support the event and support music and arts. The idea for the entire organization…is to embrace the community and the creative arts on Long Island.”

This festive atmosphere will be the creative springboard this year for several artists commissioned by the Huntington

Arts Council to design a mural entitled Community in Color. Other artists are also encouraged to find live inspiration, or they can display their artwork for the crowds passing through.

According to Motion, “It makes the event more immersive. While listening to music, attendees can walk around and see a gallery of all kinds of creations.” Other features include

for $25 or at the door for $35.

SANTOS UNCENSORED

BY GEORGE SANTOS

When the U.S. Supreme Court turns its back on the economic sovereignty of the United States, it isn’t engaging in some lofty academic exercise. It is making a decision that lands squarely on the backs of American workers, manufacturers, and taxpayers.

And as someone who represented hardworking New Yorkers—small business owners, union families, immigrant entrepreneurs who built something from nothing—I find it astonishing that the Court would choose legal technicalities over America’s financial future.

President Trump understood something that too many in Washington, and apparently too many in black robes, still don’t: tariffs are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are leverage. They are strategy. They are the only language certain foreign governments understand.

For decades, our so-called “experts” let China, the EU, and a parade of global competitors eat our lunch. They flooded our markets, manipulated currency, subsidized their industries, and hollowed out American manufacturing towns from Ohio to Long Island. And what did we get? Empty factories, opioid crises, and politicians shrugging their shoulders.

Then came Trump.

Love him or hate him—though I proudly stand in the first category—the man had the courage to use tariffs as a negotiating weapon. Not as a permanent tax. Not as a blunt instrument. But as leverage to force better deals. And it worked.

We saw supply chains reconsidered. We saw companies rethink outsourcing. We saw China finally come to the table after years of pretending America was a pushover. Markets didn’t collapse. The sky didn’t fall. Instead, we regained a sense that America could defend its own economic interests.

Now the Supreme Court steps in and signals that the executive branch’s authority to protect the nation’s financial interests should be restrained. Restrained? Since when is defending American industry a radical act?

Let’s talk about what this really means. When the Court limits tariff authority, it isn’t just “interpreting statutes.” It is effectively tying the hands of any president who wants to respond quickly to economic aggression. Trade wars don’t wait for lengthy congressional debates. Currency manipulation doesn’t pause for procedural niceties. If America cannot respond decisively, we lose leverage. And leverage is everything in global trade.

Critics say tariffs raise prices. Sure, sometimes they do in the short term. But what’s the cost of dependency? What’s the cost of relying on adversarial regimes for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, steel, and rare earth minerals? We learned during COVID exactly what happens when supply chains are controlled overseas.

National security and economic policy are not separate conversations. They are intertwined. When we cannot produce critical goods domestically, we are vulnerable. President Trump recognized that vulnerability. The Court’s ruling risks reinstating it.

And let’s address the elephant in the room: This is part of a broader pattern where institutions seem far more comfortable restraining American assertiveness than confronting foreign exploitation. Where was this aggressive scrutiny when multinational corporations shipped jobs overseas? Where was this concern for statutory purity when trade deals gutted entire industries? Somehow, when the goal is to defend American labor, that’s when we’re told to slow down.

I represented parts of New York that understand trade inti-

Supreme Court Ties President’s Trade Hands

mately: ports, small manufacturers, immigrant-owned businesses that compete every single day against cheaper foreign imports. These are not Wall Street titans—they’re the backbone of our economy.

When tariffs are used strategically, they create negotiating power. They create breathing room. They send a message: America is not for sale.

The Supreme Court should be mindful of that reality. Judicial restraint is a virtue when it prevents overreach. But when restraint becomes paralysis—when it undermines a president’s ability to defend the nation’s economic interests—it ceases to be neutral.

This isn’t about blind loyalty to one man. It’s about understanding that Trump’s tariff strategy was part of a larger doctrine: America First.

America First means American steel over foreign dumping. America First means American farmers getting fair access abroad. America First means American wages not undercut by slave labor overseas.

Tariffs were one tool—an imperfect one, yes—but an effective one in the right hands. By narrowing that authority, the Court risks signaling weakness at precisely the wrong moment in history.

Global competition is intensifying. China is not slowing down. Europe is subsidizing green industries aggressively. Other nations protect their markets ruthlessly while lecturing us about “free trade.” Free trade only works when it’s fair trade.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: America’s financial interests are not automatically protected by global institutions or market forces. They must be defended deliberately. That requires flexibility in the executive branch, particularly in matters of trade and national security.

Some will cheer this ruling as a check on power. But I would ask them: whose power? The president elected by the American people? Or foreign competitors who benefit when we hesitate?

As a former member of Congress, I understand the importance of separation of powers. But Congress has repeatedly delegated trade authority to the executive branch precisely because trade is dynamic. It evolves daily. Negotiations require immediacy. If every tariff adjustment must survive a judicial gauntlet, we effectively disarm ourselves in economic combat.

President Trump’s approach wasn’t polite cocktail diplomacy. It was strategic pressure. It was using America’s market—the largest in the world—as leverage. That’s not reckless. That’s smart negotiating.

New Yorkers understand tough negotiation. We respect it. We expect it. And frankly, so do our adversaries.

The Court’s decision may satisfy legal scholars, but it does little to reassure American workers worried about another wave of offshoring. It does little for domestic manufacturers fighting state-backed foreign giants.

It does little for families who want their country to compete aggressively, not apologize for defending itself.

America’s financial interests should never be secondary to procedural squeamishness. If the law needs clarification, Congress should act swiftly to restore strong trade authority. If future presidents—yes, including President Trump—are to protect our industries, they must have the tools to do so.

This is not about isolationism. It is about strength. It is about ensuring that when America sits at the negotiating table, we do so from a position of power—not permission.

History will not judge us kindly if we choose legal caution over economic survival. The world is competitive. It is strategic. It is unforgiving.

The question is simple: will America be bold enough to defend its own prosperity? President Trump answered that question with action. The Supreme Court, unfortunately, just made that answer harder to implement. And that is not a victory for the Constitution. It is a setback for American financial strength.

Friendship, Faith, and 50 Years with Rev. Jesse Jackson

By Rev. Bill Minson

I first met Reverend Jesse Jackson in the 1960s through friends connected to the Apollo Theater in Harlem. At the time, he was working with Operation Breadbasket under Dr. Martin Luther King. In the 1970s, he began forming what would become Operation PUSH— People United to Save Humanity. I was blessed to be there at the beginning.

What started as professional collaboration became a friendship that lasted more than 50 years.

We produced major PUSH Expos in Chicago to draw national

attention to inclusion in politics, education, and economic opportunity. Quincy Jones helped produce. Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes, the Jackson 5— giants came to support the cause. The energy in those arenas was electric, but the mission was always clear: open doors that had long been closed. Jesse believed opportunity should not be rationed.

I eventually traveled with Jesse, helping coordinate media and schedules. It was demanding work and, at times, dangerous. Not everyone welcomed his voice for justice. I remember sitting in a church

during a bomb threat, aware that standing beside him was not symbolic—it was real. Leadership on the front lines carries risk, and he accepted that without hesitation.

Yet what shaped me most was quieter.

Our hotel rooms were often adjoining. The last thing I saw every night was his Bible open on the bedside table. The public saw the orator. I saw the believer. That image profoundly influenced my own call to ministry.

I watched Jackie Jackson get their children ready for school while Jesse and I headed out to who knows where. He could travel

ness—remains one of his greatest legacies.

In later years, he wrote a letter recommending me for chaplaincy service, noting our decades of friendship and shared ministry. That meant more to me than he knew.

My last memory is sitting beside him at PUSH headquarters as his son Jonathan spoke. He nudged my knee and said with joy, “Johnny’s here.” That pride said everything. America is honoring him now. I simply remember my friend— faithful, courageous, and committed—until we meet again at Jesus’ feet.

LOCAL

By Neil W. McCabe

Long Island’s four U.S. House seats — evenly split between Republicans and Democrats — could once again prove pivotal in determining which party controls Congress.

All 26 of New York’s House seats are on the ballot this November, though none of the state’s U.S. Senate seats are up for election. Statewide, Democrats are defending 19 seats and Republicans seven. On Long Island, the delegation is divided two and two, underscoring the region’s role as a political battleground.

Although Democrats in Albany are exploring possible changes to House district lines, the current map presents several competitive opportunities.

Long Island Seats Could Decide Control of the House

In 2024, the two Republican-held districts were won decisively. In NY-1, Republican Rep. Nick LaLota defeated Democrat John Avlon, 55 percent to 45 percent. In NY-2, Republican Andrew Garbarino beat Democrat Rob Lubin, 59 percent to 41 percent.

The Democratic-held seats were far tighter. In NY-3, Rep. Thomas Suozzi defeated Republican Michael J. LiPetri, 52 percent to 48 percent. The district had previously been held by a Republican, George Santos. In NY-4, Democrat Laura Gillen edged Republican Anthony D’Esposito, 51 percent to 49 percent.

Nationally, the House stands at 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats, with three vacancies. With margins that narrow, even a small

shift can change control. If Democrats were to win the vacant seats, the balance would tighten to 218–217, leaving virtually no room for internal divisions.

The House has been closely divided since the 2018 midterms, when Republicans lost 42 seats. The GOP regained 13 seats in 2020 and added nine more in 2022 to reclaim the majority.

The 2026 midterm elections are now just eight months away. Given recent voting margins and the region’s competitive history, NY-3 and NY-4 remain especially winnable. With control of the House potentially hinging on only a handful of districts nationwide, Long Island’s four seats could once again carry national significance.

Judge Allows Nuclear Waste Dump Into Hudson River

By Staff Report

A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that Holtec International may proceed with plans to discharge more than one million gallons of radioactive wastewater from the closed Indian Point nuclear power plants into the Hudson River, determining that federal authority over nuclear discharges supersedes New York’s “Save the Hudson” Act.

The decision clears a major legal hurdle for Holtec, which has argued that oversight of radiological releases falls under federal jurisdiction. Opponents contend the ruling weakens state environmental protections and sets a troubling precedent for future nuclear decommissioning projects. Three attorneys closely

involved in the issue—Deborah Porder of the Stop Holtec Coalition, Michel Lee of United for

Clean Energy, and S.D. Smith, known as “Owl,” attorney general to the Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation—outlined what they described as serious environmental, health, legal and economic concerns.

Smith emphasized the Hudson River’s tidal, fjord-like dynamics, explaining that contaminants introduced into the river can disperse widely, persist over long timeframes and cycle repeatedly through aquatic ecosystems and human communities. He framed the discharge proposal as part of a broader pattern of industrial decision-making that prioritizes short-term economic considerations over long-term environmental integrity. Lee focused on tritium, a

The Devaluation of the Dollar

radioactive form of hydrogen present in the wastewater. Because tritium bonds with oxygen to form tritiated water, he said, it can move easily through living systems. Once inside the body, it distributes to cells and can incorporate into tissues, potentially resulting in prolonged internal radiation exposure.

Porder cited studies linking proximity to nuclear facilities with elevated cancer risks and adverse pregnancy outcomes, noting that tritium can cross the placenta and enter breast milk.

The attorneys called for stronger regulatory oversight, renewed public engagement and a transition toward renewable energy sources they describe as safer and more sustainable.

By Staff Report

A new national affordability study is reframing a scenario that plays out daily across Long Island kitchen tables: Why does a paycheck buy less house, car, and college than it once did?

Research released by InvestorsObserver found that while the dollar price of a home, auto, and four years at Harvard has surged since 1910, the same bundle actually costs 42 percent less when measured in gold.

A hundred years ago, the combined price tag for these purchases was $5,350. By 2025, it reached $712,500–a 13,218 percent increase. But priced in gold, the cost fell

from 283 ounces to 164 ounces.

For Long Island families facing median home prices well above the national average, the findings add a new layer to the affordability debate. Measured in gold, a median American home required 206 ounces in 1910 and peaked at 639 ounces in 1970. In 2025, it stands at 97 ounces — about half the 1910 level and near historic lows.

“The home didn’t get cheaper to build. Gold just reveals how much the currency has been devalued,” said Sam Bourgi, senior analyst at InvestorsObserver.

Cars show a similar pattern. In 1970, a popular model cost

86 ounces of gold. In 2025, a Ford F-Series costs about eight ounces, tied for the cheapest level on record in gold terms.

College tells a different story. Four years at Harvard University cost 32 ounces of gold in 1910 and 59 ounces today, nearly double in gold terms over 115 years.

The study argues the generational divide may be misplaced. The sharper split, researchers say, is between households holding appreciating assets and those holding cash in a currency that steadily loses purchasing power. The bottom line: There are better investments than the U.S. dollar.

LOCAL

By Robert Chartuk

Just as the white stuff was melting from a string of storms, Long Island was buried again—this time by a blizzard that not only dumped record snowfall but lashed the East End with hurricane-force winds.

The National Weather Service reported a record 29.1 inches of snow at MacArthur Airport, surpassing the previous mark of 27.8 inches set in 2013, if made official. A staggering 31 inches fell in Central Islip, setting a new storm record for the Islip area. By contrast, Greenlawn saw 11.3 inches, the lowest total reported in Suffolk.

Snow fell at rates of up to several inches per hour during peak banding, leaving many South Shore residents digging out from nearly two-and-a-half feet of heavy accumulation.

Wind proved just as historic. At the Montauk Point Lighthouse, gusts hit 88 mph Monday morning, solidly in hurricane-force territory. Both the governor and Suffolk County

Blizzard Shatters Snowfall Record, Winds Top Hurricane Force

Executive Ed Romaine declared states of emergency, banning non-emergency vehicles from roads to give workers space to deal with the heavy snow.

Tuesday broke sunny as the massive storm passed out to sea. Schools were closed and many functions of daily life were put on pause as people focused on digging out. Officials urged caution as hospitals reported an uptick in heart attacks and other snow-related issues. They urged caution with space heaters and other fire risks.

The powerful winds also contributed to widespread outages. As the storm raged, more than 40,000 PSEG Long Island customers lost power. An army of 800 PSEG workers pulled 16-hour shifts, joined by over 200 off-island personnel assessing and repairing damage.

As residents reminisce about the record snowfall and hurricane-force gusts, they’re not so thrilled about additional storms in the forecast, though expected to be not as severe, during a February that won’t be soon forgotten.

HISTORY LESSONS

BY RICHARD ACRITELLI

“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

— Broadcaster Al Michaels

As the United States faced difficult domestic and foreign issues, Herb Brooks’ team continued its dominance against the Eastern Bloc nations with a huge victory against Romania. Eric Strobel scored the second goal to push the United States toward another impressive win. The Netflix Miracle “Boys of Winter” documentary presents players like Strobel marveling at the Americans’ winning ways, keeping the spotlight on their Olympic success. This documentary used outside interviews, recollections of parents, and classic rock to highlight this special path toward overall victory.

Strobel starred at Rochester’s Mayo High School and earned all-conference accolades for several years before attending the University of Minnesota. In 1979, this forward scored thirty goals, helped Brooks win a National Championship, and later played for Team USA at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Moscow. Strobel’s father played for the New York Rangers, and while he was still in college, he was drafted 133rd by the Buffalo Sabres. A key member of the 1980 Olympic team, he later broke his ankle as a professional, forcing him to retire. A member not shown in this biography was Mark Wells, who died two years ago at sixty-seven years old in 2024. Captain Mike Eruzione described the greatness of this Detroit, Michigan, player who scored one of his three Olympic goals in a 7-2 victory against Romania. He was a star player at Bowling Green, where Wells was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1977. Wells was a late addition by Brooks and, through his sheer speed as a skater, helped the team win a gold medal. He later became a journeyman minor league player and retired early with a back injury. Wells later suffered from a rare spinal cord disease that left him almost paralyzed. He was forced to sell his gold medal to keep his house and pay for vital surgery.

Drafted in 1978 by the Minnesota North Stars, one of Brooks’ finest players, Steve Christoff, remained at the University of Minnesota to help the team win a National Championship. This forward later became associated with the Hobey Baker Award, given to NCAA hockey players who demonstrate unique character and outstanding skill. This later airline pilot was an offensive threat, scoring eight goals as a rookie in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Christoff competed in 248 NHL games, scoring 77 goals and 141 points for the North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, and Calgary Flames. One of the youngest players to

“Winning the Gold” and The Netflix Special Miracle “The Boys of Winter”

help Brooks win a National Championship and a gold medal was Neil Broten. Brooks gave him a rare compliment, calling him “the best freshman ever to play for the Gophers.” Broten was one of the most successful players from this team, winning a gold medal, earning the Hobey Baker Trophy, and capturing a Stanley Cup. Broten scored 98 points in his rookie year and later 105 in 1986-1987. He played for the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings. In 1999, he left retirement to play for Team USA in the World Championships. Competitive hockey was a family affair, as both of his brothers, Aaron and Paul, played in the National Hockey League. Coming from behind in almost every game of this Olympiad, America later defeated West Germany 4-2. The United States fell behind 2-0 in the first period but quickly scored four goals to advance to the medal round to face the Soviet Union. Phil Verchota’s goal helped push the United States past West Germany. Verchota was a talented tight end and linebacker, tossed the discus, and played for Brooks at Minnesota. He was twice the top student-athlete on his college team, helped win two National Championships in 1976 and 1979, and was the “torch bearer” at Lake Placid. He later played in Finland for a year, returned to college to complete a finance degree, and later attempted to help the 1984 Olympic squad. Even years later, Verchota vividly recalled the tactics and stress applied by Brooks.

On February 22, 1980, as he prepared to call the game, Michaels told his broadcast partner and former professional player Ken Dryden that the United States would be fortunate to stay within a couple of goals of the Soviets. Dryden believed there were “too many differences” working against the Americans. Mark “Magic” Johnson viewed the American chance of winning as almost impossible. Netflix presented Brooks’ children reading his notes, which highlighted his belief that the Soviets were ripe for an upset.

This game was scheduled in the afternoon, and with most Americans working, many did not learn the result until that night. Eruzione described the Cold War tensions, recalling a telegraph sent to the team that read, “Beat those Commie Bastards.” Both the players and Brooks’ children spoke of the index card containing the iconic speech: “You were born to be a player…. You were meant to be here…. This moment is yours!”

All the sacrifices these players made were on display against the ferocity of the Soviet Union. Unlike the huge arenas around the nation, Lake Placid was a small venue with no empty seats. People stood in every available space, and chants of “USA” erupted even louder when the players reached the ice. Years later, Michaels smiled as he watched himself call the start of this memorable game. Armed with his glare and presence, Brooks was intensely involved in every second. The Soviets scored first after a slash on Buzz Schneider. Years later,

cans matched the intensity of a surprised Soviet team.

With flags waving, Captain Eruzione entered at a pivotal moment and scored the go-ahead goal. He ran across the ice with teammates chasing him. Brooks had trained them for this moment. Eruzione was jubilant, Brooks smiled broadly, and the Americans prepared to hold off the Soviets.

Jack O’Callahan reminded teammates that the Soviets were dangerous. Craig continued his dominance, and Brooks urged them to “play their game.” As the game slipped away, Tikhonov did not pull his goalie.

Fittingly, Netflix provided Michaels’ victory call. Johnson said you “almost had to pinch yourself that you beat the Russians.”

The documentary shows the energetic response of Americans nationwide. In New York City, a firehouse across from the Soviet Embassy hung a victorious sign. Eruzione emotionally watched footage of his family celebrating in 1980.

Schneider smiled watching his slap shot score against the Soviets. Even after the United States fell behind 2-1, Rob McClanahan stated that the “Red Menace” had “zero respect for the United States.”

In the final moments of the period, Dave Christian sent the puck toward the Soviet net, and Johnson raced through defenders to score before time expired. Soviet Coach Victor Tikhonov argued against the validity of the goal.

Patriotic chants filled the stadium. Strobel understood “that we can skate and beat these guys.” The Soviets surprisingly pulled Vladislav Tretiak, considered the best goalie in the world. Jim Craig described the task of containing the Soviet offensive prowess. Johnson believed they needed a quick goal to tie the game, and when the puck came off Dave Silk’s stick, he was in position to even the score. Craig was at his best, and the Ameri-

Brooks still focused on winning gold, leading the Americans against Finland. He delivered a different speech before that game, using profanity to stress urgency. After trailing 2-1 at the end of the second period, O’Callahan insisted there was “no way they were losing this game.”

The Americans surged in the third period, defeating Finland 4-2. Players threw sticks into the stands. Craig searched for his father. Fans climbed the glass boards. Vice President Walter Mondale handed Eruzione a phone call from President Jimmy Carter congratulating the team.

It has been an honor to write about this display of patriotism during a harsh time in America’s history. Watching this documentary more than once reveals new dimensions of this extraordinary victory. Thank you to the members of this team for achieving one of the greatest moments in sports and American history.

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

BY KARL GROSSMAN

Just held was the second in a series of “Forums for a Nuclear-Free New York” to counter the drive by Gov. Kathy Hochul to make New York the “center” of a nuclear power revival in the United States. Hochul’s Public Service Commission has ordered a $33 billion bailout of four old upstate nuclear power stations. She is also pushing for five gigawatts of new nuclear power, the equivalent of five large nuclear power plants.

The $33 billion is to be paid by all electric ratepayers in New York over 20 years.

This session’s title: “Why Nuclear Power Is Neither Low-Carbon nor Emissions-Free.” It followed an initial session on “Safe and Affordable Energy” featuring Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and author of No Miracles Needed, a book about how existing green power sources led by solar and wind could provide all the energy the U.S. and world require.

Also featured was Joseph Mangano, executive director of the Radiation and Public Health Project, who presented research linking nuclear power plants to cancer and other illnesses in nearby communities.

Introducing the session was Doug Wood, associate director of Grassroots Environmental Education, based in Port Washington. Wood said: “We are proud to be part of the coalition of groups and individuals working to bring some science, some sanity, and some common sense to the discussion of nuclear power in New York.”

The moderator was Lance Gould, former executive editor of The Huffington Post and deputy managing editor of the New York Daily News, now CEO of Brooklyn Story Lab.

Nuclear Critics Challenge Hochul’s Plan

Gould said: “As the climate crisis accelerates, we’re hearing renewed claims from the nuclear industry and some policymakers that nuclear power should be embraced as environmentally friendly. But environmental advocates and frontline communities argue that this narrative leaves out critical realities, including nuclear’s full carbon footprint.”

The webinar featured Susan Shapiro, an environmental attorney whose cases included stopping the discharge of heated water into the Hudson River in violation of the Clean Water Act from the now-shutdown Indian Point nuclear plants 25 miles from New York City. Also featured was Dr. Marvin Resnikoff, a nuclear physicist who has worked on radioactive issues in the U.S. and internationally for five decades.

A main Hochul claim is that nuclear power is “zero-emission” and thus needed, she says,

UNDERCOVER NEW YORK

BY KATHRYN NOCERINO

Many of us watched a TV program about a collie dog called Lassie, who performed outrageous feats to rescue her human being. Said human, a little boy, was always falling off cliffs, getting abducted by robbers, etc. What I am about to relate are two true stories which you can confirm via brief searches on the net.

The first happened in 2023 in Cornwall (AKA “Wales”), England. A black cat called Piran and his 82-year-old female human were said to be inseparable. The cat followed her everywhere. One day, a neighbor left the house and saw Piran standing in the road and meowing. She allowed Piran to direct

as an answer to climate change.

“What I am going to be focusing on today is the nuclear spin, the greenwashing of nuclear energy,” said Shapiro. “I want to make it really clear to everyone here that it is patently untrue that nuclear energy is zero-emissions or a carbon-free source of energy. Nuclear reactors emit a whole host of pollutants … ionizing radiation, thermal waste heat, and a radioactive form of carbon, Carbon-14, as radioactive CO2 and methane. Also, they release radioactive water vapor as tritium.”

To claim nuclear is emissions-free “is a fraud on the public,” said Shapiro. “Nuclear energy does not deserve one cent of zero-emissions credits. New York State and other states have been diverting billions in public funds under the guise of zero-emissions credits to nuclear, even though the legislatures have earmarked these funds to build a clean,

her toward a rustic path. There, the woman saw that her elderly neighbor had fallen into a deep ravine. Were it not for the cat…

The second instance happened in California in 2014. An ordinary gray tabby cat followed a small family—mom, pop, and little boy—home from a park. They called her “Tara.”

One day, while the boy rode his bike in their driveway, a dog attacked him, sinking its teeth into his leg. Tara went into action, lunging at and frightening the dog away.

My family had a black cat which basically acted as a guard. Sam would go after anything with four legs that had

renewable energy future.”

“Also, the life cycle of nuclear energy has a very large carbon footprint,” she said. This includes uranium “mining, milling, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, transportation, decommissioning, and nuclear waste storage in perpetuity.”

“The nuclear lobby has been lobbying that their fraud on the public has worked,” said Shapiro.

“Now,” she said, “Governor Hochul and the PSC have approved $33 billion from the Zero Emissions Energy Credit Fund to keep the four nuclear reactors going. And they did this without conducting any type of cost-benefit analysis or environmental impact study.”

Meanwhile, Hochul is calling for five gigawatts of new nuclear power in New York.

“And now,” said Shapiro, “there’s a proposal for another $100 billion to fund the fantasy of experimental, untested, non-existent SMRs (small modular reactors) to be placed all over the state.”

The giving of funds for nuclear power, she said, is “throwing our good money after bad, nuclear subsidies … locking us into a dirty future of extractive, unsustainable energy.”

Shapiro said nuclear power is “no longer a political issue” since most “politicians on both sides rely on nuclear donations … and support nuclear energy.”

Thus, “We must educate the public and the politicians that nuclear is not zero emissions, not carbon-free, and not part of a solution to climate change. The fraud on the public that nuclear is zero emissions has to be stopped. It has handicapped the implementation of cost-effective and sustainable clean energy.”

Shapiro said: “We don’t need nuclear or fossil fuels. One is heroin and one is meth. We have a solution. We have solar, wind, geothermal — all the renewable energy solutions which, working together and complementing each other, will solve our energy future in a clean way, as Mark Jacobson discussed.”

Dr. Resnikoff, whose research on radioactivity began in 1974 investigating leaks and safety issues at the subsequently closed nuclear reprocessing center in West Valley, upstate New York, said it is false “that nuclear power does not heat up the planet, does not produce harmful carbons, and is the solution to our energy needs.”

He detailed emissions from nuclear power, including Carbon-14. Emitted during the “60 years that a reactor would operate,” with “400 reactors in the world, I’ve calculated the total amount of Carbon-14 produced in terms of curies” would be “1.63 million curies,” a huge and hazardous amount of radioactivity.

Resnikoff said: “It’s far less expensive and faster [in dealing with climate change] to save energy and to use solar panels and wind.”

To see videos of the webinars, visit https://www.grassrootsinfo.org/forums

Hochul, a Democrat, has declared, “I embrace” nuclear power, and her Republican opponent in this year’s gubernatorial election, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, supports it. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado sought to take on Hochul in a Democratic primary and has called nuclear power a “detraction” from implementing renewable energy, but this month suspended his challenge, citing a lack of a “viable path forward.”

The Noble Kitty-Cat

the nerve to set foot on our property. One morning I witnessed a confrontation between Sam and a much larger, unsuspecting hound. All the dog had to do was step one inch into the grass outside the hedge. Sam was after him and hit him broadside like a battering ram. The dog ran off. Sam is long gone, but I have every confidence that, wherever in the universe he is, he is busy knocking somebody’s block off. I tried to get the cat interested in literature, but no dice. Now, you may have a typical cat which eats, sleeps, and generally makes your life miserable. But, people, there is hope!—

Take Our Survey

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We are developing our multi-year strategic plan, and your input will help shape the programs, services, and resources offered in the years ahead. This anonymous survey takes just a few minutes to complete.

Your feedback will go a long way toward ensuring the Library continues to meet the needs and priorities of the community it serves.

Please take a moment to participate: http://tiny.cc/LibrarySurvey

If you wish to fill out a paper survey, please ask for a copy at the front desk.

Thank you for helping guide the future of your Library.

ASK NANCY

BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.

Q: How do I qualify for Medicaid home health care in New York in 2026?

A:A New Yorker interested in applying for Community Medicaid –that is, long-term care provided by home healthcare aides – must meet certain income and asset limits to qualify. These limits are adjusted each calendar year and vary based on the applicant’s marital status.

By law, the allowable income and asset limits are set at 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In 2026, a single applicant must have less than $33,038 in countable assets, an increase from $32,396 in 2025. For married couples, the resource limit is $44,796. Furthermore, the monthly income limit is $1,836 per month for single applicants and $2,489 per month for married couples.

The countable assets consist of cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, non-qualified annuities, and cryptocurrency. The primary home is automatically exempt if the applicant’s

Medicaid Income, and Asset Levels 2026

spouse, child under 21 years old, or disabled child (of any age) resides there. If a single applicant is the only resident, the home is considered if the equity value is greater than $1,130,000 (in 2026). Homes with equity valued below this threshold are excluded.

Tax-deferred assets (“qualified accounts”), such as retirement accounts and IRAs, are exempt, so long as the applicant is taking minimum distributions – that is, they must be in “payout status.” However, the value of these minimum distributions is counted toward the applicant’s monthly income limit.

New York does not have a “lookback” period for Community Medicaid programs, though the state plans to implement one in the future. Institutional Medicaid (i.e., nursing home care) applications have a 60-month lookback period, during which the state closely scrutinizes all asset transfers to ensure that none were gifted or sold for less than fair market value. Community Medicaid applications do not require such scrutiny. While the New York State budget in 2020 included a provision for a 30-month lookback period for Community Medicaid, it is unclear when the state intends to impose this requirement.

Prospective Community Medicaid applicants with assets over the threshold can transfer their excess to an

IN THIS YOUR TIME OF LOSS

Asset Protection Trust, with the help of an estate planning attorney, and are eligible to apply in the following month. If their income is over the limit, these applicants can take advantage of a pooled income trust (“PIT”), which can shelter the excess. The PIT is a type of supplemental needs trust administered by an organization with an underlying charitable cause. With a PIT, the Medicaid recipient can keep their income level below the required threshold and keep the excess in trust. Once there, the income can be made available to the recipient to pay expenses for their own benefit, such as rent, utilities, food, and clothing.

Though the state has not yet imposed a lookback period for Community Medicaid applicants, New Yorkers interested in the program should take precautions to protect their assets ahead of time. Consulting with an experienced attorney, especially while you are healthy, can minimize expo -

sure of your assets and help ensure that your enrollment in the program is seamless.

Frank Oswald, Esq. is an associate attorney at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., focusing his practice on Trusts and Estates. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the East End of Long Island, with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan, and East Hampton.

LIBRARY LIVING

BY TARA D’AMATO

Assistant Library Director

Moriches Library Branch Events for March

There’s a lot going on for adults over at our Moriches Branch at 201 Montauk Highway. Stop over and check out our new art displays there, try out a new workshop or a program, or just enjoy our quiet spaces to read or use the computers. Borrow Book Club Kits

Start your own book club with our new Book Club Kits! Ask our reference department about which titles and formats are available to check out today! Canasta Group Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Open play. All are welcome.

Lucky Shamrock Mosaic Wednesday, March 4, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Materials fee of $16, non-refundable. Game Master Games

Thursday, March 5, April 2, 6 – 8 p.m. Battle of the Books Information Session

Friday, March 6, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Job and Career Counseling

Saturdays, March 7, April 4, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Needle Felt Program

Monday, March 9, April 13, 6 – 8 p.m.

Needle felt succulents in a small clay pot for March’s session; Wet felt pin-flower for April’s. All materials included. Materials fee of $4 for both sessions, non-refundable, no kits.

Beginner Sketching and Drawing with Colored Pencils

Tuesdays, March 10, April 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

See our online program calendar for a list of materials needed for the class.

Creative Writer’s Workshop Thursdays, March 12, April 9, 2 – 4 p.m. Open to all.

Boating Safety Course

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

There is a $50 fee for this 8-hour course, which includes a Boat America study guide that can be picked up at any location after registration is complete.

Open to all.

Movie Night: The Croods

Monday, March 16, 5 – 7 p.m.

Designed for adults with sensory issues, those on the autism spectrum, or those who have other specific needs.

Library for All Tuesday, March 17, April 21, 10 – 11 a.m. Designed for adults with sensory issues, those on the autism spectrum, or those who have other specific needs.

Defensive Driving Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $35 Payment due at first class to the instructor. Checks, money orders or cash acceptable. Checks, money orders should be made payable to Repola Insurance Agency

Find Your Best Colors:

A Color Analysis Workshop Thursday, March 19, 12 – 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 5 – 6 p.m. Please only register for one session. Open to all.

Astronomy Star Party Thursday, March 19, 7 – 8 p.m. Female Pirates Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fearsome females like Anne Bonny and Mary Read attacked and captured 18th-century merchant ships in the West Indies. Adam Grohman of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy presents. Mahjong Group Friday, March 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Open play. All are welcome. Tulip Paper Flowers Monday, March 23, 6 – 8 p.m. Fee of $6, non-refundable, no kits. AARP Smart Driver Course Saturday, March 21, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. $25.00 fee AARP members or $30.00 non-members. Check or money order, payable to AARP, due upon entering the class. NO CASH OR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.

We are delighted to welcome our new café vendor,

* Opening Saturday, February 21 * Grand Opening Celebration: Saturday, March 7

STATE By Stefan Mychajliw

Crosbie Urges NY Conservatives to Help Win Key House Seats

owner told her, “When President Trump was elected, day one, it was like a spigot. It just turned off.”

KC Crosbie, newly elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee, delivered an upbeat call to action at the New York State Conservative Party’s annual conference in Albany, highlighting President Donald Trump’s achievements and stressing the importance of winning key congressional races in New York.

Crosbie, who previously served as RNC treasurer, said she is “blessed” to follow former co-chair Lara Trump, adding that President Trump’s endorsement was “a tremendous opportunity… one that I don’t take lightly.”

She praised Trump’s record, telling attendees, “Quite simply it’s promises made, promises kept.” Crosbie pointed to Trump’s tax cuts, saying, “He said he was going to pass the big, beautiful bill. Check, he did… [giving] the largest tax decrease in U.S. history.”

Crosbie also credited Trump with restoring border security. Sharing

Turning to the economy, Crosbie noted, “Inflation is way down. We’re seeing record days in the stock market… wages are up.”

Crosbie said the RNC’s top priority is protecting Trump’s agenda through the 2026 midterms. “We want to make sure that President Trump is a fouryear president,” she said, emphasizing voter turnout, data investments, and election integrity.

She highlighted Republican legal efforts in New York, noting the RNC “paid a lot of resources into the state… to ensure that 800,000 non-citizens could not vote.”

Crosbie said New York will be central in 2026, naming five target districts: “New York 3, New York 4, New York 17, New York 18, and New York 19.”

“We think we can pick up four additional seats,” she said, urging partnership with Conservatives. “We need the Conservative Party to be able to

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Crosbie concluded. “Roll up our sleeves… and do everything we can

Governor Signs Historic Medical Aid in Dying Law

By Robert Chartuk

New York State has enacted the Medical Aid in Dying Act, a landmark law that gives terminally ill adults the option to request medical assistance to peacefully end their lives. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation after lawmakers in both chambers approved the bill last year, following years of debate and advocacy.

The law allows mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal condition and a prognosis of six months or less to live to request medication from a physician that they may choose to self-administer to bring about a peaceful death. Supporters say the measure provides compassion, dignity, and personal autonomy at the end of life, with strict safeguards designed to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable individuals.

“New Yorkers deserve the choice to endure less suffering—not by shortening their lives, but by shortening their deaths,” Hochul said in a statement at a signing event, highlighting her personal connection to the issue and the careful deliberation that shaped the statute.

Under the new law, patients must make a written request, undergo evaluations to confirm mental competency, and observe waiting periods before receiving a prescription. Additional protections include mandatory mental health evaluations, recording of oral requests, and limits on who may witness a request to prevent conflicts of interest.

Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the law a “historic step forward,” and Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin said it offers terminally ill New Yorkers “the autonomy and dignity they deserve at the

most vulnerable moment of their lives.” Opponents argue that legalizing medical aid in dying raises profound ethical and moral concerns. Religious organizations have long objected on the grounds that intentionally ending a human life, even in the face of terminal illness, violates core moral teachings about the sanctity of life.

Disability rights advocates have also expressed concern that subtle societal pressures, including feelings of being a burden, inadequate access to quality health care, or financial hardship, could influence some patients’ decisions.

The law is scheduled to take effect this summer, giving the state Department of Health time to establish regulations and guidance for implementation.

LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK ____ FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2020-1, Plaintiff, vs. Any unknown heirs to the Estate of JOSEPH E. BONVENTRE next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; KAREN J. BONVENTRE; FRANCES KOLB; MICHAEL J. BONVENTRE; AGATHA J. GALLO; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; and “JOHN DOE” and “MARY DOE,” (Said names being fictitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.) Defendants. ____ Filed: 03/25/2025 Index No.: 608019/2025 SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 204 Riverside Avenue Mastic Beach, (Town of Brookhaven) NY 11951 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on Plaintiff's attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: Mortgage bearing the date of September 5, 2006, executed by Joseph Bonventre, married to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to secure the sum of $212,000.00, and interest, and recorded in the Office of the

Clerk of Suffolk County on November 1, 2006 in Liber M00021411 Page 292. Mortgage bearing the date of January 25, 2010, executed by Joseph Bonventre to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to secure the sum of $4,914.45, with interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County on February 11, 2010 in Liber M00021916 Page 819. Said Mortgages were consolidated and modified so as to constitute a single lien in the amount of $193,985.00 by agreement dated January 25, 2010 and recorded on February 11, 2010 in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County in Liber M00021916 Page 820. That JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to Vericrest Financial, Inc. by Assignment dated May 29, 2013 and recorded on November 4, 2013 in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County in Liber M00022418 Page 863. That JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to Vericrest Financial, Inc. by Duplicate Assignment dated January 14, 2014 and recorded on June 23, 2014 in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County in Liber M00022500 Page 615. Loan Modification bearing the date of October 23, 2014, executed by Joseph Bonventre and Karen J. Bonventre to Caliber Home Loans, Inc. f/k/a Vericrest to secure the sum of $213,353.45, with interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County on July 15, 2016 in Liber M00022719 Page 483. That Caliber Home Loans, Inc., f/k/a Vericrest Financial, Inc. duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to Specialized Loan Servicing LLC by Assignment dated April 12, 2019 and recorded on May 21, 2019 in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County in Liber M00023029 Page 615. That Specialized Loan Servicing LLC duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2020 -1 by Assignment dated February 25, 2021 and recorded on January 24, 2022 in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County in Liber M00023371 Page 440. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Suffolk County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the County in which the Mortgaged Premises is situated. District: 0200 Section: 938.00 Block: 07.00

Lot: 024.000 F/K/A District: 0209 Section: 001.00 Block: 01.00 Lot: 024.000 F/K/A District: 0200 Section: 938.00

Block: 06.00 Lot: 021.000 DATED: March 25, 2025 Rochester, New York NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. BY: Sean P. Williams, Esq. DAVIDSON FINK LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd., Ste. 200 Rochester, New York 14618 Tel: (585) 7608218 WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SCHEDULE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Mastic Beach, in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, known and designated as Lot Nos. 3059 and 3060 as shown on a certain map entitled, “Map of Mastic Acres, Unit 6”, filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on April 5, 1946 as Map No. 1478; said lots when taken together are more particularly bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of Riverside Avenue distant easterly 140.77 feet from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Riverside Avenue and the easterly side of Madison Street; said point also being the division line between Lots 3058 and 3059 as shown on above mentioned map; RUNNING THENCE along the southerly side of Riverside Avenue South 81 degrees 43 minutes 10 seconds East, 100.00 feet to the division line between Lots 3060 and 3061 as shown on above mentioned map; THENCE along said division line South 1 degree 52 minutes 10 seconds West, 300.00 feet to the division line between Lots 3093 and 3060 as shown on above mentioned map; THENCE along said division line and along the division line between Lots 3059 and 3093, North 81 degrees 43 minutes 10 seconds West, 100.00 feet to the division line first above mentioned; THENCE along said division line North 1 degree 52 minutes 10 seconds East, 300.00 feet to the southerly side of Riverside Avenue, the point or place of

BEGINNING. The improvements thereon being known as 204 Riverside Avenue, Mastic Beach, New York - 11951.

L16451- 2/11/2026, 2/18/2026, 2/25/2026, & 3/04/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

AVISO DE REUNIÓN

ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE SOUTH COUNTRY

CIUDAD DE BROOKHAVEN, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK EN NOMBRE DE LA BIBLIOTECA DE SOUTH COUNTRY

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una Reunión Distrital Especial de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, Ciudad de Brookhaven, Condado de Suffolk, Nueva York, en la Biblioteca de South Country, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, Nueva York, el martes 14 de abril de 2026, a las 9:30 a.m., hora vigente, con el propósito de votar mediante boleta de papel sobre los siguientes temas: (1) Adoptar el Presupuesto Anual de la Biblioteca South Country para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar que la parte requerida del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, de conformidad con la sección 259 de la Ley de Educación; y (2) Elegir dos (2) Síndicos de la Biblioteca para cubrir períodos de tres años que comienzan el 21 de mayo de 2026 y terminan el 20 de mayo de 2029. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE que, para votar en dicha reunión el martes 14 de abril de 2026, las urnas estarán abiertas entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m., hora vigente, y la votación se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca South Country, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, Nueva York;y SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE que cualquier residente del Distrito podrá obtener una copia de una declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente para los fines de la Biblioteca South Country, excluyendo los dineros públicos, durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha reunión, excepto los sábados, domingos y feriados, en la Biblioteca ubicada en 22 Station Rd., Bellport, Nueva York, durante el horario comercial habitual, y en el Distrito Escolar entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. (de lunes a viernes) en el edificio de la Administración del Distrito ubicado en 189 Dunton Avenue., East Patchogue, Nueva York.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las peticiones de nominación de

candidatos para el cargo de Síndico de la Biblioteca South Country deben presentarse en la Biblioteca South Country, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del lunes 9 de marzo de 2026.; dichas peticiones se presentarán entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m. (de lunes a viernes), hora vigente; cada petición debe estar dirigida al Director de la Biblioteca, debe estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar y debe indicar la dirección de residencia de cada firmante y el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Las vacantes en la Junta de la Biblioteca no se consideran cargos separados y específicos y, por lo tanto, las peticiones de nominación no deben describir ninguna vacante específica en la Junta de la Biblioteca para la cual se nomina al candidato; y SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que el registro personal de los votantes es obligatorio de conformidad con el § 2014 de la Ley de Educación o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente de conformidad con el § 2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en cualquier Asamblea Anual o Distrital Especial dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. El registro se llevará a cabo con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con el §2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el miércoles 8 de abril de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente en todos los días regulares durante los cuales la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito está en funcionamiento en la Oficina del Secretario ubicada en el Edificio de Administración del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, Nueva York, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho registro, siempre que en ese momento se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicho Secretario que tiene derecho en ese momento o en lo sucesivo a votar en dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito para la cual se prepara el registro. El registro preparado de conformidad con el §2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio Administrativo, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, Nueva York y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del

LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL

Distrito a partir de cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores a la fecha establecida para la reunión y estará disponible entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, los días de semana y el sábado 11 de abril de 2026, mediante cita previa comunicándose con el Secretario del Distrito al (631) 730-1542 o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org.

Además, la lista de registro estará disponible en la Biblioteca South Country el día de la votación; y SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE que las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo se podrán obtener en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar (Oficinas Administrativas, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, Nueva York) entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, durante todos los días en que el Distrito Escolar esté en sesión. Las solicitudes completas deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes del 16 de marzo de 2026, y antes del 7 de abril de 2065, si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante. Si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, la solicitud completa debe ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el lunes 13 de abril de 2026. No se examinará ninguna papeleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado a menos que haya sido recibida en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del día de la votación/elección. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se han emitido papeletas de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado estará disponible en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al 14 de abril de 2026 y el sábado 511 de abril de 2026, mediante cita previa comunicándose con el Secretario del Distrito al (631) 730-1542 o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org. No se puede impugnar una papeleta de voto en ausencia sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una papeleta de voto por correo anticipado. Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org o por fax al 631-286-2457. La solicitud de la solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la solicitud de

registro por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de marzo de 2026. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country pueden solicitar una solicitud de boleta militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org o por fax al 631-286-2457. Para que se le emita una boleta de votación militar a un votante militar, se debe recibir una solicitud de boleta de votación militar válida en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 19 de marzo de 2026. Las solicitudes de boleta de votación militar recibidas de acuerdo con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta de votación no militar según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de boleta de votación militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la boleta de votación militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud de boleta de votación militar original y la boleta de votación militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del secretario del distrito en el Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, NY 11772.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR

LA PRESENTE que las papeletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito (1) antes del cierre de las urnas el 14 de abril de 2026 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m. del 14 de abril de 2026 y firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de ello, con una fecha que se determine que no es posterior al día anterior a la elección.

Fecha: 21 de enero de 2026 East Patchogue, Nueva York POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE SOUTH COUNTRY, CIUDAD DE BROOKHAVEN, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK, Christine Flynn, Secretaria del Distrito

L16449 - 2/25/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/25/2026, & 4/8/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE SOUTH COUNTRY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK ON BEHALF OF THE BROOKHAVEN FREE LIBRARY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the South Country Central School District, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York will be held at the Brookhaven Free Library, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, New York on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting by paper ballot upon the following items: To adopt the Annual Budget of the Brookhaven Free Library for the fiscal year 2026/2027 and to authorize that the requisite portion thereof be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the South Country Central School District. To elect two (2) Trustees of the Library to fill a five-year term commencing July 1, 2026.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that for the purpose of voting at such meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the polls will be open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing time, and voting will be held at the Brookhaven Free Library, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, New York; and

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of a statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for the Brookhaven Free Library’s purposes exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said meeting except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from the Library located on Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, New York during regular business hours and from the School District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Monday- Friday) at the District’s Administration building located at 189 Dunton Ave., East Patchogue, New York.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Trustee of the Brookhaven Free Library must be filed at the Brookhaven Free Library, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026; such petitions shall be filed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday) prevailing time; each petition must be directed to the Director of the Library, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the School District, and must state the residence address of each signer and the

name and residence of the candidate. Vacancies on the Library Board are not considered separate, specific offices, and the nominating petitions, therefore, shall not describe any specific vacancies upon the Library Board for which the candidate is nominated.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has theretofore registered pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at any Annual or Special District Meeting of the South Country Central School District within the past four (4) years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law through Thursday, April 9, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time and on all regular days during which the Office of the District Clerk is in operation at the Office of the Clerk located in the South Country Central School District Administration Building, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, New York, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such register, provided that at such time he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of said Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Special District Meeting for which the register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on each of the five (5) days prior to the date set for the meeting and shall be available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, weekdays and on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by pre-arranged appointment by contacting the District Clerk at (631) 730-1542 or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org. In addition, the registration list shall be available in the Brookhaven Free Library on the day of the vote.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable from the office of the Clerk of the School District (Administrative Offices, 189 Dunton Ave., East Patchogue, New York) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, during all days on which the School District is in session. Completed applications must be received

by the District Clerk no earlier than March 16, 2026, and by April 7, 2026, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter. If the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter at the office of the District Clerk the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the Clerk of the District not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote/election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the School District Clerk’s office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026, and on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by pre-arranged appointment by contacting the District Clerk at (631) 730-1542 or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the South Country Central School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org or fax sent to 631-286-2457. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax, or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the South Country Central School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org or fax sent to 631-286- 2457. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on March 19, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a nonmilitary ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at South Country Central School District, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, NY 11772.

LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of polls on April 14, 2026, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or (2) not later than 5:00 p.m. on April 14, 2026, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. Dated: January 21, 2026 East Patchogue, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SOUTH COUNTRY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK Christine Flynn District Clerk

L16457 - 2/25/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/25/2026, & 4/8/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DE DISTRITO DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE SOUTH COUNTRY MUNICIPIO DE BROOKHAVEN, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK, EN NOMBRE DE LA BIBLIOTECA GRATUITA DE BROOKHAVEN POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una Reunión Especial de Distrito de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, Municipio de Brookhaven, Condado de Suffolk, Nueva York, en la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven, ubicada en Beaver Dam Road, 273, Brookhaven, Nueva York, el martes 14 de abril de 2026 a las 10:00 a. m., hora vigente, con el fin de votar mediante papeleta sobre los siguientes puntos: Aprobar el Presupuesto Anual de la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven para el año fiscal 2026/2027 y autorizar que la parte correspondiente se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country. Elegir a dos (2) Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca para un mandato de cinco años a partir del 1 de julio de 2026. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, para la votación en la reunión del martes 14 de abril de 2026, las urnas estarán abiertas entre las 10:00 a. m. y las 8:00 p. m., hora vigente, y la votación se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, Nueva York. y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del Distrito podrá obtener una copia de la declaración del monto que se requerirá para el año siguiente

para los fines de la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven, excluyendo fondos públicos, durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha reunión, excepto sábados, domingos y festivos, en la Biblioteca ubicada en Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, Nueva York, durante el horario de atención habitual, y en el Distrito Escolar, de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. (de lunes a viernes), en el edificio de Administración del Distrito, ubicado en 189 Dunton Ave., East Patchogue, Nueva York.

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven deben presentarse en la Biblioteca Gratuita de Brookhaven, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. El lunes 16 de marzo de 2026. Dichas peticiones deberán presentarse entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m. (de lunes a viernes), hora vigente. Cada petición deberá dirigirse al Director de la Biblioteca, estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar e indicar el domicilio de cada firmante, así como el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Las vacantes en la Junta de la Biblioteca no se consideran cargos separados y específicos, y las peticiones de nominación, por lo tanto, no deberán describir ninguna vacante específica en la Junta de la Biblioteca para la cual se nomina al candidato. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio, ya sea de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación o con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta el momento de conformidad con el § 2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en cualquier Reunión Anual o Especial del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country en los últimos cuatro (4) años, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y si es elegible para votar de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. El registro se llevará a cabo con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con el §2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el Jueves, 9 de abril de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, y en todos los días regulares durante los cuales la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito esté en funcionamiento en la Oficina del Secretario ubicada en el Edificio de Administración del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, Nueva York.

En ese momento, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en ese momento se sepa, o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicho Secretario, que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o en lo sucesivo en la Reunión Distrital Especial para la cual se prepare el registro. El registro, preparado de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación, se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar, en el Edificio Administrativo, y estará disponible para su inspección por cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito a partir de los cinco (5) días previos a la fecha fijada para la reunión. Estará disponible de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, entre semana y el sábado 11 de abril de 2026, mediante cita previa. Para ello, comuníquese con el Secretario del Distrito al (631) 730-1542 o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org. Además, la lista de registro estará disponible en la Biblioteca Pública de Brookhaven el día de la votación.

SE NOTIFICA

ADICIONALMENTE que las solicitudes de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado podrán obtenerse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar (Oficinas Administrativas, 189 Dunton Ave., East Patchogue, Nueva York) entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, durante todos los días de sesiones del Distrito Escolar. Las solicitudes completas deberán ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar el 16 de marzo de 2026, y a más tardar el 7 de abril de 2026 si la papeleta se envía por correo. Si la papeleta se entrega personalmente al votante en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, la solicitud completa deberá ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. El lunes 13 de abril de 2026. No se examinará ninguna papeleta de voto en ausencia ni de voto anticipado por correo a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 h del día de la votación/elección. La lista de todas las personas a quienes se emitieron papeletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo estará disponible en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar entre las 9:00 h y las 16:00 h durante los cinco días previos al 14 de abril de 2026 y el sábado 11 de abril de 2026, mediante cita previa. Para ello, comuníquese con el Secretario del Distrito al (631) 730-1542 o por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org. No se podrá impugnar una papeleta de voto en ausencia alegando que el votante debería haber solicitado una papeleta de voto anticipado por correo.

Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar su registro como votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country. Para ello, deben presentar su solicitud de registro personalmente al Secretario del Distrito, enviarla por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org o enviarla por fax al 631-2862457. La solicitud puede indicar la preferencia del votante militar de recibirla por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 h. 19 de marzo de 2026.

Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que cumplan los requisitos para votar en el Distrito Escolar Central de South Country pueden solicitar una boleta electoral militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo electrónico a cflynn@southcountry.org o por fax al 631-286-2457. Para que se emita una boleta electoral militar, la oficina del Secretario del Distrito debe recibir una solicitud válida de boleta electoral militar a más tardar a las 17:00 h del 19 de marzo de 2026. Las solicitudes de voto militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que las solicitudes de voto no militar, según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de voto militar puede indicar la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la boleta por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de voto militar y la boleta militar deben entregarse por correo postal o en persona a la oficina del Secretario de Distrito del Distrito Escolar Central de South Country, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, NY 11772. Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que las boletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito (1) antes del cierre de las urnas el 14 de abril de 2026, mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso de recepción fechado por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el 14 de abril de 2026, firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con fecha que se verifique no posterior al día anterior a la elección. Fecha: 21 de enero de 2026 East Patchogue, Nueva York

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE SOUTH COUNTRY, CIUDAD DE BROOKHAVEN, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK Christine Flynn Secretaria de Distrito

L16458- 2/25/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/25/2026, & 4/8/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNUAL BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION 2026 MASTICS MORICHES SHIRLEY COMMUNITY LIBRARY TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the William Floyd Union Free School District, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, will be held at the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, Shirley Branch, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, Suffolk County, New York on the 14th day of April, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. prevailing time, for the purpose of voting upon a proposition adopting the annual budget for the support and maintenance of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library for the fiscal year 20262027 and authorizing the appropriation of the amount necessary to be raised by a levy of a tax upon the taxable property within the William Floyd Union Free School District, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York; and NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN of the election of one (1) Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library at such Special District Meeting; the term of such office to run as follows: one candidate to be elected to a full term for the period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031; the incumbent being Joseph Maiorana

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that candidates for the office of Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library shall be nominated by petition, which petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library and shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District; shall state the name and residence of the candidate and shall state the residence of each signer. Said petition shall be filed with the Clerk of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, Business Office, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, Suffolk County, New York Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 4 P.M., prevailing time, but not later than 5 P.M., Monday, March 16, 2026; and NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet at the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York on the 7th day of April, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 A.M.

LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

and 9:00 P.M. prevailing time, at which time the Board of Registration shall prepare the register of the School District, and any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration she/he is known or proved to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the Meeting for which such register is prepared; that the register prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of the District at the District Administration Office, 240 Mastic Road, Mastic Beach in said William Floyd Union Free School District; and that the said register shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on each of the five (5) days prior to and the day set for the Meeting (except Saturday and Sunday) from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., prevailing time; and

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the year 20262027 for Library purposes, may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding such Special District Meeting and on the day of such Special Meeting, except Sundays or holidays, at the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York, in said District, during the hours in which the Library is regularly open for business; and NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to the provisions of Section 2018 of the Education Law, voting will be permitted by way of early voting and absentee balloting. Except for those persons whose registration record has been marked permanently disabled by the Board of Elections, pursuant to the provisions of the Election Law, applications for early voter and absentee ballots must be received by the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, in person at the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York or by mail c/o Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York at least seven (7) days prior to the vote by end of business closing 5:00 p.m. (prevailing time) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election by end of business closing 5:00 p.m. (prevailing time), if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the Library Director of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026, except Saturdays and

Sundays. In order to be canvassed, early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, not later than 5:00 p.m. (prevailing time) on April 14, 2026; and NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are qualified voters of the William Floyd School District may request an application for a military ballot from the Library Clerk by mail c/o Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York; or by email to kbertos@communitylibrary.org.

In such request, the military voter shall indicate his/her preference for receiving the application via mail, or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application to the Library Clerk by mail c/o Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York. For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the Library Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a nonmilitary ballot application under section 2018-b of the Education Law. The application for a military ballot should include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by email or mail; and

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by MAIL to the Office of the Library Clerk c/o Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley NY 11967. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the library election clerk (1) before the close of polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the US Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement by receipt of another agency of the U.S. government, or (2) not later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election; and

NOTICE IS FURTHER HEREBY GIVEN that a qualified voter whose ability to appear personally at the polling place is substantially impaired by reason of permanent illness or physical disability and whose registration record has been marked “permanently disabled” by the Board of Elections pursuant to the provisions of the Election Law shall be entitled to receive an absentee ballot pursuant to the provisions of the Election Law without making

separate application for such absentee ballot; and NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN to all persons who shall have been previously registered for annual or special school district meetings and who have voted at any such annual or special meeting held or conducted any time within the four (4) calendar years prior to April 14, 2026, shall be entitled to vote at this Special District Meeting. In addition, all those who have registered to vote with the Board of Elections of Suffolk County pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law shall be entitled to vote at this Special District Meeting notwithstanding their failure to have previously registered with the School District. Dated: February 25, 2026 Shirley, New York By order of the Board of Trustees of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, Shirley, New York

L16464- 2/25/2026, 3/04/2026, 3/11/2026, & 4/08/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE SOUTH COUNTRY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH COUNTRY LIBRARY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the South Country Central School District, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York will be held at the South Country Library, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, New York on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting by paper ballot upon the following items: (1) To adopt the Annual Budget of the South Country Library for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize that the requisite portion thereof be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the South Country Central School District, pursuant to section 259 of the Education Law; and (2) To elect two (2) Trustees of the Library to fill three-year terms commencing May 21, 2026, and ending May 20, 2029.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that for the purpose of voting at such meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the polls will be open between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, and voting will be held at the South Country Library, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, New York; and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of a statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for the South Country Library’s purposes exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said

meeting except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from the Library located at 22 Station Rd., Bellport, New York during regular business hours and from the School District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday) at the District’s Administration building located at 189 Dunton Avenue., East Patchogue, New York.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Trustee of the South Country Library must be filed at the South Country Library, 22 Station Rd., Bellport, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026; such petitions shall be filed between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday) prevailing time; each petition must be directed to the Director of the Library, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the School District, and must state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence of the candidate. Vacancies on the Library Board are not considered separate, specific offices, and the nominating petitions, therefore, shall not describe any specific vacancies upon the Library Board for which the candidate is nominated; and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at any Annual or Special District Meeting within the past four (4) years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law through Wednesday, April 8, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time on all regular days during which the Office of the District Clerk is in operation at the Office of the Clerk located in the South Country Central School District Administration Building, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, New York, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such register, provided that at such time he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of said Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Special District Meeting for which the register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the

Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, New York and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on each of the five (5) days prior to the date set for the meeting and shall be available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, weekdays and on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by pre-arranged appointment by contacting the District Clerk at (631) 730-1542 or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org. In addition, the registration list shall be available in the South Country Library on the day of the vote; and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable from the office of the Clerk of the School District (Administrative Offices, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, New York) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, during all days on which the School District is in session. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than March 16, 2026, and by April 7, 2026, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter. If the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter at the office of the District Clerk the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the Clerk of the District not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote/election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the School District Clerk’s office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026, and on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by pre-arranged appointment by contacting the District Clerk at (631) 730-1542 or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the South Country Central School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org or fax sent to 631-286-2457. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax, or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the South Country Central School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, or by email to cflynn@southcountry.org or fax sent to 631-286-2457. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on March 19, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a nonmilitary ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at South Country Central School District, 189 Dunton Avenue, East Patchogue, NY 11772. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of polls on April 14, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or (2) not later than 5:00 p.m. on April 14, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. Dated: January 21, 2026 East Patchogue, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SOUTH COUNTRY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK Christine Flynn, District Clerk

L16448 - 2/25/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/25/2026, & 4/8/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Jerome Dicecco, East Moriches Holding LLC, 533 Montauk Highway, East Moriches, NY 11940, has made application to the Brookhaven Town Board acting as the Planning Board for approval of a minor site plan Change of use of rear building (to be legalized as it exists with variation from CEU) to dance studio and front building to office, new parking lot construction and curb cut access to Montauk highway, with variances and associated site improvements. This proposal is known as East Moriches Holding LLC, located

at 533 Montauk Highway (CR 80), N/S Montauk Highway, 85.2’ E/O Lincoln Boulevard, East Moriches, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York and described as follows:

NORTH: Now or Formerly PREBISH PAUL; KING RANDI R; WEST: Now or Formerly ALFRED J NICOSIA IRREV TRUST & ROGER G ALLGEIER IRREV TRUST; SOUTH: Montauk Highway (CR 80);

EAST: Now or Formerly EAST MORICHES UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Notice is hereby given that the Brookhaven Town Board acting as the Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Town Hall 2nd floor auditorium, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, New York on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 5:30 P.M., when adjacent property owners and/or others interested in any way in the proposal may appear before the Board to be heard.

A more detailed diagram of the subject property shall be made available virtually at https:// www.brookhavenny.gov/1159/ Meetings

At said public hearing, any persons interested shall be given the opportunity to be heard. Anyone interested in submitting written comments to the Board may also do so via email at emccallion@brookhavenny.gov.

DATED: February 13, 2026

Daniel J. Panico, Supervisor L16456- 2/25/2026

PUBLIC

NOTICE

VOTACIÓN Y ELECCIÓN DEL PRESUPUESTO ANUAL 2026

MASTICS MORICHES SHIRLEY COMMUNITY LIBRARY CIUDAD DE BROOKHAVEN, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK

SE INFORMA que se hará una asamblea extraordinaria del distrito de los votantes calificados del distrito escolar William Floyd Union Free, ciudad de Brookhaven, condado de Suffolk, Nueva York, en la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, sucursal de Shirley, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, condado de Suffolk, Nueva York el 14 de abril de 2026, entre 9:00 a. m. y 9:00 p. m. hora en vigor, para el propósito de votar sobre una propuesta de adoptar el presupuesto anual para el apoyo y el mantenimiento de la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizando la apropiación de la cantidad que se necesita recaudar por un gravamen de un impuesto sobre la propiedad gravable en el distrito escolar William Floyd Union Free, ciudad de Brookhaven, condado de Suffolk, Nueva York; y

ADEMÁS SE DA AVISO de la elección de un (1) fideicomisario de la junta directiva de la Biblioteca Comunitaria Mastics Moriches Shirley en dicha reunión especial del distrito; el mandato de dicho cargo será el siguiente: un candidato será elegido para un mandato completo para el período del 1 de julio de 2026 al 30 de junio de 2031; el titular es Joseph Maiorana

ADEMÁS SE INFORMA que los candidatos para el cargo de fiduciario de la junta directiva de la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library se nominarán mediante petición, y esta se dirigirá al secretario de la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library y la firmarán al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del distrito; deberá mostrar el nombre y residencia del candidato, y la residencia de cada firmante. Dicha petición se presentará al secretario de la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, Business Office, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, Suffolk County, New York, de lunes a viernes, entre 9 a. m. y 4 p. m., hora en vigor, pero no más tarde de las 5 p. m., el lunes, 16 de marzo de 2026; y ADEMÁS SE INFORMA que la junta de registro se reunirá en la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York el 7 de abril de 2026, entre 9:00 a. m. y 9:00 p. m., hora en vigor, cuando la junta de registro preparará el registro del distrito escolar y cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en dicha asamblea se conozca o se muestre a satisfacción de la junta de registro que la persona tiene derecho a votar en la Asamblea para la que se prepara dicho registro; que el registro preparado según la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, se presentará a la oficina del secretario del distrito en District Administrator Office, 240 Mastic Road, Mastic Beach en el distrito escolar William Floyd Union Free; y que este registro estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del distrito en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores y el día fijado para la asamblea (excepto sábado y domingo) de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., hora en vigor; y ADEMÁS SE INFORMA que cualquier residente del distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que será necesaria para el año 2026-2027 para la Biblioteca durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a la asamblea extraordinaria de distrito y el día de dicha asamblea extraordinaria, excepto domingos o días festivos, en la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, sucursal de Mastic Beach, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York,

en dicho distrito, durante el horario de atención al público habitual de la Biblioteca; y ADEMÁS SE DA AVISO de que, según las disposiciones de la Sección 2018 de la Ley de Educación, se permitirá la votación mediante votación anticipada y por boleta de voto en ausencia. Excepto para aquellas personas a las que la junta de elecciones marcó su expediente de registro como permanente deshabilitado, según las disposiciones de la Ley de Elecciones, la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library debe recibir las solicitudes de papeletas por correo anticipado y boletas de voto en ausencia, en persona en Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York o por correo con atención a Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York, por lo menos siete (7) días antes del voto para para el final del día laborable a las 5:00 p. m. (hora en vigor), si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante o el día anterior a la elección para el final del día laborable a las 5:00 p. m. (hora en vigor), si la papeleta se entregará personalmente al votante. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se les expidieron boletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible en la oficina del director de la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al 14 de abril de 2026, excepto los sábados y domingos. Para poder ser escrutados, las papeletas por correo anticipado y las boletas de voto en ausencia se deben recibir en la Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (hora en vigor) del 14 de abril de 2026; y ADEMÁS SE DA AVISO que los votantes que sean militares y que estén calificados para votar en el distrito escolar William Floyd pueden solicitar una papeleta para militares al secretario de la Biblioteca con atención a Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York, o por correo electrónico a kbertos@communitylibrary.org. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar deberá mostrar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud por correo postal o electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud de papeleta para militares original al secretario de la Biblioteca por correo con atención a Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York. Para que a un votante militar se le expida una papeleta para militares, se debe recibir una solicitud de papeleta para militares válida en la oficina del secretario de la Biblioteca a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del

viernes, 19 de marzo de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta para militares recibidas según lo mencionado arriba se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeletas para no militares según la Sección 2018-b de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de una papeleta para militares debe incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta para militares por correo electrónico o por correo postal; y ADEMÁS SE INFORMA que la papeleta original de un votante de las Fuerzas Armadas se debe devolver por CORREO a la oficina del secretario de la Biblioteca con atención Business Office, Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley NY 11967. Las papeletas para militares se escrutarán si las recibe el secretario electoral de la Biblioteca (1) antes del cierre de los centros de votación el día de las elecciones y si tienen una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los EE. UU. o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o si tienen un acuse de recibo con fecha incluida de otra agencia del gobierno de los EE. UU., o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se determine que no será posterior al día anterior a la elección; y ADEMÁS SE INFORMA POR LA PRESENTE que un votante calificado cuya capacidad para presentarse personalmente en el lugar de votación está sustancialmente impedida por motivo de enfermedad permanente o discapacidad física y que la junta electoral marcó su expediente de registro como "permanentemente discapacitado" según las disposiciones de la Ley Electoral, tendrá derecho a recibir una boleta de voto en ausencia según las disposiciones de la Ley Electoral sin presentar una solicitud por separado para dicha papeleta; y ADEMÁS, SE AVISA a todas las personas que hayan estado previamente registradas para las asambleas anuales o extraordinarias del distrito escolar y que hayan votado en cualquiera de dichas asambleas anuales o extraordinarias celebradas u organizadas en cualquier momento en los cuatro (4) años calendario anteriores al 14 de abril de 2026, que tendrán derecho a votar en esta asamblea extraordinaria del distrito. Además, todos aquellos que se hayan registrado para votar en la junta electoral del condado de Suffolk según el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral tendrán derecho a votar en esta asamblea extraordinaria del distrito sin importar que no se

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THE FANTASY BASEBALL EXPERIENCE

By Tom Barton

Position scarcity is a major topic among fantasy baseball managers, and year after year the strategy pays dividends for disciplined owners. Much like having a dynamic tight end in football, rostering an elite bat at a premium position can feel like a cheat code. In the past, second base and catcher were the easiest spots to gain an edge, but this season third base looks like a barren wasteland.

Even the so-called sure things carry age or injury concerns, and there is little immediate help coming from the minors. For dynasty players, that reality makes securing a long-term fixture at third base more important than ever. At the top, the obvious names remain José Ramírez and Manny Machado, but both are beginning to battle Father Time. Ramírez is still head and shoulders above the field, comparable to a Gronk or Kelce if we stick with the tight end

analogy.

Jazz Chisholm is not old, but durability questions linger, and his third base eligibility will disappear this season. Junior Caminero looks like a potential cornerstone for years to come, though it is fair to wonder how much his power was boosted by a hitter-friendly park, similar to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s inflated numbers in Dunedin.

Maikel Garcia flashes upside but does not dominate any single category. Austin Riley has now posted two down seasons and carries injury concerns. Eugenio Suárez returns to Cincinnati, where he could hit 40 homers again or struggle to clear .200.

Alex Bregman found a new home as well, but underlying metrics suggest his power may decline.

Max Muncy and Isaac Paredes face potential platoon risks, while the incoming international rookies remain unproven.

Outside of Ramírez, there is no true lock at the position, and the drop-off is steep. Managers who

BETTING WITH BARTON

BY TOM BARTON

Baseball is right around the corner, and while much of the sports world is still shaking off its Super Bowl haze and gearing up for March Madness, sportsbooks have quietly rolled out futures markets for America’s pastime. Among the most popular offerings are home run leader futures, a wager that blends star power, projection, and opportunity for value.

The top of the board looks familiar. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani predictably lead the odds, but with short prices, there is little incentive for bettors looking to maximize return. Nick Kurtz is drawing attention after a breakout season, though opposing pitchers will certainly adjust. Cal Raleigh set a historic mark for home runs by a catcher but repeating that type of performance is a tall order. Pete Alonso remains tempting, yet a new team, division, and league introduce variables that temper confidence. Looking deeper into the odds reveals several intriguing alternatives. Ronald Acuña Jr. at +4500 stands out as a proven power threat who is now another year removed

HR Futures Bring Fun and Value Is 3B the New Tight End?

from injury and motivated to reassert himself. Jo Adell at +7500 has long possessed elite raw power and may finally be putting it together, though his price leaves less margin for error. James Wood checks in at +10000 after a strong first half last season, but his uneven second half raises questions.

Health is the major concern for several long-shot candidates. Mike Trout, Yordan Álvarez, and Giancarlo Stanton all offer massive upside if they stay on the field, but durability remains a significant obstacle. Riley Greene’s odds are enticing, yet recent comments about dialing back power make him less appealing.

One name generating quiet buzz is Ben Rice at +17500. Rice’s swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium, he is unlikely to be pitched around, and he now has a full-time role. 40+ homers are possible and at this price maybe he can go upper 40’s for the lead. His Statcast profile is that of a complete hitter, rather than a pure slugger, but his loud bat has me dreaming of cashing this huge ticket.

One thing is for sure

this isn’t the slugging position we are all used to and might not be for a long time.

SPORTS

By Stefan Mychajliw

South Shore Press Sports Director Tom Barton went “around the world” with Reporter Stefan Mychajliw this week, breaking down his red-hot Super Bowl betting streak, pointed comments from New York baseball stars, and a major coaching change at William Floyd High School.

Stefan Mychajliw: I gotta tell you, you’re the man when it comes to Super Bowl bets. On punts, you said take eight or more and the first-half under. You nailed it.

Tom Barton: “7 for 7 on prop plays. I told people it was going to be a boring game — over seven punts. I didn’t even care who won. Everywhere I went on radio, they asked what I liked. I said punts

Barton Talks Bets, Baseball, William Floyd Football

and the under. When they hit like that on a game that size, yeah, it’s good to be me.”

Mychajliw: Let’s go from sports betting to baseball. What’s shaking with the Yankees?

Barton: “Giancarlo Stanton said to put on a Yankee uniform means championships. You love hearing that because it hasn’t felt like everyone believes it. And Aaron Judge said he was waiting all winter for the Yankees to do something. His words were, ‘We’re the Yankees. Go sign somebody.’ He’s too classy to call out Hal or Cashman, but that’s exactly how the fans feel.”

Mychajliw: Now let’s switch gears to the Mets.

Barton: “The hamate bone injury to Francisco Lindor jumps out. It’s a hook-shaped bone in the

hand, and it can sap your power for two to three months. There’s pressure on this team, especially after letting Pete Alonso go. And now Steve Cohen is saying he can spend like the Dodgers. Mets fans are sitting back saying, ‘Okay, let’s see it.’”

Mychajliw: There’s also big changes for William Floyd football?

Barton: “Legendary coach Paul Longo leaves, and Pete Friedman steps in. I went through his resume — I don’t know if I’ve read a more impressive coaching resume stepping into such a high-profile job. The kids know him, the community knows him. When you lose a legend, it’s hard to replace him. If there’s anybody you want replacing him, it’s Pete.”

Pat Med’s Stars Choose Their Next Stop

By Tom Barton

Patchogue-Medford High School recently held a National Signing Day ceremony to recognize five student-athletes who officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at NCAA Division I and Division II institutions. The district congratulated Sophia Fox, Colin Jennings, Kayla Newman, Addison Ruland, and Hailey Stratton on reaching this important milestone in their athletic journeys.

Sophia Fox will continue her field hockey career at East Stroudsburg University. Fox has been a standout performer throughout her high school

career and was considered an All-State candidate this past season. She earned All-County

honors as a junior and received All-County Honorable Mention recognition as a sophomore,

establishing herself as one of the program’s top players.

Colin Jennings has committed to Canisius University, where he will compete in cross country and track and field. Jennings made school history this season by setting a new record in the 800 meters, posting an impressive time of 2:04.48. His achievement marked a significant moment for the program and highlighted his dedication and growth as a runner.

Kayla Newman will attend the University of South Carolina to pursue dance at the collegiate level. Newman has been a standout dancer for many years, earning numerous accolades along the way. Among her honors are the MSA Consultation Award,

Ducks Sign a Rookie of the Year

the Dancer on Fire Award, and being named the 2020 Junior Advanced Soloist National Champion.

Addison Ruland will continue his lacrosse career at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The midfielder excelled both athletically and academically, finishing his high school career with a perfect 4.0 grade point average while demonstrating leadership on the field.

Hailey Stratton has committed to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to play lacrosse. Earlier this season, the standout goalie set a school record by recording her 400th career save, a testament to her consistency and impact in net.

By Tom Barton

Getting a young superstar is always a big deal and this week that is exactly what the Ducks were able to do. Earlier in the week the Long Island Ducks announced that they signed infielder Henry Kusiak. Kusiak begins his first season with the Ducks and his third season in professional baseball. The 24-year-old brings a bat that will be very welcomed to the lineup, and he can play multiple positions, giving coach Ford many options, as the club prepares for another Atlantic League campaign this summer.

“Henry has been a terrific hitter and defender throughout his career,” said Ducks manager Lew Ford. “He is excited about the opportunity to play in the Atlantic

League, and we look forward to having him in our lineup this season.”

Kusiak spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association, where he emerged as one of the league’s most productive hitters. In 79 games, he compiled a .309 batting average and an .858 OPS while adding 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, 50 runs scored, 97 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, 29 walks, and seven stolen bases. Defensively, he posted a .967 fielding percentage while splitting time between shortstop and third base. His standout performance earned him American Association Rookie Hitter of the Year honors and a selection to the league’s All-Star Game.

He began his pro career in 2024 with the Windy City Thunder-

Bolts of the Frontier League. In 77 games he batted .277 with three home runs, 38 RBIs, 43 runs, 78 hits, 13 doubles, three triples, and a .345 on-base percentage.

Prior to turning professional, Kusiak played five seasons of collegiate baseball at Missouri Southern State University from 2020 through 2024. During his college career, he compiled a .348 batting average and a 1.063 OPS while setting school records for games played, at-bats, hits, RBIs, runs scored, and times hit by pitch.

“I am excited to join one of the best organizations in professional baseball,” said Kusiak. “I look forward to learning from my teammates and coaches and contributing to the winning culture surrounding the Ducks.”

SPORTS

By Tom Barton

Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Joseph Losquadro captured a bronze medal in boys sabre last week at the Suffolk County Individual Fencing Championships, delivering one of the most inspiring performances of the tournament.

Losquadro firmly established himself as one of the county’s top young fencers, and his achievement was the result of perseverance through early adversity. The season did not begin smoothly, as a preseason injury sidelined him and threatened to derail his momentum before competition even started. Rather than allowing that setback to define his year, Losquadro committed himself to recovery, training,

Losquadro Takes Home the Bronze

and steady improvement as the season progressed.As the championships approached, his hard work became evident. He climbed the rankings throughout the winter and entered the tournament prepared to challenge anyone in the field. In his final bout, Losquadro faced the top-seeded competitor and delivered a composed, aggressive performance, earning a thrilling 15–13 victory to secure his place on the podium.Beyond his individual success, Losquadro served as a steady leader for his team throughout the season. As a team captain, he consistently set the tone with his effort, focus, and sportsmanship. One of the season’s defining moments came in December, when he led the Centereach boys fencing team in a high-

ly competitive match against Huntington. During that contest, Losquadro produced a flawless 3–0 performance in sabre, allowing only two total touches against him, a display of dominance that energized his teammates.His bronze medal finish was a fitting reward for a season defined by resilience, leadership, and growth.

Shoreham-Wading River’s social media team summed it up best, praising Losquadro’s determination and character while noting how proud the program is of his grit and sportsmanship. For a sophomore competing against some of the county’s best, the future looks exceptionally bright. This performance marks an important step in his rapidly rising career.

Miller Leads Three Village Swim

By Tom Barton

The Three Village boys swimming and diving team captured its league championship and finished third at the County Championships last week, capping an outstanding overall season. The Patriots showcased depth and consistency all winter and were rewarded with multiple postseason qualifications and record-breaking performances.

Brendan Miller, Landon Emmerich, Bryce Baranowski, Gordon Khamraev, and Ayush Mojumdar all qualified for the New York State Championships, a testament to the program’s balance across events and disciplines.

The group’s success reflected strong relay performances, steady point scoring, and the ability to

peak when it mattered most.The season was highlighted by Brendan Miller, who broke both the

school record and Stony Brook University’s pool record in the 100-yard freestyle.

The achievement came just one year after Miller set the 13–14 boys 100-yard freestyle record, underscoring a rapid rise that has continued month after month. That same weekend, he placed first in all five events he contested, a rare and remarkable feat at the high school level.Miller’s momentum carried into the summer, when he broke his own 100 freestyle record on two separate occasions, further cementing his status as one of the region’s premier sprinters. He has consistently turned strong training into elite race-day results, often surpassing marks he previously set himself.

Beyond individual accolades, the Three Village program benefited from a team-first culture that emphasized preparation, accountability, and versatility. Emmerich, Baranowski, Khamraev, and Mojumdar delivered crucial points in both individual events and relays, helping the team secure its league title and podium finish at counties.With a league championship, a third-place county finish, multiple state qualifiers, and records falling along the way, the Three Village boys swimming and diving team closed the season with momentum and set a strong standard for the future as leaders emerge and expectations rise heading into next year.

American Pride is Back and It’s Missing a Tooth

By Tom Barton

American pride surged back into the spotlight this weekend in a way many people feel has not been experienced since the 1980s. For those who remember that era, the Cold War years were marked by a powerful sense of national identity and unity, a feeling that being American meant something unmistakable and shared. Over time, that spirit has felt muted. This weekend, however, it returned in dramatic fashion.

When the women’s hockey team captured gold, it reignited a familiar spark. That feeling only intensified days later, when Jack Hughes delivered the golden goal that sealed the championship. In that instant, echoes of 1980s-style national pride came rushing back. This was more than a medal win. It felt symbolic, emotional, and

deeply resonant. America did not just win gold; it rekindled a sense of collective pride that many believed had faded. The storyline itself was poetic. This was the ultimate underdog story, one that aligned perfectly with the classic American narrative. The United States has always embraced the Rocky mentality: get knocked down, absorb the hits, and rise again stronger than before. That spirit was embodied on the ice. Hughes took a brutal blow late in the game, losing teeth in the process, yet he never wavered. Bloody and battered, he regrouped, stayed focused, and delivered the perfect shot when it mattered most. The image that followed felt timeless. Hughes smiling through a bloodied mouth, missing a tooth, draped in the American flag, looked like something pulled straight from a mid-1980s sports poster.

It was the kind of image kids once taped to their bedroom walls, a snapshot of toughness, resilience, and pride. It was raw, emotional, and unapologetically American.

What happened after the final horn only amplified the moment. The locker room celebration was loud, joyful, and authentic. Players laughed, celebrated, and soaked in the magnitude of the achievement. Music blared with Toby Keith’s pure American anthem playing in the background, teammates embraced, President Trump called the team, even Kash Patel was seen chugging beers with the players, and the joy was unmistakable. The scenes felt reminiscent of a time when victories were celebrated freely and without hesitation. Players openly expressed gratitude, thanked God, and spoke proudly about representing their coun-

try. It was a reminder of an era when those expressions were common and widely embraced. This was masculinity without apology, pride without irony, and celebration without restraint. In the end, this was about more than hockey. It felt like a cultural moment, a reminder of who we are and what

has always defined American sports at their best. For those who lived through the glory of the 1980s, it was a powerful throwback. For younger generations, it was a glimpse into a feeling worth holding onto. This the best of what America was and can be again.

By Tom Barton

The William Floyd varsity wrestling team continues to impress. Less than a month after winning the League I dual meet championship for the first time in more than 40 years, the William Floyd boys’ varsity wrestling team made history once again by capturing the League I Tournament title for the first time since the 2001–02 season.

The Colonials turned in a dominant performance at Patchogue-Medford High School, finishing with 263 team points to outdistance the rest of the league. Under the guidance of head coach Tony Mecca, William Floyd showcased both depth and star power throughout the tournament.

Coaches of the Year and The Team to Beat

A program-record nine wrestlers advanced to the finals in their respective weight classes, with six finishing as overall champions. In total, 13 Colonial wrestlers placed in the top four, earning berths in the upcoming Sectional Championships at Stony Brook University this weekend.

William Floyd crowned six League I champions: Avery Bent (175 pounds), Kayvon Garner (165), David Gonzalez (190), Jayvyn Johnson (144), Josiah Lors (215), and Jack Meyer (138). Johnson and Lors each repeated as champions for the second consecutive season. Additional podium finishes included second-place efforts from Maiquel De La Cruz (150), Angelo Franzese (285), and Caleb Holmes

(132). Jayden Glover (126), Jordan Glover (110), and Ryan Murtha (150) earned third-place finishes, while Sam Salcedo placed fourth at 215 pounds.

The tournament capped an exceptional season for the Colonials, who have firmly established themselves as one of the premier programs in Suffolk County. Their success was further recognized when the entire William Floyd coaching staff was named League I Coaches of the Year. The varsity staff includes head coach Tony Mecca and assistant coaches Mike Murtha, Ray Passaro, and Cosmo Stoia. The junior varsity staff is led by head coach Brandon Croteau with assistant coach Scott Sottung.

With momentum on their

side and 13 qualifiers advancing, William Floyd now turns its focus to the Sectional Champion-

ships, where the Colonials will look to continue their historic season.

William Floyd Celebrates the Olympics

By Tom Barton

This week, as Olympic fever swept across the globe, the William Floyd School District joined in the excitement with its own celebration of the Winter Games. While many of the world’s greatest athletes gathered in Milan Cortina, Italy, for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, William Floyd Elementary School hosted a memorable version of its own Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

All 40 classrooms at William Floyd Elementary participated, representing a total of 21 different countries during a spirited “Parade of Nations.” Students proudly marched through the hallways and into the gymnasi-

um, showcasing their assigned countries with flags, costumes, and decorations. Celebrating the Winter Olympics has been a time-honored tradition at

William Floyd Elementary, taking place every four years since the 2006 Winter Games. To conclude the pageantry, each class selected one student

to serve as a torchbearer. The torch was passed from class to class before lighting the ceremonial Olympic cauldron, officially signaling the start of the games. Throughout the Olympic-themed activities, students will continue learning about their assigned countries through the school’s “Passport of Nations” project. Each class is completing a research project highlighting facts, culture, and history of its country, which will be displayed on tri-fold boards in the school’s media center. Students will visit the exhibit, view each project, and earn passport stamps as they learn about all 21 nations.

The opening ceremony also featured several musical performances. The William Floyd

Elementary School Chorus, accompanied by the American Sign Language Club, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” Students representing this year’s host country of Italy performed the Italian national anthem, “Fratelli d’Italia.” The ceremony also included fun facts about the participating nations, Olympic events, venues, athletes, mascots, and the Olympic Creed. Highlights included the reading of the winning essay from the schoolwide Olympic Creed contest and a special appearance by the 2026 Winter Olympics mascot, Tina the stoat.

The event provided students with a fun, educational, and memorable way to celebrate the Olympic spirit.

The Big Upset: Commack Varsity Boys Pull It Off

By Tom Barton

The Commack varsity boys basketball team pulled off a major upset to advance in the playoffs this weekend. Commack handed second-seeded North Babylon a tight and hard-fought 54-52 loss. The Cougars went on the road Thursday afternoon knowing the odds were against them, but that did not deter the group as they came up clutch throughout the game.

Commack matched North Babylon’s physicality from the opening tip and never backed down in a hostile environment. Jonny Ehlers delivered when it mattered most, scoring 10 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter. Ehlers was deadly from beyond the arc, con-

necting on three three-pointers while also adding three assists and two rebounds. Ryan Curcio provided steady support with 14 points, and his impact was felt everywhere with five assists and four rebounds. Dan Onuogu was a force under the boards, finishing with six points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Ty Wilhelm chipped in six points, Jordan Hamilton added four, and Jake DeMatto finished with two points, four rebounds, and an assist.

Commack’s balanced effort allowed the Cougars to withstand several North Babylon runs and execute in key moments down the stretch. For North Babylon, Cameron Serrano reached a milestone despite the loss, scoring his 1,000th career point. The

milestone basket came during a tightly contested game that featured strong defense, physical play, and playoff intensity throughout.

Commack showed poise late, converting critical free throws and making defensive stops to preserve the narrow lead. The victory marked one of the program’s biggest wins of the season and showcased the Cougars’ resilience and belief. With the win, seventh-seeded Commack advances to the semifinals for a challenging road matchup.

The Cougars will travel to face third-seeded Bay Shore next Thursday at 5 p.m. with a spot in the final on the line. Confidence is high as Commack prepares in front of hostile crowd that will test their resolve.

By Tom Barton

The top-seeded William Floyd boys’ varsity basketball team is moving on in the playoffs after earning a convincing quarterfinal victory on Thursday afternoon. The Colonials leaned on their trademark defense to shut down Sachem East and secure a 58–46 win, advancing to the next round of postseason play.

Senior Sharod Sutton set the tone immediately, igniting the crowd with a slam dunk off the opening tip. From there, both teams settled into a defensive battle, trading stops and forcing tough possessions throughout the first half. William Floyd’s defense was at its best once again, holding Sachem East under 50 points for the 12th time this season, a statistic that highlights just how consistent the Colonials have been on that end of the floor.

While defense has been the team’s calling card all season, the offense delivered in key moments. With William Floyd holding a slim four-point lead late in the second quarter, senior JJ Smith drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Colonials a

William Floyd Advances With a Defensive Clinic

31–24 advantage heading into halftime. That shot provided momentum that carried into the second half.

Sachem East showed resilience after the break and remained competitive, but the Colonials never relinquished the lead. Each time Sachem East attempted to close the gap, William Floyd answered with timely baskets and defensive stops.

Sutton led all scorers with 26 points, knocking down multiple three-pointers and adding five rebounds. Smith finished with 12 points, also connecting from beyond the arc. Ja’Quan Thomas played a pivotal role in the win, contributing nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Jesse Durham chipped in nine points, while Evan Commodore added two points to round out the scoring.

With the victory, William Floyd improves to 19–2 on the season. The Colonials will host the semifinal round of the Section XI Class AAA tournament next Thursday, February 26, when they welcome fourth-seeded Walt Whitman (17–4) in a highly anticipated matchup.

Farrow’s Clutch Three Advances Floyd

By Tom Barton

The William Floyd girls’ varsity basketball team earned the right to continue its championship pursuit Friday night with a thrilling playoff victory over Huntington. The Colonials captured a hard fought 55-51 win in a quarterfinal matchup that remained tight from start to finish, matching the intensity expected at this stage of the postseason.

Scoring came at a premium early as Huntington’s defense set the tone in the opening quarter. William Floyd struggled to find rhythm offensively, while Huntington capitalized on limited opportunities to take a 10-4 lead after one. Head coach Rich Sinclair responded with key adjustments, and the Colonials answered in the second quarter by increasing defensive pressure and pushing the tempo. William Floyd outscored Huntington 16-10 in the period, evening the score at 20-20 heading into halftime.

The third quarter continued the back and forth trend, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Neither side could create separation, but the Colonials found just enough offense to seize their first lead of the game. William Floyd closed the quarter ahead 35-32, setting up a dramatic

final eight minutes. In the pressure filled fourth quarter, both offenses finally opened up. The Colonials and Huntington combined for 39 points, as William Floyd briefly surged ahead by as many as 13 points late in the game. Huntington, however, refused to fade, clawing back possession by possession. In the final moments, Hunting -

ton converted two clutch free throws to tie the game at 51, sending tension throughout the gymnasium.

William Floyd responded immediately. On the ensuing possession, sophomore Milania Farrow delivered the defining moment of the night, and one of the best on the island this season, knocking down a deep three pointer

with one second remaining on the clock. The basket sealed the dramatic 55-51 victory and sent the Colonials into celebration.

Farrow led William Floyd with a team high 24 points and delivered an outstanding all around performance. She added three rebounds, three assists, and three steals to complement the game win -

ning shot. Junior Savannah Pantry and freshman Taleah Coppola each scored 11 points. Pantry also recorded 11 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Coppola contributed five rebounds, three assists, and five steals. Chloe Campbell finished with five points, Gabrielle Bell-Eleazer connected on a key three pointer and added two assists, and Vinte’ya Rountree chipped in three rebounds and a free throw.

With the win, the Colonials advance to the Section XI Class AAA semifinals, where they will host third seeded Ward Melville next Friday, February 27. Ward Melville earned its spot with a gritty 30-29 victory over Sachem East.

Friday’s result continued a remarkable postseason run for a program built on balance, resilience, and trust. William Floyd relied on poise in crucial moments, depth across the lineup, and disciplined defense to withstand every Huntington push. The victory reflected months of preparation and belief within the locker room. As the semifinals approach, the Colonials will look to carry momentum, confidence, and home court energy into another high stakes playoff challenge ahead as expectations rise and community support continues to grow.