“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the…streets at dawn looking for an angry fix.”
That’s the opening line of Howl by Allen Ginsberg, one of the most powerful passages about addiction and despair in modern poetry.
Although it was written in 1956, its message still resonates today as our society is ravaged by drugs unheard of in Ginsberg’s time: poisons like fentanyl, tranq, and kratom, an opioid-like substance that’s readily available at gas stations and shops across Suffolk.
This week’s South Shore Press features stories about the drug epidemic: one man’s battle against kratom addiction and an effort by Legislator Jim Mazzarella to ban it.
Although it’s a natural substance—so are heroin and cocaine—kratom has devastating effects on those who take it. You feel good, but it doesn’t last, and soon you need more and more. It’s not regulated, so you don’t know what you’re getting, especially in pill form.
Withdrawal is horrible and, as one user explained, “It re-wires your body and your brain so you really never get over it.”
The world is awash in drugs, and they are easy to get. As a friend put it, “If I could have gotten kratom from a gas station when I was a teen, I definitely would have been hooked.” That is currently the case with cannabis—it’s now legal and much more potent than in Ginsberg’s Beatnik days.
Recent drug seizures made by law enforcement are stunning.
In September, a Holbrook cou-
Modern Drugs, Timeless Despair
ple was arrested with nearly $2 million in methamphetamines, cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs, one of the largest busts in Suffolk history, according to District Attorney Ray Tierney, who has made fighting the drug scourge the cornerstone of his tenure.
More than 50 boats attempting to smuggle drugs into the country have been blown up under President Trump’s Operation Southern Spear, and last year alone, more than 47 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and nearly five tons of powder were seized nationwide, enough to kill more than 369 million people.
God knows how much is still getting through, but one thing is certain: everyone knows a story about how drugs have destroyed a life.
Kratom: One Man’s Tragic Addiction
By Robert Chartuk
It began when a friend gave him some to try. Soon after, his life spiraled into a decade-long dependency that nearly destroyed his health, family, and peace of mind.
John, a Suffolk businessman who asked that his real name not be used, said he first tried kratom in 2016. He didn’t like the taste but kept taking the green powder because it made him feel good.
“At first, it was manageable,” John said. “But after a while, I couldn’t go to work without taking it. I couldn’t come home without taking it. It became part of everything.”
Over time, he said, the drug wrapped itself around his life. He tried to quit before his 2019 wedding, but after a month of withdrawal, sleeplessness, and restless legs, he relapsed the day before the ceremony. He said
he even used kratom throughout his wedding day and honeymoon just to feel normal.
Later, after briefly quitting and replacing kratom with heavy drinking, he returned to the drug in secret while his wife was pregnant. What followed, he said, was years of daily use, worsening stomach problems, vomiting, emergency room visits, and symptoms he believes may have been pancreatitis.
The addiction intensified last year when he began taking concentrated kratom pills sold at a local smoke shop. John said the pills cost as much as $250 to $300 for four and were far more powerful than the powder. He soon found himself spending hundreds of dollars a day and suffering even worse withdrawal when he tried to stop.
Now nearly six months off kratom, John said he is still battling the aftermath. He described chronic diarrhea, insomnia, depression, stomach pain, and months of emotional darkness.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” he said. “Every month I feel maybe four percent better, but I’m still not past it. It’s going to take a long time, and I don’t think it’s ever going to leave me. I feel like it rewired my body and my brain.”
John said his wife’s support has been critical as he struggles through recovery while raising two young children and running a business. His warning to others is blunt: don’t underestimate kratom.
“I feel bad for anybody on it right now,” he said. “Please do everything you can to stop.”
Photo Illustration
Powerful drugs available at your local shop.
COVERING ALL OF SUFFOLK
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By The South Shore Press
When Government Takes Less, America Gains More
On Tax Day, Americans saw something rare out of Washington: relief. Not rhetoric, not the usual promises, but real dollars staying in their pockets. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of policy—and leadership—from President Trump and Republicans in Congress, who made a clear choice: let Americans keep more of what they earn.
The results are hard to ignore. Larger refunds, lower tax bills, and targeted relief for the very people who keep this country running—workers, families, seniors, and small business owners. From “No Tax on Tips” and Social Security to overtime relief to expanded child tax credits, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act reflects a simple philosophy: reward work, don’t punish it.
Contrast that with the approach Democrats have embraced for years: higher taxes, more spending, and a growing government that too often loses track of where the money goes. Americans are right to ask tough questions when they see billions flowing into programs plagued by
fraud and abuse in places like New York and Minnesota. They’re right to wonder why their hard-earned money is stretched thinner while the government grows larger and the people who receive the benefits thrive.
Voters are also increasingly skeptical of policies that prioritize non-citizens over taxpayers. The idea that billions in public funds are being directed toward illegal immigrants—while working Americans struggle with costs at home—has struck a nerve.
People don’t want their tax dollars used as political currency to buy votes. They want accountability.
That’s where tax cuts serve a deeper purpose. Yes, they provide immediate relief. But they also limit the size and reach of government. As Ronald Reagan once said, the best way to reduce the tax burden is to reduce the growth of government. By letting Americans keep more of their income, Republicans are not just easing financial pressure—they’re imposing discipline on Washington itself.
And the benefits ripple outward. Small businesses invest more. Families save more. Workers feel the reward of their effort. Economic confidence
April 15 wasn’t as bad thanks to the
grows from the ground up, not from top-down mandates.
This Tax Day feels different because it is different. It reflects a governing philosophy that trusts Americans more than politicians and bureaucracies.
While Democrats continue to campaign on raising taxes and expanding
programs, Republicans have delivered something tangible: relief.
For millions of Americans, April 15 was no longer just a deadline. It is proof that policy matters—and when government takes less, the country gains more.
Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
By Staff Report
Healthcare Billing Careers Get Boost at Hunter
A newly redesigned program at Hunter Business School is opening doors for students looking to enter one of healthcare’s fastest-growing fields.
The school’s Medical Billing and Coding program has been rebuilt for 2026, reflecting both the rapid expansion of healthcare administration and the increasing demand for skilled professionals who can navigate the business side of medicine. Now offered fully online, the program is designed to provide flexibility while maintaining a strong focus on real-world job readiness.
“We redesigned it from the ground up for 2026, and it’s now offered fully online, making it one of the most accessible and career-ready programs we’ve ever offered,” said Hunter President Jay Fund. “Medical billing is a high-demand field and our program prepares students for real employment fast.”
That demand has only accelerated in the years following the pandemic, as healthcare systems expanded and adapted to new patient needs, insurance requirements, and digital recordkeeping. Medical billing and coding professionals play a critical role in ensuring providers are reimbursed accurately and efficiently, making them essential to the financial health of medical practices and institutions.
Hunter Business School, which has served Long Island since 1972, has long
emphasized accelerated, hands-on programs aimed at getting students into the workforce quickly. The revamped billing and coding program continues that tradition, combining technical instruction with practical application so students are prepared to step directly into entry-level roles upon completion.
The school’s strong connections with local employers further enhance those opportunities. Many graduates transition into positions through externships and placement assistance, while others
Suffolk County
By Stefan Mychajliw
choose to continue their education to expand their credentials and career options.
“As healthcare administration continues to grow, programs like this are becoming an increasingly attractive pathway for those seeking stable, in-demand careers without spending years in traditional degree tracks,” President Fund notes.
For more information about the Medical Billing and Coding program and other career training opportunities, visit hunterbusinessschool.edu.
Launches America’s 250th Celebration
Suffolk County officials launched a yearlong celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting history, civic pride and a series of public events designed to engage residents across the region.
Speaking at the kickoff, County Executive Ed Romaine called the milestone “a big deal for us,” noting the importance of honoring the nation’s founding and educating future generations.
“Today is about the American Revolution experience,” Romaine said, adding that Suffolk County played a meaningful role in the fight for independence.
The county is planning numerous events tied to the anniversary, including historical exhibits, community programs and large public celebrations.
Romaine encouraged residents to visit the official website, suffolkcounty250th.org, for a full schedule, saying it offers “a whole list of events” taking place throughout the year.
Among the initiatives is a “Planting Forward” campaign, which invites residents to plant trees and register them as a lasting tribute.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our independence than greening Suffolk,” Romaine said.
Legislature Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo emphasized the enduring principles behind the anniversary,
pointing to the nation’s founding ideals.
“We come, we serve, and when it’s our time to go, we go,” he said, describing public service as central to the American system of government.
He also highlighted the legacy of George Washington, calling his leadership essential to shaping the country’s democratic foundation.Deputy Under Sheriff Dr. Keith Taylor, representing the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, connected the celebration to modern public safety efforts.
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“Public safety, justice, and the protection of every resident’s right is not just our mission,” Taylor said.
“They are the same principles declared in 1776.”
Taylor noted the Sheriff’s Office will contribute with historical exhibits and a documentary project tracing its roots, which date back to 1683.
He called the anniversary “a reminder of how deep our roots run.”Officials said the celebration aims to bring residents together while honoring Suffolk County’s role in the nation’s history.
Robert Chartuk, Howard Roark, Stefan Mychajliw, Tom Barton, Nancy Burner, Rich Acritelli, Tara D’Amato, Donna Rolando, Karl Grossman, Kathryn Nocerino, Charles Clampet, George Santos, Neil W. McCabe, C.R. Mercer Sales Manager Fred Towle
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Hunter Business School
Students in Hunter Business School’s newly redesigned Medical Billing and Coding program train using real-world software and systems.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
Sheriff Honors Vaccaro
For Community Leadership
By Stefan Mychajliw
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. honored longtime community leader Chris R. Vaccaro with the April Sheriff’s Community Leadership Award during a ceremony in Lake Ronkonkoma, recognizing decades of service across education, journalism, and civic organizations.
A lifelong Suffolk County resident, Vaccaro has built a wide-ranging career in media and public service, serving as President of the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and founder of the Sachem Education Foundation. He has also mentored students, supported youth programs, and contributed to numerous nonprofit initiatives throughout
the region, helping strengthen community ties and expand educational opportunities.
Highlighting Vaccaro’s impact, Sheriff Toulon said, “Chris is a dedicated leader in education, media, and nonprofit work, supporting students, preserving local history, and strengthening community connections. Through mentoring and civic engagement, he continues to make a meaningful impact across Suffolk County.”
Vaccaro’s professional achievements include authoring eight books, many focused on Long Island sports history, and contributing journalism to major outlets such as The New York Times, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.
He has covered global events including the Olympics, Super Bowl, and World Series, further
establishing his reputation in the field and elevating Long Island’s presence in national media.
In addition to his media work, Vaccaro has held leadership roles with the Press Club of Long Island, the Long Island Journalism Hall of Fame, and several national organizations.
The monthly Community Leadership Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to improve quality of life across Suffolk County.
Vaccaro was named President and Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and has since expanded its programming and outreach, continuing to celebrate local history while inspiring the next generation of leaders and community volunteers.
First Battle of the Books to Engage Adults from Pat-Med Library
By Donna Rolando
The Patchogue-Medford Library is gearing up for the first county-wide Adult Battle of the Books. The event will pit adult readers from the local library against others from Suffolk County in a trivia-style competition.
“This is the first time that we’re trying to do this for adults. We’ve done Battle of the Books for middle-schoolers, and we’ve done it for high-schoolers, but we’ve never done it for adults, So I’m really excited to see if we can get adults interested,” said Hanna Auer, Adult Reference
Department librarian.
The contest takes place on July 18 in Sachem, but the time to get ready is now.
Participants have a few months to finish the three chosen books, and they will be quizzed on trivia from each.
“It’s going to be three rounds of pub-style trivia, and each round is going to be focused one of the books. We’re hoping to put together a team of at least eight people,” Auer said.
Carefully chosen by the librarians, the three books are nonfiction The Art Thief by Michael Finkel and for fiction, both Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Mid -
night Library by Matt Haig. “It’s a good range,” she said. She considers this an opportunity for adults to expand their horizons, maybe revisiting a classic or experimenting with nonfiction.
Auer has a special reason for hoping that the Adult Battle of the Books is a success. She participated in similar trivia contests for many years as a youth and recalls, “It’s always a lot of fun.”
The contest, which comes at the suggestion of Longwood library, is expected to draw at least 10 teams. The winning library will get a prize. For details check out the website.
Precision Carpentry Built On Experience and Pride
By Staff Report
Bryan Taylor has built a career—and a reputation—on precision, creativity, and an old-school commitment to craftsmanship that’s becoming harder to find.
As the owner of Taylor Made Custom Carpentry, based in East Northport, Taylor has spent more than two decades transforming homes across Suffolk and Nassau counties with detailed, high-end finish work that turns ordinary spaces into something special. His path into the trade wasn’t conventional, but it was hands-on from the start.
Taylor began working in construction as a teenager in East Tennessee, getting his start in drywall before eventually relocating to Long Island in the late 1990s. There, he immersed
himself in home improvement work, learning everything from roofing and siding to painting. But it was trim carpentry—crown moldings, custom millwork, and fine detail finishes— where he found his niche.
“I’m very detail-oriented, and I like figuring things out,” Taylor said. “Every job is different. That’s what keeps it interesting.”
After honing his skills with a trim company that worked on large, highend homes in areas like Manhasset, the North Shore, the Hamptons, and even Manhattan, Taylor struck out on his own in his mid-20s. Since then, his business has grown steadily, driven largely by word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers.
Today, Taylor specializes in custom carpentry, particularly in remodel projects where his work often be -
comes the defining feature of a home. From elegant fireplace mantels to intricate wall units and crown moldings, his craftsmanship is often described as “the icing on the cake.”
Equally important to his clients is his professionalism. Taylor prides himself on keeping a clean job site and minimizing disruption for homeowners who are living in their homes during renovations. “It makes a difference,” he said. “People appreciate that.”
While he typically works with just a small crew, Taylor has built a network of trusted tradespeople he can call on for larger projects. His approach is simple: no job is too big or too small. In an era of shortcuts and speed, Brian Taylor’s work stands out for one reason—he still believes in doing it right.
Brian Vann
Patchogue-Medford library preparing for first Adult Battle of the Books.
SCSO
Sheriff’s Community Leadership Award
Brian Taylor
Brian Taylor Custom Carpentry
GEORGE SANTOS
Congress has always reserved expulsion as its nuclear option. Not a tool for headlines. Not a mechanism for partisan vengeance. A last resort.
Since the founding of the Republic, the bar has been intentionally high. Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution gives each chamber the authority to expel a member, but only with a two-thirds vote. That threshold wasn’t an accident. It was a safeguard—a recognition that the people, not political rivals, choose their representatives, and that overturning that choice should require overwhelming consensus and undeniable cause.
Historically, Congress has used expulsion sparingly. During the American Civil War, members who openly supported the Confederacy were expelled en masse. It was existential. The Union itself was on the line. Later expulsions followed clear criminal convictions or undeniable acts of corruption. Think Michael Myers in the wake of the ABSCAM scandal. Think James Traficant after conviction on federal charges. The pattern
was consistent: due process first, expulsion last.
That norm—quiet, deliberate, restrained—held for generations. Until it didn’t.
My situation marked a turning point—not because Congress lacks the authority to expel; it can—but because the process began to shift from adjudication to anticipation, from evidence to optics, from constitutional duty to political theater.
Let’s be clear about something that should not be controversial: allegations are not convictions. Investigations are not verdicts. Ethics reports are not substitutes for a court of law. When Congress moves to expel a sitting member before the legal system has run its course, it is no longer acting as a deliberative body. It is acting as judge, jury, and—conveniently— executioner.
And that should concern everyone, regardless of party.
Because once the standard drops, it doesn’t just drop for one person. It drops for everyone. Today it may be a controversial freshman from New York. Tomorrow it could
Expulsion Should Not Be a Weapon for Congressional Vengeance
be a veteran lawmaker who falls out of favor with leadership. The mechanism doesn’t change—only the target does. And when that happens, expulsion ceases to be a constitutional safeguard and becomes a political weapon.
This is not about defending bad behavior. It’s about defending process.
Due process exists for a reason. It is the bedrock of the American legal system. It ensures that facts are tested, evidence is weighed, and guilt is determined beyond the passions of the moment. Congress is not exempt from that principle simply because it finds itself under public pressure.
If anything, it should be held to a higher standard.
The voters are not bystanders in this equation. They are the ultimate arbiters. If a member has lost the confidence of their constituents, there is a mechanism for that: elections—regular, scheduled, democratic elections. Not snap judgments driven by media cycles or internal caucus politics.
Expulsion should never be a
Taylor Made
substitute for the ballot box.
When Congress bypasses that principle, it sends a dangerous message: that the will of the people can be overridden not by law, but by consensus among elites; that representation is conditional—not on the Constitution—but on approval from within the chamber itself.
That is a slippery slope.
The institution of Congress depends on legitimacy. And legitimacy depends on fairness. If members can be removed based on
allegations rather than adjudicated facts, then every member serves at the pleasure of political winds, not constitutional order.
That is not stability. That is chaos dressed up as accountability.
Expulsion must return to what it was always meant to be: rare, justified, and rooted in due process.
Anything less risks turning one of the most serious powers in Congress into just another tool of convenience.
And once that line is crossed, it won’t be easy to draw it again.
U.S. House
The House floor, where the power to expel a member has traditionally been reserved for the most extreme circumstances.
By Stefan Mychajliw
Trump Drops Hammer On Hochul, Mamdani
New York State is facing a political and financial “double whammy” from the Trump administration, as both President Donald Trump and his Transportation Chief escalated pressure on state leadership this week, specifically blasting Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
In a sharply worded Truth Social post, Trump took aim at New York City leadership, writing: “Sadly, Mayor Mamdani is DESTROYING New York! It has no chance! … The TAX, TAX, TAX Policies are SO WRONG. People are fleeing… THIS ‘STUFF’ JUST DOESN’T WORK.”
The criticism quickly drew support from media figures, including WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, who amplified the president’s message on X. “Now that the GREAT @realDonaldTrump has stated publicly that our Anti American Mayor is DESTROYING our city hopefully it will open the door for a complete verbal drubbing of this clown! Taxing the rich and raising taxes is just the tip of the iceberg! … Please! Tell this @NYCMayor how you really feel!” Rosenberg wrote.
The Trump Truth Social post was quickly followed by action from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who announced a major funding cut on Twitter, tied to concerns over commercial driver oversight.
“��I’m pulling $73 MILLION in federal highway grants from New York until the state follows OUR RULES and makes sure foreign truckers are VETTED and QUALIFIED ��,” Duffy posted on X He added that the Department of Transportation “will not fund Governor Hochul’s dangerous anti-American policies. Full stop.”
Federal enforcement actions have also highlighted the issue. In one operation along the New York State Thruway, Border Patrol agents arrested 37 illegal immigrants in Western New York, including 30 who were operating commercial vehicles with CDL licenses.
Officials say the arrests underscore safety concerns involving unqualified or improperly vetted drivers behind the wheel of large tractor-trailers. Federal authorities have warned of an “alarming trend” of such cases nationwide, raising pressure on states to tighten compliance.
The escalating clash over taxes comes as Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani push for new tax measures aimed at high-end prop-
erty owners. Hochul has proposed a piedà-terre tax on luxury second homes valued at $5 million or more, arguing it would generate at least $500 million annually for the city.
“If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker,” Hochul said.
Mamdani echoed that message, framing the proposal as a way to close the city’s budget gap without burdening working residents.
“Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites with a pied-à-terre tax,” Mamdani said, adding the goal is to ensure “the wealthy contribute what they owe” while supporting “working New Yorkers being priced out of our city.”
Together, the federal funding threat and proposed new taxes highlight a widening divide over economic policy, immigration enforcement, and the financial future of New York.
Is Suozzi’s Vote To Extend FISA a Canary in the Coal Mine
By Neil W. McCabe
Republicans worried about the 2026 midterms should take note—and take heart—that on the recent House vote to renew the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, also called FISA, for 18 months without reforms, cracks may be forming.
In that vote, four House Democrats joined the House Republican leadership, as 20 House conservatives voted with Democrats in the losing cause.
Among the four was Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi, representing eastern Queens and western Suffolk County. This district is the wealthiest in New York State and the fourth wealthiest in the country. The district includes President Theodore Roosevelt’s home
on Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, and if he were here today, Suozzi would represent the Great Gatsby.
These wealthy districts are supposed to be solid for Democrats, but Republican resilience is real and borne out by the numbers. If Suozzi voted with Speaker Michael Johnson of Louisiana and not with the otherwise united Democratic House Caucus, something is going on.
Suozzi was joined by Democrats Rep. Jared Golden, Maine-02; Rep. Josh Gottheimer, N.J.-05; and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Wash.-03.
Let’s go to the tape.
Golden won his 2024 race by 2,706 votes under the ranked-choice system Maine progressives set up to box out conservatives.
Gluesenkamp Perez won
her 2024 race by four points and roughly 16,000 votes, defeating retired Army Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer Joseph C. Kent—who just left the Trump administration and could be coming back at her.
Gottheimer had the easiest
time, winning his 2024 race by 13 points and 43,072 votes, but he ran as a Democrat serious about national security.
Suozzi won his race after the GOP-led ouster of their colleague George Santos, who beat him in 2022. Suozzi won his 2024 race by five points and roughly 13,000 votes.
What makes this significant is that while the mainstream media narrative suggests President Donald J. Trump is losing support and that it is automatic that House Democrats will retake their chamber, four House Democrats crossed the aisle.
House races are different from Senate races, which turn on statewide issues, tribal loyalties, and personalities. House races turn on the president— for or against. If the president or the party’s nominee is on the ballot, it drives turnout for
that party’s House candidates. If the president is not at the top of the ticket, such as in a special election or a midterm, his party’s House candidates suffer. There are midterms when the party in the White House sees turnout drop by 30 percent—maybe 40 percent. Meanwhile, the party out of the White House is motivated to claw back into the game. This is the essence of coattails and reverse coattails.
However, if House Democrats in tight seats continue to vote with Republican leadership, it could signal a trend on the ground that members of Congress are picking up—but that eludes the mainstream media.
We have five months until the midterms, but keep watching the tight seats on both sides for what is really going on.
Blakeman Warns Hochul Tax Plan Hits Businesses Hard
Nassau County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is sounding the alarm over what he calls a “secret business tax” in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed FY 2027 budget, warning it will ripple through New York’s economy in ways many families won’t immediately see, but will ultimately feel.
At the center of the controversy is a technical but consequential shift: requiring businesses to spread out (amortize) research and development (R&D) costs over several years, rather than deducting them immediately. While framed by the state as a conformity measure with federal tax rules, critics argue the change functions as a significant near-term tax in-
crease, estimated to generate about
$1.68 billion in additional revenue.
For businesses, especially smaller, innovation-driven firms, the impact is immediate and tangible:
Cash flow strain: Startups and early-stage companies rely on upfront deductions to offset heavy R&D spending. Delayed deductions mean higher taxes
now, reducing capital available for hiring, expansion, or product development.
Investment slowdown: Companies may scale back or delay R&D projects, particularly in high-cost sectors like biotech and advanced manufacturing.
Competitive disadvantage: Firms could shift future investment to states with more favorable tax treatment, weakening New York’s position as an innovation hub.
Hiring pressure: With tighter margins, businesses may slow hiring or freeze workforce growth, particularly in technical and high-paying roles. While large corporations may absorb the change more easily, small and mid-sized firms, often
the backbone of local economies, are less equipped to manage the hit.
Blakeman argues these pressures won’t stay confined to boardrooms. Businesses facing higher upfront tax burdens may respond by raising prices where possible, trimming costs elsewhere, or postponing growth altogether.
Economists note the effects are less about immediate price spikes and more about long-term economic drag—slower innovation, reduced job creation, and diminished competitiveness. In that sense, critics say, the proposal risks quietly reshaping New York’s business climate in ways that extend far beyond the balance sheet.
U.S. House Rep. Thomas Suozzi
Truth Social
President Donald J. Trump
Stefan Mychajliw
Bruce Blakeman at NYS GOP Convention
By The South Shore Press
LOCAL
By Robert Chartuk
The addiction was so bad, Robin K. would wake up in the middle of the night to get another dose. She was hooked on kratom, an unregulated substance with opioid-like effects that can be bought at any number of shops and gas stations across Long Island.
“It was horrible,” said the 35-year-old Suffolk resident. “I was on it for five years, and the withdrawal was terrible. I was physically sick for weeks trying to kick the kratom habit.”
Recognizing the debilitating properties of the herbal substance, Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella has proposed a new law to ban it.
Mazzarella’s measure, similar to one already in force in Nassau County, will prohibit the sale, distribution, or possession of kratom products in Suffolk County. The proposal comes as local officials and health professionals raise concerns about the drug’s addictive potential and lack of regulation.
“The bill is to basically ban all kratom products,” Mazzarella said. “They’ve been found to be highly addictive and destructive to users and their families.”
Kratom contains compounds such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain. At lower doses, the drug can act as a stimulant, while at higher doses, it produces
Drug Danger: Suffolk Cracks Down On Kratom
sedative effects. According to Mazzarella, the danger lies not only in the compounds themselves, but in how they are being altered and concentrated.
“Manufacturers are taking those derivatives and creating synthetics, increasing the potency,” he noted. “That creates a higher mood-altering effect, which leads to a higher addictive effect and raises the risk of overdose or death.”
While some advocates claim kratom in its natural form helps with pain, anxiety, or attention disorders, Mazzarella said the lack of oversight makes it impossible for consumers to know what they are taking.
“People are walking into a smoke shop and have no idea what they’re getting,” he said. “There’s no standard, no regulation, and no limit to the strength of these compounds.”
County Executive Ed Romaine voiced strong support for the ban, citing concerns raised by those who have experienced the drug’s harmful effects.
“Numerous residents have contacted my office to note the unfortunate addictions that have fallen on their loved ones as a result of the use of kratom,” Romaine said. “While there are those who are stating that the issue with kratom is not about natural-based kratom compared to the synthetic kind, the fact remains that there is a public health and safety necessity for why the ban should be
enacted.”
Romaine added that distinguishing between natural and synthetic versions has proven difficult, reinforcing the need for a broad prohibition.
“Opponents of the bill have failed to identify ways to distinguish between the two types, necessitating a blanket-wide ban for the protection of all our residents,” he said. Romaine thanked Mazzarella for introducing the legislation and vowed to sign it if approved by the legislature.
“We thought it was harmless, a natural product, something you can buy at a store,” Robin K. continued. “There were longterm effects; people don’t know, there’s no awareness. We had no idea how powerful this substance is.”
Data cited by Mazzarella underscores the concern. So far this year, traces of kratom have been found in multiple overdose deaths in Suffolk County. In 2025, roughly 30 percent of overdose cases showed the presence of the substance, though officials say it remains unclear whether kratom was the primary cause or a contributing factor.
“That’s part of the problem—we don’t have all the answers,” Mazzarella said. “But when we’re faced with that uncertainty as government officials, we need to protect the public.”
A public hearing on the proposal drew
testimony from medical experts, law enforcement, and families affected by addiction, and supporters are confident it will pass.
“Just because kratom is supposedly a natural product does not mean it’s safe,” Mazzarella stressed. “When you consider all the risks, you’re better off not using it in any form.”
Photo Illustration
Growing concerns over Kratom lead to proposed ban.
By LocalLabs News Service
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office marked a milestone this week as a group of college students completed an intensive internship program designed to provide a firsthand look at careers in law enforcement and corrections.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. hosted a graduation ceremony for the Spring 2026 interns at the Yaphank Correctional Facility. The ceremony recognized 13 students who successfully completed the competitive 13-week program, which offers participants a comprehensive introduction to the inner workings of the Sheriff’s Office.
Family members and friends attended the event to celebrate the interns’ achievements and their commitment to exploring careers in criminal justice. The program is structured to give students practical exposure to multiple divisions within the
Sheriff’s Office Graduates Spring Intern Class
department, helping them better understand the responsibilities and challenges faced by law enforcement professionals.
Throughout the program, in-
terns toured key units including Correctional Facilities, the Warrant Squad, Domestic Violence Bureau, and Marine Bureau. They also engaged directly with
officers, gaining insight into daily operations and decision-making in the field. Participants also took part in active threat scenarios and a mock legislative meeting.
The program included visits to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and ride-alongs with Deputy Sheriffs, allowing interns to observe patrol procedures and traffic law enforcement in real-world settings. Many graduates are now pursuing careers in criminal justice or law enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office, which serves more than 1.5 million residents, operates correctional facilities and provides courthouse security and patrol services across the county. Officials say the internship program helps prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals while strengthening community connections and public safety efforts.
Sheriff Toulon emphasized the importance of mentorship and education during the ceremony, noting that programs like this create pathways for people to enter public service careers and support the agency’s long-term mission.
Salvadoran Gets 25-to-Life For Basement Murder
By The South Shore Press
A Salvadoran national has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of his housemate in Bay Shore, authorities announced.
Darwin Josue Maldonado Vanegas, 32, was convicted in March after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and weapons charges in the April 2025 killing of 24-year-old Daniel Nunez-Hernandez.
He was formally sentenced to the maximum term of 25 years to life, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Prosecutors said the shooting occurred April 3, 2025, at a shared residence, where both men rented separate rooms.
Police responding to the home around 11:20 p.m. found Nunez-Hernandez with gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, along with two 9mm shell casings nearby.
Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots earlier that day, and tenants later discovered the victim’s body in the basement.
Investigators tied Maldonado Vanegas to the scene and recovered a loaded 9mm magazine hidden in his bedroom.
Authorities said he fled New York after the killing, withdrew cash, and traveled through Atlantic City before heading to Miami, where he was arrested May 7, 2025.
Tierney said the defendant’s attempt to evade justice ultimately failed, crediting investigators for locating and apprehending him.
Maldonado Vanegas was also convicted of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Federal immigration authorities have indicated they will seek his deportation following completion of his sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Chiuchiolo and Eric Aboulafia, with the investigation led by Suffolk County police homicide detectives.
Officials said the conviction followed a full jury trial before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz, who presided over the proceedings and later imposed sentence.
Authorities emphasized the case underscores ongoing efforts to hold violent offenders accountable and deliver justice for victims and their families.
Suffolk County DA
Darwin Josue Maldonado Vanegas
SCSO
Yaphank Correctional Facility
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
From the start of America’s involvement in World War II, members of our Armed Forces were held in numerous prisoner-of-war camps in Central and Eastern Europe. Through the advances of the Soviet Union and the United States, the Nazis refused to allow Allied soldiers to be easily liberated and often moved them away from these friendly forces. At the end of the war, to be held by the Germans was a dangerous proposition, as they were attacked from all directions and had few supplies of food and medicine to care for weakened prisoners. A camp that is rarely spoken about is Stalag IX-B at Bad Orb, which was thirty miles northwest of Frankfurt-on-Main, where by 1945 there were at least 4,000 American prisoners held.
When American soldiers were taken from the Battle of the Bulge, they were told to step forward if they were Jews. Many of these men had already disregarded dog tags that had an “H” for “Hebrew,” and they were warned by the Germans that if they were caught lying about their faith, they would be shot. Some wore different dog tags marked, for example, with a “C” for Catholics to conceal their religion. Once captured, many Americans feared being targeted for their religious beliefs. Wearing a dog tag was important, even if it was a fake one; the Germans executed some prisoners without this identification, considering them to be spies. There were Jews who shielded their identity, but when they observed fellow Jews being segregated, many requested to be united with these targeted American soldiers.
Over 500,000 Jewish Americans served in the military to fight the
AND HUMANITY
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
A powerful firsthand account of escape, survival, and resilience is drawing attention through a recent conversation on the Fog of War and Humanity, where author Mai Pham shared her story of fleeing Vietnam and building a new life in America.
Pham’s experiences, detailed in her memoir A Bridge from Saigon, begin in April 1975, just days before the fall of Saigon. At just seven years old, she recalls standing inside a crowded cargo plane as her family prepared to leave their homeland. She remembers being the only child standing as others lay on the floor, before being pulled down by her grandmother as the aircraft door slowly closed—her final image of Vietnam. Her journey reflects the path
The Segregated Nazi Concentration Camp for American-Jewish POWs
Germans and Japanese during World War II. In the European Theater of Operations, many members of the Armed Forces had European family members who were persecuted and killed by the Nazis. Many did not know about the murder in the extermination camps, but they were determined to defeat Hitler’s forces, end the war, and save their family members from the horrific policies of the Third Reich.
Some of these Jewish airmen kept tags with the “H” to show the Germans that American Jews were responsible for the aerial bombing of their cities, military targets, and infrastructure. There were numerous risks for Jewish veterans, as Lieutenant Irwin Stovroff was interrogated by a German officer who was from his native city of Buffalo. American Jews were fearful of being denounced by their own side and by the enemy, as this officer could have remembered Stovroff as his paperboy.
Berga was a subcamp of Buchenwald, where American prisoners
saw the horrors of the Holocaust through the treatment of starved and beaten European prisoners. Many of these soldiers—sergeants, Jews, and Christians—were, on February 8, 1945, sent in the same boxcars that transported Jews to the concentration camps. They were chosen because of labor shortages, and it was believed that these Americans were troublemakers by the German authorities. For five days, these Americans traveled to this prison and were not given food or blankets to shield them from the cold. The train stopped at the town of Berga, home to 7,000 people on the Elster River, where the camp’s existence was rarely known by Western forces. These Jewish prisoners at Berga were a fraction of the 9,000 held by the German government. Unlike other ruined German cities and towns, Bad Orb was a spa town spared from air and land fighting during the war. It had a church, town hall, and attractive homes that presented a warm community. These prisoners were
detained in “hellish” living and working conditions only a short distance from this appealing town.
Being away from the fighting, German civilians did not act in a violent manner toward the Americans, where it was common to be attacked by enemy populations. Rather, they watched the Americans with curiosity as they walked through the streets of Bad Orb. In an unfamiliar area, these prisoners faced harsh conditions and treatment by their captors, working twelve hours in tunnels established in a mountain to secretly house a German armaments factory. There were seventeen mine shafts with no protection from inhaled toxins, and the prisoners were repeatedly beaten by German guards and civilians.
American prisoners saw lifeless survivors of Auschwitz who were beaten, starved, and humiliated by the Nazis. A prisoner from the 28th Infantry Division, Private Sidney Lipson, remembered, “… They were looking at you. But they just weren’t. They were an entity that really wasn’t an entity. They just weren’t…. I remember thinking: Is that going to be us? I knew I had been singled out for transport to Berga because I was a Jew, but I don’t believe I put it together with the Jews of Europe.” It did not take long for the Americans to estimate that the excessive working conditions, lack of food, and poor treatment would make them resemble these dying prisoners.
After completing forced labor, the prisoners marched back to camp, where they lived in four one-story barracks that had bunks, one latrine each, a bucket for the night, and an outside trench for
relief. The men lived closely together, sharing food and blankets. Although the Germans were close to losing the war, these American Jews received scorn from SS Commandant Lieutenant Hack. A former engineering student, he was wounded on the Eastern Front and ordered to Berga to run the concentration camp and armament manufacturing mines. Hack was not pleased with the lack of productivity from the weak prisoners of Buchenwald, who were unable to handle the demanding work. He was a cruel officer, often setting his dog on defenseless prisoners and beating and kicking them.
Soldiers were forced to work in two different shifts, one during the early morning hours and the second from the afternoon to late night. At times, they worked 150 feet below ground, with poor visibility and breathing conditions from heavy dust, especially after the Germans used dynamite. The soldiers often coughed blood and were viewed by guards as expendable. These prisoners were given only one piece of bread and perhaps a cup of coffee. A soldier kept a diary describing the men as “skin and bones.” They faced constant beatings, and soldiers were lost at an alarming rate from pneumonia. The camp did not allow the Red Cross to contact their families or deliver food parcels. One prisoner admitted that “survival” was always on their minds and that he was certain he would go to “heaven,” declaring, “I knew I’d go to heaven if I died, because I was already in hell.”
Next week will feature a second story focusing on the experiences of these American soldiers.
Vietnam Escape Story Highlights Resilience And Renewal
of many refugees during that period, moving through evacuation points in Southeast Asia, including temporary stops in places like Guam and military processing centers, before ultimately arriving in the United States. Pham and her family settled in Philadelphia, where they faced the challenges of starting over in a new culture while carrying the emotional weight of what they had left behind.
Despite those hardships, her family’s foundation in education played a critical role in their transition. Her father, a college professor in Vietnam, became a public school teacher in Philadelphia, while also helping other refugee families adjust to life in the United States. That sense of responsibility extended
beyond their own household, as they worked to support newly arriving families with housing, translation, and guidance.
Pham described her early years in America as both successful and isolating. She quickly learned English through intensive daily practice with her family and excelled in school, but said the emotional strain of being a young refugee often went unnoticed. Her experiences highlight the less visible challenges faced by immigrant children, particularly those who adapt quickly on the surface while struggling internally.
Decades later, Pham returned to Vietnam, confronting both personal memories and a country transformed by rapid economic and cultural change. She noted the contrast between the Saigon
she remembered and the modern Ho Chi Minh City, where development, skyscrapers, and increased global connections have reshaped daily life. Her story also underscores the complexity of history, including family ties that spanned both sides of the conflict. Some relatives remained in Vietnam, enduring political upheaval and, in some cases, imprisonment in re-education camps following the war, while others eventually reunited with family in the United States.
Now a physician and health policy expert, Pham has carried those early experiences into her career, focusing on improving access to care for vulnerable populations. She said writing her memoir was both challeng-
ing and healing, allowing her to better understand her family’s sacrifices and her own identity. Her story serves as a reminder that the impact of war extends far beyond the battlefield, shaping lives across generations while also revealing the strength it takes to rebuild, adapt, and move forward.
Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County Concentration camp items on display at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
FOG OF WAR
Mai Pham
SUFFOLK CLOSEUP
BY KARL GROSSMAN
We’ve had solar power at our house for two decades now, and it remains a bonanza. The thing about solar energy is that the sun sends no bills. The 38 photovoltaic panels on the roof provide all the electricity we need.
Thus, I was sorry to read the article in Newsday last month headlined: “Solar Energy Company Closing.” The piece was about EmPower Solar, “one of Long Island’s largest” solar installers, “winding down operations.”
The article by Mark Harrington, who covers energy issues for Newsday, reported David Schieren, founder and chief executive of the Farmingdale-based company, saying “the ‘most acute’ factor influencing the decision was the Trump administration’s decision to end a 30% federal tax credit for residential rooftop applications at the end of 2025.”
“We just didn’t have any sales after that ended,” Schieren said, and thus, “We couldn’t continue operating our business.”
The company, “founded in 2003, once had annual sales volume of $45 million and 150 employees,” related the article. “It has installed more than 5,000 solar rooftop systems.”
An ironic element of the situation was the report, also last month, from Ember, the energy think tank based in London, announcing: “According to new data from global energy think tank Ember, the world installed a record 814 GW of new solar and wind capacity in 2025, 17% more than in 2024 (696 GW).”
“The latest additions bring the combined global installed capacity of wind and solar to 4,174 GW (over 4 TW),” it went on. (One GW, or gigawatt, equals a billion watts. A TW equals a trillion watts.)
“Solar,” said Ember, “account-
Policy Changes Dim but Don’t Kill Solar
ed for the majority of new capacity additions, with almost 4 GW of new solar added globally for every 1 GW of wind.”
Or, as an article by Reuters also last month reported: “Renewable power made up almost 50% of the world’s electricity capacity last year after a record increase in solar installations.”
Making things still more incongruous with the closure of EmPower Solar was a piece by New York State Senator Pete Harckham of Westchester County in an Empire Report in January, headed: “Solar Energy is Our Best Bet in Fight Against High Utility Bills.”
“One of the biggest news stories of the year [2025] was the rising utility bills across the country—and with no end in sight for more increases. Electric bills nationwide jumped 9.6% on average this past year,” Harckham wrote. “That’s why utility customers—both households and municipalities—searching for a less expensive and more reliable form of energy are turning to clean, renewable energy
UNDERCOVER NEW YORK
BY KATHRYN NOCERINO
Guys seem to love puns and similar joke formations. Each pun gets followed by the inevitable loud groan from its listeners. One guy I knew cherished puns so much that he collected them in a handsewn binder. On special occasions, he would trot it out and torture all his friends with it. I would, of course, groan and also ask, silently, “Where is the punchline?” Some would call this a form of “dad humor,” but I dunno…
My father cherished a form of pun called the feghoot,
which is often called a “shaggy dog story.” Each narrative ends in a cliché turned upside down. The feghoot is similar to, but not the same as, a malapropism, which involves a phrase that is defaced, reversing its meaning and making the speaker ridiculous. For some unknown reason, several authors, including Shakespeare, have fought for the honor of originating this…thing. One example of a malapropism: “the plight of Soviet jewelry.” A member of Congress recently inveighed against “gazpacho
sources, especially solar.”
The 30% federal tax credit for a residential solar installation was originally enacted by Congress in 1978. We were able to avail ourselves of it when we had solar installed on the roof of our century-old saltbox house in Sag Harbor. Also, there was a New York State tax credit of 5%—with a limit of $5,000— that continues. And there was a Long Island Power Authority rebate, which no longer exists. After the credits and rebate, we paid $26,600—and with solar no longer had to pay a $200plus monthly electric bill. Also, with solar, you get a check at the end of the year from PSEG for its “buy-back” of “excess electricity” produced by your panels and fed back into the grid—more electricity than what you used.
Meanwhile, today the price of solar photovoltaic panels has plummeted. In the past 20 years, their cost has declined by nearly 70%, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association—90% in the last decade.
Amazingly, too, the efficien-
police.”
Ready? Here’s the joke: Long, long ago in ancient Persia, there was a shah who had everything: big jewels, elephants, a harem… But he wasn’t happy at all because his son and heir was very ill. After that, nothing mattered. [For your information: in ancient Persia, the son of a shah was called a shan.] The shah hired a man called Ali and instructed him, on pain of certain death, to stay by the child’s side and watch his every move. One day, Ali got very thirsty
fill some of the absence of the 30% federal tax credit with legislation increasing the ceiling on the state tax credit from $5,000 to $10,000.
Some might say: what is it with these tax credits for solar anyway?
cies of solar photovoltaic panels—the percentage of sunlight converted to electricity—have skyrocketed. Several decades ago, panels had efficiencies in the single digits. When a book I authored concerning energy was published in 1980, the average was 8%. Today, efficiencies are 20% and more, comparable to the 25% of solar panels used by NASA in space.
We had the panels at our house installed by Dean Hapshe, now of Islip Terrace-based Harvest Power, who entered the solar energy field in 1980 after his university graduation, seeking a life-affirming occupation.
With his decades of experience, he has served as a teacher of solar installers on Long Island, including at Farmingdale State University.
With the elimination of the 30% federal tax credit, “Trump changed the playing field” for solar, says Hapshe. Still, he sees the future for solar as “stable” but “not as robust.”
Senator Harckham is now a leader in having New York State
Feghoot
and went out for a drink. When he returned only minutes later, he found the boy
But as Wired magazine reported last year: “The Trump administration has already added nearly $40 billion in new federal subsidies for oil, gas, and coal in 2025…sending an additional $4 billion out the door each year for fossil fuels over the next decade. That new amount, created with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this summer, adds to $30.8 billion a year in preexisting subsidies for the fossil fuel industry….The amount of public money the U.S. will now spend…stands at least $34.8 billion a year.”
The piece continued: “The U.S. has been subsidizing fossil fuel production for more than a century.” These subsidies still include “a tax break passed in 1913 that allows companies to write off large amounts of expenses related to drilling new oil wells.”
Solar power is important in countering the main cause of climate change, the burning of fossil fuels. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine is a major advocate of solar power. He’s organized a “Solar-Up Suffolk” initiative, declaring: “The threat of climate change is not in the future. We are experiencing it right now with more intense storms, worse and worse flooding events, and extreme heat in summer. There is no silver bullet, but I believe that solar energy is one key piece of the puzzle.”
Government should help enable folks to go solar—with a goal of eliminating their electric bills—and, in the process, challenging climate change.
on the floor, helpless, tossing around in convulsions.
Ali was dragged before the shah, who said he had to lose his head. The axeman stood waiting, a big smile on his face. Ali protested, telling his boss that what he did was a once-in-a-lifetime mistake and promising never to repeat it.
The shah frowned with all his might. “Mistake, mistake?” he yelled. “I’m not buying that. I now ask you, my loyal servant: WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE FIT HIT THE SHAN?”
Vecteezy
The price of solar photovoltaic panels has plummeted.
Kathryn Nocerino Some puns are groan worthy.
ASK NANCY
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Q: If I open a 529 account for my grandchild, who will manage it if I pass away?
A:While a 529 plan account (a “529”) does not seem like a part of your estate plan, it is. New York’s 529 College Savings Program accounts are investment plans that enjoy tax-deferred growth. Withdrawals are income tax-free for qualified educational purposes associated with K-12 tuition, vocational school, college, or higher education. If money is withdrawn for a non-qualified purpose, the withdrawal is taxed as income to the beneficiary. There can only be one
owner and one beneficiary at a time for each 529. However, a successor owner can be named in case an owner dies or becomes incapacitated. Anyone over the age of eighteen can open a 529. You can open a 529 for the benefit of anyone of any age if the beneficiary is a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Because most accounts are opened by a parent or grandparent for the benefit of a minor, it is possible a beneficiary will not use all the funds in the account before the owner dies.
In New York, when a 529 owner passes away and does not name a successor owner, the account cannot be accessed until a successor is appointed by the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the initial owner was a resident. This leads to additional expenses for the initial owner’s estate and may delay the beneficiary’s access to funds they rely on to pay for educational expenses. A 529’s value does not impact a deceased
A 529 Plan Is More Than Just a Savings Account—It’s Part of Your Estate Plan
owner’s estate value for tax purposes, but it does affect the estate’s value for Surrogate’s Court purposes and ultimately contributes to the type, complexity, and cost of the proceeding needed.
Naming a successor owner will allow ownership to automatically pass upon the initial owner’s death and will not affect a beneficiary’s access to funds on which they may be actively relying. An owner may also consider transferring ownership to the beneficiary if he or she is a mature, legal adult and you are comfortable the funds will be used as you intended. While ensuring a smooth transition of ownership is important, you may also want to consider how you can contribute to a 529 after your passing. Collaborating with your estate planning attorney and accountant will ensure your priorities during life survive you and can be efficiently accomplished after your passing.
Erin Cullen, Esq. is an associate attorney at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., focusing her practice areas on Trusts and Estates. Britt Burner, Esq. is the Managing Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., focusing her practice areas on Estate Plan -
ning and Elder Law. 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
On the Road with the Library
Join the library staff and special guests for some programs out in the community. Must have a library card to register. Call (631) 399-1511 and choose Adult Reference when prompted What’s On Your Nightstand?
Book Chat
Thursdays, May 7, June 4, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Held at Sunsets at Senix Restaurant, 50 Senix Avenue, Center Moriches, NY 11934.
Book lovers, join librarian JD for a lively discussion of what you’re reading now, what you loved, hated and would recommend to a friend. Always a fun time, especially over delicious apps.
Start Your Day the Right Way Walking Club – 2 Locations!
Don’t walk alone, meet up with library staff, and make new friends at the library’s walking club. Enjoy some nice conversations and our beautiful neighborhood parks. Dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes, and rain cancels.
Wertheim Wildlife Refuge
Thursdays, May, 7, 14, 21, 28 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Held at Wertheim Wildlife Refuge, 340 Smith Rd, Shirley, NY 11967.
Terrell County Park
Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Held at Terrell County Park, 43 Montauk Highway, Center Moriches, NY 11934.
“Community and Congregation: Ten Churches” Gallery Talk at the Bellport- Brookhaven Historical Society Special event for MMMCL patrons. Saturday, May 16, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Held at the Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society, 12 Bell Street, Bellport, NY 11713
From their inception in the 18th century, churches have played a vital role in Bellport, Brookhaven and their neighboring communities, celebrating life, providing hospitality, and advocating for justice. Patrons provide their own transportation to 12 Bell Street. FREE lecture and parking.
Kruk
Photo Illustration
529 college savings accounts should be part of your estate plan.
Chat GPT
Library staff and special guests to enjoy event programs in the community.
By Stefan Mychajliw
The Mastic Fire Department marked a significant milestone this week, celebrating its 101st Annual Installation Dinner with an evening dedicated to service, leadership, and community pride.
The event honored more than a century of commitment by the department’s volunteer firefighters, while also recognizing the individuals who will lead the organization into its next chapter.
Newly sworn-in officers include Chief Steven Januszkiewicz, Assistant Chief Rudy M. Sunderman, Captain Tarren Kearns, First Lieutenant Ian Arthur, and Second Lieutenants Ryan Peters, Michael R. Malone, and Jennifer Lian.
Together, these leaders oversee a dedicated team that responded to 1,060 alarms over the past year—an average of nearly three calls per day, highlighting the critical role the department plays in protecting the Mastic community.
State Senator Dean Mur -
Mastic FD Marks 101st Installation Dinner
ray, who attended the event, praised the department’s efforts.
“It was truly an honor to spend some time with the brave men and women of Mastic Fire Department this evening for their 101st installation dinner,” Murray said.
“I truly thank them, and their loved ones, for their tireless efforts to keep the community safe.”
”Assemblyman Joe DeStefano also offered recognition, noting, “Thanks also go out to the department’s commissioners, who keep this century-old
organization running.”
The evening recognized the department’s Board of Fire Commissioners, led by Chairman Rudolph Sunderman Sr., along with Vice Chairman Daniel Haase and Commissioners Patrick Greene, Michael Malone, and
Rudolph Sunderman Jr., who also serves as secretary.
Treasurer Kaitlin Hennessy was also acknowledged. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary were honored for their ongoing support, as were Explorer Post 512, Fire Police, the Marine Incident Response Team, and the department’s Probationary Training Officers.
Founded in 1925 as the Mastic Chemical Company by 52 local men, the department began with modest equipment and a small, member-built firehouse.
Despite setbacks, including a devastating 1935 fire that destroyed the original headquarters, the organization rebuilt and expanded.
Over the decades, it has responded to major emergencies, from regional wildfires to the response at Ground Zero in 2001.
The celebration served as both a reflection on past accomplishments and a reaffirmation of the department’s enduring mission to serve and protect.
Suffolk Police to Auction Impounded Vehicles April 25
By Stefan Mychajliw
The Suffolk County Police Department will open its impound lot to the public as it hosts a vehicle auction featuring dozens of used cars and SUVs, offering residents a chance to purchase vehicles at competitive prices.
The auction is scheduled for April 25 at 9 a.m. at the department’s impound facility located at 100 Old Country Road in Westhampton. The event will be held rain or shine. Officials said approximately 90 vehicles will be available, including a mix of sedans and sport utility vehicles, each starting with a minimum bid of $500.
Prospective buyers will have multiple opportunities to inspect the vehicles ahead of time.
Public previews are scheduled for April 23 and April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as for one hour prior to the start of the auction on the day of the event.
According to auction terms, all vehicles are sold “as is,” and all sales are final.
Payment must be made immediately following a successful bid. For purchases up to $2,000, full payment is required on the spot.
For higher bids, buyers must provide a nonrefundable deposit of $2,000 plus 25% of the remaining balance, with full payment due shortly after.
Accepted payment methods include certified bank checks.
Buyers are also required to be at least 18 years old and present valid government-issued identification to register. Those purchasing under a business name must provide appropriate tax documentation at registration.
Officials noted that some vehicles may have damage, high mileage or salvage designations, and buyers assume responsibility for researching any potential liens. Vehicles must be removed from the property within one business week, or storage fees may apply.
The auction provides an opportunity for bargain hunters and car buyers alike, while also helping the department manage and clear its impound inventory.
Robert Chartuk
The Mastic Fire Department’s newly sworn-in officers, from left, Ryan Peters, Tarren Kearns, Rudy M. Sunderman, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Legislator Jim Mazzarella, Senator Dean Murray, Ian Arthur, Michael R. Malone, and Jennifer Lian.
Google Maps
100 Old Country Road
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Formation of VANDERWOLF SMOKE BBQ, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on 3/ 30/2026. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to CRYSTAL VANDERWOLF, 12 SINNICKSON ROAD, CENTER MORICHES, NY 11934, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
Plaintiff AGAINST GLENN GURRERA, LAURA LEVAY AKA LAURA LEAVY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 24, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on May 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM, premises known as 76 Huntington Drive, Mastic Beach, NY 11951. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Mastic Beach, in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200 Section 983.40 Block 13.00 Lot 033.000. Approximate amount of judgment $175,057.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600572/ 2025. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Daniel J. Murphy, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24003318 89598
Notice is hereby given that an On-Premises Restaurant-Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA -0340-26-108542 has been applied for by Manor Eleven Hospitality LLC d/b/a Lola's Eastport to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an onpremises Restaurant-Liquor establishment. For on premise consumption under the ABC Law located at 13 Eastport Manor Road Eastport NY
11941.
L16503- 4/15/2026 & 4/22/2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York, on the 13th Day of April 2026, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law. An extract of the resolution is as follows:
THE CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT SHALL EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($90,000.00) FROM THE SECTION 6(G) GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW EQUIPMENT CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SCBA REFILLING STATION AND ASSOCIATED WORK
This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless, in the meanwhile, a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held. Dated: APRIL 13, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CENTER MORICHES FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN ATTEST: MICHAEL SCHLOSBERG Secretary
L16504- 4/22/2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Formation of DWELL COLLECTIVE LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on 02/27/ 2026. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to 999 MONTAUK HWY UNIT 32 PMB 70, SHIRLEY, NY, 11967, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of GOLDEN HAVEN HONEY, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on March 24, 2026. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against
the LLC to GOLDEN HAVEN HONEY LLC, 58 Quaker Path, Stony Brook, NY 11790. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of DINAS LOVE STORIES & SERVICES LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on March 12, 2026. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to Dina Gutierrez, 9 Newbrook Lane, Bay Shore, NY 11706. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC,-againstTHORE R. FOSS, JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA FOSS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on November 21, 2024, wherein MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC is the Plaintiff and THORE R. FOSS, JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA FOSS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on May 18, 2026 at 12:00PM, premises known as 53 CHAMPLIN STREET, RONKONKOMA, NY 11779; and the following tax map identification: 0200-566.0003.00-031.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT RONKONKOMA, IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 621999/2021. Giuseppe T. Rosini, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with
Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF THE RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1,-against-LJ EQUITIES II LLC F/K/A 166 FROWEIN LLC, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on September 23, 2024, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF THE RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 is the Plaintiff and LJ EQUITIES II LLC F/K/A 166 FROWEIN LLC, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738 on 05/13/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 24 SPAR DRIVE, MASTIC BEACH, New York 11951; and the following tax map identification, 975.0005.00-015.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED SITUATED LYING AND BEING IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610904/ 2020. Elyse Nicole Grasso, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
Notice of formation of EYEASE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on January 10th 2026. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 57 Silver Road Mastic Beach NY 11951. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUFFOLK COUNTY HUDSON CITY SAVINGS
BANK, Plaintiff against ABRAHAM L. TURPIN A/K/A ABRAHAM TURPIN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 20, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on May 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM. Premises known as 105 Carlton Drive East, Shirley, New York 11967. District 0200 Sec 615.00 Block 02.00 Lot 013.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $494,834.06 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 609334/2015. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing.
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiffagainst - JODI R. WILLIAMS A/ K/A JODI WILLIAMS A/K/A JODI RUSSO WILLIAMS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on February 10, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1
LIVING ON LONG ISLAND
BY LAURA BUDNEY
In recent years, much attention has been given to the migration of New Yorkers to states like Florida and the Carolinas. Drawn by lower taxes, warmer weather, and newer housing, more than 125,000 New Yorkers relocated to Florida between 2018 and 2022. However, a quieter yet meaningful trend is emerging—many of these movers are finding their way back home.
Estimates suggest that 30% to 40% eventually return, with Suffolk County on Long Island being a top destination.
Real estate plays a significant role in this full-circle journey. Suffolk County’s housing market remains strong and resilient, with the average home value reaching approximately $696,000 in early 2026. Over the past three years, median home prices have risen nearly 25%, underscoring long-term demand and investment stabil-
ity.
Even as inventory has increased, more than half of homes continue to sell at or above the asking price, signaling sustained buyer confidence. Additionally, the county’s population grew by about 6,900 residents between 2023 and 2024, reflecting ongoing demand and community vitality.
For many, the initial excitement of relocation fades as they begin to miss the deep-rooted sense of community that defines life on Long Island. Proximity to family, lifelong friendships, and familiar neighborhoods often outweigh purely financial considerations. Returning residents frequently describe their time away as feeling like a “long vacation,” realizing that true belonging comes from connection and shared history, making the higher price tags still worth every penny. This certainly shows
Why So Many Are Coming Home: The Return to Suffolk County
that long-term investment pays off in Suffolk County real estate.
Within Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven stands out as a particularly sought-after place to live. Brookhaven offers a rare blend of suburban comfort and natural beauty, from tree-lined neighborhoods and spacious properties to easy access to the stunning South Shore beaches and the Great South Bay. Vibrant downtown villages, along with local parks, farms, and year-round community events, enhance its charm.
Brookhaven’s appeal lies in its perfect balance—close enough to New York City for career opportunities, yet far enough to enjoy a quieter pace of life. Excellent schools and friendly neighborhoods make it ideal for those putting down long-term roots.
Beyond the statistics, the true draw is emotional: the comfort
of recognizing familiar faces, visiting the neighborhood deli—arguably the best anywhere—and raising children in a place rich with memories.
For many, returning to Suffolk County isn’t a step backward; it’s a heartfelt homecoming where life simply feels right.
People are coming home to Long Island.
Take Our Survey
S U N D A E
S C O O P S
“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna”
After a weekend like SOMOS Albany, you can see how every political gathering has its own social ecosystem Spend enough time in these rooms and you start identifying the different genus of networker almost on sight: the humble doers, the spotlight seekers, the chronic oversellers, the people-pleasers, the behind-thescenes hustlers, the obligatory attendees, and the familiar-face foragers who rarely venture beyond their own herd
Lil Wayne, one of our great modern field researchers, once observed that “Real G’s move in silence like lasagna ” Then there’s the old-money naturalist school: money talks, wealth whispers But this is New York, so let’s not ignore the highly adaptive fake-it-till-you-make-it breed, which has survived - and often thrived - in nearly every habitat
Some people work a room like peacocks Some like chameleons Some like they’re building a coalition; others like they’re guarding their territory
SOMOS first-timers on the scene included former NYC Commissioner Melanie LaRocca, now at RiseBoro, accompanied by CEO Kieran Harrington, and Nadeem Battla, in from Orlando, where he runs World Food Trucks — a unique which his company manages operations, behalf of more than 100 local immigrant they can focus on what they’re good at. If could help foster smart entrepreneurship, the Dr.
The real question is not whether you network - it’s what style of creature you become when you do And does your species stay consistent, or evolve depending on the room? Something to ponder, is all
TODD SHAPIRO’S NEW HOT SPOT
Following the success of Albany War Room Tavern, Todd Shapiro has joined forces with attorneys Greg Caggiano and Todd Miller to launch Greenhouse Social Club at La Serre at 14 Green Street - an impressive, swanky, soon-to-be private members club complete with a second floor speakeasy, a room of leather club chairs with monogrammed forest green pillows, a chandelier, sushi bar, outdoor patio area with a DJ and grill outside, TVs, a cigar room, and a full catering hall-style ballroom on the first floor complete with a bar, dancing area, or space for large round tables Go Todd!
For those of you like me, who haven't ventured South/East on State Street past the Fairfield - an oasis awaits you Friday evening at 7:30pm, head chef Tom Santimaw was on the grill, sharing stories from his past life as the chef at the Governor’s Mansion for four governors, recalling fondly how former Governor David Paterson loved having black bean soup for breakfast Back inside, Ji th S hi Ch f h i t d d t Todd by none other than Attorney e spread, which Brooklyn District
for Educational Innovation, has a dream of one day owning a hot dog truck!
from
Anthony Guerrero from the
and
from Urban Upbound (a fellow Pizza Bagel! Italian/Jewish) and Danna
from CMW Strategies, engaged in conversation with NYAA’s Kenny Burgos regarding his ever-changing hair styles - he’s leaning into a ‘soccer player’ look now, a la World Cup (Justin Brannan, let’s get Kenny on a billboard!) GDC’s Nivardo Lopez, Aaron Sanders from Grand Street Settlement posing for photos with Assemblyman Al Taylor; Ivan Garcia from DoorDash, Kassandra PerezDesir - previously from DoorDash, who is now at Hollis Public Affairs, and a mystery man who may or may not have been The Weeknd
Somewhere between Lisa Daglian from the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA and a conversation with Deirdre Feerick from TWU International I believe I will be job-shadowing an MTA subway conductor very soon Stay tuned
Overheard: a very niche and esoteric conversation with Debra-Ellen Glickstein from NYC Kids Rise - who previously cofounded Urban Upbound with Bishop Taylor - about Vestwell, among people with finance backgrounds who know the company and its place in the retirementplan and wealth-management ecosystem.... Also, “six degrees of Dirk” - I got to know Dirk when he was working for Ruben Diaz Jr. - but didn’t know Dirk McCall had previously served as campaign manager for Mark Weprin when he ran and won his seat in NYC Council, and that Giovanni Barcenes from City Year New York worked for Dirk - leading to the joke that in New York politics you only need “six degrees of Dirk” to know everyone.....!
“YOU’RE MAMA”
Saturday at the conference, conversations moved fluidly between public policy, workforce development, criminal justice, education partnerships, labor, philanthropy, and personal chatter - which was exactly the right environment for a WITNESS to Mass Incarceration pop-up tailoring booth Evie Litwok, executive director of WITNESS, brought her students to Albany, and let their work speak for itself, showing in just one day what WITNESS is about: justice-impacted New Yorkers learning tailoring, sewing, clothing manufacturing and vocational fashion design skills that can lead to jobs, income, independence, and even their own businesses
Jay Root from The New York Times; Meghan Mangini from Kasirer; lobbyist / fitness model Alec Lewis; John-Carlo Bautista
Speaker Julie Menin’s office;
Sheet Metal Workers;
Alex Malescio
DeBlasio
Having a pop-up at SOMOS allowed everyone to meet the students, touch the work, and see the skill and mission in real-time. Among those who came by the booth were Assemblymember Catalina Cruz - who has both visited WITNESS in Long Island City and participated in a gloves & socks drive for Riker’s inmates with WITNESS; NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who understands that vocational training offers something college often cannot promise: a direct path to work, income, and stability without debt… CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez, who also introduced
John Jay College President Karol Mason, Bronx Community College’s Eddy Bayardelle, NYS Assemblymembers Chantel Jackson & George Alvarez, State Senator Zellnor Myrie (with his cool sneakers, as always) and VNS Health’s Dan Lowenstein, who knows Evie from their synagogue on UWS!
The Dendera Studios team was on-site too shout out to Taryn Duffy, who introduced me to Dendera’s Vito Di Maio & Kevin Nipal at Bronx Day Albany It turns out, Kevin Nipal is a social studies professor at Woodfield Detention C located in Valhalla, and also does video storytelling and social media market his first clients were some of the most prolific master tailors of NYC which his team at Dendera a natural fit to document the WITNESS pop-up at SOMOS
And when Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, Chairwoman of the SOMOS Taskforce, came by the booth with her husband, Americo Reyes-Santiago, not just to have her pants hemmed but also to say hello to Evie’s service dog BooBoo, alignment with WITNESS was obvious - not only because they are parents of two sons and clearly understand the value of giving young people real pathways, but because they both appreciate the dignity and stability that come with union labor and vocational training, something Assemblywoman Reyes understands from her personal advocacy alongside the a member of the New State Nurses Association and Americo from lived experience working with S Local 371
Missing from SOMOS: Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs - who, taking a page from Assemblyman Al Taylor’s book - embarked on a walk from Harlem to Albany (Al Taylor once walked from New York to Chicago!)
Rethink Foods’ Matt Jozwiak, who just welcomed his first baby, and OG Albany entrepreneur Joe Bonilla, who has been traveling from Orlando to Buffalo to Las Vegas recently, and attended CinemaCon.
Speaking of walking places Would you believe me if I told you that there was a boys versus girls race from Wellington’s to McGeary’s at 6pm on Saturday night? That’s right Kelly Craig from CUNY and Evie Litwok from WITNESS raced Bishop Taylor from Urban Upbound, Nadeem Battla from World Food Trucks and Costa Constantinides from variety Boys & Girls Club - girls in the Uber, boys on foot Guess who won? Only Tess Collins, the owner of McGeary’s can tell you! (Did you know she and bartender Terrell were in a reality TV show called June Farms?)
Later in the evening, spotted twinning in pink shirts at McGeary’s: Jordan Feiner, Manhattan Regional Representative for Governor Kathy Hochul & John-Carlo Bautista, Senior Advisor to NYC Council
Speaker Julie Menin - Jordan had a sick Knicks necklace on that he won at a charity auction fundraiser - it looked like a blue diamond encrusted Knicks jersey pendant Amazing and apropos to all the Knicks fans tuning into the game
BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING
THE FANTASY BASEBALL EXPERIENCE
By Tom Barton
The San Francisco Giants have a new manager, and he may be learning the same difficult lesson many managers before him have discovered: a closer-by-committee approach can be hard to sustain. It has also long frustrated fantasy baseball managers searching for reliable saves.
Tony Vitello has continued using a bullpen committee early this season, but the arrangement already appears uncertain. While the strategy can work in short stretches, many teams eventually prefer one trusted arm in the ninth inning.
Ryan Walker entered the season as the likely main piece of that committee. However, Walker struggled with consistency last year, blowing seven saves in 24 opportunities, and this season has brought more concerns. Those issues have opened the door for several other relievers to earn
chances late in games.
Erik Miller recorded a save this week, immediately putting his name into the conversation. Other pitchers being watched closely include Matt Gage, Blade Tidwell, Keaton Winn, and Caleb Kilian.
For fantasy owners desperate for saves, the key question is whether one reliever eventually separates himself from the pack. Miller could receive opportunities, though some observers wonder whether the Giants may prefer to deploy a left-hander in flexible matchups rather than lock him into the ninth inning. Kilian may also get chances, but questions remain about consistency and long-term fit in the role.
That leaves Winn as one of the more intriguing names to watch. He offers strong raw stuff and the type of upside that could allow him to emerge if the Giants decide to move away from a committee. As the season progresses and games become more meaningful, managers often prefer certainty at the
BETTING WITH BARTON
BY TOM BARTON
WR’s Will Cash Tickets This Week Someone Has to Winn in San Fran
The NFL Draft arrives this week, and for many sports bettors that means a unique opportunity to find value beyond traditional game wagers. Draft betting has grown in popularity in recent years, giving fans a chance to wager on player landing spots, team selections, and position totals.
While there may still be intrigue surrounding where Jeremiah Love lands, along with several player-specific markets, one of the more interesting options this year may be how many players at a certain position are selected in the first round. Those markets can often provide value when public attention is focused elsewhere.
One popular wager has been the over on 1.5 quarterbacks selected in the first round. That number has received heavy public action, but there is still uncertainty surrounding prospects such as Ty Simpson, who some believe could slide into the second round. With that market seeing plenty of movement already, some bettors may prefer to look elsewhere.
Running back is another difficult position to predict.
back end of the bullpen. For now, the situation remains fluid. Fantasy managers may need
patience, but those looking to speculate on future saves should keep a close eye on Winn. If one pitcher
changes Vitello’s philosophy this summer, he may be the leading candidate.
Teams have often shown patience when drafting backs early unless a special talent is available, making that market less appealing for many.
That shifts attention to wide receivers, where the first-round total is currently set around 5 or 5.5 depending on the sportsbook. Given the NFL’s pass-heavy direction, this position continues to carry strong value in the draft. The over on first-round wide receivers has cashed in multiple recent years, including 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Several receivers are widely expected to hear their names called early, including Carnell Tate, Omar Cooper, Makai Lemon, and Jordan Tyson. If those names come off the board, bettors would likely need only one or two more receivers to reach the over.
Additional names generating first-round buzz include KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Germie Bernard, and Brenen Thompson.
As always, draft betting carries uncertainty, but for those looking at the board this week, wide receiver totals may be one of the most intriguing markets available.
Denzell Boston
Keaton Winn
SPORTS
By Tom Barton
The New York Jets have a long and storied history when it comes to the NFL Draft, though many fans would admit much of that history includes missed opportunities and disappointing selections. This year, however, the Jets have a chance to reshape the franchise and build a foundation for the next decade in New York.
The Jets currently hold the No. 2 and No. 16 overall picks in the 2026 draft. That kind of draft capital can change a franchise quickly, especially for a team looking to return to contention. With two valuable first-round picks, New York enters the draft with an opportunity to make major upgrades
Jets Have to Get It Right
on both sides of the ball.
The No. 1 overall pick is widely expected to be Fernando Mendoza heading to the Las Vegas Raiders. If that happens, the Jets would be on the clock at No. 2 with several intriguing options available.
Most insiders believe New York will focus on defense with that selection. Two names often linked to the team are David Bailey and Arvell Reese. The Jets finished last in the league in sacks last season, making pass rush an obvious priority. Bailey led college football with 14.5 sacks last year, while Reese is viewed by many scouts as the more explosive athlete with tremendous upside. The decision between production and potential could shape the future
of the defense.
The No. 16 pick is more difficult to project, but many analysts believe the Jets may target a wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson and deep threat Adonai Mitchell. A slot receiver could be an ideal fit.
Top names like Jordan Tyson and Carnell Tate may already be off the board. Makai Lemon would be an exciting option if he slips, though that appears unlikely. More realistic possibilities include Omar Cooper and Denzel Boston, with Cooper viewed by many as a natural slot fit.
Later in the draft, keep an eye on Ty Simpson as a possible developmental quarterback. If the Jets draft wisely, 2026 could become a turning point for the franchise.
G-Men Add a First Round Pick
@TWSN___ | X
Ducks
By Tom Barton
The Long Island Ducks have released a recently completed report by Discover Long Island detailing the club’s impressive $501 million economic impact over its first 25 seasons at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
According to the study, the Ducks contribute approximately $20 million to the local economy each season. More than $12 million annually comes through direct spending, including ticket sales, concessions, sponsorships, payroll, and operational costs. Another $6 million is generated through indirect impact, such as local vendors supplying goods and services and businesses supporting one another.
Michael Pfaff said the organization’s impact stretches far beyond baseball. He noted that every game
By Tom Barton
This past week, the New York Giants made a huge move by reportedly trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. The blockbuster decision has quickly changed the outlook of the franchise, as Big Blue now owns two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That gives the Giants company with the New York Jets as local teams holding multiple first-round selections, and now all eyes in New York are focused on how the Giants plan to replace one of their most beloved defensive stars. Lawrence was a cornerstone of the defense, and filling that void will not be easy.
Before the trade, many draft projections linked the Giants to offensive playmakers such as Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Love. Those names remain in play, especially now that New York holds the fifth and tenth overall picks. With two selections in the top ten, the Giants have the flexibility to address both sides of the ball.
Many insiders still believe Tate is a strong possibility. He is viewed as a player the Giants covet, and there is a realistic chance he remains available when they are on the clock. Love is another intriguing option, particularly if new head coach John Harbaugh wants to establish a run-heavy offense.
Still, defense cannot be ig-
nored after moving Lawrence. If elite pass rushers David Bailey and Arvell Reese are already off the board, the Giants could turn to Sonny Styles. Styles is widely viewed as an immediate-impact player with leadership qualities and captain potential.
Another option could be his Ohio State Buckeyes teammate Caleb Downs at safety. Meanwhile, Rueben Bain Jr. could be difficult to pass on if available because of his talent.
One thing is certain: the Giants now must draft not only for the future, but for the present. Replacing Lawrence’s production and leadership is a major challenge, and these two first-round picks could define the next era of Giants football.
Make a Huge Impact to the Island
played at the ballpark helps fuel local businesses, support families, and strengthen the surrounding community. Pfaff added that while the $500 million milestone is significant, the team takes even greater pride in bringing people together, supporting important causes, and creating lasting memories for generations of fans.
Entering the 2026 season, nearly 9.5 million fans have attended Ducks games over the franchise’s 25-year history. Many of those visitors have also dined at nearby restaurants, shopped at local stores, and made attending Ducks games part of their family traditions. The report estimates an additional $15 million each year in off-site spending, reinforcing the team’s role as an anchor of regional activity.
Sharon Wyman praised the
Ducks as an example of the power of sports tourism. She said the team has drawn millions of visitors to the region, supported local businesses, and generated major off-site spending, helping establish the Ducks as both a beloved attraction and a key economic engine for Long Island.
For many Long Islanders, Ducks baseball has long been a summer tradition. This report shows that the organization’s value reaches well beyond entertainment. From job creation and business support to tourism and community connection, the Ducks have become an important part of the local economy.
As the team looks ahead to future seasons, the numbers make one thing clear: the Ducks have delivered a winning impact both on and off the field.
Reuben Bain Jr.
@Jordan_Reid | X
Omar Cooper Jr.
Long Island Ducks | Facebook
Ducks Stadium
SPORTS
By Tom Barton
A Suffolk County standout will be staying on Long Island as his soccer career takes the next step. American Soccer Club-New York has announced the signing of goalkeeper Logan Guzik to a one-year deal for the 2026 National Premier Soccer League season.
The Long Island native is currently a sophomore at Sacred Heart University, where he continues to develop his game at the collegiate level. Guzik expressed excitement about beginning this new chapter close to home. He said he is grateful for the opportunity to play for ASC New York and is eager to represent the club both on and off the field. He also shared confidence in the team’s ability
Pat-Med Standout Goes Pro
to compete for the top spot in the region this season.
Guzik built a strong foundation during a successful high school career at Patchogue-Medford High School, where he was a four-year varsity player. His consistency and leadership helped establish him as one of the area’s respected young goalkeepers.
ASC New York head coach John Fitzgerald praised the newest addition to the roster.
Fitzgerald noted that Guzik came highly recommended and pointed to his work ethic, dedication to improvement, and impressive showing during the club’s tryout process. He added that the organization believes Guzik will be a positive part of the team’s goalkeeping group.
Guzik’s soccer résumé already
includes valuable experience beyond school competition. He completed a two-week trial with the SoccerVisa Player Development Center and spent ten years playing for Atletico F.C. New York. He also competed with the Patchogue-Medford Youth Soccer League and represented East Meadow Soccer Club in the Elite Clubs National League.
Guzik said the culture around the team has been outstanding from the start and added that many players on the roster already know one another from the local soccer scene. With familiar faces, strong chemistry, and high expectations, the Suffolk standout now looks ready for an exciting professional opportunity close to home.
Thatcher Hits the Century Mark
By Tom Barton
A major milestone was reached this week as Joe Thatcher collected his 100th career hit for St. Joseph’s University. The accomplishment came during Sunday’s doubleheader against SUNY Old Westbury, adding another memorable chapter to an already impressive collegiate career.
Thatcher, a graduate of MacArthur High School in Nassau County, has been a steady presence in the lineup since arriving at St. Joseph’s. Now a junior, he has developed into one of the team’s most dependable and productive players.
This season, Thatcher has already earned Skyline Weekly Honorable Mention recognition, continuing a trend of
By Tom Barton
success that began last year. During the 2025 campaign, he was named to the Skyline
Conference All-Conference Second Team. He also earned Skyline Player of the Week honors and was selected twice to the Skyline Weekly Honor Roll.
His numbers from last season showed just how valuable he was to the program. Thatcher started 31 games and recorded 45 hits in 120 atbats. Among those hits were nine doubles, five triples, and five home runs, showcasing both consistency and power at the plate.
He finished the season with an outstanding .375 batting average, a .424 on-base percentage, and a .658 slugging percentage. Thatcher also scored 35 runs while driving in 25 RBIs, proving he could both create and capitalize on
scoring opportunities. Defensively, he was equally reliable, posting 12 putouts and four assists. His allaround game has made him an important contributor on both sides of the ball.
Reaching 100 career hits is a milestone that reflects talent, preparation, and sustained excellence over multiple seasons. For Thatcher, it is another reward for years of hard work dating back to his days at MacArthur and continuing through his collegiate career. With more games still ahead this season, the Long Island standout now has the chance to add even more accomplishments to an already decorated résumé.
Smithtown Awards Ceremony Honors Athletes
The Smithtown Central School District Board of Education recognized the achievements of several standout winter sports athletes and teams during its April 14 meeting, celebrating a season filled with championships, record-setting performances, and individual honors.
Jason Lambert, the district’s director of athletics, introduced the athletes and teams while sharing highlights of their accomplishments. Each recognition was met with thunderous applause from those in attendance, creating a proud and celebratory atmosphere. Among the teams honored was the Smithtown High School West boys basketball team, which captured both the Suffolk County and
Long Island championships during an outstanding season. Their success brought excitement and pride to the district community.
Also recognized was Sophia Alvarez of Smithtown High School East. Alvarez earned the Suffolk County Race Walk title and went on to claim a bronze medal at the New York State Championships, establishing herself among the top competitors in the state.
The Smithtown Central School District girls bowling team was honored after finishing second in Suffolk County while also completing its second consecutive undefeated regular season. The sustained success of the program has become one of the district’s proud traditions.
Trishna Desai was also recognized for an exceptional season in which she earned All-County, All-
Long Island, and All-State honors.
On the wrestling mat, Matthew McDermott was celebrated for an elite season that included a Suffolk County championship, a runner-up finish at the New York State Championships, and a nationals finalist performance.
The Smithtown boys swim and diving team rounded out the honorees after runner-up finishes at both the Long Island Challenge and Suffolk County Championships. The team also earned All-American status in the 200-freestyle relay and set the
fastest public-school time in New York State history.
The evening served as a reminder of the dedication, talent, and hard work displayed by Smithtown student-athletes throughout a remarkable winter season.
sjli_baseball | Instagram
Joe Thatcher
_logan_guzik | Instagram Logan Guzik
Smithtown CSD
High School West boys basketball team
SPORTS
By Tom Barton
If a walk-off win was not special enough, Center Moriches Red Devils baseball also celebrated a major milestone this week during a dramatic victory filled with memorable moments.
David Spina delivered the biggest swing of the day—and perhaps one of the biggest swings of the season. With the game on the line in the bottom of the fifth inning, Spina launched a game-ending grand slam to give Center Moriches an unforgettable walk-off win. Few moments in baseball compare to a walk-off home run, and a grand slam only adds to the excitement.
Spina’s blast capped off a day
By Tom Barton
Baseball is back, and that means the boys and girls of summer begin their journey in the spring. This week, teams across Suffolk County took the field for the first time, and the smiling faces of young players once again reminded everyone why Opening Day is such a special tradition.
From first pitches to fresh uniforms and excited families filling the stands, the start of the local baseball and softball season brought plenty of joy to communities throughout the area. For many families, it is one of the true signs that warmer days are on the way.
Center Moriches Wins In Dramatic Fashion
that featured several milestone moments for the Red Devils.
Alex Foster and Jack Cressy each hit the first varsity home runs of their careers, adding even more reason for celebration. For young players, first career home runs are memories that last a lifetime, and accomplishing them on the same day as a walk-off grand slam made the afternoon even more special.
While the offense supplied the fireworks, Danny Gilroy was outstanding on the mound. Gilroy threw another complete game and was dominant from start to finish. He allowed just one hit, did not issue a walk, and struck out eight batters in a commanding performance. His effort kept Center Morich-
es in control and set the stage for the late heroics.
The victory also carried extra meaning for the program’s leader. Head coach Paul Gibson III earned his 100th career varsity win at Center Moriches with the triumph. Reaching 100 wins is a significant achievement and a reflection of years of dedication, leadership, and success on the diamond.
Between milestone home runs, dominant pitching, a walk-off grand slam, and a coaching landmark, it was a day no one in Center Moriches baseball will soon forget. The Red Devils now hope the unforgettable win becomes the spark for even more success ahead.
Opening Day at the Ballpark
Jane Bonner was among those in attendance for the North Shore Little League Opening
Day celebration. Bonner, who was born and raised in Northport and has been a resident of
Rocky Point for more than 30 years, praised the weekend atmosphere and community pride on display.
She described it as a weekend full of community spirit and the kind of volunteerism that helps keep local hamlets strong. Bonner also spoke highly of the league itself, calling North Shore Little League a powerhouse organization.
According to Bonner, the league continues to thrive year after year with growing enrollment and participation, a reflection of the dedication shown by families, coaches, and volunteers. She noted that North Shore Little League now includes 890 baseball and softball players spread across 68
teams.
Beyond wins and losses, youth sports provide lessons that last far beyond the field. Bonner emphasized that the league is doing more than developing athletes— it is helping build confidence, teamwork, friendships, and a stronger sense of community.
As spring settles in, baseball and softball diamonds across Long Island will soon be filled every day with practices, games, and children falling in love with the sport all over again.
For many neighborhoods, Opening Day is more than the start of a season. It is the start of memories, friendships, and another year of community coming together around the game.
Miller Place Sports Class Goes to USB
By Tom Barton
Students from the Miller Place High School Sports Marketing and Sports History classes recently enjoyed a memorable educational experience at New York Islanders 2026 Sports Business Day.
The trip gave students an exciting opportunity to step outside the classroom and explore the real-world side of professional sports. Throughout the day, students participated in guided tours and interactive sessions led by members of the Islanders organization. The event offered a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the region’s most recognizable sports franchises operates on a daily basis.
Students met with staff members from several departments, including marketing,
ticket sales, and game presentation. Each group shared valuable insight into the many moving parts that help create a successful fan experience both on and off the ice. From promoting the team to organizing in-game entertainment and connecting with supporters, students saw firsthand how business and sports are closely connected.
One of the highlights of the day was hearing directly from Islanders executives about their own professional journeys. Students learned how different career paths can lead into the sports industry and gained advice on what skills, experiences, and determination are needed to succeed in such a competitive field.
For students studying sports marketing and sports history,
the visit brought classroom lessons to life. Concepts discussed in school were suddenly visible in action, helping students better understand how history, branding, fan engagement, and business strategy all come together in the modern sports world.
Experiences like Sports Business Day can leave a lasting impression, especially for students considering careers in athletics, business, media, or event management. Seeing professionals at work and learning directly from them provides inspiration that textbooks alone cannot always offer.
Miller Place students returned with new knowledge, fresh motivation, and a greater appreciation for everything that happens behind the
of a professional
organization. It was an inspiring day of learning, discovery, and opportunity beyond the classroom walls.
Jane Bonner
Jane Bonner and Little League
cmbaseball19 | Instagram
At right, Paul Gibson III.
Miller Place School District | Facebook MP Students outside USB
scenes
sports
SPORTS
Prominent and Popular Host Blasts Mets Jewish Decision
By Tom Barton
Given the New York Mets early-season struggles, some fans may already feel frustrated with the club. For longtime supporter and radio personality Sid Rosenberg, however, it was not the team’s play on the field that pushed him away—it was a front-office decision.
Rosenberg publicly announced this week that he is finished supporting the Mets after the organization reportedly chose not to hold a Jewish Heritage Night during the 2026 season. The outspoken host said the move was the final straw in a growing list of frustrations he has had with the franchise.
The controversy followed a separate moment involving Mr. and Mrs. Met meeting with Zohran Mamdani, which Rosenberg criticized. He later referred to the team as the “Mamdani Mets,” expressing displeasure with the organization’s direction. Rosenberg also said he felt ignored during a recent
visit to the ballpark despite being a lifelong fan.
In response, Rosenberg has now declared himself a supporter of the New York Yankees. He posted on so -
cial media that the Yankees have been more welcoming and cited positive interactions with team president Randy Levine. Rosenberg also praised what he viewed as the Yankees being more aligned with his personal values.
The switch was symbolic as well as verbal. Rosenberg said he wore a Yankees jersey for the first time in 59 years this week, marking what he called the official transition from Mets fan to Yankees fan. He wrote “The official transition from a lifelong Met fan to a Yankee fan is now underway. Go woke. Go Broke!”. He then showed no misgivings after the conversion to the pinstripes. He continued on his famous radio show on 77 WABC “The Mets are a disgrace ... Now I’m happier than ever that I did what I did last night.”
The story sparked strong reactions online. Some commenters agreed with Rosenberg’s frustration and argued that Jewish Mets fans represent an important part of the team’s fan base.
Others said the issue reflected broader dissatisfaction with decisions made by the organization in recent years. Still, not all fans shared the same view, and many sports followers pointed out that team allegiances are often emotional and deeply personal. For lifelong supporters, disagreements with ownership or management can sometimes feel just as significant as wins and losses on the field.
Rosenberg continued discussing the matter on his 77 WABC radio program, saying he has no regrets about making the switch. He also predicted that public backlash could eventually lead the Mets to reconsider their decision.
Whether the Mets respond or not remains to be seen. But in a city where baseball loyalties often run deep, Rosenberg’s dramatic change of heart has quickly become one of the more talked-about off-field stories of the week.
Floyd’s Fast Start Leads to Another Win
wfmenslax | Instagram
By Tom Barton
The William Floyd Colonials offense got off to a fast start this week and never looked back in a commanding 16-2 victory over North Babylon Bulldogs.
From the opening whistle, the Colonials came out energized and focused. William Floyd scored eight goals in the first quarter alone, quickly taking control of the contest and leaving little doubt about the outcome. The early surge set the tone for one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.
The scoring attack was balanced and impressive, with
contributions coming from all over the field. Marc Pluchino and Ryan Murtha led the way, each scoring two goals and adding one assist for three points apiece.
AJ Enea and Nicky Caraballo also scored two goals each, giving the Colonials four different multi-goal scorers on the day. Additional offensive support came from Matt Filosa and Brett Pitkanen, who each recorded one goal and one assist. Jack Meyer, Josiah Lors, Jake Bongiovi, and Gavin Blankenship all found the back of the net as well. In total, 12 different Colonials scored goals in the victory,
highlighting the depth of the roster.
PJ Gilhauley contributed two important assists, while Brett Shaw added an assist of his own.
The defense was equally sharp, allowing just two goals all afternoon. In net, Dylan Reynolds and Shaw combined for 10 saves to help seal the dominant win. With the victory, William Floyd improved to 5-3 overall on the season. The Colonials now turn their attention to a tough upcoming matchup with Ward Melville Patriots later this week as they look to keep their momentum rolling.
Miller Place Seniors Qualify for National Gymnastics Team
By Tom Barton
Three seniors from Miller Place High School have earned an impressive opportunity after qualifying at the Regional Gymnastics Meet for spots on the Developmental Program National Gymnastics Team.
Savannah Musso turned in a standout performance across multiple events. Musso placed second on vault, fourth on beam, fourth on floor, and fifth in the all-around competition. Her consistency and strong showings in several events helped secure her place among the top competitors advancing to nationals.
Paige Reitan also delivered an outstanding day at regionals. Reitan captured first place on
vault and first place on floor, while also finishing fourth on bars and fourth in the all-around standings. Her first-place finishes highlighted an impressive performance and showed why she will be one to watch at the next level of competition.
Jake Mancini rounded out the talented group by placing eighth in the all-around competition out of a field of 52 gymnasts. Competing against such a large and talented group makes the accomplishment even more notable, as Mancini earned a place among the meet’s top performers.
For Miller Place, having three seniors qualify for a national event is a proud moment for the school and community. Reaching this stage requires
years of dedication, discipline, and countless hours of training. The success of Musso, Reitan, and Mancini reflects not only their individual talent, but also the strength of the gymnastics program.
The trio will now prepare for the Developmental Program National Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for May 9 through May 11 in Oklahoma City. There, they will compete against some of the best gymnasts from across the country.
As graduation approaches, these three seniors still have one more major chapter to write. Representing Miller Place on the national stage is a tremendous accomplishment and a fitting reward for their hard work and commitment.
Marc Pluchino and Ryan Murtha
Sid Rosenberg
Sid Rosenberg and Randy Levine
Miller Place School District | Facebook
Jake Mancini
SPORTS
By Tom Barton
Henry Sarro of Sachem North Flaming Arrows and Ryan McGarvey of Sachem East Flaming Arrows were named Most Valuable Players of the annual Ralph Pepe Classic on Saturday afternoon, recognizing standout performances in one of the district’s premier rivalry matchups. Sachem North won the game 20-5 in dominating fashion.
The Ralph Pepe Classic has grown into far more than a lacrosse game. It stands as a meaningful showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and community pride, bringing together two respected programs each year while honoring the life and legacy of a beloved educator, coach, and mentor.
The contest is played in memory of Ralph Pepe, a longtime special education teacher at Sachem North High School who dedicated 33 years of service to
Sarro and McGarvey Named MVPs
the district before retiring in 2013. Pepe passed away in 2018, but his influence remains deeply woven into the Sachem community.
As a student-athlete, Pepe excelled in both football and lacrosse at Sachem. He later continued his lacrosse career at Dowling College, where he played attackman from 1973 through 1977. His love for the sport followed him long after his playing days ended.
Following Saturday’s game, members of Pepe’s family, including his wife Mary Pepe, presented the MVP plaques to Sarro and McGarvey. The moment added an emotional touch to a game already rich in meaning and tradition.
Pepe’s coaching résumé stretched across both the high school and collegiate levels. He served as head men’s lacrosse coach at LIU Southampton from 1992 through 2004, compiling a 75-51 record while guiding the program to ECAC championships
in 1995 and 1997. He also worked as an assistant coach at Stony Brook University in 1985, when the program captured another ECAC title.
At the high school level, Pepe coached throughout Suffolk County, including head coaching stops at Smithtown West and Westhampton, along with an assistant role at Riverhead. He also coached football at Kings Park and Harborfields, while helping with Sachem’s lacrosse program at the freshman and junior varsity levels in the early 1980s.
His camps and clinics on Long Island’s East End became highly respected, helping develop generations of players who later competed at the varsity and collegiate levels. For his contributions to the sport, Pepe was named Suffolk County Lacrosse Man of the Year in both 2007 and 2015.
His impact continues to be felt today. Since his retirement, the
special education staff at Sachem North has hosted the annual Ralph Pepe Turkey Bowl each Thanksgiving in his honor. While Sarro and McGarvey earned MVP honors on the field,
the true winner each year is the memory of Ralph Pepe—a man whose dedication to students, athletes, and community continues to inspire.
Smithtown Baseball Honors a Real Hero
By Tom Barton
The Smithtown East varsity baseball team and Smithtown West varsity baseball team took time Thursday afternoon to honor a true local hero, Michael Ackerman, before their game at Smithtown High School East. Ackerman, affectionately known as Mick, was the late husband of Bernadette Ackerman. Prior to the first pitch, flowers were presented to Bernadette and the family’s daughter, Delaney Ackerman, in a touching show of support from the community.
The family’s son, James Ackerman, then threw out the ceremonial first pitch, creating
an emotional and memorable moment before the rivalry matchup.
Bernadette expressed gratitude for the support shown by the Smithtown community. She said the kindness of friends,
teachers, and neighbors has helped lift her family in ways words cannot fully describe, adding that they continue to be reminded how fortunate they are to be surrounded by so many caring people.
A retired New York City Police Department sergeant, Mick Ackerman was known for courage, service, and selflessness throughout both his career and personal life. He was among the many first responders who
Colonials Win a Thriller
By Tom Barton
The William Floyd Colonials picked up a thrilling 11-10 victory over Sachem North Flaming Arrows this week in one of the most exciting games on the Suffolk County schedule this season.
The Colonials came out strong and built a 4-1 lead in the second quarter. Sachem North responded in impressive fashion, closing the half on a 4-0 scoring run to send William Floyd into halftime trailing 5-4.
William Floyd briefly regained the lead in the third quarter, but another strong push from Sachem North left the Colonials down three goals in the final seconds of the period. Despite facing their largest deficit of the night, head coach Nicole Alesi kept her
team composed.
The momentum shifted when Riley Meyer scored on the final play of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 9-7. That late goal proved to be the spark William Floyd needed. The Colonials held Sachem North to just one goal in the fourth quarter and began their comeback.
With the deficit trimmed to one late in regulation, Samantha Seaman delivered in dramatic fashion. Seaman first scored the game-tying goal and then netted the game-winner with under a minute remaining to complete the comeback. The Colonial defense and goaltending stood tall in the closing seconds to secure the victory.
Seaman finished with a teamhigh four goals while adding
four draw controls and three ground balls. Emma DiMaio added three goals and one assist, while Jayla Pimentel scored twice and recorded a draw control. Meyer contributed a goal along with four ground balls and four draw controls. Ava Tiedemann chipped in one goal, one assist, one ground ball, and one draw control.
The Colonials followed that emotional win with a dominant performance against Lindenhurst Bulldogs, scoring 20 goals to extend their winning streak to five straight games. William Floyd now sits at 5-2 overall and 5-1 in League I play.
Next up for the surging Colonials is a matchup with Commack Cougars this coming week.
answered the call in the aftermath of September 11 attacks. In August 2025, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer linked to his time serving at Ground Zero. He passed away last month.
Closer to home, Ackerman was a familiar face on local athletic fields. He dedicated countless hours coaching youth football with the Smithtown Bulls and baseball with the Nesconset Panthers and Smithtown/St. James Little League. He also proudly supported Delaney’s travel softball teams.
Thursday’s game became about more than baseball. It was a celebration of a life built on strength, dedication, and unwavering community spirit.
Smithtown Central School District | Facebook
Smithtown Baseball with the Ackermans
WSHR Sachem | Facebook Sarro and McGarvey
William Floyd Colonials Athletics | Facebook
William Floyd Girls Lacrosse
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