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Yearly Archives: 2016

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Staff members of Cause Café gather outside the front entrance. Photo from Stacey Wohl

Morning routines for residents in Huntington are about to get a little sweeter.

Fort Salonga’s Cause Café is the newest coffee shop working to bring jobs to young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Stacey Wohl, founder and co-owner of the café, has run the Our Coffee with a Cause coffee brand business with her two children, Brittney and Logan, since it was founded in 2012. Cause Café will sell its coffee, as well as breakfast foods, sandwiches and more.

Brittney and Logan, who both have autism, were named co-owners of the business in November 2015, and will both be working at the coffee shop. The shop is a crucial resource for young adults with disabilities, the owner said.

Staff members cut the ribbon at the opening of Cause Café. Photo from Stacey Wohl
Staff members cut the ribbon at the opening of Cause Café along with Councilman Mark Cuthbertson. Photo from Stacey Wohl

“I started talking to other parents and they had no job opportunities for their young adults with autism,” she said in an interview on Tuesday.

Although programs are set up for internships to work with nearby businesses, Wohl said they don’t translate into actual jobs.

“They fall off the cliff at about 22 years of age,” she said.

Aside from the kitchen staff and the counter manager, Wohl said every other employee at Cause Café is working with some form of a disability.

“I wanted a retail place where people saw the young adults with special needs and they were visible in the community,” Wohl said. “There are some companies who hire the disabled, but they are behind the scenes. [Here] they are right alongside with typical individuals in the community, doing some of the same jobs. They are involved in every aspect from the beginning.”

The founder said she is hoping to inspire other businesses to hire the disabled, and also expand this store into a chain, to create as many job opportunities as possible.

“I could open up 10 stores right now with the amount of people that want a job,” Wohl said. “I have parents calling me every day all the time, emailing, Facebook, calling. There are no jobs for kids with special needs.”

According to Disability Statistics, in 2014, 34.6 percent of Americans between the ages of 21-36 were employed. In New York, out of about 1.1 million residents with disabilities, only about 351,000 were employed.

The United States Census Bureau said between 2008 and 2010, individuals with disabilities accounted for 9.4 million, or 6 percent, of the approximate 155.9 million employed citizens.

In terms of what this coffee shop will offer to residents’ palettes, the choices are international and diverse.

The interior of Cause Café. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The interior of Cause Café. Photo by Victoria Espinoza

“I always wanted to go to France, so France came to me,” Wohl said of the theme of the shop and many of the items on the menu. She said the store is highlighting some products that “you can’t really find unless you go to Provence,” seeing as many items have been imported straight from that region in France.

Andrew Popkin, sous-chef at Cause Café, said that the menu features all homemade items that are both healthy and delicious. Popkin said the menu will have weekly seasonal specials, and some of the highlights for him include the buttermilk pancakes with maple butter syrup and the quiches.

“Our food is going to match up to [competitors] and, at the same time, you’re helping kids out who don’t usually have the opportunity to work,” Popkin said of why residents should stop in for a meal.

Cause Café is located at 1014 Fort Salonga Road and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting this Saturday, May 7.

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Roosevelt Avenue’s park is tucked away in the woods. A path leads from the road to the field, which is next to the railroad track. Photo by Elana Glowatz

A hidden park in the corner of Port Jefferson could soon expand, as village officials line up paperwork on a few small properties they were supposed to take ownership of 45 years ago.

Roosevelt Park, tucked away at the end of a grassy path beyond Roosevelt Avenue in the village’s southwestern corner, is as big as the ball field it contains — but it was meant to be larger. A corporation that built houses in the village in the 1970s, as a condition of project approval, was supposed to give three parcels on the western side of Roosevelt Avenue, opposite the ball field, to the village for recreational use. It was also supposed to contribute $5,000 to the village so it could acquire a fourth piece of land, which is pinned between the existing park, the three adjacent parcels and the Long Island Rail Road track that borders the park’s southern end.

But the deed transaction was never completed, although no taxes have been paid on the group of three parcels since the 1970s, according to Port Jefferson Village Attorney Brian Egan.

Roosevelt Avenue’s park is tucked away in the woods. A path leads from the road to the field, which is next to the railroad track. Photo by Elana Glowatz
Roosevelt Avenue’s park is tucked away in the woods. A path leads from the road to the field, which is next to the railroad track. Photo by Elana Glowatz

The village board of trustees, in a legal action at a board meeting on Monday night, called the discrepancy a “scrivener error.”

It is not clear what happened to the $5,000; the village does not own the fourth piece of land either.

At the meeting, the trustees gave Mayor Margot Garant authorization to record three quitclaim deeds, which would transfer the titles of the properties to the village.

Egan said he has spoken to the family of the construction corporation’s owner, who has since died, and “they don’t want to have anything to do with this property.”

The fourth piece of land might be a little trickier — property taxes have been paid on that lot, and Egan said the village might have to acquire the sliver through eminent domain, an action in which a municipality claims private property for a public benefit and compensates the owner.

When combined with the existing Roosevelt Park, the land could make a spot larger than 2 acres, Garant said at a previous meeting. She has also said that she would like to see the expanded spot become a “dedicated space for peewee programs,” because older players sometimes dominate the Caroline Avenue ball field up the road.

While the mayor had said she doesn’t want to impact the surrounding residences, in the village neighborhood off Old Post Road known as the “presidential section,” she had suggested adding some parking at Roosevelt Park.

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Legislator Robert Trotta standing among the pet food donations with his daughter, Tori, their dog, Buddy, and Michael Haynes, chief government affairs officer for Long Island Cares. Photo from Susan Eckert

Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) said he was most appreciative of the support he received from the residents who donated to his pet food drive to benefit Baxter’s Pet Pantry at Long Island Cares Inc.

In addition, many customers at the IGA Markets in Fort Salonga and East Northport contributed items to the bins stationed at the stores, as well as from Splash and Dash Pet Groomerie in St. James.

“Everyone was incredibly generous in donating cat and dog food/treats and bird seed, as well as other items for the pet pantry at LI Cares. I am thrilled that we collected 435 pounds as well as a donation of $100 from a local resident,” Trotta said.

Founded by the late Harry Chapin, Long Island Cares is based out of Hauppauge and works to bring together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry on Long Island, the organization said. Long Island Cares also works to provide various humanitarian needs for the greater Long Island community, providing food when and where it’s needed while promoting self-sufficiency and public education.

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Setauket Farmers Market organizers Leah Sugrue and Liv Halvorsen enjoy the fruits of their labor at one of last year’s events. Photo from Liv Halvorsen

Farmers markets featuring fresh, local produce and other food items are great for everyone involved, from vendors to shoppers, and the Three Village community is about to get another dose.

The East Setauket Farmers Market, which kicks off for the season on Saturday, May 14, on the North Country Road grounds of the Three Village Historical Society, takes “win-win” one step further. All of the money raised from vendor fees, raffles and donations goes to the nonprofit organization Hope for Javier, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The East Setauket Farmers Market was started in 2015 by then freshmen at Ward Melville High School Leah Sugrue and Liv Halvorsen. The market began as a National Junior Honor Society fundraising proposal, though it has grown to be much more. This year the market will be open on Fridays from spring through fall, starting with the special kickoff date on May 14.

“It’s pretty cool to drive by and think, ‘Wow I created that,’” Halvorsen said in a phone interview Tuesday as she reflected on how the idea sprouted from a school-related proposal to an annual reality.

Sugrue and Halvorsen chose Hope for Javier because another student in the National Junior Honor Society has a family member involved with the organization, and the pair thought the devastating nature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy made it as worthy a cause as any to get behind.

“This is one we felt like the community really responded to,” Halvorsen said, adding that their involvement with the nonprofit has been as fulfilling for them. “[Hope for Javier] shouldn’t be thanking us, we should be thanking them.”

Sugrue said the response to last year’s market “changed what we were thinking, and we’ve become more involved with the cause.” She added that she’s learned a lot about local produce along the way.

The market will feature many of the same fresh, local produce from last year, along with artisanal breads, wines, olive oils, jams, beef jerky, pickles and much more this time around. The pair also hinted they are trying to secure a bouncy castle for marketgoers to enjoy on the 14th.

Sugrue and Halvorsen credited Melissa Dunstatter with helping to get the market off the ground. Dunstatter owns Sweet Melissa Dips & Gourmet catering in Rocky Point, and sells her products at the market and helps with the market’s operations.

“The outpouring of support has truly been amazing,” an informational release about the 2016 launch of the market, said.

To learn more about the market visit www.esetauketfarmersmarket.com.

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By Nancy Burner, Esq.

The Question:

My mom has been a recipient of Community Medicaid. As her condition is deteriorating, it is apparent that she will require long-term care in a nursing facility. I have heard that her Community Medicaid will pay for the nursing facility. Is that correct?

The Answer:

No, Community Medicaid will not pay for long-term care in a nursing home. Community Medicaid is the program that covers care at home; such has a personal care aide. Chronic Medicaid is the program that covers nursing home care. The requirements and application process for Community Medicaid and Chronic Medicaid are very different. An individual is unable to receive both Community and Chronic Medicaid simultaneously, so it is important to know the differences and make sure you have the correct Medicaid in effect.    

For 2016, an individual applying for Community Medicaid can have no more than $14,850, not including their home, in resources and no more than $845 per month in income. Qualified funds such as IRAs or 401(K)s are exempt, but the applicant is required to take periodic distributions that are counted as income each month.

While these limitations may seem daunting, the good news about Community Medicaid is that there is no look-back period and the individual can opt to use a pooled trust to preserve any excess income above the $845. That means someone looking to get care at home can transfer assets and set up a pooled trust in one month and be eligible for Community Medicaid in the following month.

This is much different than Chronic Medicaid. For 2016, an individual applying for Chronic Medicaid can have no more than $14,850 in resources, including a home, and no more than $50 per month in income. There is no pooled trust option to protect the excess income.

Like Community Medicaid, qualified funds such as IRAs or 401(K)s are exempt, but the applicant is required to take periodic distributions that are counted as income each month.

Chronic Medicaid has a five-year look-back. The look-back refers to the period of time that the Department of Social Services will review your assets and any transfers that you have made. To the extent that the applicant has made transfers or has too many assets in their name to qualify, they will be ineligible for Medicaid.

However, there are some exempt transfers that the applicant can make that will not render them ineligible. If transfers were done in order to qualify the individual for Community Medicaid, those same transfers may pose an issue for a Chronic Medicaid application. 

Due to the differences in Community and Chronic Medicaid requirements and regulations, it is imperative to consult with an expert.

Nancy Burner, Esq. practices elder law and estate planning from her East Setauket office.

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Students at Mount Sinai Middle School engage with one another in a discussion about why it is important to read books. Photo by Desirée Keegan

“I am a genius.”

That’s what public speaker Kevin Powell instructed the seventh- and eighth-graders inside the Mount Sinai Middle School auditorium to stand up and repeat as they applauded one another in an effort to learn about diversity.

“What you get with young people is just this energy,” Powell said. “They’re open to listening, but also expressing themselves and evolving. I just wish I had those kinds of conversations when I was a teenager because it would’ve saved me a lot of angst and a lot of stress from all of the stuff that I went through. Those young people inside that auditorium were brilliant.”

Guidance counselor John Grossman said he first listened to Powell speak about a month ago in Bay Shore during a writer’s conference. Because the students in his seventh-grade peer support program were recently creating family trees and learning about diversity, he said he thought Powell’s message was perfect for the time.

“His message is one that encapsulates what we want to do with our peer support program, what we want to see and how we want to see our kids interact with each other and how we want to see our community grow together, as opposed to dividing itself,” he said. “That’s the influence for bringing Kevin in.”

He said he also thought that with the warmer weather comes more hostility and aggressiveness; and with the country’s hostile political climate the message was also one that would serve kids well at this time.

“Labels are being thrown around all the time by certain candidates and there are kids here that see that and identify with some of those groups,” Grossman said. “Kids are being affected by what they see on television. We want to bring some compassion to each other where there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of it out in the news these days.”

As Powell entered the room, he immediately began engaging with the kids. Instead of giving them a 40-minute lecture, he asked students questions, passed around the microphone and invited some to come up on stage with him.

Public speaker Kevin Powell talks to Mount Sinai seventh- and eight-graders inside the auditorium. Photo by Desirée Keegan
Public speaker Kevin Powell talks to Mount Sinai seventh- and eight-graders inside the auditorium. Photo by Desirée Keegan

Several students volunteered to address the room, and each was asked to not only tell the audience about their background and what they want in their future but to explain what diversity means to them.

Isabella, of Portuguese decent, said she wants to be a singer. She said she thinks that diversity is each person’s uniqueness, and that it shouldn’t be a deterrence.

“We’re all different, but even though we’re all different in our own ways we shouldn’t be treated differently,” she said, adding that learning about her background and the language has helped her grow closer with some of her family that lives in Portugal and doesn’t speak English.

Luca said she sees diversity as a puzzle.

“Each country has its own puzzle piece and as one we fit a puzzle of the world,” she said. “We have to teach kids about how we’re all different, but how we should be proud of it. There should be awareness of where we came from.”

Powell, an only child, said his family moved to Jersey City from the south, where he lived in poverty with his single mother. He said that he would’ve never guessed this would be his life’s work.

“My work is rooted in love,” he said. “I never thought I’d be doing anything like this. I’m a poor kid from the ghetto, and I was just happy to get out of Jersey City and go to college on a financial aid package, but I do feel tremendously blessed and I believe you have a responsibility to give back to people.”

Luis, who said he wants to be an astronomer, had a meaning for diversity that struck a chord with the entire room, believing that it offers more information to the world.

“Diversity is small variations and differences that each person has that makes the world a lot more interesting,” he said. “It offers new information to look at and it offers an opportunity to understand people in a much deeper way.”

But, as Powell agreed, Luis said you first need to learn about yourself.

“Make sure that you know yourself, you know where you come from, you know things about you that make you unique, and then learn about other people,” he said. “Because that’ll give you the experience and the skills you need to learn about other people.”

Besides talking about diversity on the whole, Powell also spoke to the kids about how women should be treated as equals, how not to judge a book by its cover, and to be proud of who you are and where you came from.

Mount Sinai Middle School Principal Pete Pramataris said he agreed, telling the smaller peer support group in a session after the presentation that he used to be made fun of and be ashamed of his Greek heritage.

“Do some homework and be more comfortable with who you are,” he told the students.

Powell said he loves doing what makes him happy, adding that to him, it doesn’t feel like work.

“I can see it in young people’s eyes when they’re paying attention; when they feel someone is actually listening to them and their voices matter,” he said. “This generation has been exposed to stuff that we couldn’t even imagine and it’s my job to be a bridge or a facilitator. I’m not going to go up there and give an hour lecture. I want to let them know that I hear them and that I believe in them.”

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Huntington High School. File photo.

Two incumbents will square off against a former administrator in the race for two seats on the Huntington board of education.

Bari Fehrs is running for her second term while Bill Dwyer is seeking his third victory. Carmen Kasper, who served as the district’s director of world languages for 14 years before retiring in June 2015, is challenging the pair.

Carmen Kasper

Kasper_Kasperw“The hardest thing about making that decision [to retire] was that I was not going to work with students any more,” Kasper said in an email. But by running for the board, “I could still work for them, serve them the best I could, and serve them to the best of my knowledge by being a trustee, making decisions that would help to improve their education.”

Kasper has lived in Huntington for 10 years. She has spent her life as an educator, teaching English in Peru and Spanish in Copiague school district. She earned a degree in education from SUNY Old Westbury and a master’s degree from Hofstra University in teaching English as a second language.

Bari Fehrs

Fehrs_FehrswFehrs, a 27-year Huntington resident, was elected to the school board in 2013. She was on the board’s Safety Committee, Health and Wellness Committee, Shared Decision Making Committee and Policy Committee during her first term.

Fehrs said she is proud of several accomplishments in her first term, like the board restoring a full-day kindergarten program, which was previously cut, without piercing the state-mandated cap on tax levy increases; expanding academic and extracurricular programs; and enhancing technological infrastructure.

“I look forward to the opportunity to serve another term as a school board trustee, to continue the excellence in education that the Huntington community has come to expect while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of this district,” she said in an email.

Bill Dwyer

Dwyer_FilewBill Dwyer was first elected in 2008. He left the board in 2011 after his first term, and was elected again in 2013. He served as president of the board for three school years.

“I am proud of the work we have done in adding programs and services, all within the realm of responsible budgeting,” Dwyer said in an email. “I have made positive contributions to the school district during my time on the board and would be honored to continue my service.”

Dwyer has a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He started his own health publishing company called Rocket Science Publishing, which produces patient education materials to help in chronic disease management. He currently works for an educational technology company.

Polls will be open on May 17 to vote on the district’s $123 million budget and select two board members. There is another item on the ballot: the release of $2.4 million from the district’s capital reserves for infrastructure upgrades related to handicap accessibility.

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He can’t Champlain

A 27-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station was arrested on Champlain Street for having cocaine and heroin at about 6 p.m. on April 27, according to police. He was charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Arden Place fight

On Arden Place in Port Jefferson, a 22-year-old man struck two people in the face at about 3 a.m. on May 1, police said. He was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree harassment.

Unlicensed crash

At about noon on April 29, a 48-year-old man from Centereach driving a 1991 GMC Suburban on North Coleman Road in Centereach was involved in a crash with another vehicle, according to police. The man was arrested when it was discovered he was driving without a license. He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Bonnybill drug bust

A 27-year-old woman from Centereach was found to have oxycodone pain medication without a prescription on Bonnybill Drive at about 1 p.m. on April 28, police said. She was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Mall mischief

At about 9 p.m. on April 26, a 19-year-old man from Farmingville stole various electronics and jewelry from Centereach Mall, according to police. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Should have registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond

At Centereach Mall on April 5 at about 11 p.m., a 36-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Islip, stole multiple items, including a vacuum cleaner, a coffeemaker and an air purifier, police said. They were arrested in Selden on April 26 and each was charged with petit larceny.

Moto madness

A 51-year-old man from Centereach was driving a 1997 Kawasaki motorcycle on Middle Country Road in Selden with a revoked license at about 4 p.m. on April 29, according to police. He was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Bathroom photographer stopped

At about 9 a.m. on April 27, a 37-year-old man from Bay Shore entered the bathroom at Smith Haven Mall, took out his cellphone, put it in picture-taking mode and reached the phone underneath an occupied stall, police said. It was not clear whether the suspect was in a men’s bathroom or a women’s bathroom at the time of the incident, but he was arrested and charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance.

Better late than never

An unknown person damaged a glass door and window screen at a home on Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai at about noon on Jan. 1, according to police. Owners of the home filed a police report on May 1.

Beach bandit

At Cordwood Landing County Park in Miller Place on April 30, an unknown person took jewelry and cash from a 2010 Jeep parked near the beach, police said.

TV waltzes out of Walmart

On April 30 at about 7:30 p.m., an unknown person put a television in a shopping cart at the Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket and left the store without paying, according to police.

Can you hear me now?

A cellphone charger and a phone battery were stolen from the Walmart at Centereach Mall at about 10 p.m. on April 28, police said.

Unhealthy theft

An employee at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson dropped their wallet in a hallway in the hospital at about 7 a.m. on April 29, police said. The wallet was taken and never returned.

Wax on, decals off

An unknown person ripped business decals off the front windows of Ultimate Taekwondo of Stony Brook at about 9 p.m. on April 27, according to police.

No mini-golfing at 2 a.m.

On April 28 at about 2 a.m., someone attempted to enter Tiki Action Park in Centereach, causing damage to a rear door, police said. The person was not able to enter the business.

Drills disappeared

A 20-year-old man from Lindenhurst stole fuel drills from the Home Depot at Independence Plaza in Selden at about 6:30 p.m. on April 24, according to police. He was arrested in Selden on April 28 and charged with petit larceny.

After-hours deli disturbance

The rear glass door at El Limeño deli on Main Street in Port Jefferson was cracked, though no entry was made, at about 10 p.m. on April 28, police said.

Almost pool season

An unknown person stole two pool cleaners from Leslie’s Pool Supplies in Centereach Mall at about 9 a.m. on April 25, according to police.

Bank robbed in St. James

An unknown man robbed a TD Bank on Lake Avenue in St. James on May 1. At approximately 2:35 p.m., police said the man approached a teller and displayed a note demanding cash, which the teller gave him. The suspect had the lower half of his face covered with a construction mask, and was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a brown-hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Police said he fled the bank on foot.

The investigation is continuing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Life’s not a beach

A 26-year-old man from Mastic Beach was arrested on April 30 after police said he was in possession of a controlled substance while inside a 2013 Hyundai on Bay Avenue in Ronkonkoma. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Taking the high road

On April 30 a 19-year-old woman from Medford was arrested after police said she had marijuana on her while driving a 2005 Nissan on Express Drive North in Islandia. She was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

I think she just left

Police said a 60-year-old woman from Lake Grove left the scene of a car crash involving her 2013 Hyundai on April 29 at 3:30 p.m. and did not give out her license or drivers insurance. She was charged with operating a vehicle and leaving the scene with property damage.

Now you see me, now you don’t

A 34-year-old man from Bohemia was arrested on April 28 after police said he crashed his 2010 Audi A5 into a 2011 Chevrolet while driving on Belle Avenue in Ronkonkoma, damaging the left side of the Chevrolet and fleeing the scene. He was charged with operating a vehicle and leaving the scene with property damage.

Knife-y situation

On April 27 a 22-year-old man from Ronkonkoma was arrested after police said he held a knife up to a man while at a residence on Edgewood Avenue just after 4 p.m. He was charged with second-degree menacing with a weapon.

No license and drugs

Police said a 26-year-old man from Huntington had marijuana on him while driving a 2002 Lexus on Route 25 and Indian Head Road in Commack on April 27 with a suspended license. He was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Doughnuts make me go nuts

A 29-year-old man from Kings Park was arrested on April 27 after police said he stole credit cards, gift cards and other assorted items from a Dunkin Donuts on Pulaski Road in Kings Park. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny.

So C-Lowe’s

On April 26 a 51-year-old man from Woodhaven was arrested at the 4th Precinct after police said he stole merchandise from Lowe’s on Sept. 4 and Oct. 7. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny valuing property more than $1,000.

You shall not pass

Police said a 25-year-old man from Centereach stood in the middle of Serpentine Lane in Islandia on April 25 stopping vehicles that were attempting to pass. He was arrested and charged with obstructing traffic.

Not keeping watch at 7-Eleven

Police said two male suspects stole assorted merchandise from 7-Eleven on Old Nichols Road in Islandia on April 30.

All for a slice of ‘za

On April 30, a 20-year-old man from Brooklyn was arrested after police said he used fraudulent credit cards to purchase gift cards, food and drinks from California Pizza Kitchen on Route 110 in Huntington. He was charged with petit larceny and second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Faking it

Police said a 28-year-old man from Brooklyn had marijuana on him on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington on April 30. He was arrested and taken to the 2nd Precinct where police said they discovered fraudulent credit cards on him. He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Blurred lines

A 27-year-old woman from Greenlawn was arrested on May 1 after police pulled her over for speeding while driving a 2007 Hyundai on Arbutus Road in Greenlawn and said they discovered she was drunk. She was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Not buying what he’s selling

On April 30, a 33-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested on Route 110 in Huntington Station after police said he had heroin in his possession. He was charged with third-degree possession of narcotic drugs with intent to sell.

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Farm workers’ advocates are preparing to march 200 miles up to Albany in the name of better labor conditions, and we think lawmakers should listen.

A group called the Rural Migrant Ministry organized the annual March for Farm Worker Justice, which sets off on May 15 this year, as part of its lobbying efforts for better working and living conditions, overtime pay and more for farm workers across the region. One member of that group described farm workers as “living in fear” of the “strongholds” farmers have on them, and the group has accused state Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) of failing to address their concerns since becoming majority leader.

But an anonymous website, nyfarmworkerprotectionbill.com provided the farmers’ perspective.

“RMM and others have recruited various celebrities and foodies to support the bill, as well as downstate and New York City legislators, most of whom have never even been to a farm,” the site said. “We believe these individuals have been misled and have not done the proper research to find out the truth about farms, growers, farmworkers and the challenges we face to bring fresh food to as many tables as possible.”

We understand there are different angles to this debate, but we also firmly believe workers of any type, whether they are legally employed or paid off-the-books, should be allotted some basic rights that lawmakers must find ways to put in placew. We are calling on our elected officials to engage stakeholders in this debate and hold a public hearing in which all parties can contribute to the dialogue.

There can be no mutual understanding without communication, and there appears to be a disconnect between farmers and their workers, or even between legislators and the agricultural sector. If everyone sits down together and has a respectful discussion, they may find fertile ground for compromise.

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Cesar Moncada mugshot from SCPD

By Elana Glowatz

Police have arrested two teenage stepbrothers in connection with one of the three shootings that took place in Huntington Station over the course of three days in late April.

Cesar Moncada mugshot from SCPD
Cesar Moncada mugshot from SCPD

The Suffolk County Police Department alleged on Thursday that 18-year-old Jonattan Canales and 19-year-old Cesar Moncada, who live in the same Tower Street home, shot a man in the foot while he was walking through the Long Island Rail Road commuter lot off New York Avenue.

When that shooting occurred on the night of April 23, police said 20-year-old Jose Jurado was walking in the lot when someone stepped out of a vehicle, pointed a gun at him and fired. Jurado, of Huntington Station, fled and made it to the 7-Eleven at New York Avenue and Depot Road, where another person called 911. The victim was treated at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

Detectives have charged Canales and Moncada with first-degree assault. They were scheduled to be arraigned on May 5 and attorney information was not immediately available.

Jonattan Canales mugshot from SCPD
Jonattan Canales mugshot from SCPD

According to the New York State court system’s online database, both the men have other charges pending against them: Canales for possession of a forged instrument and moving traffic violations, including unlicensed driving; and Moncada for criminal possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a weapon, for a loaded firearm.

The night of Jurado’s shooting was an active one for Huntington Station. About two hours after that incident, several shots were fired toward a home on East 6th Street, between Fairground Avenue and Lenox Road. Police said at the time that two friends were standing in the driveway when shots were fired in the house’s direction, with several of them hitting the home. Other bullets, police said, hit a vehicle in the driveway of the house next-door, where a child was asleep in the back seat.

The 8-year-old child was not hurt.

A few days later, several shots were fired near 10th Avenue. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation on that block, between Craven and West 15th streets. Five men who were standing in front of a home on the residential street reported hearing gunshots and seeing flashes of light, police said, but did not see anyone firing a gun.

According to police, no injuries were reported but spent bullet casings were found at the scene.

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