Update on May 13: Joseph Goetzfried has been located, unharmed.
Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing Bayport man who suffers from
dementia. Joseph Goetzfried, 70, was last seen leaving on foot from his residence on Middle Road at approximately 10 a.m. on May 12. He was reported missing by an employee at his
living facility at approximately 7 p.m. He may be in the areas of Sayville or Patchogue.
Goetzfried is white, 6 feet tall, 150 pounds with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black long sleeved tee shirt, tan khaki shorts, and a tan bucket hat.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on Goetzfried’s location to call 911 or Fifth
Squad detectives at 631-854-8540.
Silver Alert is a program implemented in Suffolk County that allows local law enforcement to share information with media outlets about individuals with special needs who have been reported missing.
Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating after a man robbed a Melville bank after he attempted to rob an East Farmingdale bank on May 12.
A man passed a teller at note at 9:42 a.m. demanding cash at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, located at 1033 Route 109. The teller did not comply with the man’s demands and the man fled the bank on foot. Approximately 20 minutes later, the man passed a teller a note demanding cash at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, located at 501 Walt Whitman Road. The teller complied with the man’s demands and the man fled on foot.
The man was described as Black, between 25 and 30 years old, approximately 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and maroon pants.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on these incidents to call the Major Case Unit at 631- 852-6555.
Rocky Point goalie Brianna Henke with a save. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point senior midfielder MaryKate Abernethy calls the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point senior midfielder Emilie Schultz sees a cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore midfielder Kylie Lamoureux pushes past a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point senior midfielder MaryKate Abernethy sees the cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point junior Anna Wood looks toward the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore Fiona Vu passes to the outside. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point scores. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point goalie Brianna Henke with a save. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore midfielder Lily Woods pushes upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore midfielder Kylie Lamoureux passes outside. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point junior Mckenzie Moeller from behind the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point junior Anna Wood looks for a cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore Fiona Vu looks toward the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point sophomore midfielder Kylie Lamoureux looks for a cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point senior attack Grace Curtin pushes past a defender in a home game against West Hampton. Bill Landon photo
Rocky Point senior midfielder MaryKate Abernethy sees the cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point attack Sydney Woods passes inside. Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon
In a home game against Westhampton Beach Thursday night, May 11, the Rocky Point Eagles entered the halftime break tied 3-3. Rocky Point junior Sydney Woods opened the second half with a goal, putting her team out front by one.
But the Hurricanes rattled off four unanswered goals, retaking the lead and never looking back. Westhampton Beach grounded the Eagles in the Div. II matchup, winning 11-6.
Senior Leela Smith led the Eagles in scoring with three goals, while teammates Kylie Lamoureux, Fiona Vu and Mckenzie Moeller each scored. Goalie Brianna Henke had six stops in net.
The loss drops the Eagles to 9-5 in the division, 11-5 overall. The team will now focus on postseason play which begins Wednesday, May 17.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from CVS, located at 729 Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma, on April 11 with a male companion.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
On Tuesday, May 16, residents will vote on the proposed Huntington Union Free School District budget as well as two open seats on the Board of Education.
Kelly Donavan
The proposed budget for the 2023‒-24 year is $146,347,091, up $3,378,748 (2.36%) from the previous year’s budget. The property tax levy will increase from $112,718,438 the previous year to $113,711,800, up $993,362, a 0.88% increase. A brochure from the HUFSD states that in the two prior years the tax levy increased 0.00% and 0.33%.
Board of Education President Christine Biernacki wrote in a letter in the brochure: “We have carefully reviewed all expenses and made adjustments where necessary to ensure that funding is used most efficiently and effectively. We are wholly dedicated to serving as good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”
Additionally, there is a proposition that the brochure states will “expend monies that exist in Building Improvement Funds for a variety of projects in district buildings.”
Passage of this proposition will not result in a tax increase, the district said.This proposition would approve the use of up to $5,935,000 from Capital Reserve Funds for a variety of different projects and repairs in district buildings.
Amaru Jones
These include “installation of new boilers at Flower Hill and Southdown Primary Schools, updates to the electrical service at Southdown Primary School, updates to the electrical service and solar panel installation at Washington Primary School, roof replacement and pressure boost system installation at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School, reconstruction of two science labs at Finley Middle School, and installation of lighting for the new turf field at Huntington High School.”
There are two open Board of Education seats that will be voted on. Incumbents Kelly Donavan and Xavier Palacios are seeking reelection. Amaru Jones is challenging.
A profile from the brochure states that “Donavan has established strong bonds with local parents and community members, and has a deep appreciation for the Huntington School District and its rich academic, extracurricular and cultural offerings.” She wishes to “help maximize the educational experience for all Huntington students, while balancing nuanced community demands.”
Xavier Palacios
Palacios, the other incumbent, encourages parents to get involved in the education of their children. He has been “recognized for his work in the community and for his efforts to strengthen opportunities for young people.”
Jones is a graduate of Huntington High School’s class of 2016. The brochure states that Jones would focus on “‘educating the whole child’ in the context of providing as many resources as possible to ensure student access in the classroom and in their future pursuits.”
The voting will take place at the Huntington High School on Tuesday, May 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that Asia Leaphart, 26, of Deer Park; Shamiqwa Dixon, 28, of Coram; Devonte Jennings, 24, of Wyandanch; Tyjanea Weaver, 23, of Wyandanch; and Naikeya Terry, 41, of Wyandanch have all pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles ina string of retail thefts at Ulta Beauty stores in East Farmingdale, Commack, and Patchogue in 2021 and 2022.
“These individuals operated together in groups and wreaked havoc on businesses across SuffolkCounty by taking things that did not belong to them,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We willcontinue to investigate and prosecute those who commit these quality-of-life crimes that threatenthe livelihood of our residents and businesses. In Suffolk County there are consequences forstealing other people’s property. You will go to jail.”
On November 19, 2021, DIXON, LEAPHART, JENNINGS, TERRY and WEAVER, were observed exiting an Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale with over $4,000 worth of fragrances that they did not pay for. The incident was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.
On March 1, 2022, DIXON, JENNINGS, and TERRY entered an Ulta Beauty store in North Patchogue, loaded approximately $2,700 worth of fragrances into bags, and left the store without paying. The incident was caught on the store’s security camera.
On May 7, 2022, LEAPHART and CECIL MCHUGH, were allegedly observed by Suffolk County Police Department plain clothes detectives stealing nearly $4,000 worth of perfume and cologne at the Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale. While attempting to apprehend the pair, the detectives used two vehicles to block LEAPHART’s 2013 black Nissan Altima so she could not leave the parking lot and ordered her to stop. LEAPHART ignored their commands and reversed her vehicle into an unmarked police car behind her, causing one of the detectives to sustain neck, back and leg injuries. LEAPHART then accelerated at a high rate of speed toward the other unmarked police car parked in front of her, plowed into the driver’s side of the car, and then recklessly drove out of the parking lot. LEAPHART’s Nissan Altima was subsequently located parked and unoccupied in Wyandanch. She was later arrested on May 15, 2022.
In total, the group stole approximately $10,700 worth of fragrances. The incidents were all captured on the three store’s video surveillance system. Jennings, Terry and Leaphart were sentenced to one year in jail. Dixon was sentenced to 1.5 to 3 years in jail while Weaver was placed on probation with her case still pending.
For the 10th season in a row, the Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team (14-3, 7-0 CAA) is headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Seawolves are set to go head-to-head with Penn State (11-6, 3-3 Big Ten) on Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m., in Baltimore, Md. on the campus of Loyola Maryland as announced during the May 9 selection show.
Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
Stony Brook earned the CAA’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after it claimed its first-ever CAA Championship in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon. The Seawolves downed Towson, 19-4, en route to their ninth conference tournament title. Stony Brook’s 19 goals were a CAA Championship game record, and the 15-goal margin of victory was the largest ever in a title game.
The winner of Stony Brook vs. Penn State will take on the winner of Loyola Maryland and Fairfield on Sunday, May 14. It marks the third time in history that the Seawolves and Nittany Lions will meet and the first time that the teams square off in the NCAA Tournament. Stony Brook is 2-0 all-time against Penn State and picked up a 16-11 win in their last meeting on April 23, 2019, in University Park, Pa.
Four Seawolves were tabbed to the CAA All-Tournament Team following Saturday’s historic win. Ellie Masera, Hailey Duchnowski, Kailyn Hart, and Clare Levy all earned All-Tournament Team honors and Masera was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament after she recorded 14 points (nine goals, five assists) and 19 draw controls.
Stony Brook made its mark on the CAA as it ran the table in league play, going 7-0, and the team had eight individuals earn CAA postseason honors. Masera was tabbed the CAA Midfielder of the Year and head coach Joe Spallina earned the CAA Coach of the Year honor. For Spallina, it was his seventh conference Coach of the Year award.
Masera was also tabbed to the All-CAA First Team and was joined by Hart and Levy. Morgan Mitchell, Jaden Hampel, Charlotte Verhulst, and Haley Dillon all earned All-CAA Second Team honors.
Stony Brook has advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals four times in its past five appearances. Last season, the Seawolves earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament and defeated Drexel and Rutgers before falling to eventual National Champion North Carolina in the quarterfinals.
Emma Clark Library in Setauket recently held its 8th annual Kid’s Bookmark Contest. The contest called for all kids in the Three Village Central School District, Kindergarten through 6th grade, to create an original bookmark. Out of a whopping 75 entries, three designs stood out above the rest.
And the winners are: Grades K – 2 category: Nayonika Shrivastava, a 2nd grader at Setauket Elementary School; Grades 3 & 4 category: Catherine Yin, a 3rd grader at Minnesauke Elementary School; and in the Grades 5 & 6 category: Cindy Zhao, a5th grader at Minnesauke Elementary School.
The three students receive the honor of having their bookmarks professionally printed and distributed at the Library throughout the year. In addition, all of the entries are currently on display in the Children’s Department for the community to enjoy.
Welcome to the 17th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
Napoleon
Meet Napoleon
Currently at Little Shelter in Huntington, Napoleon “Bone-aparte” is a ten-year-old Pekingese mix, hailing from the French Quarter of Louisiana. Choosing to travel to New York via the Passage to Freedom Program with the intention of conquering the hearts of Long Islanders, he’s ready to stake claim to a home of his very own. Not shy about voicing his many attributes, this little commander is confident that he has everything it takes to become the perfect addition to your family. A skilled strategist, he wisely divides his time between recreation and being the ideal lap warmer. Welcoming Napoleon into your family would be a major victory on your part, so stop by Little Shelter today! Call 631-368-8770, ext 21.
Dove
Meet Dove
This beauty was brought to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter by an Animal Control Officer. She along with two others were taken out of a bad situation; since being at the shelter she has put on 10 pounds. Estimated to be one to two years old, Dove loves everyone she meets, is full of life, energetic, playful and she loves her toys. She knows sit and is very treat motivated. She goes belly up for rubs and loves attention. She will do best in a home with kids over the age of 14, is not a fan of the cats and has been a rock star with dogs at the shelter. Dove is looking for a family to love, a place to call home and bed of her own. Is that too much to ask? Fill out a Matchmaker application online at www.brookhavenny.gov or call 631-451-6950.
Max
Meet Max
This strikingly handsome young fellow is Max, a two-year-old Corgi currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. He is happy, smart, affectionate, funny and unfailingly loyal. Looking for his forever home, he’s been shining up his collar to match his glowing personality, determined to make a “pawsitive” first impression, winning your heart in the process. Well-behaved, yet with an undeniable sense of mischief, he would be the perfect addition to most any family, bringing light and a sense of joy along with his wagging tail. Life is meant to be lived to the Max….Come meet him today! Call 631-368-8770, ext 21.
Hannah Montana
Meet Hannah Montana
As unique as her name, this is Hannah Montana, a five-year-old lab mix waiting at Little Shelter in Huntington for her furever home. Not letting being a tripod (or tripawd!) slow her down, she can run, jump and play with the best of them, proving that with a good attitude, you can accomplish anything. Sweet-natured and affectionate, she thrives on attention, happiest in the company of her favorite people. Resilient of both body and spirit, she knows her best life is waiting just around the corner, secretly hoping it will be with you! Stop by soon to meet Little Shelter’s resident superstar! Call 631-368-8770, ext 21.
Meet Fajita
Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton has many kitties available for adoption including Fajita, a 1 1/2 year old black tiger kitty who was abandoned in a feral colony. Even though he had a rough start, he has adjusted well and is ready to find a family. Fajita is playful, handsome and loves his favorite lambchop toy. Call 631-727-5731, ext. 1 or come meet him in person.
Free rabies clinic
The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven will hold a free Rabies Clinic on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clinic is open to all Town residents and offers free rabies vaccinations for all dogs, cats and ferrets and free cat/dog FVRCP or DAPPCV vaccine. Dogs must be on a leash. Cats and ferrets must be in a carrier. No appointment necessary. For more information, call 631-451-6950.
Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop!
Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of June 8.
Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.
The Three Village Historical Society in Setauket has announced the appointment of Scott Ferrara as Collections and Exhibits Coordinator.
Ferrara is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with a master’s degree in public archaeology from Binghamton University (SUNY). Currently, he is pursuing his doctoral degree in Anthropological Archaeology at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) and currently also teaches archaeology at Queens College as a Graduate Teaching Fellow. He has excavated sites in Central America, Israel, New York, and New Jersey.
He is the author of Accused of Witchcraft in New York, a public history book that compiles the biographies of New Yorkers accused of Witchcraft in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries including Setauket’s own Mary and Ralph Hall in 1664. He is also a U.S. Marine infantry veteran having served two combat deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ferrara is enthusiastic about managing the archival collections of the Three Village Historical Society, providing more accessibility to information, and fostering new and creative relationships with the Three Village community as well as partners in the New York cultural heritage resource network.
“Scott Ferrara has had meaningful impact on archival research, exhibitions and community engagement since joining the TVHS team earlier this year,” said TVHS Director Mari Irizarry. “His experience, creativity and enthusiasm equip him well to manage the TVHS collections as we continue to grow and thrive as one of the premier historical societies in the region.”