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Yearly Archives: 2024

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Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, second from right, attended the grand opening of Whole Foods Market in Huntington Station on July 17. Photo courtesy of Town of Huntington

 Whole Foods Market opened its new 43,916-square-foot store, located at 350 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station in the Huntington Shopping Center, on July 17. The 7th location on Long Island, the store’s product assortment features more than 2,000 local items from the Northeast.

“We are thrilled to open this Huntington Station store with a fantastic assortment of products from local and emerging brands in the Northeast, with many from right here in New York,” said John Lawson, Forager for Local & Emerging Brands at Whole Foods Market. 

“From local suppliers new to Whole Foods Market, like L’Isolina Pasta, La Rossi Pizza and Don Carvajal Coffee, to longtime customer favorites like Oliver’s Organic Eggs, Adirondack Ice Cream, MyBacon and Annie’s Ginger Elixir, each product was thoughtfully sourced to provide something for everyone,” Lawson added.

During the opening morning festivities, customers enjoyed cold brew coffee from Sail Away Coffee Co., muffins from Abe’s and Koyo Berries from Oishii. The first 300 customers in line received a limited-edition Huntington Station tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon featuring offers up to $100 off.

Additionally on opening morning, Whole Foods Market donated a Nourishing Our Neighborhoods van to We All We Got, Inc., along with $3,000 in products. The Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, which launched in 2020, aims to enhance the operational capabilities of local food rescue organizations, enabling efficient transport of food from surplus locations to areas with the greatest need.

Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores and serves customers in more than 530 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. 

Other locations on Long Island include Lake Grove, Commack, Garden City, Manhasset, Massapequa Park and Jericho.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Gustavo Hernandez and His Nephews, Walter Ramirez Jeronimo and Wilson Ramirez Jeronimo, Allegedly Kidnapped the Victim in Broad Daylight Before Killing Him

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 2 that Gustavo Hernandez, 38, Walter Ramirez Jeronimo, 19, and Wilson Ramirez Jeronimo, 18, each from Farmingdale, were indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, Kidnapping in the First Degree, and Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, for their alleged participation in the abduction and murder of Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo, 48, of Amityville.

“The allegations in this indictment are deeply disturbing. The brazen nature of this alleged crime, occurring in a public place during daylight hours, shocks the conscience and undermines our sense of community,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This indictment is our first step in pursuing justice for Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo and his family.”

According to the investigation, on the evening of June 21, 2024, the victim was walking on Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale when he was allegedly spotted by the defendants, who were in a Blue Isuzu Rodeo.

There is no known familial relationship between the victim, Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo, and the defendants.

page1image29118944Video surveillance shows the defendants allegedly exiting the vehicle, attacking the victim, and attempting to drag him toward the Isuzu. Their efforts were thwarted by a passing motorist, allowing the victim to escape to a gas station across the street.

Defendants allegedly in blue Isuzu near the victim walking.

Defendants allegedly attacking the victim and attempting to drag him to the Isuzu.

The defendants allegedly followed the victim to the gas station. Video surveillance showed the Jeronimo brothers covering their faces and then, along with their uncle, allegedly beating the victim, knocking him to the ground, choking him, and violently forcing him into the trunk of the Isuzu.

page2image29252304 page2image29249184page2image29253760 page2image29253968page2image29254176Defendants allegedly in blue Isuzu near the victim walking.

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Defendants allegedly attacking the victim and attempting to drag him to the Isuzu.
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The alleged abduction was caught on video surveillance and occurred at a gas station in broad daylight.

After allegedly forcing the victim into the trunk of the SUV, the defendants drove to Belmont Lake State Park, and then back to Farmingdale where surveillance video captured them allegedly dumping the victim’s body on a residential street.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office noted that the victim suffered numerous injuries including but not limited to asphyxia due to neck compression, severe blunt force trauma of the abdomen, and what appeared to be a stab wound to his upper chest.

page3image29127472 page3image29121856page3image29127264 page3image29128304page3image29128096 page3image29128512page3image29128720 page3image29128928All three defendants allegedly heading towards the victim, with Hernandez in the blue Isuzu.

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Defendants allegedly beating and choking the victim.page3image29129552

All three defendants were indicted for the following charges:

  •   Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A-I felonies;
  •   One count of Kidnapping in the First Degree, a Class A-I felony; and
  •   One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.On August 1, 2024, the defendants were each arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. Justice Wilutis ordered all three defendants be remanded without bail during the pendency of the case.

    The defendants are due back in court on September 10, 2024. Hernandez is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq. Walter Ramirez Jeronimo is being represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq. Wilson Ramirez Jeronimo is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sheetal Shetty and Eric Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, with the assistance of Aracelis Buchanan, the SCDA’s Victim Services Coordinator. The investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Repperger of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Volunteers of the Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation
Joseph 'JoJo' Larosa
Golfers at the 2nd annual Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation golf outing.
Gina Mastrantoni and Emily LaRosa
The Joseph 'JoJo' LaRosa Foundation

By Serena Carpino

[email protected]

The Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation held its second annual golf outing at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Setauket Monday, July 29. The event honored Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa, who passed away in August 2021 after a three and a half year battle with desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor/sarcoma. 

JoJo was an avid athlete who played football and lacrosse at Ward Melville High School. “He was an athlete from the very first minute,” said Gina Mastrantoni, JoJo’s mother and executive director of the foundation. “His very first word was ‘ball,’ so he’s played almost every single sport.” 

JoJo was not only a dedicated athlete, but he was often described as kind, friendly and selfless. “He was always looking out for everyone – his friends and family. He was a very loyal friend and brother. Not only for his friends and family, but also for the kid in the next bed at the hospital,” said Emily LaRosa, his older sister and vice president of the organization. 

“He struggled so much physically [and] emotionally, and he still had space to think about his family, his friends and other kids that were in the same situation as him. And so I think that shows his selflessness and his ability to have empathy and compassion for other people,” she added.

Mastrantoni said, “He was often worried about me being his caretaker, always checking on me. He was selfless that way.”

Because of his illness, JoJo had to undergo several surgeries, which resulted in him having a large incision down the front of his body. The scar left him unable to be tackled again, leading him to commit himself to golf “as a way to release his anxiety and perfect his swing,” his mother explained. “He was a perfectionist. He was a really driven athlete.”

The foundation chose St. George’s as the location for the outing specifically for several reasons. “We were members at one time. We gave up our membership because we didn’t have time to come with his illness,” Mastrantoni said. Still, JoJo would play with his stepfather’s best friend, Chris Van Tuyl, who was a member. In addition, one of JoJo’s best friends worked in the pro shop and St. George’s was JoJo’s favorite course. “He loved this sport,” Mastrantoni added. “It was meant to be.”

LaRosa further commented on JoJo’s passion for golf: “He played as often as he could, even when he was sick. It was a way for him to escape and one of his favorite hobbies.”

She explained how the foundation plans to use the funds collected from the outing. She highlighted that the event’s purpose is not only to celebrate JoJo’s memory and keep his legacy alive, but also “provide support to other children and families that are in similar situations to my brother when he was sick. Specifically young patients who have cancer, diseases or illnesses. We’re raising funds to be able to do all those things to give back to those afflicted.”

The outing is not the only way the organization is committed to helping families in need. During the winter holidays, they hold a toy drive, collecting and donating toys to hospitals in the area as well as out of state. 

This past year, “We went [from] five hospitals to nine hospitals [to which] we gave toys in his name,” JoJo’s mother said.

Furthermore, the foundation is holding a blood drive on Aug. 8 at St. James R.C. Church, 429 Route 25A in Setauket from 1:45 to 7:45 p.m. 

“He needed so much blood during his illness,” Mastrantoni explained. “I can’t even count the number of transfusions that he needed. At his last surgery he needed 80 units of blood, which I think is like 35 people’s [donations]. And there’s a blood shortage right now so we’re doing this in his honor for other people.”

More information can be found at jojostrong.org.

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Pixabay photo
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

As mentioned in the May 2023 “Living Lightly” column, leaving grass clippings on your lawn is a great way to help a lawn and save you work and a little bit of money.  Research has demonstrated that grass clippings are high in nitrogen — an essential element your lawn needs — and by leaving clippings you’ve accounted for about 25% of your lawn’s annual nitrogen needs, meaning you can buy and apply less fertilizer. 

Clippings can also help your lawn retain moisture, resulting in less water use. It also means you don’t have to go through the laborious process of emptying the contents of the mower bag into refuse bags and lugging the bags to the curb.

And it should be noted that as the Brookhaven Town landfill nears closure, it’s a great idea for each of us to generate less garbage needing to be disposed of as we are the ones, through our tax bills, who will pay for increased garbage disposal costs resulting from the landfill’s closure. So as many lawn care professionals urge: “Cut it high and let it lie.

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

 

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Pixabay photo

Biting into a ripe, juicy peach is a sure sign of summer here on Long Island and picking your own tree ripened peach just adds to the fun. How can you tell when peaches are ripe? Trust your senses.

Gently touch the peach: If the peach is firm, it is not ready to be picked. Wait until there is some “give” but don’t squeeze too hard as that may result in bruising. A ripe peach will separate from the tree easily. If it’s difficult to pick, leave it on the tree to ripen longer.

Look at the color and shape: When a peach is ready to be picked, it won’t have any green on the skin. The skin will have changed to yellow or white, or in some cases (depending on the variety) will have a very bright red-orange color. If there is still some green skin, it isn’t ready to be picked yet. Also, a peach will become more round as it ripens.

 Smell the peaches: If there is no smell, it’s not ready to be enjoyed. A ripe peach will give off a sweet aroma. Hint: Larger peaches and those at the tops of the trees ripen first.

Here are some local farms on the north shore that have pick-your-own peaches available in August. Remember to always to call first to check availability.

Hayden’s Peach Orchard, 561 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River, 631-886-1280

Hayden’s (formerly Davis Peach Farm) offers you-pick yellow, white and donut peaches. The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays.

Lewin Farms, 812 Sound Avenue, Calverton, 631-929-4327, ext. 1

Lewin’s Farms offers pick your own peaches from August to September. The orchard is located  across the street from the farm stand. Follow signs down the dirt road on North side of Sound Avenue. 1/4 mile west of farm stand. The farm grows 10 varieties of peaches, including yellow peaches and the unique shaped donut peaches. The orchard open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wickham’s Fruit Farm, 28700 Route 25, Cutchogue, 631-734-6441

Pick your own peaches in August and September at Wickham’s. Plums, apricots and nectarines are also in season. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Windy Acres Orchards, 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton, 631-727-4554

The farm currently has yellow and white peaches available in the orchard behind the farmstand. Pick your own hours are weekends from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Don’t feel like picking peaches? All four locations have a farmstand on the premises and sell peaches by the bushel. Or stop at Briermere Farms, 4414 Sound Ave., Riverhead, on your way home for a freshly baked peach pie!

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The Suffolk County Police Department is advising of road closures and restricted beach access in
Shirley on August 4 due to the Smith Point Triathlon.

Both directions of William Floyd Parkway between Robinwood Drive and Smith Point County Park will be closed between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area.

Additionally, Smith Point County Park will be closed between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will be no public access during these times. The closure includes all public access to the beach, outer beach, and campgrounds.

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Photo courtesy Town of Brookhaven

By Peter Sloniewsky

In recent years, Long Island has consistently dropped in population and seen an increase in age of senior residents as younger people move to other states.

According to a Feb. 29 Newsday report, between 2017 and 2022 the population of Long Island decreased by more than 110,000 residents. This is largely due to the high cost of living here. In a 2019 report from the Economic Policy Institute, a family of two adults and two children in the Nassau/Suffolk metro area would need to earn a combined $139,545 per year to live “comfortably.”

The cost-of-living index for Long Island is 147, or 47% higher than the national average, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research.

The area is known for its high property taxes, more than 60% of which go to one of the 124 school districts, each of which contains its own administration. While school property taxes are capped at either a 2% increase or at the inflation rate (whichever is lower), the combination of high property values and consistent school budget increases have continued to drive up taxes. Moreover, there is a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes (known as SALT).

Beyond school taxes, a property tax bill also includes police costs, local governments and salaries for public employees. While a debate regarding the relationship between payment for government and educational services certainly exists, the result is clear — a relatively inaccessible financial environment for young homebuyers or renters.

While the 2023 national poverty level for a family of four is approximately $30,000 per year, indicating a 6% poverty rate on Long Island, local legislators have said that this is a vast underestimate. The real figure should be about $55,500 per year, according to a Newsday report, meaning about 20% of Long Islanders are “structurally poor.”

As Long Island’s population declines, except in some East End towns, the number of senior residents in the 65-plus age group has grown. That being said, if young people are to live here, options do exist.

First, trends are not identical across the area. Properties in the middle of the island are typically more affordable than those on shorelines, and towns in that area are generally more diverse.

The relationship between housing and renting is also important to consider. According to 2021 census data, the majority of renters on Long Island spend more than 30% of their income on rent in a sellers market. However, the median home price has consistently risen and is now greater than $600,000 as demand far outpaces supply.

The foremost solution is to save strategically. In a conversation with TBR News Media, Jolie Powell, of Jolie Powell Realty in Port Jefferson, said that her foremost advice to young buyers would be to “keep saving your money, [and to] hunker down on other items you’re purchasing, because the home is the most important asset. Save, save, save.” She recommended that young buyers in financially stressful situations search for properties in “up and coming” neighborhoods, and generally in the center areas of Long Island.

Powell also stated that grants and assistance were available, and that a strategic young buyer would seek them out. The Federal Housing Administration offers loans with as little as 3.5% down payments for homebuyers, with low closing costs and easy credit qualifying.

Beyond that, Nassau County offers grants to eligible first-time homebuyers, and Suffolk County has offered programs in the past for down payment assistance. Individual towns and other bodies of municipal government can also offer assistance, and organizations like the Long Island Housing Partnership have been touted by local governments as highly beneficial. These organizations can use the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation’s funds, which can be combined with additional county funds to assist buyers with purchases and improvements.

Ultimately, while Long Island’s high cost of living and elevated property taxes continue to drive younger residents away, strategic saving and available assistance programs offer some hope for those determined to make their home here, even as the population trends toward an older demographic.

In a late development, the Town of Brookhaven and Long Island Housing Partnership will launch on Aug. 1 a down payment assistance program, giving first-time homebuyers the opportunity to receive assistance up to $50,000 in down payment/closing costs toward the purchase of an eligible single-family home.

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Beekeeper Bill O’Hern at his OHoney Bee Farm stand with two shoppers. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Three Village Farmers Market. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Three Village Farmers Market. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Vendors in line at the East Setauket farmers market. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Three Village Farmers Market. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Three Village Farmers Market. Photo by Katherine Kelton

By Katherine Kelton

The Three Village Farmers & Artisans Market, located at 93 North Country Road in East Setauket, had an impressive turnout Friday, July 26. Visiting the market is a cornerstone for many Setauket, Stony Brook and Old Field residents. 

Each vendor was chosen to be at the weekly mart because of its locale, individuality and business message to customers. 

Beekeeper Bill O’Hern, owner of OHoney Bee Farm, shared, “I’m at several markets and this one I live near. This is my market.” 

He was inspired to start his bee farm 15 years ago after learning his daughter had intense seasonal allergies, making her unable to eat processed honey. He said he tried to find local honey, and when he couldn’t he figured “the heck with it, I’ll just do it myself.” He brings a small colony of bees each week for passersby to see.

Local produce vendors are also plentiful at the market. One vendor, Calvin Greenwood, is the farm manager at Oregon Road Organics. He spoke with TBR News Media about the importance of local produce: “We see a ton of repeat customers here and are happy to have organic North Fork produce vendors here.” The Cutchogue-based farm mainly sells its produce on the wholesale market at places like Citarella Gourmet Market in New York City and farm-to-table restaurants. However, the business also goes to weekly markets in Glen Cove as well as Three Village. 

“People are very friendly here, the other vendors here are very friendly,” Greenwood said. “This is a great place to harness community engagement and gathering.” 

The Three Village Historical Society houses the weekly market on its green area. Beverly Tyler, historian at the society, said, “My favorite part about the farmers market is having lots of people here and getting to tell them about the books.”

Tyler is an author and was selling signed copies of his books at the market. One of them, “Mary Swift Jones: Love and Letters from Japan,” tells the story of his great-grandaunt and her travels in the Far East in the mid-1800s.

Giovanni Zito, owner of Zito’s Traditions, also embodies local importance with his homemade family recipe pesto sauce. He is new to the farmers market and said, “Everyone seems very warm. The people who run the market are very helpful and friendly people.”

Zito began his business after transitioning from working full time and had an “entrepreneurial itch” he wanted to scratch. The pesto recipe originated from Sicily and had been perfected over generations. He brought 200 jars of pesto that sold out quickly. He then created a business and has sold it at markets ever since. 

Artisan products are plentiful at the Three Village market: Julia Vogelle Pottery and Carré Bouquets are just two of the nonfood vendors at the market. Happy Dogs Surf Shop is a newly-founded company by Brandon Schweitzer. All proceeds of apparel products go directly to no-kill animal shelters. 

To become a vendor, applicants can submit a form to the Three Village Historical Society website: www.threevillagehistoricalsociety.org. 

If you want to visit the market, it is open on Fridays, in August from 3 to 7 p.m. and in September-October from 3 to 6 p.m.

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