Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
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Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
A Comsewogue running back breaks the play open in a home game against Amityville. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue football vs. Amityville Oct. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Touchdown Warriors! Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
It was all Comsewogue football on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26, when the Warriors hosted Amityville on senior recognition day. Peter Castaldo, a senior, was the backbone of the Warrior offense as the running back notched four touchdowns and rushed for 117 yards in the 42-6 victory in the Division III matchup.
Comsewogue defensive back Jack Campagna stripped the ball from an Amityville running back and went the distance for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Comsewogue senior running back Shane Grant found the end zone on short yardage, and place-kicker Gavin Dandrea’s foot was perfect on the day where the senior split the uprights six times.
Amityville’s lone score came in the final minutes of play to take the goose egg off the board.
The win lifts the Warriors to 4-3 on the season and they retake the field Saturday, Nov. 2, with a road game against Hills West. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
On Election Day, voters will cast their votes for president, U.S. Senate, Congress and state legislators. In Suffolk County, voters also have a once-in-a-generation chance to safeguard the future of Suffolk County’s surface and groundwater in Proposition 2.
The proposition allows Suffolk County to begin the process of updating our wastewater infrastructure for the 21st century. Whether it is sewering our downtowns or supporting neighbors installing I/A systems to combat nitrogen pollution, the successful passage of Proposition 2 gives us the tools we need.
Passage of Prop 2 establishes Suffolk’s eligibility for state and federal funding. Recouping as many tax dollars from New York state is important to operate Suffolk County.
Proposition 2 also continues the highly successful Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program (SCDWPP), which has preserved thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land, stabilized sewer rates and supported clean water efforts.
We don’t have to look far to see the need for improved wastewater infrastructure. Harmful algal blooms, brown tides, rust tides, mahogany tides and hypoxia fill our summer headlines and cause many beach closures each season.
We know, though, that with sewers, smart zoning and open space preservation, the damage is reversible. The obstacles we face are steep but not insurmountable.
Building sewage infrastructure creates jobs and helps small businesses and downtowns flourish. Advancing our downtowns creates permanent jobs in our communities and expands housing options for young people starting out and older folks looking to downsize. Our legacy fishing industry and emerging aquaculture industry will be able to expand employment and production as the environment improves.
It’s no exaggeration to say that passage of Proposition 2 is the most important measure voters have had on the ballot in generations. Its passage will strengthen our environment and protect the way of life that is a cornerstone of Suffolk County. This is not a political issue; it affects every present—and future—resident of Suffolk County and beyond.
Remember to vote on Nov. 5 or take advantage of early voting. For more information on voting, please visit: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.
It is with great sadness that the family of Alan M. Chrisman, DVM, a cherished father, grandfather and friend, acknowledges his passing at the age of 85.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Marlene; his son Howard; his daughter Amy; and grandchildren Alessandro Lauren, Alessia, Emily and Brett — all of whom he was very proud. His absence will be profoundly felt by his family, friends and those whose lives he touched.
Dr. Chrisman knew at a very young age he wanted to care for animals and spent summers from the age of 14 working on farms. After graduating from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1963, he dedicated his professional life to caring for animals on Long Island. His compassion, expertise and warm demeanor earned him the admiration of his clients and a special place in the hearts of countless pet lovers. For many in the Long Island community, he was more than a veterinarian — he was a trusted friend.
Dr. Chrisman opened his own veterinarian practice in Port Jefferson Station — the beloved Jefferson Animal Hospital — where he worked tirelessly for 35 years. He started the first 24-hour emergency care animal hospital on Long Island and was passionate about going the distance to make animals’ lives better. He even built wheel-legs for injured animals. While sitting in nature, listening to his favorite country music artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, he loved befriending stray animals who would visit him in his backyard.
Dr. Chrisman found great joy in his homes in Port Jefferson, Old Field and Naples, Florida, where he spent many happy years. His happiest memories were relaxing at the cabana at the Old Field Club with friends who became family.
For many years, he was very active in dog shows and field trials, as well as breeding his champion Labrador Retrievers. Dr. Chrisman’s love of animals was proven by his five dogs, several cats, horse, raccoon and guinea pigs, among others.
Alan had a wicked sense of humor, often throwing people off with his wit and cynicism. He was voted Most Popular Boy in high school, and at the same time, Class Pessimist.
An avid golfer, he could often be found on the course, continuously perfecting his game. Alan took great pride in having been a captain at Fort Campbell, Kentucky’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. It was there that he and Marlene had their children. He was passionate about charitable giving, particularly to veteran organizations like the Gary Sinise Foundation and Wounded Warriors.
He will be remembered not only for his dedication to his profession and his love for all animals but also for his love of life and the deep relationships he built over the years. A celebration of life will be held at the Old Field Club on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 1-5 p.m., and donations in his memory may be made to the Seeing Eye Dog Foundation of Long Island or the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Constantine Giokas, a longtime resident of Smithtown and a traffic analyst with the Suffolk County Department of Transportation, died Thursday, Oct. 24, after a long illness. He was 45.
Giokas, a graduate of Smithtown High School, Suffolk County Community College and the University of Buffalo, had a passion for transportation and roads ever since he was a child. Giokas fulfilled his lifelong dream of securing a job with the New York State DOT after receiving a Masters in Urban Planning, with honors, from the University of Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning in 2006.
Giokas was employed as a transportation analyst in the quality control unit of the design group in Hauppauge, reviewing engineering documents and providing recommendations for quality improvements. He was highly regarded as a meticulous planner, working on major road projects in Suffolk County.
As a child, Giokas would often entertain house guests with shortcuts to their address they never even knew about. And when he was eight, he covered the floor of his room with 8×10 paper which laid out every single exit of the Long Island Expressway. He even took old Hagstrom maps and drew in new roads and streets, giving them names he came up with.
“I was once driving to Boston and got lost on the expressway. I knew who to call and he asked me where I was and knew exactly how to guide me. And this is before GPS,” said his father, George Giokas, a journalism instructor at the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University
“He was smart, engaging, and a wonderful son,” Giokas said.
“He was a loving son with a heart of gold. He worked hard all his life to achieve his goals, and everyone respected him,” said his mother, Eugenia. “He was loved by many; he was loved. He was so loved.”
In addition to his passion for roads and maps, he enjoyed being with his family and friends, learning how to cook new dishes, listening to political shows on the radio and attending concerts to hear his favorite bands.He especially had a fascination with cooking, buying the newest kitchen gadgets and watching the Food Channel.
Giokas is survived by his mother, Eugenia, his father, George (and wife Debra), his brother, Stefan, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
I recently attended a wonderful 65th birthday celebration for Jeff that included his wife, children and their significant others and his 90-something father.
As I looked across the table at Jeff, who was sitting beneath large helium balloons with the number 65, I thought about how remarkably young he looked and about these kinds of celebrations for him throughout the years.
“What’s your first birthday memory?” I asked through the festive noises around us in a crowded Queens restaurant.
He recalled how his parents bought him a glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume, which he not only got to wear on his birthday with his friends, but also several days later on Halloween.
The costume party-birthday party combination worked so well for him that he had similar such festivities over the years.
In fact, many years later, I attended one of his birthday parties in which he asked people to come dressed as one of his favorite things. Several people dressed as M&M’s, one came as a bottle of ketchup and I dressed as Yoda, reflecting his love for Star Wars.
As with any other day, birthday memories are not only festive and joyful, but can also involve the same kinds of feelings that reside in the brains of the characters in the Pixar movie “Inside Out.”
“I vividly remember steering a ferry, sitting on a fire truck and sounding the horn on a train in the same day!” said Michael, who was four during this momentous event.
Benji, meanwhile, ran around in costume outside for one of his early birthdays. Born in the spring, he wondered whether he, like Jeff, should have been born closer to Halloween.
Every year since she was three, Heidi enjoyed her mom’s home cooked noodles and meatballs with string beans, followed by a Friendly’s Jubilee Roll. She always wished for a Palomino horse and was happy to live later in life on a farm that boarded horses in Nissequogue.
Speaking of horses, Mandi, who is a twin, recalls having ponies come to her house during an early birthday. Her pony stopped to drink and her mother said, “You can lead a horse to water…” At the time, Mandi didn’t know what that meant.Amid the pleasant parts of her birthday, she also recalled hating that she was born in July, which meant she couldn’t bring cupcakes to school.
Some people weren’t sure whether they remembered particular events around their birthdays or whether they had turned the pictures they have seen over the years and the stories they heard into a virtual, story-driven memory.
Rebecca recalled her fourth and fifth birthday confabs at a gymnastics studio, where she raced around over and through various gymnastics apparatuses.
Greg recalled having extensive birthday plans outdoors. Rain, however, prevented him from bringing everyone outside. He recalled pressing his nose against the screen door, looking out at the raindrops that altered his plans.
Larry recalled a first or second grade party when he had a cake shaped and decorated as a train engine. Before the group sang happy birthday, he plucked off the Lifesaver wheels. “Mom scolded me and I was upset during the whole party,” he remembered.
Julia shared how her brother tortured her at every birthday celebration, diminishing the enjoyment of the gathering.
Some people struggled to recall any of their earlier birthday parties.
Jill’s earliest birthday party memory was of her fifth grade celebration, when her mom made a pink and green alligator cake, reflecting the IZOD phase of life, and she went roller skating.
Sue, who works in a supermarket, remembered a part when she turned 12. Her parents invited her girlfriends over and they made soup for dinner and cake for dessert. The girls stayed up late, playing and chatting long into the evening.
Megan sat around the dining room table after dinner and had cake with her immediate family, who sang to her. At around seven, she got a host of presents and remembered receiving pens, which she really wanted, among the gifts.
Rachel, meanwhile, enjoyed two backyard barbecues each year: one with her friends and one with family and family friends.
Adam enjoyed a sports birthday party that his considerably older cousin and his cousin’s close friend ran at a local gym, where he wore a sports jersey and played basketball and deck hockey.
Newspapers themselves made the news this week before the election. Both The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post decided not to endorse either candidate for President of the United States. This is so unusual that it made the national news.
What are the reasons behind this remarkable decision?
I’ll tell you the reasons given by the papers, and I’ll tell you what the pundits are declaring. I may even share my own thoughts on the matter.
After almost 50 years of making presidential endorsements, The Washington Post declared they would not be doing so in this election, or any future presidential election, according to Will Lewis, the chief executive and publisher. “We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” This was after the editorial board had already drafted an endorsement of Kamala Harris, according to The New York Times’ article of October 26. The decision appeared to have come from Post’s owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos, who also has lucrative business contracts with the government, including through Amazon and the aerospace company,Blue Origin.
The decision drew criticism “from reporters, editors and readers, along with an unusual rebuke from the legendary Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein,” according to The Times. The newspaper was accused of “cowardice with democracy as its casualty,” by Martin Baron, The Post’s former editor featured in the movie, “Spotlight,” dealing with systemic sexual child abuse by numerous priests.
The Post tried to explain. David Shipley, the newspaper’s opinion editor, said The Post was no longer going to tell people how to vote but rather “trusting readers to make up their own minds.”
So far this year, “The Post has endorsed candidates in House and Senate races in Virginia and Maryland,” said The Times. The decision not to endorse a presidential candidate was “clearly a sign of pre-emptive favor currying” with Mr. Trump, according to Robert Kagan, a long time writer and editor at large of The Post. In a dissenting editorial, 18 Post opinion columnists signed their names to a column calling the decision not to endorse a “terrible mistake,” since the paper all along has been emphasizingthat Donald Trump is a threat to democracy.
The owner of The Los Angeles Times, billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, had also recently quashed presidential endorsements, again seemingly due to conflicts of interest.
The Times Beacon Record, before each Election Day, publishes a section with interviews of the candidates that take place in our offices with the editorial board. In our section, to be found elsewhere in the papers and on the web today, we also print endorsements. We are an independent news organization, favoring neither major political party. Hence our endorsements run the gamut, neither red nor blue, settling on our choice of the best possible candidates to represent us.
Why do we do this?
It takes a great deal of time to catch up with the office-seekers, schedule their interviews,preferably with each other, pose questions to them, write up their responses and decide on whom to vote for. And that is our role: to tell you finally, as a result of our proximity to them and their previous efforts, as well as their stated goals, that these are the ones we would vote into office.
We are decidedly not trying to push you, our readers, into your choices. We have enough confidence in you to assume you can decide if given enough information, and our role is to do just that. We try to reflect the candidates’ positions with our interviews, tell you how they registered on us, then reveal how we would vote. The rest is up to you.
What we are adamant about is the responsibility each of us has to vote. People in distant lands fight and some even die for that privilege. Because we take it for granted, statistics show that many of us don’t bother following the candidates and voting for the best choices. When that happens, we get what we deserve: government we don’t want.
Please vote, and also vote on the two propositions at the back of the ballot.
When it comes to health, women’s intuition isn’t just a hunch – it’s practically a superpower. According to recent research from MD Live by Evernorth, more than two-thirds of women say they have a sixth sense when it comes to their health. This “ill-tuition” is the innate ability to sense when something may be wrong with your body – and 81% of women trust it. Yet, despite this trust, most women hold off on seeking care until their symptoms interfere with their daily lives, instead of being proactive at the first sign that something is off. This delay can lead to unnecessary worsening of symptoms.
“Many common symptoms can be early warning signs of an underlying health condition. Ignoring your body’s signals can prevent timely diagnosis and treatment,” explains Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, Associate Chief Medical Officer for MD Live by Evernorth. “Trusting your intuition and acting on it early can make all the difference in managing your health.”
Roundtree discusses five common symptoms that women tend to dismiss, according to the research, what conditions they may point to and why it’s important to seek timely medical care when your intuition sounds the alarm.
1. Itching that doesn’t go away
Itching may seem like just a minor annoyance, but if it’s persistent, it may point to various underlying health issues. Itching could signal hormonal fluctuations, skin conditions like eczema, or even liver or kidney problems. Itching without a visible rash can be a sign of broader health issues because it often indicates that the root cause lies beneath the surface of the skin rather than on it. For pregnant women, persistent itching may be a symptom of cholestasis, a liver condition that requires immediate medical attention.
2. Persistent bloating
Bloating is normal after eating a big meal or when experiencing the occasional digestive issue. But, when bloating occurs frequently, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bloating that gets worse over time could be a symptom of stomach inflammation or certain cancers. In fact, bloating is one of the more common early warning signs of ovarian cancer, caused by the buildup of fluids in the stomach.
3. Fatigue
Feeling tired is often unavoidable, especially for women balancing work, family and other responsibilities. However, when that tiredness becomes persistent and starts affecting your quality of life, it might point to fatigue, a debilitating condition that significantly impacts your daily life. Fatigue is often a symptom of an underlying chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, depression or thyroid disorders. If a good night’s sleep or taking time to rest doesn’t make a noticeable difference in your energy levels, it’s time to consult a doctor to explore the potential causes.
4. Unexplained weight fluctuations
It’s not uncommon for a woman’s weight to naturally fluctuate, especially during their menstrual cycle. However, unexpected weight gain or loss can indicate hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems or metabolic disorders. When weight changes are sudden and not resulting from changes in your diet or exercise routine, it’s important to rule out any larger health issues, like cancer or chronic illness.
5. Chronic anxiety
Although anxiety is commonly associated with mental health disorders, its presence can also point to underlying physical health issues. If you’re feeling anxious without a clear reason, or your anxiety is constant, it’s important to explore whether a physical condition could be contributing. Anxiety is often linked to cardiovascular diseases and endocrine problems, like hyperthyroidism. Regardless of whether it stems from something physical or mental, early intervention is critical.
Your first call: A doctor
These symptoms may not always seem urgent, but it’s important not to ignore them, especially if they become persistent or chronic. “If you feel something is off with your health, trust your intuition and seek medical advice promptly,” Roundtree advises. “Doctors are here to help you get to the bottom of your symptoms – no matter how big or small they may seem.” When your instincts tell you something is off, you can schedule a virtual visit with an MD Live board-certified doctor to get an expert medical opinion without unnecessary delays.
Remember, it’s always better to address a potential health concern when it’s small rather than wait until it becomes more serious. The next time your ill-tuition kicks in, trust it. (BPT)
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 30 that David Trent, 19, of Mastic Beach, was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, and other related charges, for shooting and killing Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Barrera and injuring two others outside of the Minx Nightclub in Farmingville, as well as the armed robbery of a Lyft driver that occurred in Wading River. Trent was one of 18 defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into violence committed by a criminal street organization, “No Fake Love,” also known as the “NFL.”
“We are satisfied that this lengthy sentence will keep this violent offender off the streets of Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This was a violent and brutal act and now this defendant will be held accountable for his indefensible actions.”
As established by the investigation and guilty plea allocution, on December 5, 2021, Trent, a member of the violent street gang No Fake Love, and his associates were gathered in the parking lot of the Minx nightclub in Farmingville. Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Barrera and his friends were walking through the parking lot after exiting the nightclub and an argument ensued. The argument turned physical, then Trent went to the vehicle that he arrived in, retrieved a firearm, and shot Barrera.
Trent and another individual then kicked Barrera while he was on the ground, before Trent stood over Barrera and shot him again, killing him. Trent and his associates then got into their vehicle and Trent leaned out of the window and fired multiple shots while the vehicle was fleeing the scene. Two additional victims suffered non-fatal injuries in the shooting.
Additionally, on April 13, 2022, Trent, along with co-conspirators Shati Roy, Jr. and Corey Foggy, ordered a Lyft rideshare car to an address in Wading River. When the driver arrived, Trent, Roy, and Foggy entered the rear of the vehicle. A short time into the trip, Roy reached over and repeatedly struck the driver about the head and body. Trent and Roy then both pointed guns at the driver’s head and stated to each other and the driver several times, “Shoot him! Get out of the car.” During this time, Foggy exited the vehicle and forcibly pulled the driver out of the vehicle, causing the driver to fall to the ground. Roy then jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off with Trent still in the rear. Roy then ripped out the dashboard camera and threw it onto the road (the camera was later recovered by investigators and captured the entire incident). Both Roy and Foggy have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this robbery and carjacking.
On September 30, 2024, Trent pleaded guilty to the following charges before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr.:
One count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
Two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class B violent felonies;
One count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Class B felony;
Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent
felonies;
One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; and
One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
On October 30, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Trent to 28 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Martha Duffy and Donald Barclay of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Jean Graf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force.
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner and volunteer Brian McCaffrey. Photo from Councilwoman Bonner's office
On October 26, Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Coastal Steward Long Island volunteer Brian McCaffery attended the Shellfish Restoration Project event at Mt. Sinai Harbor. The organization and volunteers placed 50,000 oysters in both the Mt. Sinai and Port Jefferson Harbor sites. It was the final Shellfish Restoration Project oyster release of 2024. They were raised at the Town of Brookhaven Mariculture Facility at Mt Sinai Harbor until May and June 2024.
The 20 mm oysters were donated to the Coastal Steward, a not-for-profit group that volunteers for the Town of Brookhaven. The Coastal Steward then grows the oysters as part of their Mariculture Restoration Program until they plant them in October on a Town Management Area in Port Jefferson Harbor.
Coastal Steward Long Island received 75,000 small Eastern oysters, raised at the Town of Brookhaven Mariculture facility at Mt. Sinai Harbor and divided into 75 bags. With the help of volunteers, the bags were placed in large growing cages and submerged. Throughout the summer and fall, their health and growth were monitored. In addition, every two weeks the oysters are removed from their cages and cleaned to prevent overgrowth of algae and other organisms that may inhibit their growth. For more information about the Coastal Steward Shellfish Restoration Project, go to www.coastalsteward.org.
TBR News Media’s reporter Daniel Dunaief spoke with Shawn Heilbron, athletic director at Stony Brook University the day before the 2024 Homecoming Game. In a wide ranging statement interview, Heilbronn discussed how student athlete GPA has improved to 3.24 from 3.06 a decade ago.
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