Yearly Archives: 2024

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two people who allegedly stole from a Lake Grove store in September.

A man and a woman entered Sephora, located inside the Smith Haven Mall, at 1:30 p.m. on September 14 and allegedly stole approximately $1,000 worth of cosmetics.

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, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

METRO photo

 Heating Assistance is Available for Eligible Residents

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced on Oct. 30 that Suffolk County’s HEAP program begins November 1st. HEAP provides eligible households with their home heating expenses and emergencies throughout the winter months.

HEAP—the Home Energy Assistance Program—is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement the annual energy costs of eligible households. HEAP is administered in Suffolk County through the Department of Social Services (DSS). In addition, its alternate certifier, the Office for the Aging (OFA) assists in HEAP Early Outreach cases which are households that include seniors, the disabled, children under age 6 and last year’s regular HEAP recipients.

“When our most vulnerable residents can’t cover their fuel delivery or burner repair costs, and still put food on the table, they need to know we have funds available to help keep their heat on,” Suffolk County Executive, Edward P. Romaine, said. “HEAP is a safety net for homeowners and renters– because no one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family.”

Eligibility for regular HEAP benefits and the amount of assistance provided is based on factors that include household income, household size, the primary heating source, and in some cases the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled. Emergency HEAP benefits eligibility is based on factors including income, available resources, and the type of heat or heat-related emergency. Heating equipment cleaning, tuning, repairing and replacement help is also available.

Important eligibility information, including maximum income limits per household, is available at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. Applications are accepted by mail, fax, online through www.mybenefits.ny.gov or in person at Suffolk County DSS locations in Deer Park, Smithtown, Coram and Riverhead. All non-emergency applications are processed at the same rate, so applying online is encouraged.

Anticipating a high volume of inquiries, the above DSS centers will have additional trained staff on hand to answer questions and assist applicants.

“If you or someone you know is struggling to pay for heating costs this winter please don’t wait to reach out to us—help is available now,” urged Suffolk County Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, John E. Imhof.  “We’re committed to supporting our community after business hours, too, so call us at (631) 854-9100 evenings, weekends and holidays for heat emergencies.”

Important application dates:

  • Regular HEAP with or without an emergency need opens Nov. 1, 2024;
  • Emergency HEAP and Emergency Heat-Related Utility benefits opens Jan. 2, 2025;
  • Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement & Clean and Tune benefits is open now;
  • HEAP Early Outreach criteria household benefits is open now.

Last year, HEAP assisted 52,000 Suffolk households with their home heating expenses and emergencies.

To learn more about the program visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ or call the DSS HEAP Unit at (631) 853-8820 or OFA HEAP Line at (631) 853-8326.

Bethpage Turkey Drive

The Bethpage Turkey Drive to benefit the Island Harvest Food Bank will take place on Friday, November 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bethpage’s headquarters located at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage. This year marks the 16th anniversary of Long Island’s largest one-day food drive which to date, has donated more than 49,000 turkeys and over 236,000 pounds of food to Island Harvest which helps supply Thanksgiving holiday meals to families in our community.

Long Islanders are asked to donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items or cash donations. Bethpage’s Drive Through Donation Lanes will allow residents to remain in their cars while volunteers remove donations from the vehicles. The donations will go directly to Island Harvest Food Bank, which will help supply Thanksgiving meals to the more than 300,000 food-insecure Long Islanders through its distribution network of over 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other feeding programs on Long Island. Non-perishable food items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk (please, no glass containers).

“Last year’s drive collected a record-breaking 4,425 turkeys, a number that has not be reached since the Bethpage Turkey Drive started in 2008,” said Linda Armyn, President and CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “We are so thankful for our network of community support, both businesses and individuals, who continue to donate each year to help families enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. Bethpage is committed to doing everything we can to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors on Long Island. This event is special for us each year and more important than ever as the number of food insecure continues to grow.”

According to Feeding America’s 2022 Map the Meal Gap report for Long Island, there are approximately 221,190 people on Long Island who are food insecure, an increase of 58.3% from the 2021 estimate of 139,760 people. In 2022, the estimated number of children living with food insecurity is 44,780, a 63.4% increase from the estimated 27,580 children living with food insecurity in 2021.  For its fiscal year, Island Harvest Food Bank expects to distribute a record 20 million pounds of food to people who are food insecure in Nassau and Suffolk counties, far eclipsing the volume of food it provided during the pandemic.

“Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s enduring partnership has helped make a positive difference in the lives of Long Islanders facing food insecurity,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, President & CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. “Their support and generosity, along with that of their members and Long Island’s business community, have enabled us to provide holiday-style meals – and hope for our neighbors in need for 16 years.”

Bethpage is once again issuing a Corporate Challenge encouraging local businesses and organizations to donate the largest number of frozen turkeys and non-perishables and then drop off their donations on November 22. To join the challenge, Long Island businesses and organizations can sign up here. In its inaugural year in 2023, H2M Architects & Engineers won the challenge by donating 702 turkeys. Bethpage awarded them with an ice cream truck sent to their office for all employees to enjoy.

For those unable to make a donation on November 22, or would rather show their support online, Bethpage is accepting online monetary donations. Every gift of $35 will help support a holiday meal for your Long Island neighbors. Donations can also be made at any Bethpage branch.

Patches will be given to all Girl Scouts who make a donation. Troop leaders can make a donation on behalf of troop members and bring back patches for the entire troop.

Since the first Bethpage Turkey Drive was organized in 2008, hundreds of community volunteers have come out to assist in the collection of more than 49,000 turkeys and over 236,000 pounds of food, which were then given to Long Island families facing hardship in time for the holidays. About 6,000 individuals receive food assistance from the Island Harvest Food Bank network each week.

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will present a Shed the Meds event on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from noon to 4 p.m.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office hosts this safe way to properly dispose of unused medications, essential to protect the environment and ensure that old drugs don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Please note: The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office cannot accept any liquids, needles, creams, or ointments of any kind. They are only accepting unused or expired medications from individuals (not large quantities from a doctor’s office or health care facility).

This service is open to the public.  There is no need to register or to be a Three Village resident to participate. Questions? Email [email protected]

Jennifer Kenney, Suffolk County Community College EAC Project Coordinator; Daphne M. Gordon, Ph.D., Suffolk County Community College Project Administrator; Joanne Laloi, Suffolk County Community College’s EAC client and the 2024 NYS Entrepreneur of the Year; Elizabeth Lusskin, Executive Vice President, Empire State Development Small Business & Technology Development; Bette Yee, Senior Director, Entrepreneur Development, Empire State Development; Earl Thomason Jr., Vice President of Entrepreneur Development, Empire State Development. Photo from SCCC

Suffolk County Community College Entrepreneurial Assistance Center (EAC) has won the 2024 New York State Entrepreneurship Assistance Center Award for Outstanding Performance and Achievement. The college received an award at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, NY on October 10, 2024.

New York State Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to new and aspiring entrepreneurs in local communities statewide and are strategically located throughout the state. The 26 centers assist new and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing basic business management skills, refining business concepts, devising early-stage marketing plans, and obtaining business financing.

Additionally, Joanne Laloi, a Suffolk County Community College EAC client, was a recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Joanne is an artist and the owner of Entremets Custom Cakes who transformed her passion into a thriving business. A graduate of Le Cordon Blue, she honed her technical skills in Paris. Despite her talent, she struggled with the business side of entrepreneurship. Realizing this gap, she seized the opportunity to expand her knowledge by taking the business plan course at Suffolk County Community College’s EAC.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who stole from a Selden store this month. A man stole headphones from Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza on October 14 at approximately 10:45 a.m.

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, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

On Oct. 28, Commack community members and local businesses gathered together at Valmont Park for a special unveiling ceremony to kick off the upcoming construction of Survivors Park, a tribute and reflection space dedicated to breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. The Town of Smithtown hosted the event in partnership with St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, who donated $50,000 towards the project, and the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, to announce plans for Phase One, set to begin in Spring 2025.

“Survivors Park will be a reminder to every mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and niece that you will not fight alone. We are a special community. One that comes together in our darkest of hours, that celebrates together in our brightest and best days. The people you’ve heard from today are great stewards of this point. Together we can endure the unthinkable. Together we will celebrate the victories, big and small. Together we will build Survivors Park,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Community leaders such as NYS Senator Mario Mattera; Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Dr. Jana Deitch, Breast Surgeon and Director of the Siena Breast Health Program at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Thomas Morrissey and Venise Mulé Smith from the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Reiss of Morgan Stanley; and breast cancer survivor Leslie Drake, spoke at the event, expressing the park’s significance as a place of healing, reflection, and community strength.

The project’s initial phase was made possible courtesy of a $50,000 donation from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, matched by the Town of Smithtown, and an additional $5,000 donation from Morgan Stanley. Over the course of the next few months, the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce will facilitate additional donations from local businesses, and families who wish to support the vision behind the space. The support from these organizations underscores the community’s commitment to honoring survivors and supporting their families.

Survivors Park will serve as a permanent reminder of the strength and resilience of those impacted by breast cancer. Phase One of the park design includes a pathway shaped in the form of an Awareness Ribbon, creating a symbolic entrance near the playground. Future phases of the park will introduce benches, ornamental lighting, and a Reflection Pool to create a peaceful, reflective space for visitors. Lush landscaping with native flowers and cherry blossom trees will enhance the space, offering year-round beauty.

The sign unveiling drew a large crowd of Commack residents and local businesses, who gathered to celebrate this meaningful addition to Valmont Park. The ceremony, held during Breast Cancer Awareness month, was a touching reminder of the community’s dedication to its members, providing strength to those impacted by breast cancer.

 

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from a Medford store in September.

A man allegedly stole cosmetics from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, at approximately 9:20 a.m. on September 14. The merchandise was valued at approximately $385.

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, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a two-car crash that injured a man and
his three children in one car and seriously injured the driver of the other vehicle in Saint James on Oct. 29.

Jean Rendel was driving a 2004 Honda Accord westbound on Middle Country Road, approaching the
intersection of Lake Avenue, when the vehicle struck a 2024 Chevrolet Sonic that had been traveling
eastbound and was attempting to turn left onto Lake Avenue at approximately 6 p.m.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Marek Dekornic, 68, of Port Jefferson, was transported to Stony Brook
University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Rendel, 40, of Coram, and his three children, ages
7, 9 and 11, were transported to the same hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the
crash to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.