Jer Shawn Coffey battles at 190 lbs in the Suffolk Division II championship. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Leo Marcario battles Niko Drakopoulous at 170 lbs. Photo by Bill Landon
Jer Shawn Coffey battles at 190 lbs in the Suffolk Division II championship. Photo by Bill Landon
Bradley Brandt pinned his opponent in just 0:36 at 101lbs. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Thomas Matias wins by a technical fall over Syed Abbas. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Thomas Matias wins by a technical fall over Syed Abbas. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Gavin Mangano pinned his opponentRicky Jimenez at 145 lbs. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Gavin Mangano pinned his opponent Ricky Jimenez Peter Bell at 145 lbs. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River’s Jacob Conti pinned his opponent at 152 lbs. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
It was the Wildcats of Shoreham-Wading River the No. 2 seed pitted against John Glenn the No. 1 ranked team in the Suffolk County Division II championship final at Bay Shore High School Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25.
The Wildcats found themselves trailing after having lost the first four bouts in the heavier weight classes before Shoreham’s Bradley Brandt pinned his opponent in just 0:36 at 101 lbs.
Thomas Matias won his bout by a technical fall 18-1 for the Wildcats at 108 lbs and teammates Shane Hall pinned Jaxson Sachs at 138 lbs, and Jacob Conti did the same at 152 lbs.
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Gavin Mangano, a two-time eastern states champion made short work of Ricky Jimenez with a pin at the 0:28 at 145 lbs.
Jacob Conti at 152 lbs pinned Peter Bell in just over a minute, but it was too little too late as the Wildcats fell to Glenn 42-29.
Now that the holidays are over, come relax with a Sonic Wave Journey: A sound bath event with Keri Vannucci-Olson at the Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. Immerse yourself in the ancient sacred sounds of specific therapeutic frequencies played on various instruments including Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, tuning forks, bells, chimes and gongs. Bring a yoga mat. Light refreshments will be served. $45 per person, $40 members. To register, visit www.artleagueli.org.
Bird flu, which is a virus that has so far primarily infected animals, has affected a duck farm in Aquebogue.
Amid concerns about transmission, Crescent Duck Farm, which has operated as a family business since 1908, has had to put down close to 100,000 ducks.
At this point, health officials haven’t reported any cases of humans contracting the virus, although the farm, its workers and doctors have been looking out for signs of illness.
Local doctors suggested that the risk to humans from bird flu is limited to those people who have worked with or handled sick birds.
Dr. Adrian Popp, chair of Infection Control at Huntington Hospital/ Northwell Health. File photo
The virus “transmits easily from bird to bird, but so far transmission to humans has not occurred to my knowledge,” Dr. Adrian Popp, chair of Infection Control at Huntington Hospital/ Northwell Health and associate professor of medicine at Hofstra School of Medicine, explained in an email. “There is a theoretical possibility that this can occur, but so far, I think we are safe,” as New York State is monitoring exposed workers.
Doctors urged residents to see a healthcare worker if they have any contact with birds and they develop symptoms such as a fever, conjunctivitis (an eye infection that can include redness or watery eyes), or breathing issues.
“Monitor yourself for 10 days after exposure,” urged Dr. Aleena Zahra, infectious disease physician at St. Charles Hospital. “If you develop any symptoms, seek medical attention.”
The treatment for bird flu, which can affect people in ways that are similar to influenza, is to take tamiflu, which is more effective in the earlier stages of an infection.
“If you’re in contact with an animal that is sick, then that would be a potential risk factor,” added Zahra.
Zahra advised residents to avoid picking up a dead bird in their yard without gloves and other safety measures.
Dr. Sharon Nachmann, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, added that the jump to humans from other animals is rarely happening.
People who have become infected are typically recovering, although one person in Louisiana died from the virus.
Despite the relatively low risk, viruses have the ability to mutate, which could make them more transmissible and more dangerous.
CDC silence
At the same time, local doctors are concerned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped publishing information on infectious diseases.
“This is an unprecedented attack on timely access to reports about transmission of various infectious diseases in the country and worldwide,” Popp explained. “It will lead to delayed prevention measures, poor health care, and potentially allowing infectious disease outbreaks to get out of control.”
Dr. Sharon Nachmann/Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
The CDC has created travel bans in the past, but has not closed its reporting on outbreaks, Nachmann said.
“It’s incredibly stressful,” said Nachmann.
Doctors added that they were missing the bigger picture that might offer important information about the source of an illness and the best possible treatment.
“We want to do the best for our patients. We want to tell them that this is working or that is not working and you need a different medication,” Nachmann said.
For right now, doctors are gathering information from state and local officials, said Zahra.
The CDC typically shares details about the specific type of infections in an area or region, its responsiveness to various treatments and its differential impact on any specific subgroup, such as children.
“It is sad to see how political, partisan measures are used to suppress sharing of scientific information between healthcare professionals,” Popp added.
Doctors are hoping for more and better information before too long.
“All we have now is a stop,” said Nachmann. “We don’t know what happens after the stop.”
Suffolk County Police arrested an employee at a smoke shop for allegedly selling cannabis without a license in Centereach on Jan. 30.
Following an investigation by Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with Town of Brookhaven Investigators, Building Inspectors and Fire Marshal, a search warrant was executed at A&M Blue Dream Smoke Shop, located at 1456 Middle Country Road, where cannabis products, flavored vape products and more than $1,000 in cash were seized.
An employee of the store, Syed Ali, was arrested at approximately 12:05 p.m.
Ali, 24, of Mount Sinai, was charged with Unauthorized Sale of Cannabis Products Without a License. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.
The New York State Education Department released data on enrollment, New York State Assessments and Regents scores. Assistant to the Superintendent and Chief Information Officer Laura Pimentel dissected the data in Three Village schools in a presentation on Jan. 22 to the Three Village Central School District.
Enrollment has decreased to 5,433 students: 75 students less than 2024 and 1,296 students less than 2015. Elementary school enrollment has been consistent throughout the past few years while middle and high schools continue to decrease.
Despite this, demographic data reveals an increase in English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.
Elementary and middle school students have somewhat recovered from the post-pandemic chronic absenteeism spike. Of high school students 7.2% are chronically absent: a higher percentage than the previous four years.
If a student misses two days per month, they would be considered chronically absent. The high percentage of chronically absent students occurs concurrent with the increase in economically disadvantaged students and demand for mental health services, Scanlon noted.
“People look at Three Village and think of a North Shore district doing very well academically. We do have this component that has really created some needs budgetarily and from what we put in the supports,” Superintendent Kevin Scanlon said.
“We aren’t data-driven because of the opt-out movement and we have to put things in place that are going to give us that data so we can make some decision about our instructional program,” Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Brian Biscari said.
NYS assessments
NYS assessments are offered to students from grades 3 through 8, but amid the opt-out movement that has swept Long Island school districts in recent years, no meaningful analysis can be surmised from the data.
“These assessments help us evaluate the effectiveness of our instructional programs against the state standards, which is something we haven’t been able to do in a quote some time at the elementary and junior high school level,” Pimentel said.
Of students who opted out,36.4% were from the English assessments, 35.2% from math and 34.3% from science. This contrasts with the federal government requirement that 95% of students take the test. The percentage of student participation is over 20% below the state average in both math and English Language Arts.
The assessments are no longer representative of teacher performance and have no impact on students’ grades.
“In the absence of that we had to put in other benchmarks…about how we are able to compare students to one another in their grade level and from cohort to cohort as they are coming through, so that is another increase in the district because we have to supplement for what parents aren’t taking that is free with what the state offers,” Scanlon said. “The data is important to us as we try to place students appropriately and give them services appropriately.”
Bond referendum
Jeffery Carlson, interim deputy superintendent and head of the business department discussed funding for district expenses. The district is considering a bond proposal to pay for the $125 million in construction expenses and projects.
The list of construction projects is aspirational, not realistic. Carlson said that while all the project will be listed, they do not intend to complete them all.
“Sixty-six percent of the cost comes back to us in building aid. Whatever the cost of the project is, the state is paying two-thirds of the cost. And it isn’t only on the construction cost, it is on the interest as well,” Carlson said.
The bond would mean a $284 tax increase every year for 15 years, which would be the length of the bond. Scanlon said that safety and security projects — “things we must get done” — would be the priority while other projects like air conditioning for elementary school gyms and cafeterias could wait.
Armed guards
Following a presentation Jan. 8 reviewing the past security measures and future options by Scanlon, the board discussed the possibility of arming guards. The district could arm guards outside the schools or inside the schools.
Before 2012, secondary schools within the district only had one guard. Since the Sandy Hook shooting, the district added over 500 security cameras, vestibules, sign-in procedures, license readers, employee background checks and a head of security with a background in law enforcement.
This year, the board also added an AI weapons detection technology called Zero Eyes. Scanlon noted that the district adds cameras every year, so the new tech does not impact the number of cameras added in a year.
Since many security guards possess the background and clearance to be armed, the district could easily arm guards without having to undergo significant staff changes.
“I would like to poll parents and students. As a board member who bears no risk whatsoever, I feel that I personally should have very little say in this,” said trustee David McKinnon. “I am happy to follow the lead of the major stakeholders here.”
Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for a transformative Year of the Snake Sound Healing Workshop on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Immerse yourself in soothing sounds and vibrations that will help you release stress, find balance, and connect with your inner self. This workshop is designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation as we welcome the energy of the new year. Don’t miss this opportunity to tap into the healing power of sound and meet some of Sweetbriar’s resident snakes. Reserve your spot today and start the Year of the Snake with clarity and intention. $25 per person. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. For more information, call 631-979-6344.
Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Precinct presents Operation Medicine Cabinet at the Smithtown Library, 148 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon. Have any unused or expired medication at home? Drop it off for safe disposal. No syringes, auto-injectors, creams or liquids will be accepted. Please remove pills from packages and bottles and place loose medications in a Zyploc type bag for collection. Don’t let your medication fall into the wrong hands. For more information, call 631-469-0989.
From left, Julia Albino, Will Logan and Cassidy Rose O'Brien in a scene from the show.
Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
From left, Julia Albino, Will Logan and Cassidy Rose O'Brien in a scene from the show.
Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc..
The cast of 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Will Logan and Cassidy Rose O'Brien in a scene from the show.
Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
The cast of 'Hansel and Gretel' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
By Julianne Mosher
You don’t need to head deep into the forest to witness the timeless story of Hansel and Gretel, or A Question of Crumbs. In fact, just head down to Port Jefferson to witness Theatre Three’s latest magical production.
Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas Quattrock, the show starts off inside a bookstore (featuring the same set from the theater’s mainstage show, Crossing Delancey.) A sister and brother are flipping through the story of Hansel and Gretel, but cannot afford to purchase it. They ask the clerks if they can borrow it to read at home. Out of the goodness of their hearts, the kids skip away, excited to read the story amongst themselves.
We’re then brought into the home of the mischievous Gretel (Julia Albino) and the aloof Hansel (Will Logan). Their father (Jason Furnari), a woodcutter, works a lot and is completely under the control of his new wife, the kids’ stepmother (Cassidy Rose O’Brien). They play pranks on her and she is very, very unhappy. She hates the children and tells her husband that he must dump them in the woods so they can live a happy, childfree life. Although he really doesn’t want to, he agrees and coerces the kids to the woods and tries to leave them there.
Luckily, young Gretel is smart, and she knows better. She and her brother can outsmart their dad, instead causing him to get lost in the woods. When the stepmother tries to get them lost the next day, the siblings leave breadcrumbs to help them find their way back home. However, thanks to Hansel not paying too much attention to what he was doing, the plan backfires and the kids end up not being able to find their way back.
In the woods, they’re met by Scrimshaw (Steven Uihlein) and Harvis (Liam Marsigliano), contract kidnappers hired by an evil, child-eating witch. They spot Hansel sitting on a log and convinced him to follow them to the witches’ candy-coated home, where he is put on the menu. Gretel finds her brother and helps him escape, but before that happens, several surprises ensue.
Directed and choreographed by Colleen Britt, the show is filled with catchy musical numbers, fun dancing and colorful costumes designed by Jason Allyn. Hansel and Gretel is a joy to the stage that kids of all ages will love and will have their parents laughing along.
With a small cast, all five actors bring something great to the table. Albino and Logan do a great job as their versions of the fable’s characters, bringing wit and joy to the stage, while Uihlein and Marsigliano are fun supporting antagonists. Furnari’s spacey father figure is a great addition to the show while O’Brien’s stepmother (and, spoiler alert, the witch) is star quality.
So, grab your favorite candy and head down to Theatre Three for this sweet show.
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Hansel and Gretel through Feb. 8. Children’s theater continues with Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 19 to March 29 and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 16 to May 10. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Stony Brook men’s basketball earned its first league victory with an 89-74 triumph over North Carolina A&T on Jan. 26 on Long Island. CJ Luster II (31) and Andre Snoddy (22) tallied career-high marks in points to cap off the seventh annual Children’s Hospital Game with a win.
The opening 15 minutes of action were a back-and-forth affair, with the lead trading hands five times. Neither team led by more than four points during that span.
Stony Brook used a 9-2 run that featured baskets from Collin O’Connor, Luster and Ben Wight to build a 37-29 advantage with three minutes remaining in the half.
The Seawolves constructed an 11-point lead, the largest of the afternoon. Stony Brook a 46-35 advantage into the intermission.
After a Snoddy basket to open the half made it a 13-point game, N.C. A&T fought back to whittle its deficit to four points, 55-51, with 13 minutes to play in regulation.
Luster ripped off six straight points to push the advantage back to double figures before the Aggies again trimmed their deficit to five points with 8:28 to play.
Stony Brook answered with eight straight points, holding N.C. A&T without a made field goal for more than four minutes to take complete control of the contest.
The Seawolves stretched their lead to 15 points, maintaining a double-digit cushion in the scoring column and capping off an emotional day with their first CAA victory of the season.
“First and foremost I want to thank the [Stony Brook] Children’s Hospital for organizing another great event. To be able to meet families who are going through a real courageous battle with their children keeps things in perspective. I know the players and our coaching staff wanted more than anything to try to provide a few hours of quality entertainment. We continue to pray for all the families,” head coach Geno Ford said postgame.
“I’m happy for the players; we needed to win, and to be able to do it as shorthanded as we were, makes it even better,” he added.
Up next, the team heads south to face Charleston in a rematch of the 2024 CAA Championship on Jan. 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. from TD Arena, with the contest streaming on FloCollege.
The Stony Brook women’s basketball team rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to take down the Campbell Fighting Camels, 75-70, at home on Jan. 26.
The Seawolves (10-9, 5-3) had five players score in double figures, led by Zaida Gonzalez, who had 22 points and seven rebounds. Shamarla King tacked on 13 points and Breauna Ware chipped in as well with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Janay Brantley and Dallysshya Moreno each added 10 points for Stony Brook.
The Seawolves out rebounded the Camels 40-31 in Sunday’s game, paced by Lauren Filien with a team-high 10 boards, while tallying eight points, one block, and one assist.
After jumping out to an 11-10 advantage, Stony Brook went on a 9-0 run with 3:21 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Gonzalez, to increase its lead to 20-10, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Stony Brook did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 20 points close to the basket.
The Seawolves surrendered their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime with the score tied 33-33.
After intermission, Stony Brook jumped out to a 39-37 lead before going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a three from Ware, to expand its lead further to 48-37 with 5:29 to go in the third. Campbell responded to seize a 56-55 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Stony Brook played well near the basket, scoring 16 of its 22 points in the paint.
Campbell kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 69-65 advantage before Stony Brook went on an 8-0 run to seize a 73-69 lead with 19 seconds to go in the contest provided by back-to-back threes from Gonzalez. The Seawolves kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 75-70 win.
Up next, the team travels to South Carolina to face off against Charleston on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. This will be the second meeting between the Seawolves and Cougars this season. Coverage is set to be available on FloCollege.
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