Yearly Archives: 2025

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Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a
man in Manorville on May 24.

John Callas was driving a 2011 Ford van northbound on Schultz Road, between Wading River Manor
Road and North Street, when the vehicle swerved off the roadway and struck a boulder at approximately
10:10 p.m.

Callas, 64, of Centereach, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where he was
pronounced dead.

The Ford was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with knowledge of the crash
to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

2025 Suffolk County Senior of the Year Reception. Photo from Town of Smithtown

Eight exceptional senior volunteers were recognized at the 2025 Suffolk County Senior of the Year Reception on Thursday, May 15th, at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge. The annual event, hosted by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, recognizes senior residents who have made a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults throughout the County.

 
“The volunteers at the Smithtown Senior Citizens Department truly represent the best of who we are as a community. Their work – whether it’s delivering meals to homebound neighbors, crafting heartfelt gifts for veterans and those in need, or bringing joy through activities and fundraising – creates an impact that ripples far beyond the walls of the senior center. I am deeply proud to celebrate these selfless individuals and all the nominees for their extraordinary service and commitment to others. I especially want to thank Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and the New York State Office for the Aging for recognizing the outstanding contributions our local seniors make every day in our community.” – Supervisor Edward Wehrheim
 
Smithtown’s esteemed honorees recognized at the 2025 ceremony were Madeline Johanson, Nick Arettines, William Caulfield, William Maynard, Peter Ruh, Norman Scheff, Stephen Sutich, and Joann Magri. These remarkable individuals were nominated by Doreen Perrino, Program Director of the Smithtown Senior Citizens Department, and her staff.
 
“These honorees are a lifeline for the senior community of Smithtown. They may create and donate quilts and cards to local care facilities or deliver meals to a homebound senior who looks forward to their smiling face each day; their kindness and dedication are instrumental in uplifting the senior community and strengthening the fabric of Smithtown itself.” – Doreen Perrino, Program Director.
Each Suffolk County nominee is also recognized for their contributions by the New York State Office for the Aging.
 
From organizing community favorites like the Tender Years Treasury to donating quilts and handmade gifts to institutions such as Brooksite MultiCare, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, the Long Island State Veterans Home, and the Northport VA Medical Center, Smithtown’s senior volunteers are a lifeline of kindness throughout the region. Their dedication not only uplifts the senior community but strengthens the fabric of Smithtown itself.
 
Each Suffolk County honoree is also recognized by the New York State Office for the Aging for their contributions.
 
For further information regarding the programs available at the Smithtown Senior Citizens Center or to learn more about becoming a volunteer, call the Senior Center at 631-360-7616.

Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University honored our fallen heroes at their annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 23.

New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern (AD-10), Chairman of the NYS Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, gave the Memorial Day keynote address to veterans and residents and then joined other elected officials in honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our armed forces with the laying of a memorial wreath. The ceremony included a color guard, firing detail, taps memorial, wreath laying ceremony and “tolling of the bells” memorial service.
The event was also attended by New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa,  Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Fred S. Sganga, Executive Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home, Joseph Cognitore representing VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, other local elected officials, LISVH veterans and residents, and many veteran service organization members.
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The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University is a 350 bed skilled nursing facility that also operates a 40-registrant medical model Adult Day Health Care program to care for honorably discharged veterans. Operated under the auspices of Stony Brook Medicine, the LI State Veterans Home is one of a few nursing homes in the country that is fully integrated into the health and educational mission of an academic medical center. Since opening its doors in October 1991, the Long Island State Veterans Home has provided care to more than 15,000 of Long Island’s veterans.  For more information,  call (631) 444-VETS.

More than 7,600 Stony Brook University students joined the ranks of the university’s accomplished alumni at the Commencement 2025 celebration ceremony, which took place at LaValle Stadium on May 23.

Students from this year’s graduating class were awarded a combined 7,640 degrees and certificate completions. All candidates, with their family and friends, were invited to participate in-person or could watch via livestream.

Degrees were bestowed in the following categories:

  • 4,835 Bachelor’s Degrees
  • 1,950 Master’s Degrees
  • 675 Doctoral and Professional Degrees
  • 280 Certificates

The Class of 2025 officially joined the ranks of more than 225,000 alumni. This class contains students from 65 countries and 46 states, and graduates range in age from 16 – 82 years of age.

Stony Brook University Interim President Richard L. McCormick, Provost Carl Lejuez, and University Deans conferred the degrees to the university students.

Dr. McCormick challenged this year’s graduating class: “Graduates, remember that success is not only about the achievements and milestones you will have as alumni of this great institution. It is about how you treat and support the people around you. Support for one another is so central to Stony Brook culture. You have left Stony Brook a better university than you found it, and that is saying a lot. We’re counting on you to BE the future!”

New York State Assembly Speaker and alumnus Carl E. Heastie also addressed the Stony Brook community.

Student speaker Amira Gbagba, who graduated with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and statistics shared the following with her fellow graduates: “Statistically speaking, someone in this graduating class is going to do something huge. Maybe even a few of us. A new app, medical breakthrough, billion-dollar startup, [or a] Nobel prize.  And that someone? It could be you. So don’t rush your dreams trying to match someone else’s timeline. Move at your own pace …. if you have a dream, chase it. If you’re unsure what to chase — stay curious. Try things. Ask questions.”

The Undergraduate Student Government collected more than 600 donations totaling $11,800 as part of the Senior Class Gift.

 

 

Photo courtesy PSEG

PSEG Long Island is improving the reliability of the energy grid in Lake Grove. The storm hardening work on this distribution circuit is part of many system improvements included in the “Power On” program.

“This Power On infrastructure improvement project in Lake Grove is part of PSEG Long Island’s ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for customers,” said Peggy Keane, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Construction and Operations Services. “We are working hard to reduce the number of outages that occur during severe weather by strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses.”

The work began in early May and is expected to last approximately one month. PSEG Long Island’s licensed and approved contractors will work along distribution lines in Lake Grove. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the worksites as needed. Local officials will also be notified in advance regarding any potential traffic concerns.

The storm-hardening improvements include:

● Stronger poles: PSEG Long Island will replace some existing utility poles with stronger, more durable poles that are capable of withstanding winds up to 135 mph. The new poles will be approximately the same height as the existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed no more than 5 feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.

● Narrow profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will be installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.

● Stronger wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.

● Upgrading: PSEG Long Island will upgrade or replace worn equipment as necessary.

Crews will be working on the following streets in Lake Grove:

● Glen Way between Parsnip Pond Road and Bea Street

● Bea Street East of Sarah Drive

● Sy Court East of Sarah Drive

● Sarah Drive between Bea Street and
Hy Place

● Hy Place between Sarah Drive and Gould Drive

 PSEG Long Island prepares year-round for extreme weather to maintain reliable service for approximately 1.2 million customers. Since 2014, the company has made significant investments in strengthening the electric infrastructure. Using funding from both FEMA and LIPA, PSEG Long Island has completed storm hardening and reliability work on more than 1,000 miles of distribution mainline circuits.

 Power On, a program that started in the spring of 2020, continues the work now that the FEMA program has concluded. Since the launch of Power On, more than 420 miles of the most vulnerable distribution mainline and branch line circuits on Long Island and in the Rockaways have been storm hardened with stronger poles, thicker wire and other modern equipment.

These investments have strengthened the system so that fewer customers experience outages and, when they do occur, the duration is shorter, especially during extreme weather. Excluding catastrophic storms, from the first quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2025, the sections of circuits that PSEG Long Island has storm-hardened have seen a 39% reduction in damage leading to outages, compared with the rest of the distribution system.

Power On focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of the distribution system. The main lines feed the many branch lines that power the homes and businesses in individual communities.

For more project details, visit psegliny.com/inthecommunity/currentinitiatives/stormhardeningprojects.

Photo courtesy StatePoint
Dr. Clay Johnston/Harbor Health

Stroke continues to remain a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. With over 12.2 million new strokes occurring each year, experts at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke say that every minute counts, as fast treatment may lessen the brain damage that a stroke can cause.

Stroke can affect anyone at any age, at any time, making it critical that everyone, especially those with known risk factors, understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke, as well as their options as patients.

The signs of stroke can be subtle and hard to recognize, so educating yourself and others is key to noticing and responding quickly. One easy way to remember the signs of stroke is with the acronym FAST from the American Stroke Association. This stands for:

• F – Face Drooping

• A – Arm Weakness

• S – Speech Difficulty

• T – Time to call 911

The sudden onset of any of these signs, as well as confusion, severe headaches and vision problems, could mean that someone is having a stroke, which is why it’s important to call 911 immediately when a stroke is suspected.

Disability is common post-stroke, and recovery periods can be lengthy. This highlights the importance of speedy emergency care, which can help prevent disability and death, and may lead to a better quality of life post-stroke. It’s also important to understand that 25% (1 in 4) of stroke patients will experience a second stroke within the first five years. However, with lifestyle changes and proper care, patients can reduce their risk

“Everyone should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of stroke to ensure that they or a loved one receive appropriate and timely care. Going to the emergency room at the onset of symptoms can impact the care a patient receives, including their eligibility to enroll in a clinical trial, so it’s vital to seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of stroke,” says Clay Johnston, PhD, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Harbor Health.

One particular clinical trial, Librexia STROKE, is currently recruiting patients to evaluate an investigational medication for recurrent stroke prevention, but eligibility is time-sensitive and participants must enroll within 48 hours after the onset of their stroke symptoms. Delays in seeking care following the initial symptoms of a stroke can limit access to these types of innovative treatment options.

Learn life-saving facts about stroke prevention and treatment by visiting https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms.

“The opportunity to receive the best possible treatment and care begins with widespread awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke and the urgency of seeking immediate emergency medical attention when a stroke is suspected,” says Dr. Johnston. (StatePoint)

Approximately 50 girls from The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) honored Long Island military veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice by planting American Flags at their graves at Calverton National Cemetery on May 24.

The annual event sees Girl Scouts install more than 500 flags in just one section of the more than 1,000-acre military cemetery, which is the final resting place for more than 275,000 Veterans from every American conflict. The flag installation is part of the GSSC county-wide Service Unit activities and included girls ages 5 to 16 from Mastic Beach, Shirley, and Moriches.

“We place the flag, we say the names out loud, and we salute the grave,” said Olivia Phillips, 17, of Mastic. “We do it to show that we understand that sacrifice and we wouldn’t be here without them.”

The girls also earned a special “Calverton National Cemetery” patch to wear on their sashes and vests to salute their service.

“It shows how we are honoring the people who are buried here,” said Gabreilla Greco, 11, of Shirley. “If we didn’t do this, I feel like no one would, and it’s important to honor them.”

About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County.  For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us. Follow Girl Scouts of Suffolk County onFacebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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Police car

The Suffolk County Police Department, assisted by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, arrested four motorists during an overnight sobriety checkpoint in Patchogue on May 23.

Police officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Highway Patrol Bureau SAFE-T Team conducted a joint sobriety checkpoint operation with Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs at Waverly Plaza from 11 p.m. on May 23 night until 2:30 a.m. on May 24.

Volunteers and staff from MADD also assisted, giving educational information to motorists. The checkpoint was part of a holiday weekend enforcement crackdown targeting alcohol and drug impaired driving. A total of 451 vehicles went through the checkpoint.

The following people were charged with allegedly Driving While Intoxicated:
• Anthony Rivers, 43, of Deer Park
• Emily Gomez, 29, of Mahanoy City, PA
• Amanda Lopinuso, 35, of Smithtown

The following person was charged with allegedly Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs:
• Dennis Banegas, 26, of Medford

The above arrestees will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 24.

Police car stock photo

The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of a road closure for the annual Memorial Day Ronkonkoma Street Fair on Sunday, May 25.

Hosted by the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce, the Street Fair will be held along Hawkins Avenue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature over 200 vendors with live entertainment, merchandise, food, children’s rides, arts and crafts.

Hawkins Avenue will be closed from Portion Road to Lakewood Road from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

 

 

Rendering courtesy of Simon Property Group

By Heidi Sutton

Exciting news for home chefs! Sur La Table, a culinary destination offering cooking classes, high-quality kitchen products, and premium in-store experiences, has announced their return to the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove with a grand opening set for Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. The new store will be situated in Lifestyle Village in the same location as before.

Created by chefs for chefs, this new store will provide an inviting space for culinary enthusiasts of all levels to explore the world of cooking — from hands on classes to top-of-the-line kitchen gear, Sur La Table “inspires chefs of all levels to make more and gather often,” according to a press release.  

The opening is part of Simon Property Group’s multi-million dollar transformation project at the mall, which, when completed in 2026, will include a number of retailers including Zara, Mango and Primark; restaurants; new landscaping; interior and exterior improvements including new flooring, lighting and paint; along with an extensive revitalization of the mall’s Center Court and Food Court. 

“Sur La Table’s arrival at Smith Haven Mall is one of many exciting changes we’re making to our center,” said Jillian Friello, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Smith Haven Mall. “This new addition aligns perfectly with our vision to offer shoppers a more dynamic, elevated, and diverse experience. We’re proud to welcome Sur La Table to our growing list of brands joining the center and are confident it will be a great addition to the mall.”  

“We are thrilled to bring Sur La Table’s engaging experiences around cooking to the Smith Haven Mall,” said Sur La Table CEO, Jordan Voloshin. “Our mission has always been to inspire people to cook with joy, and this new location allows us to connect with an even larger community of food lovers. With the revitalization of Smith Haven Mall, we’re excited to be part of this exciting new chapter and offer a fresh, innovative shopping experience to the region.”  

Store hours will be Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,  Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To learn more about upcoming events, cooking classes, and exclusive products, visit www.surlatable.com.