Yearly Archives: 2025

Pictured left to right are Councilman Michael Loguercio; Town Clerk Kevin LaValle; Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig; Councilman Neil Foley; Matthew Schettino, Senior VP of Marketing with Suffolk Credit Union; Councilman Neil Manzella; Alex Gershowitz, Non-Ferrous Metals Trader with Gershow Recycling; Michael White, Special Projects Coordinator with Winters Bros/WM and Supervisor Dan Panico. Photo from TOB

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel J. Panico and members of the Town Council accepted a check for $20,000 from the four sponsors of the 2025 Town of Brookhaven Spring and Fall Recycling Events on March 6. The sponsors are Suffolk Credit Union; Gershow Recycling; Maggio Environmental, LLC; and Winters Bros. A WM Company. Each contributed $5000 to sponsor the events.

While accepting the check, Supervisor Panico said, “Thanks to the continued partnership with our generous sponsors, these recycling events offer residents a responsible way to dispose of materials that could otherwise harm our environment. I strongly encourage all Brookhaven residents to take advantage of these convenient opportunities and help make a positive difference in our town.”

Thirteen E-Waste, Paper Shredding and Drug Take Back events will be held in the spring and fall at various locations in the Town of Brookhaven (see the schedule below). The 13 recycling events will provide Brookhaven residents with convenient opportunities to safely shred documents, dispose of electronic waste and old prescription medications, thus keeping harmful material out of landfills and waterways.

In addition, the Town of Brookhaven will for the first time allow residents to drop off their cardboard recycling at these events as well. All shredded paper documents will be recycled.

Town of Brookhaven recycling events schedule:
Council District 1 Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich
Saturday, April 12, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station

Council District 5 Councilman Neil Foley
Saturday, May 3, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Holtsville Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville

Council District 3 Councilman Neil Manzella
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook

Council District 2 Councilwoman Jane Bonner
Saturday, May 31, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rose Caracappa Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai

Council District 6 Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig
Saturday, June 7, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Center Moriches Library 235 Montauk Hwy, Center Moriches

Council District 4 Councilman Michael Loguercio
Saturday, June 14, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Middle Island Fire Department, 31 Arnold Drive, Middle Island

Supervisor Dan Panico
Friday, July 25, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Brookhaven Town Hall, South Parking Lot, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville

Council District 5 Councilman Neil Foley
Saturday, September 13, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Bayport Bluepoint Public Library, 186 Middle Road, Blue Point

Council District 3 Councilman Neil Manzella
Saturday, September 27, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach

Council District 2 Councilwoman Jane Bonner
Saturday, October 4, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rose Caracappa Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai

Council District 1 Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich
Saturday, October 18, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Setauket Fire Department, 394 Nicolls Road, Setauket

Council District 6 Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig
Saturday, October 25, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
William Floyd High School 240 Mastic Beach Road, Mastic Beach

Council District 4 Councilman Michael Loguercio
Saturday, November 1, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
South Country Public Library, 22 Station Road, Bellport

The 2025 recycling events are open to all Brookhaven residents. For more information, go to BrookhavenNY.gov/RecyclingEvents.

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Suffolk County Police on March 16 impounded a vehicle in Shirley that was wanted for unlawful fleeing from a car meet that occurred on March 15 in Hauppauge.

Members of the Street Takeover Task Force attempted to pull over a 2015 BMW M3 as it fled from the car meet in a reckless manner at approximately 9 p.m. The driver of the BMW turned off the vehicle’s lights and accelerated through multiple traffic signals while evading police.

An officer from the Task Force located the vehicle travelling northbound on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley and successfully pulled it over on March 16 at 11:15 p.m.

The driver, Clyde Jean Baptiste, 23, of Mastic Beach was issued multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law citations and the vehicle was impounded as evidence of Unlawful Fleeing from the previous night’s incident.

Pictured from left, Jeff Brett, Frank Asselta, Joe Cognitore and Jim Henke. Photo by Rich Acritelli

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6249 in Rocky Point will soon have a new roof thanks to a donation from King Quality Roofing and Siding. On March 19, the Long Island-based contractor will install a much-needed replacement roof for the VFW hall located at 109 King Rd., a vital hub for local veterans and the broader community.

The current roof is 20 years old and needs to be replaced. As a nonprofit organization, the VFW can now redirect the money saved on repairs toward supporting veterans and their families. 

The Rocky Point VFW provides essential services to local veterans, offering financial aid and fundraising for veteran organizations. The post hosts key annual events, including the Joseph Dwyer PTSD Memorial 5K Run and the Warrior Golf Outing, which raises $45,000 annually to support veterans across Long Island. 

When King Quality CEO Jeff Brett received a letter from Commander Joseph A. Cognitore requesting assistance with the roof, he immediately knew he wanted to help. Brett’s personal ties to the military and appreciation for service members made this project particularly meaningful.

“At King Quality, we are honored to support VFW Post 6249 and the veterans who have given so much for our country,” said Brett. “My grandfather was a World War I veteran who helped start a VFW in Port Jefferson Station, and my father served in the Navy during World War II. Their sacrifices inspire me every day, and I’m proud that King Quality can give back in this way.”

King Quality’s support for VFW Post 6249 doesn’t end with the roof. The company plans to donate siding and other materials in the future to assist with the post’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

“This generous donation from King Quality is a huge benefit to our organization and the veterans we serve,” said Cognitore. “By saving on roof repairs, we can redirect those funds to better support our veterans and their families. We’re incredibly grateful to Jeff and his team for their support.”

This roof donation is part of King Quality Cares, the company’s charitable arm that supports local charities and community organizations across Long Island. In addition to King Quality’s contribution, GAF and SRS Distribution are generously providing the roofing materials needed for the project.

For more information, visit https://www.kingquality.com.

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook men’s lacrosse team fell to Hofstra, 13-12, in double overtime in Hempstead on March 15. Several Seawolves contributed offensively, as five Stony Brook players paced the offense with two points apiece.

After the Pride tallied the game-opening goal, the Seawolves responded with a pair of goals from Richie Dechiaro and Collin Williamson to take a 2-1 lead with 8:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The Stony Brook advantage was short-lived, as Hofstra scored the game’s following three goals to take a 4-2 lead into the second.

The Seawolf attack rattled off two quick goals from Justin Bonacci and Dechiaro in the opening minutes of the second quarter to even things at four. The Pride answered with their lone goal of the second, giving them a 5-4 lead heading into the locker room.

Like the previous quarter, Stony Brook opened the third with two goals, this time from Ray O’Brien and Carson Boyle, evening things at six-all.

After a goal from Hofstra put the Pride back in front, Stony Brook scored four out of the next five goals as the game headed to the fourth with the Seawolves up 10-8.

The Pride scored two quick goals early in the fourth to even things at 10-10 with 11:17 remaining. Both teams then traded two goals each to send the game to overtime with a 12-12 scoreline.

Following a highly contested first overtime, Hofstra’s John Madsen buried the sudden-death winner with 1:59 to play in double overtime.

Up next, the team will stay on the road, traveling to Maryland to take on Towson on March 22 at noon.

 

DJ Johnny 'Juice' Rosado

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook welcomes one of its inductees—legendary Hip-Hop artist DJ Johnny“Juice” Rosado —as an official member of its board of directors.

DJ Johnny ‘Juice’ Rosado

“The LIMEHOF is essential in archiving Long Island’s artistry,” Rosado said. “My decision to join the board was to provide diversity regarding the curating and presentation of artists who otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Hopefully, my voice, along with the other esteemed members of the board, will accurately reflect the full spectrum of innovative artists that Long Island has been known to produce.”

Throughout his life and career, Johnny “Juice” Rosado has been known and admired in many roles. These roles include Emmy and NAACP Image-nominated composer, award-winning producer, turntablist, sound and electronic engineer, musician, b-boy, educator, lecturer, and mentor. He was originally from the Bronx and grew up in Uniondale. With almost 40 years in the music industry, he has contributed to some of Hip-Hop’s greatest works. In addition to being in Public Enemy, over the years, he has lent his production, composition, engineering, and scratching skills to projects by other legendary artists such as the Mandrill, Mavis Staples, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, KRS One, DMC, and C&C Music Factory.

“We are thrilled to bring someone of Johnny‘s musical stature to our board,” said LIMEHOF Chairman Ernie Canadeo. “We are looking forward to implementing his ideas and insights and assisting to make LIMEHOF one of the most important musical institutions in the country.”

Inducted to LIMEHOF in 2008 with Public Enemy, Johnny “Juice” has remained a longtime friend and strong supporter of the LIMEHOF organization and museum location in Stony Brook as far back as its first press conference announcement of the signing of the lease for the building in 2022. Before the doors even opened to the public, he DJed at the first museum press conference. Since then, he’s enthusiastically participated, spoken, emceed and lent his talents in several of the concerts and special events. These events included the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop celebration and Q&A panel, the induction of The Fat Boys, and the most recent inductions of DJ Hurricane, Davy DMX, and DJ Jazzy Jay. As a former educator himself, he also is a strong supporter of LIMEHOF’s education programs, and he’s even participated in one of Stevie Van Zandt’s TeachRock workshops held at LIMEHOF.

DJ Johny Juice Rosado is still very active in his music career and is currently on tour with Public Enemy as part of its 2025 Guns N’ Roses tour. For more information about LIMEHOF’s board of directors, visithttps://www.limusichalloffame.org/board-of-directors/

JOHNNY “JUICE” ROSADO Official Biography

DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado is an Emmy and NAACP Image-nominated composer, award-winning producer, turntablist, sound and electronic engineer, musician, b-boy, educator, lecturer, and mentor. Originally from the Bronx, he witnessed the birth of Hip-Hop right on his doorstep. He is the Global Vice President of The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew, the 1st Latino rocking (breaking) crew and the founders of the original style of floor rocking, established in 1975.

Moving to Uniondale, Long Island in the early 80s, he immediately made an impact on Long Island’s budding Hip-Hop scene. His work, especially with Public Enemy, has been embedded into Hip-Hop history. With almost 40 years in the industry, he has contributed to some of Hip-Hop’s greatest works. Over the years, he has lent his production, composition, engineering, and scratching skills to projects by other legendary artists such as the Mandrill, Mavis Staples, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, KRS One, DMC, and C&C Music Factory.

Juice also produces and composes music for TV and film scores and soundtracks. He was nominated for an Outstanding Music Composition Emmy for his work on ESPN’s “Ali Rap,” as well as being nominated for 3 NAACP Image Awards, including Best Album for the soundtrack to the movie “On the Shoulders of Giants.”

Juice is one half of the duo, The Odyssey. Their unique brand of music—blending jazz, soul, funk, pop, and Hip-Hop—won them Best Alternative Video and Video of the Year for their song “Bang Bang” at the International Independent Music Video Awards in 2020. He is also working with the Long Island alternative rock band My World. They are currently performing around the country as well as locally on Long Island. He also works with the youth as a mentor and instructor at Energetic Enterprise Youth Community Studio in Uniondale.

In 2008, he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame as a member of Public Enemy, and in 2013 he took the stage and performed as Public Enemy were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is currently the Music Director and DJ for Public Enemy.

Outside of his music, he is a computer scientist, electronic engineer, a lifelong martial artist (becoming a Junior Olympic medalist in Tae Kwon Do), and a proud US military veteran.

About LIMEHOF

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.  ###

Marci Lobel. Photo from SBU

The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have selected Stony Brook University Distinguished Teaching Professor Marci Lobel, PhD, from the Department of Psychology, as the recipient of a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award for 2025-2026. She was awarded this recognition for her expertise in stress, coping, and their effects on health, particularly reproductive health. Her studies have established the harmful impact of stress on pregnant women and their offspring and identified factors that elevate or alleviate stress.

Professor Lobel will spend part of the next academic year beginning January 2026 at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, where she will conduct research on stress in pregnant Czech women and teach a unique course in the Psychology of Women’s Health that she introduced at Stony Brook.  This class  is now a model for courses at numerous other universities.

“We’re thrilled that Dr. Lobel has received this award,” said Joanne Davila, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “She’s so well deserving of it. It’s an important opportunity both for her and for her colleagues in the Czech Republic.”

In her teaching, Professor Lobel focuses on women’s unique health experiences and differences between men and women in disease symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, and outcome. These topics, Professor Lobel notes, are critical areas of understanding for healthcare professionals, scientists, and others concerned about women’s health.

“Our research and other studies confirm that high stress during pregnancy increases risk for low birthweight and preterm birth, which are major contributors to poor health and development in infants, children, and adults,” said Professor Lobel. “Yet stress in Czech pregnant women has received little attention. Identifying stress prenatally facilitates prevention and interventions to improve health outcomes for women and children. Masaryk University is an ideal place to expand knowledge about women’s health. The course that I will teach and my research to investigate stress in pregnant Czech women will fill important gaps in the study and treatment of women’s health in the Czech Republic. I am eager to learn about the mental and physical health of Czech women and share innovations between the US and the Czech Republic to promote the health and well-being of women, children, and their families in both countries. I expect to gain new perspectives for my research and teaching from this exciting Fulbright experience.”

Professor Lobel has been an award-winning faculty member in Stony Brook’s Department of Psychology for 35 years and she holds a joint appointment in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at Stony Brook Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“My sincere congratulations to Distinguished Professor Marci Lobel on this wonderful news,” said David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The prestigious Fulbright program is a fantastic opportunity for Professor Lobel to continue the important work she is doing to expand knowledge of women’s health. I could not be more pleased that Professor Lobel will be a cultural and intellectual ambassador for the US, CAS and Stony Brook University.”

Research from the Stress and Reproduction Laboratory (STAR Lab) that she directs addresses critical public health issues, including the impact of discrimination on racial disparities in birth outcomes, pandemic-related prenatal stress effects, and psychosocial aspects of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies. Professor Lobel has authored more than 300 scientific articles and presentations and she collaborates in multiple international research projects. She is a recipient of national and university awards for her research, teaching, mentoring, and service. Professor Lobel also conducts research on mentoring and leads workshops on teaching and mentoring.

Fulbright Distinguished Scholar awards are viewed as the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. These awards are presented to scholars who have substantial experience in their discipline or area of expertise. Distinguished Scholars are expected to actively engage host institutions in a spirit of promoting mutual understanding and sharing knowledge.

 

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File photo

Update: Suffolk County Police on March 18 arrested a man for fatally shooting a man in Central Islip on March 15. Following an investigation, Homicide Squad detectives charged Jeremias Anariba-Moran, 47,
of Central Islip, with Murder 2nd Degree. He will be held overnight at the Third Precinct in Bay Shore and scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on March 19.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man who was fatally shot in Central Islip on March 15.

Gustavo Godinez-Carcamo was sitting in a parked vehicle in the driveway of his home, located at 10 Anne Lane, when a passenger in the vehicle shot him at 11:52 p.m. The suspect fled the scene on foot. Godinez-Carcamo, 40, of Central Islip, was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

The Smithtown Central School District community came together on March 5 to honor the memory of beloved student, Valerie Kratochvil, who passed away in 2024.

Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament at Smithtown High School East, featuring former field hockey and track teammates of Valerie, as well as athletes from Smithtown High School West. 

Valerie was involved in field hockey, track, the club Athletes Helping Athletes and was an All-County musician.  

The Smithtown High School East Chamber Choir started the event with a beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” East student Maggie Worontzoff addressed those in attendance. “Let’s play today with the same passion and spirit that Valerie had, and let’s carry her spirit with us always,” she said.

A raffle was held with all proceeds benefitting the Kratochvil family.

Ahmed Malik and Cemal Tastan. Photo courtesy Middle Country Central School District

Centereach High School has announced that two of its standout students, Ahmed Malik and Cemal Tastan, have earned first place in the prestigious Financial Services Team Decision-Making event at a recent DECA competition. This impressive accomplishment has secured them a spot to represent Centereach High School at the New York State Career Conference in Rochester this March.

The New York State Career Conference will bring together over 3,000 talented students from across the state, where Ahmed and Cemal will have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and decision-making skills in front of industry professionals. The event will feature role-playing scenarios where students engage with business leaders, demonstrating their ability to solve real-world challenges in a competitive setting.

DECA is a globally recognized organization that provides high school and college students with the opportunity to prepare for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It plays an essential role in fostering emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need for future success in the business world.

“We are incredibly proud of Ahmed and Cemal’s hard work and dedication,” said Thomas Bell. Centereach High School principal. “Their achievement showcases their talents and highlights the strong foundation of leadership and business skills fostered at Centereach High School. We wish them the best of luck as they continue their journey at the New York State Career Conference!”

This recognition reflects the commitment of Centereach High School’s DECA program to preparing students for success in a variety of fields, and we look forward to seeing Amad and Cemal compete at the next level.

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.     

METRO photo

“Coronavirus–How to protect yourself,” “Three Village community takes on pandemic,” “Local businesses/organizations react to Coronavirus concerns,” “Stony Brook students weigh in on changes to their college life due to Coronavirus.”

Five years ago, these were the headlines that filled TBR Newspapers as the pandemic took hold of the country, leading then-Governor Andrew Cuomo to issue an executive order to close non-essential businesses. 

March 2020 was a month of intense anxiety. We monitored the news constantly, bought masks and hand sanitizer, stored up on household necessities, and didn’t get close to other people. We missed birthdays and downloaded Zoom. The CDC website was perpetually open on our devices. We did everything we could to ensure that we were safe from an invisible assailant. 

Half a decade later, most of us can still remember where we were when we learned that our schools, businesses and workplaces would be closing. Changes in our personality and lifestyles can be traced back to that announcement and the months that followed, when we learned to live amidst a pandemic. 

The virus has cost us; it led to 7.1 million deaths worldwide. Over 2,700 people have died in the U.S. from Covid  from Jan. 26 to Feb. 23.  Over 777 million people worldwide have contracted the disease in total, according to the CDC. 

Covid  has not only affected our health–many of us have contracted it or know someone who has–but our relationship with the world around us. The pandemic necessitated an isolationism from which many of us haven’t fully recovered from. In public areas, every cough or sneeze has the potential to lead to something larger and more dangerous. We now get Covid shots in addition to the annual flu shot. Many of us still have a reserve of masks, just in case. 

The pandemic was paralyzing–it halted in-person local commerce and in-person education. Many businesses weren’t able to survive the disruption and students lost quality education in the transition to remote learning. When workplaces switched to remote work, many didn’t switch back. Five years later, we sill feel the effects of these lost months.

Reading back those articles written during the pandemic, we are reminded of the abnormality of that period of time. It was a period of fear and trepidation, but in some of those articles from five years ago, our community displayed perseverance and strength in the face of uncertainty–businesses determined to adapt, community members standing by one another. We remember what we lost and how we got through it, with support, five years later.