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Press Release

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Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured three people in the Village of Belle Terre on Nov. 24.

Cole Girardi was driving a 2017 Kia Sportage northbound on Cliff Road, between Old Homestead Road and Bell Circle, when the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a tree, and caught fire at approximately 10:20 p.m.

A Village of Belle Terre Constable was first to arrive at the scene and helped extricate Girardi and his two passengers, Tyler Kjeka and Emma Angler, from the vehicle. The Port Jefferson Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

Girardi, 19, of Rocky Point, Kjeka, 20, of Rocky Point, and Angler, 20, of Farmingville, were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854- 8652.

Photos courtesy of Three Village School District

Two students from the Three Village Central School District won essay contests sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. High school students were invited to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy student essay contest. The contest challenged students to write and record an audio essay based on an annual patriotic theme.

This year’s theme was, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Nafisah Haque, a junior in Ms. Parrella’s United States History and Government Honors class at Ward Melville High School, was selected as the local winner for Setauket Post 3054. Haque’s essay will now move on to the district level competition.

Additionally, students in grades six through eight were encouraged to enter the VFW Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, which provides an opportunity for students to share their thoughts on an annual patriotic theme. The theme for the 2024-2025 school year was, “My Voice in America’s Democracy?” Amelia James, a sixth grader in Mr. Prinzo’s class at Nassakeag Elementary School, was chosen as the local winner. Amelia’s essay will also advance to the district level competition.

Dr. Christina Cone, district director of social studies, commended the students, saying, “We are proud of their thoughtful reflections on our nation’s values. Their participation showcases both academic dedication and a commitment to the ideals of democracy. We wish them the best of luck in the next stages of the competition. A special thank you to Setauket VFW Post 3054 for their continued support of our students.”

Photo courtesy of Huntington Hospital

Huntington Hospital recently renovated its two cardiac catheterization labs and unveiled new state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. The renovated labs are a combined 1,200 square feet and cost approximately $5 million. 

In addition to the labs which each have a control room, there is a third-floor suite that includes nine beds and a holding area where patients are treated pre-and post-operatively.

“With the renovation of our labs, we continue to be able to provide our community with the highest level of cardiovascular care right here at home,” said Gaurav Rao, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Huntington Hospital. “This means faster diagnoses, efficient treatments, and ultimately, better outcomes for our patients. Having access to such advanced care close to home is not just a convenience, it’s a critical factor in saving lives and improving the overall health of our community.”

The new labs leverage this technology with integrated Coroflow Cardiovascular System to diagnose coronary microvascular dysfunction and coronary spasm, which was made possible through an anonymous donation. Computer-generated coronary physiology maps are utilized to diagnose coronary artery disease and guide interventions. Complex coronary interventions are routinely performed using coherence tomography (OCT), an advanced coronary imaging tool that allows precise plaque characterization to inform optimal calcium modification and tailored stent implant strategies.

“By incorporating cutting-edge technology, we are elevating the standard of cardiac care available in our community,” said Nick Fitterman, MD, president, Huntington Hospital. “This is a testament to our commitment to advancing health care and meeting the needs of our community with the highest level of excellence.”

10 of the dogs were confined to a small bedroom. Photo from Suffolk County SPCA

Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged a Centereach man on Nov. 23 with neglecting to maintain a sanitary environment for his eleven dogs. Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its Detectives charged Christopher DiGiovanna, 42, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that DiGiovanna failed to provide a habitable living environment to the animals in his residence.

Chief Gross stated that on November 23, 2024 on or about 4:30 PM, members of the Suffolk County SPCA, Suffolk County Police Department, Town of Brookhaven Animal Control and Code Enforcement executed a search warrant on DiGiovanna’s Centereach residence after receiving a complaint about the living conditions causing the animals distress.

Eleven dogs were recovered from the residence, some underweight, filthy, flea ridden, ungroomed, and covered in urine. The air was so noxious with ammonia from urine, feces, mold, and mildew that it stung investigators eyes and throats making it difficult to breathe. Fly excrement and cobwebs covered the interior of the home’s walls and ceilings. Rats scurried about inside the broken out portions of the walls and floors. Ten of the dogs were confined to a small bedroom on urine and feces-soaked sheets with live electrical wires exposed, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia strewn about.

At least two of the dog’s upon preliminary examination tested presumptive positive for cocaine exposure. The property was deemed unfit for human occupancy by Code Officials. The dogs will be available for adoption to the public upon medical recovery. DiGiovanna was arrested during the search warrant execution on Nov. 23, booked, and held in police custody on two active arrest warrants for unrelated cases.

DiGiovanna is scheduled to appear in First District Court In Central Islip on November 25.

The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Nov. 22 for driving with 26 license suspensions in Farmingville.

A Highway Patrol officer observed Eric Law driving at a high rate of speed in a 2002 Ford F-250
westbound on the Long Island Expressway at 6:20 p.m. The officer initiated a traffic stop near Exit 63.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that Law had 26 license suspensions over eight dates.
Law, 43, of Oakdale, was issued multiple summonses and the Ford was impounded. He is scheduled for
arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man for stabbing his co-worker at a Nesconset business on Nov. 24.

Paul Albinagorta was involved in a dispute with his 60-year-old co-worker at Gino’s of Nesconset,
located at 248 Smithtown Blvd., when he stabbed the man with a knife at approximately 11:10 a.m.

The victim left the store on foot and was aided outside before being transported via ambulance to Stony
Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Albinagorta, 34, of Central Islip, was not injured. He was charged with Assault 1st Degree, a felony, and
Menacing 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. He is being held overnight and will be arraigned at First District
Court in Central Islip on November 25.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Fourth Squad detectives at 631-854-
8452.

Front row, from left, ECLI Co-Founder and Program Development & Education Director Feride Castillo; ECLI Co-Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Hernandez (with scissors); Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr; and Legislator Rebecca Sanin. Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES

Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island and Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (ECLI-VIBES), a Long Island nonprofit organization that helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, has taken over the building that once belonged to Flushing Bank at 1707 Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia. 

This marks a significant milestone in expanding their impact and support of victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The momentous occasion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new facilities and light bites on Oct. 24.

“We are in a bigger space now, and it feels unreal how far we have come in the physical and organizational growth ,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Hernandez, “My co-founders and I, who built this organization from the ground up, never could have imagined how big it would become and the impact it would have on Suffolk County and beyond.”

The evening’s guests were able to learn more about the services ECLI VIBES provides, such as its fully stocked food and essentials pantry and counseling services. The move to the new facility left no need unmet, providing dedicated spaces for everything from client services to a centrally located water feature where staff can find reprieve from the heaviness of the work. Flushing Bank sold the property with all of the furnishings, allowing ECLI VIBES to be up and running in the new space quickly with minimal construction and labor.

“We know the challenges our community is facing and are showing individuals who can help us with our cause what we are doing to not only help our survivors but how we can stop domestic violence in our community,” said Co-Founder and Program Development & Education Director Feride Castillo. “We believe that with the continued support and involvement of our community, we can make a significant impact.”

Many Suffolk County community leaders and legislators were in attendance, including Legislator Chad Lennon and Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. and Detective Sergeant James Murphy and his team from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Anti Trafficking Unit. Organizations that were represented include Long Island Cares and Long Island Harvest.

To learn more about ECLI VIBES and how you can get involved, please visit www.eclivibes.org.

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Craig A. Booth

The Board of Directors of Island Federal Credit Union (Island Federal) in Hauppauge has announced the selection of Craig A. Booth as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

“Craig, who has been serving as Interim President & CEO, brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to his new role,” said John Adragna, Chairman of the Board, Island Federal. “In his decade at Island Federal, Booth has held a number of positions including Senior Vice President of Technology, and more recently, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.”

“The Board has full confidence in Craig’s ability to lead Island Federal into the next chapter of growth and prosperity. His visionary leadership combined with his deep understanding of the credit union industry and commitment to the community, make him the ideal person to guide us forward. We are excited about what the future holds under Craig’s leadership. With over 25 years of experience in the credit union industry, Craig’s career has been marked by an unwavering commitment to innovation and growth. His previous roles, including positions with the West Virginia Credit Union League, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and Fiserv have further honed his expertise,” added Adragna.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of President and CEO of Island Federal, a trusted institution that has served our Members and their families for 70 years. At Island Federal, our mission is to enrich the lives of our members by offering convenient financial and insurance services that go above and beyond expectations. Every Member deserves the highest level of service, and we are dedicated to delivering unmatched financial support and innovative solutions to meet our Members’ needs now and into the future,” stated Booth.

Booth is a graduate of the prestigious Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) CEO Institute. He also serves as Director on the Board of the New York State Credit Union Foundation. A proud veteran, Booth served honorably in the U.S. Army National Guard.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a woman on Nov. 22 for allegedly driving while intoxicated following a crash that killed a female passenger in another vehicle in Middle Island.

Melissa Koprowski was driving a 2014 Dodge Durango eastbound on Middle Country Road, when she attempted to make a left turn onto Wading River Hollow Road and crashed the Dodge into a 2022 Nissan Rogue that was traveling westbound on Middle Country Road, at approximately 8:40 p.m.

A passenger in the Nissan, Esther Guy, 75, of Coram, was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue where she was pronounced dead. Guy’s daughter, the driver of the Nissan, Crystal Marks, 33, of Coram, was transported to the same hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and Gui’s 22-month-old granddaughter Celine Martin, who was seated behind the driver at the time of the crash, was not injured.

Koprowski, 31, of Yaphank, was also transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Koprowski was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip. The vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Case at 631-852-6555.

The late Betty White will be honored with a new stamp.
History, Natural Beauty and Pop Culture Icons Are Featured

The U.S. Postal Service recently announced many of the stamps it will release in 2025.

“This early glimpse into our 2025 stamp program demonstrates our commitment to providing a diverse range of subjects and designs for both philatelists and stamp enthusiasts,” said Lisa Bobb-Semple, Stamp Services director for USPS. “This year, we are continuing several of our popular series and commemorative anniversaries, while introducing some exciting new stamps. Additionally, several of our mail-use stamps, which are printed based on demand, will be updated this year. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming months.”

This is a partial list, with additional stamps to be announced in the coming weeks and months. These designs are preliminary and may change.

Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake
This is the sixth stamp in the current Lunar New Year series, where each entry features a mask, calling to mind the decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed during Lunar New Year parades. For Year of the Snake, designer Camille Chew constructed a three-dimensional snake mask out of hand-printed paper, then cut, scored and folded it into shape. After the front was embellished with acrylic paint and additional paper elements, the back was covered with a layer of papier-mâché. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp from a photograph of the mask by Sally Andersen-Bruce.

1794 Compass Rose (Global)

1794 Compass Rose (Global)
Useful for mailing a 1-ounce letter to any country in which First-Class Mail International service is available, this stamp carries with it a bit of history. The colorful compass rose was drawn in a school geography notebook by Lucia Wadsworth, the aunt of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, when she was 10 years old. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Love (2025)

Love (2025)
This new Love stamp celebrates the universal experience of love with a work by artist Keith Haring (1958–1990). With a deceptively simple and now-iconic style, Haring’s work is instantly recognizable. This stamp features Haring’s 1985 Untitled drawing. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, believes that this drawing makes for an ideal new stamp in this popular series. “The non-specificity of the figures allows a variety of people to see themselves in this stamp,” Alcalá says. “Partners getting married, celebrating an anniversary, siblings sending each other a heartfelt greeting, or even party planners setting a positive tone for their event.”

Black Heritage: Allen Toussaint

Black Heritage: Allen Toussaint
In recent years, the Black Heritage series has celebrated a man one year and a woman the next. Next year, the 48th stamp in the series will honor Allen Toussaint (1938–2015), the virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer responsible for scores of hits across multiple genres. Designed by Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, the stamp features a photograph taken by Bill Tompkins in New York City in 2007.

American Vistas (Presorted Standard)

American Vistas (Presorted Standard)
These two stamps depicting stylized, minimalist scenes of mountains and a beach are for use on business mail. The stamps feature screen prints by DKNG Studios made from vector illustrations, and were designed by Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS.

The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail
Covering almost 2,200 miles of footpath along one of Earth’s most ancient mountain ranges, the century-old Appalachian National Scenic Trail is within easy reach of large metropolitan areas of the East Coast. The Appalachian Trail is maintained by a network of volunteer clubs, led by the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This pane of 15 stamps includes a photographic view from each of the 14 states along the Maine-to-Georgia trail with an additional stamp showing stretches of trail through dense forest. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with images from various photographers.

Vibrant Leaves (Postcard Rate)

Vibrant Leaves (Postcard Rate)
Evoking the colorful sights of a seasonal walk in the woods, the photographs on five new postcard stamps depict leaves on trees found in the United States. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

Dahlias

Dahlias
Radiating warmth, vitality and cheer, dahlias are beloved additions to backyard gardens and formal venues alike. This issuance includes 10 close-up photographs of dahlia blossoms available in booklets of 20 stamps and coils of 3K and 10K stamps. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using photographs by Denise Ippolito.

U.S. Flag

U.S. Flag
Conveniently available in many formats, this stamp continues a long tradition of honoring the Stars and Stripes. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with a photograph by Doug Haight.

Schooner (Stamped Card)

Schooner (Stamped Card)
New stamped-card designs are issued every few years for customers who want to send postcards with postage already included. The latest features an illustration of a two-masted sea vessel based on a photo of a 2014 replica of the 1923 schooner Columbia. Libby VanderPloeg was the artist and Antonio Alcalá provided art direction.

Luna Moth (Nonmachineable Surcharge)

Luna Moth (Nonmachineable Surcharge)
This new stamp for irregularly sized envelopes features a luna moth (Actias luna), considered one of the most beautiful moths in the United States. Artist Joseph Scheer created this composite image by using a high-resolution scanner with extended focus to capture multiple layers of a preserved moth. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Baby Wild Animals

Baby Wild Animals
Offering whimsical, eye-catching designs for letters and cards, these 10 stamps show baby wild animals from across the United States, with visual elements suggesting the habitat or behavior of each one. Tracy Walker designed and created the artwork by digitally layering colored shapes on solid backgrounds. Greg Breeding provided art direction.

Betty White

Betty White
An icon of American television, Betty White (1922–2021) shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades — including roles on “The Golden Girls” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals. Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration based on a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Winter Landscapes

Winter Landscapes
Offered in booklets of 20, these five stamps feature photographs of iconic winter landscapes from around the country. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using images from various photographers.

Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at select Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. The stories behind the stamps and more are available at stampsforever.com.