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Press Release

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From left, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (3rd from left) and Legislator Manuel Esteban (center) at the forum. Photo courtesy of Leg. Bontempi's office
John Venza, one of the presenters, speaking to the audience. Photo from Leg. Bontempi’s office

The Northport Public Library recently collaborated with Suffolk. County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.), Suffolk County Legislator Manuel Esteban (R-16th L.D.) and Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta (R-13th L.D.) to facilitate a timely discussion on addiction, mental health and today’s youth.  One of the objectives of the event, entitled “Breaking the Stigma,” was to encourage more frequent and honest dialogues on the topics in both public and private circles.

“The issues of addiction and mental health are too important to ignore or tiptoe around,” said Bontempi.  “These serious issues warrant our full attention, and part of the process leading to that is recognizing that they are simply part of the human condition.  We need to address our issues, not be ashamed of them.

“The night’s presenters included John Venza and Gordon Gooding who spoke respectively about concerns surrounding addiction and the stressors associated with everyday life.  The presentations made it clear that there are no shortage of challenges out there, but there are also many treatment options and preventative tools.

“If you are a parent or caregiver of children, staying up-to-date on the growing body of knowledge and resources in this arena is so important,” added Bontempi.

For those interested in exploring resources regarding addiction and mental health, visit: https://www.scnylegislature.us/171/Stephanie-Bontempi and click on “Behavioral Health Directory.” 

 

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Update: Suffolk County Police today arrested an East Northport woman for leaving the scene of a motor
vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian earlier this year. Michelle Karp, 28, was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death and Tampering with Physical Evidence, for fleeing the scene of a crash that
killed Lydia Ciminelli, 72, of Lake Ronkonkoma, on Rosevale Avenue in Ronkonkoma on August
7.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a
pedestrian in Ronkonkoma on Aug. 7.

Lydia Ciminelli was crossing Rosevale Avenue, just south of Motor Parkway, at approximately 9:30
a.m. when she was struck by a southbound vehicle, described as a dark-colored sedan, that fled the
scene.

Ciminelli, 72, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was
pronounced dead.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-
6553 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro, left, and Councilman Neil Manzella at the intersection of Mooney Pond and Adirondack Drive in Selden. Photo courtesy Losquadro’s office

Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R) and Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden) recently announced the completion of a $1.6 million paving project in Selden.

The town resurfaced College Road, from Mooney Pond Road to Horseblock Road, and Mooney Pond Road, from North Ocean Avenue to College Road, during this initiative.

Before paving, crews worked on improving concrete, inspecting and installing new drains and repairing and replacing damaged concrete curbing, sidewalks and aprons. Crews also removed and replaced nearly 6,500 square feet of concrete aprons, almost 11,500 square feet of sidewalk and more than 3,100 linear feet of concrete curb for approximately $450,000. 

Crews replaced over 6,000 square feet of handicap ramps, bringing them into ADA compliance, for roughly $190,000.

“Mooney Pond is a very busy roadway that had greatly deteriorated,” Losquadro said. “Motorists and pedestrians can now enjoy safer sidewalks and roadways.”

Manzella added to this sentiment, noting the continued need for modernized roadway infrastructure.

“I want to thank the highway superintendent for making this project a priority in this year’s paving schedule,” the councilman said, adding, “Infrastructure projects are extremely important to our residents, especially on our highly traveled roadways. We, as a Town Board, should be directing our attention toward financing infrastructure projects such as this one to retain the quality of life for our residents.”

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On Monday Aug. 7 the St. James Fire Department, 533 North Country Road, St. James will host a community blood drive from 2 to 8 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Come help address the critical blood shortage and do your part to save a life. For more information, call the fire department at 631-584-5760 or New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566.

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File photo by Victoria Espinoza
Suffolk County Police arrested a Westbury woman who drove into the race route during a triathlon and struck a bicyclist, seriously injuring him, on Aug. 6.

Ramona Jakeline Figueroa-Lopez was driving a 2023 Nissan SUV eastbound attempting to leave the parking lot of Smith Point County Park while the area was closed to traffic for the Smith Point Triathlon. The vehicle entered into the race route and struck a triathlete during the bicycle portion of the race at 7:15 a.m.

The bicyclist, a 43-year-old Selden man, was taken via Suffolk County Police medevac to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious physical injuries. Figueroa-Lopez was not injured. An adult female passenger in the car had minor injuries.

Figueroa-Lopez, 29, was charged with Reckless Driving, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving without a Court Ordered Interlock Device, all misdemeanors.

The Nissan was impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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Suffolk County Police Second Squad Detectives are investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Huntington on Aug. 5.

John Papa was operating a three-wheeled 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on Sweethollow Road, south of Jericho Turnpike, when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Papa, 65, of Syosset, was transported to Huntington Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The motorcycle was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

Police car

Suffolk County Police Arson Squad detectives are investigating an explosion that injured two people on a boat in Stony Brook on Aug. 5.

Robert Scarth was operating his boat, a 2003 Sea Ray Sundancer, in Smithtown Bay, traveling from Sunken Meadow State Park to Stony Brook Marina, when it stalled. An explosion occurred on the boat a short time after it was restarted at approximately 6 p.m.

Linda Scarth, 53, of East Setauket, Robert’s wife, and a passenger on the boat, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Another passenger, Steven Brannigan, 58, of Holbrook, was transported to the same hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Robert Scarth, 54, of East Setauket, and another passenger on the boat were not injured.

The boat was impounded for a safety check. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, but it does not appear to be suspicious.

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket presents a Shed the Meds event on Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office hosts this safe way to properly dispose of unused medications. Proper disposal is 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). Questions? Email [email protected]

Visitors to the information booth will be able to inscribe the name of a loved one lost to overdose on a purple rock. Photo courtesy of Leg. Kara Hahn's office

The Suffolk County Police Department is teaming up with parents who have lost a child to overdose or fentanyl poisoning to offer Narcan training and support at upcoming farmers markets.

This new outreach program, spearheaded by Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis and Carole Trottere, a mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning, is aimed at arming people with the training to save lives while also normalizing the conversation of addiction—an issue that touches many Long Island families.

In addition to offering Narcan training to individuals, parents will host an informational station and provide people an opportunity to inscribe the name of a loved one lost to overdose on a purple rock. The memorial rocks will be placed in parks and other locations as a reminder of lives lost to an overdose.

Members of the department conducted this event at the Port Jefferson Farmers Market in May and trained 100 people in Narcan. 

The department will continue to attend community events to spread awareness and offer this life-saving training, including at the Patchogue Farmers Market, corner of North Ocean Avenue and Division Street in the LIRR parking lot on Sunday, August 6  from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the Three Village Farmers Market on the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Counry Road, Setauket on Friday, August 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. 

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Suffolk County Police have arrested a Brentwood man for an assault that critically injured a man in Port
Jefferson Station on Aug. 4.

During a dispute, Felix Martinez assaulted a man on Jarvin Road at approximately 12:40 p.m. The victim, Richard Shields, 56, of that address, was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Martinez, 46, of Brentwood, was charged with Assault.