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Press Release

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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.

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.

 

 

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole clothing from a Sayville store.

The woman pictured above allegedly stole approximately $185 worth of clothing from Target, located at 5750 Eastbound Sunrise Highway, on April 21 at approximately 2:50 p.m.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Saint James on May 23.

A woman was crossing southbound on Middle Country Road, near White Avenue, at approximately 6:45 p.m., when she was struck by an eastbound 1999 Toyota Camry, driven by Natalio Osorio-Vargas.

The pedestrian, Anna Lopresti, 63, of Saint James, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Osorio-Vargas, 57, of Centereach, was not injured.

The Toyota was impounded for a safety check.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

Legislator Steve Englebright, right, presents a check to Port Jefferson Historical Society Board members, from left to right, Joan Townley, Laura Warren and Nick Acampora. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) recently presented checks to representatives from various cultural organizations in his district to help them fund future projects.

“A genuine love for community has always been a driving factor in my work,” Englebright said. “Recently, I showcased my appreciation and support for several of our district’s most beloved cultural and arts organizations through Suffolk County Omnibus Grants.”

Legislator Englebright, center, presents a check to Three Village Community Trust board members, from left to right, Robert Reuter, Greg de Bruin, Peter Legakis and Herb Mones. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

During Legislator Englebright’s tenure as a New York State Assemblyman, he was the Prime Sponsor of legislation that led to what is commonly referred to as the hotel-motel room fee. The intention behind this initiative that is essentially a tax on people who live outside of our county, including many from other countries was to help generate funds that would enable Suffolk County Legislators to support the Long Island tourism industry through grants for programs for the arts, music, and history. The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning administers the awards.

“This year, I experienced numerous full-circle moments as I was pleased to be able to award numerous community cultural organizations with funding that will help support important programs that our part of the county has become known for, such as the Gallery North Wet Paint Festival, the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce’s and Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s summer concert series, and the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council’s annual Dickens Festival,” the legislator said.

Several local galleries, music venues and museums were also granted awards, such as The Reboli Center for Art and History, The Jazz Loft, and the Long Island Museum.

“In total, I was able to provide room fee-derived funds amounting to more than $150,000 to 15 local organizations which, in turn, will help nurture a vibrant scene for lovers of art, music, and history while stimulating our local economy through tourism and leisure travel,” Englebright said.

The Fifth Legislative District’s grant recipients are The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, Gallery North, Theatre Three, The Reboli Center, The Jazz Loft, The Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce, The Frank Melville Memorial Foundation, The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, The Three Village Historical Society, The Long Island Museum, The Port Jefferson Historical Society, The Children’s Maritime Museum (Long Island Explorium), The Three Village Community Trust, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization and The Village of Port Jefferson.

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Update: Edward Johnson, 31, of Deer Park, has been identified as the driver of the Mazda who was killed
in a motor vehicle crash on Commack Road in Dix Hills on May 23.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a man
in Dix Hills on May 23.

A man was driving a 2005 Mazda northbound on Commack Road, north of Euclid Ave., when the
Mazda veered into the southbound lanes and struck a tractor trailer at approximately 9:05 a.m.
The driver of the Mazda was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending
notification of kin. The driver of the tractor trailer, Sergio Mendoza, 60, of Patterson, New Jersey, was
treated and released from Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip.

The tractor trailer was inspected at the scene by officers from the Motor Carrier Safety Section. The
Mazda was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to
call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

Julian Schlossberg, center, heads to the CAC on June 1.

Legendary producer and conversationalist, Julian Schlossberg, will be appearing at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Sunday, June 1 at 2:30 p.m. with the first East Coast screening in 35 years of his zany comedy, In The Spirit, with Elaine May, Peter Falk and Marlo Thomas topping the cast. 

Afterwards there will be a discussion and book-signing reception for his new insider memoir marking six decades in show business, Try Not to Hold it Against Me: A Producer’s Life. The program also includes a hilarious film promo written and directed by Elaine May herself. Tickets are available at www.cinemaartscentre.org, by calling 631-423-7611 and at the box office.