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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 a man in Centereach on June 7.

Thomas Seeley was operating a 2023 Honda motorcycle westbound on Middle Country Road when the motorcycle collided with a 2015 Ford Mustang, driven by Frank Rios, that was turning left onto Selden Boulevard from Middle Country Road, at approximately 12:50 p.m.

Seeley, 21, of Middle Island, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Rios, 28, of Coram, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in the Ford refused medical treatment.

Both vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

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Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

Dendrick Emery Allegedly Deposited More than $6,000 in Checks Stolen from the Mail Stream and Remotely Deposited Them into His Bank Account While Working as a Mail Handler

 Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrest of Dendrick Emery, 42, of Brooklyn, accused of grand larceny, and other charges, for allegedly stealing checks from the mail stream and then remotely depositing them into his bank account during his work shifts at a Suffolk County branch of the U.S. Postal Service.

“The reliability of the mail service is an important part of our quality of life, and I am dedicated to doing my part to protect it,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General for its hard work and cooperation in this case.”

“The Special Agents of the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who comprise their integrity for personal gain. This does not represent the work of the many trustworthy U.S. Postal Service employees who continue to do their job every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Northeast Area Field Office. “The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

“Today’s arrest of a U.S. Postal Service employee is the result of law enforcement’s commitment to root out corruption and protect Long Islanders from criminal opportunists willing to jeopardize the public’s wellbeing for their own financial gain,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. “HSI New York’s Long Island office is proud to stand alongside our partners in securing justice on behalf of our community.”

An investigation was launched by USPS OIG in September 2023. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and HSI joined the investigation shortly thereafter. According to the investigation, between February 3, 2023 and May 4, 2023, Emery, while employed by the Postal Service as a mail handler, allegedly stole four separate checks from the mail stream totaling $6,486.12 and remotely deposited them into his personal bank account.

On June 5, 2024, Emery was arrested by investigators assigned to the Public Corruption Squad of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, together with agents from USPS OIG and HSI New York.

On June 6, 2024, Emery was arraigned on one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, and one count of Official Misconduct. Emery was released without bail because his charge is not a bail-eligible offense under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.

Emery is due back in court on June 20, 2024, and he is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira of the Public Corruption Bureau, whose investigation was conducted, in part, by USPS OIG Special Agent David Campbell and HSI New York Special Agents.

Francesca Augello is holding her proclamation, commending her actions, (center) and with her are from left to right Michelle Collison, principal of Wood Park Primary School, Commack School Superintendent Jordan Cox, Legislators Rob Trotta and Leslie Kennedy, her children Vincent, Adrianna and Rocco and husband Sammy. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

At the May 7 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Rob Trotta recognized Francesca Augello, a school monitor at Wood Park Primary School, who noticed a second grader was choking on his slice of pizza during lunch. She immediately responded and performed the Heimlich technique on the child, which dislodged the piece of food.

Ms. Augello had seen posters at the school and in the cafeteria that explains and illustrates the Heimlich maneuver. Married and a mother of three school aged children she believes she did what any parent would do.

Legislators Trotta and Kennedy welcomed Francesca Augello and her family, as well as school officials to the legislature to praise her quick thinking and for remaining calm during a crisis.

 

Photo from TOB

Special guest speaker was Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner 

On June 4, Councilwoman Janer Bonner served as the Keynote Speaker at the Decision, Women in Commerce and the Professions Installation of Officers and 45th Anniversary Dinner. The event was held at the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station.

Pictured left to right are Celeste Siemsen, President; Marion McNulty, First Vice President; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Kiran Wadhwa, Second Vice President; Kerry Baardsen, Treasurer; Leslie Mitchel, Corresponding Secretary and Kathryn Krejci, Recording Secretary

Decision, Women in Commerce and the Professions is an organization that has been serving the women of Brookhaven for the past 45 years. Membership includes women who are professionals and those who are administrators or who own their own businesses.  In addition to providing education and networking opportunities, Decision has been dedicated to making charitable donations for women’s causes in the community.  Over $300,000 has been shared with recipients as diverse as Good Samaritan Hospice, Mather Hospital, the Flag Fund at the corner of 112 and 347 in Port Jefferson Station and AGAPE, serving lunches in school districts where there are children with “food insecurity.” 

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole from a Medford store last month.

A man allegedly stole merchandise from Lowe’s, located at 2796 Route 112 on May 24 at approximately 9:20 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.

mage courtesy of Fathom Events

Fathom Events and Warner Bros. invite fans to experience one of cinema’s most iconic fantasy epics as “The Lord Of The Rings” Trilogy returns to select theaters nationwide  this month.

Each screening puts the spotlight on the remastered, extended editions of Peter Jackson’s Oscar®-winning adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, kicking off with The Fellowship Of The Ring on June 8, 15 and 22; The Two Towers on June 9, 16 and 23; and The Return Of The King on June 10, 17 and 24.

In the first part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, a shy young hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a simple gold ring. He knows the ring has power, but not that he alone holds the secret to the survival—or enslavement—of the entire world. Now Frodo, accompanied by a wizard, an elf, a dwarf, two men and three loyal hobbit friends, must become the greatest hero the world has ever known to save the land and the people he loves.

In the second part of the Tolkien trilogy, The Two Towers, Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring—but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers—Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron’s fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.

In the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Return of the King, as armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world—and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome—one member of the Fellowship Of The Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings Of Men. Yet the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied only by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.

This landmark franchise won a combined 17 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture honors for The Return Of The King and Best Director for Peter Jackson; and boasts groundbreaking effects, sets, and costumes, fueled by a star-studded ensemble featuring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, John Rhys-Davies, and Brad Dourif, among others.

Locally, participating theaters include AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, Island 16: Cinema de Lux in Holtsville; AMC Huntington Square 12 in East Northport, AMC Shore 8 in Huntington, Showcase Cinema de Lux in Farmingdale, and Regal UA in Farmingdale. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.

Photo courtesy of Suffolk D.A.’s office

On June 5, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the start of the Summer 2024 Internship Program in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, with 101 law school, graduate, and undergraduate students joining the Office as summer interns.

“I am excited to welcome this elite group of students to our team. Internships are vital to career development and boosting employability after graduation,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This internship class will get hands-on experience working alongside prosecutors, investigators, and other staff, assisting with active investigations, preparing misdemeanor and felony cases for hearings and trials, and participating in community outreach.”

This internship class currently studies at 16 different law schools and 36 different undergraduate universities and colleges across the country. While many of the students attend schools in New York, many are traveling to Suffolk County from elsewhere, including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and the Philippines. The students come from varied ethnic backgrounds and speak 16 different languages, including American Sign Language, Ancient Greek, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Punjabi, Sindhi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Throughout the program, the Office enhances the internship experience by providing interns the opportunity to observe arraignments in Suffolk County First District Court, tour portions of the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory, Suffolk County Correctional Facilities, and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, and the United States Federal District Court.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) recently announced the successful restoration of the iconic Stony Brook Eagle, a beloved landmark perched atop the historic Stony Brook Post Office. After 83 years of service, the eagle has been meticulously restored thanks to the unwavering support of local and dedicated community members. The restoration was completed just in time for Memorial Day, allowing the patriotic eagle to be displayed for the holiday.

Built in 1940 and completed in 1941 by the visionary businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville, Stony Brook Village stands as a testament to his grand vision. Among the thirty-five buildings modified or relocated by Melville, the Post Office stands out with its remarkable 20-foot mechanical eagle, captivating generations of visitors with its lifelike movements. However, after so many years in service, the hand-carved wooden fixture was in need of restoration.

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright successfully secured a $125,000 grant to restore several of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s (WMHO) historic properties, including the eagle. To supplement the grant, WMHO launched a fundraising campaign. This campaign reached people through newsletters, social media, and word-of-mouth, drawing donations from a diverse group of supporters. Contributions came from former and current residents, locals from neighboring towns, and eagle enthusiasts from as far away as San Antonio, Texas. 

Olivia and Harlan Fischer, Branch Financial Services made a significant donation. Frederick, Jeannie, and Margeaux Ringwald, grandchildren of Friederich Wilhelm Ringwald, the man who carved the 20-foot eagle in the 1940s, also donated to the cause. The restoration, totaling $85,000, was fully funded by the donations specifically raised for the eagle.

Renowned for their expertise in historic restoration, Henry Restoration Ltd. of Nesconset was entrusted with the project. With a reputation built on prestigious projects like the Sheraton St. Regis Hotel and Trinity Church in New York City, the company commenced work on April 2nd, completing the project in less than seven weeks. WMHO worked closely with Timothy Henry, President of Henry Restoration Ltd. on the restoration.

Sidewalk bridging and scaffolding were constructed at the Post Office to facilitate the restoration work. Missing, loose, and broken parts, including the feet and arrowheads, were expertly restored or replaced. New stars, crafted from mahogany by Carl Reinke, Vice President of Henry Restoration Ltd., replaced the original Masonite stars. 

Enhancements included aluminum straps for wing stabilization and a new stainless-steel chain to replace a rusty steel one. The eagle has been reconnected to its internal clock mechanism, which remains in excellent working condition. This ensures it will continue to flap its wings every hour, on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, captivating onlookers for years to come.

This project stands as a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage and honoring the legacy of Ward Melville. WMHO has established a dedicated fund to support the eagle and its mechanisms moving forward. Checks can be made payable to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, and can be sent to P.O. Box 572, Stony Brook, NY 11790. Your donation is tax-deductible.

From left, Joe Pokorny, Deputy CEO for Operations; Charley Golub; Alexandra Bachman; Piper Desoye; Abby Adams; Srisha Dey; and Theodore Kamm. Photo courtesy of SCWA

The winners of the annual student poster contest held by the Suffolk County Water Authority were honored at an event on May 21 at SCWA’s Education Center in Hauppauge. Six students from grades kindergarten through the 8th grade were selected for their artwork that showed the importance of water and ways that it can be protected. More than a hundred entries were submitted by students from across Suffolk County.

Deputy CEO for Operations Joe Pokorny presented the awards and praised the winners, stating, “These young artists have captured the essence of our mission—to safeguard our precious water resources. Although we could only pick a few winners, across the board the students showed their understanding of the importance of water. Their creativity and commitment to environmental stewardship inspire us all.”

Two winners were selected from each age group. Srisha Dey (Parliament Place Elementary, North Babylon) and Theodore Kamm (Park View Elementary School, Kings Park) were selected in the kindergarten to 2nd grade group. Alexandra Bachman and Piper Desoye (both of Lloyd Harbor School, Cold Spring Harbor) for the 3rd to 5th grade group. Abby Adams (West Hollow Middle School, Melville) and Charley Golub (Paul J. Gelinus Jr. High School, Setauket) for the 6th to 8th grade group.

Each winner received a certificate of achievement in recognition of their outstanding work. Their posters will be prominently displayed in the SCWA Education Center throughout the year, helping to educate visitors about drinking water and how to best protect this critical resource.

Licorice first entered the shelter system in January 2023 when he was found as a stray. He waited patiently for his family to claim him; however, that day never came. He sat at the town shelter for about a month before Little Shelter in Huntington stepped in. They rescued him, hoping he would have a better chance at finding a family here, yet that does not seem to be the case. He has been searching for his new family for over 480 days. It is a mystery to everyone as to why he is still waiting.

Licorice is an energetic dog with a lot of love and affection to give. He is a lab/collie mix estimated to be about 5-6 years old and weighing about 58 lbs. He is a sucker for tennis balls, squeaky toys, belly rubs, and of course treats. His only request is a home without any other furry friends as he is not a fan. Licorice is eager to please and excellent companionship material.

An additional incentive for his potential adopters is a waived adoption fee! For the month of June, Licorice will be the shelter’s Star of the Month. With this special recognition, they only ask for a $25 hold fee and that is it.

Don’t let Licorice spend another night in a shelter. If you are looking for a dog to play fetch with and snuggle up on the couch with then Licorice could be your perfect match!

Little Shelter is located at 33 Warner Road in Huntington. For more information or to adopt Licorice, call 631-368-8770, ext. 21.