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.
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.
Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Smithtown artist Lynn Staiano will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from May 26 to July 25. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a press release.
Lynn Staiano is a self-taught artist who discovered a passion for painting during the pandemic. “Inspired by my late mother, a talented artist who nurtured creativity in our home, I found comfort and purpose in art during a time of global uncertainty. Though I had never formally painted before, I began exploring acrylics, later transitioning to oils, with occasional work in pastel and watercolor mediums,” she said.
The artist is particularly drawn to abandoned or fractured houses, barns, bridges, charming old windows, intriguing doors, and elements of antiquity.
“I am moved to express well-lived environments; loved, forgotten, and vintage items. I enjoy painting plein air and in the studio, with a focus on landscapes and still life compositions,” she explained.
Staiano’s art has been exhibited in galleries across Long Island. “Committed to continually growing as an artist, I honor my mother’s dream through classes, practice, experimentation, and exploration.”
“STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities,” read the release.
A scene from the 37th annual drinking water tasting contest at Farmingdale State College.
To celebrate National Drinking Water Week, the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) hosted its 37th annual drinking water tasting contest at Farmingdale State College from Tuesday, May 7 to Wednesday, May 8. Sixteen water providers from across Long Island competed for the title of best drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, respectively. This year’s winners were the Greenlawn Water District (GWD) for Suffolk County and the Oyster Bay Water District (OBWD) for Nassau County.
“Our annual Drinking Water Tasting Contest is always a highlight of the year for us, serving as a fun, unique way for us to connect with members of our community,” said LIWC Chairman Robert McEvoy. “We love being able to educate students and faculty on everything that goes into delivering them with high-quality drinking water every single day. We hope that all of our participants enjoyed the experience as much as we did and that they learned a thing or two about their tap water.”
A scene from the 37th annual drinking water tasting contest at Farmingdale State College.
“It is a privilege to be selected as Suffolk County’s best-tasting water in this year’s contest,” said GWD Chairman James Logan. “We take pride in our ability to serve our residents the best water available on a daily basis, and to be honored on a County-wide scale shows that people from outside our District appreciate our efforts as well. We’ll make sure that the trophy has a safe home for the next year and we’re looking forward to being repeat champions in 2026!”
Over 320 participants cast their votes for what they believed was the best-tasting water and received exciting giveaways. LIWC representatives also provided important knowledge to attendees on the water delivered to the homes and answered questions regarding the treatment methods that ensure Long Island’s high-quality drinking water remains of the highest quality.
For emerging as the victors with the best-tasting drinking water, the Oyster Bay and Greenlawn water districts will possess the coveted trophy for a year and win bragging rights among their fellow providers. They will also participate and represent Long Island in the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest held in New York City this August, with a chance to win entry for the statewide contest held at the Great New York State Fair.
About the Long Island Water Conference
Since 1951, the LIWC has dedicated themselves to providing and ensuring a pure and plentiful water supply for the Long Island community. Representing over 50 regional water suppliers, the LIWC is committed to providing and maintaining a reliable and safe water supply today, while anticipating the water concerns of future generations. LIWC members provide more than 375 million gallons of clean water each day. For more information, please visit www.liwc.org.
Daphna Zekaria, a Former Partner at the H Law Firm of Sokolski and Zekaria, P.C., Faces 2 to 6 Years in Prison
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 22 that Daphna Zekaria, 54, of Syosset, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and related charges, for stealing nearly $400,000 from her clients’ escrow accounts for personal and business expenses.
“The deliberate theft of nearly $400,000 from client escrow accounts represents a serious violation of professional duty and criminal law,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This guilty plea ensures this defendant will be held accountable to make her clients whole for this egregious abuse of trust.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admission during her plea allocution, in August 2021, Zekaria, a partner at the Huntington law firm of Sokolski and Zekaria, P.C., was hired to represent a woman in her divorce and, later, for the sale of her marital home. Between December 29, 2021, and March 4, 2022, Zekaria received approximately $150,000, which were the proceeds of the sale of her client’s home. Zekaria was to hold the funds in her escrow account to be dispersed when the client’s divorce was finalized. Instead, Zekaria allegedly used the funds for personal and business expenses.
In December 2021, Zekaria was hired by a New York State Lottery winner, and made promises to hold a portion of her client’s money in the firm’s escrow account and invest an additional portion on his behalf. Instead of holding the money or investing it, Zekaria did neither. She instead made large transfers of money to other individuals which she would not have been able to, had her client’s funds not been deposited into her account. Zekaria collected a total of $230,000 from the victim in three separate transactions.
Additionally, in March 2023, Zekaria was retained by an elderly Manhattan woman to assist her in contesting eviction proceedings. Zekaria took $17,500 from the victim to represent her but performed no legal work on her behalf. After the victim requested her money back 13 days after providing the payment, Zekaria had spent the victim’s money on LIPA payments and credit card bills.
On May 21, 2025, Zekaria pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro:
Two Counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E felony; and
Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Justice Ambro ordered Zekaria to pay a restitution of $373,500 by May 2026 or face 2 to 6 years in prison. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison. Zekaria’s law license is presently suspended while the Attorney Grievance Committee of the First Judicial Department continues disbarment proceedings against her. She is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Katharine D’Aquila and Alexander D. Sylvan of the Public Corruption Bureau.
Michael Martell celebrated the grand opening of The Martell Method: Pro Shop and Coaching with his mother, Nicole, who is the youth director at Maple Family Centers, on May 5.
Michael Martell grew up in a bowling center. His mother, Nicole Martell, is a long-time employee of Maple Family Centers, and Maple President John LaSpina recalls the door of his office routinely brushing up against Michael’s playpen. Now 27 and a pro bowler, Michael recently returned to Maple to open a pro shop inside Coram Country Lanes, which is one of the company’s five bowling centers, located at 615 Middle Country Road in Coram.
Michael Martell
The Martell Method: Pro Shop and Coaching, which opened May 5, offers bowling balls, accessories, apparel, custom drillings and fittings, lessons, and more. Most recently, Martell was the operator of 39 Boards, a pro shop in West Babylon, where he worked for five years.
A resident of Centereach, Martell is a seven-year member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour and a 2024 PBA East Regional Champion. He is also a 2024 New York State U.S. Bowling Conference (USBC) Open Championships All Events Champion and took 2nd place in the USBC Masters in 2023. He has also been a three-time member of Team USA.
As a member of the men’s bowling team at Robert Morris University in Illinois, Martell helped his team win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship in 2016. He later served as assistant coach and then head coach of the Robert Morris women’s bowling team until COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season.
As a college student, Martell began working at Action Pro Shop in Illinois, where he was especially interested in learning how to drill holes in bowling balls and custom-fit them to a person’s hand.
“As a kid, I never felt that the balls I used fit my hand properly,” he said. “When I got to college, I realized how important it is for the fit to be correct, especially for accuracy.”
Martell is excited to share his expertise with bowlers at his new business.
“There is so much to give back to bowlers — from knowledge to taking the time to learn what they need as a bowler and a person,” said Martell, who is a USBC certified coach. “My goal is to help bowlers through my experiences to be the best that they can be.”
He is also thrilled to come home to Maple Family Centers, a third-generation family-owned business owned by the LaSpina family. He grew up bowling and later working at Maple’s original location, which was in Brooklyn. His favorite memory at Maple was the annual Peter J. LaSpina, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Tournament, where he joined hundreds of kids in competing for scholarships.
“At about age 8, I was given the job of videographer, and I was SO excited,” Martell recalled. “I felt important and a part of the team. I enjoyed recording the opening and closing ceremonies almost more than the bowling. From a very young age, I felt that I was cared about and important to the LaSpina family. The LaSpinas know how to make you feel valuable and like you are truly family.”
Pictured from left, Three Village Historical Society Executive Director Mari Irizarry, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay and The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages Co-Executive Director Joshua Ruff
New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, her staff members, Long Island Museum staff and board members, and fellow government representatives gathered with members of the community at The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook on Thursday, May 15, for a special “Meet Your Elected Officials” event.
This event was coordinated by Assemblywoman Kassay’s office and the Long Island Museum, and was held in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition, Building the Ballot Box: Long Island’s Democratic History, which is part of the Agora New York Voices and Votes project. The exhibit, which explores the history of American democracy, was on display at the museum through May 18.
Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright and NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay.
The event provided attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with local elected officials, including Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright, while reflecting on the significant role Long Island played in the development of American democracy. Assemblywoman Kassay formally invited local legislative representatives— from the town, county, state, and federal government positions to participate or send staff to table at this event.
“My staff and I are grateful for the Long Island Museum’s collaboration in coordinating such a meaningful event. It was a perfect opportunity to connect with our community and celebrate our shared history,” said Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. “This exhibition not only highlights the rich democratic heritage of Long Island but also encourages active civic participation. It was truly a pleasure to engage with the community, offer them resources, and discuss how we can continue to work together for a better future.”
“It was wonderful to be able to join Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay to greet members of the public at the Long Island Museum against the backdrop of their extraordinary exhibition Building the Ballot Box: Long Island’s Democratic History,” said Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright. “It was a privilege to welcome our contemporary voters in the presence of paintings by William Sidney Mount that depict citizens practicing democracy in our community more than 150 years ago.”
“The Museum has been proud to host the Voices and Votes and Building the Ballot Box exhibitions and we so appreciate Assemblywoman Kassay and her office for planning this great forum for conversation with the community, which offered people a relaxed chance to enjoy the project in its final days,” shared Joshua Ruff, The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages Co-Executive Director
The Building the Ballot Box exhibition is a traveling project that explores the history of voting rights and the democratic process, with stops at 12 museums throughout New York State through 2026. The exhibit highlights the critical role of voting and civic engagement in shaping American society.
For more information, please call Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host a special Q&A event featuring inductee Jimmy Rosica, an original member and current bassist of The Brooklyn Bridge, on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at LIMEHOF’s museum location at 97 Main Street, Stony Brook. The event is free for LIMEHOF members and general admission ticket price for non-members.
“This is a must-see for fans of The Brooklyn Bridge and classic pop music,” said LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham who will host the event. “Attendees of this special event will have the rare opportunity to hear firsthand insights from Jimmy Rosica about the making of this legendary album, its standout tracks, and the band’s lasting legacy.”
This exclusive discussion will take a deep dive into the stories behind every track on the band’s classic 1968 debut album, entitled “The Brooklyn Bridge”, which featured hits like “Blessed Is the Rain,” “Welcome Me Love,” and their gold-certified smash “The Worst That Could Happen.”
“I’m really excited to share stories about our first album with The Brooklyn Bridge at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame,” Rosica said. “It’s a special part of our history that means so much to me.”
Formed in 1968 by Johnny Maestro, The Brooklyn Bridge combined the talents of The Del-Satins and Rhythm Method to create a signature sound blending doo-wop, pop, and powerful horn arrangements. With over 10 million records sold, the group left an indelible mark on American music history. The group was inducted into LIMEHOF in 2006 as Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge. They performed at the first LIMEOF induction ceremony with LIMEHOF inductee Jimmy Webb.
Jimmy Rosica grew up in Hicksville. In addition to his career in music, he is also the founder of Very Cool Music School, an educational program using pitch pipes and continues to share his love of music with students and fans alike of all ages.
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.
“There is so much to give back to bowlers — from knowledge to taking the time to learn what they need as a bowler and a person,” said Martell, who is a USBC certified coach. “My goal is to help bowlers through my experiences to be the best that they can be.” 
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