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Press Release

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Update: The man who was pulled unresponsive from a West Hills pool on May 19 has been identified as
Ellery Smith, 45, of Huntington Station, and pronounced dead.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating after a Huntington Station man was pulled unresponsive from a residential swimming pool in West Hills on May 19.

Second Precinct officers responded to a 911 call at 367 West Hills Road after a 45-year-old man and acquaintance of the homeowner was found unresponsive in the swimming pool at approximately 2 p.m. A resident of the home began CPR until first responders arrived. The man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was transported via ambulance to Huntington Hospital where he is in critical condition.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

An international panel of sleep experts including researchers at Stony Brook University formally agree in a consensus statement that reducing pre-bedtime digital media, especially for children and adolescents, will improve sleep health. Getty Images

SBU Professor Lauren Hale Chairs the National Sleep Foundation’s panel that published a consensus statement

Since the smartphone’s emergence in 2007, digital screen time has ballooned in use over the years for children and adults. How use of smartphones and other digital screen devices affects sleep continues to be debated. In a review of 574 peer-reviewed published studies on the issue, an international panel of sleep experts selected by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has drawn up a consensus statement about digital screen use and sleep.

The consensus statement, titled “The Impact of Screen Use on Sleep Health Across the Lifespan: A National Sleep Foundation Consensus Statement,” is published in Sleep Health, the journal of the NSF. They assessed studies on screen time and its effects on sleep including research on children, adolescents, and/or adults.

After an extensive review of this large collection of studies over the course of a year, the panel reached consensus on a number of key points.

They agreed that: 1) In general, screen use impairs sleep health among children and adolescents; 2) The content of screen use before sleep impairs sleep health of children and adolescents, and 3) Behavioral strategies and interventions may attenuate the negative effects of screen use on sleep health.

”Upon review of the current literature, our panel achieved consensus on the importance of reducing pre-bedtime digital media to improve sleep health, especially for children and adolescents,” says Lauren Hale, PhD, Chair of the Consensus Panel and Professor in the Program of Public Health at Stony Brook University, and in the Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook. “We also identified the gaps in the literature and the need for future research.”

The NSF provides recommendations for best practices to reduce the impact of screen use on sleep.

In summary, they suggest:

  • Avoiding stimulating or upsetting material near bedtime
  • Implementing early, regular, and relaxing bedtime routines without screens
  • Setting time limits around screen use, especially in the evening and at night
  • Parents talking with children about how using tech and screens can impact sleep
  • Parents modeling appropriate nighttime screen use for children

“The expert panel examined available scientific evidence, paying close attention to studies that examined whether, how, and for whom screen use might negatively impact sleep health. We found that stimulating content of screen use, particularly at night, has a negative effect on sleep health in young people,” adds NSF Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD.

Lauren Hale and three other coauthors on the consensus statement were from Stony Brook University:  Gina Marie Mathew, Isaac Rodriguez, and librarian Jessica A. Koos, who helped identify the published peer-reviewed original research and literature reviews using databases, including the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed, Elsevier’s EMBASE, and Clarivate’s Web of Science.

Insufficient sleep duration is both widespread and associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Having inconsistent sleep schedules is also associated with adverse health outcomes. For more information about sleep health, see this NSF webpage on Sleep Health Topics.

 

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town Police detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the person or people who stole an all-terrain vehicle from a Calverton farm. A Polaris HO500 was stolen from an unlocked barn at Spur of the Moment Farms, located at 451 Edwards Ave., during the overnight hours between May 15 and May 16. Below is a photo of a similar vehicle.

Photo from SCPD

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.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the people who allegedly used a debit card in Centereach and Middle Island stores that was stolen in Medford earlier that day

A woman lost her debit card at the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles located at 2799 Route 112, Medford on May 10 at approximately 12 p.m. Two men then allegedly used the stolen credit cards a short time later at two Walmart stores, located at 161 Centereach Mall in Centereach and 750 Route 25A in Middle Island. Additional transactions were also made.

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.

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Suffolk County Police today arrested two people for allegedly selling vape or alcohol products to underage people during a compliance check in the Second Precinct.

As part of the department’s “Operation Smoke Out,” Second Precinct Crime Section officers conducted compliance checks into the sale of vapes and alcohol to underaged persons at 26 businesses in the Second Precinct and two were found to not be in compliance with the law.

Charles Spinella, 21, of Kings Park, an employee of Legacy Smoke Shop, located at 39 Larkfield Road, allegedly sold an alcoholic beverage to an underaged person and was charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree.

Harsh Gajjar, 21, of Plainview, an employee of Mister Tobacco 2 Smoke & Vape Shop, located at 2031 East Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, allegedly sold a vape product to an underaged person and was charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree.

Spinella and Gajjar were both issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

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Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a woman in Coram on May 28.

Rosemary Kappen was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion southbound on Route 112 when she attempted to make a left turn onto Barone Drive and her vehicle was struck by a southbound 2006 Toyota at approximately 6:10 a.m. Kappen, 59, of Medford, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Toyota, Barbara Raynor, 75, of Eastport, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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

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Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed one man and critically injured another in Stony Brook on May 28.

A sanitation worker called 911 at 7:17 a.m. after observing an overturned 2004 GMC that had struck a tree in front of 1556 Stony Brook Road. Two males were found inside, unconscious, and were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Patrick Kelly, 19, of St. James, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other man, who police are not identifying pending notification of next of kin, is in critical condition. Police are still investigating who was driving at the time of the crash. The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

Middle Country Central School District. File photo

The Middle Country Central School District announced that Michael Cosmo from Centereach High School and Saitta Roy from Newfield High School are their schools’ respective Class of 2024 valedictorians, while Gregory Mears from Centereach High School and Danica Lyktey from Newfield High School are the salutatorians.

Throughout their four years in high school, these students excelled academically, were active community members, and participated in various extracurricular activities.

Centereach High School Class of 2024 valedictorian Michael Cosmo achieved outstanding academic success during his high school tenure. His weighted GPA of 103.9 is a testament to his dedication and hard work. Michael’s academic achievements include completing 13 AP classes and two additional college-level courses. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Beyond academics, Michael has made significant contributions to all facets of Centereach High School. He serves as the GO treasurer, demonstrating his leadership and involvement in school activities. Michael’s talents extend to the arts and athletics as well. He excels as a musician, playing the trumpet in the school’s jazz band and pit orchestra, and as a varsity basketball player and captain of the varsity tennis team. He has been recognized as an Academic All-County player by Suffolk County basketball coaches.

Moreover, Michael has shown a commitment to community service, tutoring elementary students, volunteering at basketball camps, and participating in Tri-M Music Honor Society-sponsored events. After graduation, Michael plans to pursue a career in law at Georgetown University, building on his internships with local lawmakers during high school.

Centereach High School Class of 2024 salutatorian Gregory Mears also achieved academic success. His combined SAT score of 1530 places him in the top 1% of all students nationally. Gregory has completed 11 AP classes and four additional college-level courses, earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Scholarship Commended student. He is a valued member of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

In addition to his academic achievements, Gregory is deeply involved in Centereach High School’s co-curricular activities. He holds the position of vice president of the science club, co-founded the school’s chess club, and actively participates in Tri-M Music Honor Society-sponsored events. Gregory’s commitment to community service is evident through his hours spent with the Avalon Nature Initiative in Stony Brook. As a talented musician, he serves as principal bassist in the Philharmonic and chamber orchestras. Gregory embodies the spirit of the music department and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. After graduation, Gregory plans to pursue English literature at Colby College in Maine.

Newfield High School Class of 2024 valedictorian Saitta Roy boasts a weighted GPA of 102.19 and will have the potential to graduate in June with more than 30 college credits. She keeps herself busy as a member of the school’s mock trial team, the crochet club, the newspaper club, and the pit orchestra. She is also the vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and president of the National Honor Society.

Outside of school, Saitta works at the Middle Country Public Library and serves as a tutor, also known as a homework pal, for elementary-age students. Saitta has accumulated over 100 hours of community service as a book buddy, making donations to Stony Brook Hospital through the crochet club, serving food at the New Lane Elementary School MVP dance, and running a station at the Bicycle Path Literacy Expo through the National Honor Society. Saitta will be attending the University of Notre Dame, where she will major in mechanical engineering on her way to law school.

Newfield High School Class of 2024 salutatorian Danica Lyktey earned the number two spot out of 324 seniors, maintaining a 101.68 weighted GPA. She took a total of 15 AP and college-level classes throughout her high school career. Danica has the potential to graduate with more than 40 college credits.

Danica is an active member of the Spanish Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and is part of the school’s varsity kickline. Outside of school, she is a competitive dancer at Inspirations Performing Arts Centre and this year she is teaching a class for 3- to 6-year-old students. Danica will be attending SUNY Binghamton in the fall, majoring in psychology.

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the district’s website: www.mccsd.net.

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Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a man in Shirley on May 26.

Iran Palmer was driving a 2015 Infiniti Q50 southbound on William Floyd Parkway, just north of Robinwood Drive, when he lost control of the vehicle, which struck a metal guardrail and overturned multiple times at approximately 10:15 p.m. Palmer, 38, of Farmingville, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The Infiniti was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-
8752.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly damaged property in Mount Sinai earlier this month.

A woman allegedly attempted to remove a large vase from the yard of a home, located on Mount Sinai-Coram Road, on May 21. The vase broke as the woman dragged it.

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.