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Press Release

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At the Suffolk County Legislature’s General Meeting in Riverhead on April 9, students from the Fifth Legislative District were commended for their exceptional bicycle safety knowledge.

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) was thrilled to announce the Legislature’s Bicycle Safety Poster and Video contest winners, both from his district. For the annual contests, all 18 legislators invite students from local schools to participate. Elementary students are asked to send in a poster, while intermediate and high school students are eligible for the video contest. Each legislator picks one poster and one video from entries submitted to his or her district to be considered the overall Legislature winners.

This year, Nora Boecherer, a first grader attending Edna Louise Spear Elementary School in Port Jefferson, placed first in the County Legislature’s poster contest. Nora attended the April 9th General Meeting and, with her assistant principal Brianne Antenucci by her side, accepted a proclamation from Legislator Englebright.

John F. Kennedy Middle School’s E-News Club members were the overall winners in the video contest. The Comsewogue District Students (Mark Peck, Isabella Manganello, Savannah Prescott, Dean Tuckett-Rivera, Emily Sullivan, Hunter Hojnacki and Raymond Callender), along with their faculty adviser Steven Nielsen, principal Amanda Prinz and Comsewogue District Superintendent Jennifer Quinn, were on hand to accept their proclamation.

“Nora and the J.F.K. Middle School E-News Club members have set an excellent example for their peers,” Englebright said. “They prove that even our youngest citizens can help to keep our local neighborhoods safe places to travel and play. I was impressed by their creativity and hope they enjoyed their visit to the Legislature’s General Meeting.”

 

 

Child Safety Seat Check, Bicycle Rodeo and Teen Driver Safety Program

 

 

Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro is announcing several free safety programs being offered to Town of Brookhaven residents this spring. 

The Traffic Safety Department is hosting several Child Safety Seat Checks at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road in Holtsville. Upcoming events will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to noon, and Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, along with certified technicians from the Brookhaven Highway Department, will be on hand to inspect car seats and make sure children are riding in the right car seats for their age and size as they grow. 

The Brookhaven Highway Department will offer a Teen Driver Safety Program at Safety Town on Thursday, May 16, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Teenagers 15 and older and their parents are invited to participate in an interactive experience exhibiting the dangers of texting or drinking and driving. During this intense, real-life program, certified instructors with many years of defensive driving and accident investigation experience will talk with participants about the importance of developing safe habits when traveling the roadways. Teens will then use electric cars to complete obstacle courses designed to simulate driving while texting and impaired.

On Saturday, May 11, and again on Saturday, June 15, the Brookhaven Highway Department will host a Bicycle Rodeo at Safety Town between 8 a.m. and noon. These events encourage children to learn how to safely ride their bikes in a mock-roadway, kid-sized setting. Participants of all ages will be evaluated and given feedback on their own bicycle-handling abilities, after proper bicycle safety skills are demonstrated. Participants are required to bring their own helmets and bicycles; both will be inspected for safety. 

All events are by appointment only; call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot. 

All programs are funded in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governors Traffic Safety Committee.

 

Photo from TOB

On April 24, Councilwoman Jane Bonner (center) was a guest speaker at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ESBOCES) Community Legislative Committee meeting. The Community Legislative Committee, which is open to the community, is generally comprised of ESBOCES students, staff, parents, and ESBOCES Board Members. The committee is for those who are interested in learning about the issues impacting school districts and BOCES and how to advocate for positive change.

Also pictured are (left) ESBOCES Chief Operating Officer, David Wicks and (right) ESBOCES Board Vice President, Bill Miller. Councilwoman Bonner said, “The training that the students receive from BOCES will give them a smoother path when they are seeking employment. Navigating the employment market can be a challenge, but the career training they get at BOCES will help to turn their dream job into a reality.”

Heckscher Museum of Art

The Museum will offer free admission courtesy of Bank of America into 2025

Continuing the legacy of founders August and Anna Heckscher, The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington has provided the community with free access to its exhibitions, with suggested donations, since reopening its doors after the peak of the pandemic. A grant from Bank of America will allow The Heckscher Museum of Art to offer free admission into 2025, and welcome more visitors and families to enjoy art and community.

“We are grateful to Bank of America for its generosity and partnership,” said Heather Arnet Executive Director & CEO. “Founders Anna and August Heckscher envisioned a thriving ‘museum for all’. This grant will allow the Museum to continue that important mission and ensure that cost will not be a barrier for any individual or family to view the Museum’s fine art collection and exhibitions.”  

The Heckscher Museum was founded in 1920 as a space for the people of Huntington, especially the children, to enjoy free access to world-class art. Throughout the last century, The Heckscher Museum has worked to maintain that legacy through key partnerships and fundraising efforts. These efforts have helped sustain the museum’s quality arts education and outreach programs, caretaking of the permanent collection, and the organization and presentation of renowned art exhibitions.

A supporter of Long Island’s vibrant arts scene and cultural institutions, Bank of America is dedicated to fostering greater cultural understanding through the arts. Providing and expanding access to museums and the arts is critical for enriching local communities and driving social progress. The $25,000 grant will ensure that more visitors will be able to experience The Heckscher Museum’s exhibitions free of charge.

“Making Long Island’s flourishing arts community and cultural institutions accessible to locals and visitors alike has the power to create long-lasting, positive change in our communities,” said Marc Perez, president, Bank of America Long Island. “In partnership with The Heckscher Museum of Art, we look forward to ensuring that access to the museum’s dynamic exhibitions and permanent collection is free to the public.”

August and Anna Heckscher donated the Museum building and original collection of 185 works of art in 1920 to benefit the citizens of Huntington. In his dedication speech, Mr. Heckscher stated that Huntington was to be “one of the few places in the United States outside of the large cities [that] possess galleries of such extent and importance.” He intended this gift to be “especially for the children.” 

About The Heckscher Museum  

The Heckscher Museum of Art is in its second century as a source of art and inspiration on Long Island. Founded by philanthropists Anna and August Heckscher in 1920, the Museum’s collection comprises more than 2,300 works from the 16th to the 21st century, including European and American painting, sculpture, works on paper, and photography. Located in scenic Heckscher Park in Huntington, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit Heckscher.org for more information. Heckscher.org

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

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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 merchandise from a Selden store.

A man allegedly stole kitchen electrics from Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza, on April 6 at noon.

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 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 merchandise from a South Setauket store.

A man allegedly stole approximately $340 worth of Pokemon cards from Target, located at 265 Pond Path, on April 9 at approximately 9:30 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.

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook tennis team ended the regular season with a bang on April 20, securing a 6-1 victory over Queens College. The home victory over the Knights marked head coach Thiago Dualiby’s first career win at University Courts.

 The Seawolves took two of three doubles games to record the point, with Mia Palladino and Elena Lobo-Corral teaming up for a win in game one. Cornelia Bruu-Syversen and Darian Perfiliev took game three to win the clinching point.

Stony Brook then took five of the six singles matches, with Palladino, Lobo-Corral, Bruu-Syversen, Sara Medved, and Debby Mastrodima winning their matches.

“We competed well and were able to handle difficult moments with poise today,” said head coach Thiago Dualiby. “It was a positive way to end the regular season. To play at home and show grit with great support after being on the road the whole season was fantastic.”

Up next, the team will travel to North Carolina for the CAA Championship Tournament, which will take place from April 24 to 28. The Seawolves’ opening matchup is yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.  

JT Raab struck out seven Tigers hitters and tossed his first career complete game on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

Pitcher JT Raab fanned seven Towson hitters over nine innings of work to help lead the Stony Brook Seawolves over the Tigers 4-3 on April 21 at Joe Nathan Field, securing the weekend sweep over the Tigers. 

In addition to his seven strikeouts, Raab (4-1) tossed nine innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and walking none for Stony Brook (20-17, 9-6).

On the offensive side, the Seawolves were paced by Johnny Pilla going 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Also, Ryan Micheli, Cam Santerre, and Erik Paulsen all tallied an RBI in the victory. 

Raab was dealing early this afternoon as he struck out three of the first four batters that he faced in the four inning. Following the 1-2-3 frame in the second for Raab and stranding a Tiger runner on-base in the third inning, the Tigers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth.

However, Stony Brook responded right back with a run of their own to tie the game at 1-1. Pilla started the rally with a double to the opposite field, and ultimately scored later in the inning from a sac-fly off the bat of Ryan Micheli. 

The game remained tied until the very next inning, when the Seawolves got going again on offense. Stony Brook plated two runs off of Towson pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of E. Paulsen, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the home team. 

Towson narrowed Stony Brook’s lead to 3-2 before the Seawolves stretched the advantage to 4-2 in the seventh inning. With two outs in the inning, the Seawolves put together three consecutive walks from B. Paulsen, Micheli and Santerre that brought home E. Paulsen. 

In the eighth inning, the right-hander for Stony Brook sat down all Tigers in-order and surrendered a run in the ninth but held on for the complete-game victory. 

The team returned to the diamond on April 23 as they hosted Manhattan for a non-conference battle. Results were not available as of press time.

Caption: Legislator Steve Englebright, right, congratulates Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich on being named the 5th Legislative District's Champion of Diversity.

Recently, Suffolk County legislators were tasked with naming a Champion of Diversity in their legislative district. For Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), the choice was easy: Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook).

The legislators introduced their Champions of Diversity at the Suffolk County Legislature’s April 9 meeting in Riverhead. While Kornreich could not attend due to a scheduling conflict, Englebright read a biography summarizing the councilmember’s achievements. The legislator was able to present Kornreich’s proclamation to him personally at Brookhaven Town Hall on April 23.  

Legislator Englebright has known Kornreich for more than a decade and has witnessed firsthand the councilmember’s efforts in creating a more diverse and equitable community, even before Kornreich served as an elected official.

Included among Kornreich’s accomplishments is the councilmember helping to create the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Advisory Board (AANHPI) at the Town of Brookhaven. The board aims to build bridges of friendship and understanding between the town government and the Asian American community.

The councilmember speaks annually at the North Shore Jewish Center to educate the senior community about the various town resources available. He secured recognition of Pride Month in 2021 for the first time by the Brookhaven Town Board. He also coordinated with the LGBTQ+ community from Stony Brook University for Pride Month to host the school’s first Pride block party, which now takes place annually.

Currently, Kornreich is working on a heroic project with various community members to raise funds through private donations to restore the American Legion Irving Hart Post 1766 in Setauket. The building, now in disrepair, was a de facto community center for decades. Established after World War II by members of the mixed-heritage Black and Native American community who lived in the Bethel-Christian Avenue-Laurel Hill Historic District area, the Post served as a local veterans’ service organization for those who returned home from serving their country and found other posts would not accept them.

Kornreich said, “I am deeply grateful to Legislator Englebright for recognizing the work of our team in making sure that the diverse voices of Brookhaven’s Council District 1 are seen and heard. As one of the most diverse districts in the town, we believe it is central to our government mission to make sure our residents’ diverse perspectives are included in our work in a meaningful way.”

The councilmember has served the residents of Brookhaven’s First District since being elected to office in a special election in 2021. He is a former Three Village Civic Association president and a former board member of both the North Shore Montessori School in Stony Brook and Three Village Central School District Board of Education.

 

Submitted by William Mountzouros

On April 20,  the Smithtown Masonic Lodge marked a significant milestone as it celebrated the 75th anniversary and re-dedication of its building located at 34 River road in Smithtown. Since its inception in 1948, the lodge has been an integral part of the Smithtown community, serving as a beacon of fellowship, charity, and service.

The anniversary celebration was attended by numerous members of the Smithtown community, including business leaders and residents who have long benefited from the lodge’s events and philanthropic endeavors. Among the distinguished guests were representatives from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Grand Chapter of the State of New York, and delegates from other lodges across the state.

A highlight of the event was also a solemn re-dedication ceremony of a concordant body of Royal Arch Masonry, Asharokan Chapter No. 288 that celebrated its 125th year.

These Masonic organizations continue to be committed to the principles of brotherhood and community service. As part of the ceremony, a time capsule was also sealed, containing artifacts and memorabilia from the lodge’s history, to be opened during its 100th and 150th anniversary in 2048, providing future generations with a glimpse into the rich heritage of Freemasonry in Smithtown.

Freemasonry, a fraternal organization, is dedicated to fostering brotherhood and aiding those in need, has a long and storied history dating back centuries. Its members, known as Freemasons, are united by shared values and a commitment to helping others, both within their organization and in the broader community. With a presence in various forms around the world, Freemasonry continues to uphold its tradition of service and fellowship, exemplified by institutions like these.

As the Smithtown Masonic Lodge and Asharokan Chapter commemorate these milestone anniversaries they remain dedicated to the service of the Smithtown community. Its members look forward to continuing their mission of promoting goodwill, charity, and brotherhood for many years to come.