Mather Hospital invites the community to a HealthyU Spring Semester event at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Saturday, March 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Take part in a free seminar series and interactive health fair focused on your physical, emotional and financial well-being. Attend a variety of lectures including Know your numbers: a checklist for health after 60, Food, exercise and meditation as medicine, Get to know your gut, Managing diabetes and pre-diabetes, Protecting your healthcare wishes and The health benefits of a good night’s sleep.
#2 Nicholas Rizzo from East Islip struck out four players during Saturday's game. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook men’s baseball team took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 4-3 victory against the Siena Saints on March 9.
Nick Rizzo (2-1) started on the mound and picked up the win for Stony Brook (7-7). The southpaw went seven shutout innings while giving up three hits, allowing one walk and striking out four.
Ty Stout also made an impact on the mound for the Seawolves, throwing 1.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts. Matt Brown-Eiring led the way offensively for the Seawolves, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a double and an RBI. Cam Santerre put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double. Erik Paulsen also contributed, going 1-for-4 for Stony Brook with a double and an RBI.
The Seawolves got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Stony Brook plated two runs off of Siena pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Paulsen.
The Seawolves then held the Saints scoreless before expanding their lead in the fifth inning. Santerre came across to score the lone run of the inning for Stony Brook, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of SBU.
Stony Brook kept Siena without a run before building their lead to 4-0 in the seventh inning. Siena put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Stony Brook still held on for the 4-3 win.
“Anytime you can sweep a series, home or away, it’s always fun,” said Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk. “Despite it being early in the year and the temperatures and weather, we had some really good crowds which helped us get it done… It’s good to see us play this well.”
Up next, the team will return to the diamond on March 15 at Seton Hall in Orange, New Jersey.
#14 Tyler Stephenson-Moore celebrates the team's victory on Monday night.
Stony Brook men’s basketball continued its storybook run in the 2024 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship, defeating No. 3 seed Hofstra 63-59 on March 11 to earn its spot in the program’s first-ever CAA Championship final.
With the win, the Seawolves advanced to the CAA finals in just their second season in the conference, where they faced No. 1 seed Charleston in the championship game on March 12 at 7 p.m. (Results were not available as of press time.)
Tyler Stephenson-Moore led the Seawolves offensive attack with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while Chris Maidoh added 13 and Aaron Clarke contributed 12.
The Seawolves jumped out to an 8-3 lead on baskets with four different players hitting the scoring column before the under-16 media timeout. Hofstra then responded with an 8-0 run to grab the 11-8 lead at the 14:16 mark. Later in the half, Stony Brook went on a 12-1 run over 2:30, with the final eight points contributed by Stephenson-Moore, to take a 30-23 lead with 5:02 left to play.
Hofstra grabbed seven of the final nine points of the half, cutting the Seawolves’ lead to 32-30 after the first 20 minutes. The Seawolves took a 36-32 lead early in the second half, but Hofstra out-scored Stony Brook 12-5 over a span of 6:40 for a 44-41 Pride advantage with 11:19 to play. Stony Brook tied things three times in the following seven minutes, with Stephenson-Moore draining a three to knot the game at 51 with 4:37 left.
After a 2:03 scoreless stretch, back-to-back buckets by Maidoh and Stephenson-Moore followed by a three from Noll put Stony Brook ahead 58-51 with 57 seconds remaining. Clarke made three free throws to push the lead to 10 at 46 seconds. Hofstra made a late run to get within three at 62-59 with 6.7 seconds to play, but Keenan Fitzmorris split two free throws to ice the game.
“This was a great win for us,” said head coach Geno Ford postgame. “Hofstra has pounded on us for years … so to play them and beat them in such a meaningful game is huge to our players, the program, the community and the University.”
The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, in partnership with TBR News Media of Setauket, has announced the launch of a Sea Glass Fiction Contest. This exciting competition invites students in grades 3 to 12 from Nassau and Suffolk counties to unleash their creativity by crafting stories inspired by a piece of sea glass.
Students are asked to craft a story inspired by the above sea glass fragment.
The contest, which kicked off this month, challenges participants to imagine a unique journey for the selected sea glass fragment chosen by The Whaling Museum and to weave a captivating tale around it. The winning stories will have the chance to be read at the museum’s annual Sea Glass Festival, a prestigious event celebrating sea glass and its significance in maritime history.
“Sea glass has a way of capturing the imagination, and we can’t wait to read the imaginative stories that come out of this unique contest,” said Nomi Dayan, Executive Director at The Whaling Museum.
Entries must be submitted electronically through the submission form on The Whaling Museum website by April 30, 2024. The contest is free to enter, and all works must be original and written solely by the author. Only residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties are eligible to participate.
“We look forward to the opportunity to celebrate and highlight the creative tales of students in the area,” said Daniel Dunaief, a journalist with TBR News Media. “Entrants can envision ways a piece of glass, shaped by water and time, provides a clue in a compelling narrative.”
Winners will be notified on or about June 1-7, 2024, and select winning entries will be eligible for publication in TBR News Media and on The Whaling Museum’s website. TBR will also highlight the winners in a weekly podcast. In addition, contest winners will receive complimentary tickets to The Whaling Museum’s Sea Glass Festival, held on July 21, 2024, where they will be recognized with a certificate.
“We are grateful to TBR News Media for partnering with us on this contest and helping to bring these young writers’ stories to a wider audience,” added Dayan.
For more information on the Sea Glass Fiction Contest, including guidelines and submission details, please visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/seaglasscontest.
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) recently unveiled a new self-guided audio experience at T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park in Stony Brook Village. Titled “Beyond the Plaque,” this new audio experience gives participants the opportunity to learn about the people named on 16 plaques at the picturesque park. As they wander through the tranquil pathways, they’ll discover more than just names and dates — they’ll delve into the compelling stories and extraordinary journeys of the individuals commemorated on the plaques.
Many of the plaques are dedicated to members past and present of the Stony Brook community, each leaving a lasting impact on those they touched in their lives. Among the notable individuals you can learn about is T. Bayles Minuse, the very namesake of the park.
“Our idea of creating an audio experience dedicated to the people beyond the plaques originated two years ago during the unveiling of the newly rehabilitated T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park,” said Dr. Richard Rugen, WMHO Chairman. “We are thrilled to unveil this to the public, just in time for spring.”
The Beyond the Plaque Audio Experience is offered completely FREE of charge, and accessible to all, anytime, and anywhere. To embark on this captivating tour, individuals can simply scan the QR codes located on informational signs within the park or visit audio.stonybrookvillage.com.
To learn more about events and activities in Stony Brook Village Center, please visit stonybrookvillage.com.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole a package from in front of a home in Holbrook earlier this month.
A man allegedly stole a package containing an iPhone that was delivered to an apartment at Fairfield Broadway Knolls on Dolphin Lane, on March 4 at approximately 3:45 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.
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 stole from a Medford store in February.
A woman allegedly stole clothing valued at $738 from TJ Maxx, located 2799 Horseblock Road, on February 15 at approximately 9 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.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on March 13 that Donald Archibald, 44, of the Bronx, was sentenced to one to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty in February to multiple counts of grand larceny and identity theft for stealing the identities of multiple Suffolk County residents and then using their personal identifying information to obtain money.
“Identity theft comes with serious consequences. Not only for the thief but also for the victims. No one wants their personal information stolen and used for illegal activities or have their funds wiped out to fund a criminal’s greed,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We take these crimes seriously and we will continue to go after those who take advantage of others through such deceptive and invasive means.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on April 13, 2023, at approximately 12:12 p.m., after obtaining his first victim’s Suffolk County address and contact information off the dark web, Archibald entered an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut and displayed a false driver’s license to the bank teller. The license displayed the victim’s correct name and address but had the defendant’s face depicted. Archibald presented the teller with a withdrawal slip and withdrew $2,000 from the victim’s checking account.
Later that same day, at approximately 12:36 p.m., Archibald entered a different M&T Bank branch in Bridgeport, Connecticut and used the same Suffolk County resident’s bank account information and a “washed” check to withdraw $3,000 in cash from the victim’s account.
In a similar scheme, on April 14, 2023, after once again obtaining another Suffolk County resident’s personal information off the dark web, Archibald entered a TD Bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, similarly, displayed a false driver’s license with a picture of his own face but with the victim’s information. Archibald then cashed a $4,500 “washed” check issued in the name of the victim.
On February 9, 2024, Archibald pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro:
One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
Two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, Class D felonies;
One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and One count of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, a Class E felony.
On March 13, 2024, Justice Ambro ordered Archibald to serve an indeterminate sentence of one to three years in prison. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Hunter of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Pagano of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office
Elizabeth M. Motti Allegedly Stole Nearly Half a Million Dollars from Her Elderly Parents’ Money to Gamble
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced on March 13 the indictment of Elizabeth M. Motti, 55, of Farmingville, for allegedly stealing approximately $440,000 from her vulnerable elderly parents over a one-and-a-half-year period that she used to gamble at Jake’s 58 Casino in Islandia.
“Our elder community is at increased risk for fraud and theft,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We want to place those who choose to exploit our vulnerable populations on notice that if you are caught, you will be held accountable.”
According to the investigation, between April 2017 and November 2018, Motti allegedly stole a total of $440,063 from her parents’ bank accounts by using debit cards to make withdrawals in the amount of $355,046 at ATM machines located at Jake’s 58 Casino and by making cash withdrawals from their accounts in the amount of $85,017. Motti’s parents had moved in with her after her mother had surgery so Motti could be her caretaker.
On March 13, 2024, Motti was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
Justice Ambro ordered Motti to be released on her own recognizance. Under current New York State law, the offense for which Motti was indicted is considered non-bail eligible meaning prosecutors cannot ask for bail. Motti is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. Her next court date is April 18, 2024.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Donna M. Planty of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Anthony Mezzapelle from the Suffolk County Police Department currently assigned to the Financial Crimes Bureau of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Dean Laura Lindenfeld, Stony Brook University. Photo by Conor Harrigan/SBU
Stony Brook University’s Laura Lindenfeld, Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) and Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, was recently named as the finalist for the Scripps Howard Fund Administrator of the Year award.
The Scripps Howard Awards, an annual contest hosted by the Scripps Howard Fund and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, is one of the nation’s most prestigious American journalism competitions. Nominees are judged by a panel of experienced communications professionals and journalists. The winner and finalist of the Administrator of the Year award, which honors leaders in higher education who work to train and inspire up-and-coming journalists and communications professionals, will be recognized at the Awards. Lindenfeld was nominated for the award by a group of faculty members from the SoCJ.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Laura. Our School of Communication and Journalism is thriving at Stony Brook under her leadership. I am so pleased to see her recognized with this prestigious award,” said Carl Lejuez, provost and executive vice president.
Since joining Stony Brook University in 2016 as Executive Director of the Alda Center and a professor in the School of Communication and Journalism, Lindenfeld has helped contribute to the school’s success by winning re-accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications for the undergraduate journalism program, increasing student enrollment in the SoCJ by more than one third, doubling the size of tenure-track faculty at the school, and bringing in more than $15 million in funding opportunities. She was also nominated for her contributions in streamlining the Alda Center with the SoCJ as a collaborative unit, helping attract top talent.
“For the past five years, it has been my joy and my honor to lead the SoCJ and the Alda Center,” said Laura Lindenfeld. “These two organizations have a critical role to play in bridging science and society through effective, engaging communication, and in helping to create a fairer, more just, more rational world. I am truly honored by this recognition, and proud to be working alongside the incredible people at the SoCJ and Alda Center, and across the Stony Brook community.”
Dean Lindenfeld has also served as Vice Provost for Academic and Strategic Planning at Stony Brook and Director of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, University of Maine and professor of communication and journalism there. She worked as a copywriter for DDB Needham Worldwide and screenplay writer for RTL Plus in Dusseldorf, Germany. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of California Davis and an MA from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn in Germany.
The Scripps Howard Awards will air on Scripps News in October 2024.
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