Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Lake Ronkonkoma on Sept. 6.
Daphne Vaders was walking southbound on Hawkins Avenue when she was struck by a southbound 2019 Jeep Renegade that was attempting to turn right on Express Drive North at 6:14 a.m.
Vaders, 52, of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep, Gary Wagner, 73, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was not injured.
The Jeep was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.
The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center will mark September as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Month with a Family Fun Wellness Event for the community. This free event that all ages can enjoy will be held on Friday, September 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Branch Plaza Parking Lot (LA Fitness Shopping Center) on Main Street in Smithtown. All are welcome to attend to have fun with the community, get trained on the use of Narcan, and to hear about the drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services that Horizons provides.
The Family Fun Wellness Event will feature games, food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and much more. Horizons resource tables will be set up, filled with information about recovery services, the outpatient program, and substance misuse prevention education. Additionally, Horizons staff will provide Narcan training. Narcan training kits will be provided for free. Smithtown Public Safety will hold a Medicine Take Back Collection to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused medications.
“We at Horizons are excited to offer an event for Recovery Month to be a fun evening out for families of this community. Our Family Fun Wellness Fair will be an opportunity for families to meet community resources and local businesses, and dispose of medications that may be a risk for children and pets to ingest, all while kids get their face painted, listen to music played by the DJ and grab a bite to eat from a local food truck. Being a Recovery Month event, Horizons will be providing Narcan training as an offering to any who are interested. Narcan is a simple and easy to administer method to save the life of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Recovery is a process of returning to a normal state of being and we know that can mean many things to different people in their individual situations and circumstances. Come down and experience what our resources have to offer and have a good time out in your local neighborhood,” said Joe Bieniewicz, Director of Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services
The rain date for this event is Sunday, September 9th from 4 to 7 p.m..
About Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Recovery Month:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from a Huntington Station store.
A woman allegedly stole $605 worth of Haagen-Dazs ice cream from CVS, located at 2 East Jericho Turnpike, on August 30 at approximately 10:35 p.m. The woman has a tattoo on the back of her right calf and fled the scene as a passenger in a white SUV.
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 Police arrested a man for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was breaking up a fight at a wedding in Saint James on Sept. 4.
Fourth Precinct Patrol officers responded to a wedding at Flowerfield Celebrations, a catering establishment located at 199 Mills Pond Road after a 911 call reported a fight at approximately 7:45 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found multiple skirmishes had broken out among the more than 100 guests at the wedding. Officers from the Second, Fifth and Sixth Precincts, Canine Section and Emergency Services officers, as well as Smithtown Park Rangers and Head of the Harbor Police officers also responded.
As officers were breaking up the fight and restoring order, Justize Murphy bit one officer on the arm and shoved another officer. A second man, Qeywon Wilson, obstructed another officer who was attempting to break up the fighting.
Wilson was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration. He will be arraigned at a later date.
Fourth Squad detectives charged Murphy, 22, of Mastic Beach, with Assault 2nd Degree.
Over 550 local youth athletes spent a sunny Sunday honing their crafts on the ball field at Flynn Memorial Park. On Sunday, August 27th, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and NYS Senator Mario Mattera teamed up again with Hero’s 4 Our Heroes for the second year in a row to present the free event for male and female youths. All of the proceeds raised by Hero’s 4 Our Heroes is being donated to renovate the Community Living Center courtyard at the Northport VA Medical Center. Event partners included support from MLB, NY Life, The Rotary Club of Smithtown Sunrise, Smithtown School District, Smithtown Recreation, Smithtown Parks Department, The Department of Public Safety, the Smithtown Youth Bureau, Smithtown Softball, Kings Park Youth, Northport H.S. Varsity Baseball, Nesconset Fire Department, County Clerk Vincent Puleo, Catholic Health, St. Catherine of Siena & St. Charles Hospitals. Additional assistance from Senator Mattera’s office included staff spouses, Lia Crowley and Cat Amicizia who volunteered throughout the day. Jazz Singer, Camille Saturday performed the National Anthem and God Bless America.
“What a day for our community! This event has become a very special tradition to pay homage to our Veterans while giving local families an unforgettable experience. Hero’s 4 Our Heroes did an unbelievable job fundraising to renovate the Northport VA courtyard, so Veterans living in the nursing home can soon enjoy time with friends & family in a stunning outdoor setting worthy of their sacrifice and service… I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Mattera, his staff, the incredible team at Parks, Buildings & Grounds, Smithtown Recreation, the Youth Bureau, event partners and all of our local Schools, Sports leagues and Coaches who devoted their summers to delivering a truly memorable event for the community. It’s truly fitting that we come together every year to honor our Veterans and inspire our youth at the ballpark named after a legendary athlete who walked away from a professional ball career, and sacrificed his life in defense of our Nation,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
Former MLB stars; Art Shamsky, Frank Catalanotto, Fred Cambria, Kevin Baez, Frank Tepedino, Don Demola, Sal Agostinelli and Charles Galliano coached kids (ages 6-18) alongside Bryan Goelz (Los Angeles Dodgers, & the Boston Red Sox Organization) Island Slow Pitch’s Keith Fasciana, Elwood Asst Varsity Coach Bill Reidel, Smithtown West HS Coach Al Nucci with assistance from the Smithtown H.S. West Varsity Players, Smithtown Softball’s Vinny Simeone, Kings Park Youth Coaches, John Fitzgerald and Donny Schulze, Northport HS Varsity coaches, Rich Castellano and Bob Castellano, with assistance from Northport HS Varsity baseball players, Smithtown Recreation Director Tom McCaffery, Smithtown Recreation Supervisor Brandon Modrov, Smithtown Recreation Camp Assistants Vischnu Padmanaban and Aiden Kuschel.
“It was my absolute pleasure to host the Second Annual Field of Heroes Youth Clinic with Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim this past Sunday that benefited the renovation of the Community Living Center courtyard at the Northport VA Medical Center… This day connects kids to the richness of America’s favorite sports – baseball and softball – and the great outdoors while also teaching future generations the importance of supporting our veterans. I’m proud to be part of this great community event with Supervisor Wehrheim while honoring the real heroes who reside at the Northport VA. I’m very thankful to the MLB retired players, for their support, Donato Panico and Gerard Leonard from Heros For Our Heroes for their endless dedication to help our veterans,” said New York State Senator Mario Mattera.
The opening ceremony paid tribute to American heroes on the field named in honor of Daniel J. Flynn, a member of the 725th Military Police Battalion, C Company, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. Guest speaker, Carl Superina, talked about his “Battlefields to Ballfields” program which awards scholarships for Veterans and active duty servicemen to become Football Officials. The ceremony closed with a surprise presentation for Corey Phelan’s family, who live locally. Phelan was a left-handed pitcher in the Phillies’ Minor League system, who passed away at the age of 20, after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His family began Corey’s Promise, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to financially helping families coping with Pediatric Cancer so that they may spend precious time with their child.
Children were assigned to each field based on age groups and choice of baseball or softball after the opening ceremony. Each participant received a personalized baseball/softball playing card, and baseball. Families and participants received a complimentary lunch, provided by Hero’s 4 Our Heroes.
Photo Rendering of the proposed renovation for the Courtyard at the Northport VA – Designed by Carmine Grasso, R.A. of Cataldo Grasso Architects, P.C.
About the Project:
Heros 4 Our Heroes has begun fundraising efforts to rebuild the Nursing Home’s outdoor courtyard located at building 92, on the Northport VA campus. Tentative plans, which have been created by Carmine Grasso, R.A. of Cataldo Grasso Architects, P.C. include a peaceful waterfall, picnic area, park benches, decorative lighting and a brick hero walkway, which will adorn the names of local Veterans. Every year, Heros 4 Our Heroes hosts Thanksgiving & Christmas dinner distribution efforts at the Northport VA. The courtyard project was born during a tour after last year’s Thanksgiving meal distribution. Heros 4 Our Heroes hopes to raise enough funds over the course of the next year to begin the process of renovating the courtyard.
About Heros 4 Our Heroes Foundation:
The day after 9/11, the Panico’s wanted to do something to aid our rescue workers, so they loaded up a mobile catering truck full of food from their market in Smithtown and drove to Ground Zero. They cooked for ten straight days at the World Trade Center site and continued to provide free meals to first responders and frontline workers for the next 21 years. Every September 11th, Heros 4 Our Heroes prepares and gives away over 3,000 heroes to firefighters, policemen and veterans. During the holidays, Heros 4 Our Heroes distributes turkey dinners on Thanksgiving and ham or turkey dinners for Christmas at the VA Medical Center. Since September 11th, 2001, the Panico’s have served as an inspiration to the people of Smithtown by serving thousands of complimentary meals to frontline workers at hospitals, nursing homes, veterans facilities and dozens of other entities, in honor of the thousands of heroes who serve us every day.
Town of Huntington officials held a press conference on Aug. 30.
Town Officials and Task Force Members announce purple flag initiative
Huntington Town Officials were joined by elected officials and members of the Town of Huntington Opioid & Addiction Task Force at a press conference on August 30 to announce the return of “Huntington Goes Purple,” an initiative designed to raise awareness of the drug addiction crisis on Long Island and across the United States.
Town of Huntington officials held a press conference on Aug. 30.
Approximately one million Americans have died of a drug- or alcohol-related overdose since 1999, with a 30% increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020. Some of the most prominent barriers to recovery include social stigma toward addiction and a lack of access to treatment options.
As part of this initiative, the Town of Huntington will fly purple flags on the front lawn of Town Hall and on lamp posts along New York Avenue and Larkfield Road in observance of National Recovery Month, which was created in 1989 in order to destigmatize the disease of addiction, promote evidence-based treatment, and celebrate the tens of millions of Americans in recovery.
“Huntington Goes Purple” was started in 2021 by Huntington resident Sharon Richmond, a member of the Town of Huntington Opioid & Addiction Task Force who donated the first set of flags for the inaugural program. This year, the program has expanded to Larkfield Road in East Northport with the support of the Northport-East Northport Community Drug & Alcohol Task Force, on which Richmond serves as President.
“This initiative allows us to preserve the memories of those we lost to addiction and pay tribute to the amazing social workers, mental health care professionals, and nonprofit volunteers who work tirelessly to support individuals in recovery. “I am honored to help bring back ‘Huntington Goes Purple’ for its third year,” said Councilwoman Cergol. “But, it is now time for me to pass the torch to my colleague, Councilman Sal Ferro, who will be the new Town Board liaison to the Town of Huntington Opioid & Addiction Task Force.
Town Officials further announced a series of Recovery Month events to be held in the Town of Huntington, including:
Wellness Walk for Recovery at Heckscher Park on September 9
Interfaith Community Forum on September 20 at the at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington
Celebration of Hope and Recovery at Old First Presbyterian Church on September 28
Following the announcements, Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds and Mary Silberstein, Co-Chairs of the Opioid & Addiction Task Force, spoke on the importance of educating the public on both the dangers of drugs and alcohol and where to locate treatment for substance use disorder.
Sharon Richmond closed the press conference by urging New York to follow the lead of the State of Illinois and mandate prevention and support education for all school age children.
“Together we show support for those individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorder,” she said. “Together we send the message: you are not alone.”
Individuals seeking support for substance use disorder are urged to call one of the following hotlines:
SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357 (or text your ZIP code to 435748)
Join Stony Brook University for a CancerWise Cafe at the Charles B. Wang Center, 100 Circle Road, Stony Brook on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cancer Center experts will discuss the latest advances in screening, prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of several types of cancer, including breast, lung, blood, head and neck, gastrointestinal, gynecological and skin.
Attendees can also eat, learn and chat with Cancer Center healthcare staff, view educational displays and visit the community organization resource tables. Free lunch is included.
FREE parking is available in the Administration Parking lot, across from the Charles B. Wang Center.
Watch from Home!
This event will also be LIVESTREAMED.
You can click on this link on
Saturday, Sept. 9 at 9 am. stonybrook.edu/live
Register for the in-person event at stonybrook.info/cancertalk. Questions? Call 631-444-4263 or email [email protected]. If you need a disability-related accommodation, call (631) 444-4000.
Do you recognize this couple? Photo from SCPDDo you recognize this man? 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 three people who allegedly stole merchandise from a South Setauket store last month.
Two males and a female allegedly stole assorted merchandise from Target, located at 265 Pond Path, on August 30. The merchandise was valued at approximately $600.
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 First Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from an East Farmingdale store in July.
A man allegedly stole Caseta by Lutron Smart light switches from Home Depot, located at 202 Airport Plaza, at 2:18 p.m. on July 30. The merchandise was valued at approximately $2,000. The man has several tattoos on his hand.
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.
For the month of September, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook Village is showcasing the incredible work of ceramist Russel Spillmann.
Spillmann has worked in ceramics for more than 50 years, during which time he has participated in many fine craft shows and exhibited at numerous galleries. His work is included in many corporate, private, and public collections. As a former resident of the Three Village area, he is thrilled to be the Reboli Center’s September Artisan. Lois Reboli, president and a founder of The Center said, “Russel’s ceramics are just amazing and the colors so magnificent that we are pleased to have an affiliation with him.”
Pottery by Russel Spillmann
“I work with porcelain for its purity and translucence. It allows one to look into and through the pot, not merely at it. Through my work, I attempt to resolve function and beauty into a presence; for it is through presence that beauty suspends the soul in timelessness, and it is here the soul expands to sense more than itself,” said Spillmann.
The artist has fond memories of growing up in the area, riding his bike past what is now the Reboli Center and going to the local beaches, where a parade of porpoises would entertain the onlookers. He relocated to upstate New York where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland. There he became interested in ceramics as he was inspired by his teacher, John Jessiman, who was instrumental in getting him accepted into the School of Ceramics at Alfred University. At Alfred, he had the opportunity to study under the esteemed pottery teachers, Val Cushing and Daniel Rogers.
The Reboli Center for Art and History is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call 631-751-7707.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from an East Farmingdale store in July.
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