Home Village Beacon Record

SWR family honors son through giving

by Giselle Barkley - December 2, 2015

0 302

Kevin-Williams-Toy-Drive_2015_02_barkleyw — Donations from the 10th Annual Kevin’s Ange’s Toy Drive will be wrapped on Dec. 19 before volunteers deliver them to the families in need. Photo by Giselle Barkley

After Sept. 11, 2001, the Williams family wanted to so something special to remember their son Kevin who died on that day, and after 15 years, they’re still honoring him.

Community members packed themselves into Phil’s Restaurant in Wading River to help support and donate toys to the Kevin Williams Foundation’s 10th annual Toy Drive, which was held on Dec. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. The toy drive is an expansion of the Williams service to the community.

Fifteen years ago the family created Kevin’s Angels, which helped send children to a sports camp or play for a team. However, after schools and organizations like Long Island Youth Mentoring sought the family’s help for other families in need, the Williams started the toy drive to continue their outreach. For the Williams, giving back to the community and offering a helping hand during the holidays is a way to remember their son.

“We knew that we had to share his zest for life,” said Patti Williams, Kevin’s mother. “What better way than creating a foundation; and we could give to children and hopefully change the direction of some of their lives.”

Kevin Williams worked for Sandler O’Neil, a financial company based in Manhattan. The 24-year-old was on the 104th floor of Tower Two when tragedy struck and the building collapsed. Williams was to be married 10 weeks after Sept. 11.

Patti Williams takes donated gifts. Photo by Giselle Barkley

In 1995, Williams graduated from Shoreham-Wading River High School and had a passion for academics as well as sports. In high school he was the captain and the most valuable player of his basketball, baseball and golf teams. Several years ago, Shoreham-Wading River renovated its varsity baseball field and renamed it after Williams. The field offers the family and other community members with a safe space to remember a loved one and reflect on Sept. 11.

This was the fifth time Phil’s Restaurant, owned by Phil Marcario, donated the space for the toy drive. Since Marcario’s wife grew up with Kevin Williams, the two are like family. Together, they made the night more than just a toy drive.

“We really wanted to make it a night where people could mingle and talk instead of just dropping off a toy,” Marcario said. “You could come and kind of spend time together, which is what the holidays are really all about.”

According to Mike Williams, Kevin Williams’ father, the toy drive helps around 30 families annually. They’ve also helped 1,025 underprivileged kids attend sports camps in the past 15 years. Despite their efforts, the family said the community is what really helped get to this point in their lives.

“We have a great faith, but we also surround ourselves with an abundance of love,” Mike Williams said.

While the Toy Drive was created in light of a tragedy, Shoreham resident Steve Malandrino said the Williams are one of few families who have turned a bad situation into something positive. Malandrino was once Mike Williams’ student when he attended Miller Place High School in the 1970s. Thus far, he’s attended nine of the 10 toy drives.

In addition to the abundance of community support, turning a negative situation into something positive also helped the family get through tough times.

“Anyone who’s gone through a tragedy, especially losing a child — you have a decision to make,” Patti Williams said. “You somehow have to get yourself from that point of not wanting to wake up in the morning because it’s another day of pain, to finding an avenue where you can make lives better for others.”

Homeless man sexually assaults cab driver

by Elana Glowatz - December 2, 2015

0 2068

Police arrested a homeless man for sexual assault on Tuesday night, after he allegedly attacked a taxi driver on a trip that started at a local hospital.

The Suffolk County Police Department said that the female cab driver picked up her passenger at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson that evening, but during the trip he assaulted her and the taxi crashed into a fence on Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai. The suspect, 34-year-old registered sex offender Francis Barrios, then sexually assaulted the driver.

Police did not release the name of the taxi company, to protect the identity of the victim.

Officers had initially responded to the crash scene when a passing motorist called 911, according to police, but the responders arrested Barrios after further investigation. He was charged with first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree attempted rape, second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault.

Attorney information for Barrios was not immediately available and he could not be reached for comment. He was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Sound View Garden Club to host annual Greens Sale

by TBR Staff - December 2, 2015

0 246

Sound-View-Garden-Club-1w — Beryl Wood creates a centerpiece for the Sound View Garden Club’s Greens Sale. Photo by Ernestine Franco

By Ernestine Franco

Are you looking to add some natural elements to your holiday decorations? If your answer is yes, then the fourth annual Sound View Garden Club’s Greens Sale is the place to be. The Greens Sale will take place on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of the Sound Beach Firehouse.

Centerpieces, wreaths, swags and many other items all made from fresh, live natural materials will be available to adorn your homes. In addition there will be raffle items and a door prize. Light refreshments will be served.

All the arrangements have been made by the 30 club members, who meet monthly at the Sound Beach Fire House. Watching some of the members as they put together the arrangements is like watching artists at work. They take pieces of branches and bits of plants and dried flowers and create beautiful holiday pieces. The love and creative energy that goes into every piece is evident.

And their work is not done once the sale is over. As Ann Moran, president of the club and resident of Sound Beach, said, “The money we raise from the sale allows us to fund our other gardening projects, although like plants we go into a dormancy period until next spring.” The club may be only five years old, but it is very active in the surrounding communities.

Members maintain the garden at the Good Shepherd Hospice at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, a special place where hospice clients can sit and enjoy a peaceful natural corner filled with beautiful flowers and plants. “The landscapers did a great job when the hospice garden was first installed. But it is the continuing maintenance that we [the club members] are proud to provide that keeps it the inviting place it is and allows us to create a soothing garden,” said Ginny Drews, resident of Sound Beach. The annual flowers they plant at the hospice are purchased with the money raised at the Greens Sale.

Members also plant and maintain the flowers at the 9/11 Memorial of the Sound Beach Fire Department as well as the plantings at the Sound Beach Civic Association Veterans Memorial.

Beryl Wood, of Ridge, sees the garden club as a “lovely way for the members to get together and do some good for the community, and this club is one of the most cohesive clubs I have ever belonged to.” Wood is not only a club member —she also holds the position of accredited master judge with the National Federated Garden Clubs of America.

With some minimal care, all the plants in the sale will last well into the new year. So come to the Greens Sale and not only decorate your homes but support ongoing club projects. Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Sound Beach Firehouse is located at 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach. If you have any questions, please call Ann Moran at 631-821-9650.

Brookhaven Town adopts 2016 budget

by Giselle Barkley - December 1, 2015

0 360

2016-Budget-brookhaven_2015_01_barkleyw — Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine listens to residents’ concerns before adopting the 2016 operating budget. Photo by Giselle Barkley

Town of Brookhaven officials and residents have one less thing to worry about next year, now that the 2016 budget has been finalized.

On Nov. 19, the town board approved Supervisor Ed Romaine’s nearly $281 million proposed operating budget, which complies with the New York State cap on tax levy increases — in fact holding it, and thus residents’ property taxes, steady next year.

According to a previous interview with Finance Commissioner Tamara Wright, who helped Romaine (R) craft the budget, the town accomplished this by properly managing its capital projects and by satisfying debts.

Earlier this year, the town finished paying off an $8.4 million debt connected to the New York State employees’ retirement system, allowing the town to save about $1 million annually. But its efforts to reduce debt will not end there — going forward, Romaine said, the town will continue addressing that issue and prioritizing expenditures.

“You should not spend money you do not have,” he said. “We’re very much aware of that, and we’re monitoring all of our expenses very carefully.”

Some funds that would have gone toward the completed debt payments will instead be used to fund other parts of the budget in 2016.

The budget also allocates $5.2 million for the highway department’s snow removal budget, a number that has been incrementally increasing since Long Island communities had to dig out of dense snow in the February 2013 blizzard commonly dubbed Winter Storm Nemo, which shut down some roads for days. Brookhaven’s snow removal funding has doubled in the last few years.

If there is leftover money in that account after the winter, the goal is to deposit it into a reserve account that would be used in an emergency winter weather situation.

While roadway upkeep is important, Romaine said designating money to fund all maintenance issues is difficult, because spending is limited.

“It’s hard to do that when you have a tax cap,” Romaine said. “I believe the budget is as good as it’s going to get, considering the constraints we live under.”

In addition to raising the snow removal budget, the town is putting money toward traffic safety, park improvements, open space preservation and land acquisition. The spending plan also increases funding for public safety staff, code enforcement and internal auditors, among others.

Romaine touted the budget’s relying less on fund balance to get by, which adds to financial stability. Without including its debt reserves, Brookhaven’s 2016 budget will only use $2.35 million in reserves, a substantial decrease from the 2015 spending plan, which used about $8 million.

Locals race through Shoreham in 35th annual Turkey Trot

by TBR Staff - November 30, 2015

0 443

1 of 10

North Shore residents burned off calories to make some room for turkey early on Thanksgiving morning, running the 1-mile and 5-mile paths at Shoreham’s 35th annual Turkey Trot.

Three Shoreham and Wading River residents earned top finishes, including 2014 Shoreham-Wading River graduate Ryan Udvadia, who earned first place in the 5K for men with a time of 17 minutes, .01 seconds.

A portion of the proceeds from the charity event will fund community programs.

Shoreham goes undefeated for second straight season with Long Island win

by TBR Staff - November 30, 2015

0 2109

Senior running back Chris Rosati rushes away with four touchdowns in team's 24th win in two seasons

1 of 8

By Joe Galotti

Most young men who decide to put on a helmet and pads and play high school football never get to experience the joy of winning a class championship or putting together a perfect season. On Friday afternoon, at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium, the Shoreham-Wading River football team had the rare opportunity to reach both of those achievements for a second straight season, and did not let it go to waste.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 28-point first-half lead over Locust Valley, helping them come away with a 35-7 victory in the Long Island Class IV Championship game. Senior running back Chris Rosati led the way with four rushing touchdowns, and the team’s eye-popping winning streak was extended to 24 games.

“(Going undefeated twice) is very special,” Shoreham-Wading River head coach Matt Millheiser said. “It really was something I wanted them to achieve and carry with them, and they did that today.”

After the victory, Rosati admitted that the team felt pressure all season long trying to repeat last fall’s undefeated campaign.

“Every team was looking to beat us,” Rosati said. “We got everyone’s best game, but we just really fought hard against every team we faced.”

If the Wildcats were at all nervous on Friday, they did not show it, as they jumped all over the Falcons early on, putting up two quick scores on the team that had entered the contest allowing the fewest points on Long Island this year.

Rosati got Shoreham-Wading River on the board when he capped off the team’s opening drive by taking a pitch to the right side 26 yards for a touchdown. On the Wildcats next drive, Rosati delivered a two-yard rushing touchdown, which was set up by a 31-yard run by senior wideout Jon Constant.

Early in the second quarter, Rosati drove his way into the end zone once again, this time, on a 1-yard rush.

“Chris is amazing,” senior guard Dalten Stalzer said. “Just watching him play every week; it’s crazy. Some of the things he does and the tackles he breaks, it makes us look good.”

With 1:24 remaining before the half, senior quarterback Jason Curran put the game out of reach with a six-yard touchdown pass to Constant.

Shoreham-Wading River was extremely effective on the ground in the game, with Rosati rushing for 110 yards, Curran rushing for 91 yards and Constant rushing for 90 yards. Much of this was made possible by a dominant performance from the team’s offensive line.

“We knew what we needed to do to execute,” Constant said. “But [our success] all starts with our line’s performance.”

The Wildcats’ defense also put up a strong effort, forcing three interceptions and not giving up a score until the fourth quarter. Constant was responsible for two of the picks, while Rosati had the other.

With another perfect season in the books, Shoreham-Wading River is arguably in the midst of one of the best runs in Long Island high school football history. But Millheiser says that the key to the Wildcats’ success has been not getting caught up in any of the streaks or stats.

“We were more concerned about doing our jobs and doing the right thing,” Millheiser said. “When you focus on those things the fun numbers like 24-0 seem to come with it.”

During Shoreham-Wading River’s postgame team photo with its championship trophy, the team once again got the opportunity to honor the memory of their former teammate Tom Cutinella, who died as a result of an on-field collision in a 2014 game. Senior lineman James Puckey held up Cutinella’s No. 54 jersey for the group shot, making it clear that he was still very much a part of the Wildcats team.

Police blotter: Suffolk County incidents and arrests, Nov. 17-24

by TBR Staff - November 25, 2015

0 291

Stop right now

Police arrested a 66-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station on Nov. 20 for driving while ability impaired in a 2015 Honda after he went through a stop sign and collided with a 2000 Dodge on Jefferson Avenue. The suspect fled in his car to Norwood Avenue, where he hit a different stop sign, before police pulled him over and cuffed him.

Practice makes perfect

Two Flushing women were charged with unauthorized practice of profession after police said they were practicing massage therapy without a license on Route 25A in Mount Sinai. The women, ages 37 and 42, were arrested on Nov. 17.

Just a little shot

On Nov. 18, a 28-year-old man from Sound Beach was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance after police said he entered the Stop&Shop on Route 25A in Miller Place and attempted to inject himself with heroin in the store. Police arrested him at the scene for possession of heroin.

Benched

Police responded to an assault on Milburn Road in Centereach on Nov. 18 but when officers arrived, they discovered there was a bench warrant out for the arrest of a 26-year-old Ronkonkoma man at the scene and collared him. According to police, the man was charged with assault twice before.

If I had a Nicolls for every time …

On Nov. 20, officers arrested a 22-year-old man from Sayville for driving while ability impaired after he was speeding south on Nicolls Road in Stony Brook in his 2015 Chevrolet.

I’ll wring your neck

According to police, an unknown man got into a dispute with another man on Nov. 20 and punched him in the face. The victim went to the hospital but didn’t press charges. Police didn’t know what caused the dispute on Ringneck Lane in Setauket-East Setauket.

Don’t answer the phone

An unknown person called another individual at their residence on University Heights Drive in Stony Brook and threatened them on the phone on Nov. 21.

He’s got pep

A customer entered the Pep Boys Auto Parts and Service on Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station on Nov. 18 and got into a dispute with an employee. Although the customer threatened the man, the employee didn’t press charges. Police didn’t know what started the dispute.

Scent of a thief

An unknown person entered a Bath and Body Works in Independence Plaza in Selden and stole more than $250 worth of merchandise. The incident happened on Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Going boating

A 20-year-old man from Wading River was arrested on Nov. 21 for driving while ability impaired after police said the man was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Suburban down North Country Road in Port Jefferson and crashed into a fence and a boat. Police arrested him at the scene.

Meat the vandal

An unknown person smashed the protective cover of an electric meter at Halal Meats on Middle Country Road in Selden on Nov. 19 and then threw a broom, wash bucket and rubber floor mats on the ground of the building.

Thief makes like a tree

A woman called police on Nov. 20 after workers on her property on Maple Road in Rocky Point reported an unknown person had stolen two weed whackers and three leaf blowers from the workers’ trailer. Police said the trailer was parked on the road at the time, and workers didn’t realize the equipment was stolen until after they finished their work.

The Dukes of Hazzard slide on

Police said someone jumped on the hood of a 2011 black Nissan parked in the Kohl’s parking lot on Route 25A in Rocky Point on Nov. 18 and the owner of the car saw scratches on the car. Police said the victim had an idea of who damaged the car but didn’t press charges.

A man with a van

A man in a white van drove through the barrier gate at Scotts Beach in Sound Beach on Nov. 21, breaking it. Police didn’t know why the man wanted to access the beach.

Knock, knock

An unknown person damaged the doorknob of an office on Pond Circle in Mount Sinai. Police said the incident occurred on Nov. 21 around 9 p.m.

Garden gnomes gone

On Nov. 18. an unknown person entered the shed of a residence on Patricia Court in Smithtown and stole various lawn and garden equipment.

Scene flee

A 49-year-old woman from Smithtown was arrested at 10:25 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Old Willets Path in Smithtown for a previous charge. Police said she hit a 2001 Volkswagen on Avalon Circle in Smithtown, causing damage, and then fled the scene without exchanging information at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 21. She was charged with leaving scene with property damage.

Odd steal

An unknown person stole three leaf blowers and a chain saw from a residence on Veterans Memorial Highway in Smithtown on Nov. 17. at 5 p.m.

Lane fail

Police said 41-year-old man from Smithtown was arrested for drunken driving after he was pulled over for failing to maintain his lane on Main Street in Smithtown on Nov. 21 at 2:40 a.m. He was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Walmart woes

An unknown woman stole assorted clothing and health items from a Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on Nov. 21 at 5:45 p.m.

Five crimes at 7-Eleven

On Nov. 18, a 20-year-old woman from Ronkonkoma and a 27-year-old woman from Nesconset were arrested in a 2002 Subaru at a 7-Eleven on Smithtown Boulevard in Nesconset. Police said they were found in possession of marijuana, a stun gun and stolen license plates. The woman from Ronkonkoma was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The woman from Nesconset was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

High times at the park

On Nov. 20 a 20-year-old man from Deer Park was arrested in the parking lot of Otsego Park in Dix Hills. Police said he had Vicodin and marijuana in his possession without a prescription at 8:40 p.m. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

The generator terminator

A generator was stolen from the yard of a home on East Gate Road in Lloyd Harbor on Nov. 18 at 1:20 a.m.

Jeep-ers!

On Nov. 21 a 53-year-old woman from Deer Park was arrested at the 2nd Precinct for a previous incident. Police said on Nov. 14, just before 5 p.m., she was driving on New York Avenue in Huntington in a 2005 Chrysler when she struck a 1999 Jeep and then fled the scene. She was charged with leaving the scene with property damage.

No chill at Chili’s

Two unknown men dined at a Chili’s restaurant on Jericho Turnpike in East Northport at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 and then left without paying their bill.

Out of time

A watch was stolen out of a vehicle parked on East 16th Street in Huntington Station on Nov. 18 at 10 p.m.

High in the Hyundai

Police said a 27-year-old man from Amityville had marijuana in his possession when he was driving a 2007 Hyundai on Floral Avenue in Dix Hills on Nov. 19. He was arrested at 5:30 p.m. and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

You’ve got mail

An unknown person damaged the mailbox of a home on Greenvale Drive in East Northport on Nov. 20 at 2 a.m.

All the drugs

A 52-year-old woman from Huntington was arrested for multiple charges on Nov. 21 at 6:15 p.m. She was driving a 2008 Ford SUV on the corner of Chestnut Street and Soundview Road in Huntington when police stopped her and said she had both cocaine and crack cocaine in her possession, as well as driving without a license. She was charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

At the corner of high and high

Police said a 17-year-old woman from Huntington Station was arrested for possession of marijuana on Nov. 20. She was on the corner of Waterside Avenue and Norwood Avenue in Northport at about 5:30 p.m. when police stopped her. She was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Oh no on Jericho

On Nov. 21, on the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Jones Lane in Huntington, police said an 18-year-old from Melville had marijuana in his possession. He was arrested at 8:25 p.m. and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Hit-and-run driver breaks teen’s leg

by Elana Glowatz - November 25, 2015

0 496

A teenager on a motorbike was injured Tuesday when he was hit by a sedan that then fled the scene, according to police.

The Suffolk County Police Department said 18-year-old Kyle Fiore was riding east on Jamaica Drive in Sound Beach when a sedan, which had been traveling south on Deer Drive, struck him shortly before 5 p.m.

The sedan, described as light-colored, fled the scene. Police said Fiore, a Sound Beach resident, was treated at Stony Brook University Hospital for a broken femur — the thigh bone — and other non-life-threatening injuries.

Police impounded the motorbike for a safety check.

Detectives from the 7th Squad are investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call them at 631-852-8752, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Rocky Point School Board denies claims in NYS audit

by Giselle Barkley - November 24, 2015

0 1672

Audit-Rocky-Point_2015_01_barkleyw — Superintendent Michael Ring discusses the NYS Comptroller’s report with local residents. Photo by Giselle Barkley

Despite the New York State Comptroller’s audit report, Rocky Point school district is sticking to their guns.

Last week, on Nov. 19, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released completed audits of four school districts, including Rocky Point. In the audit, he claimed that the school district exceeded the four percent statutory limit on its fund balance between July 1, 2013 and March 31 of this year.

According to the audit, during the 2009-10 to 2013-14 fiscal years, the Board at the time had accumulated $13.1 million. However, the district only used $1.2 million, and experienced a surplus in their unrestricted fund balance. Rocky Point’s Superintendent, Michael Ring, said this fund is utilized in emergency situations where the district cannot afford necessary expenditures — this includes funding programs or accommodating a special needs child, among other reasons.

Ring refuted the comptroller’s financial report.

“Bottom line for us is that if we were over the four percent, our external auditors would be required to report that,” Ring said in a phone interview.

But the Superintendent said no such claims were filed. He added that the Comptroller’s odd method of counting the school’s fund balance is unusual, as excess money from one school year is added to the previous year’s closing bonds.

Ring mentioned that the Comptroller acknowledged the district’s fund balance was below four percent within that time period. Now, the district is between 5.4 to 7.8 percent, according to the Comptroller’s report. Taxpayer dollars contribute to the district’s unregistered fund balance. An excess of money in this fund means taxpayer dollars go to waste. Ring assured meeting attendees that is not the case for the district.

For Rocky Point school board members, acquiring funds for the unrestricted fund balance is a guessing game. The school district must base their fund balance amount on possible future expenditures that the school may not be able to afford without this fund balance. Typically, the district budgets its money conservatively. The district’s actual expenditures are within 0.2 percent of what they budgeted.

Some community members weren’t phased by the Comptroller’s report. When asked about it, Rocky Point resident Mary Heely said she was surprised by the news. She stood by the Superintendent’s word that the district didn’t exceed the statutory limit of its unrestricted fund balance. With the failure of the district’s bond, Heely, like some other community members, had other financial issues on her mind.

“According to Mr. Callahan,” said Heely, referring to Rocky Point Board of Education member Sean Callahan, “we may be in serious trouble if there was a major event in this district. I think that’s the bigger concern at this point, as far as the lack of funds that could be necessary in the future.”

Polar Plunge makes chilly return for charity

by Giselle Barkley - November 23, 2015

0 444

1 of 11

Residents were “freezin’ for a reason” at Cedar Beach on Saturday, for the Town of Brookhaven’s sixth annual Polar Plunge event.

Some of the countless residents in attendance took the plunge into the chilly waters of the Long Island Sound to help raise money for the athletes of the Special Olympics New York. Plungers who raised at least $125 received a sweatshirt for their efforts.

Members of the Suffolk County Police Department, Nestle Nesquik, Long Island’s My Country 96.1 FM and local government officials, including Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point), Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) and Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), were there to show their support or join the plungers and take a dip in the water.

Despite the breezy weather and cold currents, some residents left the water saying the water wasn’t as chilly as last year.

Prev 1...485486487...516 Next

Page 486 of 516