Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who used a stolen credit card at several stores in May.
A man reported his wallet was stolen from a locker at Gold’s Gym, located at 1 Larkfield Road in East Northport, on the morning of May 10. Later that day, an unknown man used the credit card at several locations, including at Home Depot in Huntington Station.
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.
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza loves to knit and crochet. She loves it so much that she has taught the skill to thousands of yearning learners for more than 25 years in Smithtown. So it was only fitting that her adult students celebrate her upcoming 100th birthday with a surprise party before her adult ed class at the Smithtown administration building on May 12. She turns 100 on June 19.
Smithtown Central School District Superintendent, Dr. Mark Secaur shared a letter with Rezza congratulating her accomplishments. The letter read in part, “Your hands have crafted far more than scarves and sweaters….Through your lessons, we’ve learned to slow down, to create with purpose, and to find joy in the quiet rhythm of our craft…you have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many.”
Rezza emigrated to the United States from Germany more than 70 years ago. She settled on Long Island and began teaching knitting and crocheting classes at Sears Roebuck Department Store in 1969. Since then, Rezza has taught the adult education class in seven school districts and at a community center throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
For her efforts, Rezza received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive, Ed Romaine, and Town of Smithtown Supervisor, Ed Werheim.
Lucas Diamond breaks up-field for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue midfielder Hunter Marquardt fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
A stick check at midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Andrew Cimino rifles a shot on goal. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Shoreham-Wading River High School community came together for the 16th Annual Lax Out Cancer fundraiser, an event dedicated to supporting local families impacted by cancer, on May 10. The highly anticipated lacrosse matchup between Shoreham-Wading River and Comsewogue High School drew a spirited crowd.
It was a day-long lacrosse event under brilliant sunshine that featured players of all ages from Rocky Point, Comsewogue, West Islip and Shoreham-Wading River at the Thomas Cutinella Memorial field.
The fundraising event featured hair braiding, face painting, arts and crafts, a dunk tank and tables covered in raffle baskets all donated by local businesses and individuals. The largest portion of proceeds (90%) go directly to five members of the community fighting various forms of cancer with 10% donated to the Shoreham-Wading River lacrosse programs.
It was the SWR boys junior varsity team taking on Comsewogue at 10 a.m. The girls hosted West Islip at 11:30 a.m. before the varsity squads took the field at 1:30 p.m. The Wildcats concluded the day-long event with a varsity matchup against Comsewogue.
For more information about Lax Out Cancer and ways to contribute, visit LaxOutCancer.Org.
Suffolk County Police cited a driver for illegal burnouts in Medford on May 16.
Members of the Street Takeover Task Force observed a 2002 Ford Mustang performing burnouts on Fairmount Avenue, at Poe Drive, at 6:42 p.m. Officers stopped the Mustang and cited the driver, Andrew Davanzo, 19, of Medford, for a Suffolk County Code violation, which includes Unlawful Speed Contest, Sideshows, and Races, along with issuing the driver two traffic tickets.
The Mustang was impounded. Davanzo will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on June 5.
The Smithtown Patriots (red) playing the Brookhaven Bluejays. Photo courtesy Supervisor Wehrheim’s office
The Smithtown Patriots (red) playing the Brookhaven Bluejays. Photo courtesy Supervisor Wehrheim’s office
The Smithtown Patriots (red) playing the Brookhaven Bluejays. Photo courtesy Supervisor Wehrheim’s office
The Smithtown Patriots (red) playing the Brookhaven Bluejays. Photo courtesy Supervisor Wehrheim’s office
The Town of Smithtown Senior Softball Team, Smithtown Patriots, kicked off their Opening Day game for the 2025 season on Thursday, May 8th. The Smithtown Patriots played the Brookhaven Bluejays at Flynn Memorial Park. Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and Councilman Tom Lohmann were in attendance to wish both teams good luck, a great season, and a memorable opening day.
“It was a beautiful day for a ball game as the Smithtown Patriots took the field, bringing their skill, sportsmanship and unbeatable spirit to kick off a brand-new season. Flynn Memorial Park was filled with energy, laughter and the kind of camaraderie that makes our community so special. We were proud to host the Brookhaven Bluejays and even prouder to celebrate a game thatis timeless, much like our incredible senior leagues.”said Wehrheim.
Opening ceremonies began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for Patriot’s long-time teammate and dear friend, Christopher Revere Sr., who passed away on March 26. Richard Claxton, the Patriot’s team manager and player, referred to Revere as “the heart and soul of the team.” Just before the Patriots took the field for the top of the first inning, Supervisor Wehrheim threw out the ceremonial first pitch, enthusiastically declaring, “Play ball!”
The battle between the Patriots and Blujays ultimately ended in a draw, as each team won one of the two games played. The Smithtown Patriots Senior Softball Team is sponsored by the Smithtown Senior Citizens’ Department.
Interested in joining?
Eligible players must be at least 59 by the year’s end (2025) to join the team. The team plays doubleheaders on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The season starts in May and ends in August. Any interested participants should contact the Smithtown Senior Center at (631) 360-7616.
The Forestwood Civic Association meeting on April 30. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
The Forestwood Civic Association meeting on April 30. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
The Forestwood Civic Association meeting on April 30. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
By Sabrina Artusa
Residents of Forestwood continue to monitor changes to Blydenburgh County Park, which sits in the heart of their community. At a Forestwood Civic Association meeting, Suffolk County Chief Engineer Alexander Prego fielded questions regarding the design and timeline for a new dam, an essential step in the process of refilling Stump Pond.
The timeline for the lake, a signature characteristic of this national historic site and a major draw for hikers, fishers and kayakers, has been uncertain as county officials navigate permitting and funding.
“Our goal is to build it back better,” Prego said. “That failure that occurred last fall — we need to make sure that we build it for more than that.” The failed dam was classified as Class A, or a low-hazard dam, where failure could result in damage to roads and undeveloped land with an unlikely risk of “substantial economic loss or substantial environmental damage.” The new dam will likely be Class B, or intermediate hazard, reflecting the reality of August’s storm and its potential for “downstream damage,” according to Suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Charlie Bartha. The more “substantial” dam will require more periodic inspections from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Blydenburgh is on a watershed, meaning the water from over 12,000 acres of land accumulated at the park. “We need to estimate how much water of that 12,000 will be coming in during a 25- or 100-year storm,“ Prego said. The new dam and spillway will be able to handle 225% of a 100-year storm. They installed five stream gauges to record rainfall and tide data. “We need to measure everything coming in here,” he said.
In April, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) released a document detailing the steps to be completed, which include permitting and inspections from several different departments such as the DEC and the New York State Historic Preservation Office. Prego said the county aims to have permitting and plans completed by the end of this year.
Of the $6.6 million of county money dedicated to rebuilding, the mapping, engineering planning and other analyses used $500,000.
In addition, they plan to add a fish ladder to promote the migration of the American eel, brook trout and river otters.
Forestwood residents expressed concern for trail accessibility for horses as well as the safety hazard posed by the soft, muddy surface of the empty lake. “What are you going to do to protect the pond area and at the same time protect the kids in our neighborhood?” one resident asked.
The swamp-like crater was described as looking like “a breeding ground for mosquitoes” by one resident, who then asked how it is being treated. The county can use larvicide to eliminate mosquitoes before they hatch, said Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality Vice Chair Michael Kaufman.
Members of the Suffolk County Department of Parks were invited but were not present for the meeting. Forestwood civic President Robert Sikora called their absence “very disappointing.”
“They should’ve been here,” he said. “This is a park discussion.” Indeed, several residents had questions about trail maintenance that did not fall into the purview of the public works department.
From left, Candice Night, Robert deBrauwere and Barry Fisch
Candice Night performing songs from her new album Sea Glass. L-R Jessie Haynes (Lady Jessie), Candice Night, and
Claire Birmingham ("The Scarlett Fiddler"). Photo by Steve Leung
Candice Night with the LIMEHOF Board of Trustees. L-R Barry Fisch, Rob
deBrauwere, Candice Night, Ernie Canadeo, Tom Needham, Norm Prusslin and Jeff James. Photo by Steve Leung
Festive fans turned out to celebrate the performance. Photo by Steve Leung
Candice Night accepting her award trophy. Photo by Steve Leung
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF), in coordination with earMUSIC, recently hosted a night celebrating Candice Night and the release of her new album, Sea Glass. The celebration featured a live solo performance by Night, performing three songs from her new album followed by the official induction of Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night of Blackmore’s Night into LIMEHOF at its museum, located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook. Night accepted the induction by LIMEHOF executive board member Robert deBrauwere on behalf of Blackmore’s Night as Blackmore was not able to attend.
“I am so honored to be inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame,” Night said. “Being surrounded by some of the greatest musicians, knowing we all have the same roots here is an incredible feeling. I’ve lived on Long Island my whole life and am constantly inspired by the energy here and the beauty of our nature.”
Ritchie Blackmore
Blackmore’s Night, the minstrel rock band founded by legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and ethereal singer and multi-instrumentalist Candice Night began in 1997 as a labor of love and an escape from the pressures of the modern-day world. They formed their own musical world, creating a new genre of music. The group has recorded 11 albums. Weaving together melodies from the Renaissance times with modern day instrumentation, original arrangements, and new lyrical content, Blackmore and Night have achieved many awards, critical acclaim and gold records worldwide, consistently topping the Billboard New Age charts.
Together with their 7-piece touring band, they perform in castles and historical venues worldwide. Thousands of fans show up to the shows dressed in period garb to be a part of the musical festivities. They record in their home studio, here on Long Island, and have gained the love and loyalty of millions of fans over the past 28 years.
“It’s an amazing honor for me to induct my long-time friends and clients Candice and Ritchie as Blackmore’s Night into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame,” said deBrauwere. “It’s incredible how popular their music is throughout the world. Particularly in Europe and Japan, but really everywhere, there are Blackmore’s Night fans throughout the world. There’s a huge community of folks that love them.”
The two inductees met on Long Island and have strong Long Island community ties. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple and Rainbow) grew up in the UK and moved to the USA in 1974, moving to Huntington, Long Island in the 1980s.
Candice Night
Candice Night grew up in Hauppauge and is a lifetime Long Island resident and a graduate of NYIT in Old Westbury. While interning at WBAB in 1989, she met Ritchie Blackmore at a charity soccer game where Deep Purple played against the station’s DJ’s and Staff. After the game, Candice asked Ritchie for his autograph and the two became friends, later developing into more. They started living together in 1993 and co-founded Blackmore’s Night in 1997. They have been very involved in many local charity efforts and community events across Long Island where they continue to live on the North Shore while raising their family.
They have been very involved in many local charity efforts and community events across Long Island including Save a Pet in Port Jefferson, STAR animal rehabilitation, Little Shelter in Huntington, and the North Shore Animal League. They have raised funds, awareness and supplies for them and set up donation booths over the years at every Blackmore’s Night show, even hosting adopting events at their concerts for some.
Night started singing at Lillian Carans Little Theater Workshop in Smithtown and has recorded music at Richie Cannatas Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove with local producer/engineer Brendan Keenan. Candice was also the Snow Queen in the Dickens Festival at Port Jefferson for 2 years, including receiving the 1st artist in residence award.
“In recorded and live performances, Long Island’s Blackmore’s Night has been thrilling and entertaining audiences all around the world for nearly three decades,” said LIMEHOF Co-Founder Norm Prusslin. “Blending renaissance melodies, instrumentals, and folk-rock original songs into a style uniquely their own, Blackmore’s Night is beloved by their fans for their exceptional musicianship, extraordinary vocals, and legendary performances. Blackmore’s Night’s induction into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame recognizes and honors their artistry, creativity and legacy.”
Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two people who allegedly stole merchandise from a Commack store in March.
A man and woman allegedly stole approximately $1,500 worth of clothing from Marshalls, located at 6A Henry St., on March 13. The suspects fled the scene in a red Nissan Rogue.
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.
The newly reopened Mill Creek Road. Photo courtesy the Ward Melville Heritage Organization
Mill Creek Road. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
Mill Creek Road. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
Mill Creek Road. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
Mill Creek Road. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
By Caroline O’Callaghan
Village of Head of the Harbor residents and local officials showed up Wednesday, May 7, to mark the triumphant ribbon cutting for the reopening of the scenic side street Mill Creek Road, which had been severely damaged from the catastrophic floods that occurred Aug. 18 2024, destroying the entrance to Harbor Road and the adjoining Mill Pond. Officials expressed their hope in what lies ahead for the massive reconstruction project of Harbor Road, since it is a critical access point for residents as well as emergency vehicles traveling to the nearby university hospital.
In acknowledgment, Gloria Rocchio, president of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, spoke of the impressive completion of the road, which couldn’t have been orchestrated without the ingenuity of Excav Services Inc. Vice President Dylan Governale and team.
“I just learned this morning that these pieces of steel, each one is 30 feet long, it’s 66 pieces of steel here, and it ended up being 23 sections. So, this man worked through sleet, snow, rain, fall leaves coming down and spring coming, and he did it in six months. He’s an amazing young fellow. We congratulate you,” Rocchio spoke of Governale. “To see this completed is extraordinary. It took a lot of effort from a lot of staff people and myself, but we accomplished it in six months, and I look forward to seeing the other road [Harbor Road] completed,” she continued.
Village of Head of the Harbor Mayor Michael Utevsky was also in attendance. He recalled the early days of the road’s reconstruction as chaotic. “There was no road here, there was no bluff — the whole bluff was collapsing. Trees were falling into the creek. The creek had been diverted to this side, right against the bluff, so there was continuing erosion of the bluff,” said Utevsky. “The first thing that [Governale] did was rechannel the creek back where it belonged. Then they had to rebuild the bluff. They had to drive in the steel files. They had to put in vertical deadmen to hold it, so this is just artificially built to reconstruct what used to be here.”
Before billowing floodwaters reclaimed the street-lined bluff, the asphalt on Mill Creek had stood since 1888 and was 1 foot thick — a very prestigious feat of engineering for that time period, according to Utevsky. “Most roads in our village are old carriage paths which have very little foundation and not much asphalt, so I’m surprised by how much asphalt they found here,” Utevsky said.
Despite the celebratory turnout, officials who have been overseeing the restoration of Harbor Road and its surrounding area since August remain discouraged over the lack of progress that’s been made to the main road. Legislator Steve Englebright (D, East Setauket) felt that it was important to center the natural disaster in the discussion, rather than project blame on human failure. “The event was an act of nature…What we need to do is acknowledge that this storm — which killed three people in Connecticut and damaged the whole north central part of Long Island — wasn’t any human being’s fault. If we can acknowledge and agree to that then we can go to the next step which is to agree to work together to solve this problem,” said Englebright.
Englebright emphasized the main priority of restoring Harbor Road would be to service residents in emergency situations, he continued, “Harbor Road being out [of service] right now worries me because for the residents who might have a need for emergency care, or need to get to the university hospital right now, they have to go the long way around and that could cost lives.”
The project was not without challenges. Most of the road was done in January, then Governale had to wait for some items in order to finalize it.
Governale hopes the build can offer residents a sense of relief that the task of an effective, total restoration for Harbor Road is coming.
He said, “It will restore some normalcy to the residents that live down this road, finally.”
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
Sachem vs. Huntington May 12. Photo by Michael Scro, Media Origin Inc.
By Michael Scro
On May 12, Huntington girls lacrosse played Sachem North in a Division 1 matchup. Currently ranked second in Conference 1, Huntington had 11 wins entering their game against Sachem North, ranked fourth.
By the fourth quarter, the two teams were tied 4-4.
After a tough game, the Blue Devils lost 5-4. They will play Connetquot, also ranked fourth with a 9-3 record, on May 16 at 5:15 pm.
