6 Actors. 50 Characters. 6 Plays. All in the two hours’ traffic of our stage

(Long Island, NY) Join Northeast Stage on a “rich and strange” theatrical journey through the last six plays Shakespeare wrote in this original production created for this Greenport-based theater company by A.D. Newcomer in collaboration with company actors. Come celebrate with us the actor, the audience, the magic of theatre, the spirit of collaboration…and the beauty and power of Shakespeare’s language.

Performance dates are Friday, March 14, Saturday March 15, Friday March 21, and Saturday, March 22 at 8pm, with two Sunday performances on March 16 and March 23 at 5pm. Performances take place at Holy Trinity Church, 768 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944.

Admission is $15 at the door. An opening night reception is included in the March 14 admission price. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 631-208-6933 or by going to www.northeaststage.org.

Shakespeare: Tales And Tempests features Steve Buchanan, Cate Clifford, , Kevin Monsell, A.D. Newcomer, and Sarah Wilson, and introduces Tyler Cacace. Directed by A.D. Newcomer.

The idea for Shakespeare: Tales and Tempests was first conceived by A.D. Newcomer and created in our Winter 2013 actor-training workshop with the collaboration of eight company actors. It premiered at the Jamesport Meeting House last March. This winter, we came back together to revise and refine the show, with a cast made up of both returning and new members. This theatrical production focuses on telling the stories of the last six plays in the Shakespearean canon: Pericles (co-authored with George Wilkins), Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest; and two plays Shakespeare wrote with John Fletcher: Henry VIII, or All Is True and The Two Noble Kinsmen. Six actors play all the parts in a whirlwind journey through the stories of these six plays.

For more information, contact A.D. Newcomer by phone at 631-208-6933, by email at adnewcomer@gmail.com or visit Northeast Stage on Facebook or at www.northeaststage.org.

DiNapoli Rejects Extension Of Related Contract

(NEW YORK) State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of Department of Health (DOH) contractor George Dunkel for stealing more than $87,000 by padding bills to pay for hotels, education credits and other expenses. DiNapoli also announced he is rejecting a $133,860 extension of a related contract due to the criminal probe.

“Mr. Dunkel diverted more than $87,000 in public money meant to promote immunization of children across the state,” State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. “Working with the Attorney General, our joint investigation into this disgraceful conduct will continue and will ensure that any money taken illegally will be returned. Contractors who cheat the state will be appropriately punished.”

“Exploiting his position as head of the American Academy of Pediatrics in New York, Dunkel defrauded taxpayers and stole over $87,000 intended for children’s health,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “This is an egregious abuse of public funds, and our latest joint effort with Comptroller DiNapoli to ensure that those who defraud taxpayers are held accountable.”

Dunkel, 45, of Latham, who is executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, District II (AAP-II), was charged in Albany City Court with grand larceny and several counts of offering a false instrument for filing. If convicted, the maximum penalty is up to 15 years in prison. The investigation continues.

The joint investigation by the State Comptroller DiNapoli and Attorney General Schneiderman revealed that Dunkel inflated AAP-II’s expenses by more than $87,000 while under contract with DOH to develop and provide training and education on childhood immunization issues. The falsified vouchers sought payment for hotel stays, employee fringe benefits and continuing medical education (CME) credits.

AAP-II received more than $1.5 million in state funds for immunization grant contracts from 2006 to 2013.

As a result of the criminal probe, DiNapoli’s office today rejected a $133,860 contract extension with AAP-II for similar services through June 2014.

Anyone with additional information on this matter or any other suspected public corruption is encouraged to contact the State Comptroller’s office by calling the toll-free fraud hotline at 1-888-672-4555; filing a complaint online at investigations@osc.state.ny.us; or mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller Investigations Unit, 110 State Street, 14th floor, Albany, NY 12236 or the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-996-4630.

• For a copy of the audit, visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/bseaudits/bse20140228.htm
• For a copy of the criminal complaint, visit:http://www.osc.state.ny.us/press/releases/feb14/Dunkel_felony_complaint.pdf

(New York) While the initial public comment period on the draft “Management Plan for Mute Swans in New York State” closed February 21, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is already considering changes to the draft plan, including an additional opportunity for public comment, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

Over the past five weeks, DEC received more than 1,500 comments on the plan from individuals and organizations as well as more than 16,000 form letters and 30,000 signatures on various petitions.

“The draft plan for management for mute swans received significant public interest and DEC received many thoughtful and substantive comments,” Commissioner Martens said. “DEC is listening to these comments and concerns and will revise the draft plan and provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the revised plan this spring.”

In revising the plan, DEC likely will acknowledge regional differences in status, potential impacts and desired population goals by setting varying goals for different regions of the state. In addition, DEC will consider non-lethal means to achieve the management plan’s intended goals.

DEC continues to review all of the public comment received, and will issue a revised draft this spring for another 30-day comment period. Prior to finalizing the revised draft, DEC will meet with key stakeholder groups to ensure that all potential management options are identified and considered. In addition to a revised draft plan, DEC staff will prepare a summary of the comments received and provide a response to the many questions, concerns and ideas expressed by the people of New York State.

“We appreciate the strong response that the draft plan received, and it’s clear that New Yorkers recognize the importance of a comprehensive mute swan management plan that balances the interests of a diversity of stakeholders,” Martens said. “The revised plan will seek to balance the conflicting views about management of mute swans in New York.”

For more information about mute swans in New York, visit DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html.

(NEW YORK, NY) New Jersey State Police arrested and charged twenty nine (29) men on February 27, 2014 in the takedown of a major international carjacking and stolen car trafficking ring that stole luxury cars in New Jersey and New York including Nassau County.

For the complete story log onto www.njsp.org and click on Twenty-nine charged.

The public is reminded of the following :

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter want to alert the public that there has been a pattern of luxury cars and SUV’s stolen, not only in Nassau County but throughout the Tri-State area. Late model Land Rover’s, Mercedes Benz and other luxury cars with push button starts and key fobs are being targeted. The thefts are occurring at all times of the day and night in which the car has been left unlocked and the key fob left in a vehicle equipped with a push button start.

The following are police recommendations to help safeguard your vehicle:

• Always lock your vehicle, even when it’s parked in your driveway or garage.
• Always take your keys or fob with you.
• Never leave or hide a smart key, valet key, or spare key anywhere in or on your vehicle, no matter where you park it.
• If possible park your vehicle in a locked garage.
• Keep the exterior of homes and driveways well illuminated.
• Close all your vehicle windows completely when parked.
• Also, secure your garage door opener to prevent access to your home.

Most important, we want to remind people when they are leaving or returning to their vehicles, they should be observant of cars and people who appear suspicious. If you “See Something, Say Something”.

Dial 9-1-1 and be ready to provide the police with as much information as possible regarding the description of the suspicious person or vehicle. License plate numbers are extremely valuable information for the police.

(LONG ISLAND, NY) Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating a house fire that injured a woman in Shirley yesterday.

Seventh Precinct officers responded to a call of a house fire at 219 William Floyd Parkway at approximately 1:30 p.m. According to the report, a smoke detector went off in the home, which is divided into two apartments, and alerted a male resident inside.

Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating a house fire at 219 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley that injured a woman yesterday. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Arson Section at 631-852-6024 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

The man, assisted by a passing motorist, went into the adjoining apartment where the fire originated and pulled a female resident out of the home. She was transported with serious injuries to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue. The man was treated and released from the hospital with symptoms unrelated to the fire.

Arson Section detectives are investigating the fire as a criminal incident. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Arson Section at 631-852-6024 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Agreement Resolves Allegations Of Kickbacks Given By Pharma Giant Amgen To Omnicare To Favor Drug Aranesp; New York Medicaid Program To Recover $664K; Schneiderman: Pharmacies And Drug Companies Who Defraud Taxpayers Will Be Held Accountable

(NEW YORK) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a $4.19 million settlement with long-term-care pharmacy Omnicare, a nationwide corporation headquartered in Kentucky. The agreement resolves allegations that the pharmacy demanded price concessions – or kickbacks – from drug manufacturer Amgen to switch the pharmacies’ long-term care patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, among other ailments, to a drug manufactured by Amgen.

The Attorney General’s Office led a national team of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units working with the Department of Justice and the US Attorney’s office for the District of South Carolina to reach the settlement. Under the agreement, the New York Medicaid Program will be reimbursed $664,137.09.

“Whether patients are treated by physicians, in nursing homes or in long-term-care facilities, prescription drugs should be dispensed based on medical necessity – not on side deals for pharmaceutical companies to gain market share in a captive patient population,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will hold accountable those entities that subvert patients’ and their medical professionals’ judgment by such actions.”

This settlement, along with a settlement in the same matter with pharma giant Amgen last year, resolves allegations that Amgen and Omnicare conspired to switch patients in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, to the nephrology drug Aranesp by giving discounts, market share rebates, speaker fees and other price concessions to Omnicare in exchange for influencing Omnicare’s selection and utilization of Aranesp. The drug is also used to battle the effects of chemotherapy.

Last year, Amgen agreed to pay $24.9 million in a national settlement for its conduct. The New York Medicaid Program received $3.2 million of that money. A press release from the Amgen settlement can be found here. The Omnicare settlement money will go to reimburse Medicaid programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia. A copy of the Omnicare settlement is available here. A copy of the earlier Amgen settlement is available here.

The national team, composed of members from North Carolina and Indiana representing the states’ Medicaid Fraud Control Units, was led by Jay Speers, Counsel to the New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, along with Special Assistant Attorney General Carolyn Ellis, Chief Auditor for Civil Enforcement Michael LaCasse and Associate Special Auditor Investigator Meghan Collins. The New York MFCU is headed by Acting Director Amy Held. Kelly Donovan is Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice.

(Amityville, NY) Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a single-car crash that killed a woman in Amityville early this morning.

Cheryl Noll was driving a 2006 Toyota Scion westbound on Merrick Road at 3:50 a.m. when her vehicle veered off the road, just west of Bryan Avenue, and struck a sign and several parked cars.

According to detectives, Cheryl Noll was driving a 2006 Toyota Scion westbound on Merrick Road at 3:50 a.m. when her vehicle veered off the road, just west of Bryan Avenue, and struck a sign and several parked cars. Noll, 34, of Jervis Avenue, Copiague, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Noll, 34, of Jervis Avenue, Copiague, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Senator LaValle Is Conducting An Earth Day Poster Contest and Youth Leadership Recognition Program

(Long Island, NY) Senator Ken LaValle is currently running two programs to recognize students in his Senate District. The Senator’s Annual Earth Day Poster Contest is focused on having students from kindergarten through 6th grade graphically illustrate their interpretation of the day. Youth Leadership Recognition Awards are designed to honor outstanding High School students who will become our future leaders. “I have always sought to impress upon children the significance of Earth Day and the importance of being active in their community. These programs enable me to recognize future leaders of tomorrow” said Senator LaValle.

The Earth Day Poster Contest theme this year is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Students are encouraged to be creative and convey a real commitment towards making the environment better. Letters have been sent to public and private schools in Senator LaValle’s district to principals and superintendents encouraging participation.

Senator LaValle’s Youth Recognition Awards are designed to highlight well-rounded, students who excel academically, in addition to showing leadership in extracurricular and volunteer activities. Participating schools are asked to nominate up to five Junior or Senior students for the recognition.

For more information on either of Senator LaValle’s Programs, visit www.SenatorLaValle.com

Under BDD Program, Brentwood Community Banks Will Receive Financial Incentives to Expand and Preserve Access to Banking Services for Consumers

(NEW YORK) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the approval of the Brentwood neighborhood in the Town of Islip (Suffolk County) as a Banking Development District (BDD) – the first-ever BDD on Long Island. This BDD designation for Brentwood provides financial incentives – such as the potential deposit of state funds in area institutions – to help expand and preserve access to retail banking services for unbanked and underbanked consumers in that community.

“Being able to get a bank account or a loan can make a world of difference for a family trying to responsibly manage their finances,” said Governor Cuomo. “Expanding access to financial services can help provide New York families with better tools to save for a rainy day, put their children through college, or buy a home.”

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said: “Unbanked New Yorkers often find themselves relying on check cashers or predatory payday lenders, which can take a big bite out of their paychecks. Expanding access to low-cost checking and savings accounts can help give those families a greater opportunity to build secure financial futures.”

The Town of Islip and New York Community Bank (NYCB) jointly applied for Brentwood’s BDD designation. Brentwood – a majority Hispanic community – is underserved by traditional banking services. It has fewer banks per capita than most other Suffolk County neighborhoods, despite being the county’s most densely populated area. As a result, many residents rely primarily on check cashers or other money transfer agents.

In its joint application with the Town of Islip, NYCB stated that this BDD designation will help that bank continue operations at its Brentwood branch and expand its services. The proposed new services outlined in NYCB’s BDD application include starter savings accounts that require as little as one dollar to open as well as checking accounts with no minimum balances. The BDD designation will also allow the branch to preserve existing services such small business loans and business checking and savings accounts.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “This is welcome news for the residents of the Brentwood community. I commend Governor Cuomo for pulling together resources allowing access to loans and credit to dramatically improve the quality of life for Brentwood residents.”

NYCB also plans to work with various community organizations to provide financial education programs for residents and businesses within the BDD, in addition to small business training and workshop programs.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police Department has reported the details of an arrest for a Grand Larceny that occurred between February 6, 2014 and February 26, 2014.

According to Crime Against Property Squad detectives, Donte Fearington, 21, of 66 Spencer Place, Hempstead was employed by AAA (Triple A) 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City. While working in the mailroom, the defendant stole approximately thirteen (13) personal checks from mail received from customers of AAA.

The defendant, Donte Fearington, 21, was arrested on February 27, 2014 at his home without incident. He is being charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree and will be arraigned on February 28, 2014 at First District Court, Hempstead.

The defendant would use acetone liquid to wash the ink off of each check. This process is known as check “washing”. The areas of the checks that were washed away included the dollar amount and the payee name. The defendant would then replace the payee name with his own name and include a higher dollar amount. Fearington would then deposit the checks into his personal checking account totaling a loss of approximately $6800.00.

Donte Fearington was arrested on February 27, 2014 at his home without incident. He is being charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree and will be arraigned on February 28, 2014 at First District Court, Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.