(Long Island, NY) At this time, we are reporting, 2,548 of the approximately 1.1 million customers across Long Island are currently without service.

Since Midnight, PSEG Long Island has restored approximately 19,000 of the more than 21,000 customers affected by the weather. Crews will continue to work through the night to restore power to customers as safely and as quickly as possible.

Customers with a handheld device can also report power outages by texting “OUT” to PSEGLI (773454). You will receive confirmation that your outage has been submitted and will begin receiving ongoing updates as the status of your outage changes. This requires a one-time registration, to register, text REG to PSEGLI (773454) or visit My Account. General outage activity throughout our service territory is also available online and on our mobile website at www.psegliny.com . Outage and restoration updates are posted on www.psegliny.com/stormcenter during severe weather.

PSEG Long Island LLC was selected by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in Dec. 2011 to manage LIPA’s electric system. The 12-year contract includes commitments to improve customer satisfaction and provide safe, reliable service for LIPA customers. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $10 billion.

• Since Midnight, PSEG Long Island has restored approximately 15,000 of the more than 18,000 customers affected by the weather. Crews will continue to work through the night to restore power to customers as safely and as quickly as possible.

At this time, we are reporting that as of 4:30 pm, 3,155 of the approximately 1.1 million customers across Long Island and the Rockaways, are currently without service.

• Customers with a handheld device can also report power outages by texting “OUT” to PSEGLI (773454). You will receive confirmation that your outage has been submitted and will begin receiving ongoing updates as the status of your outage changes. This requires a one-time registration, to register, text REG to PSEGLI (773454) or visit My Account. General outage activity throughout our service territory is also available online and on our mobile website at www.psegliny.com . Outage and restoration updates are posted on www.psegliny.com/stormcenter during severe weather.

PSEG Long Island LLC was selected by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in Dec. 2011 to manage LIPA’s electric system. The 12-year contract includes commitments to improve customer satisfaction and provide safe, reliable service for LIPA customers. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $10 billion.

Lugers, Skeleton Slider Competing in XXII Games

(HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone sends congratulations to local athletes who are participating in the XXII Olympic Winter Games.

Among the estimated 2,500 athletes competing in the games in Sochi, Russia are: lugers Aidan Kelly of West Islip and Matt Mortensen of Huntington Station and skeleton slider John Daly of Smithtown

“We are proud to have such a strong contingent of Suffolk County residents who will represent their country on such an international stage,” Bellone said. “They have all worked hard to get where they are and deserve a great deal of credit for their achievements. We will all be rooting for them throughout the Olympics.”

The Games, which open Friday in Sochi, Russia, run for two weeks.

8,500 square-foot Facility is first high tech accelerator / incubator space to open in a down town community in Suffolk

(Hauppauge, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced today the grand opening of LaunchPad Huntington, a new 8,500 square-foot incubator and co-working space in Huntington, N.Y. for startup technology companies. The new facility, located at 315 Main Street, is the latest development aimed at supporting Long Island tech startups by providing rental office and networking space, relevant lectures, mentoring and access to funding. first high tech accelerator/incubator space to open in a down town community in Suffolk.

County Executive Steve Bellone, Tyler Roye , CEO of eGifter

“Creating cost-effective office space opportunities for startups in the technology sector is an initiative very important to Suffolk County,” stated Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “LaunchPad Huntington will give the most creative Long Island tech entrepreneurs the tools and environment they need to succeed right here on Long Island.”

Technology incubators provide new entrepreneurs with mentorship, advice and practical training on technical, business and fundraising topics to help them get from idea to product to launch.

County Executive Steve Bellone and Legislator William Spencer

“One of the most important things to the future of Suffolk County is creating an environment where new businesses can establish their roots and thrive,” said Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer. “Welcoming the tech accelerator space into Huntington Village is laying down the groundwork for further development and will bring similar businesses into the area.”

The founders of Long Island tech startup eGifter worked to open LaunchPad Huntington and designed the space with an open floor plan to maximize collaboration among the selected startup companies. Huntington Village was chosen as an ideal location because of the sociability the downtown offers to young men and women, typically the age-demographic focused on tech start-up opportunities.

(Huntington Town Councilman, Mark Cuthbertson, Peter Goldsmith, President of LISTnet, Tyler Roye, Founder of LaunchPad Huntington and Founder/CEO egifter, Mark Lesko, Executive Director of Accelerate Long Island, Legislator William Spencer, County Executive Steve Bellone, Andrew Hazen-Founder of Launch LI, Anthony Manetta, Executive Director Suffolk County IDA, Steve Rossetti, Member of the Suffolk County IDA Board)

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue to build on our model of guiding future self-owned businesses and providing entrepreneurs the tools they need,” said CEO of eGifter Tyler Roye. “We aim to locate 8-10 startup companies at LaunchPad Huntington that turn over every 6-12 months.”

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) played a major role in securing LaunchPad Long Island to open its doors in Huntington. A package approved by the Suffolk IDA includes property tax abatements and sales tax incentives of over $100,000 for a five year period. The IDA’s support of this project is an extension of their efforts to grow the software and tech industry and to bolster economic development in Suffolk County.

“The Suffolk County IDA continues to be very proactive at building relationships with tech startups,” stated Suffolk County IDA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Manetta. “This new accelerator space affords the IDA to be on the ground floor of entrepreneurial activity in the County.”

In addition to eGifter, the first round of companies in the incubator will include Flight Partners, Jule, MyWorkster, TalentBrowser, and Immersive Ubiquity. LaunchPad Huntington is currently reviewing many applications, and will soon finalize selection of the rest of the first group of startups.

(Bethpage, NY) Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union and Long Island’s leading community financial institution, recently celebrated the grand opening of one of its newest branches on Long Island within the King Kullen supermarket located at 231 W. Merrick Road in Valley Stream. The Valley Stream branch marks the credit union’s fourth branch location inside a King Kullen. Bethpage currently has 27 Long Island branches, with 15 located in Nassau County and 12 located in Suffolk County.

(Pictured Left to Right) Frank Vassallo Assistant Director of Store Operations, King Kullen; Jeff Prince, Director of Store Operations, King Kullen; Joe Brown, Sr. VP Chief Merchandise Officer, King Kullen; Tim Rachek, VP Controller, King Kullen; Ed Williamson, King Kullen Valley Stream Store Manager; Vernon Williams, VP Branch Operations, Bethpage; Christie O’Keefe, Bethpage; Angela Ogurick, Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce Member; Edwin A. Fare, Mayor Inc. Village Of Valley Stream; Wayne Grosse, Chief Operating Officer, Bethpage; Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Assembly District 22; Rana Heeralall, Liberty Mutual; Lee Feinman, Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce Member; Wendy Darougar, Bethpage; Fernando Rebellon, Valley Stream Branch Manager, Bethpage; Robert Suarez, AVP Community Development, Bethpage; James Flynn Sr. VP CFO, Bethpage.

“Bethpage and King Kullen share a common goal of supporting the Long Island community. Bethpage branches housed inside King Kullen supermarkets provide an invaluable asset to customers, offering a great convenience for busy shoppers,” said Kirk Kordeleski, President and CEO, Bethpage. “We look forward to working closely with Valley Stream residents, all of whom are invited to do their banking inside the branch and take advantage of the unmatched credit union difference.”

“King Kullen welcomes Bethpage to its Valley Stream store,” remarked Brian Cullen, Co-President of King Kullen. “We’ve always enjoyed a great relationship with Bethpage. I’m confident our customers will find it convenient and helpful to have a full-service branch right where they shop.”

The new bilingual branch employs seven employees in a 456 square foot location. Fernando Rebellon is the new Valley Stream branch manager. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM; Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM; and Sunday, 11 AM – 4 PM. This is Bethpage’s 17th bilingual branch. Three additional Bethpage branches are slated to open in Nassau County in 2014 in Long Beach, Baldwin and Albertson.

Bethpage is one of Long Island’s most convenient financial institutions. Its growing network of 27 local branches, 60 shared service centers, more than 425 surcharge-free ATMs, and free online and mobile banking services provides members with easy access to their accounts wherever and whenever they need it.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is New York State’s largest credit union and Long Island’s primary community financial institution with 232,000 members, 27 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in-market rates, low fees and world-class service, and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.

Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, East Meadow NuHealth, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, Valley Stream King Kullen, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs including King Kullen, CVS Pharmacy, 7-11 and Costco locations throughout Long Island.

For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit https://www.bethpagefcu.com.

(Farmingville, NY) Assemblyman Hennessey joined union members and fellow elected officials from Local, County, and State government to call on Verizon to bring FIOS to Brookhaven Town.

“Brookhaven Town Hall was filled to capacity with residents and unions, all demanding that Verizon build out FIOS in Brookhaven Town. I was proud to stand with them. Bringing FIOS to the town means jobs, service to residents at competitive prices, and economic development,” said Assemblyman Hennessey.

Pictured left to right are Assemblyman Edward Hennessey, Michael Gendron, CWA Local 1108; Patrick Guidice, IBEW 1049; and Donald Dunn, CWA Local 1108.

(Long Island, NY) This past Saturday, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) attended the 67th Annual Melville Fire Department Inspection and Installation of Officers. As part of the evening’s ceremony, Michael McKeefrey was installed as the department’s new chief. McKeefrey is a former physical education teacher at Oakwood Primary Center and Walt Whitman High School in the South Huntington School District.

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (left) with Melville Fire Chief Michael McKeefrey (center) and Town of Huntington Clerk, Jo-Ann Raia (right).

“Melville Fire Department is a shining example of the quality of first responders that serve our residents here in Suffolk County,” said Lupinacci. “Chief Carrieri served the department well and I want to wish new Chief McKeefrey the best of luck as he leads the department. A department is only as strong as the men and women who put their lives on the line for it and Melville is represented by outstanding members and leadership. As a former student in Chief McKeefrey’s class, it was an honor to share the occasion with him. I would like to thank the members for their continued service and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming year.”

Reaction to Astorino’s Comments on Gov. Cuomo’s Pre-K Plan

(Long Island, NY) Yesterday in an interview on public radio’s “The Capitol Pressroom,” Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive and potential Republican candidate for governor, came out in opposition to Governor Cuomo’s statewide pre-K plan. Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, offers a reaction to Astorino’s comments:

“Everyone in the education community hopes for an intelligent dialogue on educational issues this year. People expect and deserve that,” said Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “But, Rob Astorino is flat out wrong in saying we should not go forward with pre-K. A statewide pre-K plan is essential to making New York’s education system a national leader. Governor Cuomo deserves kudos for supporting statewide pre-K. Both Astorino and the Governor should be calling for more school aid to support K-12 education and more pre-K funding statewide. And, they should be supporting home rule so that New York City can pay its own bills on pre-K for its own four-year-olds.”

About AQE
The Alliance for Quality Education is a coalition mobilizing communities across the state to keep New York true to its promise of ensuring a high quality public education to all students regardless of zip code, income or race. Combining its legislative and policy expertise with grassroots organizing, AQE advances proven-to-work strategies that lead to student success and echo a powerful public demand for a high quality education. www.aqeny.org

Taxpayers to also Receive Important Details on How to Claim up to $8,125 Earned Income Tax Credit

(Bethpage, NY) For the eleventh year, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, will help low- to moderate-income households on Long Island prepare their tax returns for free, by offering Long Island’s largest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at 12 of its Long Island branch locations.

Beginning February 5, 2014 through April 12, 2014, over 100 IRS certified volunteers, including bilingual tax assistors, will be available to meet with eligible taxpayers with 2013 incomes of $52,000 and below to file tax returns.  Bethpage’s VITA Program is open to all eligible Long Islanders, including non-Bethpage members. VITA services will be available on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons in 12 Bethpage branches including: Elmont, Freeport, Hempstead, Massapequa, Roosevelt, Westbury, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Farmingdale, Patchogue, West Babylon and Riverhead.  No appointments needed.
Bethpage will also provide mobile VITA assistance available at various public locations throughout Long Island.  For a complete listing of locations, addresses, contact numbers and times, go to www.bethpagefcu.com/community/events/vita or call 1-800-628-7070.

As part of its VITA program, Bethpage also partners with the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island to educate eligible taxpayers about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), an anti-poverty program available to one in five eligible Long Island households.  VITA volunteers will work with taxpayers to ensure that eligible families know how to claim their Earned Income Tax Credit, which could bring an additional $8,125 into the hands of deserving Long Island families and be claimed up to three years back.

“Bethpage’s VITA program has grown substantially since it was first implemented in 2004, and continues to grow significantly each year.  To date, over 7,500 individuals have filed their tax returns through Bethpage, bringing over $9.2 million in tax refunds back to the Long Island economy and $2.3 million in EITC money,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.  “Essential to its success each year is the number of certified, trained volunteers who join us, 75% of whom are accounting, finance and business students from partnering colleges and universities including NYIT, SUNY Old Westbury, Farmingdale State College, Touro Law School, LIU Post, Briarcliffe, and Stony Brook University, just to name a few.  Without these student volunteers, the program would not be where it is today.”

“At a time when the national dialogue is moving toward building economic equity and opportunity for all, the EITC is a national program that helps to make that a reality for working families,” said Gwen O’Shea, President and CEO, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island.  “Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s VITA program brings this national program to struggling Long Island households through free tax preparation services that are professional, confidential and reliable.  HWCLI is proud to partner with Bethpage to educate and inform Long Island families about EITC and VITA sites.”

Bethpage coordinates the largest VITA program on Long Island.  In 2013, Bethpage completed 2,028 VITA tax returns and helped secure IRS total refunds of over $2.5 million, a 34% increase from 2013.  Rob Suarez, Bethpage’s AVP of Community Development, who coordinates Long Island’s largest VITA program added, “Bethpage’s VITA program has steadily grown each year, to help more and more low- to moderate-income Long Island households not only file their returns for free but receive thousands of dollars yearly from the EITC.  Last year alone, over $685K was secured for Long Island families from the EITC, money that would have otherwise gone unclaimed.”

Under the guidelines of the VITA program, Bethpage coordinates the services of its volunteers, who are trained by the Internet Revenue Service (IRS), to electronically prepare all specific forms including, among others, 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040.  Bethpage is also an e-file site where taxpayers can file their income tax returns electronically.  E-filers will receive refunds twice as quickly as those using paper returns in as little as 10 business days when they choose Direct Deposit.  Taxpayers who do not have a direct deposit account and wish to receive payment in this format can open a Bethpage account when filing their tax returns.

Enacted by Congress in 1975, the EITC is a Federal income tax credit for workers who don’t earn a high income and meet certain eligibility requirements.  Taxpayers who qualify and claim the credit could pay less Federal tax, pay no tax or possibly get a tax refund.  Long Island’s Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, which was developed by the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, was initiated to create awareness for VITA and EITC.

Qualifying taxpayers planning to take advantage of Bethpage’s VITA program need to bring the following materials with them for review:  2012 tax package of wage and earnings statements (Form W-2), all interest and dividend statements (Form 1099-INT), all other income and expense information, a copy of last year’s Federal and State returns if available, bank routing and account numbers for Direct Deposit, total paid for day care and provider’s tax ID, social security cards for you, your spouse and dependents and as well as photo identification.  To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present.

For more information on VITA and paperwork needed, please visit Bethpage’s “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program” page located under the community section at www.bethpagefcu.com or call 1-800-628-7070.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks.  Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 232,000 members, 27 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.

Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, East Meadow NuHealth, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, Valley Stream King Kullen, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations throughout Long Island.  

For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.

(WOODBURY, N.Y.)  The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored News 12 Long Island with 26 New York Emmy® Award nominations.  The award nominations were announced at the studios of CUNY-TV in New York City.

“We’re proud of these 26 nominations and the talented staff who achieved them,” said Patrick Dolan, News Director, News 12 Long Island. “Every day we strive to deliver on our commitment to provide unique local coverage of the Long Island communities and neighborhoods we serve, and we are honored to be recognized for that effort.”

The 2014 Emmy® Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at The Marriott Marquee Times Square in New York City.  The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, founded in 1955, is the preeminent membership organization serving the television industry. NY NATAS encourages the pursuit of excellence and promotes the highest standards of quality in television by conferring the industry’s classic and most-coveted peer-recognition symbol of distinction – the Emmy®.

News 12 Networks, which is comprised of seven individual local 24-hour news channels across Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, received a total of 104 New York State Emmy® Award nominations this year, more than any other news organization.

News 12 Long Island New York Emmy® Award Nominations:

• Children/Youth Programming: (2) Calling His Shot and Camp Adventure
• Crime: Police Misconduct
• Environment – Program/Special: Green Minute Series
• Evening Newscast – Over 35 Minutes: Hofstra Presidential Debate, 5PM Show
• Feature News Report – Light Feature: Field of Dreams
• General Assignment Report: (2) Wheelchair Stolen and Oceanside Outrage
• Graphic Arts – Graphic News: Jessica Lee
• Human Interest – News: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Quit
• Human Interest – Program/Special: 12 Making a Difference Show
• Military – News: (3) Big HY and USS Michael Murphy and Gold Star Ride
• Military – Program: Fallen Heroes Series
• Photographer: Short Form: (2) Andrew Singh and David Garden
• Politics/Government – Program/Special: Brookhaven Fallout
• Public/Current/Community Affairs Programming: The Next Big One
• Public/Current/Community Affairs Programming: Securing Our Schools
• Sports – News Series: The Ultimate Dream
• Writer – Short Form/Commentary/Editorial:  Bob Wolff’s Point of View
• On Camera Talent: Anchor – Sports: (2) Kevin Maher and Jamie Stuart
• On Camera Reporter: Specialty Assignment: Elizabeth Hashagen
• On-Camera Talent: Reporter – Sports: Kevin Maher

About News 12 Long Island
News 12 Long Island is the exclusive 24-hour local news service dedicated to covering the counties of Nassau and Suffolk, available exclusively on the Long Island Cablevision system.  News 12 Long Island was the first local 24-hour cable television news channel of its kind to launch in the United States in 1986.  Today News 12 Long Island is part of News 12 Networks which is the largest and most watched regional news network.  The network includes seven individual local 24-hour news channels, five traffic and weather channels, the award winning news12.com, and News 12 Interactive, channel 612 on Optimum TV.   News 12 Networks is owned and operated by Cablevision Systems Corporation.