(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) will be hosting its 5^thAnnualTee-Off for Our Teens tournament at the Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y. on Tuesday, May 17^th, 2016.Seventy-two golfers will have the opportunity to play on one of Long Island’s most exclusivecourses,enjoyspectacular views overlooking The Great Peconic Bay and help to support the programs and services LICADD provides to all Long Islanders.

Sebonack was the host of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open. The course opened in 2006 was designed by progolfers, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak and is adjacent to the National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Sponsorships are available and include priority tee-off, two tee signs and your corporate banner display.  Individual players are $1,250 or $4,000 for a foursome.  Registration begins at 11:30 a.mwith plenty of time to practice putting and enjoy lunch before the shotgun start at 1p.m.  Early reservations are highly recommendedfor this exclusive course.The day will end with a reception at 5:30 p.m., to be followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the Tee-Off for Our Teens event will directly support evidence-based programs for teens that LICADD currently offers to the community. LICADD delivers prevention programs aimed at bolstering children and young adults’ self-esteem, confidence and communication with peers and parents, before they are presented with the choice to use alcohol and drugs.Too Good for Drugs, which is designed for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, builds students’ resiliency by teaching them how to be socially competent and autonomous problem solvers. Under the Student Assistance Program (SAP), these resources are available in schools throughout Long Island and continue to expand into new school districts each month.For young people displaying signs of alcohol and drug abuse, Teen Intervene offers a month-long combination of individual and parent-present counseling sessions focused on charting a different direction that includes abstinence and healthier coping strategies.

“Long Islanders remain unaware that the number of teens affected by prescription drug, heroin and alcohol abuse continues to rise each day, and theexpanding need for services is staggering,” said LICADD Executive Director Steve Chassman, LCSW, CASAC. “We need our community to become a part of the solution by participating in the Tee-Off for Our Teens and supporting programs that save teen’s lives and restore families.”

For 60 years, LICADD has successfully delivered evidence-based programs designed to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction.  LICADD offers crisis intervention, screenings, referrals to treatment and several family education workshops to help Long Islanders struggling with the effects of addiction. Through our Open Arms EAP, LICADD has provided targeted solution focused support to companies throughout the Northeast. Please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or on the web at www.licadd.org.

To participate in the 3rd Annual Tee-Off for Our Teens,or for more information regarding the event, please visit LICADD.org or contact Cynthia Doerler at cdoerler@licadd.orgor 516.747.2606, ext. 103.

(Long Island, NY) Art work created by students on Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus will be presented from April 9 – May 2, 2016 at the Eastern Campus Student Fine Arts Exhibit in the college’s Lyceum Gallery. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The spring Eastern Campus Student Fine Arts Exhibit is a lively salon-style show highlighting exceptional art work featuring student works created in fine art disciplines including Life Drawing, Drawing, 2D Design, and Art Appreciation.  There will be over 70 works on view in a variety of media and sizes.

24″ x 18,” graphite drawing by Maureen McSherry, Drawing 1 student. Photo Credit: SCCC.

Prospective students are encouraged to attend the exhibit to see the high proficiency attained by enrollees in Suffolk’s Eastern Campus Art Department.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and holidays.

For additional information, please call 631-548-2536. All are welcome.

Directions to the Eastern Campus: Take the Long Island Expressway to exit 70.  Take Country Road 111 four miles to Country Road 51. Turn left toward Riverhead and go north on 51.  After 3.5 miles, turn right onto Speonk-Riverhead Road to the campus entrance on the right.

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined the Girl Scouts of Nassau County and DHL, the Specialists in International Shipping, in shipping more than one million Girl Scout Cookies to U.S. troops overseas. DHL picked up the cookies and is transporting them to military servicemen and women as a way to show appreciation for their service to our nation.

(L to R): NYS Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages; Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs; Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer; Jim Adelis of Adelis International Security; County Executive Edward P. Mangano; Executive Director/CEO of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Donna Ceravolo; a representative from DHL Express; Nassau County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum. Photo Credit: Nassau County.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano stated, “Our men and women in uniform leave their families and risk their lives to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear. These Girl Scout Cookies represent the well wishes and prayers of a grateful nation and the anticipation of a safe return. We hope that this little piece of home will bring joy to our soldiers who have not stood on American soil in months and, in some case, years while serving on their tour of duty.”

This Cookie donation is made possible due to the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Operation Cookie program. Operation Cookie offers customers the opportunity to help lift the spirits of servicemen and women by purchasing extra boxes or cases of Cookies to donate to the U.S. Military.

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Department of Health reported that a raccoon submitted for analysis has tested positive for rabies. The raccoon was recently collected in Hicksville by a licensed wildlife trapper. Raccoon rabies was first identified in Nassau County in 2004. Nassau County Department of Health has not reported a positive raccoon specimen since 2007.

In response to this finding, the Nassau County Department of Health is asking residents to call the Department of Health at 516-227-9663 if they see any dead raccoons for possible collection and rabies testing or any sick or abnormal acting animals.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, the virus may also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with cut, open, or scratched skin lesions. To protect yourself from exposure to possible rabies:

• Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evenings.
• Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccination, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses.
• Do not touch or have contact with any animal other than your own.
• Do not touch dying or dead animals. If you must move them, use a shovel, wear heavy rubber gloves and double bag the carcass.
• Advise your family against approaching any unknown animal — wild or domestic — especially those acting in an unusual way.
• Instruct your children to tell you immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.
• Notify the Health Department if a bat is found in a room where adults or children were sleeping, or if an adult enters a room and finds a bat with a child.
• Do not feed unknown animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home.
• Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside.

New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that’s overdue for its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination, but this immunization must be administered within five days of exposure. To protect your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.

Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room and then call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9663.

For additional information on raccoon rabies visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2048/Rabies.

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau reports two arrests for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance that occurred on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 11:20 a.m. in Massapequa.

According to detectives from the Nassau/Suffolk Heroin Task Force, Shamiek T. Porter, 24, of Farmingdale was driving a 2013 BMW westbound on Beach Street in the vicinity of Carmen Boulevard.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Shamiek T. Porter, 24, of Farmingdale for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance that occurred on Thursday, March 24 in Massapequa. Photo Credit: NCPD.

As detectives attempted to conduct a car stop Porter drove over a sidewalk and across a front lawn before striking a brick wall, mail box, basketball hoop and two parked cars before coming to a stop in front of 24 Beach Street.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Lindsey Wild, 24, of Lindenhurst for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance that occurred on Thursday, March 24 in Massapequa. Photo Credit: NCPD.

A passenger in the car, Lindsey Wild, 24, of Lindenhurst was found to be in possession of over 50 glassine envelopes of heroin. Porter was found to be in possession of 20 glassine envelopes of heroin and an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported.

The defendants are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree. Additionally Porter is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree. They will be arraigned on Friday, March 25, 2016 at First District Court in 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.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory will join with local health and police officials at a news conference calling for 1.1 billion dollars in emergency Federal Funding to battle the surging heroin crisis on Long Island, Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 11:30 AM, William J. Lindsay County Complex, William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY. The Obama administration is calling for $1.1 billion over the next two years to combat the growing health crisis. Long Island has one of the highest rates of heroin and opiate drug abuse in New York. Funding will support local agencies that treat and help prevent drug addiction.

Local officials will urge Congress to immediately pass an emergency funding bill to battle the major drug epidemic in Long Island. Funds will greatly bolster Long Island’s efforts to end the crisis.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled, and the number of heroin deaths in Suffolk County has nearly tripled since 2010. Two Americans die of drug overdoses every hour and 2,500 youths aged between 12 and 17 abuse prescription drugs for the first time every day. Resources are badly needed for communities and families in dire need of relief to stem the drug crisis.

Brooklyn Nets’ New NBA D-League Team to Begin Play at Barclays Center in 2016-17

(Long Island, NY) The Brooklyn Nets unveiled the logo and uniform for the team’s new NBA Development League (D-League) franchise, the Long Island Nets, which pays homage to the team’s heritage on Long Island.

The logo is red, white and blue, the colors of the American Basketball Association’s New York Nets, who played at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island from 1972-76, winning two championships in 1974 and 1976. Following the completion of its extensive renovation, the new Nassau Coliseum will become the permanent home of the Long Island Nets starting with the 2017-18 season.

The team will play its home games during the 2016-17 inaugural season at Barclays Center and hold practices at the recently opened HSS Training Center in Brooklyn.

The logo features the ‘Nets’ wordmark in red script, reminiscent of the Nets’ logo used from 1968-78. The wordmark appears against a black and white basketball with a ‘Long Island, New York’ mark in a circular shape that mirrors the secondary logo of the Brooklyn Nets.

The stars within the circular logo pay tribute to the ABA Nets’ uniforms, which the team began wearing in February 1972. There are six stars to represent the Long Island Nets’ status as the sixth man of the Brooklyn Nets organization.

The team’s home uniforms will be white with ‘NETS’ across the chest in blue, and their road jerseys are blue and feature ‘LONG ISLAND’ across the chest in red.

“There are many ways to construct a team, and having the ability to build from within with our D-League team is very important,” said Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks.  “We must be strategic and systematic, and utilizing the Long Island Nets for player development is a big key to our overall plan.”

The Long Island Nets have hired Alton Byrd as Vice President of Business Operations. With more than 20 years of experience in sports and brand marketing, including stints with the NBA and NFL, Byrd most recently served as Chief Revenue Officer of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, where he oversaw the corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, and marketing departments. Byrd will oversee all business operations for the Long Island Nets.

“We are proud to bring the Nets brand back to Long Island, and to establish synergy between the team’s storied roots at Nassau Coliseum and its contemporary history in Brooklyn,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “As an experienced and innovative sales and marketing leader, Alton will help lay the foundation for the Long Island Nets as we introduce our new team to the market.”

Click here to download an image of the jerseys and the Long Island Nets’ primary logo. For more information, please visit longislandnets.com and follow @longislandnets on Twitter and Instagram.

About the Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets, presented by SecureWatch24, were officially launched in April 2012 and play their home games at Barclays Center located at the crossroads of Brooklyn, Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues. A member of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, the Nets advanced to the NBA Playoffs in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Prior to its relocation to Brooklyn, the team was called the New Jersey Nets. Starting in 1977, the Nets played their first four seasons in New Jersey at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, before moving in 1981 to Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford (later renamed Continental Airlines Arena and IZOD Center). They remained in East Rutherford for 29 seasons until relocating to the Prudential Center in Newark in 2010. The Nets have reached the postseason 19 times, won four Atlantic Division titles and two Eastern Conference Championships, reaching the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. Prior to joining the NBA, the team was a member of the ABA and was called the New York Nets. Playing their home games at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, the Nets won two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. Opened on February 17, 2016, Hospital for Special Surgery Training Center in Brooklyn’s Industry City is the new training facility of the Nets.

For instant updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow @BrooklynNets on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police on Thursday, March 24 arrested a man today who committed five commercial burglaries this month in Huntington Station.

Second Precinct Police Officers Michael Buscarino and Vincent Dilluvio were on patrol when they noticed a man drinking an open container of alcohol on New York Avenue in Huntington Station at approximately 5:10 a.m. The suspect gave a false name and the officers transported the suspect to the Second Precinct.

Suffolk County Police on Thursday, March 24 arrested Jose Benitez, 34, who committed five commercial burglaries this month in Huntington Station. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Further investigation by Second Squad detectives, revealed that the suspect, Jose Benitez, was responsible for five commercial burglaries that occurred between March 17 and March 23. Below are the dates, times, and locations of the burglaries.

• March 23 at approximately 4 a.m. – Promesas Christian Book Store, located at New York Ave., Huntington Station
• March 23 at approximately 3:30 a.m. – Checkers, located at 1680 New York Ave., Huntington Station
• Between March 20 at 7 p.m. and March 21- at 8 a.m. – Variedades Belen, located at 1671 New York Ave., Huntington Station
• March 21, at approximately 4:55 a.m. – Sunny’s Discount, located at 1345 New York Ave., Huntington Station
• March 17, at approximately 4 a.m. – Best for Less, located at 1711 New York Ave., Huntington Station

Benitez, 34 of Huntington Station, was charged with five counts of Burglary 3rd Degree, False Personation, a bench warrant, and was issued a summons for Open Alcoholic Beverage. Benitez will be held overnight at the Second Precinct, and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 25.

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.

Days before the 2016 NYS budget deadline, elected officials hold town hall forum and hear personal stories from constituents about need for statewide paid family leave policy

(Long Island, NY) With the days counting down until the 2016 NYS budget deadline on March 31st, Long Island Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, and North Hempstead Councilwoman Vivianna Russell took part in a town hall meeting on Thursday night in Westbury, NY at which they heard from dozens of community members on the need for paid family leave and reiterated their desire for Albany to pass a statewide paid family leave policy this year.

Joined by over 60 community members at the “Yes We Can” Community Center in Westbury, all three elected officials shared their own stories last night as they also heard personal stories from attendees about the need for a statewide paid family leave policy that ensures that no New Yorker has to choose between caring for a newborn or a loved one and paying their bills.

Photos from the event can be downloaded here.

“Our ability to care for those we love in times of need should never depend on the size of our bank accounts. However, this is the reality for working class families. It’s time we place families and the working class first by ensuring employment and financial security for all New Yorkers trying to balance work and family life,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. “My family and I personally know how paid family leave can impact your family and how the lack thereof can disrupt your entire household and quality of life. Having a good policy like the Paid Family Leave Act will ensure that families will not be faced with the life or death decision that I had to make. It will be life changing for so many working families in the state of New York,” said North Hempstead Town Councilmember Viviana Russell.

“To ensure a brighter future for families living on Long Island, workers must be able to care for a newborn or respond to family emergencies without risking their financial or job security. This is why I’m fighting for paid family leave legislation, which will give all New Yorkers access to paid time off when their loved ones need care. Paid family leave puts families first. It ensures more families can afford to call Long Island home. I will continue to work toward making paid family leave a reality for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre.

The town hall took place in the district of Senator Jack Martins, the Chair of the Senate Labor Committee. County and local legislators also announced at the event that every single Democratic county legislator in Long Island has signed onto a letter calling for the passage of strong paid family legislation, and that four different towns — North Hempstead, Long Beach, East Hampton, and Southampton — have passed local resolutions urging the same.

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman wrote an op-ed in Newsday urging policymakers to reject efforts by special interest groups that would gut critical provisions of New York’s landmark opioid abuse prevention program, I-STOP.  Highlights from the op-ed are below:

ON THE EFFECTS ON I-STOP LEGISLATION: One of the most successful programs New York has created is its groundbreaking Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act, or I-STOP, which requires physicians to consult a statewide database of a patient’s prescription history before prescribing opioids and other controlled substances. New York is the first state in the nation to adopt the reform.

Since the program went into effect in August 2013, I-STOP has been successful. So-called “doctor shopping” — where patients go from doctor-to-doctor getting multiple opioid prescriptions, which they can then use or sell — is down 90 percent.  At the end of this month, the program is set to make even greater progress, by virtually eliminating paper prescriptions and requiring nearly all prescriptions to be submitted to a secure online portal in real-time by “E-Prescribing.”

ON ATTEMPTS BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS TO UNDERMINE I-STOP LEGISLATION: …Some of the state’s most powerful special interests — including the Medical Society of the State of New York and the NYS Health Facilities Association — are trying to stop our progress dead in its tracks. They’ve proposed legislation to gut these new prescription safeguards by exempting many doctors and nursing homes from the requirements — opening the door to exactly the kind of doctor-shopping I-STOP is designed to prevent.

These changes would undermine patient health and our state’s efforts to curb the opioid epidemic. The state database must be comprehensive to properly protect patients, doctors, pharmacists and those who suffer from addiction.

The full op-ed can be read here.