(Long Island, NY) Following the public announcement of the Iranian government’s plan to pay the families of “martyrs” who kill Israelis, New York State Senate Candidate Chris McGrath (R-Hewlett) called upon the state legislature to pass Senate Bill 6048, sponsored by Senator Thomas Croci, Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs, which would preclude the investment of New York State retirement funds in companies that do business with Iran.

“Iran is a sponsor of terrorism and is encouraging violence against the Israeli people,” said Chris McGrath.  “New York State has a responsibility to step forward and use whatever means are available to combat this threat.  This reprehensible plan by the Iran government requires a swift response and I encourage our elected officials in Albany to act immediately on this important legislation.”

According to Iranian officials, the Iranian government will pay $7,000 to the families of “martyrs” who kill Israelis and another $30,000 to these families if they are displaced by the Israeli government.

The Iran Divestment Act (S.6048) prohibits state and local governments, as well as New York State insurers, from entering into contracts with companies that do business with Iran and ensure that existing state sanctions remain in effect, regardless of actions taken by the federal government.

“Given the Obama Administration’s actions in Iran, New York State must act to ensure that these state level sanctions remain in full effect,” said McGrath.  “We cannot sit idly by and allow the terrorists to grow stronger while endangering countless innocent lives.”

Chris McGrath is a candidate for the New York State Senate (SD-9.) He is not a politician, has never before run for elected office, and is a lifelong resident of the district. Chris has spent the majority of his career and personal life giving back to people in need.  Following the devastating attacks of 9/11, Chris’s firm represented, pro-bono, the brave men and women who were first responders who helped in the search and recovering efforts at Ground Zero. As a member of the community, Chris, is involved in many civic and charitable organizations.  He is a distinguished past president of Peninsula Kiwanis, creating the organization’s foundation for underprivileged and handicapped children. www.ChrisMcGrathForSenate.com

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police have arrested three people after they sold alcohol to minors at several businesses in Huntington Station on Friday, March 4.

Second Precinct Crime Section officers and Community Support Unit officers conducted an underage alcohol sting operation at ten businesses on March 4 between approximately 8 p.m. and 12 a.m.

Suffolk County Police have arrested three people after they sold alcohol to minors at several businesses in Huntington Station on Friday, March 4. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Some businesses were chosen in response to community complaints while others were randomly selected. Three of the businesses were found to be in violation of the law.

The following were arrested and charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree for selling alcohol to a minor:

• Donis Rodriguez, 37, employed by Los Cercadillos Grocery, located at 184 Depot Road, Huntington Station.
• Rehmen Qureshi, 41, employed by the One Stop Deli, 150 W. Pulaski Road, Huntington Station.
• Angel Galloza, 22, employed by Papa Ningo Deli, 1888 New York Ave., Huntington Station. Galloza was also charged with violating the New York State ABC law for permitting on-premise consumption of alcohol without an appropriate permit.

All three were issued a Field Appearance Ticket and scheduled for arraignment at a later date.

The following seven businesses were in compliance:

• Compruebe Deli and Grocery, 1415 New York Ave., Huntington Station.
• Mishael Grocery Corp., 1415 New York Ave., Huntington Station.
• Yary’s Deli, 74B E. Pulaski Road, Huntington Station.
• Jenny’s Deli, 1044 New York Ave., Huntington Station.
• The Grog Shop, 185 Depot Road, Huntington Station.
• Citgo Groceries, 1181 New York Ave., Huntington Station.
• One Stop Deli, 223 Broadway, Greenlawn.

The operation was part of an ongoing effort by the Suffolk County Police Department to ensure compliance of laws pertaining to the sale of alcohol.

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 Police have arrested a Brentwood man for driving while under the influence of drugs following a crash that critically injured his passenger on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Smithtown Park Rangers operating an unmarked vehicle observed a suspicious vehicle parked at the gate to the Short Beach Town Park last night at approximately 10:20 p.m. The Rangers activated their vehicle’s emergency lights and began to approach the vehicle on foot when the operator put the car into drive and sped off, disobeying the commands to stop by one of the Rangers.

Suffolk County Police have arrested Alberto Guzman, 21, of Brentwood for driving while under the influence of drugs following a crash that critically injured his passenger on Friday, March 4. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The Rangers returned to their vehicle and proceeded to travel south on Short Beach Road where they found the vehicle, a 2011 Nissan Maxima, had crashed and overturned into the woods, knocking down a utility pole.

Julian Arango, 19, of Brentwood, a passenger in the rear seat was transported via Nissequogue Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The driver, Alberto Guzman and his front seat passenger, Eric Gomez, 19, of Nissequogue, were transported via St James Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Guzman, 21, of Brentwood was charged with Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree.

Guzman will be arraigned at a later date. The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 854-8452.

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 Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in Huntington Station on Saturday, March 5.

Francisco Palma was sitting in a vehicle in the rear parking lot of Melissa Restaurant, located at 1419 New York Ave., at approximately 1 a.m., when two gunshots were fired at the vehicle by an unknown assailant, striking Palma was struck in his left arm.

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in Huntington Station on Saturday, March 5. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Palma, 39, of Farmingdale was transported to Huntington Hospital by Huntington Community First Aid Squad, with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested Joseph T. Jones, 33, of Centereach for the murder of his wife Nicole Tessa in 2010.

Family members of Nicole Tessa, 31, filed a missing persons report with police on December 19, 2010 after Tessa was last seen on December 17.

Suffolk County Police today arrested Joseph T. Jones, 33, of Centereach for the murder of his wife Nicole Tessa in 2010. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Canine Section Officer John Mallia and his dog Blue were searching a wooded area near Tessa’s home, located on Prince St., North Patchogue, when they found Tessa’s body at approximately 11 a.m.

Homicide Squad detectives charged Joseph T. Jones with Murder 2nd Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the County Court Building, Riverhead, on March 7.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the  or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

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 Police have arrested a man after he shot a man in Wyandanch, and then burglarized an occupied home on Friday, March 4.

First Precinct officers responded to a 911 call of a man with a gunshot wound at the VFW Hall, located at 30 William St., Wyandanch, at approximately 2 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 47-year-old Wyandanch man with gunshot wounds to both legs. The victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police did not locate the suspect.

Suffolk County Police arrested William Moseley, 35, of Wyandanch after he shot a man in Wyandanch, and then burglarized an occupied home on Friday, March 4. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

At approximately 4:45 a.m., a 911 caller reported that the man who committed the shooting, armed with a gun, had just forcibly entered a residence on Irving Avenue in Wyandanch. Several occupants of the house fled.

Responding units, along with Emergency Service Units, surrounded the home. At approximately 7:30 a.m., the suspect, William Moseley exited the house and was taken into custody.

Moseley, 35, of Wyandanch, was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, Criminal Use of a Firearm 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree.

Moseley will be held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 5.

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) The Second Squad is investigating two Burglaries that occurred on Friday, March 04, 2016 in Hicksville.

According to detectives, Second Precinct officers responded to a call on Friday, March 04, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. for a Burglary at Tiffany Nail Salon located 265 W. Old Country Road. The officers observed that unknown subject(s) entered the salon through a locked rear door and removed an unknown amount of U. S. currency.

Nassau County Police are investigating two Burglaries that occurred on Friday, March 04 in Hicksville. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The investigation discovered that the subjects then kicked in the front door of the AT&T store located 263 W. Old Country Road and removed an undetermined amount of cell phones, I-Pads, and covers before fleeing in an unknown direction.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) New York State Senator Michael Venditto (R, C, I- Massapequa) voted this week on legislation (S.5598) that would establish the new crime of inciting violence against a police officer.

“Our communities have recently seen an unfortunate increase of crimes being committed against our brave men and women who put their life on the line every day, by protecting us,” said Senator Venditto.

In recent years, there has been an increase in violent crimes committed against police officers and this measure, if passed by the Assembly and signed into law, would help prevent individuals from deliberately inciting violence targeting law enforcement by creating a new class D felony.

“By creating a new class D felony, we can provide protections for our officers that they deserve,” continued Venditto.

This legislation is a result of the input received during a series of public hearings held by the Senate Majority last year which examined police safety and public protection in New York City and throughout the state.

The bill will be sent to the Assembly.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police on Friday, March 4 arrested a Patchogue man for possessing child pornography.

Computer Crimes Section detectives, assisted by officers from the Fifth Precinct and officers assigned to the FBI Long Island Exploited Children’s Task Force (LIECTF), executed a search warrant this morning at a residence on River Avenue in Patchogue.

Suffolk County Police on Friday, March 4 arrested Terrence Cole, 46, of Patchogue for possessing child pornography. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Detectives seized a collection of pornographic videos and images. The search warrant was a result of a continuing investigation initiated by detectives into child pornography distributed over the internet.

Computer Crimes Section detectives arrested Terrence Cole, a recruiter with the United States Army, at the Fifth Precinct, located in Patchogue, at 9:20 a.m.

Cole, 46, a resident of the home, was charged with one count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a child, a felony. He was scheduled for arraignment today at First District Court in Central Islip.

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) To celebrate the second anniversary of President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory collaborated with SUNY Old Westbury to bring more than 160 students from New York City and Long Island to the Laboratory on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 for a day of mentorship and engagement in science.

The participating students—most from economically challenged, diverse community high schools—experienced the exciting possibilities offered by careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the company of mentors from Brookhaven Lab and SUNY Old Westbury and national leaders of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

To celebrate the second anniversary of President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, Brookhaven National Laboratory and SUNY Old Westbury brought more than 160 students from NYC and LI to the Laboratory on Wednesday, March 2 for a day of science. Photo Credit: SUNY Old Westbury.

Broderick Johnson, Assistant to the President, Cabinet Secretary, and Chair of the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force gave a keynote address on the importance of government, businesses, nonprofits, local education agencies, and individuals stepping up and doing their part to ensure all of our nation’s youth have the tools they need to succeed.

“Together we can highlight the importance of inclusive and active STEM engagement here in the United States, and why every one of us needs to do more to ensure that every American—including those underrepresented in STEM, like women and people of color—are exposed to this ecosystem through active and hands-on experience,” said Johnson.

LaDoris Harris, Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity and an engineer by training, also urged the students to take advantage of the mentorship and support networks available to them.

“We’re here because our future relies on you,” said Harris. “Whether you want to become STEM leaders or President of the United States, make sure that you do each and every day all you can do, be excellent at what you do, and know that we recognize how important it is for us to do what we can for each of you.”

Lab Director Doon Gibbs. Photo Credit: SUNY Old Westbury.

The morning session kicked off with a panel discussion, and the attendees were enthralled by the personal and educational journeys of the speakers, which included scientists and staff from the Lab, educators from Old Westbury, and leaders from public and private sector organizations, including Con Edison.

“By listening to the stories and college experiences that these influential men and women of color shared today, it is my hope that these young people gain a sense of perspective that education and hard work can help change the trajectory of their life, and put them on a path to a productive and successful future,” said SUNY Old Westbury President Calvin O. Butts, III, who served as panel moderator.

The day’s program included a tour of the Lab’s premiere DOE Office of Science User Facilities— the National Synchrotron Light Source II, Center for Functional Nanomaterials, and Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider control room — along with hands-on activities that highlighted the Lab’s current research initiatives and world-class facilities, organized by the Lab’s Office of Educational Programs. A follow-up event will be held in April at SUNY Old Westbury to sustain engagement with the students, and provide an opportunity to meet with recent graduates and faculty from various disciplines.

“As a national laboratory, our greatest asset is our employees and the strengths, skills, and creativity they bring to work each day,” said Brookhaven Lab Director Doon Gibbs. “Keeping our nation competitive on the global technology stage will require a new generation of scientists and engineers that is truly representative of our nation as a whole—and programs like My Brother’s Keeper can help make that goal a reality.”

My Brother’s Keeper is a public-private initiative launched by President Obama in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by young men of color and to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. Supported by the White House, several departments of government, and many foundations and corporations, this long-term program joins federal, state, and local government agencies with businesses, educational institutions, and foundations, who together are taking important steps to connect young people to mentors, support networks, and the skills they need to succeed. Nine DOE national labs are hosting My Brother’s Keeper events this year in partnership with local educational institutions.