(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the man who stole merchandise from a Wal-Mart store in January.

On January 10, a man entered the Wal-Mart, located at 3990 Nesconset Highway in Setauket, and stole a pair of head phones and a battery charger pack.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the man who stole merchandise from a Wal-Mart store in January. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The suspect is described as a white male who was wearing white sneakers, blue jeans,a light blue windbreaker over a red sweatshirt and a red Yankees baseball cap.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

UPDATE: Missing Persons Squad detectives report that both of the below missing persons, Gady Pozuelos and Jonathan Reyes, were located at the Inwood train station on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 2:55 pm. Both juveniles were transported to the Fourth Precinct and released to the custody of their parents.

Below is the original release.

(Long Island, NY) Missing Persons Squad is investigating the missing of a 12 year old, Gady Pozuelos, from Inwood, who was last seen in the company of her boyfriend, Jonathan Reyes, 15, also from Inwood. Both, who have been reported missing, were last seen at the Lawrence Middle School on 03/01/2016 at 2:40 pm.

Pozuelos was reported to be wearing an orange shirt, blue pants, black jacket and carrying a black backpack with a skull insignia. Reyes was wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans.

Nassau County Police are seeking two missing Inwood children, Jonathan Reyes, 15 (left), and Gady Pozuelos, 12 (right). Photo Credit: NCPD.

Information obtained during the investigation states that the missing may be headed to Manhattan.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Pozuelos or Reyes to call 911 or Missing Persons Squad at (516) 573-7347.

March Is National Professional Social Work Month

(Long Island, NY) In recognition of National Professional Social Work Month, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory honored four of the county’s outstanding social workers at the March 1 General Meeting of the Legislature.

The four social workers, who were selected by their departments for recognition, were: Ellen Higgins of Farmingville from the Department of Health’s Division of Patient Care; Patricia Meaney of Wading River from the Department of Social Services; Amelia Sapio of Northport from Probation; and Jenine Yannucciello of East Setauket from the Department of Health’s Division of Community Hygiene.

In recognition of National Professional Social Work Month, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory honored four of the county’s outstanding social workers at the March 1 General Meeting of the Legislature. From left: Presiding Officer Gregory; Amelia Sapio of Northport from Probation; Ellen Higgins of Farmingville from the Department of Health; Jenine Yannucciello of East Setauket from the Department of Health; and Patricia Meaney of Wading River from the Department of Social Services. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“Suffolk’s social workers give tirelessly of themselves to provide assistance to some of our county’s most vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and abuse victims, as well as the disabled, addicted and impoverished,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Ellen, Pat, Amy and Jenine represent the best of their field, and it was a privilege to honor them for their outstanding service at our General Meeting. I commend their efforts as well as that of all our county’s social workers. On behalf of the Legislature: Thank you for all you do.”

Higgins is the program coordinator for the Maternal Infant Community Health Collaborative program, which provides care to high-need women and children in targeted communities. Since beginning her career with the Department of Health Services in November 1994, she has served, among other positions, as an AIDS Counselor, a Medical Social Worker, as the Director of Social Work at the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility, and as the East End Coordinator for the Medical Social Work Program. She supervised the on-site transitions of the East Hampton and Southampton Health Centers in March 2014 and the Riverhead Health Center transition in November 2015, and is described by her superiors as “supportive, cooperative, knowledgeable, competent and willing to always go beyond her normal duties to assist both patients and co-workers.”

Meaney, an Adult Protective Services caseworker, was selected by DSS Commissioner John O’Neill for her successful efforts to remove a 19-year-old developmentally-disabled young man from the care of his abusive foster father last December. Family Court intervention was not possible due to the young man’s age, so Meaney coordinated an emergency meeting between community agencies, school officials and a residential facility to secure safe placement for the man without help from the courts.  Within hours, a placement was obtained, which the school district agreed to pay for. Due to Meaney’s intervention, the young man’s foster brothers, who were minors, were also removed from the abusive home.

Sapio, a senior psychiatric social worker, began employment with the county in 1997 as a drug counselor with the Department of Mental Hygiene. In 2002, she began work with Probation, where she has worked with both juveniles and adults. In 2013, she transferred to the Probation Mental Health Unit, where she works with adult probationers with serious mental health issues. Her superiors describe her as “displaying empathy, warmth and respect for Probation clientele while working toward helping these offenders to remain focused and responsible.”

Yannucciello, a Senior Psychiatric Social Worker, has worked with the Department of Health Services since April 2007.  She currently oversees the County’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program, which provides care for people who, in view of their treatment history and present circumstances, are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. The program provides highly individualized, effective treatment to reduce the rate of hospitalizations, incarcerations and violence for the most challenging segment of the severely mentally ill population of Suffolk County. Yannucciello is described by her superiors as a “dedicated worker,” “an excellent clinician” and an “effective supervisor.”

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I – South Huntington) welcomed librarians from the 10^th Assembly District to Albany on March 2.

With information at people’s fingertips in their homes and on their phones, libraries have adapted in order to continue thriving in the digital age.

(L to R): Ryan Athanas of Harborfields, Michelle Athanas of Northport-East Northport, Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci, Joseph Latini of South Huntington, James Olney of Northport-East Northport, Joanne Adam of Huntington and Sue Goldberg of Elwood. Photo Credit: NYS.

Recently, the Haborfields Public Library, in conjunction with Lupinacci, Assemblyman Andrew Raia and Suffolk County, hosted an opioid overdose prevention program and naloxone training class for dozens of residents.

“Libraries continue to be a pillar of the community, and providing them with the necessary funds to continue operating is vitally important,” Lupinacci said. “I want the children of our community to have the same fond memories of reading and learning in libraries that so many of my colleagues and I did growing up.”

(Long Island, NY) On March 23, at 12:01am, eight dedicated individuals and their campaign teams will be kicking off an intense ten-week fundraising competition: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year campaign.  Flushing Bank is the official presenting sponsor of the 2016 campaign, and is proud to support Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Maria Grasso in her candidacy.  Every dollar raised will count as one ‘vote’, and the man and woman whose teams earns the most ‘votes’ will earn the titles of Man & Woman of the Year at the conclusion of the campaign.

LLS was founded out of one family’s grief after Robert Roesler de Villiers quickly succumbed to leukemia at the age of 16 in 1944. At that time, leukemia was 100% fatal, with most patients, especially children, passing away within three months of diagnosis. For 68 years, LLS has relentlessly carried on the de Villiers family’s mission of finding a cure for blood cancers and improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Today, with LLS’s support of critical research, the survival rate for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, has risen to over 90%.  Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children, adolescents, and young adults under the age of 20.  Since its inception, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research internationally to fund a cure, with $67.2 million invested in fiscal year 2015 alone.

This year’s Man & Woman of the Year candidates have a collective goal of raising more than $500,000 to support LLS’s efforts.  All have their own personal reasons for taking part in the campaign, but they are also running in honor of the 2016 Boy & Girl of the Year: Jake Ritter, age 10, and Olivia Macchio, age 8.  Both children are lymphoma survivors thanks to research advances made possible, in part, with LLS funding.

The 2016 Man & Woman of the Year candidates are:

• Eric Bencivenga, Edward Jones
• Stacey Dorce
• Maria Grasso, Flushing Bank
• Marie Goldstein, 360i
• Eric Mitchnick, M.D., North Shore Urology
• Tony Makrides, Patterson Dental
• Connie Robins, Northwell Health
• Marc Schneider, Schneider & Mitola
• Lauren Sharaby, SUNY Stony Brook

“LLS congratulates and thanks all of the candidates in the 2016 Man & Woman of the Year campaign. Each of them will be using their passion and determination to raise funds that give thousands of people battling blood cancers the chance to live better, longer lives,” said Sara Lipsky, Executive Director of the Long Island Chapter.

All involved in the campaign are looking forward to the Grand Finale Gala on June 2 at which time the Man & Woman of the Year for Long island will be announced. There will also be a silent auction, open bar, sit down dinner, & celebrating!  To purchase Gala tickets or to learn more about Man & Woman of the Year and LLS, please contact Jennifer Taggart, 631.370.7557 or JenniferAnne.Taggart@lls.org.

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. Our key priorities will ensure that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the release of a comprehensive report by his office’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit detailing the results of his office’s seven-month investigation into the death of Raynette Turner on July 27, 2015, in Mt. Vernon. The report provides an unprecedented degree of transparency to an investigation involving the death of an unarmed civilian in police custody. The investigation, led by Chief of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit Alvin Bragg, found no criminal culpability in the death of Ms. Turner.

Investigators from the Attorney General’s office interviewed more than 40 witnesses, reviewed over 1,700 pages of medical records, including autopsy and toxicology results, and examined video evidence covering virtually the entire time Ms. Turner was in custody at the Mt. Vernon Police Department. The official autopsy, conducted by the Westchester County Medical Examiner, found that Ms. Turner died of natural causes. As part of today’s announcement, the Attorney General’s office also released the official autopsy report and video footage of Ms. Turner’s time in custody.

“Ms. Turner’s death was a tragedy, and the public deserves all of the facts,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “I commend Alvin Bragg and the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit for completing a fair, comprehensive, and independent investigation. This report reflects my office’s commitment to providing a thorough and deliberate review in each and every one of these cases, and to make sure that the full results of our investigation are provided to the public. Finally, I hope that state and local officials will act on the reforms we have proposed without delay.”

The Attorney General’s report proposes several reforms to the processing, supervision, and arraignment of arrestees. The proposed reforms include: (1) Expanding the availability of video conference arraignments, to ensure that arrestees are arraigned promptly, regardless of when an arrestee is taken into custody; (2) Increasing the number of personnel authorized to fingerprint arrestees to speed the processing of arrestees; (3) Updating Mount Vernon policies to require in-person cell checks of arrestees, and; (4) Re-evaluating New York State minimum standards for arrestees who may require medical attention.

The full report can be read here.

Surveillance video footage of Ms. Turner’s final hours in custody can be found here.

In December 2014, AG Schneiderman and New York leaders called on New York State to appoint the Attorney General as a special prosecutor in all cases where an unarmed civilian dies during a police encounter. On July 8^th, 2015, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 147, appointing A.G. Schneiderman as the special prosecutor in such cases. On August 3, 2015, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 147.1, which expressly conferred jurisdiction upon the Attorney General to investigate any potential unlawful acts or omissions relating to Ms. Turner’s death. Executive Orders No. 147 and 147.1 also provide that the Attorney General may offer “any recommendations for systemic reform arising from the investigation.”

The investigation was conducted by Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit Deputy Chief Wanda Perez-Maldanado, Deputy Chief Jennifer Sommers, Counsel Gail Heatherly, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ross, Senior Advisor and Special Counsel Nicholas Suplina, Chief Investigator Dominick Zarella, and Supervising Investigator John Sullivan. Analyst Muhammad Zagar assisted in the investigation. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Dominick Zarella. The Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

Exhibition starting March 15, 2016 – Presented by East End Arts

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce a new art exhibit at the Riverhead Town Hall Gallery, Journey of a Plein Air Artist, featuring the works of watercolorist Jean Caiola of Rocky Point, NY. The exhibition will open onTuesday, March 15, 2016 and will run through May 13, 2016, and can be visited during Town Hall open office hours: Mondays through Fridays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Riverhead Town Hall is located at 200 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY (corner of Howell and East Main Street; 631-727-3200). The public is welcome; admission is free. All exhibited work is for sale. To purchase, contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900.

The artist will host two receptions: One on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and another on Friday, April 5, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The receptions are open to the public and are a special opportunity to meet the artist. Refreshments will be served.

As a native of Long Island, artist Jean Caiola has always enjoyed its ever changing environment. Her plein air journey begins with a camera in search of a site which seems perfect for expression on canvas. Jean’s passion and challenge is mainly watercolor but also includes the techniques using various media such as water base oils, charcoal in life drawing, and hand constructed clay. Jean has entered exhibits and has participated in juried shows at libraries, private galleries, wineries, the East End Arts Gallery, Greenport galleries and Gallery North. Travel workshops are something that Jean enjoys greatly, including the Wyeth Trails Workshop, Block Island Plein Air, and Rockport, MA with Elizabeth Greaf. In 2015, Jean participated in travel workshops that visited Paris and South France. Her travel workshops will continue in May 2016 when she will travel to Tuscany, Italy with PALS. In 2002, Jean retired from corporate America in search of fulfilling her passion for the arts. She worked at East End Arts as Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator and then at Gallery North as Volunteer Coordinator and Gallery Assistant as she began to seek more time for her own work. Jean volunteers and/or is a member at the following Long Island arts organizations: North Shore Art Guild, PALS, Cygnet, North Shore Art Forum, East End Arts, Gallery North, and Long Island Art League.

The Riverhead Town Hall art exhibits are a collaborative effort on the part of East End Arts and the Township of Riverhead to support local artists and introduce their works to the community.

For more information contact Jane Kirkwood, East End Arts Gallery Director: 631-727-0900 or gallery@eastendarts.org.

East End Arts, established in 1972, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

40,000 NYC Charter Kids Only Receive 68 Cents on the Dollar Compared to Other Public School Children

(Long Island, NY) Calling on Albany to end the inequitable funding of their children, charter school parents, educators and students were joined by Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo (D-Bronx) and Assemblyman Michael Blake (D-Bronx) for a day of action and voter registration event at Harriet Tubman Charter School in the Bronx.  They called on Governor Cuomo and their elected leaders in Albany to fight for them during budget negotiations and provide equity in the form of facilities funding to all of the schools in New York State that don’t receive it. Two in five NYC charter kids — amounting to nearly 40,000 students – are harmed by this.

Northeast Charter Schools Network New York City Advocacy Manager John Sanchez said, “Two of every five charter kids in New York City are getting no help with their school buildings and that just isn’t right. We are calling on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both houses to be courageous and listen to the voices of their constituents. Our current system forces public schools to choose between paying thousands of dollars in rent or providing more guidance counselors, computers, and after school activities for students. Providing facilities aid for all charter school children is the right thing to do – let’s get the job done.”

“My school is doing a great job preparing us for the future – but we shouldn’t have to go without resources every kid should have in their school in 2016,” said Rahmatou Kone, a student at Harriet Tubman Charter School. “We are not test subjects; our school is here to stay and our education is not worth less.”

A 2014 law allowed some charters in New York City access to facilities funding but it left out schools that are not growing or expanding. This year, nearly one quarter of NYC charters, and all charters outside of New York City are waiting for this to be fixed. The denial of facilities aid results in a huge funding disparity and forces charter schools to pay rent or a mortgage, and spend scarce dollars on building maintenance – something other public schools do not have to do. In NYC, charter school kids in private space only receive 68 cents on the dollar compared to district school children.

Sherina Lucas, the Treasurer of Harriet Tubman Charter School’s Parent Association said: “I chose a charter school for my son and daughter because I want them to have the best possible public school education – and Harriet Tubman is providing that for them. But they should absolutely not be funded less for their education because I exercised my right to choose. Lawmakers represent me and parents like me and we’re making sure they hear our voices.”

Eugene Cornelius, President of Harriet Tubman Charter School’s Parent Association said, “This is about fairness, plain and simple. The law simply makes no sense. Why would some charter school kids receive this aid, but down the road, charter kids at a different school don’t? All of our city’s school children need and deserve our lawmakers’ support. This is the year they can do the right thing and we hope they choose to fund our children equitably.”

“Our school truly stretches every dollar as far as we can for the benefit of our kids,” said Cliff Frazier, Board Chair of Harriet Tubman Charter School. “I can only dream of what we could do for our children if we were funded equitably along with all other public schools who receive state aid for their school buildings. These children need and deserve the same support as all other public school kids and we hope this is the year they receive that support from those who represent them in Albany.”

Jerelyn Rodriguez is the co-founder of The Knowledge House, which teaches students and at-risk youth IT and coding to prepare them for 21^st century jobs. She said, “I am a KIPP charter school alum and so I know first-hand how charter schools can change lives and set kids up for success. ALL of our city’s charter kids deserve fairness and all of them should receive facilities funding. This would enable schools to offer the many afterschool and supplementary services our kids need to prepare them for a successful life. It’s only right — and we are confident that after today, Albany can hear what we’re asking for.”

Participating schools and supporters included:

• Harriet Tubman Charter School Junior Academy
• Harriet Tubman Charter School Elementary Academy
• Girls Prep Bronx Charter School
• Bronx Community Charter School
• Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School
• Family Life Academy Charter School 1
• The Knowledge House
• Claremont Neighborhood Center
• Jackson Houses
• Morrisania Houses
• C-Ball
• South East Bronx Neighborhood Centers
• The Community Board Athletic Leadership League

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network
The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating an incident during which an Oakdale woman was kidnapped by her former boyfriend who was subsequently taken into custody in Georgia later that day.

Christopher Ryan broke into his former girlfriend’s home, located on Brook Street in Oakdale, at approximately 5 a.m. on March 2. Ryan forced the woman into her vehicle, a 2014 Mercedes Benz, and drove until they reached Ozone Park where he stopped the vehicle momentarily and the woman was able to flee.

Suffolk County Police are investigating an incident during which Christopher Ryan, 23, of Medford kidnapped an Oakdale woman; Ryan was arrested in Georgia later that day. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Ryan fled in the woman’s car and was located at approximately 10:25 p.m. by the Camden County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.

Ryan, 23, of Medford, will be extradited to face burglary, robbery and kidnapping charges at a later date.

The woman, 46, suffered minor injuries.

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) Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci welcomed student members of the Half Hollow Hills School District’s PTA Legislative Committee to the New York State Capitol on March 1. During their visit, they discussed pressing issues facing today’s youth, including New York State public schools and New York State as a whole.

“These impressive young men and women already have a thorough grasp of the operations of New York State government,” Lupinacci said. “They have a unique understanding of the many important issues that are before the Legislature. I am thoroughly impressed, and I applaud the leaders and educators of the Half Hollow Hills School District. The knowledge of these students is a testament to their civics teachers and the excellence of Long Island public schools.”

Assemblyman Chad A Lupinacci (R,C,I – South Huntington) met with Half Hollow Hills PTA Legislative Committee Tuesday morning. Photo Credit: NYS.

Lupinacci, the Ranking Member on the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said this early experience will give young people like his recent visitors from Half Hollow Hills a leg up on college readiness.

“It is important for New York State’s public schools to ensure that should they choose to pursue higher education, they are fully prepared. Programs like the PTA Legislative Committee expand educational horizons while in high school, which is certain to pay off throughout a collegiate career,” Lupinacci said.