(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police on Tuesday, December 22 arrested two men for stealing tips intended for sanitation workers in Bohemia.

Fifth Precinct patrol officers responded to Louis Kossuth Avenue at approximately 10:15 a.m. after a 911 caller reported that they observed men taking an envelope containing money on a garbage can.

Suffolk County Police on Tuesday, December 22 arrested Michael Heafy, 50, of Patchogue for stealing tips intended for sanitation workers in Bohemia. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Fifth Precinct Officers Katherine Willox and Daniel Hogan responded and located a vehicle matching the description provided by the caller and arrested the occupants.

Michael Heafy, 50, of Patchogue, and Christopher Schmidt, 44, of Selden, were each charged with Petit Larceny.

Suffolk County Police on Tuesday, December 22 arrested Christopher Schmidt, 44, of Selden for stealing tips intended for sanitation workers in Bohemia. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The investigation is continuing. Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are investigating if Heafy and Schmidt are responsible for other similar incidents. Anyone who believes they may be a victim is asked to call the Fifth Precinct Crime Section at 631-854-8526.

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.

Cole Hempel, Piano Student

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce that Cole Hempel of Westhampton Beach, a student of the East End Arts School’s music program, is the award recipient of the Mark Gatz Memorial Scholarship Fund’s 2015 music scholarship. The scholarship was inaugurated in the Summer of 2015 in honor of the memory of Mark Gatz, a talented saxophonist and woodwind musician, dedicated music educator, and a long-time faculty member and friend of East End Arts. Mark taught woodwinds at the East End Arts School since 1996, after being an East End Arts board member. Over the years through his career as a professional musician, Mark performed with Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Tito Puente and others. He appeared on NBC’s “Law and Order”. He also performed under the direction of Julie Andrews and recorded music for bassist Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon) as well as compositions for his own recordings.

Cole Hempel at Carnegie Hall April 26, 2014. Photo Credit: EEA.

East End Arts is delighted to honor Mark Gatz’s legacy by naming Cole Hempel as this year’s scholarship recipient. Cole Hempel is in ninth grade at Westhampton Beach High School. He has been playing the piano since he was in the first grade with Tatiana Balepina at East End Arts School. He has received numerous prizes and has performed on Long Island and in New York City, including at Carnegie Hall. In high school, along with being an honor roll student, he also plays the saxophone for the school and county bands. Not only does Cole enjoy music, but he is also a great soccer player and wrestler. His soccer team is in the top five nationwide.

East End Arts congratulates Cole on this special honor and for all of his hard work and dedication to his music education.

The East End Arts School has 200 students each semester studying voice, piano, drums, violin, guitar and orchestral instruments, as well as music composition. Currently, the School is able to provide scholarships to 20% of our student body; and scholarships are still available.

For more information about the East End Arts School’s music program, or how to contribute to the East End Arts School’s Music Scholarship fund, please contact the East End Arts School: 631-369-2171, or visit http://www.eastendarts.org/school/scholarships.html to learn more.

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.

‘Toy Guns For Toys’ Kids Program To Be Introduced In Hempstead

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County legislator and Public Safety Committee Chairman Dennis Dunne, Town of Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall and Hempstead Board of Education President Lamont Johnson will join New York Toy Gun Exchange Program founder and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff at a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead, NY to announce an exchange of toy guns for other, more appropriate toys in light of recent shooting tragedies that have occurred nationwide. Recently, a 12 year old child was killed in her home by a stray bullet in Hempstead.

Since 1994, there have been 63 shootings linked to toy guns in New York State that resulted in at least eight deaths, according to the Attorney General’s office. The Long Island Toy Gun Exchange Program is being sponsored by the Hempstead School District and the toys are being donated by Ms. Shafiroff to stop gun violence – before it starts. Hempstead Village police and other law enforcement officials will be attending the news conference. This is the first program of its kind in the Long Island/New York City metropolitan area. Kids are invited to turn in their water pistols, replica fire arms and other imitation weapons for sporting goods, educational items and safe toys.

Gun violence in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions, according to law enforcement officials. More than 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year in this country. Every day, more than thirty people are shot and murdered, one half between the ages of 18 and 35. One third of those killed daily are under the age of twenty. A mass murder – four deaths or more – occurred each day this year in the U.S. including the recent San Bernardino killings where that community continues to suffer from the tragedy of the death of 14 people.

Last week, Disneyland banned toy guns in their theme parks. In Paris, where over 100 people were shot and killed last month, Toys R Us has banned the sale of toy guns in its stores. There have been calls for similar bans in toy stores throughout the United States.

WHAT: Press Conference To Announce Long Island Toy Gun Exchange For Children Who Will Swap Their Toy Guns For New Toys

WHERE: Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St, Hempstead, NY

WHEN: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 At 2:00 PM

(Long Island, NY) Each year, Catholic Health Services (CHS) seeks nominations from its staff for the Patrick J. Scollard Award for Leadership.  This year’s winner of CHS’s highest honor is the system’s Vice President for Clinical Informatics Mary Trembinski, RN, MSN, ANP.  Chosen from among colleagues across CHS, she was recognized at the system’s 12th annual leadership conference, held at the DeMatteis Center in Greenvale.

“Mary’s commitment to Catholic Health Service’s mission is apparent in word and deed,” said CHS President and Chief Executive Officer Alan D. Guerci, MD.  “She is a manager dedicated to quality, leading by example through her activities inside and outside of the organization.”

(L to R): Guest speaker Bruce Tulgan, Founder, RainmakerThinking, Inc., Salvatore F. Sodano, CHS chairman, Board of Directors, Patrick J. Scollard former president and CEO of CHS and St. Francis, Scollard finalist Christopher Cells, St. Joseph Hospital, Scollard winner Mary Trembinski, CHS Services, Scollard finalist Laura Beck, St. Charles Hospital and Alan D. Guerci, MD, CHS president and CEO. Photo Credit: CHS.

In a tight three-year timeframe, Trembinski spearheaded the implementation of the electronic medical records (EMR) system Epic at all six CHS hospitals. This far-reaching project required considerable planning, testing and training and most important, a cohesive team. Trembinski galvanized her group and was present at each go-live, maintaining visibility and accessibility. Outside of the office, Trembinski participates in charity events, walks, and annual food and toy drives for the underserved. Also, she promotes heart health and clinical lectures.

The Farmingdale resident has a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s in nursing administration and is an adult health nurse practitioner.

One of the two leading finalists for the Patrick J. Scollard Award is Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation and the ThinkSmart! Concussion Management Program at St. Charles Hospital Laura Beck, PT, MS. Beck has been with St. Charles Hospital since 1991 and has been progressively promoted to her current position. Her most recent challenge involved expanding the sports medicine program to include all aspects of a large orthopedic practice related to sports medicine with the hospital’s outpatient physical therapy for sports injuries unit and its ThinkSmart! program. She was able to successfully achieve this initiative in short order.

Beck has a bachelor’s in physical therapy from Quinnipiac College and a master’s in health care administration from SUNY Stony Brook.

She lives in Miller Place with her husband, Chris, and her children, Anthony and Nicole.

The other finalist for this notable honor is Northport resident Christopher Cells, BS, RN. Cells is St. Joseph Hospital’s performance improvement and informatics coordinator. An expert in technology, Cells has employed it to improve quality, tracking and trending data enhancing patient safety. He assisted with the Epic EMR implementation and has been a key player in Joint Commission and Department of Health Surveys. Available 24/7, Cells has employed his nursing background combined with his informatics role to improve quality measures. Specifically, he used data analysis to reduce C-Difficle rates.

Cells lives the mission, volunteering at the system’s Healthy Sundays events, health fairs and other hospital events.

He is presently finishing his MSN in Nursing Informatics at NYU with a focus on virtual reality clinical simulation.

Catholic Health Services (CHS) is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies.  With six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health agency, hospice, a community-based agency for persons with special needs and a regional lab, CHS’s high standards have resulted in a nearly 23% market share.

(Long Island, NY) Long before there were the Gates’ and the Zuckerbergs of the world, there was Ward Melville.

A major Long Island philanthropist and national business leader, the scope of Ward Melville’s generosity and vision included significant restoration of historic structures, purchase and preservation of environmental and commercial properties, education and countless other endeavors.

Ward Melville’s dream was to create a “living Williamsburg,” a place where history and culture would blend with natural beauty.  Along with architect Richard Haviland Smythe, he designed what was to become the first planned business community in America, the Stony Brook Village Center. The Three Village area – Stony Brook, Setauket and Old Field – has been forever changed because of this forward-thinking benefactor. He was President of Melville Corporation, the 3rd largest retailer in the U.S. with some 10,000 stores, which owned Thom McAn Shoes, Marshall’s, CVS Pharmacies, Kay-Bee Toys, Wilson’s Leather and Suede and more. Ward Melville also donated the very land that today houses one of our nation’s leading research institutions, Stony Brook University.

Ward Melville. Photo Credit: WMHO.

The Stony Brook Community Fund, now the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO), was founded in 1939. On January 19, 1940, Ward Melville hosted a dinner at the Three Village Inn to present his plan for the future of Stony Brook Village.  On January 19, 2016, this milestone will be commemorated at the Inn where it all began to“Celebrate What Was…Be Part of What’s To Come.”  Starting at 6 pm with live music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert, guests will enjoy the same menu, hear Melville’s original speech and see the original model of the Village. There will even be chocolate cigars in place of real ones enjoyed in the day. The evening continues with an 8 pm sneak preview of The Jazz Loft next door which will soon showcase an historic collection of over 10,000 items of jazz memorabilia and serve as an education and jazz performance venue as well.  This 6,000 sq. ft. structure, formerly the site of the Suffolk Museum, now the Long Island Museum, was another of Melville’s philanthropic works.  Bringing this culture to Stony Brook Village is a case of history repeating itself while looking toward the future.  During the 50s and 60s, the likes of Tony Bennett and Lionel Hampton performed at the “Dogwood Hollow Amphitheatre” in the very spot where WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center now stands in Stony Brook Village. The vision that Ward Melville had over 75 years ago still resonates today and the results of his efforts on behalf of the citizens of Stony Brook and beyond, both economically and culturally, will continue to touch generations for many years to come.

Tickets are $125 pp and seating is limited. For further information call 631-751- 2244 or register online at wmho.org.

Founded in 1939, WMHO is a not-for-profit corporation that develops and fosters community enrichment through cultural and educational experiences.  WMHO accomplishes this by enhancing and interpreting its historic and environmentally sensitive properties and by utilizing state-of-the-art technology. For more information, please visit www.wmho.org.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who stole items from a store in Centereach this month.

A man entered Walmart, located at 161 Centereach Mall, Centereach, on December 14 at approximately 6:25 p.m. and walked out of the store with electronics.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man who stole items from a store in Centereach this month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The suspect was confronted in the parking lot and the proceeds were recovered.

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.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who stole items from a store in Centereach this month.

Two men entered Walmart, located at 161 Centereach Mall, Centereach, on December 14 at approximately 9:10 p.m. and walked out of the store with clothing and bedding items.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the men who stole items from a store in Centereach this month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The suspects were confronted in the parking lot and the proceeds were recovered. They fled in a four-door sedan.

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.

(Long Island, NY) Nearly 1,000 charter school parents from across the state will come together in Albany on February 2, 2016 for the 12th annual Charter Advocacy Day, the Northeast Charter Schools Network and the New York City Charter School Center announced today. On the agenda is a celebration featuring parents, students, and supportive lawmakers, followed by dozens of meetings between charter parents and legislators. These meetings will give parents the opportunity to make the case for fair funding for all charters directly with legislators from across the state and all branches of government.

“Charter school students across the state have been treated inequitably for far too long simply because their parents wanted something better for their children,” said Kyle Rosenkrans, CEO of the Northeast Charter Schools Network.  “This year, parents, children, and educators are calling on legislators to solve the problem of inequitable funding, and provide support for facilities to all schools once and for all.”

“It’s critically important that Albany legislators hear directly from charter school parents as to why all public schools must finally be treated equally – no exceptions,” said James Merriman, CEO of the New York City Charter School Center. “Many charters statewide remain victims of persistent funding inequities that funnel dollars away from some of the highest-need students in the state. We hope that lawmakers – especially those who represent districts with a high concentration of charters –listen to their constituents and level the playing field once and for all.”

Statewide on average, charter school students receive 75 cents on the dollar compared to students in district schools. The gap in funding is worse in places like Buffalo, where charter children only receive 60 cents on the dollar. In Rochester, it’s 68 cents on the dollar. Additionally, all schools outside of New York City are denied access to state facilities funding and are therefore forced to pay rent or mortgage, and spend scarce dollars on building maintenance – something other public schools do not have to do.

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. www.necharters.org

About the New York City Charter School Center
The New York City Charter School Center is an independent non-profit committed to fostering an environment in which public charters can open and flourish, and, through their innovative approaches, provide models for improving all public schools. The Charter Center helps new charter schools get started, supports existing schools, and engages the charter school community around key issues.  Learn more about the New York City Charter School Center at www.nyccharterschools.org.

About NYC’s Charter Schools
Charter schools are free, independently run public schools that are able to innovate in their classroom structures, curriculum, and teaching methods. In return, they’re held to higher standards of accountability. More than 90 percent of the City’s charter school students are African-American or Latino, and over 70 percent are from low-income families. There will be 205 public charter schools serving over 95,000 students in all five boroughs for the 2015-2016 school year.

(Long Island, NY) Long Island voters have elected or re-elected water commissioners in 21 commissioner-run water districts within Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), which consists of water commissioners representing 21 Long Island water districts, congratulates and welcomes to its Association newly elected and re-elected Long Island water commissioners, each of whom will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2016, which runs through  December 31, 2018. Water district elections are held annually and residents vote for one of three district commissioners in each district.

Newly elected and re-elected commissioners welcomed or welcomed back to NSWCA are: re-elected Albertson Water District Commissioner Howard Abbondondelo, newly elected Bethpage Water District Commissioner John Coumatos, re-elected Carle Place Water District Commissioners Peter W. Meade, re-elected Cathedral Gardens Water District Commissioner Glenn Barnett, newly elected Franklin Square Water District Commissioner Madeline Presta, re-elected Garden City Park Water District Commissioner Chris Engel, re-elected Glenwood Water District Commissioner Bernard McCabe, re-elected Greenlawn Water District Commissioner James M. Logan,re-elected Water District Commissioner Karl M. Schweitzer, re-elected Jericho Water District Commissioner Thomas A. Abbate, re-elected Locust Valley Water District Commissioner Louis P. Savinetti, re-elected Manhasset-Lakeville Water District Commissioner Brian J. Morris, re-elected Massapequa Water District Commissioner Joseph T. Tricarico, re-elected Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Richard Niznik, re-elected Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, re-elected Port Washington Water District Commissioner David Brackett, re-elected Roslyn Water District Commissioner Michael Kosinski, re-elected South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner John Hirt, re-elected South Huntington Water District Commissioner Dominick Feeney, and re-elected Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello.

“We are pleased to welcome our new and returning colleagues to the NSWCA.” NSWCA President Thomas P. Hand stated. “Commissioner-run water districts enable residents and consumers to express their opinions and preferences through the voting process. One commissioner from each district is elected to represent the people.  This puts emphasis on a hyper-local basis in each community. In such hyper-local elections, every resident’s vote truly counts.”

About Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA)
Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts.  NSWCA is dedicated to communication, efficiency and best practices among Long Island’s water districts.  As part of its mission, the association holds monthly educational meetings sponsoring experts on topics that include law, cost efficiencies, rules and regulations and issues germane to water utilities.

(Long Island, NY) Officials from the Suffolk County Police Department, Town of Islip and the Transportation Security Administration will discuss an enhanced explosive detection initiative at Long Island MacArthur Airport at a press conference at the airport on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

This initiative highlights the ongoing, close-working relationship among the Suffolk County Police Department, Federal TSA and the Town of Islip to ensure the safety of passengers using MacArthur Airport.

While there have been no specific threats to the airport, in light of recent terroristic events around the world involving airports and airliners, law enforcement officials are taking steps to ensure the safety of airline passengers.

Officials will outline and demonstrate techniques the canine units will use as part of these expanded security measures.

What: Additional Canine Security Measures At MacArthur Airport

Where: Long Island MacArthur Airport, 100 Arrival Ave., Ronkonkoma

When: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 3 p.m.