(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad reports the details of an incident that occurred on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 at 8:40 am in Long Beach.

According to detectives, a 15 year old male student while sitting in a Long Beach High School classroom (322 Lagoon Drive W) wrote on a desk, a threat that caused fear to the students and faculty.

Nassau County Police reports the details of an incident that occurred on Tuesday, December 08 in Long Beach. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

After an investigation the 15 year old juvenile was taken into custody at the high school and transported to the Nassau County Police Department for processing.

The juvenile is being charged with Making a Terroristic Threat and will be arraigned on Wednesday, December 8, 2015 at Nassau County Family Court, Westbury.

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.

Record-Breaking Number of Boxers, Bouts & Over $250,000 in Funds Raised for Long Island Charities

(Long Island, NY) The recent Long Island Fight for Charity, one of Long Island’s largest and most anticipated annual charity fund raising and networking events broke previous attendance numbers and raised over $250,000 for Long Island–based charities at the 12^th Main Event on November 23. The event card featured 13 bouts, the highest number ever in the history of the organization, with 26 local business professionals going toe-to-toe in the boxing ring to the cheers of a sold-out crowd. There is no other charity event like this anywhere in the country.

Over 1,200 fans packed the ballroom at the Long Island Hilton to network and enjoy a tasting reception of food and beverages generously donated by over 35 local restaurants and wine and spirits companies. Over the past several months the boxers raised hundreds of thousands of dollars by hosting individual and team fund raisers across Long Island. The boxers prepped for their bouts by training at least twice a week to start, ramping up to more frequent and even daily workouts in the final weeks leading up to the Main Event. While undergoing rigorous training the boxers improved their physical stamina and, in total, lost hundreds of pounds.

The recent Long Island Fight for Charity broke previous attendance numbers and raised over $250,000 for Long Island–based charities on November 23. Photo Credit: Fight for Charity.

“We had a remarkable group of dedicated volunteer boxers this year. They showed tremendous character and determination as they trained and raised funds for Long Islanders in need. Rick Iaccarino of Barnes Iaccarino & Shepherd LLP broke the FFC’s individual fund raising record by bringing in more than $135,000,” said co-founder Jamie Austin.

Long Island Fight for Charity will be donating funds to Long Island Community Chest, The Genesis School, the National Foundation for Human Potential, ROHHAD Fight Inc. and several other local charities. This year alone, Long Island Fight for Charity raised over $250,000, pushing the total amount raised since 2003 to well over $1 million for the benefit of Long Island charities.

To view photos from the 12^th Main Event visit https://flic.kr/s/aHskq7Zhcd

2015 Fight for Charity bouts included:

• Ian “Lucky Charms” Murphy of Garden City and a Sales Consultant at Trinet in Melville vs. Luis “Wild Card” Batres of Franklin Square and an Audit Associate at PricewaterhouseCooper LLP in Melville
• Susan “Super Sue” Vaughan of Locust Valley and Direct Marketing Manager at Lufthansa German Airlines in East Meadow vs. Joanne “The Tigress” Hutchins of Oyster Bay, founder of Moms Who Kick, a charity benefiting breast cancer research
• Peter “The Kings Park Krusher” Stein of Kings Park and Marketing Sales Executive vs. Dr. John “The Blood Pressure” Boccio of Plainview and a Family Practice Physician at Bethpage Primary Medical Care in Bethpage
• Vincent “Stringbean” Accardi of Lake Grove and Director of Corporate Partnerships at Stony Brook University Athletics vs. Ernest “The Gentleman” Fair of East Northport, a mobile specialist with Huntington-based Super Dent
• Dr. Ron “The Mazzacutioner” Mazza of Northport and Chiropractor at Synergy Multicare Professionals in Westbury vs. Sinai “The Mountain” Megibow of Commack and Investigative Counsel, Private Investigator, Founding Partner of Radius in Melville
• Cathleen “The Rock” Healey-Frosina of Garden City and Chief Financial Officer at Jonis Realty/Citi-Urban Management Corporation in Great Neck vs. Jamie “The Trainer” O’Mara of Huntington and a Personal Trainer and Suffolk County Police Department Crossing Guard
• Rick “Union Made” Iaccarino of Dix Hills and Founding and Managing Partner of Barnes Iaccarino & Shepherd LLP vs. Andrew “Timeless Classic” Nerone of Syosset and a US Managing Director at Paladin Solutions Group in Syosset
• Chuck “The Bulldog” Campagna of Huntington Station and Logistics/Operations Director at Napco Security Technologies in Amityville vs. Tito “T-Bone” Flores of Huntington Station, a partner in the professional video production company, The OM Group, based in East Northport
• Paul “The Better Chip” Bartoszewski of East Northport and Senior Operations Analyst at Sugar Foods Corporation in New York vs. Brendan “The Showstopper” Sweeney of East Islip Major Accounts & Wide Format Specialist at Doctor Print in Hauppauge
• Craig “The Machine” Simon of Dix Hills and Senior Managing Director at Crystal & Company in New York vs. Michael “Machine Gun Mike” Graziose of Locust Valley and Vice President at Graziose Plumbing and Heating, Inc., and The Valley Fireplace in Locust Valley
• Laurette “The Warrior” Holst of Lindenhurst and General Manager at UFC Gym in Huntington vs. Lisa “The Diva” Mongelluzzo of Huntington and a Retail Manager at Victoria Secret in Huntington
• Matthew “El Fuego” Galiano of Mineola and Co-Owner of CTO – TCI Technologies in Mineola vs. Filippo “Triple F” Impennato of Franklin Square and Director of Business Development at Fat Guy Media Group in Mineola
• Michael “The Litigator” Romano of Franklin Square and Attorney at Romano & Associates in Garden City vs Opponent

“To see the boxers train for months and selflessly give their time to raise funds to help us reach our goal is awe-inspiring. Just their dedication of time to the training process for this event speaks volumes about them. In the end, the real heroes are the boxers and what they have accomplished,” said Co-founder Jeff Cohen.

Local businesses and professional firms sponsoring this year’s 12^th Main Event include: Barnes Iaccarino & Shepherd LLP; Alure Home Improvements; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Fat Guy Media; Farrell Fritz; Saxena White P.A.; Local 1298; AmWins Brokerage of NJ; Crystal & Company; RedTree Radiology; Local 60; Local342, UMD, ILA; Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt LLP; Excavators Union Local 731; St. Hugh-St. Elizabeth Baseball League, Inc.; Local 223; Jonis Realty; UPS Foundation Inc.; Francesco’s Bakery and L. Graziose Plumbing & Heating.

For more information about this event and to volunteer as a boxer for the 13^th Long Island Fight for Charity scheduled forMonday, November 20, 2016 go to www.lifightforcharity.org.

Broad coalition asks for state budget investment into community water infrastructure to support health, economic development

(Long Island, NY) With more than $2 billion in additional bank settlement funds available this year, a diverse group of organizations, including local officials, health and environmental advocates and more are urging Governor Andrew Cuomo and state legislators to invest $800 million into community water infrastructure as part of the SFY2016-17 budget.

A Growing Gap
Last year, Governor Cuomo and state legislators created that budget line and earmarked an initial $200 million for wastewater and clean water projects over three years on the newly established Water Infrastructure Improvement Act budget line. The Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) have identified the need to invest over $36 billion in wastewater and $38 billion in drinking water infrastructure over 20 years. DEC has also stated that at least $1 billion must be invested by all levels of government annually to meet local sewer infrastructure needs alone.

One of New York’s greatest assets is water. Safe, healthy, and functioning water infrastructure is crucial to the state’s efforts to attract new economic development, particularly upstate. Wastewater treatment plants are in need of continual maintenance and upkeep, which comes with a cost.

Liz Moran, water and natural resources associate at Environmental Advocates of New York said, “These funds are critical to protect public health and to allow New York to realize its full economic potential. Fixing New York’s crumbling water infrastructure will attract businesses and create desperately needed jobs for communities across the state. A solid water infrastructure is needed to foster the kind of sustainable economic development that creates and supports growth – communities with solid foundations attract and retain businesses. We need Governor Cuomo and state legislators to take the next step and #FixOurPipes.”

Peter A. Baynes, executive director of New York Conference of Mayors said, “Infrastructure is essential to both a community’s economic growth and improved quality of life. Building and maintaining municipal assets and facilities creates jobs and places the community in a better position to grow and respond to the needs of its residents and businesses. This, in turn, makes it a more attractive place to live and work. At a time when local governments are facing some of their greatest fiscal challenges with municipal budgets stretched thin and a less than 1% tax cap, it is essential that the state dedicate significant funding to local water and wastewater infrastructure.”

Tracy Brown, director of Western Sound Programs for Save the Sound said, “Decades of insufficient investment in water infrastructure have left communities across New York facing costly repairs and unacceptable water pollution. Our communities need financial support from the state to bring these critical public health systems into 21^st Century working condition. We can’t afford to cut corners on clean water.”

Albert A. Annunziata of the Builders Institute of Westchester said, “As a matter of practical, common-sense economic policy, there’s no such thing as a ‘free lunch.’ Our infrastructure for clean water, clear air, reliable roads, and sewage plants that work efficiently and don’t foul our waterways and beaches all come at a price. Our leaders must realize that what costs pennies on the dollar now to fix our infrastructure will cost 10 or 100 times as much if we continue to ignore our infrastructure problems and allow precious time to slip away. The time is now to ensure a sustainable future for New York.”

Michael J. Garland, President of the New York Water Environment Association said, “New York State is blessed with abundant and affordable clean water. Reliable and resilient water infrastructure is essential to protect public health and the environment but also to drive economic development. It’s fair to say, environmental responsibility and economic development go hand-in-hand.”

Ross Pepe, President of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley said, “Unseen doesn’t mean unneeded. Drinking and wastewater underground and treatment infrastructure across New York State is vital to the economic, health and safety needs of all state residents and taxpayers. We urge Governor Cuomo and the state Legislature to fund clean water municipal programs now.”

William Cooke, director of government relations for Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment said, “New York’s economic future is our water – water will be more important than gold in the new economy. Our leaders must recognize that strong and resilient infrastructure is as important to water as a vault is to gold. We must invest in infrastructure.”

William C. Janeway, executive director of the Adirondack Council said, “Our clean lakes and rivers are what bring people to visit and live in the Adirondack Park, but they are in jeopardy from inadequate sewage treatment. The state has an opportunity to spur climate resiliency and hamlet-focused economic development efforts by increasing clean water grant funding, which closes the gap between the costs of water infrastructure projects and the amount a small, rural community can afford.”

Dan Shapley, water quality program manager for Riverkeeper said, “Our rivers and creeks too often are unsafe for swimming, according to data gathered by Riverkeeper and dozens of community scientists. Kids are going to play in the water whether it’s clean or not. We need to invest in water infrastructure to make our waters safe.”

Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters said, “New York is in dire need of $800 million next year to support our crumbling wastewater infrastructure, yet municipalities are only slated to see a small fraction of that amount. How can these cities and towns prosper when they’re dealing with literally hundreds of wastewater main breaks a year, threatening shorelines and our water supplies? They can’t and they simply don’t have the funds to solve the problem on their own. The state must step in.”

Community Impacts
Water main breaks and sewer overflows have been highlighted in the news across the state.  Large water main breaks have temporarily closed businesses. Inadequate capacity in a sewer system can result in a business looking elsewhere to expand their operations. The reliability and resiliency of these systems is integral for economic growth and quality of life for New York State residents.

After decades of insufficient funding and investment, the costs of repairing and updating what are often a decades – if not century – old systems is too much for most communities in New York State.  For example, the town of Henderson in Jefferson County decided to postpone its plans for a new wastewater treatment facility stating that the project was “simply not economically feasible at this point in time.” The requested financing for the Henderson project was listed by the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) as $8.7 million. Henderson is by no means alone – this is just one example from the over six hundred wastewater treatment facilities that serve 1,610 municipalities and provide wastewater treatment to more than 15 million people across New York State. Similar cases can be found for needed upgrades throughout the 9,500 public water systems in New York.

(Long Island, NY) Public Education Advocate, Diane Ravitch will be a featured guest on Tom Needham’s The Sounds of Film this Thursday at 6 P.M. on 90.1 FM, WUSB. Diane Ravitch is a nationally-known historian of education, an educational policy analyst, a New York University research professor and was the former assistant Secretary of Education under President George H. W. Bush. She is also the author of many books including The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Students Learn, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education and Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. She is one of the county’s leading voices against charter schools, common core and standardized tests. In addition, she has been a strong supporter of Long Island’s Opt Out movement.

Public Education Advocate Diane Ravitch in an appearance on Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Photo Credit: Comedy Central.

Ravitch has argued, “Testing is not teaching. It steals time from instruction. Making it so important that it leads schools to narrow the curriculum, cutting funding for the arts, eliminating social workers and counselors, cutting recess and physical education. Making testing so important that it leads to states and districts gaming the system, to schools shedding low-scoring students, to cheating, to teaching to the test, and to other anti-educational actions.”

Also joining Tom Needham on the program is South African Anti-Apartheid Activist, Constitutional Judge and writer, Albie Sachs, and director Abby Ginzberg, who will be discussing their Peabody winning-documentary Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa. The film reveals how as a young lawyer, Albie defended those committed to ending apartheid in South Africa. For his actions, he was imprisoned in solitary confinement in Cape Town, tortured through sleep deprivation and forced into exile. In 1988 he was blown up by a car bomb set by the South African security forces in Maputo, Mozambique, which cost him his right arm and the sight of one eye, but miraculously he survived and after a long year of rehabilitation in England, he recovered. Returning to South Africa following the release of Nelson Mandela, Albie helped write the new Constitution and was then appointed as one of the first 11 judges to the new Constitutional Court, which for the past 20 years has been insuring that the rights of all South Africans are afforded protection.

Albie Sachs once explained what motivated him,” We were fighting against a system, a system of injustice. We weren’t fighting against a race. We were fighting for a better country, a better society. That system, which had not only oppressed and imprisoned black people in terms of their hopes and their possibilities, but imprisoned whites in fear, narrowness, arrogance and greed. That’s what liberation meant. That’s what emancipation meant.”

The Sounds of Film is the nation’s longest-running film themed radio show. For over 27 years, the program has delivered a popular mix of interviews and music to listeners all over Long Island, parts of Connecticut and streaming live on the Internet at wusb.fm. Recent guests include William H. Macy, Michael Moore, Billy Joel, the Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel, comedienne Lisa Lampanelli, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nile Rodgers, composer Howard Shore and author/activist Chris Hedges.

Southold Resident Theresa Ward Has Served as an Advisor for Three Mayoral Administrations

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced today the hiring of Theresa Ward as Chief Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development and Planning.  Ward has more than 20 years of experience in private and public sector real estate development across the country, which includes serving as a senior policy advisor to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration and as deputy commissioner for the New York City Department of City Administrative Services (DCAS).

“I am pleased to have Theresa Ward join our Economic Development team as she will bring a wealth of knowledge to Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “Theresa’s expertise in serving municipalities across the country as well as her experience in the private sector will be an asset in helping us to grow an innovation economy while making Suffolk County more affordable for families and young people to live in.”

“Theresa is a welcomed addition to the Department of Economic Development and Planning,” said Commissioner Joanne Minieri.  “I look forward to working with her as we continue to implement this administration’s economic development initiatives to ensure Suffolk County’s prosperous future.”

In her new role, Ward will work with Commissioner Joanne Minieri in all matters pertaining to economic development, planning, and environmental policies – such as job creation and retention, housing, transportation, sustainability, and assist in administering and implementing the Suffolk county economic development initiatives

Prior to joining Suffolk County, Theresa Ward served as independent consultant to the New York City Department of Education, where she provided real estate strategy for the expansion of universal pre-kindergarten to 70,000 four-year olds.

Ward previously served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, the largest film production studio complex on the East Coast.  She was responsible for managing the implementation of the company’s $400 million media campus master plan and studio expansion, including the publicly and privately funded Brooklyn College – Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema

In addition, Ward was the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Asset Management Officer for DCAS, where she oversaw a 1,300 employee division that managed 25 million square feet of office and court buildings and over $100 million in construction projects annually. Ward was also recognized for developing the 21^st Century Civic Center Plan that consolidated offices and generated nearly $250 million for the city.

Ward served as a senior policy advisor to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration and as an economic development officer in housing with former Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley’s administration.  Ward has also worked in private sector commercial real estate in Washington D.C., starting her career advising pro football Hall of Fame member, Roger Staubach, at the Staubach Company, on real estate technology issues

Theresa Ward is a Southold resident, and graduated with highest honors from Rutgers University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Planning and Certificate in Real Estate Development.

(Long Island, NY) The Art League of Long Island invites artists from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, and Queens to submit entries to the upcoming juried competition “Motion in Art and Art in Motion” showing in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery March 28 through April 24, 2016.  Deadline to submit application is February 16, 2016.

The Art League invites artists to submit their visual interpretation of motion.  An art work may incorporate actual motion; that is, the artwork itself moves in some way. Kinetic art is live movement that displays actual motion when we view it. Or it may incorporate the illusion of, or implied movement. In a non-moving image, the artist captures the sense of implied movement through the attributes present in the image. Movement can be suggested visually in a variety of ways: through the use of diagonal, gestural, and directional lines; repetition; position and size of objects; the position or implied eyeline of a figure, a symbolic representation of movement.

Juror Marina Press will select the exhibitors and the award winners.  Ms. Press is Associate Director of the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, NYC.  Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Marina Press received her BA in Art History from Pace University and is currently an MA Candidate in Art History and Museum Studies at CUNY. Recently she curated a critically acclaimed exhibition at the Brooklyn Arts Council Gallery entitled “3 Points Define a Surface.”

To obtain prospectus call (631) 462-5400, download at www.artleagueli.org, or apply online at http://www.smarterentry.com/CallsForEntry/ALLI.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R C, I – South Huntington) announced on Monday he will co-sponsor legislation that would classify daily fantasy sports as a “game of skill,” which would once again legalize fantasy sports betting in New York State.

Assembly Bill 8588, drafted by Assemblyman Dean Murray (R – Medford), was introduced in the wake of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s decision to send cease-and-desist letters to FanDuel and DraftKings, arguing the companies were engaged in illegal gambling because fantasy sports are a “game of chance.”

“I’m proud to co-sponsor legislation that will bring daily fantasy sports back to New York State. We have several casinos, horse racing and off-track betting establishments and a state lottery, but suddenly the attorney general wants to outlaw fantasy sports. He is clearly picking a fight with the highly lucrative daily fantasy sports because New York State hasn’t found a way to tax them yet,” Lupinacci said. “Mr. Schneiderman should stop trying to nickel-and-dime DraftKings and FanDuel and end the bogus claims that daily fantasy sports are a ‘game of chance.’”

Considering the range of gambling options that are currently legal in New York State, the move to ban fantasy sports betting doesn’t make sense, the Assemblyman said.

“The Attorney General should stop focusing on penalizing sports fans and begin cracking down on New York’s real issues,” Lupinacci said.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three men who burglarized a residence in Dix Hills in October.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify three men who burglarized a residence in Dix Hills in October. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Three men broke the back window of a residence on Concord Street, entered and stole an Xbox game system sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.on October 23.

Three men broke into a residence on Concord Street and stole an Xbox game system on October 23. Photo Credit: SCPD.

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 Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who broke into a Commack store.

A man entered Old Navy, located at 5041 Jericho Turnpike, via a common sprinkler room sometime between 9:30 p.m. on October 25 and 6:15 a.m. on October 26. It is unknown if the man fled with any proceeds.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man who broke into a Commack store. Photo Credit: SCPD.

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 Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating an incident in which a female passenger was struck by a bullet during a road rage incident in East Patchogue on Monday, December 7.

Nichole McDowell, 27, of Ronkonkoma, was a passenger in a 2009 Hyundai, operated by her boyfriend, Edward Pontis, 30, of Ronkonkoma, who was driving westbound on Sunrise Highway, between Hospital Road and Route 101 at approximately 8:50 p.m. when they came upon a light-colored minivan, weaving back and forth in front of them in the left lane.

Suffolk County Police are investigating an incident in which a female passenger was struck by a bullet during a road rage incident in East Patchogue on Monday, December 7. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Pontis flashed his bright lights at the driver, who then hit his brakes. Pontis then passed the minivan on the right side and pulled in front of the minivan. The driver of the minivan sped up, driving close to the rear of the Hyundai, and started flashing his lights.

While both drivers were traveling at a high rate of speed, Pontis stepped on his brakes. The driver of the minivan then pulled up alongside the Hyundai and fired two shots into the vehicle, striking McDowell once in her hand and leg.

Pontis transported McDowell to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where she is listed in stable condition. The couple’s child, an 11-week-old baby girl, who was in the back seat of the Hyundai, was uninjured.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.