(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) attended the inaugural Gateway Nights community gathering coordinated by Renaissance Downtowns, the town-designated master developer for Huntington Station revitalization, on October 30.

Hosted at the Town of Huntington’s pedestrian plaza at the corner of Route 110 and Olive Street, guests in attendance were treated to pumpkin-painting, barbecue grill-warmed pizza for sale from Huntington Station’s Jonny D’s Pizzeria, and live music on a brisk, beautiful autumn night.

Assemblyman Lupinacci (center) looks on as youngsters paint pumpkins before Halloween. Photo Credit: NYS.

“Tonight was an enjoyable experience for all participants, as we gather here to celebrate autumn and participate in fall festivities,” Lupinacci said. “It is encouraging to see the residents of Huntington Station come together to embrace our community, and enjoy this wonderful time of year with one another. This is another tremendous example of the hard work and dedication of ‘Source the Station’ and all others who make this such a tight-knit neighborhood. “

Featuring Artists Scott McIntire & Madeline Daversa

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce the Artists Reception for the new art show at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery, at the Jamesport Manor Inn (located at 370 Manor Lane in Jamesport, NY) featuring East End Arts members: paintings by Scott McIntire of Greenport, NY and fine art prints by Madeline Daversa of Garden City, NY. The Artists Reception will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery, where the public will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Local wines and artisanal cheeses will be served. The public is invited to this free event. 

Additionally, the Jamesport Manor Inn offers a Sunset & Spirits Prix Fixe dinner the night of the reception at a cost of $29 per person. The show opened on Friday, October 30, 2015 and will be up for viewing until February 3, 2016; hours are during restaurant lunch and dinner service hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 12 PM to 10 PM.

For more information, visit http://www.eastendarts.org/gallery/off-site/rosalie-dimon.html.

Painter Scott McIntire’s hybrid style comes from a courtship with photorealism, pop art, op art, and abstraction. He elevates his subjects to larger than life iconic status and depicts them in vibrant colors using high gloss enamel paint to achieve color intensity and saturation. Color is also part of his subject matter and is reinforced by his repeated use of color bars. Scott comments: “I take elements from my surrounding environment and place them in a new environment of my own making. This new setting consists of my interpretation of the energy fields that surround us. Having a concern about cellular transmissions, radio waves, electromagnetic forces, sounds, climate change, and the human manipulation of our environment I have attempted to make ‘the invisible energy fields visible’. I want people to think about what is going on around them and to gain a fuller vision of their environment. Most of the images in this show are from my backyard. I have spent hours photographing the flowers, grasses, weeds, vines and seeds that come into my yards. For the past five years I have been documenting the variety of insects, birds and mammals in my yard and have created photographic book, exhibition and lecture on these findings.”

Printmaker Madeline Daversa’s artwork reflects a love for the natural environment of Long Island’s East End. Her farm landscapes often feature the worker. Where one would usually overlook their presence, they find importance and charm in Madeline’s prints. Her prints show figures interacting with nature be it pleasure or work. Madeline finds it very important to showcase the crucial work the Long Island farms are responsible for; not only for growing crops, but also for the preservation of the natural use of land. Madeline comments: “I am captivated by the unending possibilities of printmaking. My artistic inspiration comes from the various techniques and the wonderful surprises that evolve from the different printmaking processes. The basic action of carving wood is absorbing and always challenges me to achieve a level of proficiency. It is relevant to reveal the grain of the wood in my final image. My intaglio prints reveal texture that evolves from the process of multiple experimental bites. I am able to enhance my etching prints with the use of hand colored printing or la poupee. Printmaking is a true inspiration for me.”

More Information about the Rosalie Dimon Gallery

Exhibits at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery are a joint effort by East End Arts and the Jamesport Manor Inn to introduce exceptional artists and their work to the East End communities. East End Arts members who wish to be considered for exhibits at the Jamesport Manor Inn should have updated representations of work in the East End Arts Artist Registry at the East End Arts Gallery, located at 133 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY. The artists selected for East End Arts’ off-site gallery shows are chosen by committee.

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

Exhibit is open for viewing during the Jamesport Manor Inn’s open hours. For more information call 631-722-0500 or visit www.JamesportManorInn.com.

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.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that critically injured a teenager in Selden on Tuesday, November 3.

Jenna Kozak, 17, was driving a 1999 Acura Integra northbound on Nicolls Road when her vehicle crossed over the center median and crashed into a southbound 2008 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Vania Costa-Pereeira.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that critically injured a teenager in Selden on Tuesday, November 3. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Kozak, of Mastic Beach, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. Costa-Pereeira, 32, of Farmingville, was also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

(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 cell phones from a Centereach store earlier this month.

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

A man stole two prepaid Verizon cell phones from Walmart, located at 161 Centereach Mall, on October 14 at approximately 5 p.m. The phones have a combined value of approximately $160.

A man stole two prepaid Verizon cell phones worth approximately $160 from Walmart on October 14. 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.

NY’s Medicaid Program To Receive Nearly $7.5 Million In Restitution From Astrazeneca LP And Nearly $1 Million From Cephalon, Inc. 

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that New York has joined with all other states and the federal government to settle allegations with AstraZeneca LP and 48 other states, District of Columbia and the federal government  with Cephalon that the companies overcharged state Medicaid programs for their pharmaceutical products.  AstraZeneca, a Delaware limited partnership with its principal place of business in Delaware, and Cephalon, Inc. a Pennsylvania-based subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Ltd., will pay the states and the federal government $54 million, of which Astra Zeneca LP will pay $46.5 million and Cephalon, $7.5 million.  $7,493,604.39 will go to the New York State Medicaid Program based on the Astra Zeneca agreement and $996,110.12 will go to the New York State Medicaid Program based on the Cephalon, Inc. agreement.

“Many New Yorkers rely on Medicaid for essential health care services, and when companies overcharge Medicaid, it harms taxpayers and patients alike,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue working to root out Medicaid fraud and safeguard this critical program.”

Specifically, this settlement resolves allegations that AstraZeneca and Cephalon under-paid drug rebates owed to the states. Under the federal law known as the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, drug manufacturers must periodically return a portion of the amount paid by state Medicaid programs for the manufacturers’ drugs.  The rebate program is designed to ensure that states pay competitive prices for drugs, and is calculated based on a percentage of the average price drug wholesalers pay for the manufacturers’ drugs.  This average price, which the manufacturer reports to the federal government, is known as the Average Manufacturer’s Price or “AMP”.  The greater the AMP reported by the manufacturer, the greater the rebate the manufacturer must pay.

The complaint alleged that AstraZeneca and Cephalon falsely treated certain fees paid to wholesalers as “discounts”.  The effect of this accounting practice was to falsely decrease the AMP AstraZeneca and Cephalon reported to the federal government, and therefore falsely decreasing the rebates paid to the states, including New York.

The investigation resulted from a qui tam action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under both the Federal False Claims Act, New York False Claims Act and other state false claims statutes.  As part of the settlement the State of New York will receive $7,493,604.39 from AstraZeneca and $996,110.12 from Cephalon.  The Attorney General would like to thank whistleblower Ronald Streck for bringing this matter forward.

Senior Special Auditor Investigator Matthew Tandle and Special Auditor Investigator Colin Ware were on the national team, which was led by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Stacey Millis is the Chief Auditor of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Civil Enforcement Division.  The matter in New York was handled by Jay Speers, Counsel to the New York MFCU.  The New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Acting Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul Mahoney.  The Criminal Justice Division is led by Kelly Donovan.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who stole merchandise from a Commack store last month.

A man entered Walmart, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road, ate a bag of chips and a drank a bottle of soda before stealing a cell phone charger and a sweatshirt on October 12 at approximately 5:40 p.m.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man who stole merchandise from a Commack store last month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The man was described as Hispanic, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds. He had a chin strap beard and an earring in his left ear. He was wearing a beige bucket hat with a green T-shirt.

A man entered Walmart, ate a bag of chips and a drank a bottle of soda before stealing a cell phone charger and a sweatshirt on October 12. 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) New York State Senator Thomas Croci (R, C, I, – Sayville) joined by Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine, Councilman Neil Foley and Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, announced he has secured almost a quarter of a million dollars in state capital funding for the Village of Patchogue.

The funding will be used to restore the Patchogue River East jetty located at the Sandspit Park Beach and  Marina and represents a collaborative project between the state, town and village. Senator Croci secured $600,000 in state capital funding for the jetty, as well as $125,000 in funding to be used at the Shorefront Park located nearby. The Town of Brookhaven and Village of Patchogue are committing the remaining funding needed for the estimated $1 million in total project cost.

“Patchogue Village is a feature destination on our south shore and I am pleased to be able to enhance what Patchogue has to offer to residents and visitors alike by ensuring that the Village has the capital funding it needs to maintain its marine and park infrastructure.  The restoration of the jetty, as well as improvements to one of the most beloved parks, Shorefront Park, is a win for this Great South Bay community. I want to thank Mayor Pontieri, Supervisor Romaine, and Councilman Foley for partnering with me and for also providing funding at their levels in order for us to get these projects done,” said Senator Croci.

“The Patchogue River is primary access into the Village of Patchogue from the bay and the rebuilding of this jetty is critical. Ten years ago, we put almost a million and a half dollars into the dredging of the river and before that fills in again, this has to be repaired. I want to thank Senator Croci, Supervisor Romaine and Councilman Foley because their support has been crucial to getting this project done,” said Mayor Paul Pontieri.

“My thanks to Senator Croci for getting the money from the state on this project because between the money from the State, the Town and the Village, we are going to get this done and it’s critical that we do not have this river fill in. We need to get it dredged and dredging will not work until we get this jetty fixed,” said Supervisor Ed Romaine

“The jetty is a critical infrastructure, safety must be first, and this is a perfect combination of municipal partners working together – the State, the Town and the Village- to get it done and get it done quickly,” stated Councilman Neil Foley.

The capital grant funding will be administered through the Dormitory Authority of New York State and it is expected that both projects will be commenced and completed in 2016.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov.  Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Freeman Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jfreeman@nysenate.gov.

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on Tuesday, November 03, 2015 at 6:36 p.m. in Inwood.

According to detectives, a 26 year old male was walking on Morris Avenue when he was approached by six (6) male blacks, between the ages of 16-18, who began punching him.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Robbery that occurred on Tuesday, November 03 in Inwood. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The victim was able to run a few blocks, but the subjects caught up to him and continued to beat him while removing his cell phone. The victim eventually was able to break away and run down Mervin Street.

The subjects fled in an unknown direction. The victim suffered minor injuries.

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) Suffolk County Police on Tuesday, November 3 arrested a Mastic man who robbed TD Bank in Shirley on October 26.

A man entered TD Bank, located at 530 William Floyd Parkway, at 1:37 p.m. and displayed a note that demanded cash and threatened violence. The teller complied with the man’s demands and the man fled on foot southbound on William Floyd Parkway.

Suffolk County Police today arrested John Barton, 31, of Mastic who robbed TD Bank in Shirley on October 26. Photo Credit: SCPD.

After a thorough investigation utilizing witness statements and video surveillance, Pattern Crime Unit detectives identified John Barton, 31, of Mastic, as the robber. Seventh Precinct Police Officer Christopher Fiore located and arrested Barton at approximately 11:15 a.m.

Pattern Crime Unit detectives charged Barton with Robbery 3rd Degree. He was held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November 4.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept 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 Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a Stony Brook man who was found dead at a Bohemia office on Tuesday, November 3.

William Donahue was found dead at McCab’s Taxi Company, located at 606 Johnson Ave., Bohemia, by an employee at approximately 6:40 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating the death of a Stony Brook man who was found dead at a Bohemia office on Tuesday, November 3. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Donahue, 30, of Stony Brook, who was also employee of the company, had been stabbed.

The investigation is continuing.