(Long Island, NY) Upon learning that Chancellor Merryl Tisch won’t seek another term with from the New York State Board of Regents, the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement from Executive Director Billy Easton.

“For the last 20 years Merryl Tisch has devoted countless hours to serving our schoolchildren as a member of the New York State Board of Regents including the past six as Chancellor,” said AQE Executive Director Billy Easton. “She has consistently supported equitable school funding and a fair and predictable foundation aid formula. She has been a very strong advocate for assertive state action to redress the educational injustices we see in East Ramapo and for the Dream Act. Although we have not always agreed, we have found that we could work with her on important issues. We wish to thank Chancellor Tisch for her service and wish her luck in her future endeavors.”

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a man in Port Jefferson Station on Sunday, October 25.

Christopher Danielsen was riding his 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle southwest on Jefferson Avenue in Port Jefferson Station last night at 11:34 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a left turn at Route 112. The motorcycle left the road and crashed into numerous parked vehicles at Diamond Auto Body and Glass, located at 1444 Route 112.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a man in Port Jefferson Station on Sunday, October 25. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Danielsen, 36, of Sound Beach, was transported via ambulance from the Terryville Fire Department to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The motorcycle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the driver of a vehicle that struck a pedestrian in Huntington Station in July.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the driver of a vehicle that struck a pedestrian in Huntington Station in July. Photo Credit: SCPD.

A man was walking in the parking lot of the Huntington Public Library, located at 1335 New York Ave., when he was struck by a white Lincoln MKX on July 9 at 10:05 a.m.

A man was walking in the parking lot of the Huntington Public Library when he was struck by a white Lincoln MKX on July 9. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The victim was transported to Huntington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle fled the scene.

The victim was transported to Huntington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The driver was described as a light skinned black female.

The vehicle fled the scene. The driver was described as a light skinned black female. 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 Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who robbed the same liquor store in Selden twice this month.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man who robbed the same liquor store in Selden twice this month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

A man wearing a bandana over his face entered Suffolk Liquors, located at 733 Middle Country Road, displayed a knife and demanded money on October 3 at approximately 6 p.m. The man fled on a green bicycle with an undisclosed amount of cash.

A man wearing a bandana over his face entered Suffolk Liquors, displayed a knife and demanded money on October 3. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The man returned to Suffolk Liquors on October 19 at approximately 7:35 p.m., jumped onto the counter, displayed a knife and demanded cash. He fled the store with an undisclosed amount.

The man returned to Suffolk Liquors again on October 19, displayed a knife and demanded cash. 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 Second Squad Detectives are investigating a crash that killed a Floral Park woman on Sunday, October 25.

Mary Santry-Rosenvinge, was driving her 2015 Toyota RAV4 eastbound on Fort Salonga Road at approximately 5:35 p.m. and, as she attempted to make a left hand turn, her vehicle struck a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by James Losito, who was traveling westbound on Fort Salonga Road.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a crash that killed a Floral Park woman on Sunday, October 25. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Losito’s girlfriend, Martha Garcia, was riding on the back of the motorcycle and was ejected from the vehicle. Garcia, 57, of Floral Park, was transported to Huntington Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Losito, 53, of Floral Park, and Santry-Rosenvinge, 66, of Northport, were transported to Huntington Hospital where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

(Long Island, NY) For the second time this month, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County hosted a “Student Day” at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. More than 40 young people attended the Oct. 15 event.

The schools represented were: Southampton High School, Westhampton Beach High School, East Hampton High School, Hampton Bays High School, Bellport High School, Patchogue-Medford High School, Pierson High School, Brentwood High School and Central Islip High School. Additionally, the North Shore Youth Council brought students from Rocky Point High School, Rocky Point Middle School, Miller Place High School and Suffolk County Community College to the event.

Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons hosted a Student Day on Oct. 15 at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. Gregory’s Chief of Staff Lora Gellerstein, left, assists Alyssa Peterson, center, of Bellport High School and Erica Selyukova of Pierson High School as the young women prepare to debate mock legislation that would ban drones on school property. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“I am immensely impressed by the intellect and enthusiasm of these young people,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Student Day was structured to reinforce that government is not merely an abstract idea, but a tangible entity that is powered by the people it serves. I commend the League of Women Voters for its commitment to executing this event and to educating the public about the importance of civic engagement.”

“Student Day at the Legislature was a wonderful experience, both for the students and the educators who accompanied them,” said Judi Roth of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons. “Shortly after returning home, I received an email from Michael Guinan, assistant principal at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, who said that his students’ chaperone couldn’t stop raving about the day. The League of Women Voters and I wish to thank the Legislature and its staff for executing such a fantastic event.”

Following presentations from officials representing various county agencies, students broke into caucuses to discuss mock legislation that would ban the use of drones over school property. In a simulated General Meeting, students portrayed legislators and concerned citizens who argued for or against the bill. The first group of student-legislators voted to table the bill for further debate, while the second group of student-legislators passed the bill with an amendment to exempt school officials from the ban.

The day’s speakers included: 5th District Legislator Sarah Anker, 9th District Legislator Monica Martinez, 12th District Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy and Suffolk County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Caplan. Representatives from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Protection also addressed the students. Additionally, Meryl Cassidy of Response of Suffolk County gave a presentation on compassionate listening, and representatives from Long Island Cares and Habitat for Humanity spoke about the public service performed by nonprofit organizations and how they interact with the county to further their missions.

“The experience was exciting and definitely confirmed I want to go into politics or law,” said Jared Hamer, a student at Patchogue-Medford High School.

“I’ve worked with the League of Women Voters for many years, and I hold that organization in very high regard,” said Comptroller Kennedy, who previously served as a county legislator. “It comes as no surprise that the League would offer this opportunity for students to learn about public service. I encourage these young people to pursue further opportunities in county government by interning with one of our elected officials or agencies.”

“As chair of the Legislature’s Education and Information Technology Committee, I’ve worked hard to ensure that our students have the opportunity to engage with government,” said Legislator Anker. “It was an honor to speak to these young people, several of whom live in my district, about the rewards of public service. I would also encourage them to visit the Department of Labor’s One-Stop Employment Center to learn about additional professional opportunities as they prepare to graduate from high school.”

“It was a pleasure to address the students and discuss the importance of becoming involved in one’s community,” said Legislator Martinez, a former assistant principal at East Middle School in Brentwood. “I am a proud graduate of Brentwood High School, and it was important to me to show these students, particularly those who are women and minorities, that the doors of opportunity in government are open to them.”

“I was thrilled to attend this event,” said Legislator Kennedy. “We will one day have to pass the responsibility of policy-making to the next generation, and they will be making the decisions that affect us as senior citizens.  It is important that we instill in these youth now the importance of both compassion and fiscal responsibility.”

Lunch was donated by Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace in Smithtown.

The Legislature and League of Women Voters of Suffolk County also hosted a Student Day Oct. 8, which drew more heavily from schools in the western part of the county.

(Long Island, NY) Third Squad detectives are investigating a Robbery that occurred on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 11:30 am in Great Neck Plaza.

According to detectives, while walking on South Middle Neck Road near Schenck Avenue to go shopping at a local store, the victim, an 88 year old female, was approached by two males who demanded her money while pointing a small knife at her waist.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Robbery that occurred on Sunday, October 25 in Great Neck Plaza. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The elderly victim cooperated and handed them her wallet which contained a small amount of cash and identifying papers. The subjects then fled the scene running southbound on South Middle Neck Road.

The uninjured victim could only describe both subjects as being approximately 18-20 years old and 5’8” tall. One of the males was described as being Hispanic; the other male’s race is unknown.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that critically injured a Bay Shore girl in Hauppauge on Sunday, October 25.

Iris Hernandez was driving a 2001 Nissan XTerra northbound on Wheeler Road when she struck a southbound Hauppauge Fire Department chief vehicle head on in front of 560 Wheeler Road at 11:17 a.m. Hernandez stated to police that she lost control of the vehicle and spun into oncoming traffic.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that critically injured a Bay Shore girl in Hauppauge on Sunday, October 25. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Hernandez’s daughter, Ismeily Perdomo-Hernandez, 11, was ejected from the vehicle. She was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was admitted in critical condition.

Iris Hernandez passengers, her son Inmer Perdomo-Hernandez, 9, and her sister, Cindy Hernandez, 29, were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the fire department vehicle was also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

The investigation is continuing.

(Long Island, NY) New York State Senator Thomas Croci announced he has secured an additional $15,000 in state funding for the Sayville School District.

“I’m proud to have secured this funding for the Sayville School District, in addition to the over $24 million dollars in school aid to the district I was able to help secure in this year’s budget. Superintendent Schartner and the entire Sayville staff are doing a wonderful job on behalf of the students and parents in the Sayville community and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to enhance that experience for our families by providing this funding,” said Senator Croci. “I look forward to working with Superintendent Schartner and his staff on all education matters.”

New York State Senator Thomas Croci announced he has secured an additional $15,000 in state funding for the Sayville School District. Photo Credit: NYS.

Superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner has indicated that the funding will be used for their “Math Masters” math club for their fourth and fifth grade students.

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) Second Precinct officers report the details of an aided case that occurred on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 5:44 pm in Levittown.

According to officers, a relative of the aided returned to his car after shopping at Kohl’s department store, 3563 Hempstead Turnpike and observed his 27 year old nephew unconscious in the vehicle and suffering from difficulty breathing.

Nassau County Police report the details of an aided case that occurred on Saturday, October 24 in Levittown. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

911 was called and upon police arrival it was determined that the victim was suffering from a possible heroin overdose. Narcan was administered at the scene and the aided was transported to an area hospital where he was reported to be responsive and alert.