(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that injured three people in North Lindenhurst on Wednesday, October 21.

Rubel Canales was driving a 2003 Infinity G35 northbound on Straight Path and, as he attempted to pass another vehicle on the left side, he crossed over the line into oncoming traffic and struck a 2005 Toyota Prius yesterday at approximately 5:20 p.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that injured three people in North Lindenhurst on Wednesday, October 21. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Canales, 56, of North Lindenhurst, suffered serious leg and internal injuries and was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the Prius, Juan Torres, 56, of Copiague, suffered head, neck and back injuries. The passenger in the Prius, Wilda Gonzalez-Munez, 23, of Copiague, suffered a non-life-threatening leg injury. They were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and this investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, and has not yet been interviewed, to contact the First Squad at 631-854-8152.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested a man after he robbed a store in Centereach on Wednesday, October 21.

Sean Patti entered the Walmart store, located at 161 Centereach Mall and attempted to purchase a drink at the register. Patti passed a note stating he had a gun and to give him cash. Patti fled the store and was located a short time later by Patrol officers inside the Middle Country Library.

Suffolk County Police today arrested Sean Patti, 30, of Selden after he robbed a store in Centereach on Wednesday, October 21. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Further investigation revealed Patti also burglarized the AT&T Store located at 387 Independence Plaza, Selden on October 15.

Patti was charged with Robbery 3rd Degree for today’s incident and Burglary 3rd Degree for the incident in Selden.

Patti, 30, of Selden, is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 22.

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.

Cites enforcement of immigration laws as crucial to combating terrorist threat

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) today announced he is joining Sen. Tom Croci in sponsoring legislation eliminating “sanctuary cities,” locations where immigration laws are not enforced. The legislation also blocks sanctuary cities from receiving federal, state and local aid until they are in compliance with federal immigration statutes. Mirroring Senate Bill S-6032, Murray sees this act as essential to keeping Long Island, home to many veterans and military families, safe.

“With ISIS threatening the lives of our veterans and their families at home, we can’t afford to be lax when it comes to securing our communities,” said Murray. “That means eliminating sanctuary cities and enforcing immigration laws.

“In addition to having numerous “sanctuary cities,” Long Island also has a large veteran and military family population. They, and all our residents, have a fundamental right to be kept safe from those actively seeking to do them harm. Shutting down sanctuary cities and withholding aid to locations that harbor a potential terrorist threat just makes sense.

“No one, regardless of legal status, should be exempt from federal laws. I commend Sen. Croci for spearheading this common-sense legislation in the Senate and am proud to sponsor the Assembly companion bill.  I look forward to continuing my work with him to make our communities even stronger, safer and more vibrant than ever,” Murray concluded.

(Long Island, NY) “In order to adequately protect the rights of pregnant workers, it is necessary to create a specific protection in New York State statute requiring employers to provide a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related conditions,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau).  “This new law will ensure women are not deprived any of their existing protections under the disability and sex discrimination provisions of the law.”

Conditions related to childbirth and pregnancy can result in impairment requiring accommodation. Some pregnant workers require modest adjustments on the job for conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth in order to stay healthy and keep working. Employees may require a stool to sit on, extra restroom breaks, transfer away from hazardous duties, a temporary reprieve from heavy lifting, or a reasonable time for childbirth recovery.

Federal Law requires employers to offer pregnant workers reasonable accommodation – the same types of accommodations that are required to be provided to disabled employees – and treat them the same for all employment-related purposes as other non-pregnant persons similar in their ability or inability to work. However, judicial interpretations of the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act have gutted the intent of the law by providing legal protection only to the extent a pregnant woman is able to work at full capacity, uninterrupted by the effects of pregnancy.

“Accommodations as simple as a stool, bathroom breaks, or carrying a water bottle, can enable a woman to work safely throughout her pregnancy, so that she continues to obtain a paycheck at such a critical time in her life,” said Hannon.

Hannon’s bill was signed into law by Governor Cuomo as part of a series of bills that aim to ensure equality for women in the workplace and provide stronger laws for victims of domestic violence. The bills include steps to fight human trafficking, ensure equal pay for equal work, combat sexual harassment in the workplace and curb gender discrimination in employment, housing and credit decisions.

(Long Island, NY) Mayor Francis X. Murray has stepped in as the interim Village Administrator while the Board of Trustees conducts a comprehensive search to fill the position.  Murray will be filling the role to streamline services at no cost to the Village.  The vacancy was created after Keith Spadaro vacated the position to go into the private sector. 

“The Board of Trustees has complete confidence in Mayor Murray to bring the highest level of experience and leadership, as well the professionalism of all the department heads and staff while a search is conducted,” commented Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard.  “The Village will continue to provide all services and functions without any loss.”

In his new role, the Mayor will supervise nearly 20 departments and be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Village.  At the same time the Mayor will continue to perform all duties as Mayor.

“Throughout his first term as mayor, Fran was both interested in and heavily involved in nearly every facet of Village government,” stated Michael Schussheim, Village Comptroller.  “I have every reason to believe that he will be an outstanding interim village administrator.”

“The Village is conducting a thorough search to find a candidate who can demonstrate experience in strategic planning, public finance and intergovernmental relations,” commented Mayor Francis X. Murray.  “The chosen candidate will assist the Board of Trustees in continuing to grow and develop this Village while holding down taxes by increasing efficiencies across every department and aggressively seeking grants and gifts.  I look forward to filling the position until such a candidate is found.”

November 12 Reading Is the Final Event in the Fall Visiting Writers Program

(Long Island, NY) Poet Sherry Hanson will read from her collected works at Farmingdale State College on Thursday, November 12.  The reading will be held in the Great Room in Ward Hall, at 11 a.m.  The public is invited and the event is free.

The reading is the final event in Farmingdale’s fall Visiting Writers Program.  For more information and directions visit Farmingdale.edu/vwp or call 631-420-2000.

Poet Sherry Hanson will read from her collected works at Farmingdale State College on Thursday, November 12. Photo Credit: Farmingdale State College.

Hanson, a 2014 Paumanok Award winner, has published hundreds of poems, articles, and essays, and for decades has taught aspiring writers how to get their own work into print.  In 2006 she published A Cab to Stonehenge, a collection of her poetry.

Her readings are numerous, and include the Longfellow Days in Brunswick, Maine, and the annual poetry day at the Governor’s Mansion in Augusta, Georgia.  She has worked on special projects for State FarmInsurance Company, the Maine Tourism Bureau, and Fodor’s Maine Coast and New England travel guides.  She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Farmingdale’s Visiting Writers Program has featured readings by more than 150 American and international authors.  The program highlights the importance of literature to education and culture.  The annual Paumanok Award is an international award judged by faculty in Farmingdale’s English/Humanities department.

Farmingdale State College continues to prepare students with the education, skills, and critical thinking needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As the largest of SUNY’s colleges of technology (with over 8,400 students), Farmingdale equips students with the resources and knowledge sought by today’s emerging industries. Offering bachelor and associate programs, Farmingdale will soon offer its first graduate degree.  At Farmingdale, students also have abundant opportunities in experiential learning—internships, clinical training, and guided research—that provide practical instruction and personal growth. Small, personalized classes, a residence hall with suite-style living, a lush 380-acre campus undergoing major renovation, and a highly successful NCAA Division III athletics program with modern facilities make Farmingdale State College one of the fastest-growing colleges in the region.In addition, in 2014 U.S. News & World Report ranks Farmingdale #27 among regional colleges in the north (up from #31) and in 2013 Farmingdale was the only SUNY school (and the only LI school) listed in the LEAST debt category in the section titled Student Debt Load at Graduation for regional colleges in the north.  UniversityPrimeTime.com lists FSC the fifth safest college in the nation. For more information, contact Kathryn Coley at 631-420-2400 or kathryn.coley@farmingdale.edu.  Look on our website www.farmingdale.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/farmingdale.

(Long Island, NY) WBC United States Junior Middleweight Champion, philanthropist and US Army Reserve Captain Boyd Melson will finish up a very busy month by continuing to help others. By the end of October, the Class of 2003 West Point Graduate will have attended the TicTocStop Gala,Signature Chefs Auction and Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association Dinner as a special guest. Melson was also asked not just to attend the March of Dimes’ Signature Chefs Auction, but to co-emcee their fundraising event, which he enthusiastically accepted.

Founded by renowned sports radio talk show host Craig Carton, TicTocStop’s mission is to help improve the quality of life for people with Tourette’s Syndrome. Carton, who has Tourette’s as does two of his children, has assisted many families through this 501C3 charity.

The TicTocStop Gala includes a cocktail party, dinner and presentations and takes place Thursday, October 22 from 6-11 PM at Battery Gardens in New York City. For more information, visit Tictocstop.com.

Every year, more than 15 million babies are born prematurely. Sadly, 1 million of them will die prior to their first birthday as a result. The March of Dimes helps fund research, education and support to ensure more babies can celebrate their birthdays.

On Monday, October 26 at 6 pm, more than 25 chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries and dessert designers will be sharing their most exciting culinary delights to the 200-plus guests on hand at the Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale, NY. All attendees will enjoy an evening of networking, live music and wine and spirits. Tickets are available by going to signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org.

Regarded as one of the best tasting events in New York, the Signature Chefs Auction helps support the mission of the March of Dimes. Arlene Dayboch, Senior Community Director for the March of Dimes, has appointed Melson as a co-emcee alongside Donna Drake from Live it up TV for this special event. Drake and Melson will be joined by “Hell’s Kitchen” celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as celebrity guests attending in order to help raise money for the March of Dimes.

A non-profit, the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association was founded in 1987 by Kevin Hoagland. It is run exclusively by a volunteer board of directors and raises approximately $80,000 annually.

On Friday, October 30, the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association hosts the 29^th Annual Vito Racine Spinal Cord Research Dinner and Auction at Pines Manor Banquet Hall in Edison, NJ. Cocktail hour beings at 6:30PM followed by dinner at 8PM. Attendees can also bid on items including autographed sports memorabilia, jewelry, event tickets, gift baskets and collectibles. Individual tickets are $70 and tables of ten priced at $700 can be purchased at cjsca.net. All donations are tax-deductible.

“October has been a very busy month trying to help raise money for others,” said Melson, who played a focal point in Team Fight to Walk’s third annual “Fighting for the Cure” Gala on October 15 and spoke to students at Paul Roberson High School earlier today. “Improving the lives of those facing different challenges is very important to me. Attending events like these is not only an honor, but something I believe I must do. We all share this planet and must help however possible even if we’re far removed from the suffering.”

Energy, Water and Food Nexus is Focus

(Long Island, NY) Domestic and International expertsjoin with scholars in the field at the International Energy & Sustainability Conference on November 12and 13 at Farmingdale State College.  The conference – “Sustainable Future with an Emphasis on Energy, Water and Food Nexus” – is sponsored by the college’s Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center (RESC).

The conference, held in Roosevelt Hall, begins on Thursday, November 12 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. with a poster competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students.  The general session, scheduled for Friday, November 13from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., will address issues such as:

• Clean Power Plan’s potential to address climate change
• Turning trash into biodiesel
• Eliminating the need for emergency generators
• Encouraging energy efficiency in developing countries
• Energy conservation
• Elimination of emergency generators
• Interaction between water and energy sustainability

Farmingdale professors will address Sustainable Landscaping and environmental experts will share Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project.

The conference will include international perspectives, with papers being presented from Germany, India, Pakistan, China, and Iran.  Scholars from the West Indies will speak on the status of renewable use in the Caribbean.

This conference will serve as a technology bridge between original manufacturers and service providers. Products and services will be on display in an open forum.

Researchers, corporate executives, manufacturers, service providers,educators, students,job seekers and the public are invited to attend the fourth annual event.  General admission is $100, and $25 for students, alumni and those 65 and older.  Registration is available at www.farmingdale.edu/iesc.  For more information, email rescgreen@farmingdale.edu or call 631-794-6175or 631-420-2194.

The mission of the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center at Farmingdale State College is to enhance public awareness of emerging renewable energy resources through modern workforce training and applied research in renewable/sustainable smart grid technologies.The Center also oversees the Smart Energy House, currently open for tours. The house is equipped with smart appliances controlled by a smart meter so that the potential owners of such homes will be able to monitor the house’s energy use at any time, in any location. The house is powered by solar, solar thermal (to supply hot water), and hydrogen fuel cell (to provide energy when the sun isn’t shining).

Farmingdale State College continues to prepare students with the education, skills, and critical thinking needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As the largest of SUNY’s colleges of technology (with over 8,700 students), Farmingdale equips students with the resources and knowledge sought by today’s emerging industries. Offering bachelor and associate programs, Farmingdale will soon offer its first graduate degree.  At Farmingdale, students also have abundant opportunities in experiential learning—internships, clinical training, and guided research—that provide practical instruction and personal growth. Small, personalized classes, a residence hall with suite-style living, a lush 380-acre campus undergoing major renovation, and a highly successful NCAA Division III athletics program with modern facilities make Farmingdale State College one of the fastest-growing colleges in the region.In addition, in 2015 U.S. News & World Report ranks Farmingdale #28 among regional colleges in the north and in 2013 Farmingdale was the only SUNY college (and the only LI college) listed in the LEAST debt category in the section titled Student Debt Load at Graduation for regional colleges in the north.  UniversityPrimeTime.com lists FSC the fifth safest college in the nation. For more information, contact Kathryn Coley at 631-420-2400 or kathryn.coley@farmingdale.edu.  Look on our website www.farmingdale.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/farmingdale.

UPDATE: Carlos Magana, 21, of Brentwood, was identified as the pedestrian struck and killed this morning in Brentwood.

Below is the original release.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian in Brentwood on Wednesday October 21.

A man was walking on Wicks Road when he was struck by a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck that was traveling north on Wicks Road at approximately 5 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian in Brentwood on Wednesday October 21. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The pedestrian, who has yet to be identified, was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore via Brentwood Legion Ambulance where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the pickup, Webster Sainville, 31, of Bay Shore, was not injured.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Third Squad detectives at 631-854-8352.

(Long Island, NY) Senator Kemp Hannon announces that an Aviation Jobs Fair will be taking place on Friday, October 23 (10:00 am to3:00 pm) at LaGuardia Airport, in the Central Terminal Building.

The Aviation/Community Job Fair EXPO 2015 is the largest employment event in the borough of Queens.

There will be numerous job opportunities, including Security, Gate Agents, Passenger Service Agents, Ramp Agents, Cargo, Food Service, Cooks, Warehouse, CDL Drivers, Aircraft/Building Cleaners, and Flight Attendants.

The job fair will be located in the East Wing Connector, Third Floor of Terminal B.

For more information, contact Council for Airport Opportunity, Inc. (www.caonynj.com or 718-523-7100)