(Long Island, NY) Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center’s Breast Health Center earned a three-year/full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease.

The standards include proficiency in the areas of leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement.  Good Samaritan Hospital has a history of many years of top quality cancer management. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

The Breast Health Center was created in response to community need for a comprehensive patient-focused program of early detection and diagnosis, positive reinforcement through counseling and support and effective treatment utilizing the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.

The Breast Health Center’s staff is committed to a personal approach. Educational opportunities, health fairs and community programs all help to promote the philosophy that early detection is the key in the fight against this disease. In the Breast Health Center, women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can overcome their fears and work through their concerns, assisted by a talented, experienced staff who will reach out in positive, reassuring ways.

Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is a 537-bed (including 100 nursing home beds), voluntary, not-for-profit hospital located in West Islip. The medical center has more than 3,775 employees and 900 physicians on staff and had nearly 26,000 patient admissions and nearly 90,000 emergency department visits in 2013. Good Samaritan is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Visit the website at www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

The medical center supplies residents with the tools necessary to maintain good health. This includes community lectures, screenings, health fairs and other community programs and services.

(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Police Department Property Section will hold a property auction on September 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Property Section Building, located next to Police Headquarters, 30 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank.

Among the items being auctioned are hand and power tools, automotive items, household items, televisions, electronics, clothing, televisions, bicycles, watches and jewelry. Motor vehicles and motorcycles will not be sold at this auction.

The event will be held rain or shine and all items will be sold in “as is” condition. All purchases are subject to New York State sales tax and payments must be made in cash.

In case of severe weather, check the department’s website, www.suffolkpd.org, or call 631-852-6862 for more information on a schedule change.

Schneiderman: Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Are Illegal; We Will Not Tolerate Harassment Or Discrimination Against Women In the Workplace

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced a joint settlement with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison), to resolve allegations of ongoing sexual harassment and discrimination against women in field positions. The agreement requires Con Edison to reserve up to $3.8 million to be distributed among eligible settlement group members – over 300 female workers employed in field jobs – through a claims process to be administered by the Attorney General’s Office and the EEOC.

“Sadly, the fight against gender discrimination and harassment in the workplace is ongoing, and we will use every tool we can to make it a thing of the past,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This case should send a clear message to employers across New York State: All women, especially those working in male-dominated workplaces, deserve respect and equal treatment—as the law, basic decency, and the success of our economy require.”

“These women signed up for strenuous work when they took these important jobs – they did not sign up for demeaning job assignments, denied promotional opportunities, and harassment,” saidEEOC District Director Kevin Berry. “The EEOC will fight to ensure equality in all workplaces.”

Con Edison provides electric, gas, and steam service to approximately 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Both the EEOC and Attorney General Schneiderman’s Civil Rights Bureau launched an investigation into complaints made by women working in field positions at Con Edison about ongoing sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

The women workers, all of whom were employed at Con Edison between 2006 and 2014, alleged that the company failed to address widespread harassment and discrimination faced by women in field positions by male co-workers and supervisors. These women work with men in power stations, manholes, and other physically strenuous field positions assuring the public’s access to electricity.  While working, the women alleged that they were:

• Denied, delayed, and given subpar on-the-job training as compared to their male peers;
• Assigned menial “make work” tasks and isolated by male co-workers in group work settings;
• Refused or stonewalled when seeking admission to classes necessary for promotions;
• Not provided tools or safety gear in situations where male co-workers were supplied both;
• Denied adequately sanitary and private restroom, shower, and changing facilities;
• Subjected to disparate and excessive discipline as compared to male co-workers who engaged in comparable conduct;
• Given less positive performance evaluations than their male counterparts for doing comparable work; and
• Denied overtime assignments despite eligibility under collective bargaining agreements.

The complaints further alleged that Con Edison failed to take effective action to improve or prevent such discriminatory working conditions and failed to meaningfully enforce its internal equal employment opportunity policies concerning gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and non-retaliation. Indeed, the women in field positions stated that they faced retaliation when they complained to supervisors or to Con Edison’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion about their work conditions.

The EEOC also received complaints from women that they had been delayed or denied promotions from the entry-level General Utility Worker position to various next level positions because of their gender.

Under the terms of the agreement, in addition to providing monetary relief to eligible settlement class members, Con Edison will:

• Retain an independent consultant to evaluate Con Edison’s compliance with the terms of agreement;
• Retain an independent equal employment opportunity specialist to develop and conduct employee training;
• Institute improved policies and protocols concerning the investigation of discrimination and harassment complaints; and
• Provide training to field supervisors on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with an emphasis on illegal sex discrimination and sex harassment.

The conduct at issue in the investigation concerned Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and New York City Human Rights Law.  These laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex,  including situations in which a supervisor or co-worker creates a hostile work environment by, for example, subjecting them to sexual comments, demeaning women, and posting graphic images of women in the workplace, and also situations in which women are denied training opportunities and treated less favorably than men.

The investigation emanated from charges filed by seven former and current Con Edison employees who had worked in field positions during their time with the company, including Sharron Sellick, Andrea McSwain, and Kecia McCowen.

“For 19 years, I worked as a manager for a tire plant in Alabama and was treated differently than the men who were doing the same work as me,” said Lilly Ledbetter, a national leader seeking to advance women’s rights in the workplace and the namesake of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  “I decided to fight because equal treatment of women in the workplace is an American value.  We have a long way to go to secure total equality for women in the workplace.  I thank the New York State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau for fighting against gender discrimination and making sure that our workplaces are equal for everyone.”

“For the past three decades, I have worked my way up through various non-traditional male-dominated departments at Con Edison,” said Cecilia Borcherding, an Inspector at Con Edison. “It has been a long road to my present position in Construction Management, where women are still underrepresented and I am one of two females, both minority, among 38 male inspectors.  I  have made incredible sacrifices, including working long hours that required me to be away from my family, while enduring persistent harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the job at the hands of my male co-workers and supervisors.  I cannot get back the time that I was away from my daughter.  I can, however, continue to fight for equal rights for women in the field at Con Edison.  This agreement should serve as a wake-up call to Con Edison and other employers that women must be treated fairly and equally, with dignity and respect.  I want to thank Attorney General Schneiderman for helping us enforce our rights and empowering us to fight for justice.”

“I began working as a General Utility Worker at Con Edison in 1991.  I care deeply about the working conditions faced by women at Con Edison and often go out of my way to mentor new female employees in field positions because I want to provide them with a support system that I did not have when I first joined the company,” said Prudence Foster, a Construction Representative at the company. “I would like Con Edison to be supportive of all women, especially minority women who work in the field.  I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for relentlessly advocating on our behalf and working to ensure real change for women at Con Edison.”

“I worked at Con Edison for thirteen years, primarily as an Inspector in the field,” said Kawana Howard, an Inspector at Con Edison. “I loved my job, was good at what I did, and took pride in the fact that I was helping to keep our city running.  Yet over the years I faced gender-based discrimination from my some of my male supervisors and co-workers, and was retaliated against when I complained, ultimately culminating in my recent termination.  Employees should feel safe to complain about workplace harassment and discrimination without the threat of retaliation, and should be able to trust that their employer will take these complaints seriously.  I commend the Attorney General for taking a stand against Con Edison and making our voices heard.”

“Being able to compete for and get traditionally male jobs improves women’s economic security, as they typically pay higher wages than jobs dominated by women,” said Emily Martin, Vice President and General Counsel, National Women’s Law Center. “But sexual harassment, stereotypes about women’s abilities, and other barriers all too often deny women the equal opportunities they are entitled to by law. Much more must be done to reverse this persistent and harmful trend.”

The Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office is committed to combating gender discrimination and sexual harassment faced by women, including those employed in non-traditional fields and blue collar industries.  To file a complaint, contact the office at 212-416-8250or Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Anjana Samant and Dariely Rodriguez, and Bureau Chief Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Bureau.  The Civil Rights Bureau is part of the Division of Social Justice, which is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

(Long Island, NY) St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School and the Diocese of Rockville Centre is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Matthew Artigas, a Queens resident, as the new Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Instruction and Student Activities at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip. Principal Nan Doherty said, “We are thrilled to welcome Matt Artigas to St. John’s and we are confident that he will be a central and enthusiastic element in the daily life of our school and in our planning and continued growth and development.”

Mr. Matt Artigas. Photo Credit: St. John the Baptist DHS.

Prior to his arrival at St. John’s, Mr. Artigas was appointed Chairperson of the Social Studies Department at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY.  He also served as a coach and a Social Studies teacher.   He is an alum of Holy Cross High School and Iona College, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Adolescent Education, and a Master’s in History.  St. John’s University awarded him an Advanced Certificate in School Building and School District Leadership and he is currently enrolled there for his Doctorate.  He is looking forward to working with all of the students, families and faculty of St. John the Baptist DHS in his new role as Assistant Principal.

About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School: 1,700 students attend St. John the Baptist DHS, a college preparatory Catholic High School located on the south shore in West Islip. As part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, St. John’s offers a value-centered education that recognizes the unique talents and abilities of each child, while fostering a school environment that challenges students to reach their true potential. Open since 1966, St. John’s offers a rigorous curriculum and extensive activity and athletic programs. Students have the opportunity to take numerous Advanced Placement and college extension courses and 99% of St. John’s college applicants are accepted to university and collegiate programs. For Mission Statement and additional information: http://www.stjohnthebaptistdhs.net

(Long Island, NY) Fourth Squad detectives report the arrest of a Suffolk County woman for a burglary that occurred in Hewlett on Tuesday, 07/28/15 at 9:30 A.M.

According to detectives, Jamie Culoso, 26, of Commack, entered a residence on Franklin Ave., by breaking the glass on a rear kitchen door. Once inside the defendant removed an undisclosed amount of cash and assorted jewelry.

Nassau County Police report the arrest of Jamie Culoso, 26, of Commack for a burglary that occurred in Hewlett on Tuesday, 07/28. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The defendant, who had cut herself on the glass, left traces of blood throughout the home. A DNA test was performed on the blood sample, which resulted in a match identifying the defendant.

Fourth Precinct detectives located and arrested Culoso on Tuesday, 09/08/15 in Woodmere. She is being charged with Burglary 2nd Degree and will be arraigned on Wednesday, 09/09/15 in First District Court, Hempstead.

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) The Major Case Bureau is investigating a robbery that occurred in Lakeview on Tuesday, 09/08/15 at 9:35 P.M.

According to detectives, a male subject armed with a handgun entered BP Gas Station located at 688 Woodfield Rd., approached the clerk and demanded money. The victim complied and handed over an undisclosed amount of cash.

Nassau County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred in Lakeview on Tuesday, 09/08. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The subject fled the scene on foot westbound on Eagle Ave. There was one additional employee and no customers present in the gas station at the time of the robbery.

No injuries were reported.

The subject is described as a male black, 5’10” tall, medium build, wearing a black tee shirt and a dark colored hat. No further description is available.

Detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released the following statement on the decision by Bath & Body Works stores to end on-call scheduling:

“Following discussions with my office, L Brands’ subsidiary Bath & Body Works has agreed to end on-call shifts for employees in all U.S. stores next month. Employees deserve stable and reliable work schedules to adequately plan for childcare, transportation, and other basic needs. I commend Bath & Body Works for taking this important step to make their employees’ schedules fairer and more predictable. I am proud that the inquiry my office launched into on-call scheduling is yielding positive results for tens of thousands of workers with Bath & Body Works joining Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, and fellow L Brands subsidiary Victoria’s Secret in ending this scheduling practice.”

Annika Bennett and Kirsten Maxwell are Featured Performers

(Long Island, NY) Two talented young singer-songwriters – Annika Bennett and Huntington’s own Kirsten Maxwell — will perform song swap-style and accompany each other on a few of their own songs when the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s Hard Luck Café concert series resumes at the Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY) on Thursday, Sept. 17. The 8:30 p.m. concert in the Cinema’s Sky Room will be preceded by an open mic at7:30 p.m. Tickets are  $15 ($10 for Cinema Arts Centre and FMSH members). For more information, visit www.fmsh.org or call (631) 425-2925.

Annika Bennett (left) and Kirsten Maxwell (right) are Featured Performers at the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s Hard Luck Café concert series at the Cinema Arts Centre. Photo Credit: Folk Music Society of Huntington.

Annika Bennett is an award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  Although she’s only 17, Annika’s songs reflect a level of craftsmanship and her lyrics a depth of wisdom that belie her youth. They are definitely not about teenage angst. She has written scores of songs and performed extensively throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Annika Bennett is an award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Photo Credit: Folk Music Society of Huntington.

Last year, Annika received ASCAP’s prestigious Robert Allen Award for Excellence in Songwriting and was the Audience Choice winner of WNYC Radio’s Battle of the Boroughs (Queens) competition. A semi-finalist in the 2014 International Songwriting Competition, Annika also participated in RealWomen RealSongs – a group of female artists who each wrote a prompted song a week during 2014. Winner of the 2015 Your Big Break Contest sponsored by the Gold Coast Arts Center, Annika also closed out the juried Emerging Artists Showcase during this summer’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

Kirsten Maxwell is a folk music “triple threat.” Her talent is equal parts singer, performer, and songwriter.  Often compared to timeless singers like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Judy Collins, the 23-year-old is unlike any young female singer of her generation.

Kirsten Maxwell is equal parts singer, performer, and songwriter. Photo Credit: Folk Music Society of Huntington.

Over the past year, Kirsten has quickly made a name for herself on the Long Island music scene. Now venturing out into New England, she won a songwriting contest sponsored by the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) — taking the prize with two original songs off of her debut album, Crimson.

Kirsten began singing and performing at age 5 as part of the Amato Opera Children’s Chorus. She continued classical vocal studies at The Crane School of Music, where she developed captivating control over an otherwise naturally passionate voice. Kirsten graduated from SUNY Geneseo last year with a BA in Creative Writing, which enhanced her innate songwriting abilities.

Annika Bennett impressed folks with her original song “California” as she closed out the juried Emerging Artists Showcase at this summer’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Here’s a link to a video of her performing it another time at the festival:

Here’s a link to a video of Huntington’s own Kirsten Maxwell performing her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”:

In this video by Neale Eckstein, Annika Bennett is accompanied by Eric Schwartz and Adam Michael Rothberg as she covers The Jackson Five classic “I Want You Back”:

“I Have To Go” to the Hard Luck Café at the Cinema Arts Centre is what you’ll be saying after viewing this video of Huntington’s own Kirsten Maxwell performing one of her original songs:

Established in 1973, Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre (www.cinemaartscentre.org) seeks to bring the best of cinematic artistry to Long Island and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community. LI’s only not-for-profit, viewer-supported, independent cinema presents a wide array of films that are often accompanied by discussions and guest speakers.

Now in its 47th year, the Folk Music Society of Huntington (www.fmsh.org) presents two monthly concert series, a monthly folk jam and an annual folk festival in conjunction with the Huntington Arts Council. Its FirstSaturday Concerts series resumes Oct. 3 at the Congregational Church of Huntington in Centerport with singer-songwriter and consummate entertainer Vance Gilbert, who possesses “the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man and the woman who stole a paddleboard at a yacht club in Blue Point.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man and the woman who stole a paddleboard at a yacht club in Blue Point. Photo Credit: SCPD.

On August 19, 2015, at approximately 2:20 a.m., an unidentified man and woman stole a pink Mysstyk paddleboard with a Breast Cancer symbol on it from the Sayville Yacht Club, located at located at 123 Boylan Lane in Blue Point.

On August 19, an unidentified man and woman stole a paddleboard from the Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The stolen item was a pink Mysstyk paddleboard with a Breast Cancer symbol on it. 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 today arrested a Bay Shore man for leaving the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian on Redington Street in Bay Shore on September 5.

Elvin Ponce, 30, of Brentwood was struck by a vehicle that was traveling eastbound on Redington Street, east of Brook Avenue, at approximately 3:10 a.m. The victim was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where he was pronounced dead.

Suffolk County Police today arrested Saquan Johnson, 24, of Bay Shore for leaving the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian in Bay Shore on September 5. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Vehicular Crime Unit detectives arrested Saquan Johnson, 24, and charged him with Leaving the Scene of an Incident without Reporting Involving a Fatality. Johnson will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on September 9.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Vehicular Crime Unit detectives at 631-852-6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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.