(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter and Police Benevolent Association President Jim Carver will be joined by Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe,and hundreds of children on Saturday Aug 29 at Martin “Bunky” Reid Park, in Westbury to give away over 1,000 back packs to needy children returning to school this September. The backpacks are being sponsored by the Nassau County Police PBA and Nassau County Police Foundation.

The 1,000 free backpacks will be filled with supplies for school, including notebooks, pens, pencils, papers and other items for the classroom. The backpacks are intended for children ages 5 to 15. Thousands of children will be returning to school in a few weeks, and a number of them lack the basic supplies needed for their education. The backpack giveaway helps fulfill some of the needs.

WHEN: Saturday, August 29 at 12noon

WHERE: Martin “Bunky” Reid Park, Broadway and Railroad Streets in Westbury

Online Wait List available and Sept. 16 Preview Center opening announced for prospective members

(Long Island, NY) The unrelenting quest for fitness and a healthy lifestyle is readily apparent on Long Island.  Walkers, runners and cyclists traverse our roadways; workouts and healthy recipes are shared on every social channel available; and workout gear is now an apparel category of its own—aptly named athleisure. With that in mind, Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company today announced the planned opening of Life Time Athletic Garden City, confirming what fitness conscious Long Islanders have been hoping for—the company’s second sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa resort on Long Island is coming soon.

Since Life Time opened its first Long Island location in Syosset in 2011, the demand for this all-inclusive, high-end, resort-like destination has soared.  An online wait list has been established for those interested in being the first to be contacted about the new Garden City location, scheduled to open later this year.

“The buzz surrounding our Garden City opening is overwhelmingly positive,” said Jeff Zwiefel, Life Time chief operating officer. “It’s humbling to see how our truly unique and personalized healthy way of life approach has resonated in Syosset and we can’t wait to impact lives for Garden City-area residents as well.”

The dedicated Preview Center, located at 1000 Zeckendorf Boulevard in Garden City, will open Sept. 14 and provide a taste of the world-class amenities to be found at Life Time Athletic Garden City. A limited number of Founder’s Memberships will be available once the Preview Center opens, which grants exclusive privileges including early access to the club before it opens to all members, a VIP invitation to a grand opening celebration, a complimentary health assessment and more.

When the Garden City destination opens later this year at 750 Zeckendorf Blvd., the three-story, 126,000-square-foot center will offer a health, fitness and lifestyle experience similar to what has made its Syosset club unique to Long Island, including a broad array of highly personalized programs and services that allow members to engage in their areas of interest and help them achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals. In addition, unique social events and dynamic programming are offered throughout the year for individuals, couples and families to fit every pace and passion.

Other highlights include:

• Five dedicated group exercise, cycle, Pilates and LifePower Yoga studios
• 400 pieces of best-in-class cardiovascular and resistance training equipment
• Proprietary “Life Time Training Method,” a science-based approach for long-term health and wellness success led by the industry’s most highly certified fitness professionals
• Two full-size indoor basketball courts, featuring Ultimate Hoops basketball leagues and training programs—the largest basketball league in the U.S.
• LifeSpa, offering full-service hair, nail and skin care services and therapeutic massage,
• LifeCafe, serving healthy food and beverages free of trans fats, bleached flours, and artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and sweeteners
• Life Time Kids Academy, a unique members-only enrichment program designed especially for kids from three months to 11 years, led by handpicked, certified experts committed to childhood development.
• No long-term membership contracts
• Complimentary towel and locker service

For more information about Life Time Athletic Garden City, visit https://www.lifetimeathletic.com/gardencity or https://www.facebook.com/lifetimeathleticgardencity

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest—or discovering new passions—both inside and outside of Life Time’s distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations. The Company’s Healthy Way of Life approach enables members to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of August 26 2015, the Company operates 117 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.

(Long Island, NY) On September 18, Easter Seals New York hosts the launch of its capital campaign to benefit the purchase of the school building located at 70 Columbus Avenue in Valhalla, NY. The two-year campaign has a fundraising goal of $1 million, which will allow the agency to recoup the purchase’s down payment, as well as funding refurbishment and expansion of the three story facility.

Easter Seals New York provides services to children and adults with disabilities and special needs as well as transitional support to returning veterans. There are currently 24 programs state-wide, including Valhalla’s Project Explore Child Development Center. Currently the building comprises 11 classrooms, several specialized therapeutic spaces, and administrative offices that support other Hudson Valley programs.

“The sale of the Columbus Avenue building is a great opportunity for the district and the community. It’s great having Easter Seals as a permanent part of our community. They are a great service to our school district” – Stated Valhalla Superintendent Dr. Brenda Myers.

As of August, nearly $200,000 has been raised. The event on the 18th honors the contributions that have been made by international philanthropist Heather Mills, Bloomfresh Produce, Amway Corporation and a dozen other individuals. The ceremony will include the placement of plaques on classrooms, therapeutic areas and Ms Mills name on the building itself, honoring her very generous contribution to the campaign. Leading donors will also tour the building, and hear about the plans for enhancing the facility.

The press is welcome at this private event.

For more information about our Easter Seals New York’s events, please visit www.eastersealsny.org.

About Easter Seals New York
Easter Seals is the Nation’s leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental, physical, and mental disabilities, and other special needs. Easter Seals New York provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. For 90 years, Easter Seals New York has been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them.

Long Island’s LARGEST EXPO Geared Towards Adults Age 50+; Sunday, September 27 from 10-4:30 at the Melville Marriott

LONG ISLAND, NY – Join us for the 6th annual Over 50 Fair, a celebration of life on Long Island for adults age 50+. Free consultations regarding your skin, feet, body, sleep apnea, finances and even adult orthodontia. Free popcorn. Free valet parking for easy in-and-out.

Businesses: A LIMITED number of Non-Profit Organization Table Space, For-Profit Company Table Space and Lobby Exhibitor Space still available. For more info, go to www.Over50Fair.com or call 516-621-1446.

Part health and wellness fair, part conference, and part activities and lifestyle expo with 90 exhibitors/vendors on hand. Spend the day enjoying 30 classes related to many aspects of your life: behavioral investing, social security benefits, health, and travel to fabulous places. Enjoy two comedy shows. Chef AJ of Fox TV’s MasterChef Junior (age 11) will be cooking quesadillas, and Edith Jason (age 80) will be leading a yoga class. Be wow-ed by a group psychic reading.

Learn about fabulous products for you and your home, such as weight loss, candles, pocketbooks, jewelry, and even some that are a tad naughty! Meet with Long Island’s best health and wellness practitioners. Find out about exciting travel opportunities. Experience terrific skin-care products you have been reading about. Get help for loved ones who need in-home care or an adult day program.

Bring non-perishable food or money to benefit The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) and receive raffle tickets to win wonderful prizes.

Tickets only $6 in advance, $8 at the door, and free for Veterans.

Sponsored by Country Foot Care, LongIsland.com, and Long Island Family Caregiver Coalition.

The Melville Marriott is located at 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747.

For more info, go to www.Over50Fair.com or call 516-621-1446.

$20 per person, with advance registration required

(Long Island, NY) Louis Comfort Tiffany’s designs in stained glass are recognizable around the world.  He chose to build his home, Laurelton Hall, in nearby Laurel Hollow, which has inspired the Oyster Bay Historical Society to create a studio of our own  and become Tiffany for a Day.

Using stained glass paint, attendees will choose a design and compose an original, framed piece of art that can hang from your window rail.  We will be working with a single glass pane and suggest that participants be thirteen years of age or older.

Louis Comfort Tiffany design in stained glass. Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Historical Society.

Pre-register and choose your design online at www.oysterbayhistorical.org. Examples of Tiffany glass will be on view for this event only. Pre-registration is required for all participants.

The program takes place on Sunday, September 20, from 1-3 pm at the Historical Society’s Angela Koenig Center at 20 Summit Street in Oyster Bay. The fee of $15 per person includes all supplies, with light refreshments provided.  Call 516-922-5032 or email obhslibrary@optonline.net for all program details.

UPDATE: Giovanni Saccente, 50, of West Babylon, has been identified as the man who was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on New York Avenue in Huntington Station on August 28.

Saccente remains hospitalized at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. 

Below is the original release.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a man in Huntington Station on Thursday, August 28.

A man was driving a 1991 Mazda SUV southbound on New York Avenue when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole north of Schwab Road at approximately 2:20 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a man in Huntington Station on Thursday, August 28. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The victim was transported by Huntington Community First Aid Squad to Huntington Hospital and later transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset with serious injuries.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

(Long Island, NY) The Seventh Precinct reports the details of an aided case that occurred in Massapequa on Friday, 08/28/15 at 1:30 A.M.

According to police officers, a male aided, 27, while at his residence overdosed on Heroin.

Nassau County Police reports the details of an aided case that occurred in Massapequa on Friday, 08/28. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Nassau County Police Ambulance AMT administered Narcan to the aided, who was found unconscious with labored breathing.

The aided was transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay III announced today that he has received the endorsement of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, for his reelection on Tuesday, November 3rd.

The Long Island Federation of Labor represents over 250,000 members island-wide, which include a wide array of union workers from teachers to technicians, public employees to painters, bus drivers to bricklayers, retail, auto, janitorial, utility, healthcare, and construction workers. The Federation is the voice for the Long Island labor movement and Long Island’s working families.

“Earning the endorsement of the hard working men and women of the Long Island Federation of Labor is truly an honor, said Legis. Lindsay III. “I will always continue to fight for good paying jobs and benefits that build the middle class on Long Island and I’m proud that our workers are are confident in my record which focuses on fiscal responsibility, transparency and good government.

In his first term, Lindsay III, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, helped put Suffolk County’s finances back on track by holding the line on taxes and passing two consecutive balanced budgets that did not exceed the tax cap. He led the fight to consolidate the Suffolk County Treasurer’s office and the Suffolk County Comptroller’s office, which reduced management, secured civil service jobs, made the office more efficient, and saved 1.29 million dollars.  In addition, Lindsay III also co-sponsored a measure that adds language to an existing County law that requires contractors bidding on County contracts to actually graduate apprentices from a New York State certified apprenticeship program.

“Bill Lindsay is a man that has an intimate understanding of the Long Island Labor Movement.  He grew up in a household that instilled in him values and courage to fight for working people with conviction,” said John Durso, President of the LI Federation of Labor. As an elected official he has a proven track record of advocating for the working men and women of Suffolk County. I am proud to say that Legislator Lindsay has the full support of our membership for his re-election efforts on November 3rd.”

Legislator Bill Lindsay III represents the 8th legislative district which consists of Bayport, Blue Point, Bohemia, Holbrook, Holtsville, Oakdale, Sayville, West Sayville and parts of North Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, and Medford.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory today joined officials from the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in driving the first spike of a second track between the Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale stations.  The second track will allow for increased service on the Ronkonkoma branch, with trains running in both directions every 30 minutes during off-peak hours.

“Investing in our infrastructure is crucial to easing traffic congestion,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Additionally, the Double Track Project will create jobs and boost our economy, while making the commute to the city more convenient. If we are to keep our young people on Long Island, we must make it easier for them to get here. My colleagues and I look forward to our continued partnership with the LIRR as we work to improve our transit system, which will in turn improve our quality of life.”

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, at podium, today joined MTA Long Island Rail Road officials in driving the first spike of a second track between the Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale stations. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, left, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, center, look on. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“The 4-mile stretch between Ronkonkoma and Central Islip is the first leg of the Double Track Project that will ultimately bring half-hourly, off-peak service to the Ronkonkoma branch, improve service reliability and support economic growth by constructing a second track of 18 miles to Farmingdale,” said LIRR President Patrick A. Nowakowski. “When complete, east and westbound trains will operate simultaneously between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma. This will mean better reverse peak service to help spur the growth of employment centers on Long Island.”

The Suffolk County Legislature last month approved a comprehensive master plan that calls for the construction of double track projects, as well as for transit-oriented developments around LIRR stations. For more information on the Ronkonkoma Branch Double Track Project, visit the MTA website. To read the master plan in its entirety, visit the Suffolk County Legislature website.

(Long Island, NY) The Queens man arrested last month for driving drunk and leaving the scene of a fatal crash on the Southern State Parkway after he rear-ended a car killing a St. Albans father and his two children pleaded not guilty to the top count of aggravated vehicular homicide and 39 other charges – including crimes alleging his participation in a credit card fraud ring – at his arraignment in Central Islip today, Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota said.

If convicted of the top charge Oniel Sharpe Jr. would face up to 25 years in state prison.  He is also charged with vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, driving while intoxicated, tampering with physical evidence, following too closely, reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane, failing to signal, and failing to stay in his designated lane, as well as 23 charges of  criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree.

The forged instrument counts are for the 23 counterfeit cards investigators found hidden in the steering column of the BMW X-5 Sharpe was driving.

The fiery crash near exit 41 of the parkway on July 12 killed the driver, Ancio Ostane, 37, of Queens, and his two children, Andy, 8, and Sephora, 4.

Also arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho in Central Islip:

Demetri Stewart of Cambria Heights Queens, the man who drove Sharpe away from the crash scene, delaying Sharpe’s arrest by over four hours.  Stewart, 23, is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, hindering prosecution, criminal facilitation, making a sworn false statement and possession of marijuana.

Courtney Sharpe, 24, of Springfield Gardens Queens who pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument and two counts of attempted identity theft.

Sheon Richards, 23, of St. Albans, who attended the barbeque with Sharpe and drove his BMW 328 sedan on the Parkway recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic with Sharpe, admitted to detectives that he was driving at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

“Remember, Sheon Richard’s is going 90 – 95 mph and he told investigators that at that speed, his friend, Oniel Sharpe Jr., is catching up to him – in fact witnesses who saw Sharpe’s car weaving from lane to lane estimate his speed to be between 120 – 130 mph,” District Attorney Spota said.

“So what we have occurring in the minutes just prior to this deadly crash –  there’s two men driving high performance BMW vehicles driving recklessly at extremely high rates of speed on the parkway after drinking at a party, and, as we know now, Oniel Sharpe is intoxicated,” said Spota.  More than four hours after the crash “during which time the alcohol he (Sharpe) consumed is dissipating” the DA said. Oniel Sharpe Jr. finally surfaced at his mother’s home in Rockville Centre where he was arrested by State Police Investigators.

Richards is charged in the indictment with speeding, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and failure to maintain lane.

During the news conference with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, District Attorney Spota said Sharpe and Stewart didn’t attempt to render aid at the scene and “instead the pair shamelessly sought to cover up their involvement in the crash by discarding evidence, leaving the scene and intentionally misleading and lying to investigators.”

A 12 second video the district attorney showed to reporters showed Sharpe, with the burning wreckage of the victims’ car in the background, retrieving a bottle from the backseat of his car and heaving the object away from his vehicle.   Accident investigators later retrieved the clear glass bottle of Patron Tequila from the brush near the crash scene.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone joined the DA at the news conference to renew the call in New York State for increasing the amount of prison time faced by a driver who decides to leave the scene of a fatal accident.   “This is the textbook example of a drunk driver who tries to evade responsibility for his actions and sober up before encountering the police.  This driver didn’t resurface until four hours after he rear-ended this car and destroyed an innocent family,” County Executive Bellone said.  “A driver convicted of that kind of behavior should face 15 years in prison upon conviction – eight more years behind bars than what today’s law provides.”

District Attorney Spota said the charges of credit card fraud in the indictment lodged against Oniel Sharpe and his cousin Courtney sprang from the discovery of 23 fraudulent credit cards state police investigators concealed in a pocket at the base of  the steering wheel column.

Oniel Sharpe Jr. – d/o/b  12/14/1990
Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
Bail – $500,000 cash / $1.5 million bond
Attorney – John Manley, Esq.

• 2 Counts – Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
• 2 Counts – Vehicular Manslaughter 1^st Degree
• 3 Counts – Manslaughter 2^nd Degree
• 1 Count – Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting
• 23 Counts – Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2^nd Degree
• 1 Count – Tampering with Physical Evidence
• 1 Count – Reckless Driving
• 2 Counts – Driving While Intoxicated
• 1 Count – Speeding
• 1 Count – Failing to Signal
• 1 Count – Failing to Stay in Designated Lane
• 1 Count – Overtaking on the Right
• 2 Counts – Following too Closely

Demetri A. Stewart – d/o/b  05/19/92
Jamaica, NY 11436
Bail – $150,000 cash / $300,000 bond
Attorney – Jeffrey Cohen, Esq.

• 1 Count – Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting
• 1 Count – Hindering Prosecution 2^nd Degree
• 1 Count – Criminal facilitation 4^th Degree
• 1 Count – Making an Apparently Sworn False Statement
• 1 Count – Unlawful Possession of Marihuana

Courtney Sharpe – d/o/b  9/24/90
Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
Bail – $10,000 cash / $20,000 bond
Attorney – James Froccaro, Esq.

• 2 Counts – Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2^nd Degree
• 1 Count – Attempted Identity Theft 1^st Degree
• 1 Count – Attempted Identity Theft 3^rd Degree

Sheon Richards – d/o/b 12/5/89
St. Albans, NY 11412
Bail – ROR’d
Attorney – Stephan J. Siegel, Esq.

• 1 Count – Reckless Driving
• 1 Count – Reckless Endangerment 2^nd Degree
• 1 Count – Speeding
• 1 Count – Failure to Maintain Lane

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.