(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Aquarium is pleased to announce the arrival of BUGS, a new collection within the Exhibition Center. Featuring the largest assortment of living bugs in New York and one of the most diverse in North America, the exhibit includes a large variety of ants, spiders,beetles and other bugs found around the world.

Leaf Insects. Photo Credit: Long Island Aquarium.

A part of the Butterflies, Bugs & Birds exhibit, there are three components to the new collection.  The first includes Leafcutter ants and shows guests how these small but mighty insects live together in the tropical rainforests of South America.  The “Bug Bungalow” showcases some amazing tropical insects, including the Giant Orbweaving Spider, Leaf Insects, Grasshoppers and more.  The final section features “Venomous, Jewels & Giants,” some of the most venomous, most beautiful and largest insects and spiders in the world.  The “Venomous” collection includes feared favorites like the Black Widow and the Brazilian Wandering Spider, the deadliest spider in the world.  “Jewels” feature insects that have brilliant colors and elegant forms, including gem colored Stag Beetles and Orchid Mantises. “Giants” contain creatures like the Hercules Beetle, one of the largest and strongest insects in the world and giant stick insects as long as a person’s forearm!

Goliath Birdeater. Photo Credit: Long Island Aquarium.

Sponsored by Suburban Exterminating, this new exhibit offers guests a look at some of the most amazing and bizarre insects in the world. Along with a Beginner Entomology Class offered in the fall, curators hope guests will gain an appreciation of interesting insects found locally as well as from far-away lands.  Jeffry Petracca, Exhibit Entomologist, said “It is important that people understand that insects are animals and the vast majority of them serve important functions in the natural world. Without them, life as we know it, could not exists.”

Elephant Beetle. Photo Credit: Long Island Aquarium.

The Exhibition Center, featuring the Butterflies, Bugs & Birds exhibit is included with aquarium admission and is opened daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  Don’t bug out if you haven’t seen it yet, this exhibit will be available to the public for several years to come.

About Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center
This privately-owned aquarium features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, butterflies from all over the world, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Butterflies, Bugs& Birds, Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, Pirate Snorkel, Shark Keeper, and more! Located in Riverhead, on the east end of Long Island, guests are encouraged to learn about what lives within the local waters, with exhibits showcasing local flora and fauna, as well as exotic, tropical displays.

Named a Top 10 Aquarium for Children by Parents Magazine, Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center is open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm year-round (Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving Days). You can add to the fun with an overnight stay at the waterfront Hyatt Place Long Island/East Endlocated adjacent to the Aquarium property.  For more information, please visit www.LongIslandAquarium.com.

(Long Island, NY) An audit by Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos of the Treasurer’s Office found procedural weaknesses with the collection of the approximately $2 million annual County Entertainment Ticket Surcharge Tax. The Treasurer’s Office did not require event operators to submit missing tax returns and/or information missing from filed tax returns on a few occasions. Tax receipts were also not always deposited on a timely basis, and supporting documents to ensure taxes were accurately reported were not being examined. Our previous review of Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, operator of the Nassau Coliseum SMG and NYCB Theatre in Westbury found errors and omissions in entertainment tax that could have been detected had the Treasurer’s Office examined the filed returns. The County Attorney is currently in the process of collecting the $727,000 now owed to the County.

“When our local residents are struggling to pay their property taxes, any weakness in collecting other taxes which can lessen their burden is unacceptable,” said Comptroller George Maragos. “We are pleased that the Treasurer’s Office has agreed to tighten collections and oversight”

The Nassau County (“the County”) Administrative Code Article 3a imposes an entertainment surcharge tax of $1.50 per ticket for entertainment events held in the County for venues with permanent seating capacity in excess of 2,500 seats. Tax-exempt organizations are exempt from the tax.  According to New York Tax Law Chapter 179.2 (Section 1202(d)(iii)), “…such tax may be collected and administered by the county treasurer or other fiscal officers of Nassau county by such means and in such manner as other taxes which are now collected and administered by such officers or as otherwise may be provided by such local law, ordinance or resolution”

The full version of the report is available on the Comptroller’s website.

Connect with Nassau County Comptroller Maragos Online: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Comptroller/index.html

Local Firefighters to Compete for World Record

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Legislator – Public Safety Chair Dennis Dunn and Hempstead Town Officials will join local South Shore fire department officials in a press conference tomorrow, Friday, August 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM to announce the Annual Long Island Clam Eating Contest that will take place this Sunday at the famous Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park. Funds raised from the event will benefit local South Shore firehouses that sustained damages from Superstorm Sandy. Local fire houses and equipment were devastated as a result of the storm. International food-eating champion, Ed “Cookie” Jarvis, who holds several world records and the American record for eating 30 1/2 hot dogs in ten minutes, will be at the announcement to demonstrate competitive eating to the firefighters.

Firehouses from Island Park, Long Beach, Lakeview, Baldwin, Point Lookout and East Rockaway will send some of their best eaters to chow down on hundreds of clams to compete for cash prizes. The current World Record for clam eating is 26 dozen Cherrystone Clams in 6 minutes set at Peter’s Clam Bar in 2010.

In addition to the firehouse contest, there will be another contest open for the public with an entrance fee of $20, which will be donated to the winning firehouse. The public contest will also have cash prizes. Entrance fees for participating firefighters will be waived. Registration will be held on the day of the event.

Long Island’s history, culture and traditions are closely linked to clams. The first coastal inhabitants of New York called Long Island the “Island of Shells” in recognition of the vast numbers of clam, oyster and other shells deposited on its shore. According to the New York Seafood Council, in the 1970s more than half of the clams eaten in the United States were from Long Island. At their peak population, clams filtered 40 percent of the water within the bay and contributed over $100 million to the local economy. Peter’s Clam bar has served the Long Island community for over 75 years.

WHEN:

• 2:00 PM
  Friday, August 14, 2015

WHERE:

• Peter’s Clam Bar
  600 Long Beach Road
  Island Park, NY

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of two Brooklyn men for possession of forged instruments that occurred in Westbury on Thursday, 08/13/15 at 4:05 P.M.

According to detectives, Sheldon Modeste, 23, and Peter Forde, 23, while shopping in Micro Center located at 655 Merrick Ave., made purchases using fraudulent re-encoded credit cards.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Sheldon Modeste, 23, of Brooklyn, for possession of forged instruments that occurred in Westbury on Thursday, 08/13. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Third Precinct police officers responded to the scene after being notified by the store manager, and found defendant Modeste in his vehicle in the parking lot to be in possession of four fraudulent credit cards. Police officers recovered 84 Alprazolam pills from the vehicle. Defendant Forde was found in the store attempting to make a purchase and was found to be in possession of three fraudulent credit cards.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Peter Forde, 23, of Brooklyn, for possession of forged instruments that occurred in Westbury on Thursday, 08/13. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Modeste is being charged with four counts of Possession Forged Instrument 2nd Degree. Forde is being charged with three counts of Possession Forged Instrument 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th Degree. Both defendants will be arraigned on Friday, 08/14/15 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) Homecoming Farm is pleased and proud to honor Christopher Iavarone of Iavarone Brothers at their annual fundraiser. The fundraiser, A Harvest Homecoming, will be held on September 27, 2015 in the Helen Butler Hall from Noon – 4:30 P.M. Helen Butler Hall is located at Dominican Village at 565 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. For more information, please contact: Elizabeth at sophiagardengrow@aol.com or 631-842-6000, Ext. 307.

A Harvest Homecoming will feature music; dancing; great raffles; delicious food; and wine. There will be special activities for children. Tickets are $60 per adult, $10 per child, Special Table of Ten pricing, $550. Special sponsorship and Memory Book Page opportunities are available.

Christopher Iavarone is part of the fourth generation of his family to carry on the Iavarone family tradition of excellence. A native Long Islander, Iavarone is the manager of the Wantagh store, which is where Homecoming Farm made the connection with his wonderful family and great Italian food. He has been a wonderful promoter and supporter of Homecoming Farm. Every event where food is offered, he directs our selection, and the raves follow!

Homecoming Farm is a three-acre NOFA NY LLC certified organic farm located on the land of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. They grow beautiful organic vegetables, herbs and flowers for their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members and the guests of The Interfaith Nutrition Network (The INN). Last year, we donated over 3,000 lbs. of their farm-fresh, organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs to The INN. The emphasis at Homecoming Farm is on organic farm practices, sustainability and community.

Homecoming Farm is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. They are committed to the belief that the human and natural world is one community of life. They believe that when we care for the Earth, we care for ourselves, each other, and future generations while creating sustainable communities.

(Long Island, NY) At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting hosted by Manhasset-Lakeville Water District Commissioners Donald T. O’Brien, Brain J. Morris and Mark Saugvine, Peter Logan, Superintendent of the Jericho Water District, addressed the issue of nitrate removal.

Pictured from left to right during a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting addressing the issue of nitrate removal are: NSWCA Treasurer and Hicksville Water District Commissioner Karl M. Schweitzer, a former past President of NSWCA; NSWCA 1st VP and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Raymond J. Averna; NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Thomas P. Hand; Guest Speaker Jericho Water District Superintendent Peter Logan; Manhasset-Lakeville Water District Commissioner Donald T. O’Brien; NSWCA 2nd VP and Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader; NSWCA Secretary and Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello. Photo Credit: NSWCA.

Held in conjunction with NSWCA’s Continuing Education and Training Series, Mr. Logan was introduced by Jericho Water District Chairman and past NSWCA President Nicholas Bartilucci. During the discussion Mr. Logan noted that “On Long Island, sewage, septic systems and runoff from lawns carry nitrates into the groundwater.  Consequently some areas are experiencing a significant rise in nitrate levels, which must be carefully monitored, and in many cases, managed through nitrate removal.”

Referring to a proposed nitrate removal plant located in Jericho beneath the elevated water storage tank, Mr. Logan commented, “The project is three years in the making, not unusual for a project of this scope.  Essentially, we will consolidate two wells with both elevated nitrate and VOC levels, via a proposed 12” transmission main, and combine the treatment into one large plant.  Both wells will be treated at the one site, using ion exchange for removing the nitrates and Packed Tower Aeration for the VOC removal.”

Jericho Water District Superintendent Peter Logan addresses the issue of nitrate removal with NSWCA water commissioners during a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting. Photo Credit: NSWCA.

NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Thomas P. Hand added, “Given the need to protect Long Island’s sole source aquifer, Peter Logan’s presentation was informative and very timely.  The expectation is that more nitrate removal systems will need to be built to accommodate the water needs of the Long Island population.”

Originally from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Mr. Logan is a long time Syosset resident.  With the Jericho Water District since 1978, he has served as District Superintendent since 2003.  He als holds a IB Water Plant Operator’s license issued by the New York State Department of Health.

About Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association
Organized and chartered in 1981, Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau and Suffolk County water districts.  The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.

Building Courage, Confidence and Character at Sea Through Transformative Adventure

(Long Island, NY) Six teenaged US Naval Sea Cadets (ages 13-18) from Long Island will set sail on the Nada; a 47-ft. sailing vessel from Mt. Sinai Harbor (Cedartown Beach) on Friday, August 14 at 4 p.m. The transformative adventure for these young men is sponsored by Retlif Testing Laboratories (Ronkonkoma, NY). Cadets will join with the Captain and three experienced crewmen.

The voyage will be for 6 full days and nights to Connecticut, Cape Cod and back to Mt. Sinai on August 20. The voyage will include site tours and training. This adventure for the young sailors will empower them with confidence, courage and character as their lives are transformed through this opportunity to sail the Nada after having hands-on training in coastal navigation and seamanship.

DATE: 

• Friday, August 14, 2015

TIME: 

• NOON – 4:00 p.m. (media availability for interviews, photo/video)

LOCATION:  

• Mt. Sinai Harbor, Mt. Sinai 11766
  Town of Brookhaven, Harbor Beach Road
  Cedar Beach Park Boat Launch and Docks
  Pass the ticket gate and make left (parking lot for docks)
  Boat will be at C, E or F Dock

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau reports a joint investigation between the Robbery Squad and the Hempstead Police Department has led to the arrest of Frederick Z. Rogers, 32, (no known address) for a bank robbery that occurred on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 1:01pm in West Hempstead.

According to Robbery Squad detectives, Rogers entered the Bank of America located at 60 Hempstead Avenue, approached a teller and made a verbal demand for money. After obtaining an undetermined amount of US currency, Rogers fled on foot eastbound on Hempstead Avenue.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Frederick Z. Rogers, 32, for a bank robbery that occurred on Tuesday, August 11 in West Hempstead. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

There were four employees and no customers present at the time of the Robbery. No injuries were reported.

The defendant is charged with Robbery 3rd Degree and for a Violation of a Parole Warrant. Rogers will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Friday, August 14, 2015.

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

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 Attorneys General of New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York issued the following statement in response to the filing by the state of West Virginia in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that seeks a stay of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Rule:

“West Virginia and other states have filed a request to stay the Clean Power Plan, a new federal rule that will protect Americans from the harmful impacts of climate change on our economies, environment, and public health.  Like West Virginia’s challenge to the proposed rule, which was dismissed by the courts, this filing is premature.  If and when requests to stay the final rule are timely filed, after the rule has been published in the Federal Register, our coalition will formally oppose them.”

Attorney General Schneiderman, joined by a coalition of nine other attorneys general and the City of New York, wrote to the EPA last week expressing “strong support” for final rules of the Obama Administration that – for the first time – limit emissions of climate change pollution from existing and new fossil fuel-burning power plants. The letter stated that the coalition members fully anticipate defending the rules if they are challenged in court.

(Long Island, NY) Senator Tom Croci, in partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, join together to host the first annual “Child Safety Day” event to provide free services for child safety, including car seat safety instructions and demonstrations; child photo ID cards; bicycle safety; anti-bullying services; and free self-defense lessons. There will also be presentations by the Patchogue Fire Department and Patchogue Ambulance Company regarding family safety during an emergency. This event is open to the public and will include free games for children as well as free refreshments.

WHEN: Sunday, August 16, 2015
TIME: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Shorefront Park, Smith Street, Patchogue

All interested members of the media are invited to attend.