(Long Island, NY) Gas and coal power plants will pollute 32 percent less and clean energy sources such as wind and solar will meet more of the nation’s electricity needs, according to new carbon pollution limits that are central to President Obama’s plan to address climate change. The final Clean Power Plan, scheduled to be unveiled on Monday, is expected to be stronger than the original, which required a 30 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Heather Leibowitz, Executive Director of Environment New York , issued the following statement:

“The Clean Power Plan is poised to be the single biggest action the U.S. has ever taken on climate. We’re thrilled to hear the final version will do even more to cut global warming pollution than the draft. Cracking down on coal and gas while ramping up wind, solar, and other clean energy sources will protect our families’ health today and ensure a safer climate for the future.

“This historic plan is possible thanks to bold leadership from President Obama and the millions of Americans who called for strong climate action. With continued commitment from the Obama administration and backing of the American people, the U.S. can help steer the world’s leaders to stave off the worst of the climate crisis.”

Environment America is the national federation of statewide, citizen-based advocacy organizations working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.

Rice releases op-ed announcing opposition to the final agreement with Iran

(Long Island, NY) Three weeks ago, President Obama announced that American and international negotiators reached a final agreement with Iranian leaders restricting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

I’ve since taken time to study the text of the proposed deal, and I’ve consulted with negotiators, nuclear experts, and my constituents.

President Obama entered into negotiations with Iran because he is a president interested in peace, in Israel’s security, and in avoiding the human and financial sacrifices of another American war in the Middle East. I share these goals, and I genuinely believe the President sees this deal as the best chance of achieving them. But I do not.

It’s inarguable that Iran’s top policy priority is to obtain a nuclear weapon. Our top policy priority in this region is to prevent them from achieving that goal. If we are to believe this is a good deal for our interests, then we must believe that Iran has either entered into a deal against its interests, or that Iranian priorities have changed. The former would be illogical and we’ve seen no evidence of the latter. The only alternative conclusion is that Iran believes this deal does not compromise their agenda – and that’s deeply problematic.

This deal represents a pause, not an end, to Iran’s quest for a nuclear weapon. While no deal or action – whether economic, diplomatic, or military – can ensure a disarmed Iran in perpetuity, this deal’s search for peace seems too willing to gamble on social progress in Iran, especially when Iranian leaders show little interest in helping to foster it – and even less in becoming anything near a responsible ally in the region. Here, the President is displaying an admirable political vision and optimism, but I just don’t trust the progress of that social experiment enough to pay the cost of this gamble’s security risk.

And the fact that sanctions can snap back into place if Iran cheats doesn’t give me enough confidence to counter that risk. The sanctions we imposed on Iran that proved successful were only successful over time. No matter how quickly we can re-impose these measures in the event we catch Iran cheating, it will take years to recreate the economic pressure that we know influences their decision making.

One of the biggest questions throughout this process has been whether outside inspectors will have the ability to tell if Iran is abiding by this deal. I’m skeptical that they will. The fact that Iran would not agree to “anywhere, anytime” access is troubling – and an apparent continuation of Iran’s history of deception.

And what if they do cheat? How will Iran be punished if they commit minor violations, if they operate even one centrifuge more than the allowable limit? How far will Iran have to cross the line to warrant sanctions snapping back? Who will decide what sanctions are re-imposed and how quickly we will have them in place? This ambiguity gives me little confidence that Iran will be sufficiently deterred from bending – if not breaking – the rules of the pact, and all the while they will continue to reap the financial rewards of our concessions.

Iranian nuclear ambition isn’t the nation’s only irresponsible agenda. Iran wants international legitimacy. I’m bothered that we seem poised to grant such legitimacy without requiring Iranian concessions on its sponsorship of terror. I’m unwilling to help economically empower an Iranian regime that could use the cash influx to make more muscular its support of terror and more aggressive its antagonism of Israel and our other allies in the region. And I’m unwilling to grant such economic and political legitimacy to a regime that prides itself on its persecution of women, children, journalists, religious minorities and political dissidents.

I find the main argument for this deal – that the only alternative is war – to be a false choice. As President Obama has stated, his actions and economic sanctions brought Iran to the table. If that is true, and I believe it is, then why wouldn’t continued political and economic pressure improve our leverage in forcing Iran to agree to a better deal? The tipping point in such leverage must be Iran giving up its nuclear arms ambition, and renouncing and defunding its terror tentacles in the region and abroad.

Diplomacy was working, and we shouldn’t pull the plug on it. Instead, we need to convince our P5+1 partners that a better deal can be had by keeping the sanctions in place. With China and Russia eager to trade with Iran, that won’t be easy. But imagine how difficult it will be to rally this group to force Iran’s hand after they begin reaping the benefits of Iranian trade.

I suspect this deal will pass. I hope that history will ultimately prove President Obama right in his gamble on diplomacy and social progress in Iran. But for me, it is a risk I cannot support. It’s a gift of political legitimacy and economic empowerment that requires too little Iranian maturation across too little of its dangerous agenda. For the sake of peace, we can do better.

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement today on the death of Raynette Turner:

“My office’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit will investigate the death of Raynette Turner, consistent with Executive Order No. 147 and a conforming order to be issued by the Governor at my request.”

View Executive Order No. 147 here.

(Long Island, NY) On Sunday, August 23^rd, Great Strides Long Island and Project 9 Line are partnering to raise community awareness and garner financial support for their veterans’ programs, with a Family Fun Day.  This event will be open to local community members, veterans and their families.  The Family Fun Day will consist of fun family activities hosted at Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island – barbeque, live music, hay rides, bounce house, face painting, horse rides and more! The highlight of this event will be their first annual Chili contest.  Contestants will vie for the $150 prize and the Chili Champion Crown!

• When:
  12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Sunday, August 23, 2015
• Where:
  Saddle Rock Ranch
  41 Coram-Swezeytown Rd
  Middle Island, NY 11953

Entrance $10 per person or $20 per family
VETERANS ARE FREE!

Proceeds benefit Project 9 Line and Great Strides Long Island programs for veterans. For more information on this event, call Julie at 631-786-9708. For information on Great Strides Long Island, visit our website at greatstridesli.org. To learn about Project 9 Line visit project9line.org.

Great Strides Long Island, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)Not-for-Profit Organization founded in 2009. Great Strides is dedicated to offering the physical, developmental and emotional benefits of the horse human relationship to children and adults of all ages and abilities through therapeutic riding, programs for veterans and their families, Mommy and Me and summer programs. Hosted at Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island, NY, Great Strides Long Island brings all people into a world where horses touch their lives with grace, power and gentleness and helps them develop confidence and physical and emotional strength.

Project 9 line is a 501C3 non-profit whose mission is to support Veterans by providing multiple avenues for them to communicate their experiences to promote a healthy transition back to civilian life. The reintegration process is very difficult and Project 9 Line will assist them in the recovery process, through networking, meetings and workshops where they can link up with other Veterans who have already been through the system and are familiar with it. This way the Veteran can maximize their benefits with the help of the experienced Veteran. Our main objective is to create multiple venues for the Veterans to showcase their talent and share their experiences through the Arts and other outlets: Musical concerts, art shows, photography, dance, theatrical events and other activities.  Project 9 Line will create the venues for Veterans and civilians to share their art with the world together so we can work together to help the Veteran community acclimate to civilian life.  Project 9 Line. Empowering Veterans with Reintegration through the Arts and Entrepreneurship. 1Team.1 Fight.

(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 women who stole items from a Dix Hills store.

Two women entered the CVS store located at 2000 Jericho Turnpike and stole 7 allergy nasal sprays on July 22 at 12:45 p.m. First Squad detectives are also investigating another case in which the same suspects stole more than $1,000 worth of medicine at a CVS store in North Babylon on the same day at approximately 11:15 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the women who stole items from a Dix Hills store. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

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 Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a female who struck a parked vehicle in Huntington Station.

A woman driving a newer model Honda Pilot made a left turn onto 1st Avenue in Huntington Station and struck the rear of a parked vehicle on July 21, 2015 at approximately 7:10 a.m. The driver of the Honda, which was dark-colored and had gold New York State plates, fled the scene.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a female who struck a parked vehicle in Huntington Station. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The woman is described as possibly Hispanic with dark hair. She was wearing a white t-shirt and tan pants.

A woman driving a Honda Pilot struck the rear of a parked vehicle on 1st Avenue and fled the scene. 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) The Arson Bomb Squad reports the details of a fire that occurred on Sunday, August 02, 2015 at 3:00 a.m. in East Rockaway.

According to detectives, Fourth Precinct officers responded to a building on West Boulevard for a garage fire.  Upon arrival officers discovered the unoccupied garage was fully engulfed in flames.

Nassau County Police reports the details of a fire that occurred on Sunday, August 02 in East Rockaway. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Several neighboring Fire Departments, including East Rockaway, Oceanside, Lynbrook, Rockville Center and Hewlett responded with 10 trucks and 60 fire personnel and extinguished the fire.

The fire damaged three adjoining properties and three vehicles.  No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is deemed non suspicious and the investigation is ongoing.

(Long Island, NY) Third Squad detectives report the arrest of two individuals for a Burglary that occurred on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:52 pm in Great Neck.

According to detectives, David Jimenez, 17, of College Point and Felipe Sanchez, 20, of New York along with an unknown third individual (no description) were observed entering a residence on Udall Drive.

Nassau County Police report the arrest of David Jimenez, 17, of College Point, for a Burglary that occurred on Saturday, August 1 in Great Neck. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The witness called 911 and responding officers located the defendants in the vicinity of 1010 Northern Boulevard and were placed in custody without incident. Recovered at the scene was a safe that was removed from the residence.

The investigation is ongoing.

Nassau County Police report the arrest of Felipe Sanchez, 20, of New York, for a Burglary that occurred on Saturday, August 1 in Great Neck. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Both defendants are charged with Burglary 2nd degree and were arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead on Sunday, August 2, 201506/14/2014.

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) Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Huntington Station on Saturday, August 1.

Antonio Molina, of Huntington Station, was walking on New York Avenue, 100 feet north of East 18th Street at 10:55 p.m. when he attempted to cross the road and was struck by a 2002 Jeep that was traveling northbound on New York Avenue.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Huntington Station on Saturday, August 1. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Molina, 20, was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital where he is listed in serious condition.

The driver of the Jeep, Erin Kelly, 26, of Huntington Station, was not injured in the crash.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

(Long Island, NY) Fourth Squad detectives report the details of a Serious Aided Case that occurred on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 12:50 pm in East Atlantic Beach.

According to detectives, while attempting to hang an American Flag across the middle of Buffalo Avenue to celebrate a residential block party, a 27 year old male victim used a weighted plastic bottle attached to a rope to throw over electrical wires. The rope eventually overhung a high tension wire (7620 volts).

Nassau County Police report the details of a Serious Aided Case that occurred on Saturday, August 1, in East Atlantic Beach. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

In an attempt to get the rope and bottle off the electrical line, the victim, using a metal skylight/awning pole, stood on the edge of a second story floor porch, contacted the wire and was subsequently electrocuted causing him to go into cardiac arrest and fall off the ledge of the porch.

Witnessing neighbors, including a nurse and an off duty Old Westbury Police Department Police Officer, ran to his aid and performed CPR while 911 was contacted.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and was admitted in serious but stable condition.

Residents are reminded that contact in any manner with overhead wires, regardless of their origin, can be extremely hazardous and should avoided.