(Long Island, NY) The Third Squad reports the arrest of a Saint Albans man for Criminal Possession of a Weapon that occurred on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 7:20 a.m. in Hempstead.

According to detectives, officers from the Bureau of Special Operations, CIRRT Task Force conducted a Vehicle and Traffic stop on northbound Bennett Avenue.  During the investigation the defendant Derrick Nettles, 21, was asked to produce his license.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Derrick Nettles, 21, of Saint Albans, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon that occurred on Wednesday, July 15, in Hempstead. Photo Credit: NCPD.

As the defendant opened the center console to retrieve his paperwork officers observed a silver handgun inside the console.  Officers removed the defendant from the vehicle and placed him into custody.  Officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from the center console.

The defendant is being charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd.  He will be arraigned on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 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.

Senator Tom Croci to host luncheon to honor distinguished Vietnam War Veteran inducted into the 2015 NYS Veterans Hall of Fame and the recipient of the NYS 2015 ‘Woman of Distinction’ Award

(Long Island, NY) Senator Tom Croci (R-C-I, Sayville) and Sayville VFW Post 433 Commander Joe White will host a luncheon to celebrate Sayville resident and Vietnam Veteran, Lt. Joan Furey.

“Lt. Furey is a true patriot, a dedicated community member and most importantly, someone always willing to sacrifice for others. I feel very proud to be part of the Sayville community that has the pleasure of letting her know how thankful we are for her lifelong commitment to public service and to veterans and their families here on Long Island,” said Senator Croci.

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “I am honored to join New York State Senator and Naval Commander Tom Croci to recognize Lt. Joan Furey for her dedicated service to our country and local community of Suffolk County. Lt. Furey bravely served our country during Vietnam, and continues to give back and serve our veteran community to this day. On behalf of the First Congressional District of New York, I would like to thank Lt. Furey and wish her the best on all future endeavors.”

Lt. Furey began her service as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps, later volunteering to deploy to Vietnam where she received the Bronze Star for her service as a staff nurse. Lt. Furey’s long list of accomplishments include a 30-year career at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she is recognized as a national leader on women’s military service and post-war health issues. Joan Furey also published a book of poetry entitled “Visions of War, Dreams of Peace,” which is a compilation of poetry by nurses from the Vietnam war. “I admire her courage, and that of her comrades, to put pen to paper and relive these experiences so that others may know the story,” said Senator Croci.

The luncheon will take place on Saturday, July 18 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sayville VFW Post 433 located at 400 Lakeland Avenue, Sayville.  The public and media are welcome.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police report the arrest of a Syosset woman for Driving While Intoxicated (Leandra’s Law) on July 14, 2015 at 10:40 pm in Westbury.

According to officers, a witness observed a 2000 Acura in the vicinity of 1085 Old Country Road being operated in an erratic manner. Third Precinct officers responded and located the defendant in front of The Dollar Store, 1057 Old Country Road. The defendant, Laura Cachell, 32, was found to be in an intoxicated condition and was placed under arrest. Subsequent to her arrest, officers recovered several pills including Oxycodone and Carisoprodol from her bag. At the time of her arrest, the defendant’s 9 year old and 8 year old daughters were in the vehicle. The defendant’s children were released to their grandfather at scene.

Nassau County Police report the arrest of Laura Cachell, 32, of Syosset, for Driving While Intoxicated (Leandra’s Law) on July 14, in Westbury. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Cachell is charged with two (2) counts of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Leandra’s Law), three (3) counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, two (2) counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Driving While Ability Impaired/ Combined Influence (Alcohol and Drugs), Driving While Ability Impaired (Drugs), Driving while Intoxicated and Driving While Ability Impaired. She will be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead on Thursday, July 16, 2015.

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.

DEC Tours Treated Area with Elected Officials

(Long Island, NY) NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) staff toured Henry’s Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest and Munn’s Pond County Park today with New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele to show the successful treatment of the area after a large infestation of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) was discovered on the site in November of 2014. This event, part of Invasive Species Awareness Week July 12-18, is designed to raise awareness about invasive species and to encourage all New Yorkers to take action to protect lands and waters from invasive species that can be harmful to human health, animal habitat, agriculture and tourism.

“DEC has worked diligently to slow the spread of Southern Pine Beetle throughout the Long Island Region,” said Acting Region One Director Ajay Shah. “The work done at the Henry’s Hollow and Munn’s Pond location shows that if we are dedicated, we can successfully manage this new threat. I would like to thank all the municipalities, agencies and organizations, along with our elected officials, for continuing to support Southern Pine Beetle management in New York.”

DEC staff cut down more than 2,000 infested pine trees to suppress the infestation this winter. After initial inspections and flyovers, the suppression effort has drastically reduced the beetle numbers and completely eliminated them from some areas. DEC also toured a SPB control site in East Quogue which has received no management and shows the widespread affect SPB can create when left untreated.

This tour, part of Invasive Species Awareness Week, is designed to raise awareness about invasive species and to encourage all New Yorkers to take action to protect lands and waters from invasive species that can be harmful to human health, animal habitat, agriculture and tourism.

DEC will focus new efforts at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest where a small infestation has been identified. A team of 12 DEC forestry experts assessed the property in early June to prepare for tree thinning operations. DEC’s Division of Forestry will use the information gained from this team to remove a percentage of trees throughout the state forest. This thinning operation will give the remaining trees access to more sunlight and nutrients, allowing them to strengthen and better resist the invading beetle.

“As someone who has worked to protect the Pine Barrens, the destruction wrought by the Southern Pine Beetle shocks the senses,” said Assemblyman Steve Englebright. “The DEC’s ongoing efforts to control the infestation and prevent further spread are substantial, rigorous and time-consuming. The new, costly environmental problem of South Pine Beetle infestation underscores the importance of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s parallel initiative to meet the myriad of problems that the processes of global warming is imposing upon our state. ”

NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele said, “I commend the Department of Environmental Conservation for their quick response efforts against the southern pine beetle. Catching an infestation early and taking the proper management procedures clearly goes a long way in helping to control the extent of damage. I look forward to working with the Department to ensure that the State has adequate resources to further protect our pine barrens from this pest.”

“The Long Island Pine Barrens is an indispensable part of our region’s ecosystem as it serves as a natural defense for our aquifers and drinking water supply,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “I applaud the DEC for their continued work to protect our vulnerable resources and reduce the spread of the Southern Pine Beetle throughout our region.”

“The Pine Barrens are not only a principal protector of the region’s groundwater, but also a unique and precious habitat,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst. “Every level of government has invested in safeguarding its future, and we commend the DEC for its swift and effective leadership to contain the infestation of the Southern Pine Beetle,” she said.

Suffolk County Legislator Robert Calarco said “I am glad to hear that the DEC has taken such proactive steps to stop the spread of the infestation and look forward to a further collaboration.”

DEC, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Central Pine Barrens Commission and Long Island municipalities began taking steps in January to further define the extent of the SPB infestation, with several agencies also beginning tree-cutting operations in an attempt to reduced additional damage.

Research in New Jersey and other affected states has shown that SPB in the northeast typically overwinters in the pupal stage, which made this past winter season an ideal window of opportunity to combat the infestation.

SPB is considered one of the most destructive forest pests in the United States and attacks all species of pine including pitch pine, the predominant species found in the Long Island Pine Barrens. Previous to its discovery last year on Long Island, it had reached as far north as New Jersey and has devastated almost 50,000 acres of pine barrens in their state. Town, county, state and federal agencies are working together to protect Long Island’s 55,000 acres of core pine barrens and the 100,000 acres of surrounding compatible growth of pine barrens which protect our sole source drinking water aquifer.

The accepted and most effective method of minimizing the spread of SPB includes cutting infested trees and thinning surrounding forested areas. Thinned forests enable individual trees to better defend themselves against beetle attacks. If untreated, SPB can move swiftly to nearby forested areas. Insecticides have been shown to be mostly ineffective against SPB, too costly to the environment and too great a threat to the sole source drinking water aquifer.

What You Can Do:

DEC urges the public to report any recently dead pine they encounter in the Long Island area, especially if there are several trees grouped together. Sightings should be reported to the Forest Health Diagnostic Lab through the toll-free information line, 1-866-640-0652 or by email, foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. If possible, accompany any reports via email with photos of the trees including close ups of any damage. An added item in the photo for scale, such as a penny, would help with identification.

A SPB fact sheet with photos and information related to the recent areas of discovery are available on DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99331.html.

Connect with DEC on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

New exhibit brings the inspiring words of some of the world’s most famous aviators to life

(Long Island, NY) The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s new exhibit, Aviators, Poets and Dreamers asks the question, “Why do we fly” and finds its answers in the poems and poetic writings of some of the world’s famous aviators.

The exhibit will feature photographs of well-known aviators such as Charles and Anne Lindbergh, Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Amelia Earhart as well as others like Bessie Coleman, John Gillespie Magee, Jr., and Beryl Markham combined with their beautiful prose. Visitors will be able to see how some of the world’s greatest aviators were inspired by their travels through the sky and in some cases into space.

“You’ll be immersed in the lore, history and poetry of aviators from the early days of flight to the space age,” said Andrew Parton, Executive Director of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. The exhibit will also include a poetry station where younger poets can try their hand at a few lines of verse which can be put on display as part of the exhibit or taken home.

This new exhibit is free with museum admission and will be on display from July 18th through Labor Day. The exhibit will be made available to libraries across Long Island as the Cradle’s first traveling exhibit. You can follow the exhibit’s life on social media via hashtag #AviatorsPoetsDreamers.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest collections of air and spacecraft in the world arranged in eight galleries that take you through over 100 years of air and space history. The Cradle is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. on Museum Row in the East Garden City/Uniondale area. For reservations and information please call 516-572-4066 or log onto www.cradleofaviation.org.

Letter Calls on Governor Cuomo to Endorse “Connect New York” Petition to PSC for Formal Proceeding Investigating Phone Deregulation

(Long Island, NY) In advance of an evening Public Service Commission hearing in New York City on the status of telecommunications services in the State, customers, advocates and phone workers joined elected officials today in a press conference to slam the impact of 20 years of telecommunications deregulation implemented by the PSC. The coalition of advocates released a letter it has sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo urging him to sign on to a petition filed in July 2014, which requested that the PSC initiate a full-blown proceeding to assess the impact of deregulation on the state’s telecommunications customers.  That petition was endorsed by 17 organizations and over 70 elected officials, and urged the PSC to explore deterioration of telephone service quality, a growing digital divide that leaves many New York communities as victims of a cable broadband monopoly, and whether Verizon is illegally misallocating its internal costs in order to exaggerate alleged financial losses on landline services.

“Fast and reliable internet service is the well-spring of New York City’s growing economy, but right now we are stalling out on the information superhighway, and falling behind cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and even Chatanooga,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “It’s time for Verizon FiOS to live up to the agreement it made with New York City and make 21st Century Internet available on every block and to every citizen, by investing in its workforce and its infrastructure, and recognizing that a deal is a deal.”

“The current state of the telecommunications market demonstrates self-regulation is not a successful strategy for the people of our state.  It is time for the Public Service Commission to act in the interest of New York’s consumers, not big business,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner.  “In many communities, including the City of Syracuse, there is no competition. Consumers have no choice but to pay sky-high bills for essential services while companies like Verizon, Time Warner, and Cablevision benefit. We must find a new way to deliver telecommunications services to all New Yorkers and the PSC must help lead that conversation for consumers.”

Verizon has been abandoning its landline network in New York City and around the state while failing to fully build out its state-of-the-art broadband network, or FiOS.  A recent New York City audit of Verizon’s FiOS rollout found that Verizon had failed to meet its promise to deliver high-speed fiber optic internet and television to everyone in the city who wanted it  During its negotiations for the city franchise, Verizon promised that the entire city would be wired with fiber optic cables by June 2014 and that after that date, everyone who wanted FiOS could get it within six months to a year.

“Whether it’s a question of maintaining quality phone service for customers who still rely on copper lines, or meeting its contractual obligations to provide FiOS to every NYC consumer, Verizon acts as though the rules simply don’t apply to them.  Shareholders and executives always come first for Verizon, and consumers are left holding the bag,” said Bob Master, Legislative and Political Director for Communications Workers of America District 1.  “Now is the time for the PSC to step up and hold Verizon accountable.”

“New York consumers have paid a high price for 20 years of deregulation of telecommunications services, through skyrocketing monthly bills, inferior quality of service, and inadequate competition and choice,” said Chuck Bell, Programs Director for Consumers Union.  “We urge the Public Service Commission to conduct a formal proceeding on the status and condition of the New York telecommunications system, to investigate current and projected levels of investment, service quality, and public expectations for basic and essential services.   This is a foundational step for the PSC to fulfill its legal mandate to provide high quality, affordable service for all consumers.”

Assemblyman Walter Mosley said, “I applaud the New York State Public Service Commission for convening these series of public hearings on Verizon’s delay at expanding access to high-speed Internet for millions of New Yorkers. The failure of Verizon to meet its obligations of providing access to an alternate internet service provider is troubling, as digital services becomes increasingly an important component of the economic infrastructure of our nation.  It is vital that New Yorkers throughout the state have access to high-speed affordable Internet capabilities. We must continue to do everything possible in order to make New York State a competitor in the 21st century global economy.”

“We would have universal broadband in New York City, if only Verizon had kept its promise to provide universal fiber to every home, as was required by the 2008 franchise agreement. Countless New Yorkers have tried to get fiber in their homes only to be told it was ‘unavailable,’ and I know because I am one of them,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “The city’s shocking audit shows Verizon did not deliver on its word to do just that, stalling the city’s modernization for years. Now, I join the Mayor and advocates to strongly call on Verizon to do what is right and make good on its promises so that all New Yorkers can access high-speed Internet.”

The Connect New York coalition, which includes advocacy organizations like Common Cause and Consumers Union, as well as numerous elected officials, is demanding that the PSC take action to reverse declining Verizon service quality and to ensure that hundreds of thousands of New York City customers are not condemned to a cable monopoly for broadband and video services.

Rates for basic telephone service have increased in recent years, even as Verizon has refused to expand broadband services and service quality has greatly deteriorated. Verizon refuses to build FiOS in any major upstate city, including Buffalo, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Albany, Binghamton, Beacon or Newburgh.  Verizon’s declining service quality especially affects customers who cannot afford more advanced cable services, or who live in areas with few options for cable or wireless services.

In 2005, New York’s Public Service Commission (PSC) eliminated automatic fines for Verizon’s telephone service quality failures, reasoning that “market competition” would improve services.  Instead, service quality plunged. In the 3rd quarter of 2010, Verizon cleared only 1.2% of out of service complaints within 24 hours, almost 79 percentage points lower than the PSC’s 80% requirement.  Rather than reverse course, the PSC changed its measurements, cutting out 92% of customers from service quality measurements and consolidating 28 repair service bureaus into 5 regions.  On paper, terrible service quality was almost miraculously transformed. In reality, service quality continued to decline.

The PSC recently issued an 81 page “Staff Assessment of Telecommunications Services,” which largely whitewashes the problems that have arisen across the state as a result of two decades of deregulation. Declining service quality in much of the state due to Verizon’s deliberate abandonment of the copper network, and the absence of competitive options for high-speed broadband and video for millions of New Yorkers, are barely noted in the report.

In addition, the PSC has failed to respond to the petition by the Connect New York Coalition in July 2014.  The PSC’s one concession in response to pressure from Connect New York has been the scheduling of eight public hearings on telecommunications issues across New York this summer. This after-the-fact public process contradicts promises made by the PSC Chair to the Connect NY coalition. In a letter to CWA official Bob Master on Oct. 28, 2014, PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman pledged “…a robust dialogue conducted in a transparent process as we work with all stakeholders, including the Coalition, to promote the public’s interest in a first-class infrastructure and array of communications services for the citizens of New York.”  As this letter was written to the coalition nearly 9 months ago, and five months before the original due date for the study set by the State Legislative leadership, public input was clearly anticipated prior to the issuance of a study.

(Long Island, NY) Linda Kramer of the Kaeli Kramer Foundation and Town of Brookhaven Officials will teach about 30 school children about humane issues involving animals as well as the rescue of horses. They are showcasing the youth education program with 2 Mustang horses that were rescued from slaughter. The horses now have a safe haven and live at the beautiful Town of Brookhaven Ecology Site, in Holtsville.. The program will be unveiled on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 11am at the Brookhaven Ecology Site located 240 Buckley Avenue in Holtsville

The Kaeli Kramer Foundation was organized six years ago, immediately following the tragic death of 19 year old Kaeli Kramer, an avid equestrian and animal advocate who was killed when she was run over by a truck. The family set up a foundation in her honor, which leads this Humane Education program. The Foundation operates a horse sanctuary which provides lifetime homes for 25 slaughter-bound horses. The Foundation also leads a Life Skills and Animal Care program for developmentally delayed young adults.

WHEN: Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 11am

WHERE: Brookhaven Ecology Site located 240 Buckley Avenue in Holtsville

Sunday, July 26 at 7:30pm

(Long Island, NY) Collector and author Steve Young (longtime writer for David Letterman and The Simpsons) takes us on a deliriously entertaining journey into a little-known corner of pop culture that will blow your mind! Young has spent years collecting rare films and recordings of the astonishing Broadway-style musicals written and performed for private audiences of corporate executives and salesmen in the 50s, 60s and 70s. This hidden world or Americana gems from GE, Kellogg’s, Purina and many more will leave you humming along to the most unlikely of unforgettable beats.

Collector and author Steve Young (longtime writer for David Letterman and The Simpsons) takes us on a deliriously entertaining journey into a little-known corner of pop culture that will blow your mind! Photo Credit: Cinema Arts Centre.

Members $10 / Public $12. Tickets can be purchased online, www.CinemaArtsCentre.org or at the box office during theater hours.

Young has spent years collecting rare films and recordings of the astonishing Broadway-style musicals written and performed in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Photo Credit: Cinema Arts Centre.

Since 1973, presenting the best U.S., International, Independent & Repertory films on 3 screens 365 days of the year, in a comfortable ambience including the sculpture garden & The Sky Room Café, the Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Ave (just south of 25a), Huntington, NY 11743 (25 miles east of New York City). Admission for regular programs $12. Discounts for members, seniors, students & children. CAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. For further information call 631-423-7610.

To sign up for weekly email schedule: info@CinemaArtsCentre.org

Membership and Schedule: www.cinemaartscentre.org/

The mission of the Cinema Arts Centre is to bring the best in cinematic artistry to Long Island, and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community.

The Boss Has Mouse Ears

(Long Island, NY) Nearly a dozen Suffolk County Community College students are spending their summer living and interning at the ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’ – Walt Disney’s World Resort in Florida — as part of an internship program that began 26 years ago.

SCCC students are spending their summer interning at Florida’s Walt Disney’s World Resort. Photo Credit: SCCC.

The program allows participants to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication. Students can be paid and earn academic credit for their work at the home of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

This fall, 13 additional students will be headed to Main Street, U.S.A., including two theater students who will work in costuming with a former Suffolk student.

“Wake Up Our Waterfront” Campaign to Raise Funds for Baiting Hollow Scout Camp

(Long Island, NY) On Monday, July 20, Boy Scouts of America (Suffolk County Council) is launching an exciting eight-week-long ‘crowdfunding’ opportunity through popular host DepositAGift.com with the goal to “Wake Up Our Waterfront” and raise $15,000 to fund quality water enrichment equipment that’s not provided by any other funding.

Whether swimming, paddling a canoe, or casting a fishing line, the waterfront at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp is one of the most popular places for a Scout to be. In 2014 alone, 7,000 Scouts camped at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in a combination of summer camp, parent-cub weekends, troop weekend camping, and specialty camps. And while the natural beauty and resources available are top notch, equipment is in need of some serious updating.

Contributions will directly support quality water enrichment equipment, including log rollers, eight (8) canoes, and six (6) stand up paddle boards (SUPs). Director of Development for Boy Scouts of America (Suffolk County Council), Joanne Courtien, and her team are hoping to involve thousands of members, supporters, and the public at large to rally around the camp‘s water program.

“In order for us to continue serving future generations at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, we need your help,” says Courtien. “We are excited to organize this campaign online so that supporters near and far can help ‘Wake Up Our Waterfront’ beginning on July 20. Every dollar is needed, appreciated, and counts.”

Here’s how you can support Wake Up Our Waterfront:

1. Visit the DepositAGift.com page, view the content, and contribute as much or as little as you can.
2. SHARE the link with all of your contacts through social media, email, letters, phone calls, texts, and more!

Passionate sharing is crowdfunding. If just 150 families donate $100.00, the Boy Scouts of America (Suffolk County Council) will quickly be at its goal!

See more at: http://wakeupourwaterfront.mydagsite.com/

ABOUT SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL, BSA
Suffolk County Council, BSA provides a comprehensive values-based program that develops character, teaches citizenship, and encourages personal fitness to more than 12,000 youth each year. The Council was chartered on April 6, 1919 to instill values and expand the Scouting movement in Suffolk County. The Council Service Center is located at 7 Scouting Boulevard in Medford off Horseblock Road just one-half mile south of Exit 65 of the Long Island Expressway and is open weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Summer hours (July 6 – September 7, 2015) are 9:00am to 4:00pm.