(Long Island, NY) The Oyster Bay Historical Society celebrates its annual members’ meeting with a garden party reception at 1 pm on Sunday, June 21. The program features refreshments in the Society’s Colonial Garden, a review of the Koenig Center’s latest acquisitions by Librarian and Archivist Nicole Menchise, and a chance to see the new summer exhibition, Hats Off: An Assembly of Extraordinary Headwear from the Society’s Collections.

Oyster Bay Historical Society Koenig Center and garden. Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Historical Society.

The program takes place on the Society’s grounds at 20 Summit Street in Oyster Bay. For more information, please call the Society at 516-922-5032 or email obhsdirector@optonline.net.

(Long Island, NY) Join Oyster Bay Historical Society Director Phil Blocklyn on a foot tour of Oyster Bay, featuring the historic sites along East and West Main Streets, Audrey Avenue, and South Street in the heart of the hamlet. Interaction among members of the tour always welcome. Leisurely weekend pace.

Oyster Bay in 1873. Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Historical Society.

The tour begins at 3 pm, leaving from the Oyster Bay Historical Society, 20 Summit Street, in Oyster Bay. $15 per person, $5 ages 12-17, with advance registration required.

For more details, or to make a reservation, contact the Society at 516-922-5032, or email obhsdirector@optonline.net.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating an incident during which a teen was fatally stabbed in Mastic on Friday, May 29.

Trevor Bender was a passenger in a car that was stuck in traffic on Mastic Road when he and the driver became involved in a verbal dispute with a group standing at the corner of Mastic Road and Moriches Avenue. Bender and the driver, 18, got out of the car and approached the group who were known to them at approximately 5:10 p.m. During the dispute, a male stabbed Bender in the chest. The suspect fled the scene on foot.

Suffolk County Police are investigating an incident during which a teen was fatally stabbed in Mastic on Friday, May 29. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Bender, 17, of Mastic, was transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was pronounced dead.

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man in connection with the stabbing death of Trevor Bender on May 29. Homicide Squad detectives arrested Michael Dennis, 19, of Mastic, and charged him with Manslaughter. Dennis is being held overnight at the Fifth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 31.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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 on Friday, May 29 arrested a Holbrook man for driving while intoxicated following a pursuit during which his vehicle struck two police vehicles.

Jordan Levent was driving a BMW when he failed to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk at North Ocean Avenue and Main Street in Patchogue at approximately 11:55 p.m. Fifth Precinct Police Officer Arnold Reyes attempted to pull the vehicle over on Cedar Grove Street but the driver made a U-turn and his car intentionally struck the police car. Levent continued driving and struck a 2006 Honda at the Waverly Avenue traffic circle. Levent had stopped his vehicle and Officer Reyes, along with two other officers who were assisting, ordered the driver out of the vehicle but he sped off nearly striking one of the officers.

Suffolk County Police arrested Jordan Levent, 23, of Holbrook, for driving while intoxicated following a pursuit during which his vehicle struck two police vehicles. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Levent turned the vehicle lights off and fled onto the Long Island Expressway heading westbound in the eastbound lanes. The BMW then turned around heading west in the westbound lanes near Exit 60 when it exited off the highway. Levent’s BMW struck an Emergency Service Section vehicle assisting in the incident at the intersection of Rose Drive and Farmardie Drive in Ronkonkoma at 12:03 a.m.

Jordan Levent, 23, of Holbrook, was taken into custody and transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was treated and released to police. The officers, as well as the driver of the Honda were not injured.

Levent was charged with Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, four counts of Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage, Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Circumventing an Interlock Device and Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree.

Levent will be held overnight at the Fifth Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday, May 30.

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 First Squad is investigating a Grand Larceny that occurred on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 8:30 pm to Friday, May 29, 2015 at 6:05 am in East Meadow.

According to detectives, a 55 year old female victim parked her vehicle on Coolidge Drive with several hundred pairs of sunglasses inside. When the victim returned to her vehicle the next morning she discovered that approximately $30,000 worth of name brand sunglasses and optical glasses were taken.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Grand Larceny that occurred on Thursday, May 28, in East Meadow. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Two male white subjects, approximately 20 years of age riding on bicycles and carrying a black garbage bag were seen travelling northbound on Coolidge Drive at 4:15 am.

Detectives report the arrest of the following individuals for the above listed crime and approximately $3,000 worth of proceeds recovered.  Defendant Stephen Crawford, 46, of East Meadow and Anthony Campbell, 17, of Bethpage were arrested on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 2:30pm without incident in East Meadow.

Both defendants are each charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.  They will be arraigned on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in First District Court 99 Main Street Hempstead.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to call 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 First Squad is investigating a Burglary that occurred on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 12:30 am to 6:30 am in East Meadow.

According to detectives, a 51 year old male victim awoke and discovered that his 2011 Ford Edge was missing from his Gerald Avenue driveway.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Burglary that occurred on Friday, May 29, in East Meadow. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

It was also discovered that an unknown subject entered the victims’ home through an unlocked door and stole the victims’ car keys and a pocketbook containing personal papers and an undetermined amount of US currency.

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

Most Provisions of the Act Also Supported by Gun Owners

(Long Island, NY) New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) today announced that a statewide poll of New York voter attitudes about the NY SAFE (Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement) Act reveals strong approval for the law. The poll was commissioned by NYAGV and conducted in April by Kiley & Company, an independent opinion research firm.

The poll also found strong support for the specific provisions of the law, with even gun owners supporting four of its six provisions. The NY SAFE Act was passed by a bipartisan legislature in January, 2013, soon after the Sandy Hook school shootings.

The Kiley & Company phone survey questioned 604 registered voters in New York State between April 14 and 16. The survey data was statistically adjusted by age, region and race to ensure representativeness.

Pollster Matthew Shelter of Kiley & Company commented, “The results of this survey clearly dispel the myth that the SAFE Act is not popular. On the contrary, New York voters are twice as likely to support the SAFE Act as oppose it.”

“This survey confirms yet again that New Yorkers strongly support our state’s smart gun laws,” said Leah Gunn Barrett, NYAGV Executive Director. “Voters realize that the provisions of the SAFE Act—including universal background checks, renewable pistol permits, a stronger assault weapons ban and protections for victims of domestic violence–are common sense measures designed to keep guns out of the wrong hands,” she added.

Voters Show Clear Support for the SAFE Act and its Provisions

The survey showed that New York State voters support the SAFE Act by almost a 2-to-1 majority (61% vs. 31%), confirming findings of previous statewide polls. When questioned separately on specific aspects of the law, support was even greater:

• An overwhelming majority of voters (89%) support background checks on all gun sales.
• Also by an overwhelming majority (81%), voters support revoking pistol permits for anyone with an order of protection against them.
• Over three quarters of voters (79%) approve of five-year renewable pistol permits.
• Three quarters (75%) of voters support the stronger ban on military-style assault weapons.
• Requiring background checks on ammunition sales is supported by 72% of voters.
• Over two-thirds (68%) of voters support limiting ammunition magazines to seven bullets.

Gun Owners and Upstate Voters Support the Act’s Provisions, But Not the Act Itself

Although gun owners said they oppose the SAFE Act, with 67% against and 24% in favor, these same voters support four of the six provisions of the Act. They support background checks on all gun sales (80%); revoking pistol permits for persons with protection orders against them (76%); five-year pistol permit renewals (53%); and the stronger ban on assault weapons (60%).

Also, while more upstate voters said they oppose the Act (48%) than support it (44%), these same voters support all six of the Act’s provisions: background checks on all gun sales (81%); revoking pistol permits for persons with protection orders against them (78%); five-year pistol permit renewals (66%); the stronger ban on assault weapons (67%); background checks on ammunition sales (56%); and limits on high-capacity magazines (52%).

“Even with the corporate gun lobby’s relentless attacks and misrepresentation of the SAFE Act, voters understand that the law is reasonable, keeps guns out of dangerous hands, and does not trample on any law-abiding person’s right to own a gun,” said Barrett.

Details of Survey Results

• Click here for a full polling memo from Kiley & Company, including relevant crosstabs.
• Click here for a PowerPoint presentation by Kiley & Company that illustrates the findings.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.

• Web: www.nyagv.org    
• Twitter: @NYAGV1       
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyagv

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today released the following statement on the passing of former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden:

“Beau Biden was one of the finest public servants, and one of best colleagues with whom I have ever worked. Our work to hold accountable the banks that contributed to the collapse of the American economy would have failed without Beau. As a result of our collaboration — which he initiated — we have already recovered over $60 billion in relief for state and federal agencies, and for families and communities devastated by the crash of 2008 with more to come. He was a warrior in the cause of justice for working families across America.

“I am stunned and saddened by his passing.”

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) today expressed outrage at the revelation that the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been selling drivers’ information to private companies to the tune of an estimated $60 million. This has happened without the consent of New Yorkers and there has been no information forthcoming as to who has been sold the personal data of our residents. Murray is calling on the governor and the DMV to end this practice and come clean about who has received this information.

“In a time when identity theft and individual privacy rights are hot-button issues, our residents deserve the truth,” said Murray. “Allowing the DMV to continue selling our information sets a dangerous precedent where other agencies, if they aren’t doing so already, could sell private information to the highest bidder without consent.

“The governor and the DMV need to come clean with the whole story. Who has our information been sold to, and what are these companies doing with it? New Yorkers have a right to know this important question: just how long has this been going on?” Murray concluded.

Assemblyman Murray has also helped launch a petition urging action on this front. It can be located here.

(Long Island, NY) Presented by actor Danny Aiello, The Italian Chicks Musical-Comedy Variety Show opens its East Coast tour on June 7th^t, 2015 at the Bellmore Movies & Showplace at 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY. It is a one-night only comedy and song event that kicks off their east coast tour which will continue in major cities in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington DC.

The Italian Chicks  is a two hour comedy revue variety show with a focus on family, traditions, and culture. It is a nonstop blend of laughter, song, and memories that depict the universal humor in family custom.  Keeping their own Italian-American memories alive, they bring their audiences to a place in their hearts that they love to revisit.

This act brings together four talented and creative personalities in the United States. Maryann Maisano, the show’s producer and headliner, hails from Fort Lee, NJ. She is a comedian, acclaimed singer/songwriter, musician and actress.  Winner of the NYC Songwriters Festival, her original composition “City of Light” was recorded by Danny Aiello and was nominated for a Grammy Award.  She has also opened for Ray Romano and Joy Behar.

Completing the lineup of talent are three notable comedians. Mary Dimino has earned the distinguished MAC Award for Best Female Stand-Up in NYC, as well as several others.  Regina DeCicco spent five seasons writing for Saturday Night Live and Whoopi.  Gina Scarda is retired from the New York Police Department at which time she began her stand-up comedy career.  Gina was named one of the Most Influential Women in Long Island by Long Island Business News, and continues to emcee the show and entertain audiences with tales of her experiences with the NYPD and her Italian family.

Maisano says, “No matter how many shows we do, we watch each other’s acts and laugh like it’s the first time we saw the show.  I think the audience senses that honesty and love, and it becomes infectious. We do have a big Italian fan base and I think they all relate to the stories about our families.  But you don’t have to be Italian to love this show – all you need are family memories and a love of tradition and culture.”

To learn more about The Italian Chicks, visit www.theitalianchicks.com.

For further information about the show, contact Carmen Tucci at 201-440-5033.

Tickets for the June 7th show are $30 per seat, and are available at brown paper tickets.