Tag:

Steve Bellone

'I'm Proud Of The Journey': Long Island PD's Trailblazing Deputy Commish Dances Into Retirement 'I'm Proud Of The Journey': Long Island PD's Trailblazing Deputy Commish Dances Into Retirement
'I'm Proud Of The Journey': Long Island PD's Trailblazing Deputy Commish Dances Into Retirement For Risco Mention-Lewis, that’s a wrap on more than a decade of helping to lead one of the largest police departments in the nation. On Wednesday, Jan. 10, dozens of friends, relatives, and colleagues gathered at the Suffolk County Police Department's headquarters in Yaphank for a traditional walk out – or in this case, a dance out – as the trailblazer left for the last time, bound for retirement. Officials said Mention-Lewis left an indelible mark on the agency. She became the department's first woman and first person of color to hold the position of deputy police commissioner when she wa…
Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over This Long Island County No Matter Vote Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over This Long Island County No Matter Vote
Changing Of Guard: New Leadership Set To Take Over This Long Island County No Matter Vote No matter the final vote tally, this Long Island county will soon be under new leadership. The race for Suffolk County executive sees Republican Ed Romaine face off against Democrat Dave Calone. Voters’ top choice will replace Democrat Steve Bellone, who is nearing the tail end of his fourth three-year term, making him ineligible to run again. Romaine has been Brookhaven town supervisor since 2012, having been re-elected four times. He previously served on the Suffolk County Legislature. On the campaign trail he said his priorities would be jobs and affordable housing.  He also said…
Rodney Harrison, Who Vowed To Solve Gilgo Beach Murders, Resigns As Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, Who Vowed To Solve Gilgo Beach Murders, Resigns As Suffolk Police Commissioner
Rodney Harrison, Who Vowed To Solve Gilgo Beach Murders, Resigns As Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, the first Black commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department and who vowed to solve the Gilgo Beach serial killings, is resigning. The 54-year-old Harrison will step down as police commissioner sometime in December 2023, a department spokesperson told Daily Voice. Suffolk County Police Chief of Department Robert Waring will take over the department’s operations until a new commissioner is named. Related Report: Gilgo Beach Murders: Heuermann Appears In Suffolk County Court For First Time Since Arrest Harrison, who grew up in the South Jamaica section of Que…
Watch: Long Island Officer Gets Hero's Send-Off From Hospital Week After Being Shot On Duty Watch: Long Island Officer Gets Hero's Send-Off From Hospital Week After Being Shot On Duty
Watch: Long Island Officer Gets Hero's Send-Off From Hospital Week After Being Shot On Duty A Long Island police officer is back home with his family just one week after being shot while on duty. Suffolk County Police officer Michael LaFauci was released from Stony Brook University Hospital on Thursday, May 18. Video shared by the department shows the six-year veteran officer exiting the hospital in a wheelchair, flanked by his fiancé and 17-month-daughter, as dozens of officers salute and bagpipers perform "God Bless America." Video of LaFauci's release can be viewed here. The moving scene came just seven days after LaFauci was shot while surveilling a home in Coram, located on…
Officials Announce Plans To Bring National Offshore Wind Training Center To Long Island Officials Announce Plans To Bring National Offshore Wind Training Center To Long Island
Officials Announce Plans To Bring National Offshore Wind Training Center To Long Island State officials announced plans to bring a National Offshore Wind Training Center to Long Island. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the land transfer between New York State and Suffolk County for the center on Thursday, Oct. 20. "Next year, we'll all be back for the ribbon cutting," she said. "When we open next October, the training center will be housed in the future Brentwood Community Center. Finally, get that one finished. Let's get that done. It'll be a one-stop shop for training, development, and education in Brentwood." The governo…
Suffolk County Will Notify Anyone Whose Data Was Compromised In Cyber Attack, Bellone Says Suffolk County Will Notify Anyone Whose Data Was Compromised In Cyber Attack, Bellone Says
Suffolk County Will Notify Anyone Whose Data Was Compromised In Cyber Attack, Bellone Says Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that residents whose private information is comprised due to a cyber attack this month will be notified by county officials. Cybercriminals on the "dark web" hacked into the county government system on Thursday, Sept. 8, and since that time have demanded a "ransom," to get the system back online, although county officials have not confirmed a ransom has been demanded. Bellone said on Tuesday, Sept. 20, anyone whose data was compromised will be offered free identity theft protection services. Officials added that it does not have a number of …
More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In LI Shark Attacks More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In LI Shark Attacks
More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In LI Shark Attacks As the number of shark sightings and attacks increase in waters up and down the Atlantic Coast, research scientists say to expect more and point to climate change, and the rebounding of the shark population as the reasons. Researchers say shark populations, which declined as much as 90 percent from the 1970s to the 1990s, are now rebounding as the ecosystem resettles, Robert Hueter, the chief scientist of Ocearch, told The New York Times. But, Hueter also points to climate change at work, saying sharks have moved up the coast to the New York Bight, a wedge formed by the shorelines of Long I…
Long Island On Alert As Brand-New Shark Bite Incident Brings Number To Six In Two Weeks Long Island On Alert As Brand-New Shark Bite Incident Brings Number To Six In Two Weeks
Long Island On Alert As Brand-New Shark Bite Incident Brings Number To Six In Two Weeks Lifeguards and swimmers are on high alert after two shark bites in one day on Long Island, bringing the total number of attacks to six in two weeks. The latest attack took place in Suffolk County at Seaview Beach on Fire Island around 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. Suffolk police said the Arizona man was in waist-deep water at Seaview Beach when he was bitten in the buttocks and on the left wrist. He was able to walk out of the water, Suffolk County Police said. The victim was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening  …
Surfer Attacked By Shark At Long Island Beach Surfer Attacked By Shark At Long Island Beach
Surfer Attacked By Shark At Long Island Beach Another Long Island beach is closed to swimming after a surfer was bitten by a shark.  The incident took place at Smith Point County Beach Park in Shirley, around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. The surfer was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue for treatment of injuries, Bellone said. The third attack comes after a shark bit a Smith Point County Park lifeguard, on Sunday, July 3 and another lifeguard was attacked in the village of Ocean Beach on Thursday, July 7. "This is the new normal with tiger sharks swimming closer t…
Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics On Long Island Fill Up Within Hours Of Opening Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics On Long Island Fill Up Within Hours Of Opening
Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics On Long Island Fill Up Within Hours Of Opening As news broke that Northwell Health and Suffolk County would begin offering monkeypox vaccines on Long Island, all slots for appointments filled up within hours. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced on Monday, July 11, that the county would open six pop-up clinics on Fire Island on Thursday, July 14.  Following the announcement, all slots were full, but officials say there will be more vaccines on the way. Those who made an appointment will receive their shots at one of six pop-up clinics on Fire Island.  See Earlier Report: CDC Releases State-By-State Rundown …
New Update: Two Long Island Beaches Closed After Lifeguard Bitten By Shark New Update: Two Long Island Beaches Closed After Lifeguard Bitten By Shark
New Update: Two Long Island Beaches Closed After Lifeguard Bitten By Shark Two beaches in New York temporarily closed after a lifeguard was bitten by a shark. The incident on Long Island Sunday, July 3, affected Smith Point and Cupsogue beaches in Suffolk County. The lifeguard, identified as Zack Gallo, is recovering after he was bitten in the chest and the hand during a training exercise at Smith Point Beach, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in an afternoon news briefing. "Notice for Smith Point and Cupsogue beaches: swimming has been suspended due to dangerous marine activity as of Sunday, July 3," according to a tweet by the Suffolk County Parks Dep…
COVID-19: Drive-Through Rapid Testing Sites Consolidated On Long Island COVID-19: Drive-Through Rapid Testing Sites Consolidated On Long Island
Covid-19: Drive-Through Rapid Testing Sites Consolidated On Long Island With Long Island seeing improved COVID-19 numbers over the past week, some drive-through testing sites will be consolidating in Suffolk County this week. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that there will be three testing sites open, beginning as of Monday, Jan. 24 which will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The testing sites will be located at these locations: Red Creek Park on Old Riverhead Road in the Hampton Bays (open for school-required testing and community testing) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays; Heckscher State Park, Field 8 in East Islip from 8 a.m. t…
Suffolk County Sees Bond Rating Kicked Up A Notch Suffolk County Sees Bond Rating Kicked Up A Notch
Suffolk County Sees Bond Rating Kicked Up A Notch Suffolk County’s bond rating is at its highest level in nearly five years, according to S&P Global Ratings. The rating agency this week upgraded Suffolk’s rating from BBB+ to A-, the first time it's been that high since 2017, which credits the county’s commitment to improving the finances both short and long term, they stated. 
“This positive news validates that our fiscally responsible approach to budgeting is working and moving Suffolk County in the right direction,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a statement. “Even as we were forced to confront unexpected crises from…
Nassau County Congressman Tom Suozzi Says He's Running For Governor Nassau County Congressman Tom Suozzi Says He's Running For Governor
Nassau County Congressman Tom Suozzi Says He's Running For Governor An already crowded lineup of gubernatorial hopefuls in New York got a little more full as a popular Long Island lawmaker threw his hat in the ring and announced his intention to make another run at the governor's seat. US Rep. Tom Suozzi, whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties, announced on Monday, Nov. 29 that he will be challenging incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took over following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. “I am running for governor of New York as a common-sense Democrat who gets things done,” Suozzi said. “I have the track record, common-sens…
Nor'easter: Bellone Declares State Of Emergency In Suffolk County Nor'easter: Bellone Declares State Of Emergency In Suffolk County
Nor'easter: Bellone Declares State Of Emergency In Suffolk County Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone declared a State of Emergency amid the first Nor’easter of the season with more intense weather expected to strike Long Island. Shortly after noon on Tuesday, Oct. 26, Bellone announced that he was issuing the State of Emergency for the county, advising that “residents should stay alert, as this storm is far from over.” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone declared a State of Emergency in Suffolk County.Twitter/@SteveBellone More than two inches of rain have already fallen on parts of Long Island, with up to six expected in certain areas, with w…
COVID-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive COVID-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive
Covid-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive One of Long Island’s top elected officials has become the latest to become the victim of a breakthrough COVID-19 infection. Despite being fully vaccinated, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that he has tested positive for the virus and is experiencing minor symptoms. Bellone said that he will follow all recommended protocols for fully vaccinated people set forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moving forward. The County Executive said that he will quarantine at home for the next seven days, and that no one else in his house or on his staff has test…
Work Starts On Long Island Expressway Projects Totaling Around $100 Million Work Starts On Long Island Expressway Projects Totaling Around $100 Million
Work Starts On Long Island Expressway Projects Totaling Around $100 Million Work is now underway on projects totaling around $100 million to improve safety and traffic flow on the Long Island Expressway. A $19.7 million project will lengthen three acceleration lanes and three deceleration lanes on I-495 in Queens, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, Oct. 20. New auxiliary lanes will also be added between 48th Street and Little Neck Parkway in Queens. Hochul said two other projects, worth more than $80 million, will be given to contractors this fall to replace about 287 lane miles of pavement on stretches of the Long Island Expressway i…
Suffolk Now Qualifies For Federal Financial Relief For Storm Ida Suffolk Now Qualifies For Federal Financial Relief For Storm Ida
Suffolk Now Qualifies For Federal Financial Relief For Storm Ida Additional relief is coming for the Suffolk County victims of Tropical Depression Ida following a disaster declaration due to the damage caused by the storm. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that Suffolk County has been the latest locale to be approved for a “Major Disaster Declaration” to provide federal financial relief. The federal funding will deliver both Individual and Public Assistance for eligible New Yorkers recovering from flooding and other storm-related damages caused by the remnants of Ida. Suffolk also qualifies for the In…
Wrongfully Convicted Man Who Spent Half His Life In Prison Settles With Suffolk County For $16M Wrongfully Convicted Man Who Spent Half His Life In Prison Settles With Suffolk County For $16M
Wrongfully Convicted Man Who Spent Half His Life In Prison Settles With Suffolk County For $16M A man who spent decades in prison has reached a multi-million dollar settlement with officials on Long Island. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that Keith Bush, now 64 years old, has reached a $16 million settlement after he was convicted for the 1975 murder of 14-year-old Sherese Watson in North Bellport. Bush spent 33 years behind bars before he was exonerated, making it the longest-running murder case to be overturned in New York State history. In 2019, Bush filed a lawsuit against Suffolk County after a judge dropped all charges and cleared his status as a registered l…
Swimming Prohibited After Multiple Shark Sightings At Long Island Beach Swimming Prohibited After Multiple Shark Sightings At Long Island Beach
Swimming Prohibited After Multiple Shark Sightings At Long Island Beach Swimming was temporarily suspended at a Long Island beach following the latest shark sighting off the shore, officials announced. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone cautioned that swimming is off-limits at Smiths Point Beach until further notice following reports of multiple shark sightings near the shore. The sightings were reported at approximately 1:10 p.m. from the beach in Shirley. Earlier story - Police Intensify Air, Water Patrol On Long Island After Shark Sightings The new sightings come days after officials in Nassau County cautioned about shark sightings that forced lif…
Speculation On Possible 2022 NY Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Includes Familiar Face Speculation On Possible 2022 NY Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Includes Familiar Face
Speculation On Possible 2022 NY Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Includes Familiar Face With Andrew Cuomo out and New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul stepping in the governor’s shoes, some are speculating about who could potentially run in what could be a stacked 2022 gubernatorial election. Cuomo resigned on Tuesday, Aug. 10, with Hochul, a Buffalo native, set to take over. In recent weeks, with the walls closing in on Cuomo as he navigating through the sexual harassment scandal, speculation has been circling his administration regarding who could challenge for his seat in 2022. Among those who could consider a run is a familiar face: former Secretary of State and US Senator from…
Long Island Lawmakers Ready To Move On After Cuomo Resignation Long Island Lawmakers Ready To Move On After Cuomo Resignation
Long Island Lawmakers Ready To Move On After Cuomo Resignation Lawmakers on Long Island are ready to get back to the “new normal,” following weeks of sexual harassment controversies surrounding New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who officially resigned. Cuomo finally gave in to his critics' calls for his resignation, effective as of Tuesday, Aug. 24 when Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul officially takes over in Albany with plenty on her plate to clean up. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was among the first lawmakers in New York to issue a statement following Cuomo’s announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 10. “Governor Cuomo’s decision to resign will help New York State ref…
$42M Long Island Bridge Construction Projects Completed, State Says $42M Long Island Bridge Construction Projects Completed, State Says
$42M Long Island Bridge Construction Projects Completed, State Says More than $42 million in bridge construction projects have been completed on Long Island, state officials announced. The completed construction work includes a new, wider overpass carrying Walt Whitman Road over the Long Island Expressway in Melville, and the early completion of repairs to four highway bridges. The repairs on the highway bridges will “ease travel and enhance safety along key routes for the flow of people and commerce on Long Island," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “New York State continues to build back better with projects of all sizes that enhance safety and facilitate commerce…
Amid Growing Calls For Cuomo's Ouster, Bellone Run For Governor Amid Growing Calls For Cuomo's Ouster, Bellone Run For Governor
Amid Growing Calls For Cuomo's Ouster, Bellone Run For Governor A Democratic county executive in New York is reportedly mulling a run for governor amid the scandals surrounding current Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is taking steps toward a possible gubernatorial run, according to a New York Daily News report. According to the report, Bellone has been speaking with big-time donors and some national consultations in New York about a potential run for Cuomo's seat in Albany. “Steve is seriously considering jumping in to make his run for governor,” the report states, adding that the idea of Bellone making a run has “always been …
New Cuomo Controversy: Vaccine Czar Calls County Executives To Gauge Their Loyalty To Governor New Cuomo Controversy: Vaccine Czar Calls County Executives To Gauge Their Loyalty To Governor
New Cuomo Controversy: Vaccine Czar Calls County Executives To Gauge Their Loyalty To Governor Embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration took another hit as reports have emerged that one of his longest-serving and most-trusted advisers who is now serving COVID-19 vaccine czar made calls to Democratic county executives to gauge support for the three-term governor before discussing the state's vaccine program and distribution. On Sunday, March 14, both The New York Times and Washington Post reported that Larry Schwartz, who is overseeing the state’s vaccination efforts, made calls to county officials to check on Cuomo’s support and discuss ongoing immunization efforts. The …
Two Long Island Cops Suspended Over Alleged Abuse Captured On Bobycam Video, Police Say Two Long Island Cops Suspended Over Alleged Abuse Captured On Bobycam Video, Police Say
Two Long Island Cops Suspended Over Alleged Abuse Captured On Bobycam Video, Police Say Two police officers from Long Island have been suspended and four others, including a supervisor, have been placed on modified duty after bodycam video shows the two officers pushing and kicking a suspect who took police on a pursuit. The two Suffolk County officers were suspended for the incident which took place on Tuesday, Feb. 23, in which the suspect, identified as Christopher Cruz, 30, who is undomiciled, fled from officers in a stolen vehicle and hit two police cruisers, said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart.  According to Hart, the incident occurred when o…
COVID-19: High-Risk HS School Sports Given Green Light On Long Island COVID-19: High-Risk HS School Sports Given Green Light On Long Island
Covid-19: High-Risk HS School Sports Given Green Light On Long Island Play ball! Student-athletes in both Suffolk and Nassau County have been given the green light to begin playing “high-risk” winter high school sports under the guidance provided by the state Department of Health. Practices are set to begin on Monday, Feb. 1, with some student-athletes required to get COVID-19 tests when they hit the field next week. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the season would be going forward late last week, while Nassau County Executive Laura Curran made it official on Wednesday, Jan. 27. New York State has agreed to provide the tests. Other measure…
COVID-19: Suffolk County PD Lieutenant Becomes First Department Member To Die From Virus COVID-19: Suffolk County PD Lieutenant Becomes First Department Member To Die From Virus
Covid-19: Suffolk County PD Lieutenant Becomes First Department Member To Die From Virus The Suffolk County Police Department is mourning the loss of active duty member Lt. Robert Van Zeyl who died from COVID-19 on Wednesday, Jan. 20. The death is the first of an active-duty sworn member of the Suffolk County Police Department due to the COVID-19 virus and Van Zeyl, age 60, will be honored with a line of duty funeral, the department said. “It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of an exceptional member of our law enforcement family, Lieutenant Robert Van Zeyl,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.  Van Zeyl tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, Jan. 3, …
COVID-19: New LI Infection Rate, Hospitalizations Spark Concerns COVID-19: New LI Infection Rate, Hospitalizations Spark Concerns
Covid-19: New LI Infection Rate, Hospitalizations Spark Concerns The “holiday surge” in COVID-19 infections has hit “shocking” levels that have Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone worried about what could happen in the wake of New Year’s celebrations. In the latest numbers released by the county, Bellone said that the infection rate has jumped to 12.8 percent on Wednesday, Dec. 30 after Long Island saw numbers hovering at or close to 1 percent throughout the summer when the state “flattened the cure.” Related story - COVID-19: Hospitalizations Have Tripled In Nassau County Since Thanksgiving Day, Curran Says Bellone noted that approximately one…
COVID-19: Suffolk Sees 'Surge In Cases,' Says Bellone; Positive-Test Rate Hits 9.1 Percent COVID-19: Suffolk Sees 'Surge In Cases,' Says Bellone; Positive-Test Rate Hits 9.1 Percent
Covid-19: Suffolk Sees 'Surge In Cases,' Says Bellone; Positive-Test Rate Hits 9.1 Percent Click here for an updated story - COVID-19: Suffolk Numbers Are 'Shocking' Bellone Says As Infection Rate Tops 12 Percent Suffolk is heading toward “uncharted territory” due to the “holiday COVID-19 spike,” according to County Executive Steve Bellone. The positive COVID-19 rate spiked to 9.1 percent this week when 1,037 cases were confirmed out of 11,377 tested, giving Bellone concern as the number of new infections continues spiking during the holiday season. “With New Year’s Eve this week, we are again urging our residents to be cautious & to avoid small indoor gatherings, t…
COVID-19: Long Island Sees 1,680 New Cases; Here's Brand-New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees 1,680 New Cases; Here's Brand-New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees 1,680 New Cases; Here's Brand-New Breakdown By Community There were 1,680 newly confirmed COVID-19 reported in both Suffolk and Nassau counties as Long Island continues to contend with the second wave of the virus. According to the latest data from the state Department of Health, There were 972 new cases in Suffolk, bringing the total to 69,996 since the pandemic began, while an additional 708 infections were reported in Nassau, as the total reached 67,203 as of Thursday, Dec. 10. The current seven-day average infection rate has now soared past 5 percent for the first time since the spring, hitting 5.7 percent this week. Overall infection rates …