Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

New Update: Winter Weather Advisory In Effect For These Parts Of Region New Update: Winter Weather Advisory In Effect For These Parts Of Region
New Update: Winter Weather Advisory In Effect For These Parts Of Region The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for parts of the region, effective from late tonight, Sunday, Dec. 15, through Monday morning, Dec. 16. This advisory affects the following counties: 10 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday: Western Passaic (NJ) Orange (NY) Rockland (NY) Putnam (NY) Northern Westchester (NY) 1 a.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday: Northern Fairfield County (CT) Litchfield County (CT) Northern New Haven (CT) Northern Middlesex (CT) Residents in Northern New London County (CT) should also stay alert, as the advisory may extend to their area, the National…
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Two Massachusetts men were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 14, after a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport triggered a coordinated safety response, police said. Boston Police officers apprehended 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater, on Long Island in the Boston Harbor Islands around 10:22 p.m. Both face charges of trespassing, with additional charges potentially pending. The incident began at 4:30 p.m. when a Boston Police Officer monitoring real-time crime surveillance detected a drone dangerously close to Logan Internation…
New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down
New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down Following an incident at a New York airport that disrupted operations, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State. The announcement follows a significant disruption in Orange County on Friday, Dec. 13, at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, where a drone forced a temporary shutdown of the airport’s runways, delaying flights. State and federal agencies are continuing their investigation into the incident. After that event, Hochul called for additional resources to bolster drone detection and response …
Wintry Mess: Updated Snowfall Totals Released For Storm Causing Slippery Travel Wintry Mess: Updated Snowfall Totals Released For Storm Causing Slippery Travel
Wintry Mess: Updated Snowfall Totals Released For Storm Causing Slippery Travel A quick-moving storm will bring a wintry mix to the region, causing slippery travel conditions. The system will arrive Sunday night, Dec. 15, into Monday morning, Dec. 16. Light snow and sleet are expected, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation in areas shaded darker blue on the AccuWeather map in the first image above. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions may create hazardous road situations for Monday morning commutes. Regions shaded light blue may experience light freezing rain with minor accumulations, leading to icy roads. AccuWeather cautions that any ice or snow c…
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Long Island's Best! Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Long Island's Best!
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Long Island's Best! Long Island, it’s time to show some love for your favorite local businesses! Daily Voice has officially launched the voting phase of its inaugural Readers’ Choice competition, and the power is in your hands to crown the best of the best. Our readers submitted nominations earlier this fall, and now the top contenders are ready for your votes. With over 80 categories spanning six major groups, this is your chance to celebrate the local gems that make Long Island a vibrant place to live, work, and play. From the tastiest eats to top-notch services, your vote can help highlight the businesses y…
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
Luxury French Department Store Printemps Set To Open First US Location in NYC Luxury French Department Store Printemps Set To Open First US Location in NYC
Luxury French Department Store Printemps Set To Open First US Location in NYC A touch of Parisian luxury will soon be arriving in America. Printemps, the iconic French department store, is prepares to open its first US location in the spring of 2025.  The new store, which will be located in Manhattan, will occupy 55,000 square feet within the historic One Wall Street building in the Financial District, blending classic architecture with modern elegance. Founded in 1865, Printemps is celebrated for its high-end fashion, beauty, and lifestyle offerings.  The Manhattan location aims to capture the spirit of its flagship Paris store, showcasing a carefully cu…
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $45 million with a $21 million cash option after there was no winner in the past week. If no Lottery player claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. The winning numbers for Saturday's drawing were 12-17-23-52-67 with a Powerball of 01 and the Power Play was 2X. Powerball39 Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus t…
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action Runways at a Hudson Valley airport were brought to a halt after drone activity disrupted operations for approximately an hour, prompting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to escalate calls for immediate federal intervention. Click here for a new, updated story: New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down Hochul said the incident happened in Orange County on Friday, Dec. 13, at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor. “This has gone too far,” Hochul stated, addressing growing concerns over unauthorized drones in sensitive airspace. The incident ma…
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense The man accused of gunning down a health insurance titan on a bustling New York City street is now at the center of another storm— this one inside a courtroom.  Facing a murder charge that could lead to life in prison, Luigi Mangione has turned to one of the most seasoned legal minds in the country to fight for his freedom. Enter Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the former Manhattan prosecutor who’s now tasked with defending the 26-year-old Mangione against allegations of ambushing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday morning, Dec. 4.  With…
Army-Navy Game: Trump, Vance To Watch Midshipmen, Black Knights Football Faceoff Army-Navy Game: Trump, Vance To Watch Midshipmen, Black Knights Football Faceoff
Army-Navy Game: Trump, Vance To Watch Midshipmen, Black Knights Football Faceoff The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups in college football history as Navy (8-3) faces off against #22 Army (11-1) in the 125th Army-Navy Game on Saturday, Dec. 14. The game begins at 3 p.m. at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD.  The stakes are higher than ever, with both teams gunning for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy in what promises to be a thrilling showdown in this historic rivalry. VP-elect JD Vance will be joined by newly-acquitted Daniel Penny to be his guest at the Army-Navy game, and are expected to join President-elect Donald Trump in his suite. Fo…
New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears
New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears A quick-moving storm system will bring a mix of snow, sleet, and rain at the tail end of the weekend. A mix of cold air and moisture might cause light wintry precipitation overnight Sunday, Dec. 15 into Monday, Dec. 16 in these locations: Hudson Valley, New York Western Connecticut and Massachusetts Northwestern New Jersey Southeastern Pennsylvania North-central Maryland For projected precipitation types by location, click on the first image above from AccuWeather. Areas shown in the darker shade of blue in the second image above from AccuWeather could see up to 3 inches of snowfall and i…
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Friday, Dec. 13 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $695 million with a $322 million cash option. The winning numbers were 36-43-52-58-65 with a Mega Ball of 16 and a Megaplier of 3X. MegaMillions If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to officials. Prizes then range…
Smoke Shop Employees Arrested For Selling Cannabis Without A License In Suffolk County: Police Smoke Shop Employees Arrested For Selling Cannabis Without A License In Suffolk County: Police
Smoke Shop Employees Arrested For Selling Cannabis Without A License In Suffolk County: Police  Two employees of Suffolk County smoke shops were arrested for selling cannabis without a license during a compliance check on Friday, Dec. 13, Suffolk County police announced. The arrests followed an investigation by the Seventh Precinct Crime Section in response to community complaints about illegal cannabis sales, police said. Officers conducted compliance checks at five businesses within the precinct, and two were found violating cannabis sale laws, according to the release. Rehana Kausar, 50, of Valley Stream, was arrested at Shirley Smoke & Cigars, located at 429 William Fl…
Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck
Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck A motor vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway left a Shirley man dead and two others injured on Friday, Dec. 13, Suffolk County police announced. Darrell Sumpter, 51, was driving a 2002 Cadillac westbound in the left lane of Sunrise Highway when the vehicle swerved and struck a 2021 Ford utility truck in the right lane, police said. Both vehicles left the roadway and overturned at 1:37 p.m., approximately 1.5 miles east of Horseblock Road in Shirley, according to authorities. Sumpter was pronounced dead at the scene, police detailed in the release. His passenger, 48-year-old female also of Shirl…
Support Swells For Suffolk County Mom, Healthcare Worker Facing 'Grueling' Cancer Battle Support Swells For Suffolk County Mom, Healthcare Worker Facing 'Grueling' Cancer Battle
Support Swells For Suffolk County Mom, Healthcare Worker Facing 'Grueling' Cancer Battle A Long Island healthcare worker and mother of two is finding a swelling of support as she faces the fight of her life. Marian Wynn, age 37, of Farmingville, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer this past summer. Doctors started her on a “grueling” chemotherapy regimen whose side effects made caring for herself difficult and working impossible, her sister Caitlin Ball said on a GoFundMe. “Since then, she has been fighting every day and spending as much time as she can with her two boys, Liam, 12, and Reyden, 5. She had had some setbacks and a few hospital stays, but overall things were …
Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing
Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing An active weather pattern will bring multiple rounds of precipitation in the days ahead, with some parts of the region seeing a wintry mix and accumulating snow. The first round of precipitation will come on Sunday, Dec. 15. Most locations will see rain either during the day or at night, according to the National Weather Service. A mix of cold air and moisture might cause light wintry precipitation in these locations: North-central Maryland Southeastern Pennsylvania Northwestern New Jersey Hudson Valley, New York Western Connecticut and Massachusetts Areas shown in the darker shade of blu…
Suffolk Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud Suffolk Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud
Suffolk Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud In a quiet Long Island neighborhood, one house stands out this holiday season – not just for its 25,000 twinkling lights, but for the sheer joy and nostalgia it radiates. Crowds are flocking to Jason Orsini’s Smithtown residence each evening to take in his jaw-dropping light display: a painstaking recreation of the beloved holiday classic, "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The Griswold family station wagon donning their Christmas tree. Cousin Eddie’s RV. Aunt Bethany’s lime Jell-o mold. It’s all there. “I didn’t expect [the response] to be this big,” the 45-year-old Orsini, a marrie…
Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line
Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line Authorities have released the identities of both the pilot who survived and the passenger who died in a small plane crash that shut down Interstate 684 at the border of Fairfield, CT and Westchester, CT counties for hours. Kalmen Goldberger, 26, of Linden, NJ, had reported engine trouble before the single-engine Tecnam P-2008 went down in the center median of I-684 near Exit 2 in Harrison Thursday, Dec. 12 around 7:15 p.m., officials said. Goldberger survived, however, his passenger, Jacob Yankele Friedman, 32, of the Rockland County hamlet of Monsey, was pronounced dead at the sc…
Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck
Sunrise Highway Fatal: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Suffolk Co. Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck One person was killed and two others were injured in a rollover crash on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the westbound Sunrise Highway near William Floyd Parkway in Shirley on Friday afternoon, Dec. 13. Suffolk County Police said officers responded to a 2-vehicle collision at around 1:40 p.m. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were hospitalized with injuries. Authorities did not release the decedent's identity, nor did they elaborate on the nature or severity of the injuries. Responding medics found an overturned dump truck that had collided with an…
Suffolk County Company Admits Knowingly Exposing Employees To Hazardous Materials Suffolk County Company Admits Knowingly Exposing Employees To Hazardous Materials
Suffolk County Company Admits Knowingly Exposing Employees To Hazardous Materials A Long Island thermometer manufacturing company formally confessed to exposing employees to hazardous materials, seriously injuring four people. Robert Peyser, 66, of Bellmore, and his West Babylon-based Kessler Thermometer Corp. pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Dec. 13. Peyser, the company’s owner and principal agent, admitted that he knowingly endangered workers by failing to provide proper ventilation, protective equipment, and cleanup protocols for handling mercury spills. Investigators got involved in August 2022, when a large mercury spill e…
CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change
CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change The head of UnitedHealth Group is calling for change in the healthcare industry after the targeted killing of the CEO of one of its two subsidiaries. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel in Manhattan at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. On Monday, Dec. 9, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case. At the time of his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Mangione was found to be in possession of a three-page manifesto critical of healthcare companies. He condemned UnitedHealthcare's increasing ma…
Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Crash: Suffolk County Police Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Crash: Suffolk County Police
Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Crash: Suffolk County Police A pedestrian was struck by a car and seriously injured on Commack Road in Deer Park, Suffolk County Police said on Friday, Dec. 13. The crash occurred when Daniel Martinez, 49, of North Babylon, was driving his 2022 Hyundai Elantra southbound near Marcus Boulevard and hit a man who was in the roadway at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, according to police. The pedestrian was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he is being treated for serious injuries. Martinez was not hurt in the crash, police added. The vehicle was impounded for a safety check as the investiga…
Suffolk County Father Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Daughter: DA Suffolk County Father Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Daughter: DA
Suffolk County Father Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Daughter: DA A 56-year-old man from Islip was convicted of sexually abusing his daughter over the course of two years, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Thursday, Dec. 12. The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant in order to avoid identifying the victim of a sex crime. The jury found the defendant guilty of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and related charges for abusing his daughter, beginning when she was 15 years old, according to Tierney. In February 2023, the then 17-year-old victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher following a specific incident of s…
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA The senators representing New York and New Jersey are demanding answers about the drones that have been spotted flying in the skies of New York and New Jersey this past month. New York Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all Democrats, wrote a letter on Thursday, Dec. 12 to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FAA Director Michael Whitaker demanding an immediate briefing on what they are doing to address the issue. "We are...especially concerned about how these drones may …
Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When
Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When Skywatchers are in for a treat as the Cold Moon, December’s full moon, illuminates the night sky.  Known as the Cold Moon for its association with the chilly winter season, this celestial event will be visible at its peak Sunday morning, Dec. 15, passing opposite the sun at 4:02 a.m. Eastern time, according to NASA. But that's not the only time to keep an eye on the sky. The moon will appear full for about three days from Friday evening, Dec. 13 through Monday morning, Dec. 16, NASA says, calling it "a full moon weekend." The Cold Moon rises just after sunset and will remain vis…
Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion
Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion Shake Shack is launching a limited-time promotion offering free burgers with a qualifying purchase during the holiday season.  The “Holiday Burger Blitz” will run from Monday, Dec. 16, to Tuesday, Dec. 24, providing customers with a free burger each day when they spend a minimum of $10 and use the code BURGERBLITZ at checkout. The promotion features a different burger each day, including popular items like the ShackBurger, SmokeShack, and Avocado Bacon Burger. The schedule for the free offerings is as follows: Monday, Dec. 16: ShackBurger Tuesday, Dec. 17: SmokeShack Wednesday, Dec. …
'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges 'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges
'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges Three luxury real estate agents and brothers known for operating in the New York City area are accused of drugging and raping numerous women dating back over a decade. Brothers Oren and Tal Alexander, founders of the real estate firm Official, and their brother Alon are charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking, according to a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday, Dec. 11. “The charges outlined in this indictment reflect some of the most heinous and dehumanizing crimes of sexual exploitation that our NYPD detectives investigate," NYPD Commissioner Jessica …
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Hackers have found a hole in Krispy Kreme's online ordering system, leaving some customers temporarily unable to place digital orders for their favorite donuts.  The company has confirmed the incident and stated that its technical team is actively working to resolve the issue. Krispy Kreme reported that the breach influenced its web-based platforms but did not affect in-store operations or the safety of customers' personal data.  The attack was first discovered at the end of November, the company said in a filing with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Krispy Kreme said it "i…
Late Brookhaven Bicyclist Is Helping 4 Others Live Following Deadly Crash Late Brookhaven Bicyclist Is Helping 4 Others Live Following Deadly Crash
Late Brookhaven Bicyclist Is Helping 4 Others Live Following Deadly Crash A late Long Island man is still helping others, even in death. Joseph Vujasin, 57, of Brookhaven, died after being struck by an SUV while bicycling in North Bellport on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 26. Suffolk County Police said a 44-year-old woman driving the SUV suffered a medical emergency and hit Vujasin as he rode near the intersection of Post and Atlantic avenues. He was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue with serious head injuries and was declared brain dead. Relatives made the difficult decision to take him off life support days later, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, his niece …