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‘A Hole That Can Never Be Filled’: Fund Launched After Fisherman's Death Off Montauk
Following the sudden death of a New Jersey fisherman off the coast of Long Island, the community has rallied behind his wife and two children.
Sean Smida, 38, of Toms River, died Tuesday, July 21 about 10 miles off the coast of Montauk as part of a fishing expedition, according to authorities.
“Sean was so much more than an incredible fisherman — he was a devoted husband to Krystal and a loving father to Connor and Scarlett,” Smida’s friend, Ray Kerico, wrote in a GoFundMe. “His family was his world, and every moment he spent was dedicated to their happiness and well-being.”
Investigators …
Ben, Casey Affleck's Mother Dies At 83 After Fulfilling Final Wish
Christopher Affleck, the mother of Oscar-winning actors Ben and Casey Affleck, has died at 83 years old, according to her family.
Affleck died on Tuesday, June 2, two days after attending her grandson Atticus' high school graduation, according to her obituary. She had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2025 and was given six months to live.
Her family said seeing Atticus graduate was Affleck's greatest wish after her diagnosis.
"She did so, attending with her family on May 31, 2026," her obituary read. "She died peacefully, in her sleep, two days later."
Born Christin…
Foodborne Illness Outbreak Expands To More States As Hospitalizations Climb
A sprawling foodborne illness investigation has taken another troubling turn as the case count continues to climb.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday, July 24, that a Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce had expanded from five states to nine.
At least 1,947 illnesses and 98 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been recorded.
Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania were added to Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The CDC said the outbreak may not be limited to those states. The true number of illnesses is likely hig…
Armed Driver Menaces Motorist During Suffolk Road Rage Showdown: Cops
A Long Island driver pulled a gun in a road rage incident on Thursday, July 23, leading to criminal charges, police said.
Gary Donnelly, 45, of Huntington, was driving a Ford van through Melville on Express Drive South near Route 110 when he began driving erratically, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
Donnelly engaged in a series of road rage behaviors with a black 2018 Dodge Durango around 2 p.m., continuing south on Route 110 until they stopped near Spagnoli Road, according to police.
When the Durango driver, a 26-year-old Freeport man, exited his vehicle and looked toward Donne…
19 Million Eggs Recalled In South: What It Means For Northeast Consumers
A massive food-safety action centered outside the Northeast is raising a closer-to-home question: Could any of it reach local refrigerators?
Midwest Poultry Services voluntarily recalled 1,589,577 dozen eggs, equal to 19,074,924 individual eggs, on Wednesday, July 22, because of possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
The immediate answer for Northeast shoppers is reassuring.
The FDA lists no distribution in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia. The agency has not indicated that the re…
Year's Most Popular Meteor Shower Under Way: Peak Viewing Coming
The wait for summer’s most anticipated sky show is over, but its biggest act is still ahead.
The Perseid meteor shower became active Friday, July 17, and will continue through Monday, Aug. 24, according to the American Meteor Society.
Activity will build toward the peak overnight from Wednesday, Aug. 12, into Thursday, Aug. 13.
This year’s timing could hardly be better. The peak will coincide with a new moon, eliminating lunar glare that might otherwise wash out faint meteors.
The moon will be zero percent full during the peak, the American Meteor Society said.
NASA considers the Perseid…
Long Island Home Health Aide Caught On Camera Stealing Cash From 95-Year-Old Client: Police
A home health aide was arrested after she was caught on home surveillance stealing a locked cash box from her 95-year-old client on Long Island, but police say.
Madeline Barranco, 60, of Linden Street, Bellmore, was charged with third-degree grand larceny following the incident in West Hempstead, Nassau County Police said in a release issued Thursday, July 23.
The theft happened at approximately 6:39 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, according to detectives.
Barranco, who was working as the victim's health aide, was seen on home video surveillance removing a black locked box containing U.S. curre…
Beach Boys Summer Tour Paused — Long Island Show In Limbo
A “Beach Boys” tour fronted by Mike Love has called off several shows across the northeast this summer.
Love, 85, has been leading the Beach Boys tour since March, though he is the only original member of the band involved in the performances, according to Rolling Stone.
But on Wednesday, July 22, Love announced that all concerts until Sept. 24 had been temporarily postponed. The affected shows include:
Friday, July 24 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY
Saturday, July 25 at American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA
Sunday, July 26 at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown, …
Ghost Gun Builder Busted With Six Illegal Weapons In Suffolk County: Police
A Long Island man building ghost guns in his home was caught red-headed with six of the illegal weapons, police said.
Ronald Benini, 49, of Mastic Beach, was indicted Thursday, July 23 on two dozen weapons counts, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
From April to July, Benini manufactured 3D-printed weapons with no serial numbers inside his home, until cops raided it on Thursday, July 2, according to prosecutors.
Investigators found six ghost pistols, 3D printed lower receivers, 3D printers, printer filament, manuals on how to construct ghost guns, two high-capacity ammunit…
Dangerous Headrests Spark Huge Recall Of Popular Child Car Seats
Nearly 60,000 Evenflo child car seats are being recalled because the headrest can shift during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Evenflo Company issued the recall for 59,661 Reo by Revolve360 child seats, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report submitted on Wednesday, July 22. The recall affects the Danvers, Chelsea, Brookline, Lenox, Holden, and Nantucket models.
The headrest may shift in certain rear-facing or forward-facing positions during a crash. The problem means the child seats don't comply with federal safety standards for child restraint systems,…
Megachurch Pastor Sent Explicit Images To Teen He Met While Preaching: Police
A nationally known Virginia megachurch pastor who has preached across the United States is accused of sending explicit images to a Pennsylvania teenager he met while preaching at the boy's church, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Kenneth Kevin Baldwin, 46, of Alexandria, Virginia, was charged with two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one felony count of corruption of minors, three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, and six misdemeanor counts of open lewdness, state police announced Thursday, July 23.
The investigation began May 2, 2026, after the York…
