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Obituaries
'Beautiful, Joyful Soul': New Mom, Dance Teacher From Long Island Dies At Age 35 'Beautiful, Joyful Soul': New Mom, Dance Teacher From Long Island Dies At Age 35
'Beautiful, Joyful Soul': New Mom, Dance Teacher From Long Island Dies At Age 35 Tributes are pouring in following the unexpected death of a beloved dance instructor, wife, and new mother from Long Island. Andrea Kolbe, of Huntington, died Monday, Dec. 11, one day after her 35th birthday, according to her obituary. Her death followed a battle with postpartum depression, leaving her husband Chazz and their 3-month-old son to grapple with her immense loss, said a GoFundMe by Heather Umhafer. Kolbe was known in the community as a co-owner and dance instructor at Art In Motion Dance Center of Melville and Commack, where she spent 14 years. “Our hearts are broken as we sad…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Teen Admits Raping, Stabbing Woman In Front Of Her Young Daughter At Long Island Home Teen Admits Raping, Stabbing Woman In Front Of Her Young Daughter At Long Island Home
Teen Admits Raping, Stabbing Woman In Front Of Her Young Daughter At Long Island Home A 16-year-old boy has admitted to raping and stabbing a young mother during a home invasion robbery on Long Island. The defendant, who prosecutors did not name due to his age, pleaded guilty to rape and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Prosecutors said the boy was 14 years old when he and an accomplice broke into the victim’s Mastic Beach home at around 3:15 p.m. on April 19, 2022. As they were searching for items to steal, they found a locked bedroom door and kicked it in. Inside, they found a 23-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter. The defendant admit…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Knife-Wielding Man Assaults Woman On Long Island: Police Knife-Wielding Man Assaults Woman On Long Island: Police
Knife-Wielding Man Assaults Woman On Long Island: Police A Queens man has been arrested for attempted murder after he reportedly attacked a woman on Long Island with a knife, police said. It happened on Sunday, Dec. 17 in Valley Steam. According to Nassau County Police, it was around 11:30 a.m. when the man, 36-year-old Charles Mckenzie of Cambria Heights, attacked his victim with a knife. The exact location of the attack has not been made public. The woman, who is 31 and was not named by police, suffered large lacerations on both the side of her neck and on her behind. When officers arrived at the scene, Mckenzie was still there, and he …

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Burglar Smashes Window, Steals Cash From Long Island Business Burglar Smashes Window, Steals Cash From Long Island Business
Burglar Smashes Window, Steals Cash From Long Island Business Police are searching for a burglar who committed a smash-and-grab at a Long Island restaurant, making off with cash. It happened on Friday, Dec. 15 in Hicksville, according to Nassau County Police. At approximately 3:45 a.m., the burglar went through the window of Indian restaurant Pista House, located 104 New South Road. They grabbed the cash register and ran. Police said the investigation is ongoing; additional details, including a description of the thief, were not available. Detectives urge anyone with information regarding the break-in to contact the Nassau County Crime Stopper…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
'Angelica's Law' Honoring Late NY Teen Doles Stiffer Penalties For Repeat Reckless Drivers 'Angelica's Law' Honoring Late NY Teen Doles Stiffer Penalties For Repeat Reckless Drivers
'Angelica's Law' Honoring Late NY Teen Doles Stiffer Penalties For Repeat Reckless Drivers Angelica Nappi’s death won’t be in vain. The Long Island 14-year-old – who grew up in Holbrook and died at the hands of a reckless driver in February 2008 – was the inspiration behind “Angelica’s Law,” signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul this week. It decreases the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony. The law will apply a felony to recidivist drivers who drive without a valid license after having committed five or more moving violations resulting in prior suspensions of revocations. “Public safety is m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Cold Spring Harbor School Worker Accused Of Threatening Mass Harm After Not Getting Promotion Cold Spring Harbor School Worker Accused Of Threatening Mass Harm After Not Getting Promotion
Cold Spring Harbor School Worker Accused Of Threatening Mass Harm After Not Getting Promotion A worker at a school district on Long Island is being accused of making a threat of mass harm after police say he was passed over for a promotion. The custodian at the Cold Spring Harbor School District applied for a promotion at work last week, according to Suffolk County Police.  When he was informed that he did not get the promotion, he made a threat of mass harm against the school district while speaking to co-workers on Friday, Dec. 8, and again on Monday, Dec. 11, said police.  A school administrator was informed of the threats Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 11, and contacted po…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Seen Him? Serial Long Island Burglar Wanted By Police Seen Him? Serial Long Island Burglar Wanted By Police
Seen Him? Serial Long Island Burglar Wanted By Police Police are asking for the community’s assistance in locating a man who they say has burglarized multiple Long Island businesses. Nassau County Police made the announcement on Thursday, Dec. 7, providing pictures of the man who is accused of multiple break-ins at businesses across the county. While neither his name nor a list of businesses he’s victimized was made public, police said the break-ins have been occurring since August 2023. He is described as a man anywhere from 55 to 65 years old, stands at 5-foot-7, and has a thin build. Police said the man is commonly seen wearing a New …

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Drunk Woman Bites Officer During Long Island Convenience Store Skirmish, Police Say Drunk Woman Bites Officer During Long Island Convenience Store Skirmish, Police Say
Drunk Woman Bites Officer During Long Island Convenience Store Skirmish, Police Say An allegedly intoxicated woman who was behaving erratically at a Long Island convenience store was arrested for not complying with police, officials said. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Valley Stream, according to Nassau County Police. At approximately 10:15 p.m., a 35-year-old woman who appeared intoxicated reportedly began causing a scene at 24/7 Mart, located at 52 West Sunrise Highway. When police arrived at the scene, the woman, Valley Stream resident Christine Rogers, attempted to slam her head into the store’s glass and refused to comply with officials. An ambulan…

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Woman's Body Found At Demolition Site In Port Jefferson Station Woman's Body Found At Demolition Site In Port Jefferson Station
Woman's Body Found At Demolition Site In Port Jefferson Station Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body found at a demolition site on Long Island. A person found the body of an adult woman in Port Jefferson Station at Lawrence Aviation Industries Incorporated Site, located at on Sheep Pasture Road, at approximately 11:50 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8. The body was taken to the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine cause of death and identity of the woman, which has not yet been released. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Long Island Pastor Exploited Kids At Church, Possessed Child Porn: USAO Long Island Pastor Exploited Kids At Church, Possessed Child Porn: USAO
Long Island Pastor Exploited Kids At Church, Possessed Child Porn: Usao A pastor from a Long Island church has been indicted on charges including coercion of children after he allegedly told an undercover agent his “sweet spot” for molesting local kids was between the ages of 11 and 15. Twenty-eight-year-old Jose Saez, Jr., who worked as a pastor at a Brentwood church, was arraigned on Wednesday, Dec. 6 for his alleged crimes, including possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney’s Office announced. Saez, who himself is the father of three minor children, was nabbed after conversations with an undercover agent in August 2023, the USAO’s Easter…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Long Island Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA Long Island Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA
Long Island Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA A Long Island attorney is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her clients, including a lottery winner. Daphne Zekaria, age 54, of Syosset, was arraigned on grand larceny and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 5. According to prosecutors, she was hired by a New York State Lottery winner in December 2021 while working as a partner at the Huntington law firm Sokolski and Zekaria, P.C. An investigation found that she promised to hold a portion of her client’s money in the firm’s escrow account and invest an additional portion on his behalf. However,…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
'Absolute Gem' Fusion Restaurant Earns Perfect Marks After Long Island Opening 'Absolute Gem' Fusion Restaurant Earns Perfect Marks After Long Island Opening
'Absolute Gem' Fusion Restaurant Earns Perfect Marks After Long Island Opening A new Long Island restaurant offering vegetarian and vegan dishes has opened up to a perfect five-star rating from vegetarians and meat lovers alike. “Thank you, Food Gods for this absolute gem of a restaurant.” Marrygold, located at 3266 Railroad Avenue in Wantagh, opened its doors to the public in October 2023. The restaurant, which took over former spot Thai Coconut, serves up an entirely vegetarian and vegan menu – and, it’s good, diners said. On Marrygold’s Yelp page, over a dozen reviews are in, and the eatery’s rating sits at a solid five stars. From lo mein to phad thai to fri…

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by Sophie Grieser