For more than three hours Wednesday, the parents of two teenage boys struck by an alleged drunk driver while hiking with their Boy Scout troop in Manorville last year delivered emotional testimony detailing the extent of the boys’ injuries and the steps they took to modify their home as a result.

Kevin Lane, an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 161 was hiking with his sons Denis, 16 at the time of the Sept. 30, 2018 crash and Thomas, then 14. He told prosecutors that he was toward the back of the line of 18 hikers on David Terry Road when Thomas Murphy drove his SUV into the group in a crash that ultimately claimed the life of 12-year-old Andrew McMorris.

He rushed toward the front of the group to find his son Denis walking around “aimlessly,” holding his nose and spilling blood onto his t-shirt. “We told him to sit down before he fell down.” Mr. Lane testified.

He then turned his attention to his youngest son, Thomas, whose external frame hiking pack had been badly bent, legs were swollen and had “grapefruit” sized swelling on his face.

“[Thomas] was yelling, he was screaming,” Mr. Lane said. “He was hurting.”

His wife, Colleen, attended to Denis, who was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead by ambulance and treated for a broken nose and sprained ankle. Later that evening, Ms. Lane said she was reunited with Thomas at Stony Brook University Hospital. Injuries to the right side of his face resulted in “the darkest shade of purple I’ve ever seen,” Ms. Lane said, also noting that her son was intubated and had a metal rod inserted in his skull to monitor pressure.

MORE TRIAL COVERAGE

Day 1: Prosecutors say Murphy turned down ride from sober friend moments before fatal crash

Day 2: Text messages, friend’s testimony tell a story of day of Scout crash

Day 3: Defense calls into question the character of key witness in Murphy trial

Day 4: Friends testify that despite drinking, Murphy did not appear drunk on day of crash

The Lanes’ account coincided with testimony from Dr. Erica Gross, a pediatric surgeon at Stony Brook University Hospital, who testified that in addition to a brain bleed, Thomas suffered fractures in his orbital bone, both legs, nose and ankle.

Thomas’ injuries forced the family to turn the den of their Shoreham home into a living space for their son, with a hospital bed, commode and makeshift shower. Ramps were also installed in their garage and kitchen so he could access the entire first floor of the home. “[Our den] was his bedroom, it was where his friends hung out when they came to visit, it was his bathroom, it was his shower,” Ms. Lane testified.

He returned to school in late November 2018 and received physical therapy through March 2019, she said. Her son, who had previously played volleyball and ran track at school, even made the tennis team that spring.

But his mom said his gait and range of motion isn’t the same. “He’s not as fluid as he used to be,” she said. “He’s stiff.”

Hillary Scheier, a physician’s assistant at Stony Brook who treated Thomas, said that trauma can “prematurely” close growth plates, which happened in his case. “He can’t gain any more height in that bone…they’re in his legs, so he’s not as tall as he potentially would have been,” she said.

Alisa McMorris, Andrew’s mother, said outside the courtroom that the testimony was “heartbreaking” to hear.

“We went through this together,” she said of the Lane family. “Andrew was two rooms down from Thomas … this is heartbreaking to listen to it, to endure it, to know this was 100% preventable.”

Back in the courtroom, Mr. Murphy’s defense attorney, Steven Politi of Central Islip, advanced several theories established earlier on, including a belief that the scouts were not walking single file in the shoulder. A friend of Mr. Murphy’s, who was driving behind him when the crash occurred, testified Tuesday that he didn’t believe all the scouts were walking single file.

But earlier Wednesday, Mr. Lane testified that he did not see anyone hiking improperly and “would have screamed at them, yelled at them,” if he had.

Mr. Politi also quizzed him on the color of the t-shirts worn by members of the group on the hike, saying their shirts may not have been visible to drivers. On Tuesday, prosecutors showed a bright red scout shirt the hikers were wearing, but Mr. Politi said two of them were wearing darker shirts.

On Wednesday the attorney advanced an argument that Dennis Lane wasn’t hit directly by Mr. Murphy’s vehicle, but was instead knocked down by another boy who had been struck, which Mr. Lane said he had no knowledge of.

Mr. Lane also testified that he did not notice Mr. Murphy at the scene of the crash. “I was preoccupied with [my son,]” he said.

Mr. Politi also called the Lane family’s relationship with lead investigator Genevieve Vesely, who lives two houses down from the family, into question.

Since Det. Vesely’s sons were also involved in Troop 161, Mr. Politi has questioned why she did not hand the case off to another investigator.

Kevin and Colleen Lane both testified that they had not met privately with Det. Vesely and instead met with officials from the District Attorney’s office.

He also scrutinized a civil lawsuit filed by the family that alleges Brookhaven Town and Suffolk County were “negligent” in maintaining the roads in the area. Ms. Lane acknowledged the civil suit, but added that the two municipalities are not “solely” responsible for the crash.

Prosecutors will call new witnesses Thursday in the trial, which is expected to last several more weeks.

Mr. Murphy, 60, of Holbrook is facing a top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Caption: A memorial for Andrew McMorris at the scene of the crash on David Terry Road in Manorville. (Credit: Kate Nalepinski file photo)

tsmith@timesreview.com

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When David Cohen accepted a position with Quannacut Outpatient Services in the early 2000s, he joined a staff that had recently moved into a new, 5,000-square-foot Riverhead facility on Harrison Avenue.

It was a big step up from the beginning, when the outpatient facility for Quannacut Addiction Services at Greenport’s Eastern Long Island Hospital, now known as Stony Brook Eastern Long Island, was a single room with one staff member. From there, the outpatient facility moved to two locations in Mattituck before settling in Riverhead.

As services expanded and the need for treatment facilities grew amid an escalating opioid crisis, the outpatient facility began to run out of space. Mr. Cohen said that in the past five or six years it became clear space was tight.

Thus, they began a search for a new home.

The result is a new behavioral health facility on East Main Street that’s nearly three times the size of the Harrison Avenue location at 14,000 square feet. The facility, which opened in July, offers programs and treatment that are geared toward addressing substance abuse, mental health and primary care under one roof.

“There is not in Suffolk County another system that has these levels of behavioral health all in one system,” Mr. Cohen said. “Because we have acute detox, rehab, the inpatient psych and an integrated substance abuse outpatient. Some other places have some of that, but not all of that.”

A formal ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials is scheduled Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the facility’s opening.

The facility is already treating up to 300 people, primarily in the Riverhead area and the twin forks, Mr. Cohen said. Some patients come from about as far west as the Mastic area, he said.

Officials cut the ribbon to formally commemorate the opening of the facility. (Credit: Kate Nalepinski)

Walk-ins are available Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Mr. Cohen said offering that type of immediate service is critical for patients who often have narrow windows to address a problem before it can spiral.

The key to improving treatment, he said, comes down to access.

“You need to remove as many barriers as possible,” he said.

Other services offered range from psychiatry to medicine management and primary care medicine. The facility features three exam rooms and four large group rooms where people can sit together for therapy. Offices are set up around the perimeter of the building for staff members, with group rooms positioned in the middle. A large conference room provides space for training sessions, which will be a key component of the facility as it’s used for academics, training and research. Mr. Cohen said Riverhead serves as a central location between Stony Brook University and its affiliated East End hospitals in Greenport and Southampton. So the conference room could be used at times for officials from the three hospitals to hold meetings.

Addiction and behavioral health disorders often go hand-in-hand, a term known as co-occurring disorders. The new facility focuses on a coordinated, integrated approach where patients can receive all the care they need.

“I don’t believe there’s any substance abuse program that has a medical set up like this, certainly on Long Island,” Mr. Cohen said.

A room used for group sessions. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Dr. Richard Rosenthal, the director of substance abuse for Stony Brook Medicine, said that for far too long, addiction was viewed as a “runaway train” that cannot be treated.

A culture change has been critical to improving care and Dr. Rosenthal said Stony Brook has been at the forefront in training doctors to be better equipped to treat addiction.

“We can’t rest on our laurels,” he said. “We need to always push the envelope and try to install whatever the state-of-the-art treatment is. We want to be right there to train people to put them into the pipeline so when they become independent practitioners, they’re going out there with the best evidence-based technique available.”

Doctors will spend the final year of a new three-year residency program at the Riverhead facility. The first two years of the residency will be in a hospital.

The residency is an example of the expanded health care offerings following the merger between Stony Brook and ELIH, which officially went into effect this summer.

Dr. Rosenthal said the type of patients at the outpatient facility can range from those who are in denial to those who are eager to begin treatment.

Motivational interviewing is one technique to work with patients who may fail to see the extent of their problems.

“It’s not coercion, it’s not finger-wagging and shaming, it’s really a nice set of techniques that reflect back the patients’ own thinking about his or her own use of illicit substances in a way that gets them to tip their own decisional balance about maybe making some effort to changing their behavior,” Dr. Rosenthal said.

Mr. Cohen said the facility was designed to allow for expansion as well. An additional 2,000 square feet could be built out, he said, which could be used for telemedicine.

Top photo caption: David Cohen is the director of Quannacut Outpatient Services in Riverhead. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

joew@timesreview.com

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The Riverhead Town Board unanimously adopted its 2020 budget Tuesday night, one day before the state-mandated deadline, amending the preliminary budget presented by Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith.

The budget includes $105,500 from the capital improvement fund that will be used to add second code enforcement officer. Councilman Tim Hubbard had proposed adding the position and initially called for $135,000 to be used from the capital improvement fund to target overcrowded and unsafe housing.

The addition of one code enforcement officer was already included in Ms. Jens-Smith’s preliminary budget.

Mr. Hubbard said at last Thursday’s work session that he agreed to eliminate $30,000 for a part-time paralegal and put that money back in capital projects reserves to see if the position was need in the next six months.

Ms. Jens-Smith previously said that a paralegal currently in the town attorney’s office no longer handles special event permits, which are now handled by the town clerk’s office. That will allow the paralegal more time to work on code enforcement. She had previously cautioned the board about using the capital reserve fund because the board recently learned of new unfunded mandates from the state that would go into effect next year.

The budget calls for a 2.5% tax levy hike and a 1.17% increase in spending. The proposed budget also increases the tax rate by 2.58%, bringing total spending to $59.8 million and total funding to $100.4 million.

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio had requested to add $30,000 to the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Crops. budget to have a volunteer and an ambulance stationed in Jamesport during the busy summer months. That proposed amendment was not adopted.

Councilwoman Catherine Kent proposed for $10,000 to be taken from the office of the supervisor and directed toward “professional development and education.”

That resolution was also not adopted.

“It’s going to be in personnel department’s line in the budget,” Ms. Kent said. “I think that it’s very important to keep our employees current, educated and well-trained. And we’ve had numerous requests for professional development from different departments, from the water department, justice court and several other departments.”

Ms. Jens-Smith supported the resolution, but the remaining Republican board members did not. Councilman James Wooten said he wasn’t sure he was comfortable taking funds from the office of the supervisor when the $10,000 can likely come from a different line.

“I’m certainly for training,” he said. “I think the $10,000 could probably be found out of a different line.”

The supervisor said that she had money in her budget when she had a part-time employee working for her, but didn’t have that employee last year.

“So, I actually used it to do some renovation in the hallway,” she said. “It didn’t go toward salary, so I felt that it didn’t need to be – it wasn’t essential to the running of the office.”

Employee training, she said, is an important use.

WITH TIM GANNON

mkhan@timesreview.com

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The controversial call still sticks. The memory of it may not go away any time soon.

A questionable foul was whistled against Shoreham-Wading River, leading to the game-winning free throw for Sayville with 4.4 seconds left in a Suffolk County Class A outbracket girls basketball game last season. That sort of memory is not easily deleted.

“Thanks for bringing up bad memories,” said SWR coach Adam Lievre.

On a more positive note, SWR (9-12 last season), after dropping five of its first six league games, turned its season around to extend its remarkable string of playoff appearances to 13 successive years, according to Lievre’s predecessor, Dennis Haughney.

“When we went on Christmas vacation, we were teetering on going in the wrong direction,” said Lievre (71-46 entering his seventh season). “As the season went on we got better and better and better.”

More good news for the Wildcats: They still have Abby Korzekwinski. The All-Conference senior forward was good for 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

“Obviously, she’s committed herself to getting better every year,” Lievre said. He added: “She’s been able to add a little bit of everything to her game … She can give us options. She’s really been able to fill a lot of roles. Her role has grown. She went from being a secondary player to a leader of the team, and we expect a lot out of her every day.”

SWR can also expect good things from senior forward Hayden Lachenmeyer (five points, eight rebounds) and freshman guard GraceAnn Leonard, the League V Rookie of the Year last season. Lachenmeyer’s main responsibilities are defense and rebounding. As for Leonard, she does “just a little bit of everything,” Lievre said. “If you look at her stats, they probably don’t tell you much. But if you watch her day in, day out, her speed and athleticism. She plays the top of a 1-3-1 zone by herself.”

SWR is rich in depth at the guard position with Annie Sheehan, Sophie Costello, Carlie Cutinella, Alexa Constant, Megan Greene, Kelly Cassidy, Isabelle Sheridan and Rachel Sereno. Mia Rosati and Ashley DeLumen help out in the front court.

“I think we have a very good team,” Lievre said. “I think we’re balanced. Although I don’t know the rotation yet, I feel comfortable with our roster. I think we’re going to have a very strong lineup and a very strong bench.”

For all of its success in reaching the playoffs, SWR has never won a county title.

“It’s nice to make the playoffs,” Lievre said, “but I would like to do a little more than that.”

If anyone knows a thing or two about chemistry, it’s Lawrence Mandresh. Mandresh is an advanced placement chemistry teacher at Riverhead High School. In his new capacity as Riverhead’s third coach in as many years after Jackie Zilnicki and Kenny Coard, he’s looking to facilitate chemistry on the court.

Mandresh is no newcomer to Riverhead hoops. He had been the Riverhead Middle School coach for six seasons and coached all but one or two of his current players when they were in middle school. He knows that varsity is a different game.

“Winning is great at middle school,” he said. “Not winning isn’t accepted at high school. Everyone likes to win.”

Riverhead (4-16) didn’t win as much as it would have liked last season. Mandresh, who describes himself as a physically active coach on the sideline (“I’m a little on the crazy side”), preaches unselfish, aggressive team play.

“Although a .500 season would be fantastic between league and non-league games, we’re still hoping to make a push for a playoff spot,” he said. “Anything is possible when no one else knows what you have.”

The Blue Waves have five returning varsity players in Ce’Ahnie Khan, Megan McIntosh, Kendal Kwasna, Jordan Palmer and Kaleigh Seal. Also on the squad are Kelyn Banegas Lopez, Sienna D’Albano, Mackenzie Dorr, Zyaire Hartfield, Lauren Kruger, Victoria Leonardi, Michaela Ligon and Ava Malanga.

“I know these girls,” Mandresh said. “There isn’t one girl on this team who isn’t a fantastic person. They listen … They’re hard workers in school. They are what you want your high school students to be like.”

Photo caption: Abby Korzekwinski, an All-Conference senior forward, brought Shoreham-Wading River 12 points and eight rebounds per game last season. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk, file)

bliepa@timesreview.com

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Daniel Blunnie’s voice trembled in court Thursday as he gave his account of the Sept. 30, 2018 hike that turned tragic.

Mr. Blunnie, a Shoreham resident, said he remembers the day “very well,” not just because of the crash that claimed the life of 12-year-old Andrew McMorris, but because it was his son Connor’s 14th birthday.

As they hiked along David Terry Road in Manorville, Mr. Blunnie testified that he was the first adult in the single file line and his son led as the groups’ navigator. Many of the older boys wore 50-pound hiking packs in preparation for a 125-mile hike at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Mr. Blunnie said, explaining why the adults hiked behind them.

“It’s more of less to train the boys to be leaders,” the assistant scoutmaster said.

He then described the moment Mr. Murphy’s SUV crashed into the scouts.

“[The vehicle] went straight over the [fog line] and into the crowd of boys,” Mr. Blunnie said.

He testified that he saw the vehicle strike Andrew and 16-year-old Denis Lane, causing their bodies to “bounce” from the hood and windshield area of Thomas Murphy’s vehicle. Several other boys, he said, were in a “pile,” on top of Thomas Lane, who suffered fractures in his orbital bone, both legs, nose and ankle.

Initially, Mr. Blunnie said the vehicle caught his attention because he thought the vehicle was moving “a little quicker” than other cars that had passed the group.

That statement fueled an uproar by Mr. Murphy’s defense team, who sought to file for a mistrial on the sixth day of the trial before Judge Fernando Camacho in Riverside. Mr. Murphy, 60, of Holbrook is facing a top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide.

During a break without Mr. Blunnie or the jury present, attorney Steven Politi erupted, arguing that Mr. Blunnie’s testimony about the vehicle’s speed was “muddying” issues for the jury.

He said the issue of speed should have never entered the courtroom.

“What happened in here today is the very definition of not getting a fair trial,” he said.

Both parties have stipulated that speeding would not be weighed as a factor in the case and the jury had already been advised to not consider speed when they decide the case.

MORE TRIAL COVERAGE

Day 1: Prosecutors say Murphy turned down ride from sober friend moments before fatal crash

Day 2: Text messages, friend’s testimony tell a story of day of Scout crash

Day 3: Defense calls into question the character of key witness in Murphy trial

Day 4: Friends testify that despite drinking, Murphy did not appear drunk on day of crash

Day 5: Parents of surviving victims take stand

Assistant District Attorney Brendan Ahern argued that prosecutors had no intention of eliciting testimony about Mr. Murphy’s speed and said an accident reconstruction expert would later confirm that the incident was not consistent with a high-speed crash.

Judge Camacho denied the motion and said there’s no basis for a mistrial at this point.

“It is such a drastic remedy,” he said, adding that “highly egregious conduct” would be necessary to warrant a mistrial with prejudice.

Back in the courtroom during cross examination, Mr. Politi pressed Mr. Blunnie on whether or not the route back to Shoreham-Wading River High School was considered a “shortcut.”

“You wanted to get home so [Connor] could go and open presents, right,” Mr. Politi asked, to which Mr. Blunnie replied yes.

He attempted to poke holes in Mr. Blunnie’s testimony, questioning why no tire mark appeared in the dirt, and why Mr. Blunnie, who had earlier testified that he smelled the odor of alcohol when he briefly approached Mr. Murphy, did not report that to police in a statement given to detectives approximately 50 minutes after the crash. Mr. Politi also questioned why he didn’t tell detectives that he witnessed Mr. Murphy’s vehicle swerve off the roadway.

Mr. Blunnie said the statement he gave detectives was “brief” and maintained that the scouts walked single file in a safe manner along the roadway.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Andrew McMorris’ mother, Alisa, described the trial as a “surreal” experience so far.

“It’s like I’m sitting and watching a horrible movie,” she said. “Every time testimony happens, I’m reliving my son’s last moments. It’s hard.”

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR TESTIFIES

Earlier Thursday, a Suffolk County police officer assigned to the crime scene section testified about how evidence was gathered at the scene of the crash near 20 David Terry Road in Manorville.

Officer William Sullivan, who arrived at the location around 3:26 p.m., reviewed dozens of photos and video footage taken at the site that depict damage to Mr. Murphy’s Mercedes-Benz and eight pieces of evidence taken in the case.

In photos and a video, the passenger’s side mirror can be seen hanging off of the vehicle, which also showed damage to the front quarter panel, bumper, wheel well and windshield.

Several car parts found in the grass and less than five centimeters away from the fog line on the roadway were documented as evidence, Mr. Sullivan said, in addition to two plastic water bottles, one of which appeared to be bloodstained.

Based on measurements taken at the scene, Mr. Sullivan also created a diagram that maps out where Mr. Murphy’s vehicle was in relation to the evidence collected and other aspects of the roadway.

Mr. Politi, however, said key details including a Jeep parked on the side of the road and asphalt area where the white fog line wasn’t continuous, were omitted from the diagram.

He cast doubt on the officer’s experience in the role and probed why certain items were documented as evidence at the direction of a lead detective at the scene.

“That’s how it works,” Mr. Sullivan replied, adding that his section serves as “an arm of” the detective division.

Mr. Politi implied that in the time it took Mr. Sullivan to respond, evidence may have been tampered with at the scene, where law enforcement, civilians and members of the District Attorney’s office were already present.

Testimony is expected to continue Friday.

tsmith@timesreview.com

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On Nov. 17, as part of its “Long Island Divided” series about housing discrimination on Long Island, Newsday published a story by veteran reporters Keith Herbert and Olivia Winslow.

Their story described 39 “test” interactions between black customers — both men and women — and real estate agents. “In 19 of those times,” they reported, “the testing suggested they experienced disparate treatment compared with matched white testers.”

One black man, 54-year-old Kelvin Tune, met with an agent who discouraged him from “considering houses in the bedrock Long Island community of Plainview.”

The series and its findings speak volumes about why we are what we are and why we look the way we do, at least in the western Long Island suburbs. Seventy-two years after ground was broken at former potato fields in Island Trees for the Levittown community, the results of this investigation ask us to consider what life is like for many residents and potential residents in one of the highest taxed suburbs in America, where taxpayers foot the bill for some of most outrageous public salaries and benefits anywhere in the country.

As part of the series, Newsday’s editorial board did something important: It acknowledged that the paper looked the other way in 1947 when William Levitt began to market homes under agreements that included this restrictive clause: “The tenant agrees not to permit the premises to be used or occupied by any persons other than members of the Caucasian race.”

There it is, the original housing sin. From 1947 to 2019 it feels like a straight line from Mr. Levitt laying it all out for everyone to see, to a black man in search of a home.

The editorial board also included in its report a remarkable piece of rediscovered history. On Oct. 14, 1947, just two weeks after hundreds of families happily moved into Levittown — many of them veterans fresh from the battlefields of World War II — Newsday published a letter from a reader, Arthur D. Millard, who wrote: “It’s a pity, but not surprising, that nonwhite veterans are not allowed to rent at Island Trees.” Mr. Millard, who identified himself as the grandson of a slave owner, added, “Isn’t it time we recognized the Negroes as fellow Americans?”

What has changed in the 72 years since that letter was written? Anything?

The response to the series has been immediate and supportive, with different groups and individuals offering their own shocked responses and vowing to formally investigate further. They should. What does Long Island aspire to be? A place where a black family can’t get a fair deal in a neighborhood? A place where overpaid politicians are hauled out of their homes by federal agents and put on trial for corruption? Is that all there is?

The Newsday series rightly gives Long Island another black eye. If Long Island ever wants to be what it professes that it wants to be — a high-tech hub, with a highly educated workforce — history has to be turned on its head. As very good as the entire series is, the best part might be the editorial board calling out the paper’s early owner for turning a blind eye to the real estate ethnic cleansing initiated by Mr. Levitt.

Another important point is one that’s ripe for the times we live in, when people occupying some of the highest offices in the land brand the news media as purveyors of fake news, enemies of the state or occupants of some basement-level deep state, plotting to bring down the government while their mothers make their beds. Many of those who buy into these lies profess to love their country, the Constitution and the rule of law. They don’t. It’s a political act.

Newsday’s series has a name: public service. It reminds some of us, anyway, that when newspapers are perceived as weak, public corruption soars. Where they are strong and focused and willing to do battle, as Newsday was with this series, out come the handcuffs. And where corruption is deeply rooted in a community’s DNA, government for and by the people is the myth we tell each other to help us sleep at night.

Yes, this is a cliché, but right for the times: The truth matters. Read it.

The post Editorial: Welcome to suburban L.I., minority homebuyers appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Officials in Riverhead and Southold both took steps this week to appoint special counsel in connection with an opioid lawsuit.

Southold Town attorney Bill Duffy confirmed that several municipalities, including Brookhaven, Southampton and several villages, intend to file a class-action lawsuit separate from the county’s against major opioid manufacturers and distributors.

“It mirrors the county [lawsuit],” he said, which is currently pending after a Suffolk County Supreme Court judge granted the go-ahead in May. A trial is now scheduled to begin next September.

In its lawsuit, Suffolk County alleges that opioid companies masked the addictive nature of the drugs and marketed them to consumers aggressively. The plaintiffs are seeking reimbursement for costs related to the opioid epidemic.

The agreement approved by Southold officials Tuesday directs Supervisor Scott Russell to retain Tate, Grossman, Kelly & Iaccarino of Hempstead. Riverhead officials also adopted a resolution Tuesday to retain the same firm.

Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglio said the resolution derived from a meeting with New York Attorney General Letitia James.

“She had a big press conference earlier this morning about going after the manufacturers of the pharmaceutical companies that have distributed the opioids and not being respectful of the addictions that it causes,” Ms. Giglio said. “I think it’s a great effort and I’m glad that we’re doing our part in it and I will vote yes.”

Riverhead Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith agreed, mentioning that this removes the town from the class action suit against the manufacturers.

“The town will be pursuing it as a sole entity, instead of entering into the class action suit, hopefully, to get some damages for the destruction that it’s caused,” she said.

According to its website, that firm was established for the sole purpose of helping government municipalities and other institutions recoup damages as a result of the opioid crisis.

“Municipalities and other organizations have had to dedicate substantial resources to develop programs and train personnel, purchase overdose medication, pay overtime for first responders and other staff, and absorb unnecessary increases in medical/healthcare costs — not to mention the related losses of productivity,” the website states, also citing a report by the Fiscal Policy Institute showing that Long Island spent $8.2 billion tackling the opioid crisis in 2017.

tsmith@timesreview.com

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Representatives of a proposed 191-acre solar farm in Calverton addressed concerns about the project, mainly environmental issues such as materials used in the panels, and also tree clearing, noise issues and fire hazards, at a Riverhead Town Board work session Thursday.

The officials from LI Solar Generation, which is a joint venture of NextEra Energy Resources and National Grid, answered questions for nearly two hours, many in response to those raised during a special meeting last week.

“This is really a low to zero impact project,” said Steven Losquadro of Rocky Point, the applicants’ attorney, who commended the town’s planning staff for its efforts to request information throughout the process.

The application is for a site plan and special permit for 22.9-megawatt commercial solar energy production facility at 149 Edwards Ave. and River Road in Calverton.

The Town Board, which is the lead agency in the review of the project, decided at last week’s meeting to hold off on declaring a “negative declaration” for the project, a move that would have removed the requirement for an environmental impact study. Residents had expressed concern the project was being rushed and information was lacking. But during Thursday morning’s meeting, the Town Board decided to move forward with a State Environmental Quality Review Act, saying that all bases must be covered for a facility and undertaking of this magnitude. Councilwoman Jodi Giglio argued that environmental analysis should be left to experts and the board should follow their lead.

The project has been before the Riverhead Planning Board and the officials met with the Town Board once before in May.

A key concern that had been raised was whether cadmium was used in the approximately 80,000 solar panels.

The officials said none of the solar panels would contain cadmium, a potentially hazardous material, or lead. Instead, the solar panels will consist of glass, polymer, aluminum, copper and semiconductor materials that can be recovered and recycled, according to Mr. Losquadro.

Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith questioned whether panels would be replaced as technology evolves. Michael Dowling, NextEra Energy project director, said the project is designed to maintain the current setup. Panels would be replaced on a case-by-case basis if they were damaged. Any panels that need to be replaced would be recycled, Mr. Dowling said.

The applicants are requesting a 20-year special permit with two five-year extensions granted up front to ensure that they are able to abide by their 30-year contract with Long Island Power Authority, Mr. Dowling said.

“The bottom line,” Councilman Tim Hubbard said, “what is the benefit to a Riverhead resident if you come in and build this here?”

He said the project will not be a job generator and asked the officials what positive impacts would be made.

“I have to weigh the pros and cons,” Mr. Hubbard said, “and I’ve got to be honest with you, the cons, to me, outweigh the pros.”

Mr. Dowling explained that a handful of temporary positions will be created for labor men, electrical technicians and high voltage technicians for roughly the first eight months, after which much of the operations will be remotely controlled out of state. He added that the solar farm will result in significant tax revenue.

Mr. Losquadro mentioned that with Long Island’s grid, power plants are highly antiquated and that turning to renewable energy is critical. Ms. Jens-Smith said Riverhead is now so heavily invested in solar energy that industrial uses seem only to focus on solar.

The energy, Mr. Dowling said, will be sold to LIPA, whose officials will use their discretion when distributing across the island. Councilwoman Catherine Kent said that’s not reassuring for local residents who want to see a direct benefit from the farm.

“We have to think about how much more solar are we willing to take in this town,” she said.

Chris Corrado, environmental manager at National Grid, addressed concerns raised about fuel used at the site. He said there will be 11 inverter units on the farm, containing 650 gallons of mineral oil, or dielectric fluid, which is noncombustible. There will also be an on-site generator step-up transformer that will contain between 5,000 and 7,000 gallons of mineral oil, with specific procedures in place in the “unlikely event of a spill,” the officials said. Mr. Corrado insisted that mineral oil does not contain hazardous materials.

With reference to further environmental review, Phase 1A and 1B archaeological studies have been completed with no further requirements. Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State DEC’s Natural Heritage Program identified potentially occurring federal and state protected species in the general vicinity of the project, including the tiger salamander. No significant tree clearing or clearing of native vegetation is being proposed at this time, but minimal tree removal is expected to be limited to formal, non-natural, landscaped trees. Regarding wetlands, the officials said they are in compliance with all zoning and setback requirements.

“The chances for the protected species would be in the wetland areas,” said Bill Boer, environmental services project manager for NextEra Energy. “We’re only disturbing previously disturbed parcels … There is no existing habitat for any endangered species.”

mkhan@timesreview.com

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A staff member in the Riverhead Central School District was dismissed after alcohol was found in a classroom, Superintendent Aurelia Henriquez confirmed in a statement Friday afternoon.

“The district can confirm an unfortunate incident where alcohol was found in a classroom,” the superintendent said. “The safety of our students is of the utmost importance and the district took immediate action following the incident.”

Dr. Henriquez did not identify the staff member in the statement. Dismissing a tenured teacher requires a lengthy process pursuant to Education Law §3020.

“As this involves personnel, the district cannot offer any other information,” Dr. Henriquez added. “However, the staff member in question is no long employed by the Riverhead Central School District.”

The incident comes in the wake of several reassignments among educators in the district pending personnel investigations.

Pulaski Street School Principal Dave Densieski was reassigned to the district offices, the superintendent confirmed Nov. 15. And Pulaski orchestra teacher Christina Mercurio was reassigned to the pupil personnel services office.

Prior to that, longtime high school teacher Edward Grassman was removed from his teaching and coaching duties.

In August, the school board approved the resignation of former high school principal Charles Regan, effective Sept. 27. Mr. Regan has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a former high school student.

joew@timesreview.com

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Route 58 vs. downtown Riverhead. The future of Enterprise Park at Calverton. An expanding hospital in the heart of the town.

Those topics and more were at the forefront of a forum last week on the future of Riverhead. The TR Talks event, titled “Riverhead: What Will It Look Like 10 Years From Now,” brought together local officials, real estate professionals and a hospital director.

The post From downtown to EPCAL, Riverhead’s future discussed at forum appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Christmas may be a month away, but Santa Claus is already in the giving spirit.

Santa and Mrs. Claus took a break from the North Pole to visit a horse rescue farm in Baiting Hollow Saturday afternoon. Joined by more than two dozen others, they surprised the farm with a $1,660 donation.

“This is a very emotional day for us, because our funds are very low,” said Heather Davis of Rocky Point, who volunteers at North Shore Horse Rescue. “This is amazing.”

The festivities were organized by Chris Court of Manorville. In June, she surprised the farm’s owners with a delivery of 1,500 pounds of donated horse feed. After the fundraiser’s success, she wanted to come up with another way to help the farm around the holidays.

The theme: “Santa to the rescue.”

“We know how hard you work,” Ms. Court said to the group during the presentation. “We know how low your funds are for the rescue. So for the last several weeks, all of these people helped to raise money for your rescue.”

They presented the volunteers with an oversized check.

The theme of the surprise fundraiser was Santa to the rescue. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Beth Springston, the treasurer for the horse rescue, said she received a text message from owner Laurel Palermo asking if she could go down to the farm Saturday. Ms. Palermo, who runs the farm with her husband Tom, had something come up and couldn’t make it.

How to help: Donations can be made here

As far as Ms. Springston knew, Ms. Court was coming to drop off pictures she had framed of the horses. She was confused at first and wondered why she needed to be there to simply accept pictures.

“Now I realize why, this was really fabulous,” Ms. Springston said. “This really helps because we just posted out annual appeal for 2019 and with Giving Tuesday, we already have a campaign up on Facebook, and we’re hoping that we’ll get a lot of funds for the end of the year.”

Chris Court, right, presents the check. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Ms. Davis FaceTimed Ms. Palermo during the presentation.

Ms. Springston said the funds will go toward hay, special medication that some horses require, and even could be used for an acupuncturist who treats some of the horses.

The farm is home to 15 rescue horses and other horses are boarded there through Gold Rush Farm.

Money raised goes strictly toward the rescue horses, Ms. Springston said.

“You have so many friends here who now know where your horse rescue is,” Ms. Court said. “I’m so glad that you’re here to accept this check.”

Treasurer Beth Springston, center, and volunteer Heather Davis. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

A group shot of everyone who helped in the surprise. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Santa looks on as Ms. Court addresses the group. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

joew@timesreview.com

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A toxicology report showed the operator of a 39-foot Cobalt that struck a bulkhead two weeks ago, killing a Riverhead woman onboard, did not have a blood alcohol content above the legal threshold to warrant a criminal charge, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Southold Town police initially charged Frank Distefano, 48, of East Northport with boating while intoxicated after the fatal crash on Nov. 10 in Mattituck. Police had indicated additional charges could also be filed. Evidence would typically need to be presented to a grand jury to add any upgraded charges.

An arraignment on the BWI charge was originally scheduled for Friday, but that did not happen.

In a statement to the News-Review, a DA spokesperson said: “The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office secured a court order to test blood which was drawn from the suspected operator immediately upon his arrival to the hospital. The toxicology report indicated that the blood alcohol content was under the legal threshold for a criminal charge.

“This crash remains under criminal investigation, including a thorough, forensic analysis of all the available evidence. Law enforcement is asking anyone with information to call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at (631) 853-4161.”

The crash claimed the life of 27-year-old Kelley Blanchard and seriously injured her sister Megan, who is 29.

Services for Ms. Blanchard were held Monday as she was laid to rest. Megan was able to attend the services.

A 41-year-old Jamesport man, Nick Soullas, was also injured in the crash.

Mr. Distefano was treated at Stony Brook University Hospital for his injuries.

Southold police Chief Martin Flatley said Friday he was unsure of the district attorney’s timeline in the case, but added that they are actively investigating.

Police responded to the scene near Old Salt Road in the area of James Creek in Mattituck at about 9:17 p.m. Nov. 10. The boat had slammed into the bulkhead fronting Great Peconic Bay. The vessel was approximately 150 feet from the shoreline with four people onboard when first responders arrived.

Police had said there was “substantial damage to both the bulkhead and the vessel indicating that the collision occurred at significant speed.”

Photo caption: The damaged bulkhead pictured the afternoon after the crash. (Credit: Kate Nalepinski)

joew@timesreview.com

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The trial of Thomas Murphy came to an abrupt halt Friday afternoon after the defense raised a legal issue and the judge sent the jury home for the weekend as both sides worked to sort it out.

The jury was about to hear testimony from a police officer who was at the scene of the alleged drunken driving crash that led to the death of 12-year-old Andrew McMorris on Sept. 30, 2018.

“There’s an issue, a legal issue, that cannot be resolved now,” Judge Fernando Camacho told the jury inside his courtroom in Riverside. “It needs to be discussed further and it needs to be resolved before we can move forward.”

The jury was then asked to return to the courthouse Monday.

Outside of the courtroom both Assistant District Attorney Brendan Ahearn and Mr. Murphy’s defense attorney Steven Politi declined to discuss the legal issue. Mr. Ahearn briskly walked away from the media with Andrew’s mother, Alisa McMorris. He later returned to listen to Mr. Politi, who focused most of his remarks on concerns he has with the way the trial has been covered in the press.

“I’m not really going to be speaking about the legal issue in the court,” Mr. Politi said. “We kind of have an agreement that we’re going to try to resolve it before … it’s a private matter at this time between the attorneys and the court.

While Mr. Politi declined to say if the legal issue had anything to do with the next witness scheduled to testify, earlier Friday he publicly raised to Judge Camacho a legal issue related to the officer’s paperwork.

MORE TRIAL COVERAGE

Day 1: Prosecutors say Murphy turned down ride from sober friend moments before fatal crash

Day 2: Text messages, friend’s testimony tell a story of day of Scout crash

Day 3: Defense calls into question the character of key witness in Murphy trial

Day 4: Friends testify that despite drinking, Murphy did not appear drunk on day of crash

Day 5: Parents of surviving victims take stand

Day 6: Shoreham parent recounts moment of crash during testimony

Prior to the judge sending the jury home for the weekend, they did hear testimony from Denis Lane, now 17, one of several boys injured in the crash, which occurred on David Terry Road in Manorville, where the scouts were out on a 20-mile hike that afternoon.

Denis, wearing a red button-down shirt with a crucifix hanging below the neckline, testified that he had switched spots in line that afternoon with his younger brother Thomas, who was more seriously injured in the crash. He testified that friend Connor Blunnie was first in line that afternoon and as navigator was calling out “car” each time a vehicle passed.

“I looked up, I identified the car he was talking about, looked at it for a couple of seconds and didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary about it,” he said. “I went back to looking at my phone. I was playing around with my music and then [the vehicle] caught my eye as it went past Connor. It looked like the rear-view passenger side window missed Connor by less than six inches and then started to come over the fog line. Right before it struck Thomas is when I closed my eyes and kind of froze up.”

“The next time I opened my eyes, I was flat on my back on the ground,” he continued, his voice cracking with emotion as he finished that thought.

Denis said at the moment of impact he felt like he was “hit in the face with a baseball bat.”

The testimony was the first time the jury heard that any of the scouts were wearing ear buds on the day of the crash, something Denis said was against the rules of the hike. He said his brother Thomas, who witnesses have said was struck more directly by Mr. Murphy’s vehicle, was also listening to music.

Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Politi said that detail is an important fact in the case.

“Eight days into the trial we found out that two of the boys who were struck were wearing earbuds in violation of the rules … there was no supervision by the Boy Scout leaders,” he said. “The bottom line is this, and I’m not blaming the boys, these young boys were poorly supervised.”

Denis also testified to what he saw in the immediate aftermath of the crash as he opened his eyes to find himself laying partly on the grass, his legs in the shoulder of the roadway, his brother severely injured several feet away.

Mr. Politi also pressed Denis on where Andrew landed after he was struck by the vehicle, saying his testimony has differed in various statements he’s given. On Friday, the teen said Andrew landed on the side of the road, but Mr. Politi said that at a deposition for an ongoing civil trial Denis stated that Andrew landed in the middle of the road.

Speaking outside of the courtroom afterward, Ms. McMorris accused Mr. Politi of playing “a game” when suggesting her son landed somewhere other than where photographic evidence shows.

“We have a picture showing where they landed, we know where they landed, so we know [Mr. Murphy] was intoxicated. That’s what we know,” she said. “We can play this game … and it’s a game. What happened that day was horrific and nothing will change that. And when [Mr. Murphy] has to meet his maker, he doesn’t get a lawyer. He has to meet him by himself.”

Ms. McMorris called the testimony “heartbreaking.”

“When Denis saw the car coming, he knew it was coming, which means Andrew knew it was coming and he didn’t have time to get out of the way,” she said.

Moments earlier, with Ms. McMorris and her supporters standing behind him observing, Mr. Politi was critical of press coverage in the case, saying the reporting has focused on the emotions and not the facts being presented to the jury.

“My client did not leave the roadway,” he said. “My client was not intoxicated. My client did not drive recklessly. My client was involved in a very, very tragic, unfortunate car accident.”

gparpan@timesreview.com

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A Bellport man was arrested in Wading River Monday afternoon for selling a controlled substance, police reports said.

Taahziah Brown, 22, was arrested at the Walgreens on Wading River Manor Road at approximately 12:31 p.m. He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor and a felony, and criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony.

Mr. Brown was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters and held for morning arraignment. Additional information was not provided in police reports.

• Charles Nicholson, 61, of Rocky Point was arrested Monday for driving while intoxicated and criminal contempt at The Inn and Spa at East Wind in Wading River, police reports said.

Around 6:30 p.m., police received a call of a domestic incident. Upon arrival, a woman reported she had checked into the hotel Sunday with her boyfriend, Mr. Nicholson, and got into an altercation with him.

Police reports said Mr. Nicholson was in a 2013 Ford sedan with two 12-ounce containers of alcohol, an East Wind room key and a vial of yellow liquid. He was arrested and charged with DWI and criminal contempt, a misdemeanor.

• Sharon Hilton, 50, of Greenport was arrested outside Peconic Bay Medical Center on Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead last Thursday for driving while intoxicated, police reports said.

Reports said police observed a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident near the hospital around 2 p.m.

Upon further investigation, police conducted a DWI investigation due to alcohol involvement. Ms. Hilton was arrested, charged with DWI and a breath test violation, and transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing. Her 2010 Ford Fusion was also seized at the scene. She was held for morning arraignment, reports said.

• John Brassil, 25, of New York City was arrested for DWI in Riverhead last Thursday.

Around 9:30 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop on Old Country Road for a 2002 Buick sedan with a defective muffler. Police interviewed the driver, Mr. Brassil, and then conducted an investigation due to alcohol involvement.

Mr. Brassil was arrested at approximately 9:58 p.m. for DWI and was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where he was processed and held for arraignment.

• Police detected an odor of natural gas near West Main Street in Riverhead last Thursday morning, reports said.

According to reports, police smelled the potential leak around 12:50 a.m. near the Peconic River Canoe Launch parking lot. Riverhead Fire Department was notified and responded. Reports said the fire chief stated the source of the odor was propane distributor Paraco Gas, which was filling gas tanks. Police determined the issue was not of concern. No further action was taken.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Shoreham-Wading River players and fans celebrate. (Credit: Daniel De Mato)

This wasn’t new to many of the Shoreham-Wading River High School football players. They had played in county and Long Island finals before. They knew that every play in a game like this could be critical. They knew that momentum can be a fleeting thing, and can swing without a moment’s notice.

So, with Mount Sinai holding a 14-13 lead and engineering an 11-play drive to start the third quarter, the Mustangs looked headed toward the end zone. Then one of the Mustangs lost his cool. A personal foul was whistled, pushing Mount Sinai 15 yards back, leaving the Mustangs facing a fourth-and-15 at the SWR 31-yard line.

That was just the break SWR needed. The rest of the Suffolk County Division IV final was all SWR. Jake Wilson sacked Brandon Ventarola on the next play. The Wildcats were off and running to their fifth county championship in six years and second in a row.

“Momentum is a powerful thing,” said Xavier Arline, who ran for three touchdowns and threw for another in SWR’s 35-14 redemption victory at Stony Brook University’s Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

SWR (10-1) has a good history in county finals, winning all five it has played in, including those in 2014, ’15, ’16 and ’18.

“Before the game I said, ‘Screw the Xs and Os, come out here and play ‘Tommy Tough’ football, and everything else will take care of itself,’ ” Arline said. “So we just believed in one another, and that’s the result.”

Mount Sinai (10-1), which is 2-8 in county finals, is responsible for SWR’s sole loss this season. That came Oct. 12, by a similar score, 35-21.

Xavier Arline carries the ball for a second-half touchdown. (Credit: Daniel De Mato)

This time, on a raw afternoon with wind and rain, SWR seized momentum and pulled away after that personal foul. “It was really just, the game was over,” said SWR’s Dylan Blanco.

SWR scored on the next two possessions after that from a 38-yard keeper by Arline and Arline’s 26-yard dash from a shotgun snap down the right side for his third rushing TD of the game and 37th of the year.

“It’s typical ‘X’,” SWR’s Mike Casazza said. “You give him the ball, he’s going to make a play. That’s what we’ve seen the past four years. He’s a ridiculous athlete.”

The final dagger was self-inflicted damage on the second play of Mount Sinai’s next series. The Mustangs, from a snap on their own 14, fumbled the ball into their own end zone on a pitchout to the right. Blanco came up with it for his first career TD.

“That was kind of the hammer right there,” said Casazza, who had a TD catch, five tackles and three assists.

Blanco said a Mount Sinai player was bobbling the ball when he slid next to him. “I just tried to push it away and I ended up just stripping it from him and holding on for dear life,” said the defensive end.

SWR threw a new look at Mount Sinai, with Robert McGee, the St. Anthony’s transfer who joined the Wildcats for their fourth game this season, mixing in some snaps at quarterback with Arline.

Arline, a flashy runner who entered the game with 1,846 rushing yards, tops in Suffolk, according to Newsday, ran for 212 yards on 30 carries.

“That’s what he’s supposed to do,” SWR coach Aden Smith said. “That’s what’s supposed to happen. He is the best player in the county. There is no better.”

Shoreham-Wading River players celebrate after defeating Mount Sinai. (Credit: Daniel De Mato)

Arline also threw for 85 yards and his ninth TD pass of the year, a 47-yarder to Casazza, who broke a tackle on his way to the end zone on the game’s opening series.

Mount Sinai responded with a TD on its first possession, a 2-yard keeper by Ventarola.

Arline scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left in the second quarter, but Matt LoMonaco returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a TD and Joseph Balzano’s extra point put Mount Sinai ahead, 14-13.

“God tested us,” said Arline.

And, as the Wildcats have more often than not in recent years, they responded.

“We earned another week to keep playing,” said Blanco.

The Wildcats have a chance to claim a fourth Long Island title when they face Seaford (10-1) Saturday at Hofstra University.

This is the third county championship for some SWR players like Arline and Casazza.

“It feels great,” Arline said. “I mean, this is what we sacrificed our summers for. We’re not normal 17-, 18-year-old kids. We don’t do the normal stuff. We sacrifice ourselves, so when we see a result like this, it’s really great, but we’re not done here. We got to finish it out.”

Some timely momentum wouldn’t hurt.

bliepa@timesreview.com

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Albert Daniels is a guard in a big man’s body.

That’s how Riverhead coach John Rossetti describes the top player on his high school boys basketball team. Daniels, Riverhead’s only returning starter, may play guard on offense and in the five spot on defense, to take advantage of his attributes on both ends of the court.

“We’re going to take advantage of his athleticism,” Rossetti said. “To his credit, he’s willing to play wherever he’s asked and what’s best for the team. I give him a lot of credit for that.”

Daniels, a senior who averaged nine points per game last season, is in his fourth varsity season.

“Albert has shown a significant amount of growth,” said Rossetti, whose team went 11-9 last season, losing to Commack in the playoffs. “Each year he has shown a growth in maturity, which has shown him more and more producing on the basketball court … Obviously, he’s just physically gifted.”

The other returner for the Blue Waves who saw significant playing time is senior guard Jahquel Blount. Also back are junior point guard Adrian Johnson, junior guard Jacob Wilkinson and junior forward Shammond Henry.

Among the new additions are a slew of guards (“That guard thing is going to be a common thing around here,” said Rossetti): sophomores TayShaun Hawkins and Curtis Spruill, juniors Rayvon Moore, A.J. Horton, Adgrikist Floyd and John Davide and senior Te-Andre Pope. A pair of forwards, senior Justin Dicks and junior Christian Campbell, are also new to the squad.

As has historically been the case, Riverhead doesn’t have much in the way of height. The 6-4 Dicks and 6-2 Wilkinson are two of the team’s taller players.

“What we lack in height, we’re going to put forth in effort,” Rossetti said. “Height has been something that we never really had, so it’s something we’re used to. We’re going to have to trap and press, and most importantly, we’re going to have to take care of the basketball … We’re really focusing on team defense right now. That’s really our focal point because we have to help out with our lack of size.”

Rossetti likes the unselfishness he has seen so far. “In practice, they’re passing the ball a lot and giving guys the open shots,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of knocking them down.”

Riverhead will play in League II, where Rossetti said Commack and Bay Shore look like the top two teams.

How realistic would reaching the playoffs be?

“Obviously, you start every season with that as a goal, but right now I think it’s too early to make a determination,” Rossetti said. He added: “Hopefully, we mesh, we grow and we develop. I expect positive things from this group.”

Shoreham-Wading River’s 4-16 record from last season is a little misleading. The Wildcats were competitive in most of their games in a tough league and lost some close ones. Coach Kevin Culhane has seen some good things in the way of offseason workouts and SWR winning the Town of Brookhaven Summer League varsity championship.

“I think we improved steadily as last year went on,” he said. “We lost some tough league games last year, but we gained invaluable playing experience … I think the players started putting things together and realized that we could be a very competitive team.”

When it comes to competitiveness, look at Tom Bell. “He’s a tremendous competitor, always trying to get himself to be a better player, and he has put a lot of work in to be a better player,” said Culhane.

Bell, an All-League junior point guard, averaged 13.5 points and three assists per game, hitting 36 three-pointers in 20 games.

Senior guard Cameron Loschiavo (5.4 points, 20 three-pointers), junior guard Tristan Costello (five rebounds) and junior center Adam Gawreluk are returning starters as well.

More experience comes from senior forwards Chris Baumeister, Aidan Drost, Antonio Maccaro, Peter Flanagan and senior guard Jacob Vogel. Junior forward David Tedesco, who missed the entire 2018-19 season with a foot injury, is back.

The newcomers are guards Brendan Sicari, Thomas McInnes and Joe Dwyer, guard/forward Cayden Mulroy, forward/center Max Calovi and forward Sean Telly.

“I think they gained a lot of experience and I really think that will be the impetus for getting us going,” Culhane said. “The team is very tight together. They’re friendly with each other and they support each other.”

SWR competes in League VI, which includes defending champion Miller Place, Amityville and Suffolk Class A champion Wyandanch.

“I think our league top to bottom might be the toughest league in Suffolk County,” Culhane said. “There’s a lot of good teams. There’s a lot of solid teams and a lot of solid coaches. Our league is going to be extremely competitive. There are going to be no easy games.”

Photo caption: RIverhead guard Albert Daniels is faced by two defenders in last year’s playoff game. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

bliepa@timesreview.com

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Christmas may be a month away, but Santa Claus is already in the giving spirit.

Santa and Mrs. Claus took a break from the North Pole to visit a horse rescue farm in Baiting Hollow Saturday afternoon. Joined by more than two dozen others, they surprised the farm with a $1,660 donation.

“This is a very emotional day for us, because our funds are very low,” said Heather Davis of Rocky Point, who volunteers at North Shore Horse Rescue. “This is amazing.”

The festivities were organized by Chris Court of Manorville. In June, she surprised the farm’s owners with a delivery of 1,500 pounds of donated horse feed. After the fundraiser’s success, she wanted to come up with another way to help the farm around the holidays.

The theme: “Santa to the rescue.”

“We know how hard you work,” Ms. Court said to the group during the presentation. “We know how low your funds are for the rescue. So for the last several weeks, all of these people helped to raise money for your rescue.”

They presented the volunteers with an oversized check.

The theme of the surprise fundraiser was Santa to the rescue. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Beth Springston, the treasurer for the horse rescue, said she received a text message from owner Laurel Palermo asking if she could go down to the farm Saturday. Ms. Palermo, who runs the farm with her husband Tom, had something come up and couldn’t make it.

How to help: Donations can be made here

As far as Ms. Springston knew, Ms. Court was coming to drop off pictures she had framed of the horses. She was confused at first and wondered why she needed to be there to simply accept pictures.

“Now I realize why, this was really fabulous,” Ms. Springston said. “This really helps because we just posted out annual appeal for 2019 and with Giving Tuesday, we already have a campaign up on Facebook, and we’re hoping that we’ll get a lot of funds for the end of the year.”

Chris Court, right, presents the check. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Ms. Davis FaceTimed Ms. Palermo during the presentation.

Ms. Springston said the funds will go toward hay, special medication that some horses require, and even could be used for an acupuncturist who treats some of the horses.

The farm is home to 15 rescue horses and other horses are boarded there through Gold Rush Farm.

Money raised goes strictly toward the rescue horses, Ms. Springston said.

“You have so many friends here who now know where your horse rescue is,” Ms. Court said. “I’m so glad that you’re here to accept this check.”

Treasurer Beth Springston, center, and volunteer Heather Davis. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

A group shot of everyone who helped in the surprise. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

Santa looks on as Ms. Court addresses the group. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

joew@timesreview.com

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Luis Siguencia of Flanders and his family opened Golden Jalapeños Café in Calverton in 2014 and started offering free Thanksgiving dinners to veterans and people in need their first year in business.

This year, Mr. Siguencia, his wife and co-owner, Geidi Lezama, and their 16-year-old daughter, Joanne Siguencia, have purchased 68 turkeys to distribute to those in need. Last year, they purchased and distributed 64, and in 2017, 45 were given out.

“I see a lot of people sometimes, they have a hard time with food,” Mr. Siguencia said. “In the wintertime, a lot of people are not working and, really, I want to teach my kid to do the right thing. I got my daughter, I hope one day she’ll be doing the same. The kids grow up the way we teach them. The way my parents taught me to be is the way I turned out and I hope my daughter does, too.”

Mr. Siguencia immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador when he was just 14. Chasing the American dream, his early years were spent in Astoria, Queens, working at Bartolino’s restaurant. There, he began as a dishwasher in 1992 and within a year had worked his way up to a line chef position. By 1994, he was top chef and not long after, he attended the Culinary Academy of Long Island to hone his skills. He also spent 14 years as head chef at World Pie in Bridgehampton and by then had specialties in Italian and French cuisine. His wife specializes in Spanish cuisine, he said, as she is from Mexico and is skilled in cooking Hispanic food. In time, Mr. Siguencia also managed to master Tex-Mex cuisine and now includes all different styles of food on his specials menu.

Ahead of this Thanksgiving, he and his family are giving their thanks to veterans with free dinners, for which he will give either a whole turkey or a portion of a turkey. He cooks the turkeys and will even arrange delivery for veterans and the elderly. Able-bodied veterans in need can come to the restaurant and pick up their meals.

“If I had money I would do it all the time,” Mr. Siguencia said, “but I do it once a year.”

This year, he has already gotten 44 requests for turkeys.

When he came to this country, he said, many people helped him and, in response, he wants to give back to those who put their lives on the line for himself and his family.

“I don’t need a lot of money to be happy,” he said. “It was like, as soon as I have enough to take care of my family, I can give it back to somebody else who really needs more than me.”

In addition to the Calverton restaurant, on Middle Country Road, Mr. Siguencia previously owned a Golden Jalapeños Café in Jamesport, but issues with the town and the landlord forced him to leave. He has a Golden Jalapeños food truck in Ridge, which is used for catering. And now, he’s set on opening another Golden Jalapeños Café in Middle Island, where he expects the permit process and construction to commence soon. His hope is to open by February. The kitchen there, he said, is bigger and will allow him and his family to do more for others.

The family already donates to various schools, charities, organizations and nonprofits through their business and have done extensive work with veterans in the past.

“Someone said, thank you for what you do for my people. And I was like … ”

Mr. Siguencia said he was shocked because he didn’t feel that what he was doing was anything unusual.

Photo caption: Luis Siguencia of Flanders is offering free Thanksgiving dinners for veterans for the third year in a row. (Credit: Mahreen Khan)

mkhan@timesreview.com

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Southampton Town police arrested two men on grand larceny charges during a traffic stop in Riverside Sunday.

Ludwin Perez, 21, of Northampton was driving near Old Quogue Road in Riverside when he was stopped for a traffic infraction and found to be driving without a valid license.

He was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to a police report.

Further investigation revealed that he and his passenger, Marvin Cojon-Petet, 24, were in possession of tools, including a nail gun, that had been reported stolen recently, a detective said.

Both men were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and fourth-degree grand larceny, both felonies.

• Edvin Lopez, 23, of Flanders was arrested for driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop near Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays Friday around 6:24 p.m. He was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and released on an appearance ticket, according to a police report.

• Police arrested a 29-year-old Flanders man for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle crash last Thursday evening.

According to police, Chamale Guillermo was involved in two-car crash on Flanders Road around 10:51 p.m. He told the responding officer that he had four Coronas, which were observed empty in the back seat, police said.

He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and several violations, according to officials.

• A Manhattan man was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Flanders early last Tuesday morning.

Police said Michael Davis, 56, was stopped for a vehicle and traffic offense near Bay Avenue in Flanders around 4:06 a.m. when an officer discovered his license had been suspended eight times.

He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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The arresting officer in the case of Thomas Murphy, the man accused of driving into a pack of boy scouts last year, killing a 12-year-old Wading River boy, testified Monday that the Holbrook man had bloodshot eyes, the odor of alcohol on his breath and was unsteady on his feet at the Manorville crash scene.

Suffolk County Police Officer Daniel Brecht said those signs of intoxication led him to commence a series of field sobriety tests.

After completing the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) eye test, Mr. Brecht attempted to administer the walk and turn test, but ceased after he became concerned Mr. Murphy would fall.

Based on that concern, Mr. Brecht said he did not attempt to administer the portion of the test that would have required Mr. Murphy, 60, to stand on one leg.

Mr. Brecht testified that Mr. Murphy refused a preliminary breath test at the scene.

“His eyes widened,” he said, noting that Mr. Murphy then admitted to having three drinks.

At the seventh precinct, Mr. Murphy then refused to consent to a chemical test three times between 3:18 p.m. and 3:35 p.m., Mr. Brecht testified. During the second reading of the request, Mr. Brecht said he attempted to initial the third request line too, but Mr. Brecht had him cross it out.

“I really wanted to make sure he got a third reading … a chance to change his mind,” he said.

A blood warrant was subsequently issued to obtain a sample of Mr. Murphy’s blood, which prosecutors have said a toxicology expert will testify was 0.13% nearly four hours after the crash.

Upon cross examination, defense attorney Steven Politi alleged that Mr. Brecht improperly filed a “right of refusal” document to the Department of Motor Vehicles that resulted in the suspension of Mr. Murphy’s license.

The document states that it should not be completed if a compulsory blood test was given.

Mr. Brecht, who has been with the Suffolk County Police Department for four years, said it was an oversight on his part.

“I missed the fine print … I’ll admit that,” he said.

MORE TRIAL COVERAGE

Day 1: Prosecutors say Murphy turned down ride from sober friend moments before fatal crash

Day 2: Text messages, friend’s testimony tell a story of day of Scout crash

Day 3: Defense calls into question the character of key witness in Murphy trial

Day 4: Friends testify that despite drinking, Murphy did not appear drunk on day of crash

Day 5: Parents of surviving victims take stand

Day 6: Shoreham parent recounts moment of crash during testimony

Day 7: Jury sent home early as defense raises legal issue in Murphy trial

But Mr. Politi contends that Mr. Brecht committed perjury by filing a false statement and instrument to the state. The defense plans to appear before Suffolk County Judge Mark Cohen to request a special prosecutor be named to investigate Mr. Brecht’s conduct.

Assistant District Attorney Brendan Ahearn, however, said it was an “innocent” mistake and outlined remedial steps they were taking.

“It’s not even remotely close to a crime taking place,” he said. “Mistakes and inconsistencies by witnesses don’t equal crimes.”

Mr. Politi also raised issues with gaps in Mr. Brecht’s field notes and the lack of video and audio recordings of Mr. Murphy’s interactions with officers at the precinct.

In his notes, for example, Mr. Politi pointed out that the officer did not record the asphalt patch with no fog line, an uninvolved Jeep parked on the side of the road, or the fact that Mr. Murphy was wearing spiked golf cleats instead of sneakers.

“[His notes are] awful,” Mr. Politi told reporters outside of the courtroom Monday afternoon. “It’s incomplete, it’s mistake-ridden.”

The defense has also argued that Mr. Murphy essentially passed the HGN portion of the test since he only displayed two out of six clues of intoxication — four or more clues indicate a level of intoxication above the legal limit of .08% — and that Mr. Murphy struggled with the physical component of the tests because of his weight.

Mr. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count indictment that includes a top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Alisa McMorris, whose son Andrew died from injuries he sustained in the crash, continued watching the eighth day of the trial in the gallery. At times, she clutched a necklace with a cross, airplane and pendant with Andrew’s fingerprint.

“I wear that and I hold it because I pray for justice,” she said. “I am staying exceedingly strong because my son had to. He faced that by himself and his father was there with him while he was taking his last breath.”

Cross examination of Mr. Brecht will continue Tuesday morning. Jurors will hear testimony in the case through Wednesday afternoon and break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Prosecutors indicated Monday that they could conclude calling witnesses by the end of next week.

Caption: Mr. Brecht reviews his notes from the crash outside the courtroom Friday. He was not called to testify until Monday and will remain on the stand Tuesday morning. (Credit: Grant Parpan)

tsmith@timesreview.com

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