State police troopers respond to a motorcycle crash on the Southern State Parkway in Islip on Wednesday afternoon A motorcyclist crashed and died Wednesday afternoon on the Southern State Parkway in Islip while apparently trying to exit the roadway state police spokeswoman Brittany Burton said Thursday Wednesday on the eastbound parkway at Exit 43N when the motorcyclist apparently failed to negotiate a turn No other details were provided about the circumstances of the crash Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months A $13.7 million sewer expansion for downtown Central Islip has been completed and local officials announced.  The project installed approximately 4,500 feet of new sewer line which will serve the Central Islip business district with an average flow of 277,000 gallons per day.  This increased capacity is critical for Central Islip’s ongoing redevelopment and revitalization efforts along Carleton Avenue mixed-use development near the Long Island Rail Road station Funding for the project flowed from multiple levels of government "Suffolk County’s economic potential is tied to the capacity of its wastewater infrastructure,” said Sen Martinez.  “Investing in water treatment capacity is one of the most important ways municipalities support a community’s growth and completing the Central Islip Sewer Project will sustain and enhance the vitality of this downtown corridor.  Today is a recognition of that investment and of the collaboration between New York State and its federal county and town partners to make it happen.” New York State's contribution toward the expansion came through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative which was launched in 2016 to accelerate and bolster the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all 10 regions of the state.  It aims to create vibrant centers of activity that serve as catalysts for increased local investments.  This funding highlights the critical role state-level support plays in driving infrastructure improvements and fostering community revitalization With work on the Carleton Avenue wastewater project now complete, residents and businesses in the expanded sewer area are encouraged to visit the Town of Islip’s informational page for details on the service and how to connect Governor Kathy Hochul and the Department of State today announced the completion of a $13.7 million sewer infrastructure project along Carleton Avenue in downtown Central Islip as part of the community’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative mixed-use development in the downtown around the Long Island Rail Road station walkable streetscapes and public amenities Central Islip received $2 million for the project through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative “New York’s downtowns are the life blood of our state and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative helps our communities transform into even better places to live and work,” Governor Hochul said “This new sewer line will unlock a host of opportunities for Central Islip creating more housing for residents and driving economic revitalization for businesses and local communities.” “Sewer infrastructure might not sound exciting on the surface but it is the key to unlocking increased development and downtown vibrancy here in Central Islip and throughout Suffolk County,” said Secretary of State Walter T “This essential project brings the community one step closer to realizing the vision outlined in their Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan.” The Carleton Avenue sewer project included the installation of approximately 4,500 feet of new sewer line that will serve Central Islip with an average flow of 277,000 gallons per day This project is vital to the success of Central Islip’s entire downtown revitalization effort businesses and housing within the DRI along Carleton Avenue were served only by septic systems This prohibited the development of certain “wet use” establishments It also severely restricted mid- and high-density development over two stories that are necessary for downtown vibrancy and revitalization “I am proud to support the revitalization of downtown Central Islip through federal investments I secured for the new sewer line along Carleton Avenue including $7.2 million in EDA funding from the American Rescue Plan and a $3 million federal HUD grant with the help of these vital federal investments will bolster Islip’s local economy by updating its wastewater infrastructure “Wastewater infrastructure is the most pressing need we have to protect our environment and help grow the economy Hochul and our federal representatives for their support of this project.” Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said “The completion of the Carleton Avenue sewer extension represents what's possible when every level of government works together with the community This transformational project not only modernizes our infrastructure but unlocks Central Islip's potential for smart sustainable growth while protecting our environment We are proud to deliver this essential upgrade to the community.” "Suffolk County’s economic potential is tied to the capacity of its wastewater infrastructure.  Investing in water treatment capacity is one of the most important ways municipalities support a community’s growth and completing the Central Islip Sewer Project will sustain and enhance the vitality of this downtown corridor.  Today is a recognition of that investment and of the partnership between New York State and Suffolk County to make it happen.” "The completion of the sewer installation on Carleton Avenue marks a significant milestone for our community and will serve as the spark that revitalizes our downtown Securing the necessary funds years ago was a crucial achievement these improvements are paving the way for new businesses and ensuring that Central Islip remains a vibrant and diverse place to live I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Governor Hochul and Supervisor Carpenter for their partnership and dedication to building a stronger Central Islip’s DRI Strategic Investment Plan focuses on the Carleton Avenue corridor between Suffolk Avenue and South Street which constitutes the core of the community’s downtown the area was lacking in public realm and physical amenities and a desirable mix of land uses which prevented the community from functioning as a vibrant downtown district diverse and walkable downtown with a mix of higher density land uses cultural attractions and public gathering spaces that are accessible to the LIRR station.     Central Islip is the Long Island Region’s Round 3 winner of a $10 million DRI award in 2018 Other Long Island DRI winners include Westbury Huntington Station and Smithtown/Kings Park The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council is currently reviewing applications for DRI Round 8 awards Other projects supported through the DRI award include: DRI communities benefit from partnerships with and coordinated technical assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Community Renewal Empire State Development and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority The DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation DRI has awarded a total of $800 million to 81 communities in its first seven rounds and invested in the creation of over 4,500 new housing units It is estimated that every dollar invested in the DRI generates $3 in additional investments as the revitalization accelerates and projects are completed This catalytic effect will continue well after DRI communities complete all their projects which is funded at $100 million in this year's Enacted State Budget supports a more equitable downtown recovery for New York's smaller and rural communities with a focus on hamlet and villages NY Forward is meant to serve smaller communities and support local economies that often have a feel and charm that is distinct from larger metropolitan urban centers funded through DRI NY Forward has awarded a total of $200 million to 43 communities over two rounds the DRI and NY Forward have invested in the revitalization of 124 communities throughout the State with a total statewide investment of $1.2 billion Santa’s sleigh will make a special stop at Central Islip High School on Saturday bringing more than 1,000 toys to children on the nice list  The stop is part of New York State Sen being held in partnership with Concern Housing and the Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties humbug!” regardless of household circumstances  The festivities begin at noon and will spread cheer while supplies last  There will also be photos with Santa This annual event is all about supporting our community and making sure a child’s holiday season is not limited by financial situation  In addition to providing more than 1,000 toys to area children food and an opportunity to have a photo taken with “Jolly Old St Support us The Riverhead girls basketball team routed the Central Islip Musketeers Monday night Logan Pilon and Adriana Martinez led the team in scoring with 17 and 15 points respectively The score was 26-2 at the end of the first quarter and the Waves just continued to pile it on quarter after quarter Riverhead’s last two regular season games of the season will be away the first coming up on Thursday against William Floyd at 4 p.m RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today. Get fresh local news straight to your inbox every day 2025 at 1:25 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Brayan Heredia Escobar were indicted in connection with the slaying of Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez NY — Three men each face a murder charge in connection with the slaying of a Salvadorian national in Central Islip Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said on Monday were each charged with second-degree murder in connection with killing Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez "This alleged murder was brutal," Tierney said in a news release "We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County and we remain dedicated to holding these offenders responsible for their actions." On Feb. 18, Suffolk police found the body of Saravia Martinez inside a tent on the side of Suffolk Avenue Saravia Martinez was found with a rope tied around his neck Police observed that he appeared to have blunt force trauma to his face are believed to have been living without a known address in Central Islip The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Saravia Martinez died of a combination of blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck that lacerated his carotid artery Video surveillance was obtained from several businesses on Suffolk Avenue including one across the street from where Saravia Martinez’s body was found The surveillance shows the three defendants running from the tent after the slaying and entering a business Heredia Escobar was arraigned on March 18 on a second-degree murder charge He was ordered remanded while his case is heard He is due back in court on March 27 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count Lopez Campos was arraigned on March 19 on a second-degree murder charge Lopez Campos is due back in court on April 23 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count He is being represented by Christopher Gioe Beltran was arraigned on March 24 on a second-degree murder charge Beltran is due back in court on April 10 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count He is being represented by Katherine Fernandez Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Executive Circle Awards Aldi opening in Central Islip as part of larger $50M development  Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Cornella Johnson and Nancy Manfredonia have high hopes for what the completed project will mean for downtown town and county officials announced on Tuesday the completion of a $13.7 million sewer project in downtown Central Islip that they hope will spur long-sought development there The project includes about 4,500 feet of new sewer line installed along Carleton Avenue with “an average flow of 277,000 gallons per day.” Civic leaders and government officials at a news conference touted the infrastructure as “vital to the success” of the hamlet’s downtown by allowing restaurants and increased density We will now really be able to see a vibrant downtown that we haven't had ever,” said Nancy Manfredonia executive director of the Central Islip Civic Council new apartments; it’s amazing what sewers can do.” “It’s all part of the development of this community to bring it to a higher level,” added Debbie Cavanagh president of the Central Islip Coalition of Good Neighbors the new sewer system will allow denser development of the Central Islip downtown the area was served only by septic systems — which meant developers could not build "wet use" establishments like restaurants or "mid- and high-density projects over two stories." "Nothing says happy holidays better than a new sewer system This is not only infrastructure to help improve the local economy but also it will protect the groundwater and coastal waters nearby," said Adrienne Esposito executive director of the environmental nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment Expanding the town's sewer system is "a great idea," she added the less septics and cesspools we will have which means less untreated sewage will be seeping into our groundwater and eventually entering our harbors and bays."  New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley joined Suffolk County Executive and Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter at the announcement of a sewer and downtown revitalization project set for Central Islip on Tuesday Cavanagh said the community also needs the government to elevate the train tracks crossing Carleton Avenue to ease traffic “When you want to … revitalize the downtown you can’t just put the infrastructure in on the buildings and the apartments without taking care of the roads and the railroad tracks,” she said Her concern about the railroad tracks was echoed by Suffolk County Executive Edward P who said an overpass is needed for the area The sewer line project was partially funded with $2 million from the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative which granted $10 million in 2018 to Central Islip one of more than half a dozen Long Island communities selected for the program Other Central Islip projects funded by the initiative include streetscape improvements along Carleton Avenue and redeveloping multiple mixed-use developments including one with a public plaza on the site of a former Long Island Rail Road station Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter highlighted community involvement in creating a plan to invest the $10 million grant “Literally hundreds of people” attended community engagement hearings adding that the finished sewer line “eliminates prior development restrictions in our downtown corridor.” “We are already seeing interest from new businesses looking to invest in our community,” she said at the news conference Projects like the sewer line are “what DRI was meant to do,” said New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley to a reporter after the news conference which has awarded $800 million to 81 communities across the state since 2016 “was meant to bring people to the table understanding that their worth is valued but more importantly that we put resources to those values so that we attract developers and attract the people who want to transform this community,” he added the sewer system was otherwise funded with $7.2 million from the U.S The rest of the funds came from the county and town Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) who helped secure federal funds for the project in a statement also highlighted the role the sewer project will play in bolstering “Islip’s local economy by updating its wastewater infrastructure creating jobs and generating investment in the area.”  Brianne Ledda covers personal finance and affordability for Newsday She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University NY — Since President Donald Trump took office immigrants have been on high alert with ICE agents raiding homes and detaining immigrants across the U.S with multiple confirmed ICE sightings in Suffolk County—including four this month IF's ICE tracker has documented six more ICE raids—including one where an immigrant father was detained—according to Ahmad Perez Central Islip and North Bay Shore on Sunday during a "morning of fear," and again on Monday Perez told Patch he has "reason to believe they operated on Tuesday as well." The April raids are the latest confirmed on the tracker since three in Brentwood and Wyandanch earlier this year "This is what systemic injustice looks like—federal agents patrolling our neighborhoods and tearing families apart during breakfast," Perez said "What happened this morning wasn’t about safety—it was about fear Our community has the right to live without the constant threat of ICE at our doorsteps an immigrant father residing with his adult child was detained by ICE agents during Monday's Fulton Street raid in Brentwood after five plainclothes agents returned following a raid on Sunday in the same area "I woke up to a message on Monday saying 'they came back My dad is missing and I don't know what to do,"' Perez told Patch The organization also reported confirmed ICE raids on April 6 in Central Islip on Applegate Drive, and in North Bay Shore on Candlewood Road. The tracker says agents arrived at both locations in unmarked vehicles around 9 a.m., wearing vests stating "POLICE ERO," ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations which "manages all aspects of the immigration enforcement process detention and removal of aliens who are subject to removal or are unlawfully present in the U.S The April ICE raids are the most recent reported on the tracker since early 2025 sightings 12 incident where plainclothes ICE agents in unmarked vehicles arrived at a Brentwood deli around 9 a.m.; and the Jan Marshal agents in an unmarked black Ford Explorer made a "targeted visit" at the corner of West Booker and Straight Path in Wyandanch "The events that unfolded on April 6 are a true reflection of injustice and oppression patrolling our neighborhoods and challenging our strength All of this is not a testament of this nation’s greatness but rather this nations’ shortcomings toward our strongest patriots: our immigrants," said Chris Hidalgo "I beg the communities to look out for your brothers and sisters to be aware of your rights and be aware of what’s happening our communities will not fail to exist and together Perez told Patch the ICE tracker was launched in response to the Brentwood raid and to "ensure that accurate information is disseminated and help protect our community from the harmful effects of misinformation and fear." He said the tracker manages verified sightings of ICE agents reported by local residents It's updated daily with information in both English and Spanish Islip Forward encourages all community members to utilize the ICE tracker and report any verified sightings Click here for more information about Islip Forward and the ICE tracker Immigration and Customs Enforcement was not immediately available for comment Central Islip High School performed at the 2024 Newsday Marching Band Festival on Oct participates in the 2024 Newsday Marching Band Fest at Mitchel Field on October 24 2024 at 10:47 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A new ALDI grocery store is opening on Carleton Avenue in Central Islip NY — A new Aldi supermarket is celebrating its grand opening at 215 Carleton Ave early birds can get a sneak peak at the goods and shop the brand-new store on Wednesday A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place "about a half hour before the store opens the first 100 customers will receive a golden ticket that could be worth up to $100 and can receive a free tote bag while supplies last Shoppers can also enter a sweepstake the weekend of Dec 5-8 for a chance to win a $500 gift card to the store The new Central Islip store will offer organic produce and curbside pickup and grocery delivery options ALDI will donate $1,000 to a local Feeding America affiliate which is part of the company’s commitment to donating $150,000 to Feeding America and its network of affiliates working to alleviate hunger The store is a new build and is the chain's 14th location on Long Island There are currently 2,445 ALDI stories in the U.S Central Islip is home to a new historic tour Last month, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the beginning of the Central Islip History Trail and Historic Heines Homestead Tour at the nonprofit Central Islip Civic Council on Wheeler Road “This trail will give us a sense of our history,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine “We have a tremendous trail system throughout Suffolk County We are adding to that trail system today in a historic community that’s on the move.” The process of putting this tour and trail together was 20 years in the making who serves as the special projects coordinator for the Central Islip Civic Council She also served as the executive director for 35 years Click to sign up for the GLI Newsletter and we’ll keep you posted. ‘Why don’t we have a walking trail where people could walk into the downtown and see a lot of interesting things “It will introduce even residents to the history that they don’t know about.” Residents and visitors alike will be able to walk the 28-stop tour and trail and access information about each landmark by scanning QR codes placed at each historic stop tour-goers will have access to a written and verbal description of each landmark The tour will eventually be translated into Spanish as well One major stop on the tour is the Heines home and homestead The modest little home was purchased in 1996 by the nonprofit and restored The home was built in 1888 by Charles Heines There’s also an old blacksmith’s shop that’s still on the property The other seven stops on the Heines Homestead trail include a replica of Central Islip’s first one-room schoolhouse built in 1861 — and the old hospital gate from the Central Islip State Hospital from the late 1880s The other 20 stops continue on the Heines property and south through downtown Central Islip to the old state hospital grounds and stretches down to the federal courthouse with stops like Ducks Stadium along the way One of the oldest landmarks on the tour dates back to 1870 Central Islip’s first non-indigenous settler which is the final resting place for many of Central Islip’s earliest settlers Kenneth Quarles, of Sayville, who is the president of the Central Islip Historic Preservation Society worked with the Central Islip Civic Council to create this tour He is also working to restore the church and hopefully turn that stop into a museum “We were afraid that the steeple would end up in the middle of Wheeler Road,” said Quarles. “We’re using volunteers and we’ve been working on that church for about 20 years. We want to tell the story of Central Islip which has become a difficult word for society right now A more modern stop on the tour is the federal courthouse It is the second largest federal courthouse in the country A $2 million grant that was given to revitalize downtown Central Islip helped to partially fund the tour with around $19,900 of that money going directly towards the project Other donations assisted the rest of the way mostly developers that are now new in the community helped us out so that was great,” said Nany Vargas-Johnson board president of the Central Islip Civic Council who serves as the Central Islip Civic Council executive director said during the press conference that this will encourage people to learn more about where they live while fitting in some exercise by walking the trails “This trail represents an investment in our community’s future,” said Minniti “It will showcase historic sites that tell the story of Central Islip and what a wonderful story it is It’s been designed with everyone in mind whether you’re a history enthusiast a family looking for an afternoon adventure or someone seeking an active lifestyle.” The author, Miya Jones is contributor for Greater Long Island, as well as the founder, editor-in-chief and executive producer of Shades of Long Island Tap here to see what’s happening International streetwear chain Snipes to open its second LI store 2025 at 9:40 am ETThe car was set on fire in November (Suffolk County Police Department )(Suffolk County Police Department )CENTRAL ISLIP NY — The Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are asking for the public's public's help identifying the person who set fire to a parked car in Central Islip in November someone set fire to a vehicle that was parked on Cypress Street on Nov Police ask any neighbors with video to contact the Arson Section or Crime Stoppers Anyone with information may submit an anonymous tip to Suffolk County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS A fire rages Tuesday at a 32-unit Central Islip apartment complex that forced all residents to evacuate A fire Tuesday afternoon at a Central Islip apartment complex damaged at least 24 of the building's 32 units and forced the evacuation of all residents James Cullen with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Arson Squad said it was not clear when residents would be allowed to reenter the Hawthorne Avenue building but it’s “definitely not happening tonight.” The American Red Cross set up at Lighthouse Tabernacle Church of God to assist displaced residents and their pets to a call of a fire in a second-floor bedroom of one of the units Central Islip Fire Chief Vinny Plotino said adding the blaze was extinguished after about 45 minutes “Our guys made an aggressive push to get it knocked down.” politics and crime stories in Suffolk County By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy About 20 people were inside the building when the fire broke out Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said “This is so serious when you have this many units affected,” Sunderman said the electric and the gas off to that whole [building] due to the amount of fire damage.” Suffolk County arson detectives will investigate the fire along with assistance from the Islip Town fire marshal to determine the cause “There’s 24 apartments affected,” Cullen said “There’s at least eight to 16 affected by fire or water suppression efforts Most of the fire was up in the attic area.” Cullen added it was unclear as of late Tuesday afternoon if any of the units were complete losses stood outside her apartment about 3:30 p.m shivering beneath a Red Cross blanket on a sunny afternoon in the low 30s wondering when she could return to her unit across a hallway from the one where the fire burst through a window Ilarda said she and her boyfriend heard yells of “get out,” then peeked out their balcony to see flames grabbed their two dogs and raced downstairs onto a grassy area outside the building She was among the residents forced to evacuate with just the clothes on their backs Ilarda and many of her evacuated neighbors were escorted onto a Central Islip Fire Department bus to keep warm until they were dropped off at the church Associate Pastor Brian Lee and other church members brewed coffee while Red Cross workers welcomed the displaced residents and their pets including at least two dogs and a bearded dragon whatever the community needs,” Lighthouse office administrator Kerry Brathwaite said Lee said he has been praying for friends and complete strangers displaced by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area he had the chance to emulate the “compassion” he has seen across the country as volunteers help those in need “We’re more than willing to open up our doors,” Lee said Red Cross officials began welcoming the first group of around 20 residents after 4 p.m “Right now we are going to keep the people safe in the reception hall,” Steven Scheer give them a meal and figure out what the next step is.” Sunderman said at least another 30 residents were expected to arrive at the complex and be directed to the leasing office and then the church Tuesday evening He said some residents would be spending the night at the church “The church has been very nice to open up for us,” he said “People are showing up from work and their kids from school who lied about his life story and defrauded donors was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft telling a court through tears that he was “humbled” and “chastised” and realized he had betrayed his constituents’ trust “I offer my deepest apologies,” he said READ MORE: Will the race to succeed George Santos in Congress be a bellweather? District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasn’t convinced Where do I see it?” she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars She said the former politician appeared to feel that “it’s always someone else’s fault.” The New York Republican served in Congress barely a year before his House colleagues ousted him in 2023 He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people Santos has agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties in addition to prison time The 36-year-old didn’t respond to reporters’ shouted questions as he walked into a Long Island courthouse but he told The Associated Press on Thursday that he was resigned to his fate “I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances,” Santos wrote in a text message adding that he was “ready to face the music.” questioning Santos’ remorse in light of his recent social media posts casting himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach Prosecutor Ryan Harris said some of Santos’ victims were “extremely vulnerable,” including a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men who have dementia Santos has said in recent days that he has no intention of paying back victims promptly “People think of this as a victimless crime because it’s about money There are many victims in this crime,” added New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon She addressed the court as a victim because Santos collected unemployment benefits while employed by a Florida company Santos’ lawyers had called for a two-year prison stint the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla portrayed the ex-congressman as a troubled figure forged by adversity grew up in a “broken house” and was subjected to bullying throughout his life “He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was.” now “everyone hates George Santos.” flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign Santos was reflective in social media posts thanking his supporters and detractors alike center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion,” he wrote Thursday on the social platform X “To the trolls… well you guys are an impactful part of how people shape themselves and y’all made me much stronger and made my skin thicker!” He also made one final plug for his Cameo account where he records personalized video messages for $100 “Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year ending the post with a series of heart emojis Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz in New York contributed to this story © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins 2025 at 10:42 am ETThe fire broke out Tuesday afternoon (Courtesy of Ken Bradbury)(Courtesy of Ken Bradbury)(Courtesy of Ken Bradbury)(Courtesy of Ken Bradbury)CENTRAL ISLIP NY — Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating a fire that ripped trough a Long Island apartment complex on Tuesday afternoon reporting a fire in an apartment complex located on Hawthorne Avenue in Central Islip they found that the fire started in the attic above one of the apartment units the occupants of 24-units were impacted by the fire and were aided by the American Red Cross and building management to find alternative housing for the night Polices said there were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is not believed to be criminal in nature at this time Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A Long Island lottery player rolled the dice and hit the jackpot claimed a $1 million top prize after snagging a winning “Holiday Cash” scratch-off game Williams received a lump sum payout of $455,700 after paying Uncle Sam his cut The lucky ticket was purchased in Islip Terrace at the 7-Eleven located at 56 Lowell Avenue Scratch-off games generated more than $4.3 billion in total sales during fiscal year 2023-2024 school districts in Suffolk County received over $273 million in Lottery Aid to Education funds