Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsRyan Cerna SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Parks and Recreation is hosting a summer job fair this Saturday for Aquatic and Summer Youth Program positions recreation instructor and recreation specialist Hiring managers will be conducting onsite interviews, but applicants are encouraged to apply for positions in advance at SA.gov/Careers Lifeguard positions are eligible to receive an incentive of up to $500 and a $75 swimsuit reimbursement while pool supervisors are eligible for an $800 incentive in addition to the swimsuit reimbursement Lifeguard positions are open to applicants ages 16+ and recreation roles are open to applicants ages 18+ The job fair will be held at the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex at 200 Noblewood Drive from 10 a.m Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved Ryan Cerna is a digital news trainee at KSAT Cerna graduated with degrees in Journalism and Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas in 2024 He has worked in newsrooms in Austin and New York City before his time in San Antonio Email Newsletters KSAT RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us KSAT Internships Careers at KSAT Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Marijane V Diffley","givenName":"Marijane","familyName":"Diffley","additionalName":"V.","birthDate":"1954-07-12","deathDate":"2025-02-21"}{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.f1connect.net/photo/tributes/t/8/r/207x207/8027107/Marijane-Diffley-1740408819.jpg"},"headline":"Marijane V Visitation & Funeral Information","description":"Honoring the memory of Marijane V visitation and funeral information.","articleSection":"Obituaries","articleBody":"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marijane (Verini) Diffley on February 21 to Raymond and Elayne (Drob) Verini of the Bronx Marijane’s older brother Bob preceded her and remained very close to his younger sister her whole life The Verini family and extended relatives were a close knit group who lived near each other in Levittown and playful (bordering on mischievous as she grew older) young girl She was very close to her cousins Ginger and Joanne and developed a lifelong friendship with Susan (Sherman) King at a very early age especially at Half Hollow Hills High School (where she was a member of the school’s award-winning drill team) permanent friendships with Carol (Stevens) Matasic and Barb (Maida) Rafferty.\n\nMarijane attended Cortland College in upstate N.Y. As Marijane and her parents were driving back to Cortland in August 1975 they had a flat tire and pulled off the road to change it running over Ray and Marijane while throwing Elayne onto the road That turned out to be the defining event of their lives and Marijane lost hers several days later despite doctors’ efforts to save it dad,” she told him poignantly in a voicemail “I guess we’re going to be twins now.“ Thanks to the fortitude and the saintlike care and devotion of Elayne using prostheses and eventually resumed their lives It was at this point that the Sisters of Charity at St Joseph hospital in New Jersey befriended the Verini family The Sisters gave Marijane her first relic of Elizabeth Ann Seton who founded the Sisters of Charity and was about to become the first American-born Saint to be canonized Marijane became a devout lifelong devotee of Mother Seton and visited her shrine in Emmitsburg after moving to Maryland.\n\nMarijane finished college a year later where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education (with Distinction) She interned at the Human Resources Center on Long Island She met and eventually married the love of her life she raised them and he shared the credit) three wonderful children Christopher Raymond was born on September 18 and then Justin Taylor James on December 28 Marijane and Jim bought a Ranch style house in Commack Her life over the ensuing years was marked with constant pain accompanied by more hospital visits than anyone deserved Yet that never blunted her indomitable spirit or bright smile or her loving dedication to her family regardless of her disability Perhaps only Jim was aware of how much pain she went through day in and day out and independent enough to always take life on her own terms refusing to settle for anything less than a normal life And she always maintained an optimistic outlook and a sincere interest in other people and their stories.\n\nMarijane worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the NYS Department of Education from the early ‘80s to the mid ‘90s and family traveled around the country (including Hawaii several years ago) and to London and the Mediterranean for a special family vacation in 2006 They befriended neighbors and often said yes to many opportunities that came their way as a result of a promotion for Jim at Northrop Grumman and in 2015 to a welcoming 55+ community in Annapolis an avid game player (especially playing cards) a consistent (and persistent!) and talented photographer—especially of her children—a dog lover (Cooper will miss her dearly) and resolute socializer who often assumed lead roles in the organizations she joined she was a tireless and devoted mother to her three children in every possible way nothing ever limited her advocacy and steadfast support of her sons and daughter whatever they needed in any particular situation And maybe as a result of her own experience as well as her children’s she was an inquisitive consumer of medical knowledge and could intelligently and often convincingly stand toe to toe with most doctors and medical personnel.\n\nMarijane’s mom Elayne passed away in 1993 Each one fought the good fight against cancer and it was Marijane who stood with them and for them every step of the way and love of others will be sorely missed by all who knew her But she will live on in our hearts and minds May she rest in the eternal peace of the Lord.\n\nIn lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Seton Shrine (https://setonshrine.org) in Marijane’s memory A Funeral Mass will be held on March 3 at 11 AM at St A Celebration of Life will be held at Lasting Tributes in Annapolis on March 4 from 2 - 4 PM and 6 - 8 PM.","keywords":"Marijane V Biography","dateCreated":"2025-02-24T19:53:42.713Z","datePublished":"2025-02-24T19:53:42.713Z","dateModified":"2025-04-05T11:51:40.3Z","genre":"Obituary Diffley"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@id":"https://www.lastingtributesfuneralcare.com/obituaries/marijane-diffley/obituary","name":"Obituary"}}]}Marijane V Diffley's ObituaryIt is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marijane (Verini) Diffley on February 21 The Verini family and extended relatives were a close knit group who lived near each other in Levittown permanent friendships with Carol (Stevens) Matasic and Barb (Maida) Rafferty Marijane attended Cortland College in upstate N.Y. As Marijane and her parents were driving back to Cortland in August 1975 “I guess we’re going to be twins now.“ Thanks to the fortitude and the saintlike care and devotion of Elayne It was at this point that the Sisters of Charity at St The Sisters gave Marijane her first relic of Elizabeth Ann Seton Marijane became a devout lifelong devotee of Mother Seton and visited her shrine in Emmitsburg after moving to Maryland where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education (with Distinction) She interned at the Human Resources Center on Long Island She met and eventually married the love of her life Christopher Raymond was born on September 18 Marijane and Jim bought a Ranch style house in Commack Yet that never blunted her indomitable spirit or bright smile Perhaps only Jim was aware of how much pain she went through day in and day out And she always maintained an optimistic outlook and a sincere interest in other people and their stories Marijane worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the NYS Department of Education from the early ‘80s to the mid ‘90s They befriended neighbors and often said yes to many opportunities that came their way and resolute socializer who often assumed lead roles in the organizations she joined she was an inquisitive consumer of medical knowledge and could intelligently and often convincingly stand toe to toe with most doctors and medical personnel Each one fought the good fight against cancer But she will live on in our hearts and minds May she rest in the eternal peace of the Lord In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Seton Shrine (https://setonshrine.org) in Marijane’s memory A Funeral Mass will be held on March 3 at 11 AM at St A Celebration of Life will be held at Lasting Tributes in Annapolis on March 4 from 2 - 4 PM and 6 - 8 PM Share a story where Marijane's kindness touched your heart Describe a day with Marijane you’ll never forget a Wheatley Heights resident who backs the lawsuit Foy said she is concerned about the proximity of the entrance of the planned industrial park to the entrance of popular Kevin Ver Pault Park A Wheatley Heights resident has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Babylon over a proposed 100-acre industrial park in neighboring Wyandanch which is a legal action used to challenge state and local government decisions 26 asked State Supreme Court Judge Kathy Bergmann to dismiss the suit The town is considering the application of San Francisco-based Bristol Group to develop a more than 100-acre parcel owned by Pinelawn Cemetery. The proposed industrial park would be the largest development in Babylon Town in decades and require approval of a new zoning district proposed by Bristol The park would have nine one-story buildings on wooded land leased from Pinelawn Cemetery that runs from Little East Neck Road to North 28th Street and from south of Circle Drive to Long Island Avenue Public hearings on the proposal have brought out neighbors in opposition filed the lawsuit against Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer and the other four members of the town board The focus of her suit is the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the town board’s acceptance of Bristol’s Final Environmental Impact Statement Foy’s suit states that the FEIS “focuses primarily on economic benefits to the Town of Babylon and disregards the negative environmental impact on the surrounding areas.” The lawsuit states the document also “disregards the surrounding residential communities’ lack of support for this project.” Among the issues the lawsuit cites are how stormwater runoff air emissions and traffic will harm residents Foy’s lawsuit seeks to overturn the town’s acceptance of the FEIS and have a “more comprehensive environmental review.” The lawsuit also accuses the town board of having “ignored the questionable use of financial incentive” from Bristol. The developer has offered more than $2 million in givebacks to Wyandanch and Wheatley Heights centered around discussions with two civic associations Concerned Citizens of Wyandanch and Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills Babylon Town’s response to the lawsuit seeks for it to be dismissed on procedural grounds The response notes that the SEQRA process has not been finished and that Foy lives more than 500 feet from the site — lacking “proximity standards” to challenge the SEQRA — and did not name Bristol Town spokesman Ryan Bonner declined to comment on the lawsuit Bonner said that the SEQRA process is not finished as the town has to complete a Findings Statement which is “the environmental decision on the project and the mitigation measures the Board will require.” and the town still has to adopt the new zoning code approve a requested subdivision and approve the rezoning of site There will also be a planning board hearing on site plan approval who is an administrator for the Half Hollow Hills school district last week asked the court to adjourn the matter until April 1 She told Newsday that she plans to amend her filing to include Bristol and Pinelawn and add residents to the suit who live closer to the site Pinelawn spokeswoman Katherine Heaviside also declined to comment noting that “Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum is not a party to the suit.”  Foy told Newsday that many of the concerns residents raised during public hearings on the proposal were left unaddressed, including worries about the impact of paving over a wooded area, and the future of Greenlawn Cemetery a historic Black and Indigenous cemetery that abuts the site She said she is also concerned about the proximity of the industrial park's entrance on Little East Neck Road to the entrance of popular Kevin Ver Pault Park She said her goal is to prevent the zoning change for the site another company can come in and then every time we have to have this fight,” she said 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 Martinez this week presented the New York State Senate Empire Award to the Metamorphosis Wellness Center and its owner a licensed social worker and certified Orange Theory coach specializing in psychotherapy and wellness services for individuals and families.  The Wheatley Heights wellness center was chosen for its commitment to personal and community improvement and its role in providing holistic health services.  Since its opening last June a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise has become an important mental and physical health resource for the community “Metamorphosis Wellness Center is an example of the transformative role local businesses have in our communities,” said Senator Martinez.  “Through its holistic approach to physical and mental health the center has guided many of our neighbors toward improved well-being and personal growth.  Cheryl and the wellness center’s practitioners help their clients’ best selves emerge exemplifying the profound positive change that small businesses can bring to our lives.” The New York State Senate Empire Award is given to local businesses that exemplify dedication not only to their customers and employees but also to their communities and New York State at large.  The award highlights businesses that significantly contribute to the growth and betterment of their communities “The Wellness Center was designed to bridge the gap between the average person’s mind and spirit.  We spend so much time trying to navigate and master the outer world without realizing the importance of centering ourselves and connecting with the divine energy within or reiki session at the Metamorphosis Wellness Center can help to balance and reset your entire being.” The Metamorphosis Wellness Center is located at 26 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights.  Please visit: https://metamorphosispc.com/the-wellness-center/ for more information 2024 at 11:20 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Jordan Behling pleaded guilty to robbery after another man was seriously injured during a Facebook Marketplace scam Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday (Courtesy of Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)SUFFOLK COUNTY NY — A Wheatley Heights man admitted to a robbery that seriously injured a man following a Facebook Marketplace scam pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and other charges for stealing cash from a prospective buyer from Facebook Marketplace and then driving away while the man hung from Behling's car window He is expected to be sentenced to five years in prison "We will not tolerate theft in Suffolk County," Tierney said in a news release this defendant coupled his theft with violence which he had arranged to purchase from Behling through Facebook Marketplace When Behling, who was driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox, pulled up to the man's home, the man handed him $280 in cash through the car window in exchange for the console, prosecutors said. Behling grabbed the money and sped off while the man was still partially inside the car Behling then drove for two blocks through intersections while weaving through traffic to purposely shake the man off the Chevy Equinox Parts of the drive were captured on video surveillance Behling eventually sideswiped a parked car causing the man to become dislodged from the Chevy Behling drove away without stopping to check on the man or reporting the incident to police The man was brought to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated for serious physical injuries he suffered in the crash including a shattered pelvis that required multiple surgeries police officers found car parts belonging to a Chevy Equinox The Chevy had been rented by a member of Behling's family and used by Behling at the time of the crash Law enforcement eventually found the Chevy at the family member’s home and impounded it as evidence Behling had also stolen money from two other people under similar circumstances the victims made arrangements with Behling through Facebook Marketplace to purchase a Play Station 5 after the victims went to a location to exchange money for the home video game console Behling stole the money from them without delivering them the merchandise Facebook did not respond to Patch's request for comment Behling pleaded guilty on Thursday to first-degree robbery; first-degree assault; second-degree assault; and one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury Behling is due back in court for sentencing on Feb Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page SAN ANTONIO - The Wheatley Heights Sports Complex on the East Side is set to reopen with significant upgrades following a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today The event celebrated the completion of extensive renovations aimed at modernizing the facility Among the new features are a state-of-the-art event hall and a fully equipped fieldhouse with new football turf These improvements were made possible by a $4.4 million bond approved by East Side voters The sports complex has been closed for construction since Thanksgiving of last year but officials announced that it will be ready to welcome back visitors later this month Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app including a New York City Police Department detective have been charged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds intended for struggling small businesses announced by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn reveal a plan to exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through false applications The defendants include NYPD detective John Bolden Bolden allegedly used his position to assist over 65 individuals in fraudulently securing PPP loans and Economic Security (CARES) Act were designed to help small businesses keep workers employed during the height of the pandemic Bolden and Carreira owned partnership interests in a tax preparation business which they used as a front to submit fraudulent loan applications The applications were supported by fabricated IRS documents which falsely inflated income and employment information The scheme ran from May 2020 to October 2022 resulting in significant illegal gains for the defendants and their associates including members of law enforcement responsible for upholding the law defrauded the United States government out of relief funds meant for businesses struggling to survive the pandemic,” said Breon Peace Attorney for the Eastern District of New York while emphasizing the seriousness of the charges “These arrests are a powerful reminder of this Office’s resolve to prosecute anyone who violated the public trust and took advantage of the COVID crisis by stealing from relief programs,” he added including two from Valley Stream and one from Wheatley Heights highlights the reach of this fraudulent activity within Long Island communities the defendants face up to 30 years in prison The investigation was aided by the Suffolk County Police Department The arrests are part of ongoing federal efforts to prevent detect and prosecute pandemic relief fraud Tap here to see what’s happening 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 woman has been apprehended after police say she stabbed her mother to death on Thanksgiving Eve in a quiet residential neighborhood on Long Island 2 Carman Court in Dix Hills (marked in red) Suffolk County Police said officers responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at the home on 2 Carman Court dead from stab wounds inside the residence Detectives later arrested the victim’s daughter She has been charged with murder in the second degree and is set to be arraigned on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday Martinez will host her Second Annual End of Summer Community BBQ on Sunday in Wheatley Heights.  Along with delicious food the event will feature a backpack and supply distribution to ensure every child in the Fourth Senatorial District is prepared for the upcoming school year “This barbecue is more than just a celebration – it’s an investment in our community and our children’s future,” Sen Martinez said.  "The event is about uniting neighbors and guaranteeing that no child is left behind.  By providing essential supplies and services we’re ensuring every student in our district is prepared to succeed as they head back to school." The BBQ will take place from noon to 2 p.m with backpacks available while supplies last.  Last year’s event drew more than 500 people from across the district.  This backpack distribution is the summer's second organized by Sen Members of the media are welcome to film and photograph the celebration and interview attendees; however Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsIvan Herrera SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Parks and Recreation is hosting several open house events at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex this month and next month The open house event will let residents see the complex’s track and sports field Mobile Fit pop-up classes and health screenings The following are the dates for the open house: The Wheatley Heights Sports Complex is located at 200 Noblewood Drive Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016 His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering consumer and money content Copyright © 2025 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group A proposed industrial park is planned to be built across from homes in this wooded area off of 28th street in Wyandanch A San Francisco-based developer is offering more than $2 million in givebacks to Wyandanch and Wheatley Heights residents as part of a proposed plan to build a 100-acre industrial park Bristol Group’s "Suffolk Technology Park" community benefits package includes $1 million in scholarship money $350,000 toward renovations at the Family Life Center and turf fields in Wyandanch and nearly $200,000 toward beautification projects in Wyandanch and Wheatley Heights the company will include Wyandanch Memorial High School in its community solar initiative which Bristol claims will create estimated annual savings of $150,000 for the school district Nearby residents will also benefit from solar panels at the park Bristol attorney Bram Weber told residents at a Saturday morning public hearing last month Weber called their offering the "largest community benefits package for a project this size in Long Island history." Community benefits packages are often a component of large-scale apartment and commercial projects serving as an attempt by developers to appease town officials and neighbors The park would be the biggest development in Babylon Town in decades and would require a new zone It would have nine one-story buildings on 100 acres leased from Pinelawn Cemetery The site runs from Little East Neck Road to North 28th Street and from south of Circle Drive to Long Island Avenue Some, including the town historian, have expressed concern for the impact the park may have on a historic cemetery that abuts the site has 375 Black and Indigenous people buried in it Weber said the park will not be a "large logistics center" but instead will offer smaller office Bristol has promised the park would create 767 construction jobs and 1,958 permanent jobs and generate $5.6 million annually in property taxes with $3.6 million going directly to the Wyandanch school district located in Wyandanch but bordering a Wheatley Heights neighborhood has generated some consternation between the two communities over givebacks and input Weber told Newsday that benefits given to the Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills civic association Bristol then extended the same benefits to the Concerned Citizens of Wyandanch each civic group would receive $155,000 plus $150,000 for holiday programs and $500,000 in scholarship money residents raised concerns about truck traffic and the environmental impact of the park But the issue of benefits was also front and center Wheatley Heights resident Sandra Thomas said Bristol had been "very very responsive to our needs" but more was warranted "We feel the Wheatley Heights community should have some kind of capital gains benefit such as sewers or even a gas line," she said "Because the impact is going to be tremendous on us." Wheatley Heights civic president Chris Black said Wyandanch was getting the better end of the deal "In Wyandanch you’re getting more tax incentives for the school "Wheatley Heights is not getting anything since we’re taking most of the burden of this project we need to have more than what the others are getting." But Wyandanch residents who would be living across from the industrial park said it was Wheatley Heights that was getting preferential treatment noted that Bristol had met with residents on his street only once compared to multiple meetings with Wheatley Heights He said the site plan was changed to accommodate those residents with a recharge basin moved closer to North 28th Street without residents there being informed Several North 28th Street residents expressed concerns about the basin so it really doesn’t benefit my community," Rodriguez said Weber told Newsday that Bristol met with the Wheatley Heights and Wyandanch civic groups multiple times and met with North 28th street residents "early in the project planning process" where concerns about a truck parking lot led to the lot being moved and the recharge basin put there instead Weber said the basin will collect stormwater and address drainage problems residents had noted He said the changes were "communicated to both civic associations multiple times." Weber said a meeting with North 28th street residents is planned for Nov Comments on the industrial park will be accepted by the town until Nov 2024 at 9:22 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The funds will be used to pay for the engineering design and planning phase of a $158 million project which will expand the Southwest Sewer District NY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced Monday that the Suffolk County Department of Public Works has commissioned the use of $7.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds towards planning and designing to expand the Southwest Sewer District serving portions of the Wyandanch Wheatley Heights and Deer Park communities "Clean water is essential to the long-term viability of our region and the allocation of more than $1 billion dollars towards wastewater infrastructure in the county’s capital budget signifies our commitment to build a better future in the Town of Babylon and throughout Suffolk County," said Romaine The funds will be used to pay for the engineering design and planning phase of a $158 million project which will expand the Southwest Sewer District to serve areas located within three hamlets of the Town of Babylon The 2025-2027 Proposed Capital Program includes more than 35 critical wastewater infrastructure projects with a total investment of more than $ 1.23 billion The extension of sewer service will spur economic development and eliminate the use of thousands of outdated residential and commercial cesspool systems which improves water quality and increases resiliency throughout Suffolk County The announcement comes in the aftermath of the passage of Proposition 2 as part of the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to improve water quality and fund long term investments in clean water systems and technologies The bill extends the existing one-quarter percent sales tax that funds water quality initiatives and establish a new one-eighth percent sales to modernize sewers and fund critical wastewater infrastructure in Suffolk County Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Executive Circle Awards 1 Valley Forge Drive Wheatley Heights / OneKey MLS photo Priciest home sales in Wheatley Heights (11798)  The three highest-priced home sales in Wheatley Heights last month ranged from $595,000 to $720,100 The priciest Wheatley Heights home sold in June was a 4-bedroom 2-bath hi-ranch on .37 acres at 1 Valley Forge Drive that sold for $720,100 It was listed by Alexander Bardy and Jeanette Comas Bardy of Prime Properties Long Island and sold by Amanpreet Singh of Property Professionals Realty 2.5-bath colonial on .37 acres at 32 Brown Blvd It was listed by Karlene Tyson of Tysons Real Estate and sold by Karen Adams of Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2-bath ranch on .21 acres went for $595,000 It was listed by Annette Alicanti of Compass and sold by Jean Gene of Exit Realty First Choice Source: OneKeyMLS.com  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 News 12 New YorkDownload the AppWhere to WatchTaxing Long IslandHempstead woman pleads guilty to causing fatal 2021 Wheatley Heights crashProsecutors say Shawnet Earle was drunk high and driving with a suspended license when she veered into a woman.News 12 Staff A retired police detective was shot to death by his adult son in their shared home in an affluent Long Island neighborhood was found dead inside his Dix Hills residence on Bruno Lane on Wednesday morning Miller was a retired Suffolk County Police detective an agency spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice Officers initially responded to a Dix Hills residence on Seaman Neck Road at around 7:30 a.m after a 911 caller reported a man hiding in their shed had recently been released from the hospital following a car crash days earlier The officers escorted Miller back to his home where they discovered the body of his father Detectives determined that Miller shot his dad to death before fleeing the scene Christopher Miller was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder He was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the previous car crash and was expected to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date Detectives did not speculate on a possible motive for the killing and body armor were seized during a raid at a Melville home leading to the arrest of a 41-year-old man Suffolk County police announced on Saturday and molds that were seized from Robert Ehlich's home Probation officers conducting a check at 21 Chateau Drive on Friday discovered illegal weapons and requested assistance from Suffolk County Police around 6:30 p.m. Officers from the Second Precinct and Second Squad detectives responded uncovering a cache of firearms and equipment Among the items seized were three assault rifles and plastic molds used for manufacturing ghost guns Investigators also recovered three large-capacity magazines and a significant amount of ammunition and charged with seven counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree He was held overnight at the Third Precinct and was set for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law following an altercation on Conklin Avenue.News 12 Staff News 12 New YorkDownload the AppWhere to WatchTaxing Long IslandBrandon Charles sentenced in fatal 2014 Melville crash<p>A Wheatley Heights man was sentenced to three to nine years this morning after pleading guilty to causing a 2014 car crash that killed a 19-year-old woman.</p>News 12 Staff A civil rights champion who loved the Black community challenged racial discrimination while inspiring and mentoring younger people who had a commanding presence and raspy voice that could engage listeners entrepreneurship and boundary-breaking law enforcement career said her father's legacy was that "he fought for his people every step of the way" and "he loved his people." Burnett joined the Army in 1946 and married his wife He was motivated toward activism after being denied housing in Levittown because he was Black From breaking news to special features and documentaries the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy "That was a real shock to me because while we were in the service, we used to tease the southern soldiers about conditions in their states," Burnett was quoted as saying in a Newsday article, where he also noted: "I didn't expect they could tell me that right out in the open in the State of New York that they were going to discriminate against me." After the denial, the couple lived in North Amityville with their three children: Eugene Jr., Karen Gittens and Swain, Newsday reported. The Burnetts eventually moved to Wheatley Heights becoming then the hamlet's first Black family He was the first Black police sergeant in the Town of Babylon and also served with the county police The couple worked to grow the Central Long Island branch of the NAACP which hosted functions that included luminaries such as singer pianist and activist Nina Simone and Thurgood Marshall Burnett also pushed for greater racial diversity in politics and against the ills of discrimination a civil rights activist and president of the NAACP New York State Conference said Burnett was a force to be reckoned with but had the respect of his community helped her find the strength and encouragement to speak out "His legacy should be remembered as somebody who had a vision to continue to make America and this state … live up to the Constitution and reality," she said recalling that he would go around town in a truck with a speaker system One mission that stuck close with Moore was Burnett's work to diversify elected positions on Long Island "Burnett believed in family," Moore said He believed that you should put your money where your mouth is Burnett is survived by his three children five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren Saturday at Hollywood Baptist Church followed by a funeral service Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University 2019 at 4:55 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A man was shot to death Saturday morning in Wheatley Heights has been identified as the man who was fatally shot in Wheatley Heights early Saturday NY — A man was killed in a shooting early Saturday morning in Wheatley Heights Homicide Squad detectives are investigating A 911 caller reported a man lying on the side of Little East Neck Road between Charlestown Place and Westmore Place around 2:50 a.m. He was brought to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was pronounced dead His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS A Wheatley Heights deli is suing the federal government to fight a ban agricultural officials imposed after an undercover sting showed the store let customers buy ineligible items with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits requests a stay of a six-month ban on accepting SNAP benefits at the Colonial Springs Road store and then for a judge to either vacate the penalty or reduce it to a fine after further review Court records show sting operatives bought ineligible items from two clerks four separate times between February and March of 2022 Department of Agriculture officials could have meted out a financial penalty if they had found a ban would create a hardship for SNAP-eligible households in the area But the agency said the deli didn't qualify for a financial penalty because there are other “authorized retail stores in the area selling as large a variety of staple foods at comparable prices." USDA administrative review officer Robert Deegan confirmed the ban in his final decision in April noting the “basic concept of ‘if you can’t eat it you can’t buy it using SNAP’ is not a difficult one for employees to grasp” and that the business didn't do proper training and monitoring Deegan didn't respond to requests for comment Owner Fahad Khalil’s lawsuit said his deli had no previous violations and had trained employees on SNAP requirements The court filing also said the sale of ineligible items was “an inadvertent mistake and not as a result of store ownership and/or management being inattentive.” said in a statement that the USDA used a “heavy-handed approach" and pointed out the agency often works “as adversaries rather than partners” when investigating violations The Manhattan lawyer added that the agency's actions most heavily impact smaller stores in “economically disadvantaged communities whose customers depend on SNAP.” Feigenbaum said his client should have gotten a warning The lawsuit said Khalil will suffer financial hardship from the loss of SNAP purchases which he said average $15,000 to $20,000 a month and make up approximately 30% to 35% of the deli’s revenue The continued ban also would harm the community including elderly customers and those without transportation to other qualifying stores “This business has maintained a level of consistency when it comes to the community so they shouldn’t be penalized,” said Wyandanch resident Evalina Robinson you have people who take advantage … but it’s not like they were buying alcohol with it.” politics and crime stories in Suffolk County Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts officials have withdrawn their special-use permit application to the Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals to allow “glamping” on its Wheatley Heights campus Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts has decided to withdraw its application for a special use permit which would have allowed for ‘glamping’ within the woods of the campus,” executive director Lauren Brandt Schloss wrote in an email it’s more important for us to preserve our 55 year relationship with the neighboring communities Usdan provides and will continue to provide an immersive and transformational arts experience for all.”  A withdrawal letter was sent to the ZBA on Monday afternoon Glamping is a style of camping that includes beds and other luxuries Neighbors responded in force and negatively last month to the plan which would have allowed overnight guests to sleep in temporary tents on the grounds as part of an arts program for adults to raise money for scholarships United Jewish Appeal Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York Inc. owns the property on Colonial Springs Road who started a petition in opposition to the plan that garnered hundreds of signatures and whose home abuts the campus said he was relieved and happy over the decision and I think the community has been supportive of it; we will work together to figure out streams to generate revenues that are good for the community surrounding the camp as well as the camp,” said Rosedale whose tennis court is partially on Usdan property Camp officials originally sought a special-use permit to build 70 temporary tents but after hearing residents’ objections scaled the request to 25 units as part of a pilot program Officials then decided to restrict overnight accommodation to those affiliated with the facility or those who were a part of a newly created member program But residents said any overnight camping was not appropriate given concern about fire safety stress on the water district and fear of strangers in the community “It’s nothing to do with the exempt purpose of the camp,” Rosedale said “We had many concerns and we were not brought into this at the beginning.” the town board approved a change to town code to allow glamping Huntington Town spokeswoman Lauren Lembo said that the agenda for the May 10 board meeting has not been finalized but that there is a resolution on the preliminary agenda to schedule a public hearing to rescind that code change One man was killed and another man was injured in a head-on crash on Straight Path near Burrs Lane in Wheatley Heights early Friday in a head-on crash Friday morning on Straight Path in Wheatley Heights was driving his 2008 Honda north on Straight Path when he veered into the southbound lane and struck a 2013 Jeep at 6:45 a.m. was “in serious condition” at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip The Honda and the Jeep will undergo safety checks Photos from the scene showed a sport utility vehicle Both vehicles were off to one side of the roadway — the SUV across a sidewalk its front-end into a wooded area; the car stopped just before the roadside curb Anyone with information about the crash should call police at 631-854-8152 a 10-year resident of Wheatley Heights and a Town of Babylon attorney “It’s one of the most diverse places I think I've seen.” Rosario takes pride in the Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills civic association noting the group puts on events throughout the holidays He also noted that Wheatley Heights’ power lines are underground which has only about 5,000 residents and is in the Town of Babylon enjoy Hermann Griem Park for sledding and tennis courts There’s also the Adventure Park at Long Island for ziplining and other activities There are several summer camps along Colonial Springs Road including Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds and Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts under the purview of the Town of Huntington is seeking a special-use permit to add “glamping” or overnight camping tents on part of its 140-acre property which has met with neighborhood opposition Commercial property is limited to the Wheatley Hollow Shopping Center on Colonial Springs Road a pizzeria and the recently opened Black Momma Tea & Cafe There’s plenty of shopping and dining nearby in Farmingdale and Deer Park Most of the homes in Wheatley Heights are Colonials an agent with Keller Williams Realty Elite but there are homes 1,800 square feet and higher and the prices tend to be $500,000 plus,” Volcy said The area was once known for brickmaking because the Half Hollow Hills had ideal clay and sand Wheatley Heights was part of the hamlet of Wyandanch The name Wheatley Heights comes from a 1913 development mapped out by real estate investor William Geiger Volcy noted the hamlet is also attractive to commuters and you have the Wyandanch train stop nearby which makes it easy for anyone going to the city,” she said CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are two co-ops on the market ranging in price from $199,000 to $239,000 there were 56 home sales with a median sale price of $497,500 according to OneKey MLS The low price for that period was $260,000 and the high was $692,500 During that period a year earlier there were 53 home sales with a median sale price of $445,000 Hospitals Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2019 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR data.nysed.gov *Based on 23 sales in the past six months 2½-bath splanch built in 1967 on 0.29 acre has been renovated with a new kitchen that has a center island A fourth bedroom was converted to a custom walk-in closet two-bath high-ranch built in 1962 has a formal dining room and a lower level with room for a mother-daughter or office $239,000 A renovated garden co-op in the Wheatley Gardens development and a large living room/dining room combination Taxes are included in the HOA fee of $821 a month but time spent waiting at a railroad crossing gate can mean the difference between life and death for someone in need of medical care The Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp is hoping to reduce those wait times by building a new substation south of the tracks in Wyandanch thereby avoiding the Long Island Rail Road gates when responding to calls “It’s quite a bit of time in terms of response to a critical situation,” said Charles Goodman “You can imagine what a difference it makes in a life-or-death situation I was there one day close to 10 minutes.” The company’s headquarters is located on Merritt Avenue just north of the LIRR tracks that slice through Wyandanch Most of the hamlet’s roughly 12,000 residents are in the larger The ambulance company is buying property on Straight Path near Mount Avenue from Babylon Town to build the substation which was formed in 1979 and is made up of nearly 70 volunteer and paid staff Company members have always had to deal with the two LIRR crossing gates on Straight Path and S but wait times have increased significantly since 2018 when a second track was put in along the main line between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma we’re delayed by the trains,” chief Jordan Thomas said “We literally have to go to Deer Park to get to the other side of the train tracks.” The ambulance company had long-searched for a substation spot but limited availability and astronomical asking prices were an obstacle the ambulance company approached the town about the Straight Path property “When we saw the need it was an easy decision.” Babylon Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez said The property at 1499 Straight Path had been the home of various stores over the years The town acquired the half-acre property in 2010 from owner Tony Khoury for $246,892 through eminent domain The site had been slated to be part of the town’s Wyandanch Rising redevelopment which is what Martinez said was the value of the property given by a real estate appraiser Goodman said the company will bond for the building which is not expected to be completed until at least 2025 The company’s “overall service to the community and response times are exceptional,” he said except when impacted by the crossing gates Thomas said there have been no deaths due to the delays but it has caused angst for both responders and awaiting patients “I’ve actually apologized to families,” Thomas said “I remember a father one time saying ‘I appreciate your help but when’s the ambulance coming?’ His daughter was being treated News 12 New YorkDownload the AppWhere to WatchRebuilding The BronxWheatley Heights resident paves way for diversity as first black Suffolk family court judgeOn Jan Victoria Gumbs-Moore made history.News 12 Staff Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY Are you ready for the best climbing and zip line adventure New York has to offer Get outside and into our Aerial Adventure Park to experience our self-guided tree-to-tree climbing adventure Ideal for all adults and children 3+ at any fitness level the perfect combination of challenge and fun You'll start with a safety briefing and practice session then we let you choose your own adventure among our 11 treetop trails for ages 7+ or the Adventure Playground for kids 3-6 each climber chooses their own challenge level The experience is self-guided and focused on exploration and discovery With roughly 185 tree top platforms connected by bridges our trails are color-coded like ski trails for all abilities and are designed for self-discovery Our helpful staff are always at hand and available for questions and assistance Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. By continuing to use our site you agree to our privacy policy 800 CALL NYS · info@iloveny.com 2022 at 5:37 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Usdan Summer Camp applied for a special use permit to build 70 "glamping" units and the application is set to be discussed at the Town of Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for April 7 NY — Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts has applied for a special use permit to build 70 units for camping and "glamping" on its 141-acre property bordering Melville and Wheatley Heights Glamping is a more glamorous form of camping than the traditional version The Usdan application is set to be heard at the Thursday Town of Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals meeting Usdan is a summer arts camp nonprofit that offers children ages 5 to 18 the chance to act, paint, sculpt, perform music, dance and more. Usdan's proposal is to craft a second art program for families and arts-interested adults "We aim to create a one-of-a-kind overnight arts-focused 'glamping' experience whereby visitors will be able to explore their creativity through classes in art and nature and sleep under the stars in luxury style tents," Usdan stated The camp aims to generate scholarship funds with the glamping units so that lower and middle-income summer art camp students can continue to participate in the programs Usdan has been around since 1968 and draws between 1,000 and 1,200 campers per summer Usdan's opponents say the camp should raise funds from its alumni and not glamping units The camp was required to notify surrounding residents of its plans, and many have objected to the potential camping units. More than 870 people have signed a petition to voice their opposition to Usdan's application as of Tuesday. The petition is hosted on a site named "Stop USDAN!" created the site because he believes the glamping units would not be in the best interests of the surrounding communities Rosedale also wanted an easier method to garner signatures than physically going door-to-door "There are many things that we have concerns about which will not only put the community at risk but I’m supportive of the day camp and the children," Rosedale told Patch "The reputation of the camp itself will be something that happens bad at that location said the operational logistics of the camp's proposal are "incredibly important," and that Usdan embraces residents' feedback "We really appreciate hearing our neighbors’ concerns so we can continue to refine [Usdan's plans] with them," Brandt said owned by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Jewish Philanthropies NY was denied its application by the Town of Huntington Planning Department in September 2021 on the basis that the camp would be required to obtain a special use permit from the town's zoning board camp officials said it would take many years to fully realize the project The program’s projected inaugural year is 2023 the camp would not immediately launch with 70 glamping units but phase them in over the course of three to five years would be built on the eastern portion of Usdan's property Roughly 250 feet would separate the camping tents from residents' homes Levy said a fence would likely be built on the perimeter to separate Usdan's property from that of surrounding residents Neighbors have been split on whether they want a fence built The fence issue is one of the items set to be discussed at the zoning board meeting Usdan plans to work with neighbors so that it is not built directly against their property lines "If [residents] have been enjoying our woods for decades we want them to be able to enjoy them some more," Levy said and we think it will really contribute to helping us with our security posture then that fence will be further in from the property line and we want to work with the local community on the placement of that fence.” The camping season would run from March 15 through Nov Levy said residents' concerns are Usdan's concerns and that many of those concerns would be reflected in the camp's code of conduct The code of conduct prohibits many of the activities residents expressed concern about Among the banned activities and items are campfires littering and squatting in the tents past one's contracted stay or during the offseason Usdan said it is and will continue to be in compliance with all building and fire safety codes All Usdan guests would be required to show a driver's license or another form of state or federal government ID and place a credit card on file about how Usdan will be able to enforce certain items on its code of conduct including alcohol consumption and grilling Security guards would be actively roaming the glamping sites to ensure campers are following the rules Residents within view of the property would also be given the phone number of the security manager who is on duty and Levy said they would be encouraged to call security with any issues of concern Security would be able to "instantly" deal with issues and Usdan will have a network of security cameras in place The active patrols and security cameras would also prevent the homeless population from occupying the tents during the winter months "It’s not possible for someone to take up residence in a tent without us knowing it," Levy said Usdan would offer glampers a license to stay for a night or two and Levy said that Usdan and glampers would not have a landlord-tenant relationship "We would call the police and you would be removed You have no rights to the premises or the housing .. because we want to make sure they’re not damaged and we want to make sure that they’re fine in the woods and ready for when the next season starts." Brandt said Usdan already has 70 structures on its property that it manages year-round "I hope that residents remember if they haven’t had disturbances from us around this issue in the past they shouldn’t expect to have them in the future," Brandt said Conditions for the Usdan application include one tent for every two acres and there are five easy-access tents that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Each single tent's wooden base is 20 by 12 feet Residents are concerned that trees would need to be cut down and land be graded should 70 tents be built Usdan preaches forestry management and sustainability to its children campers and the camp has "no interest" in displacing trees if a tent has accidentally been drawn at a place that has a large tree If we are in an area that has an invasive species With Usdan's property being on such a hilly and uneven area the camp's workaround would be to switch up the sizes of the legs built on each tent platform's base Only deadwood that could pose a danger would be removed are that the camping units are in an adequate spot for water supply waste disposal and fire protection; will not create traffic congestion; will not have a negative impact on the character of the neighborhood; and will not impair public health and safety Residents are also concerned about the potential displacement of wildlife the construction of the tents may cause The woods where Usdan plans to construct the glamping units are likely home to chipmunks according to the Town of Huntington Department of Planning & Environment impacts to wildlife from Usdan's proposition would be "minimal," according to the department "Part of the rationale when the Town Board created this specific use type in the Town's Camping Code last year was that it would actually preserve more natural open space by allowing smaller campsites for temporary use only," a town spokeswoman said Pesticides and lawn fertilizers would have a larger impact on the native wildlife than Usdan's proposed glamping units would Levy said Usdan does not anticipate ticks being an issue adding that the camp uses a cedar oil-type pest control that is not harmful to people we’ll probably decrease the tick population at Usdan because we’re going to spray more areas of the campus with the natural cedar-oil product," Levy said The children's summer camp runs for eight weeks in the summer will not be allowed on Usdan's grounds while camp is in session For the two months that the children's summer camp is in session glampers will only be able to use the grounds from Friday night to Sunday day as there is no electricity and campfires aren't allowed you’d have to be able to sleep comfortably in cold weather with thermals or warm sleeping bags," he said Usdan has infrastructure with electricity that glampers would need to use to charge their electronic devices Battery-or-solar-powered charging stations and battery-powered lanterns are allowed The eastern towards the northern section of Usdan's property is where the tents are slated to be built should the project be approved The eastern side has an existing network of nature trails while the northern side has studios and a recreation area where the kids play Brandt said the program is designed to help families or friends go deep into nature and participate in art forms the project’s vision was born out of a desire to increase funds for the Usdan Scholarship Fund .. 40 percent of the students came on need-based scholarships," Brandt said so we want to have such incredible economic diversity and actually take some finances to be able to do that All the proceeds from these overnight experiences will go right to the scholarship funds you get to give other people the opportunity to experience Usdan A Wheatley Heights resident was remanded without bail Wednesday for what Suffolk prosecutors described as the "execution-style" killing of a Centereach man found in January half-naked and frozen solid in a wooded area of Rocky Point pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Central Islip in connection with the shooting death of Justin Lee prosecutors said the fatal shooting stemmed from a “drug transaction gone bad" and investigators found DNA evidence in the suspect's home linking him to the crime Seejattan is facing weapons charges in a separate case “This is a brutal and coldhearted execution in which the victim’s lifeless body was found dumped outside in the cold 10 days after he was reported missing by those who cared for him,” said Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney “The defendant is now in custody and we will seek justice for this senseless tragedy.” Follow the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach killings investigation He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted 28 near the North Shore Rail Trail after he went missing from his home 10 days earlier An autopsy would reveal that he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and thigh Defense attorney Scott Gross said his client works in an auto body shop and has four young children He declined to discuss any relationship Seejattan had with the victim "The case as it’s been presented to us seems very weak at the moment," Gross said after the arraignment "We’ll obviously challenge the evidence they presented in court." described her fiance as a loving and caring father "He loved to laugh and crack jokes," Thomas said of Lee outside her Centereach home Wednesday "He was just a silly go-getter person said Lee "just wanted better for his kids Thomas said her entire family is devastated by Lee's murder "They dumped him outside like he was trash Two neighboring civic associations are on opposite sides of the fence over a potential commercial development in Wyandanch that abuts a Wheatley Heights neighborhood The proposed Suffolk Technology Center would be built on Wyandanch property owned by Pinelawn Cemetery which would lease the undeveloped land to Bristol Group The project would encompass nine buildings on nearly 99 acres according to a fact sheet distributed by Bristol to the civic associations Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills and Concerned Citizens of Wyandanch It would run from Little East Neck Road to North 28th Street and from south of Circle Drive to Long Island Avenue the development would be a “Class-A business park catering to small and medium-sized businesses” and bring an estimated 2,000 permanent jobs who said the development would be less than 300 feet from her Circle Drive backyard and we’re just appalled that Pinelawn wants to develop this land to make an industrial park,” said Doughty a member of Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills “You’re tearing up a community without any consideration for that community.” Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills also lists pollution and heavy truck and employee traffic among their reasons for opposing the project Pinelawn must get approval from the state cemetery board to lease the land a public relations firm emailed statements from Bristol and Pinelawn Pinelawn noted the state review is separate from “any environmental review by the Town.” Bristol reiterated points from its fact sheet “we will continue in our commitment to ongoing community input during the Town’s planning review process.” The fact sheet states that the site will go from paying zero property tax to generating annual taxes of $3.1 million for the Wyandanch school district Bristol is also promising $1.5 million in roadway improvements The Concerned Citizens of Wyandanch supports the technology center green spaces preserved and noise buffers provided “We don’t have any major revenue base here so there’s really nothing for our families to pull from for economic power,” Walker said “Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills is not struggling … we’re trying to get to that level and I think the Bristol project can assist with that.” Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said he is excited about the project He said Bristol told officials the developer is not seeking a tax abatement from the town IDA so more tax dollars will go directly into the community Residents’ worries will be addressed and public hearings held once the town receives an application from Bristol “If we’ve got an opportunity to expand our tax base without disrupting everyone’s quality of life and the concerns they have raised are addressable “We’ve got to be able to do that in these very tough economic times.” 2018 at 12:02 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}CATSKILLS NY - A Wheatley Heights man was arrested after he was caught driving a stolen car in upstate New York on Wednesday night a state tropper stopped a car being driven by 40-year-old Herby Legros on I-87 in the town of Catskill after receiving a BOLO be on the lookout for a reported stolen vehicle The officer determined that the car was reported stolen to the Suffolk County Police Department transported and processed at State Police Catskill He was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property Legros was arraigned in the Town of Catskill Court and sent to the Greene County Jail and held without bail He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Catskill Court on Jan The Adventure Playground in Wheatley Heights features a mini zip line swinging ropes and a slide for children ages 3-6 Kids can swing from ropes and climb through netting at a new playground at the Adventure Park in Wheatley Heights scaled-down elements found at the zip line park The playground has a line of looped ropes to swing from and a net to climb There's also a miniature zip line with a suspended disc for kids to swing and slide across a short cable Children do not need to wear harnesses at Adventure Playground but must be supervised by parents or guardians at all times The playground also has three wooden tree houses each of which is a different height and connected by a black barrel to crawl through and a netted tube to cross swaying and wobbling a bit when kids put their weight on it spiral tube slide and another has a set of uneven steps made from tree stumps The Adventure Playground features uneven steps made from tree stumps that children can climb The Adventure Park is at 75 Colonial Springs Rd. Gate #3.Admission is $15; a season pass for unlimited visits is $25 Reservations are recommended — walk-in customers are served on an as-available basis so be sure to check the park's website before you go For more information, call 877-703-0394 or visit longislandadventurepark.org 2020 at 3:55 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Nassau County police announced these arrests for DWI this week NY — The Nassau County Police Department reported the following arrests for driving while intoxicated for the week ending Dec Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. in upstate Catskill after it was determined he was driving a stolen vehicle A Wheatley Heights man was remanded to jail after being stopped Wednesday night while driving a stolen car on I-87 in upstate Catskill was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and faces an appearance Monday in Town of Catskill Court followed issuance of a BOLO — a be-on-the-lookout alert — for a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe that had been reported stolen in Suffolk County “After observing the vehicle and effecting a traffic stop State Police determined the vehicle was reported stolen to the Suffolk County Police Department,” State Police said in a statement The Greene County District Attorney’s Office could not immediately comment on why Legros was held without bail It was not clear if Legros was represented by counsel Executive board members of The Mothers Club of Wheatley Heights are first row: Tonya DeVille and Leslie Vaughan-Wilson; second row: Deborah Horne Michele Cole and Khadijah Starling; third row: Michelle Richards Kisha Fowlkes and Felicia Thomas-Williams at their monthly meeting at the Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corps in Wyandanch The saying "It takes a village to raise a child" is not just idle talk for residents of Wheatley Heights In 1980, African-American families in that community, particularly mothers, worried about the impact that the closing of a neighborhood school would have on their children. They feared that the students would be isolated from their peers and neighbors and lose a sense of their common heritage Despite strong public opposition, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District shut down Taukomas Elementary School in Wyandanch to address racial imbalances and declining enrollments at other elementary schools in the district. African-American students — most of whom lived in Wheatley Heights — comprised 23 percent of the Taukomas school body a handful of women formed The Mothers Club of Wheatley Heights which for more than 30 years now has organized enrichment activities to ensure that the community's African-American children retain a sense of identity "They wanted the children to see teachers who looked like them to play together and come together for social and educational programs," said club president Leslie Vaughan-Wilson who is a senior finance manager for a Fortune 500 company and a mother of two students in the school district Get ready for the weekend with our picks on where to shop The club sponsors and conducts workshops for children on such topics as sexuality, responsibility, commitment and decision-making. Academic excellence and social responsibility are encouraged. Children give back to the community through civic activities like delivering food baskets to the needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas and by Christmas caroling for shut-ins and nursing home patients "We look to affirm all children from the neighborhoods and our school district," said Terry Tucker She said The Mothers Club members support one another in carpooling children to events Members also organize study groups and bring in tutors to help children prepare for tests Indeed, The Mothers Club has come a long way since Joyce Mathis, a teacher, mother and Girl Scout leader, met with nine other women in her Wheatley Heights kitchen in 1980 to plan strategies to keep Taukomas open. Forty-five residents boarded a chartered bus and rode to Albany to petition legislators "We wanted our children to have a sense of community a sense of neighborhood and a sense of friendship," said Sandy Thomas a retired social worker and one of the group's pioneers "We decided we were going to become real active and visible in the school district." Mothers began advocating for their children, "questioning minority hiring, if black history was being taught in the schools, if black children were being referred to special ed," Thomas recalled Club members joined the PTA and special committees and became class mothers "We have an excellent relationship with the administrative team in Half Hollow Hills," Vaughan-Wilson said "They're very attentive to our needs." said The Mothers Club "is an active community group who works collaboratively with the district in the best interest of students The group has done even more. Since its founding, The Mothers Club has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to college-bound seniors — excluding their own children — at the district's two high schools and three high schools in Deer Park, Wyandanch and North Babylon "Everything we do does not benefit our group directly," she said Although 40 percent of the mothers no longer have children in the school district "they're very interested in the club and are active members," Vaughan-Wilson added The group, which now has 62 members, meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Wyandanch/Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corps. Their Black History Month program, starting at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dix Hills Library will highlight African-Americans in journalism The Mothers Club's impact on children has been positive because of the time and effort we invest in them," Vaughan-Wilson said a member of the club's Black history committee "Our job is to raise our children not just by the biological parents but by the pride and joy of the community celebrating together I'm very proud of the organization." For more info about the Mothers Club of Wheatley Heights Wheatley Heights, NY 11798