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Tag: Suffolk News Now

  • DawnMarie Announces Suffolk County Correction Officers Association Endorsement

    DawnMarie Announces Suffolk County Correction Officers Association Endorsement

    SUFFOLK COUNTY — DawnMarie announced that she has been endorsed by the Suffolk County Corrections Officers Association, calling the support of another law-enforcement association an honor.

    In the post, DawnMarie said the endorsement means a great deal to her and tied it directly to her support for law enforcement.

    “I will always back the blue,” she wrote, adding that she would work in Albany to make sure law-enforcement officers have the tools they need to keep communities safe.

    She also thanked the SCCOA for its support and said she looks forward to representing law-enforcement officers and their families if elected to the New York State Assembly.

    The campaign graphic accompanying the announcement identifies DawnMarie as a candidate for New York State Assembly District 7.

    The endorsement post also highlights several themes central to her campaign message, including support for law enforcement, union support and opposition to one-party rule in Albany. You can visit her website to learn more about her campaign at https://votedawnmarie.com

  • DeStefano Pushes for More State Funding to Repair Local Roads and Infrastructure

    DeStefano Pushes for More State Funding to Repair Local Roads and Infrastructure

    SUFFOLK COUNTY — New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano is backing increased state investment in local roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure, arguing that communities across Long Island need more help keeping aging infrastructure safe and reliable.

    DeStefano joined lawmakers from both the Assembly and Senate in supporting additional funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, known as CHIPS, which provides state money directly to municipalities for road and highway projects. 

    For Suffolk County communities, CHIPS funding can help local governments repair deteriorating roads, address potholes, improve bridges and complete transportation projects without placing the entire financial burden on local taxpayers.

    DeStefano has framed the issue as more than routine road maintenance.

    “The CHIPS program is vital to maintaining our roads, bridges and transportation networks,” DeStefano said in announcing his support for increased funding. He also tied infrastructure investment to stronger communities, job creation and public safety. 

    Local Roads, Local Impact

    Infrastructure funding can have an immediate effect on residents because many of the roads people use every day are maintained by towns, villages and other local governments rather than directly by the state.

    Those municipalities face rising construction, labor and material costs while still being expected to maintain miles of roadway.

    Additional CHIPS funding allows more of those costs to be supported through the state budget.

    For DeStefano, who represents New York’s 3rd Assembly District in Suffolk County, that makes infrastructure funding an affordability issue as well as a transportation issue.

    More state support can reduce pressure on local governments to fund major road projects entirely through local revenue.

    Public Safety Connection

    Road conditions also have a direct connection to public safety.

    Deteriorated pavement, damaged shoulders and aging infrastructure can create hazards for motorists, pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school transportation.

    DeStefano has argued that investment in roads and bridges should therefore be viewed as part of the state’s broader responsibility to keep communities safe.

    His support for CHIPS also fits into a broader legislative agenda focused on public safety, affordability and local government needs. His official Assembly page shows that those themes have remained central to his work throughout the 2025–26 legislative session. 

    Bringing State Dollars Back to Local Communities

    The importance of programs such as CHIPS is ultimately straightforward: state tax dollars return to local communities for projects residents can see and use every day.

    For Suffolk residents, that means repaired roads, stronger bridges and infrastructure improvements that can otherwise be difficult for municipalities to finance on their own.

    DeStefano’s position is that Albany should continue increasing those investments rather than forcing local governments to absorb more of the cost.

    For a district where residents depend heavily on automobiles and local road networks, that is a tangible issue with an immediate impact on quality of life.

  • DeStefano Backs New Push to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud in New York

    DeStefano Backs New Push to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud in New York

    HAUPPAUGE — New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano is backing a new legislative push aimed at tightening Medicaid fraud enforcement, increasing local prosecutorial involvement and creating financial rewards for credible tips that lead to successful cases.

    DeStefano joined Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, state Sen. Dean Murray, Sen. Anthony Palumbo and Sen. Mario Mattera in Hauppauge to support a two-bill package targeting fraud within New York’s Medicaid system. 

    The first proposal would formally designate the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, or OMIG, as the statewide clearinghouse for Medicaid fraud tips submitted through the 1-877-87-FRAUD hotline. Credible allegations would then be referred to both the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit and the appropriate local district attorney. 

    Under the proposal, authorities would have 30 days after receiving a tip to determine whether an investigation will move forward and which agency will lead it. OMIG would also receive the outcome of completed investigations and issue annual reports showing how many tips were received, referred, investigated and resolved. 

    A second bill would create a Medicaid Fraud Tip Reward Program funded with 1% of money recovered through Medicaid fraud investigations, seizures and forfeitures. People whose documented information directly leads to a guilty plea or criminal conviction could qualify for a financial reward. 

    DeStefano: Fraud Takes Money From People Who Need Care

    DeStefano framed the issue as both a taxpayer concern and a threat to people who rely on Medicaid.

    “Every dollar stolen from that system is a dollar taken away from someone who genuinely needs care.”

    He said the program exists to support seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families and children, while arguing that New York does not have enough oversight to deal with waste, fraud and abuse. 

    The Medford Republican represents New York’s 3rd Assembly District and has previously supported legislation involving Medicaid fraud detection, including a proposal that would reimburse counties for fraud, waste and abuse detection software. 

    Suffolk Officials Want More Local Enforcement

    Tierney argued that local prosecutors need greater access to Medicaid fraud complaints.

    Under the proposed legislation, credible tips would no longer remain solely within the state-level enforcement structure. Local district attorneys with jurisdiction would receive the information and could take part in investigating and prosecuting cases. 

    Tierney said the additional authority could help Suffolk investigators pursue cases that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

    Romaine also backed the package, saying stronger Medicaid fraud enforcement could protect money intended for people who depend on the health-care program. 

    Fraud Fight Tied to Affordability

    Supporters are also framing the proposals as an affordability issue.

    Palumbo argued that waste and fraud ultimately increase pressure on taxpayers and reduce resources available for legitimate public programs. The lawmakers backing the package say stronger oversight and more aggressive prosecution could help recover taxpayer money while protecting the integrity of Medicaid. 

    The legislation has not yet become law. It would still need approval from the Legislature and the governor before the proposed referral and reward systems could take effect.

    For DeStefano, the argument is straightforward: Medicaid should remain available for the residents who genuinely need it, while those who exploit the system should face greater scrutiny and prosecution.

  • Romaine Puts Public Safety, Taxes and Suffolk’s Future at Center of State of the County

    Romaine Puts Public Safety, Taxes and Suffolk’s Future at Center of State of the County

    SUFFOLK COUNTY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine used his 2026 State of the County address to lay out an agenda centered on public safety, fiscal restraint, infrastructure, environmental protection and what he described as the long-term quality of life of Suffolk County residents.

    Suffolk News Now attended the address and heard Romaine outline a series of priorities that touched nearly every major area of county government.

    Among the biggest announcements was Romaine’s call for a new Suffolk County Police Department headquarters in Yaphank, near the department’s existing facility. He argued that the current building was never designed to serve as a modern police headquarters and said the county needs a facility capable of supporting present-day law-enforcement operations.

    The proposal is part of a broader public-safety agenda Romaine highlighted throughout the speech.

    He spoke in support of strengthening law enforcement, increasing staffing where needed and continuing to invest in technology, equipment and county resources tied to policing, corrections and probation.

    Romaine also pushed back against calls to reduce the role of police and correctional institutions, framing his administration’s approach as one focused on maintaining public safety while improving the systems that support it.

    No Increase in County General Taxes

    Affordability was another major theme.

    Romaine said Suffolk County residents should not expect an increase in county general taxes next year, positioning fiscal restraint as a central part of his administration’s approach.

    That pledge comes as Long Island residents continue to face high housing, utility and property-tax costs.

    The county portion of a homeowner’s total property-tax bill is only one component, but Romaine emphasized that Suffolk County government should avoid adding to those pressures wherever possible.

    New Investments in Public Safety and County Services

    Romaine also highlighted plans involving the county’s medical examiner’s office, crime laboratory and environmental laboratory.

    He said Suffolk needs modern facilities capable of handling the county’s growing forensic, public-health and environmental testing responsibilities.

    Those investments are expected to support both criminal investigations and efforts to identify environmental threats, including contaminants that could affect drinking water.

    The speech also touched on child welfare.

    Romaine said New York State has approved Suffolk County to create a child welfare review board, and he described protecting children as one of government’s most important responsibilities.

    Water Quality and Sewer Expansion

    Environmental issues remained a significant part of the address.

    Romaine spoke about Suffolk’s continued reliance on cesspools and septic systems and the need to expand sewer infrastructure in areas where wastewater has contributed to water-quality problems.

    He pointed to ongoing and planned sewer projects in communities including Holbrook, Oakdale and Smithtown.

    For a county surrounded by water and heavily dependent on its underground aquifer, Romaine presented wastewater infrastructure as both an environmental and economic issue.

    He also discussed preserving farmland, protecting working waterfronts and continuing county investment in open space.

    Parks, Transportation and Infrastructure

    Romaine said Suffolk should continue improving its extensive county park system, including upgrades to electrical service, Wi-Fi and camping facilities.

    Transportation was another focus.

    He called for improvements to public transit and greater use of rail freight as a way to reduce the number of trucks traveling on Suffolk County roads.

    That proposal reflects one of the broader challenges facing the county: moving people and goods across a geographically large region while reducing congestion and pressure on local infrastructure.

    Looking Ahead

    The State of the County address gave Romaine an opportunity to define what he sees as Suffolk’s priorities for the coming year.

    His message combined traditional county responsibilities such as policing, public health and infrastructure with longer-term concerns over affordability, environmental protection and the county’s ability to retain working families.

    For residents, the most immediate takeaway may be the tax pledge.

    For county government, however, Romaine laid out a much broader agenda: modernize public-safety infrastructure, expand sewer systems, protect natural resources, improve parks and transportation and continue investing in the services he says are necessary to keep Suffolk County viable for future generations.

  • Suffolk Issues Swimming Advisory for 60 Beaches After Heavy Rain

    Suffolk Issues Swimming Advisory for 60 Beaches After Heavy Rain

    SUFFOLK COUNTY — The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued a bathing advisory for 60 beaches following heavy rainfall, warning that stormwater runoff may temporarily push bacteria levels above New York State standards.

    The Sept. 1 advisory covers beaches across multiple parts of the county, including areas around Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Harbor and Bay, Centerport Harbor, Northport Harbor and Bay, the Port Jefferson Harbor complex, Stony Brook Harbor, the northern shoreline of the Great South Bay, Sag Harbor and several Long Island Sound beaches affected by nearby stormwater discharges. 

    County health officials say the affected beaches are in areas heavily influenced by runoff from surrounding watersheds and tributaries. Many are also located in enclosed embayments where limited tidal flushing can allow elevated bacteria levels to persist longer after storms. 

    Residents Urged to Avoid Water Contact

    The county recommends suspending swimming and other water contact in affected areas until the water has been flushed by two successive tidal cycles — at least 24 hours after rainfall ends. 

    The rainfall-related advisory was expected to be lifted Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 a.m., provided conditions improved as expected. 

    Separately, three beaches remained closed because of high bacteria levels:

    • Huntington Beach Community Association
    • Valley Grove Beach in Eatons Neck
    • Tides Beach in Rocky Point 

    Beaches Across Suffolk Affected

    The advisory spans several towns, including Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip and Smithtown, as well as Havens Beach in Sag Harbor.

    Among the listed beaches are Tanner Park in Copiague, Corey Beach in Blue Point, Stony Brook Beach, Centerport Beach, Crab Meadow Beach in Northport, West Islip Beach, Bayport Beach, Sayville Marina Park Beach and Long Beach in Nissequogue. 

    Health officials also cautioned residents that the same guidance should be considered for other surface waters affected by stormwater runoff, even if those locations are not officially designated bathing beaches. 

    The county specifically urges people with open wounds, recent tattoos or recent surgery to avoid contact with saltwater and brackish waters such as bays, inlets and river mouths. 

    Residents can check current beach conditions through Suffolk County’s bathing beach program or call the county’s beach hotline at 631-852-5822. 

  • Two More Rabid Raccoons Found in Islip as Suffolk Warns Residents

    Two More Rabid Raccoons Found in Islip as Suffolk Warns Residents

    ISLIP, N.Y. — Suffolk County health officials are warning residents to avoid contact with wild animals after two additional raccoons found in the Town of Islip tested positive for rabies.

    The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said one raccoon was found dead on a street in Bay Shore and another was found dead in Islip earlier in August. The animals were retrieved by the Islip Animal Shelter and submitted for rabies testing.

    The county said the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health confirmed the positive results on Aug. 19. At the time of the announcement, county health officials said they did not believe there had been any human exposure. 

    The two cases were identified as Suffolk County’s 38th and 39th positive terrestrial rabies confirmations since Feb. 7, 2025, according to the county. 

    They followed another confirmed case in Islip earlier in August. In that case, a member of the public reported a raccoon that appeared ill. Suffolk County Police Emergency Service officers responded, and testing later confirmed rabies. County officials reported no human or pet exposure in that incident. 

    The latest cases are part of a broader return of terrestrial rabies to Suffolk County after years without locally acquired cases. Suffolk reported its first locally acquired terrestrial rabies case of 2026 in January, when a dead raccoon found in Wyandanch tested positive. At that point, officials said nearly all of the county’s recent terrestrial cases involved raccoons. 

    Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and can infect mammals, including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Human infection most commonly occurs when saliva or nervous tissue from an infected animal enters the body through a bite, scratch or open wound. 

    Suffolk County is urging residents not to touch or transport wild animals. Anyone who sees a raccoon behaving abnormally can contact Suffolk County Police at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250. 

    Residents should also keep pets’ rabies vaccinations current and report possible animal bites or wildlife exposures to county health officials.

    Why It Matters

    The new Islip cases show that Suffolk County’s terrestrial rabies activity has not disappeared. Residents who encounter sick, unusually aggressive, disoriented or dead wildlife should avoid direct contact and allow animal-control or public-health professionals to handle the animal.