News

Philip R. Ramos for New York's 6th Assembly District

Oct
11
2022

Includes most of Central Islip, Islip above Sunrise Hwy, Brentwood below 495 (LIE), Hauppauge below 495 (LIE)

After 20 years in the Assembly, Philip R. Ramos, 66, of Brentwood is not ready to give up his seat.

Ramos, a Democrat, argues that more funding for education, homelessness, and alternatives to criminal activities to deter gang recruitment is needed in impoverished communities to help prevent crime. The former Suffolk County police officer feels strongly about addressing inequities in the justice system yet realizes adjustments are needed to address flaws in the pretrial discovery process and better education for judges about cases in which defendants should be remanded.| read more ››

Chuck Schumer for U.S. Senate

Oct
8
2022

Sen. Chuck Schumer's stature and power has grown with the majority leader title that now precedes his name.

But he hasn't forgotten the communities that brought him to that place, including those on Long Island, and the ones that depend upon him for resources. The state and the region are better off with him in the U.S. Senate's leadership, currently as majority leader and before that minority leader.

It's that mix, combined with a dynamic and engaged presence even after more than four decades in Washington, that has helped Schumer, 71, mostly successfully navigate the choppy waters of a divided U.S. Senate, while always looking for ways to get more for his home state.| read more ››

Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Holds Executive Leadership Conference

Oct
7
2022

Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. recently hosted its Second Annual Executive Leadership Conference on Monday, October 3, and Tuesday, October 4 at The Sondra and David S. Mack Student Services Center at Hofstra University. Over 200 upper-level members of staff from various law enforcement agencies, government, and public sector businesses attended the two day conference which featured presentations by experts in leadership including Paralympian Rohan Murphy, US Marine Corps Captain Jackie Barnum, Phoenix Arizona Officer and subject of the book Burning Shield Jason Schechterle, former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, former NYPD Chief Joseph Fox and many more.| read more ››

Law Enforcement Leaders Hear Stories, Share Experiences at Hempstead Conference

Oct
4
2022

The heartbreaking memories all came flooding back last week for Lisa Tuozzolo of Huntington, the widow of former NYPD Paul Tuozzolo, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in the Bronx in 2016.

When Tuozzolo learned that FDNY paramedic Alison Russo had been stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in Astoria, Queens, she thought of the first responder's family and how the pain they must be experiencing was all too familiar.| read more ››

Suffolk, Paws of War kick off Pet Safety Initiative

Jul
29
2022

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. says he aims to protect all the county’s residents — including four-legged ones.

So on Friday, he launched a free microchip program that can help reunite owners with lost pets.

The program is being undertaken in conjunction with Paws of War, a Nesconset-based nonprofit that provides dogs and veterinarian services to veterans and first responders. They held the first of three free clinics as part of a “Dog Days of Summer” initiative.

Veterans and first responders get priority, but anyone can sign up.

“We see way too many heartbreak stories about animals that are not chipped and wind up being euthanized” at shelters after they get lost and are turned in, said Robert...| read more ››

Democrat David Calone Announces Bid for Suffolk County Executive

Jul
26
2022

Democrat Dave Calone, a venture capitalist and a former federal and state prosecutor, has announced his candidacy for election as Suffolk County executive next year.

County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat first elected in 2011, has reached his term limit and will not run next year, opening up the seat.

Calone, 48, of Setauket, said in a news release he has raised $1 million in campaign funds.

He cited the environment and affordable living as his key reasons for running.

“I’m running for County Executive to make sure that everyone benefits from the same kind of opportunities that I have enjoyed growing up and living in Suffolk County,” Calone said in a statement last Friday.| read more ››

Upcoming Book Release Event for "Below the Ocean: Keeping Our Sea Friends Safe"

Jul
26
2022

Meet the Author, Sarah Anker! The first 25 copies of the book will be free with limited supplies available!

Sarah Anker, a current Suffolk County Legislator, has published a children’s picture book on ocean pollution entitled “Below the Ocean: Keeping Our Sea Friends Safe”. The book provides an engaging story, with vibrant colors and adorable characters, about a young seal who encounters ocean pollution, and learns how it is affecting sea life and our ocean.| read more ››

Biden Expected to Offer Partial Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

May
23
2022

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is expected to roll out a student loan relief plan in the coming weeks as he faces increasing pressure from congressional Democrats — including Sen. Chuck Schumer — to act before a moratorium on federal student loan payments expires for millions of borrowers in August.

Biden has said he hopes to unveil a plan “in the next couple of weeks,” but has repeatedly emphasized he is “not considering” the up to $50,000 in loan forgiveness pushed by Schumer (D-N.Y.). Instead, White House officials have signaled that any plan that emerges will likely be closer to the $10,000 in relief Biden pledged as a presidential candidate.

Before stepping down, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said officials were looking to finalize a plan before a pause on student loan payments expires on Aug. 31. Meanwhile, borrowers who have had a two-year reprieve from paying their federal student loans because of the pandemic, are anxiously waiting on news.

Leigh-Ann Barde, a married mother of four sons from Central Islip, said she owes $48,000 in student loan debt that she has not had to pay since Congress enacted a pause on payments in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. Barde said the absence of monthly payments has allowed her family to use the money for the expenses that come with a household of children ages 5 to 13.| read more ››