Suffolk County officials collected 10 handguns and five assault weapons on Saturday at a gun buy-back program in Bellport.
Thirty high-capacity magazines were also turned in at the two-hour event at the Lighthouse Mission on Montauk Highway, according to the Suffolk County Police department.

The program was presented by County Executive Steven Bellone, the police department, county Leg. Rob Calarco and Brookhaven councilwoman Connie Kepert.

People who turned in unregistered guns received a $200 cash card for an assault weapon; a $100 cash card for a pistol/revolving hand gun; and a $20 cash card for high capacity clips (over 10).| read more ››

Suffolk County lawmakers made eastern Long Island the first place in the nation to forbid 19 and 20 year olds from buying cigarettes and other tobacco products starting next year following an intense debate.

The county legislature voted 10-8 late Tuesday night to raise the legal age for buying tobacco products from 19 to 21 within Suffolk, imposing $1,000 fines for retailers that violate the new law.

“This is about preventing addiction,” said Suffolk Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mt. Sinai), one of the lawmakers who voted for the bill, referring to the hundreds of thousands who die each year from tobacco-related illnesses and the thousands within the 19- to 21-year-old age group who pick up the habit each day for the...| read more ››

A proposal to have Suffolk County's parks patrolled by seasonal and part-time officers and transfer 36 existing park cops to the police department would save taxpayers an estimated $13.4 million through 2018, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Wednesday.
The county legislature unanimously passed a home rule message Wednesday night asking state lawmakers to back the legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) and Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket).

Bellone said at a news conference at Blydenburgh County Park in Hauppauge he hopes the bill can be passed soon, so the county can save on police department overtime this summer. The county's 2014 budget assumes the transfer would take place on May 1.

"There are going to be...| read more ››

The administration of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone wants lawmakers for the first time to agree to turn over a county health center to a nonprofit operator and move county workers to jobs in other parts of the Health Department.

The move would put Hudson River Healthcare Inc., a federally qualified health center, in charge of the Maxine Postal Tri-Community Health Center in Amityville.

The proposal will provide net savings of $4.9 million over what it would cost to continue with county staffing, according to a fiscal impact statement.

The county legislature last year voted to allow HRHCare, based in Peekskill, to take over all eight county health centers. So far, the group has taken charge of the Coram health...| read more ››

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone added his name Monday to the list of local government officials who say they support Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s property-tax plan.

“He recognizes that high property taxes remain a high burden on our homeowners and that we need to continue to attract new businesses to our region,” Bellone, a Democrat, said in a statement.
With the state budget due in a week, Cuomo, also a Democrat, has been trying to build support for his plan, even as it faces opposition in the state Legislature. The governor says his proposal effectively would “freeze” property taxes by offering rebates to homeowners to match increases in local property taxes – but only if their municipalities and...| read more ››

Having already delivered their state of the county speeches earlier this month, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone addressed a crowd of more than 400 business leaders Wednesday at an event billed as the annual State of Long Island.
During the gathering at the Crest Hollow Country Club hosted by the business planning group Action Long Island, Mangano, a Republican, and Bellone, a Democrat, both spoke of the “close” relationship they shared working on regional issues from transportation to attracting new businesses to Long Island.

“Our regional objective is to bring companies in from beyond our borders,” Mangano said. “I would say we really work together rather than compete. I don’t think there’s...| read more ››

Curbing decades of nitrogen pollution on the ground and surface waters in Suffolk is a top priority, County Executive Steve Belllone says.

Editor's Note: The following is an op-ed from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, D-Babylon.

This is the time for action. Recently, I announced the single most important initiative of my administration and what should be the single most important goal for all Long Islanders: curbing decades of nitrogen pollution we have been inflicting on our ground and surface waters here in Suffolk County.

Nitrogen pollution is public enemy number one for our bays, waterways, drinking supply and the critical wetlands and marshes that protect us from natural disasters like Super Storm Sandy.

The scope of the problem is...| read more ››

(Huntington, NY) Suffolk County Legislator William R. Spencer (D-Huntington) and his colleagues made history last night. After hours of testimony on both sides of the debate, the Suffolk County Legislature approved IR 1039-2014, A Local Law to Raise the Legal Age for the Sale of Tobacco Products in Suffolk County by a vote of 10 to 8. At times the debate became contentious but eventually, late into the night, Legislators took the historic vote and Suffolk became the first county in the nation to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years old. This is a measure that most agree will not only save lives but contain health care costs as well.

“This issue is...| read more ››

RIVERHEAD (WABC) -- Some of the toughest smoking and dipping restrictions in the country are going into effect in Suffolk County.

Legislators voted Tuesday night to raise the age for tobacco sales from 19 to 21.

Stores that violate the law will pay a $1,000 fine.

The county could lose more than $400,000 in tax revenue, but the change is expected to save $3 billion in health care costs.

"This will save lives," bill sponsor William Spencer said after the 10-8 vote.

The bill also includes e-cigaretts.| read more ››

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Lawmakers Suffolk County on Long Island voted Tuesday night to raise the age for tobacco sales to 21.

The vote among Suffolk County legislators was 10-8, according to a Newsday report. The minimum age for tobacco sales currently stands at 19.

Last year, New York City became the first large city or state in the country to prohibit sales to young adults.
City lawmakers approved raising the age in a 35-10 vote last fall.
If sellers violate the New York City law by selling to people under 21, they could be fined up to $1,000 for each violation found in a single day and up to $2,000 for a second violation. Retailers could also...| read more ››