Naked Man With Machete Arrested In Costco Parking Lot Lake Grove

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man that was threatening bystanders with a machete at a Lake Grove parking lot this afternoon.

Numerous witnesses reported a naked man waving a machete at people in the Costco parking lot, located at 3000 Middle Country Road, at approximately 1:05 p.m.  The man then barricaded himself inside the cab of the 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer he had been operating for NYC Transport of 4^th Ave., East Orange, New Jersey. 

When Officers Richard Regula, Christopher Tenbrink, Anthony Sepe, Jean Hutchinson and Sergeants Keith Serper and Brian Michels, arrived on the scene, the man initially refused to exit the vehicle. When the man attempted to exit the vehicle with the machete in hand, the officers held the doors shut to contain the violent suspect.  The man then opened a small window and tried to exit through the window and threatened the officers with the 20-inch machete. 

Officers Regula and Tenbrink and Sergeant Serper approached the man and got close enough to discharge a Taser. The officers, along with Sergeants Serper and Michels, then entered the cab, subdued the suspect, Jose Amaya, and placed him into custody.

No bystanders were injured. Amaya was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for evaluation.

Amaya, 37, Bay Shore, who also lived in the Freightliner’s cab, was charged with Menacing a Police Officer, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4^th Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4^th Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 19.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Smithtown History Comes To The Theater In "The Spirit Of Smithtown"

The Smithtown 350 Foundation has just announced they will be hosting a performance of an original play, “The Spirit of Smithtown” on May 29, 30, 31 and June 5,6,7 at the Smithtown Center for Performing Arts.  The play was written by Sal St. George a writer who specializes in presenting history in a manner that is both informative and entertaining.  

The one-act play was commissioned by the Smithtown 350 Foundation earlier this year. Cablevision and The Gardiner Foundation grants are making it possible to offer the performances to the public free of charge.  

‘The Sprit of Smithtown’ is history as seen through the eyes of Willie Collier, vaudevillian and host for the festivities. The production, includes many professional actors and students, combines drama, humor and historical footnotes as it celebrates the remarkable growth of Smithtown’s people and community. Mr. St. George refers to it as a toe-tapping musical revue with stories of Nesconset, Kings Park, Smithtown, Commack and Hauppauge.

There will be six performances of the play May 29, 30, 31 and June 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 pm and Sunday Matinees at 3pm.  Tickets are complimentary and are available at the People’s United Bank located at 1 East Main St. Smithtown, Smithtown Center for Performing Arts located at 2 E. Main St., Smithtown (631-724-3700) and through Smithtown350foundation.org. There is limited seating and people will be seated on a first come basis. There are no assigned seats. You must have a ticket in advance of the performance date. 

The Smithtown 350 Foundation invites you to join in the celebration of Smithtown’s 350th Anniversary by attending a performance of ‘The Spirit of Smithtown’ during its limited run at the Smithtown Center for Performing Arts. 

For more information click here

Dave Calone To Run For Congress In First Congressional District

Suffolk Businessman Dave Calone opens congressional campaign

Launches Job Creation Council

Setauket, NY – Long Island businessman and former federal prosecutor Dave Calone has opened a campaign committee to run for Congress in Suffolk County, New York’s First Congressional District.

Dave CaloneA native of Suffolk County, Calone has started and helped build companies around the country as the CEO of Jove Equity Partners. He has founded and/or served as a director of companies in the internet, software, health care, real estate, energy, digital media, and entertainment industries. He created the LI Emerging Technologies Fund to help launch new companies based on technology innovations emerging from Long Island’s research labs. Calone has served as the volunteer Chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission for seven years where he has led a variety of efforts to grow the regional economy and to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. Calone is also a former state prosecutor.

Calone remarked, “I’ve spent the past several years helping to create new companies and new jobs – including here in Suffolk County where I was born, where I’ve lived for most of my life, and where my wife and I are raising our three children. I was appointed to serve on the Suffolk County Planning Commission by the last two Suffolk County Executives, enabling me to work with leaders and communities across Long Island on increasing the economic capacity of our region. We need strong federal leadership to make sure that Long Island can compete for the good jobs of the future, both with the rest of the nation and the rest of the world. Congress could use more leaders who have real-world experience creating jobs and growing the economy and the people of Suffolk County deserve a Congressman who’s focused on the right priorities.”

Calone announced that he is establishing a Job Creation Advisory Council comprised of leaders who have helped create jobs in Suffolk County. Members include Marc Alessi (Synchropet); Matt Chartrand (Iron Workers Local 361); Gemma de Leon (RWDSU UFCW Local 1102); Sven Doerge (Festo); Aaron Foss (NoMoRoBo); Carl Gabrielsen (Gabrielsen Farms); Noel Goddard (Goddard Labs); Peter Goldsmith (LISTnet); Andrew Hazen (LaunchPad); Barbara Roberts (Roberts & Co.); Joe Scaduto (Traverse Biosciences);Anne Shybunko Moore (GSE Dynamics); Paul Schwartz (Thermolift); Dr. Yacov Shamash; and Michael Tucci (Energy Fitness). (affiliations are for identification purposes only)

Calone added, “I will be adding to this Job Creation Council as the campaign goes on. One of my top priorities is to come up with new ways to foster innovation, to take advantage of our region’s assets, to help new companies get started and to help our existing businesses grow and create more and better-paying jobs.”

According to Tony Parlatore, Chair of the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee (Brookhaven Town makes up the majority of the 1st Congressional district), “Dave Calone has never run for office before, but he is a lifelong supporter of Democratic values. His father was an engineer and local chamber of commerce leader and his mother was an elementary school teacher here in our community. Dave Calone is well respected in our region for his work to cut government red tape and enact policies that support job growth. He also has been a leader in protecting Suffolk County’s natural environment by fighting to protect our waters and has been nationally recognized for creating policies that promote renewable energy usage across Long Island. His local leadership, his background in creating jobs, and his law enforcement and national security experience make him the right candidate to take on Congressman Zeldin.”

As a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Calone worked on prosecuting cases involving international economic crime and terrorism – efforts for which he was named a recipient of “The Attorney General’s Award”. As a state prosecutor, he investigated violations of the public trust and combated health care fraud – including helping to lead a prosecution that resulted in what was, at the time, the largest Medicaid fraud recovery of taxpayer dollars in state history.

Calone was recently named a Truman National Security Fellow. He is currently the Chair of Patriot Bootcamp – an organization that helps veterans and active duty service members start technology companies. He serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Long Island where he focuses on helping expand STEM education opportunities to underserved districts on Long Island. He also serves on the board of directors of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island where he has worked to support affordable housing developments in Suffolk County.

Calone is a graduate of Port Jefferson High School, and an honors graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Calone lives in Setauket, where he and his wife Kate, a Presbyterian minister, are raising their three children.

Smithtown's 350th Anniversary Parade Set For Saturday, September 26th, 2015

Smithtown Plans Sesquarcentennial Parade

Smithtown 350 Foundation, Inc. is organizing a parade to celebrate the 350^th anniversary of Smithtown’s founding in 1665. Currently, the foundation is reaching out to community civic, cultural, and school organizations who would like to take part in this celebration. The parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26, 2015 with a step off time at noon. Its theme is “Celebrating Smithtown’s Past!” In an effort to highlight Smithtown’s 350 years of rich heritage, the foundation is requesting participants to be costumed in clothing that reflects their culture and history.  At the conclusion of the parade, floats and participants will gather on the grounds of the New York Avenue School Building. Prizes will be awarded in various categories including Best Costumed Group, Best Creative Float, and much more.

If you or your organization would like to participate in this historic event please visit the foundation’s website at www.smithtown350foundation.org for a downloadable application. Completed applications may be mailed to Smithtown 350 Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Smithtown New York 11787. Deadline for submissions are July 1, 2015. email smithtown350@gmail for further information. 

 Participant Parade Application

Historic Churches In Smithtown Will Open To The Public Sunday, May 17 In Honor Of Smithtown's 350th Anniversary

Smithtown Church History Day

Click on photos to enlarge

As part of Smithtown’s 350th Anniversary celebration, the Smithtown 350^th Anniversary Committee is recognizing the role religion played in Smithtown’s history.  Sunday, May 17th has been designated as Smithtown Church History Day.  Many of the historic houses of worship have accepted the 350 Foundation’s invitation to participate in the day. This is a unique opportunity to see the inside of many of the Houses of Worship that you pass as you travel throughout Smithtown. For many people in Smithtown, this day will provide the first opportunity to learn of other religions and to discover the differences and similarities to their own faith.  It is hoped that this Church History Day will build tolerance and understanding among all faiths and promote interest in Smithtown’s many historic churches. 

Churches participating in Smithtown Religious History Day on Sunday, May 17, 2015: 

Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church – Edgewater Avenue, Smithtown

Visitors are welcome to attend our regular Sunday Divine Liturgy at 11:15am. An open house and guided tours of the Church will follow from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.

 Smithtown United Methodist Church – 230 Middle Country Road, Smithtown

The church will be open from 12:30 - 3:30pm on May 17^th for tours of the church. Additional activities are being planned and light refreshments will be available.

 St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church - 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown

Public is welcome to attend 8am and 10 am services and to stay for coffee after each service. From 12 noon - 2pm, volunteers will provide brochures and tours of the church and gardens. There will be a demonstration of how to use the Meditation Labyrinth.  A DVD presentation about the church history will be available.  Refreshments will be served in the Church Hall.

Smithtown First Prebysterian Church -“The Church on the Corner” of Middle Country Road and North Country Road 

Founded by Richard Smythe in 1675, the Church on the Corner invites you to explore the beauty, fun, history and mission of Smithtown’s oldest church. The Presbyterian Church, or the Old Meeting House as it is known, was built in 1827 and will be open to visitors throughout the afternoon of Sunday, May 17^th.  Many other activities are planned for Church History Day: 

• • Tours of the Church will be conducted from 1 pm and continue throughout most of the afternoon. DVDs on the Church and its history will be shown in the Narthex. Light refreshments and lunch will be available in the Parish Hall.
• • Family activities will take place on the Church lawn throughout the afternoon, including dances around the Maypole.
• • At 1:30 pm, the Pipe Organ in the Old Meeting House will be played. 
• • At 2 pm, Town Historian Brad Harris will talk about the first church that was erected on the NW corner of Middle Country Road and North Country Road.
• • From 2:30-2:50, the Bell Choir and the Sanctuary Choir will present some heavenly music in the Old Meeting House.
• • At 3:15, Dr. Lavandera will present a short concert of “wonderful piano” music in the Parish Hall.
• • And from 4:00 to 4:20, the Bell Choir and the Sanctuary Choir will again create heavenly music in the Old Meeting House. 

Smithtown Landing Methodist Church - Landing Ave 

The little church in the Landing will be open for tours from 10am - 2pm on Sunday, May 17^th, Church History Day.  Members of the Ladies Auxillary will be presenting the history of the church and as well as providing back-ground information about founders of the church who are buried in the little cemetery on the grounds. Presenters will be in period clothing.

St James United Methodist Church – 532 Moriches Road, St. James

See the interior of this church, originally built in 1869, destroyed by fire and then rebuilt in 1899. The stained glass windows in this church are awe inspiring. The Church will be open Sunday afternoon for tours and a historical booklet about the church will be available to visitors.

 Trinity AME Church - 229 New York Avenue (corner of Wildwood)

On Church History Day, the church will open its doors at 12 noon and remain open until 2pm. Brochures detailing the history of the church and its pastors will be distributed. Light refreshments will be served. We invite the community to come in and meet and greet with us..

Hauppauge United Methodist Church – 473 Townline Road, Hauppauge

On Church History Day, this historic church founded in 1806, is open for worship services 9 am. All are welcome in the church where the parishioners consider themselves to be the “Small Church with a Big Heart.”

• • From 2pm to 3pm, there will be tours of Church where you can learn more about the fascinating history of this church. 
• • From 3pm to 4 pm, tour the old Hauppauge burying grounds behind the church with graves dating back to the Revolutionary War.  

St. James Episcopal Church - 490 North Country Rd., Saint James

“A friendly, community church that welcomes everyone for worship. service, education, fellowship, and fun.” On Church History Day, Sunday May 17^th, worship Services will be held at 8 am and 9:30 am to which everyone is invited.  An open house will follow from 12 noon until 4pm planned activities include: 

• • Guided tours of the Church see the Tiffany stained glass windows and historic plaques commemorating the lives of some of St. James earliest residents.
• • Guided tours of the historic cemetery that includes the graves of many Smith family members as well as the grave of Stanford White.
• • A display of historic photos and documents in the parish hall that offers an opportunity to learn more about the church, its history, and the history of Smithtown. 
• • There will also be a picnic lunch (open to all) featuring hotdogs, apple pie and other goodies. 
• • For more info call 584-5560 or visit www.stjamesstjames.org 

St. Joseph’s Church - 59 Church St., Kings Park - The oldest Catholic Church in the area will be hosting a choral recital at 3pm immediately followed by hospitality at Travis Hall.