SCPD Seeking Info In Fatal MV Accident In West Babylon

Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 27-year-old pedestrian this morning.  

Jervon Branch, 27, of West Babylon was attempting to cross Sunrise Highway near Hubbards Path in West Babylon when he was struck by a westbound 2002 Dodge pickup truck driven by James Jacoutot, 48, of Holbrook, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Branch was transported via West Babylon Fire Department to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was pronounced dead at 3:09 a.m.  

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing.  

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact the First Squad at 631-854-8152 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential

Smithtown Fire Department - FOUR CANINES KILLED IN HOUSE FIRE

PHOTOS BY: JEFF BRESSLER AND MIKE GAGLIARDI

The Smithtown Fire Department was toned out for a signal 13 (Structural Fire) at 0854hrs (8:54am) with the location of 1 Croft Lane and Old Willets Path. The call was quickly upgraded to a signal 13-35 (Working House Fire).

A fire emanating from the kitchen area in the left rear of the home quickly spread to other parts of the structure. Three lines were stretched to work the fire.

Upon a search, four dogs that lived in the home were overcome by smoke and died. Two exotic birds were also found dead.

Exact cause of the fire at this time still remains unknown and is under investigation by the Fire Marshall.

On scene were Chiefs 4-2-32 (Murphy), 4-2-33 (Landrigan), Engines 4-2-3, 4-2-3, 4-2-4, 4-2-5, Ladder 4-2-7, Ambulance 4-2-61, Mutual Aid from Kings Park and Hauppauge on the fire ground, with Nesconset and St. James covering the Main House.

Ask Rosie - Hints To Save Time And Money On Hair Care

Has your hair taken a dive along with the economy?

Try some tips from Rosie to chase away the blues…

Been stretching those color service appointments to save money?

*A Demi color glaze in between will freshen hair and will make it silkier, less dry and less dehydrated.

Have foil Highlights become too time consuming and expensive?

*Ask your stylist for a Balayage service.  Balayage is a French form of highlighting.  It is a technique, which creates natural looking highlights in less time.  Low Lighting in between helps restore old color and everlasting shine.

Trying alternative treatments and using some quick fixes will help you feel good and give you a positive attitude.  If your hair is not looking well, neither are you….

Have any questions feel free to ask Rosie at News@SmithtownMatters.com

Dear Rosie: My daughter recently had the Keretin treatment done to her hair.  Sheloves it, but we were wondering if she could still keep using the Sea extend Aquage Silking oil treatment? She loves this product but didn’t know if it weakens the keretin?  Any advice would be appreciated. thanks-Smithtown Mom

Yes, It is perfectly fine that the Silkening oil treatment be used as a styling aid. After getting a Keratin straightening please make sure that a sulfate free Shampoo and conditioner are used.

Rosie is a professional Stylist/Colorist at Celestial Hair Gallery in Smithtown.  She has worked in the Smithtown area for over 20 years.  

The Smithtown Library Trustee Election 2011

By Stephanie Healion 

(Trustee Candidate Forum is this Thursday night, 10/6 at
the Nesconset Branch at 7 pm)

Its election time again for the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees! On Tuesday October 11, 2011 the Smithtown Library will be hosting the election for new trustees.  The important responsibilities of the board of trustees include overseeing the budget, the smooth running of the library and its programs, and currently, the long anticipated completion of the renovations and restorations that have been ongoing since 2008. 

There are seven trustee positions, including the President and the Vice President, with two open positions to be filled with this election.  Board member Carolyn Ciarelli’s term expires this year and she has not chosen to run for re-election, so her position will be filled.  The position of Vice President is currently held by Anthony Monteleone, and he is in the running for re-election as his term expires this year as well.

 Anthony Monteleone, who has served on the board since 2002, explains his own hopes and goals if he were to be re-elected.  “My only agenda on the board is to serve the community and its patrons.  I’d like more people to see what a wonderful library system this is, with all its services and benefits that they may not realize they have.  Libraries are available to people of every age with no regard to income; all they need is a library card.  It’s such a fantastic gem in their own backyard.”           

Monteleone also spoke of issues concerning parking in certain branches and the 2011 budget.  “There are a few problems with parking in Commack that are being addressed, and we are increasing the amount of handicap spots in Nesconset.   The budget is doing well, passed with only a 1.7% increase, so the average home would only be paying about six dollars more.  The renovations are on schedule, and those branches should be open in early spring.”  Monteleone has been a major proponent in the library’s success, working with the library since 1999 and as a member of the Friends of the Library since 2001.

Candidate Otis Thornhill, President of the Friends of the Library since 2008, also has some positive changes he’d like to see.  “It’s important that the library be conversant and comfortable with new technology, such as Kindles and Ipads.  I’d like to get some library staff training and equipment that brings the library up-to-date.  The staff should have a comfort level with the new technology.”  Thornhill says that people are coming in with questions regarding their Ipads and Kindles, interested in using them with the library’s resources. He would like to make sure that the library staff has the ability to answer inquiries regarding the new technology, getting on board with the rapidly increasing use of technology in libraries everywhere.

Thornhill would also like to increase the amount of favorable publicity for the library.   “It’s also important for the trustees and the board to make services known to the community.  There is not enough positive publicity for the programs that are available.  I’d like to help find a media effort at a cost-effective price.  The library has so many great programs and opportunities that the community should be more aware of.”  Thornhill’s also wants to ensure for the public the 2012 completion of the reconstruction and renewal project.

Rosalind Palazzolo, a board trustee from 2008 to 2010, is the final candidate for the election. Palazzolo intends to increase the flow of information between the trustees at work sessions, so that everyone has all the information needed to successfully accomplish necessary goals regarding the library.  “Workshop meetings would allow all members of the board to know exactly what’s discussed and exactly what we are voting on.  If you only have one or two board members that know what   is going on in a particular area, then you don’t get all the information.  People need to know the background of what they’re voting on.”  Palazollo is determined to reconstruct the communication of the board to make important information more available to not only all members of the board, but also to the entire community.  She also plans on obtaining grants from Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick for the Smithtown Library.

The library’s two branches in Nesconset and Commack will be the polling locations for the election, as the Smithtown main branch and the Kings Park branch are currently under construction.  The Smithtown Library website has details on what residents should be voting where.  As always, it is up to the residents to vote for a passionate, driven and community-oriented person as their new trustee. 

St. Catherine Of Siena Fined $2.6 MILLION By Office Of Inspector General

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AT 1:26PM

The following statement can be found on the Office of Inspector General’s web page under the heading Kickback and Physician Self-Referral: 

“After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG (Office of Inspector General), St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center (St. Catherine), New York agreed to pay $2,596,014 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.  The OIG alleged that St. Catherine contracted with a physician owned professional services company.  The company received remuneration that was not consistent with fair market value and received payments for services that were not performed under the contract.” 

A second Long Island hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip was assessed a $55, 018.50 fine. St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center are affiliates of Catholic Health Services (CHS) of Long Island.  

CHS Vice President for Public & External Affairs, Chris Hendriks, released a statement earlier this week acknowledging the settlements agreed to by the two local hospitals.  The statement also provided information about the incidents.  “St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center of Smithtown, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center of West Islip and CHS settled with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  These arrangements with physicians involved administrative duties and did not affect patients in any way.  Patients at all times received the full, complete and high quality care they have come to expect from CHS hospitals. “

St. Catherine Hospital’s penalty was the result of contracting with a physician group and compensating that group for services that were not provided.  According to Chris Hendriks, the settlement was the result of an internal investigation performed by CHS. “In keeping with our commitment to compliance and our institutional values, we promptly informed the appropriate federal and state regulators of the facts we found.” 

Ms. Hendriks ( in a phone conversation earlier today)  declined to name the physicians group and indicated that a financial agreement had been reached between the physician group and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.   The terms of the agreement are not expected to be disclosed.  

Ms. Hendriks restated the Catholic Health Services commitment to excellent patient care and compliance with federal and state regulations.