News by Michael J. Reistetter

News by Michael J. Reistetter on South Shore Press


Dec 13, 2024

Suffolk AME Joins Mass Criticism of Special Needs-Tailored ‘Early Intervention Hub’

When an organization famous for its consummate support of its members and their endeavors breaks the usual mold to poke holes in well-intended efforts with massive ramifications, the greater community listens

Dec 13, 2024

MTA Imposes 32-Hour Alcohol Ban for Rides Headed into ‘SantaCon’ this Weekend

Not so fast, proudly imbibing “pre-gamers” of the so-called free world. Consumption of alcohol on trains this coming weekend is expressly prohibited, according to the MTA.

Dec 11, 2024

LI Goes Hollywood: The New Yorker Names “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” 2nd Best Film of the Year

Now available on Amazon, Apple TV+ and AMC+ after a select theatrical run, “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” is, according to its official plot description: the tale of “a rambunctious extended family.”

Dec 11, 2024

Five Smithtown Boy Scouts Recognized in Eagle Courts of Honor Ceremony

Smithtown Troop 888—a locally representative extension of the Boy Scouts of America—held its Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Saturday, Nov. 30th.

Dec 10, 2024

Saturday Spectacular! Rocky Point Hosts ‘40th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting’

Proud, local eagles flew into quite the festive show of holiday cheer in Rocky Point on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 7th.

Dec 6, 2024

‘A Christmas Carol’ in Syosset! Dec. 7th - Jan. 5

The Cultural Arts Playhouse (CAP) in Syosset presents its community theater adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic “A Christmas Carol,” with shows running from Dec. 7th through Jan. 5th.

Dec 4, 2024

100-Year-Old Navy Vet and Author Visits Great Hollow Middle School

Just ahead of his appearance on Mon. Dec. 2nd in Smithtown, Dr. Jack Weber told The South Shore Press the key to good, long living is one-fold: golfing.

Dec 4, 2024

Massapequa “Porch Pirate” Scam Reminds Holiday Shoppers to Keep Their Passwords on Lock

National headlines have come to an unduly targeted touchstone of Long Island suburbia once again, thanks to the annually infuriating “porch pirate” infestation.

Dec 4, 2024

Bayport-Blue Point HS Takes it Personally: Outdoor Wellness Center Unveiled

The Bayport-Blue Point school district held a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Nov. 25th to unveil the outdoor portion of its wellness center built to operate as a sanctuary for students to combat their inner turmoil.

Dec 3, 2024

‘Tis the Season! Smithtown-Made “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” Now Available On Demand

“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” the new critically acclaimed arthouse flick with mass appeal on the block, and that also filmed just around the block, is officially available to rent via on demand platforms like Amazon Prime Video for $5.99, where it can also be purchased for $19.99.

Dec 3, 2024

Good Riddance: Red Light Cameras in Suffolk are No More

Usually, the Monday after Thanksgiving is understandably filled with nothing but languish.

Nov 23, 2024

It Was So Cold… They Were Shivering! Exploring Polar Plunge 2024

Sponsored foremostly by the Special Olympics' Long Island chapter, the "Freezin' for a Reason!" campaign is annually put on to raise money for the organization that offers athletic opportunities for the intellectually disabled. It cost just a $500 buy-in to sponsor a local Special Olympian participating in the plunge.

Nov 22, 2024

"Why Isn't Our Loss Enough?" Impacted Rocky Point Resident Calls for FEMA Flood Relief

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Senators Mario R. Mattera, Dean Murray and Anthony Palumbo, and Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico were among the local leaders who voiced their displeasure with FEMA's decision to deny additional relief requests from Long Islanders impacted by the Aug. 18-19 floods.

Nov 21, 2024

Rocky Point Horror: A Killer Still at Large

Police reports say Joseph Zoll, 61, was discovered at his Quail Road home at approximately 1:25 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9th by a Seventh Precinct officer who was responding to a 9-1-1 call.

Nov 20, 2024

Amityville Man Sentenced to 17 Years to Life in Prison for Weapon Possession

Anyone who sees this headline and scratches their heads at first glance has yet been made privy to Winfield's litany of priors. Beyond Weapons Possession in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, he was previously convicted of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and Criminal Possession in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Nov 18, 2024

Another Week, Another Busted Car Meet: 'Wannabee Racecar Drivers' Arrested at Ronkonkoma Train Station

On Saturday, Nov. 16th at approximately 10:15 p.m., uniformed officers of the recently-formed Suffolk County Police Street Takeover Task Force converged upon a scene that formed at Ronkonkoma Train Station.

Nov 15, 2024

'The Crucible' Comes to Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High

Based on Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning play of the same name, "The Crucible' was also adapted to the silver screen in 1996. Starring Daniel-Day Lewis and Winona Ryder, the film—and the stage text upon which it was based—have both seen steady action as part of English class curriculum over the following decades. 

Nov 15, 2024

A Bazaar in St. James: 'Sons of Norway' Welcomes All this Saturday

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church. Having expanded beyond their Norwegian origins in the decades since its formation, Johnson says the upcoming lodge gathering will be more akin to a Scandinavian Music Festival.

Nov 14, 2024

Veterans - and Caretakers of Veterans - Honored at SBU's LI State Veterans Home

Ahead of Monday's Veterans' Day holiday, local leaders gathered at the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University on Friday, Nov. 8th to thank Veterans for their service. They were also on hand to thank employees of the home—who care for all residential Veterans—for their service as well. On the staff, who are all members of the Public Employees Federation, Assemblyman DiStefano said: "We owe a lot to our Veterans. They put everything on the line to protect us and ensure our freedom. Here at Stony Brook, the nation's Veterans are cared for by a group of dedicated professionals who l am glad to be with today. You are the ones who help pay back the huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who served." The keynote speaker of the event was Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon. The current U.S. Marine Corps reserve who previously earned a Purple Heart for his tour of duty in Afghanistan also recently ran the 10k leg of the Suffolk County Marathon.

Nov 12, 2024

He's Back: Shirley Sign Gardener and Wife Celebrate the Re-election of DJT

He also predicted a landslide victory for former President Donald J. Trump in the 2024 General Election.

Daily Feed

Local

Investors Throw Millions at Suffolk

The sale of $350 million in Tax Anticipation Notes at 2.94% and $46.4 million in Refunding Serial Bonds at 2.66% was reported by Comptroller John Kennedy. He attributes the impressive number of bidders to the county’s improved credit ratings which resulted in healthy competition, and significant cost savings for the residents of Suffolk County.


Local

History Comes Alive at Military Museum

The museum is the dream of the nearby Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 membership, whose stories are befitting of the many heroes depicted in the gallery’s hallowed halls. There’s museum advisor Joe Cognitore, the post’s commander, whose Army service in Vietnam earned him a Bronze Star with a “V” for Valor.


Local

Fort Sumter Pilgrimage Explores Family’s Civil War Legacy

Following the War of 1812 with Britain, President Andrew Jackson realized the need to strengthen the new nation’s coastal defenses, especially to protect the Atlantic entrance to Charleston, the south’s busiest port. Millions of tons of Massachusetts granite created an island at the confluence of the Ashley and the Cooper rivers where none had been before