News: 9/11 Memorial Draws Steady Crowds

(Long Island, N.Y.) Long Island family members of victims of the September 11th attacks were among the first visitors to the 9/11 memorial site. Family members of victims were the only ones permitted to visit the site on the day of the ten year anniversary. The public was welcomed to visit the following day, during which the memorial has drawn steady crowds.

Reports stated that visitors were captivated by the memorial and were silenced in deep reflection upon the three-thousand names engraved in bronze. Some of the names were among the six who died in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. The general public has had limited access to Ground Zero since the days following the tragic events of September 11th 2001.

A spokesperson for the site stated that everyone involved in creating the memorial was proud that they kept their promise to open in time for the tenth anniversary. Reports claimed that some of the family members of victims, who had attended the opening day events, also returned for the public opening.

Reports described visitors browsing electronic directories to locate the names of their loved ones on the memorial. Many also came to view the pear tree, which lived through the attacks, and has subsequently been dubbed the Survivor Tree.

Perhaps the only problem with the opening of the memorial came when two letters of a name were misplaced. The error was discovered by a family member of the victim, and a spokesperson stated that officials have been addressing the mistake along with a construction team. The name was allegedly entered wrong in the site’s database. According to sources, the spokesperson released a statement saying that officials were extremely sorry for the pain the mistake has caused the family.

Officials at the police checkpoints, which were constructed to protect Long Islanders visiting Manhattan during the opening, will likely end their posts as early as Wednesday. Sources stated, however, that the Police Commissioner will decide if the security will remain at current levels after an assessment of the area.

The checkpoints increased traffic as police searched random vehicles. Reports stated that many motorists are looking forward to the open roads, and are hoping that traffic returns to normal after the checkpoints are abandoned. The searches were likely a response to reports of a tip regarding car bombs on bridges or tunnels. Sources claimed that as of yet no suspects have been placed in custody.

News: Long Island Primaries Begin

(Long Island, N.Y.) Long Islanders headed to the polls Tuesday to vote on the candidates who will appear on the ballot in November’s general election. The results will decide which candidates will be on the ballot for the Nassau County and Suffolk County legislature. The polls will also decide positions for many town judges and were open until nine that evening.

Sources also stated that there will be additional primaries to determine who will run on the Republican and Conservative lines in the fifth, sixteenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth districts in Nassau County. The eighteenth district is the only district that does not have any candidates seeking reelection. Voters who wish to participate can find their local voting areas by logging on to the board of elections websites for both Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Many members of the town council will be determined by primaries in Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southold, and Smithtown. Reports stated that two lawmakers are being challenged by new candidates for their positions on the Conservative Party line. Voters from across Long Island will know the major-party candidates for the town and county offices as soon as the voting ends.

Sources claimed that the voter turnout was excessively low for some of the elections. This has caused some races for county and town positions to become extremely close. Reports stated that 572 of 598 districts had been unofficially accounted for in Suffolk County as of late Tuesday night.

Sources stated that in last year’s elections one of the ballot machines had technical issues, causing residents to rely on more obsolete methods of voting. According to reports, Long Islanders wishing to cast a vote had to resort to paper ballots. Other sources also cited that the voter booths were located too far from the walls, making some complain of the apparent lack of privacy.

There have been no reports of issues in this year’s elections. The general election will be held on November 1st, during which all residents are urged to get to their perspective voting stations.

News: Long Islanders Remember 9/11

(Long Island, N.Y.) More than a thousand people visited Point Lookout for the ten year anniversary of 9/11 where two chrome replicas of the Twin Towers were displayed. Also shown was a beam from the World Trade Center to remind people of what occurred on that fateful day. The event featured flags with white tags for writing messages and the names of those who perished a decade ago.

The beachfront memorial was one of the largest on Long Island. The traditional solemn bagpipes played as many looked on in tears during a very emotional gathering. Reports stated that some of the younger attendees, who were born after the September 11th attacks, still paid their respects to the loved ones they never met.

Sources claimed that many Long Island family members of the terrorist victims visited the newly opened 9/11 memorial site in New York City. The site opened in correlation with the ten year anniversary, and reports stated that only family members were allowed to visit on the opening day. Many family members never visited the site before the event, but claimed that they felt closer to their loved ones while in the area.

The memorial at Ground Zero was fully opened to the public the day after September 11th, 2011. It was estimated that about 1,500 people obtained reserved tickets and were allowed to walk the plaza where the towers once stood. At the center of the memorial stood two giant reflecting pools that displayed waterfalls; many were unaware that tickets were being collected for the anniversary.

Reports also stated that many sporting events featured remembrance introductions with full field-size American flags. Many Long Islanders watched games from their homes which featured special presentations commemorating 9/11. One documentary that aired alongside Sunday Night Football featured a cameraman who followed a newly hired firefighter during the attacks.

Increased security was observed for any Long Islanders entering Manhattan for precautionary measures, as there were some reports of heightened risk of terrorist activity. Sources claimed that authorities had received a credible threat from a terrorist organization. According to reports, K-9 units were trained in order to detect bombs in vehicles, and were deployed on bridges and tunnels with armed guards at train stations.

A fighter jet was used to escort a flight from Los Angeles to New York, and three people were detained due to suspicious activity in the air. The suspects made repeated trips to the bathroom and were absent for prolonged periods of time. Security remained tight even in the days after the 9/11 anniversary, and reports stated that the police presence has been increased while undercovers roam the area.

News: LI Pharmacy Shooter Pleads Guilty

(Long Island, N.Y.) The thirty-three-year-old man responsible for the Medford Pharmacy shootings, which occurred on June 19th, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree. The killer will be sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole. Sources claimed that his next court appearance will be on October 17th.

The killer had originally pleaded not guilty to the unspeakable crimes and was expected to keep his plea throughout court proceedings. Many followers of the case believe that his wife had arranged some type of plea bargain, which in turn downgraded her charges. Some followers of the case believe that this eventually caused the killer to change his plea to guilty as evidence against him mounted.

Many Long Islanders who have become invested in the case have rejoiced at the news of the killer’s guilty plea. They claimed that they may finally have the justice they have been waiting for since the shooting left them shaken. Officials handling the case were pleased that relatives of the victims wouldn’t have to listen to details of the killings during a lengthy trial process.

A Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney commented on the case, calling the killings “the most cold-blooded robbery-homicide in Suffolk County history.” Authorities were able to retrieve a matching fingerprint at the crime scene as well as a handgun found at the killer’s home. The weapon was registered to the killer.

Since June, the shooting has been referred to as the Medford Massacre, the Father’s Day Massacre, and other descriptions of the gruesome crime. There have also been numerous copycat robberies, but none have involved the loss of four innocent lives. One of the victims, a thirty-three-old mother of two, was set to have a wedding next month; her fiancé watched the shooter leave the store before walking into the brutal scene.

The killer aimed a gun through a backpack on that fateful morning and shot the pharmacist in the abdomen. He then turned to the seventeen-year-old clerk before shooting the pharmacist two more times. Lastly, he proceeded to move toward the unguarded customers, killing both.

During the robbery the gunman stole around ten-thousand pills of hydrocodone, a drug used to make Vicodin. Upon returning home, the killer was reported to have waved at his neighbors while working in his yard. The killer also attempted to create an alibi by wearing disguises and removing them while visiting a local convenience store.

Police received hundreds of tips and after just two days of investigation and were able to put the couple’s home under surveillance. The police then took him into custody the following day, and reports stated that thirty police officers arrived as backup. The killer was photographed with injuries to his face after he was arrested, and the Police Commissioner stated that he was extremely violent during the arrest.

The killer did not have a previous criminal record and served eight years in the Army as a private. The killer’s Facebook page portrayed an attraction to weapons, and a Springfield XD pistol was listed among his interests.

News: Three Ex-Islanders Killed in Russian Jet Crash

(Long Island, N.Y.) According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, three former New York Islanders and members of a Russian hockey team were killed in a plane crash claiming forty-three lives. Many believe that this will be remembered as one of the most tragic air disasters in sports history. National Hockey League fans and players are in shock around the world after the crash in Yaroslavi, Russia.

The location is roughly one-hundred-and-fifty miles northeast of Moscow. Sources claimed that a Yak-42 aircraft crashed into the banks of the Volga River just after takeoff. The Ex-Islanders were members of the Kontinental Hockey League club named Lokomotiv.

According to sources, players from Lokomotiv’s main roster and four players from the youth team were on board. The crash claimed the lives of eight former National Hockey League players and a coach. Eight crew members were among those who perished.

The Kontinental Hockey League suspended all games for five days, postponing the start of their season. Reports stated that the league plans to rebuild the Lokomotiv team to be able to compete this season. The Kontinental Hockey League president is asking teams to volunteer three players to create a draft pool for the new team.

Lokomotiv also will promote a handful of youth team players. Sources claimed that there are about three team members from the league who would like to join the team immediately. As of early Friday, thirty-five bodies have been recovered from the site and reports stated that the recovery operation will continue throughout the night.

Two men survived the crash, have been listed in grave condition, and have been airlifted to a Moscow hospital for treatment. One sustained burns over ninety percent of his body and has not improved since arrival; burns over fifty percent are considered extremely life-threatening. The second survivor suffered burns of over fifteen percent and has a broken femur.

According to reports, the plane didn’t have enough speed or power to lift off around four in the afternoon, and clipped a runway beacon. Sources claimed that the plane crashed about a mile-and-a-half from takeoff. Investigators said that the crash could have been due to a pilot error or the result of mechanical failure.

Sources stated that the Yak-42 was first flown in 1975 and has been commercially available since 1980. Yak-42s, which are known as reliable aircrafts, have been grounded pending further investigation. Reports stated that the Russian president spoke about making changes to the country’s aviation industry, being that it has been criticized for cutting corners and putting cost ahead of safety. A memorial ceremony will be held at Yaroslavl’s arena to remember those whose lives were lost in the crash.

News: Update – Pharmacy Shooter Gets No Leniency

(Long Island, N.Y.) After months of waiting the families of the Medford pharmacy massacre finally have justice served. The killer’s attorney stated that there should be some closure for the families as the killer will not be appearing in the appellate courts. The Suffolk County District Attorney stated that the killer will never again see the light of day.

Reports stated that the District Attorney also promised the families in a private meeting that he would do everything possible to ensure the thirty-three-year-old shooter spends the rest of his life in prison. Some family members and friends of the victims have claimed that closure will be harder to find. They said that the killer had shown no remorse about the murders, and that no amount of justice will bring back their loved ones.

Sources claimed that the judge told the killer at the court proceeding that he will receive no leniency in his sentencing after admitting to the slayings. The shooter’s wife pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and will likely be sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. She had admitted to planning the robbery with her husband.

According to reports, some stated that even the killer’s attorney would not minimize the gravity of the slayings. Sources stated that the killer will be sentenced to four consecutive sentences of life without parole. It was previously thought he may receive two life sentences, but the ruling is set to be issued on October 17th.

Nearly three dozen family members of the victims were present at the court proceeding, each hearing the events of the killings told in the courtroom. Reports stated that one family member wept throughout the entire hearing. Sources claimed that one grieving attendee shouted to the killer “you’re a coward for what you did to those families.”

Reports stated that the killer’s wife claimed that her husband did it because he lost his job and she was sick. The wife is charged with robbery and aided detectives during most of the investigation. She stated early in the case that there had been pressure to identify her husband as the man responsible for committing the crime.

Sources stated that the killer stole the pills to fuel his wife’s addiction. The prosecution’s evidence included fingerprints found at the scene, a weapon registered in his name, and an estimated two-thousand of the ten-thousand pills found inside the home. In a final statement, the shooter’s attorney stated that the killer is one of the worst offenders to be represented throughout a forty year career in law.

News: Boats Banned from Dumping in LI Sound

(Long Island, N.Y.) The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced a ban on dumping in the Long Island Sound. This ban came after a review and had already been implemented in Connecticut waters four years earlier. An estimated twelve-thousand vessels will now dispose of human waste, treated or untreated, at pump-out stations along the coast.

Federal Law already prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage from vessels within all navigable waters of the United States and the recent ban will prohibit the discharge of treated and untreated boat sewage. Federal bans include all United States territorial seas within three miles of the shore. An official from the Environmental Protection Agency stated that much of the sewage was being discharged where people swim.

According to reports, over seven-hundred square miles will now be categorized as a “no-discharge zone,” and also referred to as a NDZ. The no-discharge area will include the Long Island Sound’s open waters, bays, harbors, tributaries, and an area of the East River. This portion will extend from the Hell Gate Bridge to northern bounds of the waters of the Block Island Sound.

Sources claimed that many sections of the Long Island Sound, including Connecticut’s portion of the waters, already had the ban on dumping. Connecticut bans were ineffective, being that boaters often crossed into Long Island waters to dump their wastes. The recent ban has effectively put an end to this harmful practice.

Reports stated that the plan to ban dumping will eliminate the negative effects of numerous bi-products from the sewage. These substances include chemicals such as phenols, chlorine and formaldehyde. Sources also claimed that the sewage is having a negative impact on people’s health and is impairing marine life in the affected areas.

Legislators from New York and Connecticut met in August to discuss environmentally-beneficial goals to better preserve the shared waters of the Long Island Sound. Officials claimed that, while the waters have been in danger in the past due to storm water runoff pollution and an increase in nitrogen loading, there have been improvements. Both sides noted that a rise in fish numbers has occurred in recent years.

This plan is similar to many other plans to preserve the waters of Connecticut and New York. These plans focused on the reduction of nitrogen pollution from sewage treatment plants and runoff, which promote the growth of bacteria and algae and deplete oxygen. Since a conservation and management plan was developed in 1994 dolphins began reappearing in the Sound. The New York Marine Trades Association stated that violators of the new ban on dumping will face over two-hundred-dollar fines for dumping in the no-discharge zones.

News: Judge Rejects NY Gun Law Challenge

(Long Island, N.Y.) A federal judge upheld a New York State law that requires applicants to show a special need for self-protection before winning a license to carry a handgun. Reports stated that a higher court may have the final say and that the case has been taken to the Second United States Circuit Court of Appeals. Should the case be pursued, it may be brought to the Supreme Court, making many Long Islanders feel that the current laws regarding gun carrying permits may be too rigid.

The plaintiffs are five residents of Westchester County, who believe that they were wrongly denied gun licenses. Sources claimed that the plaintiffs also feel that licenses are often granted based on the personal agendas of members of the law enforcement/legal departments and judges.

According to reports, the plaintiffs sued the county and its judges who denied their applications. To support their argument, and to give evidence of the judge’s unconstitutional rejections of permits, the plaintiffs cited information on recent rulings in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Currently, state law grants licenses for storekeepers, judges, bank messengers, and those in other professions who may be considered vulnerable and in need of protection.

Sources also stated that the plaintiffs cited many reasons for wanting the permits. Some of the reasons include the desire to get involved in competitive shooting, the threat of violence, and the possibility of being a subject of hate crimes. Though many believe that it is unconstitutional to limit gun ownership in any way, the issue seems to be whether it is lawful to limit ownership in the home.

Long Island’s Second Amendment Rights Group, Long Island Firearms, holds events throughout the year regarding the right to bear arms. Earlier this year they organized an event in Ronkonkoma, and reports stated that the Long Island club has around three thousand members.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is an agency that promotes a better understanding about the rights to privately own and possess firearms. They also host educational and legal action programs to inform the public about the gun control debate and ongoing issues.

News: Bill to Boost Controls on Vicodin

(Long Island, N.Y.) A New York State senator is pushing fellow lawmakers to enforce stricter laws controlling hydrocodone, the main component used to manufacture drugs like Vicodin, an addicting and potent narcotic. A bill was filed yesterday that will position hydrocodone in a more limiting category on the classification from the New York State Controlled Substances Act.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, hydrocodone abuse has increased in recent years. Hydrocodone is the second most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical. The danger is in the relative ease of obtaining hydrocodone, which many drug users use to their advantage.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that there were over thirty deaths associated with hydrocodone in 2009. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that over twenty-three-million people in the United States used hydrocodone for nonmedical purposes and recreation. It was also reported that 86,258 emergency department visits were connected with the nonmedical use of hydrocodone.

The bill is expected to intensify the punishments for anyone in possession of hydrocodone without a prescription. This would also mean that patients will no longer be able to obtain refills for their prescription until making a clinical visit to their healthcare provider. Consequently, many followers of the story believe that the bill comes as a response to a series of Long Island pharmacy thefts, in which these types of drugs were demanded by criminals.

Undoubtedly the most notorious pharmacy raid was that of the husband and wife duo responsible for the Medford Massacre. Four victims were executed point blank without resisting the killer’s demands to obtain the drug behind the pharmacy counter. The husband was charged with five counts of first-degree murder while the wife is charged with robbery and having driven the getaway car.

Reports stated that federal laws tend to coincide with state laws in regards to drugs, but each state still has its own legislation when it comes to illegal substances. The current hydrocodone laws are outdated because the drug has been considered to be more potent than what was previously determined.

Originally, it was thought that the drug was a narcotic associated with opium. Sources have stated that hydrocodone, when mixed with non-narcotic painkillers, falls into different legal categories. This makes the drug dangerous, being that there are still less restrictions on these types of hybrid drugs, and legislators are aiming to close the loophole.

News: Power Restoration on Long Island

(Long Island, N.Y.) A week after the storm residents are left with the largest and most expensive attempts at power restoration in Long Island’s history. Homeowners everywhere are either grateful for the return to power or outraged over the lengthy restoration process that has lasted longer than ever before. In the wake of tropical storm Irene the biggest complaints seem to be concerning customer satisfaction.

As of six on Sunday evening the Long Island Power Authority, which has teamed up with National Grid, reported that 99% of Long Islanders have gotten their power back. Nonetheless, the companies are faced with a long list of detailed performance reviews and the possible loss of hefty future contracts. Reports stated that the fate of a $2.3 billion contract is up in the air since mixed feelings have been inspired from the handling of the storm’s aftermath.

Stories about the ongoing loss of power highlighted frustrated residents who claimed to have done everything in order to restore it. One source featured homeowners who hung banners on their front yards that listed the number of days they had gone without power. Reports claimed that local congressmen across Long Island have been outraged by LIPA’s response to the storm.

Sources claimed that the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid have intentions of conducting public hearings to provide a closer look into the matter. Followers of the story have gathered that investigations will be held, similar to those that occurred after the city’s response to the 2010 Post-Christmas Blizzard. New York City’s emergency response to the blizzard was up for review in the way that many are looking at LIPA’s answer to tropical storm Irene.

One of the questions from aggravated residents seems to be whether LIPA was short-staffed or simply didn’t work hard enough to bring the situation to a close. Reports stated that LIPA’s contract with National Grid may expire in the next couple of years. The company was supposed to improve since the response to last year’s March nor’easter pushed for progress.

The nor’easter allegedly cost the Long Island Power Authority $68 million, three-quarters of which was covered by federal disaster relief funds. The damage caused by tropical storm Irene could be over $100 million and LIPA is hoping for similar payments from a federal source. Some feel, however, that the power company did all that they could to restore power and that things could have been worse if the weather continued to be rough after the storm.