‘A Hole That Can Never Be Filled’: Fund Launched For Wife, Two Kids Of Toms River Fisherman
Following the sudden death of a New Jersey fisherman off the coast of Long Island, the community has rallied behind his wife and two children.
Sean Smida, 38, of Toms River, died Tuesday, July 21 about 10 miles off the coast of Montauk as part of a fishing expedition, according to authorities.
“Sean was so much more than an incredible fisherman — he was a devoted husband to Krystal and a loving father to Connor and Scarlett,” Smida’s friend, Ray Kerico, wrote in a GoFundMe. “His family was his world, and every moment he spent was dedicated to their happiness and well-being.”
Investigators …
Fentanyl-Hauling Duo Busted Headed North In Yonkers: Police
Two New Yorkers driving through Westchester County were busted with pre-packaged fentanyl for sale, authorities said Friday, July 24.
Brad Columbus, 41, and Danielle Ostrum, 37, both of Schenectady, were arrested Monday, July 20 after a traffic stop on the northbound New York State Thruway in Yonkers, New York State Police said.
Troopers found multiple glassine envelopes with fentanyl, a couple grams of cocaine, and “several other varieties and amounts” of illegal drugs, according to police. Columbus was also busted for driving without a license, authorities said.
Both Columbus and Ostrum …
Armed Driver Menaces Motorist During Melville Road Rage Showdown: Cops
A Long Island driver pulled a gun in a road rage incident on Thursday, July 23, leading to criminal charges, police said.
Gary Donnelly, 45, of Huntington, was driving a Ford van through Melville on Express Drive South near Route 110 when he began driving erratically, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
Donnelly engaged in a series of road rage behaviors with a black 2018 Dodge Durango around 2 p.m., continuing south on Route 110 until they stopped near Spagnoli Road, according to police.
When the Durango driver, a 26-year-old Freeport man, exited his vehicle and looked toward Donne…
Beach Boys Summer Tour Paused — Jones Beach Show In Limbo
A “Beach Boys” tour fronted by Mike Love has called off several shows across the northeast this summer.
Love, 85, has been leading the Beach Boys tour since March, though he is the only original member of the band involved in the performances, according to Rolling Stone.
But on Wednesday, July 22, Love announced that all concerts until Sept. 24 had been temporarily postponed. The affected shows include:
Friday, July 24 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY
Saturday, July 25 at American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA
Sunday, July 26 at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown, …
Ghost Gun Builder Busted With Six Illegal Weapons In Mastic Beach: Police
A Long Island man building ghost guns in his home was caught red-headed with six of the illegal weapons, police said.
Ronald Benini, 49, of Mastic Beach, was indicted Thursday, July 23 on two dozen weapons counts, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
From April to July, Benini manufactured 3D-printed weapons with no serial numbers inside his home, until cops raided it on Thursday, July 2, according to prosecutors.
Investigators found six ghost pistols, 3D printed lower receivers, 3D printers, printer filament, manuals on how to construct ghost guns, two high-capacity ammunit…
Midnight Shooting, Escape To Georgia End With Attempted Murder Case For Troy Man, DA Says
A New York man who fled to Georgia after a shooting has been indicted on an attempted murder charge, authorities said.
Rodney Burton, 55, of Troy, shot and wounded a man near a street corner in Troy just after midnight on May 26, the Troy Police Department said. The adult male victim suffered two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, cops said.
Burton later fled to Georgia, but he was captured on Wednesday, July 8 with the assistance of U.S. Marshals, authorities said. He was then extradited back to New York.
On Wednesday, July 22, Burton was arraigned on charges of second-degree attempted …
