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Long Island Woman Sentenced To 9 Months In Prison For Death Of Anti-Gang Activist Evelyn Rodriguez

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — The Long Island driver accused of running over and killing the mother of an MS-13 gang victim will spend nine months in jail. Annmarie Drago was sentenced Thursday in a case that made national headlines, CBS2’s Andrea Grymes reported. “I’m just happy that there was just justice,” said Kelsey Cuevas moments after learning the woman convicted of killing her mother, Evelyn Rodriguez , is heading behind bars. Drago, 60, was sentenced for criminally negligent homicide after she was was caught on camera running over Rodriguez, 50, near a memorial for Rodriguez’s other daughter, Kayla Cuevas , who was brutally murdered – allegedly by MS-13. “I just wanted her to know that you caused more pain and suffering than what we were already going through,” Cuevas added. Cuevas addressed Drago during the sentencing, telling her, “You are a greedy murderer. Every single day, I cry myself to sleep.” Rodriguez received national attention, including from former President Donald Trump, for her anti-gang activism after Kayla’s murder in Brentwood in 2016. It came to a tragic end two years later when Drago destroyed a memorial to Kayla. Drago thought it might affect potential buyers of her mother’s home on the same street. “That was cruel. That was callous. That was heartless,” the judge told her during sentencing. “These people suffered enough.” Rodriguez and her partner Freddy Cuevas got into a fight with Drago, who ended up running Rodriguez over. “I take responsibility for the accident that occurred,” said Drago in an apology to the family in court. “I am very, very sorry.” Drago’s attorney argued she suffered from PTSD, had a panic attack and didn’t see Rodriguez next to the car. “Nothing intentional, nothing reckless,” said defense attorney Stephen Kunken. Kunken vowed to appeal, and hopes to get his client out on bail while that process plays out. Rodriguez’s daughter told Drago in court she hopes she sits in her cell and is haunted by what she did everyday.

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Long Island Woman Sentenced To 9 Months In Prison For Death Of Anti-Gang Activist Evelyn Rodriguez

March 5, 2021 0 comment

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Thousands Of Free Thanksgiving Meals Distributed On Long Island: ‘It Means A Lot’

written by ShelaGellatly

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Turkeys, hams, fresh produce, dairy products — enough to feed thousands of Long Island families — were distributed Monday amid tears of gratitude. As CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan reported Monday, Nicoletta Trakosas of Elmont was in one of 3,000 cars outside Nassau Coliseum, hoping to get a box filled with a Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings. “It’s a really difficult situation with COVID going on, with us not working and what they are doing is wonderful,” she said. MORE : Food Banks In Growing Need Of Donations As New Families Experience Food Insecurity During Pandemic “Have you ever been in a food line before?” McLogan asked. “Never. It’s my first time, and I’m 61 years old,” she said. Food banks like Island Harvest say the pandemic has created the most challenging food crisis they have ever faced. “The need through Island Harvest is 100% of what it was last year. Food insecurity is real, economic insecurity is real,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran . “It means a lot. There’s sometimes we can’t buy food,” said 11-year-old Genesis Maldonado. Hundreds of volunteers came to the rescue Monday. CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Explanation Of N.Y.’s Yellow, Orange, Red Zones (.pdf) Health Experts Stress Need To Fight ‘Mask Exhaustion’ Tri-State Area Coronavirus Travel Advisory List CBS2’s Dr. Max Answers Your Health Questions Resources: Unemployment, Hunger, Mental Health & More Remote Learning Tools For Parents Teaching At Home Complete Coronavirus Coverage “First, I asked my mom what I could do to help give back to the community,” said 15-year-old volunteer Jason Mack. “I get more out of it than I give,” Al Foranzo said. “It makes us feel wonderful,” Amy Foranzo added. Last year, the Lugos of Levittown passed out turkeys. “For many years, I volunteered,” one said. This year, they’re on the receiving end. “It’s a relief. We don’t have to worry about feeding our kids,” one added. MORE : Long Island Food Banks Trying To Keep Up With Rising Food Insecurity Many of them were laid off or furloughed and they haven’t received unemployment money or stimulus money. So, they waited in line after finding it hard to ask for help. “How difficult it was for them to actually drive up to the food line because it was such a humbling experience, to ask for food for the first time,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest . “There is good still in this world, and for people to care so much,” said Simone Ferebee. Her family can now look forward to Thanksgiving. Her message to the pantry and volunteers? “When I get up there if I could hug them, I would,” she said. A dramatic surge of giving, and thanking. MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK COVID In New York: Cuomo Says It’s Possible NYC Schools Could Reopen Even If Positivity Rate Stays Above 3% Pushes, Punches, Slashings: With Violence Getting Out Of Control On NYC Subways, Guardian Angels Step Up To Patrol NYPD Officer Assaulted By Multiple People While Jogging In Queens

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Thousands Of Free Thanksgiving Meals Distributed On Long Island: ‘It Means A Lot’

November 24, 2020 0 comment

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Dangerous Long Island Grade Crossing Replaced As Part Of Years-Long Effort To Make LIRR Safer

written by PansyGollhuo

WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A years-long effort to make the Long Island Rail Road safer reached a milestone Friday. One by one, grade crossings are being replaced to save lives. There was celebration as a new underpass replaced a dangerous grade crossing on School Street in Westbury. “We had to have it for the betterment of the community as a whole,” Westbury Deputy Mayor Steve Corte said. A community that’s seen too much death in recent years. Just 19 months ago, the School Street crossing was the scene of mangled metal and lost lives. MORE — ‘I Really Thought I Was Going To Die’: Survivors Recount Terrifying Collision On LIRR Tracks As Normal Service Resumes Three men were killed after their car was struck by two LIRR trains. The impact crushed the platform and injured passengers. “They see the warning signs, they hear the train, they do it anyway,” Corte said. A dangerous grade crossing on School Street in Westbury has been replaced by an underpass. (Credit: CBS2) In its place now is the fifth of eight new LIRR underpasses. It’s part of the Third Track Improvement Project to reduce congestion and delays and increase railroad capacity. The other three are set to be eliminated by 2022, saving lives and time. “Drivers are no longer to be forced to sit and wait for trains to pass. The gates are down in the peak hour for roughly a third of the time, so you can imagine the back-ups these grade crossings cause,” said Janno Lieber, president of MTA construction and development. RELATED STORY — Ribbon Cutting Marks 1st Of 5 LIRR Grade Crossings Turned Into Underpass It took six months to carve out the road under the tracks, but it has been decades in the making with six fatal crashes along the stretch in 10 years. The project is on time and under budget during the pandemic. “If you do it smart and you follow safety protocols, you can actually take advantage of the fact that there are fewer riders being disrupted,” New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This will go down in history as something that was extraordinary.” It costs roughly $100 million to replace a single grade crossing with an underpass. Three hundred grade crossings, many of which are arguably as dangerous as School Street, remain with no plans or money to replace them. The MTA’s budget woes are not expected to impact the completion of the grade crossing plan with money already allocated. MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK De Blasio Says NYC Parents Should Be Ready ‘As Early As Monday’ For All-Remote Learning Bicycle Thefts Surging In New York City As Pandemic Causes Nationwide Shortage Of Bikes 2 Killed In Explosion At Veterans Affairs Hospital In West Haven, Conn. You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. Download here .

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Dangerous Long Island Grade Crossing Replaced As Part Of Years-Long Effort To Make LIRR Safer

November 13, 2020 0 comment

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A Mother And Daughter Offer Comfort At Anoz Spa In Garden City South

written by Ramon77Kzih

GARDEN CITY SOUTH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Anoz Spa Boutique is a small business with a big purpose—to make people feel cared for. “We want to stimulate all the senses. So when you walk in, we want you to transition. We want you to smell the lemongrass. We want you to see the waterfall. We want you to hear the Caribbean sound music. And then, when you go in the room, we want you to feel that touch of TLC, that we care, that we love,” co-owner Sharon Richards said. MORE FROM THE DIG: Bigelow’s In Rockville Centre: Frying Clams Since 1939 Massages, facials, and body treatments are on offer at the Garden City South storefront, helmed by a mother-daughter team . A licensed aesthetician, Sharon began her career as a makeup artist. After the birth of her daughter Jasmine, she opened her first spa, where she could bring her little girl to work. When Jasmine turned 19, the two decided to go into business together. For Sharon and Jasmine, co-working requires intention and commitment. They make decisions as a unit, while prioritizing a healthy balance between the professional and the familial. Each brings her own strengths to the job. “She’s really detail-oriented, so she’s like, ‘Make sure everything’s perfect,’” Jasmine said. “I bring the vibe.” “She brings the vibe, and then, I organize it,” Sharon said. Even the name of the spa is an ode to family—it’s the backward spelling of the name of Sharon’s late mother Zona, a native of Kingston, Jamaica. MORE FROM THE DIG: Chara’s Kitchen And Catering: Soul Food Memories In Bellport Much of the family hails from the Caribbean. Sharon and Jasmine are mindful of this heritage in decorating their space—ocean blue paint and tropical flower arrangements bring island flair. And now, they’ve added breeze and sunshine to the mix. The plant-filled back patio has become an additional treatment area for clients wary of enclosed spaces amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sharon and Jasmine are continuously adapting the covered outdoor space for safety and comfort as winter approaches. It’s in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak that the spa has found renewed meaning. Sharon and Jasmine say that visitors come for more than a physical treatment—they’re seeking a sense of normalcy and a temporary escape from the stress of our current climate. “This feels like a much-needed vacation for a lot of people, even if it’s for an hour,” Jasmine said. MORE FROM THE DIG: Mini-Golf, Snacks, And Family Memories At Jennie’s At Drossos In Greenport Sharon finds joy simply walking through the door each workday. “I have a sense of peace here, and I feel a sense of purpose, that we’re really helping so many people feel better about themselves and their lives,” she said. “There’s nothing more gratifying than that.” ANOZ Spa Boutique 281 Nassau Boulevard Garden City South, NY 11530 (516) 782-1597 https://www.anozlife.com/ What’s something few people know about but everyb ody should? Whatever it is, Elle McLogan is tracking it down on The Dig . Join her hunt for treasures hidden across our area. Follow Elle on Twitter and Instagram .

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A Mother And Daughter Offer Comfort At Anoz Spa In Garden City South

November 13, 2020 0 comment

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Long Island Moving Ahead With Aggressive Legislation To Help Veterans Impacted By Coronavirus Pandemic

written by YKAMargoequoyz

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — With Veterans Day coming this week, there has been more outreach to help those service men and women struggling with mental health issues, food insecurity and more. Some Long Island legislators hope to pass new veterans assistance laws during the coronavirus pandemic, CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan reported Monday. Marine Corps veteran Steven Rose of East Meadow relies on his black Labrador service dog, Hook, to help him through the emotional turmoil of the pandemic after losing so many veterans to COVID-19. “You get up and you go to sleep and in between try to make some sense out of what you’re doing,” Rose said. MORE : Exhibit Honoring Military Women Opens At Palisades Center Mall In West Nyack Ahead Of Veterans Day The retired school social worker finds comfort in facilitating Vet2Vet Zoom calls with 30 local veterans suffering through post-traumatic stress disorder . “It’s very important that we give our veterans all the laws and services they so richly deserve for what they’ve done for our country,” Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Tri-State Coronavirus Travel Advisory Quarantine List Resources, Hotlines, Unemployment & Covering Bills Remote Learning Tools For Parents Teaching At Home CBS2’s Dr. Max Answers Your Health Questions What To Do If Someone Isn’t Social Distancing Or Wearing A Mask? Expert: Parents Be Mindful Of Children’s Stress After Months Of Isolation Chopper 2 Over Empty NYC Streets, Landmarks Complete Coronavirus Coverage Long Island is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the nation. Nassau legislators are now introducing local bills to help in small ways. “I had a couple of strokes so my legs don’t work the way they used to,” Air Force veteran Joseph Saccone said. Saccone would now qualify for disabled veteran discounts at county-run facilities. “I do have a service-connected disability,” Navy vet Sal Polito said. “I don’t know where I would have parked, just made a special spot for me.” MORE : Pfizer Says Trials Show COVID-19 Vaccine Is ‘More Than 90% Effective’ Another piece of legislation would create veteran-only parking spots at all Nassau-run areas and more food drives for veterans. The demand up 38% during the pandemic. “That’s exceptional because there are so many veterans that I didn’t realize until just recently that were using the food banks,” Navy veteran Richard DeMartino said. MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK Already Struggling Queens Business Owners Say Summonses, Fines Over COVID Guidelines Are ‘Unfair’ Cheering, Celebrations Erupt In Streets Of New York After Joe Biden Projected To Win Presidency 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Massachusetts, Felt In CT, Long Island, USGS Says Veterans counselors say hotline calls revolve around loneliness, isolation, financial hardship, relationship issues, and substance abuse. “If you are in need something, please reach out to the Nassau Veteran Service Agency,” Nassau County Legislator William Gaylor said. Vets are encouraging one another to get out of the house. “Wow, I will bless the day we can actually get back to the work we are really capable of doing,” Rose said. Take that as a daily dose of optimism. The veteran’s office in Nassau County will help arrange free transportation for vets to various Long Island medical facilities. You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. Download here .

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Long Island Moving Ahead With Aggressive Legislation To Help Veterans Impacted By Coronavirus Pandemic

November 9, 2020 0 comment

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Long Island Community Wants Their Long-Shuttered Pool Reopened

written by Chadwic4272

TOWN OF ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – With temperatures reaching the high 80s Monday, some Long Island residents are demanding to know why their community pool is still closed after five years of waiting. The Town of Islip shuttered Roberto Clemente Park’s Olympic-sized pool amid budget cuts in 2013. Then as it was set to reopen, tons of polluted debris dumped at the site forced the entire park’s closure. The park has finally reopened, but still no pool despite a scheduled summer 2018 completion date. “You said 2018 it is now July 16,” community advocate Nelsena A. Day said to CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff. The community advocate and local residents say the town seems to have no sense of urgency to reopen the pool. “Just a few people, Some in the car sleeping. They’re just taking their time,” Brentwood resident Royetta Alston observed. A town spokesperson claims crews are working around the clock, but have been faced with a “Pandora’s Box” including pool walls that needed to be rebuilt and weather delays in March and April. “What kind of weather? We didn’t have 12 feet of snow… so what are they talking about?” Nelsena Day countered. Town officials say they believe they are now in the home stretch, but have not said if 2018 means anytime this summer when the pool is needed most.

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Long Island Community Wants Their Long-Shuttered Pool Reopened

July 16, 2018 0 comment

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Teen Driver Accused In Deadly Meadowbrook State Parkway Crash Appears In Court

written by AveryIVJMgrbpb

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A teen driver accused in a deadly crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway last month appeared in court on Wednesday. Fifteen-year-old Cindy Sanchez faces charges as a juvenile after authorities said the SUV she was driving crashed on the parkway on June 8 . She was charged with three counts of manslaughter and three counts of criminally negligent homicide. Three teens, including Sanchez’s 13-year-old brother, David Sanchez, died in the crash. Also killed were 16-year-old Herbert Leo Aviles Maravilla and 15-year-old Marlon Carbajal, each of Uniondale. Police said six other teens, including the driver and the driver’s 2-year-old son, were also injured in the crash. On Wednesday, a family court judge ordered her to spend a year at a therapeutic facility for girls, where she will receive counseling, parenting courses and visits with her son. “There were three victims in this case, a horrible tragedy for the families, but there’s also a fourth victim. My client is only 15 years old. She regrets what happened here, she never intended for this accident, this horrible accident, to occur that morning,” defense attorney James Toner said. “She will have the rest of her life to work this out.” The baby’s 22-year-old father was also in court seeking visitation. Authorities said Sanchez was driving the SUV that was taken without permission from a friend’s father on a day the group planned to cut school for the beach when the vehicle crashed. A judge previously ordered a psychiatric exam for Sanchez. “She’s sad, she’s remorseful, she’s depressed,” Toner said. “She’s 15-years-old, lost her brother and lost friends.” The sister of one of the victims, Gissell Carbajal, said her brother Marlon “had like a heart of gold.” “When I got the call, I was at work and I was bawling that I didn’t think he would’ve passed like that it was shocking,” she told CBS2. One of the teens in the car told Carbajal it was a nightmare. “He said he closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes and either my brother or his brother were there, I was like, ‘I feel your pain I lost my brother too,’” she said. Prosecutors said no one in the SUV had a license.

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Teen Driver Accused In Deadly Meadowbrook State Parkway Crash Appears In Court

July 11, 2018 0 comment

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Group Trains Barbers, Hairdressers To Give People With Special Needs Comfortable Cuts

written by SimoneBishop

KINGS PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A barber on the North Shore of Long Island wants to make sure people with special needs get comfortable haircuts. She’s teaching other barbers and hairdressers how to work with people on the autism spectrum, like her son. Angela Blanchet spent years cutting her son’s hair at home. Benjamin has autism and, like many young people with sensory disorders, struggles at the barber shop. “There’s buzzers, there’s hair dryers, there’s bright lights, there’s wet hair, there’s sprays, aprons around them — all these things combine together and they get into a fight or flight syndrome, and it’s a nightmare,” Angela told CBS2’s Clark Fouraker. Through training webinars and a barber toolbox, Sensory Haircut Solutions aims to improve the experience for young people with autism, Down syndrome and other disorders. “It was when they put the buzzer in my hair,” Benjamin said bothered him most. The main goal is keeping kids distracted, and the toolbox has a number of things, like fidget spinners or squeeze balls, to help with that. “Sometimes we suggest they turn the chair around or give them something else visually to be looking at,” said Angela. Kings Park Barber Shop will be the first place trained by the group to give kids with sensory issues haircuts. They’ll have the toolbox in their barber shop as well. “They often have a lot of motion. They’ll be stimming with their hands, clapping or wiggling around,” Angela said. Barbers say the tools help them by keeping young people still and, thus, avoid bad haircuts. Another tool is a unique scissor that cuts hair the same way a buzzer would, but doesn’t make the noise. “It’s more about educating, training and having them equipped and ready for when children with these needs walk in,” said Angela. She said the training and toolbox will cost about $500. They’ll have their first training session later this month. The group conducted a non-scientific survey that found one in three parents who have children with sensitivity disorders cut their children’s hair at home to avoid a bad haircut experience.

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Group Trains Barbers, Hairdressers To Give People With Special Needs Comfortable Cuts

July 6, 2018 0 comment