Community Corner

Week in Review: Woman Sentenced in Fatal Crash, Home Falling in Sound

A look back at the top headlines from the week that was.

Long-time Rocky Point resident and World War II veteran Frank W. Celentano died June 12 at the age of 90, and the father of nine left behind many family members and friends who remember him as not only a hero, but simply a 'very kind man.'

Celentano was one of the few remaining World War II veterans in Rocky Point, and the former Private who lost his left hand in the war was a recipient of the Navy Cross, widely recognized as one of the highest decorations given.

Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jennifer Jorgensen, of Sound Beach, was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison for the death of her baby born prematurely in an accident in Ridge that also killed two others in 2008.

Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jorgensen was sentenced Friday after being convicted of , according to a report in Newsday (subscription required).

Prosecutors asked for the maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison, the report states.

Suffolk County Police arrested a Mastic woman Friday for allegedly stealing money from church outreach programs in Rocky Point, West Islip and East Islip

An investigation by Third Precinct Crime Section officers determined that Nicole Annuziato went to three separate church outreach programs and claimed she needed money for rent. Police said Annunziato, 30, said she was a resident within each church’s parish and doctored phony lease agreements. Annuziato stole a total of $1500, Police said.

The home at 16 Shore Drive in Sound Beach has been in danger of falling into the Long Island Sound for years with continued erosion, and now the Town of Brookhaven has stepped in and condemned the home.

The owner of the home, Edith Hotis, is a senior citizen who is worried she's going to be evicted. Sound Beach Civic President Bea Ruberto told Patch that Hotis had initially contacted FEMA to see if she could get some help and at that time was told that the damage wasn't bad enough.

Now, with signs posted, Hotis is in danger of facing a court order to leave from the Town if she refuses to leave, according to a report on News12.com.

After complaints from residents of an overgrown, litter-filled vacant property at 52 Ronkonkoma Drive in Sound Beach, the Town of Brookhaven Quality of Life Task Force stepped in to clean up the property on June 21.

The property was cleaned of debris and refuse and the grass and weeds that had been overgrown were mowed. The clean-up team consisted of members of the Town of Brookhaven’s Department of Waste Management, as well as investigators from the Town’s Law Department.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here