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Butterfly Effect Project chooses to cancel upcoming fundraiser due to racist and threatening phone calls
Major staff cuts at the U.S. Department of Education are raising concerns among Long Island educators, parents and students that special education and student loans could face disruptions. Maura McDermott reports in NEWSDAY that the federal agency announced Tuesday that it is reducing its staff by nearly half, from 4,133 to about 2,180 workers. It said it was laying off more than 1,300 employees. About 600 workers also accepted severance packages and more than 60 probationary employees lost their jobs. The Associated Press reported that staff at seven of the department's 12 regional civil rights offices, including in New York, were entirely laid off.
Linda McMahon, the education secretary, said the job cuts would streamline the agency and would not affect financial aid, services for students with special needs or low incomes or other programs. In Suffolk County, the agency funds services for children with special needs, adult learners, migrants and students who are learning English, among other programs, said Eastern Suffolk BOCES Chief Operating Officer David Wicks.
“I think the best word that most people are feeling right now is a bit anxious,” he said. “It absolutely could be detrimental.”
Stony Brook University receives just under $50 million annually in federal grants and other aid. The federal education department also "provides students access to just over $80 million each year” in loans, according to university spokesperson Kelly Drossel.
***
The Riverhead-based Butterfly Effect Project has decided to cancel an upcoming fundraiser because of racist and threatening phone calls, according to the organization’s founder. Alek Lewis reports on Riverheadlocal.com that the nonprofit youth-serving organization is concerned with the security of the March 22 Pearls of Wisdom event after its office received multiple calls over the last week threatening to slash the tires and put sugar in the gas tanks of cars parked at the event venue, Executive Director Tijuana Fulford said yesterday. The callers, who did not identify themselves, also slung racist slurs and dehumanizing insults to Black people at the staff members who picked up the phone, Fulford said. The organization has been receiving an average of three to four calls a day, Fulford said. She decided to cancel the event after the office received seven calls on Tuesday. The Pearls of Wisdom event was a fundraiser to help the organization’s children pay for their college applications, Fulford said. It was a partnership with the National Coalition of Black Women and was to be held at the Black-led First Baptist Church of Riverhead. The organizations had 12 local women to give advice to the next generation; the threatening calls came after the organization began to post the pictures of the guest speakers, Fulford said.
***
Shelter Island Friends of Music hosts its second concert of the 2025 season featuring award-winning violinist Sirena Huang and pianist Chih-Yi Chen this coming Saturday afternoon March 15 at 3pm in the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. In this free concert, the virtuosos will perform the identical program that they will be presenting for their Carnegie Hall debut in April. It features works of Beethoven, Stravinsky, Poulenc, Chen Gang, Coleridge-Taylor, and others.
There is no admission fee; donations are always appreciated. A reception with the musicians will follow the concert.
Visit www.shelterislandfriendsofmusic.org for more information..
That’s this coming Saturday at 3pm in Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, 32 North Ferry Rd. (Rte. 114), Shelter Island, NY 11964
***
The East Hampton Housing Authority requested $1.5 million from the town’s Community Housing Fund to aid in the purchase of a Sag Harbor property, which the organization hopes to preserve as affordable housing. The Hampton Street complex, which is privately owned and contains four housing units, is listed for $2.65 million, and the Housing Authority offered to provide 10 percent of the asking price, if the town commits money from the Community Housing Fund, which voters approved in a 2022 referendum. Further, the Sag Harbor Community Housing Trust offered $1.2 million of its own toward the purchase. Jack Motz reports on 27east.com that the housing authority retains the right to purchase the property — with 90 days to act — by way of an agreement with the property owner. Going forward, if the request is approved, the housing authority plans to support the maintenance of the project with rent revenues. If purchased, the property would serve those earning up to 130 percent of the area median income, equating to around $142,000, said Joanne Pilgrim, The Town of East Hampton’s community development program analyst, who presented before the Town Board on Tuesday, March 11. Having been constructed in 1890, the structure is considered a historic property. East Hampton Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said the Town Board is looking to schedule a public hearing for Thursday, April 3, which it hopes to confirm next week, with a vote tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 8.
***
A new proposal seeks to ban push notifications that try to entice gamblers to place more sports bets in pings and flashes tailored by artificial intelligence that reach gamblers' cellphones even when the apps are shut off. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that the push notifications match the powerful urge of some gamblers to bet on sports during events such as the upcoming NCAA March Madness basketball tournament with an ever-present means to do it, sponsors of the bill state.
But the new proposal by Albany lawmakers faces well-financed opposition by some of the nation’s most popular sports gambling sites, which say the bill would eliminate the freedom of choice for gamblers. The industry has used top lobbyists and campaign contributions to key legislators to make their case, state records show.
In New York state, "mobile sports wagering" totaled more than $19.5 million from April 2024 through this January, the most recent statistics, and New York has often led the nation in dollars bet each month, according to reports by the state Gaming Commission.
The bill states that a "skyrocketing" increase in online sports gambling can result in "occupational ruin, mental and emotional illness, the destruction of families, domestic violence, self-harm and suicide." If passed, New York could have the first law of its kind in the nation, the measure’s sponsors said.
***
Early voting is underway for the March 18 special election to fill a vacancy on the Southampton Town Board created by former Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni’s election to the NYS assembly. Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that former Republican Councilman Rick Martel and Zoning Board member John Leonard, a Democrat, are vying for the seat. Early voting will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach and on the Stony Brook / Southampton College campus through Sunday, March 16 at these times:
Thursday, March 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday, March 14, 2025
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 16, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Voters can vote at their regular polling place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 6am to 9pm.
***
Earlier this year, the mother of a Sag Harbor Elementary School student had a stressful child care mix-up. Her child was supposed to be sent to the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center after school, because it offers a later pick-up than the school’s after-school program. The mother had planned on picking up her child after work. That message, however, was lost in translation — or more accurately, the lack thereof — when the Spanish only speaking woman tried to communicate her plan with the school. Instead of being sent over to Bridgehampton, the child was waiting to be picked up from SHAEP, at the Sag Harbor Learning Center, and her mother could not get there in time. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that miscommunications like these are not uncommon at the schools in the district, according to a group of parents who spoke during the public comment portion of the latest Board of Education meeting this past Monday. They were there in an effort to raise awareness about the challenges non-English-speaking parents in the district have been facing, and advocate for the Sag Harbor School District to provide more language access. Superintendent of Schools Jeff Nichols thanked the parents for coming to the meeting and sharing their concerns. He acknowledged the problem and said the administration shares those concerns as well. “We really have prioritized trying to hire bilingual staff, with varying degrees of success,” he said. “I know we can do better.” Sag Harbor School Board Vice President Jordana Sobey said it was helpful that parents shared specific examples of roadblocks and challenges they’ve faced because of the lack of language access, adding that it will help the district figure out exactly how to address issues where students are currently between 25 and 30 percent Hispanic.
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By WLIW-FMMajor staff cuts at the U.S. Department of Education are raising concerns among Long Island educators, parents and students that special education and student loans could face disruptions. Maura McDermott reports in NEWSDAY that the federal agency announced Tuesday that it is reducing its staff by nearly half, from 4,133 to about 2,180 workers. It said it was laying off more than 1,300 employees. About 600 workers also accepted severance packages and more than 60 probationary employees lost their jobs. The Associated Press reported that staff at seven of the department's 12 regional civil rights offices, including in New York, were entirely laid off.
Linda McMahon, the education secretary, said the job cuts would streamline the agency and would not affect financial aid, services for students with special needs or low incomes or other programs. In Suffolk County, the agency funds services for children with special needs, adult learners, migrants and students who are learning English, among other programs, said Eastern Suffolk BOCES Chief Operating Officer David Wicks.
“I think the best word that most people are feeling right now is a bit anxious,” he said. “It absolutely could be detrimental.”
Stony Brook University receives just under $50 million annually in federal grants and other aid. The federal education department also "provides students access to just over $80 million each year” in loans, according to university spokesperson Kelly Drossel.
***
The Riverhead-based Butterfly Effect Project has decided to cancel an upcoming fundraiser because of racist and threatening phone calls, according to the organization’s founder. Alek Lewis reports on Riverheadlocal.com that the nonprofit youth-serving organization is concerned with the security of the March 22 Pearls of Wisdom event after its office received multiple calls over the last week threatening to slash the tires and put sugar in the gas tanks of cars parked at the event venue, Executive Director Tijuana Fulford said yesterday. The callers, who did not identify themselves, also slung racist slurs and dehumanizing insults to Black people at the staff members who picked up the phone, Fulford said. The organization has been receiving an average of three to four calls a day, Fulford said. She decided to cancel the event after the office received seven calls on Tuesday. The Pearls of Wisdom event was a fundraiser to help the organization’s children pay for their college applications, Fulford said. It was a partnership with the National Coalition of Black Women and was to be held at the Black-led First Baptist Church of Riverhead. The organizations had 12 local women to give advice to the next generation; the threatening calls came after the organization began to post the pictures of the guest speakers, Fulford said.
***
Shelter Island Friends of Music hosts its second concert of the 2025 season featuring award-winning violinist Sirena Huang and pianist Chih-Yi Chen this coming Saturday afternoon March 15 at 3pm in the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. In this free concert, the virtuosos will perform the identical program that they will be presenting for their Carnegie Hall debut in April. It features works of Beethoven, Stravinsky, Poulenc, Chen Gang, Coleridge-Taylor, and others.
There is no admission fee; donations are always appreciated. A reception with the musicians will follow the concert.
Visit www.shelterislandfriendsofmusic.org for more information..
That’s this coming Saturday at 3pm in Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, 32 North Ferry Rd. (Rte. 114), Shelter Island, NY 11964
***
The East Hampton Housing Authority requested $1.5 million from the town’s Community Housing Fund to aid in the purchase of a Sag Harbor property, which the organization hopes to preserve as affordable housing. The Hampton Street complex, which is privately owned and contains four housing units, is listed for $2.65 million, and the Housing Authority offered to provide 10 percent of the asking price, if the town commits money from the Community Housing Fund, which voters approved in a 2022 referendum. Further, the Sag Harbor Community Housing Trust offered $1.2 million of its own toward the purchase. Jack Motz reports on 27east.com that the housing authority retains the right to purchase the property — with 90 days to act — by way of an agreement with the property owner. Going forward, if the request is approved, the housing authority plans to support the maintenance of the project with rent revenues. If purchased, the property would serve those earning up to 130 percent of the area median income, equating to around $142,000, said Joanne Pilgrim, The Town of East Hampton’s community development program analyst, who presented before the Town Board on Tuesday, March 11. Having been constructed in 1890, the structure is considered a historic property. East Hampton Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said the Town Board is looking to schedule a public hearing for Thursday, April 3, which it hopes to confirm next week, with a vote tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 8.
***
A new proposal seeks to ban push notifications that try to entice gamblers to place more sports bets in pings and flashes tailored by artificial intelligence that reach gamblers' cellphones even when the apps are shut off. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that the push notifications match the powerful urge of some gamblers to bet on sports during events such as the upcoming NCAA March Madness basketball tournament with an ever-present means to do it, sponsors of the bill state.
But the new proposal by Albany lawmakers faces well-financed opposition by some of the nation’s most popular sports gambling sites, which say the bill would eliminate the freedom of choice for gamblers. The industry has used top lobbyists and campaign contributions to key legislators to make their case, state records show.
In New York state, "mobile sports wagering" totaled more than $19.5 million from April 2024 through this January, the most recent statistics, and New York has often led the nation in dollars bet each month, according to reports by the state Gaming Commission.
The bill states that a "skyrocketing" increase in online sports gambling can result in "occupational ruin, mental and emotional illness, the destruction of families, domestic violence, self-harm and suicide." If passed, New York could have the first law of its kind in the nation, the measure’s sponsors said.
***
Early voting is underway for the March 18 special election to fill a vacancy on the Southampton Town Board created by former Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni’s election to the NYS assembly. Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that former Republican Councilman Rick Martel and Zoning Board member John Leonard, a Democrat, are vying for the seat. Early voting will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach and on the Stony Brook / Southampton College campus through Sunday, March 16 at these times:
Thursday, March 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday, March 14, 2025
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 16, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Voters can vote at their regular polling place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 6am to 9pm.
***
Earlier this year, the mother of a Sag Harbor Elementary School student had a stressful child care mix-up. Her child was supposed to be sent to the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center after school, because it offers a later pick-up than the school’s after-school program. The mother had planned on picking up her child after work. That message, however, was lost in translation — or more accurately, the lack thereof — when the Spanish only speaking woman tried to communicate her plan with the school. Instead of being sent over to Bridgehampton, the child was waiting to be picked up from SHAEP, at the Sag Harbor Learning Center, and her mother could not get there in time. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that miscommunications like these are not uncommon at the schools in the district, according to a group of parents who spoke during the public comment portion of the latest Board of Education meeting this past Monday. They were there in an effort to raise awareness about the challenges non-English-speaking parents in the district have been facing, and advocate for the Sag Harbor School District to provide more language access. Superintendent of Schools Jeff Nichols thanked the parents for coming to the meeting and sharing their concerns. He acknowledged the problem and said the administration shares those concerns as well. “We really have prioritized trying to hire bilingual staff, with varying degrees of success,” he said. “I know we can do better.” Sag Harbor School Board Vice President Jordana Sobey said it was helpful that parents shared specific examples of roadblocks and challenges they’ve faced because of the lack of language access, adding that it will help the district figure out exactly how to address issues where students are currently between 25 and 30 percent Hispanic.