Fire, Crime & Transit: Big Moves on Long Island

Good Morning,

The kidnapping case of a local teen starts it movement through the courts. Each day new details seemingly continue to be uncovered.

Read about the on-time performance of the LIRR. Very different reporting from almost 100 years ago in our Day in History this week.

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Local Pulse

🔥 A house fire on Northridge Street in Patchogue left one person severely burned Wednesday morning. Viewer video captured intense flames shooting from the home as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. News 12 Long Island

🚔 A Bellport resident and alleged leader of the Bloods gang has been charged with narcotics distribution that led to one death and three overdoses. Prosecutors allege he ran a drug operation that distributed fentanyl-laced substances on Long Island. U.S. Department of Justice

LPL Financial’s partnership with Suffolk Wealth Management in Medford, NY, is part of a broader recruitment trend for the nation's largest independent broker/dealer. Recent additions include Texas-based Salter Financial Group ($100M AUM), Florida’s Allen & Company (30 advisors, $3B AUM), and PacNorth Retirement Group ($1.1B AUM) from Raymond James, attracted by LPL’s integrated tech platform.

Local Pulse

Nine Long Islanders Indicted in Kidnapping and Trafficking of Young Girl 

Nine Long Island residents have been indicted on a 75-count grand jury indictment in connection with the disappearance and trafficking of a 14-year-old East Patchogue girl, who was missing for 25 days before being found on a yacht in Islip.

Prosecutors detailed the alleged crimes during the defendants’ arraignment Thursday, outlining a disturbing timeline of kidnapping, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Dana Castaldo told the court that rather than helping the vulnerable teen, the accused individuals exploited her for their own gain. Local law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service searched motels across Suffolk County for weeks before a tip led authorities to the yacht on January 3.

Three defendants—Francis Buckheit, 64, of East Islip; Alton Harrell, 35, of Bellport; and Daniel Burke, 61, of Bohemia—face first-degree kidnapping charges and were remanded to the Suffolk County jail. If convicted, they could face life in prison. The six other defendants, who face sentences ranging from four to 25 years, also had their bail significantly increased and are expected to remain in custody.

One defendant, Bunice Knight, 47, of Copiague, was previously free on bail but was taken into custody after his bond was raised from $100,000 to $1 million due to his prior felony convictions. During the two-and-a-half-hour court proceedings, prosecutors stated that the teen was kidnapped by multiple individuals and trafficked across several locations before being discovered.

The attorneys for all nine defendants denied the charges. The victim's father issued a statement saying, "You can't silence justice," while her mother and stepmother declined to comment.

The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare for trial.

This story is based on reporting by Newsday journalists Grant Parpan and Janon Fisher. Read the original article at Newsday.

Local Pulse

Governor Hochul Announces $150 Million Investment to Connect MacArthur Airport and LIRR’s Ronkonkoma Station

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a $150 million infrastructure investment aimed at linking the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Ronkonkoma Station to the planned North Terminal at MacArthur Airport. The initiative is set to improve transit accessibility, enhance economic development, and further solidify Long Island’s role as a growing transportation hub.

The project will include a pedestrian walkway between the airport and train station, redesigned road networks, and infrastructure upgrades. Governor Hochul emphasized that the investment aligns with her vision to modernize transit systems, support economic growth, and create well-paying union jobs. The funding builds on her previous $40 million commitment toward the North Terminal’s development in 2022.

MacArthur Airport has played a key role in Suffolk County’s transportation history, dating back to its origins as a military airfield in 1942. Today, it is recognized as one of America’s top small airports. With the expansion, the airport is expected to attract more business, tourism, and commercial opportunities.

Local and state officials have praised the project, highlighting its potential to reduce travel times, ease congestion, and drive long-term growth. LIRR President Rob Free noted that the improvements will encourage more travelers to use the train, potentially reducing roadway traffic. Suffolk County and Islip Town leaders echoed their support, recognizing the investment as a significant step toward regional economic expansion.

🔗 Read More

Day in History

Then and Now: A Century of LIRR On-Time Performance

Two articles, separated by nearly a century, highlight the Long Island Rail Road’s focus on punctuality and reliability, yet they paint contrasting pictures of performance standards and historical context.

The 2025 report from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office celebrates the LIRR’s best-ever on-time performance rate of 95.65% and a 15.8% increase in ridership compared to 2023. The article credits modern schedule revisions, infrastructure investments, and customer-focused improvements for these achievements. Despite these successes, the 2025 figures are notably lower than the on-time performance levels recorded in 1930.

The 1930 article from the Patchogue Advance reports an astounding 99.9% on-time performance for January, with only 44 delayed trains out of 27,305—a statistic that would be unheard of by today’s standards. The article also highlights 20 days of 100% punctuality and an annual average exceeding 99% throughout 1929. The total number of trains in service for January 1930 was 29,666, averaging 956 daily trains—a figure that remains comparable to modern LIRR operations.

While both reports showcase operational success, the historical contrast is striking. The 1930 performance rates suggest a rigid adherence to schedules, possibly reflecting simpler train operations, fewer service disruptions, and less complex infrastructure. In contrast, today’s LIRR operates in a vastly different landscape, with expanded service, a denser commuter base, and modern transit challenges like track maintenance, weather disruptions, and systemwide coordination.

The rhetoric of the reports also differs. The 2025 announcement focuses on customer satisfaction, modernization, and increased ridership, while the 1930 article emphasizes precision and operational discipline without customer sentiment. The shift reflects broader changes in transportation priorities over time, from pure punctuality to a more holistic focus on passenger experience.

The Long Island Rail Road is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, carrying approximately 200,000 customers each weekday on 947 daily trains. While the LIRR of 2025 celebrates a 95.65% on-time performance as a historic achievement, the 1930 report shows a time when near perfect punctuality was the norm.

Source: Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office (January 10, 2025); Patchogue Advance (February 14, 1930).

Community Highlights

• Join Senior Program Game Day Tuesdays starting February 18 at 4 Bell Street, Bellport. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, seniors can enjoy games, socialize, and have fun in a welcoming community setting!

• Experience the legacy of British Blues as Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce, sons of Cream's Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, perform live at the Patchogue Theatre on February 16 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available for $56 to $76.

• Celebrate Valentine's Day with a Partner Yoga class at Yoga Sangha in Patchogue on February 14 at 6:00 PM, led by Renee and Jimmy Lennon. The session costs $25 per couple and includes light refreshments. Reserve your spot here.

• The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY, is holding Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs) for its 2025-26 season. Actors interested in auditioning can find more details on Backstage.

• Blue Point Brewing Company has announced its 5th annual Shakedown on Main Street arts and music festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at their Patchogue, NY brewery. The event will feature live performances by Ripe, Badfish, Dogs in a Pile, and Ernie & the Band, along with local food trucks, art exhibits, and skateboarding demonstrations.

• Suffolk Credit Union has appointed John F. MacAvoy as Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, where he will focus on optimizing the branch network, enhancing the member experience, and driving growth.

• The 7th Annual Cultural Empowerment Event: Hip-Hop & Mental Health is happening on February 22, 2025, at the Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area, featuring live performances, guest speaker Dr. Wilfred Farquharson, vendor exhibits, and an 80s hip-hop fashion contest.

Local Sports

🏀 The Section XI boys' basketball tournament brackets are out, with several local teams securing playoff spots. Bellport and Patchogue-Medford are among those set to compete for county titles. The postseason action kicks off this week across Suffolk County. Section XI

🤼 Bellport and Patchogue-Medford dominated their respective Suffolk County League Wrestling Championships.

Bellport claimed the League 4 title with an impressive 350.5 points, led by Camryn Howard (138), who was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. The Clippers had multiple champions, including Henry Caceras (108), Thomas Smith (116), and Kingston John (145).

Patchogue-Medford won the League 1 championship, finishing with 299.5 points. Santiago Gonzalez (131) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors, while Aiden Jacobellis (101), Aiden Morin (108), and Mason Jacobellis (124) also secured individual titles. Section XI

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