Weather Alert  

ELEVATED RISK OF FIRE SPREAD Increasing northwest winds and drying low levels will create conditions more conducive for fire spread today into early this evening. Relative humidity is expected to decrease to near 25 to 30 percent this afternoon into early this evening, while wind gusts increase to 35 to 45 mph. An isolated gust to 50 mph will be possible. These conditions would likely aid fire spread if ignition occurs. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. The annual statewide burn ban is in effect until May 14. No burn permits are issued. For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire prevention, please visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website at http://dec.ny.gov/environmental- protection/wildfires. This forecast considers meteorological, fuel, and land conditions and has been developed in coordination with state fire and land management officials. Listen to NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio or visit our web Site at http://weather.gov/nyc for further details or updates.

Sentencing Tuesday in Central Islip for Man Responsible for Grandfather's Death in DWI Crash

Press Releases

By Published: January 29 2014

LongIsland.com

A man was sentenced for the death of his grandfather in a DWI car crash.

Print Email
Central Islip, NY - January 28, 2013 - An East Patchogue man arrested and indicted last summer for DWI, vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault for causing a crash that killed his 77-year old grandfather is scheduled for sentencing in Central Islip tomorrow morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said. 
 
Gary Hendricks, 45, was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban on Sunrise Highway in Patchogue on the evening of July 22 when he rear-ended a pickup truck and lost control, overturning on the shoulder of the highway several times, DA Spota said. 
 
“The defendant told police he was driving - even though he did not have license - because his passengers had more to drink than the two beers he had,” DA Spota said. 
 
The district attorney said a chemical analysis of the suspect’s blood showed he had a blood alcohol content of .17 hours after the fatal crash. 
 
Hendricks pleaded guilty to all of the charges in the indictment; vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and is expected to be sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho to four to eight years in state prison. 
 
District Attorney Spota said prosecutors will recommend a sentenced of up to 12 years’ incarceration upstate. 
 
Justice Camacho will call the court calendar at 9:30 am.