John Asbury

New York

Staff Writer at Newsday

New Yorker by way of Colorado and SoCal. Breaking News Reporter for @Newsday [email protected] [email protected]

Articles

Grandsons of late crime boss John Gotti facing assault and harassment charges

3 days ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

Two grandsons of late Gambino family crime boss John Gotti are facing misdemeanor assault and harassment charges for allegedly attacking a man in Howard Beach, according to Queens prosecutors. John Gotti III, 31, and Frankie Gotti, 27, both appeared Tuesday in Queens Criminal Court in handcuffs and were released on their own recognizance. They both left the courthouse with their attorneys.
Long Island Cares president Paule Pachter says he plans to retire

4 days ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

Long Island Cares — The Harry Chapin Food Bank president and CEO Paule Pachter has announced he will retire from the nonprofit next year after feeding Long Island families for 18 years. Pachter, 71, said he felt it was the right time to pass the torch to a new leader after growing the food bank since 2008. He said he plans to stay on through the next year while searching for a successor and assisting with the transition.
Suffolk police, nonprofit, among agencies to share $2M NYS grant to combat domestic violence

4 days ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

Suffolk County authorities and a Ronkonkoma nonprofit have received nearly $2 million in state grant funding to combat domestic violence, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Monday. The money is part of a statewide $20 million grant under the governor’s initiative Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) that aims to increase enforcement and expand victim advocacy resources and outreach.
Long Beach blocks access to city beaches Friday to fend off parties

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

Long Beach city officials blocked beach access Friday ahead of several potential senior cut days and sunset parties there. Police said they had heard numerous school cut days were planned for Friday and were preemptively shutting the beach until Saturday morning. "In an abundance of caution and in the interest of our residents safety, the beach will be closed today with entrances physically blocked off," city officials said in a statement.
Suffolk police to auction 85 vehicles, including Porsche

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

Car buyers looking for a deal can bid on vehicles impounded by Suffolk County police during an auction June 7 in Westhampton, where bidding will start at $500. The police department will auction off 85 vehicles including a 2006 Porsche Cayenne, a 2021 Acura TLX, BMWs, Hondas, Toyotas, a Jeep and various Ford, Chevy and Dodge cars, pickups and SUVs.The vehicles are being auctioned off after being impounded by police and seized as asset forfeiture.
Billy Joel sells Centre Island 'Gate House' for $7 million

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

The Piano Man has sold part — but not all — of his Centre Island estate for $7 million. The sale of the home on Billy Joel's sprawling estate, known as "The Gate House" closed Wednesday for a private buyer, said Paul Mateyunas, a licensed real estate salesperson for Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Locust Valley. Real estate agents with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, including CEO Emmett Laffey and representatives for Joel did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
New York targets fake IDs at concert venues statewide this summer

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

The state is renewing its annual effort to combat fake IDs at concert venues this summer, a crackdown that led to dozens of seizures on Long Island alone last year. The statewide crackdown is a collaboration between the DMV, the State Liquor Authority, the State Police and other agencies. The efforts are focused at venues such as the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, according to the DMV.
New York targets fake IDs at concert venues statewide

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

The New York DMV, State Police and the state Liquor Authority are looking for fake IDs at concert venues statewide to prevent underage drinking this summer, officials said. The annual crackdown, dubbed Operation Prevent, will monitor fake IDs at concert venues, including Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, and upstate venues such as the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
DWI enforcement grants of $30G to Long Beach and Freeport police from Nassau County DA

1 week ago | newsday.com | John Asbury

The Nassau County District Attorney's office awarded $30,000 each to the Long Beach and Freeport police departments to increase enforcement of intoxicated drivers through the summer, officials said on Tuesday. District Attorney Anne Donnelly awarded the grant funding using asset forfeiture funds in the district attorney's office.
Time stands still in boyhood bedrooms of fallen Long Island Marines

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | John Asbury |Virginia Huie

Marianna Winchester walked up the stairs to her son Ronald's bedroom, nearly unchanged for more than 20 years since the Marine Corps first lieutenant was killed by a roadside bomb during his second tour in Iraq. "Hello son," Winchester said when she entered the room, empty except for remnants of a life that ended at age 25: a U.S. Naval Academy football jersey, a Marine Corps banner, photos and awards from his time in the military and at Chaminade High School in Mineola.