Header images: Babylon Town Hall — Infrastorian / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · Copiague LIRR station (2009 file photo) — Abductive / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · Major Nancy Leftenant-Colon Pool sign — courtesy Town of Babylon, distributed with Patch coverage. Town Hall and station are contextual photographs.
By I Love Babylon · Week of October 4–10, 2026
A debate over EV charging rules reached Town Hall, a fatal hit-and-run brought loss to North Lindenhurst, and Copiague’s plaza plans took a step forward. Around the Town, a pool now honors a pioneering nurse, an outdoor AED is available beyond school hours, and West Babylon has a new memorial street name.
TOWN HALL · OCTOBER 7 HEARING
Residents Challenge Babylon’s Proposed EV Charger Rules
Babylon’s proposed rules for electric vehicle chargers drew objections at Wednesday’s Town Board hearing. Newsday’s October 8 report says residents argued that the measures were too restrictive and could discourage electric vehicle purchases.
The proposal concerns chargers outside homes, apartment buildings and businesses, including where different types could be placed. For residents weighing an installation, the next thing to watch is the Town’s final text and action on the proposal. The reporting reviewed here describes a proposal; it does not establish that the rules are now in effect.
ROAD SAFETY · NORTH LINDENHURST
A Pedestrian Is Killed at Sunrise Highway and North Indiana Avenue
Erik Ermanovics, 56, died after a car struck him in the westbound lanes of Sunrise Highway at North Indiana Avenue at about 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, according to Suffolk police reporting carried by Greater Long Island. He was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.
Police arrested Daniel Gomez, 65, of Brentwood, and charged him with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving a fatality. The charge is an allegation. Anyone with information can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Sources: Greater Long Island → · News 12 →
DOWNTOWN · COPIAGUE
A Marconi Boulevard Purchase Is a Step Toward a Larger Veterans Plaza
The Town of Babylon has begun the process of buying 782 Marconi Boulevard for $450,000 as part of its effort to expand Veterans Plaza, Newsday reported October 8.
That is a concrete next step for downtown Copiague. It is a purchase process and an expansion plan, rather than an announcement that a new plaza is finished or open. Further property decisions and the final project schedule are the developments to watch.
Sources: Newsday →
COMMUNITY · NORTH AMITYVILLE
The North Amityville Pool Now Honors Major Nancy Leftenant-Colon
The North Amityville Pool has been renamed for Major Nancy Leftenant-Colon, the military nurse and longtime Amityville community member who became the first Black nurse appointed to the regular U.S. Army Nurse Corps in March 1948. Patch reported the tribute October 6; the dedication ceremony took place October 3.
Her service continued close to home: she worked as Amityville High School’s nurse from 1971 to 1984 and became the first woman elected national president of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. in 1989. Leftenant-Colon died in 2025 at 105. The new pool name keeps that history visible in the community she served.
Sources: Patch →
PUBLIC SAFETY · WEST BABYLON
An Outdoor AED Is Available Around the Clock at the High School
An outdoor AED SaveStation is now available near West Babylon High School’s athletic fields 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The district celebrated the installation October 6, according to Patch’s October 8 report.
The Louis Acompora Foundation donated the equipment. The practical change is access outside the school day, when students and neighbors are using the fields.
Sources: Patch →
REMEMBRANCE · WEST BABYLON
Riley Goot and Bella Trezza Are Remembered at a West Babylon Intersection
Great East Neck Road and Railroad Avenue now carries the memorial name Riley Goot and Bella Trezza Memorial Way, News 12 reported October 6. The two teens died in a crash at the intersection two years earlier.
This week’s news is the memorial naming, a lasting recognition of two young people from the community.
Sources: News 12 →
LOCAL BUSINESS · DEER PARK
A Deer Park Dental Practice Carries Its Family Tradition Forward
At 163 Half Hollow Road, Suite 1, Long Island Dental Wellness is carrying forward the practice Dr. Kevin Henner and his father built. Greater Long Island’s October 6 profile follows Dr. David Broughton and Michelle Broughton, the successors Henner chose after an injury forced his retirement from treating patients.
The story is about continuity at an established Deer Park practice, rather than a new opening this week. Its focus is the handoff of longtime patient relationships as the Broughtons invest in the office.
Sources: Greater Long Island →
COMMUNITY LOSS · BABYLON
Former Gino’s Manager David Astarita Dies at 60
David Astarita, 60, the former general manager of Gino’s Pizza of Babylon, died after he was found unresponsive in a pool at his Babylon home Tuesday, October 6, according to police reporting published by Greater Long Island.
Police said they believed the death was non-criminal. The medical examiner was expected to determine the cause and manner of death. Astarita managed Gino’s from 2003 to 2022, according to the profile cited in the report. Our condolences to his family and to the neighbors who knew him through the village business.
Sources: Greater Long Island → · Patch →
Quick Hits
- North Babylon girls soccer wins 2–0. Eighth-grader Ashley Higuita scored her first varsity soccer goal in Wednesday’s win at Patchogue-Medford. It was North Babylon’s sixth straight victory and secured its 14th consecutive playoff berth, Newsday reported.
Sources: Newsday →
- A Copiague alumna joins ERASE Racism. Amityville graduate student Jeanine Guelee, a Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School alumna pursuing law and social-work degrees, will work on education and housing equity during an academic-year internship.
Sources: Patch →
- Brandon Gilpin lands a Fox role. Greater Long Island reported October 6 that the Amityville High School graduate would appear in “Best Medicine.” The episode date in that report was October 6.
Sources: Greater Long Island →
- A Babylon resident pleads guilty in a Freeport case. Michael Bonner, 41, pleaded guilty October 7 to leaving the scene of a fatal incident and tampering with physical evidence, prosecutors said. The underlying Freeport crash happened in March; the current development is the plea.
Sources: Greater Long Island →
- West Babylon Junior High’s courts get an upgrade. The district marked reconstructed tennis, basketball and handball courts, drainage improvements and new seating at an October 2 ceremony.
Sources: Patch →
Coming Up Around Babylon
The current long-weekend guide lists the October 10 Columbus Day parade in Deer Park, the October 11 Babylon Beautification Society fair at Argyle Park, and the food festival at Tanger through October 12. Check the guide and organizer updates before heading out.
Remembering Our Neighbors
We remember Janina Mroczkowski, 70, of West Babylon, who died October 6. Her family’s notice describes her devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren and faith. Our condolences to everyone mourning her.
What Residents Should Watch Next
- The Town’s final action and text on the EV charger proposal.
- Next steps in the Marconi Boulevard property purchase and Veterans Plaza expansion.
- Any official follow-up in the North Lindenhurst crash investigation.
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I Love Babylon
