Forked River Plane Crash Victims Honored By Community, Fundraiser Launched
After three members of a New Jersey family were killed in a plane crash in the mountains of New York, their friends, family, and community have started an online fundraiser.
Gabriele Jasper, 70; Gabriella Hillgrube, 33; and Giuliana Hillgrube, 2, were killed in the wreck. Gabriella and her husband, Tyler, were the parents of Giuliana and a 4-year-old son, GJ. Jasper was Gabriella’s father.
“The loss of an incredible wife, loving mother, and beautiful little girl has left a void that can never be filled, and the family is facing overwhelming emotional and financial challenges,” organizer Gia…
Northport Mom Dies From Breast Cancer At 31, Fundraiser Launched For Family
A Long Island mother has died from breast cancer after a three-year battle with the disease.
Dana Kropp, of Northport, died Monday, July 13 at age 31, according to online accounts of her fight. A fundraiser launched for her husband and young daughter had raised more than $120,000 by Friday, July 17.
“Dana was a devoted wife, an incredible mother to her precious daughter, Ella, and a cherished family member and friend to so many,” organizers wrote in a GoFundMe. “She faced every challenge with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and endless love for her family.”
Kropp was diagnosed with …
Deadly Head-On Wreck With Motorcycle Leads To NY Man’s Guilty Plea: Authorities
A New York man has pleaded guilty in a deadly car crash last year, in which police said he was impaired, authorities announced Friday, July 17.
Jacob Snide, 34, admitted to second-degree manslaughter in the death of Patrick LaFortune Jr. in the Capital Region, the Albany County District Attorney’s office said.
Snide, of Ravena, crossed over the center yellow line and struck LaFortune, 32, while the victim was driving a motorcycle the other way, prosecutors said. Snide will face a maximum of 12 years in prison at sentencing on Sept. 10, according to authorities.
Though Snide did not admit t…
$9M Check Fraud Lands Bankrupt Quogue Bus Boss Behind Bars, Feds Say
A Long Island bus company operator is headed to prison, more than eight years after his company went bankrupt in a $9 million check-kiting scheme, authorities said.
John Mensch, 55, was sentenced Wednesday, July 15 to 18 months in prison for the fraud, the Justice Department said.
Mensch, of Quogue, was owner of East End Bus Lines until the company went under, then in 2024 he admitted to the massive fraud, according to investigators.
Beginning in 2017, with money running short, Mensch came up with a scheme using two of the company’s banks, the feds said. At both banks, East End enjoyed spe…
Hauppauge Creep Abused 12-Year-Old Girl He Found On Snapchat: Police
A Long Island man sexually abused a 12-year-old girl after first contacting her over social media, police said.
Jonathan Pak, 33, was arraigned Thursday, July 16 on two counts of first-degree sex abuse, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
Pak, of Hauppauge, contacted the girl over Snapchat with the username “loudesttwhisper,” where he also went by Jason, investigators said.
In December 2025, Pak met the girl in a van in a parking lot on Crooked Hill Road in Commack, where he sexually abused her, police said. After cops received a tip and investigated the case, Pak surrendered at a …
Mike Francesa Sells Manhasset Home — See How Much The LI Native Got
Popular sports media talking head Mike Francesa has sold his Long Island home for $7.5 million, according to a report.
Francesa’s 1.5-acre property in Manhasset closed on Wednesday, July 15, according to Newsday. The former WFAN shock jock bought the home for $5.2 million back in 2008.
The house features five bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, a two-car garage, and a guest cottage, according to its page on Realtor.com. It also includes an outdoor basketball court, a pool, and a golf simulator.
Francesa, a Long Beach native, has not publicly commented on the sale.
He retired from his WFAN gi…
