News Nearby: Commack School Bus Aide Accused of Assaulting Disabled Boy

Police: Commack School Bus Aide Assaulted Disabled Boy

Suffolk County Police arrested a Commack bus aide after he allegedly grabbed, twisted and fractured the arm of a 5-year-old disabled student.

According to police, Richard Mason, a bus aide for Acme Bus Corp., was riding in a bus in Commack Sept. 30 at approximately 4 p.m. when he, in an attempt at discipline, grabbed the arm of a 5-year-old developmentally disabled boy and twisted it behind the student’s back. The students on the bus attend North Ridge Elementary School, police said.

SMITHTOWN

Six Fire Departments Battle Blaze at Smithtown Home

A half dozen fire departments responded to a blaze at a Smithtown home Monday afternoon that is believed to have started in a basement dryer. 

Michael Landrigan, a Smithtown Fire Department assistant chief, was the first one on the scene of the fire on Sheila Drive around 2:30 p.m. The two people inside the home–a mother and her child–at the time of the fire were on the front lawn when Landrigan arrived.

THREE VILLAGE

Hundreds Mourn Equestrian Killed in Setauket Shooting

More than 200 family members, friends and students came a service in Queens on Sunday to mourn Ross Reisner, the accomplished horse trainer, stable owner and riding instructor who was fatally shot last Tuesday at his Setauket home, Newsday reports.

"My heart trembles. ... It's a resounding tragedy that you can only whisper about," said Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, director of the nonprofit National Jewish Outreach Program.

SACHEM

Jessica Wetherell, a third-grader at the school, said she was using the stall on Sept. 24 and had just opened the door to leave when the bat flew up in her face and bit her on the arm. According to her mother, Gina Wetherell, Jessica told her she initially thought it was a bird until she realized she’d been bitten.