Honoring A Veteran + SWR Teacher's Sex Charges Upgraded

Rise and shine Miller Place-Rocky Point!

In today's Daily, find out what Sound Beach street will renamed to honor a local late veteran. The Miller Place varsity softball team's season is starting out strong, a Wading River lacrosse player is making news in college and a missing Wading River man has been located. Charges against the Shoreham-Wading River teacher accused of sexual crimes against a student have been elevated.

First, today's weather is mostly cloudy with a high of 67 degrees.

Today's top news from Miller Place-Rocky Point:

1. Grant Parpan reports that the charges against Shoreham-Wading River teacher Veronica Pezdan have been upgraded. The 28-year-old teacher is accused of having sexual contact with a 15-year-old student. A top charge of promoting a sexual performance by a child, according to court records obtained by the Riverhead News-Review, joins five counts of third-degree rape and five more counts of third-degree criminal sexual act. (Riverhead News-Review)

2. Lisa Finn has the update on a Wading River man who was missing after last being seen in Middle Island on Saturday. Steven Adams was found unharmed. (Patch)

3. Brian Heyman has the scoop on Wading River's Chris Gray. He is one of the final five picks for men’s lacrosse Tewaaraton Award, considered an honor for the nation's top player. Gray helped North Carolina make it to the NCAA Final Four. (Newsday)

4. John Boell looks at Miller Place's girls varsity softball team. Led by new coach Matt Timmons, the team hasn't allowed one single run in five games and is leading its division. Jessica Iavarone is the pitcher for the Panthers who are looking toward a run for the championship. (Newsday)

5. Bob Liepi recounts a wacky baseball game that saw Mount Sinai's varsity baseball team winning against Mattituck, even though Mattituck pitched a no-hitter. (Suffolk Times)

Event Roundup:

• The Bronx: The Way it Was 2 to 3:30 p. m., Longwood Public Library (Online)
• Online Nighttime Book Discussion 6 to 7 p.m., Longwood Public Library (Online)
• Meditation for Health and Wellness 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Longwood Public Library (Online)

Miller Place-Rocky Point Notebook:

• The Summer Olympics are coming up. 35 Long Islanders have medalled throughout the history of the Olympics, including Julia Smit from Mount Sinai (2008, swimming.) (Newsday)
• The Mount Sinai-Miller Place Chamber Alliance has launched a loyalty discount card program. The card offers savings for shopping locally with participating businesses.
• The Town of Brookhaven announced it would rename Groveland Park Blvd. in Sound Beach in honor of HM2 Glen “Doc” Moody, U.S. Navy. Moody was born in Miller Place and was a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He worked to help others with PTSD. A dedication service is planned for 11 a.m. (Town of Brookhaven)
• Shoreham-Wading River varsity baseball coach Kevin Willi nabbed his 100th win last week. (Facebook)

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That's it for the top happenings and headlines today from Miller Place and Rocky Point. Check back tomorrow to keep updated and informed. If you know of something that should be included in the daily, drop us a note!

-Jackie

About me: I am a lifelong Long Islander who has covered local news for over a decade. I'm a busy working mom who loves to share nearby news to inform, educate, inspire or just make your daily life a bit easier. I used to live next door in Shoreham and I love the beautiful North Shore beaches. Drop a note at millerplace-rockypoint@patch.com!