News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
Renovation of the Mastic-Shirley Station to Begin
The long-awaited renovation of the Mastic-Shirley Train Station will begin this week with renovations to the existing sidewalks, followed by the building of a new plaza and waiting area this spring. Platform improvements will start in June.
Rescue Swimmer Joseph Dalen
A 1st Lieutenant with the Eastport Fire Department, the first responder sped to the scene on a boat driven by his father, Fire Chief John Dalen. The victim, who had capsized in the breakers at the mouth of the treacherous Moriches Inlet and was separated from his kayak, was too hypothermic to grab a rescue ring thrown to him. Joseph, already in cold water survival gear, was deployed to get him into the hands of the crew who pulled him in.
Residents Voice Concern Over Shirley Mosque Plan
A chief concern of residents speaking out against a Shirley mosque at a zoning hearing last week is the building is too large for the proposed site, while supporters, many from the Islaamic Center of Mastic-Shirley, said they welcome the 13,500-square-foot facility as an asset to the community.
Romaine Announces Police Promotions, Adds 24 Detectives
Keeping Suffolk safe is the stated goal of officials gathered at police headquarters in Yaphank Thursday to announce the promotion of 24 officers to detective and a number of leadership changes.
Army Corps to Update Home Raising Plan
Mastic Peninsula residents will get an update this spring on a federal effort to raise homes in the floodplain, the area that was inundated during Hurricane Sandy and the two coastal storms last month, according to the program's sponsor, the Army Corps of Engineers.
1040Man: Shirley's Go-To Tax Preparer and Accounting Expert
A familiar presence on Montauk Highway in Shirley for over two decades, 1040Man is the go-to tax preparation and accounting expert for thousands of residents and businesses.
Grand Marshal Named for St. Patrick's Parade
The Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will march down Main Street in Center Moriches on March 10, with George Keller serving as Grand Marshal. sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, the popular parade is in its 20th year.
Mastic's Moss Lots and the Dana Family
Forge River in Mastic was the setting for a great mansion known as Moss Lots, built in 1883 by William "Buck" Dana, husband of a great-granddaughter of William Floyd, the noted Patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence.
New Starbucks Planned for Shirley
The 1,800-square-foot coffee shop will be built near the Montauk Highway entrance of the center, which is also home to Applebees, Harbor Freight, and Aldi's supermarket. The new building is permitted by town code on the commercial property, and the developers, Damianos Realty Group, are looking to secure site plan approval for the construction. It will be the subject of a Brookhaven Town Planning Board hearing on February 21.
Shirley Mosque on Zoning Board Agenda
The center is requesting a rear yard variance of 25 feet, which will put the house of worship 35 closer to the adjoining property than allowed by town code. The applicant is also seeking approval for a six-foot high fence in the front of the property, as well as larger-than-permitted signage. They would also like to place the sign closer to the parkway than currently allowed.
Romaine Reports Credit Rating Upgrade
Six weeks into his role as Suffolk's chief financial officer, Edward Romaine checked off a major priority of his administration: an upgrade in the county's credit rating.
New Lot for Center Moriches Library With A Little Help From Their Friends
Visitors to the Center Moriches Library will have more places to park thanks to the purchase of nearby property with help from the Friends of the Library.
Shirley Man Busted in Boat Dumping Case
Timothy Hughes, 35, of Shirley, found this out the hard way when he was busted for allegedly trying to get rid of a dilapidated boat in the Manorville Pine Barrens.
From Trustee to Lawmaker for the East End's Ann Welker
One of five new faces in the Suffolk Legislature, Ann Welker is continuing her role in public life with an environmental agenda honed during her service as a Southampton Town Trustee.
Democrat Red to Blue List Targets Three New York Seats
National Democrats have created a hit list for Congressional seats they have targeted in November, and three New York Republicans are on it. GOP wins in the state helped flip the House in 2022, and the Democrats are looking to take it back.
Bill Guiducci, Community Pillar
The community mourns the loss of William "Bill" Guiducci, a pillar of Mastic-Shirley who was behind many service organizations and efforts to help his neighbors. The former banker, 80, was a member of St. Jude's RC Church for more than a quarter century and was active with the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club of the Mastics and Shirley, Kiwanis, and Grace Lutheran Church of Mastic Beach. He is survived by his long-time friend, Peggy, an active partner in all of his charitable activities.
Town Donates High-Water Rescue Vehicles
When flooding deluged the Mastic Peninsula during two major winter storms in January, rescue efforts by fire department volunteers were bogged down by emergency vehicles that weren't entirely up to the task.
William Floyd's Roots Run Deep
The local signer of the Declaration of Independence, William Floyd, was not the family's original settler on the Mastic Peninsula. That honor falls to his grandfather, Richard Floyd, who bought 4,400 acres from Col. William Tangier Smith, another historic figure in the founding of our country.
Rocky Point Civic Leadership Team
An organization that promotes a high quality of life for Suffolk residents, the Rocky Point Civic Association, swore in a new board of directors at a recent ceremony conducted by Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
"Pump the Brakes" on School Bus Electrification
"Pump the Brakes" was the message state legislators sent to Gov. Hochul Monday in asking her to put off forcing school buses to be electrified until a taxpayer impact study is completed. They were joined by school administrators and transportation experts who expressed concerns about the unrealistic and costly requirements of the state mandate.
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Stony Brook students blend fitness and ecology in 3K EcoWalk
Stony Brook University students participated in the "Running Wild 3K EcoWalk," a new Earthstock event conducted on April 21 at the Ashley Schiff Preserve.
William Floyd Educator Honored in Los Angeles with National Teaching Award
William Floyd teacher travels to L.A. to accept $25,000 award.
Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island (TACLI) offers free New York Landlord Smoke-Free Housing Toolkit
The Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island (TACLI) hopies to expand smoke-free environments all over New York.