News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
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.
Fiscal Challenges Confront New Suffolk Executive
Financial challenges lay ahead of the fledgling Romaine administration as the new Suffolk executive confronts a number of issues left in the wake of his predecessor, Steve Bellone. With a Republican in control of the county's top administrative post for the first time in 12 years and the GOP controlling the legislature, officials said they have their work cut out for them in putting Suffolk's fiscal house back in order, rebuilding its aging infrastructure, and providing better services to the taxpayers.
Assemblyman Thiele to Wind Up 45-year Public Service Career
Winding up 30 years in the state legislature and a 45-year public service career, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. announced he will not seek reelection in November. Having served as an elected official for 37 years, Thiele successfully ran for public office 19 times and represented Suffolk's East End in the assembly longer than anyone in history.
Mass Shooting Event Drilled in Suffolk
Shooting victims streamed out of the St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in East Patchogue and were directed to a triage area where they were readied for transport to local hospitals. A Suffolk Police helicopter ferried out the worst of them while personnel from 25 local emergency services and community agencies assisted under the watchful eye of officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New York Office of Emergency Management.
DiNapoli Pegs New York Migrant Problem
Unsustainable spending on the migrant crisis is a serious challenge for New York as the city struggles to deal with the migrants officials invited in under their sanctuary policies, according to an assessment released by the state comptroller.
Rothang Appointed to Open Space Committee
The chief of staff for Suffolk Legislator James Mazzarella, Rothang previously served as executive assistant to former town supervisor Edward Romaine, who's now the county executive.
Officials Double Down on Green Energy, Urge Governor to Move on Sunrise Wind
The $700 million plan to build 90 turbines off Montauk Point and connect them to the mainland via a 123-mile cable at Smith Point is facing some headwinds due to increased construction costs. The state Public Service Commission denied a request by the project's developer, the Denmark-based firm Ørsted, to raise electric rates to cover the higher costs, and Hochul decided to put the project back out to bid.
Rafay Cheema is the Rotary Student of the Month
Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella joined with fellow Rotary Club members, Dr. Fred Miller and Josephine Piech, in recognizing William Floyd High School's Rafay Cheema as Rotary Student of the Month.
Suffolk County Water Authority Hosts Official Forum
Meeting at the authority's Education Center in Hauppauge, the officials engaged in crucial discussions on emerging contaminants, aging infrastructure, advanced treatment systems, lead service lines, and efforts to connect homes to the public water system.
Romaine Names Police Leadership Team
Continuing in the role as acting commissioner will be Robert Waring, who took over the department after the November departure of Rodney Harrison, the Steve Bellone administration's top cop. Romaine announced Kevin Catalina, a Suffolk Sheriff's Department undersheriff, as a deputy police commissioner, along with Belinda Alvarez-Groneman, a retired county police detective.
Sachem Tobaccus, Early Land Broker
The native people did not subscribe to the concept of land ownership, the divvying up of parcels into private hands. They believed the Earth belonged to all of its inhabitants and were naïve to the intentions of the foreign settlers. This changed when the Montauk Sachem Wyandanch enlisted the help of Lord Lion Gardener to rescue his daughter from the Narragansetts, a hostile tribe from across the Long Island Sound. The Sachem sold a wide swath of land to the Englishman and began approving lots of "accommodation" to the settlers.
Historic Water Protection Plan Announced
A bipartisan coalition of elected officials, environmentalists, and business and labor leaders assembled Monday in Hauppauge to announce an "historic" plan aimed at protecting Suffolk's water resources. The strategy calls for raising the county's sales tax an eighth of a cent to fund new sewers and upgrade private cesspools.
Suffolk Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg
Previously in the majority, the Democrats in the Suffolk Legislature are led by Minority Leader Jason Richberg of the 15th District. The Wyandanch lawmaker took some time to talk about his priorities with the South Shore Press.
Aaron Ferretti, Lifeguard, Probation Officer
Aaron Ferretti, a long-time ocean lifeguard at Great Gun Beach and Davis Park and an officer with the Suffolk County Probation Department, passed away unexpectedly at 35.
Test to Detect Alzheimer's Years in Advance
Neurological scientists from Sweden's University of Gothenburg have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. A new test has been developed to detect the presence of the protein phosphorylated Tau 217, a key marker linked to the onset of the debilitating neurological condition.
Assemblyman DeStefano Kicks Off Reelection Campaign
Seeking a third term representing the people of the 3rd District, Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano launched his reelection bid last week at a fundraiser in Patchogue.
$85 Million for ADUs in Hochul Housing Plan
Looking to help solve New York's affordable housing crunch, Gov. Kathy Hochul has earmarked $85 million for the creation and enhancement of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the state. The allocation is part of a five-year plan aimed at bolstering affordable housing options and revitalizing communities.
Declaration Monument at Patriots Park
"Our monument will rival the one at Boston Common, a famed statue that's been there since 1925," Panico said of the Brookhaven tablet. "We're proud to have a park that honors the local heroes who played such an important role in our country's founding," the supervisor said.
Daily Feed
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.
Patchogue’s Gene Perry Leads New York’s Volunteer Firefighters as FASNY President
The South Shore Press sits down with FASNY President Gene Perry
Long Island Cares: Harry Chapin Food Bank Awarded Grant to Aid East End Veterans
The non-profit learned it was awarded a $50,000 grant by New York State back in June.