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Selden Fire Department Performs Drills
On Tuesday November 28th, 2023 at 19:00hrs the Selden Fire Department Truck Company One held a drill at the training grounds on Highview Drive, in Selden. The drill was based upon garage fires with extension to the home. The situation was supposed to mimic a vehicle fire in the attached garage of a home, extending to the first and second floor, throughout the home. Company members utilized a burn box to increase the volume of fire. Members pulled lines from Engine 5 and began to knock down the vehicle fire and then into the home to knock down the remaining fire. Members also searched the building and located a victim. The victim was pulled from the building. After searches were completed and the fire was knocked down the building was vacated. Clean up concluded the drill, hoses were packed and the burn box was deconstructed. Selden EMS provided rehab for members.
Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library Board Seeks New Trustee Amid Financial Scrutiny
The Board of Trustees for the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library is filling a trustee vacancy. This move has drawn public attention for its role and the potential electoral advantage it may confer. The appointment comes as the library faces intense financial scrutiny over handling an over-budget renovation project.
Maurice Wertheim, Shirley WildLife Refuge Benefactor
He was a Harvard graduate who began his career at his father's cigar manufacturing company and worked his way up to become a wealthy investment banker. He was an environmentalist, chess patron, art collector, and, as a philanthropist, donated 1,800 acres of pristine land that we now enjoy as the Maurice Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley.
Counties Continue Aquifer Protection Commission
A bi-county commission that coordinates a regional approach to groundwater management has been reauthorized by the Nassau and Suffolk legislatures for another five years. Their unanimous votes will enable the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP) to continue its groundbreaking work as the sole island-wide organization dedicated to drinking water quality and quantity.
Brookhaven Town's Acquisition of 33 Acres in Manorville: Expanding Green Space
Brookhaven Town is making strides in environmental conservation with its plan to acquire a 33-acre parcel in Manorville, currently owned by the Tyler J. Histand Family Trust. This initiative aligns with the town's commitment to expanding public green spaces, offering walking and biking opportunities.
Dignity Photo Exhibit at Suffolk Jail
A primary consideration of Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon is the rehabilitation of convicts under his watch and their ability to reenter the workforce after they pay their debt to society. To provide inmates with a marketable skill and boost their self-worth, the Sheriff has partnered with professional photographer Saskia Keeley, herself a formerly incarcerated individual, to conduct a "Dignity Photo Program," the subject of a recent exhibit at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.
Suffolk Cyber Disruptions Continue
More than a year after Suffolk suffered a ransomware attack that crippled its computer system, cyber issues continue to plague the county. Everything from a rodent chewing through a fiber optic cable to a 911 system shutdown attributed to a vendor has put Suffolk's IT problems at the top of incoming County Executive Edward Romaine's To-Do list.
Tree Lighting Illuminates Mastic Beach for the Holidays
The sky was lit with the colors of the holidays, and Santa made an appearance Saturday at the Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce's annual tree lighting hosted by Ultimate Mower on Commack Road. There were giveaways for the kids, and cheery music rang through the community courtesy of Party 105.3 and Big Hits 98.1, which gave out prizes for holiday music trivia.
Who Was Walter T. Shirley?
While many are familiar with the South Shore community known as Shirley, not everyone knows it was named for the developer who put the area on the map–Walter T. Shirley.
911 Service Restored in Suffolk: A Close Call with Crisis Averted
It has been a week since Suffolk County grappled with a 911 emergency system outage, which lasted over twelve hours and highlighted the importance of reliable communication in emergencies. As the community reflects on this incident, the focus has shifted to learning from this experience and bolstering system reliability.
Local Food Pantries Illuminate Holiday Season with Acts of Kindness
As the holiday season blankets Long Island in a warm, festive glow, an underlying issue often escapes the spotlight. Behind the picturesque landscapes and cozy neighborhoods, more than 200,000 Long Islanders, including nearly 70,000 children, wrestle with food insecurity. The struggle to put food on the table is a stark reality for many, but during these challenging times, the unsung heroes of local food pantries step up.
Incoming County Legislator Arrested
Suffolk Legislator-Elect Catherine Stark was arrested over the weekend by Riverhead Town Police on charges of operating a vehicle while impaired. Set to take over the office held by Legislator Albert Krupski, where she served as chief of staff, Stark revealed she is battling cancer, and had taken prescribed medication in the hours preceding the arrest.
Lucky Spin at Jake's 58 Brings $2.3 Million Jackpot
A spin at the Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars game at Jake's 58 turned into a $2.3 million payoff for an East Northport resident last week, the biggest payout ever at the Islandia casino.
Christmas Parade Canceled Due to Weather, No Rain Date, Community Disappointed
Mother Nature did a Bah Humbug on the annual holiday parade sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley for Sunday, leaving residents disappointed and flustered over the popular event having no rain date.
Brookhaven C.A.R.E.S. Forum Highlights Critical Housing Initiatives
Brookhaven Town Hall was the venue for Brookhaven C.A.R.E.S. Rental Housing Forum, an event highlighting its efforts to address the current affordable housing crisis. Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Community Development Marie M. Michel, alongside Diane Castro, Rental Subsidy Program Coordinator, spearheaded the forum to discuss key housing initiatives and programs. This gathering was particularly significant in highlighting the various housing assistance programs and their accessibility to residents of Brookhaven.
COVID Water Assistance Extended
Residents who have trouble paying their water bill can get help through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
Fire Ravages Tesla's Shoreham Lab
He was a renowned inventor responsible for many advancements of our electronic age, and his memory was being preserved through the creation of the Nikola Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, the location of his Shoreham laboratory. The grand plan to open his 16-acre facility to the masses received a tragic setback last week from a fire that damaged what was to become a global innovation center, educational facility, and museum.
Santos Expulsion: NY Republicans Push Effort and Side with Democrats Again
On Friday, December 1, George Santos was voted out of the House of Representatives by a vote of 311-114 (2 present). An overwhelming majority of Democrats voted in favor, while a substantial percentage of Republicans voted against. The move to oust Santos has been pursued and led by local Congressman Nick LaLota for several months now, and the Democrats finally delivered the outcome he desired.
Romaine Brokers Historic Sewer Deal
Not wasting any time in tackling the most pressing environmental issue faced by Suffolk, County Executive-Elect Edward Romaine has brokered a consensus between stakeholders to support the expansion of sewers and help homeowners convert to clean water septic systems. The agreement, made between environmental groups, building trades, and government officials, will put the question of raising the county's sales tax an eighth of a cent before residents in a November referendum, a vote that was scuttled by the Suffolk Legislature this year due to objections over the funding formula.
$50,000 Grant for Bellport Public Safety Vehicle
A $50,000 state grant secured by Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano went a long way in funding a new public safety vehicle for the Village of Bellport. The Assemblyman, center, met with Don Mullins, Director of Code Enforcement for the village, and Mayor Maureen Veitch on Monday to check out the new ride. They also discussed issues and programs in the surrounding community and how they can become good partners in government to ensure that Bellport Village continues to prosper. "We both care about the constituents we represent," the Assemblyman said. "I believe we will be able to build a great working relationship."
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Sachem's Winter Athletes Honored
The Sachem Central School District was honored at the most recent Board of Education meeting recognizing the student-athletes, coaches and teams from both Sachem East and Sachem North for their outstanding achievements during the winter sports season.
SWR Mourns the Passing of Gilmore
Shoreham-Wading River school district lost a member of their district's family this week when Adrian Gilmore, a high school soccer coach passed away.
LoRe Adds to His Career Numbers
This week Miller Place senior goalie Christopher LoRe hit a milestone when he recorded 500th career save.