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Feb 14, 2024

Sarah Anker Takes the Plunge for NYS Senate

Anker offered a multitude of reasons for seeking election to the State House during an interview this week. "What prompted me to run for the First Senate District is that there's so much more to do, and there are so many resources out there that are available to our residents, and I want to make sure that they're receiving the help they need," Anker said. "I represent Long Island values; there's more that can be done to help our seniors and our veterans." Anker, who chaired Suffolk County's Opioid Addiction Prevention Support Advisory Panel added, "The feds and the state are doing a lot, but both levels of government need to step up to do more." Other issues Anker said need to be tackled include taxes and state education aid, with local affordable housing topping the list. "Young people are finding it difficult to find housing that they can afford, and seniors can't afford to downsize," she stated.

Feb 14, 2024

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.

Feb 14, 2024

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.

Feb 14, 2024

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.

Feb 14, 2024

Current Affairs: Battery Storage Plan Lights Up Community Concerns

The proposed installation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has sparked concern among residents living close to the planned facility. Homeowners are voicing their apprehensions about the potential impacts on their daily lives and the environment.

Feb 14, 2024

Charting a Greener Path: Suffolk's Roundtable Tackles Water Quality and Erosion

In Riverhead's educational and culinary heart, the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center set the stage for a pivotal gathering of environmental minds. The annual Environmental Roundtable, orchestrated by Senator Anthony Palumbo alongside Assembly Members Fred Thiele, Jodi Giglio, and Ed Flood, convened a diverse coalition of lawmakers, environmental advocates, and community stakeholders dedicated to charting a sustainable path for Suffolk County.

Feb 10, 2024

Firefighters tackle warehouse blaze in Kings Park for seven hours

On February 8th at 20:34, the Smithtown Fire Department responded to a reported commercial structure fire near Lawrence Rd and Old Northport Rd in Kings Park.

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 7, 2024

Jake's 58 Supports Community Events

The Boomer Esiason Foundation raises money for awareness, research, and support for the Cystic Fibrosis community. Learn more about the Boomer Esiason Foundation: https://www.esiason.org/(https://www.esiason.org/)

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 7, 2024

Brookhaven Celebrates Early Spring Prediction at Holtsville Hal's Groundhog Day Event

Among those in attendance were Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael A. Loguercio Jr., Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley, Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle, and Daniel P. Losquadro, Superintendent of Highways. A sense of camaraderie and excitement marked the gathering as attendees eagerly awaited Holtsville Hal's forecast.

Feb 7, 2024

Stephanie Bontempi Spearheads New Era for Suffolk's Education & Diversity

Legislator Stephanie Bontempi has been named chair of the Education and Diversity Committee, with Legislator James Mazzarella serving as vice chair. This committee is tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing Suffolk County Community College to managing diversity initiatives across the county.

Feb 7, 2024

Large Scale Mass Casualty Drill

Place:  East Patchogue Area (IFO) 510 Narragansett Ave.

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 7, 2024

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.

Feb 5, 2024

Smithtown FD enhances rescue capabilities with new specialized operations vehicle

On February 1, 2020, the Smithtown Fire Department introduced a new vehicle to its fleet.

Jan 31, 2024

Police History Museum Dedicated to 42-Year Veteran

"Tom Smith dedicated a remarkable 42 years of service to both the Suffolk police and the then-Village of Babylon Police Department," noted County Executive Ed Romaine at a dedication ceremony at police headquarters in Yaphank. A true historian at heart, Thomas Smith played a pivotal role in inaugurating the police museum on January 25, 1985, Romaine said.

Jan 31, 2024

From Councilman to Deputy Supervisor: Foley's Journey of Public Service in Brookhaven

Reflecting on his new role, Foley shared, "I was blessed to win by 66% of the vote...after election day, I had a good conversation with supervisor-elect Dan Panico." This conversation was a pivotal moment, leading to his appointment as Deputy Supervisor, a role that Panico previously held. Foley's appointment is not just a step up in his political career but also an embodiment of his decade-long commitment to serving the people of Brookhaven.

Daily Feed

Education

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.


Local

Romaine Floats Yaphank Market for Local Produce Hub

No need to go to the Bronx for local produce under a plan by County Executive Ed Romaine.


State

Bell-to-Bell School Smart Phone Ban is Looming

Starting in September, New York State law requires Bell-to-Bell restrictions on smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices in K-12 schools statewide.