Joseph Ostapiuk
@jostapiuk.bsky.social
Newsday reporter covering the Town of Oyster Bay and the City of Glen Cove | ex Staten Island Advance/SILive.com
A nonprofit will be able to purchase 5 pristine acres of land in Oyster Bay Cove after the state awarded it $1.29 million for the acquisition, setting the stage for the expansion of the neighboring Red Cote Preserve.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Red Cote Preserve in Oyster Bay Cove to expand with funding
The North Shore Land Alliance plans to buy the property, which borders the preserve.
www.newsday.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:51 PM
A nonprofit will be able to purchase 5 pristine acres of land in Oyster Bay Cove after the state awarded it $1.29 million for the acquisition, setting the stage for the expansion of the neighboring Red Cote Preserve.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Farmingdale is eyeing a downtown parking lot for a new community theater.
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Farmingdale eyes parking lot for community theater plan
The village would own the theater and select a company to run it.
www.newsday.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Farmingdale is eyeing a downtown parking lot for a new community theater.
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Piet Oudolf, the renowned landscape architect behind Manhattan's High Line, is crafting a 1-acre four-season garden at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
'Four-season' garden to open at Planting Fields Arboretum
The concept is to highlight the plants' beauty in different stages during each part of the year, even when they're withering.
www.newsday.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Piet Oudolf, the renowned landscape architect behind Manhattan's High Line, is crafting a 1-acre four-season garden at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A legal battle ensues.
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Cotillion sues Oyster Bay over denied catering permit
Cotillion challenges Oyster Bay's decision to deny its catering permit, citing irrational and unreasonable actions in the ongoing legal dispute.
www.newsday.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
A legal battle ensues.
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
An Oyster Bay nonprofit is centering a new program around the *other* shellfish: clams.
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Friends of the Bay launches clam seeding initiative
Friends of the Bay partners with Oyster Bay to seed clams, aiming to restore shellfish populations and improve water quality in protected underwater areas.
www.newsday.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:34 PM
An Oyster Bay nonprofit is centering a new program around the *other* shellfish: clams.
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The staff at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School didn’t hesitate when 5-year old Sebastian Melendez became unresponsive.
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
How an elementary school staff 'moved mountains' to save 5-year-old
Sebastian Melendez, 5, became unresponsive during a class lesson earlier this month.
www.newsday.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The staff at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School didn’t hesitate when 5-year old Sebastian Melendez became unresponsive.
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A @newsday.bsky.social investigation ⬇️
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
$200G earners rise in Long Island's towns and cities
Officials cited higher overtime pay and new retirement incentives designed to reduce the workforce.
www.newsday.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A @newsday.bsky.social investigation ⬇️
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Reposted by Joseph Ostapiuk
Good that this is back, and may I note again that Eagle Scouts have done a lot to put up historical markers all over.
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Community restores Deer Lake historical sign after vandalism
Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his father, Dave Neale, was vandalized in August.
www.newsday.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Good that this is back, and may I note again that Eagle Scouts have done a lot to put up historical markers all over.
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Community restores Deer Lake historical sign after vandalism
Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his father, Dave Neale, was vandalized in August.
www.newsday.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Neighbors of the Cotillion, a longtime restaurant and catering hall, have complained for years about excessive noise coming from the property.
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Town denies permit for Cotillion in Jericho over noise issue
The company can operate as a restaurant, but not as a banquet hall, according to a town spokeswoman.
www.newsday.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Neighbors of the Cotillion, a longtime restaurant and catering hall, have complained for years about excessive noise coming from the property.
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The Tam O'Shanter Club has fallen into disrepair.
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Village law could incentivize new golf course in Brookville
The Tam O'Shanter Club sold in 2019, but a developer's plan for luxury housing there hit a snag over environmental issues.
www.newsday.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The Tam O'Shanter Club has fallen into disrepair.
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I was in the crowd at last night's @newsday.bsky.social forum on the exclusive @sienaresearch.bsky.social poll analyzing perceptions of quality of life on Long Island.
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
LI affordability, safety and traffic focus of Newsday forum on poll results
The forum discussed the results of an exclusive Newsday-Siena survey analyzing the region's quality of life.
www.newsday.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I was in the crowd at last night's @newsday.bsky.social forum on the exclusive @sienaresearch.bsky.social poll analyzing perceptions of quality of life on Long Island.
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
How did things shake out for Long Island’s town supervisor races?
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
John Ferretti defeats Joseph Scianablo in Hempstead supervisor race
Ten supervisor seats were up for grabs across LI, along with a slew of council positions and a mayoral post.
www.newsday.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
How did things shake out for Long Island’s town supervisor races?
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
For a non-election read: I spent a morning at @ACLD1's Bethpage campus to learn more about their business initiatives -- RewearAble and Candleworks -- that employ individuals with disabilities.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Candleworks in Bethpage empowers workers with disabilities
The Bethpage nonprofit runs Candleworks and RewearAble, providing jobs for people with disabilities.
www.newsday.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:53 PM
For a non-election read: I spent a morning at @ACLD1's Bethpage campus to learn more about their business initiatives -- RewearAble and Candleworks -- that employ individuals with disabilities.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The second phase of thermal remediation at Bethpage Community Park extracted 460 pounds of contamination from the ground deep beneath the former Grumman Aerospace dumping ground, state officials announced today.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Park cleanup extracts 460 pounds of toxins in Bethpage
An earlier cleanup phase used the technology to remove 1,500 pounds of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
www.newsday.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The second phase of thermal remediation at Bethpage Community Park extracted 460 pounds of contamination from the ground deep beneath the former Grumman Aerospace dumping ground, state officials announced today.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay Town clears hurdle for demolition of Budget Inn Motel site, seeks to buy it.
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Demolition of Budget Inn Motel site in Massapequa moves a step closer as Oyster Bay Town seeks to buy it
Last year, a judge ordered the site demolished after Oyster Bay sued the property owners over town code violations. More recently, the owners sought to delay that process.
www.newsday.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Oyster Bay Town clears hurdle for demolition of Budget Inn Motel site, seeks to buy it.
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
NEW: The Oyster Bay town board authorized a settlement Tuesday night that allows for a lesser expansion of the Masjid Al-Baqi mosque in Bethpage, ending a monthslong legal battle as it neared the eve of a federal court trial.
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay mosque expansion settlement reached after legal battle
Oyster Bay agrees to a reduced expansion of Masjid Al-Baqi mosque, ending a lengthy legal dispute before a federal court trial.
www.newsday.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
NEW: The Oyster Bay town board authorized a settlement Tuesday night that allows for a lesser expansion of the Masjid Al-Baqi mosque in Bethpage, ending a monthslong legal battle as it neared the eve of a federal court trial.
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The Town of Oyster Bay has racked up $387,000 in outside legal fees defending a federal lawsuit over denying a mosque's expansion plan in Bethpage, records obtained by Newsday show.
That total is expected to rise.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
That total is expected to rise.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Law firm bills town $387G to defend mosque case, records show
The Town of Oyster Bay recently hired a second law firm to help with the case at a rate of $1,200 per hour.
www.newsday.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The Town of Oyster Bay has racked up $387,000 in outside legal fees defending a federal lawsuit over denying a mosque's expansion plan in Bethpage, records obtained by Newsday show.
That total is expected to rise.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
That total is expected to rise.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
We have @newsday.bsky.social reporters at “No Kings” protests across Long Island.
I’m on scene in Garden City.
Follow along here ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I’m on scene in Garden City.
Follow along here ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
'No Kings' rallies protesting Trump planned today across Long Island, U.S.
The events are part of a national protest day that organizers hope will bring out big crowds to voice opposition to the administration.
www.newsday.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We have @newsday.bsky.social reporters at “No Kings” protests across Long Island.
I’m on scene in Garden City.
Follow along here ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I’m on scene in Garden City.
Follow along here ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Lawyers for a Bethpage mosque are opposing Oyster Bay's request to delay the start of a trial over the town's decision to deny the house of worship's expansion plans.
Here's the latest on the case, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's the latest on the case, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay seeks to delay mosque trial
The trial is scheduled for Oct. 27 in federal court.
www.newsday.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Lawyers for a Bethpage mosque are opposing Oyster Bay's request to delay the start of a trial over the town's decision to deny the house of worship's expansion plans.
Here's the latest on the case, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's the latest on the case, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I spent some time with volunteers working to help restore Oyster populations on Long Island's North Shore.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
'Off to college': Oysters, grown slightly, head to harbors
Volunteers are working to place the mollusks in safe harbors as part of a plan to replenish their dwindling numbers.
www.newsday.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I spent some time with volunteers working to help restore Oyster populations on Long Island's North Shore.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A Queens-based church cited numerous times for illegally treating a 2-acre Brookville property as a garbage dump has entered into negotiations to sell the property.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Queens church to sell Brookville lot at issue in lawsuit
Brookville officials say they will drop their lawsuit against the church if the sale goes through.
www.newsday.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A Queens-based church cited numerous times for illegally treating a 2-acre Brookville property as a garbage dump has entered into negotiations to sell the property.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay has hired a surveyor to mark the boundaries at Stillwell Woods Park and Preserve in Syosset, a nearly 300-acre property the town is set to take control of following state approvals.
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Town hires surveyor to mark boundary at Stillwell Woods Park
Without a formal boundary, environmentalists say a developer could encroach on nearly 300 acres of open space.
www.newsday.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Oyster Bay has hired a surveyor to mark the boundaries at Stillwell Woods Park and Preserve in Syosset, a nearly 300-acre property the town is set to take control of following state approvals.
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Long Island town and city governments have seen the cost of covering health insurance skyrocket.
Here’s an analysis of the latest numbers, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s an analysis of the latest numbers, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Health insurance costs hit $341.3 million across LI towns, cities
State-set rate hikes have quadrupled, rising from 2.2% in 2021 to 8.9% in 2024.
www.newsday.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Long Island town and city governments have seen the cost of covering health insurance skyrocket.
Here’s an analysis of the latest numbers, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s an analysis of the latest numbers, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...