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RiverheadLOCAL
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Award-winning independent local news website covering Riverhead New York and surrounding areas of eastern Long Island. #LocalNewsMatters
Firefighters battled strong winds to contain and extinguish a fire that destroyed a home on 20th Street in Wading River early Saturday morning.
Firefighters battle wind-driven fire
The fire on 20th Street in Wading River, driven by winds, destroyed a single-family home and two cars, and threatened the house next door.
riverheadlocal.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act; sponsor Deborah Glick says harvesting will be phased out and banned by 2029.
Hochul signs Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, with full ban by 2029
Gov. Hochul signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, phasing out harvesting, with a full ban in 2029.
riverheadlocal.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Old Country Road is closed in both directions at Kroemer Avenue due to utility poles down in the roadway. Police urge . motorists to avoid the area while crews respond.
Traffic alert: Route 58 closed after high winds down utility poles
Old Country Road is closed in both directions at Kroemer Avenue due to utility poles down in the roadway. Police urge . motorists to avoid the area while crews respond.
riverheadlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The Planning Board set a Feb. 5 hearing on Summerwind Farms, weighed the Calverton Hamlet Center" plans, and approved two commercial site plans.
Hearing set on 16-lot subdivision in Aquebogue
Riverhead planners set a hearing on a 16-lot Aquebogue subdivision, discussed the Calverton Hamlet Center proposal and approved two commercial site plans.
riverheadlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The owner of the Youngs Avenue farmland where compost materials were stockpiled pleaded guilty Tuesday to Riverhead code violations.
Owner of Youngs Avenue compost site pleads guilty to code violations, fined $5,630
The owner of the Youngs Avenue farmland where compost materials were stockpiled pleaded guilty Tuesday to Riverhead code violations.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Shaunice Faines of East End Disability Associates has been honored by the NYS Justice Center for ethical, person-centered disability services.
Riverhead care worker receives state Code of Conduct Award
Riverhead’s Shaunice Faines, assistant director at East End Disability Associates, received the NYS Justice Center’s 2025 Code of Conduct Award.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The Town Board recognized sewer district employee Alex Kirsch, who was named employee of the fourth quarter of 2025 by the town's Labor-Management Committee.
Town Board meeting wrap: Dec. 16
The Town Board recognized sewer district employee Alex Kirsch, who was named employee of the fourth quarter of 2025 by the town’s Labor-Management Committee.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Riverhead approved a new CSEA agreement through 2029 with raises, stipends and benefit changes, as officials cited turnover.
Riverhead Town Board approves CSEA agreement for 2026–2029
The Riverhead Town Board approved a CSEA memorandum of agreement setting raises through 2029 and changing longevity and retiree buybacks.
riverheadlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Comptroller audit cites late and inaccurate reports, weak controls and millions moved without required review in Riverhead schools, 2022–24.
Audit faults Riverhead schools’ financial oversight, 2022–24
Comptroller audit cites late, inaccurate reporting and weak controls in Riverhead schools, including $127M in bank transfers and $12.3M in large budget transfers lacking approval.
riverheadlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Riverhead Town on Tuesday inked a contract of sale with The Jazz Loft, agreeing to sell the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for $150,000.
Riverhead signs contract to sell the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall
Riverhead Town on Tuesday inked a contract of sale with The Jazz Loft, agreeing to sell the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for $150,000.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Christmas will be brighter for kids at Roanoke  Avenue Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of local residents, spearheaded by Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
Spreading Christmas cheer to kids in need: local toy drives collect hundreds of toys
Christmas will be brighter for kids at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of local residents, spearheaded by Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Crime Stoppers seeks help ID’ing woman police say stole Legos from Barnes & Noble in Riverhead on Oct. 13.
Police seek help identifying suspect in Riverhead bookstore theft
Suffolk Crime Stoppers and Riverhead police released surveillance images of a woman accused of stealing Legos from Barnes & Noble on Oct. 13.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Ellen “Bunnii” Buglione, 32, was arrested in Riverhead on Saturday, Dec. 6, on Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony.
Aquebogue woman charged in felony theft from Greenport restaurant: Southold Police
Ellen “Bunnii” Buglione, 32, was arrested in Riverhead on Saturday, Dec. 6, on Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the public's help to locate Kennia Michelle Alvarez Diaz, 15, who left her home on Segal Avenue Saturday at 5 p.m and has not been seen since.
Riverhead police seek help finding missing teen
The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the public’s help to locate Kennia Michelle Alvarez Diaz, 15, who left her home on Segal Avenue Saturday at 5 p.m and has not been seen since.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
RIDA Chair James Farley said Tracy Stark-James' retirement took effect last month. She held the post for nearly 15 years.
Tracy Stark-James retires as Riverhead IDA executive director
RIDA Chair James Farley said Tracy Stark-James’ retirement took effect last month. She held the post for nearly 15 years.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Riverhead highway crews battled snow drifts all night to keep roads open, while town police officers and public safety dispatchers were going full tilt responding to calls from disabled motorists stuck in snow drifts or involved in minor accidents.
Icy roads, drifting snow make for hectic night for Riverhead highway and police departments
Riverhead highway crews battled snow drifts all night to keep roads open, while town police officers and public safety dispatchers were going full tilt responding to calls from disabled motorists…
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The Riverhead Central School District will have a two-hour delayed opening Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned motorists of black ice overnight and during morning commute.
Riverhead schools will have 2-hour delay Monday, as NWS warns about black ice during morning commute
The Riverhead Central School District will have a two-hour delayed opening Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned motorists of black ice overnight and during morning commute.
riverheadlocal.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The National Weather Service now forecasts accumulations of 4 to 6 inches in eastern Suffolk County, with locally higher totals possible.
Roads ‘hazardous’ this morning; Riverhead highway chief urges people to postpone travel
The National Weather Service now forecasts accumulations of 4-6 inches in eastern Suffolk, with locally higher totals possible.
riverheadlocal.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Long Ireland Beer Company, the first craft brewery to open in Riverhead,  is closing its doors on Dec. 31.
Long Ireland Beer Co. to close Dec. 31
Long Ireland Beer Company, the first craft brewery to open in Riverhead, is closing its doors on Dec. 31.
riverheadlocal.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The suspect was charged with public lewdness and endangering the welfare of a child after the Dec. 4 incident as the girl, 13, was walking home from school.
Cops: Man arrested after exposing himself to 13-year-old girl near Riverhead schools
The suspect was charged with public lewdness and endangering the welfare of a child after the Dec. 4 incident as the girl, 13, was walking home from school.
riverheadlocal.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The first snowfall of the season is in the forecast Saturday night through Sunday morning, with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected in the local area, according to the National Weather Service.
Winter weather on the way: 2-4 inches of snow forecast this weekend
The first snowfall of the season is in the forecast Saturday night through Sunday morning, with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected in the local area, according to the National Weather Service.
riverheadlocal.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
A demolition excavator tore into 127 East Main Street today as Riverhead’s town square project moved into its next phase.
Demolition begins at 127 East Main Street as town square project moves forward
A demolition excavator tore into 127 East Main Street today as Riverhead’s town square project moved into its next phase.
riverheadlocal.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
PBMC’s radiology school’s Class of 2025 kept the program’s perfect board-pass record — and every graduate has already landed a job
PBMC radiology school keeps perfect record for Class of 2025
Peconic Bay Medical Center’s radiology school Class of 2025 kept its 100% board-pass record and job placement, creating local health care careers.
riverheadlocal.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A ZBA hearing on two variances for a proposed Calverton cannabis greenhouse widened into debate over odors, traffic and code interpretation.
Packed hearing on Calverton cannabis greenhouse
Residents urge Zoning Board to issue use interpretation, arguing proposed cannabis facility is “vertical farming,” not a permitted APZ use
riverheadlocal.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Council Member Ken Rothwell is considering a run for supervisor in 2026. The Even-Year Election Law requires a new supervisor vote next year and party committees will be choosing their candidates by the end of February.
Rothwell mulling supervisor run in ’26
Council Member Ken Rothwell is considering a run for supervisor in 2026. The Even-Year Election Law requires a new supervisor vote next year and party committees will be choosing their candidates by…
riverheadlocal.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:17 PM