News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
Tuna the Cat
It was on Election Day 16 years ago that l heard the mew of a little kitten in the bushes near my house. I lived next to a school and cringed at the cruel practice of people dumping off their unwanted pets.
Pictorial History of Shirley
Drive around Shirley today and you’ll still see glimpses of the way it used to be, when it was a fresh new seaside community promoted by its founder, Walter T. Shirley, as a “nice place to live.
Highway Robbery for Long Island Roads
Fresh off budgeting $2 billion for illegal migrants, Gov. Kathy Hochul has ponied up a comparatively paltry $100 million to fix up state roads across New York, with Long Island getting money for only one small project.
Chamber Flips Holiday Switch
The Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley flipped the switch on the holiday season at their annual Community Tree Lighting.
Tierney Cracks Down on Retail Theft
Anyone with sticky fingers this holiday season be forewarned: the District Attorney’s Retail Protection Partnership is cracking down on shoplifting in a big way.
Panico Throws Gauntlet on Long Island’s Garbage Crisis
"It’s time for solutions and the leaders of New York State to get their heads out of the clouds, their feet on the ground, and come to solutions based in reality,” exclaimed Brookhaven’s Dan Panico.
Gavin’s, A Treasure on Main Street
It’s a place of serenity and solace, peace and perseverance, a shop where you can treat yourself to a special prize or find the most heartfelt gift for a loved one or friend.
After 40 Years of Service, Rotary Club Rests On Its Laurels
After 40 years of service to the community, the Rotary Club of Shirley & the Mastics held the final meeting on November 26th and will cease club operations at the end of the year.
Low-Interest Loans Available for August Flood Damage
Those who suffered damages from the floods that battered Suffolk in August can apply for low-interest federal loans.
New York Expands Life-Saving “Gio’s Law” to Include Police Carrying EpiPens
In a significant step forward for public safety, an amendment to New York’s “Gio’s Law” now enables police officers in Nassau and Suffolk counties to carry EpiPens, critical devices for saving people from life-threatening allergic reactions. The expansion will equip first responders, who often arrive before paramedics, with the tools needed to save lives during anaphylactic emergencies.
Domestic Terrorism: Pipe Bomb Sent to Lee Zeldin’s Home
Domestic terror hit close to home when a bomb was sent to former Congressman Lee Zeldin’s house, a nominee for a top appointment in the Trump Administration. The scare comes as the incoming President reported “violent, unAmerican threats” to the lives of his other perspective cabinet members and those who live with them.
Mixed Messages on Puppy Mill Law
Most agree that puppy mills should be shut down for abusing animals and saddling unsuspecting consumers with sick pets. However, some believe a new state law banning animal sales at pet stores goes too far and will make matters worse.
Major DWI Crackdown to Keep Holiday Travelers Safe
Looking to keep travelers safe, state and local law enforcement are cracking down on impaired and reckless driving in a major enforcement effort this holiday season.
Thankfulness in Perspective
We all look back on things we could have done differently, how if we had just done this or that our lives would be better. Maybe if we listened to that Bitcoin guy, we would be millionaires by now. Or if we had taken that job, we'd be retired. Or my favorite: Instead of spending all that money at Home Depot and just bought stock in the company instead, we'd have three more homes.
Library Grand Opening in Shirley
Community Pride shined through Shirley with the grand opening of a new library. The rebuilt main building joins two library annexes to complete a trifecta of projects designed to serve the area for the next 50 years.
7th Precinct Community Unity Thanksgiving Giveaway
All the fixings, including dessert—750 meals in all—were given out Saturday at the Suffolk Police Department's 7th Precinct in Shirley during an annual Thanksgiving event made possible by generous donations and dozens of volunteers chipping in.
Man on the Street: Thanksgiving Discussions
With President Trump's historical election in the books, the South Shore Press was curious about the discussions residents expect around the Thanksgiving dinner table this year. Here's what they said.
Mastic Beach, A Paradise for Young and Old
Beaches, boating, and fishing—the attributes that drew people to Mastic Beach from the city years ago— remain the area's most popular attractions.
FEMA Screws Suffolk on Storm Aid
Long Islanders took notice when it came out that FEMA, the federal agency tasked with assisting Americans after emergencies, gave short shrift to residents in other states because they supported President Trump. They had reason to worry after a "biblical" storm wreaked havoc across Suffolk over the summer.
Local Artists on Display at Center Moriches Library
Members of the Moriches Bay Art Alliance are showing off their work at the Center Moriches Library. Visitors can enjoy interpretations of nearby landmarks and scenes of the seaside community through the eyes of the people who live here. The Alliance invites creatives from all disciplines to support each other and their crafts through discussion, critique, and artist opportunities. Check them out on Facebook.
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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.
From the Newsroom: In God We Trust, All Others Bring Data
Politicians make plenty of promises and toss out false claims with zero data backing them up.
The Big Beautiful Bill Targets Bettors
The Big Beautiful Bill was over 1,000 pages long and while many Americans were celebrating the large issues the bill set to solve, there was one section of the bill that seems to have been forgotten and it targets a very select group of people. Bettors, specifically sports bettors and poker players had a rude awakening when the detail of the bill was presented and they found they were targeted by the bill.