News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
Make Your Voice Heard on Future Development in Mastic Beach
Another community meeting on the Beechwood redevelopment of the Mastic Beach Business District will be held on January 16 at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville starting at 6:30 p.m.
New Session, Same Battles in Albany
Long Island legislators return to Albany this week for the start of a new session with a familiar slate of issues that will once again highlight the ongoing conflict between local taxpayers and the forces that control state government.
Veteran Receives Special Gift
Kevin Dobson was a Vietnam veteran and actor in Knots Landing, one of the longest-running prime-time series in television history. Before he died, he was honored with the gift of a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue poster created by Bohemia artist Elaine Faith Thompson.
Town Expands South Shore Conservation Area
Another wetlands parcel has been added to the South Shore conservation area on the Mastic Peninsula, land off Riviera Drive that has been inundated with flooding.
Wilderness Walk in the High Dunes
Just over the Smith Point Bridge in Shirley lies the stunning Fire Island High Dune Wilderness Area. The oceanfront park honors Otis G. Pike, the Suffolk Congressman whose legislation created the Fire Island National Seashore and the 1,381-acre park that carries his name.
Fight Inflation by Removing Business Burdens
Senator Dean Murray is heading to the capital with a plan that would save billions. Rallying a coalition of Republican legislators from across the state, Murray has appealed to Gov. Kathy Hochul to eliminate the dreaded UIAS—Unemployment Insurance Assessment Surcharge—a state mandate that is draining $10.2 billion from New Yorkers.
A Busy Year in Brookhaven
“I want to take a moment to personally thank my clerk's office staff for their hard work and dedication,” LaValle said in announcing the extent of the office’s activity in 2024. “Their diligence and efficiency” made it possible for the town to issue:
Ice Rescue Earns Honors
Three bystanders at the edge of Poospatuck Creek joined in the rescue—Joseph Wahl, Tony Orsi, and Alyssa Treadwell—and they were all honored in a special ceremony by local officials.
New Services in 2025 by Brookhaven Town Clerk
To make it easier for residents to get the details on land use and rezoning applications in their neighborhoods, the Clerk has added QR codes to the informational signs required at the sites. Scanned by cell phones, the codes will direct people to www.BrookhavenNY.gov/TownNotices, where they can click on the project they're interested in to learn more.
Education Aid Showdown on Albany Agenda
A hot topic in the school spending debate will be the Foundation Aid formula used to estimate how much each district should receive. Given the age-old pull between the urban and suburban parts of the state, city legislators want the formula skewed toward their interests. Bending to the urban Democrats who control the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed the elimination of the “Save Harmless” provision, which ensures that no district gets less in state education aid than the year before.
Shocking Discovery at Smith Point
The police identified the remains as belonging to a male and have asked the public to contact them at 631-852-6392 if they can provide any information. They did not confirm if it was related to a human bone found at the ocean beach back in March 2023.
New Charges for Accused Murder Monster
Another victim of accused murder monster Rex A. Heuermann has been announced by District Attorney Raymond Tierney, bringing the total of women he allegedly killed to seven.
Tragic Loss Stuns Community
The tragic loss that sent waves of grief across the William Floyd community first appeared as a routine police report.
Lifetime of Art at Library Exhibit
The colors of the ocean, local scenes, and the memories of the lifetime of local artist Elizabeth "Betty" Jordan Dunlap (1926-2023) are on display at the Center Moriches Library.
Sunrise Wind Cable Work Progressing
Work is moving along on the installation of the cable that will connect the mainland to the Sunrise Wind turbines off Montauk.
Pearl Harbor Remembered at Special Event
At precisely 12:48 on Saturday afternoon, the “Day that will in infamy,” the attack on Pearl Harbor was remembered during a special ceremony at the Bartlett Pond Park war memorial in Middle Island.
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.
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Stay Melo: HOF Knicks Star Plugs Cannabis Brand in Farmingdale
Strain Stars will welcome the perennial All-Star on Saturday, April 19th for 1-3 p.m. meet and greets.
Who Will Run Against Hochul for Governor of New York?
The South Shore Press had a conversation with New York State Conservative Party Chair, Gerry Kassar on his thoughts who might be considering a race for the Governor’s office from the Republican/Conservative side of the race.
Greenport brewery founder on Reggae Fest: 'a kickoff of summer'
Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic is planning a bigger-than-ever Reggae Fest for Saturday, May 3, with top acts and plenty of craft brews.